It is difficult for me to embrace self praise, but this CD is a masterpiece. I think it has the potential to take its place with some of the best examples of classic CDs that have defined Soul, R&B, and music with a message. For those of you who joined me at The Berklee Performance Center on October 3, you witnessed the wide appeal, entertainment value, and power of these songs to provoke discussion and resolution. "American Fruit with African Roots", the second CD is now available on iTunes, and will be available for purchase online very soon. We will list on the site in the next few weeks, the various record, bookstore and departments stores that will carry the product. The title cut is a song written by Zulema more than thirty years ago and produced by Miklos Malek, will be one of the musical projects in 2008 that will usher in a new era in music. Please help us promote this CD nationally and internationally. We know that the public is ready for a new sound and message in today's music.
I am pleased this year to be the visiting artist at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at the Harvard University Law School. In that capacity I have had the great honor of singing for the survivors of the 1921 Tulsa riots. These men and women ranging in he age from 95 to 106 are determined to live until the United States government acknowledges the formal act of terrorism waged against thousands of African Americans in this country. Last week, the universe blessed me again when I sang at Fanuel Hall for the "Little Rock 9". These performance along with the legendary Tata Vega adding her vocals to my song "Half Empty Glass" is inspiring and makes the eight year wait make sense.
I remain committed to using my musical gift to advocate for social justice throughout this planet. I know first hand the power of Black music and the power of performance to transform peoples lives. A great philosopher once said, some are guilty but all are responsible. We can each do our part, however small, to represent goodness and positivism in the midst of depressing and fatalistic social paradigms that continue to keep us divided as a nation.
It is a real challenge for independent artists like myself to continue to create provocative, progressive musical expression in the midst of disposable-"handi-wipe" music that devalues humanity. In this world, we have inherited, each of us must be committed to justice and have a mutual respect for other people living on God's planet to insure all of our survival. Please keep writing and letting me know what you think of the music. I look forward to seeing you in the audience and getting your great feedback on the new CD as we make final plans for a national tour in 2008.
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| Lawrence Watson SaveOurSelves Productions and Consulting www.lawrencewatson.com saveourselves@aol.com 617-825-9600 |