Some Musical Storytellers

I like to listen to all types of music. Sometimes the lyrics are garbage but the song has good rhythm and dance vibe. Sometimes, the dance vibe is enough. On the other hand, I do love a song that tells a story and keeps me enthused at the same time.

Some of the music of the 60s to the 80s told a story. Country musicians loved telling stories and a good example was Kenny Rogers in his song The Gambler. The Mighty Sparrow told lots of stories and he greatly influenced the soca and calypso we enjoy today. Jean and Dinah and Obeah Wedding are great examples of Sparrow's lyrical genius. Bob Marley was another exciting lyricist who shared so many aspect of life in his reggae albums. No Woman, No Cry and Trenchtown Rock keep us listening to hear a tale in reggae style.

Nicholas "Daddy Friday" Friday was one example of a talented musician, along with The Jam Band, who kept people in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean enthralled by his catchy and insightful lyrics - all sung to a rhythmic balance of rhythm box, live instruments and drums. Jam Band's discography include We From De VI, Hugo and Let Loose.

Hip Hop had its share of storytellers including Slick Rick in Children's Story, Sugar Hill Gang in Rapper's Delight, and Will Smith as Fresh Prince in Summertime. Later R&B had hits like I Wish by Carl Thomas, Boyfriend Number 2 by Pleasure P and Need You Bad by Jazmine Sullivan.

I listen to many genres but these days, I mostly listen to the old school music. The depth of the music is not the same today. I do find myself listening to more soca these days because I think the genre has grown and there's even a collaboration with Machel Montano and Ashanti in The Road. 

Soca that I am pumping in car these days include:

• Kerwin Du Bois - Right for Somebody
• Teddyson John - Vent
• Jougo (VIBE) - Rule Numba Uno
• Kelly Jr. - Love Trip
• Pressure BussPipe - Do It and Done
• Machel Montano - Epic (2014)
• Skinny Fabulous, Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin - Famalay
• Farmer Nappy - Hookin Meh

Music is entertainment, it influences, it inspires, it evolves and it helps us to keep fit. Music is truly life.

Poem: As We Are

I don't want to be consistent
But yet I want to be resistant
Not because I'm being difficult
But sometimes I don't know who to trust
I've never believed in luck
And that's how I got my guts
To stand up and stand out
I do doubt myself and my strengths
Because the world focuses so much on
Weaknesses or personal appearances
Forgetting that so much is unknown
And our little temporary thrones
Are really useless and of little interest
Thrones have no depth and
although there is temporary wealth
It can't save our souls or make our bodies
Whole if we get sick
I'll just be me
With my flaws and talents
My bravery and need to repent
My frankness and shyness
My moods and my quirks
I'll remain inconsistent
Obstinate and tolerant
Because all of us are as we are

© Linette Rabsatt

THE GOD MOVEMENT - LION OF JUDAH

POEM: Easter

When it's Easter

It's either a siesta

or a fiesta

but there's a good reason

for the season

and even though the story has some treason

and we do spend some time grieving

over the deceiving

we stay believing

that we have a heavenly father

who looks after

us despite our falters

our shortcomings

wrongdoings

and falsifying

our resistance

our pretense

and our negative insistence

Thank God for his blessings

his caring

and his understanding

cause if he goes by what he observes

for sure we don't deserve

any part of his love

Linette

Knots76

Ribbon

Thoughts About A Vine

It's easy to get distracted and detracted from what you have to do. We are so busy and are so involved. We are social and yet so anti-social. I like how a vine runs because it flows by its needs. It has to survive and will grow on other trees, on concrete, on soil and depending on the situation, even through a car.

Sometimes we need to be like a vine and be tough and resilient. We have to push through and make things happen for ourselves. We have to be able to adapt and develop ourselves. There is a lot to do and a lot to learn. The key is in our hands. A vine starts with one root. A pumpkin vine develops other roots along the way and we have to develop positive relationships while we are on our journey.

You can learn a lot from nature because of the way it adapts and grows. I want to be a vine of positivity and of compassion. I want my vine to have success, growth and inspiration as well. Think about your life and your journey. What impact do you want to make? What will you be a vine of?

Poem: Confused

Possibly a margin
Of error or was it terror
Designed to mix up
Our minds
Like a Kool-Aid flavor of lime
Don't drink and drive
To keep a life
From a lost state
In a debate on faith
But with no substance
And no endurance
Guaranteed that
You will not heed
I breathe in heavy gasps
As I lapse into
Not me
I really can't see
Cause one decree
Like an off deed
Turns into many others
And those who speak
With the 'other tongue' side
Take us for the ride
Not on a glider
But this one is a slider
Not wider but just confused

Ribbon

Woman by Marcia Griffith & Lady G

https://youtu.be/yT7xVD6Qt8s

Poem: One with Words

I write to become
One with words
To resuscitate
Not divide and conquer
To disseminate
What could be useful
Because I am hopeful
I remain an optimist
Not only to give you
A gist or a hint
But to tell it to you
Raw with details
To ensure that
You understand
My passionate chords
Of words
That I use to light
The fire to inspire
The desire
For you to want more
I write to become
One with words
And I share these thoughts
Free of cost

Ribbon

I Am Inspired to Inspire You

I have to say "Thank God" for all the positive people in the world who are trying to make a difference. I hope to be one of those persons. I pray that as I meet people and interact with them that they are inspired.

I know that I can be grumpy sometimes and today was one of these days. It wasn't a bad day but I was just not in the frame of mind. I came home and put on some music because that is my "cooler". At work, I'm listening to music while I deal with the simple and complex issues that I face.

I work in an environment where boldness mixed with humility, innovation while remembering tradition and toughness anchored with understanding are essential. Tough decisions have to be made and if I want to grow, sometimes I have to make them or aid in them being made.

I listened to Billionaire PA today on ZBVI and he is an excellent speaker. He exudes positivity and confidence. I do hope that the event tonight will be successful. My listening to him in the car gave me some gumption.

Let us all exude confidence when we are asked to speak. Let us be strong and courageous even when we feel we are the underdog. Let us be inspired to make change and to ease our fears away. We have to communicate in our homes, schools and workplaces to inspire this change.

Be the best you that you can be!

Ribbon

Ten Tips I Am Sharing About Life

I like the simple things in life. I enjoy sharing in my blog and writing poetry. However, I dislike blogging from my phone. I wrote this entire blog post already … but had an error message.

I do not profess to have the answers or solutions to anything but I like to share information with others. I have learned a lot by reading tips and informational articles about life. I think these ten tips may be helpful to you.

1. Be nice
Be you but be nice. You do not have to smile with everyone but you should be courteous. Being pleasant makes you more approachable and helps you to make a good first impression.

2. Manage your money
Do not let your money manage your life; instead make wise financial decisions. Save for hard times or a rainy day and insure your property.

3. Be spiritual
Whether you are religious or not, find time to meditate. If you are religious, then pray and congregate with like minds.

4. Watch your friends
In the VI, the old folks used to say that “not every skin teeth is a laugh” meaning that not everyone who smiles with you is your friend. If you notice a trust issue among friends, address it and/or move on. Do not keep anyone in your circle who will bring you down.

5. Relax
We all need to relax. This does not mean that you should laze around and be unproductive. However, stress can kill you so you have to take time to chill and rest.

6. Be silly sometimes
Find what is fun for you and enjoy it. If it is fun, then there should be no stress involved!

7. Continuously learn
Learning does not only mean a classroom. Use the resources available such as elders, short courses and online resources. Grammarly is a good resource and you can learn about anything on YouTube. The internet is a great resource; just use it wisely.

8. Dream
Consider yourself in what you see as your realistic ideal. Start with how you can get there and make a plan to make it happen. Be mindful of the key word: realistic.

9. Seek advice when needed
You do not need someone to tell you how to make every move. However, sometimes you need to seek counsel when making tough decisions. Be careful who you ask because you do not want your information to be shared with others.

10. Love you
You will never succeed trying to be like everyone else. Love yourself – if you do not then who will? I am not saying to be egotistical, but you have to first love yourself before you can love others.

I hope that you enjoyed and can use one or two of these tips.

Ribbon