Versions: Amy Winehouse/Jazmine Sullivan

'Round Midnight is said to be the most oft covered jazz standard in all the history of the genre. Chances are if you aren't familiar with the title, you've still probably heard the song in some capacity and by someone other than Thelonious Monk who is said to have composed it in 1940. It didn't originally have lyrics, but when they were added they told a story of deep longing in the late night hours. It's on some hugging-your-pillow-staring-outside-as rain-taps-against-the-window pane-and-sighing isht...with this song playing in the background, HAHA.

That being said, there are a couple of recent renderings of the song that I really dig. The first one is by Amy Winehouse, which appeared as a non-album b-side with the 2004 single "Take The Box" from her debut album "Frank." She wasn't even 21 when she recorded this, but her delivery was impeccable. She knew exactly what to put behind the notes she was singing to make them matter - I think we Black folk call that "soul." The overall production is great - quirky yet sultry, it definitely can get you to feel some kinda way if all the right elements are in place.

Amy Winehouse - 'Round Midnight.mp3

More recently, there's Jazmine Sullivan's live cover. She's straight outta the Black Lily scene in Philly, and getting her feet wet in the industry with the likes of Missy Elliot. There's not much I can really say to prepare you for the voice you're about to hear, so I'm just going to post the track. Give yourself about 5 seconds before you check your arm for goosebumps:

Jazmine Sullivan - Round Midnight (Live).mp3

How THAT is coming from a 20 year old is beyond me, but whatever diety saw it fit to bless her with those pipes I am grieviously in their debt.

So yeah. I don't really prefer one cover over the other - they're both pretty badass in their own respects, so it doesn't do them justice to compare. It's just cool to hear how different people interpret the song and how they choose to convey it in their delivery.

Yet another blog to be foisted upon the masses...

I feel like I should do an inaugural post to get this thing kick-started, but to be perfectly honest I don't really know what to say. However, my compulsion and obsession with order and organization will not allow me to post any real content in this thing until I at least do some kind of brief intro *sigh* I'll make it quick...

I'm not really sure how to elaborate on this thing, because it's a work in progress. Even though I've been journaling online since 2002, this whole "blogging" phenomenon is pretty new to me but I'm taking a stab at it anyway. The best way I can describe this and what it will very likely entail is...well, I'm pretty easily amused (and at times easily distracted) with a broad range of interests and a perpetual curiosity that often leads me to places that I never imagined I'd end up. Essentially, this is the product of all of those elements when they come together and somehow end up written in a fairly coherent fashion. While this won't likely have a single focus, look for frequent appearances of various components like:

• Versions - 2 or 3 versions of the same song compared/contrasted side by side
• Photo of the Day
• Throwback Joint of the Week
• Someone You Should Know
• Under the Radar - rare/little known tracks by a well-known artist
• Favorite Human Being on Earth
• Featuring - looking back on notable guest appearances by an artist at various points in their career
• Where Are They Now?

I'm not an expert on anything, just an avid enthusiast which drives my pursuit of knowledge about a given topic. I have opinions but I certainly don't have all the answers. I'm not one to mince words when necessary but I know how damaging they can be so I try to strike a balance. Let it be known that I am notorious for talking mad shit, if for no other reason than to amuse myself. I crack a lot of jokes and I tend to find the humor in most situations. I also have no problem clowning myself, and I do it on a regular basis and I will not hesitate to clown on you if the occasion calls for it. I learned at a young age that if you aren't pretty or good-looking, you better be damn funny or you won't have any friends. I'm not trying to author teh greatest blogz EVAR, but I intend to try my hardest at being a damn good writer because I'm like 76% sure that's what I'm supposed to do with my life.

So yeah, I guess that's it. Pass this URL around, check out the links on the right and support those folks as well. For the love of Black Jesus, LEAVE COMMENTS - and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. All my specs are in my profile, all of my social networking profiles are linked on the right. Let the foisting begin! *FOIST FOIST FOIST* This is officially official now, so this is only appropriate:

Jaylib - The Official

Take it easy ya'll...more coming up shortly.