Old School Friday * The Emotions

Do any of y'all remember The Emotions? I remember them as being three Nubian sisters with powerful voices and lyrics that seemed to hit home more often than not. One of the first songs I remember from this is Don't Ask My Neighbors





My favorite song by The Emotions was on the radio back in 1976. If you listen to the full song you will hear a message that brothers today need to hear more than they needed it back then. Don't you agree?





Finally, it is Christmas time. In fact, the reason that I created this blog post was to highlight this next song -- sometimes it hits home more than I like. Have you ever wondered what the lonely do for Christmas?

Sunday Inspiration: 'The Christmas Scale'

It's hard to believe that the greatest message the world will ever hear is contained in one simple scale.

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This blog will continue to seek out Sunday Inspirations, a meme inspired by Sojourner's Place. Sunday Inspirations is just one way to help get us through the week ahead, the trials we may face, and yes, to say 'Thank You Jesus' and testify! I invite you to participate in this weekly meme as your contribution might serve as an inspiration to someone in need.

Obama's Weekly Address: The President and First Lady Thank Our Troops for Their Service This Holiday Season

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama offer a special holiday tribute to the men and women who wear our country's uniform and the families who support them.





This blog joins with the First Family in wishing a very Merry Christmas to everyone who has ever visited the Electronic Village!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Lights Envy

Old School Friday * Merry Christmas Baby

We had our first snowflakes yesterday. Thanksgiving leftovers are gone. It truly is time to begin the preparations for Christmas. What better way to get in the mood than to listen to a few different renditions of Merry Christmas Baby. The song was originally written by Charles Brown. Here he is singing it live.





My favorite version is the one that Ray Charles gave back in 1979 while on tour in Germany.





And you know a song is a classic when it brings together people as different as these two!





Merry Christmas Villagers!

Weekly Address: Merry Christmas from the President and First Lady

President Obama and the First Lady wish families across the country a “Merry Christmas” and encourage everyone to support the troops and their families this holiday season. Visit www.serve.gov to find ideas for what you can do to help our servicemen and women and their families.

Old School Friday: Nat King Cole

This blog is using the Old School Friday meme to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the powerful vocals and emotions from Nat King Cole as he sings a classic Christmas song.





I hope you enjoyed this musical selection. What is your favorite Christmas song of all time?

Wordless Wednesday: Does Santa Claus Look Different This Year?!

Old School Friday * This Christmas

Are you in the full glow of the Christmas season yet? If not, we'll try to help you with a couple glorious versions of 'This Christmas'. The first is the original stylings of Donny Hathaway. The second is from one of my favorite old school groups, The Whispers.





The Whispers had a number of Christmas songs back in the day. This was always one of my favorites.

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Tune In Tuesday: The Drifters (White Christmas)

I'm officially in a Christmas mood. There are so many great Christmas songs that I think we will be popping up with them on and off over the next month or so.  

We begin today with an animated Christmas cartoon (by Joshua Held) featuring the vocal stylings of The Drifters, featuring Bill Pinkney on lead bass and Clyde McPhatter on tenor.





I'm curious ... what is your favorite Christmas song?

Old School Friday: The Whispers

This blog has been MIA from the Old School Friday meme over the past few weeks. I'm not certain that I'm on-topic with this week's OSF theme. However, we are entering into the final week before Christmas and I wanted to share my favorite ol' school Christmas song. Do any of y'all remember hearing this song ... originally written and performed by Donny Hathaway ... when it was sung by The Whispers?





That's my favorite Christmas song. What's yours?

Buy Black for Christmas

Drumbeats from Buzzology Surveys about ways that you can Buy Black for Christmas.

What is the point of having so much Black spending power in this country if we are not going to use it to uplift and enhance the economy in our own community?

Have you considered making a conscious effort to spend your dollars with a Black-owned business over the next few weeks?