BLOG.LESPAYNE.NET: Recent Comments

Comment on Recovering From An Ill-Fated Trip Down The Stairs

2010-03-11T13:37:08Z

Hello Mr Payne:
I hope you recover soon and big props to your devoted daughter Tamara for being jonnie on the spot.

The room where your photo was taken is lovely and the thing that jumps out at me is the books on display - they show a glimpse into a man's soul. Maybe you can share the title of 5 or 6 of your favorites books in a future blog.

BTW: You and Earl Caldwell should have a talk-show on cable TV. Both of you are seasoned journalists/commentators who have much to offer undereducated Americans from all walks of life, especially the birthers, KKK, conservatives, Republicans, and teabags. lol!

God bless you.

Comment on Recovering From An Ill-Fated Trip Down The Stairs

2010-03-11T00:18:49Z

Ouch. And we're at a point in life where healing doesn't happen as quickly as it once did.
Get well soon.

Comment on Media Brands Tiger With Scarlet "A"

2010-03-04T02:02:02Z

Bottom line the guy has talent.. and media brands come with that.

Comment on Bill Withers: A True American Original

2010-02-27T00:28:50Z

Life is short, but art endures. The great original artists leave us with the truth, a journal of the times, a mirror held up for all of us. There is no place for the hustlers and con artists under the light shed by their art. Mr. Withers has left us his music and words and his example, and we will all the better for it if we listen and understand.

Comment on Bill Withers: A True American Original

2010-02-20T21:04:32Z

Excellent article, Mr Payne. Kudos to you for doing this dedication, to a great singer/songwriter. someone who exemplifies true God-fearing humility. The picture of him shows how great the man looks at 70yrs of age! To me he still looks the same, except for the greys in his beard/hair. And i must comment on what you said regarding the omission, of his marriage/relationship with Denise Nicholas. Im glad it was left out, because that was one of the low points, in his life sad to say. Im sure she was left out at his behest. I am
someone who personally followed bill withers, during his heyday as a recording artist, as i have all of his greatest songs/hits. One of his songs that he wrote detailed his troubled marriage with ms Nicholas. That was the song, Use me until you use me up" which by the way was one of his biggest sellers, and funkiest hit songs. He also wrote who is he and what is he to you, which he wrote for a group called "CREATIVE SOURCE" BACK IN THE 1970'S. It was a big hit by this group, as they were one of those 1 hit wonders. Anyway, again much thanks to you mr Les Payne, for this thoughtful article on the great Bill Withers.I will certainly be looking for the film you referenced "Still"Bill"

Comment on Bill Withers: A True American Original

2010-02-18T22:06:24Z

After hearing “Just the Two of Us” in a TV commercial yesterday, I asked myself, what ever happened to Bill Withers? Thank you for providing the answer. I would like to see that documentary.

I enjoyed your blog particularly the version of the passage below (which I extracted from The Root). I admit, however, that this slightly altered version has more voice and vim because of your word choices. Delicious.

Keep writing; I’ll keep reading (and commenting). Thanks, again.

Version in the Root:
“There is a curious scene in Still Bill in which the West Virginia wordsmith needles the scholarly antics of Cornel West and his sidekick, Tavis Smiley. Pressing the singer about blacks who “sell out,” the duo, appearing to these tired eyes as poseurs on the make, attempted to explain the term to Withers who neatly cut the ground from beneath him. After rejecting Smiley’s very use of the term “sell-out,” Withers embraced it not as a negative but as a positive. The rattled TV host handed off to the professor who attempted to explain “authenticity” by snatching loose quotes from Shakespeare and heaving them at the songwriter of plain lyrics who rejects the easy stereotype slur.”

Comment on Obama's Big Week Reveals A "Privileged" Response

2010-02-18T19:28:23Z

wow!

excellent post!

i adore bill withers!

thanks!
alicia banks
eloquent fury
http://aliciabanks.vox.com

Comment on Bill Withers: A True American Original

2010-02-18T16:03:25Z

Bill Withers is an American treasure. And, as you point out, he richly combines the sounds and experiences of Black America with a larger family of humanity. Yet, something quite striking is missed in your review, which is quite up front in "Still Bill," and that is the working class roots of Mr. Withers, something that crosses race, ethnicity and gender and speaks to a deeper essence of us all.

http://peoplesworld.org/working-class-roots-of-bill-withers/

Comment on Michelle Obama's Family is also Diverse

2010-02-16T22:24:39Z

I am very proud of Obama!!!

Comment on When Race Becomes Real

2010-01-29T05:36:46Z

one of the advantages of having a Black president, the racism rises to the top, clearly to be seen by all. they cannot help to betray their deep seated beliefs about black folks. it is important to have Black journalists like yourself to rebuff, clarify, untangle the sometimes not so clear implications of language usage. WEB Dubois speaks about the dualism of being Black and American which can produce a desensitivity, even denial in the face of offensive rhetoric. thank you for helping us to stay alert.