Soul It Out Sunday - Regulate, I Keep Forgettin'

Happy Sunday Darlings,

This weeks song is by Warren G and Nate Dogg. It relied heavily on the four bar sample of Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin', and peaked at number 2 on the Bilboard Hot 100 in 1994. It also enjoyed success in the UK, reaching number 5 in the charts. 

The song appears on the film soundtrack for 'Over the Rim' and is largely heralded as the catalyst for the G funk genre of music' a hybrid between 'gangsta rap' and funk. 

Of course I'm also pretty partial to a touch of Michael McDonald, so I have also included the this video too. This featured on his debut album 'If that's what it takes'.

Have a relaxing evening everyone,

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Soul It Out Sunday - Englishman In New York

Hi Darlings,

This week's Soul It Out Sunday comes in the form of Sting and the Police, namely their collaboration entitled 'Englishman in New York'. Now granted, this isn't soul, it's most definitely Jazz, but you'll let me off won't you?

'Englishman in New York' came from Sting's 1987 album 'Nothing like the Sun', and talks specifically about the gay icon Quentin Crisp as the Englishman. 

The single was re-promoted in the mid 1990's reaching number 15 in the UK, however it only peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

At the end of the original video, an elderly voice can be heard saying, "If I have an ambition other than a desire to be a chronic invalid, it would be to meet everybody in the world before I die..."
As it is, this is a really great video and I really recommend that you check it out.  

I hope you've had a great weekend guys, I enjoyed writing about this one. It's got some great trivia surrounding it and I really recommend you check out the link to Quentin Crisp above, he certainly was an interesting character, he even criticised Princess Diana publicly; quite the scandal!

Lea

x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3.

Soul It Out Sunday - Dreams

Hello Darlings,

It's my favourite day of the week again, you all know how I love my music.

I am aware that these posts are a hit and miss with you guys, but it's something that I love doing, and frankly if I spread a song to even one person, it's worth it to me. In my opinion the craft of music is in a serious decline, and I'm in love with the way that (in my opinion) it should be.

This weeks song is by the fabulous Fleetwood Mac. They had a particularly fabulous album called 'Tango in the Night' that was released in 1987. Not my favourite time music wise (or in general if I'm honest), but I do enjoy that album, if you ever find it knocking about, I recommend a listen.

I doubt that many of you out there won't have heard of Stevie Nicks, she has to be one of my favourite female artists, with such a lovely tone to her voice. This song really showcases her talent, and I'm sure it's one a lot of you will recognise.

'Dreams' is from Fleetwood Mac's 1997 album, Rumours. It was written by Stevie Nicks, and was Fleetwood Mac's only number one US hit, remaining in the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks. It peaked at number 6 in the UK.

Initially it was criticised for the chord pattern being too simplistic, mainly consisting of a three chord structure. However, the song was pushed through, and became a massive success.

Happy listening everyone,

Lea 
x

p.s. All this hype about GFC; it's still going to be working (so I am informed), so if you'd like to follow me, please still click on the button to the right :) Alternatively, you can follow me via Bloglovin' <3. 

No Freedom

Hi there beautiful,

Last night was one of the worst nights sleep I've had in such a long time, so today it's all about home comforts. My favourite candle, a good book, even better music and a soft blanket, hell maybe even a glass of white if I'm feeling particularly rebellious!

I hope you have a relaxing day too, particularly if it's headed towards exam season for you too! Everyone needs a bit of time off, and since I utilised my sleepless night by powering through work, I feel like I can actually justify this one!

Have a great day darlings,

Lea

x

Soul it out Sunday [On a Wednesday] - What Am I Gonna Do With You?

Edit: This was a scheduled post but for whatever reason it never went up, so I thought I'd give it an airing today.

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Hi Darlings!

It's my favourite time of the week again! Today I'm sharing one of the classics, by one of the greatest soul singer/producers of all time. Hang on to your hats, and your mothers - because we all know that they love a bit of Barry on the quiet side..

From the Album 'Just Another Way To Say I Love You', What Am I Gonna Do With You peaked at Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, but reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles. It was  In the UK it peaked at number 5.

I have to say this is one of my favourite Barry White songs, it's less Uncle at a Wedding and more Bridget Jones on a good day <3 

Check it out? 

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Lea

x

Soul It Out Sunday - Don't Mess With My Man

Hello darlings,

I thought I'd make my soul posts a little more scheduled, so I can try to keep on top of things. I often find songs that I want to share but then completely forget, so hopefully this way it'll remind me!

Tonight's Soul It Out Sunday is brought to you by Lucy Pearl, who gave us the original (and best) version of 'Don't Mess With My Man'. Most of  you will be familiar with the Booty Luv version that was released in late 2007, but this my darlings, this is the real thing. Released in 2000, this was the second single issued from their self titled album. It reached number 20 on the UK singles chart.

If you fancy a bit of a dance on this fine evening, may I invite you to have a listen. Some of you may even be fighting the urge to say this to someone at the moment, and if that's the case, I'm sure you'll enjoy it all the more!

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend lovelies,

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Lea

x

Soul It Out Baby

Hey Darlings,

About time for a touch of soul round here don't you think?

This beauty comes from Soul 4 Real, and is called 'Every Little Thing I Do'. It was from their 1995 debut album Candy Rain and peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. This is guaranteed to get me moving, so I really do recommend you give it a listen!

I'm working on a short film as a favour to a couple of friends of mine at the moment. I'm filming from 6-10 tonight and I'm actually really looking forward to it! I went to a rehearsal last night (I joined the cast at super short notice!) and I really enjoyed it. I'm playing a character that's quite the opposite of me, so it's so much fun to be something completely different.

Hope you're all okay lovelies!

Lea

x

Is your Christmas Wishlist a personality indicator?

Hello Darlings,

Alex asked me for my Christmas list a few days ago and it's got me thinking. All of the things that I'm asking for seem to reflect a part my personality, or who I am. I was pondering on whether this is just me, or whether it's true for everyone?

Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes - Phoebe. $22 for the 10ml Eau De Parfum

I adore Sweet Anthem perfumes, and Phoebe is my absolute favourite. With notes of dirt, lavender, maple sugar, snow, tobacco and white amber, it's a classic woodsy scent that's perfect for me.

To me, this represents the 'old fashioned' aspect of my personality. I believe in good manners, kindness, and the classic grace and femininity of a woman. I also believe that a woman should always have an element of mystery, which to me, is at the essence of this perfume. 

Armande Amaretto - £13.42

Amaretto is probably my favourite alcoholic drink, I like it as a short drink with orange juice. But I also drink it with Coke.

To me, this represents the slightly 'different' side to me. While it's not completely random, it's also not something that is immediately popular with others in my age group - just like me. 

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet - Somptueuse - £25

This matte classic red will never get old, and I'm in love with the decadence of it.

To me this represents the beauty lover in me (obviously). It also represents the part of my personality that can be difficult to get along with at times.

Gone With The Wind Hardback - £16.45

Gone with the Wind is my ultimate favourite book and film - my much loved copy is now so battered it has fallen apart.

This represents my family. It specifically represents my Grandad and also my Grandma who passed away almost ten years ago now. It's fair to say that she pretty much brought me up for the first 11 years of my life, and I can still remember her now as clearly as ever, she was a truly great lady and I miss her every day. She and my Grandad had the most amazing relationship out of anyone I have ever known, and that in itself inspires me to strive for that in my own relationship. 

My Grandma introduced me to this film; she absolutely loved it, and it's safe to say that I do too. My family mean everything to me; there's not so many of us left now (8 including grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins) and that makes it all the more precious to me. 

Mango - Border Sweater - £34.99

I think this is beautiful for Christmas Day. I'd wear it with dark wash skinny jeans and black peep-toe platforms. Throw on a statement bracelet and a red lip and you're party ready while still cosy and warm.

This represents the materialistic part of my personality - lets be honest, most of us are. It also represents the part of my personality who always believes in being presentable - I care about my appearance.

Billie Holiday Gold Collection - £8.00

It's no secret to any of you who have read my blog for a little while that I'm a big soul fan. This often translates across to old Jazz for me, and Billie Holiday is simply phenomenal.

This of course represents the part of my personality that is in love with music, that music of course being old soul or jazz. It also shows the part of me that lives in the past. I often think I was born in the wrong era, so much of today I find brash and crude. I wonder, what happened to true talent, what happened to that slow pace of life? 

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So what do you think? Is there something in it? I know that some of you will think, well yes, obviously. If I want something, it's to my taste and so of course it represents my personality. But what about when you think about why that is to your taste? Does it then show what you're like as a person?

Have a wonderful evening everyone,

Lea

x

Don't forget to check out my Christmas Yankee Candle giveaway HERE.

Franklin my dear, I do give a damn!

If you were to ask my friends to sum up me in a nutshell, they would say anything to do with beauty, cars - specifically classics, and soul music. I know this because I asked them a couple of days ago.

I'm the kind of girl who's always been the the odd one, I've never really followed the rest of the crowd. I know what I like and I'm very passionate about it. Soul has always been a huge part of me, I was raised on it and I honestly do believe that for soul music especially, being part of it brings you into a community, it's a lifestyle almost. I'd rather sit and listen to Smooth FM on a friday night with a bottle of wine than be out on the lash somewhere - that in itself has led a lot of people to think that I'm really odd, let me tell you!

So my point to all of this I suppose, is that I've always written whatever I fancied on here. I don't have a regiment, I've done everything from OOTD's to The Gay Post. And I hope, from that, you've all got to know me, from what I write, to the way I write it. But one of the biggest parts of my life, and my personality isn't shown to you (don't worry, I'm not going to start shoving classic cars in your face). So from time to time I'm going to share with you some of the soul music I'm listening to, and some of the events I go to.

I know this won't be for everyone, so feel free to completely ignore them. But, I'm always on the look out for other soul people out there. So if you do happen to be part of the community, whether it's Motown, Northern Soul, Funk, Old Soul or anything else in this world, get in touch!

So this time I'm going to leave you with Aretha Franklin - What A Fool Believes.

It's a real feel good song, and listen for the change at 3.55, blows me away at every time.

Have a great night everyone,

Lea 

x

Don't forget to check out my Christmas Yankee Candle giveaway. You can find it HERE.

There's a storm on my radar, But I can still fly. Josephine.

Before you click off this page because it looks random, try it, its a couple of minutes, who knows you might like it.

Now I can't vouch for the video footage of this (the person who made it seems to have had a lovely time), but it's the best musical version without a doubt.

If you like Chris Rea I have a lot of respect for you.

Sometimes I feel like if you don't like mainstream music, or Dubstep/D&B, you're automatically weird.

Well - then I'm weird.

This is real music, layers of instruments, recorded in a studio, not from a computer. A voice that's natural talent, listen to the way he says Josephine towards the mid to end, the way the drum breaks in, the guitar, the e-piano. Perfection.

This is something you will find me listening to driving down the fast lane as the sun sets, or with a glass of wine on a Saturday night. This for me is living.

Lea

x