Let's Do "Black Messiah", Only White!
In the utterly brilliant book Wait 'Till Next Year, William Goldman tells the story of a movie studio head who has a brilliant idea at lunch: "Let's do The Wiz... white!"
At this point, I feel compelled to explain to the younger generation why this is funny: because The Wiz was a blaxploitation version of The Wizard Of Oz, which had an all-white cast. Well, almost all white. I think some of the women were green.
Black Messiah is, in my opinion, the most important --- the most timely --- the most musical R&B album of the last ten years. In just six weeks or so it's become a major part of the American discussion, launching a thousand ships of related dialogue (did he really rush it to market because of Eric Garner's death? Did he get fat on purpose, like Questlove claimed? Was his SNL ensemble really a tribute to Darkwing Duck?) and propelling a performance at the Apollo that has already entered the realm of legend. He's the best, truest face of Black America at the moment, an artist who has beaten his demons and produced his best work deep into middle age.
With all that said and done, you can argue that it's really, really problematic for Jack Baruth, the proverbial Straight White Guy Who Occasionally Attended A Private School, to try playing the music. And you'd be right. But not because it's racist for me to "appropriate" it. More like because it's too hard to play. And sing.
Luckily for me, Patrick and I aren't the only white people to swing at this, as you'll see.
Nothing against this girl - I wish I'd watched this video before Patrick and I tried doing ours, because I see what the guitar's supposed to be doing a little better --- but she's skipping the bridge, and I think she's doing a bit of extra appropriation by trying to sound black. Also, she had a studio and a four-person backup band. Patrick and I did it in my house with my AdrenaLinn III.
Alright, here's the man himself for comparison.
Simply brilliant. I don't care if D'Angelo wants to wear a Donald Duck outfit. I'm glad he's back.