The Music We Shared

The

Music

We

Shared

By Kendolyn Walker

Music was and still is (as I like to think) a love language shared between my father and me. He was always very honest when he did not like a song or an artist I sent to him. He went into depth with details about the reasons as well. With the same passion, he would explain why he enjoyed the songs and artists he liked.

My father grew up in a family that enjoyed music and concerts. So, it’s understandable why he wanted to share that love with his wife and children. Daddy set the foundation for us all to appreciate music from all genres, created by people from different backgrounds.

When Pandora first came out, he fell in love. He put it on his work computer and enjoyed all of his favorite artists daily. Daddy was so deep into the Pandora realm that he refused to switch to Spotify when I pleaded with him to make the change.

So these are some of our conversations. Some I shared with him and some he shared with me. Others were fond memories. They all spoke to the empathetic and warm heart my father had. Here are six songs to give you a taste of the music we enjoyed together.

“Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson

This is the earliest and possibly only song I ever danced to with my father. In talking to my aunts, they shared that I was about two or so, and would request the song by yelling “Thomp, Daddy, thomp!” What a time.

A groovy dance tune with a celebratory tone about heading out to have a good time on the weekend or any evening. It hits home more as Brothers Johnson was a sibling group, similar to my own.

Fast Cars - Tracey Chapman

Tracey Chapman was an artist my dad constantly had on rotation in his car. Her calming voice and guitar tracks most likely created the foundation of my love for the acoustic genre.

Chapman sings about escaping a current hard situation and beginning anew. The drums and guitar, along with her one-of-a-kind vocals, really emphasize the theme of despair and hope.

You got a fast car / Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision / Leave tonight or live and die this way

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold

This was an artist my father told me about in my adult years. I am sure I had already moved to New York City when he introduced me to Eva Cassidy’s work. My father loved her voice and was sad that she died at the age of 33. When she passed, her music garnered a lot of attention. She was always too shy for the stage or large audiences but used her voice to interpret songs from all genres creatively. “Fields Of Gold” was an original track by Sting. Cassidy took this song, created a slower tempo version, and sang it with a ballad, nostalgic tone.

Fly - Sara Groves

I have been a lifelong fan of Sara Groves. Her lyrics and melodies, along with her calming voice, have been a part of my growing years.

This song, “Fly,” became a special one between my father and me when I sang it at a close friend’s wedding. My dad was so excited and happy he continued to play this song for years. It reminds me of the way he championed me and cheered me on in all things.

Groves also sings about championing your loved ones with these lyrics and “flying” when encouraged by her partner’s love.

Speak in a summer tone / Pause in the after glow
Tenderly whisper my name / Tell me once again why I am your bride
So I can fly
So I can fly
Pause in your busy day / Look extra long my way
Wink at me across the room / Kiss me longer
Touch my arm when I am by your side
So I can fly
So I can fly
Oh, how the little things / Strengthen my tiny wings
Help me to take on the world / When you love me, there's nothing I wouldn't try
I might even fly
I might even fly
I might even fly

Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams

My father told me once that the main reason he liked Vanessa Williams was that she reminded him of my mother. I specifically remember him telling me this during our drives in his car while this song was playing. This fondness has been passed down to me, as I, too, have enjoyed Vanessa Williams’ music and voice for as long as I can remember. Not to mention it has been fun watching her become an amazing actress as well!

In “Save The Best For Last,” Williams sings about a friend becoming a partner. The feel of this song immediately sends me to the 80’s. The keyboard, drums, and strings cushion the words with comfort and peace. She laments about the times he shared his dreams and hopes with her yet continued dating others. But finally, love wins out, and they become '“the best” for each other.

Wiyathul - Gurrumul

I honestly cannot remember where I first heard this song. My sister told me that I am always listening to new music and new artists, so maybe I found Gurrumul, an Aboriginal Australian singer, via one of my Pandora or Spotify shuffles. But I sent it to my father soon after, and I don’t think I heard feedback on it for a while.

Then I think I was talking to him one day, and he started playing it. Again, we were most likely in his car on a drive. Daddy told me the song had brought him to tears. Even as the lyrics in this artist’s native tongue of Yolŋu, the tenderness of his voice indeed soothes my soul despite the fact I do not understand the meaning. I can’t recall all of my father’s critiques of this song, but he definitely told me the tune made him cry.

Gurrumul was a blind musician and singer. He played the drums, keyboards, guitar, and didgeridoo. Something that made him extremely unique was his ability to play a right-handed guitar, even though he was left-handed.

My father was an amazing man who loved Jesus and music of all genres. These songs highlight his compassion, insight, and wisdom. I am thankful, as Daddy laid the groundwork of my passion for music excellence. His love for music, along with his faith, I now walk in.

Kendolyn Walker is a singer-songwriter based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.

Music Is Healing

A few months, ago I was interviewing my friend Leslie about her music interests. At one point she said, “music is healing.” After taking her very quotable words in, I realized I could not agree more.

So many times, music has lifted my spirits or met me where I am. Whether afrobeats first thing in the morning or on a bus commute to liven the mood or chant-like meditation tunes to center my mind, music remedies any situation we are going through.

Music is God’s gift to us and His hand, along with love is evident in every bit. In the creative unison of chords or the harmonious blend of a choir, His anointing is felt.

I remember watching the movie “The Shack” and Octavia Spencer, who played the role of God, kept mentioning her favorite artists. Guess what, they all were! Whether a rock band, or a blues artist, THEY WERE ALL HER FAVORITES. I believe this to be true. God’s tapestry of majestic sounds and melodies has a hand print on every tune, in my opinion. He gave us minds to brilliantly dream and create. You see this most in music. It is no wonder, that music indeed, is healing.

I want to now, take you through three songs that have met and continue to meet me in different moments. One helps me be present, the second one cushions a workday at the apartment and another reminds me of family along with the good time that New Orleans always is.

Moses Sumney is genius. Let me say this again, he is genius. If you listen to his body of work, you are sure to understand why I feel this statement so strongly.

His track, “Self-Help Tape,” is accurately titled. Another friend, Chris, upon hearing this outstanding collage of audio paintings, called it “therapy.” The words, many in the language of Ghanian Twi, are enchanting and somewhat hypnotic in they lull you to be still.

I always listen to this track before I sing or when I am stressed out. It centers me, and reminds me that God is with me. Who else besides God put this beautiful orchestration of harmonies and instruments together? It’s my ear’s delight each time I press play on this song.

Jill Scott has been a longtime favorite of mine as she has consistently reminded black women of our strength and power, when this world (due to white supremacy) always pushes the narrative as far from this truth as possible. Her tune “Light of Sun” is a radiant beam of light on days when I have to focus or just mellow out. Light of the sun/ on my back are the lyrics repeated. It’s the bonus track for Light of the Sun album.

When I listen to this song, I think of the good days. The sunny days spent outside. The times with family and friends who have become family. The happy occasions that make you want to quit your jobs and live in whatever present bliss you are experiencing forever. Yep, that’s “Light of The Sun”. Easy, chill vibes that will leave you wanting to loop the song over and over and over again. I am quite thankful the track is 6 minutes and 26 seconds.

I have only visited New Orleans a couple times. This is sad to me because I have enjoyed my times there deeply so I should spend more time in this magnificent city than I have. The history and the richness of the neighborhoods and people leaves me always wanting a longer stay.

One event I have not been able to make it down for is the annual jazz festival. I hope to soon. Victory Boyd has a tune called “Jazz Festival” that really transport me back to the grand times I had when I was there. This song opens with an acoustic intro, then the singer’s soothing voice starts describing the well-known event. A favorite moment of mine, which also feels somewhat healing and restorative to me, is the break in the song where a group of young adults are teaching an elder to dance, to only then find out he can do the routine with ease. I find this comforting as this audio scene pays homage to those wiser than us, in recognizing that they indeed have seen everything under the sun. This in itself, brings about a sort of peace as I think about my loved ones, those present and those who has passed away and become ancestors.

A Sibling Christmas Playlist

Last week, I had the pleasure of chatting with my younger brother, Jason Walker, about The Music Monday Playlist we collaborated on, “A Sibling Christmas,” which is available now on our Wit + Grace Spotify account.

In this conversation, we talked about our childhood, the holiday traditions our parents maintained, and our love for music. We also, I also… danced. Rare footage y’all of your friendly music editor moving to the beat, or off the beat, at times. In any case, the Los Angeles - Harlem love was felt and we took time to play a few of the tunes to give a taste of the playlist. Enjoy the full video here and then listen to the complete playlist for good times, with a touch of nostalgia.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours!

Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.