MTV's new music video search

Hi! Just droppped in to tell you that I've been wasting my day browsing through old rap videos on MTV's new music search. The quality of the videos is good and the memories are priceless. I'm really hoping the folks at MTV would finally realize that M stands for Music, not My Sweet Sixteen and all that wackiness.

Please MTV, bring back Yo! MTV Raps.

Happy Spooky Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone!

The witches wand ~ spider web pillow

(click picture to see all the little details)

Trick or Treat

My"Little Witches Kitchen" hand-painted wall hanging is full of spells & potions for sale daily after Midnight. What spells could some pixie dust or some snake oil brew up tonight? I also added a few crystals and a touch of glow-in-the-dark paint to scare all the goblins away. hehe

I recently found this picture of myself from my Grandpa's aka "Grumpy's" home. I was a very scarrrry witch. I look as if my cheeks were already stuffed full of goodies! lol

My sweet mom made my Halloween outfits, such good memories. I wonder what ever happened to that hat?

Also, notice my hat~it's the same one from my "Little Witches Kitchen" Banner

Every good witch needs a pair of very special shoes sprinkled with lots of "good faerie dust". Hand-made by moi. They were a challenge to make and not sure how they will stand up to this weekends events.

I wish everyone a very Spookalicious weekend.

I hope you will bring home lots of Goodies!
Au revoir!

~Miss Scare Dee Pants~

Donna Washington - You Can't Hide From The Boogie

Today's post features two text book examples of a certified boogie banger. Both tracks can be found on Just For You which was Donna Washington's third and last album cut for Capitol Records in 1982. The album is somewhat hard to find but at the moment there seems to be a good deal on ebay. But don't get your hopes too high. The rest of the album is far away from the tracks that I'm posting. There's also a 12" single (promo) of Do You Wanna Huh that sells for a decent price.

Donna Washington - You Can't Hide From The Boogie [320 kbps]

Donna Washington - Do You Wanna Huh [320 kbps]

~ Un beau lapin ~

Hi~I hope everyone had a great weekend!

This is my latest design, Un beau lapin ~ The colours are a beautiful robin's egg bleu, mixed with some golds and then a crisp white, commissioned as a custom hand-painted wall-hanging. The ideas were started by some ribbon in robin's egg bleu & some natural linen fabric. A bunny was a must along with a robin's egg nest. So the drawing was started.

The quick sketch

(to see enlarged ~ click picture)

This is the finished product.

I sooo loved painting this. Some of the added elements were ribbon weaved in and out of the canvas topped with a satin bow. The cute little bunny is finished of with a pom-pom in white yarn fluffed up for his cottontail. Trimmed on the bottom with a ruffled linen and for easy hanging topped off with a natural rope & a wooden heart to hang from.

The saying is in french and says "Once upon a time a lived a beautiful bunny..."

This is a close-up of the bunny. I was also commissioned to paint a few more items for them and will have them posted in a later post. ***Hint Hint Hint***may be a little piggy, ducky or a calf/cow, so I have a quick question. If you were to only choose two animals to go with the beau bunny, what would your top two be???

PIGGY?

DUCKY?

or a CALF/COW?

Au revoir

~Miss Kris~

Ann Sexton appreciation

In my opinion Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is the best movie director of the 21st century. I was wathing his 2003 masterpiece 21 Grams yesterday. You really have to check it out in case you haven't. The flick is awesome and the soundtrack features Ann Sexton's classic You're Losing Me. I realized I hadn't been listening to Ann Sexton for a while so I decided to post all my favorite Ann Sexton tunes.

Her songs weren't very successful when they were originally released but later many of them have become popular on the Northern soul scene. I've always appreciated her voice that is equally great in smooth soul ballads and hard hitting souther funk. The first two songs appear on this 7" and the latter two on this 7". Both singles came out in 1973 under a small label, Seventy-Seven Records. All four songs can be found also on Ann Sexton Anthology put together by Soul Brother Records.

EDIT: This turns into a mega post but I gotta add this. I was looking for the trailer of 21 Grams on youtube and came across to this one. It's a clip from the Baltic Soul Weekend '08. Ann Sexton is in her 50s still rocking it harder than these whining, anorectic souls sisters of today. Amazing!

Ann Sexton - You're Letting Me Down [320 kbps]

Ann Sexton - You've Been Gone Too Long [320 kbps]

Ann Sexton - You're Losing Me [320 kbps]

Ann Sexton - You're Gonna Miss Me [320 kbps]

Malinga Five - Kaloule Woman

I've been banging this track on repeat for a while now. I don't know much about the guys behind this tune but what I do know is that they rock. Phukin' amazing stuff with great afrobeat elements, funky wah-wah guitars and great soulful vocals. If this doesn't make you dance, I advice you to see a doctor. There's something wrong with your hips.

The song appears on Rock Africa, an album produced by Alan Shelly, who worked a lot with Manu Dibango. It was released in 1977 by a French label, Barclay, known for issuing a lot of Fela Kuti's material.

Malinga Five - Kaloule Woman [320 kbps]

awww...These are just the cutest tiny treasures

These little lovelies were hung in my dear Grandma's home right in her foyer. Every time I walked by I had to stop and say "hi" to each of them. I made up cute little stories about them. I never knew a "True" story existed about them. So here it goes...

They are called The Wee Musicians

The Wee Musicians were painted by the noted artist, Lowell, who was inspired by the following tale:

(size - 4 1/2" x 4")

One of the most celebrated stories surrounding the court of King Arthur of the Round Table is that of the Wee Musicians. Their appearance, legend has it, always brings good fortune.

The most renowned instance in recent history occurred during the childhood of the present Duke of Salisbury. The family fortunes of the ancient house had reached their lowest ebb. Suddenly, the Wee Musicians appeared and revealed themselves to the Royal Child, pointing their instruments to the ancient tower of Salisbury Castle. Learning of this the boy's father had the tower thoroughly searched and was rewarded by the discovery of priceless concealed treasure.


Down through the ages, to this very day, it is said, where ever they appear the Wee Musicians always bring happiness and prosperity.

So that is the cute story about the Wee Musicians which was kept a secret until I got them from her. I feel like it is a sweet little treasure from her. By the way... the little girl playing the piano is my favorite. Which is a shocker because I was actually fired from my piano teacher for not practicing...go figure...I wonder if that had do with the fact I was always doodling & drawing. Hmmm.

Well, I hope seeing these cute Wee Musicians will bring everyone happiness and prosperity.

Au revoir!

~Miss Kris~

RÉNOVATION~Love

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

Hi! I just started searching through piles of my periodicals looking for just the right pieces to go in my new Château and I had to stop. I forgot I even had a copy of Maisons & Decors Méditerranée magazine from 4 years ago and started flipping through it I found this lovely Maison which was recently renovated. I had to share & let everyone see into Fenêtres ouvertes sur un tapis ~ DE SANTOLINES (translated means something like this???Open windows on a rug ~ Of Santolines) Which sounds so beautiful especially after looking at this picture with lovely lavender and perfectly aligned cypress trees sitting on a "rug" of pebbles.

Pleeeze be patient with me after two years of High School French, one year in college and a bit actually over in France I speak "No" french. hehe

Parle vous l'anglais?;o)

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

With special care this former distressed farm was renovated both internally and externally with beautiful terraces and cut gardens. Simply BEAUTIFUL!!! Ohhh how I wish this were mine. lol. I love, everything!

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

What a perfect day! Of course I must remind myself anyplace looks good to me today because its a bit cold here in Chicago 53 degrees. Burrrr

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

These garden and vineyards are just breathtaking!

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

More lovely pictures of the grounds.

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

Would anyone like to join me for some wine on my veranda? I'll bring some food also. hehe

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

Some picture from the inside. The hall is really nice. The beautiful beams are great! I would like to see a bit more color. Perhaps some blue and white tile in the kitchen?

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

These doors are to die for! And I have to comment on the little window. How charming!

(image from - Maisons & Decors Méditerranée)

This staircase is from another article but I had to post it. At the landing you get to choose ~ Do I go left or do I go right? That is really why I love staircases just because we never really know where they lead. Unless we have walked them before.

I hope everyone enjoys this lovely home. Now, I need to get back to working on my Château.

Au revoir! ~Miss Kris~

Steve Parks - Movin' In The Right Direction

Movin' In The Right Direction is a great blend of sweet and mellow soul, funk, nice jazzy vocals and brazilian rhytms. The album was issued by Solid Smoke Records in 1981. The pressing was very limited so the album is pretty hard to find these days but definitely worth the price. It's also difficult to find info about Steve Parks or the album but the tunes will speak for themselves. Enjoy!

Off-topic: I've had it with zShare. They are having too much difficulties keeping their site up so from now on you'll get to download the songs directly from here.

Steve Parks - Sadness In My Samba [320 kbps]

Steve Parks - Movin' In The Right Direction [320 kbps]

Make-believe Château

Once upon a time a lovely chateau was built in Pretendland. The chateau's name was La marque croit le Château (make-believe chateau) made of old bricks, stones and stucco with pretty blue shutters. The roof was made of clay. The chateau wasn't very large but full of interesting rooms with lots trinkets from all over the globe.

1st Floor:

Foyer

Living Room

Dining Room

Keeping/Family Room

Powder Room

Master Suite

2nd Floor:

Bedroom 2

bathroom 2

Bedroom 3

bathroom 3

Outside Spaces:

Pool

Cabana

Garage

Garden

15 spaces...oh BOY! so...From time to time (perhaps month to month) I will post a new room from La marque croit le Château. I better get started. Were do I begin...?

~Miss Kris~

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got

William DeVaughn had saved a couple of hundred bucks and wanted to record some songs he had written. So he went over to Philadelphia's Omega Sound Inc. and cut Be Thankful For What You Got plus a couple of other songs with MFSB's rhythm section backing him up.

Those songs were issued by Roxbury Records in 1974 on an album entitled Be Thankful For What You Got which became a million-seller chart topper. I suppose that doesn't happen very often to a singer-songwriter coming from nowhere.

Before leaving music business DeVaughn cut a new version of the tune in 1980. It's pretty much like the original but it's more upbeat and it has a nice kick drum making it perfect for the dancefloor.

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (album version) [320 kbps]

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (new version) [320 kbps]

Starvue - Upward Bound

Starvue was a Chicago based soul collective that released one album, Upward Bound, during their career. The cover art of the album is something horrible but don't judge this one by it's cover. The content is amazing. I can't praise it enough.

Upward Bound was released in 1980 by a private label, Midwest International Records. The album, that is produced by Clarence Johnson, contains a massive slow jam, Body Fusion, that was also released as a 12" single. The album is ultra rare and Body Fusion 12" is even harder to find, but if the money is tight don't worry. There's a reissue of the album (not very easy to find though) and a CD issued by P-Vine Japan.

Love Affair is a great uptempo soul/boogie tune with good vocals, handclaps and horns plus a great synth line. A definite dancefloor killer.

Starvue - Love Affair [320 kbps]

Body Fusion is a perfect tune for those moments in the bedroom with that special someone. Well, it could work on the dancefloor as well. The strings on the track are amazing.

Starvue - Body Fusion [320 kbps]

"It's a Bright Day!"

This is my latest I guess you could call it a mural. Or a sky!

To get started paint a lovely base of blue. After it completely dries the fun starts. Take a tad of raw sienna mixed with a bit of dioxazine purple which makes some brilliant sunset shadows in the clouds. Then add some white to the clouds. Last add a bit of yellow oxide and highlight some of the clouds to simulate the sun's bright beams on them. 2 hours later ~ voila! A sky.

This was great to paint especially since we were all overcast yesterday. Made my day shine! hehe

Everyone have a great day!

~Miss Kris~

Atlantic Star - When Love Calls

When Love Calls is the opening track of Atlantic Starr's third LP entitled Radiant. It's a great midtempo boogie/soul tune with quality instrumentation and really soulful and soft vocals by Sharon Bryant.

Most of the tracks on the album are upbeat boogie/club stuff. The content is a bit mainstream but not too much. As a whole album, Radiant is better (musically and commercially) than Atlantic Starr's earlier albums. Perhaps it's thanks to James Carmichael who stepped in to produce the album. Carmichael produced also their following album Brilliant that features Circles, a great club classic.

Atlantic Starr - When Love Calls [320 kbps, zShare]

Gwen McCrae - On My Way LP

On My Way is finger snapping, hand clapping, food stomping and hip shaking modern disco soul at its best. It's Gwen McCrae's second LP recorded for Atlantic. The album came out in 1982 right after her self-titled first album (1981) that featured the massive cross over hit Funky Sensation. On My Way is at least as good as her first album. You just don't come across to it very often so make sure you cop it if you see it for a decent price. Both songs that I decided to share were released also as 12" singles but these are the album version.

Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire Burning [320 kbps, zShare]

Gwen McCrae - Doin' It [320 kbps, zShare]

Leo's Sunshipp - Give Me The Sunshine

This tune comes highly recommended by Boogie Banger. It's amazing, so mellow but at the same time it's a definite groover. The song appears on We Need Each Other. The album was originally released by Lyons Records in 1978 and reissued by Expansion Records couple of years ago. The album is pretty solid as a whole. It's ideal for djs/producers cause it has 4 vocal cuts and instrumentals for the same tracks. Among others, it features the original version of I'm Back For More that became a big hit for Al Johnson few years later.

Leo's Sunshipp - Give Me The Sunshine [320 kbps]

"Book Alert"

Hi, I just returned home from a trip to my local Barnes & Noble looking for anything new I don't have yet by Betty Lou Phillips and wouldn't you know it - nothing! Bummer! Although my hands did find another beautiful book. It's called "French Country Living" beautifully written by Caroline Clifton-Mogg with delightful photography by Christopher Drake. Each page is inspired by the french countryside with light and airy spaces with soft gray hues, beautiful textures and small prints. Imagine this kitchen with friends and wine. What stories we could share!
Chippy paint console with white and glass lovelies!
Love love this chandelier!

If this were my bedroom I would certainly have sweet dreams!
Simply beautiful.
Beautiful Monogram Blue and Natural Linen Pillows. They look so comfy! I can never have enough natural linen in my home.
How I would love to enjoy this table every morning with my sweet tea and watercolours. I wonder what scenery my brushes would paint? Vineyards? A Charming Farm? Hmmm... I love all the airy spaces ~ only if I could live this way.
Enjoy.

I hope everyone has a great day! Au revoir!
~Miss Kris~

The Alexander Review - I Want You

Today's post is a great latin funk version of I Want You (She's So Heavy). The arrangement is completely different from the original which in this case is a must. I really can't tell a lot about The Alexander Review (neither could discogs or allmusic) but I guess it's enough that I'm really feeling the track. It appears on the band's self-titled album released by Vaya Records in 1975. The song can also be found on Latin Breakbeat, Basslines & Boogaloo, an excellent compilation issued by Harmless Records.

You probably know (at least you should) that the song is written by THE duo Lennon-McCartney. The original version that appears on Abbey Road is one of my all time favorite Beatles' song. For some reason it's a bit underrated, I guess mostly due to it's length that doesn't make the song very radio friendly. Anyways, it's a massive song.

The Alexander Review - I Want You [320 kbps, zShare]

The Isley Brothers - Take Inventory

Take Inventory appears on Get Into Something that was published in 1970 by the Isleys' own label T-Neck. The track is really tight and not so often played. Well, I'm not gonna babble on the tune. Instead I'll let the music speak for itself. And just for the record, I disagree on the message of the song.

The Isley Brothers - Take Inventory [320 kbps, zShare]

Pamoja - Oooh, Baby

This is an amazing dancefloor funk groover with a great break. A perfect tune for a perfect girl. Originally released by Keiper Productions in 1975 as the b-side of Only The Lonely Know. This is a true hard-to-find record but luckily there's a good quality repress issued by Lotus Land.

Pamoja - Oooh, Baby [320 kbps, zShare]