D'Angelo - Black Messiah (2014)

I grabbed the vinyl from Amoeba Berkeley. They wiped away the top row of the end-caps closest to the register to display solely this album. Double record, with gatefold sleeve, and the booklet is an 8 page full-size job that just squeaks into the cover, big photos, lyrics, credits. No groove-cramming concerns, the longest side is like 17 minutes. Download code printed right into the booklet instead of a paper scrap. It's RCA, but not Dynaflex nor any 180gm thing, totally manageable average feeling double record from the 70s. Spun it all probably three times since getting it yesterday, and it's not worn out its welcome whatsoever. Whatever integrity in the liners remains the same about recording to tape with analog equipment, but there's no mention about special vinyl mastering. It sounds fantastic in any case. Betray My Heart is a joy to behold on wax. I'd jump on a copy if you're a record collector person. Since I perceive the vibe to remain constant throughout the album, I look forward to randomizing my starting playback amongst each quarter, as it's one of those records you can just lounge with.

sounds like it was a straight reprise of the apollo show.

And exactly how he ended his 2000 tour.

thanks specterist!

hilton als just passed through spotify friends playing d'angelo's prayer and i did not even know we were connected

I know Voodoo is a perfect record and is probably objectively better but ever since the night I stayed up late and listened to the 2xLP version of this headphones, it's been gradually revealing many of its secrets to me, and it's downright supernatural. Like, I keep swearing there are things being added to the mix every time I listen. Sure, I'm often stoned out of my gourd when I'm listening, but not every time.

Only bad thing about this record is that when it's over, 95% of music sounds like some bullshit in comparison; my iTunes went right to Dadawa after "Another Life" and I was all "the fuck outta here with that"

Will have to revisit this album, that's a pretty fine testament to its greatness imo.

yeah i've actually not been listening as much to this because it's so like serious, and i don't wanna make too much of my other music sound like some bullshit too often

are we going to poll the tracks yet? too soon? will that ruin it? because i have NO IDEA what i would choose.

Wait a year at least

I will say the "Tutu" hate upthread is fucking bananas. That one's in my top 3 I think

yeah i've actually not been listening as much to this because it's so like serious, and i don't wanna make too much of my other music sound like some bullshit too often

― j., Saturday, March 21, 2015 10:37 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I first heard this when I was trying to play catch-up for my ILX albums ballot and by the time I got halfway thru the album I had my head in my hands thinking wtf was I trying to di, ranking albums

haha me too, totally gave up on my eoy list

Yow, Bonnaroo just added D'Angelo and the Vanguard -- so now I get to see him and Kendrick the same weekend. Wonder if they'll guest with each other?

D'Angelo billed for Outside Lands festival in SF too

New four-track live Spotify session: Betray My Heart / Really Love / The Door / She's Always in my Hair
http://open.spotify.com/album/33hbEGU8Dwlfek9aXrsO3D

if i was nitpicking, i'd like a version of really love for over and over replay use that has the first minute or so of the intro clipped.
― a stupid red mute juggalo (forksclovetofu), Monday, December 15, 2014

^

the eight minute version of really love on this live spotify track is Doooooooooope

the "betray" my heart" is fucking crazy too

omg, this version of 'always in my hair' goes bazonkers in the second half

wooooow this spotify sessions is great so far, what a band

Interview with Bobby Searle.

if anyone mp3 rips, a link would be super appreciated...spotify not available in my part of the world :(

SEALE Thank you, brother.

With “Black Messiah,” you exhibited a political side not previously seen in your music.

D’ANGELO I’ve always kind of tried to do something that was a little different than just simple “I love you, baby”-type songs. Like “Brown Sugar,” it was a metaphor, or a double entendre, if you will. A lot of people thought I was talking about a girl when I was actually talking about something else. I was trying to tackle some issues on “Devil’s Pie.” But on this album in particular, before the songs were even written, I knew that the name of it was going to be “Black Messiah.” There are also songs that didn’t make the record but that I’m getting ready to release in the fall. I got a song called “Go and Tell Bro.”

SEALE Not COINTELPRO — “Go and Tell Bro”?

D’ANGELO Right. The chorus goes — [sings] “Every time I turn my head, it’s the same old thing again, ain’t much different now than it was back then.”

heyyyyyyy new album follow up

There are also songs that didn’t make the record but that I’m getting ready to release in the fall.

*TUMESCES*

I'm usually leery when an artist reveals that the next album is just going to be leftovers from the last one (even though they always offer "but for real they're great songs they just didn't fit the previous album" assurances), but here it's like yes yes, more leftovers please. Just happy for new D'Angelo music in whatever form it takes.

Saw him last night in Queens. Great show, I don't think anyone sat down during the whole set, everyone danced, tons of folks new all the words to all the songs. Lots of couples. It should have felt like a glitzy stadium show, but it felt like a small, sweaty club where no one realized how hot and humid it was until they got on the subway to go back home.

yeah i thought it was an incredible show as well... i didn't even realize until the end that he didn't play some of my fav songs that he had been playing at other shows

Yeah, he was great at Bonnaroo the other week, too. He had a 1 a.m. slot, up against the superjam, and didn't actually go on til 1:30. But he had a big crowd, and everybody was dancing. His outfits and the band's gave a very Prince/Revolution vibe, which seemed fitting. Though -- no offense to the beloved Revolution -- D's band is better.

And after going on at 1:30, he played a full 90 minutes instead of the 60 he was slated for. Not many things I'll stay up til 3 for anymore, but that was worth it.

d is currently at parde-tour era prince level imo. d's band in 2015 >>> prince's band in 2015 but prince is still a better performer/singer/dancer. the full bonaroo set is on youtube. its amazing.

i love the parliament/funkin for fun riff in chicken grease omg

who's been the drummer lately, Chris Dave? sounds like him on the Spotify session, not John Blackwell.

yah chris dave is currently playing with the vanguard

"I’ve always kind of tried to do something that was a little different than just simple “I love you, baby”-type songs. Like “Brown Sugar,” it was a metaphor, or a double entendre, if you will. A lot of people thought I was talking about a girl when I was actually talking about something else"

it was about weed, yeah lol.

this lp is something else in the summer. I have just stared at some clouds for 20 minutes

Fun show last night near D.C. Tight musically and in presentation and choreographed (with some matching dance steps from he and the female vocalist) but still loose and funky (with traces of Prince and James Brown but still uniquely D'Angelo).

rtc otm, going through a real second wind with it right now. i think i might even prefer it to brown sugar...:-0

At the outset of the tour, legendary bassist Pino Palladino was announced as Dave's partner in holding it down, but Palladino's son, Rocco, has taken his place, and his playing and mannerisms closely mirror those of the father.

http://dcist.com/2015/06/click_click_dangelo_the_fillmore_si.php#photo-1

Oh, that's who that was on bass

rocco played in jessie ware's band

The band started with "Ain't That Easy," Black Messiah's title track.

whut? is Black Messiah had a title track it would have to be called Black Messiah.

this lp is something else in the summer. I have just stared at some clouds for 20 minutes

OTM, been making every walk to and from work a delight the last month, feels like the biggest thing right now

id be so bummed if i got to the show and pino wasnt playing bass

His son seemed ok to me

wow, i had no idea there was a pino jr. cool!

Just discovered Jordan's fave drummer for D'angelo, Chris Dave, went to Howard U

Anybody else see Mos Def creeping about at the Roundhouse on Monday?

no but i overheard different people saying they saw dizzee rascal and robert pattinson. meanwhile i was stood next to a drunken moron w no chill who ended up spilling a drink into some poor girl's eyes

phenomenal show though. fucking hell "the charade". i was incredibly tired and the nauseous kind of ill and he was two hours late and i wished i'd sold my ticket as i'd been debating w myself all afternoon and then when he came in i literally felt no pain, i was healed

Heard somebody talking about the drunken spillage on my way out, had to leave partway through the Untitled encore. Hoping he didn't do anything too good after that...

Finally got to experience "African food" at Shaka Zulu so wasn't too hung up about the wait. The Charade was definitely a highlight, wish the crowd was more into it but London is London