chezon's Full Review: Street Faerie by Cree Summer
About this time last year Blockbuster was giving away a free CD in celebration of Black History Month. Two songs moved me to tears: Miles Davis’ I Fall in Love too Easily and a song that would become my passionately accurate anthem: Cree Summer’s SWEET PAIN!!!! Needless to say, I ran out and purchased this for my permanent collection.
If you are familiar with the hilariously sensitive, positive black sitcom, A Different World, then Cree Summer is an identifiable icon. Cree played a hippy/militant/conscious/utterly confused Freddie Brooks. You remember, the girl with the wild red hair, the big heart, and a black fist raised for animals everywhere. (smile)
Cree’s CD is unlike anything I’ve ever admired. Not only is it poetic, it takes R&B to the boundaries Rock & Roll is fearful of venturing, before it travels alternative to a conservative musical abyss. It is truly one of my favorite CDs (I carry it around with me everywhere!) I read some of Cree’s poetry in an anthology entitled, Catch the Fire. However, I didn’t expect, but was pleased when she added music behind her poetry. That foundation is what makes this music so meaningful.
“Revolution Sunshine” is a free spirited call to those out of their mind. It’s not hard to imagine. Remember when you were out of your mind in love with someone else? Cree defines that as being out of her mind, into yours! Brilliantly put, I know. The second track, ”Miss Moon”, dances with cosmic lyrics. I can just picture a young Cree, writing poetry on an Indian reservation about the beliefs of the man in the moon theory. ”Still Heart” is the first alternative song on the CD. Its lyrics are interesting, describing her lonely still heart; one many of us have entertained over tearful soliloquies following recent breakups. ”Smooth My Heart” illustrates that instance when sitting motionless and listening to what’s inside is what’s most important.
One of the many tasty tracks laid on this album is ”Deliciously Down”. It’s lyrics: “I need some love to open my heart; I need a space to fall apart.” How many of us can relate to that experience? Cree invites you to her space with a soft request to continue listening, but honestly by this point, you’re hooked!
”Mean Sleep” introduces itself to the alternative nation by showing her ability to harmonize with Lenny Kravitz and his mean guitar. (Although Lenny’s been in the business longer than Cree, and even arranged and produced Cree’s CD, their harmonizing encouraged me to pickup for my personal collection more of what Lenny has donated to the music industry.) The folk-like song ”Life Goes On” speaks, in my opinion, to the generation (I am apart of) who continues to believe that life goes on forever; that it isn’t important to live every moment to the fullest. I fell for her song, ”Fall” because I’ve, unfortunately, fallen for individuals who didn’t have my best interests at heart -- the song’s theme.
“Angry Boy” and “Curious White Boy” are two Rock songs. The first talking about the necessity to release anger before it eats away at you. Curious White Boy, (lyrics are available in the book Catch the Fire), narrates the relationship of a black girl and a white boy who’s been “hiding” her from his mother, out of fear of what his family would think of his inquisitiveness with interracial relationships.
Many aren’t aware that Cree Summer use to live on an Indian reservation -- she was named after the Cree Indians. I didn't find out this information until I check out her website (www.creesummer.com). And although ”Naheo” was my second favorite song on the CD, it wasn’t until then that understood the significance of Cree repeating “Don’t Loose Your Indian”. It’s the most touching tribute to culture I’ve heard in a long time.
If I could dedicate to Cree any song. It would probably be “Soul Sister” . She really opened my mind to a different type of music and I appreciate that. This song, and all the poetry on this CD, brought me closer to the person she is -- and I truly believe she and I are twin souls. I’m definitely going to look for more from her (and as I stated previously, from Lenny) in this and the next lifetime. (smile)
However, I have to let you know, hands down, my favorite song on this CD is, ”Sweet Pain”. To date, I haven’t found another song which illustrates the levels of love I’ve encountered the way this song does. Cree discusses loving someone who’s in pain. That sweet pain -- pain that is bearable coming from someone you love, but would be avoidable from anyone else. She sings as if she’s decided to swallow that lump in her throat and just throw her feelings out there with these poetic lyrics:
"I'd conjure up a second
heart to house your sweet pain
I'd love you so hard other
folks won't have to strain to hear
I'd become your shadow and
haunt for just a taste of your want...”
If you happen to pass me on the street, you’d see me playing this CD in my portable CD player. Trust me, my neighbors, friends, family and enemies can vouch for the truth in that statement. But if you’d like to read more of the lyrics before you run and purchase a copy for yourself, you can always point your mouse to www.creesummer.com where Cree has listed the words to all of her songs. In the meantime, you’ll have to excuse me...I need to rewind ”Sweet Pain”!
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