Roberta Flack – Legend & Goddess
So, last night I met Roberta Flack. I’m still not really understanding how this happened, but picture this: my Wednesday night SGA songwriter’s group gathered around a dining room table as we do every Wednesday when our gracious host, Ann Ruckert, says, “I hope you can stay a little bit after time tonight because Roberta Flack is on her way over.” Ummm….ok. I guess we could stick around for that. So, Roberta Flack comes in in a rush of hair and aura and divaness, in all her glory and she is surprised to see us all there. But she sits down, so regal, and I swear the air in the room changed. Everybody shut up. What was she going to say?
She talked about Whitney. She got a little emotional. She talked about her new album of Beatles covers. (Her cover of The Long and Winding Road is my favorite!) She talked about her upcoming concerts – at the Kennedy Center in October with the Symphony Orchestra, how traveling to far off lands like Australia and Japan to perform isn’t as easy as it used to be. She spoke about her relationship with her neighbor Yoko and how she heard John Lennon composing Imagine through the apartment walls. Holy @*&^?! How is this happening? Roberta Flack is a legend and we’re all sitting around the dining room table listening to her talk like she’s our favorite aunt sharing stories about life.
To top off this incredible night, our illustrious mentor, Ms. Ruckert, had a couple of us give Ms. Flack our newest CDs. And then Ms. Flack says, “Can you autograph it to me?” WTF. What are you supposed to write on your CD to a MUSICAL ICON? I don’t know, but I’m definitely not going to forget this night for a long time. The night I met a musical goddess and legend…. and got to autograph my CD to her! So grateful and happy!
Hi Markeisha, great sound on the Talk To Me EP!
Just a heads-up: the latest musical half-hour on my radio station (French Robot Radio) is dedicated to four of my Twitter followers — including you!
The show will be airing a few times a day for a couple of weeks @ http://www.frenchrobotradio.com/
Merci beaucoup !
Regarding Roberta Flack: I had no idea that she had lived next-door to John Lennon. I’d love to hear her version of “Long and Winding Road.”
BTW, there was a good interpretation of that song by a group called New Birth in the early 70s.
Hey Brian! Thanks so much – glad you liked the EP! Thanks for adding me to French Robot Radio – merci beaucoup! Def listen to Roberta version – it’s a duet and beautiful! Can’t find New Birth version…
Amazing story and so well told!
Hey Markeisha! This is JeVena. The legendary Roberta Flack, that is amazing! I’m so happy for you! You have come a long way baby and keep it movin. God Bless You!
Jevena! How are you? So good to here from you!! I’m planning on coming to CO in the summer, maybe we can meet up?
Roberta made sure she got your autograph before you become too famous xxx
just checking out your new website…love it
You new website is wonderful! Keep making beautiful music!
Thank you, cuz!!!
Hey Markeisha
I am so jealous to have missed this evening with Ms. Flack. I really enjoyed reading your account of the evening and because of it, I feel at least a little like I was actually there too.
See you soon
Todd