Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Donnell was already in the parking lot (still in his car). Duane Face pulled up. Duane's car was shiny - Donnell said it looked like new. Duane usually gets his car cleaned once a month, but the guy did it for $15. Donnell said he must be dating your ex-girlfriend, feeling guilty to do that. Even double that is cheap. Duane said that it was a first time price; in the future it will be $30. The discussion segwayed into Korean businesses vs. Black businesses. Donnell talked about the neighborhood near College Park - Riggs Rd. He said they had a number of people living in each bedroom and everyone has their own business. They came from nothing and they work had to save. He said he couldn't live in a five bedroom apartment with another guy. The discussion shifted to the clothing brands in DC, they discussed the differences. Visionz is alleged to steal designs, but Duane said that as an artist, he noticed they all do to some degree. Donnell used the metaphor that if another band used his arrangement of Fantasia's Free Yourself, that he would be really mad because it is personal and it would be obvious where it came from. They discussed how they differentiated from each other, that Solbiato (Donnell kept correcting Duane on his pronunciation), had the best material and stitching. Scooter is the EU keyboard player that I think looks like Walt Williams. Duane wore a matching Chevrolet NASCAR hat and t-shirt. I talked about the John Deere clothing in the South. Donnell asked what kind of art Duane did, he had a measured response that he did a lot of different types. He said he used to be best at pencil, but then to painting - oil paints, especially of things flying. Donnell had considered him for painting a corner with Martin Luther King's and Malcolm X's pictures with a chessboard there. I told him about Black Wax, a Gil Scott Heron movie where he takes a cigarette from one among a number of wax figures of Black leaders. We talked about Gil - Duane was not aware of his music. Donnell said his play was incredible. We agreed that his cocaine addiction was a shame. He talked about his keyboard play, I asked him "Brian Jackson?" But he meant Gil's own playing. Dwayne walked in and said that MVP was better than 911. He said they were better then and would be better now. I asked, "then how come you're playing here and not with them?" He said, "I felt sorry for him (Donnell)". Dwayne discussed the Pimpin' All Over the World Rare Essence remix with Donnell. He said your boy (DJ Flexx) arranged that. Dwayne said that the beat for Pimpin' All Over is "more listenable", Donnell told me to look that up. Dwayne said he's right regardless. It is indeed a proper word. Stomp, Doc, Halima, Godfather, Mike, his son and daughter, DP, his sons Derek Jr. and Darrell, Charlie, Los, Nephew, Jacques and Lorenzo arrived over time.

I walked over to Doc; he said, "What do you want?" I asked if he got any sleep. He said no, but he did see my picture with Rudy Ray Moore. He said that I looked like a little boy in the picture. I told him I had just gotten a haircut at the time and that it was taken in February 1999. It was at a 70s Convention (in Tarrytown, NY) and Richard Roundtree, Fred Williamson, Antonio Fargas, Gloria Hendry, and Gerald Martinez from Quentin Tarrantino's production company were there. Martinez had recently (at the time) co-written the book, What It Is... What It Was!; The Black Film Explosion of the '70s in Words and Pictures. I taped the interview session and Rudy's performance. Doc has a friend who is a big fan of Rudy. I told him that Ron O'Neal and Jim Brown were also originally supposed to be there, but backed out.

They rehearsed Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl. I asked Jacques if Takoma Station still stunk, he said no. Donnell wanted there to be a section (especially rhythm section) rehearsal every first Tuesday of the month. Nephew talked about the reviews of the band on TMOTT. They had a private meeting. But before they did, Mike played a recording of Proper Utensils' recording of Toto's Georgy Porgy to go over parts he wanted in it.

Duane and I sat out the door of the big room with Nephew and Los. Nephew showed us pictures of the dancing women at the Fur on his cell phone. He talked about Alicia Keys in her outfit at the BET awards. He talked about seeing her in a cat suit at the Nation, that she wasn't grown up yet, but she is now. He said unfortunately, she's probably gay. I asked why he thought that; he said she's never seen with a man. I told the story about my niece Kelsey, she sat on my lap while I was at the computer, I looked at a jpeg of Alicia Keys and Kelsey shocked me by saying, "She's sexy!"

I talked about Terry McMillan's husband being gay.

July 4th Celebration at Fur
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson St NE, Washington, DC 20002

I arrived at 8:40 because the Fur's website said the doors open at 9 PM. I got a parking space right on Patterson. A dude waved me in then asked for money to watch my car. Since I have had bad experiences with people in Baltimore who will break into your car if you don't pay them, I gave him a couple of bucks. The woman in the car in front of me criticized the guy and said I shouldn't have paid him anything. I walked up to the Fur and asked when the doors opened, they said 10. So I walked around the corner to the two story McDonald's and hung out there until 9:40 PM. There was a guy from Fur there (he had a Fur t-shirt), I asked him the admissions charge, but he said, "No speak English". I walked back to the Fur. A group of people was there. I didn't realize it right away, but most of them were members of Publicity Band. I picked up on it when they said female band members could go in. The woman from the car in front of me was with them. They referred to the one guy as Buck - his avatar picture is so small! I introduced myself to him and Ms. Devine, whom I did recognize, introduced herself to me. Buck said something about how you aren't allowed to chew gum. One of the women said, "This isn't Dream!" I was the fourth guest through the door. As I stepped to the door, one of the security guards shook hands with me. He works at Takoma Station when I go there on Wednesdays. The cover was $35.

The Blue Room is far from an ideal performance area. The dance floor is small, and a number of the seats don't actually face the stage. I got a seat on a coach facing the stage.

Publicity Band
There was a crackling sound throughout most of the set
1) Ms. Devine-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - it had more harmony and different keyboard hits from FF's version
2) Ms. Devine-led "There's so many things, free your mind"
3) Male-led "That girl thinks that she's so fine"
4) Male-led The GAP Band's Outstanding
The crank started with
5) Male-led ?
6) Male-led "turn me on?"
7) Male-led ?
8) Male-led "Love you" - it had harmony, I think I recognize the song as one that After Hours performed at the Fantasia After Party
9) Male-led ?
10) Male-led "Make money" - nice crank
11) Male-led "Funky Stuff"
During the set, three girls sat over by me on the couch. The one right next to me was dark skinned with glasses. I introduced myself to her, but she just smiled (in a way that said I had no chance) and shook my hand. Later she asked me what I do when she saw me taking notes. Chi Ali sat at the couch next to mine and said hello. Other people here during this set - Stomp and Nephew. Publicity sounded sort of busy during the set, I think the PA system had something to do with that. They did have nice harmony. It was pretty crowded by the end of their set.

Before After Hours started performing, I saw Slim Goodie, Mama Chelle, 02, Delano, 6'9, Tyrell, Britney, and Delano. The group of women sitting by me left to go to the bar, and a new group of women sat down by me.

After Hours Band
1) Sean (Kal'el)-led "To hold you tight" - I believe this was the same song as their opening song at the Fantasia After-Party
2) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - nice, but very different from the FF version The crank started with
3) Chi Ali-led "Let me introduce myself"
4) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)
5) Sean-led "Big boy spot"
6) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl (tease)
7) Chi Ali-led "I wish I could make you feel it"
8) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Michael Jackson's Thriller (tease)
9) Chi Ali-led "2ing to the 3"
10) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led "All aboard the night train"
11) Alternating Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down / Chi Ali-led "Step down, step back"
12) Chi Ali did announcements while the percussion section played.
The PA wasn't the best, but it was a nice performance. DP and Packy were there during the performance. Packy told me it was his birthday (the 4th). Even before the performance ended, they had opened up the entrance to the main room and people started to go in.

In the main room, I told DP about the gum, he said he chewed gum when they searched him. We talked about stringent security, he said, "Why would I bring a weapon in here?" He further said if they frisked his feet, he would just go home. A woman who looked familiar (I later learned her name is Shonda) asked me, "Are you Mr. Funk?" I said yes and asked her who she was. She and her friend with her are both bartenders from Safari. A woman I didn't know came right up to me; she was dark skinned with sunglasses on. She had had a shot of Wild Turkey and another drink, but she wasn't "where she needed to be." She is a bigger fan of Reggae than of GoGo. I told her about Deep Band and she was really interested. When I went to the bar, Supa Dan said hello. The woman left to go to the mezzanine, but asked me to stay there so she could see me again. She got Ras' website address from me.

L!ssen
E dedicated the whole show to Luther Vandross
Stan Da Man was the guitarist
This was the first time I have seen Michael Thompson in person without his eye patch (he did have a cast on his arm)
1) Michael-led "Let me hold you tight"
2) Michael-led "My heart breaks"
3) Yannie-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - laid back at first. Yannie is a great singer, but she over sang this; I wished I had ear plugs.
4) Michael-led "Heartbreak hotel"
5) Michael-led "I will say goodbye"
6) E-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
7) E-led "Racking four bones (or four balls, he had his hand on his crotch, but also held out four fingers)
The crank started with
8) Yannie-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl
9) Alternating E-led "Oh yeah, ladies" / "Hold it"
10) Yannie-led Amerie's 1 Thing
10) Michael-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
11) E-led "Say what, uh oh, uh uh oh"
12) Instrumental
E did a shout out to Levert, apparently on the mezzanine level? Their performance didn't flat out bore me like they did at their album release party, but they just don't do it for me.

Tracy, Angie, and Tamara came by. Sharmba Mitchell and Tijuana there. Angie pointed out Jay Floyd.

Familiar Faces
James and Jacques were there from the beginning.
Angie had us go up closer to support FF.
1) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - This is now the best performance from her I have witnessed, surpassing the best Free Yourself performance I've witnessed
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again - she pulled out all the stops on this one too
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a Minute" echoes
6) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - the crowd roared
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Smoke added a different beat than usual
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up)
12) Doc-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls (tease)
14) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
15) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
16) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
17) Donnell-led Vinnie D's Porno Star?
18) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls - Donnell said, "Fun withya, done withya"
19) Donnell acapella Prince's Take Me With You
James did some crotch grabbing during the set.
During the performance, Jay went up to me and said, "Now who's number one?"
This was a nice performance.
I told Jay that Ed Stewart had filmed the prior show there. I noticed that none of the bands said "Happy Fourth of July", nor did FF do a birthday shout out for Packy.

I talked with Doc; he said he was surprised to see me there. I saw Diva with 02. There was a huge crowd to get out. Yvette waved to me outside. Outside I asked Doc about what he said, he said it's not a nice neighborhood and he doesn't like to be there. He hasn't gotten to sleep since Tradewinds and was headed toward an errand. Godfather had gotten a spot real close to the Fur. 02 and Diva walked by, 02 said I must have gotten there real early. Getting out was a pain, eventually a cop had me back up and eventually I had to turn around to get out. Godfather got out before me. I had meant to check how many GoGo's I've been to, I did and figured out that this was my 100th!

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I went in and ate, 6'9 sat down with me. Ray came by and said hello to both of us.

Familiar Faces
First Set
James and Charlie were there from the start
Tracy and Angie danced over by me. Angie was trying to get me to dance more. The same woman as last week (KD) was again mocking my head bobbing. What they don't realize is that I learned to dance from these two guys:

1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
2) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
7) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - with a really long intro
8) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
9) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - Donnell added the line "Bounce, bounce"
10) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
During this song Angie had me swaying back and forth.

RE Angie, Mama Chelle, March, Nita, Tasty, and Renee were there. Mark (I think) said that I must know something about the food since I never eat. I told them how I don't perform, so I am not going to take their food. One of the cooks? said I look Italian, I should like some pasta. Doc said I'm not Italian, the cook said Greek, he'd like a steak and cheese. They also discussed the Rare Essence remix of Ludacris' Pimpin' All Over the World; that it works because of the simple beats.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
2) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?"
3) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
4) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell said, "I thought we was a runaway train, right before we crash, we hit the brake." Donnell yelled to turn the house lights on because there was a fight. Slim Goodie asked me if I was going to write that. Donnell said, "We've had twenty, thirty weeks without fights, I don't know what the problem is." Donnell said something about Quisette / Notorious BIG's Warning / "Wait a Minute" echoes / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
5) Donnell-led "uh ah ___"
6) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
7) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note
9) Donnell-led Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time "aya awa-a"
11) Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It / Donnell-led Sam Cooke's Chain Gang
12) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me
A girl named Shaadi danced with Mike, then had Donnell resume Miss Keta so she could dance for him
13) Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It
Jessica pulled me over to March, whom I grinded with for a bit during the set. Later, the woman who mocked my head bobbing (KD) danced with me and she actually told 6'9 to leave me alone. Yvette was there.

Friday at Safari
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Candy and Michon arrived. Peanut was also there. Lorenzo practiced on the keyboard. Michon took pictures during the performance.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Mr. Magic
Halima was eating from Wendy's again. While they performed Mr. Magic, I told her that this song is where the GoGo beat came from. I told her that when they did Night Time is the Right Time that it was different since Chuck is about the only GoGo artist who does Blues. She said she was surprised she remembered all the words.
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Diary
Mike dedicated the whole show to Luther Vandross; he said, "He was called home."
3) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
Mike said that Luther's voice didn't change since he was seventeen, I can't sing like Luther, but I will give it a shot. In the news, there is burning everyday, redemption is coming, the man they call our leader doesn't like people who look like you and me
4) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change
5) Mike-led Sammy Davis Jr.'s The Candy Man "Some say who can make the ___ go on, who can make the sun rise"
Someone said, "Don't that sound like don't cha know?"
6) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
7) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady
8) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - Mike said, "This is a ladies song, I will have to make a rebuttal to this song". Halima laughed. Mike said, "I will be nice".
Donnell said, "They tore down Oxford Knolls ten years ago."

6'9, Nita, and Lisa of the World were there. I sat in the same seat initially, and Halima sat next to me. Then Halima had me move over so that Nita could sit on her right. Peanut asked me if I was pimping. I said no. I talked with Thomas and Peanut - about music and Maryland basketball. Thomas asked me who my favorite bands were; I talked about PFunk and Miles Davis. I said that Ricky Wellman had played with Miles Davis. We also talked about basketball; they asked if I was a big Bias fan. I said that I was thirteen when he died (actually I was twelve; I was four months from thirteen). I said that my first year at Maryland was Walt's senior year.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It
The crank started with
2) Donnell-led "___ is in the house"
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
4) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - with different keyboard sounds than usual
5) Donnell-led Hold the Note
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
8) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
9) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - Donnell added the line "Bounce, bounce", the hits had more "punctuation" than usual
10) Doc & Halima-led "I should? That's my sh*t"" - I ask Doc what it was later, he said something with Nelly & Fat Joe - I looked up Get it Poppin' but it doesn't seem to match the lyrics, rather they matched Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Donnell did a shout out to Tony Sharpe.

Peanut, Candy, and Tony Sharpe

Tyrell was there. I told Halima who Tony Sharpe was. Benjiy said hello, called me light skin. She asked why he did that, said that Jacques has light skin. I told her a number of people have thought based on my interests that I am Black, even one of the grad schools I applied to, even though I filled in Caucasian on the forms. Stomp told Netty about the dating service he wants me to put on the blog. Halima said of my notes, I bet those are gold to you. I told her I type them up them put them in a bag.

Doc asked if I could imagine Jauhar as Mayor of DC, he is apparently considering running. Doc said, I could see him as Mayor, but wouldn't believe anything he said. I asked, "How much of what Anthony Williams says do you believe?" Jacques said Jauhar's seriously considering running, can you see Jauhar in a bow tie?


Stomp playing congas

Third Set
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
2) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up Smoke" / "Wait a Minute" echoes
4) Donnell-led Hey Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
5) Percussion solo with Donnell chanting
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine
7) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25, 30, 40, Girl wants to shake that ass, but you've got to give up the cash" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls - he added the line "Hey Tamika", Mike added something as well and the crowd shouted, "South, Southeast"
8) Donnell-led DIP with added rap / the music switched to Faith Evans' Mesmerized, but the lyrics were still those to DIP / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - Stomp twirled his left drumstick (that was something Jammin' Jeff did)
9) Donnell rapped - Donnell said, "That's all I know, I need a copy from you Nephew"
Lisa, the same short unsmiling woman I saw sitting by the monitors with Rare Essence at Club U was there. Tijuana and Ytee were there. Donnell said, "Thank you, Lincoln Heights, since we got rid of your girl, sent her on a slow boat to China. Mission impossible, will self destruct. Look at Yolanda (complimenting her based on her tight outfit). Get in the grass girl"
10) Donnell-led Sugar Hill Gang's Rapper's Delight (tease)
Only Stomp was still playing. Donnell said, "Googie, tell Larry to give it up."

Thursday at Bryne Manor
Bryne Manor (3877 Knights of Columbus), 1501 Southern Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

The flyer said $10 before 9 PM, so I was there before 9. I was the first guest. I even arrived before Suga Wuga. He talked with a security guy about how he was taking a risk with this show - he didn't get to hand out flyers after last night's show due to the early ending. I told him about the sewage problem. He called me Familiar Faces #1 fan. He said that FF is booked solid through October. He said taking risks is okay, it's only money. He said that the security guard shot at Lavar Arrington's party was one of the Four Horsemen. I went in with him and sat in a plush chair. I met a guy named 'Metrie, we talked a couple of times. The next guest arrived at 10:20 PM.

Telando came out and talked with me. He said he works for the government. He's getting old and should let someone young do this for a change. I said that he gets paid to go to GoGo performances. He said yes, that's cool. He said he sits in the back or wears earplugs so his hearing is unimpaired. I told him about a music professor I had who has tinnitus. He said, "I know what that is." He said he's almost done, his big three for the summer are Unifest, the BBQ battle, and I forget the third. When Thomas walked in, he said, "We can't get rid of you, huh?" Suga Wuga got Popeye's chicken for the security guys. A bass player walked in - he had a bass on his back; he wore a white Old Navy t-shirt. When the GoGo pics guy set up the backgrounds, I noticed one of the backgrounds was specific to this venue; it was of a black Escalade SUV and had "The Manor" and "Byrne Manor" printed on it.

I eventually went into the performance room - the lights were dimmed so that it would be cooler. Godfather said hello. He asked if Little Benny had played yet, I told him no one had. Then he walked over to Thomas and Googie. Thomas said to/of Godfather, "Look, it's one of the coneheads!" Los, Charlie and Little Benny were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Charlie was the second percussionist for the night
Donnell said, "You know it's the first of the month when Charlie got new stuff, buttas, new cowbell, Chinese shirt (Solbiato brand).
Donnell, Halima, and Mike performed when they tested their mics (they don't always). Halima laughed. There was lots of messing around.
The crank started immediately with:
1) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
Day Day, the conga player from the beginning at Safari last Friday, said hello to me
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
4) Donnell-led "Trinidad crew" rap - "Da na ah"
5) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
6) Donnell-led Hold the Note
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda

Ray and 6'9 were there. I asked Doc how many sets they were performing, he didn't know. One of the drum set up guys talked with me and Telando about TCB's movie. We discussed how negative the cover image of the movie is for GoGo.

His brother, the other drum set up man, is the bass player for Dynasty Band. They thought I was the one in change of Byrne Manor, since I was there so early sitting in the plush chair outside the performance room. When I told them what I am really doing, they were interested in having me write about the Dynasty Band. He gave me the manager's phone number, his name is Twin. I teased Packy about wearing sunglasses; he said he's trying to be incognito. There was a really statuesque woman named JoJo there.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
The crank started with
2) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Little Benny joined in - Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a Minute" echoes
3) Mike-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You, Baby (tease)
4) Little Benny-led Notorious BIG's Warning
5) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
6) Little Benny-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (Donnell still did the effects), Mike added singing in a high voice
7) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
8) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
9) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
10) Donnell & Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - Halima joined in the dance
11) Donnell-led "25, 25, 25, 30, 40, Girl want to shake that ass, but you've got to give up the cash" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
13) Donnell-led "___ Got No Drawers"
14) Donnell-led 911
Los danced onstage
15) Rare Essence's Marinda - instrumental
16) Little Benny rapped
17) Donnell-led Family
18) Donnell acapella Dave Hollister's One Woman Man "Seeing you reminds me of"
19) Donnell acapella Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane
6'9 did more stuff with my hands during this set. He just doesn't think I dance and party enough.

JoJo danced up front at the end. Donnell's talked to her on the mic, "We was neighbors. Get off of him, you know I get jealous." He thanked the drum set up guys, saying, "Thank you, Harry's drum majors." Donnell teased Charlie more about his shirt and his shoes, "it's three blades of grass, not a tree, those are Timbos, not Timberlands. Charlie's shirt is from Godfather's store. He has an independence car (whatever that means)." Charlie said, "I'm not forty, over the hill." Donnell said to Tijuana, "Tijuana said when I popped the Jaguar, you were out of there." Stomp said of Nephew (who wore an orange United Clothiers Association t-shirt), "He looks like a last year pumpkin."

I asked DP about his vacation, he enjoyed it. He went to Myrtle Beach with his kids. I said, "Again?" There were between thirty to fifty people in the audience.

LJ's Birthday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012


Candy and Michon
Picture Copyright - Michon Battle

There was a thunderstorm going on as I drove over to Takoma Station. When I walked in, it smelled really foul. It turns out their pipes backed up with sewage. I walked in and Candy was there, I hugged her hello. I asked her about her move, she said now she doesn't have to drive up here every week. I believe I recognized Vinnie D from last Thursday. Michon, Tim, Tracy, Roosevelt, Stacey and Tamara were there. I asked Tim "LJ" Littlejohn if he was celebrating his birthday, which is actually Thursday. He said no, last year, his 40th birthday, he had a big celebration. When his brother Roosevelt arrived, they brought a cake and gifts. I asked Doc if that was Vinnie D, he didn't know. DP was back from his vacation tonight. James and YC were there for the start. I gave Mike the flyer showing that Suga Wuga was the promoter for Thursday's upcoming event.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) I was shocked when they performed a Blues-based tune for the first time I had heard, Mike, then Halima-led Ray Charles' Night Time is the Right Time
2) YC sat in on an instrumental - I believe it was Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket
Donnell said, "If you are here tonight, you are truly a music lover" since it stank so badly. He said, "They swear it be fixed by next week."
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's On & On
4) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
6) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance, she told the women in the audience, "Sort of an anthem for girls all around the world." She then joked, "Don't talk to me."

I went outside immediately to get out of the stink. So did most of the band. I talked with Doc about Night Time is the right time, he said they were just messing around that that was basically a sound check, which explains why they start first sets with instrumentals. DP talked about the sewage being a health hazard, because they wash the food with water from those pipes. DP talked about other food incidents. Donny Ray came by, then later Sugar Bear. Sugar Bear had two lady friends, one really hot whom Godfather talked to. I said to Doc, this is when it is good for women to be wearing strong perfume. He said, "That's f*cked up." We told Sugar Bear about the sewage problem, he said it was the fault of 'this guy' - pointing to Dwayne. Dwayne said, "I'm funky, but I'm not that funky!" On a more serious note, Sugar Bear did talk about it as a health hazard, but he and his lady friends went in anyway. DP joked about the two guys dancing, doing dances from the 70s. He expected the one guy to do the robot.

Tyrell, Angie and 6'9 were there.

Second Set
Donnell did a shout out, "We have a legend in the audience, a Grammy winner, although I don't know if I like him too much now, Sugar Bear"
Mike joked that Donny Ray looked like a runaway slave
The crank started right away
1) They started to perform the music to Faith Evans' Mesmerized (tease) - Donnell said, "They're not ready for that" / Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" / Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
2) Donnell-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di (tease)
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
4) Percussion solo - the crowd shouted, "Wind me up, Smoke!"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note
8) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
9) Sugar Bear-led medley: "Gimme that beat, when you say __, then you say ___, and then you don't, do it for the ladies, Oh my god!" / Juvenile's Slow Motion (tease) / "When you get to the good part..." / Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair / Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd (tease) / Bad Girls (Cops theme) (tease) / Ludacris' Number One Spot (tease) "We're so hot, we've got the number one spot" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go LJ, it's your birthday"
They ended early: at 12:30 due to the sewage problems. Stacey had motioned toward me, I thought she was trying to get me to dance, but she just wanted to say hello. Michon took pictures.

Donnell said that starting next Thursday, they will be playing Thursdays at the Venus Hall on 15 K St NE, DC. It will be a true happy hour, 6:30 to 12, with Shorty Corleone's Band Heat (also with Go-Go Mickey) opening for them. The Venus Hall is over by the Greyhound station; don't act like you haven't been on a Greyhound. Rah was there. Donnell said, "I would like to thank Lawrence Atwater for a good job, I don't believe LJ is only 41, he's been bald for twelve years." I asked Tracy how long Donnell has been bald, she said she didn't know. Darrell asked me why I didn't have my camera; I told him my dad took it to Fenway, since it is my brother's birthday. He thanked me for including the two women in the blog, but said he still didn't get their names. Tim's cake was good. Tamara said I had promised her I would dance with her. She was upset.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Godfather was outside. Donnell was inside, in a meeting. Dwayne and Duane Face arrived, then Doc and Halima. Halima chewed on a licorice root, Dwayne asked what it was, he said it looked like a doobie at first. She even used it to brush her teeth. She also put herbs in the water. I asked her who was the artist for On & On; she said Erykah Badu. Then Mike, Stomp and Smoke arrived. I asked Mike about who the artist on sing for me was, he said it was Send for Me and that Atlantic Starr was the artist. They worked on the harmony for Fantasia's Free Yourself. They didn't have a recording, but Mike sang her line in Toto's Georgy Porgy to her. He said she has been singing the harmony from the Eric Benet version and that's fine. Halima asked Doc to sing more harmony.

They had a private meeting, Stomp asked me not to leave. I talked with Duane Face. He said he had played in Richmond with EU - he didn't know which venue. He said the crowd was so big he couldn't see the end of it. I told him about the Mayo Island show I went to last summer. He said that Sugar Bear had to convince him to go, that as I well know, he doesn't like to go anywhere. He said the recent Bud's show he played at was a warm up for this show. He said he saw Toni Braxton and someone else backstage, but he didn't care. He said a fan came up to him and said I've been following you guys since 1976! Of course, Duane wasn't born in 1976! We also talked about MD basketball, stemming from my saying that the regular keyboard player (Scooter) from EU looks like Walt Williams to me. Duane said he became a Maryland fan in the Gary Williams era.

Stomp asked me to put up a band dating service on the blog, for women (NO MEN) who are interested in dating band members (not including Doc, Jacques, Dwayne and Halima) to email me their pictures to me to pass on...

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I left early because of the ongoing construction on I-495, but there wasn't any tonight, so I arrived early. Slim Goodie, Tyrell, Black Heart, and Delano were there. I also thought I saw Donny Ray as well. Love played congas for the night so Smoke could take a day off to celebrate his birthday. James and Charlie were there at the beginning. DP was not present tonight. Lorenzo and Stomp were already there and all of the equipment was already set up when I arrived. I asked Lorenzo how the afternoon show went, he said it was good. Four guys danced with each other, trying to impress each other.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Packy played the Tambourine.
1) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - Donnell told a girl dancing, "Move somewhere else, I can't concentrate."
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
The crank started
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) to Sweet T?
6) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
Halima said to the audience, "You're going to have a good time tonight, so don't worry."
7) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
Donnell said, "Mike said he wants to go back to the Coliseum, 1986 at the Capital Centre,"
Mike said, "He said that, I didn't".
Donnell continued, "The Howard Theatre, forty to fifty pounds ago".
Mike said, "That part is true". The dance floor cleared except for couples
8) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You
At the end of the song, a woman said you need to "give the guitar player some".

6'9 and Renee were there. When I went into the kitchen, I asked Doc how the day show was. He said it was good for what it was. I asked him what that was, he said, "I don't know, ask Halima, it was her show." I asked Halima, she asked, "Why weren't you there?" I said it was too early, she held up three fingers. I said yes, but I was not fully awake early enough to get there on time. I asked her how the show was, she said, "Hot". Donnell said to Charlie, "I've never seen cufflinks on a $5 shirt before." Nephew replied, "Well, maybe if they are 2 for a dollar." The DJ played GoGo during the break. RE Angie was there.

Second Set
Donnell said that "Tradewinds is really the only grown & sexy"
Donnell said, "Fantasia was on the radio, saying how sweet Halima was singing her song"
A woman made fun of my head bobbing.
1) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance.
Halima added spoken (not sung) lines addressing the ladies in the audience: "You know how it is when brothers just carry on..."
The crank started with
2) Alternating Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized / Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
3) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - Donnell added the repeating line, "Bounce, bounce", two of the women in the front row moved onstage and danced with Mike, Tyrell also danced onstage, and Donnell danced
6'9 again decided I wasn't partying enough and dragged me to the front, he had me doing gestures with my right hand and arm (but didn't hold my wrists like Thursday) - Halima laughed and smiled and repeated the same gesture, James was laughing too
4) They started performing the music to Trillville's Some Cut, but the lyrics were to Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?" / Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
5) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
6) Donnell-led Hold the Note - a really long Love solo
Donnell said of Love, "for a moment there, I thought he was Jungle Boogie or Go-Go Mickey. Don't sleep on the youngins."

Packy and Jermaine laughed, saying "Jordan is writing it down." Donnell talked about the Miami trip, talking about South Beach being topless and Haulover Beach being nude. Halima said, "Naked," and kidded me about what 6'9 had me do. Donnell said, "Jordan, you can write this down: if you don't get a package, don't think you'll be getting in to the concert and video shoot for free. If you have your own flight, you will be paying dollars. Jordan is our court stenographer."

Ras Lidj was there at the end. I asked him where Deep Band was performing since I saw they didn't perform at Bud's on Thursday. He said they wanted him to play even earlier and they had no crowd as it was.

Smoke's Birthday
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

DP wasn't present tonight, he's on vacation. There was a large group of people in the lounge. At one point, one of the women complained that one of the men had grabbed her nipple. All of the women proceeded to grab each others nipples. Then they took pictures of each other with cell phones. Next the women dry humped each other - including one of the women giving another a lap dance. One of the other guys not in their group sitting by me said, "I want whatever they are drinking." One women locked tongues with one of the men.

YC was there. I asked Halima if she was cultivating a new image as she was more formally dressed all three nights this week than in weeks before. She said, "You think this is formal?" Halima asked why the girls I freaked with weren't there with me tonight. She also asked me again why I wasn't married. She said I should have a section on the blog for it. I told her I had not found the right woman. She asked me why I came alone all the time, I said most of my friends don't like GoGo, besides a lot of them are married with kids. She said I should make them like GoGo. (For the record, my friend Sean has come out and wants to again, but is really busy).

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You - at the very start someone else played congas, I later got his name, Day Day. After about a minute, Smoke took over.
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
3) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People - it begins with a drum beat, Donnell said, "it's not a solo stomp"
Mike said, "Strut baby strut" to a woman
I approached Day Day during this song and asked him his name.
4) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's On & On - it had a seemingly sudden ending
Donnell said, "Now you know why I didn't want to stop the last song, Halima's feeling something tonight"
6) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
7) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Donnell said, "Fantasia didn't perform at the after party due to contractual restrictions. She gave Halima props. She gave Halima respect as we disrespected her by singing her song."
Halima said, "She's sweet."
8) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - excellent as usual
Donnell said, "I am trying to think of something else for her to sing. Lorenzo, play one of those gospel songs. He's the minister of music". A number of band members laughed.
9) Mike-led "Didn't get a chance to say last night"
10) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It

Los, Kato, and DeeDee were there. I believe I saw Benjiy there. Mike told DeeDee what 6'9 (or Big Dave as DeeDee called him) did with/to me last night. I said the worst part was when he had my foot off the ground.

Teago was there. He, Kato, Mike and I had a discussion together. I asked Teago about him saying Potomac was cool, asked him if he went to Churchill. He said no, he went to Potomac High School. Mike said he always had trouble finding Potomac High School; that only those who went there know where it is. Teago and Kato said you must have had such a great time. Mike said that Body Moves was used in the Alec Baldwin movie Thick as Thieves. They laughed when they saw me write it down. Teago remembered the scene it is in. Tyrell was there.

Second Set
I believe Donnell said, "Fantasia was a little bigger than the picture, she could add forty pounds. She can sing."
Mike Smith, Blue of Y2K, and Love of Raw Image were there.
Donnell did shout outs. He said it was Smoke's birthday - "He is seventy-two years old."
1) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
2) Donnell did announcements - the percussion section kept playing
3) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized - James was on backup vocals
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
5) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Mike said, "I told ya" with an accent for Kato
6) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
7) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note
9) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
10) A long percussion solo - Smoke waved while playing the congas
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)

China was there. Suga Wuga, who is promoting next Thursday's Familiar Faces show which is being recorded for a DVD. Suga Wuga asked me my name. Then we had a short discussion with Donnell. He said to me, he (Donnell) doesn't return my phone calls. Donnell said tell me your real name and I'll call you back. He said Ralph. Tracy, Angie, and Sixx were there.

Third Set
Donnell did announcements. He said they would be playing with Chuck Brown tomorrow of the Taste of DC, but he didn't know when or exactly where. Doc said 3:30 PM, that it was in the Washington Post.
Mike said the line from Airplane 2: "It's a damn shame what they did to that dog."
Love played congas at the start of the set
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
2) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
3) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary
4) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine - "Got to get away"
5) Donnell-led "___ got not drawers on"
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda - Smoke took over for Love as they had a technical problem; they had to re-tighten the congas and Smoke switched them from left to right
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up)
10) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
Kay Kay was on stage (I didn't recognize her without her glassess until Donnell mentioned her name, she is really gorgeous without her glasses), and Donnell pulled Tyrrell on stage as well
11) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club(tease)
12) Kay Kay rapped
13) Don Choo rapped

02 and Delano were there. Donnell and a woman teased Blue about her real name, Miriam Boston. Doc said, there you go writing her name. I said I already knew her name, that Nephew had thanked me for revealing her name to him via the caption to the picture when I interviewed her and other members of Y2K. Lorenzo found a condom on the guitar amp. Dwayne said it wasn't his, but fell out of the amp. Doc joked that I needed it after freaking the girls last night. He thought I was going to pass out - I don't know why he would think that.

Fantasia After Party at Zanzibar
I met with Tom Ellis over in Adams Morgan. The Mary's Rec Center over by the corner where my car was parked was the first place he saw Rare Essence, though the venue had a different name at the time. He said that Little Benny wore in a cast during that performance. I followed him to his apartment, where he gave me a copy of the GoGo documentary, "In the Pocket". He told me about the Redds split with Rare Essence due to Ms. Mack and that he drew a number of members of members to Redds and the Boys - including both Godfather and Darrien Rice. Tom played timbales in a Reo-managed band that would rehearse prior to Trouble Funk. He said that Reo took guys from other bands to Trouble Funk.

Zanzibar on the Waterfront, 700 Water Street SW Washington, DC 20024

I made sure to come early since I knew from the boat ride I went to last year that finding parking near the waterfront was ridiculously hard. I managed to get a parking spot several blocks away from Zanzibar. Interestingly, they had me exchange the ticket I bought from the promoter for another, generic-type ticket, which I then handed over to the ticket-taker at the door. I then walked in and said hello to Vincent, who was the only one there I recognized. I sat down in the front row on the left side. I got up out of my seat when the DJ was setting up, he asked me to sit down, my getting up made him nervous. If he was DJ Flexx, I sure didn't recognize him from his photos. Two women came by and one said, (I assumed to me) to move over and sit to the right. But actually she was speaking to the other woman - they wanted to sit on either side of me. I didn't get their names, although the one on the left has a maiden name of Floyd, and wondered if she was related to Donnell. They spent most of the time asking me questions. They asked me more than once if I was married. The first time, I said no. They asked, "why not?" I said that I had not found the right woman. They both said that's smart, and the woman on the right said she had been married for seven years. The second time, they asked me if I had kids, when I said no. The one on the left said, you really are straight. They had come to see Fantasia and had never seen Familiar Faces before although the girl on the left said her sister had and had recommended she see them. I told them that Fantasia would be performing with Rare Essence on Friday at the Amazon. She said she knew some people from Rare Essence were in FF, she asked me if Benny was one of them. I told them he is currently a free agent and told them about his reunion show. They didn't even realize After Hours was performing tonight - I pointed them out when they were setting up. They were tired from drinking - they occasionally leaned their heads on my shoulder. They ordered crab cakes. They didn't want to get up, but the waiter said the plates were hot, so they moved to a table. They insisted I come along. Stomp sat in the back. I teased him because this was the first time I have seen him dressed up, he wore a suit. I asked him if it was Shooters brand. Ray, Mama Chelle, Tanya, Googie, Telando and Michon were there. When Donnell arrived, I pointed him out to the one woman, she went up to him to ask his ancestry; she said afterward that they probably are cousins. When I pointed out the various people in FF as they arrived, she said you know everybody. I told her about my thesis. They went up to dance when After Hours started to perform.

Lots of members of FF teased Stomp about his suit.

After Hours Band
When warming up, Chi Ali did a rap about various GoGo groups
1) Sean (Kal'el)-led "I Call your name"
2) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led "There is only one for me"
3) Chi Ali-led "I Wish I could give you the crank"
4) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Michael Jackson's Thriller (tease)
5) Chi Ali-led "Da da da da / Brown & white / Apple martinis all night"
6) Chi Ali-led "2ing to the 2, 2ing to the 3"
7) Not sure if Chi Ali or the female singers really led this "Everyone aboard, all aboard the night train, Chi Ali-Everybody in the club, put your hands up"
8) Sean-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - they had a keyboard-driven steel drum sound intro
9) Chi Ali-led "Step front, step back, get on the floor"
They had some kind of technical difficulty, I asked someone in FF about it later; they said it had to do with the drum feed.
10) Chi Ali-"Hold up, wait a minute, looking for the door, ride with this, let your hair down" - again the keyboard-driven steel drum sound
11) Sean-led Juvenile's Slow Motion
12) Chi Ali-led "A-F-T-E-R-H-O-U-R-S"
13) Pretty Nikki or TJ-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You Baby
14) Sean-led Nelly's Flap Your Wings (tease)
15) "Everyone in the club is getting tipsy"
Chi Ali closed it by saying "Take Me Home"
I was impressed; they really have a nice sound, particularly the vocals. As Doc had said to me earlier, they do have great harmony. I do wish they would turn the crank up some.

YC, Slim Goodie, Tyrell and March were there.

Familiar Faces
I went on the dance floor for their performance.
First Set
1) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - a nice performance
Donnell did a shout out to Vinnie D in the audience
The crank started with
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
3) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - I hoped they wouldn't perform this because multiple bands performing the same covers = The Suck.
However, I do understand not wanting the earlier band to dictate your own setlist.
7) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
A huge group of people rushed behind me, and Donnell said, "Fantasia is in the building"
8) They performed the intro to Fantasia's Free Yourself while waiting for Fantasia to come up. She did come onstage, but only sang the first line with Halima. She said they (meaning her management) don't want me to sing (on Friday Donnell said that she couldn't due to contractual restrictions). Fantasia then left the stage and went over to the corner, where they had GoGo pics set up so people could have their picture taken with her. Halima gave a great performance.

Doc jokingly tried to convince Tanya and her two friends to pose for Mike's website. I said Mike should bring Joi Ryda to one of their shows. Doc said that would be bad because everyone would be looking at her instead of the band. Also, we don't know where she lives. I talked about Vida Guerra also.

6'9 was there.

Doc asked why I wasn't getting a GoGo pic with Fantasia, I said I am not a fan and she's not attractive. He said I bet if Zappa were there you would get a picture. I don't know where that came from; I am not that big a fan of Zappa. I told him that. I said now if Larry Graham were up there (or Larry Dodson). He said I know if George (Clinton) were up there, you would go. I told him, have I shown you my picture with Rudy Ray Moore? He said, you got a picture with that crazy n*gga? Dolemite, huh?

Picture taken at 70s Convention in Tarrytown, NY February 13 or 14, 1999. Picture copyright Jordan Rich.

Jacques said you can't see Fantasia (due to the big crowd).

Demetrius Owens was there.

Since YC had his flute, I asked why he didn't play. He said he was letting them do their thing; he's looking for a job.

A number of the band members were uncertain of the time the show was supposed to end, they were all told it was ending at 2 AM. I told Packy I had never seen him so dressed up before.

Second Set - started at 1:50 AM
Mike said, "Slow down Tyrell and let me watch you walk away"
1) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
6'9 decided I wasn't partying enough. First he walked up and stood to the left of me and had his arm on my right shoulder and had my right foot off the ground. Then he pulled me up front and held both my hands up. After that, a couple of girls freaked me, and I grinded with the one in front of me. Mike smiled and pointed in my direction.
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
4) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Donnell-led Hold the Note
6'9 was upset that Donnell didn't do a shout out to me. He said of me, "He's family"
6) Donnell acapella 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
He did this for a woman for her birthday; she was upset that he didn't do it earlier. He said he would celebrate her birthday the next night.

Smoke came over smiling, talking with me about how he was amused by my freaking the girl. Stomp said 6'9 and I looked like a dance team. Nephew said in response to Stomp, you look like half a cotton candy (both Stomp's tie and vest were pink. I noticed only at the end when they stood next to each other, that Nephew and 6'9 wore the same green striped Seek Abundance shirt (Donnell wore a solid black Seek Abundance shirt).

There were a fair amount of people there, but it was far from packed. When I walked out, Halima said, "You're funny," and then "They sure had you hemmed in".

YC talked more about how he wanted to join them - add a new sound. He said, they would have to change the mix, he could do it himself, but he would leave it to Googie. He's known Googie for years, he lived by him. YC asked me what kind of stuff I had, I told him both audio visual and pictures and gave him the URL of the website. He asked me if he was representing the Washington Nationals, I said yes.

Tracy's Birthday at Takoma Station
I met with Kip Lornell at his house for lunch. He talked with me about the state of GoGo and the possibility of a second edition of The Beat. He was going to tonight's show as well.

Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Ebony was there and said hello, I haven't seen her in a while. She was wearing tan colored sunglasses. Angie, Darrell, Tim (LJ), Tamara, Yaquim, Ray and Michon were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Halima wore pearls and a formal black dress.
1) Miles Davis' Tutu
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's On & On - a number of people stood on the dance floor
3) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You
4) Mike-led Toto's George Porgy - the dance floor started to fill up
Halima did a shout out to her stylist, Keisha
5) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - an excellent performance with Donnell again playing with her hair during the appropriate part in the song
Halima said, "This is lady stuff, girl talk."
6) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance
7) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
8) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized

Sharmba Mitchell, Mama Chelle, March, Stacey, Slim Goodie, James, Mara, and Val "Tina Turner" were there.

I teased Halima about being so dressed up - I said, "when is the formal dinner party, the rest of us are underdressed." She said that she needed to be dressed up for her stylist.

Kip was there, he said he listened to the first set from by the bar, watching Sportscenter at the same time. He said the speakers by the bar didn't have the vocals up far enough in the mix. He said what so many people have said - Halima is an excellent singer, but so not GoGo. Personally I find that to be a positive - she's a great singer and she's expanding the boundaries of existing GoGo. He went on the dance floor for the second set, so did I.

Tracy said she didn't want to be seen - despite Donnell's shout outs to her, she wanted her birthday celebration to be low-key. Robin and Tracy's sister were there.

Darrell pointed out a girl sitting in another girl's lap. He sat in the lap of another girl in the chair on the other side of the table. He then sat on the lap of the girl in another girl's lap. He asked their names, but they wouldn't tell him and he asked me to post that.

Second Set
Donnell did a shout out to his high school sweetheart; he said he's known her since Earl Elementary
James sang backup during the second set
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
2) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
3) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club(tease) - Donny Ray was onstage
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down - Donny Ray was an additional backup singer
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
10) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut (end of James on background vocals) - Mike added vocals / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) - Ebony rapped / Donnell-led "Wait a minute" echoed
11) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
12) Mike-led Lap Dance - Donnell chanted, "Swing your body" and Mike chanted, "Swing" (I assumed it was Halima because it was so high pitched, but subseqeunt performances show it was Mike)

Tracy cut her cake. Slim Goodie was hovering by the wall; I asked her if she was hiding. She said no, she was just looking for Googie.

Tamara warned me that next time I'm on the dance floor; she's going to dance with me.

I asked Googie about his playing bass. He said he hadn't played in four years, it is better when you can rehearse with the band. He said he prefers to play in the studio. I asked him what about Reality (meaning the reunion of the Reality Band), he said, "At some point."

Stomp teased Donnell about the mustard yellow pants he wore at rehearsal.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Stomp waited in his car. I asked Stomp how the Sunday show at Banneker Field was, he said good, Googie played bass, he was good. When Donnell arrived, he wore his "mustard yellow" pants. Thankfully, it was not as hot inside as last time. Over time, everyone but Jacques arrived.

They went to work on Fantasia's Free Yourself - they wanted to get it better for the Fantasia After-Party. Donnell had trouble getting a practice CD to play, in either the CD player in the practice room or in the main room. There was a discussion over Fantasia and female stars who aren't hot - talking about how much it matters, or as Donnell said, "Is it just a coincidence that almost all star female singers happen to be hot?" They said Jill Scott appeals to the backpack and berry crowd (I don't know what that means).

Finally, they worked on Geraldine - I guess it is a Rare Essence song. Halima joked that she wanted the song to be about her. I told her she could write a new song about herself, "Halima drives a beama, she is quite a screama..." Halima had seen my blog and was concerned when I told her I left in what she said about singing Fantasia's song. She said she didn't want people to think she was serious and that that she was arrogant.

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I arrived pretty early since the expected traffic delay didn't occur. Vincent and Paul were outside. We talked - about construction on I-495. They talked about not moving for an hour once on the beltway. I told the story of how I went on Spring Break and a tractor trailer crashing across all the lanes of the highway in the middle of the night. They said it is often about three hours to come and take car of stuff like that and is $200/hour. They said in the winter tow trucks and taxis gouge you.

I sat in a fairly close table while waiting for them to set up - I said hello to Doc on his way to the bar. Ray and Darrell were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Charlie and James were there from the beginning
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
2) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
3) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
6) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
7) Alternating Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / Mike-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di - "La Di Da Di, she likes to party, don't hurt nobody", the second go round he sang in a really affected voice / Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Right there Smoke" - Donnell did a shout out to his high school sweetheart, Pinky, of another woman, he said, "I see you party when your husband ain't there"
6'9 was there
8) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing - she sang parts like an echo
9) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance

I went into the kitchen with the band, everyone was there except Halima. The food hadn't arrived yet. Omar said he had checked out my site, Stomp asked him if he was on it. He said he needs posed pictures and started to pose. I told him I couldn't hold a camera straight while taking those pictures, I'd be laughing too hard. Charlie called Donnell Pussybutt, I told him Stomp called him Pussybutt Jr. Stomp got down to what Doc called noise. Stomp said he made a living off that banging; he didn't need a (non-music) job until 2002. Doc said, do you know who you're talking to; I used to book NEG's shows. Donnell said, "Let him think he's paid well". In Rare Essence, we used to make $50 a week and had paid vacations, playing 4 times on Thursday, 3 on Friday - including that they would make $40,000 at the Coliseum. Ms. Mack made two million a year and we made $50 a week. Little Benny quit because he wanted a raise to $100 a week and they wouldn't give it to him. Nephew wore a really tight black shirt; they teased him about it - they said he dressed like Miami Vice. Doc talked about the pictures on Rare Essence's new website, including one with Smoke's uncle Boogie Dews and others he couldn't identify.




Mike, Doc, DP, and Dwayne had a long conversation about what they need to do and the music business. Dwayne said he learned about the music business from James Funk. He also took a class with Jay Rosenthal. They talked about the live experience and studio being different, DP said Rare Essence's Body Moves was the best GoGo record ever - it sounded like R&B but was GoGo. Lorenzo had worked on the original of a song that the DJ played, a DJ Rico song.

Diva, Delano, and Mama Chelle were there

Second Set
Donnell talked about Nephew wearing a really tight shirt with "fake muscles."
I danced toward the front of the dance floor this set. At one point, 6'9 danced behind me with his arm on my shoulder. Since I was taking note, the guy in front of me asked if I was their (FF's) manager. I said no.
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
2) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Mike Smith was there
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Mike added new lyrics / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
4) Donnell-led "___ is here"
5) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary
6) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
7) Donnell-led Hold the Note
8) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
10) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
11) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
13) Mike-led Lap Dance
Donnell said, "Stomp is Lawrence Atwater".

02 was there. I talked with Halima. I asked if she was going to sing Free Yourself at the Fantasia after party. She said, "She won't be there". I said, it is the official party, she may be there. I asked Halima if she would sing Free Yourself in front of Fantasia. She said, "I'm not afraid of her, she should be afraid of me. I am talking a lot of junk, aren't I?"

Friday at Safari
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

I was late because I had dinner with my parents, my sister, and her boyfriend and because of the construction on I-495. The lounge had a girl sitting in the first seat in the dark. I turned both lights on, the one equipment guy turned one off, saying Nephew turned off the lights. Later, DP and Thomas walked into the lounge; DP said the music is really loud, I agreed, telling him it is always louder than when they perform. Thomas turned on the TV, but Nephew got him to turn it off and scolded me saying, "Have you ever seen the lights off before?" I talked with Doc (sitting Me, Doc, Dwayne, DP, Halima) about his job and the details. Doc talked about the difficult part of his job is connecting the computers to the car. He discussed the anti-theft capabilities of the Lexus. If you break the window, everything in the car shuts down. If you use a slimjim, you can't then use the key. He said you need to call in and get the secret code. They have a system (he didn't name it as such, but is similar to Onstar). He had to call when in South Carolina because he locked his keys in his trunk. He woke up at 8 AM; he did every morning that trip. He worried about being in range, he called, the guy said to back up in case of static and it opened. He said there's only one other guy where he works who can do the things he can. One of them has to be there. That's why he can't go to Miami; the other guy is on vacation then. He said you try to teach others to do what you do. He talked about a conference in August about new development to come in the next few years. They try to keep you ahead of the game. Doc walked over and talked with DP in front of Halima about something. I walked over to ask Halima something.Doc said to Halima, this is guy band stuff, you are not a band member, you are a band woman. She said, "I am one of the guys." I later said to Halima as we all walked to the stage area, "You aren't one of the guys, look you're wearing a mini-skirt." She said, "You should come down to my salon and see some of the guys in there, they wear mini-skirts too."

YC was there and sat in during the first set. He asked me if the sound system was better here than Takoma Station, I told him yes and that they perform three sets here.

Michael Ford (or Forbe?) played congas during the first set; he told Halima that he has offered to play congas to Donnell for free numerous times.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Miles Davis' Tutu - YC sat in, Halima played one of the bongos
Donnell commented on the construction on I-495 affecting both the band and audience's arrival. Mike backed him up
Halima did an intro to the audience and said "Hey Googie"
2) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
Candy (wearing a shirt that had the words "Candy Girl" printed on it) and Michon arrived. I told Candy, "That's your name shirt", she said yes and hugged me hello.
3) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
4) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
Peanut and Angie were there
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - Halima added new vocal effects
6) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance, James was on backup vocals and YC sat in
Angie asked me if this was new, I said no, they started last week, but she had missed it because it was in the early sets. I told her about Tamara, Candy and Michon pulling their chairs up on Wednesday, they stood up by the stage for this performance.

I told Halima that this had replaced My Funny Valentine as her signature song in that it is her best performed song. She said, "You think so?" I said definitely. She said she doesn't like that song, I said neither do I (it is too light for me), but that it is still her best song. She said, "Well thank you". I sat with Angie, by her sister Star and Tracy. Angie had another birthday cake - red velvet, but unlabeled on the icing. Angie was tired and seriously thought about going out to her car to take a nap.

Second Set
Marky Mark played congas at the start of this set.
1) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You
Halima fanned the smoke from the smoke machine and danced
Ytee was there
2) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Donnell did announcements
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
7) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
8) Donnell-led Hold the Note
9) Donnell rapped - Smoke took over for Marky Mark on congas
I talked with Marky Mark in the lounge; he talked about how he had earlier played congas for FF "for a minute"
10) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
Donnell said the video shoot will star Packy, but Peanut is the star of tonight. He talked about their upcoming show next Thursday at the Zanzibar as the Official Fantasia After Party - maybe we'll disrespect her by performing her song, after all we did disrespect Anthony Hamilton by performing his song when they played with him. I think Doc or Dwayne said, "They'll probably sign Halima to a record deal".

I said to Donnell and Angie that it is not disrespecting if it is performed well. I told Donnell what I had told Halima, that I think Free Yourself is now her signature song. I asked him if he had gone to the Me'Shell NdegeOcello get together, he said he and Me'Shell aren't on good terms. I asked why, he said he used to manager her and was going to get her signed by Ed Strickland of Tommy Boy, it was around Christmas, and they had shut down, were going to sign her at the beginning of the new year. She got antsy and he got a girl named Angie to try to help calm her down. Angie turned around and got Me'Shell a new manager and on top of that, Ed Strickland left Tommy Boy for Chrysalis, so no one had loyalty to Donnell. Me'Shell then signed with Madonna's label (Maverick). He hasn't spoken with her since. I asked who else he had managed, he said Vinnie D. He said he thought the After Party was originally going to be performed at the place on Central Avenue. I said the former Mad Chef? He said, "yes, La Pearla" (the new name). I said the Mad Chef is where I was searched the hardest and treated strangely (asking if I knew what was going on) because I was white. He said not for us, for younger bands. I said, "no, Junkyard and Backyard." Tracy's birthday is next week. Tracy didn't want to sit at the head of the table because she said, "I am a low-key person". She said when I asked that her brother Bobby wouldn't play on her birthday that he doesn't go out like that. Angie went over to the bar to get a knife, she said he had to argue with them to get one; they gave her a stake knife. After I ate a piece of cake, I got a Coke to wash it down. I sat again by Angie. She was trying to compete with Donnell for birthday treatment - Donnell talked about the places he had been taken to dinner for his birthday. I suggested she rap and play the saxophone. Yolanda took Donnell's seat - she twice grabbed Tyrell by her shirt and chest, Tyrell said of her breasts, "Don't mess with my babies". Yolanda spilled water and Angie and I got up.

Stomp asked what I drank, I told him Coke and that I don't drink and why. He and Omar asked me the URL of my website.

Third Set
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / Stevie Wonder's Superstition bass line
2) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - interrupted by a fight that Donnell said was two girls / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Donnell's chant, "Wait a minute" had an echo effect
3) Donnell-led 911
4) Donnell-led Brown & White
5) Donnell-led Family
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Geraldine "Trying to get away, going to get away"
7) Donnell rapped
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease)
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's What N*gga What?
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's All Da Time? "Throw your hands up, everyone in the club, __ is here all the time"
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Uh Oh (Heads Up)
12) Donnell-led "___ Got no drawers on"
13) Donnell-led "35, girls want to shake that ass, give up the cash" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls
14) 6 Minutes percussion solo
15) Donnell-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version)
16) Donnell-led Chuck Brown's Bustin' Loose (tease)
This was a really unusual set with some songs they haven't performed in a while.

Donnell said, "There's a Mercedes outside blocking someone in. It's not Googie's, he's got a VW, a kid car. His car looks like a Mercedes, but it's really a VW with Mercedes parts on the outside." Googie smiled. He then said, "Stomp's baby mama is out directing traffic on 202. We need a cup for a collection, since Vincent got his test results back; he's got the Arthur Ashe, Melvin Lindsey, Eazy E." Vincent just laughed.

Bud's Birthday Celebration
Bud's 501 Club, 501 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002

I arrived and talked with SweetAngel. Many signs for Bud's birthday were posted on various walls and doors; surprisingly her whole date of birth was listed: June 20, 1956. There was a big cake for her. It is also Mike's birthday (I don't know this Mike). I sat down. Nena came in and stood beside me. Scottiejay sat by me. Ras asked me if anyone from TMOTT played congas, then asked Scottie to play with him since his conga player was late. But the conga player showed up before they started performing. Tyra came in later and said hello. I went upstairs, passing Slim Goodie and Kato on my way up, and there was a good sized crowd.

Ras Lidj & Deep Band
Julian was there this time. He first sang a song about Murder. From the way Ras Lidj introduced him "as an original member of Deep Band" I assume he's no longer a member of the band.
Ras Lidj said, "Tonight is for a mother to us all, although she didn't give birth to us - Bud."
They then performed Son of a One Night Stand.
Julian then sang Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry. Then he left.
Diva walked in.
Ras then performed Ganja Weed.
He gave a dedication to the TMOTT board. He chanted "Log on".
He then performed his song "DC's a nice place to live"
He called up Bud and gave her a hug - not just a regular hug.
Bud then said, "It's Mike's birthday too."
Ras said to Mike, "Stay there, sit down," then told him he should hug Bud.
He held her left leg up at a 135 degree angle with her right leg on the floor.
Ras performed, chanting "Hot dog!" while they danced.
Kato pointed me out to Shorty Q, who introduced herself to me.
Slim Goodie danced onstage and she and Nena got on the mic with another woman I don't know. I didn't really catch what they said.
Mama Chelle was there.
The last song was really excellent - I don't recall the title (even though I asked Ras), but he did say it is on their EP.

After Deep Band was done, the members of EU walked in. Right behind Sugar Bear was my friend Duane Face with his keyboard. After he set up, he walked over to my table. He told me he has performed with them before, in November and December on Fridays. I asked if he was working on his arrogance in play. I said only in play! He smiled. He talked about how plenty of bands have asked him to join, but that they weren't doing anything and he's already doing nothing with Familiar Faces. I told him about Scottiejay and he said Scottie used to watch him in a Gospel GoGo band called Turning Point before. He said they are all doing different things; it is hard to get together. I told him about Mambo Sauce, Smoke's other band. He also talked about how hard it is to get everyone to do a free gig. I talked about how Dwayne had talked about how difficult it was to get MVP to play for free when they looked for exposure. I also talked about that being a problem with all Gospel GoGo bands.

EU
First Set
1) Stephanie-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha know
2) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
3) Sugar Bear-led Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair
Sugar Bear said, "It's for Bud tonight".
4) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) reprise
5) Sugar Bear-led "Give love to me"?
6) Donny Ray-led ?
7) Donny Ray & Junie-led ?
8) Sugar Bear-led Sly & the Family Stone's Family Affair reprise
9) Stephanie-led ?

Their regular keyboard player, Scooter, (the dude who looks like Walt Williams) showed up and played in the second set along with Duane Face.

Adia and Los were there.

Bud walked around with a kid that I assumed is her son

Second Set
1) Junie-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love
2) Sugar Bear-led JGW? "a real MF?" "Go to a disco"
3) Sugar Bear-led Um Bop Bop
Bud had changed her outfit, from a white top and cream colored slacks to a black dress
4) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
5) Sugar Bear-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot
6) Sugar Bear-led - I don't know what it was, but it cranked
7) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
8) Sugar Bear-led "How low can you go"
9) Sugar Bear-led "Shake it to the right"
10) Sugar Bear-led Freak A Deak All Night Long (tease) / Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd (tease) / Bad Girls (Cops theme) (tease) / Pop the Coochie (tease)
11) Sugar Bear-led Ludacris' Number One Spot (tease) - "We're so hot, we've got the number one spot"
12) Sugar Bear-led OutKast's The Way You Move (tease)
13) Sugar Bear-led Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat (tease)
14) Stephanie-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
15) Stephanie-led Amerie's 1 Thing
16) Sugar Bear-led Get Your Freak On
Sugar Bear said repeatedly, "Happy Birthday Bud".

I went in the VIP room and watched the end of the Pistons' blowout win over San Antonio in Game Four of the NBA Finals. Also in the room were Doc, Stomp, Lorenzo, Telando, and an equipment guy I don't know the name of. I asked Doc if he saw who played keyboards for EU, he said, "Yeah, it's about f*cking time!"

I then stood in the hallway with Duane Face, and other members of EU. Halima said, "Good evening" to me and Duane.

Minnie Me, Michon and Candy were there. Surprisingly, Donnell was one of the last band members to arrive, Smoke was the very last. Kato said to me, where is everybody (he had earlier worried they weren't going to perform until I pointed out that it was still early and that Stomp had just arrived). James was there at the start. Someone pointed me out to a woman who said, "You are FunkMasterJ, really?" Junie of EU pointed out Halima as someone to check out to a girl with long hair that Kato later said hello to. The DJ? or GoGo pics guy asked me what I thought of Bud's - I said it has a nice atmosphere but was small. He asked, "The dance floor?" I said, "Yes".

Familiar Faces
1) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - another excellent performance
Donnell referred to Bud as the hardest working woman in GoGo, being a female entrepreneur. He said she's from Lincoln Heights. Donnell said they thought about what to sing for her and settled on Golden Lady.
2) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
7) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
Kay Kay was onstage
10) Kay Kay rapped
She put her glasses above her head - the first time I saw her without the glasses, she's really beautiful
11) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
12) Percussion solo
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
14) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
15) Long percussion solo then Donnell rapped "Got to get you"
16) Donnell-led "___ got no drawers on"
17) 6 Minutes percussion solo
18) Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane
They were basically done, but Donnell said he heard great singing from a woman in the back and invited her to sing, I later found out her name is Yvette Wright.
Mama Chelle said, "Can he play?" Donnell said, "You'll have to ask him yourself." I wasn't sure who she was talking about, so I walked up and saw Go-Go Mickey there.
19) Yvette-led "I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm about to freestyle, They turned the PA off, but it's alright"

I went outside with Godfather, so he could get something from his car. It was warm out and it really stank outside. He talked with Yvette Wright, who is friends with his wife, and her cousin, whom he knew, but didn't know was her cousin. He said at one point, "a guy is putting flyers on your car", she said that's my husband. He went over to talk with him, his name is Howard. Then he talked with the third girl who had been singing with Slim Goodie, Slim Goodie was in the car with her.

Angie's Birthday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

I forgot my pen (it fell out of my pocket at home), I am positive they performed everything in the setlist below, but they may have played more that I don't remember and I am not sure of the order of what was performed. The line up was: Mike, Halima, Donnell, DP, Dwayne, Doc, Godfather, Lorenzo, Stomp, Smoke, and Jacques. YC sat in during most of the first set.

Michon and Candy sat to the left of the aisle. Tamara sat next to me, Tim (LJ) was there, Ray was there, Tanya was there - Doc hung out with her, Ras Lidj was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Instrumental
Donnell said, "Mike has been singing for 40 years. His mom had said he had sang in the shower at three years old."
Mike said, "Donnell dropped out of college 'cause he couldn't add" - Mike is only 39.
Mike thanked his co-workers from Verizon for coming the last five Thursdays, but I and others corrected him - Wednesdays.
2) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
Donnell said, "We had not rehearsed this (I've never heard this song before), but she says she knows it,"
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's On & On
Donnell invited Tamara up. He said, "She's part of the family"
4) Tamara-led Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) - Halima was on backup vocals

Smoke, Jacques, Tamara, Doc, Halima, Stomp, YC, Godfather (behind YC)
5) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
6) Mike-led Ruff Endz' Someone to Love You
7) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself - this is the best Halima performance I've witnessed - At the beginning, Michon moved her chair in the middle of the dance floor, Tamara criticized her, then Tamara, Michon, and Candy all moved their chairs up in front of the stage

On stage: Mike, Jacques, Doc, Halima, Stomp, Donnell, DP, Godfather, Lorenzo, Dwayne, YC (hand and flute only visible)
Facing stage: Tamara, Michon, Candy, Nephew
8) Donnell, Mike, and Donny Ray-led Atlantic Starr's Send for Me

Packy (arm only visible), Jacques, Mike, Doc, Stomp, Donnell, Godfather, Donny Ray, Lorenzo

I talked with Halima tonight, I have figured out that despite the fact that she is very outgoing; she is also a very private person.

Go-Go Mickey was there. 6'9 said hello. Damien Owens, Mike Smith, and Roosevelt were there.

Angie said hello, she's celebrating her birthday. She wouldn't tell me how old she was.

Sharmba Mitchell was there - Donnell said he did better than Mike Tyson. RE Angie was there, Tracy, Robin, and Sharika - she asked me if I was taking pictures - I told her I had taken many in the first set.

A woman sitting behind me asked if I was a reporter, I told her I was a grad student. I went outside, Tara St. John was there, she said previously she had gone out on her birthday (the last time I saw her). I asked if she was going to rap, she said that's up to the big man. A guy outside with a bandana on had his head had a green motorcycle parked outside, he seemed to be a cop 'cause he joked about taking care of Donnell's parking tickets. Donnell asked what he wanted in return, he said something old (earlier he had said, I don't want to hear that new sh*t). A regular came out, tried to tell Tara that it was his motorcycle, she told him to start it, which he didn't even attempt to do. The actual owner said he'd give him $100 if he could get from there to the corner (about 100 feet). I confirmed with Lorenzo the proper spelling of his first name.

Second Set
1) Instrumental
2) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
3) Halima-led Cleva / Stevie Wonder's Superstition bass line
4) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
7) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
Go-Go Mickey sat in

Smoke, Go-Go Mickey, Jacques, (Mike Smith is wearing the pink shirt)
All pictures taken by and Copyright Jordan Rich
8) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call
10) Go-Go Mickey percussion solo
11) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit"
12) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
13) Donnell-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane (tease)
14) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go Angie, it's your birthday"
15) Mike-led Lap Dance - Go-Go Mickey switched from congas to timbales and roto-toms at the end

Robin wore a shirt that said R is for Rockstar. I asked her if she was "Rockin' Robin", she said yes. I asked her why she had just started coming out in April. She said she used to go to Tradewinds and Safari before.

LA was there.

Angie cut her cake, I had a piece. While I was eating, I pulled a bloodsucking insect off the back of my neck. Angie asked Donnell about Sunday at Banneker Field, he said to ask Nephew - he gave her his own number directly on her cell phone. Angie said she'd be at Bud's on Thursday, Bud's birthday celebration - I said I had never met Bud (I assumed Bud was a male), she said she - then I knew who she was - she talked with me the first time I went there for a Thursday show.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Duane Face and Donnell sat in their cars. Duane watched the NBA finals on a TV in his car. We walked in and it was really hot. It was even hotter in the practice room. Donnell went and turned on the air conditioning, but it was so hot that they ended up talking and not having a rehearsal. Duane wore HOBO socks. BJ was the next to arrive. He had his keyboard in the other room. He walked in and said hello to both of us. Dwayne was next to arrive, but left shortly and then came back later. The four of us went into the larger room - where it was cooler. Donnell sat under the fan.

Then Doc arrived. Doc talked with me about the entry in my blog re: last Wednesday: Michon (she must really be fan since Jacques wasn't here, she must not just be at FF shows to "stand by her man"). He said he thought I was insinuating something. I said I wasn't. Donnell said that the real reason she was there was to pick up Jacques' money while he was in Orlando. Mike arrived. When Jacques arrived, he confirmed that Michon was a fan of the band. I told them that Smoke had a girlfriend who came to shows too, but she stays by the bar. Doc said he didn't even know that Smoke had a girlfriend; I said I've seen her bring him water and towels, but she is low-key. It turns out, subsequently, Smoke said she is a friend of his, but not his girlfriend. I talked about a conversation between a man and a woman walking out of Tradewinds some weeks ago.

At one point, Donnell talked about Smoke leading the beat in some song, Dwayne said, "I changed my name, I am Smoke." Doc talked about Pleasure and the Huck-A-Bucks being programmed bands. I talked with Doc about the stuff "you asked me not to include in the blog", he said Halima asked you that, I stand by what I say. I asked Donnell and Mike the name of the song that they always sing with Donny Ray - Donnell said, (Atlantic Starr's) Send for Me, Mike said, "a tragedy".

Stomp was really hyper. He said Charlie was "Pussybutt Jr.". DP arrived at one point with his sons Derek Jr. and Darrell. Mike said that he co-wrote the Rare Essence song "Back up against the wall." Doc talked about Amerie's 1 Thing being a momentum killer, when was the last time we played it? I said, "Saturday". I said that Free Yourself was a momentum killer after Work the Walls on Saturday, that it cleared the dance floor, but Donnell said they don't want to hype the crowd at the end of sets.

They said, look at Mark in a Magnum PI t-shirt - he was in the hallway, where I couldn't see him yet. Godfather wore a see through - Hawaiian-type shirt. I believe it is the same one he wore during my interview of him last year. Band members teased him about looking like a stripper. He said that with this heat, they should be jealous. Mark talked about going to Valley Green to recover Funk's stolen collection - the story was really unclear on the details, but apparently a bunch of high school students had Funk's collection. Mark talked about going to Prince's house in DC that had a huge statue of a penis. Mark said that Funk knew Prince personally - the other band members were doubtful.

A couple of girls that Dwayne had worked with right before he came to rehearsal were looking for a guy named KJ. Dwayne said they were playing Sunday at 2K9 (which is now Kili's Kafe).

Donnell talked about the goal of the band being to tour (nationally). He said more originality was required.

They discussed the Miami trip. There were four applicants to direct the video of Lap Dance: Dwayne's friend Gary, Dougie Fresh's friend Dave Cooper, Jesse Vaughan, and Tom who had worked with Ed Stewart. Jesse Vaughn had the best presentation. Doc said he couldn't go, his job wouldn't let him. Stomp said that BFI needed a note from Donnell to let him go. Donnell teased him, saying "you need me." Dwayne said he was still waiting on them for the remix of Lap Dance. Mark asked when it was, I told him. Donnell? said you are really into the details. I said that I had reserved my rental car the day before.

Mark said that Me'Shell NdegeOcello was having a get together on Thursday. They kicked Duane and me out to have a private meeting. Duane and I went to the rehearsal area and hung out with DP's sons. Duane played the recording of the track he is working on. After a while DP came in, I asked him if the meeting was done, he said he's leaving, he would check for me. They were done.

I walked in, Jauhar, Donnell, Stomp, and Jacques were talking. Stomp said that Packy was happy that Jacques wasn't there on Wednesday so he could play. Jauhar said in ten years, Packy may be a top talent in GoGo. I told them that when Packy is early, he will play with all three bands on Thursdays. Donnell said that he's better than Charlie. Jauhar said, but what about Charlie's performance on the Chuck Brown DVD? Donnell asked me to excuse them while they discussed travel arrangements for the weekend. I left.

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I was late because of the construction on I-495, but the band wasn't there yet. When I arrived, the equipment was being set up by Packy, Thomas had driven again. Black Heart said hello. I saw Jacques walk in; I was surprised because Charlie normally plays on Saturdays, and then Charlie walked in, so I realized Jacques was just here to watch. I asked Doc who won the fight, he said Tyson lost. Halima waved to me.

Renee was there, she said hello. Michon and Candy were there. James and I folded our arms because the air conditioning was so cold.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva - Halima used a lot of nonverbal arm & hand gestures
Donnell did a shoutout to his high school, junior high, and elementary school sweetheart
2) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Donnell said, "It's Tanya T's birthday". A number of fans yelled affirmatively
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Halima-led Faith Evans' Mesmerized
5) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
There was a large bug on the dance floor - a bunch of women cleared out until a guy stepped on it
6) Doc-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
8) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go
9) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
The dance floor cleared for Free Yourself, I thought it was weird at first going from crank to a laid back song, until I realized it was the set-ending song

Mama Chelle was there. I talked with Dwayne then he led me into the kitchen where the band went for the break. They were eating chicken; Donnell said to someone that you can't eat any chicken until you drink Halima's tea. I didn't eat or drink anything - I don't perform, so I am not going to take performer's perks. I talked with Doc more about what we discussed on Tuesday and the Tyson fight. I talked with Charlie about getting copies of his videos from Bike Week; he said Stomp is transferring them to DVD.

Second Set
Donnell said, "We're selling PA Tapes at the PA table." Stomp kidded, "CDs too" (they only sell CDs, no cassettes)
6'9 was there
Donnell thanked all those who had been loyal fans going to every show including out of town - 6'9 was one of those he thanked. Donnell said, "We are all family".
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
2) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
Bobby Smoot was there - Donnell did a shout out ot him.
3) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - a different beat then their usual performances / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
People shouted: "Wind me up, Smoke"
4) Donnell sang "Familiar Faces is Back, every Saturday night, spread the word"
5) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
6) Donnell-led Hold the Note
7) Donnell-led rap Sade's No Ordinary Love? "I'm going to give you all that I go to"
8) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit"
9) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
10) Mike-led Lap Dance - long percussion solo, Donnell chanted "Swing your body" and Mike chanted "Swing" in chorus with him (I assumed it was Halima because it was so high pitched, but subsequent performances show it was Mike). Jacques played percussion during the final percussion solo.

A guy walked up to Donnell and said, "Nobody is as good as Familiar Faces, not even L!ssen, I want tonight's PA." Stomp said, "I have PAs from every group, even 911 / Familiar Faces or Pussybutt (Donnell) and the gang."

Saturday meeting with Filmmakers
Rock Bottom Brewery, 7900 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

I met with two video producers Elizabeth Kiehner and Keith Olwell. They currently live in New York City, but are from DC - they went to American University. They do music videos, commercials and other types of videos. They plan to do a documentary on GoGo. Keith used to be a part of the scene - an underground scene he called it - back in 1990. Their purpose is to show why GoGo prospers. Their talking with me was the first step after deciding to do it (I had suggested they talk with a band / musician rather than me). I mostly gave them information on the scene. They plan to come down every two weeks or so. They plan to ask GoGo fans to do shooting with disposable video cameras.

Friday at Safari
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

My Dad pointed out to me that the weekend section of the Washington Post listed FF's Wednesday and Friday gigs. I walked up and Nephew stood outside with the security guys. I could tell that again there were less people than usual since I got a good parking space, despite arriving after 10 PM due to construction on I-495. The security guard, Patrick, asked if I was in charge of the band's website. Nephew said, "No, I am." He wanted Nephew to take a down a picture, because there was a girl in the picture also, even though he was just standing there doing his job. He said it wasn't the girl in the picture he was worried about.

Thomas was there, along with a friend/co-worker named Bob. He had driven the equipment truck on Wednesday and tonight as a fill in. He used to drive and unload, sometimes even more. I told him that I have on video when he talked on the phone to Donnell when Donnell recorded in the booth. He said Church should always come first, that's why he can't become their permanent driver again, in addition to the fact that he makes more money at night than during the day. Bob really liked what he heard of FF. He asked who did their sound, I told him Googie, and that Googie works with Rare Essence and worked on the sound on Rare Essence's last album. Thomas talked about driving down to Miami and staying at a motel next to a Bennigan's in the northern part of the city, near the small airfield across the street from Florida Memorial (I went to a concert there in 1999). When we finished talking, many of the band members had already set up.

I talked with Halima. She ate fries from Wendy's. I told her how Donnell said she was on fire at Myrtle Beach; I asked her what she did. She said she was wild, really energetic. I asked her, "Like My Funny Valentine (her signature song)?" She said three times that. She talked about how I said I had trouble believing negative stuff happening with her - she said she's learning from Donnell. I said her smiling when performing looks genuine, she said it is. She said the almighty wouldn't make her go through things without a reason.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Peanut, Michon and Candy, and Jauhar's business partner David were there
1) Instrumental
2) Mike-led Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do for Love
3) Mike-led ?
4) Halima-led Jill Scott's Whatever
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - with a great climax
Packy said, "She's David Ruffin in a bottle"
6) James-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy
7) Halima-led Fantasia's Free Yourself
8) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
Doc said Stomp is twelve years old

Ytee was there

Mike said on the mic, "Packy has the microwave (red) light on. It's like a tanning booth; by the time we're done I'll look like Wesley Snipes."

Tracy was there.

Donnell did the announcements for tomorrow's gigs first at Venus Hall for the Tyson After-Fight Party with L!ssen, and After Hours Band, then their usual Tradewinds show. He said, I think it's Scooby's L!ssen with Scooby, Scrappy, and Skittles. Halima laughed. Mike said Ytee has his Terrorist outfit on (he had a towel on his head, under his blue beer hat) Halima said he's someone who's going to be searched. Mike wore Shooters clothing, he said it's across the street from where he lives. Donnell asked Stomp (who also represents Shooters) if he pulled Mike in, Stomp said, "No, Shooters is just hot now". It was a smaller crowd than usual like last week.

Second Set
6'9, Blak, and Scuba Steve Covington of Y2K were there
1) Instrumental with percussion solo
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva -> Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
3) Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
Mike teased Ytee
4) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
6) Alternating 6 Minutes percussion solo - Donnell said, "Don't nobody say nothing, don't nobody play anything" / Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) RE Angie and Angie were there
7) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
8) Scuba Steve rapped
Donnell said, "Simple City?"
Donnell danced with RE Angie
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Tasty was there.
10) "Right through?"
Donnell said, "Ten for ton, nine for nine, eight for break." People teased him about it.

RE Angie said hello and sat by me

Third Set
Donnell talked about multiple shows in one night, like when you would go from Cardoza to Howard Theatre.
Los was there
Donnell called Tasty "Frankie Knuckles"
1) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
2) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Tupac's Hail Mary / "Wait a minute" chants repeated - females danced on stage
3) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You - women sang along
4) Donnell-led Hold the Note
5) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit, ready to split?" - the crowd shouted, "Hell no!"
6) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika
7) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
8) Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
9) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease) / Rare Essence's Spotlight (tease) / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
10) Alternating Halima-led Minnie Riperton's Memory Lane (tease) / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls
11) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
12) Percussion solo - Donnell said, "Simple city"
13) Mike-led Lap Dance
They resumed performing
Donnell said, "They're so disrespectful, I am looking for a drummer, can anyone play drums?"
He talked about the Miami trip and that, "South Beach is topless, don't go down there like Stomp, anyone here work for Stomp? Haulover Beach is nude".
14) Donnell acapella rap