Does anyone remember, "BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX" sung in only the way this man could sing it?? Where were you when "SHAFT" came out?
Man, I'm simply stunned again over the passing of one of the Black communities creative genius' that has taken flight from this earth. Our Loss!
I remember making love to the theme from SHAFT - every crescendo and highlighted drum and horn solo from his fantastic orchestra made me weak. When SHAFT was loving - I WAS LOVING. Lord, I used to play BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX so much on my "record player" that poor album was just warped. I would cry myself to sleep in awe of this great musician and composer. When Isaac won the Academy Award for the theme from SHAFT, we as a people were so proud of him.
I saw him in concert once - this great Black man wearing chains all over his sculpted body and wearing a hooded robe to hide the chains. When he took off that robe to display his massive frame and glistening brown skin against all that gold ..... MAN, WHAT A SIGHT!! I'll never forget it- ever!!!
"WHO IS THE MAN THAT WOULD GIVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS BRUTHUH MAN.....SHAFT!!! DAMN RIGHT"
RIP, CHEF!
