Today's news that Teena was found dead in her bed by her daughter yesterday is genuinely shocking .The tragedy of her death at only 54 and that it should be her daughter who found her dead on Boxing day gives the situation added poignancy ...........and let nobody doubt that we have lost a genuine Princess of Soul ,a real talent.
I always find it sad when an artist whose music has made made a major impact on me dies ,but I find this news particularly hard to bear. It could be because we are the same age but I think it is more that she just had such a huge influence on my life. When her first album - Wild And Peaceful - came out I was working in City Sounds and it was an instant hit with all the Soul Boys and Girls who made up the bulk of my customers.
The album artwork didn't have any photos of Lady T because Motown didn't want the audience to know she was white ......you would never have guessed it by listening to her as she sang the seminal " I'm Just A Sucker For Your Love " with Rick James ,this track simply IS Funk
Through albums like Lady T and the astonishing Irons In The Fire and tracks like Behind The Groove ,I Need Your Lovin,Square Biz and Portugese Love she made Soul music of the highest calibre...a new Teena Marie album was a big event ,and she didn't let us down . Her move from Motown to Epic didn't really work and from then on the quality of her music was variable- but her voice and spirit remained.
I've been listening to her music this morning and ,whilst listening to " Deja Vu ( I've Been Here Before ) " I heard her singing " When you die you come back again,I thank God I thank God when you die you come back again " . I'm not embarrassed to say I cried my eyes out - not just for Teena but for my Mum and Dad and all the other beautiful friends I've lost
This is the essence of Soul Music I believe...it makes me FEEL.Sometimes the feelings are good but often Soul music brings me feelings that hurt ,and that's why I love it ,why it will always be a part of my life and why Teena Marie will never die in my mind,I am blessed to have known her through her music. If you're not familiar with Lady T here's an updated wikipedia account of her .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teena_Marie
God Bless you Teena RIP X
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