Comments on: The Importance of Bilal Oliver http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/ Web & Graphic Design Services, Branding & Logo Development. Blogging about design, music and all things grangley. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:54:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Chris Punzalan http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-340 Chris Punzalan Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:40:13 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-340 Sorry for discovering this article so late! It's a great article, so believe me, I sincerely do apologize. Anyhow, before reading it, I had no clue that his new album was "shelved". I've listen to so many of his new(obviously unreleased) songs on youtube and his official myspace page. My honest and non-biased opinion: it's nothing short of BRILLIANT. The instrumentation, the constant play and mastery of variations in rhythm, the unfiltered rawness in the soulful vocals--GENIUS. He and D'Angelo are the only artists living that I feel can literally do every and anything they want to do with their voice. It seems as though there is no note that they can't hit as well as no melody they can't drive their singing right over and make it fit as perfect as yin to yang. Bilal's song writing is also impeccable. Personally, "something to hold onto" seemed like such a predictable title to me, but after listening to it over a dozen times, I've drawn a handful of different interpretations. Even his timing is perfect. When to sing, when to pause, when to harmonize, when it's gotta be delivered to you with passion and even how much of that dosage he prescribes at that particular time on that particular song. Universal is truly depriving the public of a modern marvel. I can't express how much it kills me that a man that has learned to fly is being chained to the ground right now. I can't help, but think to myself: what if D'Angelo's "Voodoo" was never released? That was another soulful and innovative album that opened a lot of closed minds and gave a thousand 3-minute emotion-derived R & B pop artists a pale light over their faces in front of a sulky mirror. I have no doubt in my mind that "Love 4 Sale" would do just that. Force some artists(basically those who still give a shit about honing their craft) to create more mindfully and learn to feel again. As well as shake up a sleeping audience and be reminded of how much music can be beautiful reflection of humanity. Again, thanks for the article. I hope Bilal's album sees the light of day and very soon. Sorry for discovering this article so late! It’s a great article, so believe me, I sincerely do apologize. Anyhow, before reading it, I had no clue that his new album was “shelved”. I’ve listen to so many of his new(obviously unreleased) songs on youtube and his official myspace page. My honest and non-biased opinion: it’s nothing short of BRILLIANT. The instrumentation, the constant play and mastery of variations in rhythm, the unfiltered rawness in the soulful vocals–GENIUS. He and D’Angelo are the only artists living that I feel can literally do every and anything they want to do with their voice. It seems as though there is no note that they can’t hit as well as no melody they can’t drive their singing right over and make it fit as perfect as yin to yang. Bilal’s song writing is also impeccable. Personally, “something to hold onto” seemed like such a predictable title to me, but after listening to it over a dozen times, I’ve drawn a handful of different interpretations. Even his timing is perfect. When to sing, when to pause, when to harmonize, when it’s gotta be delivered to you with passion and even how much of that dosage he prescribes at that particular time on that particular song. Universal is truly depriving the public of a modern marvel. I can’t express how much it kills me that a man that has learned to fly is being chained to the ground right now. I can’t help, but think to myself: what if D’Angelo’s “Voodoo” was never released? That was another soulful and innovative album that opened a lot of closed minds and gave a thousand 3-minute emotion-derived R & B pop artists a pale light over their faces in front of a sulky mirror. I have no doubt in my mind that “Love 4 Sale” would do just that. Force some artists(basically those who still give a shit about honing their craft) to create more mindfully and learn to feel again. As well as shake up a sleeping audience and be reminded of how much music can be beautiful reflection of humanity. Again, thanks for the article. I hope Bilal’s album sees the light of day and very soon.

]]> By: sweeneykovar http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-257 sweeneykovar Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:03:18 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-257 peace, Bilal will be releasing his second album via Plug Research records in early 2010. peace, Bilal will be releasing his second album via Plug Research records in early 2010.

]]> By: love alise http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-246 love alise Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00:03 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-246 My friend put me on to Bilal. She's the agent he doesn't know he has. I just found Love for Sale this morning. I haven't stopped listening to it since. I swear to Jesus and he can vouch for me, I went to lunch and I kept thinking back to my bedroom where I could listen to Bilal. His lyrics are compelling. As you said, he articulates what you're feeling. I've been happily single for months and his songs made me want to be in love, he so completely described every aspect of the blissful push and pull of a relationship. His lyrics are vivid and his voice is so expressive. He displays true appreciation for our musical tradition. More so than afore mentioned Usher and T-Pain. He's the truth My friend put me on to Bilal. She’s the agent he doesn’t know he has. I just found Love for Sale this morning. I haven’t stopped listening to it since. I swear to Jesus and he can vouch for me, I went to lunch and I kept thinking back to my bedroom where I could listen to Bilal. His lyrics are compelling. As you said, he articulates what you’re feeling. I’ve been happily single for months and his songs made me want to be in love, he so completely described every aspect of the blissful push and pull of a relationship. His lyrics are vivid and his voice is so expressive. He displays true appreciation for our musical tradition. More so than afore mentioned Usher and T-Pain.

He’s the truth

]]> By: Joe Tower http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Joe Tower Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:09:23 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-235 Hey Rasheed, yeah, don’t even worry about it. We’re totally in agree­ment and I didn’t think you were tak­ing me to task on the neo soul thing. Hey Rasheed, yeah, don’t even worry about it.

We’re totally in agree­ment and I didn’t think you were tak­ing me to task on the neo soul thing.

]]> By: Rasheed http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Rasheed Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47:03 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-233 Hey Joe, I wasn't trying to take you to task about the neo soul tag, it's hard to convey in the comments, I was just trying to make a statement on the sillyness of genre tags, which it looks like we agree upon anyway. Hey Joe, I wasn’t trying to take you to task about the neo soul tag, it’s hard to convey in the comments, I was just trying to make a statement on the sillyness of genre tags, which it looks like we agree upon anyway.

]]> By: Joe Tower http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-232 Joe Tower Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:17:38 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-232 Thank you Rasheed! I appreciate the comment and compliments! I have actually not seen Bilal live yet. I've missed him when he's come through Minneapolis and don't keep well enough tabs on where/when he's performing. All I know is that he consistently performs in New York. I totally see your viewpoint with the Neo Soul debate. Bilal is most definitely a soul artist, however he fits into the standard definition of a "Neo Soul" artist - much like D'Angelo and Badu. I really hate placing specific genres (genre whoring) on artists and merely referred to him as such for the benefit of the uninitiated. If someone looked up the definition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_soul" class="external" rel="nofollow">Neo Soul on wikipedia</a> it perfectly describes Bilal's music. Even down to the anti-mainstream mentality. It's soul music for people who are passionate about the craft and hold a high respect for lyricism/instrumentation/conviction/creativity/etc. Also, I am definitely feeling Ndegeocello's Devil's Halo. Great album for sure and honestly one of her best, most solid releases, to date. I typically find her albums hit and miss but always progressive, interesting and full of passion. I'm really glad you enjoyed this post and you can relate to what I'm saying. I'll have to check out your site and leave a comment. Thanks again Rasheed, much respect, Joe Thank you Rasheed!
I appreciate the comment and compliments!

I have actually not seen Bilal live yet. I’ve missed him when he’s come through Minneapolis and don’t keep well enough tabs on where/when he’s performing. All I know is that he consistently performs in New York.

I totally see your viewpoint with the Neo Soul debate. Bilal is most definitely a soul artist, however he fits into the standard definition of a “Neo Soul” artist — much like D’Angelo and Badu. I really hate placing specific genres (genre whoring) on artists and merely referred to him as such for the benefit of the uninitiated. If someone looked up the definition of Neo Soul on wikipedia it perfectly describes Bilal’s music. Even down to the anti-mainstream mentality. It’s soul music for people who are passionate about the craft and hold a high respect for lyricism/instrumentation/conviction/creativity/etc.

Also, I am definitely feeling Ndegeocello’s Devil’s Halo. Great album for sure and honestly one of her best, most solid releases, to date. I typically find her albums hit and miss but always progressive, interesting and full of passion.

I’m really glad you enjoyed this post and you can relate to what I’m saying.
I’ll have to check out your site and leave a comment.

Thanks again Rasheed,
much respect,
Joe

]]> By: Rasheed http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-229 Rasheed Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:46:38 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-229 I'm real late to this post but man you nailed it... an excellent piece of writing too. Have you checked Bilal live yet? I've seen him three times (the second time he basically got me laid) and every time he gets better, I mean this literally. I only take issue with tagging him as Neo Soul. Soul is Soul and although his approach is lyrically and musically progressive, I'd say this is what Soul should be, reflective (in every way) of the times we're living in and so few are doing that right now. You're checking out Me'shelle Ndegeocello's new stuff too right? if not, do, I think you'll dig it (the last 3 albums especially) see her live as well, she's on tour right now. I think I'll be reading here regularly from what I read in the above article it sounds like we have a lot in common. Sports are boring music is life. I’m real late to this post but man you nailed it… an excellent piece of writing too. Have you checked Bilal live yet? I’ve seen him three times (the second time he basically got me laid) and every time he gets better, I mean this literally. I only take issue with tagging him as Neo Soul. Soul is Soul and although his approach is lyrically and musically progressive, I’d say this is what Soul should be, reflective (in every way) of the times we’re living in and so few are doing that right now. You’re checking out Me’shelle Ndegeocello’s new stuff too right? if not, do, I think you’ll dig it (the last 3 albums especially) see her live as well, she’s on tour right now. I think I’ll be reading here regularly from what I read in the above article it sounds like we have a lot in common. Sports are boring music is life.

]]> By: samantha http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-224 samantha Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:28:55 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-224 yes, i feel you. BILAL is the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The live performance, don't even get me started. I Love him, he speaks soul. yes, i feel you. BILAL is the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The live performance, don’t even get me started. I Love him, he speaks soul.

]]> By: TYRA T http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-190 TYRA T Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:56:39 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-190 THIS MAN AND HIS WORK NEED TO RESURFACE! UGH! OH HOW I LONG FOR THE REAL ARTISTS TO RETURN. I CANT WAIT FOR AIR TIGHT'S REVENGE TO DROP. I HOPE HE KNOWS HOW MUCH HE IS MISSED! -ONE THIS MAN AND HIS WORK NEED TO RESURFACE! UGH! OH HOW I LONG FOR THE REAL ARTISTS TO RETURN. I CANT WAIT FOR AIR TIGHT’S REVENGE TO DROP. I HOPE HE KNOWS HOW MUCH HE IS MISSED!
–ONE

]]> By: Joe Tower http://joetower.com/2009/02/the-importance-of-bilal-oliver/comment-page-1/#comment-186 Joe Tower Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:23:28 +0000 http://joetower.com/?p=107#comment-186 Awesome! Thank you Samson. I really hope Air Tight's Revenge gets released before the year is over. Take care and thanks for reading, Joe Awesome!

Thank you Samson. I really hope Air Tight’s Revenge gets released before the year is over.

Take care and thanks for reading,
Joe

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