Two years or so ago I was walking mom's sweet little person of a dog and "The First Time ..." came up in my earplugs for the first time in what seemed the lifetime I was in (in Florida taking care of mom and Max both, five years then running). Roberta's voice and her momentous patience with the words amid the music stopped me in our tracks -- the blow of a mighty recovered memory. I told Max let's sit on this little stone bench by this little lake and listen. Turned on the speaker and we sat there a good while, listening through replays, wonderstruck. Her voice stayed with me for a couple weeks, working out a guitar part to sing softly along with in the quiet house and recalling the afternoon and evening the two of you, Rickie, shared the outdoor stage at Lincoln Center. Memory suggests Ronnie Spector was there too, all told half a dozen New York femme singers, and toward the end they brought Roberta out in a wheelchair to join the chorus. But I can't quite remember if you were still up on stage. Hope you were able to cross paths that day.
I guess what I wrote before is gone, well hi Rickie, yes, it's sad we lost Roberta Flack she was amazing. She sang with a genuineness that was rare, you believed what she sang. There was a gentleness but seriousness a true sweetness you don't hear very often. My favorite song by her was written by Stevie Wonder and featured Donny Hathaway. It was an amazing track. "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long". She was amazing, the 70's were an amazing time musically. Yes, I miss the 70's in terms of musical genius the last three years of the 70's was a creative renaissance, so much amazing music. In 1979 I found my favorite female artist which is you and my favorite male artist Prince and you both have remained since then. You are both totally unequaled. I find it amazing you care so much about life and people. Thank you for all you do musically and otherwise. God blessings rain down on you always.
Rickie you are incredible. You seem to have a deep appreciation of artists like I do. You being my favorite female artist of all time. I've always said in 1979 I found my favorite female and male artists of all time and you both have remained so since then. You and Prince. You are both unequaled. Speaking of Roberta my favorite song by her was the Stevie Wonder penned "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long" with Donny Hathaway it was glorious, haunting, and beautiful. She was such an incredible talent, she sang with an intimacy and happiness that is rare. God bless you Rickie. Thank you for caring and sharing.
I confess that I often get so distracted by the noise of the world around me that I miss clicking the right link. Today, I clicked the right link. I got reminded that I need to clear out the junk -- in my email and in my life -- so the right messages get through.
I so loved reading this today -- after a weekend when I felt so discouraged because music wasn't giving me what I wanted. This reminded me to turn my head around and look for the gift music was actually giving me. Stop looking past the gift to find something else. Thank you.
Lovely words. To have played “On Saturday…” for her ~ ah what a gift. Rickie, you and Roberta are both ladies who have always sang from where the heart cracks open to that space between pain and love. Beautiful ode to Roberta ❤️
Thank you, Rickie, a very moving tribute to Roberta Flack. And thanxxx for bringing up ‘The first time..’ and Vincent in one piece of writing. Love all you’ve been creating as well, eversince i started singing at a young age, so glad i found both Roberta’s voice and music ,and yours❤️
I love this tribute to Roberta. I think I can remember the first time I heard First Time … I stopped breathing. You know how it is when yo want to hear every nuance and even the sound of your own breath is too loud? It wasn’t just her voice, it was also the way she played piano . A bit Nina Simone deep . Wow indeed .
Two years or so ago I was walking mom's sweet little person of a dog and "The First Time ..." came up in my earplugs for the first time in what seemed the lifetime I was in (in Florida taking care of mom and Max both, five years then running). Roberta's voice and her momentous patience with the words amid the music stopped me in our tracks -- the blow of a mighty recovered memory. I told Max let's sit on this little stone bench by this little lake and listen. Turned on the speaker and we sat there a good while, listening through replays, wonderstruck. Her voice stayed with me for a couple weeks, working out a guitar part to sing softly along with in the quiet house and recalling the afternoon and evening the two of you, Rickie, shared the outdoor stage at Lincoln Center. Memory suggests Ronnie Spector was there too, all told half a dozen New York femme singers, and toward the end they brought Roberta out in a wheelchair to join the chorus. But I can't quite remember if you were still up on stage. Hope you were able to cross paths that day.
*I’ll see you in another life now*
I can hear you singing that in my head. That was a time. We will miss her Company.
I guess what I wrote before is gone, well hi Rickie, yes, it's sad we lost Roberta Flack she was amazing. She sang with a genuineness that was rare, you believed what she sang. There was a gentleness but seriousness a true sweetness you don't hear very often. My favorite song by her was written by Stevie Wonder and featured Donny Hathaway. It was an amazing track. "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long". She was amazing, the 70's were an amazing time musically. Yes, I miss the 70's in terms of musical genius the last three years of the 70's was a creative renaissance, so much amazing music. In 1979 I found my favorite female artist which is you and my favorite male artist Prince and you both have remained since then. You are both totally unequaled. I find it amazing you care so much about life and people. Thank you for all you do musically and otherwise. God blessings rain down on you always.
Rickie you are incredible. You seem to have a deep appreciation of artists like I do. You being my favorite female artist of all time. I've always said in 1979 I found my favorite female and male artists of all time and you both have remained so since then. You and Prince. You are both unequaled. Speaking of Roberta my favorite song by her was the Stevie Wonder penned "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long" with Donny Hathaway it was glorious, haunting, and beautiful. She was such an incredible talent, she sang with an intimacy and happiness that is rare. God bless you Rickie. Thank you for caring and sharing.
Thanks Rickie Lee for the elegant requiem for Roberta. Such a Voice and Such a Person.
Trying to figure out how to send to numerous friends, as so good an essay.
And still have your first LP on vinyl and my Luxman turntable to play it on.
And the photo cover, always one of the best, if I may say. And more justice due to the size.
Now reading more of your posts.
Regards and respect
I confess that I often get so distracted by the noise of the world around me that I miss clicking the right link. Today, I clicked the right link. I got reminded that I need to clear out the junk -- in my email and in my life -- so the right messages get through.
I so loved reading this today -- after a weekend when I felt so discouraged because music wasn't giving me what I wanted. This reminded me to turn my head around and look for the gift music was actually giving me. Stop looking past the gift to find something else. Thank you.
This is good.
Another song from that album that kills me, maybe not so softly, is Sunday and Sister Jones.
How deeply moving. Thank you Rickie Lee 💕
Soundtrack to my childhood...AM radio, early 70s always on.
Love you, Rickie (but it's enunciation not annunciation) peace!
Thank you wish I had an editor!
Love how you get to the inside, the essence of the people who touch you.
I think the amazing Roberta Flack was classically trained in music.
Lovely words. To have played “On Saturday…” for her ~ ah what a gift. Rickie, you and Roberta are both ladies who have always sang from where the heart cracks open to that space between pain and love. Beautiful ode to Roberta ❤️
Thank you, Rickie, a very moving tribute to Roberta Flack. And thanxxx for bringing up ‘The first time..’ and Vincent in one piece of writing. Love all you’ve been creating as well, eversince i started singing at a young age, so glad i found both Roberta’s voice and music ,and yours❤️
Love from the Netherlands!! Xx Monique
I am glad you found us too. Hello to you in the Netherlands. glad to talk to you here on substack. that is a Good use of this internet.
I love this tribute to Roberta. I think I can remember the first time I heard First Time … I stopped breathing. You know how it is when yo want to hear every nuance and even the sound of your own breath is too loud? It wasn’t just her voice, it was also the way she played piano . A bit Nina Simone deep . Wow indeed .
Yes I know, it's rare for me, but I remember holding my breath.
You are a wise and wonderful writer! And I love you -thanks Xo
- “She was there in every kitchen with the morning coffee. That’s the kind of thing that changes the culture, quietly, from the inside out. “