The One Person I Wanted to Meet

And my life as Murphy

Famous people are, well, just people. So, honestly, there just aren’t many famous people I’ve wanted to meet.

Two exceptions.

First: I was downright giddy when I met MC Hammer. And, over the bloody moon when he retweeted me. And I nearly collapsed when I ran into him later that month. It was just too much for someone who grew up breakdancing in Toughskins (with the knee pads), wishing his parents bought him that TI sweatsuit, sadly realizing he had absolutely zero rhythm.

(A lot to unsee in that last paragraph.)

To be clear, my parents didn’t raise us on MC Hammer. Our music collection included the full range of classical South Asian artists, some Chuck Mangione and a classic Harry Belafonte calypso record that included the Banana Boat Song “Day-O.”

In late 2001, it was that calypso record that came to mind when I heard an NPR interview with Belafonte. It wasn’t an interview about his career as an artist or a civil rights leader. Rather, it was a conversation about, “The Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology of Black Music.”

The interview impacted me so much that as soon as I could find the box set in Boston, I grabbed it. And absolutely inhaled the music.

All original recordings, the first section’s music is sung in the original languages derived from the various cultures in Africa. Then the French Creole influence emerges, followed by the music of the Black soldiers who served in the Civil War. Soon, the joyous sounds of the post-Civil War period replaced by the soulful sadness of chain gangs at the turn of the 20^th century.

In the accompanying book, Belafonte charts the 40-year history of the project, recruiting folk singers from the Georgia Sea Islands, the role of Christianity in oppressing slaves, and his reverence for the artists he sat with. All of this from a man who, at the start of the project, was second only to Elvis in terms of RCA record sales.

In fact, it was George Marek, an executive with RCA at the time who greenlit – and protected – the project. “A Jew of Austrian birth,” as Belafonte wrote, “he was able to empathize and bring a shared sense of history to our project.” Marek came to nearly every recording session, “The sessions covering the African songs sung by students, some of whom came from Ghana and Nigeria just for the recording, were of particular meaning to him.”

It was a project that gathered an array of talent. As Richard Harrington pointed out in a 2001 Washington Post review of the project, it was none other than Sorrell Booke (Boss Hogg on "The Dukes of Hazzard") who gave a faux sermon within an amazing rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung by Bessie Jones.

Look, as I sit here putting this note together, digging into the history of Belafonte’s project, there are so many rabbit holes I want to explore.

But, really, it as simple as I have only wanted to meet one famous person in my life: Harry Belafonte. And it was because of this project.

I would have loved to sit and ask him how “The Long Road to Freedom” came together, what surprised him, how it informed his leadership role in the civil rights movement – which was occurring at the same time he was recruiting musicians from around the world for the project.

And while I will certainly play this music at home, I would have loved to share that conversation with Anisa, our Black daughter. I can’t even imagine how much fun that would be.

Because as Belafonte closes his essay in the accompanying book:

All men are brothers. All people are equal. One should not be denied honor because of race or gender. What a simple concept this is, yet how difficult it is to attain. And for a work to try to reflect all of this while offering simple listening pleasure is in itself an awesome task. But if George Marek, who was very much my partner in seeing the fulfillment of this, were alive today, he would say it is an honorable thing that has come to closure. At last, this has come for the benefit of the listeners and for those who will read the text. You will find, in all of this, a moment in which to reflect on the history of a people. You will also find a great humanity and, I think, a great work of art. This is one of the most rewarding times of my life. I'm glad that 1 am here to see it take flight.

My Life as Murphy

I am just over a month from turning 50 and have never seen myself so clearly in a lede paragraph than when I read in last week’s NYT, “The 31-year-old flightless bachelor was sitting on a rock.”

At the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, MO, Murphy, a bald eagle, would sit on said rock, gently rotating it, “as though to incubate it.”

I feel you, Murphy, I feel you.

Fortunately, an orphaned eaglet appeared, and Murphy was the “obvious choice” as a foster parent, according to Dawn Griffard, the chief executive of the sanctuary.

Problem is, as the Times reported, “He had never looked after more than a rock.”

Whoa, Murph. This is starting to hit a bit close to home.

Then a storm blew through the sanctuary and Murphy didn’t keep his little one dry. But, as Griffard told the Times, Murphy met the moment and was “doing very well learning how to be a first-time dad.”

My question: Does Murphy have to sleep-train his new charge?

Because, Baby Girl, on her first night of sleep training has been upstairs screaming for two hours. Toya decided to sleep downstairs, trusting me to feed Anisa at 1:00 AM.

I can only hope to make Murphy proud. Otherwise, Toya is going to send me outside to look after rocks.

What to Watch

Netflix’s “Beef” is fantastic. Yes, there is some controversy around their casting decision. But don’t let that diminish the amazing writing, the unflinching comedy and the ruthlessly honest perspectives.

And, yes, I’m still slogging through “Succession.” So much drama.

What I am Cooking

No videos this week. But over the weekend, for Eid, I pulled together my tandoori chicken recipe for everyone. Which is pretty simple: Marinate chicken thighs in yogurt, sliced onions and about that much turmeric, cumin, coriander and chili pepper. Let it sit overnight and don’t forget the salt.

This time, though, in a sign of the times, I added a little something different to the recipe. Because, as I dig through the remnants of the marinade, looking to grill the remainder of the onions, I find a baby bottle nipple.

Life is coming at me fast.