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CAT BEAR

Auteur(s): Gail Nobles
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Commentary News about music, and more at the Cat Bear audio station. By Gail Nobles © 2019
https://sites.google.com/view/thecatbear/home There are different shows on the Cat Bear. 1. Postgirl's Recordings, The New Retro, One Note Jam, and The Whitney Soul Podcast.Copyright Gail Nobles
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  • Reflections on Michael Jackson 9:12:25 4.24 PM
    Sep 12 2025
    Story By: Gail Nobles
    Photo: Public Domain Wikipedia

    There's still a lot of talk about Michael Jackson, and I'm not here to gossip. I take what I hear with a grain of salt, but I do pay attention. Recently, I came across a video of Michael on stage with Jay-Z and others. I'm not sure what the full story was. All I saw was him greeting the fans, but he didn’t seem very happy as he walked away. Maybe he was just exhausted. This was at the Summer Jam in 2001, and I'm only just now seeing it. A lot was happening in my own life back then.

    Watching the video, it struck me, and it was strange to me that Michael was on stage with rappers. Michael wasn’t someone who easily mingled with just anyone, and even famous people felt lucky if he acknowledged them. There are rumors that he even distanced himself from his own family. So, when I hear various things about him, I can’t say how many of them are true. I can’t claim to know everything he was dealing with. What might appear one way could very well be something else.

    There must have been a lot going on in Michael’s life for him to be on stage with Jay-Z. It also surprised me to see him beatboxing while watching an interview with Oprah. Rap music had become really popular, and I guess he felt he had to adapt to the changing music scene. But seeing Michael Jackson with rappers and doing beatbox wasn’t the Michael I was used to knowing.

    In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if Michael Jackson really liked rap music. Back in the 80s, during the making of his album *Bad*, there were rumors about him and Quincy Jones. I heard that Michael once said "rap is dead" when Quincy suggested working with the group Run-DMC for that album. This disagreement was one of the reasons they parted ways after the album *Bad*. Michael wanted more control over his music and felt that Quincy didn’t understand the newer trends, like hip hop.

    I was also surprised that Quincy wanted to work with rap music, but then I learned he actually understood street life. And Quincy Jones made a rap record back in 1989 with his Grammy winning album Back on the Block.

    Sometimes, what we read or watch on TV doesn’t show the whole picture. We often only hear part of the story, and what we know may not even be close to everything that's really going on.

    I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to an all-time MJ podcast where MJ stands for Michael Jackson.

    Music commentary news.
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    4 min
  • The Whispers-Mother for My Children 8:30:25 6.21 PM
    Aug 30 2025
    Intro: Gail Nobles
    Story by: Gail Nobles
    Photo: Derek Cason
    Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

    Alright, let’s groove to this! “A Mother for My Children” by The Whispers is a soulful tune that hits deep, blending that funky vibe with a touch of disco magic. It came out in 1973, a time when music was all about feelings and rhythm.

    Now, the lyrics tell a heartfelt story. Here we have a man who’s feeling pretty lonely, struggling to raise his two kids all by himself. The little ones are asking about their mom, who’s not around anymore. That’s rough! He's doing all the housework and trying to keep it together, but when Mother's Day rolls around, the kids’ questions just make it harder.

    He’s on the search for a new mother figure for his children, someone to fill that gap in their lives. It’s not about wanting any old buddy; he’s looking for a true mother who can bring love and care back into their home.

    The Whispers wrap this heavy message in smooth melodies and funky beats, creating a sound that makes you want to dance while also tugging at your heartstrings. It’s a classic example of how soul and disco can tell deep stories while keeping you moving! So, take a listen—let the rhythm take you away while you reflect on the love and family vibes.

    I'm Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to The Cat Bear.
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    2 min
  • Diana Ross - Goddess of Music & Performance 8:19:25 4.48 PM
    Aug 19 2025
    Photo: Raph_PH - DRossLongleat010722 (9 of 43)
    Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0
    Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
    Story by: Gail Nobles

    Some people mocked Diana Ross about her long hair and sexiness, especially during her time with the Supremes. However, when her hits "Upside Down," "I'm Coming Out," and "The Boss" first played, all criticism faded away. People were too busy dancing and snapping their fingers to say a word.

    Despite the rumors and criticism, Diana Ross remained true to herself. Many fans continued to respect her, attend her concerts, and purchase her records.

    Oh, and the moments when she was seen with Michael Jackson! He was featured on her 1981 television special, "Diana." I remember hearing classmates talk about it. Although I hadn't seen the show initially, once I finally did, I realized it was the very one everyone had been discussing. I was a bit late to catch it—I stayed up late one night to record it on VHS, remembering that not many of my friends owned VCRs back then, as they cost at least $1,000. Those were thrilling times; there was something special about settling down to watch your favorite stars. I loved rewinding and reliving the moments of Diana with Michael Jackson. He looked so innocent and charming as he dashed onto the stage in slow motion to embrace her; you could truly see how much he adored her.

    Today, at 81 years of age, Diana Ross is still blessed. She is still performing. She doesn’t look like she aged that much. She still looks like the Diana Ross I remember seeing when I was a little girl.

    And her name. Her name meant something to my ears though I never knew the meaning of her name. Now that I know the meaning of her name, I can honestly say that Diana Ross is truly her name. Diana means goddess and Ross was derived from the Hebrew word Rosh [ראש] that means the head, the leader, the ruler. She certainly does seem that way when it comes to her music and performing. I think about her elegant long dresses.

    Diana Ross! She’s the boss. I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to the Cat Bear.
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    4 min
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