I first met Lisa Marie Simmons over the internet in 2023. Even during that first email exchange we realized how much we have in common even though she is based in Italy and I am here in Philadelphia. We are both African American women artists, dedicated to social change. We are both performance poets who work with musicians. We both have backgrounds in journalism. And, we are both in love with Black culture, music, art, theater, dance, and literature. We clicked!
I am so honored and grateful we immediately became fast friends, and have kept in touch consistently since we met. I had the wonderful opportunity to perform with Lisa Marie and her band, NoteSpeak, featuring musical director/composer/pianist Marco Cremaschini, during their American tour stop in Philadelphia in 2023. Their newest recording project – NoteSpeak (In A Word) – is an artistic triumph. It is eclectic, expansive, assessable, and beautifully executed. I am happy to introduce you to “Solid Ground (Meet Me There)” the first single from this new project, which is in collaboration with the legendary crooners, “The Flamingos!” Yes! “The Flamingos!”
I sat and listened to this musical spoken word offering, and allowed the diverse soundscape to permeate my being. Here are some of the vibes I felt:
Giving respect to the elders. Paying homage to the ancestors. Acknowledging the present work that needs to be done. Thus the inspiration behind “Solid Ground (Meet Me There)” Vernon Reid’s guitar licks scorch, set afire, and leap into flames, then quickly burn down, giving way to the intricate layers of music and vocals that elevate the dimensions of composer/keyboardist Marco Cremashini’s funky upbeat ballad. As the fire from the guitar simmers down to a slow burn, the narrative unfurls with the dulcet vocals of the legendary Flamingos. Terry Isaiah Johnson lifts his beautiful voice as Theresa Trigg confidently follows the path he lays down. Poet/Songwriter/Singer Lisa Marie Simmons glides over the ensemble with her thoughtful words, and vibrant expression. “Can we erase the lines we once drew? Black, White, Red, Blue?” “A Dream Come True.” Ase.
Here are Lisa Marie’s Carefully Crafted Words
Walk with me, let’s face our history
Walk with me, let’s lay it down to rest
Bridge the gap, bring that heavy drawbridge down
Love, it’s the only solid ground
The only solid ground
We say, it’s a dream come true
It can come true
Don’t you know time has come, my cherished one
The time has come, you don’t need that gun
Take my hand, let’s leave this frontier town
Love the only solid ground
Love is the only solid ground
the only solid ground
Love is the only solid ground
We say it’s a dream come true
It can come true
I might as well teach the tide to stay,
Tell the moon to light the day.
beg the wind quit, tell the trees to roam
Ask the dawn to hide her rays
I might as well teach the tide to stay,
Tell the moon to light the day.
Make the wind quit, tell the trees to roam
Still, I sing it anyway
Can we erase the lines we once drew
Black, white, red, blue
design something wider, something true
Words we’ve carelessly tossed-
reclaimed. The only solid ground
Listen
ghosts hum hymns in the hush
but no more years
feeding your old fears
Meet me
the ground is shifting
Meet me
there’s a stepping stonestretch towards a turn of the page
The only solid ground
Love is the only solid ground
The only solid ground
Love is the only solid ground
We say a dream come true
It can come true
I might as well teach the tide to stay,
Tell the moon to light the day.
make the wind quit, tell the trees to roam
Ask the sun to hide her rays
I might as well teach the tide to stay,
Tell the moon to light the day.
beg the wind quit, tell the trees to roam
Still, I sing it anyway
Take my hand
Dream come true
What the world needs now is
love sweet love
It’s the kind of love that comes from above
and it’s got you feeling
got you reeling something happens inside
Oh it’s love sweet love
it’s the kind of love you shouldn’t hide
The word is the word the word is love