Roberta Flack (b. 10 February 1937)is an American singer. She is the only solo artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years. [This post is in celebration of Black History Month.]
[For last year's limerick on Leontyne Price click here.]
Heroic Couplets for R.F.
Around this time, her voice teacher, Frederick "Wilkie" Wilkerson, told her that he saw a brighter future for her in pop music than in the classics. She modified her repertoire accordingly and her reputation spread. -- Wikipedia
Flack's minimalist, classically trained approach to her songs was seen by a number of critics as lacking in grit and uncharacteristic of soul music. -- Wikipedia
Her bio tells us she was pretty near
To taking up a classical career,
But heeding wise advice, Roberta Flack,
Pursued another course, not turning back.
Detractors claimed it was her early training
Had made her music merely entertaining.
But critics in their chosen role as purists
Can be the most unbending sort of jurists,
While ordinary listeners, (though it’s crude),
Just wanted songs to get them in the mood.
Perhaps it’s wisest not to second guess
The roots behind phenomenal success.
♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪
Leontyne Price (b. 10 February 1927) is one of the greatest sopranos of her generation. [This post is in celebration of Black History Month.]
Persuasion
To those unfamiliar with Price,
Look her up on your favorite device,
And the sounds from her throat
Should garner your vote
(A minute of two should suffice).
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