Here and Now, ohhhh

Holy wow. I'm so glad I caught Patti LaBelle on Oprah yesterday. I'm so glad I taped it. Oprah had Usher and Patti LaBelle on the show singing their songs from Luther's tribute album. Usher sang "Superstar" and Patti sang, "Here and Now."

The problem with singing Luther songs is that no one can sing like Luther. That's why he's LUTHER. So, I think, if you're going to sing a Luther song, you have to make it your own. I like Usher, but Lord, he can't sing that song like Luther could. Patti, on the other hand, SANG THE LOVING SH-T OUT OF THAT SONG! I knew Patti would make the song her own, and talk to Luther in the middle of the song, etc. Patti and Luther were good friends. (I believe Oprah said they'd known each other for 40 years)! I must have watched and re-watched Patti's performance 20 times by now. Lord have mercy. By the end of the song, Patti had backed up about 5 feet away from the mic and was BELTING. I was like *jaw drop*

It was amazing on too many levels. What a gift it is to walk into a room and uplift everyone in it (and little ol' me, watching on TV).

All my love to Patti and Luther, and all the others out there who use their gifts to uplift others. I want to do the same!