Silver or Lead [Explicit Lyrics]

Product Description
Philly-born poet, Ursula Rucker knocked 'em out of the box with her debut album, Supa Sista. Intricately weaving words with music on her sophomore effort, Silver or Lead, she cracks her whip on unsuspecting and complacent ears worldwide. Dropping knowledge on everything from womanhood to slavery, to love, sexism, politics and more, Ursula redefines spoken word with her trademark socio-political urgency and sweet "song-speak." Following in Supa Sista's acclaimed footsteps, Silver or Lead boasts even more provocative music and word fusion.

With song after poem after song - the two become one as Silver or Lead proves that poetry has never been this head bobbing. On the Jazzanova-produced "What A Woman Must Do," she offers a biting testament on the complexities of what it means to be "She" in this world. With "Release," Ursula flexes her lyrical muscle as she rides the up-tempo, Congo-driven smash by Masters At Work's Little Louie Vega. "What he did is amazing. I have never ever done anything like that; it's very musical. It's Afro-Latin, like whoa!," Ursula explains. Tit for tat, Ms. Rucker delivers the intro to Vega's new Latin album. Bumping soulfully through the speakers, the John Wicks produced "Lonely Can Be Sweet" and "Damned If I Do" both host a melodic, hypnotic Ursula.

Drawing on influences from prestigious Black Arts Movement activist poet and icon Sonia Sanchez to Frida Kahlo, Zora Neale Hurston and even Prince, Ursula balances motherhood, activism and artistry with aplomb. With her rhythmic stories of struggle, she's confident, but never preachy. She has transfixed audiences from Tokyo to Capetown alongside the likes of Gil Scott-Heron, Mos Def, Macy Gray and even the late great Nina Simone.

Tracks:

Lost In The Opera House: Oh Help Me (Zu Hilfe) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And The Birds: The Best Bird-Catcher (Der Voglefanger) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Queen Of The Night: You Must Journey (O Zitt're Nicht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina Arrives, Papageno's Magic Bells: A Girlfriend (Ein Madchen) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Castle Of Sarastro: O Endless Night (O Ew'ge Nacht) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Magic Flute: O Listen, Hear The Song (Wie Stark) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Escape: Let Us Hurry (Schnelle Fusse)/What Twinkles So Brightly (Das Klinget)/Sarastro's ... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Sarastro's Welcome: The Gods Above (O Isis) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
The Attack Of The Queen: The Powers Of Night (Der Holle Rache)/Tamino's Trial: This Path... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Pamina's Lament: Oh My Heart Is Broken (Ach, Ich Fuhl's) - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
In The Labyrinth: O Seekers Of The Light (Der, Welcher Wandert)/Tamino Mine/We Pass Proctected... - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Papageno And Papagena: Ring, O Bells (Klinget Glockchen)/Pa-Pa-Papagena - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak
Conclusion: Our Journey Is Over (Bei Mannern)/Overture - The Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Piano Concerto #1, 1st Movt/Danse Napolitaine (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Trepac (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot/Turkey In The Straw/Waltzes (Serenade, And Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Tea (Nutcracker)/Coffee (Nutcracker)/Chocolate (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Danse Des Cygnes, Allegro (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
1812 Overture (Excerpt) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Silver (Sleeping Beauty)/Ragtime - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Overture Act II (Swan Lake) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Girls' Chorus (Eugene Onegin) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Coda, Act II (Nutcracker)/Rag On Tchaikovsky Theme - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Marche Slav - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Violente (Sleeping Beauty)/Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Le Sommeil, Panorama (Sleeping Beauty) - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Long, Long Ago/Onegin (Girls' Chorus)/Waltz Op.20 - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Amazing Grace - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak
Serenade For Strings: Movt 1/Finale/1812 Overture: Finale - Studio Arts Orchestra/High Park Girls Choir/Walter Babiak

Tracks:

Orchestral Suite #3, Mvt. 1/Minuet In G/Gigue In G (French Suite #5) - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring/Chromatic Fantasy/Prelude In B Minor - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Introducing The Orchestra/Organ Chorale Prelude: 'Allein Gott' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Brandenberg Concerto #5, Movt. 3 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Flute Sonata in C, Mvt. 2/Organ: 'Es Ist Das Heil'/Orch Ste #2, Mvt. 6/Violin Sonata In E, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Prelude In C (Book 1 Of WTC)/Orchestral Suite #2, Mvt. 2 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Bist Du Bei Mir - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #2, Badinerie - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Air For G String - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Orchestral Suite #3, Gigue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Adventure In Music' - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
Goldberg Variations/Art Of Fugue - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'Liebster Jesu': Flute Sonata In C, Mvt. 4 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson
'We Hasten,' Cantata #78 - Studio Arts Orchestra/Walter Babiak/The Toronto Boys Chor/Ned Hanson

Customer Reviews:

Great music/stories as well as sound quality.......2004-02-11

The stories on CD are well written and very entertaining. I listened through all 3 CDs in one sitting when I got them! What's more, its sound quality is very good. I have other classical music CDs for kids and almost always I'm disappointed with the sound quality. (Violines sound like they have flu!)

This is a great buy for kids of all ages!!!

Fabulous for Kids.......2002-01-01

My two children, ages 7 and 5 received the Classical Kids Music Box, volumes 1 & 2 for Christmas this year and they can't seem to get enough of it! Each box contains 3 CD's, each on a different composer. Some are narrated by children and tell a story of the particular composer. Their popular compositions play in the background - this way the listener hears a partial biography of the composer as well as some music. Volume 1 contains stories of Handel, Beethoven and Vivaldi, and Volume 2 contains stories of Mozart, Bach and Tchaikovsky. I highly recommend this for all children who listed to music CD's, whether they're musically inclined or not.

Music Box Series.......2001-04-23

To say this series of music is "CAPTIVATING" is a total understatement. We have enjoyed these immensely for 2 years now and are hoping they will continue to release more composers. These well-told stories will hold the interest of everyone at any age while introducing them to these brilliant composers. My son is a 12 year old AAA travel hockey player and listens to these CD's while going to sleep, every night, without fail! Last week he asked if he could go online to find music and I thought he was looking for something along the line of latest hits. What a surprise to find him looking for more of the Music Box Series. These collections are as valuable to classical music as Harry Potter has become to children's reading! The story of Beethoven is especially poignant, when you realize what he accomplished with his gift in spite of his many challenges. I won't give away the plots of these wonderful stories told in this series, however I will say they will be listened to over and over again! And just like Harry Potter, you can't wait for the next one!

Average customer rating:

disturbing and beautiful
Sista......really is: ("Doing it for Herself!!!")
Incredibly Disappointing
Ursula is a Stealtful Surgeon of Revealing/Healing Words!
Just Listen...

Silver or Lead
Ursula Rucker
Manufacturer: K7
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Poetry | Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Supa Sista
Ma'at Mama
Les Nubians Presents Echos, Chapter One
Transient
Slam

ASIN: B0000AINRN
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Soon (music by Rob Yancey)
What A Woman Must Do (music by Jazzanova)
Untitled Flow (music by King Britt)
Lonely Can Be Sweet (music by The Mysterium)
Time (music by 4 Hero)
Q & A (music by The Society)
Release (music by Little Louie Vega)
I / We (music by Tim Motzer & Rob Yancey)
Damned If I Do (music by The Mysterium)
Return of Innocence Lost (music by The Roots)

Album Description

Philly-born poet, Ursula Rucker knocked 'em out of the box with her debut album, Supa Sista. Intricately weaving words with music on her sophomore effort, Silver or Lead, she cracks her whip on unsuspecting and complacent ears worldwide. Dropping knowledge on everything from womanhood to slavery, to love, sexism, politics and more, Ursula redefines spoken word with her trademark socio-political urgency and sweet "song-speak." Following in Supa Sista's acclaimed footsteps, Silver or Lead boasts even more provocative music and word fusion.

Customer Reviews:

disturbing and beautiful.......2006-04-03

I first heard Ursula Rucker in a Jazzanova album. The song (Circe) stood out for her challenging and seductive voice. Years later I stumbled upon Silver or Lead and got it out of curiosity. What I found was an amazing collection of intense, political but intimate and sensitive poetry. Ursula's music is profound yet accessible, disturbing yet beautiful, poetic yet alarmingly real. Unique and highly addictive.

Sista......really is: ("Doing it for Herself!!!").......2004-11-19

Ursula Rucker - Silver or Lead (Poetry, Nu-Jazz, Downtempo): Having long since collaborated with various musicians and artists in the underground Hip-Hop/Jazz scene, Ursula is no stranger to lending her incisive, Self-Conscious and Uncompromising look at the world, from a female perspective, to the world of music. Her debut album ("Supa Sister"), was a throughly promising release. But on this, her sophomore release, she has broadened her songwriting skills, become more confident and Articulate, in her ruminations on life (especially focusing on a woman's place in amongst all this), and fleshed out the musical side of things with some remarkable results.

Wisely, Ursula has neglected to produce the musical side of things herself, and brought in a raft of producers and musicians, to provide the (sublime) instrumentation/arrangement side of things, so people such as "Jazzanova, King Britt, 4hero, Louie Vega", bring a broad spectrum of "Nu-Jazz, Beat poetry, Jazz-Funk, Soul-jazz, and even a Hip-Hop Fusion.

If your expecting something of an easy listen here, then this is most certainly not the CD, that you'd have in mind. Ursula views her world through the same disenfranchised and Perceptive lens that the legendary 'Gil Scott-Heron' used to such empowering effect. And even though there are a multitude of subjects to Ursula pours scorn on, the reoccurring theme of 'Women's self-belief & Self-improvement', rears it's head on more than several occasions.

Opener "Damned If I Do" is a six minute examination/deconstruction of a woman's place in society, musing that women need to be accountable for their own fortunes, and never expect anything other than "Doing it for yourself" being the best policy for getting anything done. The grace of the smooth soul-jazz instantly impresses here.....gentlee, elegant, and not without a hint of poignancy, it's contrasts beautifully with Ursula's seething, yet softly delivered vocal.

'Jazzanova' provide the musical backdrop for "What a Woman Must Do", and as is such, with their distinctive blend of silky Jazz-house grooves & soulful downbeat programming, with a layer of production, that literally shines, Ursula confidently strides over society's expectations of what essentially is a 'Woman's worth', and urges both men & women to respect the importance of woman's contributions & achievements, and literately express that woman rarely achieve their full potential, and need to sidestep men's confining views. But before you think this is merely a 'Men Hating' excersice....Ursula is equally dismissive of the women, that allow this situation to manifest, or neglect to improve the situation.

"Untitled Flow" is even more scathing......marked out by a truly minimal Hip-Hop beat, layered with subtle jazz instruments, Ursula...in no unflinching manner lays into the whole ethos behind: Gangsta Rappers/Bling materialism / Aggressive Attitudes, and generally dissecting & ripping open all the stereotypical elements of Hip-Hop in general. It's eye-opening stuff for sure, and she leaves literally no stone unturned. And although her approach is unrelenting, few could argue that its is not only expressed so articulately & Passionately, and open's up Hip-Hop to be a collection of gaping contradictions, that her dismissive approach is more than justified. And her cerebral statement of "Life's Tough enough!!, without you acting all Gangsta" is a marvellous parting shot.

"Release" pairs Ursula with, 'Masters at work's - Lil Louie Vega', who lays a tremendous afro-Centric/afro-beat arrangement, that recalls some of his work on the "Nuyorican Soul" album, persistent African-referencing drums and heavy percussion make up the backbone of this Exuberant track, and thus Ursula steps up the tempo of her delivery and hardens it's impact, in an effort to stay relevant during this standout track.

You wouldn't expect someone to bring in a load of Nu-Jazz/Breakbeat-fusion/ Jazz-house producers, to provide instrumental tracks, for an artists to sing over, and NOT have '4Hero' contributing somewhere along the line, and so (as usual), they hand in a reliably superb effort in "Time". In what was one of the standout tracks on 4Hero's own "Creating Patterns" album, with Ursula sounding more confident and revealing much more emotion than usual, and flitting gracefully between sung and spoken vocals. But, such is the case on this album, is that it's probably not going to be as highly placed song-wise as it deserves to be, due to the impressively high quality of tracks on display here.

Before summing up this review, several things must be noted. Firstly this album is crying out for a 2-CD edition to be released, with the second disk purely instrumental. Such is the achievement of the beautifully produced tracks, that you can't help but wish to hear them in a instrumental context. Secondly (and more importantly), if your the sort of person that likes to, not give to much mental investment to an album, and prefer to listen without thinking about too much about what's being said.....then you really need to pass on this album, as Ursula has a great many subjects to get of her chest: (Gender equality, racism, America, Careers, Motherhood, relationships, Self-help, sexuality, religion, existential loneliness, Domestic violence, slavery and graphic misogyny), are all laid bare, scrutinised and raillied either 'For' or 'Against'. And to not pay attention would be to defeat the point of the album (and the low volume of some of Ursula sentences, doesn't make things any easier). This is obviously not something, you'd put on, before heading out to a 'bar' or an evening 'clubbing'. (unless your heading out to a 'protest rally'), but irrespective of all of that, Ursula Rucker's made one hell of an album for you to digest.

Incredibly Disappointing.......2004-09-25

This is not the album to buy. Super Sista is the one. Super Sista was a fantastic album. This album was flat and an incredible disappointment. It has some tracks but net,net it's a flat album that doesn't rise to the occasion.

Ursula is a Stealtful Surgeon of Revealing/Healing Words!.......2004-09-06

Just got this CD and must say it rivals Supa Sista in my opinion. Ms. Rucker SPEAKS her Heart, her Soul, her Life, the Lives of Others [not in a position or not willing to do so]. She is a Warrior of Words, Voice, Rhythm, and Spirit! You've only to listen to Track 10, aptly titled "I/We" to 'feel' her represent for the masses. This woman is more than a Poet, more than a Songstress, more than a Daughter, Wife and Mother. Ursula is a Surgical Healer-Warrior sent from the High and Mighty to JAR people [back] into F.E.E.L.I.N.G.. Her lyrics spare none. They are, at times, as gritty, cold, gutter and funky as the environment we 'live' in, which grows more and more that way by the day. BLESS her for sounding the Clarion Call, for using her Voice [scalpel] to eradicate the Cancer and Incite Conscious Awakening on SO MANY LEVELS. So. Many. Levels. If this world we 'live' in is to ever heal itself and reveal its Sublime Essence for us to peacefully reside in, it will come NOT without Ursula Rucker and those of her Healing Clan. Thank You Ms. Rucker. In my wincing comes awakening, comes revealing, comes healing, comes F.E.E.L.I.N.G. And I am GRATEFUL for your willingness to share so much of the unspeakable for the sake of eradicating the same! Yours is a Creative Gift we will LONG REMEMBER.

I should also add that the musical accompaniment is the Balm! Yes, "Balm!"

Just Listen..........2004-04-06

I was hooked after hearing the Supernatural 12" some time ago. Collaborations with The Roots and others solidified my respect for her. I stumbled upon Silver or Lead not knowing it had been released. I bought it knowing I wouldn't be disappointed and I wasn't. This woman speaks in volumes and has plenty that needs to be heard. The lyrical content is thought provoking. The instrumentation just gets better. It's completely genre bending. You will find collaborations that aren't as easy to find anymore, like the 4Hero collab "Time" and The Roots collab "Return to Innocence Lost" from the "Things Fall Apart" LP is included as well.
Powerful music that evokes a wake up call for complacent times, especially in this country. "Release"....indeed!

Tracks:

One Head Two Eyes
Nazilover
Twisted
Crotch Metal Orgasm
Plata O Plomo
Slave Trade
Verfall
Sidewinder
Doghead
Exorcise
Lubricator
Modus Operandi

Customer Reviews:

Good. Hard. Music........2004-06-02

This is Optimum Wound Profile's follow-up to their first album, 'Lowest Common Dominator'. Not the first great industrial/hardcore band to be overlooked amongst all the commercial releases of their time. Phil Vane (from Extreme Noise Terror) and Simon Finbow blend their high/low vocals together in harmony to create a sort of 'demonic' effect. My personal favorite track on this album is 'Twisted', repetitous but addictive. Roki is a badass guitarist, and never fails to entertain. Some other tracks that may be of interest are 'Nazilover', not mainly because of the music but rather the abstract and bizarre lyrics, and it wouldn't be the end -- Much of Optimum Wound Profile's lyrics involve various subjects being warped or deviated in some way. Adding to that, there are some strange instrumental tracks to fit between spaces, such as Crotch Metal Orgasm, and Exorcise, the kind of odd filler material that always tend to make an album more intriguing. This is a recommended buy for anyone who likes good hard music. After the release of 'Silver or Lead', They would release their final album, 'Asphyxia', before breaking up.

Average customer rating:

Christmas Celebration

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Vocal Pop & Oldies | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000B3FDV
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Tracks:

Silent Night
Deck the Halls
Let It Snow
Angels We Have Heard on High
Adeste Fideles
Coventry Carol
Away in a Manger
First No
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Bell Carol (Good Christian Men, Rejoice)
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Silver Bells
Frosty the Snowman

Tracks:

Sleigh Ride - Percy Faith, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Mathis, , Orchestra
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Julie Andrews
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Percy Faith, , Chorus, Orchestra
Silver Bells - The Ray Conniff Singers
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Charlie Rich
Go Tell It on the Mountain - Mahalia Jackson
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Phyllis Curtin, Androstelanetz,
My Favorite Things - Tony Bennett
Hallelujah Chorus - Eugene Ormandy, Robert Page, Philadelphia Orchestra, Temple University Concert Choir
What Child Is This? - Vikki Carr
Winter Wonderland - Mitch Miller
First No- Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Alexander Schreiner
O Holy Night - Peter Nero
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Andy Williams
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - John Davidson
Twelve Days of Christmas - Dinah Shore
Christmas Bells - Patti Page
(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Robert Goulet
Christmas Eve in My Home Town - Jim Nabors
Silent Night - Philadelphia Brass Ensemble