MISS CELIE'S BLUES [premiered 1/16/2024]
Written by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, and Lionel Richie (1985)
Originally recorded by Táta Vega (1985)
Famously covered by Taraji P. Henson (2023)
I went to see 2023 musical film “The Color Purple” recently. It was a much-anticipated experience. The original film, released in 1985, starring Whoopi Goldberg, holds a significant place in my heart. For nearly 20 years I had an annual ritual to watch the film in solitude with a box of tissues nearby.
Celie’s triumph story as she aligned with who she had always been speaks to a part of my soul that needs that reminder. Shug Avery’s story as told through her songs, “Miss Celie’s Blues” and “Maybe God Is Tryin’ To Tell You Something” hit me in the heart. So I was glad both were included in the new version of the story.
This was performed on the 19th episode of the Bliss Break series, streamed on YouTube live on March 3, 2021.
=== DID YOU KNOW? ===
“Miss Celie’s Blues,” also known as “Sister,” was introduced in 1985 film, “The Color Purple.”
In the film, the song was sung by the character Shug Avery (played by Margaret Avery) to Celie (played by Whoopi Goldberg).
It was the only song released as a single for the soundtrack and was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1986 Academy Awards.
Margaret Avery did not sing any songs. The vocalist on the original recording was Táta Vega, a successful session singer.
Vega had already made her stamp on the music industry. In her youth, she was signed by Barry Gordy to the Motown label. Her hits on the label had some critics dub her “The Godmother of Funk.” She then moved into gospel music and became a featured vocalist with Andraé Crouch’s back up group. Her career spans more than 50 years and she’s sung back up for heavy hitters like Sir Elton John, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.