The Song Magic Stick, also known as the Electronic Magic Stick or the Magic Wand, is a popular toy among children. It is a handheld device that plays melodies and sounds with the press of a button. The device is often made of plastic and comes in various shapes and sizes, resembling a wand or a scepter. The Song Magic Stick is designed to provide entertainment and amusement for children. It is equipped with different buttons that correspond to different songs, tunes, and sound effects. By pressing these buttons, children can create music and enjoy listening to their favorite melodies.
So this is a two-fer. Buy Shuggie’s Freedom Flight, and while you are at it, grab a copy of The Brothers’ Right on Time, which includes the “Strawberry Letter” track.[1] That one was produced by Quincy Jones and has his magic. In some ways, this completes a circle; Johnny Otis, one of the foundational figures of rhythm and blues, with roots in jazz and big band, produced Freedom Flight, and Quincy Jones, legendary jazz man, picked up the mantle of premier R&B producer in succeeding decades.
Sadly, Louis Johnson recently passed away, but will be remembered for his popping slap style bass lines on such huge records as Michael Jackson s Thriller. I m sure some of you are willing to brook a little sonic compromise to get access to an otherwise very hard to find, expensive spiritual jazz rarity.
By pressing these buttons, children can create music and enjoy listening to their favorite melodies. The device is often adorned with colorful lights and designs, making it visually appealing for children. Some Song Magic Sticks also have additional features such as volume control, rhythm selection, and playback options.
Shuggie Otis- Freedom Flight
I’ve been meaning to write about this album for a while. It’s a seminal album, but doesn’t fit neatly into one genre; the artist deserves far greater public recognition, both as a writer and performer; the record, which led to one huge radio hit at the time (as covered by The Brothers Johnson), is not on most people’s radar today, though it is a classic. Part of this may be due to the fact that Otis chose to effectively withdraw from the music business for decades (though he did limited session work).
Otis came from R&B “royalty”- his father, Johnny Otis, credited with discovering Etta James, among many others, had a long, fruitful career as a writer, band leader and performer across the decades- from swing, to blues, to R&B.
Whether it was partly in his DNA, or because he grew up surrounded by top-flight players, Shuggie’s second album, Freedom Flight, was a fully developed, artful mix of funk, rhythm and blues and sheer poetry. Although the best known song from the album, “Strawberry Letter #23,” was covered with even greater success by The Brothers Johnson (more about that record below), the album is chock full of other goodies: “Ice Cold Daydream” may have the obligatory “wah-wah,” but it is a slower, bluesy piece of funk and the guitar parts are played “straight” and fast; “Strawberry Letter” is also slower and less upbeat than the famous cover version by The Brothers Johnson, but it’s got the same soulful sweetness; “Sweet Thang” opens with a country guitar twang that repeats as it develops into serious funk of organ, chorus, barrelhouse style piano and a contrapuntal bass line.
“Me and My Woman” could be pitched as Curtis Mayfield meets B.B.King: it’s a blues, but the guitar work is way funkier than a standard blues and has a beat makes you want to dance, not drink to your sorrows. The guitar solo also borders on psych/country as much as it depends on funk/wah-wah, so it makes for an interesting take. “Someone’s Always Singing” is harder to characterize; the chord changes sound like soul music, but played as a jazz piece, with Shuggie singing a straight-ahead message of love and freedom.
Flip the side to “Purple” and hear classic blues- with a funk- driven bass line that occasionally switches to an almost traditional jazz style bass. The guitar work here is good: soulful, bluesy, with jazzy runs, but it stays within the borders. Finally, the title track, “Freedom Flight,” is almost pure jazz; improvised, introspective and unpredictable; the use of a celeste is an unexpected accent and the drumming is a less jazzy than rock, with lots of tom-tom work, but the song settles into a mellow groove, with an interlude of sax and guitar work that seems inspired by Hendrix at times; it brings you home on an almost psychedelic note.
Otis not only wrote many of these tracks, but also played a range of instruments on them, backed by some serious talent, including George Duke, Wilton Felder and Aynsley Dunbar. The combo itself reflects the diverse underpinnings of the album and its sound.
You can hear strains of funk, rock, classic R&B, elements of blues, country and old school “soul” fused together into something that is none of the above; it transcends its elements. The recording is good too: it is credited to Bob “Grooves” Breault, Willie “The Hand” Greer and George “General” Beauregard, and mixed by Breault. (This isn’t a sonic spectacular, but it is a very solid recording of great music, so buy it for that, and no other reason).
This record is probably best heard on the original yellow Epic release, circa 1971:
You may think you don’t even know the most famous track from this album, but pull up The Brothers Johnson cover of “Strawberry Letter” and you’ll instantly recognize it: “oh, that song!”
It was a monster hit and remains a period classic of funky soul. Sadly, Louis Johnson recently passed away, but will be remembered for his popping “slap” style bass lines on such huge records as Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
So this is a two-fer. Buy Shuggie’s Freedom Flight, and while you are at it, grab a copy of The Brothers’ Right on Time, which includes the “Strawberry Letter” track.[1] That one was produced by Quincy Jones and has his magic. In some ways, this completes a circle; Johnny Otis, one of the foundational figures of rhythm and blues, with roots in jazz and big band, produced Freedom Flight, and Quincy Jones, legendary jazz man, picked up the mantle of premier R&B producer in succeeding decades.
[1] Right on Time was released on A&M and came with a multi-page color booklet.
In Brief:
These features allow children to customize their play experience and further enhance their creativity. One of the main benefits of the Song Magic Stick is its ability to engage children in imaginative play. It encourages them to explore their musicality, rhythm, and coordination skills. Children can invent their own melodies or try to replicate popular tunes they are familiar with. Moreover, the Song Magic Stick can be used as a tool for learning. Some devices include educational songs that teach children about numbers, letters, animals, and more. This helps promote early literacy and numeracy skills while making the learning process enjoyable and interactive. While the Song Magic Stick is primarily marketed towards children, it can also be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a fun and easy way to create music and entertain oneself. Whether it is used for personal enjoyment or group activities, the Song Magic Stick brings joy and excitement to its users. In conclusion, the Song Magic Stick is a popular toy that brings music and fun to children's lives. It provides a platform for creativity, imagination, and learning. With its interactive features and catchy tunes, the Song Magic Stick has become a favorite among children worldwide..
Reviews for "The Therapeutic Benefits of Song Magic Sticks for Mental Health"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy "Song magic stick". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and rushed. I found myself struggling to finish the book and ultimately felt disappointed with the overall story.
2. John - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "Song magic stick". The concept seemed interesting, but it fell flat in execution. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their struggles. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I couldn't empathize with any of the characters and found myself wishing for the book to end.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Song magic stick" was a letdown for me. The world-building felt half-hearted and incomplete, leaving me confused about the magic system and the overall setting. The plot lacked originality and relied too heavily on clichés. I couldn't fully immerse myself in the story and found myself detached from the events that unfolded. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
4. Michael - 1 star - I regret reading "Song magic stick". The writing was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors, making it difficult to read and enjoy. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth, making their actions and motivations hard to believe. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, failing to offer anything new or engaging. I would advise others to skip this book and look for better alternatives.
5. Ashley - 2 stars - I was expecting more from "Song magic stick", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow the plot's twists and turns. The pacing was also inconsistent, with long periods of inaction followed by rushed and forced action scenes. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving loose ends that were never resolved. All in all, this book left me feeling frustrated and disappointed.