In honor of Black History Month, Boston singer and activist launches new version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and celebrates his new CD entitled Reparations: From Togo to Arkansas.

AANEWSWIRE (Boston) -- Boston singer and activist Lawrence Watson has released his own soulful, spirit-filled, and truly one-of-a-kind version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." His powerful rendition keeps audiences singing his praises and finding a renewed connection to the Black National Anthem. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is one of the selections on his upcoming CD entitled "Reparations: From Togo to Arkansas." Most listeners say, "You have got to hear Larry's version….because it not only gets you moving but also keeps you thinking…with a 21st century feel to it." Watson gained national attention in 1990 after his performance in Boston before 250,000 people celebrating the release of Nelson Mandela from 27 years of incarceration.

Watson is now capturing the nation's attention with his powerful voice and lyrics that move us away from singing only about the human anatomy from the waist down to artists beginning to set a better example for the current generation of young artists. Watson says: "Our young people more than any of the current caricatures on the national scene can redirect the current political, social, economic and cultural direction of the American civil rights movement."

His new CD also features the song Reparations and The Tree. All three compositions are a part of a trilogy that chronicles Watson's life as an "affirmative action baby." Watson says " I am saddened this MLK day that many men and women in their zeal to secure lucrative spots on the national lecture circuit, intentionally use the powerful platforms they have attained because of their association with some of America's most powerful universities, corporations and governmental agencies, to publish books that deny our pain and struggle as former "niggers" in America. They write about miscegenation and rape and call it racial progress. They prepare poor boys of African descent to fight a war on terrorism without any regard for the perpetual cycle of racist public policies that guarantee failure amongst so many of our young people.

"Trent Lott and this brigade of opportunists are one in the same. They continue to dominate the airways either reminding us that the "good ole times" of segregation are not that far removed from their present consciousness, or they distance themselves from common Black folks who have always been the backbone of anything we have accomplished in America."

Watson has shared the stage with jazz/classical pianist Dorothy Donegan and comedian Bill Cosby at the PlayBoy Jazz Festival. He has also performed at the Boston Globe Jazz & Blues Festival on the same billing as Al Green Jeane Carne and a host of other national acts. Recently, Watson was seen on "The Today Show" from Hartford Conn. Where he performed with his band, Workforce 2000, for the 20th Annual City Celebration.

SaveOurSelves Production Inc., the production company for the CD, is currently booking Mr. Watson for lectures and performances throughout 2003. Lawrence Watson will also be listed on UnityFirst.com's Speakers Bureau. If your college or company would like further information on the artist, please visit the website at www.lawrencewatson.com or call (617) 825-9600.

For more information on Lawrence Watson, send an email to jfondon@unityfirst.com.

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