Saturday, November 30, 2013

Ladies Who Get A Feelin'...

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Peggy Lee photo PeggyLee_zpsae521b7a.jpg Lena Horne photo Lena-Horne_zps9eea60a7.jpg
Clockwise: Big Maybelle, Etta James, Lena Horne, and Peggy Lee.

Tonight I bring to you a quartet of ladies who knew how to put a bit of the Blues in their Torch, singing straight from the heart. That can most certainly be said for the amazing Big Maybelle, the outrageously talented singer who made her way in the 1950s, with songs like "Candy". She had hits songs, and a career that seemed like it was on the rise. But a combination of drug and helth problems derailed her career, but not before she recorded some great songs. One of those was "I've Got A Feelin'", and she sings it to perfection. Her vocals were big, bold, growl-filled, soft, and, really, whatever the song needed. This is Big Maybelle singing "I've Got A Feelin'".



While everyone knows Etta James for singing the iconic song "At Last", she had so many other hits during her career. She was another artist who sang songs about her broken heart, and you felt as though she was truly letting you in on something real and private. In 1967, Etta recorded a song written by written by Ellington Jordan and Billy Foster, and the song went on to be a well-known Blues song. I hope you enjoy this clip of Etta James singing "I'd Rather Go Blind" live.



In 1942, Miss Peggy Lee was singing with Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, when she recorded "Why Don't You Do Right?", a song written by Joseph "Kansas Joe" McCoy. While the Orchestra was a big band, they loved to include the influences of Jazz and the Blues. As that was the case, Peggy Lee was the perfect choice for singer, for she naturally had such a soulful voice, and a gift for interpreting a lyric. Their recording of the song was a million-seller, and brought much attention to the band and the singer. This is Miss Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman and his Orchestra performing "Why Don't You Do Right?".



Finally, we have the great lady herself, the amazing Miss Lena Horse singing a song written by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray for the Broadway musical 'High Spirits'. The musical, based on Noel Coward's play 'Blythe Spirit". The show is a harming look at the problems that crop up with the spirit of a man's late wife hangs around after she is gone. The show opened in 1964, and was a hit. One of the early songs of the show was sung by the dead wife, "You'd Better Love Me". It seemed like Miss Horne loved the song as well, for she decided to sing it for this stop on a television show in 1967. I don't think she every officially recorded the song, but I love that we have this live performance. This is the great Lena Horne singing "You'd Better Love Me".



Have a great weekend!

Sarah Jane Morris • Fast Car

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"Fast Car" was written by singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, released by her in 1988. The single, off her debut album, went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her a talent to keep an eye on. Over twenty years later, Jazz artist Sarah Jane Morris recorded the song for her album 'Cello Songs', a 2011 release. I have been a fan of Sarah Jane Morris since the I saw her singing with Jimmy Somerville, on tour with The Communards, in the mid-1980s. I saw them at The Ritz, and they were captivating. From Hi-N-R-G Dance music to 1930s-inspired Jazz, it was a great show. Fast-forward 25 years, and Morris releases 'Cello Songs', a collection of songs that included songs she had previously recorded, but offered a new sound thanks to Enrico Melozzi, who arranged and conducted the orchestra. This is Sarah Jane singing "Fast Car".



You can purchase 'Cello Songs' from iTunes. To learn more about Sarah Jane Morris, visit her official website. You can also 'follow' her on Twitter, and 'like' her on Facebook. If you enjoy her music, you can check out her page on Pledge Music, where she is doing some crowdfunding for a new album. Preliminary titled 'Bloody Rain', Sarah Jane is looking to African music as a great influence on the new music.

Friday, November 29, 2013

2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards • Best Electronic/Dance Song & Best Hip-Hop/R&B Song

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I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

I continue with this series by offering you the perfect music for your holiday weekend, the song named the Best Electronic/Dance Song, Maor's "Exit". Driven and soulful, the song offers a peak at a broken heart. The New York-based singer/songwriter has been busy the last few years, and was also nominated for his music last year. This year, however, the Electronica artist takes home an award for his song "Exit". You can listen below.



To learn more about Maor, visit his Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can purchase 'Exit' from iTunes and Amazon. Sometimes we might need to be reminded people are making Hip Hop music all around the world. We are certainly reminded about that with the award for Best Hip Hop/R&B Song, "Where I Want to Be". The song, by Nastaij and featuring Alisha Todd, is a classic combination of rap and R&B. I am excited, for until this award, I was not familiar with the music of Nastaij, an artist from New South Wales, Australia. This is the winner of the award, Nastaij singing "Where I Want To Be" featuring Alisha Todd.



To learn more about Nastaij, visit her official website, 'follow' her on Twitter, and 'like' her on Facebook. You can purchase the single 'Where I Want to Be' featuring Alisha Todd from BandCamp. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Kevin Wood • Garden of Eden Video

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Kevin Wood - Garden of Eden photo KW_Garden004_zps25353c71.jpg Kevin Wood - Garden of Eden photo KW_Garden003_zps96d3c211.jpg
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During the most recent round of the RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, I became familiar with the music of Kevin Wood, and instantly put him on my radar. I liked what I heard, and knew he had one one category I will visit later. When I was contacted by Kevin recently, telling me he was excited about a new album he was releasing the beginning of 2014, and the first taste would be in the form of a new music video. This news was making my holidays bright, and soon I had the pleasure of seeing "Garden of Eden", the video directed by Matteo Bertoli for the song off the upcoming album, 'Out Among the Wolves'. Sexy, flirty, hot and bold are all words you could use to describe the song and music video for "Garden of Eden".



To learn more about Kevin Wood, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'follow' him on Tumblr. You can also 'subscribe' to him on YouTube, or just check out the music available.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving • Thank You • Archy & Mehitabel

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Thank You photo Thank_You001_zps86ea3b0f.jpg Thank You photo Thank_You002_zps45e227e6.jpg

I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving Day! To help me do so, I enlist the assistance of Archy & Mehitabel, one of my favorite duos that I believe have disbanded. Alexander Horwitz and Lee Waters made magic as Archy & Mehitabel, and I loved what they were doing. They made some incredible music, and I miss hearing from them. I just hope they are both well. This is a video for their song "Thank You", which captured my sentiments so well. Enjoy.



Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards • Best Folk Song & Best Country/Jazz/Blues or Adult Contemporary Song

Kat Devlin & Sarah Golden photo ROTVA2013KatDampSarahG_zps6fd40efd.jpg

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

I continue my celebration of the winners with the award for Best Folk Song, "Unstoppable Force" by Kat Devlin. The single, a beautiful and classic Folk tale, is lovely and lilting, just a joy to listen to. Kat's voice has hints of the great Judy Collins, and flourishes of the beautiful Sarah McLachlan, yet her sound is still very much her own. I lope you love listening to "Unstoppable Force".



To learn more about Kat Devlin, visit her official website, 'follow' her on Twitter, and 'like' her on Facebook. You can purchase "Unstoppable Force" from Bandcamp.

If the winner of the next category looks a bit familiar, you might remember her from Season 2 of 'The Voice', a member of Team Cee Lo who losts in the Battle Rounds to eventual runner-up Juliet Simms. Sarah is still making music, and great music at that. This year, she took home the trophy for Best Country/Jazz/Blues or Adult Contemporary Song for "Who Gives A Damn". This amazing song about self respect and self-love is just the song we need to hear in a time when bullying seems to be in the headlines every day.


To learn more about Sarah Golden, visit her official website, 'follow' her on Twitter, and 'like' her on Facebook. You can check out more of her music on her ReverbNation page. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Anthony Callea • This Is Christmas

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The brilliant Anthony Callea.

It have been a long time since I first discovered Anthony Callea, when he became a YouTube viral sensation for his outrageously amazing rendition of "The Prayer" on the 2004 edition of 'Australian Idol'. He blew me away with that, and I knew I had to order his album. I did, and I've been hooked since. A couple of albums and a DVD later, all imported from Australia, and I still think he has one of the most magnificent voices going. No matter what this boy is singing, I am most certainly buying! So when I heard Anthony was working on a Christmas album, excited might not be a strong enough word to describe my mood. Giddy, squee-ful, and ecstatic might capture it, if all are used. It is interesting, for as a fan of Anthony, I have seen YouTube clips of his annual appearance on 'Carols by Candlelight', held every Christmas Eve in Australia, allowing me to eagerly eat up live performances of Christmas songs for many years now. I couldn't resist, and pre-ordered it the moment I could.

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So, even though I pre-ordered it from Australia, once it was released, I could not hold out until the CD made it across the Pacific and North America, so I scooted off to iTunes and got my copy of Anthony Callea's 'This Is Christmas'. And once I hit play, I was not disappointed in the least. Quite the opposite, really, for it was everything I wanted, and more! The album starts off with "Don't save It All For Christmas" was written by Peter Zizzo, Ric Wake, and Céline Dion, who also recorded it for her 1998 album, 'These Times Are Special'. As a single, it was released in December of 2000, and the first song Dion had a writing credit. The song is a soaring and lovely addition to the Christmas catalog, and Anthony is magnificent on it. The next track, "The First Noel", is a traditional English carol, and is given a traditional feel with an orchestra playing. Anthony's voice is able to soar high above the instrumentation, giving ample warmth and heart to make this so beautiful. The next song was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector in the early 1960s, and sung by Darlene Love in 1963 to much acclaim. The song, synonymous with the era and sound of Spector's 'Wall of Sound' and the quality  of music coming from 'The Brill Building", where some of the great writers worked then. I hope you enjoy this version sung by Anthony live at a 'Carols By Candlelight' event. It is different than his studio version, but to hear adn watch him sing always make me happy. Please enjoy Anthony singing "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)".



"Silent Night" was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, with lyrics by Joseph Mohr, in a small town in Austria. The song is still a popular Christmas song, almost 200 years later. Once again, the song allows Anthony to show the control and softness in his voice, with his tender rendition of the song. Anthony is joined on the song by guitarist Stuart Fraser, who sounds beautiful as well. Together, they make a lovely duo. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on a radio show in November of 1934. It was an instant hit, and remains a favorite of millions almost 80 years later. Anthony gives it a Rocker/Swing treatment, allowing him the freedom to show off with that amazing voice of his. "Ave Maria" was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Opus 52. Once again, almost 200 years later, people are still singing this song, a beautiful Christmas Prayer. The strength, depth, and tone of Anthony's voice truly shines on the recording, making me very happy. The only thing that could make it better is allowing Anthony Callea to be joined by The National Boys Choir of Australia, a group of 200 talented boys aged between 7 – 15, who sound beautiful on the recording. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker, a married couple worrying about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and what might be happen because of it. It quickly became a favorite, and Anthony gives it a strong R&B treatment, much like Whitney Houston, who Anthony did open for in Australia. This is Anthony singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?".



"Mary Did You Know?", a Christmas song with lyrics written by Mark Lowry and music written by Buddy Greene, was written in 1984, but not recorded until 1992. The song slowly took hold, with people like Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd singing it. Also versions by Clay Aiken and Cee Lo Green hit the charts. Anthony gives a strength and urgency to the song. It is hard to not fall in love with the recording of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", which is an amazing song. It was written by written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943, and first sung by the great Judy Garland in th e1944 MGM musical 'Meet Me In St. Louis'. In this recording, Anthony is joined by his partner, handsome and talented Tim Campbell. I had already been a fan of the version they had sung in 'Carols By Candlelight' a few years ago, so I hope you enjoy Anthony and Tim singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".



"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton in the late 1700s. The song is the ultimate message of forgiveness and divine redemption. Anthony recorded an outstanding version, and is joined on the song by vocalists Susie Ahern, Michelle Serret-Cursio and Rod Davies. This is a brilliant acapella version, and I can't listen to it enough. Together, the group allows each to soar to new heights, leave you wondering if they will return to earth again! The next track once again features The National Boys Choir of Australia. "O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau. This is another traditional favorite, and again the sheer beauty of Anthony's voice elevates the listener, cradling us with his warm tone as he brings us to new heights. "Note To God" is a song written by Diane Warren, a talent who has written more than her fair share of great songs. It was first recorded in 2006, and soon others were wanting to sing it. The song is an emotional message to a Higher Power, a person searching for a way to carry on in a world that could use so much help. Anthony delivers on the big notes, and even bigger on the emotional quality of this tough song.

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'This Is Christmas' makes for an amazing musical journey, one I will take again and again this holiday season. Anthony has an incredible voice, one I never tire of hearing. This is certainly a must-have for this and any holiday season. Put it on your Christmas List, or buy it for your friends, 'cause they will love it too! You an purchase 'This Is Christmas' on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Anthony Callea, visit his official website. You can also "like" him on Facebook, and "follow" him on Twitter. You an purchase 'Thirty', his latest Pop release, on iTunes and Amazon.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Voice - Review - Top 6 Revealed -

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Left to right: Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton.

Last night, I predicted Will Champlin, Tessanne Chin and Matthew Schuler were the Top 3 performances, and Cole Vosbury, Caroline Pennell, and Jacquie Lee to be the Bottom 3. A quick look at iTunes sales tells me America disagrees with me in a big way. Via iTunes at the close of voting this morning, Will's At Last led the way, followed by Cole, and James Wolpert. At the other end of the spectrum, Mathew's "It's Time" was the lowest selling by far, followed by Ray Boudreaux and Caroline. On the Rickey.Org poll, the Top 3 vote-getters when asked about going home were Ray, Caroline and Cole. The only thing that proves is no one knows what will be happening tonight! If iTunes holds true, and Matthew, Ray, and Caroline are in the bottom, who will be saved by Twitter? Only time will tell, and it must in the next 60 minutes! Because I honestly a not sure what will be happening tonight!

Team Adam photo the-voice-top-12-team-adam_zps52c4f26a.jpg Team Blake photo the-voice-top-12-team-blake2_zpsb41a116c.jpg
Team Cee Lo photo the-voice-top-12-team-cee-lo3_zpsfe34e169.jpg Team Xtina photo the-voice-top-12-team-christina2_zpsf912ea10.jpg
Clockwise: Team Adam, Team Blake, Team Xtina, and Team Cee Lo.

As is always the case, the show opens with host Carson Daly, on stage with the Top 8 and introducing the coaches. That quickly led to the recap clips, and how happy the coaches were with their charges. #1 on the Rock charts, #1 on the Reggae charts, and #1 on the Country charts, and one who landed in the overall Top 10, the contestants were making their voices heard. Since the show began, they have surpassed 15 million iTunes downloads. And even more exciting, they have musical guest Ellie Goulding to sing her latest hit, "Burn", with James, Matthew and Will.


Once that performance is finished, it is time for a commercial break, and then time to see who are the first people safe. The coaches are worried about who might be going home, and think their artists were great last night. Carson announces he will be asking random questions tonight, and starts with Tessanne, asking her about her mentor. She loves him, and holds him in such high esteem, for all the support he offers both on and off camera. But it is time for business. The first artist safe tonight is from Team Adam, and it is Will Champlin. That is no surprise, he was the on with the Top 10 placement, the most downloaded song of the week. After a break, Carson chats with Ellie Goulding, and she is a sweetie. Then it is time for Top 8 to get together and sing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)", the song made famous by the Carter Family, and later by June Carter Cash and husband Johnny Cash.


They did a nice job, but soon it is time to get back to the results. First, Matthew is asked about his Coach, Christina, and he loves her, and the way she pushed him to be a better artist. Now we learn the second person saved by the votes this week, Cole Vosbury from Team Blake is safe. Interestingly enough, the two safe so far are both artists procured with a 'Judge's Steal'. After another break, Carson chats with Adam and Blake, to kill time so Cee Lo Green could prepare to team up again with Big Gipp and the Goodie Mob is back! They sing "With Amy".


After that, it is time for the coaches and contestants to do quick impressions, which are obviously not their forté. But there are six artists wanting to find out who is safe, so Carson tells us it is Jacquie Lee from Team Xtina. She and Christina have a big hug, but there are still three artists who are not leaving that are sweating bullets up there. And a big group of fans wanting to know it they have to save their favorite via Twitter, with the #VoiceSave and the first name of a singer. After a break, we learn Ryan Tedder, of One Republic fame, will be writing a song with the final three, who will then sing it live on the finale! They are so excited, the Top 8 sing the OneRepublic medley, starting with the hit "Apologize".


As soon as they are done, Carson calls them into a line to announce two more as safe. Tessanne Chin is the next artist called to safety. That is followed by the final save from last night, and it is James Wolpert, making Team Adam clean once again. That leaves Ray, Matthew, and Caroline in peril. Blake, Cee Lo, and Christina ask for the fan's support of their artists, and it is time for the Save. Carson asks Adam about who he thinks will be saved, and he thinks it might be Matthew, but he loves and supports them all. America saved Matthew Schuler, and Ray Boudreaux and Caroline Pennell are sent home.

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Tune in next week, when the Top Six will return to the stage to see if they can keep the dream alive! To learn more about 'The Voice', visit the official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Nathan Leigh Jones • Brand New Christmas

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It has been an exciting year for handsome Australian Nathan Leigh Jones, with the release of his fantastic video for the song "Crying Out For Love" off the album 'Sooner Or Later'. The music video was beautiful, and supported Marriage Equality, a movement that is gaining momentum world-wide, and will hopefully be adding Australia to the list of countries soon. He also worked as Producer for David Raleigh's soon-to-be-released album, how exciting is that? He also set his sights on a putting out a holiday album, but with that very special something that is Nathan. Well, I am here to tell you that Nathan's latest release, 'Brand New Christmas' is just what my holiday was looking for, more great music from the Aussie singer/songwriter.

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'Brand New Christmas' is Nathan's collection of Christmas music, only with a definite Jonesian twist! You see, each song on the album is a classic, and with each recording, Nathan re-imagines the song, with his own music. That is right, Nathan rewrote the music, but kept the lyrics of the iconic favorites that are such a wonderful part of our lives. A perfect example of this would be the first cut off the album, "Deck The Halls". With lyrics by Thomas Oliphant, who interpreted the original Welsh lyrics by John Jones, better known by his penname Talhaiar, the song has now been updated with music by Nathan Leigh Jones.



Irving Berlin wrote the music and lyrics to one of the most loved Christmas songs of the last century, "White Christmas", best remembered by Bing Crosby's recording. Nathan updates the sound, adding a touch of retro to make it special. There is something truly beautiful about Nathan's version of "Let It Snow", a song with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Jules Styne. Of course, Nathan puts Cahn's lyrics in his own music, bringing the sound to a more contemporary R&B song. Stunning, I tell you! "Silver Bells" was originally written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, but Nathan replaced Livingston's music with his own. There is something a little darker with Nathan's retelling, and the chorus is pretty amazing! "Silent Night" was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, with lyrics by Joseph Mohr. Nathan tossed the Gruber melody to the side, and gave the song a great new sound. You can listen to it below.



Written in 1934 by composer Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard B. Smith, "Winter Wonderland" has been sung by all the great names in music. Add two more to the list, for Nathan is joined on the recording by David Raleigh, with a new Bluesy feel that suits both vocalists perfectly. There is such wonderful charm and depth to this recording, "Winter Wonderland" instantly became a favorite of mine. Total, full-out love, I tell you! "O Holy Night" was written by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, Chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau. Nathan made it a soaring ballad, and the song is refreshed, for the lyrics no longer sound as though they were written over a century-and-a-half ago. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, the duo behind so many songs for MGM musicals, including many of them featuring the great Judy Garland. In fact, Garland introduced this one in the 1944 musical "Meet Me In St. Louis". Nathan amps up the joyous factor, bring it up to a mid-tempo song that is more celebratory than melancholy. The original lyrics for "Angels We Have Heard On High" were based on the French poem 'Les Anges dans nos campagnes' by an unknown author. There is a delightful 1960s sound, the Phil Spector Wall of Sound, the Brill Building, the whole thing, all in this song, and I just adore it. That leaves the final track, "I'll Be Home For Christmas". The song was written by lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent, based on the original poem of the same name written by Buck Ram. It was made famous by Bing Crosby in 1943. I love the way Nathan updated this, maintaining the warmth and haunting quality of the original. To get a listen to parts of all the songs on the album, hit play below.



With this 'facelift', there is a true freshness for all the classics. While I have enjoyed different arrangements for some of the songs, this is the first time someone have managed to make them all feel light and new, a true revelation. I loved it, from start to finish, and think this album needs to be in your collection now! For yourself, or for a stocking stuffer for someone you love, this is a wonderful treat. You can purchase 'Brand New Christmas' exclusively from iTunes. For more about Nathan Leigh Jones, check out his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Voice - Live Performances Review - 11/25/2013

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Left to right: Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green.

Last week was another time of great competition, and we saw two more artists packing their bags and heading home. Austin Jenckes and Kat Robichaud left the competition, leaving Team Cee Lo with just one artist, Team Xtina and Team Blake with two, and Team Adam complete with three. But it is Thanksgiving Week, and there are still eight artists ready to sing, filled with gratitude to make it thus far. But there are still two who will be leaving tomorrow night, not so eager to go home for the holidays. Will Team Adam finally lose a singer? Will Team Cee Lo be eliminated altogether? Can Team Blake prove it still has the magic that won three seasons in a row? They have to sound their best tonight, and see where that gets them with the voting public tomorrow.

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Left to right: Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Carson Daly, Cee Lo Green, and Adam Levine.

As is always the case, the show opens with host Carson Daly, to tell us about the night. But first he introduces the Top 8, and you can see a mixture of happy and tense on their faces. They might love performing, but this is a competition, and perhaps the nervous energy sneaks though. Before going on, Carson welcomes back a former adviser to contestants on the show, Robin Thicke. He comes out and performs his latest single, "Feel Good".


James is very excited to sing his choice this season, Queen's classic, "Somebody to Love". This is yet another side to the man who has never rested on his laurels, but has continually stretched and reached for the brass ring. While it might be daunting for many, James is up for the task, and sound great on the song. None of the slight hitches of prior weeks, from breath control to over exuberance, surfaced tonight. Clad in a tuxedo, James is on stage, and in the audience, and never looked nervous or confused. Great way to start the show. The judges loved it, but Christina got a bit lost in some cloning daydream that lost me. After a commercial break, it is time for the second member of Team Adam to perform, Tessanne Chin. She sings No Doubt's "Underneath It All" featuring Lady Saw.


Gwen Stefani and the boys from No Doubt were known for the Reggae influences, and this seems like a perfect fit for the Jamaican woman. There is such joy and love in this performance, it spills over to the audience. They sing along, and give her a long ovation. Her voice was expressive, subtle, bold, and sweet, so perfect for the show. She has been so strong from the audition, I have loved watching and hearing her. Cee Lo loved her, and Xtina gives a weird critique I think was both complimentary and a subtle dismissal of prior performances and Adam's coaching. After a break, it is time for the last artist on Team Cee Lo, 17-year-old Caroline Pennell. She wants to do something surprising, and they pick the Indie Alternative vibe of Florence + the Machine, "Dog Days Are Over".


Caroline starts off with a softness and sweetness that is nice to see. She adds strength and energy to the chorus, and really picks it up. She did a nice job, although at the end seem to be swallowed a little by the hugeness of the song. She was good, but fell a bit short of great, which I thought was very possible. I want her to have a break out moment, but she seems to stop just shy of the mark. After a break and an interview with Robin Thicke, who credits 'The Voice' fans for helping make "Blurred Lines" for big, having introduced it last year on season 4. Next we have a group performance with Cole, Ray, Tessanne and Will singing "One Day" by Matisyahu, giving us a bit more Reggae for the night. After another break, Cole and Ray go with Blake to the Jay Leno show, a chance to taste the good life, to see what they can achieve. After that, we learn Cole love Country music, and will be singing, "I Still Believe in You" a big Country hit from Vince Gill, co-written by Gill and John Barlow Jarvis.


Blake wants Cole to have a bit of desperation on the song, and I think Cole delivered on that. It is tough to compare with Vince Gill, whose voice is so crisp and clean, but Cole delivers his own performance for the song. There is grit in his voice, and it serves him well here. Blake is so proud, and thinks he does a great job. Christina loved him to, thinking it was a great quiet moment for him. After another break, Team Xtina's Matthew Schuler steps up to his turn on the stage, singing "It's Time", a song written and performed by American alternative rock band Imagine Dragons, which made it to the Billboard Top 10 in 2012. Christina wants to do a military theme on this number, and Matthew feels inspired by it. She loves that he has an Indie Rock base, and plans to utilize it on this song. During the performance, he soars in the chorus, but tends to get lost on the verse, garbling a little bit. The chorus is spectacular, but the performance does get a bit muddy in between. Of course, he brings it to a magnificent close. Christian loves him, and loves what he did with the song. Which was, of course, dictated by her... After a break, it is time for Jacquie, James, Matthew and Caroline to perform, singing "Lego House".


This is a wonderful song, but a very uneven performance. I would prefer to listen to the original above, and move forward. All four had nice moments, and times when I wondered what they were thinking. After another break, it is time for Will Champlin to join us. Will is singing a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film 'Orchestra Wives', made popular by the late, great Etta James. It is, of course, "At Last". Will considers Etta to be an influence, and he wants to make it a memorable moment for him. I must admit, I find her performance mesmerizing. He uses power, range, and adds a rough hewn quality to his voice, sweetening the tea. It was a great moment for Will, and the audience acknowledged it with a long and loud ovation. Adam just loved it, and just loves working with Will. Christina also loved it, knowing how tough it is to sing the song. After another break it is time for the final artist from Team Blake, handsome Ray Boudreaux. I must admit I am a fan of Ray, but am not sure Blake has been able to give him the songs that showcase his sexy voice. This week, Ray will be singing "Gimme Some Lovin'", made famous by the Spencer Davis Group, and written by members Steve Winwood, Spencer Davis and Muff Winwood. It is interesting, Ray's voice is reminiscent of Steve Winwood, the smoky edge on a strong voice. From the start, Ray is rocking the song out, bringing us back to a soulful time in Rock music. I am not sure this was a great song for the competition, but it reminded me why I've liked Ray from the beginning. His bluesy roots were definitely showing. The coaches loved him, with Cee Lo and Christina giving him high marks. The last performance of the night will go to the youngest performer of the lot, 16-year-old Jacquie Lee, a member of Team Xtina, Tonight, Jacquie will be singing "Who's Lovin' You Now", the Motown song written in 1960 by William "Smokey" Robinson, and made famous by his group, The Miracles. It was also recorded by Diana Ross and the Supremes, as well as the Jackson 5. Christina wants Jacquie to cut loose, and get out of her own way. As far as I can tell, we are getting back to shouty Jacquie, and I am not that enamored with her. For me, she is out of her league with this song, and she is a little girl imitating others. There is no subtlety in the performance, she is just singing at full volume from start to finish.

So that is the Top 8, all trying to make it through another week on 'The Voice'. My Top 3 for this week would be Will, Tessanne, and Matthew, with strong performances. My bottom three, would be Cole, Caroline, and Jacquie. I thought both Cole and Caroline could have used a bit more energy, more life in their performances, while Jacquie could have used a bit less. I can't say I am 100 percent sure the voters will agree with me - perhaps Ray could slip in there, but I actually thought he was quite strong tonight. Could James and Tessanne have issues, singing up front, it is tough to be sure. But those are my thoughts for the night. The results are coming tomorrow night, at 9PM on your NBC station.

Dark Monday • It's Not Where You Start

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Left: Tommy Tune and Ken Howard in 'Seesaw'. Right: Barbara Cook.

"It's Not Where You Start" written by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields for the musical 'Seasaw', the 1973 musical with a troubled pre-Broadway run, but went on to have a very successful New York run. The show earned a Tony Award for Tommy Tune for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, and for Michael Bennett for Best Choreography. The show featured many excellent songs, but it is hard to not call "It's Not Where You Start" the standout, especially with a standout delivery by Tommy Tune in the original production. So I was delighted when I first found this great performance by the amazing Barbara Cook, and couldn't wait to share it with you! Here is Barbara Cook singing "It's Not Where You Start".



"It's Not Where You Start" can be found on 'Close As Pages in a Book', and amazing 1993 release. The album showcased the songs written by the great Dorothy Fields, and it is a wonderful part of my music collection. You can purchase it on iTunes and Amazon.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Giving Thanks In November

Anita O'Day photo anita_oday_zpsab80384a.jpg Julie London photo Julie-London_zps64ce369b.jpg
June Christy photo junechristy_zps1866150c.jpg Peggy Lee photo PeggyLee_zps164ac287.jpg
Clockwise: Anita O'Day, Julie London, Miss Peggy Lee, and June Christy.

As I was thinking of what to post about, it occurred to me that Thanksgiving is next Thursday, and I have much to be grateful for. I have my health, and plenty of friends and family to celebrate the holidays with. As I said my thanks, I figured I would hit my iTunes, and type it in, to see what came up. I am delighted to say, it was a song recorded by one of my favorites, Anita O'Day. I just love her style and her voice. I really love her recording of "Thanks for the Memory", a song with music composed by Ralph Rainger and lyrics by Leo Robin, and written in 1938. It was first introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in the film 'The Big Broadcast of 1938. But, as I said, I really enjoy this recording of 'Thanks for the Memory" by Anita O'Day.



As delightful as that is, I also wanted to check out iTunes for the month. Well, for the month of 'November', anyway. And what I came up with was a record from 1956, "November Twilight". Julie London recorded the song written by Paul Francis Webster for her album 'Calendar Girl'. The song, a smooth yet smokey song that is sexy and flirty, but it never goes too far. Here is the wonderful Julie London singing "November Twilight".



As a teenager in Springfield, Illinois, June Christy started singing with several local bands. After graduating high school, she made the move to New York City to pursue a career in music, and soon auditioned to sing with the Stan Kenton Band, after Anita O'Day had left. This collaboration was a successful one, with several big hits in the mid-1940s. As she became known for her smooth Jazz styling, Christy embarked on a solo career that led to more success, and appearances on television. I really like her performance of "Winter's Got Spring Up It's Sleeve", written by Connie Pearce and Arnold Miller. Her 1960 recording seemed like it was a perfect song for the post. So here is June Christy singing "Winter's Got Spring Up It's Sleeve".



As winter seems to have moved into the areas that experience it, at least on this hemisphere, I thought a great was to end tonight is with another song featuring that season. And I can't think of a lovelier was than with the always amazing Miss Peggy Lee, along side Art Lund and the Benny Goodman Orchestra, on "Winter Weather". The song, written by Ted Shapiro, was meant to be a Christmas song, but for some reason, it never caught on to be a classic. However, it is a fantastic song, and perfect for the colder weather. So please enjoy the 1941 recording of Miss Peggy Lee and Art Lund with the Benny Good Orchestra on "Winter Weather".



Have a great weekend!

Bonnie Raitt • Thank You

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In 1971, Bonnie Raitt released her eponymous first album, a wonderful and bluesy collection of music. The daughter of Broadway star John Raitt and pianist Marjorie Haydock was still young, several years from the success of 'Nick of Time' album in 1989. But her fantastic talent could not be hidden, and I just thought her recording of "Thank You", written by herself, was a perfect choice for Thanksgiving Week. I know I love it, and think you will too. This is Bonnie Raitt with a live recording of "Thank You".



That first album was an interesting one, even though I didn't find it until much later. I discovered her music in the late 1970s, when I first heard her great cover of Del Shannon's classic, "Runaway". Her brand of the Blues was just so strong, I couldn't resist. I certainly could feel that on the debut album, which also included a cover of "Since I Fell For You", a song written by Buddy Johnson in 1945, and sung by so many since. Bonnie has such a richness in her voice, such a nice roundness in her tone, it is tough to resist her singing "Since I Fell For You".



Have a great weekend!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Date Night • It's Time To Tell

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The cast of 'It's Time to Tell'

Well, tonight is a sweet film that tells a stroy in less than 14 minutes that has been lived time and time again over the last few decades. 'It's Time To Tell' is a 2012 short from Galaxia Productions, written, directed, edited, and produced by Dominic Amato. The story is based on a true story, and it is convincingly told. A young boy, experiencing his first taste of freedom while away at college, makes a serious self-discovery during his freshman year. As he plans on sharing his realization with his family when he is home for Thanksgiving break. The cast includes Jonathan Stryker, JoAnn Bromley, Eliana Ghen, Ariel Hopes, Adrian Sardny, Brad Meaney, Trent Baker, Thom Barry, Anna Dragif, and Kristin Leder.



I will also tell you my ears pricked up when music started to play, and I instantly recognized the voice of singer/songwriter Richard Cortez, and his wonderful song "The Poor Man's Love Song". The song is so sweet, so tender, it is hard to not love it. The song, found on his album EP 'rec[cord]', is just good for my soul to hear every so often. This is the official music video for the song "The Poor Man's Love Song", written and sung by Richart Cortez.



For more about Richard Cortez, visit his official website. You can also find him on Facebook. You can purchase [rec]ord from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Galaxia Productions and Dominic Amato, visit the official website.

Michelle Chamuel • Go Down Singing

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When we last saw Michelle Chamuel, she was the last representative standing of Team Usher on Season 4 of 'The Voice', and the only artist not under the direction of Blake Shelton to be on the finale. Michelle was well-loved, and deservedly so, having put in several incredible performances while on the show. Whether she was singing songs by Taylor Swift, Cyndi Lauper, Pink, or Katie Perry, Chamuel seemed unstoppable all season long. Her journey was cut short by one place on the show, finishing up a strong second. While many singers on reality competitions claim we have not seen the last of them, quite often that is the case. With Michelle, I had faith it was the not the last time, and as she just released a new single, I see I am right!

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On November 19th, 2013, Michelle released "Go Down Singing", her first recording since being on 'The Voice'. The song was brought to my attention by JD Doyle of Queer Music Heritage, who loved the song right away. As she did on the show, Chamuel seamlessly combines Electropop and Soul to make a great sound, very much like the sound she cultivated on the show. The message of the song it also a great one, calling us all to stand tall and strong, not matter what others are saying. It is the perfect message for the slightly quirky girl from Massachusetts. Click play and give a listen to Michelle Chamuel's first post-show single, "Go Down Singing".



Of course, it is not a surprise the song would be a perfect fit for the singer, as she co-wrote it with Producers Theo Katzman and Tyler Duncan. I loved it when I first heard it, and my feelings only grow stronger with each listen since. You can purchase "Go Down Singing" from iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. To learn more about Michelle Chamuel, visit her official website. You can also 'like' her on Facebook, and 'follow' her on Twitter.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

RightOutTV Awards 2013 • Best Pop Song & Best Rock Song

Kari K & the Stonewall Riot & Michael V. Doane photo ROTVA2013KariK_MichaelD_zps20b3b78b.jpg
Left: Kari K & the Stonewall Riot. Right: Michael V. Doane

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

Following the studied consideration of the judging panel, the award for Best Pop Song was given to Kari K. & The Stonewall Riot for their wonderful song, "I’m Not the One". I'll be honest, I wasn't on the selection committee for this category, but if I were, I would be hard pressed to come up with a stronger winner! This song, which has a beautiful balance between Rock and Pop, is a bold yet nuanced recording, a standout in any group you could find it in. The band from Austin, Texas, is made up by Kari Kuwamura on vocals, Naomi Toledo on bass, and Selina Maldonadoon drums. This is the official music video for Kari K & the Stonewall's "I'm Not the One".



To learn more about Kari K & the Stonewall Riot, visit their official ReverbNation page. You can also 'like' the band on Facebook, and 'follow' Kari on Twitter. You can purchase the single "I'm Not the One" from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.

New York-based singer/songwriter Michael V. Doane is the next featured artist, having been awarded Best Rock Song for "Keep Running". The song, a non-album single released in September, beautifully weds Soul and Rock to separate from the pack. Doane's vocals are strong and crisp, always hitting the notes with a laser precision. There is a wonderful density to the chorus, the sound enveloping the listener like a glove looking to keep you warm. I love it, and hope you enjoy the official music video for Michael V. Doane's "Keep Running".



To learn more about Micheal V. Doane, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can purchase the single "Keep Running" from iTunes, and Amazon. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Matt Zarley is a Hopeful Romantic

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I've used many adjectives to describe Matt Zarley on this blog, from handsome to sexy to talented, and many more in between. But it seems as though I have a to amend my list to include 'hopeful romantic'. No, we haven't started dating... (Unless you want to, Matt, I am single... DM me!) I know because I watched a video Matt made for his new Kickstarter page, trying to raise funds to make a new album, entitled 'Hopeless Romantic'. This is Matt speaking from the heart about the new project.



Zarley comes with an impressive resume, having several hit Broadway shows on it, as well as winning two RightOutTV Music & Video Awards in 2012, for Best Song So Far and Best Video (Pro). The awards were for two different songs off his excellent album, 'Change Begins With Me'. The video award was for the music video for "W T F", a song off the album. The video was directed by Randall Kirk II, and features a cast of hot men. Just a slight word of warning, explicit language is used, so if you are in an office situation, turn the volume up!



While his bold and bright voice seems like a natural for upbeat songs with remixes made for the clubs, Zarley is a man of many colors. One of those colors is most definitely red, for he can sing so beautifully from the heart. The title cut from the album, "Change Begins With Me". The song, written by Zarley, Andy Zulla, and Chris Curtis, is a sensational song, and it is sung to perfection by Matt. This is the official music video for "Change Begins With Me".



And while we are getting to know Matt a bit better, I cannot miss his holiday single from 2012, "One More Christmas With You". You can also just click on the word Kickstarter! Matt co-wrote the tune with Shoshana Bean, whose album 'Superhero' was a big success, and she took over the role of Elphaba from Idina Menzel in Broadway's 'Wicked', and Aron Forbes of X-Factor fame. The song has the feel of a current Pop song, with a hint of the holiday on top to make it special. This is the lyric video for Matt Zarley's "One More Christmas With You".



If you are impressed by his music and that very special voice, you can click on the wigdet below, and invest in your aural future. You can give as little as $5, and get a digital download of the album before it is officially released, to, well, whatever you you'd like to give. There are plenty of options for giving, all with great and wild rewards on your investment. For $1,500, you can be listed as Associate Producer in the liner notes for the album. Other rewards include digital downloads of all of Zarley's music, karaoke versions of his music, and shout outs on Facebook and Twitter from the handsome man himself!



If you would like to learn even more about Matt Zarley, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. Matt's album, 'Change Begins With Me,' is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

RightOutTV Awards 2013 • Song of the Year & Best Song So Far

Matt Fishel & Avi Wisnia photo ROTVA2013Avi_Matt_zps04f32239.jpg
Left: Avi Wisnia. Right: Matt Fishel

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

The first artist to get bragging rights this year is Avi Wisnia, no stranger to winning awards, having won Best Video (DIY) in 2011 for his charming "Rabbit Hole" music video. This year, Avi won Best Song So Far for "Something New" a track off his debut album of the same name. The song gives a literal nod to great songs from the past that have inspired Wisnia, from artists as varied as The Beatles to Sade to Chicago. The following is a video I took of Avi at a show I was pleased enough to attend. This is Avi Wisnia with a very special live performance of "Something New".



To learn more about Avi Wisnia, visit his official website. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook, and congratulate him on the win. You can purchase 'Something New' from iTunes and Amazon.

Matt Fishel is also no stranger to the judges of the RightOutTV Awards. Last year, he won Best Video So Far for his delightful "Football Song", one of my favorites. He also won Song of the Year for his honest "Behind Closed Doors", off his 'Not Thinking Straight' album. This year, he repeats the latter win, as "Radio-Friendly Pop Song" was named Song of the Year. The song takes a look at the issues an LGBT artist come across in their careers. The rousing Pop tune soars on the chorus, but never steps away from the truth some executives fail to see. This is the official music video for the 2013 Song of the Year, Matt Fishel's "Radio-Friendly Pop Song".



To learn more about Matt Fishel, visit his official website, 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can purchase 'Not Thinking Straight' from iTunes and Amazon. You can also order hard copies, as well as autographed hard copies of the CD from Matt's online store. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

The Jam • Singles

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Left to right: Rick Buckler, Paul Weller, and Bruce Foxton

I was recently reminded that it was 35 years ago this past spring that a punk band from England first started making wave. The Jam, made up by guitarist Paul Weller, bassist Rick Buckler, and drummer Bruce Foxton came from Surrey, England, made a loud noise as they brought their brash sound to the public. Bold and brash, the band looked for inspiration in the 196s Beat Music, a bit of Rhythm 'N Blues, and a healthy appetite for the early 1970s Punk to bring their own sound to the table. While still having an edge, and plenty of anger, The Jam had a bit more polish, a bit more melody than many Punk bands, making them an early New Wave band, a movement of music still brewing in England in 1977, when The Jam were recording their first single.

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I was reminded about The Jam when I read that next week, November 25th, UMC-Polydor is releasing an 8-album Vinyl box set of the band, who made quite the stir in the five years they were together recording. The collection includes all six studio albums, 1977's 'In The City', 1978's 'This Is the Modern World' and 'All Mod Cons', 1979's 'Setting Sons', 1980's 'Sound Affects' and 1982's 'The Gift'. It also includes several non-album singles and B-sides, and a color hardback book with liner notes. There are other treats for fans, including period photos, a download card for all the music, and a new introduction written by the Mod-father himself, Paul Weller. Sounds great, doesn't it? Well all that inspired me to get another listen to the band, and to share that with you. Today, I will look to the non-album singles, some truly amazing songs, to remind me why I love the band. I will start with "News of the World", a 1978 single written by Bruce Foxton, and featuring him on the vocals, a rarity for The Jam recordings. The song takes a look at the world through the distorted eye of the British tabloid in the title.



In 1979, the band released "When You're Young", takes another look at the world they were living in, only through the eye of a teen eager to take on the world, and correct the wrongs they feel society is perpetrating on them and their friends. Once again, the sound was big, but polished. They influences of 1960s Pop-Rock of Cream and The Animals more obvious than the Punk Rockers of the early 1970s. The song captures an attitude of the day, and deliver it with music. This is The Jam singing "When You're Young".



"Absolute Beginners" was released in 1981, having been written by Weller, who was inspired by the novel of the same name by Colin MacInnes in 1959, a favorite of Weller. It must have truly spoken to Paul's soul, what with the examination of the life of some of the London youth, those from the edges of society. The characters embody the issues the 'Mods' were dealing with, like class struggles, drugs, and racism high on the list. And those issues are touched on "Absolute Beginners".



And, finally, in 1982, the group released "Beat Surrender", a high-powered song that shows even more polish, and you can literally feel the way Weller was transforming as a songwriter and performer, and see his next band, The Style Council, on the horizon. There vocals were tighter than ever, and the sound moved away from the Rock roots to find more Soul influences. While I do love the song very much, it did seem to lack the edgier side, the anger that could be found in the earlier work. But I couldn't stop playing it then, and I find the same is still true. This is The Jam singing 'Beat Surrender'.



This was the final offering from the band, who broke up in December of 1982. It was said Buckler and Foxton didn't speak to Weller for more than two decades, as they were that angry about the band ending. In 2006, Paul and Bruce mended their fences, and even played together a few times. However, the same could not be said about Rick. Weller moved on to form The Style Council with Mick Talbot, joining the New Wave movement with their soulful sounds, and their New Romantic look at life. The Jam were more about the sounds of the streets, of teen life, and bubbling undercurrent of tension in society. Social issues were no strangers to the band, who sang of police brutality, drugs, life on the streets, and other topics not 'acceptable' in civilized conversation. But who said Rock bands needed to be civilized? Certainly not Paul Weller, Rick Buckler, and Bruce Foxton, at least not in the 1970s.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The Voice - Review - Season 5 Top 10 Results

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Left to right: Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton.

Tonight Carson Daly will let us all know who the Top Eight will be, announcing the results from the vote. Last night was an interesting night on 'The Voice', with some of the frontrunners not giving their best, making this voting a telling week. Will the frontrunners votes be affected by the performance, or will they be in jeopardy? It is always a more interesting season when the momentum shifts from week to week, really driven by performances. Last night, I picked my bottom three to be Austin Jenckes, Kat Robichaud, and maybe either Jacquie Lee or Ray Boudreaux. In truth, I thought Ray had a very good performance, but I am not sure how well it resonated with the voters. And I would also be surprised if two artists from Team Blake would be in the bottom this early. There is room for a few to be nervous. The bottom three in iTunes sales were Austin, Kat, and Jacquie, so it we have to see if that is an indicator. And who will win the Insta-Vote on Twitter? There is a lot to learn from tonight's results.

Team Adam photo the-voice-top-12-team-adam_zps52c4f26a.jpg Team Blake photo the-voice-top-12-team-blake_zps9223b881.jpg
Team Cee Lo photo the-voice-top-12-team-cee-lo2_zps7b02dafa.jpg Team Xtina photo the-voice-top-12-team-christina2_zpsf912ea10.jpg
Clockwise: Team Adam, Team Blake, Team Xtina, and Team Cee Lo.

Carson Daly greets us, and quickly introduces the coaches, with Adam, Blake, and Cee Lo in their seats, while Christian was getting ready to perform. There is a quick recap, the coaches all giving props to their charges. With a recorded growl, the performance of Team Xtina begins, as Christina, Matthew and Jacquie sing Janet Jackson's "Black Cat", off the album 'Rhythm Nation 1814'. They also took on the Janet/Michael duet on "Scream", and Michael's "Bad". But for a distraction, here is Janet dancing to her "Black Cat".


After a commercial break, Carson reminds us there is a Twitter vote coming up. He also announces that Adam has been named the Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine. Then Carson chats to the coaches, asking about how they are feeling going into the results show. Adam talks about how the coaches all fall in love with their artists, and wish them only the greatest success. There is an odd moment when Blake tells Adam it is what's on the inside that counts, and they hug. This makes Christina hug Ceee Lo, and then a group hug ensues. And hopefully, we are done with that for the night. We soon get to the results, and we learn that the first person to the Top 8 is James Wolpert, from Team Adam. Carson tells us that America also saved Matthew by their votes. After a commercial break, Will, James, and Kat join forces to take on Fall Out Boy, singing their 2005 hit, "Sugar, We're Going Down".


Before the applause is over, Carson calls the remaining eight contestants to the stage to learn who is safe. The third person safe tonight is Ray Boudreaux from Team Blake. Then we go back to Team Adam, and Will Champlin is announced safe. After a break, Team Blake takes to the stage, offering their take on ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man". It is interesting, as all men on stage have strapped on their guitars for the performance, whatever that means.


While that was an okay performance, I must admit it was musically pretty strong. But there is no time to dawdle, and Carson will reveal two more safe contestants. First up, Tessanne Chin is safe, meaning all three from Team Adam are safe! In a surprise announcement, we discover that Jacquie Lee is safe, leaving Austin Jenckes, Cole Vosbury, Kat Robichaud and Caroline Pennell waiting to hear more news. When the show returns, Carson is in the Sprint Skybox, chatting about the show, like the fact there is a dozen humans in the rafters working the follow spots! Carson brings out Tessanne and Caroline, who sings "Royals" by Lorde.


This could be my favorite performance of the night, for Caroline and Tessanne worked surprisingly well together. Once that is over, Carson calls the four remaining artists, to get to the Insta-Save. But first, we learn that America saved Cole Vosbury, so Austin, Kat and Caroline are in the bottom three. I am truly surprised, for I thought Caroline would be safe, even with her anemic performance. And she was the fourth-ranked in iTunes sales. Undoubtedly, I think she should be saved, the best of the three contestants. But I must remember that is not the way I saw it last week, when Kat was saved, and Jonny was sent packing. To kill time while the voting is ongoing, Carson asks Adam what he thinks. He loves them all, but thinks Caroline has been magic. The voting is closed, and America saved Caroline, and Austin Jenckes and Kat Robichaud are going home.

Kat Robichaud photo Kat_Robichaud_zps99252750.jpg Austin Jenckes photo Austin_Jenckes_zpsa515e2ae.jpg

Tune in next week, when the Top Eight will return to the stage to see if they can keep the dream alive! To learn more about The Voice, visit the official website. You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

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