Showing posts with label supermodel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label supermodel. Show all posts

Friday, September 13, 2013

Dance, Dance Evolution

Village People photo VillagePeople_zps19c43d74.jpg RuPaul photo Rupaul-WhiteWig_zpsdb314792.jpg
Brian Kent photo BrianKent003_zps972eacba.jpg Sir Ari Gold photo SirAriGold001_zps437c55ba.jpg
Clockwise: Village People, RuPaul, Sir Ari Gold, and Brian Kent.

For my inspiration today, I decided to take a look at the last four decades, and pick a song I really loved to show an evolution of dance through the years. I have chosen songs that are in my iTunes collection. The artists are also very talented members of the LGBT community. There was a wealth of music from which to choose, so it wasn't the easiest post to put together, but it was very fun. I got to listen to many songs not posted here, which made me very happy. I will start with the 1980s, the first decade I took on. There was a wealth of great music, with the great Sylvester, Bronski Beat, Culture Club, and many others I remember calling me to the dance floor. But I finally settled on a song that was released in 1980, from a group that bridged the 1970s and the 1980s. That group was the Village People, icons of the disco era. When Victor Willis, Felipe Rose, Alex Briley, Glenn Hughes, David Hodo, and Randy Jones got together to sing, little could hold them back. As the cop, the Indian, the soldier, the leatherman, the construction worker, and the cowboy thrilled audiences with classic hits like "Y.M.C.A.", "Macho Man" "In The Navy" and others. In 198O, they released the title cut from a new album, as well as a movie by the same name. "Can't Stop the Music" was written by Jacques Morali, the mastermind behind the group. But once the boys got hold of it, it was totally theirs! And, before I forget, happy birthday, Randy 'Cowboy' Jones! You can see when you watch the music video for the Village People singing "Can't Stop the Music".



Now I will move on to the next decade, the 1990s. This was another decade with a ton of music I got to listen to, before I made a the tough decision. But I finally decided to go with song from 1992 by the drag queen who continues to set the standard for all, RuPaul. "Supermodel (You Better Work)" was written by RuPaul, Jimmy Harry, and Larry Tee. The song went to #45 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #! on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The music video also took MTV (when it used to play music) by storm, going into regular play on the rotation. While Nirvana and Pearl Jam were ruling the airwaves, one very special drag queen stepped up to be heard. Please enjoy RuPaul singing "Supermodel (You Better Work)".



The next decade once again plunged me into a deep pool of wonderful music, including some of my favorite artists. What tipped the scales for me was the absolute positive message of this song. So I pikced the 2007 release by the handsome Brian Kent, "Breathe Life". It is the title cut off a wonderful album, and a glorious music video, too. The driving beat disguises the love and good offered by the song for only a few seconds. I swear, just playing this song makes my day a little brighter. I hope you feel the same way when you watch the music video for "Breathe Life".



And while my final pick has only a pool of songs that is far short of a decade, I still had more than enough songs to listen to. I had several favorites, but decided to go with Sir Ari Golds latest single and video, featuring "Play My F**kn' Record". The song was first heard off his wonderful album, 'Between the Spirit & the Flesh', Gold worked with filmmaker Francis Legge, and the result was both 2D and 3D version, with include cameo appearances by Michael Musto, Michael Lucas, Peppermint, Meital as Gaga, Jamie Drake, Manilla Luzon, Dwayne Milan, Lovari, Eddy Barrena, MEG, Antonio Minopoli, Sherry Vine & Ari's Mom! Enjoy watching "Play My F**kn' Record"!



Have a great weekend!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Saturday Night Party with RuPaul

rupaul
rupaul

Before there was any Drag Race, before she headed up her own University, RuPaul was the Supermodel of the World and putting out some great music that would fit in the Saturday night festivities for one and all. Take, for instance, Ru's collaboration with Martha Walsh, one of the Weathergilrs, the the magnificent It's Raining Men.



Ru rose to prominence with the fun and enigmatic Supermodel (You Better Work). I have to say that back in the day, I practically wore out my CD. If Ru doesn't celebrate love and fun, I don't know what she could be all about.



And, finally, this video is just so damn fun. This is RuPaul singing Free To Be (Emancipation Remix), and looking damn good doing it!



Have a great Saturday night! For more about RuPaul, check out the Supermodel of the World's official website here.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Welcome Back RuPaul's Drag Race



Tonight at 9PM EST on LOGO, RuPaul's Drag Race returns to television with season two of the reality program. I have a fondness for the show, on many levels. For one thing, how can anyone have anything but love for RuPaul? And then there is the fading memory I have that gives me a tie to the show.


Randy Barbato, and Randy with Santino Rice.

Way back when, in the late 80s, I was working in New York City. I had given up working in the theater because I had bills to pay, and that wasn't getting done. I started working with a sound designer I had known, doing corporate gigs as a line producer or whatever was needed. We often worked with Public Relations firms in the city, and at one of those firms I met a young and handsome guy named Randy Barbato. While working on one of the many unmemorable projects I had at that point, I remember Randy and his talking about needing to leave a bit early to go catch a client of his, a drag queen, at an event downtown - I don't know, it might have been Wigstock or something. He would invite some of us to go, but we always seem to be working. Well, I kinda had a crush on Randy, but found out he had a boyfriend, so I just moved on, and really thought he was a great guy. He didn't want to be doing PR, he wanted to direct movies, and we would talk about it. Soon, the project was over, and I we really never worked together again. A few years later, I purchased RuPaul's Supermodel of the World, and I read Randy Barbato listed as one of the Producers. I thought the name rang a bell, and then I remembered sweet, pretty Randy. He has done much since, but has been with RuPaul for a very long time. That is my big connection with the show - a little tenuous, I know, but mine.




Anyway, to welcome RuPaul and company back, I thought I would revisit some of Ru's music videos, which are certainly worth another visit. In 1992, she had her first hit on the charts when Supermodel (You'd Better Work) moved up the Club Play chart to #2 and #45 on the Pop chart.



The 1996 release Foxy Lady also had a hit song, Snapshot. It was #4 on the Club chart, and in the Top 100 on the Pop chart.



In 2004, there was Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous from the Red Hot album. It secured the #2 spot on the Club chart.



In 2006 RuPaul released a cover of the Depeche Mode song People Are People, from the soundtrack of the movie Zombie Prom



To check out what is coming on season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race, click here. To find RuPaul's official website, click here.

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