Valentine 2015 • Spencer Day • Never My Love

I know Valentine's weekend is coming to a close, but I just couldn't stop. But I do feel as though this might be a good place to stop it. Because Spencer Day is a lot of things, and a finisher might be one of them. For the moment I first heard him singing, I was finished. I was instantly a fan, and will be for as long as he makes music. That first song was "Till You Come to Me", off the album 'Vagabond'. Well, I have purchased a few more since then, and I only get more excited with each one. The latest, 'Daybreak', is a delicious combination of original songs and covers of great records from the 1960s, with just the right amount of Spencer in each one. "Never My Love" was written by American brother Donald and Richard Addrisi, and was best known from as a hit for The Association in 1967. This is the classic song as sung by Spencer Day.

"Never My Love" is featured on Spencer's latest album, 'Daybreak'. You can purchase 'Daybreak' from iTunes, Bandcamp, and Amazon. You can find out more about Spencer with a visit to his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. And I hope you had a great Valentine's Weekend!

Valentine 2015 • Chadwick Johnson • Unchained Melody

As part of my celebration of Valentine's Day, I am offering up some songs from some of my favorite artists. Luckily enough, I am able to pair up one of the greatest love songs ever with one of my favorite vocalists. "Unchained Melody" was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret in 1955. North had written the music for a prison movie, 'Unchained', which is how the song got the name. It was made famous by the recording made by the Righteous Brothers, a world-wide hit in 1965. Fast-forward 47 years, and Chadwick Johnson recorded the song as part of his 2012 release, 'Soul Rising'. I had been eagerly awaiting the release of the album since first finding Chadwick's music after falling in love with his recording of "Intoxicated". His voice is like magic to me, and I could listen to it all the time. Check it out for yourself with Chadwick Johnson singing "Unchained Melody".

I love Chadwick's voice, and can't stop listening to the album. To learn more about Chadwick Johnson, visit his official website. You can also follow him on Twitter, and "like" him on Facebook. You can purchase your own copy of 'Soul Rising' from iTunes or Amazon.

Valentine 2015 • Will Young • Love

In my continuation of the Valentine's lovefest, I offer you a love song from the UK's Will Young. Will was, of course, the first winner of the UK's 'Pop Idol', the brand from which so many artists sprang from, like 'American Idol''s stars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, and others. I was a fan early on, and continued to follow his music. In 2008, Will released 'Let It Go', which included the hits "Changes" and "Grace". And while it wasn't released as a single, I really liked the song "Love". It was the eighth track on the album. This is "Love".

In 2011, Will released the album 'Echos', which is really a great album. Unfortunately, it is not available to his fans in the United States, unless they follow my example, and order it as an export. One of my favorite songs off the album is "I Just Want A Lover", written by Will, Mima Stilwell, and Jim Eliot. And the music video is very cool.

To date, Will has released five studio albums, and every one has been certified at least Platinum in sales. His second, 'Friday's Child', was certified 5 X Platinum! "Love" can be found on Will's fourth album, and you can purchase 'Let It Go' from iTunes and Amazon. And while you cannot buy 'Echoes', you can purchase the music video in iTunes. To learn more about Will Young, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Valentine 2015 • Ian Shaw • Somewhere Towards Love

As part of my celebration of Valentine's Day, I am offering up some songs from some of my favorite artists. Here I will include one I have discovered more recently, with the help of my friend J.D. Doyle of Queer Music Heritage. He recognized my love of Jazz music, and told me to check out the music of Welshman Ian Shaw. I am delighted he did. I fell in love, and could not get enough of his music. I must admit to buying several of his albums, including 'Somewhere Towards Love', a wonderful combination of classic songs and original material. I am very fond of the title track, and was doubly impressed to learn it was written by Shaw. His vocal stylings are so strong, and now I could say the same for his writing. This is the recording of Ian Shaw's "Somewhere Towards Love".

I am particularly fond of this album, as you can tell. But I do love them all, so you just need to check him out! To learn more about Ian Shaw, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can download a copy of 'Somewhere Towards Love' from iTunes or Amazon.

Valentine's Torch 2015 • Julie, Etta, Judy & Barbra

Clockwise: Julie London, Etta James, Barbra Streisand, and Judy Garland. 

It is Valentine's Day, so how could I not choose some of my favorite voices to sing about love? I decided I wanted to go with some live performances, which ruled out a few of them, but that actually made my job easier. I will start with a favorite of mine, as I remember hearing her music while I was growing up. Julie London could be heard playing from stereo when I was young, for my Mother loved listening to her. To this day, it warms my heart to even hear her voice. This is Julie London singing "Let There Be Love", with music by Lionel Rand and lyrics by Ian Grant, published in 1940.

If you are feeling romantic, how can you not think about the great song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, and sung to perfection by Etta James? The song was written for the 1941 musical 'Orchestra Wives', and was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. Nearly two decades later, it was recorded by James, and it became a hit for the singer. This is Etta James singing "At Last".

Next up, I picked a French popular song, with written by Léo Chauliac & Charles Trenet, first recorded by Trenet in 1943. "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?" was a hit in France, and used many times in soundtracks for French films. English-speaking audiences knew it was after new lyrics were written by Albert A. Beach, and it was introduced in 1957 by Keely Smith. That was when "I Wish You Love" became a world-wide hit, with many of the great singers recording their own version. I chose one by the great Judy Garland. She just had a way with songs that spoke to tortured romance, didn't she? This is Judy singing "I Wish You Love".

Finally, I thought I would offer one of my all-time favorites, Miss Barbra Joan Streisand. In a medley that features two spectacular songs, Barbra sand them at her 'Back to Brooklyn' concert recorded in 2012, when Streisand was 70 years old. And damn, she sounds and looks amazing! She is joined by handsome Chris Botti on trumpet on "What'll I Do", a song written in 1923 by the great Irving Berlin. For her second classic song, Barbra adds "My Funny Valentine", from the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical 'Babes in Arms' from 1937. That song was also included on the 1967 release, 'Simply Streisand'. I just couldn't let Valentine's Day go by without including it on the blog. So this is Barbra Streisand singing "What'll I Do/My Funny Valentine" featuring Chris Botti.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine 2015 • Josh Zuckerman • Fall In Love Again

As part of my celebration of Valentine's Day, I am featuring some of my favorite artists. One of them is definitely Josh Zuckerman, the New Jersey rocker whose sexy music has been in my iPod for me to enjoy since first discovering his first album, 'A New Sensation'. I thought I would share with you his music video for "Fall in Love Again", his 2009 single. I love the sparse arrangement of the song, and think Josh looks damn good in black and white. This is Josh with "Fall in Love Again".

To learn more about Josh Zuckerman, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. "Fall in Love Again" can be found on Josh's 2009 release, 'Got Love'. You can purchase 'Got Love' from iTunes and Amazon.

Valentine 2015 • Nhojj • Love

As part of my Valentine's Day celebration, I am offering up love songs from some of my favorite artists. If I were to make a list, Nhojj would certainly appear on it. It was a no brainer to say that his recording of "Love" would be appearing here. There is something so sweet, so sensual about the song, I find it impossible to resist. This is Nhojj singing "Love".

For more about Nhojj, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. "Love" can be found on the album 'Love Songs', released in 2009. 'Love Songs' can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.

Valentine 2015 • Eric Himan • Everything to You

As part of my celebration of Valentine's Day, I am offering up some songs from some of my favorite artists. That list would not be complete without the amazing Eric Himan, who not only has made me spend so much to buy his incredible music, but has also introduced me to many other artists when going to see him play live. Eric is just so talented, so sweet, and so damned handsome, it is hard not to cheer him on. Especially when he is making music like he has on the album 'Gracefully', which I think might be his best album to date. And the latest single is "Everything to You", a fantastic song I can't play enough. It is just so sweet, and so real, I'd like someone to feel that way about me. This is Eric Himan with the official music video for "Everything to You".

"Everything to You" can be found on his album 'Gracefully'. You can purchase 'Gracefully' from iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. To learn more about Eric Himan visit his official website. There you can also check out his touring schedule, and when he will be playing in your neck of the woods. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Valentine 2015 • Levi Kreis • Love Revolution

As part of my Valentine's Day celebration, I am offering up love songs from some of my favorite artists. For me, Levi Kreis was the best thing to come out of 'The Apprentice'. I happened to be watching during season 4, and saw this independent artist featured on a task. I like him so much, I did some research, and soon had his album 'One of the Ones' in my collection. I've been hooked since. With every release, my collection became a little bit deeper. That includes his album released in 2013, 'Imagine Paradise'. It had a higher energy quotient than the previous albums, fusing R&B, Dance and Pop with a light touch. To help celebrate this holiday, I bring you "Love Revolution (Golishevsky Remix)" for your listening pleasure.

"Love Revolution" can be found on Levi's latest album. You can purchase 'Imagine Paradise' from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Levi, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Valentine 2015 • Sir Ari Gold • Love Will Take Over

As part of my Valentine's Day celebration, I am offering up love songs from some of my favorite artists. I have been a fan of Sir Ari Gold since the moment I saw the music video for "Wave of You" on LOGO, and he continues to keep me enthralled with fantastic albums and great music videos. Whether he is making energetic dance, sexy Pop, or touching ballads, Ari never fails to engage me. To help with the Valentine's celebration, I offer you his sexy song, "Love Will Take Over (JKriv Radio Mix)". Ari deftly combines Pop and Dance to keep me moving in my chair, wanting to dance with the sexy singer. This is the music video for "Love Will Take Over".

You can find "Love Will Take Over" on Ari's 2003 release, 'Space Under Sun'. You can purchase 'Space Under Sun' from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. To learn more about Sir Ari Gold, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Valentine 2015 • Garrin Benfield • Be Love

As part of my Valentine's Day celebration, I am offering up love songs from some of my favorite artists. I am a huge fan of Garrin Benfield's music, and have been since I purchased his 2004 album, 'Where Joy Kills Sorrow'. It was my introduction to him, and it still remains near and dear to my heart. There is something glorious about the last track on the album, "Be Love". As a singer, Garrin shows such great control, a perfect complement to his layered music. It reminds me why I fell in love with his music to start with. This is Garrin Benfield with "Be Love".

"Be Love" can be found on Garrin's fantastic album, 'Where Joy Kills Sorrow'. You can purchase the album from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. To learn more about Garrin Benfield, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Valentine 2015 • Tom Goss • What We've Found

As part of my celebration of Valentine's Day, I am offering up some songs from some of my favorite artists. It only seems right one of the first artists I present would be one of my favorites, and could be known as Mr. Love Song. Tom Goss certainly has a way to express his love in his music, often inspired by his husband, Mike. It seems once again Mike is his muse for the song and music video featuring "What We've Found", the latest off his album 'Waiting'. This song is so light, so bright, it seems like the perfect place to begin celebrating Valentine's Day. This is Tom Goss with the official music video for "What We've Found".

"What We've Found" can be found on Tom's latest release. You can purchase 'Wait' from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. You can also buy the physical CD from Tom's online store. Tom mentioned his crowdfunding campaign, and if you'd like to learn more about it or become a backer, visit his Kickstarter page. If you'd like to learn more about Tom, visit his official website. You can also follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook. You can also subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Valentine's Day • 35th Anniversary

Valentine's Day will be celebrated this week, so I thought I would kick off the celebrations with this sweet and charming short by filmmaker Paul Bright. '35th Anniversary' features a charming couple who are about as real as can be. As they are celebrating more than three decades together, their is a comfort and familiarity that can't be missed. This is Paul Bright's '35th Anniversary'.

If you enjoyed this short film, please share it with your friends and family. I know I felt compelled to share it with you here. If you'd like, you can share it with the hashtag #LoveandHeartbreak. To see more of the work of Paul Bright, and his production company Paul Bright Films, visit the official website. You can also watch more on YouTube, and 'follow' him on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook.

Spencer Day • My Funny Valentine

Handsome, talented, and busy, being on tour in the Philippines didn't deter the Jazz stylist from offering a little something special to his fans in time to Valentine's Day. Spencer did a live version of "My Funny Valentine", the great song by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart from the 1937 musical 'Babes in Arms'. Here is Spencer singing the iconic Jazz standard.

To learn more about Spencer Day, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. Be sure to check out his touring schedule, and if he is playing near you, get your ticket early. Seeing Spencer performing live is a treat you will not soon forget. His music is also available online, and you can find it on iTunes and Amazon.

Valentines For Independent Hearts

Clockwise: Jake Walden; Matt Alber; Billy Porter, and Bobby Jo Valentine.

This morning, I brought you a collection of love songs that was heard on mainstream radio in the 1980s, so I thought for tonight, I would venture into the more independent music of some amazing LGBT artists I listen to all the time. And, as you can tell from the pictures above, they also happen to be very handsome, too. And they all deliver these songs like only they can, making it very special, indeed. I will begin with a song written by singer/songwriter Jake Walden for his sister's wedding. He wanted to capture the love of the event, as well as the love he felt for her, all into this song. It was later included on his most recent album, 'Same Something Different'. He also released a music video including images from the wedding. Enjoy as Jake sings "For You Anything".

The next song comes from an artist how continually manages to surpass my expectations. When I first heard Matt Alber's recording of "End of the World", I was blown away. When I first heard him live, I didn't think he could equal that, yet he did, perhaps even topped it. When I heard he rerecorded it, I was excited to hear what he could do with it. When I saw the video of Matt singing it live with the Cello Street Quartet, I was once again astonished. Hit play, and allow Matt Alber to take you away with "End of the World".

Bobby Jo Valentine is a more recent addition to my playlist, having only discovered his music last year. But that has not kept me from falling hard for his music, which has more charm than a Disney parade. His latest release, 'Home' wraps you up warmly in Bobby Jo's voice. With his recently released music video for "Come Back To Bed", there is a wonderful intimacy, both in the performance and the song.

I am a huge fan of Billy Porter, and the final entry is one of the reasons why. Porter is a gifted performer, both in the studio and on the stage. I think most people became familiar with the vocal talents of Porter when he sang "Love Is On the Way", featured in the 1996 film 'The First Wives Club'. It was also on his 1997 album, 'Untitled'. And there is a magnificent live version of the song on 'At The Corner of Broadway & Soul', a truly great album. Here is Billy singing the song live on Rosie O'Donnell's talk show about the time the single was playing on the radio.

You can purchase all these songs online. You can find Jake Walden's 'Same Something Different' on iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon. You can find Matt Alber's 'With Strings Attached' at his online store, and his latest album, 'Constant Crows', on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. You can purchase Bobby Jo Valentine's 'Home' on iTunes and Amazon. You can purchase Billy Porters 'At The Corner of Broadway and Soul' on iTunes and Amazon.

A Valentine From The 1980s

Clockwise: Alison Moyet; New Order; Sade, and Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

So kick off your St. Valentine's Day with a bit of spicy love, I decided to go back into the vaults and haul out some great songs from the 1980s with the word 'love' in the title. Now, there were many, and some I have even used before, so I thought I'd go for a different mix this time out. I will begin with the gorgeous voice of a women first known as the voice of a New Wave group before she flew on her own to be a Pop Princess. I am of course speaking about Alison Moyet, who partnered with Vince Clarke as Yazoo, or Yaz in the United States. After the success of the band with the album 'Upstairs at Eric's', which spawned several solo hits, Clarke and Moyet parted ways, and soon Alison was making solo albums. In 1984, Alison Moyet had a hit with "Love Resurrection", off her stunning solo debut,  'Alf'.

After the break up of the wildly popular Joy Division, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris, were looking to continue to make music together. In 1980 they, along with Gillian Gilbert, formed the brilliant band New Order, who made some great music in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1986, New Order had a massive hit with the song "Bizarre Love Triangle", a song that played everywhere, from the radio to the clubs. This is "Bizarre Love Triangle".

That same year, another British band was coming out with intriguing music, only they both looked and sounded so very different. While there are many theories as to why the band was named Sigue Sigue Sputnik, it was hard not to notice them, with the futuristic look and sound. The six-person group was made up by Tony James, Neal X, Martin Degville, Yana YaYa, Ray Mayhew, and Chris Kavanagh. In 1986, Sigue Sigue Sputnik released the amazing single "Love Missile F1-11".

Just a few years before, another new face and creative force was about to take the world by storm. The the release of her first album, 'Diamond Life', Sade strated with a string of hit songs that showcased her gorgeous looks and amazing voice. But it was in 1988 that she produced one of my favorite songs, "Love Is Stronger Than Pride". It was off her third album, 'Stronger Than Pride'.

Will you be my valentine?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise: Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Alison Moyet, and Dolly Parton.

Valentine's Day is a made-up holiday made popular by greeting card companies eager to sell their wares to the unsuspecting public. We do, after all, live in a world obsessed with love in all it's forms, be it sweet and romantic, or hot and sexually charged. It has all been chronicle in music, in movies, in plays and all forms of art. And one day each year, the world of business celebrates their opportunity to take advantage of it all, and call it Valentine's Day. However, I would prefer to look at how music thinks about love, and so I shall start with some of the diva singers, and pull some songs from 4 different decades. Who better to begin with than Barbra Streisand? I found a video of her singing a song written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, Love Is A Bore. It appeared on her 1964 album People. It was the first of Barbra's albums to go to #1, and the first to be certified Platinum in sales. The song celebrates love with a slightly jaded eye, with a tongue-in-cheek approach. This was recorded in 1967, at her live concert in Central Park.



You can find Love Is A Bore and the album People on iTunes and Amazon.

The next song is a 1991 release from the great Diana Ross. When You Tell Me That You Love Me was written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and is a classic approach to the love song, unlike the previous song. This explains how love lifts us up, and makes us better people. And, of course, we all know that if you want a singer to lift up a song, make it be The Boss...



You can find When You Tell Me That You Love Me and the album The Force Behind The Power on iTunes and Amazon.

Now, we've covered Pop, R&B and soul, so it seems like time to take a look at Country, and the biggest diva on just so many levels is Miss Dolly Parton. While it might be easy to bring out her song I Will Always Love You, and have the late Whitney Houston sing it, I think I will instead visit a different song, and one I have always loved. In 1974, Dolly released the single Love Is Like A Butterfly, off an album of the same name. There is a sweetness in the feeling, and a complexity in the music that I just love. It was Parton's fourth solo single to reach #1 on the Billboard Country chart.



You can find the single Love Is Like A Butterfly on iTunes and Amazon.

And that leaves only the 1980s, and if I was going for a diva in the 80s, I move to Alison Moyet. She was a diva for me, from the time I heard her as part of Yaz, to her solo career, which I followed intently. In 1985, Moyet had a non-album single, written by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher, and sung by Billie Holiday in 1944. She delivered That Ole Devil Called Love with a beauty and simplicity I just love.



You can find That Ole Devil Called Love on iTunes.

So there you have it, four amazing ladies talking about love in four different decades. I'm sure you all have your own favorites from these years, and today it a great day to dust them off and give them a listen. You can listen to these, or make up your own "Valentine" play-list. Just enjoy!

Dark Monday • Broadway Valentine

Clockwise: Annie Lennox, Mandy Patinkin, Chaka Khan, John Barrowman, Daniel Boys, and Ella Fitzgerald.

It is the night before Valentine's Day, so I thought I would pony up to the bar with a few love songs that were from Broadway musicals. But I thought I would offer different interpretations, other than the Broadway cast. I will start out with a fairly famous song, a standard unto itself. It has been sung by many, but few quite like this version, sung by Annie Lennox on New Years Eve 2009. She sings Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man from the 1927 musical Showboat, with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.



This next song is another great song, sung by some great voices in productions. It is a bit harder to sing, so it doesn't have nearly the amount of covers that the first did, but they are pretty special. This is If I Loved You from the Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II musical from 1946, Carousel. It is being performed by Mandy Patinkin in a live show. He blows me away.



The next entry is from the musical 1937 Babes in Arms, and written by the great songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. It is truly one of the great songs in the Great American Songbook, with covers by countless singers. This is My Funny Valentine by Chaka Khan, recorded to be a part of the soundtrack to the 1995 film, Waiting To Exhale.



Then next song was written for a 1943 musical that few people have heard of, Speak Low from the 1943 musical One Touch Of Venus composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash. This is an incredible performance by Ella Fitzgerald and Jazz guitarist Joe Pass.



The song I Know Him So Well was an incredible love song from the 1986 show Chess, music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was sung by the two female leads, about a man who they both loved. I love this version by John Barrowman & Daniel Boys, singing about the man they both loved.



Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day - David Raleigh

I have only recently found the music of David Raleigh, so I have eagerly scoured YouTube looking for video clips of him playing live. I only just found this video of David playing Ready Willing & Able from the album Beginning Again. I really like it, and thought it would be perfect for today!



For more about David Raleigh, check him out online here. You can find him on iTunes here, where you can purchase Beginning Again.

New Music - Aitan Valentine

I was just turned on to a new Los Angeles-based artist I am finding quite interesting at the moment. After getting a heads-up from agent/PR man Bob Bradley, who run Authentik Arists in LA, told me to keep an eye out on this guy named Aitan, I figured it was worth a listen. And I sure am glad I did, cause this gives me [and you] a chance to jump on board with a new talent from the start. According to the note, today Aitan is set to release a special two-song EP just for Valentine's Day. The EP, enticingly called Be My Valentine, can be picked up on iTunes for under $2. You can get it here. Here is a clip of the handsome young man talking about the new release.



While I can't find any video for either song on the EP, I can tell you I've heard both, and they are in my iTunes. Both songs have that so very current Pop singer/songwriter feel, kind of like Bruno Mars, only I really like Aitan's voice. The EP is produced by Stewart Cararas, a hot dude who has worked with many of the American Idol winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Be My Valentine is a sweet mid-tempo ballad, an honest exploration of love. The other song, To The Stars, is the real star of the collection for me. There is something that sounds so very real, so true to the song, I was kinda stopped in my tracks as I listened, and put it on replay to to really allow myself to be bathed with it. It has the feel of the alternative band acoustic song, the One Republic/Ryan Tedder specialty, only sung with real soul. I would highly recommend you buy this song, and get it on your iPod right away.



You can find it on iTunes here. You can also check out Aitan at his official website here.