Dark Monday • Sex Is In The Heel

On April 4, 2013, 'Kinky Boots' debuted on Broadway. The musical featured music and lyrics by the incomparable Cyndi Lauper, and a book by the great Harvey Fierstein. The cast was also stellar, with Stark Sands, Annaleigh Ashford, and the outrageously talented Billy Porter. To top it all off, it was both directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. It stole many a heart during the early run, including from several critics. When it came time for the Tony Awards, the show took home six trophies, including one for Mitchell for his choreography, and for Best Musical. Porter took home a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical, and Lauper took one for Best Original Score. In fact, Cyndi was the first woman to take home the Tony as the sole contributor to the score.

The show was inspired by the 2005 film, which was, in fact, inspired by a 1999 documentary about a man's attempt to save a family business. The storyline remained, as Charlie, played by Stark Sands, inherits the family shoe company, and tries to figure out a way to save the failing business. He meets Lola, a drag queen with plenty of style played by Billy Porter. Soon, Charlie asks Lola to help him design a line of footwear for the drag market. In one song, Lola explains to Charlie her philosophy of she design. This is Billy Porter singing "Sex is in the Heel" from 'Kinky Boots'.

I love the album, and it is a great addition to my iTunes playlist. You can purchase the Original Broadway Cast Recording of 'Kinky Boots' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about the show, and to find out the schedule for the Broadway production and the upcoming US tour, visit the official website. You can also 'follow' 'Kink Boots' on Twitter, and 'like' the fan page on Facebook.

Jeffery Straker • Time After Time Cover

Canadian songster Jeffery Straker has taken to YouTube to entertain his fans, which would include me. Now, I love his original music, but to keep us happy, Jeffery has released a few cover songs, and I't like to take the opportunity to share them with you. First up, his most recent release was is cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time". The song was written by Lauper and Rob Hyman, a member of one of my favorite bands, The Hooters. It was a mega-hit off her debut album, 'She's So Unusual'released 30 years ago this month. Cyndi's recording went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, and was certified Gold in sales, as well as being a part of the Six-times Platinum album. Here is Jeffery Straking singing "Time After Time".

"Titanium" was written by Sia Furler, David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, and Nick Van De Wall, and was recorded by Guetta with Sia as featured vocalist. The song was a bold Dance song that crept into the Pop charts, making it to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified double-Platinum, and seemed to be everywhere, in the clubs and bars, and on the radio. When I saw Jeffery had covered the song, I was excited, not knowing what to expect, but looking forward to hearing, nonetheless. And I can tell you, he gave me all I could want, and more. His voice is wonderful, and he gives me the emotions I needed, and some great honesty. This is Jeffery Straker singing "Titanium".

As I said, I am a big fan of Jeffery's music. You can purchase his latest release, 'Vagabond', from iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. To learn more about Jeffery Straker, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

30 Years Ago • UB40, The Motels, Huey Lewis & Cyndi Lauper

Clockwise: The Motels, UB40, Cyndi Lauper, and Huey Lewis & the News.

In search of inspiration, trying to come up with a post for this evening, I took to the web. As I ambled through a few halfhearted topics, I decided to look at the music that was being released 30 years ago. When I looked at the music of the day, I was impressed by the diversity that was being released over the period of about 30 days. From Johnny Cash to Alice Cooper, all kinds of music was being made and released. But I will pick some of my own favorites from that period, music I was likely to purchase and listen to. I will start with a British band who combined Pop and Reggae in a new way. UB40 had great success in the UK, but it was with their September 12, 1983 US release of 'Labour of Love' that they saw gold in the States. The album went double-Platinum in the US, and the lead single, "Red Red Wine", went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Neil Diamond, who also put out the first recording. But it was UB40 who had the greatest success with their Reggae take on the song. Please enjoy as UB40 sing "Red Red Wine".

Back in the early 1980s, i t seemed like Huey Lewis & the News could do no wrong. In 1982, they started appearing on the charts with songs like "Do You Believe In Love", and and soon were everywhere. With the September 15, 1983, release of 'Sports', the band took it to a new level. The album, which went to #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, contained five Top 20s singles, four of which made it to the Top 10. The second of those was "I Want A New Drug", a song written by Lewis and lead guitarist Chris Hayes. The song went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the video was on regular rotation on MTV, back in the days the station was in the music forefront. This is the official music video for "I Want A New Drug", the great song from Huey Lewis & the News.

In 1982, The Motels had a huge success with the song "Only The Lonely", off the album 'All Four One'. The song combined the rocky edge, but still had an amazing vocal from singer Martha Davis. On September 16, 1983, they released the album 'Little Robbers', and the lead single was their second hit, "Suddenly Last Summer". Both hits were written by Davis, proving her to be a great talent. In fact, both songs made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to fans eager to hear more of the music. This is the official music video for The Motels song "Suddenly Last Summer".

In October of 1983, there was an unexpected surprise for many who loved music. Portrait Records, a sister company of EMI, released an album from a 'kooky' young girl who certainly captured the attention of the public. Cyndi Lauper was her name, and on October 14th, 'She's So Unusual' was released. Lauper, with her multi-hued hair, her Brooklyn accent, and her bold vocals kept everyone guessing what she would do next, and seldom were they right. Her first hit was "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", a song written by New Wave Rocker Robert Hazard. The song was an international hit, on or near the top of music charts everywhere. The song went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and introduced everyone to the immeasurable talent of Lauper, who this year won a Tony Award for her writing of the music for "Kinky Boots" on Broadway. But 30 years ago, the world was just getting to know Cyndi Lauper through the music video for "Girls Just Want To Have Fun".

I hope you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, looking at the music just being released thirty years ago! If you loved the music, you can still find it all on iTunes and Amazon, as well as on YouTube!

Ivri Lider • Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

Since I mentioned my new British boyfriend on Wednesday, I was of course reminded me of my Israeli boyfriend, the gorgeous and talented Ivri Lider. I have been a huge fan of Ivri since I first heard his brilliant theme song to 'Yossi & Jagger', a wonderful movie by Israeli director Eytan Fox. It wasn't until I checked out his music that I realized Ivri was such a hot man, and due to be a future husband. And he happens to be the biggest male star in Israel for the last decade or so. And he is also an out and proud gay man. What's not to love?

Well, Ivri has made a bunch of music over the years, including some fun covers. One was a cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", only his was, of course, "Boys Just Wanna Have Fun". There is certainly that certain something added by Ivri, and in the video below, there is a fun group known as the Bee-Boy Dancer Crew, shaking their groove thing who made this video. Enjoy.

Get ready to start your weekend!

Dark Monday with Billy Porter

Now I have to admit something right off the start here. I have a big crush on Billy Porter, and when he sings, it gets even worse. Many will remember him as the singer for "Love Is On The Way", the theme to 'The First Wives Club', starring Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler. But he is also a star in the theater, having been featured in some of the great musicals of our time. He's been featured in show such as 'Grease!', 'Ghetto Superstar (That Man That I Am)', 'Topdog/Underdog', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Dreamgirls' and 'Angels In America'. He is currently working on the production of 'Kinky Boots', the musical with music and lyrics by the fabulous Cyndi Lauper and a book by the great Harvey Fierstein, due on Broadway in 2013. He will, of course, be playing the role of Lola, the drag queen who saves the day for a shoe factory that has lost it's way. While I do regret never having the chance to see him perform live so far, it hasn't stopped me from adding the music he has released so far to my collection.

Sadly, his performance of the great song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for Liza Minnelli, "And The World Goes 'Round", has yet to be recorded, but thankfully, it was caught on video from a performance at Joe's Pub in New York City. The song was written for the Soundtrack to the 1977 film musical, 'New York New York', starring Minnelli and Robert De Niro, and directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie centered on the troubled relationship of Big Band singer Francine Evans and musician Jimmy Doyle as they explored love and lost their way. One of Francine's hit songs was "And The World Goes 'Round". Here is Billy Porter giving his own take on the song.

When I listen to his brilliant 'At The Corner of Broadway and Soul', an amazing live recording that soars, I swear I hear the angels singing background for him. He sings many of the great songs by some of the great composers of musical theater, including one of my favorites. He does and incredible version of "Sunday" from the musical 'Sunday In The Park With George' by the great Stephen Sondheim. While the following clip is not from the performance captured on the live album, it is a performances with the Broadway Dreams Foundation, performing arts training program. With a faculty made up of talented Broadway stars, casting directors, choreographers and agents dedicated to giving back to the theatrical community, to provide invaluable training to anyone who aspires to a career in musical theater.

The work he did with those kids was amazing, wasn't it? Billy's brilliant album 'At The Corner of Broadway and Soul' can be purchased and downloaded from iTunes and Amazon, and can order the physical CD from CD Universe. For more about Billy Porter, 'like' his page on Facebook.

Contemporary Blue

Clockwise: Alison Moyet; Trio, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton & Emmylou Harris; Cyndi Lauper; and Bette Midler.

Sometimes a modern-day girl can get the blues, you know? I know I've featured singers from the 1930s and 40s on Saturday nights, but this collection of ladies proves that the blues haven't gone away. And every woman has a right to sing the blues. I will begin with the woman who actually was the inspiration for this post, Alison Moyet. I have been a fan of Alison since her days recording with Vince Clarke in Yazoo. Once they both moved on, I continued to love her solo music, and the 2004 album The Voice was no exception. The album was a collection of smokey songs sung form the heart. She included a song written by Declan Patrick MacManus, someone we might better know by his stage name, Elvis Costello. "Almost Blue" is a gorgeous song, and Moyet delivers it perfectly. Here is a live performance of the song.



Sadly, if you are in the US, you can only find The Voice as an import, and no downloads. I was insane for the music put out by Trio, a project combining the talents of Dolly Parton, Emylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. Their voices were spectacular together, and the music they sang was a perfect combination of nostalgia, Country, Bluegrass, and Pop. One of the songs they sung was the fantastic "I Feel The Blues Moving In", written by Bluegrass legend Del McCoury. This was on their Trio II album.



You can find Trio II on iTunes and Amazon. Honestly, you can buy the 1987 Trio album, or the 1999 follow-up, and you will be very happy. Next up, we move to a song recorded for an album released in 1972 by Bette Midler. She was just starting out her career, and really beginning to turn the heads of people in the industry. And not just for her outrageous live performances, but because her talent was just so obvious, it would not be denied. It is impossible to deny her recording of "Am I Blue", a song written by Harry Akst and Grant Clarke in 1929, is fantastic, and still sounds perfect forty years later.



You can find The Divine Miss M on iTunes and Amazon. For the final song tonight, I call on a singer who is really a national treasure, at least in my book. Cyndi Lauper came to the attention of the world in 1983 with the release of She's So Unusual, the album that introduced her to us all. Whether it was "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" or "True Colors" or "Time After Time", all of which Lauper had a hand in writing, she showed herself to be a great artist. Fast-forward twenty-seven years, and Cyndi is still blowing us away with the release of Memphis Blues, a brilliant collection of blues songs recorded in Memphis. The album was almost unanimously listed as one of the Top 10 albums of the year by music critics world-wide. She recorded "How Blue Can You Get", a song credited to jazz critic Leonard Feather and his wife, Jane Feather, although many believe it was just Jane. A blues classic, the song has ben recorded by the greats, including BB King. Once again, Cyndi proved her talent was endless, as she sings the song with the great Jonny Lang.



You can find Memphis Blues on iTunes and Amazon. If you don't have it, you should!

Patti LaBelle & Cyndi Lauper Make Sweet Music

It is tough for me to think of a more unlikely duo than the soulful Patti LaBelle and the quirky Cyndi Lauper. But as soon as they give voice to the song, you realize you have sold both far too short. Patti uses her remarkable instrument in ways few can. Cyndi might have that odd sound to her voice, but when she lifts it up, she creates a breath-taking music. Here they are appearing on a show Patti had back in 1985. Enjoy as they sing Patti's great hit, "Lady Marmalade."



It seems that turnabout is fair play, and soon the duo is tackling an early hit by Lauper, "Time After Time." I think it is rather brilliant the way they play off one another, and create an interesting jazz-infused version of the Pop classic. Give a fresh listen to "Time After Time."



Hope you are looking forward to the long weekend!

GLEE Redux • I Kissed A Girl

Clockwise: Cyndi Lauper; Dolly Parton; Katy Perry; Pink; Melissa Etheridge; and kd lang.

The show opens in Principal Figgins' office, as Santana is being held accountable for slapping Finn last week. When a 2 week suspension is discussed, Finn explains he was never really hit, and everyone was fooled by a stage slap. Afterwards, when Santana wants to know why he lied, he explains he thinks she is fabulous, but spends part of the time hiding it. And he wants the New Directions and the Troubletones to work together to prepare for sectionals. Part of that is them all celebrating Lady Music Week, when everyone will prepare songs sung by ladies, for ladies. Rachel is worried that Kurt will not be able to win the election, as Brittany is bribing voters with Pixie Sticks. She talks to Kurt, who suggests he might need to cheat to win. He suggests, like JFK, he might need to stuff the ballot box. Rachel tries to convince him it won't be necessary.

Coach Beiste talks about how stretched she was, with the election coming, and her infatuation with Cooter. Mr. Schue and Ms Pillsbury offer her help with the election. It is then we learn that Coach's idea of a date is pumping iron with the hunk. Back in the Glee room, Kurt and Blaine are the first to sing Lady Music, and they dedicate Pink's F*kin' Perfect to Santana.



Sue wants a man. Although she might seem to live a lesbian existence, she wants a man. And hopes, of course, it will help her election results. While going through her list of men, she bypasses Matt Lauer, a Baldwin brother, and Dan Quayle. But she decides on her next lover... Quickly, we are in the Glee room, and Puck sings Melissa Etheridge's I'm The Only One.



Puck sings the song, staring at Ms. Corcoran, but dedicates it to Santana to divert attention. Quinn flirts with Puck, and wants Puck to come over. He turns her down, saying she is kinda crazy and scary, and he would rather 'raw dog a beehive.' In the hallway, Finn tells Santana he loves he, he really cares. If something happened, he would not forgive himself. He sings Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun.



After Coach Beiste catches Sue and Cooter on a date at a restaurant she is shaken. At the gymnasium, while the voting is going on. Sue is making out with Cooter, obviously rubbing it in Coach's face - Becky delivers a Polaroid, saying just that. Mr. Schue tells her to be patient, for when Sue loses the election, things will be different. Coach Beiste sings Dolly Parton's Jolene.



Santana is hit on at her locker by some Rugby ass, thinking she just hasn't found the right man yet. Santana starts to say something, but is joined by Rachel, Quinn, Mercedes, Tina and Brittany, who all girls sing Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl.



Santana came out to her family, and they were okay with her. She just needs to talk to her abuela, hopefully before she sees the commercial. Principal Figgins comes in the Glee Room, and needs to see Kurt. Kurt's father is in the office, and we learn he is leading the exit polls over Sue. And we learn Kurt won the election, with more votes than students. Figgins thinks Kurt did it. He is crushed, and ran to talk to Finn and Rachel. After he leaves to find Blaine, Rachel admits she did it, for she wanted him to win so bad. Finn tells her to turn herself in, but she doesn't think she can...

Math class. Quadratic equations. Puck answers correctly. Everyone is stunned. He explains he has math covered, doing his own books for his pool care company. And he is like the beautiful mind guy, without all the crazy. But he is called out of class, and rushes to Ms. Corcoran. It seems Beth had a fall, and is at the hospital. He halds Shelby, and helps her through it. After they have sex, she asks him to leave, and he is not happy as he storms out. His feelings are really hurt. Santana has a talk to her Abuelita, her grandmother. She tells her how she only discovered love with Brittany, and her inner war to express herself. Her grandmother asks her to leave, and to never contact her again. Santana is crushed.

Quinn and Puck are making out, and Puck pulls back when he remembers he doesn't have a condom. He is shocked when Quinn wants to go forward, and have another baby. She wants to replace Beth with a new one. He tells her he understands how she has had it rough to three years now, and wants to be there for her. He sees her someplace warm, sunny and glamorous. Like Miami, Los Angeles, or Toronto. They lay there spooning, and Puck decides to share a secret of his own... Sue discovers she lost the election. In fact, she finished in third, out of three candidates. Coach Beiste walks in to ask where the relationship between Sue and Cooter is. Sue She tells Cooter she loves him, and will fight for him. Cut to the Glee room, and we find out Mr. Hummel won the election, and Kurt lost to Brittany. Rachel is not there, and Finn mentions she has something to do. Soon, Santana sings kd lang's Constant Craving.



She is joined by Ms. Corcoran, thinking about her relationship with Puck. They are also joined by Kurt, who is thinking about his dashed hopes to attend NYADA. And as the trio sing, we see a distraught Rachel walking in the hallways. After the song, she arrives at the choral room. She has an announcement. She told Principal Figgins she tried to fix the election, and was being suspended for a week. And that she was banned from competing at Sectionals. Oh no!

In a preview for next week, we see that Sam will be making an appearance, and a scantily dressed one at that!

Cyndi Votes!

What a woman, that Cyndi Lauper. Gotta love her!

Cyndi's Still Unusual, And Great!

She's still gorgeous, still having fun, and still gives a damn. Gotta love Cyndi Lauper! Here she is on a recent appearance on ABC's Nightline to talk about herself just a little.



Here, she talks about her latest album, Memphis Blues. It is available for purchase now on iTunes, and you can get it here.



Check out her official website here. Here is a promo video for the new album. I don't have it yet, but will. She's supported us for so long, seems the least I can do is spend $10 on her album. Especially since it is a Cyndi Lauper album, and will be great!

Daniel J. Cartier - Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper Cover)

I have been a fan of Daniel J. Cartier for several years, after stumbling across his music online. his original music tends to really speak to me, that is for sure. But when the man does a cover of a song he really likes, he truly makes it his own, breathing emotion and intensity one would expect, and then some. Damn, the boy is talented. Here is Daniel singing Cyndi Lauper's amazing Time After Time.



For more information about Daniel, check out his official website here.