Happy Birthday, Christopher Dallman!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the talented and sexy singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman. I'd like to kick off the party with a video made by a fan, with pictures of the handsome birthday boy, and music from his Sad Britney EP. This is Christopher Dallman's Toxic.



I'd also like to feature another song with a video made by someone other than Christopher. Made by MarriageNYEquality, who stated "This video was made in protest of California Proposition 8 and to raise awareness about the importance of marriage equality. Anthem is written and performed by Christopher Dallman. This video features Candy Samples and is directed/edited by Fred Anguera. Filmed by Rob Martin, Cristina Wolf and Fred Anguera." Here is a video for Christopher Dallman's Anthem.



Now, I was contemplating what to get him for his birthday, but then it occurred to me what would be perfect. I will wish him salutations of the day today, but next Tuesday, I am gonna buy his new album, Light The Love, and remind everyone else to do the same! So, you can offer Christopher your wishes on Twitter here, on Facebook here, but be prepared to treat yourself to some great music on Tuesday. you know, as a gift for Chris... Not for yourself. Well, kinda for yourself....

The Young Professionals

Break out the credit card and get ready to make a purchase, kids, because the debut album by The Young Professionals, From 9:00 To 17:00 To Whenever is a must have. Like, I-keep-listening-over-and-over-and-still-can't-get-enough good. Like I-hope-they-tour-the-US kind of good. Like Ivri-Lider-will-you-marry-me kind of music. Oh, OK, that is how I feel no matter what, but still. The Young Professionals are Israeli superstar Ivri Lider and top Israeli producer Yonathan Goldshtein, making for a true power-duo. Of course, all you would have to do is check out the video from the song D.I.S.C.O. and you would know just how amazing this all is.



One of the interesting things about the album is the concept, which follows someone from the start of the day on through. With the first song you are waking up, on through to the 14th song, again about waking up, only this tie as a chance for rejuvenation, starting all over again. The title also reminds me a bit of Dolly, as the non-military translation would be 9 to 5. I've listened to all 14 tracks a couple of times now, and I still don't have a favorite - they are all good. Lend and eye and an ear for the video for the song P.O.P.



One of the things I love about this collection is that it seems so very forward in thinking and practice. While there might be an nod to previous eras or times, but the work never seems anything other that forward and bright. You enjoy those videos? Buy the album! To purchase through the online store for The Young Professionals, click here. To purchase the album from iTunes, click here. To purchase from Amazon, click here. You can also visit their online home here.

GLEE Redux - The Purple Piano Project

Honestly, I missed the Season 3 Premiere as I was at a high school soccer match, but just finished watching it, and thought I'd continue to do my coverage of the show, in my own special way. I use the original artists when possible of the songs from the show, but in relationship to the GLEE storyline. Hope you enjoy.

The show opens with intrepid reporter/blogger Jacob Ben Israel vlogging with a vengeance, hitting the kids one by one to establish who are seniors and who are not, and that while Sam and Mercedes dated, he is gone now. It has Finn questioning himself and his future, until a rainbow slushie-facial brings him back to life as a gleek.

We also see Mr. Shuester waking up with Miss Pillsbury, and the inherent sexual tension/frustration in that relationship. Sue is running for political office, and looking for a sure-fire policy to garner votes. Lauren Zizes has dropped Puck and Glee club, cause both were hurting her 'cool factor.' Kurt tries to convince Blaine to join him at McKinley High, cause he misses his boy-toy. Quinn is MIA, only to be found with pink hair, a nose ring and a cigarette firmly in hand, a member of the Skanks. Quinn rebuffs attempts by Santana, Brittany and Rachel to return to Glee.

Mr. Shue gets a donation of some pianos, which he promptly paints purple and plans to place around the school to get the kids singing, and drumming up auditions for the three spots left vacant by Zizes, Quinn, and Sam. Sue is not impressed, and attacks a piano played by Mike & Tina, and insults the kids as well. This inspires her in her political life, and she takes a stand to eliminate all Arts programs in public schools. Mr. Shue is infuriated by Sue's stance. He plans to fight her, and she wants none of it, if it should interfere with her campaign.

The kids are afraid to play the piano in the lunch room, until Finn and Rachel talk them into getting up to sing The Go-Gos' We Got The Beat.



After the joyous performance, a food fight kicks off, and spaghetti flies. The kids are dejected, realizing that failure at the national championships last year has weakened their fragile positions at the school. While they are cleaning up the mess, Sugar Motta, whose daddy donated the pianos, comes in to audition for Glee, saying she was inspired because she was so much better than the kids. She sings Hey Big Spender from the music Sweet Charity.



Not surprisingly, she is terrible. Shue wants to honor the policy that all who apply are in Glee, but the kids want none of it. They have winning on their mins, and she won't make that happen. Shue has lunch with the amazing Coach Beiste, who offers to rough up Sue for him. Shue realizes he has to fight this one himself. "If Sue wants to declare war on the Arts, then General Shuester is about to launch a counter-offensive." Miss Pillsbury is turned on!

Rachel and Kurt, with plans to move to New York and pursue careers in musical theater, get together to prepare for a 'mixer' for a respected Musical Theater school that is nearby. They sing a nice jazz version of Ding-Dong, The Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz.



Cheerio Co-captains Santana and Becky assist Sue at auditions for the cheering squad. Shue and Miss Pillbury show up, and he Glitterbombs Sue while Emma videos it before they take off. Blaine stops by to see Kurt, and soon announces he is transferring to McKinley to be with the man he loves. He sings a very special and sexy version of It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones.



While Santana and cheerleaders dance with Blaine, they are spraying lighter fluid on the piano. As the song ends, Quinn tosses a cigarette on the piano, and it bursts into flames. Kurt and Rachel go to the NYADA mixer, and discover a room full of, well, themselves. Divas and Gay boys explode on them, and are soon performing a number, Anything Goes from the Cole Porter musical, complete with dancing.



The duo are devastated, and are crying in the car in the parking lot. Finally, Kurt shakes himself off and brings Rachel out of her misery. She smiles, and makes him smile too. They will help one another get into NYADA.

Shue is dreading telling Sugar Motta she wasn't a good singer, and can't be in Glee. Miss Pillbury offers her thoughts, including how his strength is making her hot! He tells Sugar, and Sue catches up with him, to say the video of the glitter-bombing added 7 points to her campaign. He goes to Glee, and Blaine joins the group. Finn is upset, cause he thinks Blaine set the piano on fire, but Santana points out it was her and the Cheerios who did that. Shue says it is true, and kicks her out of Glee, and tells her not to come back until she can be loyal to the group. She leaves. Mr. Shue tells the kids he needs their loyalty for them to win Nationals. Rachel announces they will mount a production of West Side Story, and Kurt is running for class president. And like the pianos, who are beaten and worn, the kids might be bruised, but they can still make beautiful music. Rachel gets up to sing You Can't Stop The Beat from Hairspray!: The Musical and is soon joined by all the kids.



Till next week...

REM • Shiny Happy People

Another of my favorite REM videos, I just found a copy I could embed so here it is. It features guest vocals from fellow-Athens, Georgia, star, Kate Pierson of the B52s. Their joyous performance and perfect vocals charm me every time.

REM Calls It Quits

REM announced on their website that the band is pulling the plug after 31 years together. Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry (retired in 1997) came together in 1980. They formed in Athens, Georgia, which had also given the world the B-52s, which would be more than enough for any town. From the start, the band was hard to pigeon-hole, as they brought some aesthetics from different genres, like the attitude of the 70s Punk bands with the sensitivity of the folk bands, with the brash sound of Rock guitar. For many, they defined the term "alternative rock band" like few others have. I first remember hearing them in the early 80s. I was entranced by their early hit, 1983's Radio Free Europe, off their debut, Murmur.



While I am sure there are more than enough puns about their 1987 song It's The End OF The World As We Know It, you can find the video for it and The One I Love in a post here. And the following year, they released a song that still remains one of my favorites, all these years later. In 1988, Stand hit the airwaves, and man, was it charming.



In 1991, it almost seemed like REM was going to take over the world. The reception of Losing My Religion was remarkable, and the video, placing all the quirks of the band and lead singer Michael Stipe front and center with iconic artistic and spiritual imagery had everyone watching it. It was quite startling.



In 1992, the band released the iconic Automatic For The People, regarded by many critics as the best album the band put out. The following year, Everybody Hurts was released. The vocals epitomized Stipe's plaintive cry.



The Monster album was released in 1996. From there sprang the video for Bang And Blame. The sound was a bit heavier on the rock side, and the boys were touting a more mature look. I really liked Monster.



To be honest with you, Monster was the last offering that was on my radar. I know in 1997, drummer Bill Berry retired, as he was having some health issues. But the band soldiered on, never officially replacing him as a member in the band. The slight blip on that radar would be in 1998, with the song Lotus from the Up album.



On the website, Michael Stipe says, "A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it. I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way. We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."



So those were some of my favorite videos/songs from the long career of REM. Above is an early picture of all four, still young and fresh. Left to right, they are Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Bill Berry and Peter Buck. We've watched them as they grew and matured. Below is a more recent shot of the remaining 3 members of the band, Peter Buck, Michael Stipe and Mike Mills. They brought us on that journey with them, through album covers, videos, and concert appearances. Time did not stand still, nor shall it now. It is time for them to all travel their own paths.

X-Factor Premier Tonight!

Judges: Nicole Scherzinger, host Steve Jones, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, & L.A. Reid.

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul are reunited, and I bet it feels so good. I am looking forward to the premiere of X-Factor USA at 8PM/7PM Central on Fox. Will they be able to rekindle the magic they had together during the early run of American Idol? Will the rolling drama camp that is Simon Cowell keep America interested in yet another singing competition?



The series is a raging success in the UK, although it has only produced one winner who has captured the attention of music audiences. The stunningly beautiful Leona Lewis topped season three of the British flagship, and had international success with Bleeding Love. But if you are only going to have one, it might as well be a singer as gifted as Ms. Lewis.



Visit the official website here for more information, news, photos and videos.

Cover Boy • David Geftakys

I present David Geftakys, today's cover boy. He was recommended to me by David Raleigh, and musicians seldom lead me astray. The California boy certainly didn't break that trend, for his music has charmed me, including his Crash Into Me by the Dave Matthews Band. There is a sweetness and vulnerability in his vocals, and a real strength in the guitar. David, of course, is responsible for both. Check it out.



Geftakys has some really nice music out at the moment, and I hope to get to it very soon. And did I mention he is pretty damn hot for a straight boy? For more about David Geftakys, you can check out his official website here or on Twitter here.