Turn It Up!: Wilson Phillips - Good Vibrations (Music Video) + The Making Of Dedicated

Going to see Wilson Phillips tonight, so I'm quickly adding the video for their cover version of The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" (Acapella, Three Part Harmony, Gorgeous) as well as the EPK video for the record company promotion of their new tribute album "Dedicated"!

Gonna have so much fun tonight! See you all tomorrow! Maybe I'll be able to get some pics. Fingers Crossed!

Liven It Up!: Tina Turner - Goldeneye (Wildest Dreams Tour 1996)

Take a hit of Tina with your morning coffee! Woke up with this on the radio this morning and I thought, "Ooooooh, what a good one for the blog!" Probably my favorite "Bond" song and, really, who doesn't love Tina???? Just look at those legs! This tour was the first time I saw Tina live and I was, and still am, blown away!

Have a great morning y'all. Heading off to work.

Laugh It Up!: Bill Hader as Stefon (SNL)

ROTFLMAO! All I have to say is HEPRECHAUNS!!!!!!!!!!

Turn It Up!: The Corrs - Runaway (Music Video)

I was extremely enamoured with The Corrs when I was in High School. I mean, not only was I in love with their beautiful music and great harmonies, but is it possible to find a prettier group of siblings with such talent? I don't think so!

Jim, Caroline, Sharon, and Andrea Corr have not recorded a group album since their 2005 album "Home" as they have all been focused on raising their families, but both Sharon and Andrea (who were undoubtedly the most popular of the group) have released mildly successful solo albums during their hiatus.

I hope we'll see them back as a group sometime soon.

Turn It Up!: John Mayer - Shadow Days (Music Video)

Good Morning! I'm starting today off with a song about acceptance of self. We all have past moments that we feel like we regret or that make us question the kind of people we are, but there comes a day when we come to accept that the past doesn't define us as long as we learn and grow from it. Eventually they're all just Shadow Days and John sings about this idea so beautifully.

I love the fact that John has made blues rock mainstream in the great tradition of Jonny Lang and BB King (among many others). I'm saddened that he won't be touring with his new country flavored album "Born And Raised" due to a throat condition that he needs surgery for, because watching him play, not just hearing him sing, but watching him play live is a phenomenal event. His guitar skills are sickening!

I'm just not sure about the long hair though. He looks a bit too much like Johnny Depp (not that that's a bad thing necessarily).

Turn It Up!: Wilson Phillips - Release Me (Music Video)

I've already forewarned my boyfriend that when we see Wilson Phillips in concert this Saturday at Casino Rama, I will lose my shit when they sing this song. I may even cry (not for real, just fake tears to embarrass him further).

This is (without a doubt) my absolute favorite song by these girls. I mean, they don't have any bad songs, but this one is very special to me, because when I was a kid, my family and I used to go to Myrtle Beach for summer holidays and the year this song came out, I remember it being played on the radio what seemed like every hour, becoming the song of the summer. Now everytime I hear this song it reminds me of summer vacations with my family (which is odd because it's quite a melancholy song).

I guess it was the first song I had heard by them, and it was a great way to get hooked. After all these years, their continuous three part harmony from beginning to explosive end, still gives me chills. Stunning!

As I did when I was gearing up for Fiona Apple, I'll probably add a few more video's by Wilson Phillips before the show. Get ready!

PS. Every year when we would travel, there was a song that was constantly played on radio that my siblings and I loved, so I have an entire soundtrack for the summer months. It's mighty nice, and I will add more songs from said soundtrack in the following days and weeks.

What's on your summer soundtrack?!?!

Talk To Me!: Ellen Pompeo On Letterman (2008)

I'm a huge Grey's Anatomy fan and this is one of my favorite interview's with the show's star, Ellen Pompeo. She discusses searching for a house in New York, her early days as a street smart kid in Boston, and of course Grey's!

Seriously, how cute is she?

Turn It Up!: Paul Oakenfold - Faster Kill Pussycat Feat. Brittany Murphy (Music Video)

I've been dying to listen to this song all day, so why not add it? I wish that Brittany Murphy had had the chance to record a full album during her short lifetime. I thought she was such a fantastic actress (well, depending on the movie) and I was happy to hear her sing a tune whenever she was given the opportunity.

The strange thing about Brittany as an actress, was that I always found her the most convincing when she was playing mental patients (ie. Girl Interrupted, Don't Say A Word), and I was surprised that she wasn't a bigger star sooner in her career, because you can pretty much watch any sitcom from the 90's and chances are she guest starred in an episode of it. I thought after her role in Clueless she would have become a household name, guess not.

So anyway, here's a shoutout to the celestial heavens in honor of Brittany Murphy (1977 - 2009). Gone far too soon!

Bonus Material: Adventures In Babysitting (Full Movie)

"Nobody Leaves This Place Without Singin' The Blues!"

This post is really just a fluke, I was only planning on adding the two musical numbers from this movie (the opening sequence where Elisabeth Shue dances around lipsynching to Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals, and when they sing The Babysitting Blues) because it was one of my top 5 fave movies as a kid and still remains one of my top 20 fave movies as an adult. Then I came across the entire movie and I thought... Why The Hell Not?!?! I think you all deserve a treat.

Certainly I don't expect everyone to take 2 hours out of their day to sit and watch this on my blog, but for those of you who ever have some time to spare and are looking for a really funny classic movie from the 80's, it's here if you want it.

Fun Fact: One of my first guy crushes was on Anthony Rapp in this movie (he plays Daryl Coopersmith), who went on to appear in "Dazed and Confused" and originate the role of Mark in the Broadway musical "Rent" and later star in the film version. I thought he was insanely cute. It was a tie between him and Judd Nelson as John Bender in The Breakfast Club. Hmmm, memories!

Starring: Elisabeth Shue (Chris Parker), Penelope Ann Miller (Brenda), Anthony Rapp (Daryl), Keith Coogan (Brad), Maia Brewton (Sarah), and a young Vincent D'Onofrio as Thor.

Turn It Up!: En Vogue - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) (Music Video)

I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that a reunion of the original members of En Vogue is never going to successfully happen (Christ, it took me long enough). Early last year the four founding members of the group Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones, Cindy Herron and Dawn Robinson announced that they had reunited and were working on material for a new album and planning a reunion world tour to support it. They made various public appearances including an hour long episode of A&E's Private sessions, where they performed many of their biggest hits and sat down for a one on four interview about their career and the new project.

Well, it's a little over a year later, and the album that was supposed to drop late last year has yet to see the light of day, and I just read that the girls had conflicts with their record company, are now in legal battles due to a breach of contract and member Dawn Robinson has abandoned the group again apart from the odd concert appearance.

Rather than dwell on what could be, let's remember things as they were with the amazing video for their classic hit My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)!

Turn It Up!: Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend (Music Video)

How I've let this silly little blog go for this long without a single post about Robyn is beyond me. Sorry readers!

I've concluded after many years of my listening to pop oriented music, that this Swedish firecracker is my personal favorite dance pop artist of the new generation. Rihanna, Britney, Christina, they're all great, but none of them quite catch the exuberance and dance club spirit that Robyn does.

I've loved every album that she's released, without exception, and the fact that she basically told Jive Records to go fuck themselves when they weren't clicking with her electro-pop vibe for her self-titled album (2005) and decided to start her own label instead... C'mon, that's beautiful!

As if that weren't enough, the girl performs her ass off like it's her last night on earth, every single time. I chose this video because it's the closest to what you get when you see her live, and the song is magic.

Turn It Up!: Court Yard Hounds - See You In The Spring (Feat. Jakob Dylan)

In 2010, while waiting for their Dixie Chicks bandmate Natalie Maines to muster the motivation to record another album, sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire formed their own duo and recorded songs that Emily had written in the consequent years and monocred themselves as The Court Yard Hounds.

The songs, mainly sung with Emily on lead vocals (she sounds so much like Sheryl Crow it's trippy) were predominantly about different stages of love, but mostly about love lost as Emily was divorcing husband Charlie Robison at the time. The girls toured with different music acts and were even part of that years Lilith Fair tour, but stated that they were in no way retiring from The Dixie Chicks. They just wanted a project to work on until Natalie was inspired to contribute to a new group record. I've heard rumors that all three are currently working on new material.

I hope they'll incorporate The Court Yard Hounds music into their live gigs. I saw them in Toronto with Lilith Fair and they sounded great.

Laugh It Up: Joan Rivers - Before Melissa Pulls The Plug (2006)

Longest video post so far! I love Joan Rivers because she hates everybody...I think that's a simple enough explanation lol. If you ever get the chance to go see her stand up show, I highly suggest you go. She was one of the funniest women I have ever seen live (or you can just watch this stand up special over and over).

PS. If you haven't seen her documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work, go download it or buy it. It's unbelievably funny and moving! She's such an amazing woman.

Talk To Me: Julia Roberts On David Letterman (December 2003)

Great interview with Julia during her promotion of the film "Mona Lisa Smile" (which I adored). I love the chemistry that she and Dave have, and I love watching her bust his balls about having not married his girlfriend after she gave birth to their son Harry (He has, of course, since married her). On top of that they discuss Julia's marriage to Cinematographer Danny Moder, Oprah Winfrey, and her Mona Lisa Smile castmates.

Turn It Up!: Jill Cunniff - Lazy Girls (Music Video)

One of my favorite musical treats to listen to on lazy summer days, is former "Luscious Jackson" member Jill Cunniff's 2007 solo album, "City Beach". Every song on that album (including the first single above) is evocative of this season, and makes me want to take a nap in a hammock, listen to the summer breeze rustle through the leaves and drink a pina colada.

She mentions orange popsicles for God sakes.

Turn It Up!: Tina Dico - Moon To Let (Music Video)

Today I'm kinda in the mood to add a video or two without a lot of chit-chat, as I said when I started this blog, sometimes I'll add videos just because. With this post, the mere fact that I love this song and I think the video is absolutely stunning should be enough.

Tina is from Denmark and she's just a beautifully crafted songwriter. I first saw her when she opened for Teitur in Toronto about 4 or 5 years ago. "Moon To Let, is the newly released first single from her upcoming album "Where Do You Go To Disappear", rumored to be released in September.

Enjoy!

Turn It Up!: Willam Belli - Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A) Feat. Detox Icunt & Vicky Vox

I didn't know what category to put this under, but I decided to put it under "Turn It Up" because as much as I nearly fell over laughing, this is actually a pretty catchy song lol.

Willam Belli (Drag Queen, Singer, Actor and recent contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4) and his two Drag co-horts, Detox Icunt and Vicky Vox, made this Anti-Endorsement video about their complicated relationship with Southern Fast Food chain "Chick-Fil-A". A company that seems to support many anti-gay groups and political agendas, but where the Spicy Chicken and waffle fries are so good, you're willing to become a hypocrite just to taste it.

Set to the music of Wilson Phillips song "Hold On" and featuring a hilarious rap by Detox A La Left Eye from TLC, this is all I'm going to have in my head when I see Wilson Phillips in concert this Saturday. If you don't find this hilarious, there must be something wrong with you!

What did the Girls of Wilson Phillips think of Willam's parody/anti-endorsement? Watch below.

Liven It Up!: Chantal Kreviazuk - Surrounded (Live @ The Rehearsal Hall)

I could have added the music video for this song, but then I thought, why bother? Chantal has always been just as exceptional live as she is on record. Which is why I am so happy she has just released her first live cd/dvd package entitled "In This Life".

For those of you unfamiliar with who Chantal is, she is a Canadian (born in Winnipeg, Manitoba) Singer/Songwriter, classically trained pianist, Juno Award Winner, occasional actress and activist, who shot to international fame with her cover of the John Denver hit "Leaving On A Jet Plane" which was featured on the soundtrack for the film "Armageddon". She has released 5 studio albums, a greatest hits collection and a new live album featuring the Niagra Symphony and co-written some of the biggest hits for artists like Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Mandy Moore and Drake with the help of her husband, "Our Lady Peace" frontman, Raine Maida. The song "Surrounded" was featured on her first studio album "Under These Rocks And Stones" (1997). It was the fourth single from the album, but the first to really gain momentum on radio and receive proper air-play on Much Music.

I first saw her in concert in 1997 when she opened for Amanda Marshall at Molson Amphitheatre (since then I've seen her 6 times), and during that set, "Surrounded" was definitely the first song that caught my attention. The album version is just as dramatic as the live version, but I like hearing the little cracks in her voice when she performs live.

This version is from a television special she recorded around the release date of her 4th studio album "Ghosts Of You" (2006). Enjoy all!

Turn It Up!: TLC - Unpretty (Music Video)

I'm having a bit of a flashback to High School listening to this song.

For some reason I remember this video being a hell of a lot more graphic back in the day. I remember scene's of "Left Eye" driving through a rough neighbourhood with a friend and the windows of the car being shot out by gang members, and an actual visual of the breast implant being ripped out of the girls chest, causing "Chilli" to run out of the doctor's office into the parking lot.

I can understand editing the "Left Eye" scene out, out of respect since Lisa Lopes died in a car accident, but I thought the video was more powerful with those scene's in it. I think "T-Boz" had a story line in the video too but I can't remember what the hell it was. Anyone remember?

Anyway, it's still a fantastic song and a beautiful (if subdued) video, and I really like the fact that "Left Eye" is doing sign language through pretty much the entire thing.

Turn It Up!: Brandy & Monica - It All Belongs To Me (Music Video)

How the hell am I JUST finding out about this?!?! R&B Diva's, Brandy and Monica, have reunited for the first time since they dueted on the mega selling single "The Boy Is Mine" back in 1998, for a new single from Monica's new album "New Life" (2012).

The song is a mid tempo ballad which features the two singing about reclaiming their belongings after leaving their abusive boyfriends behind. Sounds like a continuation of The Boy Is Mine, but instead of fighting over the same guy, they're now fighting over property.

I found it weird at first that they dedicated the song/video to Whitney Houston's memory. Then I read that the two were supposed to premiere the song by performing it live at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party in February but cancelled the performance due to the untimely passing of Miss Houston and it all made some kind of sense. That, and obviously the song kinda mirrors Whitney's tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown.

The song will also be featured on Brandy's sixth studio album "Two Eleven" when it gets it's release on August 28th.

The song is not as catchy or as clever as The Boy Is Mine, but it's certainly nice to see them both performing together again. Their voices blend together so nicely, I think they should do an entire album of material in the future.

Turn It Up!: Mika - We Are Golden (Music Video)

What better way to celebrate the arrival of the weekend, than listening to a bit of Mika?!?!

This video perfectly portrays how I feel when I have my "Parties For One"! Gold Lamé Converse and all!

Happy Friday!!!!

Turn It Up!: Placebo - Running Up That Hill (Music Video)

Today was the first time in a long time that I have listened to a Placebo album. I thought I was only in the mood to hear this song in particular, but once I got listening to their album "Covers" (2003), I just couldn't stop myself.

So obviously, this is a cover song, the original version being by famed piano diva Kate Bush, and while Kate's version is quite upbeat, drum heavy and anthemic, Placebo members Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal decided to slow it down with an atmospheric synth vibe, giving the track a more haunted feel.

As "Q" Magazine described it,

"sounding more like a Pact with the Devil, than the original "Deal with God!""

Some drunk chick at a karaoke bar once told me that my voice sounded just like "The dude from Placebo". PS. My voice sounds nothing like his, but I wouldn't be insulted if it did. Too many Vodka Cranberries make College Chicks lie! Fun Facts! xoxo

Liven It Up!: Lisa Loeb - I Do (Acoustic)

Thank God for Lisa Loeb's Twitter. Every Friday she does a "Flashback Friday" and adds past live performances that are otherwise unlisted on youtube if you were to look them up manually.

I wanted to add today's addition because I'm in a Lisa mood and I love this song from her album "Firecracker".

Picture This: Fiona Apple Live @ Sound Academy in Toronto

This is my last Fiona post for awhile, I promise lol. So, last night was pretty fuckin' awesome (even though it was the hottest day this year and Sound Academy don't seem to believe in Air Conditioning)!

Opening Act: Blake Mills

The night started off with opening act Blake Mills, a great singer who just so happens to be Fiona's guitarist. A very cute guy who had a country/blues kinda vibe going on (somewhat like John Mayer but not really). A lot of people were talking during his set which always drives me a bit crazy. I always love to hear the opening acts at shows because I have found some of my favorite artists that way. Anyway, it left me feeling pleased (because he was really good), and majorly pissed off (because people don't have the same respect for opening acts as I do).

Then around 9:00, on walks Fiona to the opening drum beat of her hit "Fast As You Can", her incredibly thin frame dressed in a white tank top, floor length purple skirt (with floral tattooed stalkings underneath) and a purple thin knit scarf which was abandoned after the first two songs (seriously, it was fucking hot in this room).

She sounded great on every song but the one thing I noticed (and I've noticed this in live video's too) is that her nerves sometimes get the best of her voice and a trembulous vibratto takes over on the more upbeat material. Having said that, the amazing quality of her singing live is that she's able to convey every emotion from tender to rageful during every song.

The setlist included so many of my favorites, and in between taking many pictures (only a few are added here) I made a note of the setlist on my phone lol. Here it is!

Fast As You Can

On The Bound
Shadowboxer
Paper Bag (I was hoping she would, and she did)
Anything We Want
Get Gone
Sleep To Dream
Extraordinary Machine
Werewolf
Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)
Daredevil
I Know
Every Single Night

Not About Love

Carrion

Encore:

Criminal

It's Only Make Believe (cover song by The Hollies)

Anyway, it was a great show, well worth the 16 year wait. If you have a chance to go see her, I recommend it highly.

Turn It Up!: Fiona Apple - Paperbag (Music Video)

Sorry for all of the Fiona Apple posts lately, I had to add this quickly because I am finally going to see her live tonight at Sound Academy in Toronto. I love the excitement of seeing an artist that you've admired for years live for the first time. I have such anticipation of what songs she'll play.





Speaking of songs, this is one of my faves from her second album "When The Pawn...", and one that I'm secretly hoping she will play (among many others). Such a cute video too.

Talk To Me: Björk on Frank Skinner (2001 Interview)

"Well, not from a window..."

One of the funniest Björk interviews I've ever seen (and trust me I've seen some hilarious Björk interviews in my time). Appearing on Frank Skinners talk show in the UK during the "Dancer In The Dark" era, she discusses her apprehension toward accepting her role of Selma in the film, her love of lighthouses, and her childhood pet.

More Björk interviews to come in the future. Trust!

Liven It Up: Paula Cole - Sessions @ West 54th

I was originally looking to post the song "Me" by Paula Cole, but as I went searching for a version of the song on youtube that wasn't low quality, I happened to stumble upon a 4 part live special which contained the songs "Suwannee Jo", "Carmen", "Me" and "I Don't Want To Wait", and naturally I thought this would be so much better.

It's crazy to me to think that each time I listen to one of Paula's albums I think what an incredible life altering talent she has, and yet I don't listen to her as much as I should. I think throughout the years she has been written off and undervalued as an artist because of "I Don't Want To Wait" being used as the theme song to "Dawson's Creek", but if people could move past that fact and listen to the rest of her work, they would see she has some truly amazing songs, not to mention her voice is gorgeous and unbelievably emotive.

All of these songs featured above are prime examples of her work, but "Me" (featured in part 3) is one of my many theme songs (that's right, I'm just like Ally McBeal). It touches the very depth of my soul and makes me feel better when I'm down (I have about 100 theme songs).

"I am walking on the bridge, I'm over the water, and I'm scared as hell but I know there's something better!"

Turn It Up!: Boyzone - Picture Of You (Music Video)

I've been on a Boyzone kick for most of the morning. When I was in Highschool, the Boyband War in North America seemed to be between The Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC, and while I liked both of these groups, I was actually more partial to Boyzone (though they never promoted their music on this side of the pond).

Something about their sound was a bit more appealing to the ear, and I thought they were cuter, particularly the late Stephen Gately who passed in October 2009 from a pulmonary oedema, and whom I had the world's biggest crush on, I was gobsmacked when he died.

This song was featured on the soundtrack for the first Mr. Bean Movie, hence the inclusion of Rowan Atkinson in the video as his famed comedy sketch character, and is one of my faves by the group.

Liven It Up!: Rufus Wainwright - 11:11 (Live In Belgium)

Didn't expect something like this to be my first post about Rufus Wainwright, but I woke up to do a few posts on the blog and I noticed that it had received 1111 views, and it made me think of the song 11:11 by Rufus. Some people think there's a significance to this number, that waking up at 11:11 or seeing the number 1111 anywhere is a sign from above or has some kind of luck attachment to it. I don't know if I believe that myself, but it certainly is fun to see sometimes, and leads to unexpected blogs like this one lol.

Isn't Rufus' voice divine? This is a performance from a festival he sang at in Bruges, Belgium in (I think) 2006. 11:11 is from his album "Want One" (2003). 

This is such a filler post lol.