Happy New Years From Me and Miss Coco Peru!!!!

"I have the joy in my heart. I have one word for you two.... Wait!"

Hello my lovely readers! I hope you have all been well. I know I have had sporadic gaps between posting this year, but when I started this blog, my intention was to only post when the muse struck me. Having said that, this last gap was more forced than voluntary because my computer crashed and I was without a fast acting pc until now. I want to thank those who have stopped by, commented, or taken any kind of interest in my silly little blog, and wish you all a very Happy New Year.

I add this video, because I love Miss Coco Peru, and find her absolutely hysterical. I first fell in love with her when I saw her in the movie "Trick" (1999), and I could just listen to her talk for hours on end!!!!

I raise a cup of "Tension Tamer Tea" to you all lol.

Turn It Up!: Lady Gaga - Applause (Music Video)

  "Pop Culture Was An Art, Now Art's In Pop Culture In Me!"

 Well, it's almost time my lovelies! In a weeks time the new Lady Gaga album ARTPOP officially gets released, and you all are either very excited, or mortified beyond belief and wish she would just go away lol. I happen to fit into the group of you who are forever on the fence about her. I love her to a point, I think she's really creative and fun to watch, but there's a certain pretentiousness about her that often rubs me the wrong way (We Get It Gaga, You're An ARTIST!), but the thing is, I think she's fully aware of this side of her and is often annoyed by it also, so that's what keeps me coming back. My only other issue is (and this is kind of indirectly about her) when people (namely fans) take a singers stance out of context. Gaga is obviously of the motto of let your freak flag fly, which I fully support, but when fans take that to mean that they can present themselves or carry themselves in a manner that is right for them, but makes them non-inclusive to other people, that is just fucked up in my opinion. There has got to be a way in which you can be the most fully realised version of yourself without being a selfish prick to others, because then, you are no better than the people that oppressed you. I'm not really articulating it right, but if you know what I mean, then you know what I mean.

 So, let's get back to the music, that's why you're here. This is (if you've been living under a rock) the first single from ARTPOP. I originally didn't think much of the song until I saw the video, which, according to quotes from Gaga, is exactly the point of this album. The visual side of her craft is just as big a part of this project as the auditory side. The video, directed by Inez & Vinoodh who have worked numerous times with artists like Bjork and Antony Hegarty of Antony and The Johnsons, features Gaga in various circus performer outfits and many different shape shifting persona's (as well as her homage to Botticelli's "Birth Of Venus"). The lyrics are not just about her need for adulation but also an artists need for an audience. Does art exist if there's no one there to see, hear, smell, touch or taste it?

 'Applause' is a very meaningful song to me, because it addresses what many think of 'celebrities' today, that we 'do it' for the attention. But some of us are 'artists' in this group called 'celebrity,' & what we create doesn't live on unless there's an audience to remember it. So I may need your attention at first, so I can sing you my song. But its the 'Applause' after that let me know if I've entertained you. Entertainment makes people happy, I live for the 'Applause,' to know I've spread that. I live to hear you cheer, to just be a part of that.I believe in show business. The 'Applause' is what breeds that thing that I love. When I know I've made you happy. When I know it was good.'

 As well as this song, Gaga has premiered probably half the album by now, by releasing them in video form (a lyric video for the song Aura, and audio videos for the songs Venus, and Do What You Want feat. R Kelly) or performing them live (see the iTunes Festival performance). I personally have been intrigued by all of these songs and am looking forward to finally hearing the finished product from start to finish, so I guess whatever she's doing, it's working.

 Game well played Gaga!

Turn It Up!: Mariah Carey - #Beautiful Feat. Miguel (Music Video)

  "Don’t Stop ’Til You Thrill Me, Oh How You Thrill Me!"

 I thought I already added this, but I guess I was wrong. I think this is the best single Mimi has come out with in quite a while. It almost has a 60's pop sound, and let me tell you, having just gotten back from a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC, it is the perfect song to listen to while sunbathing by a pool surrounded by palm trees. 

I've said this before, but I love Mariah for 2 reasons, I genuinely think she is incredibly talented (although a bit conceited at times) and also, because she is bat shit crazy. Just take a look at this video, dancing around and flashing her coochie to Miguel in a barn full of chandelier's. I gotta say though, she works every inch of that body of hers. Looking majorly fierce!!!!!!

 The song is expected to be a part of Mariah's yet to be released, 14th studio album "The Art Of Letting Go", which has had many release dates thus far, but is currently set for release in early 2014, but the title track and second helping from the album will be making it's world debut on November 11th.

 I was toying with which version of the song to add to the blog, the regular of the explicit, but I decided to go with the regular one, because the video for the explicit version of the song doesn't have the scenes with Mariah on the motorcycle in the black leather short shorts, and let's face it, we all need black leather short shorts in our lives. Here's a link to the explicit version though.

 I'm too good to you! ;~)

Turn It Up!: Cher - Woman's World (Music Video)

  "Tell The Truth, This Is A Woman's World!"

 I've been on such a Cher high for the past month, you wouldn't believe how much I've been listening to her. And why not? She recently released her 25th studio album "Closer To The Truth", which is an absolutely incredible piece of work (you're really doing yourself a disservice if you don't have it yet), and the legendary Diva has also announced her latest tour venture (despite her previous 2 year long Farewell Tour back in 2002) which is set to start in 2014, entitled The Dressed To Kill Tour. This boy has his ticket, do you? 

Woman's World was the first single from the album, and though it leaked online in September of 2012, the single didn't officially get released until June of this year. It was worth the wait for this amazing song of female empowerment. The video (directed by Ray Kay) was released on August 20th and features Cher in many a fantastic wig (one made of shredded newspaper clippings, one made of wheat, and one particular wig that Cher has admitted she doesn't care for) while her body is mixed and matched with various other women's. 

Just a word about my love and respect for this woman. I first fell in love with her when I saw the movie Mermaids when I was about 14. I loved that movie so much, her relationship with Winona Ryder in that film was just so funny and (although heightened) very relatable. The teenage angst you feel towards your parents as a teen were perfectly highlighted in that film. Then, my best friend Dean showed me the movie "Mask" and that was it, I was transfixed forever. So, it's safe to say that I fell in love with Cher as an actress first and then the music came after. The first song I heard by her was probably The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) but I remember vividly, hearing the song "After All", her duet with Peter Cetera on the radio quite often when I was a kid, and loving it to pieces, but I just didn't know at the time who sang it. So, my first Cher album was a Greatest Hits album (1965 - 1992) that I bought while on vacation in Scotland. It had 15 hits on it and I became obsessed. She didn't sound like anyone else, her musical style was always changing, her looks (for the most part) were always amazing and flawless (there are obviously a few exceptions lol) and of course, once you watch her in interviews and/or read about her life and career (Read her book "The First Time")and realize, that's she's just about the funniest and most down to earth and straight forward human beings there is, it's hard to not get caught up in the dark ladies spell.

 So, thank you Cher, for touching my heart and soul with your many amazing performances throughout the years (both in film and in music) and here's to an amazing tour ahead! Can't wait til April!!!!!!!!

Turn It Up!: Melanie B - For Once In My Life (Music Video)

  "Wanna Rise, Feel The Rush, Wanna Free Fall Through The Night, Cuz Tonight I'm Unstoppable!"

 Sorry I've been away for so long everyone, I've just been finding it hard to find the time to post things. I've got a lot of catching up to do. I have many posts to come, I just hope I get to them all!

 I figured this is the best song to return to the blog with, not only because it's Mel's first single in 8 years, but also because the first line is "I've been gone, in the dark, in the shadows", and I have! As I said, this is Melanie B's hot new single "For Once In My Life", it's a one off single that Melanie wrote during the course of judging America's Got Talent. She admitted that watching the various contestants on the show lit a fire in her to return to her passion for writing and performing her own music. Hopefully she's been bitten by the bug enough to give us more ear candy like this. The former Spice Girl is currently without a record label or music management, but she has confessed that she may release more music independently the way this one came about.

 The video for the song was shot in one day on the former Desperate Housewives set of Wisteria Lane, and depicts the message of letting loose and being free as Mel strips off her work clothes and works her way through the neighbourhood playing double dutch, sneaking into a house party (where she ends up kissing herself, Yes Diva!) and ends up having a party in the street with her posse. Mel stopped by the Ellen Degeneres Show, during her day of shooting and received a few wardrobe choices for the video. See the interview below. (You can actually see a few people wearing the orange Ellen Degeneres hats in the music video).

Welcome back Scary Spice! Can't wait to hear what's next. I hope you'll eventually release the song "Lip Locked" from your reality show!

Picture This: Toni Braxton Live @ Casino Rama August 2013 (Review)

Forgive me if this review turns out a little muddled, but I woke up this morning with a wretched head cold. A small price to pay for the great time I had last night.

It's no secret that I'm an avid concert go-er, and for no good reason (other than my own neurotic need for live music) I'll frequently go on Ticketmaster and type in venues just to see who's playing and who I can afford to go see at the time. I usually narrow my scope to artists who I've admired for awhile, but whom I've never seen live before (unless they're one of my top favourite artists, then it's a must go), and Casino Rama is a great venue for these kinds of artists. So when I went through the Casino Rama lineup and saw Toni Braxton's name, the buzzers in my head went off and I immediately said "I'M GOING!" Of course, I asked Chris if he wanted to go and as soon as I said "Un-break My...." he said "Hell Yes!"

So last night we trekked our asses over to Casino Rama for the show, and let me tell you, she did not disappoint. Before the show even started, I was contemplating what songs she would sing, how she would be wearing her hair, and what kind of gorgeous outfits she would be wearing. As the band walked on stage, I was fully unprepared for the insanely interactive show I was about to witness.

She sauntered on to the stage in a gorgeous light pink dress with her long brunette locks lightly curled and seductively falling to her bosom, and with her deep, sultry alto voice began to sing a condensed acoustic version of her most recent single "I Heart You". Her voice was pitch perfect and maintained the dramatic flare that she has become known for. Singing luscious and deep and then swinging up into belting growls on passionate choruses and finishing off with impressive (sometimes falsetto) runs and trills. She joked throughout the evening about her voice, admitting that R Kelly once told her that her voice reminded him of Elvis.

After the first song, she had become bored of the pink gown (already) and as her back up singers (two of her sisters, Trina and Towanda) vamped on stage, she changed into her second show stopping outfit, a black embroidered nude bustier with a black satin tie around skirt which she often manipulated to expose (what can only be described as) legs for DAYS! After revisiting the songs How Many Ways, Seven Whole Days, and You Mean The World To Me from her debut album, it came time for her first bit of audience interaction when she plucked 2 fans out of the audience to help her sing Another Sad Love Song (also from her debut).

Audience participation became a big part of the show from that moment on. Singing a medley of songs chosen by the audience, inviting 2 couples up on stage to slow dance while she sang her classic hit "Breathe Again" for their anniversaries (which also prompted a solo fan to walk up on stage and slow dance with Toni while she sang it), inviting a group of male fans up on stage to show their smoothest dance moves while she performed "You're Makin' Me High" (reminded me of the music video when she had the elevator judging process), and finally coming down into the audience herself to seductively sit on male audience members laps and vamp with them while improving some new lyrics to the tune of I Heart You.

During the show, Toni confessed to the audience that she has been living with the disease lupus for a few years now (this has been public knowledge for awhile, but I had no idea), and she was told during a particularly bad flare up that she would never be able to sing or perform the way she used to, again. She has certainly proved them wrong, because she was playful, foxy, in fine voice and gorgeous this night. She of course thanked God for all his blessings, the fans who have supported her, and above all her family. Three of her sisters were in attendance last night (2 of them singing back up as I said) and after a little video montage of their reality show "Braxton Family Values", she handed the stage over to her sister Trina to perform her new single "Party Or Go Home".

The only negative things I can say about the show was, 1) Chris and I had very chatty girls behind us (which pissed me off, especially during ballads (one was a white girl pretending to be black, I thought white guys pretending to be black was bad, but white girls are worse), and 2) her energy level seemed a bit low when she sang the encore, which was Un-Break My Heart, naturally. It didn't seem to have the oomph that I was expecting, but all around it was a fabulous night. I'd see her again in a heartbeat!

The Set List:

Intro/I Heart You (Acoustic)
How Many Ways
Seven Whole Days
You Mean The World To Me
Another Sad Love Song
Love Shoulda Brought You Home
How Could An Angel Break My Heart
Yesterday
Just Be A Man About It
I Love Me Some Him
Medley of fan Requests: Stupid/There's No Me Without You/Spanish Guitar/Let It Flow
Breathe Again
Braxton Family Values (Video Interlude)
Party Or Go Home (Trina Braxton)
Medley: Please/Take This Ring/Hit The Freeway
He Wasn't Man Enough
You're Makin' Me High
Between The Sheets (cover)
Big Poppa (Notorious B.I.G. cover)
I Heart You (Vamping Version)

Encore:
Un-Break My Heart

4 out of 5.

I preface that these pics are not mine, they are from her show in Las Vegas taken by Edison Graff, but the outfits are the same from the show last night and so is the set with the mirror boxes.

Turn It Up!: Kelly Rowland - Dirty Laundry (Music Video)

 Ooooh, Miss Kelly is having a serious moment.

 I had a whole long ass review for this song all typed out, and then I found this video review below by a woman named Ashley Miller (I assume that's her real name) and I thought, fuck my review, this bitch is hilarious.

All I'll say is that I love Kelly Rowland (even more than Beyonce), and I'm surprised the video version of this song ends so abruptly, they could have done a much better job editing it down.

But beyond that.... what Ashley said, I concur.

 Battered Bitch Syndrome.... LOL PRICELESS!

 

Turn It Up!: Cassadee Pope - Wasting All These Tears (Music Video)

 If I could add The Party's new video a hundred more times I would, but I have to move on to the next post. 

Another song that I've been kinda obsessed with is the brand new single from Cassadee Pope. Cassadee won season 3 of the NBC competition show The Voice as part of Team Blake Shelton and was the first female artist to be crowned winner.

Since signing a record deal with Republic Records Nashville division, she has been busy at work on her debut solo album which is scheduled to be released sometime this fall.

 Before appearing on The Voice, Cassadee was the lead singer of indie band "Hey Monday" which played more pop/rock styled music (in the vain of Avril Lavigne and Natalie Imbruglia), but her new music promises to be a blend of guitar pop and country sensibilities (think Michelle Branch or Sheryl Crow).

During the run of the show, she won over audiences with her stand out performance of Miranda Lamberts song "Over You" (written by her coach Blake about the death of his brother) and then later wowed us with her stunning rendition of Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy". The country artist element was strong within her from then on and I think it's safe to say she's found her niche.

 The single above is the perfect example. Can't wait to hear the finished album. As a bonus, below is her touching performance of "Over You" from the show.

 

Turn It Up!: The Party - Salute To Summer (Music Video)

"Lazy Days, Crazy Ways, Daydream Behind My Shades, It's Summertime!"

I'm so freaking psyched... yes, PSYCHED about this!!!

 Today marks the official musical return of 90's pop group The Party, with the release of their first single in 20 years, "Salute to Summer".

 Back in May, group members Damon, Albert, Chasen and DeeDee announced via a live in studio Stageit fan show that their comeback single would be released in July, and they were right on time to make this boy very happy indeed. Given the tough week and a half I've had, I really needed to hear something fresh and blissfully uninhibited and this is exactly what this track delivers.

 This song keeps with the classic "Party" vibe, nothing deep, just wild, free and a hell of a lot of fun. Some fans have been comparing it too their classic hit Summer Vacation from 1990, but with a more mature and finely polished edge. I can pretty much agree with that, although I think this song is a lot more funky. Good to see that they're staying true to the group they were.

 Now, to discuss the video which was done by Reginald Esque. Firstly, you couldn't have made a better video to match this song if you tried, secondly, I love how these guys haven't changed at all in 20 years. Chasen is still adorable and my fave to watch, Albert is still smooth and groovalicious, DeeDee is still unbelievably stylish and has an incredible vocal (my Diva always), and Damon is still sexy as hell with swagger for days. I love the quick montage of their earlier video clips at the very start, I just kinda wish they had put a little tribute to former member Tiffini Hale in there somewhere. There's a moment at the very end of the video where Chasen is holding up a picture of a gentleman (I'm not sure who it is), I wish they had maybe held up a picture of Tiffini as well. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

 Long story short, I'm obsessed with this song, I can't wait for the finished album and the possible tour to follow. I hope this isn't just a one time reunion album, I hope they stick around and make more music for years to come. If you're a fan, show your support and download the song.

Talk To Me!: Adele, Jack Whitehall & Miranda Hart on The Graham Norton Show (2011)

 Sorry I haven't posted in awhile my dear readers, I've been very busy and I was also away for a week. Just gonna do a couple posts to catch up a bit.

 My boyfriend and I have been having some problems lately, so I've been trying to watch things that are light and entertaining for the most part, to keep myself out of an upset head space until we get through this rough patch. Case in point, this episode of The Graham Norton Show.

 Graham Norton always makes me laugh, and if he has the perfect combination of guests on his couch (like the episode above) then it's all the more sweeter. Of course, everyone knows who Adele is, but for those who don't know, Jack Whitehall is one of Britain's most successful young comedians, and Miranda Hart is a comedic actress who has her own television series called, "Miranda".

 If you're having a bit of a downer day, watch this and enjoy 40 minutes of levity. The performance by Adele is cut out, but otherwise it's awesome.

Turn It Down!: Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams - Blurred Lines (Music Video)

 Gonna preface this post by saying that I have nothing against the song (aside from it being annoying and overplayed on radio), just the video.

 Is it just me, or does this music video make Robin Thicke look like a classless, pig headed, douche bag? There's another version of this music video, in which the female models are full on topless walking around in thongs while Robin, Pharrell and T.I. watch them fully dressed in suits. I can't seem to understand this generation of societies need to hyper sexualize every aspect of media and somehow set the women's movement back a few years by reducing them back down to objects for men's sexual gratification. Even when the tables are turned and it's meant to be a female artist objectifying and taking advantage of men, the female is usually still dressed in a provocative way, making it a "2 birds, 1 stone" situation.

 Robin Thicke has been making the kind of smooth soulful "baby making" tunes that made people like Barry White and Prince famous for years now, and has never had to stoop to this chauvinistic behaviour or blatant bragging about being well endowed before (which always makes me think the opposite is true whenever I hear somebody talk like that). I always thought he had a classy kind of confidence and swagger about him that made his sex appeal apparent in a subtle but effective way, but now I just see him as the jock in high school that bragged to everyone about being a player and getting laid every hour. Very seedy and undignified! 

Poor form, Robin! I'm officially turned off!

 Not posting the Explicit version of the music video, but you can watch it here if you like.

Turn It Up!: No Doubt - Underneath It All (Music Video)

  "You see the colors in me like no one else!"

 How to even start this post. I was kinda coaxed into adding this video to the blog at this particular time (in the nicest possible way), because I added it to my facebook page as my chosen "Song Of The Day" and my friend Jordanna suggested I add it here, and even gave the blog a little shout out on her time line! Sweet!

 So here it is! I love almost everything by No Doubt, but I truly have an affinity for their more reggae/ska infused material, like this song from their 4th studio album "Rock Steady" (2001), and when it came on my i-pod today, I listened to it about 4 times. Underneath It All was the 3rd single from Rock Steady, and though it did well commercially in the US (including taking the award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group at the 2004 Grammy Awards), the song was trashed by most reviewers as being too cheesy and predictable. I happen to like things that are cheesy and predictable though lol. To me it's more simplistic and low key than a lot of their other material, but isn't the bulk of reggae styled music meant to be simplistic? Plus, the love story element of the lyrics is very simplistic so I feel the music compliments this well. Lead singer Gwen Stefani wrote this song about her relationship with (now husband) Gavin Rossdale, because although their relationship had its ups and downs, she believed they were meant for each other. So far, she appears to be right.

 The video has a very Jamaican style to it as well in terms of the color scheme in the scenes with the entire band. The director, Sophie Muller decided to go with orange, green, and red tones for the scenes in which the band is biking through a Jamaican background while featured artist, Lady Saw, toasts during the bridge. The video also features Gwen in several scenes alone, a couple with her made up and heavily styled, and ultimately stripped down to nothing (her underneath as it were) in simple undergarments and limited make-up.

 So, if you enjoy the simplistic and low-key, then watch away. "Damn The Critics!"

Turn It Up!: Celine Dion - Water From The Moon (Music Video)

  "Do I Gotta Get Water From The Moon? Is That What I've Gotta Do To Make You Love Me?"

I'm just gonna make my friend Jordanna a co-collaborator on my blog, because most of my posts seem to come from conversations with her. In this case, I was e-mailing her Celine's "Let's Talk About Love" album and we started discussing our favourite albums by her. My personal favourite has always been her 1992 self titled album, because it was the first album I'd ever heard of hers. Being 10 years old at the time, I was very into Disney movies (like any kid) and I first heard Celine in her Grammy/Academy Award Winning Duet with Peabo Bryson, "Beauty & The Beast". I loved that song so much that I naturally asked my parents if I could get her album, and they took me to the mall with my allowance and I bought it on cassette.

 Happily I liked so many more of the songs from the album that it wasn't a waste of money lol. I became obsessed with "Love Can Move Mountains", and "Water From The Moon" specifically. Celine became very much like an icon to me, with her soaring vocals. I got to see her live for the first time at Massey Hall on the tour for this album, with my Brother and my Mom as a half gift for my 11th birthday (thanks to Wikipedia I can look up that the date of the show was March 25th, 1993, could be accurate), and I even did a school project on Celine in French class that earned me an A++ and my work was displayed in the school lol. 

Wow, longer post than I thought this would be haha. Back to the song, Jordanna looked up to see if there was a video for it on youtube, and sure enough there was one (that neither of us had ever seen). I gotta say that the video doesn't really make much sense to me but she's looks absolutely stunning and that guy is pretty hot in my opinion. I've read that the video was only commercially aired in the US, and that the song was a radio single in Canada only (so that's my excuse for never seeing it, Jordanna, what's yours? lol).

 As for the song itself, I think Celine's vocal performance beautifully encompasses the gut wrenching desperation for an unrequited love expressed in the lyrics.

 Breathtaking!!!!

Picture This!: Kylie Minogue 2013 (Poll Results)

While I'm working on my review for the Patty Griffin concert I went to last night (which I'm hoping will be posted by Saturday if time permits) I realize I forgot to post the poll results from the other week.

 Since it's my first time doing a poll for this blog, I didn't quite know how to fit it in to my categories, so for this one, I've decided to add a bunch of pictures of Kylie from 2013, including images from her photo shoot for Elle Magazine (January issue), a few promotional pictures for the song Skirt, and one I just loved from Billboard Magazine.

 So, here we go with the poll results. The question was "What do you think of Kylie Minogue's new release, Skirt?" The results were...

Love It!                  60% 

 Like It!                   20% 

 Don't Care For It!  20% 

 Hate It!                    0% 

Well, that's good news, of the 5 people who voted, nobody out right hated it!

Be sure to make your voice heard on the new poll on the page "Which single from Mariah Carey's first album is your favorite?"

Vote away and enjoy these pictures my lovely readers.

Turn It Up! Mariah Carey - Vision Of Love (Music Video)

  "I'm so thankful that I've received the answer that heaven has sent down to me!"

 Mariah Carey's self titled debut album came out 23 years ago today and so, I'm adding my favourite single, not only from that album, but possibly of all time from Mariah (a few others are neck and neck). I've always had a deep love for this song and have held it in the highest regard since I heard it for the first time when I was 8 years old. 23 years later, it still amazes me and stands the test of time.

 I think the choice to release this as her very first single was genius, because it fully encompassed her sound (especially in the 90's) which was a great mix of pop, r&b, and a teeny bit of gospel (the girl can take you to church when she wants to). Tommy Mattola may have been an asshole, but he knew what he was doing. The song has been heralded by many critics as one of the best debut singles by a female artist ever, and was number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 4 consecutive weeks.

 Mariah Carey (the album), has been certified 9x Platinum in the US (7x Platinum in Canada), was #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart for 11 consecutive weeks, and (along with Vision Of Love) had three other consecutive #1 singles. Worldwide, the album has sold over 15 million copies. Not bad for a first go, huh? 

Now, I feel like doing another poll. Vote on the side panel for which single from Mariah's debut album was your favourite (I'll add the video of the singing song, unless it's Vision Of Love lol).

 Happy Anniversary "Mariah Carey"!

What's On?: Judy Garland (A&E Biography)

 On this, what would have been her 91st Birthday, I pay tribute to one of my all time favourite entertainers and Icons, the incomparable Miss Judy Garland, with this presentation of her A&E Biography narrated by the great Peter Graves.

 There was never anybody like her and I doubt there ever will be! Here's to you Judy, thank you for your humour, your strength, your exceptional talent as a singer and an actress, and mostly for your inspiration! 

Cheers and Respect Always!

Liven It Up!: Emeli Sandé - Breaking The Law (Live @ iTunes Festival 2012)

  "When the corridors and all the stairs are making you tired, I will come for you; Set the building on fire!"

 There's so much I can write about Emeli, she's one of my new favorite artists, but for some reason, I don't feel like writing much about this post. Emeli is one of those artists that I feel completely enthralled with when I hear her. I can't explain it, there's a quality to her voice and her gifts as a songwriter that feels very honest to me. I felt the same thing when I first heard Adele sing, it wasn't gimmicky, it was just simple and completely true. So, I really just want this video to stand on it's own.

 One thing I will say is it's not hard to connect with this song in particular, because this is exactly the kind of love I have for my family and my boyfriend Chris. I'd break the law for them any day!

 From the album "Our Version Of Events" (2012).

 Who would you all Break The Law for?

Turn It Up!: Eric Hutchinson - The Basement (Music Video)

  "Dance Soldiers Forgetting Our Day Jobs, Tryin' To Get Our Funk On 'Cuz We Came To Rock n Roll!"

 Wow, infectious much?!?! This is one of those songs that is so fun and energetic that it gets me pumped for the day ahead. Imagine listening to this and dancing around your room while you're getting ready to go out. Yeah... PERFECT! Then to pair it with the happy go lucky, breeziness of this dance infused music video... Forget about it!

 I don't know a whole lot about Eric (other than his music is amazing), but from what I've read, he's released 4 albums in total, two independently and two through Warner Brothers Records, and he was originally signed to Madonna's record label Maverick, but the label shut down before the release of his 3rd album (first major label album) "Sounds Like This" (2008). After this he released it independently and caught the attention of blogger Perez Hilton which sent it into the top ten on iTunes. The album was then picked up by Warner Brothers who signed Eric and re-released the album.

This song is from Eric's latest album, "Moving Up Living Down" (2012), which he has been touring extensively for. Among solo tours, he has also been seen opening for artists like Kelly Clarkson, OneRepublic, and Jason Mraz (whom he is often compared to).

 Definitely give this artist a listen!

Turn It Up!: Wilson Phillips - The Dream Is Still Alive (Music Video)

  "They stopped a war, but not the dying. Some got a little bit lost along the way, but somehow we're here today!"

 I haven't done a Wilson Phillips post in awhile and my plan was to add the music video for "You Won't See Me Cry", but I can't seem to find it (or even a good live version) on youtube, so I'm quickly adding the music video for The Dream Is Still Alive instead.

 This song is the 5th single and closing track from their self titled debut album, and is a bit of a dedication to the 60's (as evidenced by the images in the video, as well as their looks) and also to their childhoods. The single only charted at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 (disappointing compared to the other 4 singles from the album which were all top 5), but it's one of my favourites because of the overall spirit and melody of the song.

 Fun fact: This is also (admittedly) Wendy Wilson's favourite song from their whole catalogue.

Liven It Up!: Emm Gryner - North (Live For CBC Radio 2 2012)

  "In My Heart You're North Of The Border Shining Down Like The Aurora!"

 I haven't yet written about Emm, which seems odd because she has been one of my favourite Canadian Artists since I was in high school, but given that today is her 38th Birthday, I feel this is perfect timing.

 Emm is a singer/songwriter and gorgeous instrumentalist originally from Sarnia, Ontario who has always managed to do things for herself in the music industry. She released her first album, "The Original Leap Year", in 1997 after she entered her song "Wisdom Bus" in a National songwriting competition and won. The money from her win enabled her to start up her own independent record label called "Dead Daisy Records". Original Leap Year caught the attention of music producer Warren Bruleigh who managed to get Emm signed to Mercury Records for the release of her second album "Public" in 1998. This album put Emm in the spotlight with it's hit single "Summerlong" and had her opening on tours with Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, and a spot in Lilith Fair, but it wasn't long before Mercury Records was bought out by Universal Music and she was dropped from her contract and back to releasing music through Dead Daisy Records. 

That one major label album was enough to get Emm's name on people's lips and her third release 1999's "Science Fair" outsold "Public" significantly which surprised even the woman herself. In an interview at the time she was quoted as saying,

  "It blew my mind to see that I could make an album on an 8-track at a rented cottage and it could reach more people than the previous album which was board roomed to death by all these supposed experts in the industry."

 Emm has continued to release music independently since and has headlined and been a special guest on so many tours (including David Bowie) since then, and has proven herself to be her own Canadian Industry. To date, she has released 12 albums (a few of these being limited edition specials for her fans only available through her website) and 1 Greatest Hits package.

 North is my favourite song from her most recent studio release "Northern Gospel" which was released in 2011.

She has most recently teamed up with fellow Canadian artist Dayna Manning (who I'll also be writing about in the future) and Laura C. Bates to form the band "Trent Severn".

 I don't know what you say, but I think Emm's work ethic and passion for her art are extremely commendable and inspiring. Happy Birthday Emm!

Liven It Up!: The Lonely Island feat. Alanis Morissette - Semicolon/Ironic (Live On Jimmy Kimmel 2013)

"Technically, Grammatically Incorrect!"

 LOVE THIS!!!!!!

 For those that don't know, The Lonely Island is a comedy music group that got their start on Saturday Night Live when member Andy Samberg was a cast member of the show and his long time friends, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone were writers for the show. During their time on SNL they brought us the now infamous songs "Dick In A Box", "Like A Boss", and "Jizz In My Pants"!

 The group released their first album "Incredibad" in 2009, and since leaving the show in 2011, the three have focused on releasing more material full time. Their new album, entitled "The Wack Album" was released on June 7th and features collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Adam Levine, Solange, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Robyn (among others).

 To promote the album, they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to perform the song "Semicolon" with special guest Alanis Morissette. The album version of the song actually features Solange as the guest star, but I think it's genius that they collaborated with Alanis to poke fun at their grammatical misuse of the semicolon, as Alanis is famous for her improper application of Irony on her 1995 hit "Ironic". The lyrics are no more than unfortunate coincidences passed off as Irony.

 Anyway, really funny performance. I enjoy!

Turn It Up!: Patty Griffin - Rain (Music Video) + Tony (Audio Only Video)

 I've gone back through previous posts, quickly skimmed all 166 of them and I could have sworn I had done at least one post about Patty Griffin, but I can't seem to find one, and that's just wrong. So, I'm adding two Patty songs in one post. When your name is on the header you can do shit like that.

 I'm going to see Patty in concert for the second time this coming Tuesday June 11th and as such I've been playing her music (mainly in my car) incessantly. She is a Grammy winning American Country/Folk/Gospel singer/songwriter who has released 7 studio albums since 1996 and 2 live albums, and has written songs which have been recorded and/or covered by the likes of The Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris, Bette Midler and Kelly Clarkson (among many others).

 The first video I'm adding is the official music video for her song "Rain" from her 2002 album "1000 Kisses". This song is one of my top 10 favourite songs of hers, the music is so beautifully simplistic (I love the soft percussive instruments that sound like rainfall) and the lyrics are so fragile that it supports the simple animated piece that is the video and contrasts the emotions so wonderfully. A song about the sorrow of a failed relationship and how the depths of despair can pour down like a rainstorm.

 "Sometimes a hurt is so deep deep deep 
You think that you're gonna drown 
Sometimes all I can do is weep weep weep 
With all this rain falling down 

 Strange how hard it rains now 
Rows and rows of big dark clouds 
When I'm holding on underneath this shroud 
Rain"

 The second video I'm adding is a live acoustic version of the song "Tony" from her 1998 album "Flaming Red". I chose this song because it was the song that made me a Patty Griffin fan and I feel it's still the most socially relevant, especially in these days of rampant teen suicides. Tony particularly deals with a gay teen who commits suicide after relentless bullying and how the character singing the song reacts.

  "I hated every day of high school 
It's funny, I guess you did too 
Its funny how I never knew 
There I was sitting right behind you 
They wrote it in the local rag 
Death comes to the local fag 
I guess you finally stopped believing 
That any hope would ever find you 
Well I know that story, 
I was sitting right behind you"

 The performance is from the live charity album "Live In The X Lounge" which is pictured in the video. Hope you enjoy these two songs! I'll be adding a few more Patty video's in the next couple of days!
 

What's On?: Orange Is The New Black (New Series Trailer)

  "It's Just Like The Hamptons, Only Fucking Horrible!"

 The new show from "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan premieres exclusively on Netflix on July 11, and judging by the trailer above, I think I'm really going to like it.

 With a cast of well known character actors like Jason Biggs (American Pie, Say Anything), Natasha Lyonne (Slums Of Beverly Hills, American Pie, But... I'm A Cheerleader, (LOVE HER!!!!!)), Kate Mulgrew (Ryan's Hope, Star Trek Voyager), Laura Prepon (That 70's Show, Are You There Chelsea?) and new star on the rise Taylor Schilling (The Lucky One, Argo), Orange Is The New Black is based on the Piper Kerman memoir of the same name, that recounts the authors 15 month imprisonment for money laundering and drug trafficking in a Connecticut Women's penetentiary in 2004.

 Will you watch?

Liven It Up!: Attraction Shadow Theatre Group - Britain's Got Talent

 My Mom e-mailed me this this morning and I'm adding it because I was absolutely blown away by the creativity and craftsmanship of this group. Beautiful work, beautiful story, beautiful music (Read All About It (Part 3) by Emeli Sandé), I defy you not to be touched by this piece.

 Please give it a watch, it's really incredible!

Turn It Up!: Cathy Dennis - Just Another Dream (Music Video)

  "Is this for real, or is it just another dream?"

 It seems I always start my blogs by thanking my friend and avid supporter, Jordanna for helping influence what songs I put on here, and I'm doing so again. I had planned to put most of these songs anyway, but she helps to expedite when I choose to add them.

 Cathy Dennis was a 90's British pop singer/songwriter, who released three mildly successful albums between 1991 and 1996, her most successful of these was her first release, 1991's "Move To This". With hit singles like "Just Another Dream", "Touch Me (All Night Long)", and "Too Many Walls", Move To This spent 40 weeks on the Billboard Hot 200 chart where it peaked at number 67. She found smaller success with her second album, "Into The Skyline" (1992) with the lead single "You Lied To Me" who's video (if my memory serves me right) was even featured during the end credits of the original "Beverly Hills 90210" for a time during one of it's early seasons (no doubt to help sales). Her third album, "Am I The Kinda Girl?" (1996), was only released in the UK and Europe, but made little to no mark on the charts.

 I remember seeing an interview a long time ago with Cathy (I think it was when Much Music had her on Spotlight, which was a half hour to hour program when they used to focus on the music videos of one particular artist and show interview clips between them), and I recall Cathy admitting that she wasn't a big fan on the performing aspect of being an entertainer, which is perhaps why she has focused her efforts on songwriting and producing for other artists since her last studio album. She has become one of the most heralded and saught after songwriters in pop music, collaborating with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Spice Girls, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Emma Bunton, and S Club 7 on some of their biggest hits (Kylie's "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" and "Come Into My World", Britney's "Toxic", Katy's "I Kissed A Girl" etc.). She has even won multiple awards for her contribution to songwriting.

 Clearly she has found her niche, but I still miss seeing and hearing her in this fashion. I love this video, she has the most startling green eyes I think I've ever seen, and her little head wiggle is adorable.

 As a bonus, I'm also adding Cathy's demo version of Toxic which was the blueprint for Britney's recording.
 

Turn It Up!: Hey Ocean! - I Am A Heart (Music Video)

  "Your Ivy Walls Can't Keep Me In. I Am A Heart That's Hard To Pin!"

 I only have about 10 minutes to add this post, but I had to do it quickly because I just discovered this band and they are absolutely fantastic and this music video is much fun to watch. Such an infectious song!

 Hey Ocean! is a Canadian band which formed in 2005 with Members Ashleigh Ball, David Beckingham, and David Vertesi and were recently nominated for the Breakthrough Group of The Year Award at the 2013 Juno's, but lost to the band "Monster Truck". This song is the third single from their latest album, 2012's "IS"!

 That's about all I know about them, except for one more fact about Ashleigh Ball. Apart from the band, she is also an accomplished voice over actress that has voiced many animated characters in straight to dvd films ranging from Barbie Movies, to Marvel's Iron Man Animated features. Interesting!

Turn It Up!: Melanie B - Tell Me (Music Video)

  "...And All You Loved Was Mel B's Money!"

 One more quick post for the night!

 I meant to add this yesterday because it was Mel's 38th Birthday, but... I don't have an excuse, I just didn't lol. Sorry Mel!

 Tell Me was the first single (technically the second) released from Melanie's first solo record "Hot" back in 2000. The album was written and recorded while the Spice Girls were on hiatus between the Spice World Tour and the recording of their third album "Forever" (2000). In that time, she had given birth to her first child (Phoenix Chi) and married and divorced dance Jimmy Gulzar, who was one of the backing dancers on the Spice World Tour.

 This song is clearly about the disintegration of the relationship. Other songs on the album reference that Jimmy was two-timing Mel. You're really gonna pull that shit with a woman known as Scary Spice? Dude!!! 

Anywhoozle, I'm off for the night. Enjoy the perfect revenge song that this is, and Happy Birthday again, Melanie!

Turn It Up!: Tracy Bonham - Behind Every Good Woman (Music Video)

  "Behind Every Good Woman Lies.... A Trail Of Men!"

 Wow, I'm starting to get a huge headache from the humidity in Toronto today, and I can't really concentrate on writing a full post right now, so I'm adding this song because I don't have to explain much about this video.

 Tracy Bonham is an Alternative Rock Chick who's biggest success in the music business came from the release of her first studio album "The Burdens Of Being Upright" (1996) and her first single "Mother Mother". After the mild success of that album and a couple Grammy nominations, changes to the record company she was with delayed the release of her second album until 2000 when she released "Down Here". Behind Every Good Woman was the first and only release from that album and since then Tracy has concentrated on releasing music on the independent circuit.

 This song and video are so cheeky, fun and sassy that it's impossible to not get hooked.

 Enjoy!

Turn It Up!: Belinda Carlisle - Leave A Light On (Music Video)

Belinda Carlisle - Leave a Light On by hushhush112
"I'll be there before you close the door to give you all the love that you need!"

 Yaaaayyyyy! I finally found this video thanks to my friend and loyal follower Jordanna, who inadvertently found it for me on Dailymotion. I remember looking for this video a few times over the past months and years on youtube in order to add to the blog and I could only find really low quality live versions or stupid fan made video's for it, until Jordanna tracked it down and added it to her facebook page!!! Thank you Darling (this one's for you)!!!!!!

 I was a little bit obsessed with this song when I was a kid. I remember my brother made me a mixed tape to listen to on my walkman (sad to think kids today have no idea what those two things are) for a family vacation car ride, and this song was on it and I think I rewound the tape over and over and listened to this song for about an hour straight. I was a bit too young (or perhaps just unaware at the time) that Belinda Carlisle was a member of the amazing group The Go-Go's before she ever went out on her own as a solo act, but her solo ventures have always been so well put together that I almost prefer them to anything she did with the band.

 The Go-Go's originally disbanded in 1985, which is when Belinda went out on her own to pursue her solo career with hits like "Heaven Is A Place On Earth", "Summer Rain", "I Get Weak", and "Leave A Light On". Leave A Light On was the first single from her third album "Runaway Horses" (1989) and was a top 10 hit in 8 different countries. The song features George Harrison (my Mom's favourite Beatle) on slide guitar, and the video (directed by Peter Care) features Belinda driving around the Navada Desert and walking the Las Vegas strip.

 Belinda is still doing her thing, and this year she released a new Greatest Hits package which included her new single "Sun".

 PS Thank you user hushhush112 on Dailymotion for uploading it for us to enjoy! Always give credit where credit is due!

Talk To Me!: Jodie Foster On Inside The Actors Studio (2005)

 Even though the clips from the movies they discuss are missing in this video (due to You tubes regulations), this is still an in depth and extremely interesting interview with Jodie Foster (one of my all time favourite actresses) about her early life and film career!

 The thing I love so much about Jodie, is how selective she is with her film roles. She's not the type of actress that does 3 movies a year back to back, she likes to take the time and really search out a role that is meaningful and perfect for her. So, she may not do a lot of movies, but you can be assured that the movies she does partake in are always passion projects.

 James Lipton sat down with Jodie to discuss everything from her beginnings as a child actress, to her first Academy Award nominated role at the age of 14 as child prostitute, Iris in Taxi Driver (1976), as well as her work in the films The Accused (1988, which won her her first Academy Award for best Actress), The Silence Of The Lambs (1991, which earned her her second Academy Award for Best Actress), Little Man Tate (1991, Her directorial debut), Nell (1994, the first released under her production company "Egg Pictures"), Panic Room (2002), and Flight Plan (2005).

Me as Gerard in the play "Forests"

 I actually learned something from this interview, I recently did a community theatre play called "Forests" back in March (I act in my spare time, if I forgot to mention this), in which I played a character named Gerard. It was an extremely heavy part that I had to play, my character essentially relives his past trauma of living in a forest (much like Jodie's character Nell), where his family is destroyed before his very eyes (Rape, incest, murder, suicide, you name it, I had to relive it and tell the tale of what happened). Anyway, my point is that while I was trying to discover how to get into the mind and body language of a character like that, I found a physical trait that, like Jodie, every time I started to do it, would involuntarily make me cry. It was basically a rocking motion, partnered with a kind of whimpering noise and hand ringing.

I know now from this show, that's it's called the psychological gesture. Very Interesting. That's why I love this show.

 More episodes to come in the future!

Turn It Up!: Jessie Ware - Night Light (Music Video)

  "Let me fall into your shades, you'll be my night light!"

 My brother gave me Jessie's debut album "Devotion" (2012) after his friend Dawn had insisted that I would love her sound, and y'know what? Dawn was right!

I don't know much about this 28 year old Londoner, but I really don't need to know much in order to enjoy her. What I do know, is that she used to sing back up for artists like Jack Peñate and Florence & The Machine, she's good friends with Adele (and has been described as the "missing link between Adele, SBTRKT and Sade) and she recently did her own cover version of Martika's "Love Thy Will Be Done". Although, I wasn't a huge fan of her version of that song, I must say I commend her for doing a Martika cover of any kind. Very cool choice.

 I love the song "Night Light" (the fourth single from Devotion), because it sounds very 90's to me and I love the cello in the opening of the track.

 Give it a whirl!

Turn It Up!: Idina Menzel - Brave (Music Video)

Yeah Baby! I've been listening to Idina's music for most of the day today (which really just means on the way to work and back) but I forgot how beautiful some of her pop songs are.

We all (maybe not all) know her as the Broadway Diva with the huge voice from Wicked, Rent, and The Wild Party (among many other broadway shows), but Idina is also a talented pop singer and songwriter in her own right. This song is from her 3rd studio album "I Stand" (2008) and was co-written by Glen Ballard.

The song was the first single released from "I Stand", and peaked at #19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. I remember when I saw her in concert during the tour for this album, I was front row and I was physically moved by this song when she performed it. Her vocals were stellar that night!

 Inspiring Song, Gorgeous Video... What more can you ask for? More pop albums from Idina, that's what! I'll definitely be adding more of her original material in the future and of course some of her broadway classics, like this gem!

Turn It Up!: Kylie Minogue - Skirt (Official Track Video)

 Hmmm! I don't know what to think about this!

 Today is Kylie Minogue's 45th Birthday and to celebrate with her fans, she and producer Nom De Strip have released (via Soundcloud) the club mix of a new song from her upcoming 12th studio album, called "Skirt". Now y'all know I love my Kylie to death, but I'm not really a fan of remixes. I would have preferred hearing the album version over the club mix of the track, but I guess beggers can't be chooser's.

 From the comments I've read about the track, it looks like most people are going bat shit crazy over it, so well done Miss Minogue. I don't dislike it in anyway, I'm just very picky when it comes to remixes, but the more I listen to it, the more I'm learning to appreciate it.

What do you all think? Like or Dislike? Gonna take a poll on the blog and see what you think. Vote just to the right.

 Happy Birthday Kylie!

Liven It Up!: Carrie Fisher - Wishful Drinking (One Woman Show)

  "Hi, I'm Carrie Fisher and I'm an alcoholic!"

 About a week and a half ago, I added an interview with Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds from the Oprah Winfrey Show and I had mentioned that I was going to add Carrie's one woman show that was recorded and shown on HBO later that same day... well, clearly I didn't lol, but I'm adding it now!

 I've probably watched this special about 30 times since I've downloaded it and I'm still not sick of it. She has such an amazing outlook and sense of humor about her life given the things she's gone through. As she says, "If my life wasn't funny, it would just be true. And that is completely unexceptable." Her gifts as a writer and actress have molded her abilities as a great storyteller. This one woman show (named after her autobiography of the same name) focuses on many aspects of her life. From growing up the daughter of Hollywood legends (and the ins and outs of her parents famous marriages), to her infamous role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, to her own failed marriages (to singer Paul Simon and casting agent Brian Lourd), to her history of mental illness and drug addiction, she attacks every facet of her life with a really clever biting wit that will keep you smiling and laughing throughout.

 It is over an hour long, but it is a really great watch if you have the time. Don't be put off by her singing in the opening, there are no other musical numbers to suffer through lol.

Turn It Up!: Pebbles - Giving You The Benefit (Music Video)

 "Just take the benefit, don't give me no lip and I'll be sweet to you!" 

Had to add this song, it came on my i-pod when I was driving home from work today and I was jamming and singing along to it so hard!

 Perri "Pebbles" Reid was an R&B and Dance Pop artist / entrepreneur who had three successful albums back in the 80's to mid 90's and also ran her own music production company, Pebbitone, which discovered and helped form the group TLC. "Giving You The Benefit" was the first single from her second studio album "Always" (1990), and charted at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and was #1 for 3 weeks on the R&B charts, becoming one of her most successful singles.

 After accusing her of mismanaging their money (which she denies) and declaring bankruptcy, the members of TLC left Pebbitone, and following her divorce from record executive L.A. Reid, Pebbles left the pop music world and has since become an ordained Minister and now releases gospel music under the stage name, "Sister Perri".

 She looked smokin' hot in this video, I'm surprised she wasn't a model!

Turn It Up!: Janet Jackson - If (Music Video)

"I've Closed My Eyes & Thought Of Us A Hundred Different Way."

 This past Saturday marked the 20th Anniversary of the release of "janet." (1993), Janet Jackson's 5th studio album, and since it's one of my favorite albums of all time, I wanted to add one of it's hit songs. The album came out at a time when I was just starting to discover who I might become (sexually speaking) and the importance of being responsible with this aspect of my life, so it (along with Madonna's Erotica album) really informed this period in my growing up.

 "If" (released July 13, 1993) was the second single from "janet." and is lyrically about a girl who sexually fantasizes about a guy and what she would do to him if he weren't with another girl (don't be man-stealing, Janet). The sexual content of the song, and the album in general, was at the forefront of discussion among critics when the album was first released. Until that time, Janet had a relatively squeaky clean image, never showing much skin (except for her video for Love Will Never Do Without You, which bared her midriff) and rarely sang about sexual desires until this release which was dubbed as her "Sexual Awakening". Although the topic on everyone's lips were lyrics like "Your smooth and shiny feels so good against my lips, sugar", critics were also impressed by Janet's fusion of rock and trip hop funk music as well as her vocal performance which starts with a low vocal chant at the beginning of the verses and then swings up into a strong melodic pre-chorus. Also to be noted is the orchestral flourish sampling from Diana Ross and The Supremes' classic song "Someday We'll Be Together" which opens the instrumental bridge, and explosive dance break scene in the video, which is arguably one of Janet's most acclaimed and heralded dance performances ever.

 Speaking of choreography, the music video for this single was a dance extravaganza (as you can see). Set in a futuristic Asian nightclub and choreographed by Omar Lopez and Tina Landon (who was not only Janet's choreographer but also one of her back up dancers), the intricate "Look but don't touch!" choreography was the perfect fit for the story behind the song.

 As a little bonus, I've just read that during a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) has announced that she if finally working on the follow up to her 2008 release "Discipline". 

Quote:

 “I am working on a new project now. We are creating the concept and initial thoughts on the music,” she said. “I am excited about the direction we are taking. I don’t want to rush it… I don’t want to put a time constraint on the creative process.”

 So Excited!!!!!!!!!!!

Turn It Up!: Bjӧrk - Mutual Core (Music Video)

 What a spectacular and genius music video!!!!

 I gotta say, Bjӧrk never fails to surprise me. The song Mutual Core is (my favorite track) from her 2011 album "Biophilia" and likens the triumphs and travails of human relationships to that of the shifting of the earths tectonic plates and geological phenomena that occur from this process (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, soil erosion etc). You can really hear this idea conveyed not only in the lyrics ("I shuffle around the tectonic plates in my chest. You know I gave it all, try to match our continents to change seasonal shift, to form a mutual core.") but also in the instrumentation and composition of the music which is what I've always loved about Bjӧrk as a composer. She covers all her bases in the presentation of her art.

 The music video for the song, which was directed by Andrew Thomas Huang and commissioned and presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, was shot on a sound stage in Bjӧrk's hometown of Reykjavik, Iceland in two days, but the post production took 2 months. It features the singer buried up to her waist in a sand pit for the bulk of it, controlling the sand and the rock formations below it's surface (mother nature in a sense) until the rocks form a volcano which spews lava and volcanic ash.

 See below the short behind the scenes video about the creation of the finished product.

 Amazing, wouldn't you say?

Turn It Up!: Alanis Morissette - Empathy (Music Video)

 I know I just added a new Alanis music video (for Lens), but she's released another home made video via her official website, this time featuring the song "Empathy".

 The video was posted yesterday (which happened to be her and her husbands 3rd wedding anniversary) with the following blog,

 "This video captures footage from the entire year of touring in 2012 around this wild world. Victor Indrizzo, who is my bandmate on drums, directed, shot and edited the piece.

 Needless to say, communal international travel, as an artist, is a dream come true. Add that my family was with me — I was over the moon, if not completely sleep deprived! This song brings tears to my eyes no matter how often I hear it or perform it. May it hug your heart in the way it is intended to.

 Xoxoxo

 Alanis"

 So, you can just consider this blog posting, a bonus post (aren't I nice?!).

 Much love to you, Readers!!!

Talk To Me!: Sandra Oh on George Tonight (2012)

 I've been catching up on the current season of Grey's Anatomy lately, and one of my favorite characters on that show is Cristina Yang, played beautifully by the super talented (and Canadian) Sandra Oh, and so I decided to look up a few interviews with her and I found this great one from last year with Canadian talk show host George Stroumboulopoulos (whom I consider to be our answer to Anderson Cooper) while she was in Toronto receiving her Star on The Canadian Walk of Fame.

 The two discussed her parents early concerns in her choice to become an actor, her early days developing her name in the film industry, her conscious choice to remain out of the realm of celebrity, the role of religion and spirituality in her life, her ultimate decision to look for non-ethnic specific characters to play, and of course, her role of Cristina on Grey's.

 She seems very sweet and down to earth, don't you think?

Turn It Up!: Juliet Simms - Wild Child (Music Video)

 Juliet Simms is the former lead singer of the indie rock band Automatic Loveletter, but the majority of the world got to know her as the gritty rocker chick from Team Cee-Lo who was the runner up from season 2 of The Voice.

 After her success on The Voice, Juliet was signed to Republic Records and has since been working on her first solo studio album which is rumored to be coming out summer 2013. The first single is the reggae infused rock track "Wild Child" seen above. I love this song, it really matches the sonic flavors she played around with while on Team Cee-Lo, my only problem is that the video doesn't really hold up with the energy behind the song. A good start though.

 In other news, Juliet also recently returned to The Voice during it's current 4th season to perform with her former coach on his new single Only You (the single version of the track features singer Lauriana Mae instead of Simms).

 What do you think of Wild Child?

Turn It Up!: Justin Timberlake - Mirrors (Music Video)

 Alright, here are my thoughts on Mr. Timberlake. I like most of his music (although a bit pretentious at times) but there's something about him that bugs me and I can't figure out what it is. Aside from the fact that (for some reason) he seems to think he's black, there's a quality to him that I just find fake and annoying. I don't trust white boys from Tennessee who have Wigga accents and maybe it's because of how he handled the whole Janet Jackson nipple flash at the Superbowl, but I guess he seems to be very self serving.

 Be that as it may, I do laugh my ass off whenever I see him on SNL and the bulk of his music is pretty funky. The above song is definitely my favorite track from his new album "The 20/20 Experience" (I wonder if he owes Barbara Walters royalties for that album title?), but what is going on with the end of this video? I get the whole "3 time periods in one couples evolution" idea. The whole thing makes sense until he and his Lady Gaga looking back up dancer show up. I'm Confuzzled!

 Pretentious indeed!

Talk To Me!: Lisa Marie Presley on The Oprah Winfrey Show (October 2010)

 In October of 2010, Oprah flew to London to meet up with Lisa Marie Presley, during the recording of her album "Storm & Grace", and interview her about the death of her former husband, Michael Jackson.

 Lisa Marie has always been extremely candid and open whenever she has been on Oprah's show, and this interview is no exception. The two talk about everything from where she was when she heard about his death in June 2009, the parallels between Michael's life and her father's (Elvis Presley), her knowledge of Michael's drug use during their marriage, why they divorced, and her sense of regret after his passing.

 Really in depth, fascinating and brilliant interview! Give it a watch!

Turn It Up!: Dido - End Of Night (Music Video)

 I'm so in love with the new Dido album ("Girl Who Got Away" (2013)), I can't even explain it to you. In my opinion it is her best work since 2003's "Life For Rent". Her last album, Safe Trip Home (2008) was a bit of a snooze-fest but, thankfully, she is back to juxtaposing her very folk-rootsy voice with great guitar pop and mellow electronica beats which breathe so much more life into her music! Simply genius!

 Case in point, her 2nd single from the album "End Of Night". The video shows her walking through a seemingly haunted mansion with each room adorned with ghostly dancers while she sings of a relationship long past it's "sell-by" date.

 "You were ugly when the beat kicked in
And ugly when it left
And ugly all the way, I didn't see it till the end

 I feel nothing
When you cry
I hear nothing
See no need to reply
I can smile now
And turn away
Come over here
So you can see me walk away
And celebrate
The end of night"

 C'mon, are these great lyrics or what?

Turn It Up!: Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull - Live It Up (Music Video)

I don't absolutely love JLo's new single from her (as yet) untitled 8th studio album (omg I can't believe she's done 8 albums) but I do think it's fun and frivolous, which is what it's supposed to be, and I can't deny the fact that the woman looks SICKENING!!!!!!! Showing off her bangin' booty in that red one piece with feathers for days and red rubber thigh high boots that would put Nancy Sinatra to shame... Yes Ma'am! On the other hand, that yellow lipstick and nail polish... really?!?! It's okay Jennifer, how were you supposed to know that I hate the color yellow? I never told you!

 Jennifer is another artist (whether she's acting or singing) that I'm constantly shifting my opinions about. Sometimes I think she's really cool, and then there are times when she just irks me to no end. But she tries so hard and, really, she played Selena to the T back in the day, so I really can't hate her. But the one thing that is bothering me about her music career at the moment is her decision to release multiple singles (3 or 4) and then release an album. This album will be no exception. She has stated,

 "I think we're going to release this first and then a few singles and then we'll decide when to put the album out. I'm more a believer of letting it gain momentum. Let there be demand for the album by putting out some great music first."

 There are unconfirmed rumors that the new album will be released sometime in November. Good God woman. How are you going to have singles left to promote the album once it comes out? Unless you have 40 songs on the album, which, I'm sorry, but I don't think I can listen to you for that long.

 Release the album now, and get your ass out on tour, that's where artists make the bulk of their money anyway.

Turn It Up!: Kristina Train - Dark Black (Music Video)

 There are so many songs that I've been meaning to add to the blog for so long now and there aren't enough hours in the day. I've been meaning to add this one since December.

 I first heard this song when I was living with my boyfriend for 3 months at his place, helping him with his rent til he could find a new space to live. During the Christmas holidays, we would be decorating the house and baking and such, and we would have one of those Galaxy tv radio stations playing in the background. This song must've played once an hour and every time I asked him to turn it up. At first, I was struck by the simplicity of the music (which almost reminds me of Whiter Shade Of Pale) and the soulful richness of Kristina's voice, but then when I started to pay attention to the lyrics I just thought, what a perfect song. Chris found it sad (which it is), but I thought that it was so beautiful how she conveys the melancholy of missing someone or something so much that it saddens you to the point where the color and vibrancy of the world seems to dull in your eyes. Who doesn't know that feeling?.

 The rest of Kristina's album (also titled Dark Black) is just as fantastic. Her voice is so smooth and sultry that it makes it easy to get hooked on her.

 "What good is a rainbow, if the picture is in black and in white?"

Turn It Up!: Sheryl Crow - Easy (Music Video)

 Since I'm sick today, I've decided to stay in and get some rest, which gives me the opportunity to work a little bit on the blog.

 I've been obsessed with the new Sheryl Crow song since I first heard it about a month ago, and now she's finally released the official music video so I can add it here for you all to enjoy. I know I'll be blasting this from my car windows all summer. So organic, like a breath of fresh air.

 Sheryl has been working on her follow up to her 2010 album "100 Miles From Memphis" since late 2012 and has recently parted ways with A&M Records and signed with Warner Music Nashville, to release (what they're calling) her "first country music record" which is slated to come out in September of this year. That confuses me, only because I've always considered Sheryl's music to be mostly country influenced since she started (some albums more so than others). In any case, if the rest of the album is like this, I'm sure to love it. As past albums go, Sheryl is usually hit or miss with me. It seems like she has a pattern to do a really amazing album and then something kinda lackluster (just my opinion). So, since I was less than impressed with the last record, I'm expecting this one to be brilliant! 

As for the single, Sheryl has stated that the song is her "Stay-cation song". "It's about making your home feel like you're getting away!" The video was directed by Trey Fanjoy and features actor Jason Lewis (best known for the role of Smith Jerrod on Sex & The City) as her love interest, making a romantic island getaway in their own house.

 Ummm, yeah. Who wouldn't want to take it "Easy" with him?

 Am I Right?

Turn It Up!: Shanice - I Love Your Smile (Music Video)

 While I'm in a 90's frame of mind, and because it's her 40th Birthday today, I'm adding Shanice's 1991 classic "I Love Your Smile"!

 A one-time regular on the show Kids Incorporated (which turned out stars like Martika, Fergie, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Mario Lopez), Shanice started her music recording career at the age of 14 when she released her 1987 debut album "Discovery". The album sold moderately well and produced 2 top 10 R&B hits, but her major label success came in 1991 when she switched record company's and released her first Motown Records album "Inner Child". This album went on to reach #13 on the Billboard R&B chart and it's lead single (seen above) peaked at #2 on the Billboard Pop Charts and #1 on the R&B charts. Other releases include 1994's "21...Ways To Grow" and 1999's "Shanice"!

 Shanice is still recording music, her most recent release was 2006's "Every Woman Dreams", and on top of doing various songs for soundtracks like "Boomerang", "Pocahontas" and "Bevery Hills, 90210", she can also occasionally be heard singing back up on various artists albums (she sang back up on Toni Braxton's classic Unbreak My Heart, and Usher's Bedtime, just to name a few).

 She is rumored to be working on a new album to be released sometime this year (only a rumor though).

 Fun Fact: Did you know that Shanice was the first African American woman to perform the role of Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway?

 PS. Isn't this the cutest video?

Turn It Up!: Corina - Temptation (Music Video)

 Oooh, 90's throwback! Don'tcha just love it???? I want to thank my friend (and avid reader/supporter) Jordanna for bringing this song back around to my attention.

 Corina was a 90's dance pop and freestyle artist who (as far as I know) only released one official studio album back in 1991 (the self titled "Corina") which spawned 3 singles, the most popular and successful of the 3 was the song "Temptation", seen above.

 Temptation was the first single from the album and peaked on the Billboard Pop Charts in the US at number 6. As hot as the video may be (for a 90's video), Corina is the most unfortunate looking female pop star I've probably ever seen. Poor thing! She kinda looks like Wilson Jermaine Heredia in the role of Angel from the musical "Rent" (but manlier).

 Still a great song though!

Turn It Up!: Alanis Morissette - Lens (Music Video)

 Yayyyy! As I was cruising around youtube for a couple of videos to save for adding to the blog at a later time, I found the new music video for the 3rd single from Havoc And Bright Lights, Lens, which was just uploaded yesterday.

 I love the eastern inflections and influences on this song. Lens is ultimately (to me) about learning to live and love each other despite differences in opinion, religion, or daily practices in lifestyle, you can see past these things if you view them through a lens of love and acceptance, rather than disapproval and judgement.

 The video was shot recently on The Guardian Angel Tour which is currently touring Europe. I love it, she looks great (except for the strand of hair running across her forehead when she is singing against the wall, which my brother cannot stand, he wishes her stylist would have fixed that).

 What do you all think?

Talk To Me!: Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds on The Oprah Winfrey Show (2011)

 Actress and writer, Carrie Fisher and her mega movie star Mother, Debbie Reynolds sat down with Oprah Winfrey in February 2011 to discuss their lives and their turbulent relationship over the years. They talk about everything from Carrie's mental illness, to Debbie's famous marriages (including her first to Actor/Singer Eddie Fisher which ended when he left her for her best friend Elizabeth Taylor back in 1959), to Carrie's famous role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, and Debbie's extensive Hollywood film memorabilia collection.

 Carrie was also there to promote her One-Woman Show "Wishful Drinking" and the book of the same name. The one woman show was filmed and presented on HBO and I'm going to add it to the blog in the next couple of days (or maybe even later tonight) because it is truly hilarious.

 Enjoy!

Turn It Up!: Bette Midler - The Wind Beneath My Wings (Music Video)

 Today was Mother's Day (and I suppose it still is) and I would be a wretched son if I didn't add one of my Mom's favorite songs to honor her and send a love shout out for her and all the mothers out there who work their asses off to raise their kids.

 If you don't know who Bette Midler is, then you probably shouldn't be here lol. This song is her mega-smash single from her 1989 film "Beaches", and my Mom is the reason I love that movie and all of Bette Midler's music.

 Quick story: When I was a kid, I had horrible hand/eye co-ordination because my motor skills were underdeveloped, and so every Wednesday when I was around 8 or 9 years old, I had to go see a physical therapist (a woman named Eleanore) who would help me strengthen my motor skills by drawing pictures and playing various puzzle games (that damn Pop goes Perfection game for instance). My Mother was the one who always took me to these appointments and on the way we would always listen to a Bette Midler album, and it was usually either the Beaches Soundtrack or her 1990 album "Some People's Lives". So we would both sing along to Bette's songs to and from the appointments and have a great time.

 Years later, when I discovered I had a singing voice, I sang this song for my Mom on numerous occassions (in front of audiences, or just at home) and it has just become our song, in a way.

So, needless to say, Bette is one of my all time favorite artists and remains, to this day, the best concert experience I have ever been to. Many have come in a close second (trust) but I laughed, cried (literally had to be handed kleenex from the old woman seated next to me) and was moved in every way imaginable.

 Who are the artists that your Mother's listened to?