Turn It Up: Dia Frampton - The Broken Ones

Some people know Dia Frampton from her band Meg & Dia (with her sister Meg Frampton), some people know her as the runner up from the first season of the NBC competition show "The Voice" (appearing on Blake Shelton's team and coming in second to contestant Javier Colon), and some people have never heard of her at all.

I, like a large percentage of the population, fall into column B. I'm not really big on singing competition shows but I liked the idea of "The Voice" and the panel of judges, so I invested my time and attention in it and was rewarded in the form of Dia (as well as a few other contestants).

Cee-Lo Green described Dia as being "so cozy". An appropriate description for the 24 year old author of childrens stories. Dia has just released her first full length solo album "Red" today and I certainly hope there will be more to come if it gifts us with songs like these. I'll be downloading the album tomorrow, and I'm sure it will be delightful.

Give it a go.

"I can't help it I love the broken ones
the ones who need the most patching up
the ones who never been loved
never been loved
never been loved enough

Maybe I see a part of me in them
The missing piece always trying to fit in
the shattered heart hungry for a home
no you're not alone
I love the broken ones."

Turn It Up: Kate Bush - Snowflake

All I really know about Kate Bush is that she's from Bexleyheath, Kent, England, she's inspired the likes of Tori Amos and Charlotte Martin and her music is incredible (and really that's all I need to know).

Her new EP "50 Words For Snow" is no exception, all of the songs are dark and deeply haunting (perfect for the holiday season lol), and feature collaborations with the likes of Elton John, Stephen Fry and others. The song Snowflake is the first track (of seven) and features Kate's son Albert (or Bertie) on additional vocals.

The song is described as " a song expressing the hope of a noisy world soon being hushed by snowfall." Good enough description.

There's no music video for this song so I'm just adding this fan made video that I found, which at one point has the scene from Edward Scissorhands where Winona Ryder is dancing in the snow, in the background, and...well...we already know how much I love her.

Enjoy!!!!

Turn It Up: Lady Gaga - Marry The Night

My favorite song from Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" album, now has a fucked up little video to go with it (and by little, I of course mean 13 minutes long).

There's really nothing to say about it except I think she would do well in film if she ever went that route (aside from the utterly pretentious dialogue she sometimes spews). The video is like Black Swan and Girl Interrupted meet Fame.

"You may say I lost everything, but I still had my Bedazzler!"

Turn It Up (Flashback): Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)

As soon as I posted the video below about Winona and mentioned the movie Reality Bites, I knew my next post would be the Stay video.

I believe Lisa still holds the record for being the first artist to reach #1 on the Billboard charts (with this song) before ever being signed to a record label. Lisa was friends with Ethan Hawke who starred in Reality Bites alongside Winona (and consequently directed this one-take music video) and he decided to give a copy of the song to the films director, Ben Stiller, and he agreed to add it to the end credits of the movie and include it on the films soundtrack. Radio stations got ahold of the song, started playing it and the rest, as they say, is history.

Stay is also available on Lisa's first full length studio album "Tails" (1995)

Turn It Up: Wilson Phillips - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day

Here's a nice little holiday jingle from 90's girl group Wilson Phillips who released their first holiday album as a trio, "Christmas In Harmony", last year (sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson released a Christmas record, "Hey Santa", back in 1993).

Aside from their cameo in the film "Bridesmaids" this summer, the girls are also shooting a reality show that will follow them as they record their new record (their first since 2004's cover album "California"). The album will be another covers album comprised exclusively of songs by their parents bands, The Mama's and The Papa's and The Beach Boys respectively and will be released sometime next year.

Sidenote 1: I'm so glad Carnie gained back the pounds, she looked so weird being as skinny as she was. I'm sure she's not pleased, but....whatever.

Sidenote 2: From interviews I've seen of her recently, Chynna has become a huge Jesus freak. How did that happen?!?! You're married to Billy Baldwin for Christ's sake.

Turn It Up (Flashback): Paula Abdul - My Love Is For Real

Paula may be batshit crazy nowadays but back in the 90's when she had her first run at fame as a popstar, she was quite something.

Paula was the first artist I ever saw at a large stadium. I was 9 or 10 years old, and I went to see her at Kingswood Arena at Canada's Wonderland during her "Under My Spell" Tour. I won't bore you all with the story right now though, because I will be adding the videos from that tour at some point, so I'll leave the complete story til then.

"My Love Is For Real" has always been one of my favorite Paula songs, even if it's from her least successful album "Head Over Heels". I loved the video when it came out, the choreography, and how she used the different ranges in her voice.

Still fantastic!

Liven It Up: Alanis Morissette - Simple Together

I have no real story about this song other than it has helped me through many a break up and it's one of my faves (of many) by Alanis.

I wanted to post something by Alanis because she was present on the red carpet for the American Music Awards and announced that her new album is due out Spring/Summer of 2012 and she had written 31 songs for the album (not all will make it onto the final product, I'm assuming).

Great news!

Liven It Up & Talk To Me: Dolly Parton On The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1998)

I may have the year of this appearance all wrong, but I think I'm right because Dolly performs "Paradise Road" from her album "Hungry Again" and that album came out in 1998.

Anyway, I love Dolly Parton because she has the brightest spirit in show business and has such a good attitude about herself and others, she just strikes me as the kind of celebrity I would love to have over for dinner. As I said, she performs "Paradise Road", then sits down to talk with Rosie about the Dollywood theme park (it's home-spun fun), her childhood, why the first cloned sheep was named after her, and of course, cheap swag.

"When I had to haul ass, I had to make two trips!" Lol, love her!!!!!

Liven It Up: Vanessa Williams - Starbright

I have a few traditions that I like to uphold during the holiday season, but the first is that I don't allow myself to start listening to any holiday music until after I've watched the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. It may sound foolish, but I find it to be a very good system because it gives you a good annual check point and you never feel like you're starting too early.

So, as is customary, today was the Santa Claus parade and immediately after watching it, I started digging out my favorite christmas albums and burning them to my computer and I am now enjoying them is all their splendor.

I chose the video above for this post because, every year (without fail) the first Holiday album I choose to listen to is Vanessa Williams' "Starbright". It would have to be one of my top favorite's and the title track is just stunning. The unusual thing is, I very rarely listen to Vanessa Williams throughout the rest of the year (even though I enjoy her very much) but once this time of year hits, I become obsessed with listening to her. Strange, huh?!?!

Long story short, I urge you all to bust out your christmas/winter season tunage right now, before the time comes to an end for another year. Make it festive!

Turn It Up: Anjulie - Brand New Bitch

I don't really know a whole lot about Anjulie, except she hails from Oakville Ontario originally and I fell in love with her and her first album ("Anjulie" 2009) after hearing her song "Rain" for the first time. Really, isn't that all I need to know.

This song is a lot more dance pop oriented than the sounds on her first album, which were a lot more urban than this. Nevertheless, I like it and I look forward to her new album which is meant to be released sometime next year. The next single (whose video I will also be adding at some point) "Stand Behind The Music", will be available digitally December 13th.

Turn It Up: Traci Lords - Last Drag

Former Porn Star, now actress/musician/author Traci Lords, has not released a full length album since 1995's "1,000 Fires". Since then, she has independently released a few dance singles, but nothing resembling the success of that release, prefering instead to focus on her acting career, appearing in films like Blade, Nowhere, and Zack and Miri Make A Porno. But this past Tuesday, she marked her return to music by releasing the video for her new single "Last Drag".

No official word on a full length album yet, but the single has been climbing the billboard dance charts and is currently at #25. I'm looking forward to hearing more. Upon first listen it sounds a bit like Goldfrapp's "Ooh La La" (but better, if that's possible).

Enjoy. You know I do!

Liven It Up: Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (i-Tunes Festival)

I know Adele is going through her health issues at the moment in terms of her throat, and I don't know if the surgery will affect her voice, but if I had to live without a third album from her, I think I'd be alright with that.

Not that I wouldn't love another album from her (believe me I would), it's just that I think her latest album "21" is such a masterpiece (with amazing songs like this one), that I'd be surprised if she could top herself.

I really look forward to her proving me wrong though.

Liven It Up: Idina Menzel - Defying Gravity

I'm so excited! The video above was taken from Idina's first ever live concert performance for PBS Soundstage, and I am going to be in the audience for the second. Tomorrow, Idina will be performing her first of two nights at Koerner Hall inside the Royal Conservatory Of Music In Toronto, with both nights being recorded for her second PBS special which will air sometime early next year, and I am going to the second night on Friday.

I saw the Tony award winning actress and singer 2 years ago when she came to Danforth Music Hall to promote her 3rd solo album "I Stand", but this performance will be even more special because she is being accompanied by Tony award winning (and Pulitzer Prize winning) composer, Marvin Hamlisch and the Kitchener - Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

Should be a beautiful night. Defying Gravity, for those of you who are unaware is from the Broadway musical "Wicked" for which Idina was awarded the Tony for creating the role of "Elphaba, The Wicked Witch Of The West."

Turn It Up: Rihanna - We Found Love (Feat. Calvin Harris)

What's not to love about this video? Catchy song, cute guy, and Rihanna writhing around in a psychedelic sex haze while dressed in a jean jacket with no shirt or bra underneath like she's Samantha Fox.

Well done sweetie! You've earned my attention!

Turn It Up: Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (Feat. Christina Aguilera)

I unfairly used to think that Adam Levine from Maroon 5 was an egotistical prick who thought way to highly of himself (where I got this, I don't know) but I have liked the groups music ever since I saw them open for Vanessa Carlton just after the release of their first album. It was watching them that was the problem. However, after witnessing how cool, laid back and artistically clever Adam was on the competition show The Voice, I have changed my view.

I now have a bit of a crush on him and find him to be very sexy. A few tattoos too many, but still... yah yummy. Anyway this song is awesome, I love the video and even Christina looks cute.

From the album "Hands All Over" (Re-release).

Liven It Up: P!nk - Dear Mr. President

I can safely say that this is the song that cemented me as a P!nk fan. I had always listened to her (on occassion) if she was on the radio or if I came across a video of her's on Much Music (I mean, y'know, when they used to actually play music) because I appreciated her sense of humor and her gritty pop voice, but the minute I heard this song on her "I'm Not Dead" album, I was extremely impressed.

First, you'd have to have been dead to not respond to these lyrics during the years of the Bush administration, but secondly, the fact that she featured The Indigo Girls on background vocals on the album version was a very cool surprise, and one that I did not expect from the likes of a young pop artist.

The video above is from the "I'm not Dead" Tour, recorded at Wembley Arena and though the Indigo Girls were not there to accompany her, the song lost none of it's potency.

Turn It Up: Janet Jackson - Nothing

Among other artists, I will certainly be adding a lot of Janet Jackson posts to this blog as she is one of my favorites and has been since I became obsessed with the song "Escapade" when I was 7.

So, why am I adding this song instead of "Escapade" then? Well, simply because I have had this song stuck in my head all week and no matter how many times I listen to it on my ipod or in my car, I keep going back for more. I like the combination of the simplistic melody and conversational lyric, what I don't really care for is her look in this music video, but I can get over it. The song is beautiful, no one said the video had to be. If I ever get a high quality version of her performing it from her current "Number 1's Tour", I will definitely add it because the outfit she wore during this number was gorgeous

See?!?

Liven It Up: Sutton Foster - "Flight" feat. Megan McGinnis

For those of you who don't know, Sutton Foster is a two time Tony award winner for her roles in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and the recent revival of "Anything Goes" and is one of the most exciting young stars to grace the broadway stage in recent years.

From showing her comedic chops in "The Drowsy Chaperone" (which I got to see) and "Young Frankenstein", to breaking our hearts in the musical version of "Little Women", she has proved herself to be an amazingly versatile entertainer. So, when it came time for her to release her first solo album, entitled "Wish", it came as no surprise that she would fill it with a blend of pop, broadway, jazz, and old standards for our listening delight.

The song "Flight" was written by musical theatre composer Craig Carnelia, and is a duet with her "Little Women" co-star Megan McGinnis (she played the Beth to Sutton's Jo). As in that musical, their voices flow together like water. Watch the live video above from Sutton's album release party at Barnes & Noble in Manhattan.

Fun Fact #1: Megan McGinnis was an occasional guest star on the 90's sitcom "Blossom", her hair was a lot poofier then.

Fun Fact #2: Sutton is married to actor Bobby Cannivale, who is perhaps best known for his role of Will's boyfriend, Vince on Will & Grace and as the "Funky Spunk" guy on Sex & The City.

Turn It Up: Melanie C - Think About It

Melanie recently released her long awaited 5th studio album, and though the mood for most of the record is very aggressive, dramatic and atmospheric (a perfect break up album), for the first single, she decided to go with the light-hearted uptempo track, "Think About It".

The song almost stands alone in it's frivolity (except for the song "Stupid Game" which is a rock inspired track that chronicles her relationship with the tabloid media). Melanie has admitted "T.A.I" is undeniably about being spontaneous, and having a good time without thought of consequences.

"I don't wanna think about real life
not tonight, I don't wanna think about
anyone, anything, anyway!"

Personally, I think she's never looked or sounded better!

Taken from the album "The Sea".