Dusty Springfield – “Get Ready”
I found this clip of Dusty Springfield singing the classic Temptations hit “Get Ready” and had to post it. Someone emailed me recently asking if her version of “Get Ready” was available on CD. I haven’t been able to find that anywhere, but her performance of the song on British TV is available on the […]
Music Review: Yael Naïm – Yael Naïm
If you’ve seen those new Mac Air commercials you’ve heard the airy tune accompanying the ultra-thin laptops as they take their marketing now for the world. The song, “New Soul is sung by the 29-year-old Yael Naïm. Born in Paris (to Tunisian parents) and raised in Israel, Naïm brings her multilingual background to her music. […]
Music Review: The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
After Helio Sequence had toured through the United States and Europe in 2004 with Modest Mouse, Blonde Redhead, Kings of Leon and Secret Machines the duo of Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel was at a crossroads. According to Helio Sequence’s record company bio, Brandon’s vocal chords were completely shot. At one point, his doctor ordered […]
Music Review: Ultimate Grammy® Collection (7 CD Series)
As the Grammy® awards get ready to celebrate their fiftieth anniversary with its annual awards show to air February 10, 2008 on CBS, Shout factory has released the 7 CD Ultimate Grammy® Collection. The set consists of Contemporary R&B, Contemporary Pop, Classic R&B, Classic Pop, Contemporary Rock, Classic Country, and Contemporary Country. Each of the […]
Music Review: Mary J. Blige – Growing Pains
From the time of her first album back in 1992, Mary J. Blige digs into the deepest corners of personal emotion on every song. She takes listeners through her struggles with addiction, depression and finding love. Now, happily married and content with her place in life, Blige has a new well of emotions to draw […]
Music Review: Rivers Cuomo – Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo comes across like the ultimate music nerd. Since his band Weezer garnered mainstream success back in 1994 with their self titled debut, Cuomo has seemed uncomfortable with the notoriety. While many musicians would have reveled in the rock n’ roll lifestyle, after a yearlong tour to support Weezer (The Blue Album) ended, Cuomo […]
Music Review: Jars of Clay – Christmas Songs
Jars of Clay was formed back in 1993 at Illinois’ Greenville College by singer/songwriter Dan Haseltine and keyboardist Charlie Lowell; they were joined by fellow music major Stephen Mason on guitar and Matt Bronleewee later joined the band as second guitarist. The Christian band had an interest in releasing a holiday themed album from the […]
Music Review: Mannheim Steamroller – Christmas Song
Chip Davis, better known as Mannheim Steamroller, once wrote advertising jingles with Bill Fries and helped him create the popular C.W. McCall character, the man behind the 1976 hit “Convoy.” Shortly after that, Davis started recording what he called “18th century classical rock” — classical music performed on electric bass and synthesizers. He eventually came […]
Music Review: Serena Ryder – Told You in a Whispered Song
Canadian born singer/songwriter Serena Ryder has been performing since the age of thirteen. Serena is already a major star in her native Canada. Her major label debut, If Your Memory Serves You Well, a set of twelve covers and three original songs was released in Canada in late 2006 and hit store shelves in the […]
Music Review: Paper Rival – Paper Rival
Paper Rival (formerly known as Keating) has recently released its first self titled EP. The band was formed in Tennessee in late 2005. The group is made up of Cody McCall on bass and vocals, Jacob Rolleston on lead vocals, Brent Coleman on guitars and cello and Patrick Damphier on guitars, keyboards, drums and vocals. […]