While sitting at home trying to recover my voice or to allow it to get beyond sounding like Froggy from the Our Gang/Little Rascals shorts (primarily by keeping my mouth shut), I have been listening to my favorite gift. For years, I have been torn between two iconic series of film scores by the same composer: Star Wars and Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones: The Soundtracks Collection
It’s my favorite contemporary classic Christmas tune, yet I can’t find the original version that made me fall in love with the song, “Please Come Home for Christmas”. I spent much of yesterday evening downloading different samples of the song; it seems every famous recording artist from the past few decades covered it. The musical acts that were sampled were very diverse: Aaron Neville, Sawyer Brown, Bon Jovi, Vonda Sheperd, Gary Allan, the Drifters, Lonestar, Toby Keith… Twenty renditions later and I still haven’t found the original version I heard – my favorite one to date. I heard it in the 80’s or early 90’s, and it was the most popular version they would play all the time on the radio; country and easy listening / rock. It’s sung by a male artist or group… if anyone has any suggestions of who it might be, I might be up to fishing through a few more versions of the song. That is, unless any of them are as bad as Toby Keith’s. And this is coming from a country music fan!
There is NOTHING in the world like a GREAT song. One of the best was a hit single from the final album of the duo Simon and Garfunkel
When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side. when times get rough
And friends just cant be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out,
When you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
This evening, I went with my family to watch the Santa parade here in town. One of the nieces was somehow scared to death of Santa until grandpa took her up. Then you could not get her away. While we waited for the free photos to develop we watched the junior high band play carols in the fire hall (my oldest niece is now in the 7th GRADE).
Following the festivities, we went back to the house and learned that The Polar Express was playing on network television. Once again, if you want to watch a good movie watch it on video with out the butchering and commercials. The movie is fast becoming a holiday classic and a tradition as has the book by Chris Van Allsburg
My favorite character is the lonely young boy who in his own words claims that “Christmas just doesn’t work out for me.” The hero boy, hero girl, and lonely boy sing a beautiful number entitled “When Christmas Comes to Town.”
Plus, the coolest actor ever has at least 5 roles in the movie. When you watch it, pay close attention and see how many roles you can hear Tom Hanks give voice to. It is just a beautiful film to watch every year while you prepare to celebrate the most joyous time of the year and believe in what can and, more importantly, what you can’t see… that which is in your heart. After all… The thing about trains… It doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.
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The Polar Express (Selections from the Motion Picture) Music by Alan Silvestri, Glen Ballard. Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). 72 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.PFM0428) See more info… |
That’s right!! This weekend on two different channels broadcast from the same city, they are having a Holiday Music Preview in preparation for their annual 24/7 marathon of merriment which begings the day after turkey and all the way through December 25th. One of the tunes is one in a long series of parodies to the immortal classic “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Entitled “The Twleve Pains of Christmas,’ Bob Rivers and his Chorus (thank you to the digital radio dispplay that lists the title, artist, and year (on occasion) lists the things that most annoy them about the season. One of the voices is a dead ringer for Archie Bunker who hates hangovers. While I do love carols, novelty songs, all the best in Christmas melodies, it IS TOO EARLY for them. I can only imagine the people who listen to the All Christmas Channels All The Time All Year Long (of which there is at least one. I have also heard some of my favorites already which I had to give listen to. “Snoopy’s Christmas,”(Snoopy vs. The Red Baron… nothing to do with A Charlie Brown Christmas) “Hippopatamus For Christmas,” “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” I will post later about some of my favorite traditional carols down the road. OK, OK… admittedly, I have not changed my car radio all weekend, but I still do think it is too early. So, I think my title should be included in a new take on the song.
Many of you have read a live blog before; ie people posting comments while an awards show is airing on tv. But have you ever read a live blog that is being composed within the vicinity of 4 crazy kids? The following represents my best shot at attempting the previous description:
PRESHOW
7:30 pm – It’s Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban on the red carpet. They’re a cute coupl… wait a minute, they look weird together. Well, actually, just Nicole Kidman looks strange. Kinda like Janice from the Muppets meets the thin spaced-out version of Anna Nicole Smith. It’s mean to be critical of people based on their appearances, but in this case, I suspect a nasty mistake in the plastic surgeon’s office. Since she did it to herself (and spent thousand$ to do so), no holds barred – I can joke all I want! And Nicole doesn’t seem very comfortable with playing second fiddle (it’s a country music awards show – appreciate the fiddle joke!) on the red carpet. I give this marriage 3 years, 4 tops.
7:35pm – Jack Ingram? Who IS that? If you read my previous blog post about the awards, then you know that I don’t get to listen to that much radio lately, and I don’t have the slightest idea who this is!
7:37 – Fans overwhelmingly choose Carrie Underwood to take Female Vocalist – both hubby and I agree. That reminds me, it will be a tight race in our household tonight – my husband and I only have 3 votes different from each other! And a reader / fellow blogger asked in a comment what the winner gets… we will have to choose our stakes before show time…
7:38 – So THAT’S the other half of Sugarland
7:38 – Julianne Hough from Dancing With The Stars? Didn’t she just have her appendix out? She’s hosting the pre-show with Craig Morgan? Isn’t THIS the pre-show?
7:45 – Awww – Alan Jackson has a cute family. One of his 3 girls is off at college this year though. What is with male country superstars having 3 girls? Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw all have 3 daughters each, to name a few…
7:46 – Every time I see her, Reba looks younger. Glad to see she can afford a better plastic surgeon than Nicole Kidman. Reba better watch out though – any more nose jobs and she’ll end up with a nose (or lack thereof) like Michael Jackson’s.
7:53 – Charlie Daniels – that’s my guess when Kid Rock (my new favorite artist – kidding) says he’s going to have a very special guest guitarist.
7:56 – Taylor Swift is growing up… after the things I’ve read about her since her breakup with the Jonas Brother, she might make a creepy adult.
7:58 – Ew, I can’t stand Reese Witherspoon. What’s she doing here? Oh, she grew up in NAshville and is promoting a movie.
7:59 – My husband leans over and says, “Reese Witherspoon? I can’t stand her.”
7:59 – Time to switch to the network for the real show!
2008 CMA AWARDS!
8:00 – We are off! Brad Paisley and Keith open the show with their much hyped collaboration. I like the blue glitter guitar. The song is nothing special. I dig the duel guitar solo at the end.
8:06 – Our hosts for the night – Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood (from American Idol to HOSTING the CMAS? Whatever…) She looks like a Barbie.
8:07 – Brad makes a “boots to fill” joke involving Dolly Parton – he did say boots. Hahaha – that’s the joke. Country music stars are creative song-writers… we never promised anything about their comedy skills. But I liked the joke, because the country music awards show I saw live (it was an ACM awards show though) was hosted by Dolly Parton.
8:10 – What are Hollywood A-listers doing here to present the first award? Oh wait, Nicole Kidman is married to a country music superstar. So what is with the random Hugh Jackman appearance though?
8:11 – Strait wins the first award of the evening for Single of the Year. 0/1 are we since we both guessed Sugarland. But who was that man George Strait kissed before his acceptance speech?
8:17 – Is it Kellie Pickler or a bad Madonna impersonator who sound like Belinda Carlisle? I don’t like it.
8:18 – My husband leans over and says, ” This is like an American Idol performance.” Ironic, because he relies on me for pop culture info and therefore did not know that this is Kellie Pickler who IS from American Idol! Glad to see she got herself out of the dress she said it took her hours to get into before she had a bathroom emergency.
8:20 – Alan Jackson – probably my favorite country artist of all time, ever since Garth Brooks sold out. Not sure what I think of his new song Good Time, though… It seems like a run-of-the-mill Alan Jackson song, which isn’t a bad thing, just heard before. My husband feels badly for Kellie Pickler whose awfulness had to be followed by Alan Jackson’s legendary stage presence.
8:23 – What the heck is with the college-age line dancers lining the aisles – that’s stupid. Are they trying to make a new linedance? This one looks just like the electric slide with a little wiggle thrown in… dumb. Alan Jackson squints into the camera – he’s getting old.
8:25 – the Cyruses, yuck. Saw Billy Ray live in 2002 when he was still a has-been playing town festivals. He ignored the legions dozens of fans trying to slap him five on his way to the stage. At least my daughter is a big fan of Miley’s – that makes this tolerable.
8:26 – Stay wins Song of the Year, and I’m 0/2, possibly my worst ever. Husband is up and I have only 2 more chances to catch up… mood turning sour… at least it’s a good song.
8:32 – Miranda Lambert performs. I like her. And I like these simple performances of songwriter sings simple song with guitar – songs like these are building blocks of country music.
8:35 – Reese Witherspoon is crying about Miranda Lambert’s performance? Really? Or is she acting? What is she doing here again?
8:36 – Oh good, Lady Antebellum. I was wondering who they are and what they sing. They sound just like a ’90’s band – I can’t think of who right now! Any ideas, please comment – it’ll come to me! Hubby says the lead singer looks like Lance Bass. At any rate, they’re nothing to write home about. Can’t see them having staying power – not country enough. 2/3 of the group too replaceable, remaining 1/3 not that noteworthy.
8:40 – getting a little greedy with the commercials – here’s yet another.
8:43 – Martina McBride is introduced by Brad Paisley, who could use some acting lessons from his actress wife; his script-reading is terrible. Martina is one of my favorite singers
8:44 – and she’s singing a VERY ordinary song. See my plea in a previous post – Martina and Alan Jackson NEED to seriously come out with some good stuff and soon!
8:48 – Rodney Atkins – HELP! This is the guy who sings about kids eating nuggets in the car and other mundane every day tasks… He is the kind of singer country music bashers use to make fun of the genre! AND HE:S OFF-KEY!
8:51 – Heidi who? Someone should pass her a cover-up in case her dress finishes falling down.
8:53 – PUT ME ON THE BOARD WITH MY FIRST CORRECT PICK FOR RASCAL FLATTS – VOCAL DUO! I really enjoy their music… please tell me they’re performing later! I hear that Kid Rock will be performing “the song we’ve been singing ‘All Summer Long'”. I love that song, however upset I was to learn it was Kid Rock’s music I was enjoying… Opening another window to download a sample of ‘Werewolves in London’.
8:59 – Taylor Swift performs. I love the stage, the costumed dancers, the dancing… the song sucks though.
903 – Is Taylor Swift lip-syncing? Why are the dancers suddenly surrounding her, do they know she gets off sync in that part of the song? Unless… COSTUME CHANGE! I was SO right! Called it seconds before it happened! Bool-yah!
9:04 – My new favorite song – All Summer Long – is cool as a live performance. But where is the guest guitarist we were promised? Was it someone I didn’t recognize? And Kid Rock probably smokes too many cigarettes, judging by his singing voice.
9:13 – Carrie Underwood has found herself a sarapi. Isn’t that what that type of dress is called? I don’t know how to spell it, can’t find it on a search…
9:14 – I like George Strait’s new song more than I’ve liked most of the other live performances. But why do country stars keep attempting to emulate Jimmy Buffett’s laid back beach style? It’s been done, and done very well, I might add! Let’s stick to country – especially you George Strait!
9:17 – Jason Aldean – one of those newcomers I’m not quite familiar with. Ah, I see he’s of the bad-a** variety style of country… I’m familiar with it. As a person who vents anger by performing 80’s and 90’s raps in the solitary confinement of my car, I appreciate the wailing guitars and the bad-a** attitudes that are breaking onto today’s country music scene.
9:21 – Best New Artist – goes to Lady Antebellum. Darnit, I really thought we had a shot for this one. We picked Kellie Pickler, and she is a good friend of presenter Taylor Swift and everything! Dang nabbit – I didn’t even like the sound of Lady Antebellum. Well, eat it up kids – you won’t last in Nashville.
9:28 – God bless the late great Jerry Reid – I’m sorry and ashamed to say that I’ve never heard of him.
9:30 – an enjoyable performance of “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” by Brooks and Dunn and Reba. And I like what these entities do together. We saw them perform in concert together twice – awesome both times. Too bad Reba’s plastic surgery doesn’t look as good as Nicole Kidman’s under the stage lights. They seem to have opposite effects – Reba’s new face looked great on the red carpet, Nicole’s was horrifying. Reba’s was nothing short of freaky on stage, whereas Nicole’s looked almost humanesque. You could have convinced me that Brooks and Dunn had a Reba animontronic made for this performance. Anyway, enough about the obvious plastic surgery plaguing us tonight… I should save that sort of commentary for the Oscars since there’s always plenty of fodder there…
9:35 – We both get another point since Sugarland wins Vocal Duo – BOOLYAH
9:40 – Darius Rucker – yes, he was in Hootie and the Blowfish and they were good. So what brings him to country music? I like him better as a blowfish. Wait a minute… when I heard this song he’s performing on the radio, I always thought it was Daryl Worley, who sings these types of songs. You mean to tell me the whole time that it was the work of a blowfish? A fish out of water, I would say – HA. He looks as out of place as he feels, and Alan Jackson squints up at the stage again – this time because he can’t believe there was actually an African-American on stage at the Country Music Association’s awards.
9:45 – Brad Paisley performs a mediocre tune
9:48 – LeeAnn Womack and Josh Turner show up to present the award for Album of the Year – one of the few categories where hubby and I differ. Good to see that Ms. Womack has tamed her bee-hive hairdo. YEE HAW!!!! I am back in the saddle with my George Strait pick; we are tied! Although it was announced that we both lost out on Video of the Year… shucks. I am not doing so well but still tied with hubby.
9:56 – A thought that crossed my mind as Brad Paisley introduced Keith Urban’s live performance – is it just me, or is Brad Paisley doing a lot more hosting than Barbie Carrie Underwood? I wonder about the politics involved in the decision to let those two be the hosts…
9:58 – Keith Urban’s performance, like so many before him, is mediocre at best. Thank goodness he’s an awesome guitarist. And they still use his song, “Somebody Like You” in my favorite dinner show at Arabian Nights in Orlando Florida – that’s what sold me on the show in the first place!
10:00 – Is it just me or are they giving everyone a standing ovation, as seen after Keith Urban’s performance?
10:01 – A woman talks about her husband who was killed in battle. She gets a standing ovation. Sadly though, at the beginning of her speech, people didn’t know who she was or what she was doing, so they kind of chuckled, thinking she was joking because they didn’t know who she was. A silent moment to reflect upon loved one’s lives lost and those who fight and fought for our country…
10:08 – I missed the second half of Carrie Underwood’s performance and whatever followed that because of a kid “emergency”. But now I see Vince Gill hands an award to…
10:09 – Carrie Underwood. As predicted by both of us in this house. And conveniently, she was waiting in the stage wings after performing, seemingly in position to rush on stage to accept her award. Curious…
So far, my husband and I are tied at 5/8 – not bad. Our personal tie-breaker will come down to Musical Event of the Year – a category that I joked existed only to flaunt the compromising of the big-name record labels. We both guess Kenny Chesney. But my guess is his collaboration with George Strait, and hubby’s guess is his Reba duet – Stay tuned to see the winner!
10:18 – Sugarland’s performance has been wailing on my tv in the backround while I typed some other stuff. Not very impressive. I’m beginning to wonder if it’s me or if all the performances tonight have been somewhat lackluster. Not only that, but the songs being performed aren’t that great to begin with.
10:20 – Just Got Started Lovin You is one of my favorite new songs! And James Otto is milking his big performance. Otto’s range in the song reminds me of Josh Turner, but I don’t give him credit for staying power. It’s a good song, but he doesn’t have the best stage presence.
10:29 – Whoa, my channel cut off Carrie Underwood. Anyone else’s? Kenny Chesney is performing his Jimmy Buffett knock-off routine with the beach combing sh*t. Sorry for the language. I need to see a really GOOD musical performance. This sounds like a callypso version of an elementary school chorus concert.
10:32 – My husband leans over and says, “Does this guy have eyes?” – referring to Kenny’s accomplice. I don’t think he likes the beachcomber crap any more than I do.
10:33 – Strangely, the intro to Trace Adkin’s performance sounds like a Carrie Underwood single, “Jesus Take the Wheel”. Subliminal marketing maybe. Conspiracy theories abound, the more tired I get…
10:37 – Another standing ovation? This time for Trace Atkins… ok, whatever.
10:37 – Reese Witherspoon – I can’t stand her.
10:38 – Reese Witherspoon gushes, “I am SOOOO glad to be here!” My husband leans over and says, “I can’t stand her.”
10:39 – Brad Paisley wins Male Vocalist of the Year. We are now tied at 5/9 since we had Keith Urban.
10:41 – Ooh – more hints about the surprise person. Evidently, they are going to present the Entertainer of the Year award. This marketing ploy has intrigued me, although you know that the astonished faces reacting to the surprise guest they show in the commercials have nothing to do with who it is – this is a live show!
10:44 – Ooh – Lost premiere January 21. Wait, do I still watch that show? It’s been so long, I forget.
10:48 – mediocre Eagles performance. What is with their new tidy look? What is with me and thinking all the performances are mediocre? Is it just me? Not in this instance – the Eagles in their suts suck – they look old and tired. Good music from a great group, they just need a smart manager – oh, big surprise, ANOTHER standing ovation. Is that just what you do nowadays, the stand’n’clap?
10:54 – The best selling female country recording artist of all time is Shania Twain? YUCK! Another standing ovation! And they haven’t even given out the award yet!
10:56 – And now they have… Entertainer of the Year goes to Kenny Chesney, yuck! But at least we both got it right!
10:59 – “The votes in tonight’s award show were cast by the six thousand members of the Country Music Association”… kinda like our local theater group, the WCCT.
But what the heck? Seems we are missing a category detrimental to our outcome? Does anyone have the results for Musical Event of the Year?!? That was our tie-breaker, and evidently we missed it, so break the tie for us!
Ok – Krauss and Plant won for Vocal Event – neither of us had them chosen. So, it ended in a tie. Overall, an entertaining show, as always. I really could have used some more good musical performances, however… Good night!
And as a final footnote – I got my sample of ‘Werewolves in London’. The melody is obviously borrowed for ‘All Summer Long’, but I do like the new Kid Rock song much better. Who knew that plagarizing two popular songs and then splicing them together would earn critical acclaim instead of a lawsuit?
It’s fall – time for the CMA Awards already! If you don’t know that CMA is short for Country Music Association, then you have my permission to skip this blog post – it will only bore you anyway!
For other country music fans like me, this is one of our two biggest nights of the year – the Superbowl for country fans. I get really excited, and unlike other awards shows like the Oscars, I don’t like to tape (I am a child of the ’80’s) record country music awards, and I especially don’t like to miss anything – the live performances are some of the best parts! I always play along and try to choose the winners, but I don’t think my picks are going to be that strong this year because I’m listening to country music radio less than ever – I enjoy talking to my kids in the car, or they’re watching dvd’s. At home I’m usually listening to Dora, the DoodleBops or Noggin. But the CMA Awards show will be a blast to watch, as always, and there are only two nights like this a year – cross your fingers for me that my kids decide to act like human beings tonight and let me watch the show. My picks for the winners, however uneducated they may be, are made obvious by my comments in itallics:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney – ok, so he doesn’t dominate this awards show like the ACMs, but I’m going with him anyway – just because he is not one of my favorite singers and I’m not expecting the show to go well for me
Brad Paisley
Sugarland
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood – I called her from one of her first appearances in American Idol. I said – she’s going to win Idol, but she has a voice for country. Now she’s established herself as one of the best female country singers out there today.
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson – my favorite of those nominated, but what’s he done lately?
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban – my pick to win – tough call between Keith and Brad, but you gotta congratulate a guy for a successful stint in rehab
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland – their unique sound will win them many awards – just one question: who else is in Sugarland besides Jennifer Nettles?
The Wreckers
Vocal Group of the Year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts – tried and true, these guys have talent. So do Brooks and Dunn, but they haven’t come out with anything lately
New Artist Of The Year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler – another American Idol reject crossover
Album Of The Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Carrie Underwood’s Carnival Ride Produced by Mark Bright
Brooks & Dunn’s Cowboy Town Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Alan Jackson’s Good Time Produced by Keith Stegall
Kenny Chesney’s Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
George Strait’s Troubadour Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait – gotta give him something
Single Of The Year [Awarded to artist and producer]
“Don’t Blink” Kenny Chesney Produced by Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney BNA Records
“Gunpowder & Lead” Miranda Lambert Produced by Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke Columbia Nashville
“I Saw God Today” George Strait Produced by Tony Brown & George Strait MCA Nashville
“Stay” Sugarland Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer NettlesMercury Nashville – not really sure of the difference between single and song of the year, but Stay has to win one of these. I’m going with Single, I guess.
“You’re Gonna Miss This” Trace Adkins Produced by Frank Rogers Capitol Nashville
Song Of The Year [Awarded to songwriter and primary publisher]
“Good Time” Alan Jackson EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
“I Saw God Today” Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music – like I said, I don’t think Strait will walk away with nothing tonight – just hope I didn’t reverse the single and song of the year!
“Letter To Me” Brad Paisley EMI-April Music/New Sea Gayle Music
“Stay” Jennifer Nettles Jennifer Nettles Publishing
“You’re Gonna Miss This” Lee Thomas Miller/Ashley Gorley EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle/Noah’s Little Boat Music/Songs of Combustion Music
Musical Event Of The Year [Awarded to each Artist]
“Another Try” — Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood MCA Nashville
“Every Other Weekend” — Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney MCA Nashville
“Gone Gone Gone” — Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Rounder Records
“Life In A Northern Town” — Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen Mercury Nashville
“Shiftwork” — Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait) BNA Records – What does ‘vocal event’ mean anyway? By the looks of how they wrote the nominees, I guess ‘vocal event’ means ‘when record labels lease their stars’. Chesney always wins big at awards shows, but I personally prefer Jimmy Buffet’s beachcomber style over Kenny Chesney’s knock-off version. I’m guessing the Country Music Association does not agree.
Music Video Of The Year [Awarded to artist and director]
Don’t Blink Kenny Chesney Directed by Shaun Silva
Good Time Alan Jackson Directed by Trey Fanjoy
Stay Sugarland Directed by Shaun Silva – everyone knows by now that Jennifer Nettles cried real tears during the filming of this video, is it enough to win her the award? My vote is yes, but maybe it’s just wishful thinking.
Waitin’ On a Woman Brad Paisley Directed by Jim Shea
You’re Gonna Miss This Trace Adkins Directed by Peter Zavadil
Musician Of The Year
Jerry Douglas, Dobro — Drums
Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar
Dann Huff — Guitar – will win. But then again, this is the blind lottery award for viewers. Like I know who any of these people are, so I just picked the name that jumped out at me, and Dan Huff it was.
Brent Mason — Guitar
Mac McAnally — Guitar
For sure, a great time will be had by all. I might update my blog with winners as I watch tonight. And after reviewing my reasons for my picks for tonight’s awards, it needs to be said that it’s been way too long since some classic artists (and my personal favorites) came out with anything noteworthy! Alan Jackson Garth Brooks and Martina McBride, you know who you are!
I just might have to start calling myself a Kid Rock fan… ok, no not really, that’s going way too far.
It all started when I was able to catch a few minutes of country music radio – a rare treat for me because when I’m doing errands in my car every day, I’m usually forced to listen to Kidsongs, VeggieTales, or the like while the kids are watching the car dvd player. But lately, I’ve been able to catch a few songs on country music radio… I guess it’s because my youngest daughter has been refusing to nap at home during the day, therefore she can’t help herself from napping once we get in the car, giving me control of the car stereo, even if it is temporarily. But anyway, country radio has been constantly playing a song that I really like – I heard it again the other day while my husband was getting a haircut, and that’s when I decided I needed to look it up, find out what it is and who sings it so I can get it for my own enjoyment. Well, I looked it up, and what I found is that my new favorite “country” song is Kid Rock’s latest single called “All Summer Long”. For those of you who don’t know, Kid Rock is not a country artist – not in my book, anyway… Seems he’s been trying to cross over to country for a couple of years now however. His duet with Sheryl Crow called “Picture” hit the top of the country charts a few years ago when it came out. But Kid Rock is most famous for various tabloid fodder; including his relationship with Pamela Anderson and the public brawls he’s engaged in. But I think Kid Rock’s normal style of music is hard-core. There is a song called “Warrior” by him that is played before movies in the theater, and that song is very reminiscent of 80s heavy metal – I think that’s a taste of his usual musical style.
So why the switchover into country? I have one guess – money. It’s no secret that country music is the most popular music genre in the United States today. Kid Rock’s new song doesn’t quite have that country sound, however, but I wouldn’t know how else to classify it. It reminds me of late 70’s or early 80’s classic rock, ala Lynyrd Skynyrd – there is even a tribute to the song “Sweet Home Alabama” in “All Summer Long” – it mentions the song and even replicates its famous guitar lick. But nowadays, I don’t know where a song such as this should be catagorized, and apparently the music industry felt the same way, so they stuck it in the country genre. It’s a really great, feel-good, care-free, summery kind of song… don’t know why they didn’t rush to get it released at the beginning of the summer. But it’s here now, and I’m enjoying it, even if it is sung by Kid Rock. I just wish he’d make up his mind about where he wants to be musically. Being a country music fan, I despise “posers” and “crossovers” who try to take advantage of country music fans just because they’re seen as loyal and dumb. The bait and switch didn’t work with me this time – I like the song, but knowing it’s Kid Rock did take a little out of it for me. I have a big problem with crossovers – I don’t like accepting them into the country music family. I feel that country music is something you either love or you hate, and if these crossovers weren’t already involved in country music, chances are they’ve hated it in the past and should not be allowed to crossover when the time or price is right. You are either a country artist or you’re not. Which is why it is to my dismay that this new Kid Rock song is so good.
But all things aside, check out “All Summer Long”, it’s worth a listen, and let’s hope Kid Rock doesn’t steal too much thunder away from the real country acts come time for the Country Music Awards that will be airing in November. Judging solely by how much air time he’s getting on the radio, I think he has a shot to win some awards for this one – he’ll at least get a live performance. I just hope he can behave himself. Surprisingly, given the red-neck reputation of country music’s fan base, the annual Country Music Awards is not a place where there is usually scandalous behavior such as fighting or swearing, and let’s hope these fly-by-night country crossovers don’t ever bring it to that.
Tonight, I rented the DVD of a musical I have heard so much about but have never had the opportunity to see in any form. Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece, Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
As the movie opens, Benjamin (who has assumed the identity of Sweeney Todd) returns to Victorian era London aboard a sailing ship upon which he meets the young Anthony. While the title character was away, his daughter Johanna became the ward of the sadistic judge. Sweeney opens a new barber shop above the pie shop of one Mrs. Lovett who is known around the city for making “The Worst Pies in London
The aforementioned tragic character, the young lovers, and in particular the score itself is much more reminiscent of opera. The dark tones set by the entire piece is unlike most light musical theatre. In fact, audiences must be warned of the large displays of blood…. definitely not the “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” type of show. However, for those who can look beyond the obvious, what is left is well worth watching. Sondheim composed not only the music but the lyrics to some of his most beautiful songs in Sweeney Todd. “Pretty Woman
As for the marquee attraction, Johnny Depp who has had a looong standing cinematic relationship with director Tim Burton, was adequate in the role. His singing is better suited for a rock band then a musical stage production. Helena Bonham Carter had some of the more difficult songs to sing as Mrs. Lovett (who one could say is perhaps as villainous as anyone in the show). I was also pleased with the voice of Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony. In perhaps the closest moment of comic relief, Sacha Baron Cohan plays a scam artist named Pirelli who knows something of Sweeney’s past (those of you who know me KNEW I had to mention this bit that looks like a lot of fun).
Would I recommend this musical to everyone? Definitely not! As I said before, if you can look beyond the the blood, what is left is one of the best shows Sondheim has yet created. Sometime, I have been promised to watch a video of a stage performance with Angela Lansbury (who was the original Broadway Mrs. Lovett).
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Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (Vocal Selections) Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (1930-). Songbook for voice and piano. 44 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing. (AP.VAL2020A) See more info… |
It took nearly a day to come up with something intriguing to post for number 200 and it came to me while I was a church going over music that I will be singing at mass Sunday morning. The organist and I were trying to decide on a communion song. While going through our list of possibilities, my focus was drawn to the beautiful “Panis Angelicus.” I have always found it quite challenging yet fun to sing in a language other than English. Our church choir attempts to fumble through Latin pieces a few times a year with varied results. I would love to find a great arrangement of “Pie Jesu” (perhaps from the Andrew Lloyd-Webber “Requiem” that I have found to be my favorite version of the several I have heard). Call me a romantic in the classical sense.
One of my favorite performers is no stranger to singing in different languages. In fact, Josh Groban’s professional debut happened at the spur of the moment and was part of an English-Italian duet.. While employed as a rehearsal singer for the 1999 Grammy Awards, Josh (age 18) was asked to fill in for an ailing Andrea Bocelli on the live broadcast. He performed “The Prayer” with Celine Dion in front of a large audience while millions watched on television. A little luck never hurt anyone.
Almost overnight, the baritone/tenor (critics are still not sure what to classify him; Josh considers himself a “tenor in training”) appeared all over media. He made appearances on the television series Ally McBeal and on several talk shows. Oprah Winfrey named his holiday album, Noel
An excellent performer who is not afraid to challenge himself by going against the norm.
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Closer By Josh Groban. Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). Text language English and Italian. 96 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.306860) See more info… |