Music

  • It’s March Musical Madness—The B-52’s on PBS

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    Author: Bob Etier

    If you’re lucky enough to catch the B-52’s in concert, you probably won’t see them in outrageous costumes and hairstyles.

    The B-52’s with the Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA will be seen in March (beginning March 3) on PBS stations as part of March’s special programming. Athens is the band’s hometown and this performance was filmed in February 2011 to commemorate the 34th anniversary of their first-ever live show. Three decades have not diminished the iconic group's eccentric, unique style which Fred Schneider describes: “We just did our own thing, which was a combination of rock ‘n roll, funk, and Fellini, and game show host, and corn, and mysticism.”


    If you’re lucky enough to catch the B-52’s in concert, you probably won’t see them in outrageous costumes and hairstyles. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you need only check out the audience. The B-52’s with the Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA will be seen in March (beginning March 3) on PBS stations as part of March’s special programming. Athens is the band’s hometown and this performance was filmed in February 2011 to commemorate the 34th anniversary of their first-ever live show. Three decades have not diminished the iconic group's eccentric, unique style which Fred Schneider describes: “We just did our own thing, which was a combination of rock ‘n roll, funk, and Fellini, and game show host, and corn, and mysticism.” Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/its-march-musical-madnessthe-b-52s/#ixzz1nmITyIfL
    Audience members attended the concert wrapped in feather boas, wearing mile-high pink hair and pound upon pound of sparkles, and accenting their look with cat’s eye glasses and other accessories the B-52’s popularized among their cult of followers.Viewers must be patient until the last quarter of the program to hear “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack,” both worth the wait. Other songs performed include: “Roam,” “Give Me Back My Man,” “Funplex,” “Planet Claire,” and “Private Idaho.” Band members Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson may—like their fans—be marked by some of the effects of time, but their show in Athens is dynamic and high-energyAudience members attended the concert wrapped in feather boas, wearing mile-high pink hair and pound upon pound of sparkles, and accenting their look with cat’s eye glasses and other accessories the B-52’s popularized among their cult of followers. Viewers must be patient until the last quarter of the program to hear “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack,” both worth the wait. Other songs performed include: “Roam,” “Give Me Back My Man,” “Funplex,” “Planet Claire,” and “Private Idaho.” Band members Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson may—like their fans—be marked by some of the effects of time, but their show in Athens is dynamic and high-energy Read more

  • New Music from Danika Holmes - Living Your Dream

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    Author: Bob Etier

    Danika Holmes is branching out with her new album Living Your Dream--her country-influenced pop has expanded to include bluesy (“Rainy Day Lovin’”) and Bob Dylan (“Forever Young”). While the Dylan cut was a pleasant surprise, Living Your Dream has even more to offer.

    Along with a collection of upbeat love songs (“Kiss and Make Up,” “Rainy Day Lovin’), Holmes penned and sings empowering songs (“Dreams Held Hostage,” “Living Your Dream,” “Make My Own Day,” “Someone New to Forget”) about taking responsibility for one’s own life, living one’s own dreams, and determining which path to take. Even more impressive is “How to Be Beautiful,” a song that teaches girls “how to be beautiful”--“find the good in life, let your words be kind…it’s not what the mirror sees that counts but all the happiness you give out.”

    Holmes’ themes are a more mature version of Taylor Swift’s: life and love may not always be fair, but it’s up to us to make ourselves happy. Songs that reflect disappointment also project a sense of “life goes on.”

    Danika Holmes’ debut album was pleasant, but somewhat unseasoned. Holmes still seems fragile and vulnerable, but she incorporates those qualities with a “sadder but wiser” attitude, transitioning from sweet young thing to a woman who knows that heartbreak is just part of this crazy little thing called life. The time Holmes spent between the two albums was time well spent developing her sound and growing as an artist.

    Living Your Dream will be available on CD March 6, 2012, and is currently available for digital download.



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  • Lana Del Rey: Don’t Write Her Off Just Yet

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    Author: Scott Finley

    The hottest topic in music this week is undoubtedly Lana Del Rey and her spectacular failure on last week’s episode of Saturday Night Live. It’s not at all uncommon for new artists to be hyped up, enjoy brief success, and then fade into obscurity. It is quite rare, however, for an almost-famous artist to book a gig as big as SNL and then commit career suicide live on network television. But such was the case with Lana Del Rey last Saturday, or so it would seem according to countless critics and internet hecklers who have been quick to label the young songstress a talentless hack whose career was dead-on-arrival.

    I say they are dead wrong. In the midst of all this negative publicity, Lana Del Rey’s upcoming album Born To Die has reached #25 on Amazon’s Best Sellers in Music list on pre-sales alone and the music video for her single by the same name is nearing 13 million views on YouTube only a month after its release. Furthermore, her status as a pariah of the music industry has granted her the support of scores of sympathetic teenagers, which is precisely the demographic Del Rey and her label are marketing to. Her music and accompanying videos are almost ludicrously melancholy and are filled with the sort of romanticized nihilism that practically defines adolescence for a large number of people.

    Despite the disaster that currently defines her, I’m inclined to think that Del Rey actually has a fair bit of talent and potential. Many of you are probably questioning how I can say such a thing after witnessing her SNL debacle, and the answer lies in her abundance of live performances readily accessible on YouTube. Some are better than others, but most are infinitely better than what we saw on SNL. Take a look at her performance of “Born To Die” in November at Nouveau Casino.


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  • Beyonce: Etta James Inspired Me

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    Author: Lulu K. Daniels

    Singer Beyoncé, who famously played Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records, is speaking out on the legendary singer’s passing and says she will be missed.

    "This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time,” she wrote on her website.


    “I am so fortunate to have met such a queen," she continued. "Her musical contributions will last a lifetime. Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed."

    Etta famously slammed Beyoncé and President Barack Obama when he picked the new mom to sing Etta’s famous hit At Last at the inaugural ball in 2009.

    At the time Etta said, “Your President, the one with the big ears … he had that woman singing my song. She gone get her ass whipped. The great Beyoncé … I can’t stand Beyoncé,”

    And today Etta’s pal Roseanne Barr slammed Beyoncé and Obama for the snub.

    “I lost ALL respect for Obama when he dissed Etta James in favor of Beyoncé,” she wrote adding that she stopped listening to Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z’s music because, “their arrogance was disgusting.”

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  • It’s Here! The New Elvis CD You’ve Been Waiting For

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    Author: Bob Etier

    The “new Elvis CD” can be taken two ways. It could be the new CD by Elvis, or it could be the CD by the new Elvis. Due to the unavailability (to me) of high quality voice recognition software, DNA testing, and voice comparison technology, I will hereby stipulate that Elvis Found Alive, a new CD from Highway 61 Entertainment is exactly as advertised: a brand new collection of songs by the King himself, Elvis Aron Presley, which he recorded under his historic alias “Jon Burrows,” after Joel Gilbert discovered where he’s been living (for further details, see the documentary Elvis Found Alive, available on DVD wherever fine conspiracy theories are sold) for the past few decades. I know what you’re thinking, “If Joel Gilbert says this is really Elvis Presley, then it must be,” and I won’t argue with that. Here.

    The CD kicks off with an inauspicious cover of “Every Breath You Take,” once a hit for the Police. From there it’s all downhill. Perhaps the highlight is a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” which is guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes--tears of laughter. When “Elvis” sings Garth Brooks’ megahit, “The Dance,” after the first few notes it’s nearly unrecognizable. “Elvis” sings directly to the audience with “Do You Know Who I Am?,” a nod to his long absence and return.

    Listeners may have a few questions for “Elvis” and Joel Gilbert. For example…a new album by the long-thought-dead Elvis is a certain money-maker, so why the cheesy instrumental back up? Couldn’t you guys have at least sprung for some decent Karaoke? And…why this particular selection of songs? Wouldn’t every songwriter in America be willing to drop everything and pen something incredible for the return of the King? Finally…what didn’t happen to Elvis’ voice? Those familiar with the changes age brought to other popular singers (such as Elvis’ pal Frank Sinatra) expect some age-related changes.

    As for that voice…yeah, “Elvis,” there are times when you sound like Elvis. There are also times when you sound like an Elvis impersonator, and--finally--there are times you sound like a bad Elvis impersonator impersonator impersonating a bad Elvis impersonator. Perhaps your professed love of Elvis impersonators has affected your style and sound.
    Elvis Found Alive     album was released digitally December 6, 2011, and on CD January 10, 2012. Additional cuts are: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Lisa Marie,” “After Loving You,” “Big Boss Man,” an especially anemic version of “That’s All Right Mama,” “Right Here Waiting,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” “Hawaiian Wedding Song,” and the flabbergasting “Elvis Is Back Rap.” For more thrilling information about this unbelievable return, visit Elvisfoundalive.com.
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  • KidTunes: Chanukah Fever is Chanukah Gelt

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    Author: Bob Etier
    Mama Doni celebrates Chanukah with a CD that looks like a nice big piece of Chanukah gelt, crammed with rocking holiday tunes that range from disco to country to rock to ethnic to big band to funk, Chanukah Fever. Lyrics that share Chanukah tradition are set to irresistibly animated music. Even the rhythmically-challenged will find themselves rockin’ around the Chanukah bush.

    When I left the North eleven years ago, I had no idea that I would end up in the mountains of North Carolina where latkes, blintzes, and pierogi can’t be found. Mama Doni knows that latkes are something to sing about (“Latke Man,” “The Legend of Sour Cream vs. Applesauce”); she makes me homesick for the great ethnic foods left behind. And glorious latkes aren’t the only food that Mama Doni celebrates—sufganiyot is saluted in “A Land Called Sufganiyot” where it’s Chanukah every day, and “Honey, This Ain’t Money!” sings the praises of gelt.

    Other songs hail bubbies, dreidels, Ma-oz Tzur, and menorahs, and teach a little Yiddish along with the difference between saying “Hanukkah” and “Chanukah.” It’s a bundle of fun, totally respectful, and absolutely Jewish—ideal for honoring both Chanukah and heritage.

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