Chicago the musical
The musical “Chicago” won 6 Oscars in March 2003. It is based on the true story of Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan, two ravishing and witty women murderers who became celebrities in the 1920s.
When asked what kind of jury she needed, Gaertner responded: “I want worldly men, broad-minded men, men who know what it is to get a bit.” She had a gig in a cabaret when she married William Gaertner, her second husband, in 1917. William was convinced from the start that Belva was being unfaithful to him. They both hired gumshoes, who spent their time mostly spying on each other. Read more…
Hello Google Music!
It is told that Nero was playing the fiddle while Rome burned. While Washington burns, Google launches Google Music.
Just as well, because bankers and politicians are not bringing us joy. We’ll have to make our own. So, bring 20,000 of your best (non-pirated) songs – that’s how many Google Music allows you to store online for free – and make some beautiful noise. Read more…
The “good” music
Some studies show that cows give better milk and plants grow faster in the accompaniment of classical music. Music can certainly swing the mood: classical and mood music is also used in shopping centres to drive away gangs.
Of the influence of music, Sir Arthur Bliss said: “The sense of music is a primal thing in mankind, and a tremendous force, either for good or evil.”
If you want to comment on music you don’t like, quote Noel Coward – he said: ”Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.”
Foo Fighters no aliens to the top spot
After Kurt Cobain died in 1994 and Nirvana disbanded, drummer Dave Grohl was hoping for some anonymity. It was not to be. In that same year, Grohl kicked the drums aside, pulled out the songs he has been writing over the previous few years, picked up the guitar, cleared the throat and started Foo Fighters.
They had their live debut in March 1995 – and since then they have not been aliens to the top spot in the music world, raking in 3 Grammy’s for Best Rock Album and frequenting the Billboard Album Chart. Their April 2011 album release “Wasting Light” shot up the charts, toppling Adele from her 11-week run at the top of the UK charts. Read more…
For Auld Lang Syne
“For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
These words Scottish poet Robert Burns collected from old folk tales to pen Auld Lang Syne in 1788 bids the old year farewell. It is traditionally sang at the strike of the new year but is also sung at other farewells. And to 2010 we say good riddance. May 2011 bring peace, fairness, and prosperity. May it be a Rave to the Nth degree.
Harajuku Gothic Lolita Fashion
Elegant, Geisha, Victorian, mad, modern – or a combination of it all. Gothic Lolita fashion from the Harajuku region in Japan made a lasting impression in the fashion world. Harajuku style has been around for a decade but continues to remain popular as the number of GothLolis – people who dress in Gothic Lolita fashion – grow internationally.
Harajuku draws from Geisha, Gothic Lolita, Visual Kei and other styles but has stuck as a separate image not only because of it’s unique style but also because of media coverage and, no doubt, the famous Harajuku Girls song by Gwen Stefani (pop’s most fashionable lady?). It got a further international push when Nicki Minaj started referring to Harajuku Barbies. Read more…
Paloma Faith does it again
Theater pop artist Paloma Faith does it again! Her latest release, Upside Down, is another super arrangement. Fun but serious lyrics, same great voice, same charm. The official video, however, is somewhat less extravagant than her previous marvelous presentations. But still great fun… either way up!
Classic Album Covers Stamps
The world’s first prepaid stamps were proposed by English schoolmaster Rowland Hill in 1837 and the first of those stamps went on sale in Britain on May 1, 1940. They were the One-Penny Black and Twopence Blue stamps, featuring Queen Victoria.
Through the years the British Post Office, or Royal Mail, has continually been at the forefront of stamp design. Now they have launched a truly great design, the Classic Album stamp collection which features 10 classic album covers to celebrate raving good music.
Led Zeppelin IV – 1971(this album did not feature the band’s name or the album title yet sold 32 million copies) Read more…
The new Susan Boyle – swan of the music scene
If you ever doubted the value of time just look at what difference a year can make. In January 2009, Susan Boyle walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent show as an ugly duckling 47-year-old hopeful from Scotland. The new Susan Boyle is a swan in the music scene, admired internationally and an inspiration to many.
More than 100 million people have watched Susan Boyle videos on YouTube, making her one of the most watched celebrities of all time. Her debut album “I Dreamed a Dream” topped the Billboard 200 album chart with sales of 701,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, overtaking Eminem’s “Relapse” as the year’s best sales week for an album in the U.S. That’s the difference a year can make! Read more…
Paloma Faith – Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful
With an impressive stage wardrobe, stunning choreography and a voice to match singer/songwriter Paloma Faith makes her performance as easy to watch as it is to listen to. This lady does not paint the town red, she paints it with a rainbow. From her o-so-english speaking accent you wouldn’t tell she is half-Spanish half-British. But when she starts singing she is pure international, with a bluesy sound and honest lyrics that everyone can relate to. And a fashion style that wows. In her own words, “Anywhere you can’t wear stilettos just isn’t worth going.”
Paloma Faith’s album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful includes the intense and passionate single New York. Truth is the whole album is something beautiful. Read more…
