I was going to do a basic Video Notable entry, but I have so many to share that it has turned into a video jamboree.
– I know that this is primarily lipsync, but Robyn’s recent performance of “Fembots” this week is a joy to watch no matter how live it is.
Now, if Robyn is looking to outsource a video for “Fembot”, she absolutely has to check out Popmuse’s version starring his daughter Lily. Cute overload at its most fierce.
– Jay-Z closed the night at Coachella last night, and instead of bringing out Mr Hudson for a duet on “Young Forever”, he brought out his wife Beyonce, who never met a chorus she could twist.
From a strict vocal perspective, she was spot on, but between the key change and her phrasing, I felt a big disconnect from the performance. Jay was on point, even with only a partial voice, but that should have been a massive sing-along. How do you sing along with someone who is doing a bit of improv? I know I’ve given my raves about the studio recording of “Young Forever” before, but sometimes you shouldn’t mess with a winning formula.
– Toni Braxton got her money’s worth out of the video shoot with Director Bille Woodruff, as it appears she made one for “Hands Tied” at the same time that she made “Make My Heart“. Some may be put off by the less than blockbuster budget, but I think Toni’s done alright with what I am sure is only a fraction of the budget she’s used to having. “Hands” actually has a good look and feel to it, whereas some of the graphics used in “Make” looked a little cheap.
Stumble It!
omg i love me some toni, but i’m just not feeling the new direction anymore. i’m not saying do an album of babyface replicas again, but all i’m saying her signature sound is sultry ballads. the new tracks sound like they could belong to anyone.
I’m warming to the toni braxton project the more and more I hear of it.
Agreed. Girl should not have messed with a winner. But she probably insisted on being on stage with him anyways. Can’t make the wife unhappy now…!
I love B’s take on “Forever Young”. I think it’s beautiful. It’s slightly concerning that you praise Robyn miming an incredibly generic and derivative song over someone doing an impromptu live sing along at a festival in front of tens of thousands of people. Ok, rant over!
And don’t even get me started on Toni!
I like B’s version, but it doesn’t fit in with the crowd. Coachello would want to pay tribute to the original, and her version doesn’t lend itself to a singalong. That’s all I was trying to say. And btw, you praise miming divas all the time.