Looking Out for Number One

Posted by John on December 5, 2011
Posted in: charts, news, songs, videos. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

There was a lot of hoopla earlier this year over the fact that the Billboard Hot 100 saw its 1000th Number One record (Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way), but I have to admit I thought it would just be a passing footnote. Luckily, the folks over at Billboard thought otherwise and are currently marking that milestone with a video a day through the month of December talking to artists and producers about those hits.

Fun fact: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Janet Jackson’s early success, didn’t have much interest in making “When I Think of You” a hit, but Janet’s brothers instantly saw its potential. Check out Jimmy’s description of that conversation below:

Other artists featured so far include Kelly Clarkson, Hanson, BoB and Def Leppard. I’m hoping they are able to hook up some stories going all the way back to the 50s, but it’s still a great concept even with the more contemporary songs they’ve featured so far.

This Sparrow Found Her Wings

Posted by John on October 27, 2011
Posted in: holiday, new artist, new releases. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Goodbye leaves of fall
So long
Miss you

If you think that Denver is just for the Fray, OneRepublic, 3OH!3, and Dynasty, you’re missing out. Not only does Denver have some big name musicians calling it home, there is also a sizable indie/underground music scene that any minute now someone else may burst out of (Matt Morris, anyone?). Add to that bursting list singer-songwriter Katey Laurel, who this month released “Two Birds” on iTunes and CD Baby.

The premise is simple: two people are separated by distance, and one plans to “drive across the Plains” so they can spend the winter together. However, it’s the mix of this story with the two birds visual that makes the song work, as the listener has no problem picturing those two birds “sitting on a wire” or nestled in a nest, adding more impact than just a simple “I’ll drive to you” premise.

“Two Birds” succeeds not only because of its lyrical clarity, but also because of the simple yet effective production. One listen will transport you to that time between the brightness of autumn and the pure white of winter where you know the snow is coming, and in your mind you are mentally preparing. All it takes is two guitars to propel the song along, and the rest of it just flows. “Two Birds” isn’t a Christmas song per se, but it evokes some of the same emotions that make the more mellow holiday songs a welcome addition to your playlist come November and December.

There’s no plan at the moment for a full-length album, so you will have to go back to her early 2011 CD From Here if you want to hear more, or check out one of her Colorado/New Mexico shows in November or December. Then you can say “I knew Katey Laurel when…”

So We Are History, Your Shadow Covers Me

Posted by John on August 2, 2011
Posted in: commentary, death, new releases. Tagged: . Leave a comment

The world is spinning constantly, ushering one event in as it shows the last event the door at breakneck speed. Despite knowing this fact, I was struck this afternoon about all of the events that have occurred in the world and in my life since I heard that Amy Winehouse died ten days ago. Let’s be honest right upfront: while I was a fan, I wasn’t a die-hard follower. Back to Black got some serious rotation in my mixes when it came out, but I had not revisited the album recently. As for Frank, that one passed me by on its original release, and I only gave it a passing glance upon finding out that Back to Black was not Amy’s debut.

With all of that said, I can say with a clear conscience that even with my less-than-obsessive following I knew that Amy Winehouse was a force to be reckoned with. In the hands of almost any other vocalist, Back to Black would have sounded like a tribute at best or karaoke at worst, but Amy Winehouse owned those lyrics with her passionate and world-weary vocals from start to finish. Many of the ladies that have followed in her footsteps have already stumbled badly (Duffy, anyone?), but if you can say anything positive about Amy, it is that not rushing out a third album would have helped her immensely when that disc finally hit the stores and the Internet. Sadly, it is now guaranteed that if the disc sees the light of day, it will be an instant best seller.

The saddest part of all the media coverage has been the people empowered to say “she got what she deserved.” Granted, she set herself up by writing, recording and releasing a song like “Rehab,” but some of the things that have been said show just how cold the anonymous posters can be when emboldened to do so. That may be a topic for another day, but it still deserves mention because in my opinion she doesn’t deserve it.

So what do we have to show for having had Amy Winehouse in this world for 27 years? For one, we have a renewed interest in 60s girl groups, which is never a bad thing. Beehives, for better or worse, made a brief comeback. Ghostface Killer got played on the radio via the “You Know I’m No Good” remix, and I’ll never complain about that. Sadly, we now have some brilliant music being released in tribute to Amy. While some of these are simply covers that are meant to memorialize a talented performer, at least one reinterprets one of Amy’s greatest songs in an unexpected way.

Ronnie Spector wrote for Rolling Stone magazine one of the most personal tributes to Amy Winehouse that I read in the aftermath of Amy’s death, but it was the musical tribute that truly moved me. Spector, who performed “Back to Black” live with Amy in the audience, recorded a cover of the song that reinterprets it from a dark and moody girl group ballad to a smoky dancefloor anthem that is begging remixes while standing on its own as an unexpected revelation. According to Rolling Stone, the cover will be released as a charity single, but for the time being I’m playing the song over and over as a reminder of both Amy Winehouse’s writing talent and as a testament to the vocal power of Ronnie Spector. If there is any silver lining to Amy’s passing, may it be the exposure she directed toward the originators of the sound that made her popular, and the respect those pioneers are showing her in return.

Lift “My Heart”

Posted by John on July 22, 2011
Posted in: singles, videos. Tagged: . Leave a comment

I am a sucker for a lush circa-1970s bassline sample, so it’s no surprise that I was instantly hooked on Estelle’s new jam “Break My Heart,” which features Rick Ross on the rap. It has a Mary J. Blige “My Life” vibe to it which is ALWAYS welcome, and has turned out to be one of my songs for the summer. While Estelle’s vocals might not be everyone’s cup of tea, she always brings the flavor in my book. Check out the beautifully-shot video below…

The long-awaited follow-up CD to 2008’s Shine is All of Me, but we’ve been hearing that since 2009. The best I can find for a release date currently is a Warner Japan release on September 28 through Amazon, which would be about right with a Top 25 single rising at Urban radio currently. Either way, the teasers we’ve heard over the last two years serve as a reminder that All of Me can’t hit the street soon enough. Does it seem possible that Estelle was the subject of one of my first blog posts three years ago?

What More Can I Say?

Posted by John on July 20, 2011
Posted in: upcoming, videos. Tagged: , , . 4 Comments

Music should move you. It may seem like that’s a given, but when you listen to a lot of music, it’s easy to take that fact for granted. I haven’t been MOVED by much lately, so when something has that impact on me, I stop and take notice. Such is the case with “Otis,” sample number one from Jay-Z and Kanye West’s upcoming Watch the Throne, due on August 1st in digital form and August 5th on a physical CD.

It’s not a complex track, but its impact is potent. Otis Redding’s passionate vocals from “Try a Little Tenderness” imbue the cut with enough soul to fill an album, yet “Otis” only lasts 3 minutes. Jay is slick, Yeezy is bragging, and the track sets the tone that all competitors should think twice before attempting to steal the Throne. Every time you think hip-hop has lost its way, a track comes along to say “we honor the past while pushing toward the future.” “Otis” does just that.

Songs for Japan

Posted by John on March 25, 2011
Posted in: new releases. Tagged: . 1 Comment

I usually don’t do full-on blatant posts for new releases, but with the reality of natural and man-made disasters becoming more and more devastating in Japan, I think this is a good exception. An all-star compilation of 38 tracks encompassing multiple record labels is available starting today through iTunes worldwide, with both artist and iTunes proceeds going directly to the Japanese Red Cross.

The society will use the funds for the ongoing provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population. The artists participating on “Songs for Japan,” the music labels and music publishers have waived their royalties and proceeds from the worldwide sales of the album to ensure that the JRCS receives as much support as possible from this global initiative.

Even if you own a majority of the tracks, donating $10 to the effort and receiving something in return is about as great of a deal as I can think of. As @xolondon mentioned on Twitter this morning, there is a previously unreleased Starsmith Remix of “Born This Way” that might help blunt the impact of so many previously available tracks downloading to your computer, but at the end of the day, it is about the assistance. If you want to do more, you can donate additional funds to the Red Cross here. Check out the track listing below:

1. John Lennon “Imagine” (Remastered)
2. U2 “Walk On” (Radio Edit)
3. Bob Dylan “Shelter From The Storm”
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Around The World” (Live)
5. Lady Gaga “Born This Way” (Starsmith Remix)
6. Beyonce “Irreplaceable”
7. Bruno Mars “Talking To The Moon” (Acoustic Piano Version)
8. Katy Perry “Firework”
9. Rihanna “Only Girl (In The World)”
10. Justin Timberlake “Like I Love You”
11. Madonna “Miles Away” (Live)
12. David Guetta “When Love Takes Over” (feat. Kelly Rowland)
13. Eminem “Love The Way You Lie” (feat. Rihanna) [Clean Version}
14. Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch”
15. Josh Groban “Awake” (Live)
16. Keith Urban “Better Life”
17. Black Eyed Peas “One Tribe”
18. Pink “Sober”
19. Cee Lo Green “It’s Ok”
20. Lady Antebellum “I Run To You”
21. Bon Jovi “What Do You Got?”
22. Foo Fighters “My Hero”
23. R.E.M. “Man On The Moon”
24. Nicki Minaj “Save Me” (Clean Version)
25. Sade “By Your Side”
26. Michael Buble “Hold On” (Radio Mix)
27. Justin Bieber “Pray” (Acoustic)
28. Adele “Make You Feel My Love”
29. Enya “If I Could Be Where You Are”
30. Elton John “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
31. John Mayer “Waiting On The World To Change”
32. Queen “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)” [Remastered]
33. Kings Of Leon “Use Somebody”
34. Sting “Fragile” (Live In Berlin)
35. Leona Lewis “Better In Time”
36. Ne-Yo “One In A Million”
37. Shakira “Whenever, Wherever”
38. Norah Jones “Sunrise”

When the Thunder Calls For Me

Posted by John on February 26, 2011
Posted in: reviews. Tagged: . 2 Comments

Adele became one of the most unexpected success stories of 2009, having upset favorites like Lady Antebellum and the Jonas Brothers for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. Propelled by her two Grammy wins (she also won Best Female Pop Performance) and her appearance on Saturday Night Live in October 2008, Adele’s debut CD 19 went on to sell over 900,000 copies in the US and close to two million copies worldwide. Because of this success, all eyes were on Adele as she prepared to release her sophomore release 21 in early 2011. Thankfully, she exceeded all of those expectations with a CD that is light years beyond what most 21-year-olds could comprehend, much less produce.

Adele Rocks It Out

Lead single “Rolling In the Deep” kicks in with a driving beat that eggs on Adele’s vocal to a bluesy, soulful sound that wasn’t as prominent on 19. Second track “Rumour Has It” has a 60s influence that matches the best tracks by contemporaries Duffy or Amy Winehouse while still sounding contemporary and relevant. Some of the credit for this goes to producer Ryan Tedder, who brings some of his more unique instrument choices to the track. However, most of the credit goes to Adele’s voice, which can be husky and weathered on a track like “Rumour Has It,” but sharp and clear as a bell on “One and Only.”

Adele Remains True

Ryan Tedder also co-wrote “Turning Tables,” which harkens back to Adele’s first CD 19 in part due to producer Jim Abbiss. Even though “Turning Tables” sounds much like “Chasing Pavements,” the listener can still hear growth and maturity as Adele sings “Next time I’ll be braver/I’ll be my own savior/When the thunder calls for me.” Rather than asking how she should respond, Adele knows herself and how to proceed.

Another song that fits the power ballad model that many of Adele’s fans know and love is “Set Fire to the Rain,” produced by Fraser T. Smith. Much like his earlier work on James Morrison’s “Broken Strings,” Fraser T. Smith takes a song that would simply be a run-of-the-mill ballad in the hands of most producers and creates a smoldering track that seems to burn upon contact with Adele’s precise vocals. The restraint shown by Adele singing “Set Fire to the Rain” up until the end is impressive, considering that vocalists with less skill and ability would vamp every line of the song to compensate.

The Heart of the Matter

While you could break down how Adele has progressed sonically and vocally, it all comes down to the vulnerability and sincerity displayed in her music. The wounds are still fresh as Adele sings “Nevermind, I’ll find someone like you” in the song of the same name, and you know as well as she does that this might be true or this might be a brave face. Even on her cover of The Cure’s “Love Song,” Adele still brings her own context and perspective, giving a more sensitive delivery that is true to who she is.

No matter how you relate to the material, Adele taps into something that few singers ever achieve in their entire career, let alone by the time they reach their early 20s. To release a career-defining album with the class and sophistication of 21 that seems genuine and authentic is a testament to both the artist and the material. The musical world is Adele’s to explore, and those of us who count ourselves as fans will continue to be the winners as she continues to evolve.

Until a Heart Is Yours

Posted by John on February 20, 2011
Posted in: upcoming, videos. Tagged: . 1 Comment

I am in a weird place with music at the moment…either a new song is not worth mentioning or it is the best thing ever. There have been a few best songs ever in the past few weeks: Adele’s entire CD 21, “Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj and Drake, and my current obsession “How To Make a Heart” from Bright Light Bright Light. I feel a bit repetitive raving about BLx2, especially since I sang their praises last year on the eve of releasing his first single “Love Part 2.” Until the world becomes hip to this electronic-with-a-soul music, I doubt I’ll shut up.

According to Bright Light Bright Light‘s frontman and sole member Rod Thomas, the video (created by Gavin Leisfield) is one of several videos we will see of songs from BLx2’s upcoming album Make Me Believe In Hope. This album cannot come soon enough, as every morsel released has been just as engaging and awe-inspiring as the last. Rod will be in the US in March, appearing on Sirius/XM OutQ’s “Morning Jolt,” as well as playing a few showcases at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas. While I would love to see him live this time around at some small club in Austin, I have a feeling this won’t be the last trip Mr Thomas will make to these shores. To hold you over, the video is available as a free download here.

Shayne Does US

Posted by John on February 4, 2011
Posted in: upcoming. 6 Comments

Talk about something coming out of left field!

Calling America! Great news for all Shayne’s US fans! The brilliant third album Obsession is set for a digital release on February 8th in the US! “Close To Close” will be the lead track in the States so don’t forget to call your local radio station and request it! 😉 Also visit VEVO on Tuesday to see the hot video for… ‘Gotta Be Somebody’ and be sure to follow Shayne on Twitter for more news.

The rumors of this happening have floated for every album since he debuted, but it seems a bit odd coming on the heels of a less-than-successful album like Obsession. Then again, Taio Cruz wasn’t exactly the biggest star in the UK when he released Rokstarr in the United States, and he ended up with two of 2010’s biggest hits in “Dynamite” and “Break Your Heart.” It will be interesting to see just how much promotion Shayne puts into the US, as well as if there will be a video for “Close To Close.” I think with the right push, he could actually do well here in the States. “Close To Close” sounds like something that could do well on the radio.

“We Speak” Interviews

Posted by John on December 5, 2010
Posted in: interview. Tagged: . 1 Comment

One of the great things to me about writing on pop music is occasionally getting to interview artists about their music and where that comes from. I recently had a chance to have a few questions answered by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP, whom were in different parts of the world at the time. Gotta love the Internet, right? Now that their “We No Speak Americano” is officially a hit in the States, where do they go from here?

John: First off, congratulations on the worldwide success of “We No Speak Americano.” Where are you at today?

Yolanda Be Cool: Why thank you very much! We are in Moldova… near the Ukraine & Romania

DCUP: Rio de Janeiro

John: What is the coolest place that you have gotten to visit because of “Americano?”

Yolanda Be Cool: The coolest place was Oslo last week… it was minus 6 degrees Celsius… haha! No, but the coolest place would have been a wave pool in Tenerife in the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco. They closed the wave pool for an hour so we could surf it all to ourselves. So much fun.

DCUP: Probably this place, but every new spot challenges the awesomeness of the last

John: So what comes first? The track or the sample?

Yolanda Be Cool: The sample usually… Certain songs, tracks, loops just stand out from the rest and we make a track around that hook.

DCUP: I just keep ideas when they come, whether a beat, a riff or a sample. Then combine them at a later date.

John: Now that the song has peaked in most places that it has been released, what’s next? Will there be an album?

Yolanda Be Cool: We working really hard finishing our debut Yolanda Be Cool album which will include collaborations with a load of amazing artists we have met whilst touring over the last year.

DCUP: We need to have a chat about that. But the second single is on its way.

John: How does it feel to see people all over the world embrace something you’ve created? Especially now that you’ve been nominated for 2 ARIAs in your homeland of Australia.

Yolanda Be Cool: It feels unbelievable really. We thought it might work in Italy for obvious reasons but the fact that is has worked in so many different countries and cultures still amazes us. We are stoked.

DCUP: When you can turn up in almost any country in the world and the taxi you take from the airport to the hotel will probably play your song, it’s awesome.

John: Will you be doing any type of tour in the US to promote “We No Speak Americano?”

Yolanda Be Cool: Yes, definitely. We have some dates at the end of Jan but then plan on doing an extensive tour in March next year.

DCUP: DCUP will be over in the second week of November for some DJ sets, and then again in the New Year with more of a live show. No gypsy dancers planned thus far

John: Last question…has success gone to your heads? If not, what’s the secret to not letting the grind of promoting a record corrupt you?

Yolanda Be Cool: It’s definitely gone to our heads. We request only pink and green Smarties in our rider now hahaha…just kidding

I think Johnson and I at the end of the day are just two normal guys who love music and love having a good time. So we just feel lucky our life is full of both of those things at the moment.

DCUP: Not at all. I think we are all the same dudes, just generally happier with our music careers and a little lower on sleep. The secret is to keep things in perspective; even if its one of the biggest songs of the year, there’s other big songs of the year, and many years of many big songs. Zoom back, and your not that big anymore. But you’re having an amazing ride, so enjoy it for all its worth.