It's bloody brilliant!
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
New Will Young song - and it's free!
Go to the link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005EOZ1U6?tag=discounter-21 (Amazon UK)
It's bloody brilliant!
It's bloody brilliant!
Julia Fordham
Julia Fordham is a funny artist. Her music varies between pop, jazz and soul - and therefore it's been difficult to categorise. She's not particularly fashionable and she's never reached the heights of super stardom (although some would argue that she did in Japan and the Philippines). However, there is a quality to Julia's voice which has interested for me for years. It's rich and deep, and then, out of the blue she manages to hit the kind of high notes that could attract dogs.
She's also extremely lovely and funny (especially live). I recall meeting her briefly many years ago when I was pulled backstage by her sister Claire (now a successful writer and blogger for the Huffington Post).
Julia's been around for quite some time now. She started off as a backing singer and then released her first solo album in the late eighties. 'Happy Ever After' was her first hit and it made the UK top forty. Since then she has released many albums and worked with many producers such as Simon Climie and Larry Klein. She's toured the world many times and managed to carve out a great career. Interesting story - Julia was originally going to record 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)' before Bryan Adams - though the record company changed it's mind and Bryan got the song.
Her current album features actor Paul Reiser, and I'm going to be brutally honest when I say that it's not her best work by far. Infact, it's a poorly produced affair and not even worth mentioning.
Julia's strengths can be found in 'Concrete Love', an album which includes the vocals of India Arie on the title track and Joe Henry (Madonna's brother in law) on the song, 'Alleluia'. 'East West' is also a good album.
The problem is that Julia often makes songs that are completely out of touch with current trends. She's not a trend-setter. However, if you seek out certain songs from her back catalogue, you will be touched by the emotional content and the range of her unusual voice.
She's also extremely lovely and funny (especially live). I recall meeting her briefly many years ago when I was pulled backstage by her sister Claire (now a successful writer and blogger for the Huffington Post).
Julia's been around for quite some time now. She started off as a backing singer and then released her first solo album in the late eighties. 'Happy Ever After' was her first hit and it made the UK top forty. Since then she has released many albums and worked with many producers such as Simon Climie and Larry Klein. She's toured the world many times and managed to carve out a great career. Interesting story - Julia was originally going to record 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)' before Bryan Adams - though the record company changed it's mind and Bryan got the song.
Her current album features actor Paul Reiser, and I'm going to be brutally honest when I say that it's not her best work by far. Infact, it's a poorly produced affair and not even worth mentioning.
Julia's strengths can be found in 'Concrete Love', an album which includes the vocals of India Arie on the title track and Joe Henry (Madonna's brother in law) on the song, 'Alleluia'. 'East West' is also a good album.
The problem is that Julia often makes songs that are completely out of touch with current trends. She's not a trend-setter. However, if you seek out certain songs from her back catalogue, you will be touched by the emotional content and the range of her unusual voice.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Amy Winehouse RIP
It's been over week since the death of Amy Winehouse. RIP Amy.
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| (Apparently) taken at Camden Lock |
Lost Gems: Pop Albums That Deserved Success *Part 1*
Made In London were a female trio that were tipped for success back in 2000. Their debut single 'Dirty Water' reached number 15 in the UK charts and they recieved positive reviews in the press. Things were looking up until the release of their follow up 'Shut Your Mouth' which reached a disappointing number 74. Consequently their album, 'Perfect Storm' was pulled and I remember watching a particularly sad interview with band members on Channel 4's Big Breakfast after the news that they had been dropped by their record company. At that stage they were hoping to be signed elsewhere, but sadly that didn't happen. 'Perfect Storm' is a great album and I have one of the many promo's had been issued, so if you are lucky to find one in a second hand shop, snap it up! I'm particularly fond of the track 'Believe', but the whole album is a gem. It's a soulful debut and it's a shame that it never surfaced.
Madasun were another all female trio from 2000. They released 3 singles, all which made the UK top 40. Unlike Made In London, Madasun's debut album did get a release. 'The Way It Is' was released in late 2000 and sadly the sales weren't there. It's a shame because the album had some great tracks including the (perhaps TLC inspired) 'Walking On Water' which is lovely.
I really thought that Madasun had potential.
Dana Dawson - RIP. I was so sad to hear that Dana passed away last year from colon cancer. 'Black Butterfly' is a pop gem. All 4 of the accompanying singles are great. The thing that stood out is Dana's great voice and her really great sense of style. For example, she wears Vivienne Westwood on the cover (beyond fabulous!!!) The album is a mixture of pop, soul and some really nice ballads.
Madasun were another all female trio from 2000. They released 3 singles, all which made the UK top 40. Unlike Made In London, Madasun's debut album did get a release. 'The Way It Is' was released in late 2000 and sadly the sales weren't there. It's a shame because the album had some great tracks including the (perhaps TLC inspired) 'Walking On Water' which is lovely.
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| Madasun weren't always this grumpy |
Dana Dawson - RIP. I was so sad to hear that Dana passed away last year from colon cancer. 'Black Butterfly' is a pop gem. All 4 of the accompanying singles are great. The thing that stood out is Dana's great voice and her really great sense of style. For example, she wears Vivienne Westwood on the cover (beyond fabulous!!!) The album is a mixture of pop, soul and some really nice ballads.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Saturday, 23 July 2011
RIP: Amy Winehouse
It's 7:30pm on 23rd July 2011 and online sources and TV news shows have reported that Amy Winehouse is dead. It's such terrible, terrible news. Amy was a star. She had a unique voice and a talent that will be sadly missed.
Many years ago, my friend Amy (not Winehouse) managed to get me on the guestlist to see Amy Winehouse perform live. It was before she hit the big time. I was incredibly excited about seeing her perform because I loved her debut.
Unfortunately it was a shambolic performance. She was clearly drunk and staggered across the stage. Most people knew that she had problems and this was before the media took such an interest into Amy's private live, relationships and addictions. Me and my friends left the concert early as we couldn't bear to see the disasterous performance continue. It was a few months later that Amy reached global success.
Despite the shamoblics, I'm proud to have been in the same room as her. Addictions and issues aside, Amy (according to the people that knew her) was a vunerable but lovely person. I think it's important that we don't forget that.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Sensible controls are needed for the press
It's been an odd couple of days. Whilst we've all been aware of the allegations of phone hacking for some time, can any of us really say that the demise of the News of the World wasn't a shock? I, like many, have been gripped by how the story has been portrayed in the media over the past few hours. It will certainly be very interesting to see how this eventually pans out. Although the NOTW's last edition is on Sunday, this story is clearly going to run and run.
Some newspaper hacks have been complaining about the sacking of some of the NOTW staff, suggesting that there are reputable people that worked for the tabloid and that they don't deserve this outcome. I dare say that is true for a few, but do they really expect some sort of sympathy from the public? The NOTW's conduct is under close examination because of all sorts of alleged sordid activities. I'll be honest - the sacking of those staff is not something that concerns me in the slightest. It's not on my radar. I'm afraid I simply don't care. ( NOTW columnist Dan Wootton would disagree about my lack of sympathy.) I care more about low earning members of the public who then get made redundant and struggle to feed and keep their families warm. I have little concern for a journalist who makes his/her money by trying to find salacious stories about football players affairs, which I will use as an example.
What footballers get up to in the bedroom is none of my business and it should be none of yours. They get paid to play football. Sure, they get paid well - but aren't they the very reason why people go to matches or watch them on TV? Maybe they deserve to be paid well? - after all, they are the talent and without them it would be a bunch of hapless blokes walking around a pitch saying "what do I do with this ball?" The fact that a footballer is addicted to risky sex is not a big deal to me. I'm tried of the argument about celebs deserving what they get as some are considered to be role models for kids. I'm a fan of lots of writers, film stars and pop stars - but I don't know what their basic moral code is, or what they get up to away from the TV cameras, because believe it or not, as humans we are not perfect.
The level of scrutiny on individuals goes too far. The fact that a famous TV presenter cross-dresses in the privacy of their own is not something of national importance. We all have our faults, and whilst I enjoy reading some celeb gossip, I put it into the context of understanding that humans fail occasionally. However, clearly if there is evidence that a serious crime has occurred, then the general public should be aware of it - particularly if the crime is so hideous, such as (ironically) this whole hacking story.
I struggle with the way that some journalists and photographers behave. I feel that there is a distinct lack of responsible behaviour in many areas of the media. It's the contradictory things - you can't publish a piece about a politicians lack of morals and then go on to print a story which revels about several celebrities sex lives, which we all have and like to keep private. I'm afraid I wouldn't take that kind of publication seriously.
There clearly needs to be sensible boundaries in terms of behaviour. I'm all in favour for a new regulator, but equally I don't want to live in a society where really important stories never get to see the light of day. We need balance.
Some newspaper hacks have been complaining about the sacking of some of the NOTW staff, suggesting that there are reputable people that worked for the tabloid and that they don't deserve this outcome. I dare say that is true for a few, but do they really expect some sort of sympathy from the public? The NOTW's conduct is under close examination because of all sorts of alleged sordid activities. I'll be honest - the sacking of those staff is not something that concerns me in the slightest. It's not on my radar. I'm afraid I simply don't care. ( NOTW columnist Dan Wootton would disagree about my lack of sympathy.) I care more about low earning members of the public who then get made redundant and struggle to feed and keep their families warm. I have little concern for a journalist who makes his/her money by trying to find salacious stories about football players affairs, which I will use as an example.
What footballers get up to in the bedroom is none of my business and it should be none of yours. They get paid to play football. Sure, they get paid well - but aren't they the very reason why people go to matches or watch them on TV? Maybe they deserve to be paid well? - after all, they are the talent and without them it would be a bunch of hapless blokes walking around a pitch saying "what do I do with this ball?" The fact that a footballer is addicted to risky sex is not a big deal to me. I'm tried of the argument about celebs deserving what they get as some are considered to be role models for kids. I'm a fan of lots of writers, film stars and pop stars - but I don't know what their basic moral code is, or what they get up to away from the TV cameras, because believe it or not, as humans we are not perfect.
The level of scrutiny on individuals goes too far. The fact that a famous TV presenter cross-dresses in the privacy of their own is not something of national importance. We all have our faults, and whilst I enjoy reading some celeb gossip, I put it into the context of understanding that humans fail occasionally. However, clearly if there is evidence that a serious crime has occurred, then the general public should be aware of it - particularly if the crime is so hideous, such as (ironically) this whole hacking story.
I struggle with the way that some journalists and photographers behave. I feel that there is a distinct lack of responsible behaviour in many areas of the media. It's the contradictory things - you can't publish a piece about a politicians lack of morals and then go on to print a story which revels about several celebrities sex lives, which we all have and like to keep private. I'm afraid I wouldn't take that kind of publication seriously.
There clearly needs to be sensible boundaries in terms of behaviour. I'm all in favour for a new regulator, but equally I don't want to live in a society where really important stories never get to see the light of day. We need balance.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
More Madonna Album News
Earlier today, it was revealed that it was Madonna's first day in the recording studio for the new album.
There are two other producers which have been mentioned as possible collaborators: A-Trak and David Guetta.
There are two other producers which have been mentioned as possible collaborators: A-Trak and David Guetta.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Style: Habitat
The news that yet another (much loved, in my eyes) retail chain has gone into administration is very sad. It feels like our high streets are going down hill. Certainly in regards to Habitat, many stores have not made the necessary changes to keep afloat during these hard times. Even the wealthy are holding onto to their pennies.
Perhaps a chain like Habitat should have been creating more affordable ranges? I don't have all the answers, but I bet Mary Portas has a few ideas. This is what she said on Twitter: " ...its been a long time since Habitat was brilliant. Some private equity running it without vision or taste has led to this. Its sad".
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