HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE of Bee Gees' covers? Here are some lovely musical homages to the Brothers Gibb.
The first is by Feist. She made a splash last year with "1234" (as featured on the i-pod commercial.) "1234" is from her second album "The Reminder." I really love her first album "Let it Die" as well. It contains a cover of "Inside and Out" which is pretty fabulous....
Indie LA pop duo "The Bird and The Bee" covered "How Deep is Your Love" on their EP "Please Clap Your Hands" last year. It is also on the "Sex and the City" soundtrack which comes out today. They do a pretty cool re-working of it.
Here is a very interesting cover of "Stayin Alive" by Italian Rockabilly band "The Hormonauts."
Finally here's another cover of "Stayin' Alive" (along with "I Will Survive") performed by "Young@Heart." They are a senior citizen band in New England who specialize in reinterpreting rock and pop classics. They bring whole new meaning to the tunes. The group is featured in the current documentary hit "Young @ Heart." The film follows the group as they prepare for a one night only appearance in their home town. Along the way they offer their perspectives on life, love, old age, and death. I've been really excited to see this movie and I'm finally going this afternoon. It looks really cute and very touching at the same time.
Since I posted the Sesame Street Fever pic... I thought I should include these...
Have a wonderful day.
This post has been brought to you by the letters "B" and "G!"
Let me start out by saying I am so excited for some amazing Summer Blockbusters.... Sex and the City, Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight, Wanted, Mamma Mia!, and opening this week -- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
In addition to INDY and friends there are some INDIE films I'm very excited about.
First up is SON OF RAMBOW. It is about 2 british boys who film their own movie about their hero Rambo. Here's the trailer.
Here are 2 films that focus on teen life. The first is a documentary following 4 teenagers going to high school in a small town in Indiana. It is called AMERICAN TEEN.
Next is GO GETTER. It's a coming of age story about a boy ("Thumbsucker's" Lou Taylor Pucci) who steals a car and goes off to find his long lost brother after the death of his mother. Also stars Zooey Deschanel and Jena Malone.
And we must have a quirky comedy for the summer. Here's hoping HAMLET 2 delivers. The school is about to shut down the drama department, so the drama director/failed actor (Steve Coogan) decides write an original (very politically incorrect) musical sequel to Hamlet. (Also features Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Elizabeth Shue, and the fabulous Amy Poehler.
Finally, I HIGHLY recommend THE VISITOR. I just saw it this week and LOVED it! The Visitor is the 2nd film by writer/director Thomas McCarthy. His debut movie THE STATION AGENT is one of my favorite films.... EVER!
Both movies have a wonderful theme on the connections we make with other people. Sometimes the most important moments of human connection in our life come from people with whom we assume we have nothing in common. We all live in our own "little world," and are quite happy doing so. I believe these 2 films celebrate the fact that sometimes we need those "little worlds" to collide in order to fully realize our humanity. (Sorry that was either very profound or very Hallmark!) The brilliance of these films is that this is shown in small snapshots of life. They are lessons in the subtlety of storytelling... where so much can be revealed in understatement.
Please check out THE VISITOR and definitely rent THE STATION AGENT.
THE VISITOR - Starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, and Haim Abbas
THE STATION AGENT - Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, and wonderful Patricia Clarkson
Girls (and guys) love guys with guitars. I'm not just talking about a "rockstar" leading the band. No, I'm talking about modern day troubadours like John Mayer and Jack Johnson, and... (new release alert) Jason Mraz.
JASON MRAZ has a wonderful quirky style about him and this is definitely evident on his new album entitled "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." He has released the first 2 sections as EP's online and the entire album hits stores today. This is going to be a big hit this summer. It features a duet with "Bubbly" Colbie Caillat and this very catchy hit "I'm Yours"
Here are some other recent releases by guys with guitars.
NEWTON FAULKNER-
Already a hit in the U.K., he has a great style of strumming, picking, and slapping (the guitar that is!) His debut is called "Hand Built by Robots."
JUSTIN NOZUKA-
This 19 year old Canadian wrote an album on the many facets of love. Dedicated to his single mom Holly (aww!), his debut album "Holly" is a great mix of folk, pop, and soul.
Also here are a couple of fav's of mine in the past few years....
KYLE RIABKO-
Kyle is another Canadian teen with amazing soul in his voice. Anne Murray look out! The Canadians are representing! He released this amazing debut in 2005 and is about to hit broadway as Jonathan Groff's replacement in "Spring Awakening."
JONNY LANG-
This guy is fabulous. Originally from Fargo, ND (Dakota representing!!), he released his debut "Lie To Me" at 15! He is now a world renowned blues guitarist. My favorite album of his is "Long Time Coming" which actually is a bit of a turn from his normal bluesy self. After taking a 5 year break from recording, he found God and love. This album has a bit more of a contemporary feel and the lyrics reflect the changes in his life.
Here's of cover of Stevie Wonder's "Livin in the City"
While we're one the subject, I have to give props to recent idol sendoff Jason Castro. While he may not have been a "superstar vocalist," this guy had great musicality and a great style. Cannot wait to hear what kind of album he puts out. He gave a great rendition of Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah." My two favorite performances of his would have to be from Dolly week and Inspirational week.
I felt he did a wonderful job with Dolly's "Travelin' Thru." He really "got" this song... and I feel the song (Oscar nominated from the film "Transamerica") is a very underrated gem from Dolly's songbook.
Also he was WONDERFUL on an "IZ" inspired rendition of "Over the Rainbow" He was flawless and really tapped into the hope of the song.
That's it for now. There are many more I could list.... but that will be a future blog.
I will try and be more regular about postings. Look for a new post at least every Tuesday..... NEW RELEASE DAY.... or as I like to think of it - "Weekly Christmas!" (I love new releases!) I may sometimes post on other days, but will try to at least post on Monday night or Tuesday.
