KRISTIN the night away!

I know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas music... most of the new releases for Christmas 2008 DO come out today or next week.... but I will wait a little longer to talk about all the releases (at least till after Halloween.)  There ARE some REALLY good ones this year.   However, there is one I cannot wait to tell you about.

I had no idea this album was coming out... so I jumped up and down a little (ok maybe a lot) when I learned yesterday that Broadway/tv/movie darling Kristin Chenoweth is releasing a Christmas album.

It's called "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas"...  and it is absolutely BREATHTAKING!!!!  

I face a huge dilemma each year about how early I can pull out the holiday cd's.  One does not want to overdose on holiday cheer too early...  I've decided to "adapt" the fashion rule...  "You shouldn't listen to 'White CHRISTMAS' until AFTER Labor Day."   Since it's October I'm safe... which is good, because I couldn't wait to hear this.  I downloaded it at midnight from i-tunes (a MUST because there are 2 exclusive tracks on i-tunes.)  I sat by the computer and listened all the way through.  This is rare for me.  Usually when I'm really excited about a new release I have to sample through the album first so I don't burst with anticipation (I have issues... I know!)  With this cd I was under Kristin's spell.

Her renditions are fresh (not overproduced) and yet feel classic at the same time.  She has moments where she does her cute Glinda/Sally Brown schtick that she is loved for, but most of the album is pure beautiful singing.

She does wonderful versions of classics.  I love her take on "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Do You Hear What I Hear."  She duets with contemporary jazz great John Pizzarelli on a cute medley of "Sleigh Ride"/"Marshmallow World."  She also includes "Sing" (originally made by famous by Big Bird and then the Carpenters.)  It fits wonderfully with the other songs.  Her rendition is very true to the Carpenters but has some special Christmas lyrics.

I was especially moved by the pairing of "Sleep Little Children" and "What A Wonderful World."

Get the i-tunes version which includes the title song (don't know why it didn't make on the official release!?!)  "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas."  This is a  reworking of the standard "A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening."  The other track is a beautiful version of "The Lord's Prayer."

This is sure to be a season favorite.

IN OTHER KRISTIN NEWS....

-She is ADORABLE this season on PUSHING DAISIES... if you're missing the show... you are missing out.  Season 1 is out on dvd.  The show really is a perfect fit for all of her talents.  She is also in the upcoming movie "Four Christmases."

-The WICKED cast recording is being re-released as a Fifth Anniversary Edition on Oct 28th with songs cut from the original production and covers of some of the songs.

-Kristin has a memoir coming out next year!!!!  It's called "A Little Bit Wicked: Life Love and Faith In Stages."  Cannot wait!  It comes out Spring 2009!

-Also in the works is a Disney version of "Rapunzel" voiced by Kristin.

Here is a fun video I found of a staged reading of  "EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY - The Musical."  The musical never quite made it to Broadway.  It looked fun.  Here is Kristin singing Blondie's "Heart of Glass."  Super cute.

FINALLY....  (sorry long post again!)  Here is a public service announcement from Kristin.  (This ditty is NOT on the Christmas album! )

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

I Love TRASH!

Here is a SUPER DUPER fun new discovery! 

TRASH POUR 4 is a 4-piece combo from Sao Paulo, Brazil.  They do WONDERFUL covers of pop tunes (mostly 70's and 80's) in a jazz/bossa nova/lounge setting.   They remind me a bit of the splendid group PINK MARTINI!  

They have 2 great albums.  

The first "Recycle Volume 1" came out in 2005 and "Super Duper" was released in 2006.  They both can be found on i-tunes.

Favorite covers (you should download) are.. 

Madonna's "Material Girl"

Carpenters' "Close To You"

Erasure's "A Litte Respect" 

Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On The Ritz" (look out "Puttin On The Ritz - TACO COVER!")

They also do a wonderful cover of Nirvana's "Lithium"

Here is them doing Irving Berlin's PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ.

Here is a VERY different take on YOU'RE SO VAIN!

Here are 2 videos showing them making "SUPER DUPER."  I have no idea what they are saying half of the time, but I find them very fascinating!!! These are long, so only watch if you are digging them so far (or are super bored!)

What is the DEFINITIVE Infinite Nick and Norah?

I went to see NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST this evening.  

First of all let me say that I love this guy...

Michael Cera is a comedic genius.  He was one of my favorite actors in the extremely talented cast of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.  He had a wonderful year in 2007 with SUPERBAD and JUNO... and has a wonderful web series with friend Clark Duke (see link at the bottom of this post.) 

Second of all, I read the book earlier this year and LOVED it and immediately wanted to read everything I could by the authors.  (More on that in an upcoming post... because I could go on and on!!)

Third-ly... the soundtrack features music by Vampire Weekend, and the movie had cameos by Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers, and it features Spring Awakening actor Jonathan B Wright.

So walking into the theater I was trying to lower my expectations so I would not be disappointed by the film...

...unfortunately I was!

The film had some nice moments and Michael Cera was funny in his adorable/awkward way of his, but I felt the film did not at all live up to the book.  

NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST (the novel) is co-written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.  The chapters alternate in point of view between the two potential love interests with Rachel writing Norah's chapters and David writing Nick's.  This is a large part of the charm.  You can experience as a reader that these two are trying to get over unhealthy ex's and that both have a fear of falling in love with the other.  

The plot is basically a one night courtship through their love of music.  Think "Before Sunset meets High Fidelity."  This is what I LOVE about the book.  The two bond over their passion for music.  

I felt the movie lost this aspect.  Instead it played like a "Big Budget Studio tries to create hip JUNO-esque teen indie film."  This saddened me because it really is such a tender story.  I thought they threw in "schtick for schtick sake."  (Try saying THAT 3 times really fast!!)

I read some reviews online tonight and a lot of critics disagree with me.  But personally I would read the charming "amazing" book and see an "o.k." film adaptation later.

Sorry...  NICK AND NORAH (the movie) did not Score-ah with me.  

Instead I highly recommend the book and Cera's online series CLARK AND MICHAEL! (The soundtrack is great too.)