This morning as I was eating my bowl of Berry Berry Kix, I came across an article online about a new broadway cover album by RACHEL BAY JONES called SHOWFOLK (folk covers of showtunes!) It looked interesting so I went to itunes and heard some samples... and really really liked what I heard.
I impulse-downloaded the album, listened to it all day, and LOVE IT. I really dig the variety of her selections. She opens with a great version of BREEZE OFF THE RIVER from THE FULL MONTY (great tune.) There are covers from newer shows WICKED, SPRING AWAKENING, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, RENT... and also classics from ON THE TOWN and MAN OF LA MANCHA.
Favorites besides BREEZE OFF THE RIVER are ANOTHER DAY (Rent), LUCKY TO BE ME (On The Town), and a wonderful version of GONNA BUILD A MOUNTAIN (Stop The World - I Want To Get Off). I feel these tunes in particular get a very fresh interpretation on the album.
Check it out. You won't be sorry! This is really stunning music.
Very excited about GLEE... a new tv show from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy debuting on FOX next fall.
The cast has a plethora of Broadway talent. It stars Matthew Morrison (Hairspray's original Link Larkin) as a spanish teacher who takes over the "worst high school glee club in America!"
His parents will be played by Victor Garber and Debra Monk. The chorus "diva" is Lea Michele (Spring Awakening.) It was just announced that Kristin Chenoweth will play a recurring role that is being kept a secret. (She is also going to be on David E. Kelley's new show LEGALLY MAD.) The brilliant Jayne Lynch (Best in Show) will also be on the show as the egotistical cheerleading coach.
GLEE will feature several musical numbers per episode!
While the show will air next fall, FOX will show the debut May 19 after the final American Idol performance show. I'm excited to see it, but it IS kind of weird scheduling having to wait over 3 months for episode 2. Hopefully it will get good ratings following Idol though.
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.)
So much of the music business has changed with the internet the past few years. These days, digital is king.
I have always loved buying the actual compact disc. I like to hold the CD in my hands. I like to look through the linear notes. I'm usually opening the CD as I leave a store even if I don't have immediate access to a player. Fighting with the annoying sticker at the top is like unlocking a jewel case treasure chest leading you to a wonderful musical discovery. When I was little I remember being so excited when a local bank said it was offering FREE CDs! (I of course was immediately disappointed once I was properly informed what kind of CD they were offering!)
With hesitation, this past year I've made a gradual switch to downloading (legally) from online. It's usually a lot cheaper and you have it instantly. Also, more and more artists are releasing exclusive tracks and even albums online. I will never completely switch digital. I still love buying vinyl AND I also work in a music department!!! Plus, there are certain types of music that I still "need" on the CD format. These include favorite artists that I already have a collection of and Broadway Cast Recordings (I want the libretto.) These I will copy into my i-Tunes library and add to my ipod.
However, I have found some great music online. Let me know or leave a comment if you are interested in more info on some of these (LEGAL) sights. I can get free downloads for recommending a friend... (I promise that isn't the purpose of this post!)
The purpose is to tell you about two exciting new releases that came out this past Tuesday exclusively on i-tunes.
First is the "Official" soundtrack to the blog-tastical musical "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog." Check out my past post about this wonderful piece of entertainment. The creator Joss Whedon is set to release the dvd (with the soundtrack and specially written musical commentary!) before Christmas. For now, this is the only way to get the soundtrack (besides inferior bootleg versions that fans have released online.)
The other wonderful release is from an i-tunes series called "i-Tunes LIVE from SoHo." The cast of the Broadway sensation "Spring Awakening" performed selections from th show at the Apple Store in SoHo. The songs sound wonderfully raw on this live recording. They are performed by composer Duncan Shiek, original cast members, as well as "Weeds" star Hunter Parrish (who has gotten great reviews as the current "Melchior" and sounds wonderful on "Left Behind.")
This is the first Broadway show that has been featured on the i-Tunes series.
In other "Spring Awakening" news....
Much like "Wicked: The Grimmerie" (a book about the making of the Broadway musical "Wicked"), "Spring Awakening" has also released a book. It is called "Spring Awakening: In The Flesh." It's designed to look like an old vandalized book and contains photographs, costume and set sketches, drafts of the songs, and the entire libretto.
Finally...
Kyle Riabko (who was "Melchior" before Hunter Parrish joined the cast) is currently starring in the touring production. He has been performing as a singer/guitarist professionally since 15 and has an awesome debut CD. Check out his website for his great music.
Here's a different take on the haunting "Left Behind" that he performed this summer at Joe's Pub in NYC.
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.
