If I were a boy...

"LA-based indie label The Secret Life Of Records has teamed up with a handful of young producers and musicians to form The Sunset Takeover, a mash up of studio players proving that many of today’s biggest pop hits are actually hard-bitten rock songs at heart."

So far released as 3 EP's entitled GENDER STUDIES Vol 1-3, The Sunset Takeover have recorded some amazing covers of female pop hits as sung by male rock and punk vocalists.

They state, "At the core of most every mega radio hit is a well crafted song. Sometimes, this songwriting is lost in the slick production or glossy music video. Pop music fans have come to expect a certain format. Secret Life Of Records and The Sunset Takeover project is an attempt to break the mold. This project aims to combine the catchy melodies and fun lyrics with something more visceral and genuine that we all can connect to. Join us in our quest to take back the air waves!"

Here are some of their awesome covers...

Beyonce's IF I WERE A BOY from Volume 3...

Katy Perry's HOT N COLD from Volume 1...

Kelly Clarkson's MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU from Volume 2.

I'm B-AAA-CK!

OK.... So it's been about 9 months since my last post. 

So let's get back on the Highway To Swell! "I WANT YOU BACK!"

segue....

Here is a delightful cover of The Jackson 5's "I WANT YOU BACK" by the A Cappella group SONOS from their debut cd SonoSings.

On SonoSings, the group covers a wonderful array of songs from artists such as Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, Bjork, Bon Iver, and Imogen Heap.

Besides "I Want You Back," by other 2 favorite songs on the CD are "Oh What A World" by Rufus Wainwright and "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles. Sara even joins the group to sing lead on the song.

Here is the beautiful RUFUS WAINWRIGHT cover....

and the exquisite "GRAVITY" WITH Sara Bareilles.

Check out their cd and also their blog SonoSpeaks.

Taylor made

I love the lyrics to SECRET O' LIFE by the great James Taylor.

There are many great covers of this song. Perhaps my favorite is by jazz pianist/vocalist Shirley Horn.

To me, her rendition is of one who's been through a lot in life and wants to pass on a little advice. I'm drawn to her version in the same way I'm drawn to advice on life that my dear grandparents have to share. I've really learned to appreciate their outlook on things the past few years. They've been through a lot and are an amazing testament to the power of faith and family.

itunes link here

youtube link here

Shirley, who is a huge inspiration to Diana Krall (you can definitely hear the influence) passed on in 2005. Check out her great catalogue.

What's Opera Doc?

Hey stranger! It's been a long long time.

I have a lot to share...

Let's start with a swingin' take on "Habanera" from the opera CARMEN.

It's by the vocal group THE CREW CUTS (best known for their version of SH-BOOM.)

Check out their fun rendition on itunes called CARMEN'S BOOGIE.

Here's Liberace's take on the boogie version. Careful! He's flirtin' with the camera.

A Kiss From Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz (prounounced juh-ROSE) graduated high school a couple of weeks ago. She's attending New England Conservatory of Music in the fall. What to do over summer vacation? How about release critically acclaimed debut cd?

Recently turning 18, Miss Jarosz has put out a wonderful bluegrass album SONG UP IN HER HEAD (a must for fans of Alison Krauss/Nickel Creek.) It is comprised of 11 tunes written by Sarah and 2 covers... SHANKILL BUTCHERS (The Decemberists) and my favorite track on the cd COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE (Tom Waits.)

Listen to an NPR interview with her (as well as a live cover of Gnarls Barkley's CRAZY) here.

Here's a video of COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE.

Here she is covering CRAZY.

Everything but the kitchen sink... oh wait... THAT too!

Hurra Torpedo is a band from Norway that makes music using kitchen appliances!  

Here is their hit cover of "Total Eclipse of the Heart!!"  You've never heard the song like this before!!

They became viral video sensations a couple years back and filmed a mockumentary THE CRUSHING BLOW.

Here they are appliance shopping.  This is classic!

I Get A Kick Out Of You

Here is a wonderful medley about Pregnancy performed by Susan Egan.  Susan made her Broadway debut as Belle in the original cast of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  She went on to many other productions and voiced "Meg" in the Disney animated film HERCULES.  

The Pregnancy Medley is from her 2008 double live album SUSAN EGAN - LIVE! with CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN.  This really really cute medley features the songs  I Get A Kick Out Of You/I've Got You Under My Skin/Together Wherever We Go/Losing My Mind/Dance 10, Looks 3/Steppin' Out With My Baby/You're Nothing Without Me.

Download the intro (at the end of a great song called LAST SONG) and the adorable medley!  Well worth $1.99 for the pair!!!

I'm sorry mama... I never meant to hurt you!

No this post isn't about EMINEM.  Although I'M SORRY MAMA would be an interesting song on a "MOTHER'S DAY MIX cd."

We're gonna talk about a troublemaker with a few less "F BOMBS"... 

Yesterday I did a post on Disney "Mother" songs.  Many recent Disney cartoons feature the single father... The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Beauty and the Beast. Aladdin actually had a mother.  As the storyline changed, she got the boot as did a beautiful tune. PROUD OF YOUR BOY (with wonderful lyrics by the late Howard Ashman) is touching song written for Aladdin to sing to his mother telling her he was going to make her proud today.  Here is the original demo version.

You can download that demo version sung by composer ALAN MENKEN, as well as studio versions by CLAY AIKEN and JOHN BARROWMAN (which is my favorite version.)

Perhaps someday we may see a I'M SORRY MAMA/PROUD OF YOUR BOY duet!!??  Any takers....  Mr. "Clay-Diddy" Aiken?   

Baby Love

Here are 2 wonderful Disney tunes about mothers...

The first is the very touching BABY MINE from Dumbo.  There are many covers of this tune.  I have 3 favorites.  The first one I heard was sung by BETTE MIDLER on the BEACHES soundtrack.  I also really love the versions by BONNIE RAITT (with a Doo Wop feel!) and ALISON KRAUSS.  Definitely download worthy!!  (Actually the Bonnie Raitt version is not on i-tunes, but can be found on the cd's MARY HAD A LITTLE AMP and STAY AWAKE.  

Have a listen.

OH, almost forgot!  KERRY BUTLER has a gorgeous version as well.  Guess I have 4 favorite versions!!!  (All you mothers with 4 children out there... I've got you covered!!!)

While looking for videos of these versions I stumbled upon this really nice rendition by a young a cappella group from New Zealand called THE WILLOW SINGERS.  There are some really nice harmonies in this.  Here are 3 of the 4 members.

The second Disney song doesn't get as much exposure as Baby Mine, but it is equally as touching.... YOUR MOTHER AND MINE from Peter Pan.   Here is the original version.

*** O.k. just had to post one more song by THE WILLOW SINGERS.  The other soprano is in this video.... beautiful beautiful harmonies...

Hello..

I've missed you...

Sorry that I didn't post last week.   I'm vocal directing a new show that opened at Busch Gardens last week and there was absolutely no time to post.

I wanted start this week with a wonderful cover of Lionel Richie's "HELLO" done by last year's Idol winner DAVID COOK.

I really wanted to do a post on David today.  His brother passed away this weekend after fighting a battle with brain cancer.  David actually was scheduled to speak at the Race For Hope in DC on Sunday which benefits the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.  Despite his loss or rather because of it he still attended and gave this inspiring speech.  

David and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm a Barbie Girl...

Here is the wonderful ode to the world of Barbie by the group AQUA.

Check out this really great cover of BARBIE GIRL.   It's by the Axel Boys Quartet.  You can find this on the cd LA MUSIQUE DE PARIS DERNIERE part 1. La Musique De Paris is a French series of cover cd's (mainly English renditions) that are only available as import cd's. Pretty wonderful stuff though...

Investi-KATE...

...the music of jazz vocalist KATE McGARRY.

 There are 3 essential tracks off of her cd MERCY STREETS that I became obsessed with a couple years ago. They are WHATEVER LOLA WANTS, BUT NOT FOR ME, and DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS?



WHATEVER LOLA WANTS takes on a sultry flamenco feel... love her vocal improvisation in the middle. BUT NOT FOR ME has brilliant improvisation as well... love the drum and bass work.  Also love the purity of DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS?

All three have a wonderful fresh approach than you normally hear with the tune.

Have a listen...

Kate is definitely a "contemporary" jazz singer. The chord progressions in some of her tunes can be a little too "modern" for me at times.  There are other tracks that I really like, but those three tracks really stand out for me.

Here she is doing a cover of the JUST WHAT I NEEDED by the CARS. This can be found on her cd IF LESS IS MORE.... NOTHING IS EVERYTHING.

I wanna put on my my my my my boogie shoes...

DISCO night on Idol...  overall really good performances (with the exception of Lil')

Loved Adam, Kris, and really enjoyed Allison too.

Here they are if you missed them...

I've actually been working on a wonderful DISCO show for Busch Gardens Tampa called DANCE TO THE MUSIC.  The show opens next Wednesday!!!  I helped create it (which has been awesome!!!) and am doing vocal direction for it!!  I'll talk more about this next week.  Needless to say, there's been a LOT of disco music in my life lately.  I feel I could "boogie oogie oogie til you just can't boogie no more!"

So in honor of that new show and Idol Disco night, here are 3 really cool covers of Gloria Gaynor's hit I WILL SURVIVE.

The first is a very popular one by the group CAKE.

Check it out on itunes here.

The second is by cabaret artist Colleen McHugh.  

Very funny interpretation.  Check out I WILL SURVIVE from her live album SONGS OF SELF-DELUSION on itunes.

Finally, here are the wonderful PUPPINI SISTERS with a lovely version.  (The youtube clip cuts out halfway through the number)



Download their cover here. Also, check out my past post on these fabulous ladies.

Cry Me A River...

Love love love this cover of the Justin Timberlake hit CRY ME A RIVER.  It is done by Canadian rock band THE CLIKS.  The band members are all out members of the LGBT community.  The wonderful lead singer Lucas Silveira is actually a transgender man (born female but identifies as male.)  Love his voice.  He and the band bring such a freshness to this tune!

Here is a live acoustic version.

This version is from a concert and is more like the rendition on the album.

You can find CRY ME A RIVER on their album SNAKEHOUSE.

*the picture at the top is from a cute website where a classroom illustrates famous word idioms.  

www.idiomsbykids.com

Hello Kitty

This video cracks me up...

Here's TOM JONES in a classic ode to those of the feline persuasion.

Speaking of Pussycats, here are the Pussycat Dolls covering the latin standard SWAY.  You can find this as an itunes single and on the soundtrack to SHALL WE DANCE (the American remake.)  BTW- the original Japanese version of SHALL WE DANCE is SO much better....

The Phantom Menace II Society

Love the album ARE A DRAG from punk band ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES.  It is an entire album of show tune covers.... done punk style.

Here is a fan video of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA using footage from the movie.

I also really love their version of  SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE from THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  The whole album is pretty darn great.  Check it out!!

Also, last year American Idol winner DAVID COOK performed a wonderful version of MUSIC OF THE NIGHT on the show.  

Taylor, the Latte Boy

HEAR MUSIC, the Starbucks Record Label, has made quite a name for itself in the music world.  Starting out by having Starbucks store exclusive cds, by 2007 they became a full record label distributing to all retail stores and itunes.  Artists such as Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor are now HEAR MUSIC exclusive artists.

...and last year James Taylor released a covers album called.... (drumroll please).... COVERS!  

It definitely has a "coffeehouse" feel to it.  I really dig his cover of the Dixie Chicks' tune SOMEDAYS YOU GOTTA DANCE and HOUND DOG.

Last week he released a follow up (songs that didn't make the first cut.)  It's called... (bigger drumroll please).... OTHER COVERS!! 

On this release, I love the groove of GET A JOB, and also like his take on the showtune OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.

...speaking of Taylor, here's yesterday's blog subject KRISTIN CHENOWETH singing an an ode to finding love at Starbucks called TAYLOR THE LATTE BOY.  This adorable tune was written by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich who are currently working on the music to a Broadway adaptation of the Drew Barrymore movie EVER AFTER.

Cute cute song.  You can also find an unofficial response from "Taylor's point of view" called TAYLOR'S RESPONSE.  There are versions all over youtube.  It's funny, but takes away the charm of the original a little bit.

By the way, I'm halfway through her new book and am LOVING IT!

Start up the CHENO-rator!

I'm a big fan of Kristin Chenoweth.  Like many others, I really fell in love with her during the Tony's when I saw her sing MY NEW PHILOSOPHY from the revival of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN.

This month she released an autobiography (actually more of a collection of anecdotes from her life) called A LITTLE BIT WICKED - LIFE, LOVE, AND FAITH IN STAGES.  

I just started reading it and am loving it.  The style of writing is a little frantic and jumps around a lot, but this totally fits Ms. Chenoweth's personality.

She has some wonderful things to say about life and I find her outlook very inspiring.  I love that she speaks openly about her faith AND her love for her gay fans and friends.

Check out the book... or wait for the audio version (read by Kristin) due out April 28.... or get both!

Here is a great clip where she is performing ETERNAL FLAME from a staged reading of  EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY.  This is from a planned musical that never made it to Broadway that was based on the Jim Carrey movie.

Taxman

Just finished doing my taxes!  Had to pay a lot of money... not cool.  At least it's done though.

Here's a brief clip of a lovely cover of the Beatles' hit TAXMAN by NICKEL CREEK!

You can download the song here.

If you haven't filed yet... hurry!!!!