It's a WONDERFUL Life

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve.

I posted an entry on New Years Eve.  Prior to that my last entry was before Thanksgiving.  Shame on me!  I have so many wonderful things to share... sometimes I get "blogged down" trying to think of a clever theme to tie certain music and movies together and then I don't post.  The original intent of this blog was sharing bits of entertainment that make me happy. 

So for 2009 (with the exception of yesterday) I will be posting EVERY DAY!  Sometimes it may just be a short note, or a youtube clip... but there will be something everyday.  

And I would like to unveil a new feature for 2009.  OPERATION COVER LOVER!!  If you've been reading my blog or know me a little bit, you know that I am a huge fan of artists doing covers of songs.  I love that a vocalist or musician can take a song that another artist wrote and breathe new life into it and find new meaning.  (I am also a fan of campy covers as well.)  So as part of a new post everyday, many of these posts I will be sharing a favorite cover with a link.  When ever possible I will link to where you can purchase the song (i-tunes, e-music, etc.)

So to start the new year off on a wonderful note... here are some of my fav covers of "WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD."  I find that Louis Armstrong's version is the definitive one, however I also love these varied interpretations.  

I have always loved this song.  To me, it speaks of enjoying the simple everyday things in life and not taking them for granted.  As we look back at all the things in the past that have defined who we are, we must look toward the hope of tomorrow.  What a perfect message as we start a new year.  Life IS good.

Here are just a few really cool versions...

EVA CASSIDY...  a true angelic voice.  This version has an underlying sadness, but also full of hope.  More on Eva in a future entry.  This version can be found on her album "Live at Blues Alley."  This is one of my favorite albums of Eva's.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH just released a fabulous Christmas album with a really beautiful version that combines with "Sleep Well Little Children."

JOEY RAMONE recorded a rockin punk version.

Israel Kamokawiwo'ole known as "IZ" released this version similar to his take on "Over The Rainbow".

In the jazz world k.d. LANG and TONY BENNETT recorded a beautiful duet on a Louis Armstrong tribute album and UK sensation STACEY KENT released this beautiful version on this year's Grammy nominated jazz album "Breakfast on the Morning Train."



I know that's a whole lot of WONDERFUL.... but here's to a truly wonderful 2009.

(most overused adjective in this entry.... "wonderful.")

5...4...3...2...1.... Happy New Year!

There are so many Christmas albums out there, but where is the perfect New Year's Album? Well, look no further... I would like to introduce "Striking 12!"  It's a concert Broadway show written by the band Groovelily.

"Striking 12" is based on Hans Chistian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl."  The three members of Groovelily (Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Milburn, and Gene Lewin) play all the characters and play their instruments at the same time (violin, piano, and drums!) The show has wonderful music written in a similar style to Jason Robert Brown ("A New World," "The Last 5 Years.")  Kenneth Jones from Playbill Online writes, "Striking 12 may be the best new American musical that nobody has heard of."

Here's a clip.

Here is a link to i-tunes if you want to ring in the new year Musical Theater style.

Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR and blessed 2009!

A Perfect Holiday Blend

Happy early Thanksgiving!  I'm heading up north to visit my wonderful family.  I SHOULD be packing right now... but I wanted to write a quick post.

I am so excited to begin the Holiday Season!  Let the Christmas cd recommendations begin....

I wrote in a previous post about a LOVELY album by Kristin Chenoweth.  This is my favorite holiday album this year.  

A close second is by an a cappella group from Indiana University called STRAIGHT NO CHASER.  Last year they posted a 10 year old video of a wonderful version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" online and became a You Tube sensation.  This led to a record deal including a fantastic christmas release called HOLIDAY SPIRITS.  

Here is the infamous "12 Days of Christmas"

BARACK to the future!

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted.... it's been crazy busy. 

Just came back from voting today... and will be anxiously awaiting the results tonight.  

I believe this video sums up the hope of "CHANGE" and what it means to the future of our country.

I have been listening a lot to Ben Sollee.  His music has really touched me this year.  I wrote about him in a previous post.  

His debut album is the perfect soundtrack for the election and really sums up the power of change.  Today he released an EP "Something Worth Keeping" on i-tunes.   His songwriting is absolutely beautiful.  Here's a great article he wrote on Obama.  Check him out.  

... and please VOTE for change!!!!   

Florida, Arizona, and California... please vote with your hearts ("NO" on changing the constitution.)  No matter what your personal, political, or religious beliefs are... I'm sure we can all agree that our country was not founded on discrimination.  Our constitution promises Americans "liberty and justice for all."  

(Barack cartoons are available on t-shirts at CafePress.com)

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.)