Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat...

For the rest of the week I'd like to focus on MUSIC ABOUT MOMS.  

I absolutely love COAT OF MANY COLORS by DOLLY PARTON.  Had the wonderful pleasure of seeing her this past year.  As iconic she is for her stage persona, she really is a wonderful songwriter and musician.  

I know I've done a few posts on Dolly, but here is her music video to BETTER GET TO LIVIN' released last year.  The video features AMY SEDARIS!!!!!!!   Also, congratulations to Dolly for her Tony nomination for Best Original Score for 9 to 5.

Tequila

Happy Cinco De Mayo....

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.

Queen Arthur

BEA ARTHUR 1922 - 2009

Check out seasons of GOLDEN GIRLS and MAUDE on dvd, and also the audio recording of her one-woman show BE ARTHUR ON BROADWAY- JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS.

True class act!

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.

We have to save the PLANET, JANET!

Whenever I think of Earth Day I think of the 1990 All Star TV special with Bette Midler as Mother Earth.  During it's tv debut I was just beginning my obsession with The Divine Miss M.  To this day, protecting the planet and not disappointing "Mother Earth Bette Midler" go hand in hand in my mind.

Here's Bette's scenes from the special.  

Also here's Paul Rudd making Earth look REALLY COOL on Sesame Street!  You can find this on the just released dvd SESAME STREET: BEING GREEN.

On behalf of Bette Midler, Robin Williams, Paul Rudd, Elmo, and myself... HAPPY EARTH DAY!