Barbra Streisand, Still Pitch-Perfect After All These Years
Liz Smith

Barbra Streisand's voice has not suffered much over the years, despite the fact that she doesn't exercise those golden vocal chords. She has admitted to some last-minute warm-ups right before recording or beginning a tour, but otherwise, she just opens her mouth and out come those famous tones, ravishing, if inevitably matured and deeper.

Mariah Carey - Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

Mariah Carey - This 'Imperfect Angel' Knows What Love Is
Liz Smith

"ALL MY life, my saving grace, the thing that kept me steady, was listening to music; on the radio, on records or my mother's singing." That's the famously voluptuous singing superstar Mariah Carey, with whom I had a brief conversation the other day. I was the last of Mariah's duties that long afternoon; she'd given about 19 interviews to promote her new album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel."

80s Acts Touring Again: Demand High for Forgotten Decade Music
Andrew Barker

For '80s acts, the moment that signified pop music's wheel of fortune had spun back around their way may have been in 2007's final episode of 'The Sopranos' when Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' played during the final moments of a series well-known for its pop IQ.

Willie Nelson

10 Best Songs in 'Rock Band: Country Track Pack'
Gus Mastrapa, Crispy Gamer Videogame Reviews

Music games have the power to turn people on to new music.

And what genre needs more rehabilitation than country music?

More people hate on Nashville's music than live in the entire state of Tennessee. Gus Mastrapa has been playing 'Rock Band: Country Track Pack.'

 

Michael Jackson, Gone Too Soon
(M. Ryder)

Remembering My Michael Jackson
Liz Smith

Here's how I want to remember Michael -- not as the mega-star, not as Wacko Jacko, but as a lovely boy whom I got to know a bit during the filming of "The Wiz" when he was 16. He was shy -- surprisingly so, for somebody who was already a show biz veteran, and a star.

His solo "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" albums were just around the corner. He was still the brilliant lead singer of the Jackson Five -- a group that never would have gotten off the ground had it not been for Michael's unique talents.

Who was Michael Jackson
Victor Davis Hanson

When Michael Jackson tragically died two weeks ago, millions were shocked. The wonder, though, is not that the troubled pop-music megastar died at the relatively young age of 50 under regrettable circumstances, but that he was able to live as long as he did

Michael Jackson, Gone Too Soon
Leonard Pitts Jr.

Sometimes, death is lightning from a clear blue sky, a car that runs the red light, ice-cold water dumped on you from behind. That's how it was last week when Michael Jackson died.

Michael Jackson: 'Thriller' Was Greatest Triumph, Greatest Tragedy
Leonard Pitts Jr.

I got to interview Michael Jackson only once, at the family home in Encino, Calif. I remember Jackson did not walk about the place so much as haunt it, slumping from room to room as a great weight rested upon his sparrow shoulders.

Michael Jackson's Creative Self-Destruction
Clarence Page

Which was your favorite Michael Jackson? News that the "King of Pop" had died at age 50 might well have felt more shocking had he not shocked us so often in the past. He shocked the world in a good way back when he was a kid.

Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Club (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Sheryl Crow Review: Before she became the omnipresent babe at grizzled-rock-star reunions, Sheryl Crow was a Missouri gal with a big voice, a mutable country-rock countenance and a lust for pop hooks. The loping "Leaving Las Vegas" launched her eclectic Grammy-sweeping 1993 debut, which also had L.A. folk funk, piano-bar blues, even a Dylan-cum-R.E.M. "rap" ("The Na-Na Song"). The bonus disc doesn't exhume her never-released 1992 album (try the Internet), but it has worthy takes on Eric Carmen's 1975 power ballad... Rating: 3.5 Stars

Leona Lewis - Echo
Artist: Leona Lewis Review: Call Leona Lewis a diva of the old-fashioned variety: a singer who uses her rafter-rattling voice to dramatize female suffering. On her second album, the U.K. belter delivers synth arrangements that arc skyward, toward Simon Cowell's mountaintop redoubt. Lewis is technically flawless, but behind lyrics about "the scars on my heart," there's little personality — you miss a little of Mariah and Whitney's supersize ego. Rating: 2.5 Stars

Paul McCartney - Good Evening New York City
Artist: Paul McCartney Review: Forty-four years after the Beatles first played Shea Stadium, Paul McCartney returned to Queens to play the first concert at Citi Field. With an exceptionally well-preserved voice, Macca plows through Beatles and Wings hits, plus solo gems. This is McCartney's sixth live album since 1990 — most with a nearly identical version of "Hey Jude" and "Live and Let Die." Skip to a blazing version of "Day Tripper," which hadn't been touched since the 1960s. Best is "A Day in the Life," featur... Rating: 3.5 Stars

Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend of a Friend
Artist: Dave Rawlings Machine Review: Recorded largely in Nashville's famed RCA Studio B, Dave Rawlings' solo bow is as rooted in old-timey verisimilitude as his work with Gillian Welch. His tenor and understated acoustic-guitar work carry songs like "Ruby," which packs a Seventies Topanga Canyon vibe. The head-turners are the unplugged "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)," written with Ryan Adams, and Conor Oberst's "Method Acting": songcraft as soul-baringly timeless as Twenties Delta blues. Rating: 4 Stars

Norah Jones - The Fall
Artist: Norah Jones Review: When you've sold 36 million albums, you can afford to reinvent yourself endlessly. But Norah Jones' blessing, or curse, is how she remains her imperturbably chill self in any of her guises, be it hip-hop soul diva (Q-Tip's "Life Is Better") or jilted lover drifting through an art film (My Blueberry Nights). For her fourth LP, her liveliest, she rolls with producer Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Modest Mouse) and hires feisty session men, including guitarist Marc Ribot and drummer Joey Waronker.... Rating: 3.5 Stars

Snow Patrol - Up To Now
Artist: Snow Patrol Review: Snow Patrol found a wide audience as a kind of Coldplay minus the world-conquering aspiration. The Irish lite rockers' glistening atmospherics and genteel grandiosity made sweeping melancholy feel fragile and private. This two-CD best-of draws mostly from the three albums they've made since 2004, when singer-guitarist Gary Lightbody jettisoned his low-fi Belle and Sebastian side on the austerely gushing Final Straw. Lightbody sums up his worldview on Snow Patrol's biggest hit, "Chasing Cars":... Rating: 3 Stars

Rolling Stone Album Reviews
From the latest releases to archived favorites, here's the final word on all the music that matters, from the editors of Rolling Stone.

 

Ray Davies
Music Reviews: Show was a frustrating exercise in both how -- and how not to -- rework material.

Them Crooked Vultures
Music Reviews: Although Them Crooked Vultures are certainly one of the best projects ever to be saddled with that label, their fierce stand at the Wiltern nonetheless could not transcend it.

John Fogerty
Music Reviews: John Fogerty kicked off what looks to be a rollicking U.S. tour Thursday at the Kodak Theatre; tour continues through Nov. 29.

New Moon Talent Tour with Death Cab For Cutie, Sea Wolf, Band of Skulls and Anya Marina
Music Reviews: Concert tour featured a handful of bands that contributed to the film's indie rock-laden soundtrack.

R. Kelly
Music Reviews: Show revealed a whole new side to the singer - R. Kelly the irrepressible goofball.

The Pixies
Music Reviews: The quartet delivered an exhilarating and flawless rock show.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert
Music Reviews: Just the right blend of rehearsal and spontaneity.

Michael Jackson's This Is It
Music Reviews: Docu offers a heretofore unseen glimpse of the star's creative process.

Melody Gardot
Music Reviews: A 90-minute affair that produced sparks only at its quietest moments.

U2
Music Reviews: The show's massive scale actually diminished the Irish quartet, who put in a patchier-than-usual perf.

The Decemberists -- Here Come the Waves: Hazards of Love Visualized
Music Reviews: The band played their new album in full with short animated films to accompany the tunes.

La Roux
Music Reviews: The tyranny of first impressions was particularly cruel to buzzed-about U.K. synthpop duo.

Monsters of Folk
Music Reviews: Performance gave the audience a chance to check out four very different musicians.

Yo La Tengo
Music Reviews: Immensely enjoyable perf at the Avalon on Thursday night showed why the band has endured.

Bob Dylan and His Band
Music Reviews: There was a friskiness to his performance that kept things from turning maudlin.

Gustavo Dudamel Inaugural Concert
Music Reviews: Another eruption of near-pandemonium over the Los Angeles Philharmonic's new, dynamic, undeniably skilled, 28-year-old Venezuelan music director.

Thom Yorke
Music Reviews: The music, performed by the Radiohead frontman with an all-star band, had a propulsive energy.

Kylie Minogue
Music Reviews: Aussie diva Kylie Minogue offered an impressive display of showmanship that satisfied her rabid, long-neglected fans.

Bienvenido Gustavo!
Music Reviews: Gustavo Dudamel makes his debut as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and the Relentless 7
Music Reviews: From the first notes of "Why Go," the band played with a furious energy.

Variety.com - Music Reviews
The premier source of entertainment news. Turn to Variety.com for timely, credible articles, reviews and analysis of film, TV, music, theater, video, gaming and movie and television production -- information vital to your showbiz career.

 

Album Review: Them Crooked Vultures, "Them Crooked Vultures" (Interscope)
(LiveDaily.com) The worst thing about supergroups is that they're never as much fun on record as they are on paper. Putting Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, Nirvana and Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones together... continued

The Joe Perry Project Gallery Spotlight: Nov. 19, 2009
(LiveDaily.com) Although Aerosmith [ tickets ] fans are likely to be heard spouting "Say it ain't so Joe," it seems Joe Perry plans to go right on making music with or without the iconic rock group.... continued

Nickelback plots more 'Dark Horse' dates
(LiveDaily.com) Nickelback [ tickets ] will follow up international dates early next year with a slate of North American performances as the band continues its "Dark Horse World Tour."... continued

Switchfoot plots new 'Hurricane' path
(LiveDaily.com) Alt-rockers Switchfoot [ tickets ] have added a fresh leg of 2010 headlining dates to their road plans in support of the band's latest album, "Hello Hurricane," which dropped earlier this month.... continued

Vampire Weekend anticipates 'Contra' with winter dates
(LiveDaily.com) Indie-rock outfit Vampire Weekend [ tickets ] will spend a little time on both the East and West Coasts this winter as the band continues touring ahead of "Contra."... continued

Ani DiFranco pushes 'Red Letter Year' into 2010
(LiveDaily.com) Ani DiFranco [ tickets ] has extended her in-progress North American run into the winter months as she continues supporting last year's "Red Letter Year."... continued

Weekend Ticketing: John Mayer, Jay-Z, U2, Slayer & Megadeth, Phish
(LiveDaily.com) John Mayer [ tickets ] will head out on the road early next year to begin supporting his just-released fourth studio album, "Battle Studies."... continued

LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Bravery, "Spectator"
(LiveDaily.com) Today's LiveDaily Song of the Day is "Spectator," from New York City rockers' The Bravery [ tickets ]. The cut appears on the group's forthcoming album, "Stir the Blood," which arrives in stores Dec. 1.... continued

Flyleaf Gallery Spotlight: New York City - Nov. 18, 2009
(LiveDaily.com) Texas based alt-rockers Flyleaf [ tickets ] must feel like they're floating on air these days--their brand new album, "Memento Mori," debuted at No. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart last week.... continued

Three Days Grace postpone Canadian run
(LiveDaily.com) Three Days Grace [ tickets ] canceled five shows in British Colombia because of a family emergency, according to a statement on the band's website.... continued

The Cranberries cancel Detroit show
(LiveDaily.com) The Cranberries [ tickets ] have canceled their Nov. 24 show at The Fillmore Detroit, according to a statement issued by the band's management company. The group had to cancel the show because singer Dolores O'Riordan needed to tend to an undisclosed family... continued

Top Rock Stories from LiveDaily.com
LiveDaily: Rock concert updates and news

 

What Exactly Is Country Music? The Debate Rages On...
The fallout from last week's CMA awards is very heated here in Music City, and people are taking sides! The debate really centers on the landside victory for Taylor Swift...

Tim McGraw and Friends Work the Red Carpet for His New Movie
Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Julianne Hough and a host of other Nashville celebrities worked the red carpet for Tim's upcoming movie with Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side (release...

Taylor Swift Makes CMA History
Wow! Some people saw it coming, while others, including myself, predicted that Music City's political machine might make Taylor Swift pay a few more dues before giving her the big...

Taylor Swift Earns Top BMI Honors
Taylor Swift, Kris Kristofferson, Brooks and Dunn and others were honored last night at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards. The invitation-only black-tie event was attended by a who's who...

Nashville Is Gearing Up for the Big CMA Party
"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" takes place in downtown Nashville at the Sommet Center (home of the Nashville Predators of the N.H.L.) and will air live on ABC on Wednesday,...

Country Stars Open Their Homes on Primetime TV
...

Dolly, Charlie Daniels among New Inductees to Music City Walk of Fame
Dolly Parton, Ernest Tubb, Charlie Daniels, Kid Rock and "Tootsie" Bess, the owner and founder of the landmark Nashville honky tonk, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, have been announced as the...

Carrie Underwood Tapes CMT Special
The Carrie Underwood promotion machine is already in high gear to support her upcoming CD, Play On, which has a November 3 release date. In addition to the recent video...

Breakfast with Alan Jackson
Listen up Alan Jackson fans! You are invited to drop by the Cracker Barrel restaurant in the Nashville suburb of Mount Juliet on Monday, November 2 at 9 a.m. to...

Celebrate the Season with Sara Evans
For those of you looking for some early stocking-stuffer ideas, Sara Evans is helping to kick off this holiday season with a new four-song digital Christmas EP followed by a...

About Country Music
Get the latest headlines from the About.com Country Music GuideSite.

 

George Strait adds Lee Ann Womack to 'Twang' tour
(LiveDaily.com) George Strait [ tickets ] has added Lee Ann Womack to the roster of performers for his upcoming headlining tour in support of his latest album, "Twang."... continued

Taylor Swift to design greeting card line
(LiveDaily.com) Taylor Swift [ tickets ] has inked a deal with American Greetings Corp. to design a line of greeting cards, gift packaging, stationery, online photo personalization products and online greetings, according to a press release.... continued

Shooter Jennings readies next release with new band
(LiveDaily.com) Shooter Jennings [ tickets ] has recorded his fourth studio album, "Black Ribbons," with a new band, Hierophant, according to a press release.... continued

Rosanne Cash checks 'List' for winter dates
(LiveDaily.com) Rosanne Cash [ tickets ] will hit the road this winter for a few dates in support of her latest studio set, "The List," a collection featuring covers of country favorites inspired by her father, Johnny Cash.... continued

Sean Hannity's 'Freedom Concerts' nab Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels
(LiveDaily.com) Lynyrd Skynyrd [ tickets ], Charlie Daniels [ tickets ] Band and Michael W. Smith [ tickets ] have been tapped to headline conservative TV and talk-show sost host Sean Hannity [ tickets ]'s eighth annual set of "Freedom Concerts" next summer.... continued

CMA Awards feature milestones and upsets
(LiveDaily.com) It was an evening of firsts at Wednesday's (11/11) 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards, with Taylor Swift [ tickets ] and Darius Rucker [ tickets ] breaking new ground during the ceremony.... continued

Hank III says freedom's just around the corner
(LiveDaily.com) Hank III is about to make a fresh start. Years after selling his soul to the music industry for the sake of supporting a son whom, for years, he didn't know about, the progeny of Hank Williams Jr. is delivering... continued

Album Chart: Carrie Underwood returns to the top
(LiveDaily.com) "Play On," former "American Idol" champ Carrie Underwood [ tickets ]'s third album, makes its debut this week at the top of the US album chart, a spot her sophomore effort occupied two years ago.... continued

Kris Kristofferson gets 'Closer' with 2010 outing
(LiveDaily.com) Just as he did earlier this year, Kris Kristofferson [ tickets ] will spend the first couple months of the New Year touring the US, this time behind his September release, "Closer to the Bone."... continued

Taylor Swift to open CMA Awards show
(LiveDaily.com) Taylor Swift [ tickets ] will perform the opening number tomorrow (11/11) at "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" show, according to a press release. Swift, who was CMA's 2007 Horizon Award-winner, is nominated for four awards this year: Entertainer, Female and Album for... continued

Warner Bros. 'Gift Wraps' digital holiday album
(LiveDaily.com) R.E.M. [ tickets ], Dwight Yoakam [ tickets ], Michael Buble [ tickets ], Regina Spektor [ tickets ] tour dates, tickets and news">Regina Spektor [ tickets ], Jack's Mannequin, The Flaming Lips [ tickets ] and Randy Travis [ tickets ] are among the eclectic mix of acts featured on an upcoming holiday album entitled "Gift Wrapped: 20 Songs That Keep On Giving." The Warner Bros.... continued

Top Country Stories from LiveDaily.com
LiveDaily: Country concert updates and news

 

Shane & Shane - Everything Is Different - CD Review

Worship Leaders Shane & Shane are back with another faith-filled and emotional album called Everything is Different. The tight harmonies and catchy, Biblically Based lyrics are everything we've come to expect from Shane & Shane and the lack of extra bells and whistles help their sincerity and passion shine through.

More Shane & Shane

• Clean CD Review
• Glory In The Highest - Great Christmas Music

_{Image courtesy of: Inpop. Used by permission.}

Shane & Shane - Everything Is Different - CD Review originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 20:35:45.

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Fireflight Hosts a Live Web Cast

Orlando-based rock band Fireflight is hosting a live web cast on Friday, November 20th to give fans a sneak peek at their upcoming (February 2010) album, For Those Who Wait. Fans can tune in on Friday at 4:00 PM CST by going to the website. Kyte chat will be live and to post a comment or question, all that you have to do is type in your name and question in the chat box. The band members will be answering your questions and talking about the songs on the new album.

_{Image courtesy of: Provident. Used by permission.}

Fireflight Hosts a Live Web Cast originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 17:32:10.

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Free MP3s From Amazon.com

Pillar's latest album, Confessions, came out in September and they have teamed up with Amazon.com to offer the single, "Fire On The Inside," as a free download.

• Download "Fire On The Inside"

While we're rockin' for the Rock, have you heard the new song from Flyleaf, "Again?" Interested in a free download?

• Download "Again"

Slowing things down a bit, how does a song from Jaci Velasquez grab you?

• Download "Adore "

Big Daddy Weave?

• Download "In Christ"

These are all great songs and you simply can't beat the price!

_{Pillar courtesy of: Essential Records. Image used by permission.}

Free MP3s From Amazon.com originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 16:07:12.

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Mary Mary Remixes "God in Me"

It's not every day that a mainstream rapper teams up with a gospel group to make music, but that is exactly what Erica and Tina Campbell (aka Mary Mary) and Yung Joc did when they released a remix of the popular "God in Me." This song works on so many levels - the talent, the beat, the music and the rap intro - that it appeals to a wide variety of age groups.

• Listen to "God in Me" remixed (full stream)

In other Mary Mary news, a big congrats goes out to them for getting four nominations for the 2010 Stellar Awards! They are up for Song of the Year - "God In Me," Group Duo of the Year - The Sound, Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year - "God In Me." The sisters also recently won a Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Performance.

_{Image courtesy of: Columbia Records. Used by permission.}

Mary Mary Remixes "God in Me" originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 17:43:44.

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Winter Wonder Slam 2009

On Thursday, November 19th, tobyMac, Relient K, B. Reith and Stephanie Smith will kick off the Winter Wonder Slam tour in University Park, PA before heading to The Big Apple, where the second show will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on November 20th. Kutless will even be on this tour on select dates in December.

To get you in the mood for the tour and all of the great music, Relient K wants you to check out their new single "Therapy."

More Christian Bands on Tour

Winter Wonder Slam 2009 originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 14:22:05.

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Jennifer Knapp Appearing at The Belcourt Theatre

Jennifer Knapp is taking a break from the studio to do one show at The Belcourt Theatre in Nashville on November 18th. Jennifer will hit the stage at 8pm with special guest Brandon Young.

Since Jennifer's appearances have been few and far between since her return to the industry in September, this is one show you don't want to miss if you're in the Nashville area.

_{Image courtesy of: Maximum Artist Management. Used by permission.}

Jennifer Knapp Appearing at The Belcourt Theatre originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 01:50:26.

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Delirious? - A Countdown to Goodbye

Did you know that in 19 short days, Delirious? will perform their final show in front of a sold-out crowd in London?

After 16 years (first as The Cutting Edge Band and then as Delirious?), RIAA Gold, GRAMMY noms, Dove wins (two being Gospel Music Association International Awards), 14 albums, three millions units sold, and seven Top 40 general market UK chart singles with two Top 30 general market UK chart albums, the band is retiring.

Their run has been filled with big events. Over the last few years, Delirious? touring highlights have included closing for the Pope in front of a million people in Germany, headlining the 2004 Olympic Celebrations at the Omonia Square in Athens, Greece, headlining at SWR3's Arena of Sound 2004 music festival, where more than 80,000 fans filled the Schlossplatz in Stuttgart, Germany, playing in front of hundreds of thousands in India and  touring with Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Matchbox 20.

Delirious? Final Tour Dates

• Nov. 12 - Bremen, Germany
• Nov. 13 - Heilbronn, Germany
• Nov. 14 - Vienna, Austria
• Nov. 15 - Wettingen, Switzerland
• Nov. 16 - The Hague, The Netherlands (sold out)
• Nov. 24 - Belfast, Ireland
• Nov. 25 - Edinburgh, UK
• Nov. 26 - Bristol, UK (sold out)
• Nov. 27 - Birmingham, UK (sold out)
• Nov. 28 - Leeds, UK (sold out)
• Nov. 29 - London (sold out)

More Christian Bands on Tour

_{Image courtesy of: Kingsway. Used by permission.}

Delirious? - A Countdown to Goodbye originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 13:57:55.

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Weekly Top 10 Hits Chart - November 9, 2009

TobyMac and Phillips, Craig & Dean are riding the top of the Top 10 this week and there is tons of new music to go along with those winning artists. Look for new songs from Casting Crowns, Kutless, Hawk Nelson and Flyleaf that will all make fine additions to your playlists.

_{Image courtesy of: Forefront Records. Used by permission.}

Weekly Top 10 Hits Chart - November 9, 2009 originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 17:33:37.

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Winter Jam 2010

Winter Jam 2010 will kick off on January 8th in Chattanooga, Tennessee with Third Day, Newsboys, NewSong, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre, Revive and special guest speaker Tony Nolan. Newcomers MIKESCHAIR will be on the program from Tupelo, MS through the end of the tour.

More Christian Bands on Tour

_{Image courtesy of: Essential Records. Used by permission.}

Winter Jam 2010 originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 22:10:00.

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Christian Music in Public - Who Picks the Station?

Back in 2005 I wrote an editorial because it seemed like every time I turned around, some "non-believer" was complaining about hearing a Christian song in public. I was brought back to that piece today when I read about Margaret Downey, the former President of Atheist Alliance International. Apparently Mrs. Downey and her husband were on an American Airlines flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles and during the flight "had to listen to three songs about a religious doctrine" that they found "disturbing."

After complaining to the stewardess that the flight had  "become a church service" and being "ignored," Mrs. Downey wrote a letter to American Airlines, asking that they "confirm that this type of religious incident will not happen again" when she is on one of their flights.

The whole incident brings me back to the question, who picks the music? The business owner or the patrons? Should airlines poll each passenger when they book a flight to find out their musical preference and try to arrange a playlist accordingly? Would it even be possible to please everyone on a single 747, much less a whole airlines' worth? As consumers, we have the option to choose who we do business with. Isn't that really as far as our choice should go?

_{Image copyright: Kim Jones.}

Christian Music in Public - Who Picks the Station? originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 19:15:52.

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About Christian Music / Gospel
Christian Music / Gospel

 

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Cult's "Wild Flower"
One of the few bands to come close to the pure molten majesty of AC/DC, England's the Cult went through a number of transformations before settling on its arguably most successful sound. Starting off as a post-punk band with Goth trappings in terms of both image and sound, the group gradually adapted according to what seemed like a genuine pursuit of artistic distinction. Rather than attempting to fit into a popular format for the sole sake of popularity, band leaders Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy combined a throwback psychedelic fascination with driving, punishing rock and roll. Contemporary styles such as hair metal and early alternative rock rarely allowed for as much stylistic meandering as the Cult favored, and the group's 1987 release Electric may well be the gold standard for music capable of resisting classification in the most organic of ways. Perhaps nothing beats "Love Removal Machine" for grab-you-by-the-throat intensity, but "Wild Flower" proves that simplicity - when done well - provides an immediate advantage for bands unconcerned with genre labels.

• Sample or download "Wild Flower" here.

• Compare prices on the Cult CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Beggars Banquet Records

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Cult's "Wild Flower" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 17:55:52.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Leslie (Sam) Phillips' "River of Love"
A keen spirituality has always flowed through the impeccable songwriting and vocals of Sam Phillips, even two decades after the end of her impressive early-'80s career as a Christian pop artist. However, in many ways this tune - written and originally recorded in 1986 by future husband and long-time collaborator T-Bone Burnett - represents her clear transition from niche artist to world-class original.

So why do I choose Phillips' version rather than Burnett's to spotlight here? Easy answer: Phillips was and is one of the finest female singers alive. This is mesmerizing, guitar-based folk-pop of which Phillips would produce plenty more during the next two decades, but the best thing about her as an artist is that she never repeats herself. "River of Love" sounds like it's been a roots rock standard for the past 50 years if not longer, and such staying power stems directly from the impact of the unique Phillips-Burnett artistry. If the Christian music industry had not tried so hard to pigeonhole Phillips by engineering her image, perhaps the world would have been able to enjoy her genius for far longer. Then again, she's far from the first artist (or the last) to be unjustly ignored by pop radio.

• Sample or download Phillips' version of "River of Love" here.
• Sample or download Burnett's original version of "River of Love" here.
• Compare prices on Sam Phillips CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Word Records

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Leslie (Sam) Phillips' "River of Love" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 23:46:59.

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Dive into the '80s Deep End of Memorable New Wave Artists

During the past decade, the term "new wave" has come to refer to a new crop of bands obsessed with melody and throwback style almost as much as the notorious, still world-famous Flock of Seagulls hairstyle from the early '80s. This says plenty about the ability of the era's music not only to resist labels such as disposable and unforgettable but also to influence subsequent generations of pop musicians. So feel free to seek out Snow Patrol and the Bravery to your heart's delight, but it never hurts to have a reminder of the artists who first mined the treasures of new wave music and paved the way for many of today's successful alternative/indie pop acts. Check out my list of the Top 10 New Wave Artists of the '80s for a healthy introduction to this rich and still quite relevant pop/rock style.

Dive into the '80s Deep End of Memorable New Wave Artists originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 15:38:39.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Paul Brady's "Crazy Dreams"
Irish singer-songwriter Paul Brady has never quite become a household name across the Atlantic, but his influence on contemporary pop/rock has been substantial. In fact, I first heard Brady's sparkling composition "Crazy Dreams" through a cover version by folk/Americana singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky. Aside from the fact that she typically demonstrates impeccable taste in covers, this song fully earns the title of pop/rock masterpiece.

Joyous, conflicted and wonderfully human in its examination of the ongoing fight against loneliness, this track - which first appeared in 1981 on Brady's second solo album, Hard Station - accurately communicates Brady's smooth, accessible and completely dignified transition from a purveyor of Irish traditional music to a full-fledged pop/rock chameleon. Many of us probably didn't know it then, but Irish rock harbored more than just U2 among its well-kept early-'80s secrets. Unfortunately, Brady has remained an underrated musical genius while his fellow countrymen have become worldwide superstars. Still, don't let unjust obscurity keep you from experiencing Brady's insightful, eclectic pop.

• Sample or download Brady's 1981 recording of "Crazy Dreams" here.
• Sample or download Lucy Kaplansky's cover version of "Crazy Dreams" here.
• Compare prices on Paul Brady CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Compass Records

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Paul Brady's "Crazy Dreams" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 21:12:28.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Guided by Voices' "The Future Is in Eggs"
Dayton, Ohio's indie rock heroes Guided by Voices - who just happen to sport one of rock music's finest all-time band names - may not garner much mention if any when the conversation turns to '80s music, but that doesn't mean it's excusable to ignore the group's groundbreaking, influential work of its late-'80s formative stage. Bypassing the growing alternative/modern rock movement that would explode in popularity a few short years into the '90s, band mastermind Robert Pollard carved an honorable swath in the developing history of indie rock. Without the benefit of radio airplay or traditional record label support, Guided by Voices simply honed its craft and absorbed well-earned experience years before the so-called "cool kids" had caught wind of the band's lo-fi sound. "The Future Is in Eggs," a mesmerizing track from 1989's Self-Inflicted Aerial Nostalgia probably was heard by only the chosen few during the '80s, a group in which I certainly didn't travel back then. Still, Pollard's genius should be credited for not only its time-capsule, man-out-of-time brilliance but also because it has continued to define what it means to create independent music in a rapidly changing entertainment universe.

• Sample or download "The Future Is in Eggs" here.

• Compare prices on Guided by Voices CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Halo

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Guided by Voices' "The Future Is in Eggs" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 20:17:53.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Lucinda Williams' "I Lost It"

Though many listeners probably never heard the tune until its inclusion on the 1998 breakthrough Americana release Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, the passionate, melodic "I Lost It" actually dates back to a very early Lucinda Williams album, 1980's Happy Woman Blues. One of the people in the dark on that fact happened to be myself, until a few short moments ago when I realized that this track was nearly 20 years old when I first added it to my collection. The 1980 version features a slightly inflated sense of Louisiana shuffle primitivism than the more rock-flavored recording I know so well, but Williams' songwriting prowess announces itself forcefully years before she drew the acclaim she now receives. Mournful lyrics combined with Williams' raggedly gorgeous vocal delivery prove here that this artist has not merely grown better with age but has always been a rich contributor to American music culture.

• Sample or download "I Lost It" here.

• Official Lucinda Williams Website

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Lucinda Williams' "I Lost It" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 21:19:14.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Bats' "Not Easy for Me"
During the last two decades, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jon Brion has cemented a reputation for himself as something of a pop music genius. However, back in 1982 a youthful Brion suffered a fate similar to the one that obscured so many other unique power pop outfits of the early '80s (consider the dBs for comparison's sake). His band, the Bats, generated plenty of critical acclaim with its only release that same year, How Pop Can You Get?, but even a hearty plug from Billboard magazine could not get record buyers to take notice in significant numbers.

But never fear, music aficionados, as one of the most favorable ripples created by the Internet age is the increased availability of formerly out-of-print vinyl records. "Not Easy for Me" trades in some of the Bats' more quirky aspects but sacrifices little in the way of pop music songwriting quality. It should have been a hit, at the very least within the sometimes ignored lower half of the Top 40. Alas, such mainstream airplay was not to be for the Bats, but Brion's considerable pop sensibility would ultimately commune with a kindred spirit - Aimee Mann - who was a bit more fortunate when it came to '80s success.

• Sample or download "Not Easy for Me" here.
• Top '80s U.S. Music Scenes

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Gustav Records

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Bats' "Not Easy for Me" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 21:38:59.

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Top '80s Soft Rock Artists Not Too Proud to Fit Adult Contemporary Label
In its earlier, more well-known '70s stage, soft rock had a tendency to showcase acoustic music with at least a touch of rootsy folk and rock influences. However, the early-'80s shift toward synthesizers and progressively busier orchestration began to transform this sound, and by the mid-'80s that once highly marketable style had essentially merged with the staid, more pop-based adult contemporary genre, which made its greatest impact of the era during the second half of the decade. Perhaps for that reason, many of the biggest stars of the '80s fit into these categories for much of their peak periods, in some cases splitting the era between accessible forms of both styles. Whether or not you want to call it commercial savvy or artistic versatility remains firmly a matter of perspective, but it's impossible to ignore the distinct contributions of the artists that make my list of the Top 10 Soft Rock/Adult Contemporary Artists of the '80s. Bow your head in shame if you must, but I doubt you'll be able to keep your list of favorite songs by these artists as brief as you'd expect.

• Top 10 Soft Rock Songs of the '80s
• Soft Rock Genre Profile

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Atlantic

Top '80s Soft Rock Artists Not Too Proud to Fit Adult Contemporary Label originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 20:24:13.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Spandau Ballet's "Through the Barricades"
One of England's original synth pop New Romantic outfits, Spandau Ballet enjoyed limited American success during the mid '80s, notching only one Top 10 pop hit in the popular but also quite worthy "True." However, the group dominated the decade in its native U.K., producing some of the most memorable electronic tunes and smoky, melodic bits of neo-soul of the era. With its first tour in 20 years set to begin in Europe later this fall, Spandau Ballet has arrived late to the retro reunion party, but the band has re-emerged on its own terms.

Specifically, the original lineup will release a single, "Once More," in November, and then a full album of original material with the same title will follow early next year. So what better occasion could we have than now to celebrate a lesser-known Spandau Ballet classic? The lovely, acoustic guitar-driven "Through the Barricades" became the band's final Top 10 U.K. single in 1986, and although it deviates somewhat from the typically danceable Spandau Ballet sound, the song offers yet another rich and romantic vocal performance from frontman Tony Hadley.

• Sample or download "Through the Barricades" here.
• Compare prices on Spandau Ballet CDs here.
• Spandau Ballet Official Website

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Capitol

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Spandau Ballet's "Through the Barricades" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 20:40:30.

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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Lou Reed's "Heavenly Arms"
After enjoying 2008's '80s coming-of-age period film Adventureland this weekend, I was pleased to discover just how many of the soundtrack's many choice tunes from the era I already have on my iPod. But the self-congratulation didn't last too long as I realized just how ignorant I've been over the years concerning the long, fruitful solo career of legendary singer-songwriter Lou Reed. The film's few non-'80s selections showcase two fine tracks from Reed's former band the Velvet Underground and one from the '70s leg of his solo career, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to explore what the film leaves out in terms of Reed's significant '80s output.

"Heavenly Arms," one of Reed's numerous love songs of the period written for then-wife Sylvia, features a raw and passionate vocal performance that meshes well with the spare but jagged guitar-based arrangement. Maybe it doesn't sound much like a typical tune from 1982, but unfortunately that's not the only reason wide audiences frequently were denied the opportunity to hear this music. After all, the rather trend-oblivious Reed was not likely to don a headband and join the synthesizer rage of the age even if by some miracle that would have guaranteed him MTV attention. Luckily, it takes only a small amount of digging to unearth this worthy track, and I'm more than happy to extend thanks to the engaging Adventureland for pushing me in the right direction.

• Sample or download "Heavenly Arms" here.
• Compare prices on Lou Reed CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of RCA

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Lou Reed's "Heavenly Arms" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 at 21:41:30.

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