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.

Wale - Attention Deficit
Artist: Wale Review: On his 2008 Mixtape About Nothing, this D.C. rapper had the guts to set self-examining rhymes to Seinfeld samples. There's nothing so admirably weird on his debut. Wale instead fashions himself Kanye East, a mix of aspiration and anger, given to jazzy moralizing à la the Roots yet not above tapping Lady Gaga for the single "Chillin." "Everybody's on me like the 'A Milli' beat," he boasts while blasting phony stuff like implants and reality shows on "TV in the Radio." The darker... Rating: 3 Stars

The Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert – 40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
Artist: The Rolling Stones Review: Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! — recorded in 1969 over two nights at Madison Square Garden — is the last official live document of the Rolling Stones in their swaggering Sixties prime; it's also one of the great live albums of all time. Expectations were high for the band on its 1969 tour, the Stones' first in the U.S. in three years, and their first outing without guitarist Brian Jones, who had died that summer. They delivered in spades. Keith Richards and new guitarist Mick Taylor... Rating: 5 Stars

Amerie - In Love & War
Artist: Amerie Review: On Amerie's fourth album, she excels at getting in your face without overdosing on divatude — not much excessive Beyoncé-size vocalizing here. The lack of pretense can't save snoozy slow ones like "The Flowers," but some of the uptempo tracks borrow the basic approach of her great 2005 single "1 Thing": Both "Heard 'Em All" and the guitar-flecked "Dangerous" are vibrant numbers that put the drums up front, alongside Amerie's percussive attack. Too bad that she can't hold to that... Rating: 3 Stars

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
Artist: Julian Casablancas Review: On their recent side projects, Fab, Albert and Nikolai tried to show they could work outside the Strokes' neo-New Wave sound. Julian Casablancas' solo debut takes that MO to its limit. Phrazes is like his version of Thom Yorke's The Eraser — guitars submarined by wild-angled synths, off-kilter beats tripping up big ballads. A few songs have the old leather-jacket kick, but things get weirder as he explores alienation from a Lower East Side he once ruled. When he mourns, "Yuppies... Rating: 3 Stars

Nirvana - Bleach (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Nirvana Review: Hot on the heels of Live at Reading is this dolled-up 20th-anniversary (!) edition of Nirvana's debut, which barely hit the radar on its initial release but whose resonance ballooned as the band scorched the earth. Now, its near-greatness is plain, most clearly on "About a Girl," in the abraded Lennon-McCartney chord changes, and in the existential grunge howl of "School." The bonus live tracks, also pre-Dave Grohl — from Portland, Oregon, February 9th, 1990 — include both... Rating: 4 Stars

Weezer - Raditude
Artist: Weezer Review: Do you think Rivers Cuomo ever gets tired of pissing people off? Check that album title again. The fact that he's willing to slap a title like Raditude on his work shows that when it comes to taunting and baiting the crowd, Cuomo makes every other rock star out there look like a dilettante. Ever since he attracted the obsessive Weezer cult with Pinkerton, he's inspired wildly hyperbolic reactions to his every move. So to a casual fan, each Weezer album sounds pretty great, and each Weezer... Rating: 3.5 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.

 

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.

Kristina
Music Reviews: Show is derived from Vilhelm Moberg's 1949 novel "The Emigrant" and its three sequels

Miley Cyrus
Music Reviews: Tour looks to be the first step in a transition from 'tween sensation to young adult star.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Music Reviews: For such a noisy band, it's striking how quietly they may have evolved into a great one.

Phoenix/Metric
Music Reviews: Wednesday night's Los Angeles show seemed intimately familiar with their music, singing along and dancing throughout the 75-minute set.

Dave Matthews Band
Music Reviews: Like few other bands lumped into the jam band genre, Dave Matthews is nimbly balancing the simultaneous peddling of a vibe and the selling of a song.

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.

 

Live Review: Pixies in Los Angeles
(LiveDaily.com) In recent weeks, veteran acts Devo and Echo & the Bunnymen revisited classic albums from the late '70s and early and mid-'80s with concerts in Los Angeles. During their three-night stand at the Hollywood Palladium, the Pixies [ tickets ] brought the concept... continued

Steve Miller hosts benefit for Norton Buffalo's family
(LiveDaily.com) Steve Miller is hosting a benefit concert for Norton Buffalo's wife and children Jan. 23 at The Fox Theater in Oakland, CA. Buffalo, who spent 33 years as a member of the Steve Miller Band, died last Friday (10/30) after... continued

No Doubt wants 'Band Hero' pulled from retailers
(LiveDaily.com) No Doubt [ tickets ] filed a lawsuit Wednesday (11/4) claiming that Activision Publishing Inc., overstepped its contractual agreement to use the band members' avatars in its recently released "Band Hero" video game, according to the Los Angeles Times. The suit claims the... continued

3 Doors Down release 'The Better Life' fan pack
(LiveDaily.com) 3 Doors Down [ tickets ] has released "The Ultimate Pack," a limited-edition set that includes a re-mastered version of "The Better Life," the band's 2000 debut, according to a press release.... continued

LiveDaily Song of the Day: Letting Up Despite Great Faults, "In Steps"
(LiveDaily.com) Today's LiveDaily Song of the Day is "In Steps" from Letting Up Despite Great Faults [ tickets ]. The song appears on the Los Angeles-based group's recently released self-titled debut.... continued

The Almost finds new fans the road with The Used
(LiveDaily.com) Aaron Gillespie, lead singer for The Almost [ tickets ], didn't expect his band's tour opening for The Used to go as well as it has.... continued

Rooney expands fall headlining trek
(LiveDaily.com) Rooney [ tickets ] has added new dates to its fall trek, which will support a limited-edition, self-produced, four-track EP that the group will sell directly to fans at each venue.... continued

Dickey Betts & Great Southern take to the streets
(LiveDaily.com) Former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts [ tickets ] has plotted a winter tour of the eastern portion of the US with his band, Great Southern.... continued

B.B. King continues roadwork, some with Buddy Guy
(LiveDaily.com) B.B. King [ tickets ] isn't letting his recent 84th birthday slow him down as he plots an extensive fall and winter itinerary featuring a mixture of solo shows and co-headlining dates with Buddy Guy.... continued

Weekend Ticketing: U2, Tim McGraw, Bon Jovi, AFI, Jack's Mannequin
(LiveDaily.com) U2 [ tickets ] has begun laying down plans to bring its massive 360 Tour back to North America next year to hit markets that the band missed during its travels this summer and fall.... continued

Evanescence Gallery Spotlight: New York, NY - Nov. 4, 2009
(LiveDaily.com) Grammy Award winning alt-rockers Evanescence [ tickets ] seem to have found the key to a clear path ahead: touring relentlessly and relishing the response to their newest set, "The Open Door," which to date has reportedly sold over 2 million copies... continued

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

 

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...

Reba Joins Bocelli's Christmas Album Cast
It's that time of year where the stars are starting to drop their holiday albums. Sugarland are the only huge country artists to be entering the Christmas music arena this...

Congress Honors Country Music
The United States Congress has just passed a resolution honoring country music for its contributions to America. Seriously. According to CMT: The resolution was introduced by U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns,...

Garth Brooks is Back
Easily the biggest news out of the country music world today is the announcement Garth Brooks made at a press conference this morning that he's coming out of retirement. Brooks...

New Song from Carrie Underwood: "Mama's Song"
Billboard.com is currently streaming an exclusive first listen to Carrie Underwood's new tune, "Mama's Song". In case you don't have speakers or, for some other reason, can't listen at the moment,...

Taylor Swift's Fearless Tour Extended
Taylor Swift, we've already established, is a huge star. She already announced she'll be re-issuing her massive hit album Fearless as an extended CD/DVD with six extra songs. Now, she's...

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

 

Trisha Yearwood shares family recipes in upcoming book
(LiveDaily.com) Trisha Yearwood [ tickets ] will release another cookbook, "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood," on April 6, according to a press release. The book follows the country star's New York Times Bestseller, 2008's "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen."... continued

Weekend Ticketing: U2, Tim McGraw, Bon Jovi, AFI, Jack's Mannequin
(LiveDaily.com) U2 [ tickets ] has begun laying down plans to bring its massive 360 Tour back to North America next year to hit markets that the band missed during its travels this summer and fall.... continued

Tanya Tucker takes her 'Turn' on the road
(LiveDaily.com) Country songstress Tanya Tucker [ tickets ] has mapped a fall and winter run of the US behind her first album in seven years, this summer's "My Turn."... continued

Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson headline Country Throwdown Tour
(LiveDaily.com) Montgomery Gentry [ tickets ], Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram, among others, will headline the inaugural Country Throwdown Tour next spring as it makes its way across the nation.... continued

George Strait, Reba McEntire team for 'Twang' tour
(LiveDaily.com) George Strait [ tickets ], who's backing his recently released new studio set, "Twang," will team up next year with fellow country icon Reba McEntire [ tickets ] for a US arena tour.... continued

Tim McGraw furthers 2010 'Voice' trek
(LiveDaily.com) Tim McGraw [ tickets ] continues rolling out new dates for his massive North American tour next year in support of his latest studio set, "Southern Voice."... continued

Montgomery Gentry bids goodbye to a big year
(LiveDaily.com) Wrapping up its 2009 tour, Montgomery Gentry [ tickets ] is looking back on a good year: its current album, "Back When I Knew It All," yielded a multi-week No. 1 hit, "Roll With Me"; a special Cracker Barrel exclusive CD, "For Our... continued

New Releases, Nov. 3: Carrie Underwood, Weezer, Slayer
(LiveDaily.com) Plus: Foo Fighters [ tickets ], Andrea Bocelli [ tickets ], more... continued

Taylor Swift firms up 'Fearless' spring outing
(LiveDaily.com) Following the recent completion of the first leg of her "Fearless" tour, Taylor Swift [ tickets ] has confirmed the dates and venues for the spring segment of the run behind her award-winning sophomore album.... continued

Pat Green keeps up busy touring pace
(LiveDaily.com) Pat Green [ tickets ] has again extended his inaugural Jagermeister Country Tour, this time with a round of Southern shows scheduled through late November.... continued

Weekend Ticketing: Taylor Swift, Martina McBride & Trace Adkins, Lady Gaga, Weezer, Chris Brown
(LiveDaily.com) After wrapping up the first leg of her sold-out "Fearless" tour earlier this month, teen country/pop sensation Taylor Swift [ tickets ] is gearing up for the second segment of a North American outing behind her chart-topping sophomore album.... continued

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

 

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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Tamela Mann News

There appears to be a rumor circulating that Gospel singer and actress Tamela Mann and her husband David Mann (also her co-star on "Meet The Browns") have gone home to God. There is no truth to the rumor.  Tamela and David are both healthy and vibrant and are celebrating the release of her latest album, The Master Plan which hit stores yesterday (November 3rd).

As I listen to the CD, I have to say that there is a lot here to celebrate! This lady has a voice with a capital V!

• Visit Tamela & David on MySpace
• Purchase/Download 'The Master Plan'

Tamela Mann News originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 18:12:23.

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MercyMe on Tour

MercyMe is kicking off the second leg of their latest tour, An Evening with MercyMe, on November 5, 2009. Jonny Diaz and Tenth Avenue North will share the stage with them on the November portion of the tour. An Evening With MercyMe runs through November 22, where it will end in Johnson City, Tennessee.

More Christian Bands on Tour

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

MercyMe on Tour originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 13:27:37.

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Top Christian & Gospel Ringtones

Ringtones are big business and a great way to hear snippets of your favorite songs anytime your phone rings. Of course, if you are extremely popular and your phone rings off of the hook, it can also be a great way to burn out on a song rather quickly!

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

Top Christian & Gospel Ringtones originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 13:40:35.

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Sara Groves Christmas Tour

Sara Groves, who has a new album (Fireflies & Songs) about life as a Christian wife and mom, coming out on November 17th, also has a Christmas tour coming up.

While talking about the album, Sara said, "As a songwriter, it's easier to step back and take an observer's view, and that's what I'd been doing the last couple albums. Of course, I'm in all those songs, and they're personal, but I wasn't 'digging in the dirt' for sure. It's hard to do that. It's hard to say, 'Here's my stuff. I'm not writing about other people's stuff.'"

Sara Groves O HOLY NIGHT Christmas Tour Dates

• 12/3 - Scotch Plains, NJ - Evangel Church
• 12/4 - Presque Isle, ME - Presque Isle Weslyan Church
• 12/5 - Bangor, ME - Bangor Baptist Church
• 12/6 - Manchester, NH - Manchester Christian Church
• 12/8 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Free Church
• 12/10 - Des Moines, IA - First Assembly
• 12/11 - Green Bay, WI - Cup O' Joy
• 12/13 - Niles, OH - Pleasant Valley Church
• 12/17 - Alexandria, MN - Alexandria Covenant Church
• 12/18 - Maple Grove, MN - Church of the Open Door
• 12/20 - Springfield, IL - Calvary Temple Christian Center

More About Sara Groves

• Sara Groves Christmas Story
• The Other Side of Something Review
• Best Christmas Albums of 2008

More Christian Artists on Tour

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

Sara Groves Christmas Tour originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 02:00:33.

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Introducing Carl Brister

Carl Brister is a talented recording artist, a licensed minister and a psalmist who grew up listening to the soul/funk sounds of his father's band. Those roots shine through in his own music which boldly proclaims Christ as a root rather than as an afterthought.

• Carl Brister's Official Site
• "The Champion" Video
• "Pray for Me" Video

_{Image courtesy of: Agape Musicworks. Used by permission.}

Introducing Carl Brister originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 06:56:23.

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Behind the Songs with Hearts of Saints

Craig Felker, the frontman for Hearts of Saints, shares the story behind "Angel's Light" from the band's upcoming self-titled debut.

In a press release, Craig said that the idea for the song took shape after seeing a guest on Larry King talking about an out-of-body experience where he saw orbs of light that he thought were angels. "I can't speak for the legitimacy of the story, but it triggered a thought in my head/heart ... one day we will worship our Father amongst the angels (in their light). We took this idea to Michael Farren (Pocket Full of Rocks) and he helped to co-write some of the most inspiring and worshipful lyrics on the album. Ultimately, 'Angel's Light' is about being in God's presence and desiring for His glory, His light to cover us."

• Hearts of Saints on YouTube
• Hearts of Saints on MySpace

_{Image courtesy of: Revolution Art. Used by permission.}

Behind the Songs with Hearts of Saints originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 06:21:50.

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Steven Curtis Chapman and "Orphan Sunday"

November is National Adoption Awareness Month and Steven Curtis Chapman, who is very well known for his support of adoption, is joining with Show Hope (the foundation he and his family created),  Focus on the Family and FamilyLife to raise awareness of the more than 140 million orphans worldwide.

"Orphan Sunday," a live event on November 8th to be held in Nashville, will be simulcast through satellite, Moody Radio Network and Gospel Music Channel, and will also be available through a webcast at www.OrphanSunday.org. The event will feature a special acoustic performance from Chapman, with other musical guests Geoff Moore and the Children of the World Choir. Guest speakers include Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, a former orphan himself, Dr. Sharen Ford, Manager for Permanency Services for the Colorado Department of Human Services in the Division of Child Welfare Services, Jedd Medefind of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, and adoptive father Dennis Rainey, president of FamilyLife.

Steven shared his thoughts on the event in a press release.

"Our experience with the miracle of adoption and the chance to touch the lives of orphans has been infinitely rich and full," said Chapman, who adopted three daughters from China. "It's a privilege that God invites us to, and there are so many other children around the world who need homes and help. We're doing this event on November 8th to compel people to take action right now to be involved in caring for the world's orphans. We can each do something, whether it is donating, adopting, fostering, mentoring, visiting orphans or supporting families who have taken in orphans."

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

Steven Curtis Chapman and "Orphan Sunday" originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 17:15:40.

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Free Download From Day of Fire

Hard rockers Day Of Fire's upcoming release, Losing All, is set to hit stores on January 26th 2010. In the meantime, they want to share the first single with fans as well as a video of them performing it live.

• Day of Fire Profile
• Free MP3 Download - "Lately"
• Video - Live Performance of "Lately"

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

Free Download From Day of Fire originally appeared on About.com Christian Music / Gospel on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 13:26:15.

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About Christian Music / Gospel
Christian Music / Gospel

 

1. Fireflies - Owl City
Fireflies by Owl City from the album Ocean Eyes

2. Replay - Iyaz
Replay by Iyaz from the album Replay - Single

3. Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) - Jay-Z
Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) by Jay-Z from the album The Blueprint 3 (Deluxe Version)

4. Russian Roulette - Rihanna
Russian Roulette by Rihanna from the album Russian Roulette - Single

5. Party In the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus
Party In the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus from the album Party In the U.S.A. - Single

6. TiK ToK - Ke$ha
TiK ToK by Ke$ha from the album TiK ToK - Single

7. 3 - Britney Spears
3 by Britney Spears from the album 3 - Single

8. Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
Whatcha Say by Jason Derulo from the album Whatcha Say - Single

9. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
Bad Romance by Lady GaGa from the album Bad Romance - Single

10. Favorite Girl - Justin Bieber
Favorite Girl by Justin Bieber from the album Favorite Girl - Single

11. Down (feat. Lil Wayne) - Jay Sean
Down (feat. Lil Wayne) by Jay Sean from the album Down (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single

12. Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas
Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas from the album The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)

13. Paparazzi - Lady GaGa
Paparazzi by Lady GaGa from the album The Fame

14. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas from the album The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)

15. Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon) - David Guetta
Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon) by David Guetta from the album Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon) - Single

16. I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) - Chris Brown
I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) by Chris Brown from the album I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) - Single

17. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
Need You Now by Lady Antebellum from the album Need You Now - Single

18. Do You Remember (feat. Sean Paul & Lil Jon) - Jay Sean
Do You Remember (feat. Sean Paul & Lil Jon) by Jay Sean from the album Do You Remember (feat. Sean Paul & Lil Jon) - Single

19. One Time - Justin Bieber
One Time by Justin Bieber from the album One Time - Single

20. Forever - Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem from the album More Than a Game (Music Inspired By the Film)

21. Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé
Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé from the album I Am... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Version)

22. Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) - Jay-Z
Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) by Jay-Z from the album Run This Town (feat. Rihanna & Kanye West) - Single

23. Cowboy Casanova - Carrie Underwood
Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood from the album Play On

24. Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson from the album All I Ever Wanted (Deluxe Version)

25. Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift
Jump Then Fall by Taylor Swift from the album Fearless (Platinum Edition)

iTunes Top 25 Songs
iTunes Store: Today's Top 25 Songs

 

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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This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Dionne Warwick's "Heartbreaker"
The Bee Gees may not have released a tremendous amount of music during the '80s - and certainly not of the distinctive high quality they were known for in the two previous decades - but the trio did provide some top-notch material to a number of pop artists of that latter era. Here is one such example, a tune that effortlessly brings a smile of recognition in a way of which only the brothers Gibb have been consistently capable. In fact, I would not have been able to tell you that "Heartbreaker" was written especially for and performed by Dionne Warwick had I not thoroughly researched the matter first. The rousing pop nirvana that the song brings, especially in its bridge and chorus, is pure vintage Bee Gees through and through, not to take anything away from the plenty successful Warwick.

The presence of the trio's typically signature backing vocals may have something to do with my memory of this track being slightly askew, but I think that mainly the group's tremendous songwriting skill contains an aura that can overpower even the most assertive vocal interpretations. Still, regardless of whose name is attached to this Top 10 pop hit from early 1983, the genius of the Bee Gees, as always, stands the test of time. Music fans certainly have the right to harbor lukewarm feelings occasionally toward the nature of a successful pop song, but I don't see how anyone can question the Gibbs' ability to attain excellence in the form release after release.

• Sample or download Dionne Warwick's original version of "Heartbreaker" here.

• Sample or download the Bee Gees' later version of "Heartbreaker" here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Arista/BMG Heritage

This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Dionne Warwick's "Heartbreaker" originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Sunday, September 20th, 2009 at 03:38:25.

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Recent Deaths of Swayze and Carroll Leave '80s Pop Culture Bereft
The entertainment world lost two multi-talented and wildly different figures during the past week, with the premature passing of actor, dancer and (very occasional) singer Patrick Swayze as well as New York City punk rock poet Jim Carroll. Aside from the notable fact that this may be the very first time those two celebrity names have enjoyed a proximity quite this close, these deaths spark particular interest in the small but unforgettable ways each man touched and altered the '80s music landscape.

To put it as simply as I believe I'm capable, Swayze can be easily forgiven for his "She's Like the Wind" misstep from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack because of one single two-word title: Road House, baby! One of American cinema's most endearingly enjoyable bad films of all time (death by throat-ripping juxtaposed with comic falling stuffed polar bears, anyone?), this tale of the legendary Zen master bouncer Dalton out to save the town from the puffed-up villainy of Brad Wesley never fails to keep my attention whenever I catch it on cable.

Meanwhile, Carroll may always be best-known for his amazingly frank punk death anthem, "People Who Died," but he accomplished much more than that both musically (primarily during the early '80s) and in an ongoing literary sense. A former teen heroin addict and star athlete, Carroll proved himself tremendously gifted on multiple levels and grew to represent a special kind of well-earned wisdom in his later years. Once again, it seems like the fates are all too happy to add to the huge list of entertainment people who died far too soon.

• Top 10 '80s Music Film & TV Crossover Artists
• Basic Yearly '80s Music Timeline

Album Cover Image Courtesy of RCA

Recent Deaths of Swayze and Carroll Leave '80s Pop Culture Bereft originally appeared on About.com 80s Music on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 22:03:02.

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