Music Related Shop and Reviews

Donna Summer died today aged 63, after a long battle with cancer.
Born Ladonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts in 1948, was one of seven children. From the minute she could talk (according to her Mother) she would be singing. At the age of ten her debut was at church where she replaced a vocalist who failed to turn up. Summer attended Jeremiah E.Burke High School where she performed in school musicals.Later she auditioned for a part in the musical ‘Hair’in New York. Melba Moore actually got the part but Summer agreed to take the role in the Munich production of the show, where she learnt fluent German and later on took part in Godspell and Showboat.

The 1970′s were to be some of the most popular for summer.She met producers Moroder and Bellotte who in 1975 released the single ‘Love to Love you Baby’ which had two versions. One Disco-that was a 17 minute version, and a shorter version that was used by radio stations.It reached No.2 on the US Billboard 100 and the album of the same name sold over a million copies.Other singles followed including ‘Could it be Magic.
In 1977,the album ‘I Remember Yesterday was released that featured another top ten single ‘I Feel Love’.The following year she had her first US No.1 with ‘Macathur Park’ taken from her first Live Album,’Live and More’, that went platinum selling over a million copies.The same year Summer acted in a film called ‘Thank God It’s Friday’with the song from the film’Last Dance’ made No.3 in the charts,thus resulting in her winning a first Grammy.
‘Bad Girls’ was the next album where a string of hits would follow-’Hot Stuff”Bad Girls’ and the duet with Barbara Streisand ‘Enough is Enough’.Four number one hits were achieved in the space of 13 months-’Last Dance”On The Radio’were best sellers where she one her second Grammy.In 1982 Quincy Jones produced her album with the first single ‘Love is in Control became a American Top Ten Hit.1983 ‘She Works Hard For The Money became another best seller reaching No.3 in the US.

By the mid 80′s Donna Summer was surrounded by controversy after allegedly making anti-gay remarks.The outcome would be negative for her with many of her records being returned to her record company by angry fans.In 1989 the album’Another Place and Time’ was released in Europe and the single’This time I know it’s for real’produced by ‘Stock Aitken And Waterman’became a top ten hit in several countries.The 1990′s saw ‘The Best Of Donna Summer’ on Warner Bros.Records released and it went Gold,together with ‘The Donna Summer Anthology’that featured 34 songs.
In 2004 Donna Summer was inducted to the Dance Hall Of Fame.In 2008 her first studio album of original material was released called ‘Crayons’.The songs’Im a Fire”Stamp Your Feet’,and ‘Fame’ all reached No.1 on the US Dance charts.Up to the present day she would appear on numerous TV Programmes singing mostly her former hit songs.

As stated she was the first ‘Queen of Disco’and had that distinctive sound that you knew straight away it was her singing. Some Great records over the years for us old enough to remember her.
So another of the great pop singers has been taken from us by that dreaded disease Cancer.Let’s hope in our lifetime there can be a cure found.You will be missed Donna but no doubt,like Whitney Houston you will be entertaining them all in Heaven.RIP.

Whenever I think of the Olympic Games I automatically think of ‘Chariots of Fire’,and the music written by Vangelis for the 1981 film. Music in fact has been included since 1896 when the revival of the olympic games took place, the Greeks incorporated music into the festivities during the competitions. On March 25th of that year the National Anthem was played together with the first Olympic Hymn written by the poet Kostis Palamas and set to music by Greek composer Spyridon Samaras.From then on there have been numerous fanfares written for each olympics by such composers as John Williams,Leo Arnaud.

Music has always been associated with football from as long as I can think. Most teams have a song the fans sing at matches.Liverpool-You’ll never walk alone, Manchester City(congratulations on winning the premier league)-Blue Moon, West Ham-I’m forever blowing bubbles,Birmingham City-Keep right on to the end of the road,to name a few. Every four years when the World Cup takes place most National teams record a song related to winning. Pop artists have released songs, New Order-’World In Motion’that featured members of the England World Cup Squad. The Euro Championships in 1996 ‘The Three Lions’ was recorded by the Lightning Seeds in collaboration with comedians and football fans:Frank Skinner and David Baddiel.There are songs related to individual players-He scores goals M,ylord,He scores goals,I’ve heard many times at grounds sung about a top goal scorer for a certain team.I also remember West Ham fans singing to the well known Italian Aria ‘La Donna e’Mobile-Paulo Di Canio,Paulo Di Canio.

We live in a world where music is all around us. It is part of everyday life. It touches our emotions constantly.I look forward to hearing the fanfares,Anthems for the forthcoming events later this year.
Music is the language of the spirit.It opens the secret of life bringing peace, aboloshing strife.-Khalil Gibran.

So according to the news in the tabloids The Voice is in crisis. Over the last two weekends the viewing figures have dropped considerably with the rival Britains Got Talent winning all the ratings.The BBC’s answer-bring in Cheryl Cole and Kylie Minogue to bolster the ratings for the semi-final on May 26th,and the final on June 2nd.Is this really whats needed? Maybe the BBC should take a leaf out of the way Simon Cowell very cleverly has selected his viewing times. Once the contestants were whittled down to appear in the semi-finals, we are bombarded with selecting two acts each night to appear in this weekends final, as Britains Got Talent is airing at prime time from Sunday to Thursday.Clever tactics Mr Cowell, you keep the viewers wanting more.

Coming back to The Voice, as it is the first year of the show, the BBC have commented that it needs some alterations for the next series.Danny O’Donoghue reckons that singers will snub X Factor and Britains Got Talent next year to take part in The Voice. For me the plus side of appearing on The Voice would be to sing with a live band, and not to backing tracks, and all the performers actually can sing, so that raises the bar straight away. Maybe the BBC, once each judge has selected his team, could have programmes every evening from Monday To Friday for however many days it takes to select Four finalists,one for each judge, then they can battle it out for the ultimate prize-A recording contract.

We all continue to watch these rival talent contests each with our own thoughts on which is better.Regarding Britains Got Talent,this series I will remember it for ‘Where me keys,where me phone’,which by the way I think will make Zipparah Tafari a wealthy man and the opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte ,who are my favourites to win.I believe The Voice will be back stronger next year maybe with some new ideas. One point I must add is Britains Got Talent finishes this weekend, so what does that mean? Everyone will be tuning into The Voice. Ah! Thankyou for British television. The best in the world.

It is predicted that one in ten households now own Adele’s 21 Album. Due to this 21 has just overtaken Micheal Jackson’s Thriller Album as one of the biggest selling in UK history. Since its release in January last year it has sold over four million copies and at present it continues to sell at a steady rate. We salute you Adele, what a great achievement for the girl from London. Thankyou for giving us songs that actually mean something,are melodious and sung in your own unique style. I hear a lot of comments saying Adele is overrated, to this I say that music has been crying out for new talents like her for ages writing good songs, and when in concert, actually sings live and not along with backing tracks like a lot of artists today.
Coming back to the 21 Album she now is Number 5 on the best selling ever UK albums chart. She will have to overtake OASIS-(Whats The Story)Morning Glory at No 4, ABBA’s Gold at No 3, The Beatles-Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band at No 2, and Queen’s Greatest Hits at No 1 if she wants to reach the top spot. Will she do it?. What do you think?. I say it stands a good chance.

So that’s it folks the judges have finally narrowed all their artists down to five each for the up and coming live shows. I thought it was so difficult for them, in some cases you couldn’t choose between the singers as they were as good as each other in many of the sing-offs.

I’m thoroughly enjoying this new style of talent show, I salute you BBC. One thing that stood out for me was how emotional the judges seemed to be when telling one of the singers they wouldn’t be going through. Great to see that all these people have feelings, but that’s what music is all about, it touches people’s hearts in different ways.
Danny O’Donoghue seems to be a very popular judge, and a shrewd operator when it comes to selecting singers for his team. So what of the Irishmans background.

He was born October 3rd 1980 in Cashel Ireland. He is known as a singer- songwriter and record producer. He plays keyboards, guitar and is the vocalist with the band ‘The Script’.In the late 90′s he was one of the original members of a band called ‘Mytown’,who were signed to Universal Records.
It’s with his current band ‘The Script’where he became noticed as the frontman.The first single was ‘We Cry’and was written about a street in Dublin. The bands first album was released in 2010 called ‘Science & Faith, and the single ‘For The First Time’ entered the UK charts at No.5, and went straight to No.1 in the Irish charts.’The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ was another song that did well for the band.They have since sold over 3.5 million albums worldwide, and five million singles in the US. Also have played shows with ‘Take That”Paul McCartney’ and ‘U2′.Their 2011 tour was a sell-out.
Coming back to the quietly spoken Irishman, he says “I’m out to win it” when referring to ‘The Voice’. Who Knows! He may be right.

So last night we came to the final programme where the judges had to make up their 10 singers each before going onto the next stage, which involves a sing-off and then narrowing it down to 5 singers each for the live shows. If last night’s ‘The Voice’ is anything to go by, then it’s going to be really difficult for each judge to choose, there are some truly great singers in each team.

Will.i.am played it very cleverly I thought, he knew what he was looking for and it arrived with the last singer Jaz Ellington. What a voice. Roots in Gospel music, as some of the great R&B singers have, and completely blew everyone away. He was the only singer to be asked to perform another song, and he did, Will.i.am’s ‘Ordinary people’ reducing the songwriter to tears. So where did it all begin for the singer, songwriter, producer, Will.i.am.

William James Adams was born March 15th,1975 in East Los Angeles. He grew up in a predominantly Mexican American community where his family were one of a few African Americans living there. He never met his father, so grew up with his Mother whom he constantly refers to on ‘The Voice’. He was encouraged to pursue a musical career with his Mother sending him to public schools in the most affluent parts of Los Angeles. It was while at Palisades Charter High School he met a future member of  ’The Black Eyed Peas’ Allan Lindo where they formed a rap group with three other members ‘Atban Klann’ who eventually were signed to the Ruthless Records label.

In 1995 after limited success they firstly changed their name to ‘Black Eyed Pods, and then in 1997 to ‘Black Eyed Peas’ as we know them today. The first album, ‘Behind The Front’ was recorded and was fairly successful and it led them to sign for Interscope Records, resulting in a second album ‘Bridging The Gap’ released in 2000. Third album released in 2001 ‘Elephunk’ which singles ‘Where is the Love’ and ‘Shut Up’ were mega hits for the band with the album selling over 8.5 million copies worldwide.

In 2003 fourth Black Eyed Peas album ‘Monkey Business’ which was released in 2005. It was at this time that Will.i.am announced that he was going to take a break and focus on personal projects. He began working with ‘Micheal Jackson in 2006 up to his death in 2009 as producer, and also worked on Fergies solo album ‘The Dutchess’. In between that he created an all female soul band called ‘Paradiso Girls’. An album was released in 2007 with three singles taken from it but wasn’t very successful.

In 2008, Will.i.am announced he was recording a political album in support of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, this proved to be a great success with many well known artists appearing on it. Two more albums followed in 2009 and 2010, ‘The End’ and ‘The Beginning’ with the singles from both being worldwide hits.

Will.i.am has collaborated with many artists during the years as producer, ‘FloRyder, CherylCole, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Usher, Justin Timberlake to name but a few. Also film projects such as ‘Rio’ that featured Jamie Fox, Anne Hathaway. He has won seven Grammy awards so far and Daytime Emmy Awards. He remains as popular as ever to this day with his fingers in many projects and all the top artists wanting to work with him.

So coming back to ‘The Voice’. Will one of his singers win? I think it stands a very good chance. We will wait and see.

So Simon Cowell is worried as The Voice pulled in 9.5 million viewers on Saturday compared to Britains Got Talents 9.1 million. My view is that he needs to be concerned as his shows ratings drop, they are becoming too predictable, and we know what to expect from them. Alternatively The Voice offers a fresh approach to Talent Shows with all the contestants actually being able to sing, and it comes down to who the judges choose to be on their team. I thought there were some really good singers on this weeks show. I wonder if viewers will eventually see The Voice as the leading singing show? I really like the banter between Jessie J and Will.I.Am. So where did it all begin for the popular female singer?

Jessica Ellen Cornish was born in Essex in 1988. She was educated at Mayfield High School in Redbridge London.At 11 years of age she went to a Performing Arts School where she took part in Andrew LLoyd Webber’s West End production of Whistle Down The Wind. At 16 years of age she studied at the Brit School and in 2006 graduated along with singers Adele and Leona Lewis.
Her first success was as a songwriter for Sony ATV Publishing, and also a support act for Cyndi Lauper in 2008.She also wrote lyrics for Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus.Jesse eventually signed for Lava Records and began recording her debut studio album in 2006 and completed it in January 2011.The albums title was ‘Who you Are’ and this track was as she descibes is “One of her proudest” In 2010 Jessie released her first single ‘Do It Like A Dude’ which reached number two in the UK Singles Charts.The follow-up single ‘Price Tag’ was released in January 2011 and reached Number One. It proved to be her most successful to date. February 2011 the debut album released and went to Number Two in the UK Album Charts and reached Number 11 in the USA. Other singles released from the album were ‘Who’s Laughing Now’, and ‘Domino’was her second US single.Jesse J performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2011 performing several of her songs.

In 2012 she announced that she had begun recording her second studio album, hoping to collaborate with many artists this year.We all look forward to it.If I was asked to describe her style of music it would be contemporary, R&B pop music with Hip Hop Influences. I enjoy her music and think she is a talented songwriter and an astute judge on The Voice.

Will one of her singers win the show? It wouldn’t suprise me.

So The Voice has won the ratings on Saturday with over two million more viewers than it’s rival Britains Got Talent, sending alarm bells ringing in the Simon Cowell camp.I watched with anticipation both shows and must admit The Voice gets my vote once again on it’s second weeks showing. What I think is so good is the tension created amongst the 4 judges when they look at each other, smile, and ask, “Are you going to “.In other words, press the button so their chairs will turn around-Great TV, long may it continue.
So we heard on the first show he was good friends with Elvis. So where did it all start for the man from The Valleys?
Tom Jones was born 7th June 1940 in Pontypridd,South Wales.From an early age he began singing at family events, weddings, and in the school choir, and developed a bluesy singing style from listening to artists such as Jackie Wilson, Brook Benton,and Little Richard.In 1963 he became a frontman for a local group, Tommy Scott and the Senators where they gained a local following playing at Dance Halls and Working Mens Clubs in South Wales. It was at one of the gigs that Jones was spotted by Gordon Mills a London based Manager who took him to London.This eventually led to a recording contract with Decca. His first single was not successful, but the second ‘It’s Not Unusual’ became an international hit in 1965 reaching number one in the UK, and the top ten in the USA. He also sang movie themes to ‘What’s New Pussycat’, and Thunderball. In 1966, Jones had a hit both sides of the atlantic with ‘Green Green Grass of Home’.In 1967 he performed in Las Vegas at ‘The Flamingo’,and ‘Ceasars Palace’ to great acclaim, and where up to his death in 1977 he became good friends with Elvis Presley.Tom Jones up to 2011, performed at least one week in Las Vegas every year.
In the mid 70′s there were a few hit singles ‘She’s A Lady’ being the pick of them ,but his popularity began to decline somewhat. Gordon Mills,his manager that had guided him throughout his career died in 1986.Jones son Mark became his manager in 1987, and that resulted in immediate success with the single’A Boy From Nowhere’ which went to No.2 in the UK. The following year there was a cover of Prince’s'Kiss’ that was a hit in the UK and America.Jones received a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame in 1989.
It was the album ‘Reload’ released in 1999, that bought Jones back to the top, A series of cover duets featuring, Robbie Williams, Van Morrison, The Stereophonics to name a few, went to No.1 in the UK, and sold 4 million copies worldwide.Tom Jones received Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2003. Many more albums followed including working with artists of today
He was awarded the OBE in 1999, and knighted by the Queen in 2006.In 2009 Jones went to the top of the charts again with a cover of ‘Islands In The Stream’
Up to this day, before appearing on The voice, he could still be seen performing and making TV appearances.Finally coming back to where we started, Sir Tom says “This is the hardest thing I have ever done, to criticise people and also judge them, and make a decision about their futures, it’s really got to me”.Well Sir Tom what ever decision you make, with your experience I’m sure it will be the right one.

Britain’s Got Talent 1.The Voice 0, according to ITV sources last night on the first battle of the Saturday night TV schedules.Two million more viewers tuned into Britains Got Talent reaching an audience of 12.2 million, while The Voice reached 9.8 million over on BBC 1.
There was an immediate re-action from the BBC claiming that when both shows overlapped for 20 minutes they had the better viewing figures averaging 8.96 million to the ITV’s 6.56 million. The BBC have also commented by saying that The Voice’s average viewing figures were over 3 million better than the opening episodes of Strictly Come Dancing,Britain’s got Talent, and The X Factor.So the ‘War of Words’ is set to continue, having started last week when Sir Tom Jones had a dig at Simon Cowell’s ability to judge a good singer when he is not one himself. I have to agree with that statement, as you only have to look no further than ‘Jedward’. Oh, by the way they will be representing their country again this year in Eurovision. Simon Cowell’s response,” Most artists who try and run record labels fail.That’s why they are called artists.Can a singer judge another singer as well as a record executive”.

Finally for me the winner last night was The Voice. Maybe because it’s a new style of Talent Show, has four judges who in their own fields have been successful, and are all singers themselves, which I think is important. Enjoyed the quality of the singers that took part,some really good ones. Also like the idea of a live band performing with the artist’s, and not singing to backing tracks. We await next week’s shows. Watch this space.

So here it is folks, this years UK Eurovision Song Contest entry.’Love Will Set You Free’. A ballad that is hoped will be a big vote winner with the Eastern Europeans, where Englebert is still very popular to this day. On first hearing the song, (incidently written by Sacha Skarbek,who co-wrote the James Blunt hit ‘Youre Beautiful’and Grammy-winning producer’Martin Terefe),I am pleasantly suprised. For those of you who are old enough to remember the hit records of Englebert Humperdinck(like myself), there is no doubt he can sing. For me it’s so refreshing to hear a singer who can sing in tune,and is experienced. I say this because in todays music business,most singers we see on TV in Talent Shows have none or hardly any performing experience whatsoever. Englebert, like his fellow professionals of his era, learnt their trade in the Working Mens Clubs, and the Holiday Centres of the UK for many years, so for me he is one of ‘The Old School’.
Coming back to the song itself, you will see there is a Spanish-style accompaniment, which I think works very well, and incidently the guitarist will join him on stage at the contest on May 26th. There have been mixed re-actions from people who first heard the song a few days ago, which I suppose is to be expected. Some people have never heard of him, others think it’s laughable.My take on these comments,”Dont judge a book by it’s cover”.Englebert Humperdinck describes the ballad as a “Beautiful Romantic Song”,and he has his “Eyes On The Prize”,and is hoping to finish within the top 5. We will wait and see. GOOD LUCK.