Categories
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0 Merry Christmas II You Is New from Mariah Carey
- Christmas
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/04/2010
Mariah Carey is in perfect voice for her second Christmas album release and 2010 follow-up to 1994's Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas II You opens with a short, fully orchestrated instrumental ode to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," segueing directly into the new "Oh Santa." Bouncy, bubbly, and bold, the album opener "Oh Santa" tips the hat to Toni Basil's 1981 cheerleader anthem "Mickey" using a catchy hook to drive the song along. "O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley" is a great showcase for the melodramatic phrasing of Ms. Mariah, who hits this song-pairing out of the park. It's well arranged, creative, and solidly delivered. "Christmas Time Is In The Air Again" sparkles as a pop standard slow arrangement that you might expect from a Sarah Vaughan or Carmen McCrae. A Classy impression from Carey that floats on air. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration," with the help of a bass line inspired by Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" puts a party face on this happy track. I was blown away by the operatic interlude in "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" featuring Patricia Carey. 3 New Mariah Carey Christmas songs are included in this release, as are 8 traditional holiday songs. The contemporary remix of "Auld Lang Syne" rocks 'house music style.' Fans young, old, and new will certainly enjoy this classy collection. Merry Christmas II You is a rare holiday combination of great songs, top notch arrangements, diverse material, and Mariah Carey, who finally displays her gifted sonic range through nuanced maturity rather than reverting to showy vocal gymnastics as used in the past. When I saw this album was going to be released, I was skeptical. Now that I've heard it, shame on me! Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You is excellent. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Intro" "Oh Santa" "O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley" "Christmas Time Is In The Air Again" "The First Noel/Born Is the King Interlude" "When Christmas Comes" "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration" "Charlie Brown Christmas" "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" "O Holy Night" "One Child" "All I Want For Christmas Is You" - Extra Festive "Auld Lang Syne" - The New Year's Anthem Listen to 30 seconds of Mariah Carey's "Auld Lang Syne" - The New Year's Anthem. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Halloween Dance and Party Music to Die For
- Halloween
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/13/2010
Two new wacky party albums packed with danceable delights along with frightening sound effects have just dropped in time for Halloween tricks and treats 2010. Dance and Party Music to Die For has nice remixes including John Carpenter's "Halloween Theme" remixed by Tom Rossi. Going Gaga for the Lady Zombie by Halloween Music Freaks includes "The Howling" (werewolves transformed by the full moon on the prowl), "Zombie Hospital" (the undead wreaking havoc) and "Wicked Witches Waltzing Around The Cauldron" (freaky witches dancing and laughing as they make mischief). You can find Dance and Party Music to Die For and Going Gaga for the Lady Zombie at iTunes, and Amazon.com. Listen to 57 seconds of the great remix of the "Halloween Theme." Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Number One Classic Soul Songs from the 1960s
- Games
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 09/14/2010
It's puzzle time again with 8 number one classic soul songs from the 1960's. This is the third of 3 challenges. We give you the artist name and a hint, you give us the song title. Good luck! 2022 Update: The board shown is NOT the 1960s board. It is an example board. Flash technology upon which the crossword puzzle is based is no longer supported. I'm giving you the hints, answers, and the shaded column solution below! The Hints: Sly & the Family Stone - just folks - 1969 Hugh Masekela, Friends of Distinction, weeds - 1968 James Brown - icy perspiration - 1967 Temptations - pride not a problem to plead - 1966 One hit wonder Fontella Bass gets saved - 1965 Four Tops - sugar pie honey bunch - 1965 Jr. Walker & the All Stars - armed with a rifle - 1965 The Answers: Solutions entered in the correct boxes on the board spell out the mystery song in the shaded column: "Respect" Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Number One Classic Soul Songs from the 1970s
- Games
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 09/07/2010
It's puzzle time again with 11 number one classic soul songs from the 1970's. This is the second of 3 challenges. The next one will feature the 1960's. We give you the artist name and a hint, you give us the song title. Good luck! 2022 Update: The board shown is NOT the 1970s board. It is an example board. Flash technology upon which the crossword puzzle is based is no longer supported. I'm giving you the hints, answers, and the shaded column solution below! The Hints: Diana Ross song: valleys, rivers, and ? 1970 Aretha sings Simon & Garfunkel - 1971 Chi-Lites lady - 1972 Spinners romance question - 1973 Big Eddie Kendricks hit - 1974 Repeat after the Staple Singers - 1975 Rufus - Chaka Khan - you are my heat and fire - 1976 Inferno of the snake - Earth, Wind &Fire - 1977 The Chic French come out at night - 1978 Cheryl Lynn keeps it this way - 1979 The Answers: Solutions entered in the correct boxes on the board spell out the mystery song in the shaded column: "I'll Be There" Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Number One Classic Soul Songs from the 1980s
- Games
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 09/01/2010
It's puzzle time again with 14 number one classic soul songs from the 1980's. This is the first of 3 challenges. The next two will features the 1970's, and the 1960's. We give you the artist name and a hint, you give us the song title. Good luck! 2022 Update: The board shown is the CORRECT 1980s board. Flash technology upon which the crossword puzzle is based is no longer supported. I'm giving you the hints, answers, and the shaded column solution below! The Hints: Chaka Khan touches you New Edition sweet femme Kool & the Gang - not stale Prince the bird man Dazz Band cracks it Stevie Wonder's woman Lionel Richie that's the way it will be Brothers Johnson boogie Tom Browne plays for Kingston Earth, Wind & Fire jam "tonight" Luther Vandross makes time for romance Lakeside's big ocean trip Michael Jackson's reflection The Answers: Solutions entered in the correct boxes on the board spell out the mystery song in the shaded column: "Freeway of Love" Previous Post | Next Post
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- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/25/2010
Chicago's Dells, kings of harmony, formed in 1953, and recorded for Chess and Vee-Jay Records. By the 1970's, The Dells moved to Mercury Records, ABC, and Chi-Sound. The Dells had hits in the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Listen to just over 60 seconds of The Dells singing "A Heart Is A House For Love," featured in the soundtrack from The Five Hearbeats movie, (song produced by George Duke, 1991). Previous Post | Next Post
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0 El DeBarge gets a Second Chance
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/18/2010
What has El DeBarge been doing for the past 16 years? A trifecta of occasionally making some music, experiencing some rough times, and rediscovering the magic of songwriting. In 2008, he teamed up with George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love. Best known as the lead voice for "Rhythm of the Night," "Who's Holding Donna Now," and other group hits with DeBarge, El's solo career has charted reasonable success. He's scheduled to release Second Chance, a new album of songs on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. The already released title cut is charming, featuring El DeBarge's high register vocal trademark. Watching the video, I'm reminded of Lionel Richie, as "Second Chance" pushes El DeBarge squarely into soulful adult contemporary territory. Watch the video and see if you like the song. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Janelle Monae Jams with the Big Boys
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/10/2010
The latest 2010 darling of every music critic in the world seems to be Janelle Monae, the young Kansas City, Kansas cross-genre phenomenon. She's been slotted into contemporary R&B, neo-soul, dance-rock, indie rock, and pop-rock. Read what the music critics say about Janelle Monae. After listening to her album The Archandroid in it's entirety on one long summer car trip, I have to say that Janelle Monae is extremely gifted. She's a chameleon of styles. When singing without the protection of vocal production gimmicks, her friendly warm voice is exposed. Roberta Flack, Tina Turner, Beyonce, or Pat Benatar? Monae reflects them all in a wall-to-wall 18 track sonic assault. The Archandroid is schizophrenic with ambition. There's not much cohesion moving from one song to the next. As a decent 2nd album, Monae does deserve credit for producing something totally different. "Tightrope" featuring Big Boi from Outkast offers James Brown funkiness with the album's most accessible commercial selection. Note, the rest of the album is nothing like "Tightrope." Janelle Monae proves that there's always someone new on the horizon who can cut through the clutter of the "me too" clones and offer something unpredictable and fresh. Watch the well produced "Tightrope" video. Previous Post | Next Post
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- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/03/2010
Country tunes in Nashville for the talented tongue of Millie Jackson? That's what she did in 1981, broadening her horizons to the masses. This 45 RPM picture sleeve single is from her country album, Just a Li'l Bit Country. She tackles the Don Gibson song, "I Can't Stop Loving You," a major hit for Ray Charles in 1962. There must have been an international market for European country lovers, as this particular copy was made and pressed in West Germany by Polydor Records. However, what Millie Jackson does best is to rock the house with her live and uncensored no holds barred charm. An excellent example, Millie's classic soul jewel, "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want to Be Right." Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Time Tested Alexander O'Neal Takes a New Journey
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 07/28/2010
Alexander O'Neal teamed up with Cherrelle in 1986 to score with the hit duet "Saturday Love." O'Neal, a Minneapolis, Minnesota native now hangs his hat in the UK. Has Great Britain changed Alexander's musical approach? The answer lies in 5 Questions the New Journey, O'Neal's first new album since 2002. As an original member of the Time, he parted ways with the band before the group achieved their biggest success. Listen to 30 seconds of "My House," and see if Alexander O'Neal is keeping time to a new groove. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post