Too much music, too little time! :D

Hi everyone, I was very fortunate today to attend, along with a select few, an intimate recital by my son, containing a few of his own compositions and a couple of covers I didn’t know. One of them, played on the acoustic guitar, was Cold Play’s “The scientist”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-RcX5DS5A

I thanked my son for introducing me to it, though I preferred his version, not that I’m bias or anything... XD Hope you enjoy, thanks for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi all, this is for a friend:

Gladys Knight  & the Pips “Wind beneath my wings”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2_e-mv3ifE

Enjoy! sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi all, today, I just want to share a short blurb about the latest Tony Bennett output, on which he's joined by none other than Lady Gaga herself, released 2 days ago. It's called "Cheek to cheek" and it's, not surprisingly from Tony, a jazz album. As some of you may know, Gaga sang on Tony's "Duets II" CD, the song: "Lady is a tramp" which I absolutely love. When I first heard about the new CD, I was all for it and definitely wanted the deluxe edition. This is where it gets complicated. Amazon.ca, I'm sad to say, is thrifty with details and too often, there are no track listings on CD's or list of features on DVD's. So in a nutshell: there's a regular version, deluxe version, ITunes version and (to muy knowledge) the last one being German. By the grace of God, I got myself the 18 track German version! Note that the German version doesn't have the ITunes exclusive live track. I was too busy multi-tasking, but hopefully should try and write a decent analysis in the near future, but just know I loved what I heard so far! Thanks for reading, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi everyone, I was just browsing through the new releases on Amazon and found items of interest, so I thought I’d share 2 completely unrelated offerings.  First, I caught that Crystal Bowersox had a new CD being released today called “Promises”.  This CD only has 7 tracks for some reason.  What I find interesting is that it’s released on the “Mamasox” label, which I’m guessing is her own label, since this was her nickname on A I.  No music samples yet, but I’ll look it up.

http://www.amazon.com/Promises-Crystal-Bowersox/dp/B00NPPM4BU/ref=s...

Now, my 2^nd suggestion was a surprise. My sister wanted to look it up and when she told me these guys were from another pop/alternative band, I thought: “Oh boy, another 2^nd rate poppy band...”. However, I heard one of their songs on the radio this morning which I found pleasant, so checked out if this was representative of the album. I was pleasantly surprised! The song is “We are done” by The Madden Brothers  and their album is “Greetings from California”:

http://www.archambault.ca/qmi/jump/product/ZIK15594529-en

They’re members of Good Charlotte. I don’t really have much of an opinion on Good Charlotte, because I can’t say I’ve heard anything that has stood out for me that plays on Quebec pop radio. I guess my musical taste is evolving and  although most pop alternative music might be okay to hear on the radio, I wouldn’t buy it, through no fault of the artists. However, this CD from the Madden Brothers, I would actually consider buying! From the samples on the above link, they have a light pop sound, but seemingly interesting enough musically to keep my attention and pleasant enough to listen to on any day, as opposed to certain artists or albums you need to be in the mood for. I’ll keep you posted on both albums if or when I get them. Thanks for reading, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi again all, here comes a more conventional song for the average blog. I heard this one on TV yesterday, for the first time. Sam Smith « Lay me down »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5SC1Pqzl4c

According to Wikipedia, he’s a 22 year old British R&B singer and his first album “In the lonely hour” was released last May. The song is terrific and I guess what attracted me to it is that his tone is very similar to the lead singer’s of Boys II Men.  His style, for this song anyway, seems to be  following in the old school tradition. In any case, I’ll be borrowing his CD from the library so I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi everyone, today will be another entry that’s a message from my home planet. :D I have no idea how this song came into my mind recently, but I’ve been meaning to post it on my blog for about a week now.  So you have a nice idea of the sweet melody, here is an instrumental version:

“Cielito lindo” classical guitar arrangement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QOzos7zvB8

Now, I couldn’t really find a satisfactory solo male vocal version of it, but thought this lovely duet would do in a pinch:

Luciano Pavarotti & Enrique Iglesias “Cielito lindo”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXibDyxhRh4

It’s usually sung by a marriachi  band, which are most versions on YouTube. There is a solo female version, but somehow, it didn’t capture the sunny breezy summer afternoon feeling it triggers in me. Now, where did I hear this song first?

Speedy Gonzales « Cielito lindo »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKVHICilvaI

lol Where would we be without the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes? XD Searching for the perfect version of this song brought me back to my Spanish lessons in high-school. Our teacher would play a record to help us grasp lyrics and learn at the same time. I remember this particular LP and particular song by Roberto Carlos called “Que sera de ti”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUxUC8p_xW4

OMG, I can’t tell you how strange that feels, listening to it now and actually grasping the lyrics and knowing most of what he’s singing about... Incidentally, “Cielito lindo” translates to “beautiful sky” and I believe “Que sera de ti” translates to “What will be of you”. Any Spanish-speaking native can correct me if they’d like. Anyway, thanks for sharing my memories. Thanks for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi everyone,  I want to share another library find today.  I discovered this song years ago, on a Bill Medley album, though couldn’t tell you which, but I just fell in love with it. The song is called “Little green apples”. It was written by  Bobby Russell, the same guy who wrote the song “Honey”by Bobby Goldsboro. I wasn’t surprised when I read that. According to Wikipedia, both those were a songwriting experiment of true-to-life songs, in 1968.  “Little green apples” is better known as a hit single from O. C. Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6UJOb4oVfU

I really love the sweet arrangement in that one. Here’s a terrific version by the Temptations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVDjmPnqYdE

...and another cool version by the Four Tops:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W81eZBcDtls

Now the version I discovered this week is by British singer Robbie Williams, in a duet with Kelly Clarkson, off his 2013 album “Swings both ways”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4RVtqGpqE

Funny how it was first considered to be a country song, which Mr  Russell had written for Roger Miller. There is something very sweet about it, though it’s not lyrically poetic. I think Frank Sinatra said it best on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWN8T1roqdU

It has one of the sweetest melodies that gets me teary-eyed every time and the lyrics simply talking of the daily show of tenderness gives new meaning to “less is more” I think. Ah,  as Ray Charles sang: “...songs like these, played in minor keys...” just know how to pull the heartstrings. :D   Well anyway, I do hope you enjoy some of these, thank you for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi everyone,  well thanks to my friends, I have a cute entry today: different ways to say “Happy birthday”! First one I’d never herd before, The penguin song, “Happy birthday”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3MgQqT3uHY

This one, on the glorious album “Hotter than July”, the one and only Stevie Wonder “Happy birthday”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJPIZ-C-9c

This next one from a lovely tribute to Neil Sedaka, Bee Gees “Happy birthday sweet 16”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5dm6VZHt9g

How sweet is that? :D And last but not least, one of my all-time favourites, The Beatles “Happy birthday”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xpeami317s

I sense a theme here... XD The theme is “good music shared by friends. Now, as long as I’m at it, a lovely performance from a delicious Brazilian TV concert in good old 1963, the genius himself, Mr Ray Charles and the Raylettes with “You are my sunshine”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8o4os6Um6g

All I can say is: thank God for the gift that keeps on giving! Thanks for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3

Hi everyone, I have to thank Bryan Adams for today’s discovery. I got this alert from Amazon, about Bryan Adams’ next release called “Tracks of my years”, to be released September 30^th. Incidentally, Bryan Adams is quite clever with his album titles, if I do say so. Who else would have thought of naming greatest hits compilations “The best of me” with the song being a title track and my favourite: “So far, so good”. :D Anyway, here’s the “Tracks of my years track listings

1. Anytime At All - The Beatles

2. She Knows Me (Original Song)

3. I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles

4. Kiss And Say Goodbye - The Manhattans

5. Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan

6. Rock And Roll Music - The Beatles

7. Down On The Corner - Creedence Clearwater Revival

8. Never My Love - The Association

9. Sunny - Bobby Hebb

10. Tracks Of My Tears - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

11. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys

12. Help Me Make It Through The Night - Sammi Smith

13. Let It Be Me - The Everly Brothers

14. Many Rivers To Cross - Jimmy Cliff

I love Bryan Adams’ voice and think he’s the best Canadian artist for my money ever. That said, he’s in the “B” category for my entertainment dollar for priority buying, through no fault of his own. However, I think this one’s a winner! This track listing is very interesting and promises to deliver a terrific mix of genres and sounds. The only song I didn’t know, aside from the new one obviously, is this one, Jimmy Cliff “Many rivers to cross”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3IktTk_pQ

Wow, love the organ and it’s one of those great soul songs that kind of reminds me of “Brown-eyed woman”, that  I know from Bill Medley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lIG4SAG6Ds

I’m not sure if he originated it, but love it by him! I remember a while back, Marc Friedland had mentioned in the “Follow-up info for the history enthusiast” thread, that our Michael had recorded this with Joy in ’70 or ‘71, can you imagine? Hmm-hmm... XD Well anyway, hope you enjoy these at least half as much as I do. Thanks for reading and listening, sincerely, Sylvie <3