Hosted by the former Rap City and 106 & Park host Big Tigger, perhaps my favorite part of the BET Experience FREE Fan Fest was the intimate afternoon of performances at the Acoustically Speaking showcase. Taped live in front of an audience of not more than 300, the performances and interviews gave me an opportunity to “Experience” the sounds of some seriously talented, developing and established recording artists.
Each artist performed a short set of 4-5 songs. Each performance was followed by a one-on-one interview with Big Tigger. The performances and the interviews gave audience members an opportunity to really connect with each of the artists. It was truly a one of a kind performance experience.
This was my first time listening to her music, and based on what I learned of her through her interview with Big Tigger, I could really feel how much emotional capital was invested into her music. Her struggles, her triumphs … her life … was all on display, and it was a revelation. Hopefully, BET will air the entire performance and interview at some point, but in the meantime, CLICK HERE to check out what video clips have been posted on BET’s website.
Katy Perry is a babe. She’s been able to be both America’s sweetheart and America’s pin-up at the same time without having to bear more than she has to. Class with curves. I’m hooked. Follow her on Instagram: @katyperry
KILLER COVER: Fiona Apple covers “Pure Imagination”
Written by the prolific composers and lyricists Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, “Pure Imagination” was written specifically for the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and originally sung by Gene Wilder who portrayed Willy Wonka. Though I never imagined that Fiona Apple would agree to perform a song for advertisement to a fast-food chain (even a healthy fast-food chain), I am glad she did as it yielded this gem of a recording. Your welcome.
FOR THE TRUE MUSIC NERDS (LIKE ME)
Below is a video of “The Oldest Song in the World”. You can click through the Youtube links to read a more in-depth history of the music in this video, but long story short, a professor deciphered clay tables excavated in Syria. Her conclusion? The inscriptions on the clay tablets reveal the oldest existing song in the world. Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
Of all of the late night hosts that graced our television screens, Jimmy Fallon is by far the most musically inclined. His impersonation of Neil Young is always spot on. His cover of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy”? Hilarious. The fact that he got Crosby, Stills & Nash to join him in the performance? Epic.
MUSIC NEWS/STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
I would have guessed that if you had a multiplatinum single that saturated the radio waves all of last year, your follow up album would AT LEAST have reasonable sales upon it’s release. Well, Robin Thicke proved me wrong. His opening week sales were dismal. In fact, in all of Australia, he didn’t even sell 100 copies of his album. Hell … I could sell 100 copies of an album out of the truck of my car. I guess cheating on your wife is, in fact, a momentum/career killer.
If you love watching professionally shot, live music clips, then you’ll love what Youtube has recently done. Youtube has worked out an arrangement with Wolfgang’s Vault (a private archivist/memorabilia shop) to publish over 13,000 amazingly classic never before seen live performances and interviews by historic and vintage acts. Everyone from Santana, to Aerosmith, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen … the list goes on and on and on. If you use youtube, YOU MUST subscribe to the Music Vault account. Trust me … it’s worth your while. Her’e a terrific video of Van Morrison performing “Try For Sleep” below. I’m thinking I’ll be posting a weekly video from this account.
Christina Milian is an R&B/hip-hop/pop artist who released her first album in 2001. A multitalented performer, she not only sings, but also has starred in various feature films like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Be Cool”. Though there are rumors that she may be dating Lil Wayne, as far as I’m concerned, until she says so, she’s single (wishful thinking, I know). Follow her on instagram: @christinamilian
KILLER COVER: Iron Horse Bluegrass covers Metallica
A bluegrass band covering Metallica? I never though it could have been possible … until now. Covering Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, Iron Horse Bluegrass proves that virtually any well written song, can cross genres. Such a terrifically fun cover.
If You Haven’t Seen It Already
Music journalist Zane Lowe had a rare opportunity to interview Rick Rubin, and it is a terrific interview that any music enthusiast should take the time and watch. The interview runs just short of an hour, but trust me … the hour is well worth your time.
Music In Movies
Any motion picture worth its salt needs to have have killer soundtrack. The soundtrack for “Reality Bites” (a motion pictures that every young adult related to during the mid-90s) has one of the best. Perhaps it’s most iconic scene is the one where (most of) the main characters bust out in dance to the Knack’s “My Sharona”. You’re welcome.
Speaking of Music In Movies ….
The official trailer for the new Jimi Hendrix biopic “Jimi: All is By My Side” starring Outkast’s Andre 3000 was released this week. I must say, Andre 3000’s portrayal of Jimi Hendrix is amazingly good. Definitely a movie that I plan on catching when it hits the theaters. Check it out.
You hear about Google buying Songza? Though Songza isn’t as popular as Pandora, iHeartRadio, iTunes Radio … basically every other streaming services, Google bought Songza because of their technology. Trust me … Google can pick up music catalogues down the road. They are doing the smart thing.
I feel like I do a good job at picking friends whose passion for music is as strong as, or greater than, mine. In fact, for some of them, the music is actually in their blood. Literally.
Tina Watkins is a friend of mine since elementary school (her brother was in my 6th grade class). I remember going to her parent’s house and hanging out in their home recording studio. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered that Tina’s mother was a member of The Sylvers; a very popular R&B/soul and disco group during the 1970s who released 11 albums between 1972 – 1984. Let me assure you, she got the music genes in the family.
Earlier this year, sometime in March, she posted a youtube video wherein she proclaimed that she was going to try her best to sing one song for every day of the year: 365 songs in 365 days. Whether with instrumental backing or a cappella, in her kitchen or in the car, by herself or with friends, armed with only the video in her phone, she’s been religiously knocking them out.
I caught up with her to find out what motivate her to do this project. Here’s what she had to say:
MMM14: For those who don’t know you, who are you and why did you start this 365 songs in 365 days project?
TINA: Well, like I told my dad- It’s good for goodness’ sake. He loves watching them. I’m a writer, fiancée, friend, daughter, sister, dog/ cat/ turtle parent, cook, fashion designer, artist and community activist. I work to make the world a better place, one day, one song, one smile, one act of kindness at a time.
One Monday night in March I was singing my heart out in the shower (happens often) and just didn’t feel like stopping. I was having fun. And I thought, why should I stop, and why shouldn’t I share?
My promise to me is to share a song a day: If even one person enjoys it then I’ve spread some joy. And that’s a good thing. I started the next morning.
MMM14: What’s your background in music (lessons, projects, musicals, etcs)?
TINA: According to my mom I started singing at age four. In harmony. Singing in public used to terrify me, so about 15 years were spent in groups (choir/ a cappella/ girl bands etc.) The more voices I could hide behind the better. I remember singing with you in Chadwick’s a cappella group Ted led for a while, you have an amazing voice.
MMM14: <blushes>
TINA: At Occidental college I studied opera for a couple years under voice scholarship. More than anything else, my learning came through blending in harmony with different female vocalists (Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, India Arie, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Sade, Jill Scott.)
Believe it or not I’ve written more than a hundred songs, but most have never seen the light of day (thank goodness- a lot of them were awful).
MMM14: Do you have the songs already planned out? Do you take requests? What are you planning as a last song?
TINA: Nope. Maybe. No idea.
Honestly, there’s no plan at all. All I’ve committed is not to spend too much time on them. Which is hard because it’s such fun and I’m a perfectionist. From the moment I begin thinking about the song for the day to when it’s posted takes around 15 minutes every day. I’ve made up some of them as I sang.
It’s especially challenging when it’s been a hard day because that comes out in my singing. Being authentically joyful really is a choice and this has reminded me every day to choose happiness and share that.
I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can get without having to learn new songs. So if a request happens to be a song I already know I’ve taken it. I’m getting married this year also, so seeing how this fits around my life is fun.
No idea what the last song will be… Maybe something original. Something with interpretive dance (insert evil laugh). Something fun. Something good.
I don’t think she has to worry about what song she sings (even if she makes it up, which she’s done on occasion). Odds are it will be something fun … definitely good.
Other people have tried doing this as well. Some with professional production, and fancy cameras, but Tina’s endeavor proves that the joy of singing really doesn’t need fancy production. With technology being what it is today, you can use your phone to record video and share you passion or joy with whoever is willing to listen. Ah, the joy of singing.
Here are some of my favorites. Follow her Youtube account to see what else she decides to post.
As an added bonus, another youtuber “remixed” her a cappella performance of Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”. See, the Internet can be fun!
#DKLPHOTOS 