My picks for entertainment ~ suggested movies, TV shows, music, and books ~ so you can enjoy some quality ME time! (ATTN Korean drama addicts! This blog has lots of K-drama love.)
Ever find a music blog or website that is so good it's hard to tear yourself away? Found one! Berussagroup® (berussamusicart.com) The wide range of information on various singers, musicians, composers, etc. could keep you busy all day if you have some leisure time.
This site led me to a classical composer and answered my question. I wanted to know if anybody knew any famous non-European (or Non-Western) classical music composers. I was wondering about people during the same time period as Mozart or Beethoven; however, this gentleman is a modern composer: Yuhki Kuramoto (born 1951). Most of the music he composes is for the piano. Still looking for non-European classical music composers. But this is a start.
Not much needs to be said about this American singer; one of the female song singers from my generation who left a mark on my musical psyche. Her voice is timeless. The songs that she sang were timeless. The group that she was the lead singer for, they are also timeless. Who am I talking about? I’m talking about Stevie Nicks, lead singer for Fleetwood Mac. She’s one of a kind. Timeless!
My tribute to the iconic and legendary Tony Bennett. From Frank Sinatra and Sean Martin to Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga? Yes! Speaking of the man who left his heart in San Francisco but made his way into the hearts of generations of Americans beginning in 1949. Now that's hip! \
In Memory Of: Anthony Dominick Benedetto aka Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 - July 21, 2023)
People who know him would describe him as a genuinely warm, humble, and kind-hearted human being. He was not just an entertainer but a civil rights activist who lent his celebrity status to support the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
The late Frank Sinatra or Old Blue Eyes as we liked to call him is considered an American Master, a standard, for all other American entertainers to measure up to. But one of his contemporaries is equally worthy of praise: Tony Bennett, a crooner like no other.
Anthony Dominick Benedetto (1926 - ) is
an American singer; also an actor, artist, and activist.
He is a humble yet
great Italian-American, born in Astoria, Queens, New York who marched
with Martin Luther King Jr. and has been a tireless fighter for equal
rights. Sinatra and Bennett had mutual respect and admiration for one
another. Sinatra once said: “For my money, Tony Bennett is the
best singer in the business. He excites me when I watch him. He moves
me.” Bennett complimented Sinatra by founding a high school in his
hometown that offers diplomas in fine art, dance, vocal and
instrumental music, drama, and film. Whereas he could have named the
school after himself, instead the institution is named Frank
Sinatra School of Arts.
Bennett began singing at an early but
his signature song, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", was
released in 1962. He has won numerous awards and sold millions of
records and still continues to perform. Several young artists such
as Lady Gaga, and the late Amy Winehouse, were honored to be chosen
to collaborate with him on his “Duets”
album. You can find several YouTube music videos, but for my listening pleasure, I start with this one wonderful collaboration between Bennett and the late Amy Winehouse.*
I just can’t thank the British enough for invading America with their hugely talented singers and musicians. Singers like Steve Winwood. I just love this skinny British soul brother. He did several songs I like. But I narrowed it down to two videos (below). One of them was a collaborative effort with Chaka Khan. By the way, Chaka’s real name is Yvette Marie Stevens. I’m glad that one of her friends thought the name Chaka Khan suited her better. Cause to me she looks like a Chaka Khan. That name sounds so cool.
Poor Chaka. She underwent an operation on her vocal cords and feared she may never sing again. But she recovered and she still has the pipes!
As for Steve Winwood, he is still mellow. Even though he has not released any new music for years, it doesn’t matter. His old school music is timeless.
If you’re compiling a list of American female singers with unique voices, Tracy Chapman has got to end up on your list somewhere. Not sure which number she would be on my list. Not sure if I would make a “Top 10” or a “Top 100” list. But she would definitely be on my list.
Ms. Chapman introduced herself to the music scene at the end of the 80s with 2 songs that are still popular even to this day, “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason”. Not only does she have great vocals but she can play the guitar and sounds good plugged or unplugged.
My current residence is in Austin, Texas, which is touted as the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Only I’ve never been to any of the live music shows. Fortunately, they air them on a television program called “Austin City Limits”. So when Ms. Chapman came here to Austin, I got to watch her performance on TV. She did not disappoint. Tracy Chapman – Austin City Limits show (2003)
Jingle Jangle Jungle is a fabulous music entertainment blog that publishes interesting tidbits about music, artists, and the stories behind them.
Per JJJ: “ … the sound of Carlos Santana is one of the world’s best-known musical signatures. …” (Quote Source)
My additional remarks to that succinct summation of the illustrious career of this musical genius, who is the ultimate guitar hero by my assessment, are:
Carlos Santana will never die in the music industry. His music style is eternal. Long after his has departed planet earth , people will still be falling in love to the sound of the guitar played by Carlos Santana. Have heard some of his admirers say he holds his guitar like he holding a woman. Younger artists still bow to him like he’s the god of the guitar. Can’t you imagine these singers and musicians kneeling to him as they beg him to collaborate with them?
David Robert Jones OAL (1947 – 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, music icon and legend.
This song is from the soundtrack of a movie titled “The Falcon and the Snowman", released in the 80s. It's 2021, and the current situation in my country, the USA, makes me think of this song a lot!
Remember Vanessa Williams? 1st African-American Miss America who had to give up her crown like the next day to the 1st runner up who also conveniently happened to be an African-American.
Ms. Williams was Miss
New York and the other girl whose name nobody really remembers was Miss
New Jersey. Ms. Williams had to relinquish her crown when nude photos of her were published in Penthouse. Booo! Booo!! Whatever! That contest was rigged anyway. That's my opinion and you're not going to change it with facts.
Anyway … after all the brew ha ha died down, the young lady had gotten married and her husband … at the time … was instrumental in helping her get an album released. Here is one of the most popular songs. Sharing the YouTube videobecause it's a great pick for throwback or Throwback Thursday. Enjoy!!
Remember Vanessa Williams? 1st African-American Miss America who had to give up her crown like the next day to the 1st runner up who also conveniently happened to be an African-American. Ms. Williams was Miss New York and the other girl whose name nobody really remembers was Miss New Jersey. Ms. Williams had to relinquish her crown when nude photos of her were published in Penthouse. Booo! Booo!! Whatever! That contest was rigged anyway. That's my opinion and you're not going to change it with facts.
Anyway … after all the brew ha ha died down, the young lady had gotten married and her husband … at the time … was instrumental in helping her get an album released. Her comeback video was The Right Stuff (1988). The girl has talent. She wouldn't stay down! Kudos to her! She has stayed busy professionally singing and acting. She was even invited to perform at the Miss America 2016 pageant. In her personal life, she became a mother of 4 and has been married 3 times. As of the date of this post, she is in her late 50s, but she still looks fabulous! Even though she has starred in many films and TV series, I enjoy her singing. My favorite song is "Save the Best for Last".
Do you follow the Eurovision song contests? If so, then you should be familiar with Loreen. Her real name: Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui – an exotic and stunning beauty with a voice to match, which mesmerizes and captivates. This young lady is a fabulous singer. Her sound is innovative and refreshing. I discovered this amazingly gifted artist in 2014, but she was introduced to the music scene in 2004 on the first season of Sweden’sIdol talent show.
For her audition, to impress the Idol judges, she sang an acapella version of the popular song by Alicia Keys “If I Ain’t Got You”. Nailed it! The judges were very pleased. In my humble opinion, when I watched the uploaded video on YouTube, she sang as if she was already a star!
During live performances, she thrilled the audience with her rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, and charmed them when she sang “Where Do I Begin?” It was her memorable performance of an original song entitled “Euphoria” that made her winner of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. She was then invited to sing this same song at the 35th birthday celebration for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
Her two songs that make me happy to be included in her growing fan base are “Heal”and “Everytime”. In comparison to female artists like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, or the late Whitney Houston, who are known for their powerful vocals –this young lady meets and exceeds the standards they set.
It has been fun for me to track back to 2004 when she burst onto the music scene by way of Sweden’s Idol contest and then follow her forward.
Yuna (Yunalis Mat Zara’ai), is a singer/songwriter from Malaysia who collaborated with popular African-American entertainer Usher. Sharing a YouTube video link (below) and information pertaining to an article in TIME Magazine where you can learn more about her. Her vocals are gentle and soothing and at the same time, very impressive because they sort of linger with you long after the song is no longer being sung.
She is a Muslim and her faith impacts her overall style. Although she has just stepped onto the music scene, she is already making inroads into the fashion industry as well, working on a clothing line.
REFERENCE: Lang, Cady. “Yuna Says Modest Clothes and Her Hijab Are ‘Liberating'” Time. Time Inc., 26 May 2016. Web. 27 May 2016. (time.com/4350110/yuna-modest-clothing-hijab-liberating).
Treathyl Fox aka Cmoneyspinner – Home Business Entrepreneur. Think. Dream. Focus. Believe in yourself? Hire yourself! Be your own boss! Do it! Self-employed and loving it! ♦ DISCLOSURE: In compliance with FTC rules and guidelines, be advised that some links shared via this websites might contain affiliate referral links which means commissions might be earned if product sales resulted from your click-through to the vendor’s website.
