Russell Brand’s Tribute to Amy Winehouse
It’s been a few days since Amy Winehouse’s untimely passing, and the web is full of remembrances, well-wishes, and the like. One that has particularly stuck with this blogger is from comedian Russell Brand, who posted an honest, poignant, and compelling look back at his relationship with Amy through his eyes as a former addict. From his first meeting with her:
Carl Barrat told me that “Winehouse” (which I usually called her and got a kick out of cos it’s kind of funny to call a girl by her surname) was a jazz singer, which struck me as bizarrely anomalous in that crowd. To me with my limited musical knowledge this information placed Amy beyond an invisible boundary of relevance; “Jazz singer? She must be some kind of eccentric” I thought. I chatted to her anyway though, she was after all, a girl, and she was sweet and peculiar but most of all vulnerable.
To when he realized her musical genius:
Entering the space I saw Amy on stage with Weller and his band; and then the awe. The awe that envelops when witnessing a genius. From her oddly dainty presence that voice, a voice that seemed not to come from her but from somewhere beyond even Billie and Ella, from the font of all greatness. A voice that was filled with such power and pain that it was at once entirely human yet laced with the divine. My ears, my mouth, my heart and mind all instantly opened. Winehouse. Winehouse? Winehouse! That twerp, all eyeliner and lager dithering up Chalk Farm Road under a back-combed barnet, the lips that I’d only seen clenching a fishwife fag and dribbling curses now a portal for this holy sound. So now I knew. She wasn’t just some hapless wannabe, yet another pissed up nit who was never gonna make it, nor was she even a ten-a-penny-chanteuse enjoying her fifteen minutes. She was a f*cking genius.
I strongly recommend you read his post in full here. If you want to read more of Russell’s story through fame, addiction, and recovery in his own unique voice, check out his books My Booky Wook and My Booky Wook 2.
We’ll leave you with classic jazz-y Amy, in “Back to Black”:
So You Wanna Be a Pop $tar
In major news this week, Rebecca Black’s new single “My Moment” came out. It actually, bizarrely, made me miss “Friday,” which had a charming level of innocence (and left me giving thanks to the digital gods that broadband did not exist when I was in high school). But although I think she looks gorgeous in the new video, upping the production level seems to have cheapened the effect. It’s just not as fun, fun, fun, fun as her breakout hit.
Still, quality aside, I have to give this fourteen year old props for continuing to cash in. “Friday” didn’t make as much as many people thought—Slate.com used their better-than-a-book-editor-with-a-calculator math skills to run the numbers and figured she netted $20K or less from the whole deal (full rundown here). I’m not sure what the minimum dollar value would be for me to agree to let professionals dress me up and teach me some dance moves, but I would probably do it for $20K. (Hear that, music pros? Call me.*) In fact…just how many downloads would I have to sell in order to make a living as an internet pop star?
Well. On InformationIsBeautiful.net, data visualization ninja (and author of The Visual Miscellaneum**) David McCandless decided to tackle the question of how much money musicians actually make online—and just how many downloads it would take them to make minimum wage. Check it out (full post here):
Conclusion: After a careful review of the numbers, I’ll leave the music career to Rebecca Black—but I’ll happily edit her memoir when the day comes! (Hear that, Rebecca? Call me.***)
*If anyone has a copy of my 8th grade play video, please do not share it with the music pros, or they will never attempt to teach me dance moves.
**Full disclosure: I’m the editor, and the book is mind-blowingly awesome, thanks entirely to David. You can view more of his visualizations here.
***Seriously.
Music for Bastille Day
Although our American independence celebrations have just passed, the French have their very own coming up this week. July 14th marks Bastille Day or La Fête Nationale, a day which celebrates the anniversary of the beginning of the French Revolution.
In college, I spent a month gallivanting around France “studying” abroad and loving life in a carbohydrate-induced coma from eating 5 million too many baugettes and croissants. I grew to really love France – the culture, the language, and of course, the food. Through my infantile knowledge of French phrases (“Oui!”, “Eiffel Tower!”, “Café Au Lait, s’il vous plait”, etc.), I spent some time on my trip trying to strike up conversations with French youth to get some hip, cool French music. My plan was foiled quickly. Everyone I talked to recommended bands and musicians that sung only in English – Soundgarden, Justin Nozuka, and Hannah Montana (Seriously, France? Hannah Montana?). It wasn’t until I took two semesters worth of French courses after my trip that my two teachers, Courtney and Mathilde, introduced me to some wonderful French music.
To start off Bastille Day week right, here are some of our French musical recommendations. Happy Monday!
Quelqu’un m’dit by Carla Bruni
Before she was the French president Nicholas Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni was not only a supermodel but also an aspiring folk singer. Check out her beautifully raspy voice in “Quelqu’un m’a dit,” which translates to mean “Someone told me.” Some may know the song, as it was featured on the movie soundtrack for (500) Days of Summer, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (soon to be a published author with It Books) and Zooey Deschanel. You can also check out Ms. Bruni in Woody Allen’s latest “Midnight in Paris.”
Non, non, non by Camelia Jordana
At just 18, Camelia Jordana is just starting to make a name for herself in France. After participating in Nouvelle Star, the French version of American Idol, where she came in third, Jordana signed a deal with Sony Music. Check out her debut single, “Non, Non, Non.”
La meme Histoire by Feist
You probably know the lovely Leslie Feist by her hit song “1,2,3,4”, but you may have not known that the Candian singer also sings in French! Feist is also known for her quirky choreography in her videos. She has been on the music scene for some time, as a member of Broken Social Scene. Check out her song “La Meme Histoire” featured in the film Paris Je’Taime.
BB Brunes “Dis Moi”
Known as part of the “new French rock scene,” BB Brunes formed in 2007. Influenced by The Strokes, Amy Winehouse, The Clash, David Bowie, Ray Charles and the legendary Serge Gainsbourg (whose daughter, Charlotte, is also a singer and actress), this band makes some catchy tunes.
Colbert Attempts to Get Single on Music Chart
Friday wrapped up Stephen Colbert’s summer concert series, playfully dubbed “StePhest Colbchella ’011.” Musical guests included Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine, rapper Talib Kweli, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Jack White, repping his label Third Man Records, was featured on a series of segments that played all week in which Colbert was enlisting his help to create a hit song.
Jack White is best known for being part of The White Stripes. He was ranked 17 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” and is also part of the bands The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. (As an interesting side note, White was an upholsterer before he became a rock star. He loves upholstery so much that he named one of his many side projects “The Upholsterers.” You can listen to his 6-minute spiel about upholstery on NPR.)
Before he was a fake newsman, Colbert claims to have been in an 80’s power-ballad called Stephen and the Colberts. One of those power-ballad love-songs was the Pet Shop Boys-inspired “Charlene (I’m Right Behind You).” With White’s help, Colbert is attempting to get on the charts with a follow-up single called “Charlene II (I’m Over You).”With the help of the Black Belles, a mysterious band on White’s label Third Man Records, Colbert performed the song on his show Thursday. He also performed the song live over the weekend at New York City’s Highline Park.
Colbert won a Grammy in 2010 for his record “Stephen Colbert’s A Colbert Christmans.”
BATTLES | A LOVE STORY
Cover of MIRRORED
Really, I could never have predicted this love affair. Battles is a band that, say a year ago, appealed to me as much as a needless appendectomy. No offense to the band but, I couldn’t bear them–hadn’t taken to their shtick. The listening experience was something like being thrashed by synth bleeps, lawn mower tugs, and engine growls.
Now, I have a difficult time listening to anything else. After fortuitously revisiting Mirrored (2007), their breakout album, I was spellbound by their garbled vocals, croaking samples, and arrhythmic drumbeats. Favorites:
Cover of GLOSS DROP
Gloss Drop (June 6th), Battles’ newly released album, marks the loss of key member, Tyondai Braxton, but also the diversification of the band’s overall sound.
With this album, they seem to have made a stylistic leap from songs that sound mechanical to ones that could pass for carbonated. Favorites:
At the end of the day, Battles is definitely not for everybody. But I’d urge you to give them a try. Listen to them take chances. Here is the band’s new, sense-bombarding video for the single, “Ice Cream (feat. Matias Aguayo)”:
BATTLES | Ice cream from MGdM | Marc Gómez del Moral on Vimeo.
You don’t need 21 reasons to love Adele
Since every piece of music I own is on my iPod and I spend way more money than I should on iTunes, I find myself buying more and more individual songs rather than entire albums. I go through and find songs I want to purchase by certain artists and buy only those. It’s rare for me to find an album I can listen and enjoy EVERY song.
Adele’s 21, however, is definitely one of the exceptions. Since this album was released in the UK in January, it’s just about all I listen to. It’s become a constant because it plays in my car every time I get in. I used to listen to the radio constantly, but since I found a CD I can play (and not get sick of…yet) I find it harder and harder to listen to the constant ads that appear on the radio. I’m pretty sure most stations play about one good song every half hour.
21, named after the age she was during production (just 21!), has become more and more popular over the past few months. Adele recently toured in the US, and 21 has spent 10 non-consecutive weeks at number one. Her single for Rolling in the Deep also debuted at number one in the US.
Her first album, 19, was released two years prior. After four Grammy nominations and two wins, the album became more popular and made it to the top ten on the charts. Chasing Pavements was the hit single in the US.
This past week, 21 was once again number one on the charts, 16 weeks after the album was released in the US. It took the spot of Lady Gaga’s new album, just three weeks old.
Adele continues to amaze me and my only hope is that her next album is as good as this one.
A personal favorite song:
Crazy for Country
Last night’s 10th annual Country Music Televion Music Awards held in Nashville awards the best in music videos for country music. Hosted by Kid Rock, the evening was filled with predictable results and a few bloopers. Fans vote for the awards and clearly have their favorites. Taylor Swift won the night’s biggest award, video of the year, for her song “Mine” and Miranda Lambert won yet another award for “The House That Built Me” after already taking home a Grammy and a CMA award in the last year.
Shania Twain fell on stage, Sheryl Crow flashed the audience her panties while performing “Collide” with Kid Rock… and it’s still strikes me as odd to see Nicole Kidman walk the red carpet (she was there to support hubby Keith Urban).
But the real star of the night was Blake Shelton – the only multi-award winner, judge on the hit show The Voice, and recently married to fellow country crooner Miranda Lambert. Shelton won two awards (the only artist to do so): male video of the year award for Who Are You When I’m Not Looking, and best web video of the year for Kiss My Country Ass. Things are sure going well for Blake!
The new power couple of country took home some awards, besting their own idols and country music legends. Miranda Lambert beat out country queen Reba McEntire. Blake Shelton topped Toby Keith and Keith Urban.
Other winners for the night included Lady Antebellum who won group video of the year for Hello World. And because what awards night would be complete without the Bieber, Justin Bieber was there to collect his award for the Best Collaborative Video of the Year for “That Should Be Me” featuring Rascal Flatts.
Karaoke School for People Who Can’t Sing Good
Confession: Although I can’t sing to save my life, I love karaoke. But I’m cursed with friends who all have incredible voices—as in, the only one who was never part of an a cappella group is a trained opera singer. So I’ve spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to close the karaoke achievement gap.
Let’s start with the CLASSICS. These are safe choices for anyone, male or female, but only to a degree. They’re easy to sing and everyone else in the room will join in. But if it’s later in the night, you run the risk of repeating a song that someone else sang earlier (and perhaps, better). So belt songs like these at your own risk:
“Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison), “Dancing Queen” (Abba), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Friends in Low Places” (Garth Brooks), “Like a Virgin” (Madonna), “Livin’ on a Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “My Way” (Frank Sinatra), “Piano Man” (Billy Joel), “Rock and Roll All Nite” (Kiss), “Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond), “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (Bonnie Tyler), “You Shook Me All Night Long” (AC/DC), most other songs by these same artists
GENTLEMEN: I’ll be honest…I have a soft spot for guys who can rock out old school Green Day (say, “Basket Case” or “Longview”), but just about the best thing I’ve ever heard at karaoke was courtesy of my coworker Mark, who skillfully yet hilariously crooned a Celine Dion ballad. Yes, you might want to practice beforehand for maximum impact, but the payoff is great. And the sillier it sounds, the funnier it will be. This strategy can also work with an over-the-top rendition of any boy band hit, from “MMMBop” to “Everybody.”
If your falsetto isn’t ready to go yet, it’s tough to go wrong with the Beatles or any of the classics listed above. And this may be controversial, but I’m going to say it: please skip “Black Hole Sun.” Just because it was a song option on Rock Band doesn’t mean it’s going to energize the room.
LADIES: For whatever unfair reason, butchering songs by male singers as a joke just doesn’t tend to work as well for us (well, at least it doesn’t for me). So here are a few other tried and true ideas:
- Ace of Base: “Don’t Turn Around,” “I Saw the Sign,” “All That She Wants.” What’s not to love?
- Autotuned: My personal MO is to focus on singers who also can’t sing. Britney is my go-to girl—if you’re bored of “Oops I Did It Again,” “Sometimes” is an excellent, less overdone choice. Alternatively, Brit’s cover of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ’n Roll” from the classic movie Crossroads is both completely manageable and on every karaoke playlist I’ve ever seen. Warning: Old school Britney works much better than her newer stuff. Whatever you do, do NOT attempt “Womanizer.” Ke$ha and Katy Perry songs also are great choices.
- Daring: If you want something a little more challenging that won’t leave everyone in the bar clutching their ears, go with a song in a lower register, like “Criminal” by Fiona Apple, or “Spiderwebs” or “Just a Girl” by Gwen Stefani. Songs by dudes are also an option, and as a bonus nobody will be comparing your voice to the original singer.
- Group: Spice up your act with “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, or any other song (including many of those listed above) where you can drag 2 or more friends up to the mike with you. Boy band hits can also be used to good effect here. Think “It’s Gonna Be Me” or “Tearin’ Up My Heart.” Sure, you’ll be those girls—but at least the shame will be divided. An optional twist on this is the group Disney number. Although technically “Part of Your World” is a solo piece, you’ll sleep much safer if you let all the other Ariels in the room join in. After all, aren’t we all bright young women, sick of swimming, ready to stand?
DANGER ZONE: Sometimes, songs seem like awesome ideas until you’re 10 seconds in and realize:
- You only know the chorus—or worse, you don’t even know the chorus. For me, this was MJ’s “Thriller.” Awkward.
- You can’t rap to save your life. In general, you should avoid anything that requires rapping skills, unless you A) got ‘em (and deep down, you know whether or not you do) or B) are singing TLC’s “Waterfalls.”
- The song is more than four minutes long. Yes, “American Pie” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” have their charms, but they’re also really, really long.
TIP ‘N TRICKS: If all else fails…
- Make someone who can sing join you. Hold the microphone far enough out that their voice carries the show. This way you get credit for rocking a song without actually doing so. Make sure to dance enthusiastically.
- Many people have only experienced karaoke in a bar full of strangers, which can be intimidating, to say the least. For those of us on Team Can’t Sing, private room karaoke is an amazing alternative—this way, you’re only embarrassing yourself in front of your nearest and dearest. Bonus: it’s much easier to sneak in drinks.
- If the worst happens and you’re in over your head, grab the nearest person, shove the mike into their hands, yell “sing,” and run away.
This is just a start—obviously there are tons of songs I left out here! Help me out, because I know my friends are crazy sick of hearing “I Love Rock ‘n Roll.” What am I missing??
Summer Concerts to Keep You “Cool” This Summer
The mercury rising on the thermometer means many sweaty days ahead, but the good news is that it also means that summer concert season is heating up. Check out some of our top picks for artists touring the country this summer.
Ellie Goulding
The adorable British songstress fit for royalty.
In case you needed more reason to love Princess Kate Middleton with her perfect hair and her perfect clothes and her perfect life, she also has some pretty legit music taste. After she and Prince William watched one of Ellie Goulding’s performances (from backstage, of course), they asked her to perform her beautiful rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” for their first dance as a married couple. The song catapulted Goulding to the top of the UK charts in November 2010. And, after appearing on SNL with Tina Fey hosting, her album reached the U.S. charts as well. Ellie Goulding’s rise to stardom has only just begun. Check out her catchy singles: “Starry Eyed” and “The Writer”
Goulding will be performing in New York City on July 29 at Terminal 5 and throughout the country. Check out her other U.S. tour dates.
Childish Gambino
Ain’t Nothing Childish About This Guy.
About a month ago, The Village Voice, posted an article titled “Donald Glover is More Talented Than You,” and in today’s world of musicians, writers, “singers” (lookin’ at you, Ke$ha), and reality fame whores, I’d have to say this is entirely true. He really is one talented dude; he is a stand-up comedian, an actor on NBC’s Community, a former Emmy-winning writer for 30 Rock (which he started while still an RA at NYU), AND a witty rapper under the moniker Childish Gambino. Although his IAMDONALD half stand-up comedy, half rap tour is over, he did strongly suggest on his Twitter @donaldglover (which used to be @donglover, but he ultimately decided that it looked too much like “dong lover”) that he’d be back to Brooklyn to play his new album before it’s released. He’ll for sure be back in NYC playing at Rock the Bells on Sept. 3 on Governor’s Island and there’s no doubt he’ll be back touring the U.S. before long.
Check out his breakout single, “Freaks and Geeks,” which was also recently featured on a Dwight Howard Adidas commercial. (Dwight, don’t ever leave Orlando!) Best of all, you can download all of Childish Gambino’s music free and legally. And if you’re opposed to semi-graphic language…well, he’s a rapper. Deal with it.
The Weepies
Get weepy for The Weepies.
I am in love this this pop-folk duo. Like King Midas, everything they touch is pure gold. Okay, fine, they did have a brief stint where they co-wrote a few tracks on Mandy Moore’s album, Wild Hope, but they at least turned Mandy Moore’s usual sugary pop songs to a respectable pop album. Don’t be fooled by their sad name, not all of their songs are sad and weepy — “All This Beauty,” “Be My Thrill,” and “I Was Made for Sunny Days” are all upbeat folk tunes. The most famous songs by this husband-and-wife duo are probably, “World Spins Madly On” and “Gotta Have You.” The Weepies’ music has been featured on countless commercials and TV shows, so if you haven’t heard of them you probably have and just didn’t know it. They’re touring around the country with all acoustic sets and they’ll be at Irving Plaza September 3 in New York.
The Naked & Famous
New Zealand indie rock group.
Aside from providing the backdrop of Lord of the Rings, I didn’t know that New Zealand had much to offer, especially in terms of pop culture. (I think I just lost some major cool points for referencing LOTR). But as I learned this year, it has produced some pretty cool musicians: Brooke Fraser (on tour in Europe this summer), Natasha Bedingfield, Flight of the Conchords, Keith Urban (get off my back; I like country sometimes), and also a rock group called The Naked & The Famous. Check out their upbeat tunes like Young Blood, Girls Like You, and Punching in a Dream. They’ll be playing in Central Park for FREE on August and around the U.S. and Europe this summer.
Everyone, calm down.
Adele!
Hi! I’ve not contributed to YourItList since approximately 1964, but I’m back! Get excited.
- Celine Dion – she is amazing after all.
- Justin Timberlake – now that he’s an “actor” I don’t guess this is likely to happen.
- Dolly Parton – it’s coming on June 28th! Before the apocalypse(s)!
- En Vogue – but I’m probably Never Gonna Get It.
- Charlene – without her, I’d have never been to me.
And since it seems that I’m writing about music, I have to tell you … not that you asked … that I’m getting quite tired of this “Lady Gaga is trying to be Madonna” thing. It’s getting old and I have other things to think about … like the Tony Awards or what I’m supposed to watch until 30 Rock and Modern Family come back. Anyway, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it; probably too much time. If you like Lady Gaga, listen to Lady Gaga. If you like Madonna, listen to Madonna. If you like them both, well, then you have good taste and you should carry on.
Gaga vs. Madonna
‘Glee’ Does New York, and Your It List Loves It.
(OK, so we are slightly biased towards our own city.)
Glee’s sophomore season concluded on Tuesday with the much-anticipated finale, “New York.” It’s amazing what shooting on location does for a show. The NYC outdoor scenes just felt so free and BIG. (I’d like to see them try to film on Fifth Avenue during the holiday season.) Co-creator/exec producer/episode director Brad Falchuk told EW.com that they normally keep the camera very tight on the action, since they don’t want a stray SoCal palm tree wandering into the Ohio-set scenes. But during the “I Love New York/New York, New York” mash-up, we got to see New Directions use Times Square, Lincoln Center, Washington Square Park, and Central Park as their huge stages–and it was GREAT! Here are our favorite moments from the finale:
Rachel’s hair: Ms. Berry had a great hair episode. From the neat but not overly curled ponytail at Tiffany’s to her sweet low side knot during her date with Finn, New York did wonders for Rachel’s style.
Love the hair AND the flowers. (Photo from PacificCoastNews.com via EOnline.)
Puck on the accordion: Yes, the scene was cheesy, but hello, this is Glee. Rachel and Finn had just finished dinner at Sardi’s, met Patti LuPone, and were on their rom-com-worthy walk through the West Village (these kids travel all over town, and quickly). Thank you, Glee, for cutting the cutesy romance with the absurdity of Puck playing an accordion, and the guys singing “Bella Notte.” I still don’t know if they were meant to be surreal background music or actually there, stalking Finnchel on their date.
Puck, you are one talented guy. (Photo from daemonstv.com.)
Rachel and Kurt’s Wicked visit: These two are such cute friends, and their duet of “For Good” from Wicked was endearing and touching. It had much more weight than their first duet of “Defying Gravity”, and part of that was thanks to their being in the actual Gershwin Theatre! Yay for the gruff-but-indulgent security guard who let them have their 15 minutes on the Broadway musical’s stage. (If only all NYC tourists were so lucky as Rachel, Kurt, and Mr. Schue.) Listen to the studio version here–but I highly recommend watching the video clip (it adds so much more). [ETA: you can now watch it on Hulu; the Wicked scene starts at 15:24.]
Rachel and Kurt sing from Wicked again, this time "For Good."
Thank you for a great second season, Glee! Hope you get to Nationals again next year, and I can’t wait to hear more about how Kurt’s summer project goes: he’s writing Pip Pip Hooray, a musical about the world’s favorite maid of honor, Pippa Middleton.
Our Rapture Party Tracks
Clearly the end of the world never came this past Saturday, May 21st. But just in case the END was running late, we made sure to go out with a bang with some serious party jams…yes JAMS!
This is what Rapture looks like.
______
Here is our playlist. Enjoy!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll
Prince – 1999
Because, although not an exact fit, this is always a great song at a party
Blondie – Rapture
Perfection? Was she singing about Saturday???
Britney Spears – ‘Till the World Ends
REM – It’s The End Of The World
The Clash – London Calling
Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three – The Roof Is On Fire
So much for that! I guess we can now look forward to a great summer!
Will Smith – Summertime
Will Smith – Summertime by Keo
Grammy Awards 2011: Best & Worst Dressed Recap
The Grammy Award’s red carpet looks are much more eclectic than the other award shows. Rockers and pop princess, rappers and jazz singers, all share the red carpet, creating a very different fashion palette Here’s our take a look at the best & worst (& other) dressed of the 2011 Grammy Awards.
BEST
Jennifer Lopez — Because who doesn’t love a hot Latina mama dressed as a disco ball? Seriously, she is too hot not to include. Damn, girl! (Wearing Emilio Pucci)
Selena Gomez — Nice to see the Disney crew all grown up. She looks impeccable without being overdone. (Wearing J. Mendel)
Lea Michelle — As much as her bubbly personality, immense talents, and unimaginable successes rub me the wrong way, Lea Michelle looks fab. (Wearing Romona Keveza)
Julianna Hough — Great pattern and a very flattering cut for her. She looks young and fun! (Wearing Malandrino)
WORST
Ciara – Just no. It looks like she’s auditioning for the role of Wonder Woman. (Wearing Pucci)
Hayley Williams — I love Paramore and this alterna girl’s look. But last night? Something went wrong, very wrong… (Wearing Jeremy Scott)
Natasha Bedingfield — There’s a lot going on with this dress: floral pattern, beading, and sheer. Too much, in fact. And her pinned up ’20s hairstyle doesn’t help. (Wearing Abed Mahfouz)
Jordin Sparks — She’s young and beautiful So why does she look stiff and dowdy in all that satin? Plus, its wrinkled! (Wearing Zang To)
OTHER
Rihanna — She’s beautiful, and often on the cutting edge of style. And yet, here we are looking at what appears to be a toothpase Halloween costume. (Wearing Jean Paul Gaultier)
The Best of the Night: It Books Awards the Grammys
The 53rd Grammy Awards, held last night, was an evening of stellar performances, bizarre imagery, star-studded tributes, and, of course, awards. Only ten Grammys were actually presented during the telecast and three of them went to Lady Antebellum. Arcade Fire won the Grammy for Best Album, and followed the win by closing the show with Ready to Start. Key players went home sans awards including Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.
The list of performances was outstanding –Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Eminem, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, Muse, Mick Jagger, Mumford & Sons and more – reminding us why this award show is so much more entertaining than the Golden Globes was a few weeks ago.
In one of the most anticipated performances of the show, Eminem and Rihanna gave another powerful performance of Love the Way You Lie. Their chemistry is just so intense. Eminem was then joined by his mentor Dr. Dre for “I Need a Doctor,” giving us one of the more compelling performances of the night.
Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Florence Welch and gospel singer Yolanda Adams came together for a tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin (who has won the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Grammy a record 11 times, 8 of them consecutively). It was a wonderful, heartfelt performance by some of the best vocalists out there, so let’s overlook poor Xtina’s slipping on the stage and just focus on a great start to the evening.
After the jump are the It Books Awards:
Guitar Hero’s Last Gig
I have always enjoyed killing Nazis, eviscerating zombies, and scoring touchdowns on my PlayStation. It was all about the shooters and sports games… Until Guitar Hero landed. Honestly I wasn’t sure what to make of it. My six-string playing friends scoffed, and were completely frustrated when they tried it because, of course, it’s not like playing a real guitar. But cracking open the box of the first version of the game, and pulling out that plastic Gibson SG over my shoulder felt cool, felt like, man, now I can deliver the rock. And strumming along to the opening chords of “Iron Man” or “Smoke on the Water” gave me chills. For someone who was at the absolute zero of music ability, this was transporting.
Then I started playing and realized how much I sucked. The weakest part of my game was my pinky, the cause of my downfall many a time, particularly on the more intense fretting. The primary colors were tough enough—green, red, yellow, blue—without having to deal with that freaky orange. Still, battling through Joan Jett’s I Love Rock N Roll, Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out, Motorhead’s Ace of Spades and Ozzy’s Bark at the Moon not only allowed me to ride the subway with a bit of swagger, but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of a song. Not to mention the power and nuance of the whammy bar.
I know there were a bunch of versions and variations, with Legends of Rock and Aerosmith and Metallica and all that. But there’s nothing like the first time, the very first time. (I think that’s from a Foreigner song. Were they ever in Guitar Hero?) It was something completely different—feeling a sense of accomplishment after achieving a new level not because, say, you wiped out slews of demon spawn, but because you had mastered a song. Even at the crudest level, that’s satisfaction of a different order.
So, goodbye Guitar Hero. Thanks for transforming our living rooms into Madison Square Gardens, and for making those of us who could never be a rock star, feel like one.
Lady Gaga shot by Nick Knight
All the blogs and the Facebooks and the Twitters and the hashtags #bornthiswayfriday are all a buzzing today with the release of the cover to Lady Gaga’s long awaited Born this Way. Since she debuted a small portion of the title track at the VMAs in December her fans have been desperate for more information about the song and the album.
But we’re here to talk about Nick Knight, the famed British fashion photographer. Having already shot for the world’s top designers, Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Levi Strauss, Yohji Yamamoto. Yves Saint Laurent it only seems natural that he’d turn his lens toward Gaga. Knight’s image is sure to be one of the most viewed photograph of the decade. He recently published a midcareer retrospective of his work, from 1990 to the present day, called Nick Knight. Looking through the pages of his book you can see many similarities with the way he has captured Gaga and the transition of his work over the past twenty years.
Metal: The Hardest Rock of All
Following Grunge, Alternative, and Hip Hop Your It List and Rolling Stone now bring you back to The ’90s and into the hardest rock of all: Metal.
The metal chapter kicks off with an introduction by the one, the only, the legendary Slash of Guns’n'Roses fame and the chapter includes articles from David Fricke about Metallica, Kim Neely on Guns’n'Roses, the man himself Neil Strauss chronicles Marilyn Manson and ends with a return from David Fricke this time writing against Rage Against the Machine.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
Kara DioGuardi hits A Helluva High Note
It Books is thrilled to be publishing A Helluva High Note by the amazing Kara DioGuardi, coming April 2011.
Hip Hop: The Revitalization of Rap
The Editors of Rolling Stone have brought you back to when Grunge Was King and when Alternative Went Mainstream. In YourItList’s third installment from The ’90s: Inside Stories from the Decade that Rocked we give you Hip Hop: The Revitalization of Rap.
In addition to an introduction from RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, Rolling Stone brings you back to Snoop Dogg and Dre in Compton from 1993, “The Short Life and Violent Death of Tupac,” Anthony Bozza’s “Eminem Pisses off the World,” as well as essays about Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Missy Elliott.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
The ’90s–Alternative goes mainstream
With the last few weeks of 2010 in front of us, Your It List is looking back – way back to the 1990s with The ’90s: Inside Stories from the Decade that Rocked by the Editors of Rolling Stone.
Each week we will bring you back into the ’90s through photos from the biggest names in music from Metal to Pop, Hip-Hop to Jam Bands.
This week we remember when “alternative” still meant something:
The Alternative chapter includes a provocative intro by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, as well as essays and interviews covering the Smashing Pumpkins, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and the Beastie Boys, among others.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
The ’90s – When Grunge Was King
With the last few weeks of 2010 in front of us, Your It List is looking back – way back to the 1990s with The ’90s: Inside Stories from the Decade that Rocked by the Editors of Rolling Stone.
Each week we will bring you back into the ’90s through photos from the biggest names in music from Metal to Pop, Hip-Hop to Jam Bands.
This week we remember When Grunge Was King.
The Grunge chapter includes articles about Pearl Jam by Cameron Crowe, The Seattle Scene by Michael Azerrad, Soundgarden by Kim Neely and Kurt Cobain by David Fricke, as well as an introduction from Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden fame.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
Meet The Red Hot Chili Peppers in Los Angeles
November 4, 2010 is a day Red Hot Chili Peppers fans have been waiting for! Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Flea will be making an appearance at Barnes & Noble: The Grove at Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles to sign copies of their book The Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. Please see below for event rules and regulations.
“I am struck with the moments of these photos, the feelings of the times they were taken, and where we were at on our beautiful and happy-sad journey. It’s pretty fucking heavy, actually, like thinking how much we have changed over the years, and all the different dynamics of our lives that shaped us, and also realizing so clearly that nothing has changed at all—we’re all still just trying to get it on, make something great. It is all here, nothing can hide: all the honesty, the pretense, the courage and one-of-a-kind-ness, the unbridled joy, the melancholy, and the shields we put up to shelter our scared, vulnerable little selves.” —Flea
Please note:
- Only those in possession of a bracelet will be granted admittance the day of the signing.
- A limited number of bracelets will be available at Barnes & Noble: The Grove at Farmer’s Market beginning on Wednesday, November 3 at 9:00 am PST.
- The band will only be signing copies of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. No albums or memorabilia, please.
- The signing will begin promptly at 12:00 pm PST. Please arrive early.
- Photography and audio/video recording devices are not allowed within the venue.
Jerry Lee Lewis to Pen Autobiography for It Books
LEGENDARY ROCK ’N’ ROLL PIONEER JERRY LEE LEWIS TO WRITE AUTOBIOGRAPHY FOR IT BOOKS
NEW YORK, NY (October 13, 2010) – It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today a deal to publish the memoir of rock ’n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis in 2012.
The book was acquired at auction by Cal Morgan, Vice President and Editorial Director of It Books. The agent was Erin Hosier of the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency.
One of the greatest showmen of all time, Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the founding pioneers of rock—and his life story is at least as dramatic as his famously outrageous performances. From his childhood in Louisiana and his evangelical upbringing (Jimmy Lee Swaggart was his double first cousin) to his expulsion from Bible college in Texas, Lewis always knew he was going to be a star. In this long-awaited memoir, he will share a lifetime of untold stories, from his early years at Sun Records, where he lit up the music charts in 1957 with the back-to-back hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire”; to his longtime friendships with Sun stablemates Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and others; to the scandal that scuttled his first UK tour and jeopardized his career; to his triumphant comeback in the late 1960s, when he became the #1 Country Music star in America; to the cycles of excess and tragedy that dogged him for decades—to his present-day comeback with a pair of hit CDs, Last Man Standing and Mean Old Man. The result will be a truly no-holds-barred memoir—a rock epic if ever there was one.
“I have spent my life listening to those who know so little say so much about me and my life,” said Lewis. “I am ready to say a whole lot about why I lived my life the way I did. People can read it, burn it, or never give it another thought. Either way the truth is about to be told, and I’m the only man still standing who can touch it.”
“Mr. Lewis personifies the American story, in all its richness and contradiction,” said Morgan. “He’s a man of astonishing natural talent, profound belief, and indomitable spirit. What a thrill to have the chance to work with him on this unforgettable book.”
Jerry Lee Lewis was the first person inducted in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, at its opening ceremony in 1986. His original recording of “Great Balls of Fire” was elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” received this honor in 1999. He has garnered countless honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone ranked him one of their Top 25 Greatest Artists of All Time, and he is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Lewis has had 14 #1 Hits, 47 Top 20 hits, and 10 Golden Records. In 2010, actor Levi Kreis won a Tony Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Lewis in the hit Broadway show Million Dollar Quartet. At the age of 75, Lewis is currently on tour in support of his latest CD, Mean Old Man, a deluxe 18-track collection of duets and collaborations with some of the greatest musicians in rock and country music.
About It Books: Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern, Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie, I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks, Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand and Satiristas by Paul Provenza and Dan Dion. Upcoming publications include Blow by Blow by Detmar Blow with Tom Skyes, The Red Hot Chili Peppers by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, How to Beat Up Anybody by Judah Friedlander, True Whit by Whitney Port, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss and Al Jaffee’s Mad Life by Mary Lou Weisman. It Books is an imprint HarperCollinsPublishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.
Eminem & Jay-Z Offer Star-Studded Line-Up at Yankee Stadium
When surprise opener B.O.B. took the stage last Monday at Eminem and Jay-Z’s concert at Yankee Stadium, I knew the 50,000 fans who packed in alongside me were in for the hip hop night of our lives. I had expected that this would be the concert of the year, as both Eminem and Jay-Z’s iPhones must feature impressive lists of contacts, but I was blown away by the line-up these icons presented us with: B.O.B., Kanye West, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Beyonce, Drake, Swizz Beatz, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and more. The song list included recent hits like “Young Forever” (Beyonce accompanied her husband in place of Mr. Hudson), B.O.B’s “Airplanes,” and Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” and older songs like “The Real Slim Shady” and Dre’s “Nuthin But A G Thang.”
To say that the audience rallied around this star-studded line-up is an understatement. With the emergence of each additional talent, the year-old Yankee Stadium rocked with a roar of applause louder than has yet been heard within its walls.
Men in their 20s – most of whom, I would imagine, hold themselves like sullen and reticent teenagers by day - literally pounded their chests to the beat and belted out every lyric of every song with an intensity and emotion that one expects from war protesters rather than hip hop devotees. The fans were feeling the music in a way that you don’t normally see at concerts, and when the fireworks exploded into the overcast night’s sky as the 5-hour show drew to a close, I felt breathless – with excitement, exhaustion, and gratitude that I had witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime spectacular.
