Musicals Monday

Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.  It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron, the wife of Argentinian president Juan Peron.  The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death.

Evita began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976.  Its success led to production in London's West End in 1978, and on Broadway a year later, both of which enjoyed considerable success.  A major film was made of the musical in 1996, starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

I like to root for the underdog.  I cheer for the team who isn't the favorite to win the World Series, the student in class who isn't likely to get a great score on a test...but just might; yep, I'm full of betting against the odds!!

I was unfamiliar with Evita until I heard about the movie.  Always being weary of actors who claim they can sing, (except for Madonna who's more like the singer who thinks she can act!) I didn't know if I was going to like Antonio Banderas.  I enjoy him as an actor, but could he help carry a movie that is pretty much one song after another with hardly any plain "acting" lines?  I found myself rooting for this to work.  That, and the fact that I read that Madonna REALLY wanted this part, and had for years...I thought it was cool.

Anyway, Antonio didn't disappoint!  This man can sing very well.  It's almost more fun to just listen to the soundtrack than watch the movie, but then you wouldn't get to see his handsome face!

For your Musicals Monday:  "Oh, What a Circus", from Evita

Star Wars Saturday

So, how does everyone like my new blog button, well buttons?!?  I spent quite a while on them last night, but I finally figured it all out!

Today, I want to share with you an awesome picture I found while making this button.  (Of course it's Star Wars related!) 

I'm not a big fan of shoes.  If they are comfortable and fit well, that's good for me.  I don't drool over shoes, like a lot of women do.  And I'm no Carrie Bradshaw; I don't have enough shoes to fill an entire closet.

However, when I saw this picture, I never wanted a pair of shoes more in my life!!!

Holy cow, these shoes are SOOOO AWESOME!  I am jealous of the person who owns them.  Some people would pay $700 - $900 for a pair of Manolo Blahniks; not me.  However, taunt me with these shoes, and maybe I would do it!!!

YouTube Friday

I don't know about you, but it's been a VERY LONG week for me!  So, for YouTube Friday a clip from my favorite show is needed:  Whose Line Is It Anyway

Colin is bald, and he's often the "butt" of jokes because of that.  This clip comes from one episode where, with the help of an audience that was paying attention, they were able to make fun of Colin for the entire show!

Have a wonderful Friday!  Yippie Skippiee for the three day weekend!!!

Who Sings It Better?

"We Are The World" was originally recorded in 1985 to help earn money to fight the famine and disease in Africa.  Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, it sold over 20 million copies, earned three Grammy awards, one American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award.

Soloists (in order of appearance)
Lionel Richie
Stevie Wonder
Paul Simon
Kenny Rogers
James Ingram
Tina Turner
Billy Joel
Michael Jackson
Diana Ross
Dionne Warwick
Willie Nelson
Al Jarreau
Bruce Springsteen
Kenny Loggins
Steve Perry
Daryl Hall
Huey Lewis
Cyndi Lauper
Kim Carnes
Bob Dylan
Ray Charles

Backup singers
Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
The News
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Jackie Jackson
LaToya Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Randy Jackson
Tito Jackson
Waylon Jennings
Bette Midler
John Oates
Jeffrey Osborne
The Pointer Sisters
Smokey Robinson

Now, I recognize the majority of these singers, both soloists and chorus:  having Dan Aykroyd in there was weird, but whatever.  These are all (for the most part) extrememly talented, and famous musicians who are still popular 25 years later.

"We Are The World 25 for Haiti" was recorded in February of 2010 after the horrible earthquake killed so many people in Haiti the month before. 

Which version do I prefer?  Do you even have to ask that question?!!

I understand that both songs are for charity, and wonderful causes, but the 2010 version is the most awful thing I've ever heard!  The original had heart.  All the artists were right there sharing microphones and you could feel that they were humble.  The atmosphere in the room was inspiring, and brought tears to my eyes; those artists weren't there to better their careers.

There are SO MANY PEOPLE in the 2010 version that it's just stupid.  I also understand that they wanted a more "updated" version with artists from today, but WHO ARE HALF THE PEOPLE IN THIS VIDEO?!?  The sheer volume of people in the Chorus alone is almost 3 times the amount of the original recording; way too many people.  (And don't even get me started on the names I don't recognize in the Chorus!)  They changed the lyrics, and WHY did they add the HORRIBLE rap in; it that just takes away from the beautiful message?  The whole recording just looked like it was all for show.

Soloists (in order of appearance)
Justin Bieber  - Seriously, you choose this baby to start the song?
Nicole Scherzinger  - only know who she is because of Dancing With The Stars!
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Nettles - Who is this?
Josh Groban - He could've sang the whole song and I would've been very happy
Tony Bennett - Why did they pick "older" singers if they wanted an updated version?
Mary J. Blige
Michael Jackson - Soooo glad they left his parts in
Janet Jackson
Barbra Streisand
Miley Cyrus  - was she even alive when this song was first made?!
Enrique Iglesias
Jamie Foxx
Wyclef Jean - I suppose this thief was there to "represent" Haiti, but come on!
Adam Levine  - who is this?
Pink (P!nk)
BeBe Winans  - never heard of this person
Michael Jackson
Usher
Celine Dion
Fergie
Nick Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
Toni Braxton
Mary Mary - who?
Isaac Slade  - huh?
Lil Wayne
Carlos Santana (solo with a guitar)
Akon
T-Pain  - ????
LL Cool J
Will.i.am
Snoop Dogg
BBusta Rhymes - ???
Swizz Beatz  - ???
Iyaz  - who?
Kanye West

Chorus (in Alphabetical Order)
Patti Austin
Philip Bailey
Fonzworth Bentley
Bizzy Bone
Ethan Bortnick
Jeff Bridges
Zac Brown
Brandy
Kristian Bush
Natalie Cole
Harry Connick Jr.
Nikka Costa
Kid Cudi
Faith Evans
Melanie Fiona
Sean Garrett
Tyrese Gibson
Anthony Hamilton
Keith Harris
Rick Hendrix
Keri Hilson
Julianne Hough
Nipsey Hussle
Il Trio
India.Arie
Randy Jackson
Taj Jackson
Taryll Jackson
TJ Jackson
Al Jardine
Jimmy Jean-Louis
Ralph Johnson
Joe Jonas
Kevin Jonas
Jones
Gladys Knight
Benji Madden
Harlow Madden
Joel Madden
Katharine McPhee
Jason Mraz
Mýa
Plain Pat
Freda Payne
A. R. Rahman
RedOne
Nicole Richie
Raphael Saadiq
Trey Songz
Musiq Soulchild
Jordin Sparks
Robin Thicke
Rob Thomas
Vince Vaughn
Verdine White
Ann Wilson
Brian Wilson
Nancy Wilson

Here's what I think should have been done:  instead of messing with perfection, just write another song for Haiti.  They changed lyrics of the song anyway, and added the awful rap, why not just write a completely different song?

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" received generally negative reviews by contemporary music critics, with criticism focused on the song's new musical additions, as well as the choice of artists who appear on the track.

One side note:  as I was searching YouTube for these videos to download, the 1985 version didn't have people put the names of the artists who sing on the song; the 2010 had many versions like that.  Just goes to show that the artists from 1985 are TIMELESS!!

So, which do you prefer?  And I'll still love you if you like the 2010 version better!

Ten on Tuesday

I love doing blog meme's.  For bloggers, memes have become synonymous with internet quizzes, surveys, and novelties that people link to and pass around on their blogs, forums and via email.  My 30 days of me is a meme.  

This weekend I found a website that is full of blog meme's to help keep a blog fun.  10 on Tuesday will be one of the new things you'll see me do.

So, without further ado, here is my first 10 on Tuesday. 

10 Songs You're Embarrassed to Like:

This isn't an easy question for me because I'm usually really open and proud of the music I love, even if it is not the most popular music on the planet!

1. "My Heart Will Go On" - Celine Dion
2. "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" - Aerosmith
3. "Dancing Queen" - ABBA
4. "Oops!  I Did It Again" - Britney Spears
5. "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" - Poison
6. "November Rain" - Guns N Roses
7. "Cherry Pie" - Warrant
8. "I Would Do Anything For Love" - Meatloaf
9. "Invisible" - Clay Aiken
10. "I Want It That Way" - Backstreet Boys

Now, these aren't in the actual 1 - 10 order of embarrassment, and they're the first songs I could think of.  Like I said, I have no problem saying that I LOVE BARRY MANILOW and sing him constantly!