- Screen Name: VocalMusician
Check local
PBS listings for "Great Performances: PAVAROTTI,
A Life in Seven Arias." It's a very well done piece - part documentary, part concert, part interview - on Pavarotti's life and career, set around his seven most famous arias. It does get a bit heart-breaking near the end. But, whether or not you're an opera fan, it's an excellent tribute to an extraordinary singer.
A friend of mine passed on this video of RACHELLE FERRELL's performance at recent memorial services for Bernie Mac. We at VocalMusician.com consider Ferrell to be the very personification of the term 'vocal musician.' If you've never had a chance to see her live, well, you might need a seat belt for this...
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
Reports are that 38 million viewers tuned in to watch
Barack Obama give his acceptance speech last night at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High. Those who did saw that, among other things, the Obama camp has (mostly) good taste in music.
In between speeches throughout the first three days of the Democratic Convention (at the Pepsi Center) you could hear songs like Earth Wind & Fire's "Shining Star," "Fantasy" and "That's the Way of the World" played by the "house band," a live performance of "Born in the U.S.A." by Melissa Etheridge and recordings of songs like The Staples Singers' "I'll Take You There," John Mellencamp's "R-O-C-K in the USA" and Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and "Think."
Last night's live performances began with a full-throated "Star Spangled Banner" by Jennifer Hudson. John Legend sang "Yes We Can" around the rap of Wil-i-Am and the Agape Choir, but unfortunately, the choir was almost inaudible (on C-Span anyway). Whatever sound glitches were fixed by the time Sheryl Crow did her upbeat and optimistic 3-song set: "A Change Will Do You Good," "Out of Our Heads" and "Everyday Is a Winding Road" which she combined with Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." Stevie Wonder along with Take 6 sang "Fear Can't Put Dreams to Sleep." Then Stevie rocked the house - or, shall I say, stadium - with "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" which Obama has been using as one of his campaign theme songs. The final and most emotional vocal performance of the night was Michael McDonald who sang "America, the Beautiful" from deeper than his soul; more like from the sole of his feet.
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
You can catch the fabulous & funky RAHSAAN PATTERSON at 1am tomorrow morning (Saturday, Aug. 9) and the soulful & jazzy LEDISI at 11pm tomorrow night on "Baisden After Dark" on TVOne (Check local listings)
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
The Webber-Rice hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar is about to gear up for another national tour with TED NEELEY, once again, in the title role!!! Neeley was awesome in the 1973 film version and he's been touring with the show since 1987. One can only hope that means he still digs singing the role.
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
Dulcet-toned "First Daughter of Soul" LALAH HATHAWAY is on the cover of the August-September 2008 issue of "Heart and Soul" magazine.
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
This just in for those of you in the DC area...
WINTLEY PHIPPS will perform a Summer Benefit Concert tomorrow evening - Saturday, July 26 - at 6pm at Sligo Seventh Day Adventist Church (7700 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park MD) presented by New Community Fellowship & Dreamfest. For more info, call 301/270-6777 or visit www.sligochurch.org
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
It might be pointless to try to equate rock music with good singing. Rock music is about attitude. Rock vocals are usually more about volume. power and emotion than actually singing well. But after watching VH1 Rock Honors: The Who last night and hearing lead vocalists of bands like Incubus, Flaming Lips, Tenacious D and Pearl Jam, I have an even greater appreciation for Roger Daltrey's singing than I had before. Daltrey has developed a definite rock vocal "technique" over the years which is, obviously, difficult for the younger guys to match. While I would give David Grohl of the Foo Fighters a B+ for his singing at the beginning of the show, the best part was seeing and hearing the genuine article at the end. Daltrey at 64 has still got cords of steel.
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
Let us know what singers you have on your iPod,
MP3 player and/or music subscription service (i.e. Rhapsody, etc.)...
Sing on!
- Screen Name: VocalMusician
Associated Press reports that JAMES LEVINE, music director of the Metropolitan Opera, will have a kidney removed in surgery this week. The kidney is being removed because of a cyst which is causing him pressure and discomfort. The 65-year-old conductor will need six weeks of recovery time but is expected to be back on the podium for the start of the Met season in September.
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