New York Times Magazine profiled the woman who is the secret weapon behind many of the songs topping the pop charts these days. Most people would be basking in the glory but not Sia Furler. The Australian singer/songwriter began in music seeking her own career but after getting a little taste of success, it made Furler uncomfortable and backed away. She began working behind the scenes and wrote songs for some of the biggest female names in music such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kylie Minogue, Celine Dion and Shakira. Sia has even made it to the U.S. top-ten on her own by providing vocals for songs by Flo Rida ("The Wild Ones") and David Guetta ("Titanium").
Sia has reluctantly return to making her own music and has her sixth solo album, "1000 Forms of Fear" due out in June. Have a listen to the first single, "Chandelier":
In 2011, George Michael embarked on a tour that traveled throughout Europe with an symphonic orchestra. Those performances were captured on his newest CD, "Symphonica" which is his first live recording and only the sixth solo album released over his thirty years in music. Co-produced by the late Phil Ramone, the songs are mostly from his last two studio albums, "Songs From the Last Century" and "Patience" and they are given a lush makeover with Mr Michael sounding better than ever.
Here is one of the new songs written by George Michael for the tour:
"Through" - George Michael (2014)
KYLIE MINOGUE
Kylie Minogue has never gotten much love here in the U.S. during her twenty-five year music career but the rest of the world is still crazy for Kylie. Now under new management with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, Kylie is trying once again to win America over with her twelfth musical offering, "Kiss Me Once". She's opening up her more funky side and received some help from current hit-makers, Sia and Pharrell Williams. If you already dig the pop styling of Ms Minogue, then you will most certainly be in heaven as the record offers plenty of the great dance beats she is known for however it may not be enough to convert over any new fans. Be on the lookout for Kylie's world tour beginning later this year.
Listen to the first official single, "Into The Blue" which has managed to reach the top of the U.S. dance chart:
"Into The Blue" - Kylie Minogue (2014)
Take a look at the video for another tune from the album, "Sexercise" (co-written by Sia) and it should be no surprise, considering the title, that it is overtly sexual:
The latest song from Lady Gaga, "G.U.Y." is nothing special but it does have a music video that's a wild, over-the-top extravaganza that only she can pull off:
"I Luh Ya Papi" is another mediocore song from Jennifer Lopez but it's enhanced greatly by a hot video. This very sexy clip puts a female spin on those 90's hip-hop music videos that featured cars, boats and flowing champagne but instead of ladies in tiny bikinis we now have scantily-clad gentlemen:
Out of over 5000 songs on my Ipod, the song that has been played the most is . . . "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" by Jean Carne at nineteen times. Although my pod is played on shuffle mode most of the times, I really love this tune as Ms Carne's soaring vocals makes it extra special.
The Atlanta-raised singer (born Sarah Jean Perkins) was a gifted child prodigy with a five-octave range who sang in her church's choir at the age of four. She went on to learn the piano and clarinet. Perkins attended Julliard in New York where she met her future husband, Doug Carn, a jazz musician. Carne (who later added an "e" to her name due to the advice by a numerologist) performed as a vocalist with her husband's band and recorded three albums together. After separating from Carn, she went on to collaborate with musician/producer, Norman Connors which lead to background vocal work with George Duke and Earth, Wind & Fire.
By 1976, she signed with Philadelphia International Records and went on to record four solo albums on the label. Carne made many appearances on the disco and r&b charts over the years with her song, "Closer Than Close" reaching the top spot on the r&b chart in 1986. Jean Carne currently resides in Atlanta and still occasionally performs.
For their annual "Yesteryear Issue", New York Magazine has decided to focus on the influential musical artists who made their start in this magical city. The story traces back to near the beginning of the last century right up to present day. While some of these performers may have been born elsewhere, they all used the city to seek out fellow kindred spirits, hone their craft and eventually find their creative voice. Many of these musicians will be quite familiar while others have been, sadly, long forgotten. It's a fascinating profile that you should definitely check out.
Sam Smith, the latest UK blue-eyed soul singer, made quite an impression during his major U.S. television debut on the March 29th episode of "Saturday Night Live". He performed "Stay With Me" and "Lay Me Down" which are both on his forthcoming first album, "In The Lonely Hour". At only twenty-one, Smith (who looks and sounds like if Adele and Boy George had a baby) is a bold and dynamic vocalist.
The winner of this year's BRIT Critic's Choice Award and the BBC's Sound of 2014 first got noticed back in 2012 when he sang on "Latch", the first single from the electro-pop group, Disclosure. The song reached number eleven on the UK pop chart and the Billboard Electronic/Dance chart in the U.S. The following year, Smith provided vocals on a track for British producer, Naughty Boy. "La La La" has become a world wide smash and now climbing the charts here in America. Now, Sam Smith is ready to conquer the globe with his own music and I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on his debut. The record is due to be released in Britain on May 26th and in the U.S sometime in June.
Listen to a couple of songs to hear Mr. Smith do his thang:
"Nirvana" - Sam Smith (2013)
"Money On My Mind" - Sam Smith (2014)
In case you missed it, here is Sam Smith's amazing live performance of his current single, "Stay With Me" on "SNL":
It seems unimaginable that over thirty years have passed since Blondie first burst on to the scene with their new-wave/disco hybrid, "Heart of Glass". But it has and the band is now celebrating coming together forty years ago this year. Blondie split-up in 1982 burregrouped in 1997 and has a new album due out later this year. Out magazine talks to the legendary Debbie Harry as she reflects on her experience as the front woman of this seminal rock band and her views of the current music scene.
The profile also include what the magazine considers to be the twelve best tunes from Blondie. I agree with most and have included three of my favorites: "One Way or Another" - Blondie (1978)
There doesn't seem to be many artists like Roberta Flack in pop musicanymore. This classically trained musician is able to create colorful sounds that are silky smooth and filled with great passion which appears to be deceptively effortless. She may not possess a big voice but Roberta Flack certainly knows how to use what she has for maximum effect.
Although she came from a musical family in North Carolina and at fifteen was one of the youngest students to ever be enrolled at Howard University to the music program, Flack first became a school teacher in Washington D.C. She later taught private piano lessons before venturing out herself to perform at small clubs around town. Les McCann, a jazz performer, caught Flack's act one evening and was highly impressed. He arranged for her to meet with executives at Atlantic Records and after a three-hour audition, Roberta Flack was signed and her debut album was quickly recorded.
"First Take" was released in 1969 and received little notice until actor, Clint Eastwood used a song from the album, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for his directorial debut, "Play Misty For Me" in 1972. This song went on to reach the top of the pop chart, sell over a million copies and won a Grammy Award for Record of The Year. Flack hit number one again the following year with "Killing Me Softly With His Song" which also won the Grammy for Record of The Year making her the only artist at the time to have won that honor consecutively (U2 would later also achieve this feat). The song became popular again when The Fugees gave it a hip-hop spin in 1996 and took it back to the top of the charts in the U.S. and Britain.
Roberta Flack is also best known for her musical duets beginning with soul legend, Donny Hathaway. Some of their big hits include "Where is the Love" and "The Closer I Get To You" which both sold over a million copies. They recorded two albums together and won a Grammy for Best Vocal By A Duo Or Group before Hathaway's tragic death in 1979. Flack would also find more success from duets with Peabo Bryson ("Tonight I Celebrate My Love") and Maxi Priest ("Set The Night To Music").
Although her output has slowed down, Roberta Flack has continued to tour and make new music. Her last album, "Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles" was released in 2012. It was slightly challenging to narrow down but here are my two favorite songs by Roberta Flack:
