CHUCK BERRY (1926 - 2017)

Chuck Berry, the guitarist who took country and rhythm and blues and merged them with his inventive guitar solos and dynamic showmanship to help create what we know as rock & roll, passed away on March 18th at the age of ninety. With his signature "duck walk" he did when he played, Berry was an innovative artist who broke down the deep musical and racial divide at the time in this country and helped integrate teenagers through his music.

Berry was born and raised in St. Louis, MO and was interested in music at an early age, performing for audiences while a student in high school. However, his fledgling career as a professional musician was briefly derailed after he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to a reformatory for young men until he was twenty-one. Berry formed a singing group while there and was so good, he was allowed to perform occasionally outside of the detention facility. After he was released, Berry started his music career again, developing his unique guitar style and played with giving country music a blues makeover.

Berry's big break came in 1955 when he traveled to Chicago and met blues great, Muddy Waters. He suggested that Berry meet Leonard Chess of Chess Records and the record executive became very interested in the young musician. The first single released was "Maybellene", a reworking of a traditional country tune, "Ida Red" that was made famous by Bob Wills in 1938. The song went straight to number one on the R&B chart and sold over a million copies. The following year a song Berry wrote, "Roll Over Beethoven" actually crossed over and reached the top forty on the pop chart. Berry soon went on tour with other popular rock acts of the day like Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers and he became a major music star.

More hits followed, "School Days", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Rock and Roll Music", "Little Queenie", "Back In The U S A" and his most famous, "Johnny B. Goode". Berry even made appearances in two early rock & roll films, "Rock Rock Rock" and "Go, Johnny, Go!". But his successful career took a hit when he was convicted of violating the Mann Act and eventually sentenced to a year and a half in prison in 1962.

By the time Berry was released from jail, the British Invasion in the U.S. had begun and these acts were covering many of his hit songs which brought interest back to the originator. While he did record several albums during this period, they were not nearly as successful as in his glory days. But Berry remained a top concert draw and went around the globe performing. In 1972, Berry released a live recording of an innuendo-laden, novelty song, "My Ding-a-Ling" and this would become Berry's first and only number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Chuck Berry received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984, a Kennedy Center Honor in 2000 and was one of the first group of musicians to be inducted in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Berry had continued to perform all these years although he was recently only playing once a month at a restaurant bar in St. Louis.

Here are a few classic moments from the pioneering musician, Chuck Berry:

STARGATE PRESENTS "WATERFALL"

You may not know who Stargate is by name but you are very familiar with their music. What do Beyoncé‘s "Irreplaceable", Ne-Yo's "So Sick", Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music", Katy Perry's "Firework", Selena Gomez's "Come & Get It", Fifth Harmony's "Worth It", Wiz Khalifa‘s "Black and Yellow" and Coldplay's "Hymn for the Weekend" all have in common?

These are just a very small number of songs that the Norwegian production team of Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen have been creating that have found their way on the international pop charts since 2001. Now after years of writing and producing for other artists, Stargate has decided to release some new music under their own name.

And for the official first single under their recording contract with RCA Records, the duo have brought together two of the hottest singers in pop music right now; Sia and P!nk. On "Waterfall", these two vocal powerhouses do not disappoint with them trading verses in this slinky love jam of yearning for another touch from a lover. I certainly think that Stargate has another hit on their hands. Have a listen:

EDM + POP

EDM (or "electronic dance music") has slowly become a dominant force in pop music over the last few years. At first, these musicians would discover their own vocalists to sing on their dance tracks which in turn created new pop music stars. And as soon as these DJ/producers found amazing success on the charts, established artists began seeking out this talent to help them create their music. Now these EDM artists are attempting to expand their sound, merging with different genres of music to create something fresh.

Calvin Harris was one of the first artists to move successfully from the dance floor to the pop charts. Born Adam Wiles, he began as a DJ in his native Scotland before moving towards creating his own music in his teens. The award-winning Harris has become an international star with his own albums and producing dance-pop tracks for such distinguished acts like Kylie Minogue, Pitbull, Scissor Sisters, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna, who he has helped reach the top of the charts several times with "Where Have You Been", "We Found Love" and with last year's smash, "This is What You Came For". With his latest, "Slide", Harris is actively trying to bring together electronic dance and hip-hop with vocal assistance from Frank Ocean and the Southern-based outfit, Migos, currently riding the charts with their hit, "Bad and Boujee".

"Slide" - Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos (2017) mp3

Stephen Bruner, or as he is professionally known, Thundercat, may not exactly be considered an EDM artist as he has performed and produced wildly eclectic styles of music throughout his career including jazz-fusion, alt-rock, classic R&B, hip-hop and even heavy metal. But the Los Angeles native bass guitarist has an electronic pulse beating through his recently released third studio album, "Drunk", a collection of fragmented, eccentric and musically diverse tracks. One highlight is "Show You The Way", a '70's inspired, funky, slow jam that features vocals from two icons of that era; Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. This sensual track will fit perfectly on either the dance floor or in the bedroom.

"Show You The Way" - Thundercat featuring Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald (2017) mp3

Finally, we have the Chainsmokers, one of the hottest EDM acts of the last couple of years, who have teamed up with one of the biggest rock groups of the last decade, Coldplay.  On the very catchy, "Something Like Like This", the duo,  Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, bring their throbbing beats that blends nicely with Chris Martin's vocals which gives us the best of both bands. This song will appear on the Chainsmokers' debut studio album, "Memories. . .  Do Not Open"  due out on April 7th and on Coldplay's upcoming EP, "Kaleidoscope" which features leftover tracks from their 2015 album, "A Head Full of Dreams" and is expected in June. Here is a clip of this super-team performing the song live at the recent Brit Awards:

GREEN LIGHT

I must admit I have been very impatient waiting for some new music from Lorde, the New Zealand artist who came on the scene in 2013 with her thoughtful, electropop album, "Pure Heroine" and the worldwide smash single, "Royals".  I keep forgetting she was just sixteen when it came out and surely needed some serious time away after her whirlwind success to simply be a teenager.

I suspected something was on the horizon when it was announced that the now-twenty year old singer will be the musical guest on the March 11th episode of "Saturday Night Live" and today a new single was released. "Green Light", co-written with Jack Antonoff of the bands, fun and the Bleachers and producer and fellow New Zealander, Joel Little, surprises as it's much more like a dance-pop anthem than the dark and far edgier material that first brought her to our attention. I guess hanging out with BFF, Taylor Swift has inspired Lorde in more ways than one. Yet let me be clear that it still feels and sounds very much like Lorde which is a very good thing. I really loved the track the first time I heard it and I'm sure the rest of the world will respond in kind.

The title of her forthcoming second album has been revealed to be "Melodrama" and due sometime later this summer with a tour to follow. For now, enjoy the music video, directed by Grant Singer, which features just the singer wildly dancing in the streets and on top of a limo:

I'M IN "LOVE" WITH LANA DEL REY

After a few years out of the spotlight, Lana Del Rey is back on the music scene and has dropped "Love" in to the world. With writing and production assistance from Rick Nowels and Benny Blanco, the thirty-one year old vocalist has returned to the ethereal glam-pop styling that initially caught our attention back in 2011.

"Love" was at first teased to the public on February 17th but was rushed out after leaked versions hit the web. The lyrics might travel down familiar territory about the difficulties of being young and desperately in love but Del Rey elevates the tune with her girlish yet highly emotive vocals. I'm really digging this dramatic song, which sounds like nothing else happening right now in pop music, and expect this will make a big impact on radio. I can't wait to hear more with Del Rey's fifth studio album due out sometime later this year.

AL JARREAU (1940 - 2017)

Al Jarreau, the smooth jazz vocalist who also dabbled in pop and soul music, sadly passed away on February 12th at the age of seventy-six. He had just announced his retirement from live performing just two days before his death due to declining health.

Born in Milwaukee, WI , Jarreau found his love of music in the Church. His father was a minister and his mother was the pianist while he and his siblings performed during services. After earning a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, Jarreau worked as a counselor in San Francisco while occasionally singing with a jazz trio after hours. He latter teamed with guitarist Julio Martinez and they became a popular act in the Bay Area. It was at this point Jarreau decided to pursue music full time.

Jarreau soon headed to the Southland where he made a name performing at nightclubs and on television variety shows. He was signed to Warner Bros. Records and released his debut album, "We Got By" in 1975 to rave reviews. Jarreau would win the first of his seven career Grammy Awards for his first live album, "Look At The Rainbow" in 1977.

In 1981, Jarreau released "Breakin' Away" which would help the singer crossover to the pop and soul worlds and became his biggest selling album at over a million copies sold. The single, "We're In This Love Together" reached the top-twenty on the pop chart, the top-ten on the r&b chart and would win Jarreau the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He would also win Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance for "(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo à la Turk" from that album as well.

Other career highlights include performing the theme song for the popular late '80's television romantic comedy-drama, "Moonlighting" which reached the top-thirty on the pop charts and he was one of the participating pop singers who lent their voices on the charity single for African famine relief, "We Are The World" in 1985.

But Jarreau was admired most as an outstanding live performer and since the beginning of his musical journey he would tour extensively in countless concerts and jazz festivals, dazzling audiences around the world in the process. The singer even appeared in the role of Teen Angel in "Grease" on Broadway in 1996. He was a great talent who will truly be missed. Enjoy a small sample of the amazing music of Al Jarreau:

THE 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

I knew there was no way we were going to get through over three hours during one of music's biggest nights without politics somehow making it's way on to the stage of the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. And of course it did, subtlety with an image of the Constitution being projected at the end of Katy Perry's performance of her new song, "Chained To The Rhythm" and quite aggressively during A Tribe Called Quest's number where they, along with Anderson Paak, Busta Rhymes and Consequence, referred to "President Agent Orange" and urged the audience to continue resisting his outrageously divisive policies. There were also inspiring messages of tolerance and moving words on the importance of the arts in speeches from Beyoncé during her acceptance of the Best Urban Contemporary Album award and from the Recording Academy President, Neil Portnow.

James Cordon, the host of CBS' "The Late Late Show", took over the hosting duties of the Grammys this year and brought a much-needed new energy to the show. No offense to LL Cool J but the comedian kept the show light and breezy (and just in time considering the political climate) with his infectious enthusiasm and cheerful good humor. But he could still be cheeky with a funny bit involving his parents and their "cheat dates". Cordon is a true music lover which is evident from his very popular "Carpool Karaoke" segment (which he couldn't resist squeezing in to the show by doing an all-star version of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" but it would really seem unavoidable with so many of the top music people in the audience)  and appeared to be just as thrilled to be hosting as he was watching the performers.

And music was the real focus of the evening and there were plenty of outstanding performances to witness. Adele kicked off the show with a flawless rendition of "Hello" but ran in to some trouble during a tribute to George Michael with a reworking of "Fast Love" (an odd choice out of all of his songs). She was so unhappy with her performance that she insisted on stopping in the middle and starting over. Adele triumphed in the end but was still quite visibly upset despite the enthusiastic response. Other highlights include Bruno Mars who also did double duty with a slick, old-school funk performance of his own song "That's What I Like" before showing off impressive guitar skills on a cover of "Let's Go Crazy" during the tribute to Prince. Ed Sheeran astonished as a one-man band as he did his new single, "Shape of You", Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood brought some fiery soul to country with "The Fighter" and the duet of John Legend and "Color Purple" star, Cynthia Erivo performing the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" during the in-memoriam segment was absolutely breathtaking. Get them to a recording studio ASAP!

I wasn't particularly impressed with the teaming of Metallica and Lady Gaga which was just loud and inaudible with the technical difficulties not helping and while I was thrilled with the celebration of the Bee Gees and the fortieth anniversary of their "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, the performers involved (which included Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly and Little Big Town) underwhelmed.

But it was Beyoncé, hardly surprising, who left a spectacularly memorable impression. Merging bold religious imagery with a hallucinogenic flower-child vibe, the singer, resplendent in a revealing, golden gown and the glow of impending motherhood, took over the show for nine minutes with a amazing production of two songs from "Lemonade", "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" that featured video projection, the usual army of female dancers and dazzling visual effects that made a statement in more ways than one.

There was much made of the Adele vs Beyoncé showdown but it was the British singer who ultimately was the big winner taking all five of the Grammys she was nominated for including Album of The Year while the expectant mother received only two from her nine nominations. Now while I think "25" is a good, solid album but I completely agree with Adele 100% that "Lemonade" should have taken that top prize for it's innovation and craftsmanship. It was a slight to an album that will long endure as a groundbreaking work. But I couldn't help being moved just as much as Beyoncé by Adele's graciousness, honesty and genuine affection for the singer. Adele proved to me she was a winner just by being endearing, humble and a class act.

Here is the complete list of winners from the 2017 Grammy Awards:

Album of the Year: “25”, Adele
Record of the Year: “Hello”, Adele
Song of the Year: “Hello”, Written by Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin (Adele, artist)
Best New Artist: Chance the Rapper
Best Pop Vocal Album: “25”, Adele
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Hello”, Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Stressed Out”, Twenty One Pilots
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin”, Willie Nelson
Best Urban Contemporary Album: “Lemonade”, Beyoncé
Best R&B Album: “Lalah Hathaway Live”, Lalah Hathaway
Best R&B Performance: “Cranes in the Sky”, Solange

Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Angel", Lalah Hathaway
Best R&B Song: “Lake By the Ocean”, Written by Hod David & Musze, (Maxwell, Artist)
 

Best Rap Album: “Coloring Book”, Chance the Rapper
Best Rap Performance: “No Problem”, Chance the Rapper Featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz
Best Rap/Sung Performance: “Hotline Bling”, Drake
Best Rap Song: “Hotline Bling”, Written by Aubrey Graham & Paul Jefferies, (Drake, artist)
Best Country Album: "A Sailor’s Guide to Earth", Sturgill Simpson
Best Country Solo Performance: “My Church”, Maren Morris
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “Jolene", Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton
Best Country Song: “Humble and Kind”, Written by Lori McKenna (Tim McGraw, artist)
Best Rock Album: “Tell Me I’m Pretty”, Cage the Elephant
Best Rock Performance: “Blackstar”, David Bowie
Best Rock Song: “Blackstar”, David Bowie
Best Alternative Music Album: “Blackstar,” David Bowie
Best Metal Performance: “Dystopia”, Megadeth
Best Dance/Electronic Album: “Skin”, Flume
Best Dance Recording: “Don’t Let Me Down”, The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: “Culcha Vulcha”, Snarky Puppy
Best New Age Album: "White Sun II", White Sun
Best Gospel Album: "Losing My Religion", Kirk Franklin
Best Roots Gospel Album: "Hymns", Joey + Rory
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: "Love Remains", Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Best Gospel Performance/Song: “God Provides”, Tamela Mann
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Thy Will”, Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Best Latin Pop Album: "Un Besito Mas", Jesse & Joy
Best World Music Album: "Sing Me Home", Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble
Best Children’s Album: "Infinity Plus One", Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Best Spoken Word Album: "In Such Good Company: Eleven Years Of Laughter, Mayhem and Fun in the Sandbox", Carol Burnett
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom", Ted Nash Big Band
Best Jazz Instrumental Album: "Country for Old Men", John Scofield
Best Jazz Vocal Album: "Take Me to the Alley", Gregory Porter
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, John Scofield
Best Musical Theater Album: "The Color Purple"
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: "Miles Ahead"
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", John Williams
Best Song Written for Visual Media: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”, Justin Timberlake
Best Instrumental Composition: “Spoken at Midnight”, Ted Nash
Best Arrangement, (Instrumental or A Cappella): “You and I”, Jacob Collier
Best Arrangement, (Instruments and Vocals): “Flintstones”, Jacob Collier
Best Recording Package: "Blackstar", David Bowie
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: "Edith Piaf 1915-2015", Edith Piaf
Best Album Notes: "Sissle and Blake Sing Shuffle Along", Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle
Best Historical Album: "The Cutting Edge 1965-1966: The Bootleg Series, Vol.12 (Collector’s Edition)", Bob Dylan

Best Engineered Album, (Non-Classical): "Blackstar", David Bowie
Best Remixed Recording: “Tearing Me Up (RAC Remix)", Bob Moses
Producer of the Year, (Non-Classical): Greg Kurstin
Best Surround Sound Album: "Dutilleux: Sur Le Même Accord; Les Citations; Mystère De L’instant & Timbres, Espace, Mouvement", Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony
Best Engineered Album, (Classical): "Corigliano: The Ghosts of Versailles", Mark Donahue and Fred Vogler
Producer of the Year, (Classical): David Frost
Best Orchestral Performance: “Shostakovich: Under Stalin’s Shadow - Symphonies Nos. 5, 8 & 9”, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Best Music Video: “Formation”, Beyoncé
Best Music Film: "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week the Touring Years"