MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM. . .

JOHN LEGEND

For his very first Christmas album, "A Legendary Christmas", John Legend has incorporated holiday classics with original songs he has co-written. With Raphael Saadiq handling production, Legend puts his spin on "Silver Bells", "Christmas Time Is Here" and "The Christmas Song" while hoping to create a new holiday classic with his songs, "No Place Like Home", "Wrap Me Up In Your Love" and "By Christmas Eve".  Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding drop by on a couple of tracks. If you would like to hear these songs live, be sure to catch Legend on the road to promote the album which he began in November and run through the end of this month. Enjoy the music video for his version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a live performance of his original tune, "Bring Me Love" from his television Christmas special which features his wife, Chrissy Teigen:





KATY PERRY

Katy Perry had previously released an original Christmas song about four years ago and she has just released another holiday single. "Cozy Little Christmas" is available exclusively through Amazon Music and Perry (who co-wrote and produced the track with Greg Wells and Ferras Alqaisi) delivers a fun and catchy pop song about not wanting expensive gifts and would be perfectly happy simply snuggling-up with a loved one during the holiday.

THE WHITE ALBUM: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles self-titled ninth studio album which over time has been referred to as "The White Album" due to the plain white cover with only the band's name embossed. In celebration, a new edition of the album has been remastered and fully remixed with a seven-disc, box set featuring plenty of bonus material and demos. This massive project was overseen by producer, Giles Martin, the son of the late Sir George Martin who produced most of the band's music and has been referred to as "the fifth Beatle".

While the album marked a creative high point for the Beatles, the tension between the band members intensified during the recording sessions leading to many arguments and disagreements (particularly between the main writing team, Paul McCartney and John Lennon) with even happy-go-lucky drummer, Ringo Starr briefly quitting the group. The band did manage to record a couple more albums before finally calling it quits by 1970.

The Beatles had enjoyed critical and commercial success with their last album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and had all embarked on a transcendental meditation course in India in order to recharge and clear their heads. During the retreat, Lennon and McCartney began working together in relative calm to write material for the band's next record.

But by the time the group returned to Abbey Road Studios in London to begin recording, all of the peace and calm they had experienced had quickly evaporated. With their long-time producer,  Martin no longer able to have a steady, guiding influence over the band, their creative problems escalated. Another concern was the presence of Yoko Ono who was Lennon's new creative and love partner at the time. Since the band did not usually invite wives or girlfriends to be present during recording sessions, Ono was considered an unwelcome distraction as she always remained by her man's side.

The Beatles finally finished the album and released it on November 22, 1968. While it did have a working title of "A Doll's House", the thirty song, double-album was just simply called "The Beatles". Despite all of the drama that went in to it's creation, this wildly diverse record is considered the band's greatest achievement and features some of their most classic songs like "Dear Prudence", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Back in the U.S.S.R." "Happiness is a Warm Gun" and "Helter Skelter". Here are a few of my favorite songs from the album:

2018 GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

After being delayed a few days due to the funeral of former President, George H. W. Bush, the 2018 Grammy Award nominations have finally been unveiled and it appears that the Recording Academy seems to have caught up to the 21st century. The organization for years has tended to nominate critically-acclaimed, veteran artists who were long past their prime while pretty much ignoring exciting, contemporary musicians for top honors.

Kendrick Lamar, one of the most innovative and accomplished artists creating music today, leads with eight Grammy nominations for his curated soundtrack of what became the top-grossing movie of the year, "Black Panther". Drake, who has been very vocal about feeling that the Grammys have been long out-of-touch, follows with seven noms for his smash album, "Scorpion". And after female artists were barely recognized last year with Lorde as the only woman to receive an Album of The Year nomination, there are five in this category this time with hip-hop breakout, Cardi B (receiving five noms), alt-rocker, Brandi Carlile (with six nominations), country artist, Kacey Musgraves, r&b newcomer, H.E.R (who got five total nominations). and psychedelic soul performer, Janelle Monáe. Rapper, Post Malone and his popular album, "Beerbongs & Bentleys" rounds out the category.

Now if it seems like there are a lot more nominees this time, you are correct. In a call for diversity, the Academy decided to expand the four general fields of Album, Record, Song and Best New Artist of The Year from five to eight. I really don't understand the logic behind this move as there is still only going to be one winner and I think you can be diverse without crowding these categories. Besides, someone deserving is always going to be left out for recognition.

The 61st annual Grammy Awards will be presented on February 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Here is a partial list of the 2018 Grammy Award nominations. Please click below to see the complete list of the nominations:

Grammy.com

Album of the Year:

"Invasion Of Privacy" - Cardi B
"By the Way, I Forgive You" - Brandi Carlile
"Scorpion" - Drake
"H.E.R." - H.E.R.
"Beerbongs & Bentleys" - Post Malone
"Dirty Computer" - Janelle Monáe
"Golden Hour" - Kacey Musgraves
"Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By" - Various Artists

Record of the Year:

"I Like It" - Cardi B
"The Joke" - Brandi Carlile
"This Is America" - Childish Gambino
"God's Plan" - Drake
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
"All the Stars" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
"Rockstar" - Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
"The Middle" - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Song of the Year:

"All the Stars" - Kendrick Duckworth, Solana Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters - (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)
"Boo'd Up" - Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters - (Ella Mai)
"God's Plan" - Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters - (Drake)
"In My Blood" - Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters - (Shawn Mendes)
"The Joke" - Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters - (Brandi Carlile)
"The Middle" - Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters - (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)
"Shallow" -Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters - (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)
"This is America" -Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters - (Childish Gambino)

Best New Artist:

Chloe x Hale
Luke Combs
Greta van Fleet
H.E.R.
Dua Lipa
Margo Price
Bebe Rexha
Jorja Smith

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:

"Love Is Here To Stay" - Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
"My Way" - Willie Nelson
"Nat "King" Cole & Me" - Gregory Porter
"Standards" - Seal
"The Music...The Mem'ries...The Magic!" - Barbra Streisand

Best Pop Vocal Album:

"Camila" - Camila Cabello
"Meaning Of Life" - Kelly Clarkson
"Sweetner" - Ariana Grande
"Shawn Mendes" - Shawn Mendes
"Beautiful Trauma" - Pink
"Reputation" - Taylor Swift

Best Pop Solo Performance:

"Colors" - Beck
"Havana (Live)" - Camila Cabello
"God Is A Woman" - Ariana Grande
"Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?)" - Lady Gaga
"Better Now" - Post Malone

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

"Fall in Line" - Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" - Backstreet Boys
"'S Wonderful" - Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
"Shallow" - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
"Girls Like You" - Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B
"Say Something" - Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton
"The Middle" - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Best Rock Album:

"Rainer Fog" - Alice In Chains
"Mania" Fall Out Boy
"Prequelle" - Ghost
"From the Fires" - Greta Van Fleet
"Pacific Daydream" - Weezer

Best Alternative Music Album:

"Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino" - Arctic Monkeys
"Colors" - Beck
"Utopia" - Bjork
"American Utopia" - David Byrne
"Masseduction" - St. Vincent

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

"Everything Is Love" - The Carters
"The Kids Are Alright" - Chloe x Halle
"Chris Dave And The Drumhedz" - Chris Dave And The Drumhedz
"War & Leisure" - Miguel
"Ventriloquism" - Meshell Ndegeocello

Best R&B Album:

"Sex & Cigarettes" - Toni Braxton
"Good Thing" - Leon Bridges
"Honestly" - Lalah Hathaway
"H.E.R." - H.E.R.
"Gumbo Unplugged (Live)" - PJ Morton

Best Rap Album:

"Invasion of Privacy" - Cardi B
"Swimming" - Mac Miller
"Victory Lap" - Nipsey Hussle
"Daytona" - Pusha T
"Astroworld" - Travis Scott

Best Country Album:

"Unapologetically" - Kelsea Ballerini
"Port Saint Joe" - Brothers Osborne
"Girl Going Nowhere" - Ashley McBryde
"Golden Hour" - Kacey Musgraves
"From A Room: Volume 2" - Chris Stapleton

Best Dance/Electronic Album:

"Singularity" -Jon Hopkins
"Woman Worldwide" - Justice
"Treehouse" - Sofi Tukker
"Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides" - Sophie
"Lune Rouge" - TOKiMONSTA

Best Comedy Album:

"Annihilation" - Patton Oswalt
"Equanimity & The Bird Revelation" - Dave Chappelle
"Noble Ape" - Jim Gaffigan
"Standup For Drummers" - Fred Armisen
"Tamborine" - Chris Rock

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media:

"Call Me By Your Name"
"Deadpool 2"
"The Greatest Showman"
"Lady Bird"
"Stranger Things"

Producer of the Year - (Non-Classical):

Boi-1da
Larry Klein
Linda Perry
Kanye West
Pharrell Williams

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

I'm sure nobody out there thought for a minute that the unlikely coupling of pop superstar, Ariana Grande and "Saturday Night Live" comedian, Pete Davidson (who got engaged after only four months) would actually end with them walking down the aisle. And while there are no wedding bells in their future, a song was inspired by their short-lived relationship. "Thank U, Next" is Grande's latest single she co-wrote that acknowledges her time with Davidson along with some of her other previous relationships. This track, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number one, will be the title track from the twenty-five year old singer's upcoming fifth studio album which will probably be out early next year. Enjoy a live performance of the song on the Ellen DeGeneres show which Grande does a little tribute to the closing number from the comedy, "The First Wives Club". Also, here is the music video for the third single from her 2018 album, "Sweetener", "Breathin" which reached the top-ten on the charts:





Mariah Carey has just dropped her fifteenth album, "Caution" and after listening to the record, it's very hard to tell her new music apart from Ariana Grande. Ms Carey has been around a little longer than Ms Grande (who clearly been inspired by the timeless singer) and while each has their own style and musical flavor, they both share in seductive vocals gliding over slick '90's r&b infused with hip-hop beats. Here are a couple of tracks from Carey's latest that wouldn't sound much different if Grande gave them a go:





And we have some new music from a couple of veteran acts. The classic disco group, Chic is back with their first new album in twenty-six years, "It's About Time". The surviving founding member, writer/producer, Nile Rodgers has put together what he calls "a new Chic experience". This features an interesting mix of guest performers that includes Lady Gaga, Hailee Steinfeld, jazz composer, Philippe Saisse, Emeli Sandé and Elton John with a collection of modern dance tracks that are just as diverse.



Neneh Cherry has just recently released her fifth studio album, "Broken Politics". This timely collection, produced by British musician, Four Tet, addresses our current political climate with meditative songs to encourage hope and activism. "Shot Gun Shack" is a song that focuses on the troubling gun violence in our society:

THE BIG UNKNOWN

This year has been very good for fans of the cherished yet elusive artist, Sade. First, the singer and her same-named band made a surprise return earlier in March with a contribution to the soundtrack for the Ava DuVernay's fantasy film, "A Wrinkle in Time".  Now, Sade has delivered an unexpected song for the soundtrack for the just released Steve McQueen-directed heist-thriller, "Widows" which stars Viola Davis. "The Big Unknown" is a moving ballad about loss and survival that plays in to the film's themes. As it's been eight years since Sade's last studio album, there is news from the band that they are currently working on a new record. So until we can get our hands on that, here is another great single to groove to in the meantime:

LM5

Little Mix, the British female pop/soul quartet, is probably one of world's most popular girl-groups that almost no one has ever heard of in America. They are hoping to change that with the upcoming release of their fifth album, "LM5".

The group, made up of Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards, was formed in 2011 on the UK version of the talent-competition program, "The X-Factor". They had each auditioned as solo acts but failed to make the final cut. They were given a second chance to come back and teamed-up to become "Rhythmix". The ladies worked their way up the competition before eventually winning that season's contest. The group decided to change their name to "Little Mix" so not to be confused with a British children's music charity that had shared their original name.

Little Mix's first single, "Wings" debuted on the UK pop chart at number one in 2012 and their album, "DNA" soon followed, peaking at number three on the British album chart. This began their world-wide success with three more platinum albums and chart-topping singles like "Black Magic", "Cannonball" and "Shout Out to My Ex".

With "LM5". the group continues with their powerful vocals and solid harmonies. It seems like this new music should definitely catch the attention of American ears, The first official single, "Woman Like Me" features a reggae-infused pop vibe and Nicki Minaj providing a rap verse. The song has charted across the globe and reached number two in their native country.

Take a look at the recent live performance on the 2018 MTV EMAs of Little Mix with Nicki Minaj performing together "Woman Like Me" and Minaj's latest, "Good Form". And here are two other songs, "Joan of Arc" and the ballad, "Told You So" that have been released to promote the album.







And as a bonus, here is the music video for their first hit, "Wings":

NUMBER ONE FLASHBACK

During this week back in 1978, "You Needed Me" by Canadian singer, Anne Murray topped the U.S. pop chart. While this touching ballad was hardly her first appearance in America as she had reached the country chart several times and had a top-ten pop hit previously with "Songbird" in 1970, this was seen as a comeback for Murray and the song became the biggest hit of her career, even making it to the top-forty in the UK and the Netherlands.

Murray was born and raised in the coal-mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia. As a young girl, she became interested in music, learning the piano and taking singing lessons. She performed in talent shows at high school but went to college and studied physical education. After graduation, Murray later taught PE at a high school for a year.

In 1966, Murray was encouraged to audition for a part in a CBC variety program, "Singalong Jubilee" and won a spot on the show. Brian Ahern, the musical director of the series, took an interest in the career of the young singer and together they went to Toronto to record her first album.

The album, "What About Me" was released in 1968 and became a modest success in Canada. But it was Murray's second album, "This Way is My Way" the following year with the top-ten single, "Snowbird" that helped propel her to international acclaim. Other hits followed that appeared on both the pop and country charts including "Danny's Song", "Cotton Jenny", "Shadows In The Moonlight", "Walk Right Back" and covers of the Beatles' "You Won't See Me" and the Monkees' "Daydream Believer".

Murray would go on to receive a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "You Needed Me". She has been cited as being an important musical artist who helped pave the way for other female Canadian singers like k.d. lang, Céline Dion and Shania Twain to achieve pop success on a global scale. Murray pretty much retired back in 2008 when she released her last studio album, "Duets: Friends & Legends" and went on a Coast to Coast: One Last Time world tour to support the record and say farewell to her fans.

Here is Anne Murray performing her number one hit live: