Based on the world's most famous doll, "Barbie" is the first live-action movie of this iconic toy. Margot Robbie brings this plastic fashion doll to life and Ryan Gosling play Barbie's long-time boyfriend, Ken. Greta Gerwig has co-written (with her partner, filmmaker Noah Baumbach) and directed this comedy-fantasy and has attracted an impressive cast that includes Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir with Will Ferrell as a toy company CEO and Helen Mirren as the narrator.
And the movie has an upcoming soundtrack, "Barbie: The Album". Mark Ronson, who is the executive producer of this record, was asked to get involved in curating the music by Gerwig to help match her vision for the film to feature the sounds of fun, high-energy pop. Ronson set about his mission and has assembled an impressive list of contemporary musicians to participate and the line-up is impressive; Lizzo, Charli XCX, Ava Max, Karol G., Haim, Khalid, Gayle, Fifty Fifty and Dua Lipa who released the first single, "Dance The Night". And Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice teamed up to bring some hip-hop on "Barbie World" which features a sample of the notorious '90's hit, "Barbie Girl" by the Danish Europop band, Aqua. Even Gosling, who showed off his musical abilities in the 2016 movie, "La La Land", has a track on the album called "I'm Just Ken".
"Barbie: The Album" is due out on July 21st, the same day as the movie's release. Not all of the artists on the soundtrack have been revealed yet with some surprises still left to be announced. One of the first made public on July 6th was Billie Eilish with her musical contribution, "What Was I Made For?" with more mystery musicians on the horizon.
Since the very beginning of her career, Janelle Monae has been proudly queer, long before she even came out publicly as pansexual and non-binary. And with her fourth studio album, "The Age of Pleasure", the singer now feels liberated to express her music even more openly. This collection delivers feel-good vibes with songs threaded with reggae and Afro-beats that focus on the sensual pleasures of the mind and flesh. Even Monae's image has loosened up. Gone are the little, black & white suits and in their place is the singer in skimpy clothing, revealing much more of her beautiful satin skin than we had ever seen before from the artist. This includes the music video for the single, "Lipstick Lover" which shows a lot of female skin and has even been age-restricted on Youtube.
The lawsuit involving pop star, Kesha against her former producer, Dr. Luke, which had begun in 2014, has been quietly settled just a few days ago. Her fifth studio album, "Gag Order" had been released last month with the title making a not-so veiled reference to her on-going legal battle which left her unable to comment publicly. Much like her previous album, "High Road", this record touches on the depression and emotional trauma she has been going through these past few years due to this case. And the songs reflect her overcoming these difficulties with the return of a lighter musical mood, with experimental art-pop and bouncy, electronic beats she was known for in her early days. Kesha plans to hit the road in October to promote the album which I'm sure she will be able to approach from a clearer state-of-mind.
Here are some recent new sounds from Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Lana Del Rey, Carly Rae Jepsen and Jaz Elise:
After years of releasing singles, EPs, making numerous featured artist appearances and a studio album that was scrapped then leaked, Kim Petras has finally released her official debut album. With "Feed The Beast", the Grammy Award winner has dropped a mixed-bag of a collection that exhibits the varied styles of dance-pop music she has been creating since 2017. The album features some previously heard tracks like the disco-pop ditty, "Coconuts"; "Unholy", the worldwide smash hit with Sam Smith that won them a Grammy this year; "Brrr" and "Alone" that samples "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay and has Nicki Minaj providing her trademark sassy rap. But the rest of "Feed The Beast" feels surprisingly safe and generic, even with her long-time producer, the problematic Dr. Luke having a heavy hand on the project, lacking the powerful magic that made so many of her previous songs so fascinating and fun.
On the verge of beginning her highly anticipated Celebration Tour which celebrates forty-plus years of making music, Madonna has been busy teaming up with several contemporary musicians for some new music that has all just been released. First, the Queen of Pop appears on "Popular", a song by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye and also featuresPlayboi Carti for the soundtrack of the buzzy new HBO series, "The Idol" which stars Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp. Madonna lends her voice for three songs on the new album by Christine and the Queens, "Paranoïa, Angels, True Love". And finally, there is "Vulgar" which Madonna collaborates with Sam Smith on a boldly unapologetic yet disappointingly routine dance track that proudly proclaims the merits of being fearlessly outspoken.
June is Pride month and what better soundtrack for this celebration than getting your hands on "NOW! That's What I Call Proud!", the latest installment in the compilation album series, "NOW! That's What I Call Music!". What makes this edition stand out is that all the artists involved are out and proud: We have the legendary trailblazers (Elton John, k.d. Lang, Melissa Ethridge, George Michael) and the next generation who were able to begin their careers openly because of these pioneers (Sam Smith, Troye Sivan, Hayley Kiyoko, Lil Nas X). Here are a few of the classic songs on this collection:
Best known for the recording of "The Girl From Ipanema", the Brazilian singer, Astrud Gilberto has passed away at eighty-three on June 5th. This song would become an international hit, helping to popularize bossa nova, reaching the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1965. Astrud Weinert married musician, João Gilberto, who would later be known as the "Father of Bossa Nova", in 1959. João teamed up with American jazz musician, Stan Getz and released the album, "Getz/Gilberto" in 1963. "The Girl From Ipanema" was first recorded for the album as a duet between Gilberto, singing in Portuguese, and his wife performing in English. An edited version of the song with just Astrud was released, becoming very popular and went on to sell over a million copies. Infidelity would bring an end to the marriage of the Gilbertos by 1964 but Astrud continued her career, releasing a self-titled debut album the following year. Gilberto went on to record fifteen studio albums with songs in various languages which impressively included Spanish, German, Italian, French and Japanese. And although she never officially retired, Gilberto said she was taking some time off after the release of her 2002 album. "Jungle" which would become her final recording.
And Cynthia Weil, one half of the songwriting team with her husband, Barry Mann based at the famous Brill Building who together helped shaped the sound of rock & roll throughout the 1960's with many popular songs, died at the age of eighty-two on June 1st. Born in New York City, Weil had studied to be an actor and dancer but not long after marrying Mann in 1961, she discovered her skill at writing pop songs. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration", "On Broadway", "Walking in The Rain", "Just a Little Lovin' (Early in the Morning)" and "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" are just a few of the early hits that were written by this songwriting duo. The couple would write as individuals, with other partners as well as team up together with other songwriters. Other popular songs Weil would later be involved in creating included "Just Once", "Never Gonna Let You Go"," He's So Shy", "Here You Come Again", "All I Need To Know" and "Somewhere Out There" for the animated film, "An American Tail" which won the team (along with co-writer, James Horner) the 1986 Song of The Year Grammy Award. With her husband, Weil was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Last month, the Australian pop princess, Kylie Minogue made some noise with not only a thrilling new song, "Padam Padam" but also announced the release of her upcoming fourteenth studio album, "Tension". This single continues on a dance floor vibe she began with her upbeat 2020 release, "Disco" but the hypnotic "Padam Padam", which is essentially the sound of a beating heart, has shifted to a darker yet still enjoyable electro-pop sound. And the response has been euphoric with "Padam Padam" getting Minogue back high on the charts in the UK and her home country while generating plenty of heat in dance clubs across the globe. The video, shot in LA and directed by veteran music video director, Sophie Muller, was released the same day as the song with the clip featuring Minogue looking incredible in a red Mugler catsuit with an army of dancers moving beside her. You will not be able to get your hands on "Tension" until September but enjoy this first sampling in the meantime.
I was surprised to learn that the legendary French chanteuse, Edith Piaf had a song called "Padam Padam" she recorded back in 1951. Piaf's ballad, written for her by long-time collaborators, Henri Contet and Norbert Glanzberg, was about how certain sounds evoke the memory of a former lover. Maybe someone will be adventurous and make a dance remix of this version? Anyway, have a listen to this "Padam Padam" by a truly extraordinary singer.
DOLLY PARTON
After initially declining the nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, feeling like she didn't deserve the honor, country music superstar Dolly Parton graciously accepted the award last year. But she still felt like she had to earn her spot in the Hall, so Parton premiered a new rock song, "Rockstar" during the ceremony. This lead to her deciding to record an entire rock album named after the song she wrote. Parton went into the studio and ended up with thirty songs for the album. Most of the tracks are covers with an incredible line-up of musicians who have lent their support.
There is Sting on the cover of his "Every Breath You Take" which he first made famous in 1981 with his band, The Police; Steve Perry joining Parton on the hit by his former band, Journey with "Open Arms"; Pink and Brandi Carlile rocking out on the Stones',"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"; Debbie Harry providing vocals on a cover of Blondie's "Heart of Glass"; Lizzo is on board with Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven" and most impressive of all, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood all together with Parton for their version of the Beatles' classic, "Let It Be". This is just a small number of the recordings which includes solo performances by Parton on Prince's "Purple Rain" and Queen's, "We Are the Champions". Now "Rockstar" will not be out until November but Parton has released another single which is also an original song written by the country music legend, "World On Fire". Here is a live performance from the 58th annual American Country Music Awards which she recently co-hosted with Garth Brooks.
I'm very sad about the passing of Tina Turner, the pop music superstar who transcended all genres of music, excelling in them all. She passed away on May 24th at the age of eighty-three in her home near Zurich, Switzerland. Turner had been suffering from several health ailments in recent years which included intestinal cancer and underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 with her long-time love and husband (they had been together since 1986), Erwin Bach being her donor.
I have written previously about her life, career and achievements so I would like to just express how much she meant to me as an performer and the impact she had as an artist. Tina Turner was one of my all-time favorite singers and while I loved her astounding musicality, I greatly admired her for being fearless, determined and a survivor. Turner managed to push through all of the abuse, obstacles and indignities that had come her way, which only ended up making her stronger and resilient. And what was truly amazing is that she never came across as bitter, always projecting positivity and a lightness of being.
You could always tell she loved being on stage, even during those times we were unaware she was having to endure the severe difficulties at the beginning of her career with her former husband, feeding off the energy of the music and the audiences, commanding every show with a fierce, singular style and always a broad, confident smile on her face.
As an African-American woman in music who found great success in expected ways yet managed to break through to become an unlikely, even more powerful force in rock & roll, Turner has left behind an important cultural legacy, displaying what could be accomplished through sheer determination and explosive talent. She was truly a dynamic force of nature, an entertainer that can not possibly be duplicated and will forever be missed.
Here are a few songs I loved from Turner that may not all be as well known as the big hits but should be celebrated.
While she has spent much of her time recently working on her popular daytime television talk show, Kelly Clarkson has certainly not given up on her music career. Even on the program, the first "American Idol" winner devotes some time to allow herself an opportunity to sing with her Kellyoke segment where she puts her spin on classic songs. But Clarkson has announced that new music is on the horizon.
For her upcoming tenth studio album, "Chemistry", Clarkson dives into all of the experiences you can through in a relationship; from the blissful beginning to the devastating end. Using her own marriage and bitter divorce as inspiration, Clarkson began work on this project two years ago, writing close to sixty songs. She states that the writing was helpful for her, allowing all of the complicated emotions she was going through to be expressed, and hopes the album will be of aid for anyone who is going through challenging times. Two singles have been released, "mine" and "me" as Clarkson didn't want just one song to represent the entire album.
Clarkson will be out promoting "Chemistry" (due out on June 23rd) with a ten-night Las Vegas residency at the Bakkt Theater in Planet Hollywood from July 28th to August 19th.
When Donna Summer first emerged with "Love To Love You, Baby" back in 1975, this sexy dance ballad punctuated by erotic moans would create a cultural shift on what was acceptable to be played on pop radio. She would follow this international smash two years later with "I Feel Love", another global sensation that effectively used synthesizer loops to create a new, influential sound that helped lay down the foundation of what would later become electronic music. These tracks (which also includes the disco version of "MacArthur Park" and "Last Dance") would help Summer achieve the crown of "The Queen of Disco" but she was determined to prove she had much more to offer than just dance music. Summer would go on to amass thirty-two charting singles in the US that ranged from pop, rock and r&b, selling well over one hundred million records worldwide.
Sadly, Summer passed away in 2012 but her incredible legacy will be celebrated with a new documentary, "Love To Love You, Donna Summer" by the Oscar-winning filmmaker, Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano, one of Summer's daughters. The film takes an in-depth, personal look into Summer's life and career with photos, home-video footage (much of it never before seen) and interviews with "Love To Love You, Donna Summer" making its premiere on HBO on May 20th.
And this year's Eurovision Song Contest is over with a new winner crowned. Held in Liverpool, UK with thirty-seven countries in competition, Swedish singer, Loreen won for "Tattoo" becoming only the second contestant to win twice (she previously took the giant mic statue in 2012 for her song, "Euphoria") and giving Sweden another victory with a total of seven wins, tying Ireland. Finland's Käärijä came in second with "Cha Cha Cha" while Noa Kirel from Israel with "Unicorn" came in third. This European pop music contest is a very popular event with an estimated one hundred and eighty million viewers tuning in to watch this three-day competition.
Now Eurovision hasn't made much of an impact here in the States over its sixty-seven years, even with ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias and Olivia Newton-John going on to great success after appearing in the contest but that has changed recently. It might have begun with the 2020 Netflix musical-comedy, "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams which helped bring attention and create interest for this contest to American audiences, especially when the actual Eurovision had to be cancelled that year due to the COVID lockdown.
Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian folk-rock musician who had a string of hits throughout the 1970's, has passed away on May 1st at the age of eighty-four. The singer-songwriter has been credited with helping to bring folk music to the pop charts, influencing many artists who would later cover his music.
Born in Orillia, Ontario, Lightfoot began singing in his church as a child, learning to sing with emotion and confidence by his choirmaster. As a boy soprano, he would perform at local operas and music festivals. After taking piano lessons, Lightfoot would teach himself how to play the drums and guitar. In 1958, Lightfoot attended college at Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles to study jazz composition. While in LA, he got involved in the folk music scene that was emerging but after two years, Lightfoot returned to Canada, settling in Toronto.
He began to get his career in motion, making his name in local coffee houses and performing with the country music band, the Singin' Swingin' Eight. This led to Lightfoot getting signed with RCA Records in 1962 and releasing two singles with both receiving significant airplay throughout Canada. Lightfoot worked several folk music festivals until he was able to release his debut album, "Lightfoot!" in 1966 with United Artists Records. This collection highlighted his gift as a singer and songwriter, making him a big name in Canada and bringing him attention elsewhere.
Unhappy with his current label, Lightfoot signed with Warner Bros./Reprise Records in 1970. He would breakthrough with the international hit, "If You Could Read My Mind" from his fifth studio album, originally titled "Sit Down Young Stranger" but later renamed after this single. This would begin a run of successful albums and popular songs which include "Beautiful", "Sundown" (Lightfoot's only number one hit in the US), "Carefree Highway", "Rainy Day People" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". In 1972, Lightfoot contracted Bell's Palsy which left his face partially paralyzed and while it did slow down his touring schedule, this did not prevent him from creating music.
By the 1980's, Lightfoot was no longer a fixture on the pop charts, but he continued to make memorable music up until the late '90's. At the turn of new century, more health issues plagued Lightfoot which included an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a stroke and alcoholism. And while Lightfoot was slowed down, he would recover, managing to return to the stage and record music. His last tour was in 2019 and he released an album, "Solo", Lightfoot's twenty-first, the following year. And Lightfoot was the subject of a 2019 documentary, "Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind".
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