Charlie Gracie What More Could You Ask? By Ronald Sklar Usually, it’s the other way around for Paul McCartney, but in this instance, it was Sir Paul who had always wanted to meet a certain musician who had influenced him in his early years. The year: 2000. Philadelphia native Charlie Gracie, the influence in question, was scheduled … Continue reading
Lesley Gore Out There on Her Own by Ronald Sklar Lesley Gore was scoring monster hits long before the age of Britney, Lindsay and Jessica. Her signature song, “It’s My Party (And I’ll Cry If I Want To)” is one for the ages, enduring longer – and remaining more recognizable and beloved – than any … Continue reading
The Manhattan Transfer 35 Years and Still Swinging By Mark Mussari Where in the musical landscape hasn’t the Manhattan Transfer taken us? From their inception in the mid-1970s as a cabaret act with doo-wop tendencies to their be-bop covers to their daring experiments in jazz and swing, Cheryl Bentyne, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and founder … Continue reading
OneRepublic Living Their Dreams Out Loud by Jay S. Jacobs You know that you’ve heard it. Topping the charts and all over the radio in recent months there was that mournful voice crooning: “It’s too late to apologize… It’s too late…” The funny thing is, this grand rock ballad came off of the new CD … Continue reading
ENCHANTED (2007) Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Rachel Covey, Idina Menzel, Samantha Ivers, Matt Servitto, Joseph Sirvatto and the voice of Julie Andrews. Screenplay by Bill Kelly. Directed by Kevin Lima. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. 107 minutes. Rated PG. The idea of a post-modern fairytale has been done … Continue reading
BRING IT ON – IN IT TO WIN IT (2007) Starring Ashley Benson, Cassie Scerbo, Jennifer Tisdale, Michael Copon, Kierstin Koppel, Anniese Taylor Dendy, Noel Areizaga and Ashley Tisdale. Screenplay by Alyson Fouse and Elena Song. Directed by Steve Rash. Distributed by Universal Studios Family Productions. 90 minutes. Rated PG-13. This is the fourth chapter … Continue reading
KT Tunstall – Roseland Ballroom – New York, NY – November 21, 2007 This was one of very few KT Tunstall US shows in 2007 to promote Drastic Fantastic – Tunstall’s follow-up to last year’s slow-burning smash CD Eye to the Telescope. This Thanksgiving-eve show was a low-key affair. Tunstall didn’t even bring her whole band, just … Continue reading
Little Big Town The Band Has Landed By Mark Mussari It’s an impossible task trying to define Little Big Town. There’s no one like them in country music – or in any genre of music for that matter. And their singularity goes far beyond their unique configuration of two men and two women. Flying high … Continue reading
THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS NOT FAKING IT by Jay S. Jacobs You may have thought that you were catching something brand new when the passionate anti-domestic violence song “Face Down” started taking the music world by storm this summer. With its disgusted and angry lyrics (“Do you feel like a man when you push her … Continue reading
Jerry Wexler The Man Behind Rhythm and Blues by Ronald Sklar The bookends of Jerry Wexler’s life are predictable and ordinary – it’s the middle that is practically unbelievable. He was born in 1917, to a poor Jewish family in the Bronx, and is currently battling poor health in Sarasota, Florida. That’s probably where he and … Continue reading
