Happy New Year! A Year in Review

After all of the holiday celebrations, and this year’s hottest stories:

1. Miley Cyrus- Twerking

2. Birth of royal baby George

3. Beyoncé's "Visual Album" released over night

4. Justin Bieber- Planning on retiring, but will he return with a new album?

5. Lady Gaga- New Album- ARTPOP

These were this year's hottest stories- however, what are you looking forward to in 2014? New Music? What TV Shows? New Movies? With celebrities being so unpredictable, only time will tell!

My (personal) favorite songs (of all genres ) of 2013

~After thinking about all of the great music of 2013, these are my favorite songs of 2013!~

1. Sara Bareilles- “Brave”

2. Miley Cyrus- "Wrecking Ball"

3. Eminem- "Rap God"

4. Paramore- "Still Into You"

5.Eminem feat.Rihanna - "The Monsters"

6. Lorde- "Royals"

7. Avicii- "Wake Me Up!"

 

 

 

8. P!nk & Nate Ruess, "Just Give Me a Reason"

 

 

 

 

9. Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell- "Blurred Lines"

 

 

10. Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge, "White Noise"

 

 

 

Unforgettable Movies of 2013

Movie Goers, what were your favorite movies of the year?

Personally, my favorite 10 movies of year are:

1. American Hustle

2. Blue Jasmine

3. The Great Gatsby

4. The Wolf on Wall Street

5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

6. The Way Way Back

7. The Iceman

8. The Sapphires

9. The Butler

10. Salinger

After looking at the trailers, do you agree with this list? Why or why not? After reviewing the movies that were released this year, what genre do you believe was the strongest?

 

American Hustle: A Christmas Treat- or was it?

After a wonderful homemade breakfast, I headed out to see the newly released movie, American Hustle. I give thumbs up, in fact, I loved the passion and drama so much, and I think I want to see it again! Columbia/Sony pictures outdid themselves with this movie- storyline, actors, and soundtrack- it was the whole package.

Even when you think about the title of the movie and evaluate it, “American Hustle” it explains how you need to “hustle” to survive and make ends meet and make some dough. As Fandgano.com summaries the movie, “Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, and Amy Adams star in director David O. Russell's fictional period crime drama about a reckless FBI agent who recruits a con man and his alluring partner into a scheme to ensnare corrupt politicians and gangsters. Smooth-talking Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) is a hustler of the highest order.”

With 7 Golden Globe nominations; it more than lives up to every expectation that was set.

A Trailer for the movie is below:

 

I was amazed by how well the classical and jazz music flowed with the story and intensified the movie.  So, we can safely say that music supervisor Susan Jacobs has created one of the year’s best soundtracks. When Jacobs was interviewed by Huffington Post, she commented on a specific scene where she placed Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work.”

 “Jacobs: I was on set and David was shooting that scene. He was sitting there with his iPod, which he has all the time. He listens to a lot of music. We started listening to "Dirty Work" right on location. He played it out of his Jambox speaker right as they were walking. We always thought that would be an original song place, and we really tried for that with some great ideas. Steely Dan even considered that they would try to write something original, but we couldn't beat it. When it works, it works. It was one of those things that was married in the movie really early on,” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/16/american-hustle-soundtrack_n_4442273.html, Rosen, C, 12/17/2013).

 

Steely Dan “Dirty Work”

With an unforgettable album, Jacobs out does herself yet again! Take a listen to soundtrack below!

Rome’s Hot New Single #terrorista

With #Roma’s hot new single, #terrorista released this past Tuesday, is crazy good. With great publicity, from Fueled by Ramen, his record label the anticipation was all their- so fans knew it was going to be unforgettable.  The passion in his voice when he sings his new hit single is catchy and you almost can’t help, but be a fan. Rome’s dedication for music and #terrorista makes the song an automatic hit. This music video is a hysterical classic with so much action and creativity; it could be a mini movie!

However, what is the future of this song? I could see this having great potential, other than many YouTube hits and radio play. This could be in soundtracks- for action movies!

 

Rome #terrorista

Tessanne Chin: Season 5 Winner of The Voice: Do you agree with America?

First off, a huge congrats to Tessanne Chin for being the Season 5 winner of The Voice! It is just a major accomplishment to make it into the top 3, but to actually win, the not only the dream of a lifetime, but the accomplishment as well! However, I can’t help but wonder, if it is correct that the judges that allow contestants get as far as Tessaanne did who were semi-pro at one point, working as one of the backup singers for Jimmy Cliff?

 This is an interesting quote from the Daily News, “Fresh off her victory on TV's top-rated singing competition, the 28-year-old powerhouse singer is already in heady company. Though she had once opened for her idol Celine Dion at Jamaica's Jazz and Blues Festival, on the finale, Chin found herself sharing the same stage again with Dion — this time for a nationally televised duet in which she was the star,”
(http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/voice-winner-olympian-corner-article-1.1552130#ixzz2nwQXZxsN, 12/18/13, Rivera, Z).

 

As I view these award shows, whole concept is to give a brand new act a chance to make it with a unique form of publicity and marketing. However, when you have people who have been semi-pro their voice has a certain type of training that others have not gone through. If this is the level of experience the judges want, then we need to ask, what are the qualifications when America competes just to land a spot? How does it look for others who haven’t had any professional training to that level?

What are your thoughts of this subject? Do you believe that Will Chaplin or Jacquie Lee should have won?  

The “Hot” New Releases for Tuesday December 17, 2013

Most Entertainment fans love to preview the new music on Tuesdays (when the majority of it is released). Last Friday, Beyonce surprised her huge fan base with the release of her new digital album, Visual Album, just 10 days before Christmas, when many Americans could still be at the height of their shopping. With this unique secret, this album was the fastest selling in iTunes the store ever, according to Billboard.com, it sold, 828,773 in just 3 days ('Beyonce' Fastest-Selling Album Ever In iTunes Store: 828,773 In Three Days, Caulfield, K, www.billboard.com, December, 16, 2013). 

Preview- Beyoncé- Visual Album

However, this was unfair to other recording artists who had albums scheduled to release today, such as B.o.B.’s Underground Luxury featuring 2 Chainz, Chris Brown, Juicy J, and Priscilla. With catchy songs on the album, “Ready,” and “Headband,” purchasing this full length CD is a great possibility for holiday present, maybe with a new iPhone or iPad?

 

Preview- B.o.B. Underground Luxury

 

December Playlist for #MusicMonday:

As a huge fan of #MusicMondays, I have created a playlist to keep warm as you drink your hot chocolate in this seasonally cold weather New York is experiencing for December. List below are 9 great winter- themed songs!

 

1. Snow- Red Hot Chili Peppers

 

 

2. Joshua Radin- Winter

 

 

3.  Ed Sheeran- The A Team

 

 

4. Taylor Swift- Back to December

 

5. MGMT- Siberian Breaks

6. Madonna- Frozen

7. Katy Perry-Hot and Cold

 

8. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band- Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

 

9.  The Rolling Stones- Winter

 

What was the best performance at #GrammyNoms Concert?

After an exciting night watching the #GrammyNoms concert with many amazing performances by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, which one was your favorite? Being fully impressed my all of the performers; I am partial to Lorde. If I had to use one word to describe her it would be passionate. Her high level of confidence made this performance spectacular and stellar. This 17 year old from New Zealand continues to win over the hearts of her already established fan base, all over the world and create new fans each time she performs!

For a full list of Grammy Nominations, please see http://www.grammy.com/nominees?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=20131206_GNTWF.

 

Lorde "Royals" Performing Live #GrammyNoms

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are your some of your favorite traditions?

While watching the #MacysParade, I was thinking about some famous #Thanksgiving traditions. Some of them include, cooking a special family dish, traveling to see relatives, decorating the tree, watching the ##MacysParade, and/or listening some great classic holiday tunes! However, this is a very personal, so I am asking my readers, what are some of your favorite traditions?

Mine include, baking cookies the Friday after #Thanksgiving, watching the #MacysParade, the official start of holiday music, sharing a great meal with friends and family, and watching “Home Alone!”

I hope you enjoy the weekend and the clip of “Home Alone- Lost in New York.”

Holiday Playlist- Thanksgiving Week- 2013

What comes to mind when we think of the holidays? Turkey, gray, stuffing, funny movies, embarrassing sweaters, and MUSIC?! So, to start off the holiday week, I have created a holiday playlist of some classic songs (both classic and some contemporary songs).

1.      Mariah Carey-All I Want for Christmas

 

 

 

2. N Sync- Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

 

 

 

 

3. James Taylor- Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Michael Buble - I’ll be Home for Christmas

 

 

5. Lady Antebellum- Silent Night (Lord of My Life)

 

 

6.  Carrie Underwood - O Holy Night (Full Song)

 

 

7.  Kelly Clarkson- My Grown up Christmas list

 

 

 

8. Faith Hill- Where Are You Christmas (Lyrics)

 

 

9. Classical Christmas Medley (Instrumental Music)

 

 

 

 

 

10. Ambient Fireplace with Jazz & Classical Christmas Music Favorites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre #AMA Playlist

Out of sheer excitement and anticipation, I have created a Pre-AMA playlist with some of my favorite songs/albums from artists who have been nominated.

1.      Pink- Nominated for Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock

 

 

2.     Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist- Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop

 

 

3.     Rihanna- Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B

 

 

 

 

4. Bruno Mars- Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary

 

 

 

 

 

5.   Matthew West- Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational

 

 

 

6.   The Great Gatsby: Music From Baz Luhrmann;s Film- Top Soundtrack

 

7. Taylor Swift/Red- Favorite Album, Country

 

 

 

8.  Florida Georgia Line- Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country

 

9.      Avicii- Favorite Artist, Electronic Dance Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10. The Lumineers- Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock

 

 

The list was taken from http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/american-music-awards-2013-nominations-announced-list-of-nominees-20131010.

 

 

 

Networking with Industry Professionals

After volunteering with The Recording Academy in New York City, I recently attended a networking event- GRAMMY Professional Development Event: SPEED NETWORKING where I met music industry executives. When I volunteered for Grammy Camp: Basic Training and the networking event, it occurred to me that it is not only about meeting with people that’s critical in a creative industry like this one, but gaining a different perspective.

The networking event I attended focused on A&R and creative professionals and departments, however, I learned a lot and that information could be applied to Marketing/Social Media Publicity. For example, one of the presenters stated that fewer and fewer demos are not being sent in to A&R departments instead potential recording artists are promoting themselves via social media (Twitter and YouTube).  So, as I was listening and taking notes on the presenters, I wondered, could an A&R department hire a social media talent scout, that researches and listens to the hundreds of artists demos presented on on-line? If demos are not being sent in the “traditional” way, then maybe making a few slight changes could make big impacts.

I enjoyed GRAMMY Professional Development Event: SPEED NETWORKING and volunteering for Grammy Camp: Basic Training. I would highly recommend the networking event; below is a link to the Recording Academy’s webpage.

 http://www.grammy365.com/