Daily Archives: 20 July 2011

Music, Views

The Joy Factor: Kristin Chenoweth

by  •  • 2 Comments

Do you know what difference it makes in a professional setting when someone clearly loves what they’re doing? Kristin Chenoweth, the critically acclaimed singer/actress/comedienne with a Tony and an Emmy to her name, is one of those performers. Even when she takes on a serious role like Fran in Promises, Promises, you can just see she loves what she’s doing. It’s that extra oomph behind a note–the sparkle during a performance–that some people grow out of. Not Kristin.

One of my favorite Kristin Chenoweth performances is of the song “Taylor, The Latte Boy.” It’s a comedic love song to the barista at her local Starbucks. He makes the drink just how she likes it and greets her in the morning with a smile. It is the most adorable song and makes me incredible jealous of the songwriters who came up with it.

She’s just so happy and likable when she performs music.

Keep Reading

Music, Views

The Library: “Bombs Over Baghdad” by Outkast

by  •  • 0 Comments

I believe “Bombs Over Baghdad” is the best song Outkast ever recorded. It’s smart, it’s witty, and it’s an instant party starter. It is essential for any music fan’s library.

Just look at some of these lyrics:

Weather man tellin’ us it ain’t gon’ rain
So now we sittin’ in a drop-top, soaking wet
In a silk suit, tryin’ not to sweat
Hits somersaults without the net
But this’ll be the year that we won’t forget

It’s rap by way of stream of consciousness narrative and it drives me wild.

Just give it a listen and add it to your collection. No need to create an argument for a song this good.

I’m actually on the road today. I’ll try to get up something more substantial later tonight. No guarantees.

Music, Views

The Art of Live Music: Reality TV Edition

by  •  • 1 Comment

I know at this point I shouldn’t be surprised when a reality TV show can’t put together a halfway decent live music performance. This has been going on for years. Unless the singer is particularly gifted, you cannot rely on a reality TV show to put out a cohesive or engaging live performance.

Thankfully, for the second time in the history of America’s Got Talent last night, lightning struck*. Daniel Joseph Baker, the flamboyant piano-playing singer with no professional performance experience, managed to rise above all expectations and actually delivered an engaging live show.

Last week, a professional touring musician–flamboyant piano-playing singer Dezmond Meeks–nearly put me to sleep at the top of the show. He didn’t sing any of the actual melody to his song, did not command the audience, and had random back-up dancers swinging from a chandelier. It wasn’t just bad; it was boring.

But total amateur Daniel Joseph Baker didn’t fall into the same trap.

Keep Reading