This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
My first shutout of 2017. I thought D'Angelo did a great job with the song. The comments didn't indicate he was bad. However he wasn't a big name and he was pitted against two well known artist.
Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow ran away with it. But I am still happy with how the month went for BOTBs for me. I wanted to spotlight genres for Black History Month and show how the music has influenced other artists. I think I accomplished that and I did it with two of my favorite genres so that was a plus.
Celebrating the winners is what we do so sit back and enjoy the music!
Here is Gwyneth with Tim McGraw..
Here she is with "Coming Home" from the movie Country Strong...
Here is HueyLewis "Workin' for a Livin'"...
and the "Heart of Rock N' Roll"..
I'll be back on the 1st with a brand new Battle so stay tuned!
Today is Smokey Robinson's 76th birthday! I celebrated his 75th birthday last year with this post. I am also featuring one of his songs in my current Battle of the Bands post. There is still time to vote if you like!
Five years ago, I had the honor of reviewing his performance at the Kennedy Center. It was for a charity event and Robinson still gave a full show. You can read my review here.
Enough about what I've posted, you know my celebrations are all about the music.
Here he is with the Miracles, "You Really Got a Hold of Me"
Elliptical Man posted last year his favorite song from Smokey was "Just to See Her"
I do requests and mentions so feel free to share your Smokey Robinson memories, favorite songs and such in the comments. Here is "Baby Come Close"
February is cruising along. February is Black History month and I am using it for a theme for my Battle of the Bands. I started with the blues and this time I am going to another musical place called Motown.
Smokey Robinson is a legendary singer and songwriter. He was is one of the greatest artist from the Motown era and he has a birthday fast approaching. Obviously he is a great choice to pick a song from since he has a large catalog of songs and he has been covered by many musicians.
The Song: Cruisin'
Smokey Robinson isn't in this competition so please don't vote for him. Contender One: D'Angelo
Contender Two: Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis
Who gets your vote? I think they are both great covers. One has two big names, so we have a little bit of a Samson and Goliath thing going on. Names don't matter. Hopefully it is all about the music and who you vote for, I just count them up and provide the results sometime after the 21st. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! Please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.
Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!
Rocktober is winding down on my blog. Since there are a lot of celebraty birthday's on October 30 I thought I would do one giant celebration. Some of rockers, some are actors, maybe a little Motown cool thrown in. Of course the celebration will be done Rocktober style so sit back and enjoy.
Henry Winkler
Let's start with going Retro-cool! Henry Winkler played the Fonz on "Happy Days" and looking back to my childhood he was probably the one who introduced me to cool! Today he turns 71.
Here is he Rockin' opener to the classic show..
Below are some of his highlights from the show...
Gavin Rossdale
I highlighted Gavin Rossdale last year for his 50th birthday. You can revisit that post here. I'm including him for his 51st birthday. The Bush frontman adds a much needed Rock to this Rocktober post.
Bush "Come Down"
Otis Williams
Otis Williams the last surviving member of The Temptations certainly brings the Motown cool to my post. Love it when a post opens with cool and ends with cool. He qualifies for Rocktober by being a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Before The Temptations there was Otis Williams and the Charms "Heart of Stone"
The Temptations " I Wish it Would Rain"
Thanks for visiting and I will be back soon with a new post! Hopefully you will find it cool too!
May 13th is Stevie Wonder's birthday. Hard to believe I haven't celebrated his birthday before on the blog. Winning 25 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award would suggest Little Stevie Wonder has had a successful career. He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has received the Medal of Freedom.
A legendary musician and a great person. Of course in this blog we like to celebrate the music.
Here is a song which Stevie Wonder wrote the music (with some other musicians) and Smokey Robinson penned some lyrics..."Tears of a Clown"
Anybody who follows this blog knows Jeff Beck is my favorite guitarist and here he is with Stevie Wonder performing "Superstitious"..
Here is Stevie with Paul McCartney performing "Ebony and Ivory"
One of my favorite songs by Stevie Wonder is "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"
With Stevie Wonder I could post song after song. I could put more collaborations with more artists I like in case Smokey Robinson, Jeff Beck, and Paul McCartney weren't enough. I could just put up his songs and they would be fantastic. To me that is a great artist and I wish him a happy birthday!
My review is finally up so I can blog about it. Yes, I know he is old, but Smokey Robinson is a true legend. I didn't realize how many of the Motown classics he wrote, he really rates up there as a songwriter. He was in town for a benefit concert for the Duke Ellington School. As impressive as Smokey's resume is the school is also very impressive. Several of the school's graduates have gone on to have successful entertainment careers. The kids graduate from that school and go on to have success in other careers as well.
A shining example..
The students opened up and the above, Sylver Logan Sharp appeared with them and sang Smokey' "Since I Lost My Baby."
Robinson's and Motown's music influenced so much of the classic rock I enjoy. I enjoy Motown as well. I think Smokey opened with this just for me, here is the Rolling Stones version,,
Some shows you just don't say know to and Smokey Robinson is one of those. Especially when so many musicians are passing away you never know when you will get another chance. You can read my review here.
Here is Smokey Robinson performing in Washington at another time...
I love all the cool opportunities I have been given lately..
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