Every Friday here on Wonky Pop, we will be featuring dancers, singers, performers, bands, from the past. Anything dating from the 1940s to 2000. Eventually, there will be links to download these classic hits- stay tuned for more!
"No Diggity" is a 1996 song by American R&B group BLACKstreet featuring Dr. Dre. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 in the UK. It ranked at #91 on Rolling Stone and MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs. It sold 1.6 million copies in 1996. It won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and was nominated for Best R&B Song. It ranked at #32 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s.
I HEART ZOOEY DESCHANEL. Enough said. I love her in movies and her voice is just incredible. Here is an excellent live version of one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE songs, "You Really Got A Hold On Me."
I have always loved Queen Latifah. I think she is an incredibly talented individual-- singer, songwriter, performer, actress... and her latest album, Persona (which dropped yesterday), is great. She is returning to her roots with Hip Hop & Pop, and departing from her last two previous albums of jazz & soul. Here's a live performance @ Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall. Skip ahead to the 40second mark to hear her perform.
Here is one of my favorite singles from her Dana Owens album, "Simply Beautiful," alongside with Al Green. BEAUTIFUL voice!
One of my FAVORITE groups of 2008 and hailing from Denmark, Alphabeat is back with a new album, slated to release on October 19th! I am on the hunt for just a taste from their new album, as the BBC is reporting that they are departing from their 80s/New Wave/B-52's sound from their first album and into the realm of 90s hip hop (think Snap! & Black Box). I cannot wait! Sadly, still no release date slated for the US. Their first album sold over 100,000 records in the UK and still hasn't released in the US. Though, with their array of talent collaborating on their sophomore album release, it's sure to hit the US record stores by late 2009 or early 2010.
On a more personal note: Alphabeat was THE band that inspired the creation of the Wonky Pop music blog. I could not be more thrilled to know that they are continuing their musical career path and am so excited for the new music that will come! Check IT OUT!!! LISTEN!!!
After 10 years of waiting to see Pete Yorn, I finally got the opportunity to see him live at the Fillmore in San Francisco. The first opener, I shall forget to remember (because they were THAT memorable), sounded like a Beatles/Rolling Stones cover band... the second opener, Juliette Commagere, was absolutely brilliant, stunning voice and great instrumentation. She kept my attention for her entire performance. For those of you that enjoy rhythmic, chilled out beats and a sultry jazz girl's voice, definitely check out Juliette. She has several songs that have a heavy 80's undertone, but not the annoying, cry-baby 80s. Something you'd find on the Wedding Singer soundtrack.
Pete's performance was great - not anything spectacular though. Maybe the second degree pot-smoke that was filling the Fillmore walls was interrupting my vision & hearing, but he was just as good as his albums. In my book, that's plenty good. Though, it would have been nice to hear him put a little twist on his older songs. Highlights from the night included:
-Pete's own version of New Order's "Everytime I See You Falling" (definitely should release this as a single on his next album)
-"Don't Wanna Cry" - it's amazing the range that Pete possesses
-"Strange Condition" - from his first album, "Musicforthemorningafter" - I was so excited to finally hear this song live- and he did not disappoint!
Unfortunately, this old man didn't stick around for the encore.. a Monday night concert starting at 9pm with TWO openers quickly becomes a late night!
for 10 years, I have eagerly awaited the chance to see Pete Yorn live in concert. When living in southern Connecticut, I had tickets to his show, twice... and both times, I failed to make it. All because of a stupid snow storm in NYC and the other was due to the flu! Tonight, I am anxious and excited to see him perform at The Fillmore in San Francisco! I cannot wait! Here is one of my favorite songs by PY. "Lose You"
March 2007 was the first time Clive Davis spoke of Whitney's new album being released.... On August 28th, 2009, two years and 5 months later, it will finally come out. As a teaser, here is a link to a decent quality ripped version (minus the 2 bonus tracks). I wish I could say it was her best ever, but I don't know if we will ever hear the Whitney we remember from her best days, like "The Bodyguard" soundtrack. Still, Whitney is Whitney. LINK HAS BEEN REMOVED. Support the artist! Buy her CD via iTunes
I cannot get enough of Nouvelle Vague since I discovered them on Friday. This version of Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself" is pure happiness! Enjoy- lighten the mood of a typical Monday!
Here is the incredible voice of Esmee Denters, the 20 year old from the Netherlands! Once again, Europe blows my mind with such great talent. Here is her cover of Stevie Wonder's "As." Be sure to check out the song "Memories Turn To Dust," live on youtube. INCREDIBLE! I can't post it unfortunately because embedding is disabled. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2m2deatJdg
I discovered Uh Huh Her a year ago, before I started this blog... for those of you who don't know them, shame on you! For those of you who do, congrats- you have my blessing. This girls coming from Los Angeles have such a great electro-pop sound that I feel appeals to a mass audience. This song, "Not A Love Song," makes me want to get out of my chair and dance..and maybe head-bob a bit... just a little.
All the way from France, Nouvelle Vague or "new wave" (in English) is a music collective led by Marc Collin & Olivier Libaux. There first album was released in 2004 and their latest album, "3", was released in June of 2009. The entire album is an entire 80's compilation of cover songs. It is absolutely wonderful and I think you will just love their twist on things!
"Just Can't Get Enough" (original song by Depeche Mode)
"Blister in the Sun" (original song by Violent Femmes)
Saving Jane can bring me to tears..and this live version of "What I Didn't Say" does just that. Her voice is incredible, the words are amazing.... enjoy! This is for you.. you know who you are.
This girl is really trying hard to make her mark Internationally. From Destiny's Child to her solo albums, to touring with David Guetta... Kelly Rowland joined forces with Tiziano Ferro, who's "Indietro" (aka "Be Gentle") is currently #5 on the top 20 charts in Italy. To hear Kelly, speed ahead to the halfway mark.
Jason Mraz singing one of my favorite songs he has ever written, "Details in the Fabric," at the Palms in Las Vegas-- along with James Morrison. The words of this song ring so true to many times in my life.
This song is one of my latest obsessions. Although there is not an official video for "Siren Song," a fan of Bat For Lashes created this just for it- and I think it suits the song perfectly!
That is the image that presents itself to me when I listened to this song for the first time....... I've always liked Lykke Li.. and I didn't know who Kleerup was! Thanks to wikipedia....
"Andreas Kleerup, known professionally by his last name, is a Swedish record producer, drummer[1], and member of the Swedish group The Meat Boys, from Stockholm, Sweden.[2] His first mainstream collaboration was as the producer of fellow Swedish artist Robyn's #1 UK single, "With Every Heartbeat", also included on Kleerup's self titled debut album.[3] He wrote and produced the song "Lay Me Down" with Cyndi Lauper for her 2008 album Bring Ya to the Brink. An instrumental version of the song appears on Kleerup's album under the title "Thank You for Nothing." The title is believed to be inspired by Kleerup's anger with Cyndi Lauper, for not allowing her version to appear on his album. Kleerup has recently worked with upcoming Pop Star Nicholas Strunk on his forthcoming album."
8/28/2009
Wonky Pop
