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Tag: Rihanna

  • The Eagle Has Landed…

    The Eagle Has Landed…

    After over a week of being in transit, the eagle has landed in Converse, Texas…

    Hi folks. I am finally in a house again after having vacated our home in North Carolina last month. My husband Bill and I set off for the San Antonio area last Saturday. Silly me, I had been looking forward to the road trip, not realizing how exhausting and exasperating it can be to drive on America’s interstates. I am now sitting at my desk, which we wisely decided to bring with us instead of having the movers pack it. Unfortunately, we unwisely did not decide to pack other things for our immediate use, like a small table and chairs, trash cans, or margarita glasses.

    Incidentally, this move has been by far the worst yet in terms of irritations and mishaps. I won’t go into detail about that in this post, since if you know me on Facebook or have read my other blogs, you may have already been exposed to my bitching about all that. One thing that did come from this long ass road trip was exposure to music. I listened to my iPod the whole way and it’s fairly bursting with over 11,000 songs from a wide variety of genres. Though I thought I would have made a point to listen to some of the epic road tunes I blogged about last time, my playlist was surprisingly lacking in those big songs. Maybe if I hadn’t been driving, I might have made a point of playing classic road anthems like “Born To Run” and “On The Road Again”. But as it was, I was too busy trying to prevent people from flipping me off and running me off the road to select much music.

    Here are a few songs I did listen to as I made my way from North Carolina to Texas.

    Friend of the Devil by Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pederson

    This is a great bluegrass version of a classic song by The Grateful Dead. The video is not mine; so no one needs to worry that I was filming while driving. Still, this turned out to be a great driving tune.

    Diamonds by Rihanna

    I don’t usually listen to Rihanna’s music, but I became acquainted with this very cool song during my big road trip. It’s definitely not bluegrass. I could become a fan.

    1973 by James Blunt

    I actually really like this song by James Blunt. It reminds me of living in Germany. It was popular when we moved there in 2007 and has always stuck in my head as a great pop song. It’s aging well, too, even though it’s six years old now.

    You Can’t Please Everybody by Rose Royce

    Here’s a little old school funk from 1977. I love Rose Royce. I was introduced by their brand of funkiness by my older sister, Sarah, who owned their album In Full Bloom on vinyl. This song is spunky, sassy, and sure to make you want to press on through the worst traffic jam… even if someone does shoot the bird at you (like a biker did to me in Alabama).

    Watch Your Step by Carlos Santana

    Here’s another blast from the past. A little Santana never hurt any long drive and my big road trip is no exception to that rule. It’s fun cruising through Louisiana bayous to this song.

    You’ve Got A Friend by Carole King and James Taylor

    I am aware that Carole King and James Taylor released a great live album a few years ago called Live At The Troubadour. I included the above clip because it’s from 1971 and I happen to own a great Carole King live album called The Carnegie Hall Concert- June 18, 1971. On that album, she invites James Taylor to join her on “You’ve Got A Friend”. That was the version that played as I made my way through Alabama. But the Troubadour version is also very special and would also fit right in on this list.

    Someday Sarah and Crazyboutya by Dave Barnes

    I discovered the ultra smooth stylings of Dave Barnes by watching Army Wives on iTunes when I lived in Germany. I liked his music so much that I went on a mass downloading spree; consequently, his songs pop up a lot when I drive. Luckily, I think he’s awesome and his music is fun to drive to.

    If You’re Gonna Play in Texas, You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band by Alabama

    Yes, sometimes I do listen to mainstream country music, though my preferences are really for more classic stuff. And since Alabama was biggest in the 80s, maybe they qualify as an oldies act now? This song happened to come on as I crossed the Texas border.

    Baby I’m Burnin’ by Dolly Parton

    Another classic country hit, this time from Dolly Parton. Since it’s been over 100 degrees here, I think this song is an especially appropriate road tune for Texas in late July.

    So there you have it. The eagle has landed and hopefully won’t be flying anywhere new anytime soon… unless it’s to a home of our very own. Until next time, keep on truckin’.

  • 2012 Grammy Awards Live Blog

    Whitney Houston
    It’s the 54th edition of the Grammy Awards. And with the sad passing yesterday of Whitney Houston, I imagine it’s a much more somber celebration than usual. Our own Paul Lorentz wrote a nice piece on Houston earlier this morning. I participated in Popblerd’s appreciation piece earlier today as well.

    They always say the show must go on. And it will, though I’m not sure I’m ready to remember Houston yet.

    LL Cool J is the host for the show. Yes, a guy who was one of the first hip hop stars is hosting the music industry’s most celebratory day. I don’t imagine many would’ve predicted that when DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince won the first ever Rap Grammy in 1989, that 23 years later, a hip hop star would be hosting this show.

    (While this show has already happened since it started 3 hours ago and I get the West Coast tape-delayed version, I’m going to pretend this thing is live.)

    7:59 – How many times will LL lick his lips tonight? I think the over/under is 100. I’m going over.

    8:00 – The Boss opens up this show. I count three earrings. I once had an earring too … when I was 18. Come on Bruce, the gray hair, receding hairline, and earrings together aren’t a good look. Plus, you don’t need them bruh.

    8:04 – In a matter of seconds after the Boss finished his song, the cameras cut to Katy Perry with blue FU Russell Brand colored hair, Lady Gaga wearing a veil, and before I could anticipate it, Fergie’s face popped up out of nowhere. I could take Perry and Gaga, but I haven’t been that scared after seeing Fergie’s butter-face since watching The Poltergeist.

    8:08 – LL just gave a classy speech about “his sister” Whitney. Who says hip hop can’t be classy?

    (I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through this show with all these Whitney clips.)

    8:15 – Holy ****! Bruno Mars just sold a whole lotta albums tonight with his performance.

    8:16 – And can we just be clear about one thing? Mars’ pompadour is nothing more than the Brandon Walsh/Dylan McKay hairdo from 1992. I may have to bust that out too. It’s coming back.

    8:23 – The first Grammy Award is for Best Pop Solo Performance and it goes to Adele. I think Miss Adele is going to have a big night tonight.

    8:25 – I go away to check on my dinner and I miss Chris Brown’s performance. Oh the horror. Chris Brown has a very special talent. His talent is to do some pretty impressive and athletic dance numbers and make them seem so unimportant. I don’t remember any MJ performance ever being so insignificant.

    8:36 – Kanye West and Jay-Z win for Best Rap Performance and you’re telling me Kanye isn’t there? Well, he did get screwed by not being nominated for Album Of The Year. I guess I’d skip too.

    8:58 – I could say that Rihanna’s wig is very Tina Turner-esque, but I’m going with Farrah Fawcett’s dry perm. I think I just dated myself twice. By the way, if you didn’t know based on the hook that was repeated about 75 times, “We found love in a hopeless place.”

    9:14 – The Foo Fighters win for Best Rock Performance. New York Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham presented them with the award. I wish they had numbers on their suits so I could tell who was who.

    9:19 – From my friend @freemaneric:

    The Grammys, where Maroon 5 does “Surfer Girl” and everyone dies a little inside.

    9:37 – From Paul McCartney to Common shouting out Gil-Scott Herron? This must be 2012.

    9:37 – Chris Brown wins R&B Album Of The Year and shouts out Team Breezy. Yawn. El DeBarge was robbed.

    9:45 – Give out more awards, give us less Taylor Swift performances.

    9:51 – Adele and producer Paul Epworth win Song Of The Year. Epworth says that he couldn’t have done it without Adele. Really Paul? You mean you couldn’t have won this without Adele’s star power and voice?

    9:59 – Lady A won for Country Album Of The Year and I’m happy just so that we don’t have to see Hillbilly Taylor come up with her banjo again.

    10:10 – So Adele performed and she put boots to asses on everyone. It’s her night. She better win the whole damn thing.

    10:24 – Talk about catchy. “Like a rhinestone cowboy…” From @IAMJericho:

    Watching McCartney clapping along to Glenn Campbell is true class. #rocknrollisfamily

    10:31 – Carrie Underwood is on stage singing “It Had To Be You” with Tony Bennett. Another Tony, Tony Romo just pointed at the TV and said, “Me?”

    10:33 – That’s how you pronounce Bon Iver? And I’m so confused how they are a new artist, but oh well.

    10:45 – I really wanted to like Jennifer Hudson’s performance and I’m sure it came straight from the heart. But I don’t think it was very good and it was the wrong song to sing. Also, Melanie Amaro channels Whitney better than Jennifer does.

    11:04 – Common presented earlier and now it’s Drake’s turn. Sweet. I mean, um, yeah.

    11:08 – I think Nicki Minaj thinks this is her Lady Gaga moment. Sadly, it’s not.

    11:11 – This is Adele’s year. You can’t stop Adele. You can only hope to contain her. She also wins Record Of The Year.

    11:21 – And she wins Album Of The Year. She gives a raw reaction and not something preconceived or prepared, unlike a lot of what’s wrong with music in 2012.

    11:25 – Sir Paul McCartney goes HAM to end the show. See you next year.

    Whitney Houston photo is in the public domain.

  • American Idol Season 10 – Who Makes The Final 7?

    Last week, the Idol contestants could do no wrong. Well, except when J. Lo gave Pia some pretty subtle criticisms about her lack of dancing and swagger. Last night, the Idol contestants could do no wrong. But wait, there was one person the judges slammed last night. That person was Haley. I fully expect Haley to go home tonight because when everyone gets praise, it’s the criticisms that stick out like a sore thumb. And also, I think Casey’s fanbase was out in droves last night voting for fear that he’d leave again after his interesting song choice (though really good performance).

    J. Lo Booty Alert
    Finally, she showed it. She waved to the crowd behind her and turned her back toward the camera and it was out there in display. I’m still waiting for the tight, white pants to show up, so she can show it off in all its glory.

    Scotty and Lauren are duetting on stage together and they are so cute together singing in their country twang. I think those two are the easiest artists to sell out of the contestants this season. If those kids don’t sell at least 500,000-750,000 albums in their rookie releases, someone needs to be fired. It’s easy money.

    Haley and Casey are singing together and they aren’t as cute together as Scotty and Lauren were. They are battle scatting out there and all the ten year old little girls are losing interest. But their mothers who actually enjoy music are probably getting a kick out of it.

    Ryno pulls both twosomes out on the stage. Predictably, he sends Scotty back to safety. I’m sure Lauren is going to be safe as well. Yep, she’s safe. Well, it’s Haley who is in the bottom three. And Casey just told her that he loved her, at least I think. He’s done for next week after doing that.

    Because the majority of voters seem to be young girls, it’s paramount that the dudes at least pretend that they’re single. If those little girls saw what I saw, they’re probably majorly bummed and will leave him for Scotty. Scotty gets it. Casey doesn’t get it at all. He just makes so many rookie Idol mistakes.

    Rob Reiner is on the show for whatever reason. None of those young kids watched When Harry Met Sally. Please.

    Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson are on stage singing Don’t You Wanna Stay. You can barely see Jason as he’s tucked underneath the brim of his cowboy hat. Kelly sounds really good. I’m sure they’ll see a boatload more on iTunes tonight.

    The rest of the four dudes are on stage together with Paul and James in the middle with their guitars and Stefano and Jacob tapping their feet and singing. It was fun, but nothing to write home about.

    Ryno pulls the dudes into the center. Ryno sends Big Game James back to safety. Stefano is in the bottom three. Paul is also in the bottom three. Jacob is safe.

    So, our bottom three is Paul, Stefano, and Haley. I had Casey in the bottom three, but had Haley and either Paul or Stefano in the bottom three as well. So I was close.

    Chaka Khan and Anita Baker are in the audience to help introduce Rihanna. I wish Turbo and Ozone were with Chaka. Rihanna’s a ginger-head. I’ve never heard a love song about a California king bed until now. I guess she’s grown out of bunk beds. Rihanna is great and all, but I want to see who is eliminated.

    Teflon Haley is safe again! Casey is way too happy with his mischievous grin. I would’ve bet money on Stefano leaving here, but it’s Paul who goes home. The quirky dancing, drunken singing, and floral suits stop here.

    Notice the judges weren’t heartbroken that Paul was leaving tonight. If you don’t think there’s heavy favoritism on that table, you don’t watch closely. They know that he wasn’t selling a milli for Jimmy.

    Seacrest out!

    Photo of Rihanna via Wikipedia and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license