web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Tag: Steven Tyler

  • Smokey Robinson sings with friends!

    Smokey Robinson sings with friends!

    Smokey Robinson sings with friends on his brand new duets album, Smokey & Friends!

    Hi folks. I know it’s been a few weeks since my last post. I’ve been busy with this move from Texas to Germany and am still sitting in temporary lodging. Fortunately, I still have Internet access and was lucky enough to score a review copy of Smokey Robinson’s new album, Smokey & Friends!

    Smokey Robinson has had a very long and successful career in the music business. At age 74, his voice is still in great shape as he collaborates with an eclectic variety of rock star notables on Smokey & Friends. Though I can’t yet count myself among his most ardent fans, I do enjoy some of his best known hits as well as the songs he wrote for others. I had the chance to listen to Smokey & Friends yesterday morning and I really enjoyed it.


    On this video by the Associated Press, Smokey Robinson talks about how this project came to be.

    Smokey & Friends consists of eleven tracks written by Smokey Robinson and includes duets by everyone from Mary J. Blige to James Taylor. This new album was produced by American Idol star and record producer Randy Jackson. The production on Smokey & Friends is a bit on the slick side for my usual tastes; on the other hand, it was pretty good morning music and helped me wake up.

    A jaunty organ solo kicks off the first song, “Tracks of My Tears”, which is a collaboration between Smokey Robinson and Elton John. I have always liked this song and I think Smokey and Elton work well together, although I must admit that at first, I thought Elton was Van Morrison. His voice has deepened a bit and, on this song, it almost sounds like he has an Irish accent. It wasn’t until Elton cut loose on the chorus that I recognized his voice. Still, it’s a strong effort and I like it.


    Elton John talks about making his duet with Smokey Robinson.

    Steven Tyler was a great choice for the next song, “You Really Got A Hold On Me”. This sounds like a song Aerosmith could have easily covered. This rendition has edgy guitars that give it a straight rock sound. It works very well, although Smokey’s vocal contributions are less obvious on this track.

    Next comes a very smooth and sweet rendition of “My Girl” featuring Smokey Robinson singing with Miguel, Aloe Blacc, and JC Chasez. Although I am very partial to The Temptations’ famous cover of Smokey’s song, this is a really pleasant, soulful version of “My Girl”. As I listened to these guys singing together, I was reminded of Daryl Hall and I kind of wondered why he’s not on this record too. Their voices blending together reminded me of classic Hall & Oates.

    I first heard of Jessie J. when she was featured at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. I thought she had a pretty powerful voice during that performance. Singing “Cruisin’” here with Smokey Robinson, she offers even more power and soul. Before the song begins, Jessie J. explains that she first heard Smokey sing when she was 7 years old and that singing with him is “a dream come true”. “Cruisin’” happens to be one of my favorite songs by Smokey Robinson. To my ears, this version doesn’t surpass Smokey’s original, but I am impressed by the vocal chemistry Jessie J and Smokey Robinson have.

    I wasn’t familiar with “Quiet Storm” before I listened to this duet version, featuring John Legend. Legend and Robinson work well together on this relaxing, jazzy number; now I’m curious about the original.

    I had no idea that “The Way You Do The Things You Do” was a Smokey Robinson creation. Here, he sings it with CeeLo Green. I like this updated version of “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, which gives CeeLo Green the chance to show off his rich, warm vocals.

    The cool, sensual “Being With You” is another one of my favorite songs by Smokey Robinson. Mary J. Blige offers a sexy counterpart to Smokey Robinson’s silky voice. Though this song was originally a solo, it works great as a duet.

    I love James Taylor’s music and I know that he has a special fondness in his heart for classic hits from the 50s and 60s. “Ain’t That Peculiar” gets a Taylor makeover on Smokey & Friends, which is arranged a bit like Taylor’s most recent recordings. When this song started, I was immediately reminded of the songs on October Road. He uses lots of organ, electric guitars, and an interesting rhythm. He definitely made it his own, which I respect. It sounds like they had a lot of fun with it.

    Sheryl Crow gamely takes a turn with “The Tears of A Clown”, another classic Robinson hit. This is a solid effort; Sheryl Crow has a less tremulous quality to her voice that balances well with Smokey’s voice. Plus, I really like the song itself; it’s one of those numbers that never gets old.

    “Ooh Baby Baby” begins with an introduction by Ledisi, who joins Smokey on this very sexy hit. I have to admit, when it comes to cover versions of “Ooh Baby Baby”, I’m kind of partial to Linda Ronstadt’s take. Ledisi and Smokey Robinson give their duet more of a quiet sensuality and warmth than Ronstadt’s more torch like presentation. It’s appealing and entertaining and I can tell Ledisi is really into it.

    The last song is “Get Ready”, a great song for the morning if I ever heard one. Gary Barlow and Smokey Robinson update this into an exciting and hard driving rock song. I think they did a great job updating this hit and I really like it. It’s a great way to close out Smokey & Friends. This arrangement almost has an element of danger to it, which breathes new life into a true classic.

    Smokey and his friends did fine work with Smokey & Friends. I enjoyed listening to these duet renditions of Smokey Robinson’s classic hits and am very impressed by how great Smokey still sounds after all his years in the music business. This album also reminds me that Smokey Robinson is a great songwriter and inspires me to listen to more of his work. I know I already turned on one of his fans to this latest effort and I hope some of you out there will also give it a spin!


    Trailer for Smokey & Friends… a great place to hear some samples from this record.

  • American Idol Season 11 – And The Winner Is …

    After last night, it’s really a toss up to me. With a gun to my head, I would probably predict a Phillip victory. It has more to do with Idol history than because I think he’s a better singer than she is. In fact, it’s the opposite. But, no female contestant has won since season 6 and Phillip’s music and style is more digestible by far more of the viewing audience. Jessica’s pop princess style is hurt by the fact that many pop princesses out there today are hot messes.

    But let’s get to it.

    (By the way, I had a chance to be there live tonight. My friend, the great Tiffany (@TVProducerLady) had a ticket for me, but my niece should be born any minute now.)

    8:02 – The crew except for Phillip and Jessica, including a more slim version of Jeremy Rosado, perform Bruno Mars’ Runaway Baby. Okay, on second thought, he’s not slimmer. It was just good angle.

    8:03 – Joshua Lidet tried to jump into a split James Brown style and nearly broke his ass. Live TV everybody!

    8:06 – A Dean Cain sighting! Reek, Reek (Brenda Walsh voice)!

    8:12 – Phillip is performing with John Fogerty. Sadly, they’re not singing Centerfield. Put me in coach, I’m ready to play, today!

    8:14 – My youngest kid Double J has an opinion on the performance. “Dad, they suck together.” I guess he has some Simon in him.

    8:22 – Joshua starts to sing and brings out his biggest inspiration, none other than Fantasia Barrino. Fantasia has quite the long-haired straight wig on and is wearing a body suit that is reminiscent of Missy Elliot’s fat, rubber suit on The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) video.

    8:31 – The female contestants butcher through some Chaka Khan classics before Chaka herself joins them. She’s also wearing a body suit and actually looks younger than Fantasia. But what the heck is up with body suits. Word to ‘Tasia. J-Lo should be wearing body suits. You should be wearing pants. (Fantasia is my favorite contestant of all time, so it’s not like I’m hating on her.)

    8:43 – Ri-Ri is performing Where Have You Been. She looks absolutely stunning, except for the pile of dreadlocks that sit on top of her head. In my best Buddy Love voice, “I know dreadlocks, but shitlocks?”

    8:54 – Skylar Laine just got done performing with Reba McIntyre. And you’ll never guess. She wore a body suit that made her look like a pasty red-headed pack of hot dogs. Okay, I’m kidding. She didn’t wear a body suit and looked pretty darn good.

    8:58 – Every year, the judges tell the contestants to not sing Whitney or Mariah. Now they find someone who can sing Whitney and Mariah and they make her sing Whitney time and time again. Jessica Sanchez performed I Will Always Love You again.

    Colton the Muskrat
    Colton the Muskrat
    9:00 – Hey, it’s the emo muskrat, Colton! He and the rest of the boys are singing with Neil Diamond. By the way, I really missed on Jeremy Rosado. I think he’s gained weight.

    9:11 – In maybe the single best American Idol skit of all-time, playing off Randall Jackson’s insistence to tell people who are good singers that they can sing the phone book, they put the finalists in robes and have them actually sing the phone book gospel style.

    9:14 – Something isn’t right America. Fantasia and Chaka Khan wore tight body suits. And it’s J. Lo’s turn to get on stage and she wears baggy glitter sweats, hiding the badonk?

    (By the way, J. Lo ain’t walking away from this show. Where else is she going to get so much TV time to push the J. Lo product?)

    9:24 – Ace Young just proposed to Diana Degarmo! Ace Young just proposed to Diana Degarmo! She said yes! She said yes! Every dude who brought his girl to the show just scooted a few inches in the opposite direction and looked the other way whistling.

    9:29 – Jordin Sparks has grown up and is looking like a PYT.

    9:39 – The male finalists performed some Beautiful Bee Gees, but it was uninspired. What is inspiring though is Jennifer Holliday and Jessica Sanchez singing And I’m Telling You. That might’ve been the best duet ever in the history of the show, even with all the crazy faces Holliday was making.

    9:49 – Aerosmith is performing and my oldest kid walks in the room to say, “Wow, they’re old.” Kids these days. Well, they are kind of old.

    10:00 – After having to perform together pretending that they like each other, it’s now time for a winner to be chosen. Jessica wins or we riot!

    10:02 – Damn, we rioting.

    I like Phillip. He did very well. But he’s going to sell just about as well as Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen. Well, that’s unless he does what I’ve been suggesting and that’s to come out as Taylor Hicks’ cooler, hipper, younger brother.

    Jessica Sanchez has a real chance because of her background to become more of an icon to little girls and to her fellow Filipicans. Hopefully, someone will see that and she’ll get that chance.

    We also didn’t get the great moment from last year when Scotty dissed Jack Black after winning.

    Lastly, I’ll give you Elliott Yamin’s thoughts on the show. Sing like Yamin it!

    Missed the idol finale 2nite #AI …..but it sounds like I didn’t miss much by the sounds of who “won” #justsayin jessica sanchez is a REAL singer!..I thought this was a singin competition??..what a shame

    Seacrest out!

  • American Idol Season 11 – Who Makes The Top 6?

    James Durbin
    Last night, I blogged the performances show with Heejun Han. Okay, I didn’t really, but he was pretty funny on Twitter last night, so I just pretended I did.

    I thought the show was pretty strong with really, only one weak point. And that weak point is little Hollie Cavanaugh. Here was my top and bottom two from last night:

    Top 2
    1. Jessica Sanchez
    2. Elise Testone
    2. Colton Dixon (sorry, I couldn’t decide)

    Bottom 2
    1. Hollie Cavanaugh
    2. Phillip Phillips

    The top 7 start the show performing Pink’s Raise Your Glass. It was kind of a disaster. Even my Droopy Elise wearing some sort terrible green hat that didn’t match the rest of her outfit couldn’t save it.

    Ryno brings up Hollie and Jessica to center stage. Hollie has to be shaking in her boots. He puts Hollie on the right side of the stage. And Jessica goes to the left side.

    James Durbin comes out sounding like Adam Lambert and looking like UFC fighter Josh Koscheck with a blown out blond look. Sadly, there was no Hulk Hogan this time.

    Elise and Phillip are in center stage. Jimmy thinks they both will be in the bottom three. Phillip joins Hollie and Elise joins Jessica. Ryno better not throw us a curveball here.

    Half of Jennifer Hudson is out singing Act Like A Woman, Think Like A Man. It’s kind of a boring performance for her, but Ne-Yo comes out and cleans up. That dude is just good. I’m still looking for Jennifer’s second half. With heels, she’s nearly a head taller than my man. I wonder if David Otunga is in the audience with his bow tie and coffee mug?

    And yes, Jennifer Hudson is skinny.

    Ryno brings up Colton and Joshua and Jimmy says he’s in on both. Joshua goes with Jessica and Elise. Colton goes with Hollie and Phillip. Skylar is the only one left. And she’s the first one who is safe. Ryno swerved us. He stuck Skylar with Colton, Phillip and Hollie, who are the other safe folks. My poor Elise. My poor, poor, Elise. This saddens me.

    Steven thinks they’ll use their save card this week. Um, Steven, you just ruined the suspense buddy. Joshua is safe. Jessica looks absolutely destroyed. Elise is safe! Holy cow. Jessica is so going to be saved.

    In maybe the best moment in Idol history, the judges come up and save Jessica before she gets into half of the first verse of her song and she just looks shocked. She has no idea what is going on. But the best part is that J. Lo shows us a side angle of that badonk and man, that lady will always have it.

    (Fast forward to about 1:57)

    You know what this means next week though. Two people are going home. And since America was drunk last night, we could see two really strong singers go home.

    Hollie doesn’t deserve to be on this show! Come on! Seacrest out!