Being that Estelle Bennett, one-third of 1960s girl group the Ronettes, passed away last week it is only fitting to feature one of their hits, “Be My Baby” as this week’s song of the week. Watch below as Estelle and the rest of the Ronettes perform “Be My Baby” and “Shout.” To learn more about her life and the band, read The New York Times‘ recent article here.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7pmwqDLxU0]
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day I decided to feature Pat Benatar’s 1983 hit, “Love Is a Battlefield.” I heard it on the radio just the other day and couldn’t think of a more perfect tune for this week. Turns out, Benatar won a Grammy from it in 1984 for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Watch the music video for it below and enjoy the dance segment mid-song. Gotta love the 80s! What’s your favorite 80s track?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjY_uSSncQw?fs=1]
This past Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death. Songs like “Peggy Sue,” “Not Fade Away,” and “Maybe Baby” were staples of the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll scene. Holly has been said to have inspired Keith Richards, Bob Dylan as well as the Beatles’ band name
I grew up knowing his name and specifically “Peggy Sue” being that one of my sister’s best friends was named Peggy, alas my Mom would always sing “Peggy Sue” when she was around. It’s funny how some things just stick with you. Watch Holly’s live performance of the song below on “American Bandstand.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhgO8rZs1Fg]
Back in October I featured The Gaslight Anthem as my “Band of the Week.” Since then, they’ve been featured on many Best of 2008 lists for their album, The ’59 Sound. I’ve been listening to the album myself continuously this past week and highly recommend it if you haven’t picked it up yet.
“The ’59 Sound” was declared one of Rolling Stone‘s “100 Best Singles of the Year” and I keep hearing it everywhere I go — most recently during a set change at Highline Ballroom. Check out the music video for it below and be sure to catch the band on “The Late Show with David Letterman” next Friday!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1lq40tR72Q]
Since interviewing frontman Ace Enders of Ace Enders and A Million Different People, and learning that his band’s name was inspired in part by The Verve‘s song, “Bitter Sweet Symphony” I’ve been hearing it everywhere! Such a great song, I’ve decided to make it my song of the week this week.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx3m4e45bTo]
If you read my interview with Enders, you know that both he and a bunch of other bands have recorded a cover of the song and released it in December. The voices heard on the track include Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Kenny Vasoli (Starting Line), Craig Owens (Chiodos), Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), Aaron Marsh (Copeland), Duane F. Okun (Socratic), and Bryce Avery (the Rocket Summer). Fans can purchase it on iTunes here with all the proceeds going to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation. Learn more about the project here. And listen to the cover below:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HQ9gqMPGbQ]
If you like what you heard, be sure to purchase it on iTunes where you can help Save the Music and get music into schools.
Happy New Year! I know, I’m just about two days late but better late than never, right? Hope you all had a great New Year’s and are enjoying the first few days of 2009 and long weekend! I’m posting the end of “It’s A Wonderful Life” today since it’s one of my all-time favorite holiday movies. I think it’s a great way to start 2009 and really a touching film. If you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend it! Enjoy and Happy New Year!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY]
A fitting song for Christmas Day, this week’s song of the week is the 1984 Band Aid song, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The song features Sting, Bono, Duran Duran, Paul Young among many others, all who contributed to the track to help raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
I just read a touching article on CNN.com that demonstrates the power of giving titled “Blog ‘miracle’ saves Christmas.” Oliver Janney writes, “This is a happier story of one family whose financial ruin was averted by the actions of a friend, the compassion of strangers, the networking power of the Internet and the holiday spirit of giving.” Read more here. Merry Christmas!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE]
Mariah Carey’s classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” always tends to help bring in the holiday season for me. I haven’t been able to stop listening to it the past few days (even made it my ringtone!). Watch her black and white music video for it below.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8UHeoYHQM]
It’s that time of the year again! The cold weather is starting to settle in, houses are fully decorated and most importantly, it’s finally time for some holiday music. I’ll warn you now, the next few weeks will most likely have tons of holiday song features. This week’s “Song of the Week” is my all-time favorite Christmas song, “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley featuring a duet with Martina McBride.
Watch Elvis and Martina perform “Blue Christmas” live below.
And to learn more about the album, Elvis Presley Christmas Duets, watch Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, and other artists talk about recording with Elvis below.
If you’d like to record your own duet with The King be sure to check out http://www.singwiththeking.com. You can put his recording as well as your own duet into an e-card and send to your friends and family. Come on, that’s a pretty unconventional Christmas card to send this year. I might send one myself . . .
I caught a short performance from Brent Shuttleworth this past Monday when I covered the “A Holiday Benefit” concert and haven’t been able to stop playing his song, “When I Reach California” since. Definitely my favorite new tune, his deep vocals and emotion-filled lyrics really come across strongly to the listener. Lyrics like, “You turned your back on me when I needed you/You buried me just like a funeral/I’m so sure right now that you never knew/What I had given up to be with you” really leave an impact.
Below is the video for “When I Reach California.” If you like what you hear check out his MySpace page and if you’re in the New York area be sure to catch his show this Sunday at Joe’s Pub at 9 p.m. I’ll be there, so if you can’t make it I’ll have a write-up for you early next week!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT-MlVxQcoc]