NEW DISCOVERIES
Chris Cagle
Current single: "My
Love Goes On And On," from "Play
It Loud."
WOW!
I can't think of another word for this CD. After hearing the ridiculously
catchy and hugely energetic "My Love Goes On And On" on the
radio, I had to find out more about this artist. What I found amazed me:
I thought I was dealing with another new generic country upstart. Instead,
I think I've found one of the best new singer/songwriter in the past five
years! Chris' music is what I call "party country" -- this isn't
some sappy Reba album; it's hard-drivin rockin tunes that get your blood
pumpin while you're drivin' your Chevy truck down the dusty dirt road.
It's got a real edge that you won't find elsewhere on country radio, with
a hint of traditional country thrown in. Say goodbye to processed Nashville
crap, and hello to Chris Cagle. What you'll find is a rowdy, fun CD with
some good lyrics and clever musicianship. Chris co-wrote most of the songs,
and I have to say I'm really impressed. "Laredo" is as good
as any country song I have heard in the past 10 years. And the best part?
Chris is a fellow Houston boy. Welcome, Chris :)
Kina
Current single: "Girl
From The Gutter," from "Kina."
A
fascinating cross between Alanis Morissette and Tina Turner, Kina is an
exciting new addition to the 2000 music scene. She is rough and jagged,
but smooth and soft; she is simultaneously pensive and honest, but forceful
and dynamic. Her first track, "Girl
From The Gutter" is an anthem for anyone who has even been wronged.
It's a lyrically direct attack on the offenders that will leave you singing
along for days. ("I hope your hell is filled with magazines/and on
every page you see a big picture of me.")
Phil Vassar
Current single: "Just Another Day In Paradise," from "Phil
Vassar."
Since
the first strains of "Carlene," I was hooked on the catchy tunes
from this Nashville songsmith. I should have known just from listening
that he was responsible for the infectious songs that have propelled JoDee
Messina to country stardom ("Bye Bye," "I'm Alright").
Vassar is a songwriter in the best tradition, combining heartfelt, right-on-the-money
lyrics with melodies that hook the listener like Velcro. "Just Another
Day In Paradise" has to be one of the more memorable country songs
of 2000, but the still-unreleased "Joe and Rosalita" demands
to be heard. It's a hard-driving, good-time rockin' country song that
blends shades of John Michael Montgomery, Billy Joel, Elton John and the
Dixie Chicks.
OLD FAVORITES
GEORGE MICHÆL
(MULTI-Grammy Winner)
Current single: None.
Anyone
who knows me, knows that I am one of the biggest George Michael fans there
are, period. I have been a fan ever since the first days of Wham! George
remains one of the most influential and important musicians of the '80s
and '90s. Songs like "Father Figure," "Faith," "Fastlove,"
"Freedom '90" and "Too Funky" are brilliant chapters
in an otherwise unremarkable book of late '80s/early-to-mid '90s music.
Here's how to start on your journey through George's music.
- First, visit the official George Michael site at Ægean, official fan club. At Aegean, you'll find all sorts of exclusive features unavailable anywhere else, including the "Members Online" fan club area, which includes behind-the-scenes video and exclusive audio clips.
- Pay a visit to PlanetGeorge, the place George Michael fans call home. As the electronic international GM fan club, PlanetGeorge boasts more than 2,000 members in around 100 countries. You'll find things there you won't find anywhere else. It's well-done, informative and very professional. The inhabitants are wonderful people who would love for you to stop by and say hello.
- There are some "fantastic" sound clips at the Listen Without Prejudice pages. This is also an excellent site to hear George's music -- especially the rare tracks. You'll want to make sure you have the RealPlayer, so you can hear the wonderful GM sound files in RealAudio format. Also, recently added was a section on the making of George's last studio album "Older." Interesting reading.
- One of the more fascinating sites I have found is A Matter Of Time -- a chronological study of George through photography. Very well done.
ELTON JOHN (Has
won just about every award known to man)
Current single: None.
I'm
not going to say too much about Elton, because I'm sure you know enough
about him already. What I WILL say, however, is that Elton is what real
music is all about. There's probably no one on the planet who doesn't
know one of his songs, and for good reason. In his 30-plus years of songwriting
with partner Bernie Taupin, Elton's music has provided the soundtrack
to a generation, as well as causing the feet of countless millions of
fans young and old to thump along
with ease. With a string of records behind him and a series of achievements
no other performer has ever matched, it's plain to see that 30 years on,
Elton is still the man.
- You've got to check out EltonJohn.com. This site ROCKS! You need Flash, however.
- There's probably no site as definitive and comprehensive as Cornflakes and Classics, where you can find all sorts of Elton minutiae that even I didn't know :-)
- Check out the web companion to East End Lights, the must-have quarterly magazine for true Elton John fans. It includes lists of Elton performances, media sightings, collectibles, information on the Elton John AIDS Foundation and a tribute to Elton's buddy, the late Gianni Versace.
MARTINA McBRIDE (1999
CMA Female Vocalist of The Year)
Current single: "There You Are" from Emotion
Oh,
to have Martina's voice -- it's the stuff that angels wish for. One of
the most underrated singers in music today, Martina packs an incredibly
powerful punch in her tiny frame. If you've ever heard the spine-tingling
"A Broken Wing" or "Independence Day," you know what
I mean. She's magical.
I recently saw her live in Houston, and was blown away. She received six standing ovations that night -- before I lost count. But the real highlight was when I got to meet her.
- You can discover Martina at her official site. It's worth your time.
LONESTAR (Former
CMA "Best New Artist" award winners)
Current single: "What About Now" from Lonely
Grill
Once
in a while, you find a band that just makes you feel good. For me, Lonestar
is that band. All the members of which happen to hail from Texas, which
of course doesn't bias me toward them at all. :-) I just want to say,
for the record, that I've been a fan fromDay One. Everyone seems to have
discovered the band since the crossover success of "Amazed,"
but for a while now, Lonestar has been consistently cranking out great
country music that is a cut above much of what Nashville feeds radio.
I get a little defensive because I think that they too are vastly underrated.
I have yet to listen to a Lonestar cut that wasn't great. I am glad that
country music is finally recognizing them in a manner they deserve, instead
of fawning over any hack who wears a tank top, mumbles into a mike and
marries a producer :-).
- Their official site is done by guitarist Mike Britt.
- Again, I was lucky enough to meet the band in October 1998. Great bunch of guys.
CHAD BROCK
Current single: "The Visit" from Yes!
Chad
is a relative newcomer that means business. A strong voice and solid songs
make him a winner. I met him in February 1999, and then again in July
1999, and he was a genuinely nice guy with a lot of talent. The man also
puts on a killer show live. I urge you to see him if he's in your area.
Like the self-titled CD before it, this CD is filled with toe-tapping
sing-along type tunes and pensive ballads. Chad is one of my country favorites,
and after you hear this CD, I think you'll understand why.
DIXIE CHICKS (Winners
of everything)
Current single: "Cold Day In July" from Fly
Unless
you've been living under a rock, you've heard of the Chicks. Their last
album, Wide
Open Spaces, won just about every award possible, and deservedly so.
they take traditional country, embrace it, and simultaneously set it on
its edge. But best of all, they know how to have fun. This is a CD that
you actually enjoy -- not just from a music standpoint, but just from
one of humor and lightness. I tried to find something less than perfect
about this CD, but I came up short. Songwriting, lyrics, harmonies,, instrumentation,
you name it -- all stunning. Oh, and yes, they are from Texas. How perfect
can one band be?
- Check them out at their website.
k.d. lang (Multiple
Grammy/Juno winner)
Current single: "Consequences of Falling" from Invincible
Summer
Voices
just don't get better than k.d.'s. Sweet and delicate, powerful and dead-on...
k.d. lang is a singer's singer. If you've never heard her sing, this is
a great chance. This album features an upbeat mood with songs that stick
in your head for days. In years past, k.d. went from hard-core country
to torch songs to super-emtional ballads. Here, you'll find a summer flavor
combined with fun, well-written lyrics. But again, even though the dessert
is good, you always focus on the main course, and the main course here
is definitely her voice.
- k.d.'s website is fun as well.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA (2000 Grammy winner, Best New Artist)
Current single: "Come On Over Baby" from Christina Aguilera
I
can't think of a more talented artist trhat has emerged in the past five
years. Christina combines a KILLER voice with the dance sensibility that
makes her such an irresistible musical force. She is Mariah Carey, but
more fun; she is Etta James, but more accessible. She is Britney Spears,
but less slutty and withtalent. Her Christmas CD is so well-crafted that
it is perfect for listening year-round. Her Spanish CD sounds so good
you'll be listening even if you don't speak the language. If it sounds
like I am Christina's biggest fan, well, I am.
- Christina has a very, VERY informative website.
MARY J. BLIGE
(Multi-Grammy nominee and R&B force to be reckoned with)
Current single: "Give Me You" from Mary
Mary is da bomb, as they say. With probably the most soulful voice
in music today, Mary is able to take her listeners back to church. This
album is Mary at her best. She leaves the cookie-cutter hip-hop of today
behind so she can return to her roots and be herself. The result is an
album that has echoes of Stevie Wonder (Fulfillingness'
First Finale, Songs
In The Key Of Life) and a vocal presence that puts so many people
to shame. In addition to the strong Stevie Wonder album ( and I am a BIG
Stevie fan), Mary gets other musical legends to help (Elton John, Eric
Clapton, Lauryn Hill). This is, hands down, the best R&B CD I have
bought in the last year or two. My only disappointment is that Jay Boberg,
the president of Mary's label, refused to allow the inclusion of "As,"
her unbelievable duet with George Michael. A killer remake of a Stevie
song, it went #1 in Britain, where is is available on both George's and
Mary's CDs. If you've got the money, order the import.
