The Overtones' First Top 10 Album in the UK

The Overtones is a British-Irish doo-wop boy band whose first Top 10 album in the UK, Good Ol' Fashion Love, slips this week from #5 to #6.  The album has peaked at #5.  

Ronan Keating Gets Fifth Top 10 Album in the UK - outside of Boyzone

Ronan's fifth Top 10 album in the UK, When Ronan Met Burt, moves up two notches from #5 to #3 this week.  Gauging from the title, it looks like a collection of songs written by Burt Bacharach, and interpreted by Ronan.  Below are his Top 10 albums in the UK -

2000 - Ronan (#1)
2002 - Destination (#1)
2006 - Bring You Home (#3)
2009 - Songs for My Mother (#1)
2011 - When Ronan Met Burt (#3)

Skylar Grey's Second UK Top Hit is with Rap Royalty - Dr. Dre and Eminem

Skylar Grey's second Top 10 hit in the UK, I Need A Doctora, is a collaboration with two of rap's royalty - Eminem and Dr.  Dre.  Her first hit was also a collaboration with another rapy royalty, P. Diddy.  Coming Home, peaked #4. 

Skylar is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer.

Across the Atlantic, in the US, her first Top 10 song, her collaboration with Eminem and Dr. Dre, I Need A Doctor, reenters the Top 10 at #4.  That is the new peak position of the song.

Chart Performance: Eminem

Eminem has 22 top 10 hits in the UK.

1999 - My Name Is (#2)
1999 - Guilty Conscience (with Dr. Dre) (#5)
2000 - The Real Slim Shady (#1)
2000 - The Way I Am (#8)
2000 - Stan (with Dido) (#1)
2000 - Forgot About Dre (with Dr. Dre) (#7)
2002 - Without Me (#1)
2002 - Cleanin' Out My Closet (#4)
2002 - Lose Yourself (#1)
2003 - Sing For the Moment (#6)
2003 - Business (#6)
2004 - Just Lose It (#1)
2005 - Mockingbird (#4)
2005 - Ass Like That (#4)
2005 - When I'm Gone (#4)
2006 - Smack That (with Akon) (#1)
2009 - Crack A Bottle (with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) (#4)
2009 - We Made You (#4)
2010 - Not Afraid (#5)
2010 - Love The Way You Lie (with Rihanna) (#2)
2011 - I Need A Doctor (with Dr. Dre and Skylar Grey) (#8)
2013 - My Life (with 50 Cent and Adam Levine) (#2)

He has fourteen top 10 hits in the US.

2000 - The Real Slim Shady (#4)

2002 - Lose Myself (#1)

2002 - Without Me (#2)

2002 - Cleanin' Out My Closet (#4)

2004 - Just Lose It (#6)

2005 - When I'm Gone (#8)

2006 - Shake That (#6)
2006 - Smack That (with Akon) (#2)

2009 - Crack A Bottle (with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) (#1)

2009 - We Made You (#9)
2009 - Forever (with Kanye West, Drake and Lil Wayne) (#8)
2010 - Not Afraid (#1)
2010 - Love the Way You Lie (with Rihanna) (#1)
2011 - I Need A Doctor (with Dr. Dre and Skylar Grey) (#4)

He has nine top 10 albums in the US.

1999 - The Slim Shady LP (#2)
2000 - The Marshall Mathers LP (#1)
2002 - The Eminem Show (#1)
2002 - 8 Mile Soundtrack (#1)
2004 - Encore (#1)
2005 - Curtain Call: The Hits (#1)
2006 - Eminem Presents: The Re-up (#2)
2009 - Relapse (#1)
2010 - Recovery (#1)

He also has nine top 10 albums in the UK.

1999 - The Slim Shady LP (#10)
2000 - The Marshall Mathers LP (#1)
2002 - The Eminem Show (#1)
2002 - 8 Mile Soundtrack (#1)
2004 - Encore (#1)
2005 - Curtain Call: The Hits (#1)
2006 - Eminem Presents: The Re-up (#3)
2009 - Relapse (#1)
2010 - Recovery (#1)

Dr. Dre Extends Top 10 Streak in the UK to a Third Consecutive Decade!

Dr. Dre's eighth Top 10 hit in the US, I Need A Doctor, his collaboration with Eminem and Skylar Grey, slips to #10 this week.  The song has peaked at #4.  Below are his Top 10 songs in the US -

1993 - Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang (with Snoop Doggy Dogg) (#2)
1993 - Fuck Wit Dre Day (and Everybody's Celebratin') (with Snoop Doggy Dogg) (#8)
1993 - Who Am I (What's My Name) (with Snoop Doggy Dogg and Jewel) (#8)
1995 - Keep Their Heads Ringin' (#10)
1995 - California Love (with 2Pac and Roger Troutman) (#1)
1996 - No Diggity (with Blackstreet and Queen Pen) (#1)
2009 - Crack A Bottle (with Eminem and 50 Cent) (#1)
2011 - I Need A Doctor (with Eminem and Skylar Grey) (#4)

In the UK, Dr. Dre extends his streak of Top 10 hits into the third decade of his career.  I Need A Doctor, his collaboration with Eminem and 50 Cent, moves one place from #9 to #8.  Below are his ten Top 10 hits in the UK -

1995 - California Love (with 2Pac and Roger Troutman) (#6)
1996 - No Diggity (with Blackstreet and Queen Pen) (#9)
1999 - Still D.R.E. (with Snoop Dogg) (#6)
1999 - Guilty Conscience (with Eminem) (#5)
2000 - Just Be A Man About It (with Toni Braxton) (#6)
2000 - Forgot About Dre (with Eminem) (#7)
2000 - The Next Episode (with Kurupt, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg) (#3)
2001 - Bad Intentions (with Knoc-turn'al) (#4)
2009 - Crack A Bottle (with Eminem and 50 Cent) (#4)
2011 - I Need A Doctor (with Eminem and Skylar Grey) (#8)

Chart Performance: B.o.B.

B.o.B.'s fourth Top 10 song in the UK, So Good, slips to #8 this week, after peaking at #7 last week.   Below are his hits in the UK -

2010 - Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) (#1)

2010 - Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) (#1)

2011 - Price Tag (with Jessie J) (#1)

2012 - So Good (#7)

In the US, his album, So Good, debuts at #5.  His first album, B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray went to #1.

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Chart Performance: The Wanted

The Wanted has seven UK top 10 hits.  Here they are -

2010 - All Time Low (#1)
2010 - Heart Vacancy (#2)
2011 - Gold Forever (#3)
2011 - Glad You Came (#1)
2011 - Lightning (#2)
2012 - Chasing the Sun (#2)
2012 - I Found You (#3)

My Votes For This Week's OPM Myx Countdown - March 28, 2011

After voting solely for Siakol's Ituloy Mo lang for the past four weeks, I am going back to my old format of voting for four songs and spread out the allowable ten votes among them.  Here are my votes for the week ending March 28, 2011 -

1. Chris Cayzer - Drive

I am now officially a Cayzerian! I love this guy's sound! It's a bit similar to John Mayer and I believe he's one of Chris' major influences.

2. Amber Davis - Ain't A Crime

I love this girl's album.  I just bought it a few week's back and I have been playing it regularly, enjoying her songs and her beat! 

3. Chelo - Pinays Rise

It took me sometime to like this song but it's one of my favorites right now.  I love the beat!  More importantly, I love the message it's spreading!

4. Maldita - Porque

A unique song among the songs in this week's countdown. It mixes Tagalog with Chabacano. It's very brave for the band to release this song as is! Makes it sound sincere!

My Favorite Songs in the Musical Next to Normal #3 - He's Not Here

Jett Pangan sings this song in the local version and he does it wonderfully, acting while singing it!  You can actually see the surprise and the adamance in his eyes as he sings this to Menchu Lauchengco, who, at this scene, is bringing out the cake to celebrate the birthday of her dead son.  (You can start bawling after this scene!)  Love the melody and the lyrics!

My Favorite Songs from the Musical Next to Normal #2 - I Miss the Mountains

When I watched the show, this was one of the first songs that caught my fancy!  I love the chorus!  The 'mountains' here is metaphorical, of course. We all have 'mountains' in our lives. I actually don't miss them, but I know it won't make me the man who I am now without them.  I love the way Alice Ripley sings it here.  Menchu Lauchengco does the local version here and she does it equally as beautiful and with so much feeling!

My Favorite Songs from the Musical Next to Normal #1 - I Am the One (Reprise)

This is the final song between the Dad and the "dead son" and when I watched it in the musical, my heart was so wrenched by the poignancy of the scene, I almost cried!  (I couldn't cry because I was seated in the front row and I didn't want to be embarrassed by sobbing into a tissue!)  It's rare to find a wonderful male/male duets and this one is one of the best I've heard in a long, long time!  Of course, you'd have to watch the whole play first because you get here! I was privileged to see Jett Pangan and Felix Rivera do it in the local production of this musical and they were both superb here.  Can't believe that two men can make me cry!!

Daniel O'Donnell Gets Ninth Top 10 Album in the UK

Daniel O'Donnell gets his ninth top 10 album in the UK, as Moon Over Ireland debuts at #9.

2003 - Daniel in Blue Jeans (#3)
2004 - Welcome to My World (#6)
2004 - The Jukebox Years (#3)
2005 - Teenage Dreams (#10)
2006 - From Daniel With Love (#5)
2007 - Together Again (with Mary Duff) (#6)
2008 - Country Boy (#6)
2009 - Peace in the Valley (#8)
2011 - Moon Over Ireland (#9) 

Chart Performance: The Vaccines

The English rock band The Vaccines' second top 10 and first #1 album in the UK, Come of Age slips to #6 after debuting at #1.  Their first album, What Did You Expect from the Vaccines, peaked at #4.

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Parade Gets Their First Top 10 Hit in the UK with Louder

Parade, a British five-piece girl group, gets their first UK Top 10 hit this week, as Louder debuts at #10.

Travis Barker of Blink 182 Goes Solo and Gets His First Top 10 Album In the US

Travis Barker of Blink 182 goes solo in his latest project, Give the Drummer Some, and his album, debuts at #9 this week in the US Top 10 album charts. It's his first Top 10 album as a solo artist.  I don't know yet if his music veers away from that of his band but it would be interesting to give it a listen.

Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry goes Top 10 On Her Own

Marsha Ambrosius, formerly of Floetry, gets her first solo Top 10 album in the US with Late Nights and Early Mornings.  This week, the album slips to #10.  It debuted at #2, its current peak position. 

I still have to discover the music of Marsha but I'm not surprised she gets to the Top 10 on her first try.  I guess she has enough fans from Floetry to support her move to go on her own.

Avril Lavigne Gets Fourth Top 10 Album in Both the US and the UK

Avril Lavigne gets her fourth Top 10 album in the UK this week, as Goodbye Lullaby lands at #9.  Below are her Top 10 albums in the UK -

2002 - Let Go (#1)
2004 - Under My Skin (#1)
2007 - The Best Damn Thing (#1)
2011 - Goodbye Lullaby (#9)

In the US, the same album debuts at #4.  This week, it slips to #7.  Below are the peak positions of the same albums in the US -

2002 - Let Go (#2)
2004 - Under My Skin (#1)
2007 - The Best Damn Thing (#1)
2011 - Goodbye Lullaby (#4)

I, myself, am a big fan of Avril!  I actually have all the first three albums she had, and I am looking forward to hearing Goodbye Lullabye!  I have not adhered yet to 'What the Hell' but I'm sure this album has other songs that should catch my fancy.

 I do hope she goes back here in the Philippines to perform again.  She has been here twice already!

Rise Against Gets Their Highest-Charting Album of their Career with Endgame

American punk rock band, Rise Against, gets their third Top 10 album in the US, as Endgame, debuts at #2.  This is their highest charting album ever in their career.  Below are their Top 10 albums in the US -

2006 - The Sufferer and the Witness (#10)
2008 - Appeal to Reason (#3)
2011 - Endgame (#2)

DJ Frank E's Maiden Top 10 Hit Collaboration!

DJ Frank E's first Top 10 hit in the US, his collaboration with Ludacris and Enrique Iglesias, Tonight (I'm Lovin' You), moves up again from #9 to #8 this week.  The song has peaked at #4.

Ludacris Teams Up with Jason Aldean to Get His US Top 10 Hit #19

Ludacris' nineteenth Top 10 hit in the US, is a unqiue collaboration between him and country star, Jason Aldean!  The two did a duet of Aldean's song, Dirt Road Anthem, where Luda did a rap part for the song.  This week, that collaboration moves from #9 to #7.  Here are his Top 10 hits in the US -

2001 - Loverboy (with Mariah Carey, Shawnna, 22 and Da Brat) (#2)
2002 - Move Bitch (with Mystikal and I-20) (#10)
2002 - Gossip Folks (with Missy Elliott) (#8)
2003 - Holidae In (with Chingy, Snoop Dogg) (#3)
2003 - Stand Up (with Shawnna) (#1)
2003 - Splash Waterfalls (#6)
2004 - Yeah! (with Usher and Lil Jon) (#1)
2004 - Lovers & Friends (with Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz and Usher) (#3)
2005 - Oh! (with Ciara) (#2)
2005 - Pimpin' All Over the World (with Bobby V) (#9)
2005 - Unpredictable (with Jamie Foxx) (#8)
2006 - Money Maker (with Pharrell) (#1)
2007 - Runaway Love (with Mary J. Blige) (#2)
2007 - Glamorous (with Fergie) (#1)
2009 - How Low (#6)
2010 - Baby (with Justin Bieber) (#5)
2010 - Break Your Heart (with Taio Cruz) (#1)
2010 - Tonight (I'm Fuckin' You) (with Enrique Iglesias) (#4)
2011 - Dirt Road Anthem (with Jason Aldean) (#7)

Enrique Iglesias' Tonight Is US Top 10 Hit #6

Enrique Iglesias' collaboration with Ludacris and DJ Frank E, Tonight (I'm Lovin' You), moves up again from #9 to #8 this week.  The song has peaked at #4.  This is his sixth Top 10 song in the US.  Below is a list of Enrique's Top 10 hits in the US -

1999 - Bailamos (#1)

2000 - Be With You (#1)

2001 - Hero (#3)

2010 - We Are the World Haiti (#2)
2010 - I Like It (with Pitbull) (#4)
2011 - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) (with Ludacris and DJ Frank E) (#4)

Enrique also scores his 8th Top 10 hit in the UK, as his collaboration with Nicole Scherzinger, peaked at #8 last week and now goes down two notches to #10.  Below is the list of these Top 10 songs -

1999 - Bailamos (#4)
2000 - Could I Have This Kiss Forever (#7) (with Whitney Houston)
2001 - Hero (#1)
2002 - Escape (#3)
2004 - Not In Love (#5) (with Kelis)
2007 - Do You Know (#3)
2010 - I Like It (#4) (with Pitbull)
2010 - Heartbeat (#8) (with Nicole Scherzinger)

Sara Evans Gets Her Fifth Top 10 Album In the US

Country singer, Sara Evans gets her fifth Top 10 album in the US this week, as Stronger debuts at #6.  I am not quite familiar with her music, although I am a big fan of country music.  She hasn't had that big hit yet that crossed over to mainstream music. Below are her Top 10 albums in the US -

2000 - Born to Fly (#6)
2003 - Restless (#3)
2005 - Real Fine Place (#1)
2007 - Greatest Hits (#8)
2011 - Stronger (#6)

My Favorite R.E.M. Songs #5 - Nightswimming

I'm not sure if this song was released as a single but it's a pretty tune which veers away from the guitar-driven arrangements of the band.  You first notice here the piano which practically forms the melody backbone of this song. And Michael Stipe's vocals, even in this live version is so clear and expressive!

My Favorite R.E.M. Songs #4 - The One I Love

This is the song that introduced me to the genius of this band.  I was still in high school when this song became famous.  At that time, I did not pay much attention to it but ironically, when I grew older, the lyrics became more meaningful and now, I really like the song.  It's vintage R.E.M., both in melody and lyrics.

A Song I Dedicate to the People of Japan - R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts

This is one of my favorite R.E.M. songs and it's a fitting song which I can share to the people of Japan, who are now picking up the pieces and rebuilding their lives.  Actually, there is another version of this by the Artist for Haiti, a group of singers in the UK, who banded together and sang this song and released it as a charity single to raise funds for the rehabilitation of that country, ironically, due also to another earthquake.

My Favorite R.E.M. Songs #2 - Shiny Happy People

Well, I would've loved to put the actual video of the song here but Warner Bros. prohibited it!  Anyhow, I got a better one, this one, an actual rehearsal of the song by the band, and B52's Kate Pierson, in an SNL episode!  Too bad, Kate wasn't wearing her trademark hairdo this time around, but I'm sure she did, in the real show! They sound great live!

My Favorite R.E.M Songs #1 - What's the Frequency Kenneth?

I forgot now which album this song came from but the moment I heard it, I was already hooked into it!  I love the driving guitars and although, up to now, I couldn't quite figure out what the song is all about, I don't care,  I still sing along with it. My guess is it has to do something about this guy Kenneth and his drug use.  Oh well, not too sure about that.

R.E.M.'s Collapse Into Now Hits the Top 10 of the UK and US Album Charts

R.E.M. gets their tenth Top 10 album in the UK this week, as Collapse Into Now, debuts at #5.  I was actually very surprised to see that the band has seven #1 albums in the UK!  They must have a big following there!  Well, this is actually the first album of the year that I am excited about!  I can't believe Out of Time was already 20 years ago!  I am that old!  Oh well, I will check out this album soon as it's released here.

1991 - Out of Time (#1)
1991 - The Best of R.E.M. (#7)
1992 - Automatic For the People (#1)
1994 - Monster (#1)
1996 - New Adventures in Hi-fi (#1)
1998 - Up (#2)
2001 - Reveal (#1)
2004 - Around the Sun (#1)
2008 - Accelerate (#1)
2011 - Collapse Into Now (#5)

In the US, the same album also debuts at #5.  This is their ninth Top 10 album in the US and also marks the fourth straight decade that they were able to snag a Top 10 album - so they've had a top 10 album in the 80's, 90's, 00's and now the 10's.  Below are their Top 10 albums in the US -

1987 - Document (#10)
1991 - Out of Time (#1)
1992 - Automatic For the People (#2)
1994 - Monster (#1)
1996 - New Adventures in Hi-Fi (#2)
1998 - Up (#3)
2001 - Reveal (#6)
2008 - Accelerate (#2)
2011 - Collapse Into Now (#5)

My Favorite Avril Lavigne Songs #5 - Anything But Ordinary

I don't know why they never released this song as a single, but it's positive message is so beautiful - "I'd rather be anything but ordinary please".  Anyway, it completes my list of my five favorite songs of hers.  It runs the gamut from the sad to the uplifting to the rockin'. I still have to listen to her latest album since I didn't quite dig the last two songs she released. 

My Favorite Avril Lavigne Songs #4 - Sk8r Boi

Of course, this song has to be in my Top 5 list.  I've kinda outgrown it now though since Avril has also matured as an artist but, it's a good illustration of where she was when she was still starting on her career.  It's a rockin' song and a crowd favorite in her concerts!  I guess this song also brought a lot of respect for all those skater boys out there!

My Favorite Avril Lavigne Songs #3 - My Happy Ending

This song was the perfect introduction to her Under My Skin album - an album filled with melancholic and pensive songs set into rock and with her trademark sing-along type of choruses.  I was actually not expecting the album to do well, since it veered away from her debut album a bit, but many of her fans liked it. In her concerts, the girls would sing along with her to the songs in this album.  Talk about being a real fan!

My Favorite Avril Lavigne Songs #2 - 'I'm With You'

This has been my favorite song of hers for a long time till Hot came along.  It's a sad and brooding rock ballad with kinda sexy lyrics - going out with a stranger adds some mystery into the equation.  It's fun to sing too live and I've done it twice already, with her!

Below is a live version of this song -

My Favorite Avril Lavigne Songs #1 - 'Hot'

This is my most favorite Avril Lavigne song and it comes from her last album 'The Best Damn Thing'  What I love about it is the sing-along chorus.  There is just no way you can ignore it.  I always sing (or scream) along with it - and I love the lyrics too! It's the perfect song to sing to one's lover!

My Favorite Kirk Franklin's Songs - 'Love'

Well, I have a limited pool to choose from since I only bought one of his albums.  But that album, God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, is a treasure trove of beautiful and uplifting songs.  I always play it when I feel down and I need some positive vibes.  This is one of the songs that I like from that album.  It's called 'Love'.

My Favorite Song of the Week: Kirk Franklin - I Smile

I remember buying a Kirk Franklin CD, God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, about 14 years ago and I really enjoyed his music.  I am not really fan of gospel music but his songs are so accessible and sounds so contemporary.  This week, he has a song in the Billboard Top 100, I Smile, and again, it's a very uplifting song with a very positive message.

Remembering Lupe Fiasco's Biggest Hit (Yet!) in the US

Since he got the number 1 album in the US this week, I got curious as to what hits Lupe Fiasco had.  Well, turns out, it's this song, Superstar, a collaboration with Matthew Santos, that did the trick.  The song peaked at #10.  I remember this song but it did not register to me that Lupe did it.  It's a cool song!

Chart Performance: Noah and the Whale

Noah and the Whale is a British folk band and this week, they get their second Top 10 album in the UK, as Last Night on Earth debuts at #8.

2008 - Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down (#5)
2011 - Last Night on Earth (#8)

Chart Performance: Dropkick Murphys

The Dropkick Murphys is an American Celtic punk or hardcore punk rock band based in Massachusetts.  This week, they got their second top 10 album in the US this week, as Signed and Sealed in Blood debuts at #9.  Their first top 10 album Going Out In Style, peaked at #6 in 2011.

Charlie Green Finally Comes Out With A Charming Song That I Like!

Well, Charlie Green is another product of that reality singing show juggernaut of winners and this time, the reality show was in the UK, since his Dad is British.  However, he has come to the Philippines since his Mom is Filipina and most likely influenced him a lot too - to build a career here.

I didn't quite like the first few singles they marketed for him.  However, this time around, his duet with Rachelle Ann Go, A Friend Like You, is quite a charmer - and it does show how crystal clear the voice of Charlie is!  This young man is going to grow up to be a major vocalist! He has definitely it! And he's not bad-looking either.  For now though, we just have to content ourselves with songs that suits his age.

Chart Performance: Aaron Lewis

I got the surprise of my life now to find out that the lead singer of Staind, Aaron Lewis, that rock group, has opted now to do country music!  And this week, he gets his first solo Top 10 album with Town Line, which debuts at #7.  And I do like the song Country Boy, his collaboration with country legend, George Strait and Charlie Daniels!  However, it has just peaked at #87, for now.

Richard Poon Should Release An Original Song and Not Rely On Remakes

I know that Richard Poon's handlers are packaging him like our local version of Michael Buble.  Doing remakes of standards is well and good and that tactic worked to catapult Michael Buble to where he is now - but Michael also has some very good original songs - Home, Everything, Haven't Met You Yet!  And by coming out with those good songs, the Academy finally gave him a Grammy this year! 

Undeniably, Richard has both the charm and the looks and the voice, but I hope he includes maybe at least three original songs in his album and promotes at least one of those.  It would make him a more interesting artist.  I get bored with artists who just do covers.  Who needs an American Idol clone?  We can get that on TV everyday! 

Now, he has another remake of an APO classic. It's a nice try but doesn't really do anything new to the song.  And to his career.  Yeah, Filipinos love those who make remakes, but for fans like me who want people with real talent, we can just easily shrug him off as a karaoke singer who can sing standards well.  Not until he shows the true colors of his talent......

Frio: Another Band From Zamboanga Heats Up the OPM Myx Countdown Charts

Maldita is at #19, Frio is at #17.  It's good to see two bands from Zamboanga making their presence felt in a nationwide video chart!  I actually discovered this band through their handsome lead singer who appeared in a local midnight show a few months back. I forgot now his name but he said he fronted for the band Frio.  Anyway, now, the band has a hit in the Top 20  entitled Hanggang Dito Na Lang.  I just hope the Zamboanguenos themselves support these two bands so that their songs go higher up in the charts! It's scandalous that a tepid remake by Richard Poon of an APO hit, has more votes than these two original songs!

Raving About the I Am World Tour of Beyonce!

I guess Beyonce skipped Manila on this I Am World Tour of hers maybe because of the 'cold' reception she got from the Prince of Brunei, who bought most of the front row seats to her last show here.  Since nobody cheered for her, I guess she conveniently forgot about us too.  The poor design of that show at the Fort may have dampened her spirits and decided not to go her the second time around.  Next time around, the organizers should sell the tickets to the real fans.  The Prince is rich enough anyway to ask for a private show from her!

Anyway, we did miss a lot since she did not come here.  I was not really a fan of hers before, but when she released I Am Sasha Fierce, I began to really respect her talent.  This is just no ordinary booty girl.  This is the real thing!  And she shows it in this show!  She not only has the voice, she has the moves - and she wiggles her booty in this concert like there was no tomorrow!  And the great thing is that it really shows that she was having a great time doing the show - even though she says from time to time that the nonstop nonrest touring is taxing her body (hello!! who is her PA and why is she driving her body crazy!!).

I just hope that when she tours for her next album, she includes Manila in it, or maybe even a city close to us, like Hong Kong or Singapore.

The Final Song in Jann Arden's Happy - The Poignant 'Hangin' By A Thread'

"I am not living on the street.  I am dying on it."  Thus, the video of Hangin' By A Thread starts - and curiously, Jann Arden comes from a country which is one of the richest in the world - so the thought of a homeless person, dying alone on the street is inconceivable!  The homeless are not really one of the easiest persons to deal with, but through this song, Jann asks us to look at ourselves and ask why we allow these things to happen to the least of our fellowmen.  Good work Jan!

Jann Arden Does A Haunting Version of 'Holy Moses'

With just a guitar, a mike, her voice, and her sense of humor, Jann Arden does a haunting version of Holy Moses, one of the tracks in her Happy album.  Now, I'm really curious if she has released any new material after this CD.  This is a 12-year old CD and it would be a pity if she did not move on to make new material.  I will try to discover that later when I'm not so busy anymore.  I won't be surprised if she has continued to make heartfelt music like this -

Jann Arden's Fantastic Sense of Humor - 'Leave Me Now'

This video was taken in one of Jann Arden's concerts in Canada and it shows her fantastic sense of humor and her ability to self-deprecate!  Leave Me Now is the second track from her Happy album and it's sang very poignantly here!  If I were as rich as the Khadaffi's, I'd invite her to Manila, and maybe have a private show for me!  And maybe invite a few people who are into her brand of music. I remember now that she's from Canada!

Another Beautiful Track from Jann Arden's 'Happy?' - 'The Sound Of'

I actually didn't know that Jann Arden made videos for some of the songs in this album.  'The Sound Of' is the first single in the album, and although not quite one of my favorites - it's a safe track to introduce a newcomer to her brand of music.  I also love the surrealness of her videos!  They look very fresh!nbsp;

Rediscovering the Beauty of Jann Arden's Music - 'Wishing That'

I was going through my huge CD collection and I chanced upon Jann Arden's album 'Happy', which I bought on January 3, 1999.  I used to label all my CDs as to where and when I bought it.  I may have bought it as a post-Christmas gift for me.  This album was a follow-up to her previous CD which yielded that big hit 'Insensitive'. 

This is the track that I love the most from that album - 'Wishing That'.  At that time, I was so into this guy who so not into me - and this song perfectly captured what I felt, at that time - (I was) wishing that he'd love me too.  It really takes a good songwriter to capture our feelings which we can't properly translate to words.

Enjoy the video -

Barbra Streisand's Live Version of 'Make Someone Happy'

'Make Someone Happy' is one of the thirteen tracks of her Love is the Answer album.  It's great that she chooses to do a live version of the song since it's message is so beautiful.  Barbra does a very spare and laid-back rendition of the song and what I like about it is that her lyrics are so clear, you can really hear the message of the song.  I like the jazzy accompaniment of the piano and the bass as well!  Enjoy!

Barbra Streisand's Live Version of 'Here's To Life'

'Here's to Life' opens her 'Love Is the Answer' album - and it's a fitting song at that.  She makes a poignant monologue here before she sings and it gives more credence to the song.  I don't know though if this show was just a one-off.  I think it is so I hope she releases a DVD version of it.

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Enjoying Barbra Streisand's 'Love Is the Answer'

There are days when I just want to hear standards, and today is one of those days.  Anyhow, the first standards CD I picked from my collection was Barbra Streisand's last album, 'Love Is the Answer'. It's a very cool and spare album since Barbra co-produced it with Diana Krall, so you can definitely hear all that jazzy influence in it - from the piano to the wind instruments.

However, I chanced upon this video of a live performance of one of my favorite songs from that album - 'In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning'.  It's a great live cover and she is accompanied by a three-set jazz ensemble, which helps recreate the sound she made for this album.

Enjoy!

Chart Performance: Alexis Jordan

Alexis Jordan's second Top 10 hit in the UK, Good Girl slips to #7.  The song has peaked at #6.  Her first UK Top 10 hit was Happiness and the song peaked at #3.

2010 - Happiness (#3)
2011 - Good Girl (#6)

She also gets her first UK Top 10 album this week, as her self-titled album, debuts at #9.

Chart Performance: Clare Maguire

Clare Maguire gets her first Top 10 album in the UK this week, as Light After Dark, debuts at #7.

Clare is a singer-songwriter who was given an advance buzz by the BBC Sound of 2011, as one of the most promising acts of this year.

Pinays Rise: Chelo Sings A Catchy Anthem for Pinays Worldwide

These past few years, we have been witness to the resurgence of nationalism all throughout our own pop culture, from fashion to music to sports, so it's not surprising that a catchy anthem for Filipinas has entered the OPM Myx Countdown this week.  This song, sang by Chelo has a very quirky video too! 



The song hails the achievements of the Pinays - from 'mestizas, chinitas, morenas' - and you don't have to look far to find these worthy achievements.  In a country which has already produced two women presidents, we have always been a country which has given equal opportunities to our women.

Frencheska Farr: Filipina Chanteuse on the Rise

Winners of reality TV competitions who go off to build successful careers are not uncommon even here in the Philippines.  So yet, another reality TV show winner, is now slowly making hits and this week, she enters the OPM Myx Countdown at #19 with Isama Mo Ako (Bring Me Along With You), the theme song from the local TV series, Captain Barbell.  Curiously, there have been songs from talents from the rival network that has charted in this countdown, which is owned by another rival network. 



By the way, Frencheska Farr won the TV competition, Are You the Next Big Star?

Chart Performance: Beady Eye

Beady Eye is an English band composed of members from the band Oasis, following the exit of member Noel Gallagher.  They get their first Top 10 album in the UK, with Different Gear, Still Speeding, which debuts at #3 this week.



Here is also a sample of how their music sounds!  It's a great rocking song! 

A 'Cha-galog' Song Enters The Myx OPM Countdown

It's not often that a song which mixes a local dialect and Tagalog, enters the OPM charts.  With Tagalog being the national language (yeah, they say it's Filipino, but to others like me who speak other dialects, it's really Tagalog and not Filipino - who are they fooling!), it's not surprising that almost all of the songs that hit the OPM charts are in Tagalog, except of course if they're written in English.



So it's a breath of fresh air that a 'Cha-galog' song - a song which combines Chabacano, the dialect of Zamboanga, and Tagalog, has hit the OPM Myx Countdown, from the band, Maldita, which also hails from that place.  The song is entitled Porque (Why).  Chabacano is actually based on the Spanish language and has been cleverly modified by the people of Zamboanga.  I hope the song rises up the charts!

Remembering Four of Pebbles' Classics: Mercedes Boy

This song almost made it to #1!  Anyhow, I love its sexy groove and even if it's released now, I know it still would be a hit.  This was Pebbles' biggest hit and this song introduced her to a wider audience out of her R&B sphere.

Remembering Four of Pebbles' Classics: Giving You the Benefit

There are two Pebbles's hits which are bouncy dance tracks, and both reached the Top 10 in the US.  This song, 'Giving You the Benefit', I think, reached #4.  This was also one of my favorite songs when it came out.  You can really hear the Babyface - LA Reid influence in this track.

Chart Performance: Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum has five top 10 albums in the US.  Four of them went to #1.

2008 - Lady Antebellum (#1)
2010 - Need You Now (#1)
2011 - Own the Night (#1) 
2012 - On This Winter's Night (#8) 
2013 - Golden (#1)

They have three top 10 albums in the UK.
 
2010 - Need You Now (#8)
2011 - Own the Night (#4)
2013 - Golden (#7)

Remembering Four of Pebbles' Classics - Always

'Always' was one of my favorite songs from Pebbles' album of the same title.  This was one fantastic ballad and had Johnny Gill sing in it too, along with Cherelle!  I love the chorus and the way their voices interplay together.

Remembering Four of Pebble's Classics - Love Makes Things Happen

In the early 90's, one of my favorite female R&B singers was Pebbles, who was married, I think, at that time, to LA Reid.  She was also one of the favorite chanteuses of the Babyface-LA Reid hit machine.  This week, let's make a journey into some of the hits of this wonderful singer. 

First on the list is this beautiful ballad where Pebbles sings with Babyface.  This used to have heavy circulation on my CD.  I just love the way these two sing together!  Here's Love Makes Things Happen -

Chart Performance: Tinie Tempah

Tinie Tempah's eighth top 10 hit in the UK, Drinking From the Bottle, his  collaboration with Calvin Harris, moves up to #5 this week.  Below are his Top 10 hits in the UK.

2010 - Pass Out (#1)

2010 - Frisky (with Labrinth) (#2)

2010 - Written In the Stars (with Eric Turner) (#1)

2010 - Miami 2 Ibiza (with Swedish House Mafia) (#4)

2011 - Eyes Wide Shut (with JLS) (#8)

2011 - Earthquake (with Labrinth) (#3) 

2012 - R.I.P. (with Rita Ora) (#1)

2013 - Drinking from the Bottle (with Calvin Harris) (#5)

He has one #1 album, Disco-very.

Chart Performance: Ill Manors

Plan B's real name is Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew and he's a British rapper, singer/songwriter who's from East London.

This week, his second #1 album in the UK, the soundtrack to Ill Manors which debuted at #1, slips to #10.  Below are his #1 albums in the UK -

2010 - The Defamation of Strickland Banks (#1)
2012 - Ill Manors (#1)

Below are her top 10 singles -

2010 - Too Long (#9)

2010 - She Said (#3)

2012 - Ill Manors (#1) 

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