Finally A Sarah Geronimo Song That I Like - Kung Siya Ang Iyong Mahal

It has taken me awhile to warm up to Sarah Geronimo, the self-proclaimed Pop Princess of Philippine music basically because I haven't found any of her songs interesting. She did release a very good song last year, Sino Nga Ba Siya, which almost touched base with me, but finally this year, this song has been part of my personal favorites list for OPM songs!

Interestingly, her live version here mimics perfectly the recorded version! No wonder people love her! No tweaking of her voice, no Autotune, just pure talent!

Chart Performance: DJ Khaled

 DJ Khaled gets his highest charting album this week, as Kiss The Ring, debuts at #4.  It's his fourth Top 10 album in the US.

2007 - We The Best (#8)
2008 - We Global (#7)
2011 - We The Best Forever (#5)\

2012 - Kiss the Ring (#4)

311 Returns to US Top 10 Album Charts

The band 311 gets their eighth Top 10 album in the US this week, as Universal Pulse, debuts at #7.  Here are the Top 10 albums of the band in the US -

1997 - Transistor (#4)

1999 - Soundsystem (#9)

2001 - From Chaos (#10)

2003 - Evolver (#7)

2004 - Greatest Hits '93-'03 (#7)

2005 - Don't Tread on Me (#5)

2009 - Uplifter (#3)

2011 - Universal Pulse (#7)

My Favorite Dance Beat of the Week: Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat

This song just kinda grew on me! Now, I like it's frisky beat! It hasn't yet been played so much on local Manila radio, but this should become a hit here. Its beat is just infectious!

Download of the Week: Miguel - Quickie

Hmmm....probably one of the naughtier songs I've heard in a long while! I've heard of Miguel before but this is the first song that really made me took notice. "I don't need to be loved, I just want a quickie." How many times does that happen in a week? A naughty download of the week, for a change!

My Top 10 Favorite Songs for the First Half of 2011

I was going through my Itunes list last night and I was picking my Top 10 favorite songs for the first half of 2011.  It was so difficult to do, as usual.  Well, here they are and why they figure so high up in my list.

1.  Lady Gaga - Born This Way - this song celebrates tolerance and diversity so it goes to the top of my list

2.  Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite - another song celebrating the strength of the female specie, but it could still apply to guys like me - "I'm feeling mighty, I'm the Aphrodite!"

3.  David Archuleta - Stomping the Roses - when his CD came out last year, I didn't find any songs in it interesting, until I bought the album this year and listened earnestly to it - so Stomping the Roses is this high in my list

4. Maroon 5 - Never Gonna Leave This Bed - Well, another act who came to Manila, so I had to listen to their album so I can enjoy their show - and I discovered this one!  One of my favorite sing-along songs this year.

5.  Nicole Scherzinger - Don't Hold Your Breath - I love the beat of this song and I always dance to it when I'm alone in my room.

6.  Marsha Ambrosius - Far Away - beautiful song, heartbreaking video, glad I discovered your music Marsh!

7.  Chris Brown - Yeah3X - I still couldn't forget how we danced this in that HK fitness club.  That was where I discovered how cool this song really is!

8.  Kirk Franklin - I Smile - I miss this guy.  I miss his uplifting songs!  This one is another classic in my book!

9.  Christina Aguilera - Express - oh well, her music may have been ignored by the public but for me, I really liked her last album and from Burlesque, this song and its choreography there was what I loved the best!

10.  Glee (Chris Colfer) - As If We Never Said Goodbye - this guy, Chris Colfer has such a beautiful voice, and his version of Barbra Streisand's As If We Never Said Goodbye is so beautiful!

Yeng Constantino Just Churns Out Hit After Hit

I am actually still debating whether to watch Yeng's concert next week.  I am actually not very familiar with her hits, except for Jeepney Love Story.  Yeng has continued to churn out hit after hit, and her last four releases all went to #1 in the different local radio charts.  I guess it's because her songs have very strong lyrics and she speaks to a generation of women like her - still looking for love, being mindful of the hurts, pains and highs it can give!

Rediscovering Christian Bautista

I used to be a fan of his way back when he started.  I even watched his concert in Cebu in the mid 00's, which was held, strangely, in an SM cinema!  Anyhow, his star continued to shine because he did those remakes, which I don't really like.  Remakes are for the lazy, but I guess the public loved it (who could possibly dislike Jose Mari Chan's music!), so he proceeded to have more hits. 

Well, he's back at the top of the charts again with I'm Already King, which is a soundtrack song of an international movie he has made in Indonesia.  It's vintage Christian Bautista at his best, with his calm voice.  No surprise that his fans voted again for this, in droves!

Chart Performance: Caro Emerald

Caro Emerald finally gets her very first #1 album in the UK, as The Shocking Miss Emerald goes to the top of the UK #1 albums chart this week.  In 2010, Deleting Scenes From the Cutting Room Floor went to #4.

The Horrors 'Skying' Hits UK #5

The British rock band The Horrors get their first UK top 5 album as Skying debuts at #5 this week.

Kelis Bounces Back into the UK Top 10 with 'Bounce'

I didn't realize that Kelis is actually popular in the UK!  Her latest offering, a collaboration with Calvin Harris, peaked at #2 and is at #8 for a second week this week.  These are her UK Top 10 hits -

1999 - Caught Out There (#4)
2003 - Milkshake (#2)
2003 - Finest Dreams (with Richard X) (#8)
2004 - Trick Me (#2)
2004 - Millionaire (with Andre) (#3)
2004 - Not In Love (with Enrique Iglesias) (#5)
2005 - I Love My Chick (with Busta Rhymes, will.i.am) (#8)
2007 - Little Star (with Cee-Lo Green) (#3)
2010 - Acapella (#5)
2011 - Bounce (with Kelis) (#2)

That "Day-O" Song in the Movie Classic "Beetlejuice"

This is one of the most memorable scenes from my high school movie-watching days. Beetlejuice was one of the earlier works of Tim Burton and even at that time, you can't miss the originality of his ideas! I think this came out in 1986.

This scene just actually comes from out of the blue - that's why it's so funny when you see it in the context of the movie! Here they were just talking and suddenly, they sang!! And they danced too! Took me a while to get over it!

I knew the song already by then since Mama always played Harry Belafonte at home. I learned later on that it was the Banana Boat Song.

A Samples Favorite: Harry Belafonte's Banana Boat Song

Mama loved Harry Belafonte, and as a kid, I would always hear his music being played in our cassette tape (oh, those were the days!). This was the song that stood out from the rest, his classic Banana Boat Song.

I also remember this song since Tim Burton included it in a very funny yet classic scene in his movie Beetlejuice! That scene really made me go to the cinema and I just waited for it!

Nowadays, you can hear Harry's trademark "Day-O" in Jason Derulo's UK #1 hit, Don't Wanna Go Home. Jason decided to update this classic and reintroduce it to today's generation.

A Sampler's Favorite - The Original Robin S Classic 'Show Me Love'

I was still in college when this song became a huge hit in the US, and also in the dance floor here in the Philippines. I didn't realize that this would become a big classic for today's generation of performers - the latest being Jason Derulo, who samples it heavily in his UK #1 hit, Don't Wanna Go Home.

We also get to dance this always in our Body Jam classes so I think the Les Mills people really love this track - the way I love it too!

Loick Essien Debuts in UK Top 10 with How We Roll

Loick Essien is another new R&B singer from the UK who breaks into the UK Top 10 with How We Roll, his collaboration with Tanya Lacey.  The song has peaked at #2 and this week, stays at #5 for a second week.

Sian Evans Gets Her First UK #1 in a Dance Recording

Sian Evans is credited in DJ Fresh's UK #1 single, Louder, making it her first UK #1 hit too!  This week, their song stays at #2 for a second week.

Chart Performance: DJ Fresh

DJ Fresh's third UK top 10 hit, The Power, his collaboration with Dizzee Rascal, slips to #7 this week, after debuting at the peak position of #6.  Below are his UK top 10 hits -

2011 - Louder (with Sian Evans) (#1)

2012 - Hot Right Now (with Rita Ora) (#1)

2012 - The Power (with Dizzee Rascal) (#6)

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My Most Favorite Amy Winehouse Song: Me & Mr. Jones

When I first played Amy Winehouse's Back to Black album, this was the song that actually blew me away! She just captured the 60s R&B vibe so well, it gave me goosebumps! Interestingly, when I listened closely to the lyrics, I realized that she was actually singing about a contemporary setting - since the rapper Slick Rick was there! I initially thought this was a remake of a 60s song. I guess I was wrong, since her words were very contemporary. And don't you just love the cursing! She just twirls it round her mouth and the words come out just perfect! And the bass guitar, ohhhh, ohhhh, ohhhh! Lovely!

Au Revoir Amy Winehouse: Your 'Valerie' Is A Gem

I just love her version of 'Valerie' along with producer Mark Ronson. They totally livened the song up and Amy just stamped her mark on this song. I actually thought she redid Steve Winwood's classic but noticed later that this was a totally different song.

Glee did a version of this song for their Regionals, I think, and they rocked it too!

Sublime with Rome Gets their First US Top 10 Album

The members of the band Sublime teams up with Rome Ramirez to form Sublime with Rome, and this week, their album, Yours Truly, debuts at #9, making it their first US Top 10 album collaboration.

Theory of A Deadman Gets Their First US Top 10 Album

Canadian hard rock band, Theory of a Deadman finally breaks through in the US Top 10 album charts, as The Truth Is, debuts at #8 this week.

Colbie Caillat Returns to US Top 10 Album Charts

Bubbly pop chanteuse, Colbie Caillat gets her third consecutive US Top 10 album this week, as All of You, debuts at #6.  Here are her Top 10 albums in the US -

2007 - Coco (#5)
2009 - Breakthrough (#1)
2011 - All Of You (#6)

Chris Young Gets His First US Top 10 Album

Chris Young gets his first US Top 10 album this week, as Neon debuts at #4.

Incubus Gets their Fifth US Top 10 Album

Incubus gets their fifth US Top 10 album this week as If Not Now, When, debuts at #2.  Here are their Top 10 albums in the US -

2001 - Morning View (#2)
2004 - A Crow Left of the Murder (#2)
2006 - Light Grenades (#1)
2009 - Monuments and Melodies (#5)
2011 - If Not Now, When (#2)

Chart Performance: Blake Shelton

Country star Blake Shelton has five top 10 albums in the US.

2003 - The Dreamer (#8)
2007 - Pure BS (#8)
2011 - Red River Blue (#1)
2012 - Cheers, It's Christmas (#8)
2013 - Based on a True Story (#3)

Demi Lovato's Skyscraper: Her Second US Top 10 Hit

It took three years before Demi Lovato gets her follow-up to her hit duet, This Is Me, with Joe Jonas, which peaked at #9.  This week, Skyscraper debuts at #10, her second US Top 10 hit.

Remembering Debbie Gibson: "Only In My Dreams"

I was in third year high school when this song came out and it was so bubbly it was impossible not to notice it, especially for someone like me who adored pop music. You can't get more pop than this and this definitely is the best song Debbie Gibson came out with. She also did some really fine ballads too, which I will feature next!

Julie Ann San Jose: A Wonderful Opening Act for David Archuleta

I rarely talk about the opening acts of the concerts I watch since, frankly, with so much singing talent in our country, almost everyone worth his or her salt can sing!  Anyhow, this girl, whose name is Julie Ann San Jose, thanks to a reader Che who volunteered her name, opened for David Archuleta in his show last Monday.  And wow, this girl can sing!  Her repertoire included most of today's hits like Judas, Super Bass and California King Bed, and she really blew me away!  Her confidence, her voice, and it's not easy to rap, mind you, and she did Super Bass like she was Nickie Minaj! How cool is that!

Anyway, she's a good alternative to all the tepid pop singers we produce who just sings slow love songs (yawn!). I just hope someone produces good catchy pop songs for her, because she can really sing and dance!

Concert Review: David Archuleta's Voice As Crystal Clear as Ever!

It's understandable why David Archuleta keeps coming back here. It's already his third time here and tonight, he gets his biggest crowd yet who came and paid top dollar just to see him! No David Cooke to tandem with him this time, and no freebie entrance like the one in SM Skydome. And there were lots of screaming teenage girls with banners professing their love to the chanteur!

David's playlist tonight was very similar to the one he did in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina over a month ago. He tweaked it a bit though. He did about five tracks from The Other Side of Down including my favorites, "Stomping the Roses" (his opening song) and "My Kind of Perfect" plus the crowd favorites like 'Elevator', The Other Side of Down' and 'Something Bout Love'. He also did two of my favorite songs from his first album, 'Touch My Hand' and 'My Hands' - which I lustily sang along with! The crowd obviously loved Crush and A Little Too Not Over You and Zero Gravity.

He did some covers too like Bryan Adams 'Heaven' - which was one of his encore songs, the Tears for Fears 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World, the classic 'Stand By Me', Daniel Bedingfield's 'Gotta Get Through This' and The Police's 'Message in A Bottle.

He's really very cute up close and he never took of his jacket the whole time! He's also very talkative and was very at home with everyone. He did his Tagalog really well, peppering the whole show with requisite liners like 'Mabuhay', and "Mahal ko kayo". His voice, as always is his best selling point! It was very clear and he did most of the high notes in most of the songs. He was very appreciative of the very warm reception he got tonight.

The opening act whose name escapes me now, is a very good singer with a very beautiful voice! Her name was like Julie Ann something. She did Super Bass along with the rap! Imagine that! Her repertoire was very cool and it included Judas, California King Bed and one of Paramore's songs.

David Archuleta's 'My Kind of Perfect': Another Song I Want Him to Sing Tonight

'My Kind of Perfect' is another song from his latest album that I love so much. And he showcases it here perfectly, just using the keyboard as accompaniment.

David Archuleta's "Stomping the Roses" - The Song I'll Be Waiting For Him To Sing Later Tonight

'Stomping the Roses' is my favorite song from David Archuleta's latest album, The Other Side of Down and the song that I am eagerly waiting for him to sing in his concert tonight at the Araneta Coliseum. I love his live version here - he sounds fantastic!!

David Archuleta Does A Wonderful Version of Sting's "Fields of Gold"

Well, I just knew right now that the ephemereal Eva Cassidy originally did this song which Sting made famous in the 90s, "Fields of Gold". David Archuleta does a very laid-back version of this, my favorite classic. This kid is so smart! He knows his music!

New On My Ipod: We The King's "Friday Is Forever"

This is the first time I heard of the rock band We the Kings and their latest single is a breezy rock song that glorifies the best night of the week - Friday!!

New on my Ipod: Pop Evil's "Monster You Made"

Don't be fooled by their leather rock look. This band makes really good pop-rock music and their new single from it, Monster You Made attests to it. It's one of the songs that are on heavy rotation this week as it sounds like those 80s rock songs that I really enjoy listening to!

The Book of Mormon's "Hello" - Already a Showstopper

I first heard of The Book of Mormon because the album debuted at #3 in the US Top 10 album charts, a rare feat for a Broadway musical. It did help that it won nine Tony Awards the week before the album was released. Basing it from the first song alone, it's not hard to understand why it won so many awards. I can't wait to hear the whole thing and hopefully, watch the play!

Rediscovering this Gem from Antony Hegarty and Boy George: You Are My Sister

This is one of my favorite songs from Antony and the Johnson's I Am A Bird Now album and it's impossible not to be moved by the performance of both Antony and Boy George. It's interesting how Antony looked up to Boy George growing up, since the latter pushed the envelope on men dressing up feminine - and it did help that the Culture Club also produced really good pop music! This song should stay on my Ipod list permanently!

So This Is the Song That Started It All for Antony Hegarty

I am reading an article now that credited Lou Reed as the one who helped Antony Hegarty clinch that record deal which resulted in an album which is now a personal classic for me, I Am A Bird Now. This is actually the song that made Lou Reed stand up and notice - I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy.

I'm Happy that Christina Aguilera Finds Her Footing Again in 'The Voice'

'The Voice' hasn't yet reached Asia but I got to know about it since some of its winners have been charting in the US.  I just learned that Christina Aguilera is one of the judges-mentors in it - a job that fits her perfectly since we all know she's got those lungs of steel! 

Well, I'm glad she found her career back in the positive side of things again, after all the bad publicity she's been getting for the past three years!  I was one of the few people who actually liked her Bionic album and too bad, the tour that should've gone with it was cancelled due to lack of interest.  Oh well, I guess her loyal fans want her "old style".  It also surprised me why she had to go through that Lady Gaga route when she was already a big name artist way before Ms Gaga came into the picture.  And their musical styles are really different!

Oh well, I'm definitely looking forward to new material from her.

Hot Chelle Rae's Tonight Tonight Reaches US Top 10

Hot Chelle Rae's Tonight, Tonight finally reaches the US Top 10.  This week, the song slips to #8.  The song has peaked at #7.  It's their first Top 10 hit in the US.

OneRepublic Returns To US Top 10 Singles Chart with Good Life

After making a splashy debut in 2007 with the hit Apologize, it took the band OneRepublic four years to return to the US Top 10, this time, with Good Life, which slips to #9 this week.  The song has peaked at #8.   It's their second US Top 10 hit.

Chart Performance: Scotty McReery

Scotty McCreery gets his second top 10 album in the US, as Christmas With Scotty McReery debuts at #4.  His first top 10 album and first #1 album as well was Clear Day

David Cook's "This Loud Morning" His Second US Top 10 Album

David Cook's This Loud Morning, debuts this week at #7 in the US Top 10 albums chart, making it his second Top 10 album, after his self-titled album peaked at #3 in 2008.  It's still a good performance considering that the American Idol glow has already faded for him so he really has some hard core fans willing to follow his career.

Jill Scott's "A Long Walk" Introduced Her to the Public

Interestingly, Jill Scott doesn't have any big hits but her Top 10 albums prove that she has a strong fan base. This song, A Long Walk, is her biggest hit so far, reaching #43 in the US Singles Chart. Her sound is reminiscent of another soul sister, Erykah Badu.

Selena Gomez's "Who Says" Is Featured in "Monte Carlo"

I am beginning to warm to Selena Gomez's brand of music. It's breezy and tuneful and it's the sound you'd expect from a young adult like her. This song, "Who Says" is probably her most positive single yet and incidentally, it was featured in the movie, Monte Carlo. It was played in the end credits.

"Naturally" - Selena Gomez's Biggest Hit So Far

Now that Selena Gomez and the Scene has new material that enters the US Top 10, I wanted to find out her biggest hit so far, and it's this song "Naturally". This song reached #1 in the US Dance Charts, #29 in the US, and the Top 10 in South Korea and the UK.

Chart Performance: Big Sean

American hip hop performer, Big Sean, is "Finally Famous".  His album peaked #3 in the US Top 10 charts.

He has two top 10 songs in the US - As Long As You Love Me, his collaboration with Justin Bieber, which peaked at #6; and Dance, his collaboration with Nicki Minaj, which peaked at #10.

Beyonce's '4' Hits #1 in US, UK, Ireland and Switzerland

Outside of Destiny's Child, Beyonce has already amassed 16 Top 10 hits in the UK, and five of them went straight to #1.  Her latest hit, Best Thing I Never Had peaked at #3 and is currently at #4 for a second week.  These are the Top 10 hits of this bootylicious diva -

2002 - '03 Bonnie and Clyde (#3)
2002 - Work It Out (#7)
2003 - Crazy in Love (with Jay-z) (#1)
2003 - Baby Boy (with Sean Paul) (#2)
2004 - Naughty Girl (#10)
2005 - Check On It (with Slim Thug) (#3)
2006 - Deja Vu (with Jay-z) (#1)
2006 - Irreplaceable (#4)
2007 - Beautiful Liar (with Shakira) (#1)
2007 - Listen (#8)
2008 - If I Were A Boy (#1)
2008 - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (#7)
2009 - Halo (#4)
2009 - Sweet Dreams (#5)
2010 - Telephone (with Lady Gaga) (#1)
2011 - Best Thing I Never Had (#3)

In the US, her fourth solo #1 album, "4", slips to #5 this week.  For now, all her solo albums have reached #1.  Here they are -

2003 - Dangerously in Love (#1)
2006 - B'Day (#1)
2008 - I Am.....Sasha Fierce (#1)
2011 - 4 (#1)

In the UK this week, her album, 4, returns to #5. Below are the rankings of her albums in the UK.

2003 - Dangerously in Love (#1)
2006 - B'Day (#3)
2008 - I Am.....Sasha Fierce (#2)
2011 - 4 (#1)

Veteran Weird Al Yankovic Gets Second US Top 10 Album

Surprisingly, veteran comic musician Weird Al Yankovic, only gets his second Top 10 album in the US, and his highest charting, with Alpocalypse, which debuts at #9.  Straight Outta Lynnwood peaked at #10 in 2006.

Justin Moore's Second Offering Hits US Top 10

Justin Moore continues to gain a wider audience as his second album, Outlaws Like Me, debuts at #5.  His self-titled first album peaked at #10. 

Bon Iver Gets First US Top 10 Album

Bon Iver, an American indie folk band, gets their first US Top 10 album this week, as their self-titled album debuts at #2.

Jill Scott Gets First #1 Album in the US

Jill Scott finally gets her first #1 album in the US with The Light of the Sun.  This week, the album slips to #7.  This is Jill's third Top 10 album.

2004 - Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Volume 2 (#3)
2007 - The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3 (#4)
2011- The Light of the Sun (#1)

Concert Review: Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite Tour in Manila!

Kylie's Aphrodite Tour was undeniably the best live show yet, that I've seen from her! It tops her last show which was not bad at all, but the show tonight was just fabulous and dazzling and ethereal and sensual in so many ways! I admit I did watch the Youtube videos of her show but none of them really approximated the grandeur of seeing her performance live! It was like watching Varekai, only that someone was singing! It's even difficult to choose a favorite segment since almost everything was fantastic! It helped that the Manila crowd was all out in supporting and cheering and singing with her! It certainly encouraged Kylie to go all out in her performance! My friend K, who also saw her show in Bangkok said that her reaction to the Manila crowd was so different from Bangkok. She said it showed that Kylie really had fun here!

My favorite parts include the Especially For You part which became a sing-along portion since it was such a popular song 20 years ago! Imagine that! Also, her last encore song, All the Lovers, was even more fabulous live! The Youtube videos I've seen of it don't even come close to seeing the live one! Its impact was so strong, a lot of people were singing it and acting it out outside! It was so cute to watch them! The costumes done by Dolce and Gabanna were fabulous and beautiful! The dancers and all those aerial performances were truly breathtaking! She pulled all the stops in her show and the Manila crowd responded with love!

It was a fantastic way to party with people of my generation! Everyone came dressed and ready to party! It was a great atmosphere to be a part of! Certainly a concert that sets the trend for the rest of the shows I still have to watch in 2011.