In celebration of Janet Jackson‘s birthday and the announcement of her return to the music scene with a new album, new world tour and new movement (whatever that’s supposed to mean), here are some pictures from the last concert I saw from her in Paris, June 26th, 2011. She’s such a wonderful artist and I can’t wait for her new project! I really hope all indications are true and this album is going to be “deep”.
Usher is preparing a new album! “Good kisser” is the new single:
I really like it. It sounds fresh, new, and still Usher. Moreover, it’s not this Eurodance-like ish anymore that was going on for muuuuuch too long! The lyrics…well… Anyways, I still kinda like the video, though. And I’m now really excited for the new album!
When I saw the video, I kinda got a feeling as if I had been missing Usher for years. And that’s probably true, because he has long been one of my favorite musicians. The video not only brought back the memories of that time but also started something new. I’m glad he’s back like THAT!
So, to re-live some Usher, here are some pictures from his last show in Munich. As I hadn’t really liked his last two albums then, “Here I am” and “Raymond vs Raymond/Versus“, I actually didn’t expect much, but Usher live is always an experience!
My friend and I waited for Usher afterwards and he did stop to say hello. That was the third time I met him. The first time was in 2001 in Cologne when he was still not widely known in Germany yet. He was awesomely nice, took a lot of time, signed autographs, took pictures, everything. Then “8701” dropped and he became huge. The album is actually still my favorite and the tour will probably always stay my favorite. But unfortunately the success seemed to have gone to his head. He was really arrogant that time. Well, maybe he had a bad day, but that was my impression. Now in 2011 the real big hype was over and he seemed to be grounded again. He signed some autographs and did a little small talk with us about the show and stuff.
But no matter what, he is an amazing showman, probably one of the few all-round entertainers, and I cannot wait to see him back on stage! Fingers crossed for a European tour!
I just watched Mariah Carey perform at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting. Her “Merry Christmas“-album is like the ultimate Christmas album to me and “All I want for Christmas” definitely a classic.
I also enjoy her newer album “Merry Christmas II you“, especially “Oh Santa”.
Ok, let’s make this easier: Actually I love most of her songs, Christmas or not. She’s one of my favorite artists. I don’t know how many of you have noticed that Mariah recently put up a new song on her Facebook account called “The Art of Letting Go”.
She describes it as a first glimpse of the new album, and after this track I ‘m looking forward to it even more because this song is so NOT mainstream, so original, so Mariah and still so new, I really can’t wait to hear more! One thing with Mariah is that I also can often relate to her lyrics. I love it when an artist is able to touch me not only with his/her music but also with his/her message in songs. And that’s the way it should be, because I think that vocal music is about both, music and lyrics. And sometimes I enjoy a song because of its melody or bass lick or rhythm or feel, but to really really get me a songs needs to convince me with its lyrics as well. I mean, why not use a song to give a message, why waste it with stupid nonsense?
There are so many Mariah songs with a meaning that they can kind of lead you through life and give you strength when you need it. At least they have done that for me. Of course everyone knows “Hero” or “One sweet day“, but there are also a lot of her less known songs that transport a message. Personally one of my favorites is “Can’t take that away“.
I think there’s a big misconception of Mariah out there. Many people don’t even know she writes her own songs. She’s seen as some kind of puppet on a string that can sing but is acting like a diva. Few people know that she’s very accessible and she has a good sense of humour, too. About a month ago she surprised some of her fans on the Jimmy Fallon show. Afterwards she gave a little private, impromptu performance.
From my experience it is often the other way round: Those artists who are – according to their reputation – completely inaccessible, are very much accessible and those – often rather small – artists, who seem to be very open and down to earth, are completely the opposite. I know that can not be generalized but there is a tendency… Anyway, Mariah definitely is very close to her fans. I had the chance to speak a couple of words with her a few times and she was always very nice, very caring. She always made sure to take her time to greet her fans, sign autographs, talk a few words, shake hands. She even sometimes referred to letters or presents she got and told the fans how much she loved those or took them with her to talk to her privately. It always seemed important to her what her fans told her. The moment I remember most was after her “Charmbracelet”-concert in Munich when she returned to her hotel. I thanked her for all the strength she had shown and said that it was really an inspiration. I will never forget the way she looked at me and thanked me! It was so obvious that she really appreciated my comment and that this whole situation of her talking to her fans was not an annoying duty to her but something she enjoyed and wanted to do.
Her concerts, of course, are awesome. She’s just an amazing singer and it seems she sounds even better live than on her albums. She cannot dance, but the stage is filled by her presence. I hope she will come to Europe again with her new album! For now, here are some pictures from her “Charmbracelet-Tour”-concerts in Hamburg and Munich 2003. Quite some years ago so these are scans of some of my photos.
So what’s this year’s best Christmas album going to be? Each year top artists drop their Xmas albums in November. Usually there are not too many new songs on there but basically the same well-known tunes from “White Christmas” to Silent Night” and back. But does that matter? No! Don’t we all want to hear the same old songs in the pre-Christmas period? I guess Christmas is so much about traditions and so much about our fond memories of past Christmases, that new songs are kinda unnecessary. Only those old songs can create that cozy, warm atmosphere and make you feel home.
So what’s new this year? I’ve been listening to Mary J. Blige’s “A Mary Christmas” already (yes, admitted, before the first Sunday of Advent). My favorites are her version of “Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer” (very jazzy) and “When you wish upon a star” together with Barbara Streisand. The latter is actually not really a Christmas classic but it has that Christmas feel to me. And I just LOVE the melody and the lyrics. Altogether a very nice, never boring record which could become my Xmas favorite this year.
But then there will also be Leona Lewis‘ album “Christmas, with love”, which will be released on November 29th. Leona has already posted an album sampler with previews of each song.
Check out “Ave Maria”. I bet nobody would have guessed it’s her on that tune. I’m looking forward to really listening to it.
That reminds me… I do have some nice pictures of Leona (supporting act: Alexander Klaws) from her concert in the Philharmonie am Gasteig earlier this year. I had been looking forward to seeing her since “Bleeding in love“, which used to be one of my heavy rotation tunes before it became big everywhere. I looooved her first album, too. I kinda lost her a little on later albums, but she’s still an amazing singer. As the concert was in the Philharmonic Orchestra building I had huge expectations concerning experiencing her live vocals. Unfortunately it was a huge let down. Not because Leona suddenly couldn’t sing anymore, but because the sound was horrible. I had a seat in the second row and Leona’s vocals could barely be heard. Please, sound engineers, also people in the first rows want to not only see the show but also hear it! Unfortunately this was not the first time I experienced the sound being incredibly bad in the first rows. It’s always a huge disappointment and I can’t really enjoy the concert as much as I would have wanted to. Anyway, put on your favorite Leona song and enjoy these pictures!
music, the world & me 