Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Punk Rock... er... musical?

    Green Day, an American rock trio, will re-release its album "American Idiot". On this edition we'll be able to hear new arrangements of the songs recorded with the cast of Broadway's show based on band's music.

    The album will be titled "American Idiot Cast Album" and will hit the shelves on May 10th. Most of the material will consist of songs from the original "American Idiot", but there will be a couple ones from their last longplay, "21st Century Breakdown", which appeared in musical as well. 

    The album "21st Century Breakdown" was released on May 2009. "American Idiot" had its first on September 2009. Recordings of this "semi-new" material were held in Electric Lady Studios in New York.

Photo: Mazur/WireImage
    So are you curious yet about how a (punk-)rock band sounds in a musical setting of Broadway? I have to admit - my first thought was "its some kind of blasphemy - rock and musicals don't mix". Well, I found some videos that haven't exactly made me change my mind. I still think it looks out of place, but I cannot judge the entire show based just on a couple of minutes. Anyway, if you are curious, here's a clip for you:


    But the news is not about the musical - it's about new versions of songs. And that is a completely different thing. There is another video with a "21 Guns". I must say, that I am not a big fan of Green Day, but I was completely captivated by this performance and woman singing the intro part:


    If other songs managed to keep the same charm I am starting to think that wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Music fans love concerts...

Hello again:)
Music artists are writing songs, composing music, recording albums, but I think, that for every artist, most important thing is to be able to perform live in front of their fans - to play concerts!
There are a lot of music genres, but even much more styles of concerts - we can go to a small pub, to listen to music played intimate, or go to concert hall, or sport hall, or even football stadium with fireworks show - every place would be good, so I don't believe, that is someone is saying, that doesn't like concerts is true - I sure, everyone, every listener likes concerts;)
For me, it doesn't matter, where - it matters how - I like, when an artist is having great contact with their fans, singing together, spontaneous ideas. I like, when I can feel, that artist is performing really live - feel emotions in their voice, play solos little bit different, than original and so on... I've seen some concerts, those better and those worse. Favorites? I love Iron Maiden's shows, Carlos Santana played amazingly in Warsaw or ex-Pink Floyd David Gilmour in GdaƄsk, but the concert, that I enjoyed most was Wyclef Jean!

That was a surprise for me, because I'm not a great fan of hip-hop music. But... I have known some of his music, but have been thinking - another hip-hop singer, wearing big gold chains bla bla bla. Wyclef is totally different! (ok, maybe not totally, but much different, than others;) ) He was singing (not only rap!), playing guitar, dancing, having fun with public. He played a lot of his hits, such as "911", "Gone till November", "Fast car", "Sweetest girl", then he took part in break dance battle, played a disco as a DJ - awesome show! People were screaming, dancing till late hours (concert began few minutes before 24 and music was played till 3:30!) - for me, something incredible!:) Now I have a dream - see his concert once again! and again!:)
I couldn't find better video than this:

and video from break dance battle on stage: VIDEO

I wish you could see concerts like this!:)

Monday, April 19, 2010

BaMaG's favorite vocal duets - part two

Hi there!
Duets, duets, duets... Last time I wrote about famous artists, but not so famous song - that wasn't  kind of commercial music, but something untypical in some way. This time I want to make an opposition - I'm sure, that almost everyone know "Don't cry" - amazing rock ballad sung by... yeah, not only Axl Rose (from Guns n'Roses), but with Shannon Hoon (from Blind Melon).
Here is a video of "Don't cry":


Yeah, Shannon had amazing voice.... Sadly, world lost him for ever - Shannon Hoon died in 1995 because of drug overdose...

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Shakira's 2010 World Cup anthem revealed

Shakira during Rock In Rio.
Author: Andres.Arranz
    Shakira's song "Africa" was chosen to be an official 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem.

    The Columbian singer recorded the song with Freshlygrounda band from RPA. It will be officially released na April the 19th, however we can already listen to an excerpt from it. On YouTube naturally ;-).


    Shakira and Freshlyground, as well as The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend together with Alicia Keys will perform on a concert which will be a part of an opening ceremony held in Soweto on June the 10nd. The anthem will also be performed at World Cup's finale.


    What's interesting, two versions have been recorded - an english-language "Africa" and a spanish version called "Saminamina". Both of which can be listened right here:


English version

Spanish version

    Which one do you like more? :) I personally think that the lyrics in the Spanish version are better.

    The track’s African influences can be heard through the sample of 'Zangalewa', a Camaroonian song from the 80s.


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

R&fn'R by Slash!

Hi there! How are you? Have you heard about newest album released by Slash? Well I'm sitting at home and relaxing while listening to his R&fn'R (hmm, what could these letters mean...:P) Slash invited plenty of stars to help him make this album: Kid Rock, Ozzy Osbourne, Izzy Stradlin, Fergie, Ian Astbury and many more... 


My favorite song from this album? Difficult question, I'll need to listen to this album for a longer time, to choose my best, but for example "Crucify the death" played with Ozzy on vocals sounds very, very nice... 

I'm dreaming about seeing a concert presenting material from this album...

For all of you, who love Slash's guitar...

 

Enjoy!

New Alice in Chains album?


    Alice In Chains fans should keep their fingers crossed. There is a chance the band will soon record a new album.

    Jerry Cantrell, the leader of the band, revealed that he and his colleagues are seriously thinking about recording new material.


    "We are considering going back to studio" - said the guitarist - "We will see if it'll work out well. However I cannot see the reason why it wouldn't". 


    Let's remind that in September 2009 a longplay called "Black Gives Way To Blue" was released. It was the first album recorded with a new lead singer William DuVall. Alice in Chains is currently formed by him, Jerry Cantrell (vocals, guitars), Mike Inez (base guitar) and Sean Kinney (drums). 


Links:

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

BaMaG's favorite vocal duets - part one

Hi!
I decided to start a new cycle - my favorite vocal duets. Why? In my opinion, usually there is a kind of magic in songs, sang by not only one person, but two of them. It doesn't matter, what genre of music it will represent, or if both voices will be male, female or mixed (male+female - my favorite:D). Maybe it's a matter of completing the melody, maybe something else, but every time I'm listening to vocal duets, I'm enjoying music more, and more, and more... Maybe I'm just a freak;) All right, too much maybe, I should show you my first proposition.
Well... There is one of best singers in history, Italian tenor, born in 1958 in Lajatico (Etruria) and he's blind - yes, you've guessed, I'm talking about Andrea Bocelli, and about his amazing voice.
Some time ago (exactly in 2006) he released his new single sang in duet...
Can you remember that girl in the picture below?!

...yes, it's Christina Aguilera in her videoclip to her song "Lady Marmalade" (btw sang by four (!) voices:) )
So hot and sexy girl singing with tenor?! Does it fit? If anyone has got a doubt, you have to see this!


For me that song is so wonderful, amazing, awesome, fantastic and... sorry, I can't write more, I'm gonna listen to that song once again:) Enjoy!