Celine Dion...fans mob stage door @ Colosseum! Caesars Palace gig a sell-out!

As I sauntered through Caesars Palace last night, I got caught up in a crush of Celine Dion fans jockeying for position in line at the stage door of the Colosseum.

The atmosphere was electrically-charged as ticket-holders buzzed with excitement over the Pop Diva's latest gig in the exotic desert oasis that is Las Vegas.

Celine has been blessed with quite a diverse fan base which was in evidence last night everywhere 'ya turned in the midst of the ecstatic concert-goers that milled about excitedly 'til well past midnight.

Although a handful of handsome men sported elegant white linen suits, a gang of regular folks (tourists and locals alike) also turned out in trendy casual shorts and fashionable 't'-shirts etched with her image on front.

On one wall a huge portrait of Celine with her bare back turned to the viewer cheekily screamed out to all in attendance.

"Celine's Back!"

A clever eye-catching promotion, eh?

Meanwhile, a host of Celine-lovers were inclined to dash into the souvenir shop next-door to snatch up a bevy of keep-sakes.

There was quite a wide selection of offerings on hand - from pricey "Celine" wristwatches studded with diamonds - to simple gold bracelets affordably-priced for the budget-minded fan!

Of course, there were dozens of CD's  on hand - in both English and French - for die-hard Celine fans to snap up and listen to on the ride back home or to their hotels.

According to the doorman the concert was a sell-out!

Go figure!

Ms. Dion is a popular songbird to reckon with in the industry.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Celine Dion...returns to Colosseum in Vegas! June 7th - August 14th!

It's official!


Canada's songbird - Celine Dion - is slated for a return engagement in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas!

Ms. Dion - Big "O's" top-rated pop singer (the Diva appeared on Oprah's show at least 31 times during the course of its long run on Network Television) - will be backed by a 31 Piece Orchestra and Band.

No doubt - the sensational stage performer - will delight audiences with one of her big hits (My Heart Will Go On) which just happened to be the theme song for the romantic feature "The Titanic" which starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

Snap up your tickets before they're all gone, eh?

The stage spectacular is expected to be a sell-out highlight of the season!

June 7th - August 14th

http://www.thetattler.biz

Celine Dion...returns to Caesars Palace in Vegas! Tickets on sale now...

What happens in Vegas

(gets blabbed about by Obama)

It's all in the camera angle & lighting

I expect that if I referred to Celine Dion as Canada's little "songbird" - fellow Canucks (old-timers in particular) - might get up in arms.

After all, Anne Murray has held that title for decades.

However, in a recent interview, Ms. Murray fessed up.

When asked if she would return to the stage (and if not, why) she responded with no-nonesense frankness.

"The voice is not what it use to be," she confessed in so many words.

I guess Anne is quite the perfectionist - and preferred to go out on crystal clear high note - unlike some lounge lizards who continue to flog an old stage act way past its prime!

Bravo!

Meanwhile, Celine's voice is "going on" and  "on" and "on".

Not unlike the heart and soul  of the "Titantic" which continues to attract repeat audiences.

No wonder!

The long-time resident of Quebec (Canada) is a bundle of energy.

Maybe, she is best-compared to an every-ready energizer bunny!

Needless to say - now that tickets are on sale for her scheduled gig at Caesars Palace - just betcha they'll be snapped up in no time flat.

Date:  March 15th

www.celineinvegas.com

Unfortunately, the closest I ever came to Celine was when I visited the Chapel in downtown Montreal where she was wed. 

Subsequently, there aren't any juicy tidbits of gossip (or back-stage anecdotes) to share.

Personally, I prefer her ballads, as opposed to the glitzy upbeat numbers she warbles to with tricky beats.

Bottom line?

Audiences will cry for more!

After all, you've either go "it", or 'ya don't.

See you there, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Josh Groban...fan club accused of hanky-panky. Housewifes' panties wet for crooner, say some!

Housewives want a piece of him...

Over the past couple of days, I ventured into the kookie world of Josh Groban fans, after I penned a post a handful of his adoring followers took exception to.

The snippet on the popular songbird was written in response to a swipe that a local Los Angeles Times journalist took at Groban in the "overrated" section of the weekend paper.


While I wouldn't label Groban's performance on the Emmy Awards "cheesy" - per se (as the writer was inclined to characterize it) - I felt the occcasion an appropriate one to note for the record that I found the singer's voice too "trained" (and hence) somewhat limited in appeal.


When I hit the publish button - I half-expected an angry piece of hate mail or two to fly my way - (I'm a big bruiser and I wasn't born yesterday 'ya know?) but I wasn't prepared for the can of worms about to be unleashed.

Juvenile, or what?

Within minutes, fans were posting comments based on the wildest assumptions.



For instance, one dude lamented that I knew nothing about Groban.

On the contrary, I've watched his career evolve since day one.



In fact - I was sitting ringside on the auspicious occasion when Josh first trotted nervously out under the big top - clinging to a superstar's apron strings.

Sure looked like a Mamma's boy, to me!

And, how could I ever have missed his father's glowing tributes on Oprah?

"One day, he'll just be known as the saviour - um - Josh."

Once his musical odyssey was launched - the crooner with the snoz and the fay way - proceeded to tackle all the old standards in a bold-faced effort to wow the crowds.

Safe bet, to be sure.

Why take risks?

Mediocrity is the opiate of the masses, after all.

Since I am a reviewer, I was inclined to mention in the post that Josh has a distinctive timber to his voice (which greatly appeals) and a richness to his notes (that tend to rev up romantic notions).

But, in the final analysis, I noted his voice was "too trained".

To some, it grates on the nerves.

Another fan argued that I didn't know what I was talking about in respect to the sound (no pun intended) argument I put forth.

On the contrary, I studied music.

Also, I was born into a family of musicians. My father, for instance, was a violinist. And, my Aunt was also a well-known Opera singer in her day (who also taught piano).

Notwithstanding, I am also a singer!

Not only am I a better vocalist than Josh - but my voice is more distinctive - too.

At this juncture, things got a little nasty.

Granted there were a few sane comments from "grobanites" - siding with me in many respects - which were duly published, of course.

Flattery will get you everywhere at my blog, after all!
.
In fact, I may have struck up a new friendship or two with a handful of disgruntled "grobanites".

But, we'll probably follow an old credo.

We won't discuss religion, or art, or politics - or Josh Groban!

One fan noted that if I was looking to "start something" I managed to do it.

"There are a whole bunch of nurturing hens around Josh," she warned me.

Gee, I was led to believe through the gossip mill, it was a gaggle of Queens!

My new poison pen pal proceeded to quip - that an allegation I made about Josh being a "whiner" - was real "low".

Oh, yeah?

Saying someone is a whiner is low?

Dear, you don't know the meaning of "low".

But, I'll hand it to you on a silver platter, if you please!

In closing, the wacky fan proceeded to make a veiled threat.

I'd better watch my back, apparently!

Well, I don't respond well to threats and intimidation tactics.

I won't be silenced by a brood of broad hens with a flair for the dramatic, either!

As I started to wrap up for the day, surprise comments arrived at the blog site, like manna from Heaven!


Ah, disgruntled "Grobies" were ready to spill the beans.

Here's what they raged:

September 30 2008 GoodByeGrobies

"You can pay to be his friend at the Friends of Josh Groban fan site then try being a newbie with a difference of opinion and the old-timers will rip you to pieces. It’s like being a dog ran off with it’s tail between it’s legs. They don’t take kindly to newbies. Don’t mess with the Grobanites…….I don’t anymore. I learned my lesson. I let my membership run out and will not renew. Josh will probably loose a lot of members this way."

At this point, the floodgates started to open.

"Journey" was quick on the uptake and ready to play Brutus.

September 30 2008 Journey

"Although I enjoy Josh’s voice immensely, I also realize he has a slightly goofy side to him. Yes, he was classically trained and I think if he had his own way he’d attempt more rock music, but his voice just isn’t that type of voice.

If you want to visit some off the wall fans, be a guest at the Josh Groban Corner Pub …. the woman who runs it, is as looney as they come in my opinion when it comes to Josh.

If she feels you have disrespected him, you will be on her sh*t list forever. If she ever read this blog, it will find a way to being a thread on her forum and you will be ripped to pieces."

But, here is my precious fave.

September 30 2008 MonkeyCat

You’re right on in your analysis of Groban’s fans. They are mostly middle-aged, bored, fat-ass housewives with nothing better to do than get their panties wet over a 27 y/o boy.

There’s even a cyber-fan “war” taking place with the aforementioned groupies ganging up on another fan who dares to be different. And Groban encourages it."

As Al Pacino would say, Who-ah!

I find it ironic that the Diva has this Nazi following.

Isn't Josh a nice little Jewish Boy, after all?

Well, to find out, I googled - um - did a search on him.

Boy, God must be smiling on me today.

I stumbled across this precious dialogue at the Yahoo Answers site.

Is Josh Groban Jewish?

Ignore the fact that he sings about Jesus and stuff. Neil Diamond has an entire Christmas album and he's Jewish. I'm talking plain facts here.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

he totally looks jewish.
(2 years ago)

Asker's Rating: Asker's Comment

yeah, he looks jewish but i was hoping for facts. thanks everyone! :) i totally hope he's not !
(2 years ago)

sungirli

no, he's gay.
(2 years ago)

onlyhuma

GAY AND JEWISH
(2 years ago)

LizzieBe

Uh.... I dont think he's GAY... but he could be jewish... who really cares anyway?
(2 years ago)

Certainly not the hens with the wet panties, I gather!

Josh Groban...song stylings need more passion!

In the "overrated" section of the LA TIMES which appears in the weekend edition of the daily paper, writers were inclined to rate Josh Groban's rendition of a handful of theme songs he warbled on the 60th Annual Emmy Awards show, as somewhat "cheesy".

Not terribly off the mark.

To many, he is a bit of a God in the musical arena, though.

True, many of his fans are turned on by the beautiful timber of his voice.

And, there's no denying there is a distinctive resonance, that tends to cause the notes to fall blissfully upon the ear.

But, for me, Groban's voice sounds too "trained".

If the handsome crooner would let go of the rigid musical foundation he builds his song stylings on - and simply sing from the heart - his touch would be far more reaching.

Give it a shot, Josh.

You may end up a better singer for having taken the musical risk!

The Rocker...side-splitting film theatrics. Rainn Wilson a "hoot"!

New York Dolls Big Apple pix...

Last month, I caught the high-energy premiere for - "The Rocker" - at a Film Festival in Las Vegas.

Now that slapstick promos are starting to stream across the Internet, I anticipate the side-splitting comedy will be opening soon at a Theatre near you.

The red-carpet affair was a blast!

Rainn Wilson - sizzlin' hot comic of the moment - caused quite a stir when he arrived in full regalia - outlandish over-the-top Rock Star attire - in what was billed as "The Largest Limo" in the free world...with a rag-tag band of friends in tow - a midget, scintillating showgirls, a Centurion, Magician, uh-huh!

Post: 07/13/2008

For those who grew up on Rock Music, the film is a must-see. After all, its a dead-on send-up of the entire "Rock" generation, which delights.

Lainn's wild characterization and skitzy screen persona hit my funny bone, no problemo!

And - in addition - "Rocker" managed to conjure up a handful of delicious memories from the far reaches of my psychedelically-enhanced grey matter!

Back in the seventies - a hip dude I knew - was a roadie with the J. Geils Band. So, of course, he liked to party-hearty. On the weekends - or when he had some down-time off-the-road - the two of us would get all gussied up in pink spandex pants, flimsy silk shirts with ruffles down the front, and boots with four-inch heels; then, trek down to Max's Kansas City in downtown NYC.

Inside this den of iniquity, ragged Rockers and underground Stars from the Warhol Factory, hung out nightly and well into the witchin' hour.

During that time-frame, the New York Dolls were all the rage!

In "Rocker", Lainn plays a dynamic hard-driving drummer for an up-and-coming band. Just as the leading-edge musicians are about to sign a lucrative contract sure to guarantee a launch into the stratosphere of sound, the band is forced to dump Lainn's character from the line-up in favor of a nephew of the record exec who's going to be pulling the career strings.

The rejection is not taken lightly; in fact, the jilted skins expert slumps into a twenty-year funk and it does not appear he'll ever snap out of it.

Then, one day, his nephew's is in dire need of a drummer for their garage band.

The opportunity is met with a lot of consternation, at first; but, the faded rock dinosaur finally commits.

The band's first stage appearance is on the verge of resounding success, when Lainn's character suddenly "flashes back" and goes overboard. His fatal reach for the immortal abyss turns into a catastrophic failure; consequently, he ruins the first gig.

In fact, the band crumbles; goes kaput.

But, there is a resurrection and a finale a filmgoer won't want to miss.

Lainn steals the movie, hands down; partly due to his amazing comic-timing, but also because he's been given well-scripted material to springboard off of.

One of my favorite lines in the film occurs when the rocker notes that the music business can be a tough row to hoe.

"They play Celine Dion in the elevator. That doesn't make it right."

But, a relatively new face - in the role of a sleazy Band Manager (played to the hilt) - is the one to watch out for. That actor is going places, no doubt.

Christina Applegate turns in a well-keyed performance as a young mom protective of her naive teenager.

All the supporting players are believable, likable, and round out the entertainment value of the well-produced film.

Rock on, eh?

Christina Applegate plays squeaky clean...