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Showing posts with label Concerts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concerts. Show all posts

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Garth Brooks...inducted into Hall of Fame! Gigs at Wynn Resort! June 23rd - June 25th!









On Thursday, Country & Western superstar Garth Brooks was inducted into the 42nd Songwriters "Hall of Fame" by his peers.

Brooks delighted guests when he took the stage with Billy Joel at the chi-chi awards ceremony in NYC (both were clad in chic black cowboy ensembles) and performed a vastly entertaining duet which featured the hit tune "Shameless".

Gracious Brooks was quick to turn the spotlight on Billy Joel, though, which underscored just how humble the celebrated cowpoke can be.

"Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters of all time," Brooks gushed in so many words, as the rapt audience gazed on from below the footlights.

The fact that Joel took a day out of his life to saunter onto the stage with Brooks made the C&W performer feel "lucky".

Fans will be, too, in the event they managed to snap up tickets for the Brooks gig about to kick-off at the Wynn Resort later this week.

When Steve Wynn first signed Garth Brooks to the upcoming stint on the strip the show-biz news made headlines around the country.

The lucrative deal left Brooks "sitting pretty" with a host of spoils that lesser-knowns could only pray and fantasize about ever achieving.

For example, a fleet of stretch "Rolls Royce" limousines purring at the curb 24/7 - and luxury jets at-the-ready to take flight on a whim at the drop-of-a-cowboy-hat - are nothing to sniff at.

How do I hop aboard, Mr. Wynn?

By the way, break a leg, eh Garth?

CONCERT DATES

June 23rd - June 25th

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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


Saturday, April 16, 2011

ALL TIME LOW...Pop Band appears @ Warfield! San Francisco! April 16th!








 




Although a posse of music-lovers escaped town this weekend to - party-hearty, catch a few rays (God Willing), and revel in the eclectic sounds of a handful of high-profile popular bands slated to take the stage at Coachella Music & Arts Festival - a gang of die-hard "All time Low" fans trotted down to the Warfield to snatch up tickets for a live! concert tonight at the legendary venue.

Tourists were forced to maneuver their way through a gang of band enthusiastics camped out on Market Street in a line that snaked haphazardly down the street as far as the eye could see.

"All Time Low" is a band that hails from Baltimore which consists of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Alexander Gaskarth, lead guitiarist/back-up vocalist Jack Barakat, bassist Zachary Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson.

In high school, the ambitious pop talents started out humbly enough, covering for pop punk bands such as ever-popular Blink-183.

In a short meteoric rise, "All Time Low" suddenly found themselves signing a record deal with enterprising "Emerald Moon Records".

"The Party Scene", their 1st studio album, was released in 2005.

A deal with "Hopeless Records" triggered a debut album which featured two catchy tunes for their EP which was titled "Put Up or Shut Up."

The EP landed on Top Heatseekers charts as a result.

"So Wrong, It's Right" was their most commercially successful recording which peaked at number 62 on the Billboard 200 (and number 6 on the Independent Albums chart.)

"Dear Maria, Count Me In" - a nifty tune about a stripper from their hometown - took off and was singled out at number 86 on the Pop 100 (to later achieve gold status in spite of the fact they did not nab any radio play).

The hotties were first featured on MTV - then followed up that appearance with a high-profile debut on the Jimmy Kimmel show broadcast out of Hollywood.

Understandably, there has been no looking back!

CONCERT

April 16th

VENUE

Warfield
982 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
94102-4012


CURTAIN

7:00 P.M.

TICKETS

http://www.thewarfieldtheatre.com/events.php

http://www.thetattler.biz





Stylish hip band popular!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Hollywood Forever Cemetery..."Explosions in the Sky concert"! Taking Care: 6 Visual Interpretations!












An "Explosions In The Sky" concert slated for April 30th at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery will now be preceded by a special outdoor Art & Music event to take place on Saturday, April 23rd, in Hollywood.

The - "Taking Care: 6 Visual Interpretations" - is a novel installation that will be set up on the cemetery grounds and feature unique pieces by six visual artists who created the works of art to complement the catchy tunes featured on the forthcoming album by "Explosions in the Sky" titled:

"Take Care, Take Care, Take Care"

All six songs will be premiered by broadcast on state-of-the-art speakers at different locations throughout the cemetery in the midst of the art works on exhibit at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The new album is slated for release on April 26th!

Tickets to the special event are FREE but limited in supply.

Music & Art lovers are required to RSVP to secure a ticket which must be presented at the gate on the day of the event.

RSVP

ticketweb.com/hollywoodforever

NOTES

The much-anticipated event shall go forward Rain or Shine!

The tracks from "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" are performed as follows:
"Last Known Surroundings"
(Matthew Lessner)

"Human Qualities”
(James Fields)

"Trembling Hands"
(Matt Amato)

"Be Comfortable, Creatures"
(Jesse Fleming)

"Postcard from 1952"
(Chris Lipomi)

"Let Me Back In"
(Alexis Disselkoen)

INFO

events@hollywoodforever.com

http://www.thetattler.biz



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Prince...3rd concert added by Popular Demand! Welcome 2 America live!









Due to popular demand - sell-out crowds - LIVENATION has added a third PRINCE concert to the roster this week.

The much-anticipated LIVE performance by the Pop Legend is slated for Thursday February 24th.

Tickets on sale today!

The WELCOME  2 AMERICA LIVE  gig is proving to be a big hit with audiences around the country.

On Monday, concert attendees were treated to a guest spot by Bay Area legend Carlos Santana.

Fans were ecstatic!

"His shows are really incredible, which is a testament to why he can sell out two arenas on a week's notice," said Live Nation President Rick Mueller.

See 'ya there, eh?

By the way, a bit of trivia.

"Purple Rain" is one of the top hit singles performed in Karoke Bars around the U.S.

LOCATION

ORACLE ARENA
(Oakland)

DATE

February 24th

TICKETS

LIVENATION.COM

http://www.thetattler.biz





Sell-out crowds for Prince!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Taylor Swift... HUB Cable TV to broadcast behind-the-scenes footage! Popularity soars!



Pretty Songstress a hit-maker!







Fans who missed Taylor Swift's concerts in recent months have a chance to catch the sizzling hot performances in the next couple of weeks on the old boob tube.

Music-lovers keen on Swift's vocal stylings may be excited to hear that a tape recording of Taylor’s hit  -“Journey to Fearless” - will be broadcasting on the Hub Network (formerly Discovery Kids network).

The footage - which is comprised of clips on the insightful development aspect  of the tour - will air next week October 22nd thru 24th of October.

The concert- which includes out-takes that have not been previously screened - is slotted in at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Even Swift gushed at the prospect of tuning in that evening to catch the tour and all the celebrated goings-on.

“The Fearless Tour was an amazing journey, from the fun we had behind-the-scenes, to the shows themselves,” she chirped excitedly.

How could Ms. Swift miss on this one?

The album not only nabbed the pretty chanteuse all major awards (4 Grammy’s, for starters), it also boasted top selling album of 2009.

While we’re on the subject of albums - at press time - her handlers acknowledged that her next album - Speak Now - is set for release on October 25th (2010).

Can’t wait!

 

 


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Treasure Island Music Festival...Hot bands! Ferris Wheel! Tasty Treats! Surprises!












The 4th Annual "Treasure Island Music Festival" blows into town this weekend and runs full steam at the outdoor venue downtown October 16th thru October 17th.

At press time, an eclectic mix of bands were slated to perform, and include high-profile headliners such as LCD Soundsystem, Belle & Sebastian, Deadmau5, Die Antwoord, Broken Social Scene, to name a few.

10,000 music-lovers are expected to flock to Treasure Island this weekend to participate in the much-anticipated event.

From a unique vantage point on the island, die-hard music-lovers, will wow to breathtaking San Francisco skyline views and scintillating sounds guaranteed to propel them into Nirvana and beyond.

Organizers noted that they intend to present a musical event sure to be fondly recalled for many years to come - and so - there will be particular attention to the "look" and "feel" of the festive celebration.

Guests will be able to stroll through canvas-tented alley-ways alongside quaint food carts, as crafts folk hawk their wares, under blue skies and a lazy old sun beating down in all its glory from above.

CONCERTS

TIME
11 a.m.

LOCATION
Great Lawn
Treasure Island

TICKETS

$  67.50 (1-day)
$110.00 (2-day)

VIP Pass

$475.00 (2-day package)
*Parking (on-island)
*Preferred viewing
*Bleachers
*Special Amenities

CONCERTS
(off-island)

Dan Black, Butterfly Bones, DJ Morale
Time: 9 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 14th
$15.00
The Independent
628 Divisadero St.
S.F.

http://www.ticketweb.com/

Die Antwoord, Vin Sol
Time: 9 p.m.
Friday Oct. 15th
(sold out)
The Independent
628 Divisadero St.
S.F.

www.ticketweb.com

Rogue Wave, the Mumiers
Time: 9 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 16th
$15.00
The Independent
628 Divisadero
S.F.

www.ticketweb.com

Performances / Saturday

*LCD Soundsystem
*Deadmau5
*Kruder & Dorfmeister
*Miike Snow
*Die Antwoord

Performances / Sunday

*Belle & Sebastian
*the National
*Broken Social Scene
*She & Him
*Surfer Blood
*the Mumiers

Info:

http://www.treasureislandfestival.com/2010/index.php






 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Josh Groban... lackluster PBS special falls flat! Ballad singer struggles to hold stage!






If you caught Josh Groban's PBS special over the weekend, it should have been obvious that the curly-haired crooner lacked the talent and larger-than-life persona to pull off a gig of such high stature on prestigious PBS backed by a full orchestra.

At times, Groban - for-all-the-world - came across like a lonely minstrel lost in a sea of emptiness he was unable to fill due to a lack of range of skills which are a prerequisite for such a bold undertaking on the live! stage.

Many of the mediocre (ho hum) tunes did not suit his voice - while a handful were downright undistinguished - at best.

Notwithstanding, the popular crooner (who causes middle-aged women get wet in the panties) is unable to carry a live! concert because he has yet to transform into a seasoned pro worthy of the tribute.

Groban is better suited for cameo appearanes on local talk shows and on easy-listening radio stations where a rich masculine voice (such as his) has an appropriate venue to reach out, resonate, and entertain  in the mainstream.

In contrast, a PBS special last night featuring four celebrated opera singers, managed to touch, uplift, and inspire.

Josh, pay attention to the heavyweights.

For good reason!

Now, you'll have to excuse me as I prepare for an onslaught of hate mail from the Grobanites (Josh's loyal dedicated fans).

Hell hath no fury like a Grobanite scorned, after all!



Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Yoko Ono...Orpheum October Concerts! Yes! We are the Plastic Ono Band!








Yoko Ono's live! concerts in New York last year were such a success that the former Mrs. John Lennon has slated performances for the Los Angeles upbeat club scene this fall.

In fact, critics at the New York Times raved that the "Plastic Ono Band's" sold-out performances in the Big Apple were:

"Ghostly, furious, dreamy, caustic, urgent, exultant, and orgasmic."

Sean Ono Lennon will take on the heady task of musical direction when the concerts rage on stage at the Orpheum in October (2010).

Yoko and Sean will be backed by musical gems Yuka Honda and Cornelius (featuring Keigo Oyamada,  Shimmy Hirotaka Himizu, and Yuko Araki).

According to Yoko, once the names of the guest stars are announced, there will be a run on tickets.

The musical extravaganza is appropriately billed:

"WE ARE THE PLASTIC ONO BAND"

Tickets
(Pre-Sale)

IMAGINEPEACE.com

Ticketmaster.com
1-800-745-3000.

Ticket Prices

$60.00 - $150.00




Wednesday, August 11, 2010

MGM Grand...Lady Gaga slated for LGBT extravaganza! 4-day Event starts Friday!




Lady Gaga zooms into MGM Grand Friday!





MGM Grand locked  heads with the Lesbian & Gay Community and rustled up a 4-day week-end extravaganza - titled Fabulous Vegas - to kick-off this Friday with a Lady Gaga Live! Concert.

The Hotelier intends to include a handful of their strip properties to present the phenomenal event!

"It's a way to infuse some cash into the local economy," a spokesman at MGM confided.

It has not escaped management's attention that gays have a lot of buying power.

One editor at  a LGBT publication was quick on the uptake, too.

"For a major corporation like MGM Grand to recognize the clout gays garner is encouraging."

Part of the lure?

Because many couples have double incomes - and no children - they have a lot of  disposable income.

And, that cash may be used to splurge on leisure and travel activities.

The MGM Grand has hopped on the band wagon to take advantage of that!

Whether the money is pink or not, matters little, when it comes to the bottom line.

See 'ya there!

Tickets
 




Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Lady Gaga...interrupts Phoenix concert to protest Arizona Immigration Reform!








NEWS ALERT!!!

Lady Gaga, turned the house on its ear in Phoenix tonight, when she interrupted her live! concert TO urge her "little monsters" to hold hands  - and unite together - to peaceably fight the landmark Arizona Immigration Reform Bill just passed into Law.

How will Lady Gaga fans (and music-lovers in general) react around the free world?

Do politics and eclectic music mix?

News at 11!




Sunday, August 1, 2010

Aerosmith...stormed Las Vegas! Steve Tyler an American Idol?






Aerosmith roared into town and took the stage by storm last night in Las Vegas!

Wild man - Steve Tyler - did not disappoint, either!

An outrageously high-energy tour de force - which literally exploded onto the rock 'n roll scene in the 70's all scintillating vibrant riffs and blatant raw sex - Aerosmith was  soon leading the pack of musical giants and there's been no looking back since.

For the fans who caught Tyler on a recent Chris Botti PBS special - it was no doubt evident - that the musical wonder has transformed and matured into a force of sheer performance brilliance tough to reckon with.

PBS Review

Post:  03/1910

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/03/chris-bottipbs-boston-concert-dazzling.html

In fact, if the rumors be true, the visionary Tyler may be spreading his wings and taking on new challenges - albeit - in tamer arenas on a much smaller sophisticated pop culture scale.

The scuttlebutt?

As the panel of Judges crumble one-by-one at highly-rated American Idol on Fox, and producers scramble to find the right eclectic mix for the season ahead, word is that the hard-hittting rocker - with all the fluid moves and sexy erotic embodiments of the rock 'n roll  genre - may be taking up residence to pass judgment on a top note or two.

Is the Bad Boy from Boston too down 'n dirty and too over-the-top for the Network's dinner-hour audience?

Maybe yes. Maybe no.

When it comes to mentoring, one truth remains.

Steven Tyler's chops, Joe Perry's riffs, and Aerosmith's rhythm section are second to none!

NEXT CONCERT DATE: DALLAS / TEXAS
Tuesday August 3rd

See 'ya there!



Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lady Gaga...in Concert August 11th! Staples! Win free tickets!







What is the world's favorite Pop flavor?

A frenzied fan survey says the "Queen of Pop".

Lady Gaga!

The mercurial girl - with the penchant for sculpted hats (sure to make Hedda Hopper turn-over and smile in her grave) and notorious sporter of outrageous glam footwear - is slated to flounce onto the Staples Stage and court her little "monsters" in Los Angeles on August 11th.

With 10 million facebook friends ("fanzarinas") tracking the Ga's every sultry move - and 4 World Music Video Awards under her risque garter belt in recent days - it's expected that the coveted tickets will be snapped up fast!

Stuck at home doing the laundry?

Well, there are a slew of upcoming live! concerts slated to be held in neighboring cities around the country that offer up alternative opportunities to catch the beguiling Diva live! on stage in one of her musical extravaganzas.
Lady GaGa
Upcoming Concerts

Las Vegas
Portland
Tacoma Dome
Vancouver Rogers Arena
Lady Gaga Rexall Place

Budget restraints?

Cluboholics is holding a draw for 10 free tickets!

http://cluboholics.com/event-submission/details/588-lady-gaga-live.html

See 'ya there!



Hedda Hopper
Gossip Queen of Yesteryear!


Friday, June 18, 2010

Justin Bieber...free tickets @ Housing Development! Back rub, anyone?









The other morning, one of my favorite anchors on a Vegas news oulet reported that a local housing development was piping Justin Bieber's hit tune - "Baby Baby Baby" - into a handful of their upscale homes for a special promotion.

Prospective buyers who take a walk-thru have the golden opportunity - to not only take a gander at the spanking-new community - but win a couple of tickets to Justin Bieber's upcoming live! concert.

Lookie-loo's are welcome, too!

If they toss in a back rub from Justin, I'm on the way.

See 'ya there!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Switchboard Music Festival...experimental rockin' classical! Huh? San Francisco March 28th!





Zoe Keating
(tattoos & all)



The Switchboard Music Festival has been touted as genre-crossing, convention-breaking, innovative, definition-defying, and downright experimental.

For starters!

And, unlike a rash of festivals that dot the musical terrain - staggered over a few days duration, usually - Switchboard concerts  are packed tight into an 8-hour hard-hitting slate that will probably knock the tube socks off most die-hard music lovers.

"We created the Switchboard Music Festival because we felt there was nothing in the Bay area that brings all those different groups together . We don't think of ourselves as as a new musical festival. We instead think across many different genres," founder  Ryan Brown stated matter-of-fact from his headoffice back east.

Some of the artists have a lofty esoteric appeal.

Sabbaticus Rex, for instance, is rooted in the supremacy of sound over music and the triumph of tone over time and thought, according to the organizers.

In some cases, the live gigs will rustle up a rich muti-media rich experiences.

In that regard, concert savvy aficiandos may be wise to snap up ticktets for Billygoat, which offers up live original scores boostrapping up stop-motion animated shorts conjured up by band members - David Klein  & Nick Wooley.

Zoe Keating - a pretty model-type with classic looks - will layer cello with electronics (with expert attention to a foot pedal).

Thorny Brocky, is expected to rev up strains of music from the art song/pop band "Floating World".

And, there is so much more - enough so, in fact - to appeal to every unique discerning taste.

Ready to hunker down on Sunday March 28th at the Dance Mission Theatre in San Francisco?

Venue
Dance Mission Theatre
3316 24th Street
San Francisco, CA

Date
March 28th (2010)

Showtime
2 p.m. - 10 p.m

Contact:

http://www.switchboardmusic.com/



 


Luciano Chessa to appear!

 

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Justin Bieber...fans chase Pop Idol down London Streets!





In the wake of surge of frenzied fans descending on his motorcade as he exited a London Studio - Pop heart-throb Justin Bieber - was forced to tweet an urgent message to ecstatic fans.

"Don't bang on the car windows. Someone might get hurt," he cautioned from inside the comfy environs of a chauffered vehicle as a mob of anxious girls overtaken by emotion swarmed all around with the hope of catching a mere glimpse of the object of their desire.

Justin Bieber is the latest pop sensation to break onto the entertainment scene at the tender age of 16.

The cute singer - discovered on YouTube by a jaded music promoter (Scooter Braun) with a keen eye towards talent - soared into the lofty teeny-bopper stratosphere shortly after an audition with USHER resulted in a recording contract with Island records which struck chart-topping gold.

Subsequently, Bieber is currently taking the world by storm.

The 1st part of a two-part debut album titled - "My World" - has been well-received by music critics, too.

A handful of the original tunes - "One Time", "One Less Lonely Girl", "Love Me", and "Favorite Girl" - took off like a bullet and landed in the top 15 slot on the Canada's Hot 100 and Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bieber is the only musician in Billboard history to have four singles from a debut album chart in the Top 40 of the Hot 100 before an album's actual release.

In the first week after its initial splash onto the music scene, Bieber was able to boast that 137,000 copies flew off the shelves, no problem..

In fact, "My World" debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart and went Gold in a week.

In less than a month the album was certified Platinum in Canada.

Bieber became the first artist to have all songs from a single album to chart in the U.S. Hot 100, too.

"I sing about girls," he confessed ruefully to one reporter in a recent interview after admitting pretty young ladies turned him on.


Because of his own crush on Beyonce - who he met recently amid a lot of fanfare - he understands the need to give his fans a bit of up-close personal attention whenever possible.

"I give them a hug. Sign autographs, that sort-of-thing," he beamed.


Of late, Bieber has been a mainstay on popular shows on the TV circuit such as Lopez Tonight, the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Chelsea Lately, and Good Morning America (to name a few), which has heightened his International image somewhat.

The likeable musical phenomenon sang for the President and the 1st lady recently at a White House Christmas celebration which was a televised event to benefit the National Children's Medical Center.

High-profile events such as these have caused many to tout Bieber as a positive influence on North American youth.

Just prior to a recent trek on stage to perform, the singer huddled with his devoted handlers for a moment of prayer, which also sat well with the squeaky clean image he savors.

But, every day on the concert trail is not all that rosy, though.

At a scheduled concert in Long Island, for instance, a near riot broke out due to a crowd control problem which got out of hand.

Allegedly - after a fan screamed out that Bieber was in a local Abercrombie Kids store - mayhem broke out as concert-goers swarmed the retail outlet.

Police feared that the crowd (cramming the mall's upstairs corridor) would force a metal-and-glass railing to snap and possible send hundreds of girls tumbling to the lower level.

Therefore, the police denied entry to Bieber because of the potential danger.

"It was so crazy that I couldn't get to even come in the building," the singer lamented later on a popular radio show.

No hoody purchases that day, folks!

"They basically threatened to put me in cuffs and send me away to jail."

Oh my Gosh!

The price of Pop Stardom, I guess!


Friday, March 19, 2010

Chris Botti...PBS Boston concert dazzling! Steven Tyler electric! Sting low-key...








Unable to sleep at the crack of dawn, I turned on the television and channel-surfed a bit.

A dazzling concert (captured for posterity on film in Boston) - featuring popular horn player Chris Botti and a roster of high-profile talent - was being broadcast on San Francisco's KTEH (9) as part of a fundraising effort for the Public Network (PBS) which focuses primarily on the fine Arts.

The well-rounded concert featured jazz, pop, and classical selections by leading minstrels of the day.

"The greatest aspect of the Boston concert is the variety. In essence, it's a gem," the handsome musician with the shock of blond lustrous hair underscored with pride.

"When an artist is on stage, it shouldn't be a performance only. The occasion should draw in the audience," Botti asserted to the rapt host.

Although the performers in this concert hailed from different strains of the musical arena, there was  a lot in common with each, Botti underscored n so many words.

"They're all showmen with unbelievable artistry. The level they've reached in their careers is similar."

When Steven Tyler strode out on stage, the atmosphere became electric, as the memerizing rocker broke into one of his memorable chart-toppers.

And, of course, the sold-out house roared their approval.

An appearance by Sting was surprisingly low-key. 

Is the headling front-man slowing down, or was he just clued into the fact that the Tyler show-stopper would be difficult to top?

Uh-huh!

It was smart not to go there!

Josh Groban's appearance - while entertaining - appeared to be a bit experimental in nature.

The curly-haired pop tenor warbled a tune that was somewhat free-form in style (to his disadvantage).

Mr. Groban is better suited to song material that is more structured - in particular, musical compositions that build and arc and single out his range (and richness of voice) - with greater emotional intensity.

Botti's instrumentals on the horn were pure magic, on the other hand, and prone to uplift the spirit throughout the course of the glittering concert.

The closing number - "Time to Say Goodbye" (backed by a glorious full orchestra) - was performed so eloquently that shivers literally ran up and down my spine at one point.

Bravo!



Sunday, February 14, 2010

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?



Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Kenny Rogers...show-biz special! 50th anniversary on stage...


Foxwoods MGM Grand





"The whole idea is to get together with some friends," the country-western music star with the infectious smile announced to the media in recent days.

As they say, it's all relative.

To you and me, that would amount to a little gathering by a crackling fire down on the homestead.

When your circle of best buds include superstar performers such as Dolly Parton, Alsion Kraus, Wynonna Judd, and Lionel Richie - well - you might just go over-the-top a tad.

Indeed!

On April 10th, Kenny (& friends) will tape a musical extravaganza at MGM Grand at Foxwoods (Connecticut) aptly titled:

"The First 50 Years"

I gather there will be a sequel.

During the course of the evening, Rogers will take a joyous trip down memory lane, and warble a few of his top hits along the way such as The Gambler, Islands in the Stream (featuring a duet with Dolly)  and Lucille, fer sure.

It won't be a tribute, just a down home reflection of the golden years, which catapulted the affable performer into the hearts of Americans all over the country the past five decades or so.



Dolly, not a bad-lookin' dish, eh?
 
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