Sometimes an artist does a fantastic album, an awesome tour, then disappears from the eyes of the general public.
Breakout singer Alana Davis is such an artist, whose 2007 album from Elektra Records, Blame it On Me, shot up the charts and airwaves.
Enjoy two of her most remembered ballads here.
Find her at www.alanadavis.com
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer SAM SPARRO has announced the details of his long-awaited third album BOOMBOX ETERNAL, out February 21. The 12-track collection is his first full length album since 2012’s Return to Paradise and draws influences from the late-80s / early-90s pop music he grew up listening to on cassette through the speakers of his bedroom boombox. “The project is a love letter to my 8-year old self and to the music that made me want to be an artist,” Sparro notes. “The songs are mostly about love but also about power and breaking through boundaries.”
The album uses a palette of industrial-sounding percussion and classic Korg and Ensoniq synthesizers used by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation and a touch of early New Jack Swing inspired by Teddy Riley, with lush soulful harmonies and melodies completing the sound. Boombox Eternal is inspired by the heyday of Minneapolis-style production heard on career-defining albums from Prince, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Mint Condition and more, and features an exciting group of collaborators including We Are KING, Maluca, Rahsaan Patterson, Nikka Costa, Ryland Blackinton and Vaughn Oliver, with Sam at the helm of production.
Sparro has also shared “Everything,” the album’s second single and follow up to the praised “Outside the Blue” featuring Grammy-nominated group We Are KING. The joyous track is about being in the type of relationship where you feel secure and loved, feeling all the love that you put out being given back in return unconditionally. It was co-written with R&B legend Rahsaan Patterson (Brandy, Tevin Campbell) and composer Tim K (Honey Dijon). Tim K notes, “We were caught up in the magic of cassette tape jams, Roland boxes and general nostalgia. ‘Everything’ emerged from a loving jam of spine-tingling Patterson Bvs, some soulful chords and some kindred vibes.” “I was introduced to Rahsaan’s solo work in the early 2000s and fell in love with his buttery tone and his way with words and melodies. I later realized he had co-written and sang on some of my favorite songs. He’s brilliant and witty and talented and I’m so excited he’s a part of the album. Not just as a writer but singing background vocals with me on the track – It’s crazy!” Patterson returns, “Collaborating with Sparro was as fun and playful as ‘Everything’ sounds.” Hear “Everything” HERE.
Boombox Eternal is a celebration of life and love and a declaration of joy, in-spite of the division and problems in the world today. The music holds true to Sam’s irreverent, existential and witty style. Though nostalgic, the sound gets an update with modern vocal production and mixes courtesy of multi-Grammy winning mixer Josh Gudwin. Each of the album’s singles will also receive the maxi-single treatment with Sparro noting, “The project is a tribute to the era of maxi singles, cassingles and 12″ records. I wanted that to be reflected in the releases… As a record collector I always love finding vinyl that has all those extra versions on the B-side, and wanted to give that to my listeners too.”
Born in Sydney, Australia and raised in Los Angeles, Sparro’s releases include multi-platinum single “Black and Gold“–which has seen wildly popular covers by the likes of Adele, Katy Perry and more–#1 single “Happiness,” and albums Sam Sparro and Return to Paradise. He has also collaborated with Mark Ronson, Adela, Kylie Minogue, Aluna George, Basement Jaxx, Nile Rodgers and Adam Lambert, among others. Sparro won a GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Artist” and a “GQ Man of Style” award, and has been nominated for five ARIA Music Awards (Australia’s Grammy equivalent). He has also performed on stages around the world including festivals like Glastonbury, Coachella and Lovebox. In 2016, he released the final EP in his three-part series–Quantum Physical Vol 1, 2 & 3. Sparro is also a talented photographer whose work can be seen HERE on Instagram.
BOOMBOX FOREVER TRACK LISTING
01 – VIBE FOREVER (INTRO)
02 – PRESSURE
03 – LOVE LIKE THAT
04 – MARVELOUS LOVER
05 – OUTSIDE THE BLUE F/ WE ARE KING
06 – YOUR VIBE (INTERLUDE)
07 – EYE 2 EYE
08 – EVERYTHING
09 – BOW
10 – SAVE A LIFE
11 – THE PPL – F/ MALUCA
12 – VIBE FOREVER (OUTRO)
Ed Sheeran’s song “Beautiful People” visually shows a world of fame and glamour while lyrically stating that he does not want to be part of its superficial code of behavior and values.
A lovely tune and quite deep statement, with a Khalid adding emphasis.
Song: Beautiful People (feat. Khalid)
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Album: Beautiful People (feat. Khalid)
Lauren Meyer (“Amber Von Tussle”), Scott Taylor-Cole (“Corny Collins”), Kamren Mahaney (“Link Larkin”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
The San Francisco Bay Area Musicals’ organizers have got a certified hit on their hands with their rendition of Hairspray, directed and choreographed by Matthew McCoy. This production proves that local theater can often be just as good and as entertainingly fulfilling as any off-Broadway production.
Hairspray as many know is a Tony-award winning musical based on the famous 1988 movie directed by John Waters (of “Pink Flamingos” notoriety), Baltimore is divided by segregation, but there are two things that bring young people together, and those are hit music and dancing. Specifically, on the “The Corny Collins Show”, an “American Bandstand” type television dance show where teenagers shimmy to music from their favorite artists.
Cassie Grilley (“Tracy Turnblad”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Set in 1962, the television dance show is still segregated, although some of the music isn’t, and the viewers definitely are not. The challenge is for these young people to be able to enjoy their favorite artists, regardless of race, on the same show together at the same time. There is romance, there is intrigue, there is justice, and there is fun. That’s oversimplifying the plot a bit, but you get the picture.
Says Bay Area Musicals, “It‘s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!”
Of course, Hairspray is not just a term that is used for jokes, it’s a real thing. The coolest style that the most revolutionary kids could wear at the time was a gravity-defying beehive bouffant held in place with a ton of this ubiquitous product. The Corny Collins Show show even holds an annual “Miss Teenage Hairspray” pageant, which of course we all hope our plus-sized, integration-oriented and uber-talented heroine, Tracy Turnblad, might win. If not for her, then for the Cause (because the Struggle is Real).
Cassie Grilley (“Tracy Turnblad”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
We have to give much credit to the cast and crew, because they are extremely well chosen for their roles, and equally talented. Not only do they reflect the diversity of Baltimore, but they also reflect the diversity of the modern acting and theater community.
This production of Hairspray makes you forget that there aren’t $10 million stage sets involved, or celebrity voices involved, because the cast’s singing and dancing and joy is contagious to the audience.
Kennedy Williams (“Little Inez”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
It was said by several attendees that this is such a great value, instead of spending $200 or $300 per ticket, we can get fantastic the seats at well under $100, and feel it is worth every penny.
We agree! Run, don’t walk, to get your tickets to see Hairspray at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco while this show runs.
The cast of HAIRSPRAY features Cassie Grilley as “Tracy Turnblad,” Melissa Momboisse as “Penny Pingleton,” Scott Di Lorenzo as “Edna Turnblad,” Kamren Mahaney as “Link Larkin,” Elizabeth Jones as “Motormouth Maybelle,” David Abrams as “Seaweed J. Stubbs,” Kennedy Williams as “Little Inez,” Paul Plain as “Wilbur Turnblad,” Lauren Meyer as “Amber Von Tussle,” Sarah Sloan as “Velma Von Tussle,” Scott Taylor-Cole as “Corny Collins,” Bonnie Lafer as “Prudy Pingleton/Others,” Kim Larsen as “Principal/Male Authority,” Stephen Kanaski as “Brad, NC,” Ronald James as “Fender, NC,” Emma Sutherland as “Brenda, NC,” Brendan Looney as “Sketch, NC,” Claire Pearson as “Tammy, NC,” Steven McCloud as “I.Q., NC,” Peli Naomi Woods as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” Smita Patibanda as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” Chanel Tilghman as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” April Deutschle as “Detention Kid,” Carlos Carrillo as “Detention Kid,” Zoe Hodge as “Detention Kid” and Ajay Prater as “Detention Kid.”
Where: Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Tickets: www.bamsf.org/hairspray
Brandon Tory is California Music Video Awards tied Winner for BEST LOVE SONG, with Director Brandon Tory and Brooke Hayes.
TasteTV and the California Music Video Awards would like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees and winners, as well as those who attended the California Music Video Awards Dinner. Watch some of the Winning Videos Here.