Category Archives: Music
The amazing Lianne La Havas
I haven’t heard about British singer Lianne La Havas until NPR’s Morning Edition this week. What a voice! She is like a modern Ella Fitzgerald and writes her own music.
The story referenced this performance that she did on Later with Jools Holland that really put her on the map. They played a clip of it – just her and a guitar – and I had to hear more. I found the clip! Enjoy!
Remembering Mr. Belvedere
This weekend, my husband and I were basking in the glow of 1980s nostalgia, after stumbling upon the theme song to the “Golden Girls” on YouTube.
Where would we all be without YouTube and its endless supply of retro remembrances? After listening to the theme songs from “Charles in Charge,” “It’s Your Move” and “Benson” (which my husband used to watch in England), the YouTube genies suggested “Mr. Belvedere.”
“Ever watch ‘Mr. Belvedere’?” I asked, interested to hear his take on this Briton-in-America story.
But no. Never saw it. Or couldn’t remember it if he had.
I’m not sure why “Mr. Belvedere,” a little comedy about an average middle class family employing a British butler, never made it across the pond. But good news! It’s available now on Amazon.co.uk for Brits who are interested. I know I’d like to see it again.
Good cause, good music
News of this little event popped into my email box and I wanted to share: The Metropolitan Black Police Association is hosting a “Celebration of Life” concert on Oct. 19 at the Royal Festival Hall, as part of an initiative to reduce violent crime in London.
It’s a good cause and a promises to be a good evening of music, with headliners Naturally 7, saxophonist Jason Yarde, reggae singer Peter Hunnigale, hip-hop artist Donae’o, British singer Ayanna and the Lifeforce Band.
Speaking of music, what do you have planned this weekend? We’ll be attending a friend’s birthday party and hoping to catch the last of the summer weather before it starts going all autumn on us. Have a great weekend!
Getting Brave
And hot on the heels of yesterday’s post about Scottish fashion, I bring you the sounds of Scotland.
Well, kind of.
So picture it – we’re sweating bullets out at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park last month, watching the World of Color show (which is really quite beautiful, if you’ve never seen it.) and they’re projecting a few familiar scenes from Disney movies of yesteryear upon this wall of water and then… they play this song that literally transports me out of the sticky summer heat of Southern California and into a lush green meadow near Stirling. It’s a Scottish song, with bagpipes, sung by a sweet honeyed voice and it leaves me breathless.
The song was from “Brave.” Julie Fowlis’s “Touch the Sky.” I’ve not seen “Brave,” but days later, we bought the original soundtrack on iTunes and weeks later, it’s still what we’re listening to. If you haven’t heard it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. Especially if you love Scottish music in the vein of Kate Rusby, John McCusker, Battlefield Band, or want a quick introduction into the genre.
Is it tea you’re looking for?
I follow George Takei on Facebook, and he’s always enlightening and delightful! I loved this Lionel Ritchie teapot that he posted to his FB last weekend and I guess I’m not the only one. I located the teapot on Etsy and they’re sadly all sold out (since George FBed about it). The good news? Owner Lenny Mud promises to make and post more soon!
When he does, you can be sure a lot of people like me will be dancing on the ceiling!
Spice Girls reunion
The Spice Girls back in the day. Photo credit: AP.
It’s official! Today the Spice Girls will reunite to launch the group’s stage musical “Viva Forever.”
Posh Spice, Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, Baby Spice and Ginger Spice (wow, this is nearly as difficult as remembering the names of the seven dwarves) haven’t been together since 2008. I will have to break out the old songs in solidarity. My personal fave? “Wannabe.”
Britain’s best-selling album?
The answer is not Adele.
This might be one for Trivial Pursuit (if anyone still plays Trivial Pursuit?!) …
Question: What is the best-selling album of the past 50 years in Britain?
Go on … take a guess … Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”? Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”? The Beatles’ “White Album”?
S Club Reunion? Yes, please!
Hot on the heels of yesterday’s post, I’ve just received word that S Club 7 will be reuniting.
Apparently, all seven original members are getting back together for a comeback, which is set to coincide with the joyful British summer events planned including the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
I saw them in concert about 12 years ago and they rocked it. Then despite all promises that they wouldn’t stop moving to the funky, funky beat, well, they did. I’m so glad to hear they’re bringing it all back.
Earworms & how to get that song in your head unstuck
A couple of weeks ago, I was in my car listening to NPR’s Talk of the Nation. The subject? Earworms. No, not worms that live in one’s ears *shudder*. No, these were the official name of those songs that get stuck in your head.
"S Club (there ain't no party like an S Club party)
Gonna show you how (everybody get down tonight)"
They interviewed a British researcher Vicky Williamson, who’s currently studying the biological reasons for them and how they might apply to the greater study of human memory.
I should add that since that story ran, I’ve had S Club 7’s “S Club Party” stuck in my head. No joke. (BTW, this might be the best music video ever – well, at least since Paula Abdul’s “Rush, Rush.”)
What’s the antidote? Well, Vicky Williamson suggested that singing “God Save the Queen” really slowly might be just the thing to rid one of earworms. Needless to say, I’m on it! (And apologies to everyone around me.)
Do they know it’s Christmas (and that it’s not a happy song)?
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid is my second favorite modern Christmas song on the planet (second only to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which is pop perfection).
Last week, the TV show “Glee” brought their own spin to it and they certainly made it their own. How? Well, they smiled through it. It was the most upbeat, inappropriately happy rendition of such a serious song about poverty in Ethiopia.
I’m not sure why anyone thought it would be okay to skip and bop mindlessly while singing lyrics like “And there won’t be snow in Africa this christmas time / The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life / Where nothing ever grows / No rain or rivers flow / Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?”
Oh, Glee. I still love you. But next Christmas, stick with “My Only Wish” by Britney Spears.
BRITRISH.COM 