Live From New York: Russell Patrick Brown

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I know from the e-mails I got that people enjoyed my profiles last month featuring the incredibly gifted Russell Patrick Brown. Russell's physical beauty is only the top layer of a bounty of talent and creativity which if you checked out his site you could hear and feel through his music.



Russell's focus on music has resulted in two upcoming performances starting this week; December 16th(UC Lounge, 87 Ludlow Street) and December 19th (Klimat Lounge 77 East 7th Street). If your in the New York area be sure to check out Russell live!

'It's only a ten dollar cover and I promise it'll be a great show and you'll make me so very happy I did not perform only for the dust bunnies and bartender,'

Russell Patrick Brown Official Site
Russell Patrick Brown on Facebook

Images of Russell by Gordon Nebeker

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Any Other Fool: Shades Of Blue by Carlo Chapelle

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Chicago based singer Carlo Chapelle sings Any Other Fool as part of his debut recording Shades Of Blue. Carlo's soothing voice is perfectly suited for Dianne Warren ballad hitting the right notes of longing and regret. Shades Of Blue was recorded over three years in Chicago, Indiana and Manila and features an eclectic group of songs including several standards. Other hightlights of the the album include “God Bless the Child,” the Bergman classic “What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life”, arranged especially for Carlo by well known singer/composer/arranger, Beckie Menzie and an acapella version of “The Nearness of You”



Born in Manila, Carlo started his singing career in the church choir with THE group People, Precious and Few choir. The group toured the Philippines and was recorded by the record label, IVORY RECORDS. During recording of the album, “Ama Namin”, Carlo was asked to record for another independent LP entitled, "80's Mega Medley". It was a tribute cover album to the 80's pop hits as we were approaching 1990. Carlo’s solos were the Michael Jackson classic "Billie Jean” and the dance floor 80's hit "I Beg Your Pardon".

Moving to Chicago in 1991, Carlo has appeared at such clubs as Gentry, Cotton Club, Bailiwick Repertory Theater, Davenport’s, The Ramada Hotel, Petterino’s, while also appearing on a local cable show called “Pinoy TV”. Carlo was also honored by being the opening musical act for Philippine singing sensation, Regine Valasquez, when she toured the USA with an appearance at the Gateway Theater.


Be sure to check out Shades Of Blue cdbaby HERE:

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Kelly Clarkson's Stronger

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I have been pretty much listening to Kelly Clarkson's Stronger since picking it up last week. The first single, and song on the cd, Mr. Know It All was the perfect choice for Clarkson to promote the CD. Although there are a few songs I am skipping over, with a song list of 18 that still leaves plenty to love. My favorite song keeps changing but for the last couple of days Breaking Your Own Heart is winning hitting a cord with me each time I listen, 'Don't Be A Girl About It' is growing on me fast! Unlike most of her contemporaries, Spears, Aguilera and Lady Gaga to name just a few, Clarkson relies solely on the one thing that should be most important in the music business, talent.

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Wild About Harry!

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Now truth be told not all boy band members age as gracefully as the members of the British pop group McFly. The guys are not that old, all are still in their late twenties, but unlike some of their American counterparts, the boys of McFly get hotter with each passing year.



Formed in 2004, McFly is as well known on this side of the Atlantic for dropping trou as for their music. The guys are not only naked in their videos and photo shoots they are also known to get naked or moon whenever crowds gather. All the guys are talented and all are great looking but drummer Harry Judd. Harry and the boys have always been popular fixtures in the UK based magazine Attitude, but earlier this year Harry graced the cover alone for the very first time. I am a little late as usual with this post but last month on my birthday a friend of mine who now lives in Phoenix sent me a photo filled video with McFly's Not Alone playing in the background. Listening to the song this weekend had me Mcwanting to post about McFly.









All shots above via Attitude Magazine

Next two shots from the making of Nowhere Left To Run





Two Caps above via Casperfan

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Brett Gleason: The Thawing

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Brett by Walt Cessna.



'The Thawing' is about learning to feel again, the already recorded and mixed songs follow the narrator as he emerges from self imposed isolation to embrace the world he's rejected only to find cruel indifference.



Learn more and find out how to support Brett's next album by checking out his video HERE:

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Kiss Of The Spider Woman Soundtrack

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Vanessa Williams really is a far more talented singer and actress than she gets credit for. As dynamic and hilarious as she was on Ugly Betty (I can't really speak for her role on Desperate Housewives) she has an impressive stage resume which include some of my favorite shows.



Although the Chita Rivera version might be remembered more affectionately, as far as the soundtrack go, my money's on the 1994 version featuring Williams, Howard McGillin and Brian Mitchell. Williams might not have the biggest voice, but like with her turn singing pop, she has a beautiful clear voice with a unique tone that gives her songs a depth I did not hear before. She may not have Rivera's dramatic flare but this is a soundtrack, not a live show and I much prefer Williams. McGillin is great, especially powerful and painful on 'She's A Woman'. Mitchell hits it out of the park with powerhouse vocals at every turn but his version of 'Marta' is incredible.



Obviously someone else saw the magic in the cast replacements as it is rare for a show to re-release a soundtrack with the replacement cast just 2 years after the release of the original. I remember listening to KOTSP on old school heavy discman in 1994 when I was in University. That cd went missing years ago but I recently bought another version on Amazon and am enjoying it even more now.

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Just Because: Zach Porter

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This morning in line for coffee I spotted Zach Porter singing on the flat screen above the wall menu. Zach, with band mates from AllStar Weekend were singing on Regis & Kelly. When I got home tonight I had to a search... Now, I just hope the music is as appealing!


Below Zach with Cameron Quiseng.


Below: Zach with lead guitarist Nathan Darmody and bassists Cameron Quiseng (missing drummer Michael Martinez)

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'I'm Into You'

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One of the most viewed posts on FH was a feature from two years ago featuring one of the hottest Cuban actors and telenovela stars William Levy. (Favorite Import of the Day: William Levy Gutierrez) Levy is a huge star and has turned many female singers who wanted his incredible face and body in their music videos. William did not however say no to Jennifer Lopez who brought him on to star in her new video for her single I'm Into You.

Below: William has so many hot modeling shots but these casting Polaroids have to be some of the hottest!!!



Image Source:

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'Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days'

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As a kid one is often 'forced' to watch and listen to the tastes of your parents. Growing up in the 80's we had one radio and one television set. Our radio, dominated by my mother mostly blared country. Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and The Judd's were her favorites. It is funny that this love of country music followed me into adulthood. Not all country mind you, mostly I still listen to what my mother played. I followed Wynonna's music most closely and bought all her cassettes into the 90's with Girls on Guitar being one of my favorite tracks.

Country music is often described as 'down home' and 'real'. Why then is it so then that so many of these 'real' country stars now look so damned scary. Parton and Rogers, two of the most popular country stars ever look like they are auditioning for the grandparents roles in Broadway's The Addams Family. Parton sort of makes it work as she has always had 'plastic' intertwined into her images. Besides the woman has so much personality and likability it does not seem as off putting. Rogers on the other hand does not pull it off quite so well...



Seeing shots of The Judd's walking the red carpet at the CMA's the other night (below), was just sort of sad. It was not that they looked older, that would have been fine. The family, who were once identified for their realness, family values and their relationship have been slowly exposing a family so unlike who we all believed them to be in the 80's. Now I know they never claimed to be perfect, their songs were all birthed from pain and dysfunction, but what we are seeing now is much more sordid.

The oddness is not new. It was always strange to see a duo perform when it was clear one of them had little to no vocal ability. (they are not the only duo with this though) The emotional manipulation of their fans when Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and the many heartfelt goodbye performances. These teary eyed goodbye encores all seem rather staged and cold when looking back on them, especially given how often Naomi jumped back on stage whenever attention could be gained. The duo continues to tour together, now however the tours are labeled 'special'.

On top of all this, we have revelations of abuse, sister Ashley's comments about the family, her book and own strange behavior and the oddness just continues. It is also a mystery to me that although I think Wynonna looks great at any size, she continues being told how much weight she has lost by those who interview her even though...has she...really? Of course now they have their own reality show on Own. This show seems a big mistake. The two women obviously love each other, it is questionable whether they actually like each other. I don't dislike the Judds, I still enjoy their music. I guess it's just...with each attempt to remain what they were, whether it be through plastic surgery, books, revelations or the reality show, they get further and further from what we loved about them in the first place. The not so quiet desperation to be something they never were.



Take a lesson Judds, if it is not already too late...As greats such as Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn aged they never lost who they were. Bette Davis was always Bette Davis no matter how old she got. The Judds....not so much.

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Just Because: Dennis Deyoung

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This post travelled an odd road. It began as a thumbs down to those on facebook who announce on their page that they are purging their friend list. (it is so dramatic, ego driven and threatening). In real life you would never tell your friends some of them are getting the ole heave ho. I usually defriend anyone who makes such a statement. While writing that post I was listening to one of my favorite musicians, Dennis Deyoung. I decided for some odd reason to weave Dennis into the post, discussing that although he is one of my all time favorite singers I have never really vocalized it to many, (somehow I connected that ones love for something is not related to how loudly you say it but how you feel it).

As often happens the post was rambling (more than I usually do), and going nowhere. So...Instead I want to encourage anyone who has not experienced the vocal power of former Styx Dennis Deyoung to give him a listen. Deyoung's Back To The World and 10 On Broadway are two albums that have been a big part of many great times in my life.

My favorite track on 10 On Broadway is Pilate's Dream from Jesus Christ Superstar but I could not find a video to share. But this version of Summertime will give you an idea of the power of Deyoung's vocals.




Deyoung singing Come Sail Away, that voice!!!

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Kudos to Celine Dion

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First let me say I have never been a huge fan of Celine Dion. The only cd I own by her is 1990's Unison which I was given at a surprise birthday party when I turned 16. I did take a date to a Celine concert a few years later, this was still during the time half her stage show was in french. It was after became more well known for singing 'Beauty and the Beast' but before becoming huge with the release of Titanic.

I could always see the woman had an amazing voice and her energy on stage is to be respected. I liked some of her music, I just found her a bit annoying and was always more into alternative rock. The female singers I did listen to were not been the big voices but the singer songwriters like Melissa Etheridge (and currently LOVING Adele).

It struck me recently that Randy Jackson continues to tell the female singers on American Idol to be careful when singing the big three, Celine, Mariah and Whitney, once in awhile he will also throw in Christia. When I was growing up these women dominated the radio, MTV and were constants at my school dances and every wedding I ever attended.

We all know know that Whitney's voice is shot. It is obvious Mariah's is gone as well. For the past three or four years Mariah has either lip synced, or painfully limped her way though her live performances with tv hosts and audiences all in on some sort of 'play' to convince those of us watching at home on television that she actually did a good job. Christina's voice is not gone, but there are hints it could be heading wherever Mariah's went.

This past week I saw several stories about Dion on tv promoting her new Vegas show and they have given me a new appreciation for her worth ethic and her talent. The woman cannot possible need the money yet is back to sold out shows. Whether Dion (and of course Streisand) are just more talented than the others or if they are just more professional is not clear. It is clear however that Dion has not ruined her instrument, instead has kept it strong through work outs and rehearsal's. Kudos to Dion remaining at the top of her vocal game.

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