Mar 31 2009
Leona Lewis to join Michael Jackson concerts in UK?
Leona Lewis has enormous respect for Michael Jackson and has explained how she used to sing his hits in front of the mirror using a brush as a microphone. “He’s still a legend. I think his performances are incredible and his shows are great,” she has said.
But now the tables are a little bit turned. Apparently Michael Jackson (photo 1) rates Leona Lewis! And would love her to be part of his huge This Is It concert series at the O2 in London. He is reported to be looking for someone to sing the duet with him for the 1995 hit Scream which he recorded with his sister Janet Jackson.
“Michael has a list of singers he feels could do Janet justice — and Leona is top … he’s a big fan of everything she has achieved,” according to reports.
With the concerts taking up half a year, it’s unlikely Leona Lewis (photo 2) could commit for the whole series - but a few nights could be great for fans of both stars.
A combination of playful and tearful Miley Cyrus had a good night at the Nickelodeon 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards. The playful was with host Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who appeared in one segment in the same dress as Miley.
Just to make that plain, the Motown musicians are some of the most respected in music industry. Second, the singers those musicians worked with, and polished the music for, include people like Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.
Megan Joy - For Once In My Life was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Burden and has been recorded by so many artists people may not realize it was originally a Motown hit. Stevie Wonder’s version spent two weeks at No. 2 in 1968.
We could say Megan Joy (photo 2) is unusual. But she is a singer who listens to her inner voice and interprets songs in ways that are fresh and unique.
One interesting part of the introduction showed Allison Iraheta (photo 1) and Lil Rounds way up front with their knowledge of, and appreciation of, Motown history. The Idol wannabe guys were just background wallpaper in these rooms of talent and fame.
Megan Joy (photo 2) surprised Smokey with her unusual “jazzy-cabaret vibe” and he liked it in rehearsal. He added, “Megan is one of the most original contestants ever on the show.” That high praise was not shared by the judges who - as expected - strongly criticised Megan’s interpretation of For Once In My Life even though she put more energy and spirit into the song than all the guys combined.
Adam Lambert (photo 4) chose to sing Smokey’s The Tracks of My Tears and Smokey was full of praise for the unique interpretation. Presented in a slow, acoustic style that really showed his passion, this could be Adam’s crowning moment. Adam also brightened his image. Even Berry Gordy and Smokey gave a standing ovation.
Back in the studio, Leona has been working with, or has received demos from, an impressive list of talent:
Like so much of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the joy of Whedon’s shows is often in the sub-plots and character development. With Dollhouse (photo 1 shows Echo and Sierra) he gets a fantastic blank canvas to play with each episode. It is probably too subtle for huge ratings, but it’s great while it lasts.
In this episode we see more aspects of Echo, the main Active played by Eliza Dushku (photo 2), who in real life and in the show seems happy to follow the modern trend for wearing revealing outfits and playing scenes for their sex appeal as much as their plot development.
Such a star-studded cast of potential musicians, songwriters and producers could suggest the album will be fantastic. Lohan has also been close to DJ Samantha Ronson (photo 1 shows Lindsay Lohan with Samantha), the sister of super-producer Mark Ronson, so there is plenty of music royalty in her life. One sign that 22-year-old does have a musical future comes with the track Bossy, a dance-heavy riff from Ne-Yo with Lindsay’s surprisingly good vocals in fine tone.
Ne-Yo says the song concerns strength. “It’s basically about a woman being strong enough to get what she wants when she wants it.” He added that, “when Lindsay’s on her game, you can see these traits in her. When she’s focused, she exudes the aura of a boss with ease,”
Now in its third season and with a deliberate freshening of the characters and cast, Skins has been praised worldwide, including Gordon Farrer writing in Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. He called it “refreshing, entertaining and worthy” and decided it should be “compulsory viewing for parents of teenagers as much as for teens.”
Skins scorecard 2009
Gossip Girl scorecard 2009
Created as a contemporary spin-off from Beverly Hills, 90210, the all-new 90210 is not that new. There are still many early weaknesses like goody-goody central characters (Annie, Navid) and cardboard-baddies (Adrianna). However, the cast is rich with adult and teen characters with space to grow, and the arrival of Rebecca Rand Kirshner (formerly of Gilmore Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as executive producer/showrunner should see some deeper storylines.
