Today is my sister Rachel's birthday and in honor of the day I have chosen a song that we both love. I took Rachel to see Reba when she was touring with Kelly Clarkson, we both loved it.
"Fancy" is a tale of a young woman whose mother sends her off to be "nice to the gentlemen" in order to avoid a life of poverty. It's not sad, in fact it's defiant. In the end we see the quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet: "To thine own self be true." It's a quote that Rachel has tattooed on her wrist and the one we should all have tattooed on our minds and hearts. I might have been born poor white trash but Fancy was my name...
Showing posts with label Reba McEntire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reba McEntire. Show all posts
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Someone's Gotta Write A Script For The New Kelly Clarkson Single...
Hello, Kelly-philes! Our girl is riding high on two upbeat singles from her number one album, All I Ever Wanted, and another single is rumored for release. "Already Gone" was co-written by Kelly and One Republic front man Ryan Tedder and is the best song on the album. It's a slow burning, lovely ballad that shares a drum loop and some melodic similarities to Beyonce's current hit "Halo" also written by Tedder.
Kelly really sells the vocals on the track, but it's the video I'm worried about. In case you haven't had All I Ever Wanted on a loop like I have, here is the song:
See? Good stuff from the Texas lass. Anyway, the Clarkson-verse has taken note of the lackluster videos from the new disc, and I think "Already Gone" deserves a kick-ass video. Kelly has done some great videos, even the rather pedestrian "Because Of You" video shines when she cries real tears at the end. Beside, Ms. Idol pals around with Reba McIntire all the time (even touring with her twice) and she should take a lesson from the country superstar. Reba's videos are events, with massive plots and guest stars. In fact, the ladies should pair up for the video shoot. Here's the storyline:
Shooting in black and white, the clips opens sans music, with Kelly pulling up to a stop sign on a gravel road. She's in a convertible, top down and wind whistling as it blows her hair. Camera focuses on her face and pulls back. Behind her shoulder we see a sign: MARBLE CITY: 50 MILES. She turns around briefly and shifts gear. Music starts. Flash to white.
FLASHBACK: Kelly is slow dancing with SILVER FOX. Shot is close on faces, pulls back to reveal REBA and a young gruff (DAVID COOK) at bar watching with studied nonchalance. Kelly pulls away, and walks in tight jeans and western shirt to bathroom. She gives a small smile to David as she passes, man's wallet slipping into purse. David gets up, heads out of bar. Reba walks over to Silver Fox.
OUTSIDE, DUSK: David pulls up to brick wall in alley as Kelly jumps out of window into the passenger seat of same convertible as first scene. They drive away as Kelly counts cash in wallet. Silver Fox runs out of bar in slow motion, Reba chasing. Reba screams, David is frozen. Still in slow motion, Kelly pushes him out of the way. Kelly guns car, hitting Silver Fox with car. Reba jumps in back seat, Kelly hightails it down street.
HOTEL ROOM, NIGHT: Kelly shouts at David, pulling money out of suitcase. He shouts back, she pushes him out of the way. She grabs duffel, opens door, walks out and slams door.
HALLWAY: Kelly sits on floor outside of door, which opens. Reba drops to ground next to her, cradles Kelly's head in her arms. Music hits end of "We were always meant to say goodbye" around 3:40 in song, stops. Dialogue:
REBA: He's going to turn himself in.
KELLY: He can't do that. It wasn't his fault.
REBA: He loves you. It kills him every time you dance and flirt with those guys. He knows it's not real, but it still kills him.
KELLY: I never asked him to love me, he was just supposed to drive the getaway car.
REBA: Love doesn't ask permission, baby girl.
KELLY: Neither do I, Mom.
Music starts again, Kelly jumps up and runs down hallway, duffel in hand.
PARKING LOT, NIGHTTIME: Kelly jumps in convertible and pulls out of parking lot, dust cloud behind her. She passes a sign: MARBLE CITY. Shots of David, tears in eyes and Reba holding on edge of bed.
ROADSIDE: Kelly pulls up to stop sign. She opens duffel, which has clothes, bundle of bills and a picture of Reba and Kelly with David wrapping arms around the two of them. She holds it to her chest, then rips it up and throws into the wind. She drives onto paved road.
END SCENE
How 'bout the rest of you? Think you can direct Kelly's return to "Behind These Hazel Eyes" level video making? Or do you still have old storyboards for a "Sober" video? Share 'em in the comments.
Kelly really sells the vocals on the track, but it's the video I'm worried about. In case you haven't had All I Ever Wanted on a loop like I have, here is the song:
See? Good stuff from the Texas lass. Anyway, the Clarkson-verse has taken note of the lackluster videos from the new disc, and I think "Already Gone" deserves a kick-ass video. Kelly has done some great videos, even the rather pedestrian "Because Of You" video shines when she cries real tears at the end. Beside, Ms. Idol pals around with Reba McIntire all the time (even touring with her twice) and she should take a lesson from the country superstar. Reba's videos are events, with massive plots and guest stars. In fact, the ladies should pair up for the video shoot. Here's the storyline:
Shooting in black and white, the clips opens sans music, with Kelly pulling up to a stop sign on a gravel road. She's in a convertible, top down and wind whistling as it blows her hair. Camera focuses on her face and pulls back. Behind her shoulder we see a sign: MARBLE CITY: 50 MILES. She turns around briefly and shifts gear. Music starts. Flash to white.
FLASHBACK: Kelly is slow dancing with SILVER FOX. Shot is close on faces, pulls back to reveal REBA and a young gruff (DAVID COOK) at bar watching with studied nonchalance. Kelly pulls away, and walks in tight jeans and western shirt to bathroom. She gives a small smile to David as she passes, man's wallet slipping into purse. David gets up, heads out of bar. Reba walks over to Silver Fox.
OUTSIDE, DUSK: David pulls up to brick wall in alley as Kelly jumps out of window into the passenger seat of same convertible as first scene. They drive away as Kelly counts cash in wallet. Silver Fox runs out of bar in slow motion, Reba chasing. Reba screams, David is frozen. Still in slow motion, Kelly pushes him out of the way. Kelly guns car, hitting Silver Fox with car. Reba jumps in back seat, Kelly hightails it down street.
HOTEL ROOM, NIGHT: Kelly shouts at David, pulling money out of suitcase. He shouts back, she pushes him out of the way. She grabs duffel, opens door, walks out and slams door.
HALLWAY: Kelly sits on floor outside of door, which opens. Reba drops to ground next to her, cradles Kelly's head in her arms. Music hits end of "We were always meant to say goodbye" around 3:40 in song, stops. Dialogue:
REBA: He's going to turn himself in.
KELLY: He can't do that. It wasn't his fault.
REBA: He loves you. It kills him every time you dance and flirt with those guys. He knows it's not real, but it still kills him.
KELLY: I never asked him to love me, he was just supposed to drive the getaway car.
REBA: Love doesn't ask permission, baby girl.
KELLY: Neither do I, Mom.
Music starts again, Kelly jumps up and runs down hallway, duffel in hand.
PARKING LOT, NIGHTTIME: Kelly jumps in convertible and pulls out of parking lot, dust cloud behind her. She passes a sign: MARBLE CITY. Shots of David, tears in eyes and Reba holding on edge of bed.
ROADSIDE: Kelly pulls up to stop sign. She opens duffel, which has clothes, bundle of bills and a picture of Reba and Kelly with David wrapping arms around the two of them. She holds it to her chest, then rips it up and throws into the wind. She drives onto paved road.
END SCENE
How 'bout the rest of you? Think you can direct Kelly's return to "Behind These Hazel Eyes" level video making? Or do you still have old storyboards for a "Sober" video? Share 'em in the comments.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
My 2nd Favorite Christmas Album Of All Time!
We already established my love of A Charlie Brown Christmas. I also mentioned I had two other favorites. This is one of them:
Reba McEntire's Merry Christmas To You, from 1987. First, can we talk about the cover? How fabulously '80s country is that? The fur collar, the teased red hair, the press-on nails? If I ever did drag, this would be my costume. Lord knows Reba's had some bigger hair, but that is still a lot of look!
We had the album on cassette (you do remember those, right? They're the funny boxes that make up my blog background...) when I was but a wee lad. I remember listening to it every year, along with an Avon compilation cassette that featured Anne Murray and The Carpenters. There is a reason I love sappy Adult Contemporary this time of year.
But this album, which I bought as a two disc set called Christmas Collection that also includes Reba's other Holiday album Secret Of Giving, is pure country magic. Reba has never been in better vocal form, her range is one of the best in country. She does the most difficult carol "O Holy Night" so well, I defy Barbara or Celine to even attempt it again. She also does "White Christmas" with so much charisma I think Bing would be impressed and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" in an upbeat Texas swing style, a variation I've never heard before or since. Three originals add to the charm of this album, including a song called "A Christmas Letter" in which Santa asks for peace on earth this Christmas. From his lips to God's ears...
My favorite track is not even a song, really. "The Christmas Gift" is a spoken word moment, a story of a man who was visited by Jesus in a dream. He is told that the Lord would visit him on Christmas day, and Conrad got very excited. On that day, he waits for the visit but is distracted by a beggar who needs shoes in the cold snow, a lost child he helps find her way home and a homeless woman who needed a meal. At the end of the day, Conrad is depressed that Jesus never shows. That night He appears in a dream again, and Conrad asks him why he never shows. He tells him "Remember the woman, the lost child, the shoeless man? That was me!" It's a tale sometimes told as The Cobbler And His Guest, but the story is an important one. Especially in this day and age when religious folk spend all their money trying to keep two men from marrying instead of spending it to keep two children from starving on Christmas day. Matthew 25:40 - "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Full Post: Reba + Kelly = AWESOMENESS PERSONIFIED!
OK, let's just lay this out there: I am not an unbiased journalist. I make no pretensions to have gone into Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson: 2 Worlds, 2 Voices concert in Reading, PA with an open-mind, I knew it was going to ROCK OUT LOUD! And it did.
The show start with a comedy set by Reba co-star Melissa Peterman. She was pretty funny, and got big laughs when she made some local flavor jokes about Al's Cabaret and mock-flirted with a bald dude named John in the front rows.
But it was country legend Reba and pop superstar Kelly that we were dying to see, and they were worth the wait! Opening with Reba doing a few a Capella lines from the Patsy Cline classic "Sweet Dream" before Kelly joined in with the Eurythmics hit of the same name, the duo set the tone for the country/rock hybrid to come.
Reba had the larger catalog of hits to pull from, and the two harmonized in classic duets like "Does He Love You" and made a logical extension of the harmony-heavy "How Blue" while Reba brought the house down with a solo rendition of "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia."
Kelly is no stranger to hits herself, and Reba and Kelly really had fun with her rock-flavored singles like "Walk Away" and "Since U Been Gone." I was surprised at how brilliant Kelly was on one of her weaker singles, "Never Again" - it definitely works better live than on disc.
Both ladies have phenomenal voices, so I was not at all surprised that the slower duets that really showcased the vocals were the standouts. Reba's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" and Kelly's "Beautiful Disaster" were amazing, but the cover of Patty Griffin's "Up To The Mountain" (which Kelly had previously done solo on Idol Gives Back) was truly transcendent.
The big moment, though came at the end. During the encore, the two performed the country radio hit duet version of "Because Of You," which I don't like as much as Kelly's original solo version. I was afraid that would be the end, and I'd leave the show with a bad taste in my ear. But then, it came: the greatest song about whoring oneself out ever. Yes, that's right! "HERE'S YOUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY DON'T LET ME DOWN!" I could die now, happy. The two of them, pouring every ounce of vocal strength into Reba's best single, the band really cooking (like they were all night) and the crowd going wild. It was a worthy end to a magnificent show.
Even if you strip away the hit songs, the vocal calisthenics and the rocking 10 piece band; you would still have two entertainers who have amazing chemistry, who really seem to appreciate and like each other and obviously feed off each other's energy. The two of them on tour is a perfect storm, one that could not be recreated easily. I really hope this is not the last time Reba and Kelly work together!
The show start with a comedy set by Reba co-star Melissa Peterman. She was pretty funny, and got big laughs when she made some local flavor jokes about Al's Cabaret and mock-flirted with a bald dude named John in the front rows.
But it was country legend Reba and pop superstar Kelly that we were dying to see, and they were worth the wait! Opening with Reba doing a few a Capella lines from the Patsy Cline classic "Sweet Dream" before Kelly joined in with the Eurythmics hit of the same name, the duo set the tone for the country/rock hybrid to come.
Reba had the larger catalog of hits to pull from, and the two harmonized in classic duets like "Does He Love You" and made a logical extension of the harmony-heavy "How Blue" while Reba brought the house down with a solo rendition of "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia."
Kelly is no stranger to hits herself, and Reba and Kelly really had fun with her rock-flavored singles like "Walk Away" and "Since U Been Gone." I was surprised at how brilliant Kelly was on one of her weaker singles, "Never Again" - it definitely works better live than on disc.
Both ladies have phenomenal voices, so I was not at all surprised that the slower duets that really showcased the vocals were the standouts. Reba's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" and Kelly's "Beautiful Disaster" were amazing, but the cover of Patty Griffin's "Up To The Mountain" (which Kelly had previously done solo on Idol Gives Back) was truly transcendent.
The big moment, though came at the end. During the encore, the two performed the country radio hit duet version of "Because Of You," which I don't like as much as Kelly's original solo version. I was afraid that would be the end, and I'd leave the show with a bad taste in my ear. But then, it came: the greatest song about whoring oneself out ever. Yes, that's right! "HERE'S YOUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY DON'T LET ME DOWN!" I could die now, happy. The two of them, pouring every ounce of vocal strength into Reba's best single, the band really cooking (like they were all night) and the crowd going wild. It was a worthy end to a magnificent show.
Even if you strip away the hit songs, the vocal calisthenics and the rocking 10 piece band; you would still have two entertainers who have amazing chemistry, who really seem to appreciate and like each other and obviously feed off each other's energy. The two of them on tour is a perfect storm, one that could not be recreated easily. I really hope this is not the last time Reba and Kelly work together!
Kelly & Reba!!!!
OK, I'm tired, hungry, cold and have to pee really bad. But that's not important! I just got back from seeing Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire and my hands hurt from clapping, my voice is hoarse from screaming and my nose is running. (No Kelly or Reba related reason, really, but it's happening...)
Anyway, it was off the chain, people! If I didn't have to work in the AM I'd be blogging like a madman about it, but this will have to hold you over until I can post a full blog tomorrow after work. Here is Kelly and Reba doing "Does He Love You" live, six years ago and at the beginning of a working friendship that amazed me tonight.
Anyway, it was off the chain, people! If I didn't have to work in the AM I'd be blogging like a madman about it, but this will have to hold you over until I can post a full blog tomorrow after work. Here is Kelly and Reba doing "Does He Love You" live, six years ago and at the beginning of a working friendship that amazed me tonight.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Five Songs On Shuffle, Volume 22
This is the twenty-second installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.
"The Only Promise That Remains" - Reba McIntire/Justin Timberlake Reba Duets
This gorgeous Celtic love ballad, co-written by Mr Sexy back himself, is a departure for both artists. Justin is known for his hip-hop flavored pop hits, and Reba for her giant soaring ballads and catchy country-pop with a life lesson at the center. This is a simple, beautiful love song with Justin's soft falsetto harmonizing, but never overpowering, Reba's always-stunning vocals and a gentle guitar and string back-ground.
"LDN" - Lily Allen Alright, Still
Lily is riding her bike through my dream town, and sees what I would miss. Is that fancy looking couple actually a pimp/ho combo? Did nice young man just bash that old ladies over the head? And is that sunny Calypso music playing underneath a snarky lyric? Indeed.
"That Time" - Regina Spektor Begin to Hope
Regina reminiscences about the fun times: when she only ate tangerines for a month, when she would only read Shakespeare, when she and I would kiss anywhere except the mouth, when we broke and bummed cigs. Oh, and remember that time when I OD'd, for the second time? Yeah, fun times!
"Anytime You Like" - Robyn Robyn
Over a strange barely-there beat, Robyn waits to be told those three little words. You can tell her anytime you like...
"Marry Me" - St. Vincent Marry Me
Starting out like a lost Broadway tune, it gets quirky; and fast! She wants do what "married people do... what Mary and Joseph did, without the kid" over a strange drum and horn and piano beat.
"The Only Promise That Remains" - Reba McIntire/Justin Timberlake Reba Duets
This gorgeous Celtic love ballad, co-written by Mr Sexy back himself, is a departure for both artists. Justin is known for his hip-hop flavored pop hits, and Reba for her giant soaring ballads and catchy country-pop with a life lesson at the center. This is a simple, beautiful love song with Justin's soft falsetto harmonizing, but never overpowering, Reba's always-stunning vocals and a gentle guitar and string back-ground.
"LDN" - Lily Allen Alright, Still
Lily is riding her bike through my dream town, and sees what I would miss. Is that fancy looking couple actually a pimp/ho combo? Did nice young man just bash that old ladies over the head? And is that sunny Calypso music playing underneath a snarky lyric? Indeed.
"That Time" - Regina Spektor Begin to Hope
Regina reminiscences about the fun times: when she only ate tangerines for a month, when she would only read Shakespeare, when she and I would kiss anywhere except the mouth, when we broke and bummed cigs. Oh, and remember that time when I OD'd, for the second time? Yeah, fun times!
"Anytime You Like" - Robyn Robyn
Over a strange barely-there beat, Robyn waits to be told those three little words. You can tell her anytime you like...
"Marry Me" - St. Vincent Marry Me
Starting out like a lost Broadway tune, it gets quirky; and fast! She wants do what "married people do... what Mary and Joseph did, without the kid" over a strange drum and horn and piano beat.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Five Songs On Shuffle, Vol. 13
This is the thirteenth installment of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.
"Love Needs A Holiday" - Reba McEntire Reba #1's
One of the new tracks on Reba's double disc hits collection, "Love Needs A Holiday" tells of a couple who do what they can to keep love alive, like taking a vacation. I bought this CD for Rachel for Christmas a couple years ago. She loves Reba, even though she's a pretty hard core rock fan. But, really, how can you hate on a legendary redhead like her?
"High Of 75" - Relient K Mmhmm
This is an album track from the Canton, Ohio band's mainstream breakthrough, Mmhmm. Really catchy pop-punk, like most of this band's output. I love them!
"XR2" - M.I.A. Kala
I love the Baltimore club beat on this track, and the line "some people think we're stupid, but we're not" cracks me up. Not the best track from my favorite album of last year, but seriously cool anyway.
"B-A-B-Y" - Carla Thomas Something To Believe In
This soulful love song is from a CD I bought at a thrift store about six years ago, a compilation of African-American music with African art in the liner notes. The CD introduced me to the brilliant work of Nina Simone, and also includes great songs from Curtis Mayfield, Erma Franklin and Billie Holiday.
"Love Is A Battlefield" - Pat Benatar Greatest Hits
One of the best songs of the eighties, from one of the best rock vocalists ever. You can't hear this song without wanting to dance and sing into a hairbrush. That chorus! That vocal range! Those fierce shoulder shakes in the video! Clearly a classic.
"Love Needs A Holiday" - Reba McEntire Reba #1's
One of the new tracks on Reba's double disc hits collection, "Love Needs A Holiday" tells of a couple who do what they can to keep love alive, like taking a vacation. I bought this CD for Rachel for Christmas a couple years ago. She loves Reba, even though she's a pretty hard core rock fan. But, really, how can you hate on a legendary redhead like her?
"High Of 75" - Relient K Mmhmm
This is an album track from the Canton, Ohio band's mainstream breakthrough, Mmhmm. Really catchy pop-punk, like most of this band's output. I love them!
"XR2" - M.I.A. Kala
I love the Baltimore club beat on this track, and the line "some people think we're stupid, but we're not" cracks me up. Not the best track from my favorite album of last year, but seriously cool anyway.
"B-A-B-Y" - Carla Thomas Something To Believe In
This soulful love song is from a CD I bought at a thrift store about six years ago, a compilation of African-American music with African art in the liner notes. The CD introduced me to the brilliant work of Nina Simone, and also includes great songs from Curtis Mayfield, Erma Franklin and Billie Holiday.
"Love Is A Battlefield" - Pat Benatar Greatest Hits
One of the best songs of the eighties, from one of the best rock vocalists ever. You can't hear this song without wanting to dance and sing into a hairbrush. That chorus! That vocal range! Those fierce shoulder shakes in the video! Clearly a classic.
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