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Category: Music

  • ALBUM REVIEW | Kate Bush, Before The Dawn (live)

    ALBUM REVIEW | Kate Bush, Before The Dawn (live)

    ★★★★★ | Kate Bush, Before The Dawn (live)

    Before The Dawn Review
    Before The Dawn

    You need to learn patience with Kate Bush. Ever since I heard “Wuthering Heights” I became a big fan of Kate Bush. I was 4 at the time and l remember saying to myself that I will see her live in one of those concert things. 35 years later I finally got to see Kate live at the Apollo on the 24th September 2014. I was four rows from the front, could see not only the whites of her eyes but the bare soles of her feet. I remember crying many many times. It really was a dream come true.

    Releases from Kate Bush have been quite fast coming. Not that you would think it. After a 12 year hiatus, she returned in 2005 with Aerial. Then in 2011 there were two releases and a year after that the Before the Dawn tour that people went crazy for.

    We then had to endure a 26 month wait before she released the CD recording taking from various shows during her 22-night residency at the Hammersmith Apollo where she last performed in 1979. What hadn’t helped the wait was Paddy Bush telling Graham Norton on his BBC radio 2 show late last year that Kate was going to release something from the show. We all thought it would be the DVD.

    To be fair I had pre-ordered my copy on the day of its mention and that has been an agonising wait. Finally, on Friday my copy was delivered. I had to contain myself. I wanted to immerse myself in the whole experience. Playing it on the computer at work while being interrupted by mechanics and the telephone would have ruined it. On social media, I told friends they could all **** off, I would be with Kate Bush. And only Kate Bush.

    I got home, locked the door, vodka was poured, ran upstairs to the manlab and became one with Kate Bush. The cellophane was removed from the three CD set and I indulged myself in the little booklet that accompanies the set. It goes on about the show and Kate gives thanks to everyone involved. On the night she was so gracious to us the audience too and that hasn’t been edited out from the CD. Each CD is set as an act. Act 1, 2 and 3.

    Act 1 CD is your typical concert made up of seven songs. It was nice to listen to Lily without the muffling that comes from crying. Never be mine wasn’t actually played at the live show though it does appear on the CD. A puzzling question as to why this appears on the CD. That said I am glad it does. It is one of my favourites. I’ve many favourites but this one just happened to help me during a strange period of finding out who I was and what my life might have been at the time. Joanni about Joan of Arc was brilliant live.

    Kate Bush’s first and only tour set new standards in live shows. From what I have read she was sort of the first to come out with a handsfree mic headset so she could perform in the song with visuals and art. You would have been stupid if you didn’t expect her to move the goal post again. So enter act 2.

    Act 2

    Act 2 was taken from the B side of Hounds of Love titled The Ninth Wave. I never really understood the whole ‘woman drifting out to sea from a shipwreck. The concert put a lot of visuals to it. It all made sense. On the CD you are allowed in but shut your eyes first and enjoy the story telling through some acting and music. The live version of Dream of Sheep is just amazing. I like the song on the normal album, however, live changes it. You can hear the desperation in the woman’s voice hoping that she is found. Little Light reduced me to tears.

    The heartache of it all ends in an uptempo version of The Morning Fog. An Irish jig soothes you after the journey experienced through the last 9 songs. It’s needed. I’m crying again as I listen to it.

    Act 3

    This section was mind blowing. Audibly it still is. This time though you can open your eyes. Taken from the Aerial albums A Sky of Honey CD with three other songs added. Tawny Moon was sung by Kate’s son Albert McIntosh. Albert actually makes more of a presence through this section of the CD singing alongside his mother, his voice complimenting hers along the way. This time you are taken along 24 hours of changing sky in just 73 minutes.

    From this act Sunset stands out on its own as it rises and rises like the song, rising to the top of the night. On the night Tawny Moon did seem to go on forever when it was only 7 minutes long.

    I loved Aerial. On the album it’s pleasant. The live version was damn right frightening. It gets so loud and frenetic. It’s not the song you thought it was. Your pulse rate banging hard and fast to the song. When it does end there is a solo of Kate singing Among Angles. Again I cried.

    She ends the set with Cloudbusting. Having calmed you down, for the final song you are up on your feet. For the entire three CDs, you have listened and absorbed. Now you are singing with her. Clapping and stamping your feet. It’s an ending of all endings and sadly it is the ending. Lights up, carry on.

    I don’t have any bad words to say about this. The concert could have been watching Kate paint a wall white, I’d still have loved it and the CD could have been filled with silence except for some casual cough or other such noise. I’d still love it.

    Let’s hope that in two years time we get the visual to go with it. That would be nice though I’d have to stock up on more tissues.

     

    Available from Amazon

  • 50 of the biggest one-hit-wonders…ever

    50 of the biggest one-hit-wonders…ever

    Eighties pop smashes “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles and The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” have been voted the nation’s favourite one-hit wonders.

    Weather Girls
    CREDIT: Weather Girls / YouTube

    The two tunes tied for the top spot, beating Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers.

    Bruce Woolley, who co-wrote “Video Killed the Radio Star” with fellow music producer Trevor Horn, said,

    “It was a one-hit wonder but it has had a wonderful life and I’m very proud of it.

    “It only took a few hours to write but we worked on the recording for months and I think it’s stood the test of time.

    “My kids were slightly embarrassed by it when they were younger, but it paid for their education!”

    Lou Bega’s “Mambo No.5” came fifth, ahead of Sinead O’Connor’s 1990 smash “Nothing Compares 2U”, Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby”, “Don’t Leave me This Way” by Thelma Houston, “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex and “Macarena” by Los del Rio.

    Kevin Smith, a spokesman for online market researchers OnePoll, which conducted the poll of 2,000 music fans, said: “It’s interesting to see that the most popular one-hit wonders were originally released before the 21st Century.

    “In fact, the highest ranking post-Millennium track was released in the year 2000 and landed at number 12 in the poll.

    “It might be that musicians have learned the trick behind their biggest hits and know how to keep their momentum up.

    “But whatever the reasoning behind the results of the top 50 list, we can see that all of them are unforgettable tracks”.

    The Top 50 featured several well-known party tracks such as “Saturday Night” by Whigfield and “The Ketchup Song” by Las Ketchup.

    “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992 reached the 17th spot in the rankings while Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs Jones” reached 19.

    And many will remember the ear-worm by Witch Doctor, “Ooh Ee Ooh Ah Aah Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang” from 1998.

    The 90s claimed the most one-hit wonders, followed by the seventies, which included one-off hits like “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas and “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks.

     

    ALSO READ: 10 forgotten 90’s gems

    One track which may surprise many as a one-hit wonder was “MMMBop” by Hanson which placed at number 30.

    And “Barbados” by Typically Tropical which later was rewritten to be about Ibiza and sang by the Vengaboys in the nineties reached 44.

    “Video Killed the Radio Star” writer Bruce Woolley, 62, who has also penned hit songs for dozens of other artists including ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ for Grace Jones, added, “The song’s been covered by hundreds of artists, used in video games, TV ads and has appeared in several Hollywood movies.”

    “The song’s been covered by hundreds of artists, used in video games, TV ads and has appeared in several Hollywood movies.”

    TOP 50 ONE-HIT WONDERS
    1. Video Killed the Radio Star – Buggles (1980)
    2. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls (1982)
    3. Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum (1969)
    4. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers (1988)
    5. Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of) – Lou Bega (1999)
    6. Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor (1990)
    7. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice (1990)
    8. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston (1976)
    9. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (1995)
    10. Macarena – Los del Rio (1993)
    11. Sugar Sugar – The Archies (1969)
    12. Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men (2000)
    13. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1974)
    14. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks (1973)
    15. Saturday Night – Whigfield (1995)
    16. There She Goes – The La’s (2006)
    17. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
    18. Tell Laura I Love Her – Ricky Valance (1960)
    19. Me and Mrs Jones – Billy Paul (1972)
    20. Mickey – Toni Basil (1982)
    21. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin (1988)
    22. Stay – Shakespeare’s Sister (1992)
    23. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)
    24. What Is Love – Haddaway (1993)
    25. 99 Red Balloons – Nena (1983)
    26. Jump Around – House of Pain (1992)
    27. My Sharona – The Knack (1979)
    28. We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart (1986)
    29. Turning Japanese – The Vapors (1980)
    30. MMMBop – Hanson (1997)
    31. In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans (1969)
    32. Funkytown – Lipps Inc. (1979)
    33. A Girl Like You – Edwyn Collins (1994)
    34. Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (1982)
    35. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco (1985)
    36. The Hustle – Van McCoy (1975)
    37. Ooh Eeh Ooh Ah Aah Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang – Witch Doctor (1998)
    38. Tubthumping – Chumbawamba (1997)
    39. The Ketchup Song – Las Ketchup (2002)
    40. Grandad – Clive Dunn (1971)
    41. Spaceman – Babylon Zoo (1996)
    42. Groove Is in the Heart – Dee-Lite (1990)
    43. Don’t Give Up On Us – David Soul (1976)
    44. Barbados – Typically Tropical (1975)
    45. Unbelievable – EMF (1990)
    46. Too Shy – Kajagoogoo (1983)
    47. Pop Muzik – M (1979)
    48. You Get What You Give – New Radicals (1999)
    49. The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats (1983)
    50. Somebody’s Watching Me – Rockwell (1984)

  • Oh my… S Club 7 is how old?

    Oh my… S Club 7 is how old?

    Do you remember S Club 7 – the first time round?

    Where were you when you heard S Club 7’s Bring It All Back?

    Jon Lee reminded us today how old we actually are. He took to Instagram to tell us that S Club 7’s first album went into the charts 17 years ago today. Basically half his lifetime ago!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BLIxjdFAYPU/?taken-by=jlee6916&hl=en

     

    So could a 20th reunion be on the cards for the 7? Speaking to Hannah Spearritt in Feb, she told THEGAYUK,

     

    “I think it would be lovely to do something to mark that but I had no idea it had been that long.

    “We got together around 1999. That’s crazy. So yes, it would be awesome to mark that 20th somehow.”

     

    Forgotten what it sounded like? Go buy it or Stream it from Amazon Prime

  • How gay are the music charts?

    Really effing gay it seems that’s for sure

    Madonna
    CREDIT: Denis Makarenko / Bigstock

     

    What do Abba, Kylie, Scissor Sisters, Elton, Jason Donovan, Streisand and Musical Theatre have in common? Read on.

    The official chart company have just published the list of the biggest selling album for each year from 1956 up until today and basically it seems you really have to appeal to the pink pound if you want a really big seller. Abba come up tops three times, Adele twice and loads of other very gay friendly artists are among the chart champs of the last 60 years even Su Bo make the list.

    Unbelievably 11 of the list are from musicals and musical theatre so nothing gay there then. There is no room for any macho rock, hip hop, r&b, rock and roll or homophobic reggae. Basically if you don’t fit with the G-A-Y party Crowd, a pride float, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern dancefloor or on Gaydar radio then you ain’t gonna get those multi-platinum discs.

    Gays just have more spare cash and we LOVE to spend it on our music. Therefore no Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Beyoncé, Rihanna, U2, Dance acts or any closet queer punk rockers.

    1956 Carousel – OST, yep we have no idea either

    1957 The King & I – OST (We could dance all night and year)

    1958 My Fair Lady – OST, Where does it rain

    1959 South Pacific – OST Some truly enchanted twelve months

    1960 South Pacific – OST YEAR TWO (Still with musical theatre – where’s some Cliff?)

    1961 GI Blues – Elvis Presley Soundtrack, Wooden Heart and 10 other poor fillers

    1962 West Side Story – OST altogether “I feel pretty, I feel pre….”

    1963 With The Beatles – Beatles (At last a studio album)

    1964 Beatles For Sale – Beatles, predictable

    1965 The Sound Of Music…It’s the biggest one of all!

    1966 The Sound Of Music…Yeah AGAIN!

    1967 Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – Beatles, enough already buy some Motown

    1968 The Sound Of Music …Still Going stronger than anyone else Four years on.

    1969 Abbey Road – Beatles (Not a tonne of competition in the Sixties)

    1970 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel, because Clive Dunn never made an LP

    1971 Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel still sailing on silver bird

    1972 20 Dynamic Hits – K-Tel Various Artists (Remember K-Tel records and Ronco!)

    1973 Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player – Elton John back when he was into girls

    1974 Carpenters Singles ’69-’73, How did they beat the Wombles and the Goodies?

    1975 Best Of The Stylistics, bet you didn’t see that coming

    1976 Abba Greatest Hits, My My…..

    1977 Arrival – Abba including Dancing Queen, Money,Money, Knowing Me etc

    1978 Saturday Night Fever – OST and the whole world hit the dance floor.

    1979 Parallel Lines – Blondie….We want more disco…..aagh Freak Out

    1980 Super Trouper – Abba still feeling like number ones

    1981 Kings Of The Wild Frontier – Adam & The Ants, unplug the jukebox

    1982 Love songs – Barbra Streisand, hello…Duran, Soft Cell, Spandau, Wham, Human League?

    1983 Thriller – Michael Jackson….obviously

    1984 Can’t Slow Down – Lionel Richie……Where is Queen?

    1985 Brothers In Arms – Dire Straits……No seriously where is Queen?

    1986 True Blue – Madonna still no Queen but at least our goddess has finally arrived

    1987 Bad – Michael Jackson looking in the mirror, buy some George Michael for chrissake !

    1988 Kylie – Kylie Minogue got lucky over at SAW.

    1989 Ten Good Reasons – Jason Donovan Mr Pete Waterman still unstoppable (# love U Sonia)

    1990 But Seriously – Phil Collins…Never has an album been more accurately titled

    1991 Stars – Simply Red…this is not going to be pretty

    1992 Stars – Simply Red…again, now you are just taking the piss

    1993 Bat Out Of Hell 2 – Meatloaf, what happened to the first Bat?

    1994 Crossroads: Best Of Bon Jovi, the decade of dance and rave ….eh, no!

    1995 Robson & Jerome – Robson & Jerome win the Blur vs Oasis battle

    1996 Jagged Little Pill – Alannis Morrisette now isn’t that Ironic

    1997 Be Here Now – Oasis just goes to show you can fool all the people all the time

    1998 Talk On Corners – The Corrs…..So the store was sold out of Spice Girls CDs?

    1999 Come On Over – Shania Twain, That impresses us

    2000 1/Beatles – How many times can you buy the same old songs?

    2001 No Angel – Dido, sorry I fell asleep

    2002 Escapology – Robbie….love him especially naked…?

    2003 Life After Rent – Dido, yep she really was that big….we raise the White Flag

    2004 Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters, now what happened to them?

    2005 Back To Bedlam – James Blunt….music’s loss is the army’s gain

    2006 Eyes Open – Snow Patrol….alternatively you could have just bought the Chasing Cars single

    2007 Back To Black – Amy Winehouse. Pass the hairspray

    2008 Rockferry – Duffy, come on Beyoncé, GaGa and RiRi you must try harder

    2009 I Dreamed A Dream – Susan Boyle, gay guys love their mum’s

    2010 Progress – Take That, a man band to masturbate too

    2011 21 – Adele, thank god I survived that patchy first album

    2012 Our Version Of Events – Emeli Sande well we were a bit busy with the Olympics

    2013 Midnight Memories – One Direction… yep still wanking to hot boy bands

    2014 X – Ed Sheeran so talented…

    2015 25 – Adele just beating sales wise those difficult second albums by PSY and Conchita Wurst.

  • Who wants to see Culture Club?

    Who wants to see Culture Club?

    The legendary 80s group, Culture Club are making a return to the stage as Boy George reunites with his band mates.

    Boy George
    CREDIT: PR Provided

    One of the biggest bands of the ‘80s is back AND with the original line-up, playing their only UK show this year on Wednesday, December 14th, at The SSE Arena Wembley, London, with special guests, in their only UK performance, Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

    The overwhelming excitement and outstanding rave reviews garnered on their world tour have driven the group to announce a homecoming show in London where the band will perform favourites from their albums including Kissing to Be Clever and Colour By Numbers, as well as their latest album Tribes.

    Known for dominating the charts worldwide with their classic hits including “Karma Chameleon,” “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”. There is not a country in the world that doesn’t know the names of Boy George and Culture Club.  The Grammy Award winners have sold in excess of 100 million singles and over 50 million albums, and were one of the biggest pop bands of the 1980s.

    They achieved seven straight Top 10 hits in the UK, nine Top 10 singles in the USA and nine Top 20 singles in Australia.  They had number 1 singles in over a dozen countries and multiplatinum album sales across the world, and were the first group since The Beatles to have three Top Ten hits in America from a debut album.  They were also the first group in music history to have an album certified diamond in Canada.

    The original band line-up is Mike Craig (bass guitar), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), Jon Moss (drums and percussion) and flamboyant front-man Boy George (lead vocals).

     

  • James Arthur to resign with Simon’s label?

    James Arthur to resign with Simon’s label?

    Has James Arthur resigned to Simon Cowell’s label?

    James Arthur

    It’s been two years since James Arthur was dropped from Simon Cowell’s label following a number of issues which led to a career nose-dive however with his current single “Say You Won’t Let Go” doing so well it looks as though a reunion with Cowell’s label could be on the table.

    A source told The Sun,

    “Over the last few years James has kept in touch with Simon.

    “Simon has always thought James is a real talent but as soon as he heard the record he made up his mind to re-sign him.

    “James has grown up a lot and realises he made mistakes in the past. Simon knows this.”

    Arthur’s popularity plummeted after a homophobic rap was released.  He failed to impress X Factor audiences with his apology, after releasing a ‘diss rap’ to an unknown troll on Twitter – which used anti-gay language.

    In 2014  Simon Cowell hit out at Arthur saying he should have just shut up and he was dropped from the Syco label – which homes only the most coveted of X Factor stars.

    A few weeks later the former X Factor winner was owned by Paul Potts, after he chastised his PR people for promoting him in the wrong way.

     

  • Gay Symphony Orchestra selected for BBC’s Battle of the orchestra

    The London Gay Symphony Orchestra has been selected by the BBC to take part in its Great Orchestra Challenge.

    CREDIT: © Justin David

     

    The London Gay Symphony Orchestra are set to take up their instruments in a battle to become the greatest Orchestra in the BBC’s nationwide search that captures the spirit of amateur music-making.

    The four-part series will air on BBC Radio 4 at the end of August and will be hosted by BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham. I

    n each week’s episode, the orchestras will present a performance to be judged by renowned conductor Paul Daniel and the winning orchestra will perform at BBC Proms in the Park!

    A spokesperson for the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, which turns 21 next year said the players were “excited” by the news.

  • Years and Years to support Pride Cymru with park gig in Cardiff

    Years and Years to support Pride Cymru with park gig in Cardiff

    One of the hottest number one selling bands in the UK, Years and Years, will be bringing their unique electro-pop sounds to South Wales on Friday 12th August 2016.

    CREDIT: PR Supplied
    CREDIT: PR Supplied

    The ‘Desire’ hitmakers will be performing in the picturesque setting of Cardiff’s Cooper’s Field and the concert is brought to you by the organisers behind Pride Cymru, marking the organisations inaugural, ‘Party in the Parc’ event.

    The British electronica trio will entertain with a full set performing the classics from their brilliant no.1 debut album Communion. The album marked a moment in UK pop music history and rocketed to the top of the first Friday release chart, propelling the London based 3 piece into the stratosphere of UK stardom. It’s now Platinum in the UK, and has sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide.
    Hits have included their first #1 single ‘King’, alongside recent track ‘Desire’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Eyes Shut’ – all in all selling over 10 million singles worldwide to date.
    To complete the evening of music and celebration a strong support line-up is set to comprise of electronic duo, Maribou State, singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu, cool five-piece band Nimmo and Jax Jones DJ.

    Co-founder of Party in the Parc, Lu Thomas said,

    “We’re thrilled to have secured such amazing acts which will give concert goers an evening to remember. If Years & Years recent performances such as their Glastonbury set are anything to go by then we are in for one hell of a show!”

    The Years & Years gig titled, Party in the Parc has been organised to support Pride Cymru, all profits from the event will be invested into Pride Cymru to ensure the organisation remains sustainable.

    Olly Alexander lead singer of Years & Years said,

    “We’re so excited to play Wales’ pride party this August. Pride is something that we all care deeply about and having grown up in Wales I’m so happy we get the chance to celebrate with people there. Pride continues to be a vitally important day for the LGBT+ community and our allies, especially in the light of recent events. Celebrating our diversity, supporting each other and promoting visibility is something I really care about. Pride Cymru is a great organisation that provides crucial support for the LGBT+ community and we’re so thrilled we get to play at their party. See you in August Wales!”

    Tickets to Party in the Parc in association with Pride Cymru are on sale via www.partyintheparc.co.uk or www.ticketmaster.co.uk and prices range from £29.95 – £55.00. The ticket price includes a full set from the ‘King’ hitmakers, plus support from Maribou State, Izzy Bizu and DJ Jax Jones.

  • Adam Lambert, RuPaul, Britney and P!nk team with all star choir for Orlando single

    Adam Lambert, RuPaul, Britney and P!nk team with all star choir for Orlando single

    A starfield of musicians have teamed together to release an emotional single in memory of those who died at the homophobic attack at Pulse nightclub last month.

    A whole host of stars including Adam Lambert, RuPaul, Britney and P!nk have joined together to release a touching single called “Hands” with the proceeds going to the Equality Florida Pulse Victims’ Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.

    Last month 49 victims were massacred when a lone gunman walked into the Pulse nightclub at 2:00AM and started shooting into the crowded club. Over 50 people were also injured in the attack, which is the single most deadly gun attack in American history.

    “Hands,” is a musical tribute to the 49 victims of the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The track features Mary J Blige, Jason Derulo, Britney Spears, Tyler Glenn, Selena Gomez, Halsey, Ty Herndon, Imagine Dragons, Juanes, Adam Lambert, Mary Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Kacey Musgraves, MNEK, Alex Newell, P!nk, Prince Royce, Nate Ruess, RuPaul, Troye Sivan, Jussie Smollett, Gwen Stefani, and Meghan Trainor.

    BUY THE SONG: iTunes

     

  • MUSIC REVIEW | Lemonade: Is Beyonce back?

    MUSIC REVIEW | Lemonade: Is Beyonce back?

    ★★★ | Lemonade

    So Beyoncé has released her latest album Lemonade, along with the visual film of it. I must say I was slightly apprehensive about it at first because her last couple of albums I haven’t really enjoyed apart from maybe a handful of the tracks.

    Lemonade

    I decided to go with the full experience and watch the visual version of the album, and I must say I was actually fairly impressed. The film tells a story so it’s something you have to watch the whole of to understand.

    Now obviously as a proper fan I can quite safely say that while I absolutely love Beyoncé, I can also call her out for releasing some crap in the past (not sure why she’s drinking watermelon, and what’s a surfbort?) and for the first 20 or so minutes of the visual album I was not feeling it, she was going along with the hard edged style that is obviously influenced a lot by her husband Jay-Z, but track 4 (Sorry) came on, and while there was still a hard edge style to it, it didn’t seem so aggressive so my ears perked up and I thought you know what I’ll give this album a chance, but my dreams were slightly dashed by Track 5 (6 Inch) that went straight back to the style I didn’t like. I started to zone out slightly but I was determined to stay the distance of the album.

    Suddenly I found myself jigging along to the track Daddy Lessons, this was so different from what had already been heard, it was bouncy, and almost a country style, and I was actually smiling while listening, and my hopes were well and truly raised, and the subsequent tracks I actually really enjoyed, and they all seemed to have different styles, from ballads to heartfelt gospel tracks.

    For the visual album, people might not really understand what Beyoncé is trying to say, and like the Formation video, it is unapologetically black and supportive of black women especially, but is also personal where she seems to be talking about the fact her husband allegedly cheated on her and her journey towards forgiveness.

    All in all, while the album isn’t on the same level as I Am…Sasha Fierce, Dangerously in Love or B’day it was enjoyable enough and I actually quite liked around half of the tracks and a few of them you’ll end up humming to yourself.

    Lemonade is out now, available on Tidal, iTunes and with the potential of Spotify in the near future

  • Prince’s Most Played Tracks Revealed

    To celebrate the life and works of Prince (7 June 1958 – 21 April 2016), music licensing company PPL has released an official chart of the Most Played Prince Tracks of the 21st Century.

    Aggregated using PPL’s exclusive UK airplay data, the chart collates those Prince tunes which have been played in public (in pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, shops, offices and many other business types) as well as broadcast on TV and radio, since the year 2000.

    Prince passed away last week at the age of 57.

    1999, the title track from Prince’s 1982 album of the same name, tops the chart.

    ADVERT

    [adinserter block=”1″]

     

    PPL Most Played Prince Tracks of the 21st Century:

    1. 1999,   1982

    2. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, 1994

    3. Kiss, 1986

    4. When Doves Cry, 1984

    5. Raspberry Beret, 1985

    6. Little Red Corvette, 1983

    7. Purple Rain, 1984

    8. Diamonds And Pearls, 1991

    9. U Got The Look, 1987

    10. Let’s Go Crazy, 1984

    ALSO READ:  PHOTO GALLERY | Prince through the years