Subway Poem # 21

Monodialogue

reciting

a dark and epic poem

in the windows of the doors

every time they close

to a scornful reflection

humiliating, berating, demeaning himself

with hateful hurtful words

his stop reached

he steps off

merging on the platform amongst commuters

silently taking his place 

just part of the crowd, the crush, the rush

he and his reflection

I'm Into "Something Good": Martha Wash

Martha Wash, who started her professional career as one of Two Tons of Fun, Sylvester's back-up girls, has been singing professionally for around 40 years now. Can you believe? She is also the diva who brought us to the disco and dance floors as a  Weather Girl ("It's Raining Men"), and as vocalist on club and radio hits from Black Box ("Strike It Up," "Everybody Everybody") and C & C Music Factory ("Gonna Make You Sweat").

On her second solo album, the recent It's My Time, we find Martha awash in rock'n'roll, ballads, middle-of-the road easy listening and what might best be described as disco lite. Will her fans -- her club following -- embrace this effort? Or will they feel betrayed and abandoned?

Though, sadly, I hate to see Ms Wash relinquish her disco diva status, this album is clearly her attempt to advance from cult fame to mainstream artist. And she deserves to be a household name! Though Miss Martha's vox on It's My Time is clear and strong, she mainly refrains from heavy belting. It's a new, more mellow, marshmallow Martha.

The album, which has largely garnered very positive reviews, opens with the rock-oriented "Alright," then moves on to the ballad, "Destiny." There are a mere eight tracks on this album, which might put off some potential buyers, but every song is a winner. Quality, not quantity, people!

The ballad "Proud" is particularly heartbreaking and beautiful; the lyrics reminding me a bit of Bette Mider's "To Deserve You."  Martha's cover of Aerosmith's "Dream On" is a surprise, and wonderfully covered by old girl. The single, "It's My Time," a power ballad, has already been successfully remixed as a club number from Something Good. And the title tune, "Something Good," with a light dance tempo, also seems ripe for the remixing.

I whole-heartedly recommend It's My Time. For Martha Wash, it certainly is her time to shine.

By the way, I kissed this Weather Girl and I liked it:
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/08/martha-wash-at-bb-kings-nyc.html

Laurie Krauz: Tapestry Rewoven

In the ginchy yet tasteful digs known as the Metropolitan Room on West 22nd Street, I saw the most outstanding act Tuesday night with my friends Kevin and Amy: Laurie Krauz -- with The Daryl Kojak Octet! High-concept, high-octane cabaret. Dubbed Tapestry Rewoven, the show is a jazz interpretation of the iconic Carole King album that, surprisingly, pulls off its conceit big time! Even Laurie and Daryl were surprised initially, according to Ms Krauz' patter.

The entire Tapestry album was socked to us by Krauz' skillful, silky vocalizing, along with the band and three-girl back-up singers known, for the purposes of this show, as The Natural Women (Emily Bindiger, Margaret Dorn, Kathryn Raio).

Laurie won a Bistro Award for this act and, since I'll be attending this year's Bistro ceremony on March 4, it seemed apt for me to catch up when invited; a bon vivant in cafe society. Ms Krauz appeared, svelte in a sparkly low-cut gown with spaghetti straps and chandelier earrings, telegraphing her chanteuse status to us. But it is her unique voice that gripped the audience and transported us through the quilt of songs starting with "So Far Away." Ironically, the sold-out (and very enthusiastic) crowd was immediately drawn so close together.

In this tapestry, it was the diva's good nature, often hilarious patter, quips, anecdotes and comic mugging that charmed and threaded the well-known numbers into a masterpiece. Her stage presence and unique phrasing were perfection, her voice impressionistic at times, her powerful wealth of emotion pulling us in constantly, vocals melding into the sound of the amazing band (Michael Bates on bass; Gene Lewin, drums; Michael Blake (sax); Jamie Fox (guitar); Daryl Kojak on piano). Creating "a unique soulful jazz" says her bio and it ain't just hype.

Tapestry album favorites "I Feel the Earth Move," "It's Too Late," "Beautiful," "You've Got a Friend" and "Natural Woman" became fresh and new again with the interpretations the singer and musical director Kojak created with dexterous skill and feeling.

My friend, Bistro and Edge New York critic, Kevin Scott Hall, took to the stage to talk about Tapestry Rewoven having become a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts; seeking donations for the noble cultural cause of promoting jazz for future generations. He was eloquent and made us all proud once again. (Visit www.RocketHub.com and search for "Krauz.")

Laurie, with able assist from the band and poignant, '60s-styled back-up girls, ended on a powerful remodeled version of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" We will, Laurie. And where you lead, we will follow.

Dj Buddy B's Disco Desert

Good morning, Vietnam and thanks for reading Leave It to Beaverhausen! New hits from that country and a record number of hits from Taiwan as well. I am humbled.

Kristine W's new remixes are just the shot in the arm that clubs need this season. I was listening to her New and Number One Club Mixes album (cd promo) and every track is a winner. S-Groover's S-Groove Club Mix, for example, lifts her classic "Love Come Home" to a more exciting, upbeat, higher energy place, as does Howard D's remix of "Don't Wanna Think." "Room at the Top," a new one on me, is sublimely mixed by the always winning Bimbo Jones as is their mix, along with Lee Dagger, of Kristine's klassic, "Feel What You Want."

This collection of 17 tracks is highly recommended, available for download from Amazon and iTunes, and at the dance diva's site: http://www.kristinew.com/

The release is an oasis in a disco desert, however, as I otherwise give a listen to one mediocrity after another. No surprise the Rolling Stones' "Doom and Gloom" (upbeat title, no?) has barely made a blip on club charts. The promo remix by Benny Benassi tries to pound the number across and it just doesn't work,  sounding a tad desperate. Wawa remixes are generally reliable, but they don't do much with Adam Lambert's "Trespassing," either. The singer has had successful remix work on other songs off his lastest album, but this just doesn't work for me, even with Cazwell and Amanda Lepore thrown into the soup.

The latest song from Pet Shop Boys' current album to get remixed -- "Memory of the Future" -- also falls a bit short of generating full enthusiasm from this boy. Best, in my opinion, is the trance-like Digital Dog remix.

Finally, model, actress, singer,dancer and television personality, Carmen Electra, is less than electrifying on "I Like It Loud." On the promo mixes I listened to, the best of the bunch was Bill Hamel's smooth hiNRG remix. Hector Fonseca, this time out, delivers a mix that sounds robotic and pandering.

Or am I just in a bad mood? Hope springs eternal and I pray for a better spring crop. Meanwhile, enjoy this video:

The Seth MacFarlane Show!

The venue: My friend Kevin's apartment downstairs. The menu: Champagne, fresh guacamole and baked, unsalted chips (to make it seem more West Coast), fresh jumbo shrimp with cocktail sauce, cheese and salami slices, M&Ms . Yes, once again, last night was Oscar night in New York (a/k/a The Gay Man's Superbowl)!

Well, there was an awfully long red carpet time from 6:30, when we started watching on tv. We switched from Piers Morgan (who I have a thing for) on CNN to pygmy hosts, Kristin Chenoweth and Jess Cagle, on ABC.  I'm not quite 5'6" myself, so I say that with fondness. When the petite Chenoweth stood next to Adele (again looking oddly like an overstuffed chair, this time black with deco sparkles), I prayed Britain's big gal wouldn't topple over on our vivacious munchkin.

Then there was the Oscars' own official 1/2-hour red carpet presentation. Red carpets are like foreplay. But red carpet time is also the time we all become fashionistas as we ogle the gowns, always a fetishistic point of glamor at the Academy Awards.

I liked a lot of last night's frocks: Reese, Jennifer Lawrence (winner for Best Actress), Amy Adams all looked smashing. Jane Fonda was yummy in yellow. Sally Field not so much in red.  Jennifer Aniston arrived with the same look, different boyfriend.

Anne Hathaway was given short shrift by Piers on CNN for someone more interesting. Her gown & necklace? Ewwwww! She did, however, snag the Best Supporting Actress Award by night's end. Dustin Hoffman arrived with hair that appeared to be made up of laundry lint while Daniel Day-Lewis, who walked away with the Best Actor Oscar (presented by Meryl Streep in a tin-foil gown), deserved a Best Hair Style award as well.

Renee Zelweger was a mess in her dress, but nothing looks good on someone who squints more than a pirate! 

Once host Seth MacFarlane came onstage, inside the (Friends of) Dorothy Chandler Pavilion  to officially introduce the Academy Awards, I surrendered to his charms; tall, dark and clean-cut good looks; humor and talent. He was truly the star of the evening and a revelation. His dialogue with William Shatner as Cpt James T. Kirk may have run on a bit too long but I forgave him his indulgences as he proved to be a wonderful song and dance man as well as a comic. Who knew? He was Hollywood's secret weapon, and he even had L.A.'s Gay Men's Chorus backing him up!

I had sweet dreams after last night's Oscars. Piers, Seth,  Daniel Day-Lewis' hair and Channing Tatum!

But, in a night where musicals were a big focus, the divas truly ruled! Shirley Bassey -- introduced by Bond Girl Halle Berry -- was magnificent in a taut face and golden gown, as she belted out "Goldfinger" as if she were singing for her life. Adele sang "Skyfall" wonderfully, and was such a sweetie-pie, tearful while receiving the Best Original Song award. Jennifer Hudson was also sensational, singing "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls in the musicals tribute portion of the show.

And then there was Barbra. In the I-See-Dead-People portion of the show (that egregiously left out Phyllis Diller) hosted by George Clooney, Babs sang "The Way We Were," honoring Marvin Hamlisch. She appeared to be wearing Adele's gown, which perhaps explains why it was falling from her shoulders as she tried to top Dame Bassey's performance. She did not quite succeed.

Busting Out of My Fortress of Solitude

Here I sit, up late on a Friday night (Saturday morning, actually), in my Bay Ridge Fortress of Solitude. I don't believe I've shared this on my blog as of yet, but I've been down with a serious flu since January 31 and, consequently, not out and about much. Also, I have some serious Q&As pending that I am sure my readers will enjoy once they're in. At home, I am my own superhero and maybe I could be yours too.

And so, I apologize if everything is at a little bit of a standstill on this blog right now, but things should be back in order very soon, and I should be out and about during the upcoming week.

I'm busting out, people!

Wishing You a Happy Valentine's Day with Donna Summer

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen sends out Happy Valentine's Day wishes and love, love, love all over the world with Donna Summer & Bruce Roberts singing "Wherever There Is Love," masterfully remixed by the great Junior Vasquez!

Beaverhausen's Kylie Minogue Poll Results

All right, all you lovers! Valentine's Day is but a day away and the Kylie poll on this blog is now closed, and results are in.

There were 13 votes in all. And the Kylie song that got the most (4) votes was "Can't Get You Out of My Head." Obviously fans couldn't get that out of their heads!

"All the Lovers" and "Better the Devil You Know" each received 3 votes. "I Believe in You," "Slow" and "I Should Be So Lucky" each received a single vote.

Kylie's latest club hit, "Time Bomb," wasn't a candidate as all song titles in the poll were taken from her "Abbey Road Sessions" album. Surprisingly, Kylie's international hit cover of "The Locomotion" received no votes at all! Jump back!

Here's Kylie doing "Can't Get You Out of My Head" (Abbey Road Version) on the UK "X Factor."

We Will Always Love Whitney. A Valentine.

Here's a Valentine treat from Dj Buddy Beaverhausen, sending out love and remembering Whitney Houston two days after the anniversary of her untimely death.  A terrific remix by the incomparable Hex Hector.

GRAMMY Gowns & My Shout Out

So the fashion police have spoken and declared Adele's GRAMMY Awards smock more Chairy than cherry. But big girls can't wear black all the time, I say, and Adele was trying to be pretty in pink! At least she adhered to the dress-code memo issued by CBS that "buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered." Frankly, I think that if Adele's skirt was less A-framed and more tailored below the hips, it would have looked more flattering.

Yet, surely, there was more than a note of sexism to that CBS notification. And not everyone adhered. Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys (surprisingly) and, most noticeably, Katy Perry, in her plunging mint frock, were pointed out by the press. (Some added Jennifer Lopez to the list, but I thought she was comparatively demure this time out.)

However, beyond the red carpet boobies brewhaha, it's again time for me to call out to my readers, thanking you for your support (which has nothing to do with undergarment support)!

Always, the biggest views are from the USA, the UK and Canada. But my recent amazing hits are from Indonesia, Sweden, Philippines, Hungary, Chile, Poland, Netherlands and Chile! Love you guys (and gals)! The Chinese Year of the Snake has begun! Let's make it a great one. Peace, happiness and wear what you want! ~~ Dj Buddy Beaverhausen

Rihanna: Is She Nuts?

"BEAT THIS!" was the New York Post's crude, blaring headline of the day, regarding Rihanna and her defense of Chris Brown in an L.A. courthouse.

"Is she nuts?" the Post postulated on their cover story. "Pop princess Rihanna proved yesterday that she just can’t stop crushing on the man who crushed her face — showing up in court... to support Chris Brown at a hearing linked to his infamous attack on her."

The tabloid reminded us that, in 2009, Brown beat Rihanna's face "like a drum." Arrumpa-tump-tum!

"Though prosecutors seem bent on finally making Brown pay for his domestic violence, his pretty pop-star punching bag couldn’t care less if he sees justice for smacking her around," the Post stated.

What is wrong with this diva? She even blew a kiss to Chris as they entered the L.A. courthouse! Kind of reminds me of this old tv cartoon series they don't air any more (wonder why):


"She thinks it’s utterly ridiculous what they’re doing to him,” Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, said yesterday, according to the New York Post.

Ok, girrrrl, you are a hot mess, not to mention a terrible role model for your young female fans. Seek help, for God's sake, because, like Krazy Kat, you are a sucker and an emblem of support for physical abuse againt women. Get a clue! Three years later, the drama continues. It's tired and you should really move on!

Oh, but then, of course, there is this:

Goodbye, Arpad Miklos

Arpad Miklos, we will miss you.

It was very sad to read today, over the Internet, that Arpad Miklos took his life at the age of 45. I was always very fond of this Eastern European gentleman and thought he was one of the sexiest of the male-adult-film superstars. In fact, it was almost exactly a year ago that I labeled him one of my Top Five Most Fabulous Men.
http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-top-five-most-fabulous-men.html

Arpad's real name was Peter Kozma. (That's also a good name for a gay porn star; sounds like "Cosmo"!)  He was a chemist from Hungary (emphasis on "Hung") who, once he was recruited as an international porn star, moved to New York City where he ended up admired in a career through films, videos, magazines, live performances and as an escort.

He appeared in a music video I enjoyed, as well, by Perfume Genius. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2012/01/arpad-miklos-hot-in-hood-by-perfume.html

"It is with great sadness I report that Arpad Miklos, my co-star in my very first movie, passed away yesterday. He was, for a time, an incredibly close friend and confidant. A beautiful, smart, loving and complicated man, may he truly rest in peace...," singer Frederick Ford said today on Facebook. 

According to Joe.My.God., "[I]n New York City [Arpad] contributed to several LGBT charities and worked on an American Apparel fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center."

R.I.P., Arpad/Peter. So young, so tragic. You will be missed by many. God bless!

Bootylicious Super Bowl with Beyonce at Half Time

There's no doubt, after watching Beyonce's Super Bowl performance, that the half-time show is now the gay-time show. And that, despite a bit less grandeur of production, Beyonce's performance was more solid than Madonna's fabulous but flawed one in 2012. Still, gay-fave divas rule as far as I'm concerned, and bring a new consumerist audience in, at least for half-time.

It's just that I'm not that into American football; a big bore in my humble opinion. But it is distinctly a homoerotic sport as it's such a tactile one. All that huddling, the body slamming, the tackling, passing the ball between opened thighs and all those tight ends (as Destiny's Child would put it: "Bootylicious")! The closest thing you can get to gay porn in the world of sports, and we don't even have the locker room shots! I love the clinging pants but frown on the helmets and shoulder pads. As Joan Rivers said, "The Super Bowl reminds me of Dynasty. It’s a bunch of very wealthy people trying to outmaneuver each other in big shoulder pads." I also don't get the premise of getting a ball (not ball-shaped at all) from one part of the field to another. So what? Maybe they should play in the nude. Wouldn't that be fun! Then we could see who was really excited about his game. Also, isn't it kind of sexist -- and have you ever noticed -- that all the team members are men?

Divas were also brought to the fore, however, prior to the manly sport. Alicia Keys did a wonderful job singing the national anthem on piano, right after a very touching "America, the Beautiful" rendered by Jennifer Hudson and the kids from Sandy Hook Elementary School. And if that was a wise public relations move for the nation and proposed gun control, the half-time show was equally that for Beyonce in the wake of her lip-synch mini-scandal at the President's Inauguration.

Beyonce sung live and powerfully at Super Bowl, like her career and reputation depended on it. Which it did. She made her diva entrance to the stage on a rising platform amid a flurry of pyrotechnics, wearing a power outfit of black leather. The stage looked positively dangerous amid explosions, flares, smoke and flaming sculptures. This is when it pays to know your choreography and hit your mark or risk disaster (like fourth-degree burns).

The diva went through a medley of hits, including "Love on Top," "Crazy in Love," "Baby Boy" and "End of Time" with outstanding vocal intensity as she danced. Yes, she actually danced and sang live at the same time, just like in the old days!

She was later joined by her Destiny's Child co-divas, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (equally in black, and leather-clad to one degree or another), for "Bootylicious," "Independent Women" and Beyone's single, "Single Ladies." They eschewed "Bills, Bills, Bills," perhaps because it wouldn't delight the American public during the current economy.

Beyonce closed solo with the ballad, "Halo" -- a wise choice to end on something soft and sweet. 

Before Super Bowl, a cheeky reporter (regarding the Inauguration) asked Beyonce: "Did any sound come out of your vocal cords?" Looking forward to her half-time show, the diva stated: "I will absolutely be singing live. I am well-rehearsed. This is what I was born to do."

And to think, the half-time show used to consist solely of some marching band from Wherever, USA. Well, dance-floor divas trump John Philip Sousa every time in 2013. And Beyonce trumped Madonna, too. Hoorah and siss-boom-bah for Super Bowl's gay half-time show!

Siss-boom-bahhhhhh!

Video Beaverhausen: Catwoman starring Halle Berry

Halle, Sharon, melodrama

You may not realize it, but Dj Buddy Beaverhausen is only human too, currently laid low by an extreme head cold and even a touch of stomach flu. These health issues seem to be making their rounds on an international level that have a way of making me feel universally embraced, though not alleviating my illness at all.

Starving for entertainment, I searched through my dvd library for something to satiate me culturally this late night. I finally came across: Catwoman! I bought this for 99 cents several years ago and completely forgot about it, such was my enthusiasm at the time.

But, in a movie such as this 2004 flop, is a camp classic born. It seems the sexy villain from Bob Kane's Batman has a life of her own herein. And, inexplicably, her name is changed from Selena Kyle to Patience Philips.

Watch two Oscar-winning actresses' careers go down in flames, in which Berry shows inexplicable depth and athleticism as she transforms from milquetoast Patience to the awesome Catwoman. Looks good in a revealing black leatherette cat suit, too! Sharon Stone chews up the scenery in high style, meanwhile, as cosmetics queen Laurel Hedare. This movie advanced neither's career, it should be noted.

Still, I love this flick as an all-out campfest. Kind of Catwoman via Ugly Betty with Benjamin Bratt as eye candy in yet another stalwart cop role. (Not exactly a career booster for him, either, unfortunately.)

In this update of the Catwoman legend, Patience Philips is blown out into a sludge pile by a flood of toxic cosmetic waste, on behalf of Stone and her equally evil hubby. Thereafter, Patience gradually becomes empowered with growing feline-like dexterity, aggression and power.

None of this really makes sense, but that's all part of the so-bad-its good appeal. (Technical aspects are mostly very good.) Halle may approach the role very differently from Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, et al., but she can still trill a perfect "purrrrfect!"

There's some ancient-Egypt and witchcraft twaddle that gets thrown into the stew here, and the wonderful Frances Conroy conveys all this as if it's actually logical. "You are a Catwoman!" Now we are far afield of Bob Kane and Batman, but in some separate fantasy about female-cum-feline empowerment that's a giddy rush. Crazy cat ladies take note. This film was made for you!

Surely, some of director Pitof's (generally a special effects director) set pieces are intentionally playful. Like Catwoman going to a bar, ordering milk, then pouncing on the dancefloor with a catwhip. Alex Borstein is a stand out in the comic relief/sidekick part.

The fisticuffs between Berry & Stone give new meaning to the term "catfight." Stone makes a divine bitch and formidable foe in her strong supporting part, even with a bad cowlick on the back of her head. Her final, pyrotechnical fight with Berry is a camp classic!

Favorite line of dialogue: "Get your paws off me this instant!" Meow!

I feel better already. So will all you cat lovers out there!