Audio Beaverhausen: the Pet Shop Boys Are Super

They're back and, indeed, they are still super!

The PSBs return with an impressive new album. And they are, in fact, supermen in this pop world. Look at their longevity! Who knew when they did "West End Girls"?

Super is exactly what the title claims! An exciting new reinvention from the electro-pop-disco duo, bound to be a chart hit.

Pet Shop boys are the godfathers of electronica, and here they are, back to prove to you how enduring they are. From the first track to the last ("Into Thin Air"), this is a continuous pleasure to my ears.

Optimistic, upbeat and fantastic, and frankly, the PSBs still have an edge. From club kids to club hits, the Boys are back in fine fettle!

Audio Beaverhausen: The Puppini Sisters Live the High Life

Hoorah, The Puppini Sisters are back in grand style with their new album, High Life! This is their first in five years and it's fabulous; an event!

Noteably, singer Stephanie O'Brien has been replaced by Emma Smith. But the harmonies are still lush and gorgeous. The Puppini Sisters are in smashing form with their typically eclectic (to say the least) and fun selection of pop tunes.

You haven't lived until you hear these women cover ~ in swing-band style ~ "Supercalifragilistic," Carmen Miranda's '''Tico Tico," "Rapper's Delight/ Chandelier," Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and much more. The album kicks off with "Is This the Highlife?" and ends with "Hit the Road, Jack." The trio is backed by a three-piece band, except for on the finale, where they have a full orchestra background.

The album will be released in the USA this Friday, March 18. I ordered  on cd but Marcella Puppini sent me a copy on-line, graciously, so I could review it. You can order it on Amazon or wherever fine music is sold.

Class with flash, campy and vampy. put High Life on your must have list.

Incidentally, I recently reviewed Marcella's solo album on this blog and did a Q&A with her as well. Busy lady! I'll be doing a Q&A with all three ladies very soon!

Christmas Countdown 2015 Continues with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as Sisters!

Here's an opportunity to see Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye camp it up singing "Sisters" in the movie White Christmas.

This is a rare chance to see Bing be campy. Danny Kaye, however, seems to be much more into the moment. Work them hips, girlfriend!

The script requires the male costars to cover for the ill Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney characters.

Happy holidays as my Christmas Countdown carries on!

Darlene Love's Forbidden Nights

Who was a major player in bringing the girl-group sound back to pop music? Ahem! You know it was me, of course. And now it's back in all its glory.

I was so happy to check out this video promoting Darlene Love's new single, "Forbidden Nights." Great cinematography. Cameos by a host of her friends, including Elvis Costello who wrote the number and accompanist Paul Shaffer.

Joan Jett is in it; so is Bill Murray! Then there's Bruce Springsteen with Steve van Zandt, both of whom are featured on the upcoming album.

Filmed in Asbury Park, NJ, where my family & I often went for summer weekends, and where she will debut her new concert tour.

Not only star-studded but a dazzling new song. You can hear it here:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X4915gjpFEo

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: David Meulemans at the Metropolitan Room

It was a copacetic night at the cabaret when David Meulemans performed at the Metropolitan Room with more than just pennies from heaven. Tonight's show was entitled "Lucky to Be Me." "Lucky" was not as plucky, duckies, as it sounds but that was all for the best. For example, David sang a very moving and heartfelt rendition of the classic "Since You Stayed Here." We can be grateful for the tears, too, if they teach us to move on.

The theme of the show was about showing appreciation for all that one has. David's patter was largely amusing and autobiographical in nature, and his singing was flawlessly on pitch and strong, showcasing his professional training as a vocalist.

Tonight's show was directed by Sally Mayes who seemed to bring an energetic spirit to the show that moved it along briskly. David's band consisted of musical director Tex Arnold on piano and Bob Renino on bass.

"Pennies from Heaven" was indeed the opening number, followed by "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries," songs most of the audience was familiar with. It moved into less common ground with the stunning ode to his son (an openly gay man, David was previously in a heterosexual marriage, which he briefly discusses), "Extraordinary" and the campy "Nothing On But the Radio," a song involving Marilyn Monroe and... Burt Reynolds!

The Gershwin/Weil "Tchaikovsky" is flawlessly rendered, a difficult number originally done by Danny Kaye, and no easy feat for a singer to say the least. Of course, no show about gratitude would be complete without "Count Your Blessings."

David sensitively sang John Bucchino's "Grateful" for his encore. This show is the kind of wry, sophisticated cabaret we need more of. If you missed out on tonight's performance, David announced he will return at the Metropolitan Room for a four-gig residency. Don't miss out!

Many thanks to press agent Richard Skipper http://richardskipper.blogspot.com for inviting me to this event.

My previous Q&A with David: http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2015/08/exclusive-q-with-cabaret-crooner-david.html

Buddy Does GRAMMYs

"Long Way to Hell," sung by AC/D, might not be the best number to kick off another three-hour GRAMMY show. But last night's performances carried things along grandly once Taylor Swift presented Sam Smith with Best New Artist award, the first of his four wins.

Things took off in high style the moment Tom Jones (still sexy) and Jessie J appeared for the tribute to husband/wife songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill, who were seated in the house, as J and Jones sang "You've Lost That Loving Feeling."

Nile Rodgers appeared onstage with a very botoxed Smokey Robinson. They presented the Best R&B song award to Beyonce (no surprise) for "Drunk in Love." It was great seeing Paul McCartney accept a Lifetime Achievement award for The Beatles, even if, at his age, you can now plant seeds in the crevices of his face. Definitely no botox there, for sure.

Amongst all the luminaries, Lifetime Achievers, and just plain old folk like Stevie Wonder, Madonna certainly enthralled when she performed "Livin' for  Love," her upcoming single. And she looked swell this year, I must say, during her well-choreographed big production number.

Multi-award winner Pharrell Wiliams seemed Happy, Girl, in bowtie and knickers. Nerdy and rocking the Buckwheat look. Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine did some mediocre song together to a beautiful orchestra of strings and keyboard. Hozier performed with Annie Lennox, who desperately spit out "I Put a Spell on You" as if her career depended upon it.

Miranda Lambert received Best Country Album and sang as if she and her band were on speed. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga were great in their performance together and won the adult-contemporary (Best Traditional Pop) award. Electronic/dance category was a big drag this year with so many great club tunes overlooked.

The President's ad about violence against women segued, oddly, into Katy Perry's schpiel and song. A little less attention to extreme eye make-up and a little more towards her delivery would have worked wonders. She seemed to have taken make-up tips from Divine, not that that's necessarily a bad thing.