This episode features hot new songs from a variety of independent artists, such as Donna Lewis, Adam Delisi, Stolen Cars, Natalie Walker, Uh Huh Her, Vic Kingsley, Tori Lewis, Mutlu, The Stone Coyotes, The Crash Moderns, Jay Anderson, Raine Maida, Bill Purdy, Jimmy Lloyd, John Fkiaras and Lin McEwan. It also features an interview and in-studio performance of the Brooklyn rock quartet, Running Still. Read more of this article »
I am going to be doing internet marketing and promotion for the Times Square Arts Center. It is a gorgeous facility with 5 performance spaces. They present a great mixture of Stand-up-Comedy, Theatre, Music and more!
The space used to be “The Laugh Factory”, but they wanted a new name that would be more representative of the variety of entertainment they are currently (and will be) presenting.
They are now not so sure the space should be called the same as the building. The building houses a great deal of arts-related entities, and is a perfect name, but for the top-notch performance space, they are interested in a “catchier” name.
If we select your name, I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to do something great for you! (Very possibly a free pair of tickets to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you want to see for a whole year!
Here’s the thing… we want something catchy, and it shouldn’t allude to just ONE thing (comedy, Theatre or Music). I’m leaning toward something gerenral like the new “Terminal 5″ space in New York, or a “nonsense” web-site type of name like “Bebo” or “Skype” etc… so BE CREATIVE!
Thanks a bunch, I’m very excited to be working on this big new endeavor!
Check out the link below if you would like to find out more about the facility!
The Color Purple meets Beyonce in this new Video on YouTube. It seems Beyonce’s new song is causing a bit of a dance craze, and these three guys recreate the dance with flawless form. I’m impressed, from the title and description, I thought it was going to be a joke or parody, but they just did the dance with all the artistic muster 3 guys could give it, and it works!
Beyonce’s Single Ladies dance performed by Darius Crenshaw, Grasan Kingsberry, and Brian Brooks with bonus choreography.
Okay, so I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I’m not a diehard Radiohead fan, though I have enjoyed them. Their recent Best Album Grammy Nom reinterested me in this CD, and Amazon put the MP3 album on sale for $5, so… what the hey?
This is a very sophisticated album for the group. Radiohead has always been hard to categorize or describe, but the best I can say is that it combines the lush textural layers of “Kid A” with their (unique) songcraft of “OK Computer”.
I don’t know why I enjoy Radiohead when I would scoff at how pretentious someone else was trying to be doing this style of music, but thaty’s just it, somehow, they don’t come off as pretentious.
For me the real standouts come near the end of the CD, “House of Cards” is a gorgeous ballad with a Bass that seems to rattle the room, and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” moves nicely and brings up the pace before a mellow close.
Production is great throughout, and a real treat to listen to closely on great headphones. (Like the Bose noise-reduction headphones I got for Christmas!)
Okay, so the not-so-big-secret is New Yorkers aren’t all that touristy. They either secretly LOVE it or HATE it when guests visit and they are *forced* to show them the sights. Trish is definately the former, and I tend to be the latter. However, after 9 years in New York, we both determined that we were unlikely ever to have guests over Christmas, and thus, we would never see the Rockefeller tree all lit up at night unless we just bit the bullet and went on down.
So, I’m a little embarrassed to reveal our touristy lapse, but I think we got a couple great postcards, in fact, I think this one might even be a good excuse for our own xmas card next year!
This is a blast from my past… or, the Turn of the Century! I used to be in a band, Beat Symphony, which was a duo of myself and Hakan “Zap” Anderssen in Sweden… In any caqse, this is still floating out around there… Hope you enjoy for the holidays!
Robert Anton is a client, and while he didn’t record this with me, I thought you all might be looking for stuff for the holidays, and Robert’s voice is always a treat.
Many pundits seem to think that the iPod has killed off the “album”. I disagree. I listen to FAR more complete albums since I got my iPod than before. I think having my entire collection with me at all times, so I can play the album that fits my mood, has the most to do with it.
So, the album is NOT dead, and here are my favorites from 2008!
1. Pink - Funhouse
I’ve been a fan of Pink for a while, but she really outdid herself on her latest album. Who else could make a painful divorce song so fun in “So What.” The rest of the album is no exception. The lyrics are often intensely personal, and often surprising in how they are delivered. The album is incredibly cohesive; an amazing feat considering it goes from uber-polished pop rock to acoustic flavored ballads to very organic bluesy-rock ala Aerosmith. Hands down my favorite album of the year, and better yet… I sense the best might still be yet to come from this artist!
2. Coldplay - Viva la Vida
This has received no shortage of attention, and it deserves it. But the beauty of this album is how it flows as an ALBUM. Individual songs from the album popping up at random on your iPod might all be good, but the creative majesty of this project is how it unfolds over the course of 50 minutes or so. Spend the time to sit down and soak it all in; then you’ll see that this album is worthy of the hype.
3. Katy Perry - One of the Boys
One of the most criminal oversights with the Grammy Noms this year is failing to nominate Katy Perry for Best New Artist. I don’t know if I could name ANY debut pop album that was as cohesive a project as this. Personality also oozes through the CD with fun and distinctive lyrics and no shortage of hooks. She is not just a singles artist, for all the candy-confection majesty of “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot and Cold” they sit in well with the entire CD as a whole, one that won’t disappoint fans of her singles.
4. Fauxliage
A combination of the lush electronica of Delerium and the hypnotic vocals of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) is an unexpected combination that results in sonic magic. Very relaxing, the cd never deigns to give in to being simply a background, “texture” CD, instead, whether vocal or instrumental, they know that melody is king. Yet, they don’t stoop to the typical with fresh and suprising chord progressions that never feel too smart for their own good. Shake off that stressful day with the journey that Faulige takes you on with their debut (and hopefully not last) CD.
5. Arden Kaywin - Elephant in the Room
I have often said that there is nothing sadder than an independent pop artist. Pop never gets any love from the underground supporters, and can’t compete with the budget of Major Labels. On this CD, indie artist Arden Kaywin, seems to have accomplished the impossible. She has crafted a perfect pop album with hooks and melody, but somehow gives it an indie appeal that should garner her support with all the mainstream-haters as well. Natalie Merchant was embraced by the pop and indie community, and Arden fully deserves to step into that spot with her sophomore set… a CD that is both more mature and more youthful than her debut.
6. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
This probably isn’t the CD to win over new fans (Their debut is still a peerless classic), but the entire CD is enjoyable. It ventures into new territory, but still anchors itself with some classic sounding Keane to keep the old fans happy.
7. Taxi Doll - Here and Now
I can’t believe this is actually their debut CD, as I have been following this group for almost 4 years. They’ve taken some of the best tunes from their previous EPs and brought in a bunch of good new tunes. Glorious Pop/Electro/Glam kitchy catchiness follows. The production is shimmering and surprising throughout, the songs are memorable, and a good excuse to have a party. This CD is essential if you would like to hear the following artists jam together: Madonna, Blondie, No Doubt & Pet Shop Boys.
This CD is so full of hight energy salsa and whip smart rapping from composer/star Lin-Manuel Miranda that you hardly notice that there aren’t really any memorable *songs* here. The CD is a fun listen and the stage production is super, but I can’t help but think there would be a longer life overall for the production if there were a couple standout HITS on this CD. Still, I never thought I would have a cast recording that does great double duty as a workout soundtrack!
9. Kamera - Resurrection
Kamera outplayed the Killers at their own game this year. For your eighties retro/glam rock fix this year, put down the Killers ho-hum new CD and pick up this gem of a CD absolutely PACKED with hooky songs. It’s not too often I hear a band with this much attention to the craft of pop writing. Better yet, they don’t let the craft get in the way of an energetic and fun CD.
10. Delta Goodrem - Delta
This Australian songbird gets to show off her amazing pipes on perhaps one of the best engineered CDs of the year. This is a true sonic tapestry that really only reveals its brilliance on a great set of headphones. The songs are consistantly good, if not great, but the detail of the production and her captivating voice keep you hooked. If she can come up with a CD filled with SONGS worthy of her voice and this production, it will trule be a classic for the ages, until then, this is a nice bookmark.
I’m starting out a series of top 10 recaps with an all-time list. My All-time favorite musical cast albums. As much as I love pop music, I think if were stranded on a desert island (with an iPod that wouldn’t run out of batteries!) I would want these 10 CDs loaded! In the new episode of Broadway Bullet, we had a gift-guide for the holidays. Well, if you are friends with a musical theatre fanatic who is missing one of these CDs, grap a copy to stuff in their stocking! Well, without further ado… My favorite cast album of all time is….
1. Big River - Roger Miller
Part musical, part vaudeville show, all-American and no musical before or after has ever sounded this unique. Who would have thought that Roger Miller could move from an Americana/Country Career (”King of the Road”) to Musical Theatre is such an astonishing way before his death. The show is utterly fearless with tons of heart, and the CD is just packed front-to-back with great songs with a lot of variety. John Goodman’s performance of “Guv’ment” is timeless. Eternal classics like “Muddy Water”, “River in the Rain” and “Worlds Apart” all mesmerize, but it is the haunting trio, “Leavin’s Not the Only Way to Go” that brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. Getting a chance to interview Daniel Jenkins (the original Huck) on Broadway Bullet was truly an experience I’ll never forget.
Side Story - I worked as a DJ in a country bar my final year of college. Their selection was slim, and the patrons LOVED to waltz. So I started slipping in Mary Jane’s “You Oughtta Be Here With Me” into my sets. The dance floor was packed EVERY time, and I bet you can imagine all the surprised faces I would see when they came up to ask what the song was and I told them it was from a MUSICAL!
2. Into the Woods - Stephen Sondheim (Original Broadway Cast)
Witty and wordy, magical and marvelous, this is Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece. So many of Sondheim’s running themes of isolation, longing and a search for purpose exist here. But where he can be often heavy handed, here he gets to couch his preaching behind the most preachy genre of all time, Fairy Tales. One could listen to this CD a hundred times and still catch fresh lyrics and references and thematically related musical motifs that aren’t glaringly apparent at first. A true sense of whimsy is on the CD with classic humorous songs such as “Agony (Part I and II)” and “Hello Little Girl” right alongside heart-wrenching ballads like “No One is Alone”.
Side Story: I turned down playing Cinderella’s Prince for a production that was splitting up the wolf and prince into two actors. I just couldn’t BELIEVE the director didn’t grasp the symbolic importance of it being the same actor. I made the right choice, it was an awful production.
Okay, so it’s a concept recording… so sure me. Flowing from classical to pop to rock to AC schmaltz, the musical dexterity the ABBA boys show is impressive. The stirring “Anthem”, the emotionally ripping “Pity the Child”, the groove of “One Night in Bangkok” and the perfect combination of theatre monologue meets pop, “Nobody’s Side”… I have never had a chance to see a production of this, and I daresay this show is unique in the regards that no other show has so many songs people know so well… and NO ONE has seen it!
Side Story: When a friend and I were new in our infatuation for the show, my first year a college, a maintenance man came over to adjust the gas. Chess was playing, and he asked, “What ABBA album is this?”. We thought he was nuts until we looked closer at the liner notes. We had no idea.
4. Closer than Ever - Maltby & Shire
The only musical revue on the list. I often wished that pop music could be like this. Self-contained songs that were adult, funny and fresh; musically diverse and adventurous. The entire double-disc set is a treat, but I would say the biggest hits would be “The Bear, the Tiger the Hampster and the Mole”, “Miss Byrd” and “If I Sing”. Four singers keep me mesmerized for almost two hours with their dexterity and their ability to paint the entire situation on recording.
5. Once on this Island - Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
The beauty of this “island-themed” music is how breezy and effortless it sounds. The music is utterly appealing, and the very story-telling nature of the show makes this CD feel like a bedtime story… no stage needed, just your imagination. Just try to get “Mama will Provide” out of your head, and don’t let your heart break when Ti-Moune’s does.
6. [Title of Show] - Jeff Bowen
This show isn’t just an uber-insider, “wink-wink at ourselves” type of show it would appear to be. I hope no one is missing that there is some serious songcraft going on. I do believe the appeal of this show is to artists of kind who create. And all of them should have “Die, Vampire, Die” on their iPod when they start facing their walls. Same goes for “Nine People’s Favorite Thing” and “A Way Back to Then”.
7. Pump Boys and Dinettes - Jim Wann
Clearly I’m a big fan of variety! This country-infused show is full of hooks and heart. From “Highway 57″ to “Be Good or Be Gone” to “Closing Time”, you’ll want to get to know these people more. This is a show where everything seems to fit when any of these songs pop up on random on my ipod whether it’s a theatre mix, or a contemporary mix.
8. Ragtime (Original Concept Recording) - Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Wow, I just realized that Ahrens and Flaherty are the only composers with two CDs in my top ten. Clearly, this is why I was so excited to interview them last year. This show truly shows their dexterity. Far from the breeziness of “Island” this show is grand in every way, Outstanding vocal performances, and “Wheels of a Dream” shouldn’t be the only standard to emerge from this show.
9. Miss Saigon (Original London Cast) - Boublil & Schonberg
When I would drive back and forth from Missoula to Great Falls frequently, there was a period of time where this was played far too often. I enjoyed listening to it while driving alone in the car on the highway, because I didn’t feel like people would stare as I cried practically through the entire two CDs… praying each time that it would end happily.
10. City of Angels - Cy Coleman and David Zippel
Why hasn’t David Zippel done another show??? These are some of my favorite witty lyrics ever, and Cy Coleman makes them unforgettable with his sticky melodies. The music is sexy and funny and BRASSY, bring on the horns! “Lost and Found” is essential for everyone’s collection and “You Can Always Count on Me” will always be my gold standard for wordplay.
So Close, But So Far Away…
The thing about a top ten list, is there is only room for ten things. But here are three more cast albums it broke my heart to cut from the team…
Guys and Dolls (1992 Revival Cast Recording)
There’s a reason we all know Nathan Lane and Faith Prince.
Whether you are looking to record a vocal demo for audition use or auditioning live, many of the same selection tips apply. Here are some good tips to keep in mind.
Audition Song Selection Tips
Don’t use a song currently on the Radio or on Broadway.
Don’t use a song that is solely/primarily identified with a singer who made it famous.
Don’t pick an overly obscure song.
Don’t pick a song that doesn’t make sense out of context.
Don’t pick a song where you “showboat” through the entire song.
DO pick a song meant for another sex.
DO select lesser known material from popular composers.
DO reinterpret a well known song. (Slow to fast, straight feel to swing, etc…)
DO pick a song that shows your strongest vocal range in the first 20 seconds.
What Should You Record?
It’s helpful to have a few different styles recorded, depending on your vocal/character type and abilities. You generally don’t need more that one song in any style to show what you can do, so I recommend recording different styles to show off your strengths and have the *right* song to submit for any job. That said, here are some common styles that, if you are strong with them, you should have in your arsenal.
Some smart song choices can cover multiple “styles”!
Surprise Them!
Consider recording a song people are familiar with in an entirely different style or “character” than they are used to and really grab their attention!
MOST OF ALL
Make sure your selections show off your unique talents, not just the song!
I hope these tips help. Feel free to call me at 646-345-3433 when you are getting ready to record!
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1. Pink - Funhouse
2. Coldplay - Viva la Vida
4. Fauxliage
5. Arden Kaywin - Elephant in the Room
8. In the Heights - Original Cast 
9. Kamera - Resurrection
Part musical, part vaudeville show, all-American and no musical before or after has ever sounded this unique. Who would have thought that Roger Miller could move from an Americana/Country Career (”King of the Road”) to Musical Theatre is such an astonishing way before his death. The show is utterly fearless with tons of heart, and the CD is just packed front-to-back with great songs with a lot of variety. John Goodman’s performance of “Guv’ment” is timeless. Eternal classics like “Muddy Water”, “River in the Rain” and “Worlds Apart” all mesmerize, but it is the haunting trio, “Leavin’s Not the Only Way to Go” that brings a tear to my eye every time I see it. Getting a chance to interview Daniel Jenkins (the original Huck) on Broadway Bullet was truly an experience I’ll never forget.
Witty and wordy, magical and marvelous, this is Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece. So many of Sondheim’s running themes of isolation, longing and a search for purpose exist here. But where he can be often heavy handed, here he gets to couch his preaching behind the most preachy genre of all time, Fairy Tales. One could listen to this CD a hundred times and still catch fresh lyrics and references and thematically related musical motifs that aren’t glaringly apparent at first. A true sense of whimsy is on the CD with classic humorous songs such as “Agony (Part I and II)” and “Hello Little Girl” right alongside heart-wrenching ballads like “No One is Alone”.
Okay, so it’s a concept recording… so sure me. Flowing from classical to pop to rock to AC schmaltz, the musical dexterity the ABBA boys show is impressive. The stirring “Anthem”, the emotionally ripping “Pity the Child”, the groove of “One Night in Bangkok” and the perfect combination of theatre monologue meets pop, “Nobody’s Side”… I have never had a chance to see a production of this, and I daresay this show is unique in the regards that no other show has so many songs people know so well… and NO ONE has seen it!
The only musical revue on the list. I often wished that pop music could be like this. Self-contained songs that were adult, funny and fresh; musically diverse and adventurous. The entire double-disc set is a treat, but I would say the biggest hits would be “The Bear, the Tiger the Hampster and the Mole”, “Miss Byrd” and “If I Sing”. Four singers keep me mesmerized for almost two hours with their dexterity and their ability to paint the entire situation on recording.
This show isn’t just an uber-insider, “wink-wink at ourselves” type of show it would appear to be. I hope no one is missing that there is some serious songcraft going on. I do believe the appeal of this show is to artists of kind who create. And all of them should have “Die, Vampire, Die” on their iPod when they start facing their walls. Same goes for “Nine People’s Favorite Thing” and “A Way Back to Then”.
Wow, I just realized that Ahrens and Flaherty are the only composers with two CDs in my top ten. Clearly, this is why I was so excited to interview them last year. This show truly shows their dexterity. Far from the breeziness of “Island” this show is grand in every way, Outstanding vocal performances, and “Wheels of a Dream” shouldn’t be the only standard to emerge from this show.
Why hasn’t David Zippel done another show??? These are some of my favorite witty lyrics ever, and Cy Coleman makes them unforgettable with his sticky melodies. The music is sexy and funny and BRASSY, bring on the horns! “Lost and Found” is essential for everyone’s collection and “You Can Always Count on Me” will always be my gold standard for wordplay.
Don’t use a song currently on the Radio or on 
Classic Musical Theatre (ala Cole Porter, Rogers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Lowe, etc…) Uptempo & Ballad
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