Playlists
Ugly is the New Pretty Playlist
April 16th, 2010Just a playlist I needed for my blog. Some clips from Ugly Betty, and some tunes used in the show.
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Rent Playlist
January 18th, 2010
Rent is a musical (or maybe a better term is rock opera) by Jonathan Larson (based on Puccini's La bohème), about a group of impoverished artists and bohemians struggling to survive and create in Alphabet City, in NYC's Lower East Side under the shadow of AIDS.
It's become one of my favorites of all time, and so it deserved its own playlist on here. It's the only musical that makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
Only a couple of tracks is missing on this list (nothing major), so it's more or less complete. The list is a mix, however, of tracks from the original Broadway cast recording, tracks from the fall 2008 cast and a couple from the movie version of Rent from 2004.
The version I most recommend to see though, is the 2008 filmed on Broadway version. It belongs on the stage.
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Glee Season 1 Playlist
December 16th, 2009This Wednesday, no Glee. *laments* This gleek can't wait for another season! So - Here's some of the best acts from season 1. I confess my top fav was always Salt-N-Pepa's Push It. It was wonderfully crude. Gotta love it.
There's some wonderful performances in there, so - enjoy!
Also, some stuff for the record:
Performed on Glee on Fox by: Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Dijon Talton and Kristin Chenoweth.
Original performers:
Don't Stop Believin': Journey
Gold Digger: Kanye West
Take A Bow: Rhianna
Push It: Salt-N-Pepa
Bust Your Windows: Jazmine Sullivan
I Wanna Sex You Up: Color Me Badd
Somebody to Love: Queen
Maybe This Time: Cast of Cabaret
Alone: Heart
Last Name: Carrie Underwood
It's My Life/Confessions Pt. 2: Bon Jovi/Usher
Halo/Walking On Sunshine: Beyonce/Katrina & the Waves
Hate On Me: Jill Scott
Bust A Move: Young MC
Sweet Caroline: Neil Diamond
Defying Gravity: Cast of Wicked (I added the version sung by Chris Colfer only, 'cause I just love the guy)
Dancing With Myself: Billy Idol
Proud Mary: Ike & Tina Turner
Lean On Me: Bill Withers
Don't Stand So Close to Me: The Police
(You're) Having My Baby: Paul Anka
True Colors: Cyndi Lauper
Jump: Van Halen
Smile: Lily Allen
And I Am Telling You: Cast of Dreamgirls
Don't Rain on My Parade: Cast of Funny Girl
My Life Would Suck Without You: Kelly Clarkson
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Show Tunes II Playlist
December 9th, 2009So, another show tunes playlist, and there's probably more to come. I made one before, with the basics, after which I went “omg, I forgot Show Boat and Hair”. There's not much from either on this one, but it is coming up. For now, it's:
Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber/T.S. Eliot/Trevor Nunn: The Jellicle Ball, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer and Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.
Chicago by John Kander/Fred Ebb: Funny Honey, All I Care About, Razzle Dazzle, Mr. Cellophane, Roxie and I Can't Do It Alone.
The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber/Charles Hart/Richard Stilgoe: Angel of Music, All I Ask of You and The Point of No Return.
Show Boat by Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II: Ol' Man River.
Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick: If I Were A Rich Man, Match Maker, The Bottle Dance and Do You Love Me.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Stephen Sondheim: A Little Priest, Pretty Women, Not While I'm Around, Johanna and Epiphany.
Cabaret by John Kander/Fred Ebb: Life is a Cabaret.
The Wizard of Oz (by so many musicians and lyricists I can't possibly name'em all): If I Only Had a Brain and If I Only Had a Heart.
Hairspray by Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman: You Can't Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore, Run and Tell That, The Nicest Kids in Town and Welcome to the 60's.
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Christmas Playlist
December 8th, 2009Ok, finally got 'round to going through that Christmas playlist I was talking about like a month ago. Well, it's not Christmas quite yet, is it?
You might find the contents somewhat surprising I guess, unless you know me, and knowing me, I put some funnies in there, also there's lots of languages in this one (English, French, Swedish, Latin and also the somewhat strange mix of Norwegian and English you'll find in the Norwegian show The Julekalender. Just... Don't try to understand, just go with the flow.)
I did my best to put your suggestions in there (made me discover some new ones by the way), the DA peeps were the most eager Christmas tune suggestors.
So... Enjoy. And since it's bearing down on us whether we like it or not: Happy holidays.
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Monday Blues - Not! Playlist
December 7th, 2009This morning, hearing the woes of my fellow early risers with the Monday morning blues, I put this playlist together after randomly encountering these funny, upbeat songs in my thousands-upon-thousands song archives. I felt much better. Have a fab Monday! Enjoy. And smile. :)
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December Playlist
November 30th, 2009
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Wicked Playlist
November 18th, 2009Wicked playlist (in the right order, it's all there except the finale) with the original Broadway cast: Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible, Joel Grey as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and William Youmans as Doctor Dillamond.
No One Mourns the Wicked: The citizens of Oz celebrate the melting of the Wicked Witch of the West as Glinda descends in her bubble. The scene shifts to a flashback of Elphaba's birth.
Dear Old Shiz: Glinda and Elphaba meet for the first time, at Shiz University.
The Wizard and I: Morrible discovers Elphaba's magical talents, and suggests to her that she may be of use to the Wizard.
What Is This Feeling: Glinda and Elphaba take a mutual dislike to each other, fueled by jealously.
Something Bad: Doctor Dillamond confides in Elphaba that “something bad” is happening in Oz, causing the animals to loose their powers of speech.
Dancing Through Life: Fiyero, a carefree, fun-loving prince arrives at the university, organizes a dance at the local ballroom. Glinda convinces Boq to take Nessarose to the party, more to get rid of him than to do Nessa a favor. Glinda, having received a pointed black hat as a gift, knowing it's ugly, pawns it off on Elphaba, who suffers much ridicule as she arrives. Fiyero and Glinda find each other, knowing that they're both perfect, therefore they have to be perfect together (right?).
Popular: Having become friends, Glinda decides to give Elphaba a makeover, all rude good intentions.
I'm Not That Girl: Elphaba and Fyiero set free the lion cub from captivity, and there's a hint of romance, but Fyiero is embarrassed, and leaves. Elphaba regrets that it would be impossible for Fiyero to love someone (green) like her.
One Short Day: Elphaba and Glinda in the Emerald City.
A Sentimental Man: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz invites Elphaba to be his personal assistant.
Defying Gravity: Realizing that the Wizard has tricked her and used her, and having been declared by Morrible a “wicked witch”, Elphaba, wanting to fight the corruption of Oz, tries to get Glinda to join her in her cause.
Thank Goodness: Elphaba's doings have earned her her wicked title, and Glinda and Fiyero's surprise engagement is announced.
Wonderful: The Wizard tries to regain Elphaba's favor by setting the flying monkeys free.
As Long As You're Mine: Elphaba runs into Fiyero (who's run off), and they express their love for each other.
No Good Deed: Having walked into an ambush ending in Nessa's death, Elphaba manages to run away, while Fiyero surrenders himself in her stead, and is taken away to be tortured. Elphaba tries to cast a spell to keep Fiyero safe, but thinking she's failed, she embraces her wicked reputation at last.
March of the Witch Hunters: The citizens of Oz prepare for the witch hunt, and Tin Man Boq blames Elphaba for his (and the lion cub's) current state, even though she tried to help them both.
For Good: As Glinda realizes who's really behind Nessa's death, she goes to find Elphaba, but Elphaba tells her to take charge in Oz, and not to clear her name. Glinda agrees, and they declare their true friendship.
Finale: Elphaba and Fiyero (now Scarecrow) leave Oz to be safe and together, and Glinda celebrates with the citizens of Oz after the Wizard leaves in his balloon, as “Glinda the Good”.
For green girls (like me) and other fans alike. Enjoy.
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Disney & Dreamworks Playlist
November 16th, 2009Neither Disney nor Dreamworks do anything half-ass in their animated movies, music included, so here are some faves.
On The Lion King: This has been my favorite Disney movie since it came in '94. It was truly epic, and I remember from the time I lived in Molde, how me and my friend Ida Marie used to always make sure to see the music video at the end of the VHS version, with Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M (the video is also in the playlist if you click the right spot). So of my love for Lebo M (who did the opening cry) and his South African choir (instead of going sappy with Elton John) chanting in Swahili for the lion to rule (busa simba!), I also added many of the tunes from Rhythm of the Pride Lands.
On Pochontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame: These are both films where the lyricist is Stephen Schwartz, whom I am in awe of, because of these films and his musical Wicked, all epically awesome. My feminist self also admired the strong women of these flicks from a young age. I'm also in awe of the cast of these, especially David Ogden Stiers (Pocahontas) who plays the parts of both Ratcliffe and Wiggins.
On The Prince of Egypt: Dreamworks' most epic film in my opinion. A wonderful story, wonderfully done. My highlight is Ofra Haza (who left all too soon), one of my favourite singers, in the part of Yocheved. I also can't help ordering you to download Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (or Jerusalem of Gold), so you can hear what an amazing voice she was. Also, Steve Martin and Martin Short require no introduction, do they?
On Brother Bear and Tarzan: Both fabulous movies (I always cry when I watch Brother Bear, and I'm rarely able to figure out why exactly), with awesome musical work, gotta love Tina Turner and Phil Collins (and Alaskan names for that matter).
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Show Tunes Playlist
November 13th, 2009I love musicals. But, let me specify: Twirling in the Austrian mountains just can't hold a candle to femme fatales in Chicago, I'm sorry. So, here are some favorites. Since mixpod is a bit messy:
From Chicago (my fav) by John Kander and Fred Ebb: All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, When You're Good to Mama, We Both Reached For the Gun, I Move On and Nowadays.
From Wicked by Stephen Schwartz (he's been one of my favorite lyricists since he worked on Disney's Pocahontas): Popular, Defying Gravity, I'm Not That Girl, As Long As You're Mine and No Good Deed.
From Guys and Dolls by Frank Loesser: Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat and Luck Be A Lady.
From The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Phantom of the Opera and The Music of the Night.
From Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (and I'll have you know it's based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, which is excellent by the way, and though Cats has to be the most ridiculous musical ever, it's so much fun): Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats, The Rum Tum Tugger, Macavity the Mystery Cat and Memory.
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November Playlist
November 1st, 2009
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Glee Playlist
October 22nd, 2009Glee is my most recent laugh-my-bum-off obsession, so I thought those guys ought to have their own playlist (friend of mine got me to watch, and now I'm hooked). Even though it's a series about the underdogs, they're pretty decent singers (understatament). It's also a cast I'm very familiar with from other shows (Cory Monteith (Kyle XY), Jayma Mays (Ugly Betty), Kevin McHale and Patrick Gallagher (True Blood), Jessalyn Gilsig (Prison Break), Jane Lynch (Two and A Half Men among other things)), and what can I say? I have a thing for freakishly tall Calgarians who used to be on Kyle XY (wow, detailed), though I have to say, after last night's episode, I kind of melted for Puck too (I mean... damn!).
Oh, and Chris Colfer is my new hero, he freakin' rules. Enjoy.
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October Playlist
October 6th, 2009
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New York, New York Playlist
September 15th, 2009Songs that spell out NYC to me.
(I also wanted to add Jennifer O'Connor's Exeter, Rhode Island and Tori Amos' Zero Point, but no go, so check them out!)
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Cornbread and Satan (True Blood) Playlist
September 3rd, 2009Put this playlist together, now don't let the title put you off. It's named after a rather hilarious quote about the South. A little something to listen to as True Blood disappears from the screen.
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September Playlist
August 30th, 2009
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Feel-Better-Songs
August 27th, 2009I've been feeling a little blue over the last couple of days, not quite being able to distract myself.
I've been on my own too much lately, and it really depresses me not to be able to upload (and therefore not being able to take any) photos. So to keep myself from being too Poeish, I put together this playlist of songs that make me smile and are upbeat and which for different reasons make me feel better. From Eric Idle's first syllable I found myself grinning.
So if you're ever in need, enjoy this!
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