Britney Spears Concert

I went to see Britney Spears on the whim. Yes, on the whim! I was very lucky to receive a call from a friend who happened to have an extra ticket just hours away from show time. It was a well put together show and Britney looked AMAZING in person. We had some pretty good seats and we even walked over by the VIP section. Her smile is electrifying and contagious. 

She lipped about 99% of the show. She sang the first verse of Circus and sang a long with the track for Everytime. I already knew that was going to happen so I wasn't disappointed but...there needs to be a better way to make it look realistic. They used the same vocals from the original recordings. Even for Baby, One More Time. I believe she was like 15 when she recorded that song. lol They need to have her rerecord some of the songs in a way that would make u believe that she is possibly singing or trying. It just seemed a little silly to me.

Also, she clearly is not as good as a dancer as she used to be. That could be a few things tho. It can be low confidence, her past knee injuries/surgeries, she may need to get her mojo back or she may not give a fuck. Who knows..but it was still a good show. The songs were ALL winners and people were having a great time.

Im not going to get super detailed because she has been reviewed a million times already.

Thanks, Benny. ;)

Lady GaGa

What I thought was another dance song from just another hungry plastic white girl turned out to be a lot more. "Just Dance," from Lady GaGa is a good song but also a good front for a hardcore NYC artist who has the kind of street cred that we haven't seen since possibly the 80's. After reading her bio, I cannot wait to see what else she hasin store. Here is a performance piece from her page:



http://ladygaga.com/news/

Don't just take my word for it, read up on her. I gaurantee you will feel refreshed.

Robyn will save you too!!!

Tuesday started as a grim day. I was given a number as to how many people are going to be laid off at my job and I felt sick to my stomach for most of the day. That was until I saw Robyn perform. Yes, THAT Robyn! from the late 90's, "Show Me Love," Robyn.

From what I have gathered, she was somewhat of a puppet back then. She now has her own Indie label and has a really good pop album that was released in the US as of yesterday. This is the most PURE pop album I have heard in a long time..if ever. FYI: Pure and pop are words that aren't really used to describe a sound. No big producers or army of writers. Not that I am against what big producers and writers can create, but when an artist can make really good music on their own, it makes it special and honest.

Anyhoo, her live performance was so simple and raw yet filled with yummy pop. Her voice sounded exactly the same in person as it does on her album. One amazing thing about her was that she was able to dance, jump, run, pose and sing without going off key or sounding out of breath. The only person I have seen live that can do that, is Beyonce. I can go on and on..but her sound is so new and FRESH that I would rather anybody reading this, to actually listen to it and fall in love with pop music again.

Give Robyn and good music a chance and BUY her music if you like it.

PS, when she sang Eclipse, I could barely sing a long with her because I got teary eyed! lol

This is the cover of her CD if you look for it. You can find her on the remix to Snoop Dogg's Sexual Seduction on iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/robynmyspace

You Need This...!

These are some CD's that I have on heavy rotation:

Although I was a little dissapointed that it wasnt a total dance album, it still is a good piece of work. I have an undying love for Janet because she is the reason why I dance. Her "Rock With U" video inspired me to start clubbing again because I love to be out and dancing in a crowd of people. "2Nite" NEEDS to be a single.

An aspiring producer made a really good extended mix of Rock With U. You can youtube it, just type in "Rock With U" and "Justiss." I got him to email me the mp3 for it and I play it on my iPod. I even designed an album cover for it. lol

So far, Danity Kane has the most solid pop album for 2008. Every last song, even the damn interludes, are bad as hell!!! I have so much respect for these girls now. They have writing credits in most of the songs on the album and even did the vocal arrangements to "Lights Out." Give them a chance, you will not stop playing it..its like healthy crack. lol

Mariah Carey and Madonna's albums are overated. They aren't bad, but they have done better. I have had Madonna's for well over a week now and I must say that I am dissapointed at how bored she sounds. Mariah Carey took a few steps back (lyrically and vocally), but she has the stronger album of the 2. "For The Record" is the gem of E=MC2.

I cannot wait for Usher's new joint!

Ok, thats enough..lol.

Well, I like It.

You may not have bought these CD's (according to sales numbers), but I cannot stop playing them. Genuinely good writing, production and overall really good songs.

Each of these artist have writing credits on their album's, some have produced and or executive produced the entire product as well.

Forget what you heard, what you have seen or what you deem to be a person you think you know...

Good music is just that...good.

Give them a try.


I cannot stop moving to this CD. Non-stop dancing from start to finish. She co-wrote 2 songs and executive produced the entire project. Whether you want to admit it or not, these songs are amazing.


The best she has ever sounded. Surprisingly soulful, danceable and fun. When people tell me they thought this CD was bad, I always ask them if they listened to the right one. Really.


I actually did not like this CD when I first heard it. However, it has grown on me and I play it quite often at work when I need to focus and when I am in my room laying down.



This is R&B. Period. She sounds amazing and her songs were most likely too much for her Destiny's Child audience. This CD is very "grown."

There you have it. =P

A Hero Next Door.

My first band pictures! It was a new experience for me because I am used to subjects that are meant to be looked upon as beautiful. I am not saying these guys are ugly, but they are a rock band...totally different direction. I like the outcome...but Im sure I will love the next time I get together with these guys. As usual, they were a little tense at first, but again, next time will be different. I plan on working with everybody I have worked with already for more shots. None of the people I have worked with are used to being in these kinds of pictures. So I am breaking them in.

One of my goals was to take everyday people and present them in a different light. Taking pictures of models is really easy because really gorgeous people look good in almost any pic. I am not knocking people who use models, that would be hypocritical of me being that models are my next step, but straying from the technical beauty is a challenge. Especially when you are like me...I am not trained at all. This is self development, and I must say that I am a little poud of myself.

Thanks for reading this far, and I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Jessica, thanks for your help.

Mike Milan

http://www.aheronextdoor.com/

http://www.myspace.com/aheronextdoor

The Sum Up.

I saw Nelly Furtado this past Tuesday and she was AMAZING. Despite her recorded music and her live performances I had seen on youtube or award shows, her voice was much bigger then I expected. I actually expected her to strain thru some of her songs. She was everything and more and I cannot wait to see her again.

I was still sick when I went to see her but turns out..I wasn't sick. The doctors took my blood and ran a lot of tests and they were scratching their heads. Everything as it seems was fine, and the day after I got my results..I felt brand new again. Some of it was mental, if not most. Im in a very crappy place right now. Im realizing everyday that I need to step it up a notch. I will give myself credit because I am trying everyday to change things around me. Applying for higher paying positions and setting up photoshoots when I can. I may have one coming up this Friday. Cross your fingers!

Progress is very slow right now and I am have been even more antsy now then I was before. I need to not live in this apartment anymore. It is really affecting the way I think and as I have stated before, once I get out of this place I'll be able to think clearly.

Thats all I do lately...think. Don't take this as a complaint. Its just what it is. Im tired of complaining.

My good friend that lived with me who moved away from Boston, is moving back sometime next month. I am excited because it will be so good to have him around again.

I don't need a vacation, I need to leave.

Bits and Pieces

I saw Amy Winehouse recently and although she sounded great...it was not a show I would recommend. She was extremely boring and has absolutely no stage presence. The only wow factors to me are how much bigger her hair is and how skinny she really is.

I'm seeing Nelly Furtado in a week or so...I have 6Th row seats on the floor. Can't wait for that! I cannot wait to hear In God's Hands. It is supposed to be her next single too. I was hoping it wouldn't be released because its a very personal song. Its so late in the CD so most likely nobody will give a shit. She has had like 7 damn singles.

I may be seeing "celebrity" blogger Perez Hilton this week as well. That should be very interesting.

Lets see...I applied for 2 more positions at my job. Cross your fingers!!

I have 2 photo shoots for the month of June and of course I have my Muse. There will be many sporadic pics of him.

After my trip to NYC last weekend (the weekend of the 12th), I found myself feeling really sad about living here again. So I have some tricks up my sleeve.

2006 and so far 2007 are like nite and day for me so far. Not sure if that's a good thing yet..but I'm keeping it moving.

It just feels so slow...

Hopeful

I got my first review at my job today. I have been here for 2 years now but I was a temp for the first year. My review was pretty impressive. I was basically told that I have pretty much exceeded my position and that I should start looking for another position within the company that will challenge and pay me more. It feels good to be recognized. I show up to work everyday and bang out all of my projects. I have done close to everything possible and I have done it all well while multitasking.

So my supervisor is going to help me move up in the company, which makes me happier to go to work everyday. For a while I was getting slow at work because I was just so unchallenged and straight up bored. This is a great step in the right direction.

I bought that fuckin camera! It cost me A LOT of money but dammit!!! This is only going to help me. I have some ideas for projects lined up and I am so stoked! My motivation right now is "unconventional beauty." We are so trained to see why models are gorgeous: conventional good looks. You cant deny it. Tall, thin and beautifully structured faces are attractive. You may not want to date it..but you cant call somebody like Versace model ugly. However there is a certain beauty that we can find in somebody totally unconventional. We just don't notice it..because it is different. This is what I want to showcase. This blog will be blessed with my work once it happens.

I have a new musical obsession: Amy Winehouse. I usually don't care for artists from overseas who try to tackle American soul/R&B music. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. However, Ms. Winehouse is the real deal. Im not even going to do a bio because you will be hearing about her soon if you haven't already.

"We only said good-bye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to.....I go back to us"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPajJXYwMKA

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black, In stores Tuesday, March 13th. Consider it a musical investment.

Happy Valentine's Day

Good Mourning - India Arie

Good mourning silence, good mourning to myself
Good mourning to the pain in the center of my chest
It's crazy how much I miss A simple good mourning kiss
Good mourning independence or is it loneliness
I know I said I wanted this but I have regrets
I prayed for God's will to be done
The very next day you were gone
Good mourning to the harsh realities of life
And good mourning to the fact we're not husband and "wife"
We made a promise to stay
But destiny got in the way
Good mourning Good mourning acceptance, good mourning inner strength
I'm loving every moment even the strain
It's crazy how much I miss
A simple good mourning kiss
It's crazy how much I've missed
Now it's time for me to live
Good mourning Good mourning optimism good mourning to my faith
Good mourning to the beginning of a brand new day
I know that God's Will will be done
So I lay down my pain and I'm moving on
I know that God's Will will be done
So it's a good morning after all

This song along with "In God's Hands," by Nelly Furtado and India.Arie's cover to Don Henleys "Heart of the Matter," helped me get to this day. I have to say that I am doing great compared to this time last year. Thankfully, I am no longer that person: http://redreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/dear-valentine.html

I love you all and on this Valentine's Day I hope you find love within yourself.

Mikey

Real Mary fans know..

..that when Mary cries...you cry.



This Grammy Performance (along with her first win onstage) had me holding back my tears. I love Mary like she is family. I have watched her grow and I have grown with her. No matter how happy Mary gets, we will always see the pain on her face that she had to endure. And oddly enough it looks great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsNH2q2qDmM

I love you Mary.

Mashups/Bootlegs

I recomend everybody go to this website and check out these hot mashups. Cobraeater is one of my favorites. I made a cd cover for it so it pops up whenever my media player plays it.

http://www.bass211.com/Bass211Podcast/index.html

Yummy.

In God's Hands

I bought 29 CD's last year because I bought like 2 the year before. Not only did I buy up all of the sneakers but I bought up all of the damn music too! I am a HUGE music fanatic and have a lot of knowledge about inside stuff. Its such a passion. Im like amusic stalking whore. For real. At some point I hope to make a few tacky 80's inspired songs of my own...before I die. Please.

So yes, I would like to hi-lite one CD in particular: Nelly Furtado's "Loose." That album got me thru my whole year. It spoke volumes to me. I was in such a hard place all year and yet "Loose" not only helped me escape my fears with all of its infectious dance tracks, it helped drain a lot of my tears with ONE track. Yes ONE track that summed up my failed relationship. "In God's Hands" has to be one of the best songs I have ever heard. Its not a masterpiece...its raw. If you have ever been in a relationship with somebody that you genuinely love during and after it has ended...and would want it back...this is the song for you. Can't express how I never let go of that light no matter how dark it got.

I love it to pieces and still play that song along with the entire album..over and over and over again.

Just wanted to share that.

Another Happy Belated Birthday...

..to Aaliyah Dana Haughton. Born January 16, 1979.



She would have been 27 this year but instead she is timeless.

The song titles "One In A Million" and "More Then A Woman" couldn't describe her any better. It always takes an artist like Aaliyah to start a new sound for a genre of music. Never was she a huge star like Beyonce or Britney Spears, but she helped change the sound of R&B before they came out. One In A Million marked the explosian of double beats in R&B music that had some radio DJ's scratching their heads with the fact that they had a hot track....but didn't know how to mix it in with the "other" music they had. Good music always prevails one way or another and tracks like "4 Page Letter," "Hot Like Fire" and of course "One In A Million" changed the direction of black music forever. How did this happen? This was the official unveiling of Timbaland and Missy's off the hook sound (that everybody wanted AFTERwards).

While first getting their feet wet with Jodeci, the duo created a different sound that landed in Aaliyah's lap. Had it been another R&B star this might not have happened. However she wanted a change from her first album and took a chance. That chance paid off and One In A Million is a bonafide classic and must have for your R&B collection. She was on her way to being a big star but unfortunately she passed away and left many of us with feelings of "what could have happened next?" But for me what was supposed to happen already happened. Anybody can be a big star with the right gimmick or right talent at the right time....but can we all change something as big as music?

Thank you Aaliyah for taking a chance.

Mariah Carey Milestone.

So I saw Mariah Carey this evening and I have to give it to her...that lady can sing. Sure there were some flat notes from time to time, but if you sang like Mariah for 2 hours Im sure you would do the same. I was supposed to go with my Ex but it didn't work out that way. I honestly thought he didn't want to go anymore because he avoids me all the time. He doesn't answer my calls, return my voicemail's or answer my questions via email correctly. I would ask him how to do something technical on the PC and he would reply with "I went on a job interview today." lol You gotta laugh at that shit..I do.

So I asked somebody else (my "sister") to go at the last minute because he didn't return my last call. Its all peace man, really. He has a new man and I know how he gets with his man. I should know. I figured out of respect for his man he wouldn't go to the concert with me. But knowing him he would have lied to his man anyways...if you read my Libra blog you know what I mean (its a MySpace thing...). To say the least I am so GLAD I didn't bring him. Some of those ballads would have killed me and I would have had a completely different experience. There were some songs that made me forget where I was because they stirred up memories of us. I love memories of us because those were some of the best memories of my life.

That's life. Shit happens, people fuck up and fuck you in the process. I don't have it in me to hate him because I still love that man. This concert marks a milestone for me because I have been waiting for it to come and go so I cannot have an excuse to have contact with him. I just want him to do his thing with his new man and let me move on. I would also like for him to introduce us one day because Im not a hater, I can handle it. Im sure he is a nice fella. I am. He dated me. Maybe he really meant it when he said....well..nevermind...bleh.

On a random note I saw Esthero on Thursday night. I have to dedicate a whole new blog for that one because it was so phenomenal I have to gather up the energy. lol Plus I am waiting for some pics to post with it.