Album Review: Taylor Swift "1989"

Yesterday, the world finally got to hear Taylor Swift’s new album, 1989, her first dedicated pop album.

I have to be honest and say I was a little apprehensive. So often in the 21st century “pop” has essentially translated to “dance” music; and I can’t say I’m a huge fan of that.

Whenever I try and describe what kind of music I like, I always seem to think of this scene from Music and Lyrics:

 Alex Fletcher: It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just spit it out. They’re just lyrics.Sophie Fisher: “Just lyrics”?Alex Fletcher: Lyrics are important. They’re just not as important as melody.Sophie Fisher: I really don’t think you get it.Alex Fletcher: Oh. You look angry. Click your pen.Sophie Fisher: A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. Sex.Alex Fletcher: I so get that.Sophie Fisher: But then, as you get to know the person, that’s the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It’s the combination of the two that makes it magical.

I am not a musician. Of any kind. I have absolutely zero musical talent. I am the daughter of a musician, but those genes apparently skipped me and went to all three of my siblings. But hey, I can read really fast, so I have that going for me at least, right?

However, despite my lack of music talent or knowledge, I support this quote and this theory completely. Any song that makes my favourites list, it’s because the lyrics speak to me.

And I feel that so many “pop” songs often lose something from the lyrics when the tune is all bass, auto tune, etc. Give me a piano, a guitar and some strings with vocals any day.

So, when Taylor announced her new album was going to be pop, I was slightly wary.

I adored Shake it Off, so that made me hopeful. I thought Out of the Woods and Welcome to New York were catchy, but they didn’t grab me. My favourite part of Out of the Woods was the bridge, and I’m not a huge fan of songs where 2 lines repeated make a chorus.

I got the album yesterday afternoon (the deluxe edition) and after a few listens since then, I’ve decided upon my Top 5 Tracks:

1. I Wish You Would

1. Shake it Off

1. Wonderland

1. How You Get the Girl

1. Style

In all the reviews I’ve read thus far, there’s been a lot talk about Blank Space and Bad Blood. I really did like Blank Space, but I don’t think it’s one of my faves.

But I honestly did not like Bad Blood. Just wasn’t my style. That’s all.

When I get a new album, I always go through and rate each song on my iTunes.

5 Stars= amazing.

4 Stars= love it

3 Stars= it’s good.

2 Stars= it’s ok, but probably won’t go on my iPod

1 Star= not my kinda thing/don’t like it.

Here’s how 1989 rounded out

 Overall, I really enjoyed 1989, although I think Red may still be my favourite Taylor Swift album.

Album review: Gretel Scarlett "Hopelessly Devoted"

It's always exciting when one of your favourite musical theatre stars get their own album... or a cast recording... basically anything where you can hear them singing in your living room. 

Gretel and I at stage door after Grease.

So I was supremely thrilled when Gretel Scarlett announced her debut album. I love Gretel, she's so talented and one of my favourite people to talk to at stage door because she's so lovely and warm (and she's a Delta Goodrem fan, so she gets points for that!). 

And it's been so cool to watch her go from Melena (Witch's Mother) in Wicked, where even though she only has a few lines, she has totally defined the character for me in my head (maybe that sounds weird, but it's true. I really miss her as Melena!); to her first lead role as Sandy in Grease, which is the most fun show I've ever been to. 

So anyway, Gretel's album, Hopelessly Devoted came out on Monday, September 15 2014; which I immediately bought once I woke up and remained the highlight of my day (long story). And it's just beautiful, it's majority piano, vocal and strings, which is pretty much my favourite thing (although I am a sucker for a complete orchestra, which I think is because my dad's a brass band musician). 

When a musical theatre person releases an album, my friend and I put it through a simple test- if we had no idea who that person was and had just stumbled across it on iTunes (which I do quite a bit, namely when I find a song I love and go looking for other versions of it), would I buy it?

The answer is usually "Yes", "a few songs from it" or "probably not".

And the answer for Hopelessly Devoted is YES. 

It's taken me a day of listening to decide on a favourite track, and even then I've ended up with three:

1. Hopelessly Devoted to You- Gretel does an amazing job of this in Grease (as can be heard either by going to see the show- its back in Melbourne in December- or on the cast soundtrack via iTunes. Or in the video below); but with pretty much just piano and vocals it's even more hauntingly beautiful. 

2. Let it Go- It's been 9 months since Frozen came out in Australia, and I'm still not over this song (although since the If/Then OBC was released, that is getting more play on my iPod I think. Just). I knew Gretel would do an amazing job of this song since she first hinted it would be on the album (she was understudy Elphaba in Wicked, so she can do an Idina song justice); but I still wasn't mentally prepared for just how amazing it is.

Album hint. Sandy meets Elsa.

3. No One but You (Only the Good Die Young)- I wasn't really familiar with this song until now, (confession) I'm not a huge Queen fan. I know, it's sacrilege. I like some of their songs, I just don't really... I don't know. But I usually have loved any song of theirs that is covered by someone I do like, and this is no exception. Gretel's rendition gave me chills when I first heard it, and it's been the song on the album I've played most in the last day since I bought it.

The album also features a duet of Katy Perry's Firework with Gretel's BFF and my #2 Glinda (after Megan Hilty) Suzie Mathers; and a duet of Say Something with Rob Mills (Danny in Grease and former Fiyero). There's also a beautifully slow rendition of We Found Love, which just missed out on making my top 3 tracks.

I definitely recommend this album!

A Christmas Carol

Videos galore! Enjoy

A Muppets Christmas Carol trailer:

"A Place Called Home" from 2004 A Christmas Carol movie:

"What If" from 2001 A Christmas Carol movie:

In my own time

This is the song Elphaba sings in chapter 3 of The Ghost of Kiamo Ko. It's called 'In my own time' and it was written by Delta Goodrem and featured on her first album, Innocent Eyes.

Here is the song:

Last year, Delta re-recorded the album for it's 10 year anniversary. Although I was thinking of the above version when writing this chapter, here is the 2013 version:

Don't Tell the Bride: The Wedding Day

Here's the 2 songs mentioned in this chapter, both by Faith Hill.

Don't Tell the Bride: The Wedding Favours

Here's all the songs that Corin took his lyrics from.

1. "The Power of Love"

The power of love is a curious thing
Makes one man weep, make another man sing.
Change a hawk to a little white dove
More than a feeling, 
that's the power of love.

If you don't know this song, A) be ashamed, and B) go watch Back to the Future. ASAP.

2. "Chapel of Love"

Going to the chapel
and we're gonna get married.

This song is annoyingly catchy, just FYI. Also, Father of the Bride (The remake with Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley is a great movie featuring this song, and you should watch that. Before you watch Back to the Future because this is better).

3. "Listen to your Heart"

Listen to your heart, listen to your soul.

Inside you'll find the answer, to take you to the place you need to go.

Listen to your heart, your heart will let you know.

No matter where you are, the truth is never far, 

just listen and your heart will lead you home.

No movie with this one. This is by Anthony Callea, original Australian Boq. He was runner up on season 2 of Australian Idol, but he totally should have won. And has done much more than the girl who did win that season. This is his version of the winner's single, as performed on the show.

4. "Wheel of the World"

God put us here on this carnival ride
we close our eyes never knowing where it'll take us next.
Babies are born and at the same time, 
someone's taking their last breath.

Because Carrie Underwood is awesome.

5.  "Affirmation"

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument,
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands.
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you,
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do.

By Australian band Savage Garden. They were big in the early 2000s (and maybe late 90s... I definitely remember them being around in 2000 and they were big).

All These Years

Here is the link where you can hear my friend's song which inspired this one-shot, All These Years. 

This is the link to her Facebook page, which I'm sure she'd be thrillified if you Liked it. If you want to buy a copy of her EP, just send her a message through Facebook.

And this is the image for Elphaba's wedding dress:

I just changed the ribbon to blue

Jemma Rix: The Random Variety

I have really missed hearing Jemma Rix sing.

I've known this, but I don't think I realised how much I missed it until Saturday night when we went to The Butterfly in Melbourne to see Jemma's cabaret show The Random Variety.

The best kind of random 

It was such a fantastic night, and so worth all the travelling (from Tamworth to Melbourne) and the lack of sleep.

Jemma's voice is so strong and beautiful, and made me even more excited (if possible) to see Wicked again. Seriously, Jemma can sing everything, as the show demonstrated over the course of an hour.

I could just say the whole night was awesome and amazing (and it was), but I had some definite highlights.

Also, she looked really pretty- as always :)

1. Jemma singing "With You" from Ghost, the musical. Such a gorgeous song and she was so in character... she looked like she was about to cry, which made me almost cry, and it's this whole thing. 
2. A mash-up of "Quiet" from Matilda the musical, and "Titanium". Wow. They actually combined so well, and it sounded fantastic. 
3. A Romeo and Juliet musical made with Rihanna songs, which I would totally pay to see. It was awesome. And also, Jemma could totally be Juliet. 
4. The song that started the show, an original song written by David Young (or DY), and ending with a medley of all sorts of songs of all genres. It was just fun, and such a high energy way to start the show.
5. Jemma also demonstrated her Japanese skills with a few Wicked lines, which always sounds funny. I've seen it on YouTube, but it was still great to hear. 
6. The random fact that Jemma did highland dancing for 8 years! Like competitions and everything! How cool is that?! 

I think they were all my most favourite bits... but every song was enjoyable and sung beautifully. She did some pop, and some show tunes... a little bit of everything, and really showed how versatile she is as an artist (wow, I've been watching The Voice too much, LOL).

And fully supported what so many Wicked fans have been saying for ages, that Jemma absolutely needs an album. Because I could listen to her voice all day. I actually told Jemma that after the show and she said she'd love to, and you never know! One day, it could happen! 

I always love seeing Jemma, because she's so sweet. We had decided that this, being her first cabaret type show, her first thing that's just her and not a character, deserved to be celebrated; so we'd gone shopping that day for the perfect gift for her. And man, did we find the perfect gift.

IT'S A WIZARD OF OZ MINIATURE TEA SET!!!! How perfect is that??

Oh, and also- the Butterfly Club itself- wow, I love that place. We will definitely going back. The atmosphere is awesome and it's so beautiful! I wish I'd taken more pictures of the interior, but I had to get a photo of this painting... just because it looks like there should be a secret door behind it.

Or maybe I just read Harry Potter too much...

Anyway, to sum up: the Butterfly Club is a very cool and beautiful place, and Jemma Rix is the greatest. The End.

Me and Jemma :)

Kyarna Rose

This is just a shameless blog post to plug the amazing achievement of a friend of mine.

My friend Kyarna is an extremely talented musician, and she is just releasing an EP. I'm super proud of her! The EP will be released on iTunes, as well available for physical purchase, and Ky is willing to sign them!

The physical copies are $15 (plus postage). If you want to sample her work, you can check out her soundcloud page here.

You can also find and 'Like' her on Facebook under Kyarna Rose.

Even if you don't want to buy it, have a listen!

30 Songs on Shuffle

This was another trending topic on twitter a little while ago I thought would be fun!

1. Enchanted- Taylor Swift
2. Raining Diamonds- Ricki-Lee
3. Grown Up Christmas List- Lucy Durack and Rob Mills
4. Dear Old Shiz- Wicked
5. Knocked Out- Delta Goodrem
6. Child of the Universe (Acoustic)- Delta Goodrem
7. Finale- Wicked
8. Need You Now- Glee
9. Asleep on the Wind- Idina Menzel
10. Curtain Calls/Tomorrow Reprise- Annie Cast
11. Here's to Us- Glee
12. My Wild Frontier- Faith Hill
13. You Will Only Break My Heart (Live)- Delta Goodrem
14. Haunted (Live)- Taylor Swift
15. Predictable- Delta Goodrem
16. Don't rain on my parade (Live)- Glee
17. This is the moment- Anthony Warlow
18. O Come All Ye Faithful- Delta Goodrem
19. War on love- Delta Goodrem
20. New York State of Mind- Glee
21. Who Knew- P!nk
22. Believe Again- Delta Goodrem
23. Have a little faith in me- Mandy Moore
24. The Wizard and I- Wicked Australia (Jemma Rix)
25. Sparks Fly (Live)- Taylor Swift
26. Thank Goodness- Wicked
27. Possessionless- Delta Goodrem
28. We Can- Leann Rimes
29. Suddenly- Leann Rimes
30. Fragile- Delta Goodrem

Um... so yeah... I have a lot of Delta on my iPod! And Wicked.

This is the Moment

OK, so as pretty much everyone knows, I'm obsessed with Wicked. But that doesn't mean I don't love other musicals.

There was always a wide variety of music playing in our house growing up, and I remember when I was about 7, my mum was given this video which she watched a lot. 


It was called The Main Event, and it was the video of a concert put on together by 3 of Australia's biggest performers, Olivia Newton-John (Yes, Sandy from Grease and who was on Glee); John Farnham (don't think American's know who this, but he's an Australian legend); and Anthony Warlow, who is huge in the Aussie theatre world.

Anthony Warlow sang this song, which I'd never heard before 'This is the Moment'. It's only in recent years I learned this was from a musical (Jekyll and Hyde, which I haven't seen), but I love the song.

And then yesterday, I found this version of it, sang by Anthony Callea, runner up of Australian Idol in 2005 and original Boq in the Australian production of Wicked. 

So, this was what inspired my first Glee fic by the same name.

Also, if you don't know who John Farnham is and doubt my statement that he's an Australian music legend, this is proof.

This is video of Coldplay performing probably John Farham's most famous song You're the Voice, with John Farnham for a disaster fund (it was either the Victoria bushfires or the Queensland floods, I forget which). As seen, the crowd goes nuts and every Australian knows this song.