After 20 Years The Wait Is Over...

I still can't believe it true but it's posted on her official website kylie.com Kylie is touring North America in only 6 cities including Toronto and NY.

8 years ago I started kyliecanada.com to get Kylie played on the radio in Canada and the USA. My ultimate goal was to have her tour North America, and now it's happening.

06.05.2009
Kylie's North American fans will finally get a chance to experience the pop superstar live in concert when her 6-city tour kicks off in Oakland, San Francisco on September 30th!

Over the course of her extraordinary 20-year-career, Kylie has undertaken 8 sold-out world tours including last year's KylieX2008 tour which traveled to 21 countries throughout Europe, South America, Dubai, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, generating an estimated $70,000,000 in ticket sales. Kylie couldn't be more excited about her first ever tour through North America.

"I've wanted to tour in America and Canada for years," admits Kylie, "I know that fans have been waiting a long time for this and I'm thrilled that the opportunity has finally arrived."

Kylie's eagerly-awaited North American concert debut is being produced by Los Angeles-based concert promotion firm Bill Silva Presents (BSP).

"Kylie has such a successful career outside of North America that it has taken quite a while to find a window in her schedule for the U.S. and Canada," said Silva. "Her amazing fans in North America will be well rewarded for their patience when they experience her show and its entire spectacle. We are confident in the tour's success, and hope that Kylie will make this the first of many tours to our shores."

Tickets will go on sale in each market on the weekend of May 15, however early access to tickets in the U.S. will be available to American Express Cardmembers beginning this Thursday, May 7, through Ticketmaster. Members of Kylie's mailing list via her official website www.Kylie.com will receive an exclusive email that contains information of special ticket pre-sale offers.

Kylie Minogue North American Tour



30/09 Fox Theatre - Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area
01/10Fox Theatre - Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area
03/10 The Pearl 'Palms Resort & Casino' - Las Vegas, NV
04/10 Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA
07/10 The Congress Theater - Chicago, IL
09/10 Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ON
11/10 Hammerstein Ballroom - NYC, NY
12/10 Hammerstein Ballroom - NYC, NY
13/10 Hammerstein Ballroom - NYC, NY

Bronson's Chart Run Is Over

After 16 years with Billboard magazine chart Guru Fred Bronson has left the HOT 100. Bronson is considered by many to be “America's foremost music chart journalist”.

In 1993 Fred took over Chart Beat in Billboard magazine from it’s originator Paul Grein, the column later moved to full digital in 2005 on the web. He started Chart Beat Chat online in 1996 where I was happy to get a few of my letters printed. He has written several books including the awesome Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits, and The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, and has written for many music award shows and a few episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Fred’s column was not just about the record breaking songs or how many weeks it spent at number one. He had a way of writing and infusing his personality and music history into his column that made you feel like you were chatting with an old friend. He loved to make you discover new or old music you may not have heard before. Fred is probably the reason why I love writing album and music reviews and why I started blogging on the web. His last column on March 5 was a shock to many, he sites the economy saying “I didn’t plan on such an early exit, but these are tough economic times and that is just a reality, even though ending this long assignment seems surreal to me, too.”

The new Chart Beat column which is a mix of different writers just doesn’t have the same appeal or heart, it comes off feeling cold, Billboard made a big mistake. Fred’s weekly chat will be missed by many.

Recycle Round

I have no problem with artists doing cover songs, then can even turn a disco hit into heavy metal but why do they have to sample an old hit to create a tune? The obvious answer would be because most artists these days have no creativity.

The new #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 is by macho rap artist Flo Rida called “Right Round”. I find it so ironic that it samples one of the gayest songs ever “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive. Their lead singer Pete Burns was one of the biggest Transgendered stars of the 80’s next to Boy George. The song was a campy dance floor classic co-written and produced by the UK’s hit factory team of Stock/Aiken/Waterman, who catapulted people like Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and Bananarama to superstardom.

The comments on Youtube on their respective videos is hilarious, people calling the Dead Or Alive version “faggy” but loving the new Flo Rida song, some don’t want to believe that the Dead Or Alive version came first. The original is a classic this new version is not.


The original “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive




Flo Rida’s “Right Round”

Grammy Duets

The performances on the Grammy Awards last night were smoking, the odd pairings turned out to be quite interesting. My favourites included Justin Timberlake and Al Green singing “Let’s Stay Together” and Smokey Robinson, Jamie Fox, Ne-Yo and the last remaining member of the Four Tops paying tribute to the legendary group. Even pairing up Stevie Wonder and the Jonas Brothers proved fruitful. Katie Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” was the pop portion of the evening, arriving in a giant banana surrounded by fruit. I felt her vocals were a bit off and I couldn’t help thinking this should be Kylie up their performing and not her. There were so many performances, that you almost forgot it was an award show. The Grammy’s gave out 108 awards this year yet they only showed about a dozen on air. I realise that most would rather see the performances but they could have shown at least a handful more.

I don’t understand the Album and Record of the year going Robert Plant & Alison Krauss for “Raising Sand”, they won 5 Grammys in all. Coldplay picked up 3 for Song of the Year, Best Rock Album and Group for "Viva La Vida". Jennifer Hudson picking up her first Grammy for Best R & B Album was the poignant moment of the evening, after losing her brother and mother who were killed this year. Best New Artist when to Brit singer Adele who won 2 Grammy’s last night for her song “Chasing Pavements”, and her fellow country-woman Duffy picked up the Best Pop Vocal Album for “Rockferry”. My biggest disappointment of the evening was Kylie Minogue not winning Best Dance Electronic Album, I was hoping that if Kylie didn’t win at least it would be Cyndi Lauper or Robyn but the award went to Daft Punk for their album "Alive 2007" they picked up another award for Best Dance Recording for “Harder Better Faster Stronger”. For a list of all the winners go to www.grammy.com

I’m not usually into gossip but for those wondering, Rihanna and her boyfriend Chris Brown both cancelled their performances. Brown is being investigated by the police for allegedly assaulting an unidentified woman Saturday night, the woman in question is believed to be none other then his girlfriend Rihanna.

New Pet Shop Boys

New Pet Shop Boys single "Love Etc" to be released March 16th from the forthcoming album "Yes" which drops March 23rd, co-written and produced by Xenomania.



Xenomania are the hot producers/songwriters in the UK at the moment, they have written many hits for the Sugababes, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Girls Aloud, Dannii and Kylie Minogue. Their leader and founder Brian Higgins co-wrote "Believe" for Cher before he started his own label.

The song was posted on Youtube but EMI Records pulled it off, you would think they would want it promoted no? Record companies are really stupid sometimes.

I really like the song, love the boys choir in the background, it's very catchy. Too bad that radio probably won't play their music. If you're not 20 or the sound du jour you'll never never get on a playlist or chart.

Stealing From The Brits

Many artists do cover songs but it really annoys me when American singers cover recent British hits. So much great British music goes unnoticed in North America. It’s a good strategy to cover a hit unheard of in the USA, but I would rather the original artist get the credit. Jessica Simpson's ex Nick Lachey new single is "Patience". The song is a cover of Take That’s big #1 comeback song. It won a Brit awards for the quartet as best single last year. It’s not like Nick put a new twist on the song it’s very similar, but it doesn’t come off as genuine as when it's sung by it’s songwriter, Take That’s lead singer Gary Barlow. You be the judge.

Take That-Patience




Nick Lachey-Patience

Going GaGa For The Lady

Fame Lady GaGa the album review



The new number one song in the USA and the UK is Lady Gaga's "Just Dance". Who you ask? Her real name Joanne Stefani Germanotta she’s a 22 year old singer/songwriter from New York City. She has written songs for the Pussycats Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids On The Block. She considers herself a performance and visual artist sighting Andy Warhol for inspiration.

The record is so European sounding that I was shocked to find out she is American. Has electronic dance music finally conquered the North American market? Gaga definitely knows how to write a pop song with hooks and melodies that drag you right in. Her influences are David Bowie and Queen (her name was chosen from their hit "Radio Gaga"), but aside from the title track I don’t hear the influence on her record which is mostly heavy club and dance rhythms. I have to admit I was first put off by "Just Dance" and her new song "Poker Face" which I found annoying but the album is quite solid. My favourite tracks are the slower jams "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)", "Paparazzi", "Summerboy" and "Boys, Boys, Boys" her ode to Mötley Crüe's hit "Girls, Girls, Girls". Her version could well become a gay anthem. "Paper Gangsta" has a great melody and a driving keyboard line throughout the song that is just delicious, it reminds me a bit of Mika, the lyrics “Sometimes I felt so Def in the Jam”, “don’t want no paper gangsta won’t sign no monkey papers I don’t do funny business not interested in fakers” could the song be about her record deal with Def Jam that fell apart?

The only odd song is the ballad "Brown Eyes" which seems lost on the record. It looks like I have my first entry for top albums of 2009.

2008 the year in music review

The Billboard charts and playlists of 2008 were dominated by R&B and rap artists like Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and TI but it saw an insurgence of dance and pop music. Acts like Kate Perry (I Kissed A Girl), Pink, Natasha Bedingfield and as I'm writing this, Britney Spears (Circus) and Lady Gaga (Just Dance) are charting in the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100. The women kept dominating with newcomer Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and left over from last year Rihanna. Unfortunately my favourite diva Kylie Minogue couldn't break out from Europe and land a hit across the ocean. (For those wondering her album X is listed in my top list from last year). Madonna teamed up with Justin Timberlake and had only 4 Minutes to save the world. Coldplay came back with a huge 1 and the teeny boppers went wild for the Jonas Brothers. Unfortunately some of my favourite albums didn't impact the charts, Donna Summer and Cyndi Lauper put out stellar albums and my favourite of the year Robyn had minor success in the USA. All in all not a bad year lets hope the charts keep getting more diversified in 2009.



Top Albums of 2008


01 Robyn--Robyn

One of the best pop dance album's of the new millennium, every song is ace. I love the fact that Robyn remembers to incorporate beautiful melodies to back up her beats from Be Mine, Crash and Burn Girl and Bum Like You. Who can sit down with tracks like Handle Me, Who's That Girl and the 1 smash With Every Heartbeat. If you want something different try Cobrastyle and Konichiwa Bitches. This is how you make a great pop album. 9.5/10



02 Pocketful of Sunshine--Natasha Bedingfield

If at first you don't succeed…the album is actually a hybrid of best songs (Soulmate, Backyard) from her previous UK album "NB" and adds 7 urban funky tunes for the US market. From the uplifting top 5 title track to Put Your Arms Around Me Natasha delivers a great pop album. She has a beautiful voice and sings with affection and emotion. Natasha knows how to string lyrics into modern poetry that sound more sophisticated then just a pop song. Check out the adorable Freckles or the haunting Pirate Bones. 9/10



03 Departure-- Jesse McCartney

I never thought I would buy a Jesse McCartney album, I had no idea who he was. The skinny white kid delivers an R & B album better then some of his black contemporaries. From the top ten hit Leavin' to the beautiful ballad Not Your Enemy he's like a modern Michael Jackson check out Running Away. Best tracks are How Do You Sleep, My Baby and Relapse which are screaming to be hits, I can't get enough of them. Even when he slows the groove down on Into Ya, Makeup or I Told You So he hits the mark. 9/10



04 Hard Candy--Madonna

I thought I would hate this album but it's not that bad. My biggest criticism is that hot producers Timbaland and Pharell overpower the songs with too many beats and unnecessary raps like Kanye West on The Beat Goes On, I much prefer the demo version which has more lyrics. Best songs are She's Not Me, the Justin Timberlake duet 4 Minutes, and Miles Away again less production would have been better. It's not her best album but it's not her worst that title goes to American Life and Bedtime Stories. 8.5/10




05 Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends--Coldplay

My first Coldplay album, I had a hard time placing it in the top ten. I absolutely fell in love with the song Viva La Vida when I saw the Ipod commercial for the first time. Unfortunately the rest of the album doesn't sound much like it. Best songs are Violet Hill, Strawberry Swing and the Instrumental first track Life In Technicolor, I wonder why they didn't put lyrics to it? Coldplay are an acquired taste some of the song are a bit too slow for me. 8.5/10




06 Crayons--Donna Summer

Her record label wanted her to do covers but Donna refused and lucky for us because she produced and wrote a kick ass dance album. From Stamp Your Feet to I'm A Fire Donna shows us why she is Queen on the dancefloor. Fame (The Games) sounds modern and 80's cool all at the same time, she dabbles into a bit of Reggae with the title track and Driving Down To Brazil . Be sure to pick up the Circuit City edition which has the bonus track It's Only Love a throw back to her's 70's groove. 8/10



07 Bring Ya To The Brink--Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi hooks up with European producers to delivers a non stop dance album with a 70's and 80's retro flavour. Song like Into The Nightlife, Set Your Heart and my favorite Same Old Story will keep you pumping on the floor till the last call. 8/10




08 Spirit-- Leona Lewis

The winner of UK 's X-Factor (their version of Idol), the mega single Bleeding Love and a push by Simon Cowell proved to be a huge success. She has a great voice and could be the next Whitney or Mariah. Best tracks are Better In Time and the upbeat Forgive Me. The rest of the album falls into the usual R & B fluff you hear on the radio. Only time will tell if she lasts or fades into obscurity. 7.5/10




09 Delta-- Delta Goodrem

Australian singer/songwriter's 3rd album. Best tracks are the piano power ballad In This Life, Believe Again, and God Laughs. Delta tries to dance it up with You Will Only Break My Heart but she's best at the slow tracks. The USA version contains her 1 smash hit Born To Try from her first album. 7.5/10



10 Change--Sugababes

I know the album was released in late 2007 and they have a new one out now but I only discovered this CD recently and I haven't bought the current one. Despite going though many Changes the girls deliver a really fun pop album. From the 1 smash About You Now to my favorite Denial they know how to produce pop. Other great tracks include Back When, Changes, and My Love Is Pink. 7.5/10

Singles of the year

01 Viva La Vida Coldplay
02 In My Arms Kylie Minogue
03 Bleeding Love Leona Lewis
04 The One Kylie Minogue
05 Pocketful Of Sunshine Natasha Bedingfield
06 With Every Heartbeat Robyn
07 4 Minutes Madonna & Justin Timberlake
08 Who's That Girl Robyn
09 War On War Sam Harris
10 Wow Kylie Minogue
11 In This Life Delta Goodrem
12 Leavin' Jesse McCartney
13 Believe Again Delta Goodrem
14 Denial Sugababes

Grammy Nominations for Best Dance Electronic Album

George Michael Amazing

I saw George Michael Friday night at the Bell Center in Montreal. Fuckin' amazing. I think I can finally retire from seeing concerts. Well it's not like Kylie will ever tour North America.

OK maybe I won't retire ;-)

No opening act George Michael graced the stage at 8:15 singing "Waiting (Reprise)" behind the screens, as he said "Here I Am" the doors opened to a crowd that was already standing and cheering 10 minutes before the show even started. He sang for over 2 hours 23 songs with a 20 minute break in between. The screen projections which reached almost up to the ceiling were breathtaking.

He banged out "Fastlove" and "I'm Your Man". His voice sounded incredible especially on songs like "One More Try" and one of my favorite songs "A Different Corner". The crowd went wild for "Everything She Wants" and "Kissing A Fool". The highlight had to be "Outside". Preceding the song were visuals and audio of helicopters that felt like they were coming right at you. George then blasted on the stage in full cop uniform, the crowd went wild. You could tell this was a show for his fans he included many lesser know hits like "Star People" and "Spinning The Wheel", which halfway through the song he did the remix version. On "Flawless (Go To The City)" he turned the Bell Center into one big dance club.

This has to be one of the best concerts I have seen in my long career of concert going, with the exception of a few ballads the crowd stood on their feet the whole time. My preferred set list would have had less cover songs but with so many songs who can complain. My only complaint is that he didn't sing "Praying For Time", it's one of my all time favorite song. He sang it on American Idol this year and was on the set list for the show a few dates back.

The seats I had were probably the best I've ever had at the Bell Center. 29 rows back on the floor right in the middle. For the encore "Freedom 90" I walked right up to second row and saw him up close, I almost died.

If you can get tickets to this show go!

Bell Centre, 07/18/2008
SET LIST:

First Half

Waiting (Reprise)
Fast Love
I'm Your Man
Father Figure
Hard Day
Everything She Wants
One More Try
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Easier Affair
Too Funky
Star People

Interval
John & Elvis video

Second Half

Faith
Spinning The Wheel
Feeling Good
Roxanne
Kissing A Fool
Amazing
Flawless
Outside
Different Corner
Careless Whisper
Fantasy

Freedom 90
Freedom Reprise
Link

Natasha Bedingfield Live at the Fillmore my review

I saw Natahsa Bedingfield last night at the Fillmore in Philadelphia with opening acts The Veronicas and Kate Voegele. I could have sworn I was at a Miley Cyrus concert. It was all girls aged 12-18. I consider Natasha a more adult oriented act. Most seemed to be there to see the Veronicas. The crowd went wild when they came on, when the group asked if anybody knew who they were just about everybody on the floor except for me and a few parents raised their hands. I stayed against the wall for the first 2 acts. An 18 year old Asian kid asked me who I was chaperoning I annoyingly told him I wasn't, and that I was a huge Natasha fan. Then I said do I look that old…he kept apologizing

I got closer to the stage when Natasha started, by the encore I was right up there. She sounded and looked amazing. She came on at 9:30 and played till about 10:45. She did all the best tracks from her new album, "Put Your Arms Around Me", "Pirate Bones", "Angel", "Backyard", and all the hits. She sang the track "Wild Horses" from her first CD. I never really cared for the song but she did an amazing acoustic version that sounded so much better the recorded one, it was the best sounding vocal of the night. I taped it but the sound quality on my video cam does not do it justice. She did an amazing version of Madonna's "Ray Of Light", asking if those that knew the lyrics would sing along. You could hear a few people like me singing. I don't think most of the young audience knew the song and it's not one of Madonna's oldest it's from 98.

They were giving away 100 passes to meet and greet Natasha after the show but you had to buy something. I didn't like any of the t-shirts, they were pricey and I already had her latest album. If they had a DVD I would have bought it. At one point I went back but all the passes were gone. I was also worried if I stayed I would get home too late or not make the train or bus. Not a bad show for only $25.


Tracklist (Not completely sure of the order)

Piece of Your Heart
Say It Again
These Words
Soulmate
Single
Angel
Wild Horses
Ray Of Light (Madonna Cover)
Pirate Bones
Put Your Arms Around Me
Love Like This
Pocketful of Sunshine
Backyard
Unwritten