Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week:



1 Same Love MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS ftg. MARY LAMBERT   2 wks        1  2


2 Memory of the Future PET SHOP BOYS                                           3

3 People Change MAGNUS CARLSSON                                                     5

4 I Love It ICONA POP                                               8  2

5 Kiss You ONE DIRECTION                                                  9  2

6 I Dreamed a Dream [album track] ANNE HATHAWAY                                    2

7 Just One Last Time DAVID GUETTA ftg.  TAPED RAI                                        4

8 We Own The Unverse DAZE                                               NEW

9 Only Teardrops EMMELIE DE FOREST                                                    NEW

10 Nuclear DESTINY'S CHILD                                  NEW

Friday, January 25, 2013

"SAME LOVE"
The fact that a song with clever and thought -provoking lyrics like Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis' "Same Love" can reach No. 1 in my country (Australia) is gratifying. We don't have same sex marriage here yet, but songs like this (and the mass appeal of it) all help further this very important cause. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

NEW MUSIC
Great news that ABBA's Agnetha Faltskog is recording a new album. It will feature new songs, including some penned by the woman herself. Due in the Swedish spring (in time for their hosting the Eurovision Song Contest?), the new CD will include a duet with Gary Barlow (Take That).
It is being produced by Jorgen Elofsson, who has previously written for the likes of Britney Spears, Steps, Kelly Clarkson, Westlife and Agnes Carlsson.
I can't wait!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

2012 THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Part 3- THE BEST SONGS

Here they are...  the Caffe` Latte` 30 Best songs from 2012. Some were massive hits, some were underrated or even overlooked, but they are all worthy songs...
1 AMAZING Danny Saucedo
When Sweden was selecting its Eurovision song in 2012, this song was the runner-up. Danny has been releasing great pop music for some years and this was his second finish in 2nd place at Melodifestivalen, having done so back in 2011 too. Having interviewed him a few times now, he is a bit of a Caffe` Latte` fave and this is a great example of why.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuFj1CeFVCs

2 DEDICATION TO MY EX Lloyd featuring Andre 3000
Fun hip hop single from Lloyd, featuring Outkast member Andre 3000. It's the "F{!k You" of 2012! The first link is for the original version with explicit lyrics. The bottom link is for the cleaner edit. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9vu2BwpbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW1W34A-n4I
3 SCARED OF HEIGHTS Morten Harket
The former lead singer from Norway's A-Ha released this cleverly penned song in 2012. Sadly, the rest of the album was very disappointing, with no other tracks to match this single's brilliance. "Scared of Heights" meets the standard of his underrated pop group's best releases. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ioe5Tew-8  
4 SAD Elton John vs. Pnau
Australian duo Pnau was given access to Elton's masters and recreated new songs using samples from his back catalogue. This track primarily incorporates the music from "Crazy Water" and a loop using lyrics from "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" and "Curtains", as well as portions of "Friends" and "Nice and Slow". An hypnotic and creative reworking featuring my favourite male vocalist.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-C9uT4aGQ

5 BOYS WILL BE BOYS Paulina Rubio
Mexican Rubio scored a Euro-dance style pop gem with "Boys will be Boys": one of the year's catchiest songs.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXywgkY2O5U
6 SKYFALL Adele
Title song by the hottest Brit soloist at the moment from the 2012 instalment from the 007 James Bond franchise; a classy return to the traditional opening classics and a fitting way for the most famous spy to celebrate his 50th birthday.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJLvbPIvTw
7 A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS 'Smash' Cast 
                                          (featuring Raza Jaffrey & Katherine McPhee)
A track from the TV series 'Smash' and its cast album. A great new series that premiered in 2012. On this one, the cast go Bollywood.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZ3QSKtYvk
8 BLANK PAGE Christina Aguilera
Lovely ballad from Aguilera's current CD, 'Lotus'.
9 BRAND NEW ME Alicia Keys 
I've been under Alicia's spell since her debut album. She continues to wow with her latest album, from which this track is lifted.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVHqxXmK4CI
10 WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN Bruno Mars 
Touching ballad from Mars' latest album with some mature lyrics from a male perspective.
11 SOMETHING NEW  [Alias Radio Edit] Girls Aloud
After taking a 3-year break, the UK girl group reunited to celebrate its 10th anniversary with, among other projects, this comeback single. I've not been a majot fan, but this one did prove irresistible. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_911861&feature=iv&src_vid=HkTgYpjmhw0&v=ZHSFTrcJYmM 
12 BEAUTIFUL Mathieu Bouthier featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor
French producer has created a classy dance song perfectly accompanied by the British singer: a great match.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dG2yQuxdcI
13 THIS IS LOVE will.i.am. featuring Eva Simons
Eva Simons provides guest vocals on this great hip hop/ dance song from the pivotal member of the Black Eyed Peas.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I9Ar6upx34
14 HEAR ME (KUULA) Ott Lepland
The estonian entry for 2012's Eurovision Song Contest. Below is a link to his live performance in the original Estonian.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6kBIVCQ-4
15 BOMBSHELL Ricki- Lee
Ricki- Lee turned in her best album yet- packed with upbeat and dance/pop attitude.  
16 NEXT TO ME Emeli Sande'
What an extraordinary song to announce the arrival of a new singer hailing from the UK.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwdjQmc_N8
17 GOOD TIMES I'M IN LOVE [Lifelike Remix} Cerrone featuring Adjana
Legendary Italian disco producer returns with a collection of dancey tunes and disco tracks  accompanied by contemporary remixes.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U021sFCvRTI
18 BECAUSE I CAN Ricki- Lee
Track from the Australian singer's 'Fear and Freedom' 2012 album.
19 AFRODISIAC Eleftheria Eleftheriou
The Greek entry at the Eurovision Song Contest. Very catchy.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSiPUFBM4tE
20 WE ARE YOUNG [Alvin Risk Remix] Fun featuring Janelle Monae
Great remix of worldwide hit for Fun. The link below is for the original version of the song.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts
21 EUPHORIA Loreen
This is the one the Swedes eventually went for. It pummelled all competitors and went on to triumph at Eurovision. A different approach for Sweden and a resounding success.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnWysA9gxo
22 THE BOY CAN DANCE Afro-Dite
Another Eurovision contender from Sweden's Melodifestivalen selectoin finals. Afro-Dite represented the country with a song called "Never Let it Go" in 2002.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5GM0prL0U
23 50 WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE Train
I'm not usually into this group, but the musical production was a change for the American band and the lyrics were humorous too.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSBFehvLJDc
24 RUSH Frida Amundsen
Norwegian pop singer with a catchy Scandinavian hit tune. Below is a link to an unplugged acoustic live version, but do check out the studio version.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDNu0qeshRk
25 SHARE MY LOVE R. Kelly
Single lifted off 'Write me Back' album from the hip hop artist. Smooth and cruisy feel.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ufEF45-J4 
26 THE GIRL Charlotte Perrelli
Former Eurovision winner for Sweden (1999) tried out again but missed out with this catchy example of Swedish pop. The performance below is from the Swedish trials (Melodifestivalen) to select their 2012 entry. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjwTtBmnFz0   
27 CALL ME MAYBE [Almighty Remix] Carly Rae Jepson
Global hit song with the humorous video clip featuring hottie Holden Nowell. Apparently CRJ is in the video too?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic
28 MOONSHINE Bruno Mars
Great track lifted off Mars' 2012 album 'Unorthodox Jukebox'; bit of a change in direction. 
29 NEVER FORGET Greta Salome & Jonsi
Icelandic entry for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBDgLipYwqM
30  LOVE IS R. Kelly 
A track from Kelly's 2013 old skool feel album, 'Write me Back'. 

* More songs added tomorrow!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

The Caffe` Latte` Top 10 Tracks this week:

1 Same Love MACKLEMORE  & RYAN LEWIS featuring MARY LAMBERT               NEW

2 I Dreamed a Dream [album track] ANNE HATHAWAY                                      1

3 Memory of the Future PET SHOP BOYS                                           4

4 Just One Last Time DAVID GUETTA ftg.  TAPED RAI                                        5

5 People Change MAGNUS CARLSSON                                                     9

6 Bom Bom SAM & THE WOMP                                    3

7 When I Was Your Man BRUNO MARS                                           2

8 I Love It ICONA POP                                               NEW

9 Kiss You ONE DIRECTION                                                  NEW

10 Feelin' Single R. KELLY                                                       7

Thursday, January 3, 2013

REVIEW-


WAR HORSE

'War Horse' has been a critical success around the world and it has now opened in Australia. Melbourne was chosen for its debut on New Year's Eve. It is easy to see why so many audiences have praised the show. While Act 1 is somewhat long-winded, and the plot itself barely strays from other horse tales such as 'National Velvet' or 'Black Beauty', the presentation itself is very impressive. The puppeteers handling the horses are visible throughout, but they become part of the equine characters. The horses in the storyline come to life and I noticed many audience members weeping during the show when tragedy befalls one animal. By Act 2, the storyline picks up considerably too.
This production is well worth experiencing, if only for the radical way the stage is used to represent the battlefield or a ship at sea; as well as the sheer magnificence of the beasts.