Music, Fashion, Culture - Set List

Saturday, August 31, 2019

August Set List


August Set List


1.  We Didn't Start the Fire
2.  The Heat Is On
3.  The Stroke
4.  Eruption
5.  I Don't Want Your Love*
*Calm break from electric energy
6.  Planet Earth
7.  Everybody Wants You
8.  What Goes Around Comes Around
9.  Girls on Film
10.  Let's Go Crazy

Do you have any favorites from this list?  Would you add any songs?  What would be your set list?

Let me know by leaving a comment at the end of this post!

Friday, August 30, 2019

Friday Fave

In this edition of Friday Fave on Set List, the trending post is:

Most Grammy Nominations In One Night

Michael Jackson and Babyface hold the record at 12 nominations in one night.  Beyonce and a few others round out the list at 9 nominations in one night.

Refer to the link above for the complete list.

My take away from the Most Grammy Nominations In One Night post is Michael Jackson.  His background, awards, and legacy live forever on Set List, so I will not delve into research already written about.

The year 1984 truly was his.  I personally was surprised to see Michael Jackson holding the record at 12 Grammy nominations in one night.  On the other hand, Thriller received 8 wins for most honored albums.  Furthermore, Michael Jackson set the record for most Grammy wins in one night with 8 (as of 2000, Santana is now tied with Jackson).  The number of wins remains at 8 for Most Grammys won by a male artist in one night.

The names listed in the post link above are unique to the demographic they perform to and the generation they gravitate more toward.  In this post, the focus was briefly on Michael Jackson whose legacy, strongly of course, appeals to a large demographic with generation after generation of profound appreciation.


Thursday, August 29, 2019

zZounds Premium - Drum Kit

Due disclosure - This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated for any purchase made.

In the posts zZounds Premium - Electric Guitar and zZounds Premium - Bass Guitar, I dared myself to wonder what zZounds considers instrumental premium to be.  In other words, how expensive is a professional musician willing to spend on only the very best in the instrument they have mastered and play every day?

Follow the links above to discover my personal curiosity.

(Hint - The electric guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop.  The bass guitar is a Fender American Elite.)

In this post, I am focusing on the premium - "luxury" - drum kit.

As you know, zZounds offers an electronic drum kit and standard acoustic drum kit.  Rather than choosing only one to feature here, I am opting for both.  The price tag for both is truly meant for a professional looking to invest in new kits to keep up to date both in the recording studio and on stage.

With this said...

Roland TD-50KV V-Pro Electronic Drums, New
$7,699.99 ... Original Cost - $9,199

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/item--ROLTD50KV?siid=191253



"...top-flight live performance, intense practice sessions, and eclectic studio work..."

The electronic drums will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

Pearl Session Studio Select Drum Shell Kit, 5-Piece, Black Mirror Chrome
$1,579.99 ... Original Cost - $2,624.99
!Only 1 Left!

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/item--PEASTS925XSP?siid=255402


"...feels at home in the studio..."

The drum kit will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

If you are a pro, which would you prefer - electronic or acoustic?  Tough decision?

Welcome to zZounds luxury.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Set List - Music Performance Comparison

Welcome to the new Set List edition of Music Performance Comparison!  Every Wednesday I will compare musical performances from covering acts to original renditions.  In the end, you decide which is better by leaving a comment at the  end of the post.

With that said, today's launch edition is Duran Duran's take on "Walking On The Moon" live at the Kennedy Space Center versus The Police original version.




My take away -
I will always prefer The Police.  The notes Sting hit were effortless and natural to the lyrics.  The guitar and bass kept the beat going when there was vocal downtime.  The Police owned "Walking On The Moon."

On the other hand, from one British band to another, Duran Duran's intro aesthetics were impressive and intriguing.  The performance though...a great deal of effort to honor The Police.  I didn't really feel that Duran Duran owned the song in their unique way.  The instrumental felt slow.  I adore Nick Rhodes and his genius ability behind the technical aspects of music, but keyboards were not original to the song.  

Simon Le Bon exhibits true vocal talent in songs original to Duran Duran, both live and recorded.  Yet in the "Walking On The Moon" rendition, there is a striking difference between him and Sting.  The notes Simon knew he had to hit to match Sting did not seem natural to notes he is normally excellent at.

Alas, this is my opinion.

What do you think?

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Luxury on a Budget

Dear readers and passersby,

I am thrilled to announce my Sales Rack blog partnership with the fashion stores Last Call by Neiman Marcus, LOFT Outlet, and Ann Taylor Factory.  My partnership is through affiliate marketing.

Neiman Marcus on its own is upscale and is reserved for a wealthy budget.  LOFT on its own is refined and expensive.  Ann Taylor on its own is classic, timeless, and reflective of cost.

However, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, LOFT Outlet, and Ann Taylor Factory are an absolute must for consideration because of the deep discounts and sales.

Last Call by Neiman Marcus offers major designer labels at a fraction of what they would be in Neiman Marcus.

LOFT Outlet (a division of LOFT) and Ann Taylor Factory (a division of Ann Taylor) offer similar selections at generous prices for the average consumer's budget.

In all three respects, you truly cannot go wrong.  There is always something for everyone.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Most Grammy Nominations In One Night

In the Grammy Award series, I have listed the most award wins, the most nominations without a win, the most nominations without a win in one night, and the most nominations.

If there are the most wins and most nominations overall, this post will focus on the most Grammy nominations in one night - regardless of a loss in the one night.

1.  Michael Jackson - 12 
2.  Babyface - 12
*Michael Jackson and Babyface hold the record for most nominations in one night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.  Kendrick Lamar - 11
-------------------------------
4.  Lauryn Hill - 10
5.  Kanye West - 10
6.  Beyonce - 10
7.  Eminem 0 10
-------------------------
8.  Roger Miller - 9
9.  Paul McCartney - 9
10.  The Manhattan Transfer - 9
11.  Eric Clapton - 9
12.  Santana - 9
13.  Jay Z - 9
14.  Beyonce - 9

(Source - Wikipedia)

Sunday, August 25, 2019

FIMI Multi-Platinum

FIMI - English translation being Italian Music Industry Federation - is impressive in certification requisites from Gold to Platinum to Diamond.  BPI (British standard for certification) falls second in line to the United States and Japan, in my opinion, is the eastern equivalent to RIAA.

Alas, this post will focus on FIMI and Multi-Platinum certified albums.

Note - Platinum alone requires 50,000 sales.

*Italian artists are not included due to the language barrier and inability to translate.

- 2X Platinum -
AC/DC - Back in Black ... 200,000
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories ... 120,000*
*France
Ed Sheeran - X ... 100,000
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction ... 200,000
Guns N' Roses - Greatest Hits ... 200,000
Imagine Dragons - Evolve ... 100,000*
*United States
Madonna - Celebration ... 140,000
Michael Jackson - King of Pop ... 140,000
Michael Jackson - Michael ... 120,000
Michael Jackson - Thriller 25 ... 140,000
Mika - Songbook Vol. 1 ... 120,000*
*UK
Muse - The Resistance ... 140,000
Nirvana - Nevermind ... 200,000
One Direction - Four ... 100,000
One Direction - Up All Night ... 120,000
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here ... 200,000
Sting - If On a Winter's Night ... 140,000
The Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. ... 140,000
U2 - Songs of Innocence ... 100,000
U2 - Songs of Experience ... 100,000

(The full Two-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

- 3X Platinum -
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black ... 240,000
Cher - Believe ... 300,000
Coldplay - Ghost Stories ... 150,000
One Direction - Midngiht Memories ... 180,000
One Direction - Take Me Home ... 180,000
Pink Floyd - The Wall ... 300,000
Queen - Platinum Collection ... 180,000*
(An ironic album title for the certified position held)
U2 - No Line on the Horizon ... 210,000

(The full Three-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

- 4X Platinum -
Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams ... 200,000
Lady Gaga - The Fame ... 280,000
Michael Jackson - This Is It ... 280,000
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon ... 400,000
Pink Floyd - The Endless River ... 200,000

(The full Four-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

- 5X Platinum -
Adele - 25 ... 250,000

(The full Five-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

- 6X Platinum -
Michael Buble - Christmas ... 360,000

(The full Six-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

- 7X Platinum -
Italian artists

(Refer to Wikipedia)

- 8X Platinum -
Adele - 21 ... 480,000

(The full Eight-Times Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.)

Point of intrigue -
The multi-Platinum list drastically narrowed from Two-Times to Eight-Times.






Saturday, August 24, 2019

Archives

Dear readers and passersby,

I will not be able to post today, so feel free to explore the archives.

See you tomorrow!

Friday, August 23, 2019

Friday Fave

In this edition of Friday Fave, FIMI Platinum is the most popular according to Set List statistics.

As a brief refresher, FIMI - in Italian - stands for Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.  In English, FIMI is better known as Italian Music Industry Federation.

FIMI certifies albums as Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond.   

Point of intrigue -
Where I find the United States and Japan to have strict qualification standards, Italy may be close behind as Platinum base is 50,000 in sales units. 

In FIMI Platinum, I listed all Platinum certifications with 70,000 sales units or more.  In posts to come, I will share Multi-Platinum certifications and Diamond certifications.

In due respect to artists not listed on FIMI Platinum and well-deserving of note in this post, below are 50,000 to 60,000 sales units that qualify for Platinum status.

*Italian artists with 50,000 to 60,000 in sales are not listed due to the language barrier and inability to translate.

AC/DC - Iron Man 2 ... 60,000
AC/DC - Rock or Bust ... 50,000
-------------------------------------------
Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures ... 60,000
Bon Jovi - Greatest Hits ... 60,000
Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball ... 60,000
David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock ... 50,000
Ed Sheeran - X ... 50,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin Bieber - Believe ... 60,000
Justin Bieber - My Words ... 60,000
-------------------------------------------------
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream ... 60,000
Lady Gaga - Born This Way ... 60,000
Lana Del Rey - Born to Die ... 60,000
-------------------------------------------------
Madonna - MDNA ... 60,000
Madonna - Rebel Heart ... 50,000
Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour ... 60,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Muse - The 2nd Law ... 60,000
One Direction - Made in the A.M. ... 50,000
Pink - The Truth About Love ... 60,000
Raphael Gualazzi - Reality and Fantasy ... 60,000
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm with You ... 60,000
Take That - Progress ... 60,000

(Source - Wikipedia)

Thursday, August 22, 2019

zZounds Premium - Bass Guitar

Due disclosure - This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated for any purchase made.

*This post was updated on August 30, 2019.

In zZounds Premium - Electric Guitar, I daydreamed luxury on Set List only to discover what zZounds truly means by "luxury" instruments.  In the post, I featured a Gibson Custom Shop 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul best meant for serious collectors who could afford the price tag of $6,499.

In this zZounds Premium post, I am focusing on what zZounds considers "luxury" bass guitars are.

Fender American Elite V Jazz Bass, 5-String (Maple, with Case), Natural

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/item--FEN0197002?siid=185737

The bass will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

$2, 149.99

zZounds options for the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass -
12 monthly payments $179.17 OR Add to wish list

Which would you prefer if Fender is a must in your collection?

Are you a pro looking to invest in the ultimate versatile bass guitar or simply wanting to add to your personal collection?

Welcome to zZounds luxury.









"...for the modern bassist who demands cutting-edge tone technology along with timeless style and fast smooth playing feel..."

The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is also available in Black ($1,999.99).  Follow the thumbnails below to explore the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass in black.

The link for both guitars is the same.  Should you be interested, refer to the above.

"...its standout looks remain authentically Fender, with a fresh twist..."




Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Hungry Like the Wolf

I recently came across the English rock band, Muse, and their rendition of Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf."

Muse brief bio -
Formed in 1994
- Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboard)
- Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals)
- Dominic Howard (drums)

Genres considered - Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Hard Rock, Space Rock, Electronica

Honors -
2 Grammy Awards
2 BRIT Awards
5 MTV Europe Music Awards
8 NME Awards (UK music magazine - New Musical Express)
Ivor Novello Award (2012) for International Achievement (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors)
As of 2016, Muse has sold over 20 million albums worldwide

(Source - Wikipedia)

With this said, performance comparison on a classic -

"Hungry Like the Wolf"

Muse



Duran Duran


I will always lean preference toward Duran Duran's performance, but Muse's take is worth considering.  In my opinion alone, the vocals and drums especially were on par with Simon and Roger.  My opinion.

What do you think?

Leave a comment at the end of this post with your opinions!

As always,
Play it!

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

His & Hers

Dear readers and passersby,

As you know, I am an Avon Sales Representative and entrepreneur (refer to Lauren's Top Links).  I am also a fashion blogger with Couture Highlights and Sales Rack.  

I utilize social media to its fullest extent - Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn.  As for Avon, I also devote a promotional blog - Fashionably Yours.

Avon is generally geared toward the female demographic within a reasonable budget range.  An order $40 or more receives free shipping, dedicated outlet, unique offers with every two-week campaign, plentiful products for her, and a select offer for him...

...For him.  Avon offers select fragrances and jewelry for the male demographic.  "Select," however, is in its most literal of terms.  This inspired me to launch an affiliate partnership with the men's accessories brand, The Dark Knot.  

The Dark Knot is renewing interest and passion in wearing ties and pocket squares for him.  An open collar is the most comfortable, but what is a man to do when formal events come up and a tie and/or pocket square is a must for the handsome outfit?  Enter The Dark Knot.  The selections are perfect for anything he desires to complete an outfit.  A true one-stop shop for formal accessories.

His - The Dark Knot

Hers - Fashionably Yours (Avon as well, of course)

Monday, August 19, 2019

Most Grammy Nominations

In recent weeks, I have discussed artists with the most Grammy Award wins.  I have discussed artists with the most Grammy nominations without winning.  I have discussed artists with the most Grammy nominations in one night without winning.

In this post, where there are the most wins, there are the most nominations.

1.  Quincy Jones - 80 (current record)
*Quincy Jones won 28 Grammy's in the Producer category.

2.  Paul McCartney - 78
*Paul McCartney holds 18 Grammy wins.

3.  Jay Z - 77
*Jay Z holds 22 Grammy wins.

4.  Georg Solti - 74*
*Georg Solti holds the record for most wins with 31 Grammy's.

5.  Stevie Wonder - 74
*Stevie Wonder holds 25 Grammy wins.

6.  Henry Mancini - 72
*Henry Mancini holds 20 Grammy wins.

7.  John Williams - 69
*John Williams holds 24 Grammy wins.

8.  Kanye West - 69
*Kanye West holds 21 Grammy wins.

9.  Pierre Boulez - 67
*Pierre Boulez holds 26 Grammy wins.

10.  Beyonce - 66
*Beyoncc holds 23 Grammy wins.

11.  Chick Corea - 64
*Chick Corea holds 22 Grammy wins.
--------------------------------------------------
12.  Leonard Bernstein - 63
13.  Jay David Saks - 53
14.  Willie Nelson - 51
15.  Thomas Z. Shepard - 50
--------------------------------------------------
16.  Bruce Springsteen - 50
*Bruce Springsteen holds 20 Grammy wins.
-----------------------------------------------------------
17.  James Mallinson - 49
18.  Babyface - 49

(Source - Wikipedia)

Sunday, August 18, 2019

FIMI Platinum

Gold certification always seems to be the most commonly achieved status as the qualification is rather low.

Platinum certification, on the other hand, requires higher sales to achieve status.  This certification is possible but with stronger proof by the artist and their album sales.

In this post, I am highlighting artists and album sales with 70,000 units or more.  This post is according to FIMI (Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana - Italian Music Industry Federation).

Note - Italian artists with 70,000 or more in sales are not listed due to the language barrier and inability to translate.

1.  ABBA - ABBA Gold Greatest Hits ... 70,000
2.  Adele - 19 ... 70,000
3.  Amy Winehouse - Frank ... 100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
5.  Beyonce - I am...Sasha Fierce ... 70,000
6.  Bob Marley and the Wailers - Legend ... 100,000
7.  Bruce Springsteen  - Working on a Dream ... 70,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.  The Clash - London Calling ... 100,000
--------------------------------------------------------
9.  Coldplay - Parachutes ... 100,0000
10.  Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head ... 100,000
11.  Coldplay - X&Y ... 80,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  David Bowie - Best of Bowie ... 80,000
13.  David Guetta - One Love ... 70,000
---------------------------------------------------------
14.  Deep Purple - 
Made in Japan: 25th Anniversary Edition ... 100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.  Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe ... 70,000
16.  Depeche Mode - 
The Best of Depeche Mode Volume 1 ... 80,000
17.  Depeche Mode - The Singles 81-98 ... 80,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.  Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms ... 100,000
19.  Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild ... 80,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
20.  Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown ... 70,000
21.  Green Day - American Idiot ... 100,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
22.  Jeff Buckley - Grace ... 80,000
-----------------------------------------------
23.  Led Zeppelin - Mothership ... 80,000
24.  Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin ... 100,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
25.  Lenny Kravitz - Greatest Hits ... 100,000
------------------------------------------------------------
26.  Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory ... 100,000
27.  Linkin Park - Meteora ... 100,000
------------------------------------------------------------
28.  Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas ... 100,000
29.  Michael Jackson - The Collection ... 70,000
30.  Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much ... 70,000
31.  Miles Davis - Kind of Blue ... 100,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------
32.  Nirvana - Nirvana ... 100,000
33.  Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York ... 100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.  Oasis - 
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? ... 100,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
35.  Pearl Jam - Backspacer ... 70,000
36.  Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt ... 70,000
37.  Pearl Jam - Ten ... 100,000
-------------------------------------------------------
38.  Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother ... 100,000
39.  Pink Floyd - The Division Bell ... 100,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
40.  Queen - Greatest Hits II ... 100,000
41.  Radiohead - Radiohead: The Best Of ... 70,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
42.  Robbie WIlliams - 
Reality Killed the Video Star ... 70,000
-----------------------------------------------------
43.  Shakira - She Wolf ... 70,000
--------------------------------------------
44.  The Beatles - One ... 100,000
45.  The Beatles - Abbey Road ... 100,000
46.  The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ... 100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.  The Velvet Underground - 
The Velvet Underground & Nico ... 100,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
48.  Whitney Houston - The Ultimate Collection ... 80,000

This list is not all inclusive.  The full Platinum list can be found on Wikipedia.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Sounds of Italy - Paolo Fresu

In the post, FIMI, I briefly discussed the Italian certification process to achieve Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.  The post will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

In this post, I am honoring Italian jazz trumpeter, Paolo Fresu.


Paolo Fresu Ibk.JPG

Paolo Fresu's album collection spans from 1987 to 2019.  His career history is fully based in Italy, so although translated in English, discussion is still difficult.

Jazz, like any other genre, needs no translation as music in all forms is universal in language.

With that said, consider Paolo Fresu's rendition of Miles Davis' classic, "Flamenco Sketches."

Friday, August 16, 2019

Friday Fave

In this edition of Friday Fave, according to Set List statistics, there is a tie -

The Entrepreneur

zZounds Premium - Electric Guitar

As a refresher, follow the links above.

Of the two, both may seem the same -

In the post, The Entrepreneur, I briefly promoted my online business ventures - Avon eStore, Couture Highlights, and Sales Rack.  Avon eStore is my official small business.  Couture Highlights and Sales Rack feature affiliate marketing - in essence being small businesses.

zZounds, as an affiliate venture, is essentially an entrepreneurial business venture.

In conclusion to this Friday Fave post, I would like to emphasize one thought.  Small businesses are the backbone to economic society which without, the majority of employment would be scarce, unique services would fall through, and ultimately lead to going out of business.   There is a reason for Small Business Saturdays.  Honor entrepreneurs who drive income toward economic development, whether online or brick-and-mortar.  

Thursday, August 15, 2019

zZounds Premium - Electric Guitar

Due disclosure - This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated for any purchase made.

Personal admission - I daydream upscale, whether it be fashion or accessories or in the case of Set List, musical instruments.

For some time, I focused on discounted clearance on zZounds.  Clearance, sales, and where to save are far more reasonable than upscale for the general public.

With this said, I cannot help but wonder what zZounds considers upscale.  So let's find out.

Gibson Custom Shop 60th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS Electric Guitar (with Case), Cherry Teaburst

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/item--GIBLPR59VO?siid=257091

"...for serious collectors..."

"...a replica of what many consider the holy grail of electric guitars..."

$6,499

zZounds offers two options for the Gibson Custom Shop - Add to cart OR Add to wish list...Which would you prefer?

Are you a pro looking to invest in the ultimate electric guitar for performance use or simply wanting to add to your personal collection?

Welcome to zZounds upscale.





Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Wednesday Break

Dear readers and passersby,

I am taking a brief break from Set List to catch my "blogger breath."  I will be back tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

This is Ed Sheeran


Who is Ed Sheeran?

A few months ago, I came across Ed Sheeran in Wikipedia search results for a different research topic.  Although I cannot recall what the original search was for at this time, Ed Sheeran's background was intriguing and so I thought I would delve further.

In this post - Who is Ed Sheeran?

Ed Sheeran smiling

Ed Sheeran is a young British talent - born on February 17, 1991.  He is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actor.  

Sheeran's debut album, + (pronounced "plus"), reached No. 1 on the UK and Australian charts, No. 5 in the U.S., and has been certified 8x Platinum in the UK.  The album was released in September 2011.  

"The A Team" single from the album was profoundly recognized and honored - Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically, Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act, and nominated for Song of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Awards (Sheeran performed "The A Team" with Elton John).

Ed Sheeran's second album was equally successful.  X (pronounced "multiply") was released in June 2014.  The album reached No. 1 in the UK and U.S.  In 2015, X was critically acclaimed to be the second best-selling album worldwide.  In the same year, X won the Brit Award for Album of the Year.  Sheeran also received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year.  

"Thinking Out Loud" was a single from X and received great honors - two Grammy Awards in the 2016 ceremony...Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

Ed Sheeran's third album, (the divide symbol...my laptop does not appear to have that key), reached No. 1 in the UK and U.S.  The album was released in March 2017 and was named the best-selling album worldwide in 2017.

"Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" broke records in the UK, Australia, and Germany.  In the U.S., Sheeran became the first artist to have two songs in the Top 10 in the same week.  

In 2017, Sheeran earned ten Top 10 singles in the UK Singles Chart, breaking the record for most Top 10 from one album ("Divide").

"Perfect" (also from "Divide") reached No. 1 in the U.S., UK, and Australia.  

No. 6 Collaborations Project, Sheeran's fourth album released in 2019, ranked well at the top of the U.S. and UK charts.

Ed Sheeran is listed as one of the best-selling music artists worldwide with over 150 million records in sales.

A full background of Sheeran's music career can be found on Wikipedia.

An extensive list of nominations and awards can be found on Wikipedia.  Placed in alphabetical order, Ed Sheeran has been nominated and awarded multiple times from ceremonies beginning in "A" to "Y."

In 2015, Ed Sheeran received an honorary degree from the University of Suffolk for his "outstanding contribution to music."  (Wikipedia)  

In 2017, Prince Charles appointed Ed Sheeran Member of the Order of the British Empire.  (Wikipedia)

This, then, leads to my take away -
He is only 28 years old.  He has four albums to his name.  He has already broken records.  His honors, awards, and nominations are beyond profoundly impressive.  He is a young talent with a long road ahead of him.  


Monday, August 12, 2019

In One Night - Most Grammy Nominations Without Winning

The Grammy Awards are like any other red carpet events - the Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy Awards, and so on.  Every ceremony has nomination honors and wins.  

There are records - 

Most wins (Georg Solti, a Hungarian-British conductor with 31 Grammy's)

Most nominations without a win (Morten Lindberg, a Norwegian sound engineer and music producer with 26)

In the case of this Set List post, there is also the record for the most Grammy nominations in one night without winning.

The record for most Grammy nominations in one night without winning was set in 1966 by Paul McCartney - 9 nominations.

The conclusion of this list is 5 most Grammy nominations in one night without winning.  Artists include -

Elvis Presley (1961)
Frank Sinatra (1961)
Sting (1986)
Avril Lavigne (2003)
Alicia Keys (2006)
Gwen Stefani (2006)
Prince (2007)

*The above list is not all inclusive.  The full list of 5 most Grammy nominations in one night without winning can be found on Wikipedia.

My take away -
I cannot imagine setting a record for most nominations...only not to win.  Frustration, the feeling of coming so close, the thought of perhaps another time.  Setting records on the world stage...I just cannot imagine.  

On the other hand, legacies set by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Prince are more profound than any Grammy Award nomination or win.




Sunday, August 11, 2019

FIMI


FIMI logo.png

The Italian standard for certification is based on FIMI requisites.

What is FIMI?

Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI)
(English translation - Italian Music Industry Federation)

As with all other regional organizations, the primary purpose of FIMI is to "protect the interests of the Italian record industry." (Wikipedia)

As of 1995, the Italian Music Industry Federation provides the official albums chart.  As of 2008, the physical singles chart was replaced with the digital downloads chart.

(Full details about charts can be found on Wikipedia)

Sales Certification

Albums
*As of 2014
Gold - 25,000
Platinum - 50,000
Diamond - 500,000

Singles 
*As of 2015
Gold - 25,000
Platinum - 50,000
Diamond - 500,000

My take away -
RIAA will always be the ultimate standard for Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond.  RIAJ will always be the eastern equivalent of RIAA.  Associations in between set their own bar.  FIMI offers an impressive standard in the Italian music industry and achieving Diamond status is truly an honor.






Saturday, August 10, 2019

The Entrepreneur

As you may have noticed, Saturday's Soundcheck series as brought to you by zZounds has gone unchecked since early July.  Soundcheck is meant to feature technical aspects in music, such as advanced keyboards and synthesizers best for semi-professionals and professionals.  I simply cannot keep up and so I am passing on Soundcheck for now.  

In the meantime, if you love anything fashion, explore the links below.  The entrepreneur, music, and fashion fit well together.

Avon eStore
Anything fashion on an everyday budget
The fashionista entrepreneur offering prices perfect for a shopping spree on anything you desire.

Couture Highlights
Couture fashion on a wealthy budget
The fashionista entrepreneur offering the ultimate designer daydream.

Sales Rack
Luxury fashion on a reasonable budget
The fashionista entrepreneur offering "couture for sale."