February 2025
Set List
1. Boy Met Girl
2. La Vie en Rose
3. The Way You Look Tonight
4. Yours
5. I Feel For You
6. I Feel Love
7. Love Voodoo
8. Send Her My Love
9. I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
10. I Don't Want Your Love
Friday, February 28, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Duran Duran Fan Book
Dear readers and passersby,
On this eve of the last day of February, I thought I would promote my latest publication that is in every way related to Set List and its one, Duran Duran.
Duran Duran Fan Book
by Lauren Hovis
Sold on Amazon
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Carlos Santana
Carlos Humberto Santana Barragan
b. July 20, 1947
Born and raised in Mexico
Naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965
Founding member of the rock band, Santana
Genres considered - Latin Rock, Blues Rock, Jazz Fusion
Best known for the fusion of rock and roll & Latin American jazz
No. 20 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists (2015)
No. 11 on Rolling Stone's Greatest Guitarists of All Time (2023)
Awards -
10 Grammy Awards
3 Latin Grammy Awards
3 Billboard Awards
Echo Music Prize
VH1 Award
Honors -
- Medallion of Excellence for Community Service (CHCI Medallions of Excellence)
- Latino Music Legend of the Year (Chicano Music Awards)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Kennedy Center Honors
- NAACP Image Award (Hall of Fame Award)
Santana (band) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1998)
Carlos Santana inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame (2002)
Carlos Santana has an impressive history in rock music and crossover Latin jazz fusion as reflected in his albums. Read more on Wikipedia.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Monday, February 24, 2025
Small Business Shout Out
Dear readers and passersby,
From one entrepreneur to another, I would like to give a special shoutout to my new creative friend, Sherri, and her uniquely creative business in paper bead and jewelry design.
Her designs are inspiring and definitely one of a kind...the best reason to be a successful entrepreneur.
I recently placed an order for a beach, boho themed bracelet and am excited for it to arrive. The jewel reminds me of a Kauai, Hawaii resort boutique.
As for pricing - totally reasonable.
If you are interested in all that Sherri has to offer, explore her shop on Etsy.
As I always say about my journals and notebooks, explore and enjoy Sherri's designs!
Set List Feature - Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
Bitches Brew
Released in March 1970
Genres considered - Jazz Fusion, Avant-Garde Jazz, Jazz Rock, Avant-Funk, Psychedelia
Although the album initially received mix reception, it soon became Miles Davis's highest-charting album on Billboard 200 at No. 35.
Bitches Brew is second only to Miles Davis's Kind of Blue (and you can go from there).
Bitches Brew received a Grammy Award in 1971.
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 5/5 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 5/5 Stars
Entertainment Weekly - A
Mojo - 5/5 Stars
MusicHound Jazz - 5/5
The Penguin Guide to Jazz - 4/4 Stars
Pitchfork - 9.5/10
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars
Charts -
No. 80 on Belgium Albums
No. 49 on Portuguese Albums
No. 71 on UIK Albums
No. 4 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
No. 1 on Top Jazz Albums
Certified Gold in the UK
Certified Platinum in the U.S.
Sunday, February 23, 2025
The Italia Album
Released in September 2007
The album is a reflection of Chris Botti's Italian heritage.
Chris collaborated with Andrea Bocelli on the title track, "Italia"
"Italia" was performed during the 2007 Teatro del Silenzio concert
"Italia" was included in the 2008 DVD, Vivere Live in Tuscany
Italia Success -
No. 1 on the Top Jazz Album charts
Grammy Nomination (Best Pop Instrumental Album)
No. 27 on Billboard 200 & Top Internet Album charts
Tracks -
1. Deborah's Theme
2. Italia
3. Venice
4. The Very Thought of You
(featuring Paula Cole)
5. Gabriel's Oboe
6. I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
(featuring Dean Martin)
7. Caruso
8. The Way You Look Tonight
9. It Never Entered My Mind
10. Ave Maria
11. Estate
12. Nessun Dorma
Certified Platinum in Poland
Jazz Style - Chris Botti
Christopher Stephen Botti
b. October 12, 1962
American trumpeter and composer
Genres considered - Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Pop
Point of interest - Chris Botti began playing the trumpet early on and committed himself to the trumpet when he was 12 years old after hearing Miles Davis perform "My Funny Valentine."
After high school, Chris attended Indiana University School of Music under the direction of jazz educator David Baker and trumpet player Bill Adam. He left school during senior year to briefly play alongside Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich.
Chris was the recipient of two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, which offered him the chance to play alongside Woody Shaw (trumpet) and George Coleman (saxophone).
In 1990, Chris Botti toured and recorded with Paul Simon. During the ten years spent with Paul Simon, Chris also performed and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Roger Daltrey, and others.
In 1999, Chris Botti joined Sting on the two-year Brand New Day tour as a featured soloist. This time together culminated in a close friendship.
Solo debut - First Wish
Second album - Midnight Without You
Third album - Slowing Down the World
Fourth album - Night Sessions
Fifth album - December (holiday album)
Sixth album - A Thousand Kisses Deep
Seventh album - When I Fall in Love
Eighth album - To Love Again: The Duets
Chris Botti Live: With Orchestra and Special Guests - 2006
CD & Platinum-certified DVD
Includes duets with Sting, Burt Bacharach, Gladys Knight, Jill Scott, and Renee Olstead
Chris Botti in Boston - 2009 ... CD/DVD
Performances with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, John Mayer, Sting, and more
Great Performances: The Chris Botti Band in Concert - 2018
Joined by Sy Smith & Veronica Swift on vocals, Caroline Campbell on violin, Joey DeFrancesco on the organ, and Taylor Eigsti on piano
Following albums -
Accolades -
1 Grammy Award
4 Grammy Nominations
4 albums have secured No. 1 on Billboard Jazz Albums chart
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Black History Month on Set List - Play it, Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson
"King of Pop"
August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009
I was at home when the news broke of Michael Jackson's death. The windows were wide open and overlooked a major city artery. Every car that went by had their windows rolled down, allowing the loud volume to play anything Michael Jackson. "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" were the most common. The intense honor lasted through the early evening.
With that said, there is not much to say that is already known. So in this post, I am noting highlights defined by the absolute one and only.
One of the most significant figures of the 20th Century
Genres considered - Pop, Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Rock, Disco, Post disco, Dance pop, New jack swing
Street dance moves made popular
The most successful performer of all time. - Guinness World Records
39 Guinness World Records
Influences - James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross, Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Kelly, and David Ruffin (of The Temptations) ... James Brown ultimately but Little Richard also had a major impact ... West Side Story was an inspiration for such music videos as "Beat It" and "Bad."
Michael Jackson is the best-selling solo music artist of all time - over 500 million records sold worldwide.
13 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles
First artist to have a Top-10 single on Billboard Hot 100 in five different decades.
Hollywood Walk of Fame with the Jackson 5
Hollywood Walk of Fame as a solo artist
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice
(Jackson 5 & Solo)
Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
(posthumous)
Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame (only recording artist to be inducted)
Inaugural inductee into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
(posthumous)
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (Fisk University, 1988)
"Thriller" is the only music video to be preserved in the National Film Registry ... the most successful music video ever made - Guinness World Records
"Scream" video received 11 MTV Video Music Award nominations & 3 wins ... earned a Grammy award ... most expensive video ever made at $7 million
"You Rock My World" 2001 music video won an NAACP Image Award in 2002
"Black or White" video premiered in November 1991 and aired in 27 countries with an audience of 500 million
One of the most awarded artists in popular music
13 Grammy Awards
Grammy Legend Award
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
26 American Music Awards
Artist of the Century & Artist of the 1980s
6 Brit Awards
3 Presidential Honors
Artist of the Decade
12 World Music Awards
Millennium Award
Founded the Heal the World Foundation in 1992
Donated $500 million to charity
Half of Michael Jackson's music catalog was sold to Sony for $600 million (2024)
Upon news of Michael Jackson's death, there was a surge in sales of his albums.
Over 2.5 billion viewers tuned into Michael Jackson's televised memorial service.
In conclusion and believe it or not, Wikipedia has more to tell. Follow the link to listen. This entry is a mere glimpse into the profound success amassed by Michael Jackson when alive and after his passing.
Michael - You will be forever missed.
Friday, February 21, 2025
Thursday, February 20, 2025
In Honor Of...
...A very happy influence on pop culture and music worth noting on Set List.
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams
b. April 5, 1973
American musician, record producer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and fashion designer
Genres considered - R&B, Hip Hop, Pop
Point of intrigue - Timbaland is Pharrell's cousin.
One of the most influential producers in current popular music
Although not having noteworthy influences, Pharrell does have inspiration from Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and many others.
In 1992, Pharrell Williams & friend, Chad Hugo, formed the production team, the Neptunes.
Williams & Hugo formed the band, N.E.R.D., with musician Shay Haley in 1999.
Pharrell's work -
2003 Debut single, "Frontin," reached No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100
2006 Debut album, In My Mind, reached No. 3 on Billboard 200
"Happy" was released as the lead single from Pharrell's second album, Girl (2014), which reached No. 2 on Billboard 200.
Awards -
13 Grammys
2 Academy Award Nominations
Pharrell founded the multimedia company, I Am Other, in 2014
Pharrell has partnered with Moncler for a line of sunglasses (2013). He created a long-term partnership with Adidas (2014). He worked on a collaboration with Chanel & Adidas for a sneaker line.
Pharrell Williams has served as Men's creative director for Louis Vuitton since 2023. Prior to, in 2008, he co-designed a line of eyewear and jewelry for LV.
Pharrell's ventures outside of music include a more extensive list of fashion partnerships and philanthropic business work. Read more here.
At nearly 52 years of age, Pharrell Williams certainly has a young at heart demeanor with the aspects of the music industry he focuses on, his many fashion collaborations, noble business ventures, and (of interest) three of his four children being triplets. I can only imagine what his daily calendar looks like.
Play it, Pharrell Williams.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
The One & Only David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour
b. March 6, 1946
English guitarist, singer, & songwriter
Genres considered - Progressive rock, Psychedelic rock, Art rock, Blues rock, Ambient
Influences - Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, John Fahey, to name a few
Member of Pink Floyd
Since 1967
Officially disbanded in 2006
"...it's much less complicated to work alone..."
As of the 1980s, Pink Floyd has become one of the highest-selling and most successful bands in music history.
When founders Syd Barrett and Roger Waters left, David Gilmour took over as leader with the releases of A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), The Division Bell (1994), and The Endless River (2014).
David Gilmour has released five solo albums -
David Gilmour (1978)
About Face (1984)
On an Island (2006)
Rattle That Lock (2015)
Luck and Strange (2024)
Point of intrigue - David's wife, Polly Samson, is an author and has written lyrics to many of his songs.
UK Albums Chart -
3 No. 1 Solo
6 No. 1 with Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 & the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005
Honors -
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2003)
28th Greatest Guitarist (Rolling Stone, 2023)
Honorary Doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University (2009)
Awards -
Q Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (2008)
Ivor Novello Lifetime Contribution Award (2008)
Post note -
David Gilmour's personal life, especially with charity work, is as impressive as his career with Pink Fl0yd and solo. Follow the Wikipedia link above to read more.
The absolutely best performance guitar solo of David Gilmour
The Ultimate Guitarist
Shaping Rock & Roll
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Monday, February 17, 2025
Set List Feature - Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis
Sketches of Spain
Released in July 1960
Review Scores
AllMusic - 5/5 Stars
DownBeat - 5/5 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 5/5 Stars
MusicHound Jazz - 4.5/5 Stars
The Penguin Guide to Jazz - 3.5/4 Stars
Pitchfork Media - 10/10
PopMatters - 10/10
Q - 5/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars
"Replying to suggestions that Sketches of Spain was something other than jazz, Davis said, "it's music, and I like it."
Tracks -
Side One -
1. Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)
2. Will o' the Wisp
Side Two -
1. The Pan Piper (Alborada de Vigo)
2. Saeta
3. Solea
Certifications -
Silver in the UK
Platinum in the U.S.
Set List Feature - Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Kind of Blue
Released in August 1959
Led a sextet -
John Coltrane & Julian "Cannonball" Adderley - saxophone
Bill Evans - piano
(Wynton Kelly on piano for the song, "Freddie Freeloader.")
Paul Chambers - bass
Jimmy Cobb - drums
Kind of Blue is considered to be Miles Davis's "masterpiece," the greatest jazz album to ever be recorded, and one of the greatest albums of all time. The album had an impact on such genres as jazz, rock, and classical - one of the most influential albums of all time.
"...defining moment of twentieth century music..."
Kind of Blue proved Miles Davis to be one of the most successful jazz artists of all time.
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 5/5 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 5/5 Stars
Entertainment Weekly - A+
MusicHound Jazz - 5/5
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings - 4/4 Stars
Pitchfork - 10/10
Q - 5/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars
Miles Davis truly set a standard that has not always been matched or surpassed.
Kind of Blue was one of 50 recordings chosen for the inaugural year of the National Recording Registry (2002)
No. 12 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003)
No. 31 (2020)
Tracks -
Side One -
1. So What
2. Freddie Freeloader
3. Blue in Green
Side Two -
1. All Blues
2. Flamenco Sketches
Certifications -
Gold in Belgium & Denmark
2x Gold in France
Silver in the Netherlands
2x Platinum in Australia, Italy, Poland, & the UK
5x Platinum in the U.S.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Jazz Style -- Russ Freeman
b. February 11, 1960
American smooth jazz guitarist
Best known for founding and leading The Rippingtons
George Benson & Larry Carlton influences
The Rippingtons -
Founded in 1985
Original lineup -
Jeff Kashiwa - Saxophone
Dave Kochanski - Keyboards
Kim Stone - Bass
Tony Morales - Drums
Steve Reid - Percussion
Also...
Russ Freeman is likewise a bass guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer.
Russ is likewise a composer, record producer, and record label owner (Peak Records as of 1994).
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Black History Month on Set List - Play it, Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin
"Queen of Soul"
March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018
American singer, songwriter, & pianist
Genres considered - Soul, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Pop
Twice named by Rolling Stone as the "greatest singer of all time"
One of the best-selling music artists with over 75 million records sold worldwide
Career Billboard entries -
73 Hot 100 singles
17 Top 10 Pop singles
96 R&B singles
20 No. 1 R&B singles
Greatest female R&B artist of all time (Billboard, 2015)
Best-known singles -
"Respect" (1967)
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (1967)
"Chain of Fools" (1967)
"I Say a Little Prayer" (1968)
"Call Me" (1970)
"Spanish Harlem" (1971)
"Freeway of Love" (1985)
"A Rose Is Still a Rose" (1998)
Awards -
18 Grammys
Grammy Living Legend Award
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1979)
Honors -
National Medal of Arts
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Pulitzer Prize Special Citation
MusiCares Person of the Year (2008)
Honorary Degrees -
by Harvard University & New Y0rk University (2014)
Honorary Doctorates in Music -
by Princeton University (2012)
by Yale University (2010)
by Brown University (2009)
by the University of Pennsylvania (2007)
by Berklee College of Music (2006)
by the New England Conservatory of Music (1997)
by the University of Michigan (1987)
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters -
by Case Western Reserve University (2011)
by Wayne State University (2009)
Honorary Doctor of Law -
by Bethune-Cookman University (1975)
Tribute concert in 2019 -
"Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul"
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967 album)
No. 1 on Rolling Stone's Women in Rock: 50 Essential Albums
2002 & 2012
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
(First female artist with this achievement)
Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame (2005)
Inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame (2005)
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2012)
Inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2015)
Inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame (2018)
Posthumously Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (2020)
Aretha Franklin made an impact on civil rights and women's rights. "Respect" & "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" were considered anthems to social change. She was also an activist for Native American Rights.
Aretha Franklin defined music spanning not decades but generations. I am as familiar with her most well known songs as those before me and those before them. Artists in the music industry following Aretha's career and paying tribute honor her legendary status through inspiration in their own careers.
Respect Aretha, Queen of Soul
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