All You Need Is Now

This weekend got off to a great start - I saw Duran Duran on NBC's Today.  The reporter that interviewed Simon, Nick, and Roger reflected with them on their past and brought them back to present with a hint of their newest album.  And with a hint of the song in the album's name, "All You Need Is Now."

Duran Duran in announcements spoke of this album reaching back to their roots, where they began, with Rio.  The two-second clip I was able to hear of the song, "All You Need Is Now," is sweet and most definitely reminiscent of the band's early beginnings. 

I know nothing about the album or the songs.  I must with all other fans wait for the bonus release of the digital format of the album on iTunes in December and the full release of the album in February.  Yet, if the two-second clip is indicative of the full album. . .I am in love more so with Duran Duran.  They are back in their element.

Simply Duran Duran : A Tribute

Leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the U.S.

14 singles in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart

21 singles in the Billboard Hot 100

100 million+ records sold

Innovators with video technology for live shows

"Planet Earth" at #12 on the UK's Top Twenty

"Girls On Film" at #5 on the UK's Top Twenty

Duran Duran, 1981, #3 on the UK's Top Twenty

Favorite band for Diana, Princess of Wales

"The Fab Five" (in tribute to The Beatles - "The Fab Four")

Rio, 1983, #6 on the U.S. Top Twenty

"The band was a natural for music television" - Rolling Stone magazine

"Is There Something I Should Know?" 1983, #1 in the UK (a rarity) and #4 in the U.S.

". . .when we came back (to the United States), it was mayhem.  It was Beatlesmania" - Nick Rhodes

5 U.S. Top Twenty hits from 3 different albums in one year

"The Reflex" first #1 in the U.S. and final #1 in the UK

Sing Blue Silver documentary

Arena concert film

"The Wild Boys," 1984, #2 in the UK and U.S.

2 Grammy Awards for Long- and Short-Form music videos

"Save a Prayer," 1985, #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100

"A View to a Kill," only Bond theme to reach #1 in U.S. Charts and #2 on UK Charts

"Ordinary World" leaked long before planned release...listener demand...#3 in U.S.  ...  #6 in UK  ...  Ivor Novello Award for song writing

The Wedding Album, 1993, surprise critical and commercial success - #4 in the UK and #7 in the U.S. ("John Taylor had been considering leaving the band but changed his mind")

"Electric Barbarella" first single ever to be sold online

Lifetime Achievement Award (2003 MTV Video Music Awards)

Outstanding Contribution Award (2004 BRIT Awards)

Super Bowl XXXVIII pre-game - "The Wild Boys" broadcast to millions

Duran Duran : Live from London

Astronaut, 2004, #3 in the UK and #17 in the U.S.

"Reach Up for the Sunrise," #1 on the Billboard U.S. Dance Chart and #5 on UK Singles Chart (highest position since "A View to a Kill" in 1985)

Performances at the Nobel Prize Awards and Winter Olympics (Turan, Italy) in 2006

Ethel Barrymore Theater on Broadway for the Red Carpet Massacre 2007 tour

Performances at the Louvre for fundraising in 2008

For Duran Duran's 13th album -
"return to their roots"
"will have the drive and freshness of the first few albums, quintessentially hip, without sacrificing any of the hard-earned personality of the musicians" - John Taylor

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duran_Duran)

Classic Line-Up -
Simon Le Bon...Nick Rhodes...Andy Taylor...John Taylor...Roger Taylor

My inspiration, my positive influence, my hope, my long-time favorite - simply Duran Duran.

Rockin' Movies

Question - Have you ever been entirely consumed in a movie just for its soundtrack?  Have you ever left a movie theater or turned off the dvd player knowing you must find that irresistable song or cd?  My answer - Yes.  Welcome to my world.

I admit that I have a passion for music.  My taste in music varies greatly (no kidding).  My taste in music from movies is even more eclectic. . .

The Breakfast Club (1985).

Oh my God.  Simple Minds and "Don't You Forget About Me" is a personal anthem.  If I could return to the 1980s, this song would play every day.  Simple Minds defined an era in teenage years that will never be matched by today's generation.  While there is nothing technically different between the '80s and today - awkward social events, defined layers in the student body, and so forth - the feeling is distinct.  The Breakfast Club set the tone for the high school experience then and now.  Every layer of the student body was in detention that fateful weekend.  Simple Minds simply followed their story - each member of various cliques realizing by the end of the day that there is more to them than their immediate surfaces.  The Breakfast Club has influenced greatly pop culture since the 1980s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Breakfast_Club).  "Don't You Forget About Me" was ranked #1 worldwide, brought Simple Minds into U.S. view, and they have sold 40 million+ albums since 1979 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Minds). . .Although I would never wish to turn back the years to my days in high school, "Don't You Forget About Me" would be my only inspiration to at least go to a reunion.

Beverly Hills Cop I, II, III (1984, 1987, 1994).

What is it about the 1980s?  Beverly Hills Cop I & II are, in my opinion, the ultimate classic in Eddie Murphy films.  And I guess I'm not alone in this opinion.  Beverly Hills Cop was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen - Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie, Jr.), BAFTA Award (Best Score - Harold Faltermeyer), and 2 Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy and Best Actor Musical/Comedy - Eddie Murphy).  Beverly Hills Cop II was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Music, Original Song - Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey, Bob Seger) and a Golden Globe (Best Music, Original Song - Harold Faltermeyer, Keith Forsey, Bob Seger).  (Beverly Hills Cop III did not go far positively with critics.) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Cop_(film_series)  The mix of comedy, phenomenal cast and team, and recognition has gone a long way for the trio film - earning $753,534,503 since original release (Id.).  Music was a key factor to the success of Beverly Hills Cop - the "Axel F" theme as prime example.  The second film, however, features my favorite in 1980s movie songs - "Shakedown" on the album, A Tribute to Bob Seger.  This song is fast, fun, and a tongue-twister if you don't keep up.  I spent my very early years in Southern California.  If I were to return in the '80s, I imagine "Shakedown" setting the image and Eddie Murphy providing comic relief.

Ghostbusters II (1989).

OMG, I swear this is the last '80s film.  The cast and ghosts are back again with the addition of little Oscar.  And with any sequel comes climactic theme songs.  Although the movie received mixed reviews, Bobby Brown's "On Our Own" was hugely successful - #1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Chart, #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart, and #4 on the UK Singles Chart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Our_Own_(Bobby_Brown_song).  I adore both the movie and the song.  Indeed, the 1980s were good times.

A Beautiful Mind (2001).

Complete change of pace with this movie that, finally, came out nowhere near the 190s.  The story of John Nash in A Beautiful Mind is engrained in American stone.  Just look at the phenomenally awe-inspiring cast - Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany.  Look at the incredible team - Ron Howard (director), Akiva Goldsman (writer).  Look at the recognition - Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress; Academy Award nominations for Best Leading Actor, Best Editing, Best Makeup, and Best Score (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind_(film).  Consider John Forbes Nash, Jr. - Nobel Laureate in Economics, schizophrenic auditory hallucinations (the film's visual hallucinations were false), his refusal to take drugs ("side effects would have made his gentle re-entry into the world of mathematics a near impossibility - Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautifil Mind).  The story is real.  Mental illnesses are real.  I am not schizophrenic, but I can very personally relate.  And the soundtrack is as haunting, sorrowful, yet inspiring and hopeful as the characters and real life figures themselves.  James Horner, the composer, concludes musically the story of John Nash.

Blue Streak (1999).

Let's lighten things up.  In my opinion, Martin Lawrence is at his best in this film.  As is the soundtrack, namely the song "Criminal Mind."  Far cry from the others I would say.  In all honesty, I don't like this hip-hop genre of music.  However, "Criminal Mind" has a groove that doesn't shove rap down one's throat.  It is simply a fun, catchy song that I enjoy.

In retrospect, my taste for movie soundtracks must sound insane as the genres bounce from wall to wall.  Ironically, my taste in movies is quite secure - comedy and drama.  So what can we conclude from these words?  I definitely have a passion for music in all ways - from songs heard on the radio to songs discovered on iTunes to songs heard in random clips on television commercials and in favorite movies.  ...  Hollywood says, "Take One.  Play it!" 

Duran Duran Album Release

Duran Duran Press Release - November 11, 2010

Duran Duran's 13th studio album - All You Need Is Now - will be released in digital format to iTunes on December 21st.  This release will feature 9 tracks.  An expanded 12-track will be released in cd format in February 2011.  The first selection - "All You Need Is Now" - will be available on iTunes on December 14.

Duran Duran's global tour to promote the album is set for Spring 2011.

*Full view of Duran Duran's press release can be found on Duran Duran Message Board at  http://duranduranboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=aboutduranduran&action=display&thread=25026&page=1#ixzz150NZfnMY.

Catchy Jingles

Have you ever been glued to the television set in the hopes of seeing a particular commercial that plays a catchy jingle?  Have you become so addicted to that jingle that you hit the Internet and iTunes to find the name and musician?  If you answered yes to both, then you truly are a music enthusiast.

Some years ago, Mitsubishi presented its newest car model (the Eclipse) to the world.  However, what the Japanese company was not counting on with the automobile success it may have gained was the trick advertisers cleverly came up with.  Emphasis on music.  For months, viewers became listeners.  "Days Go By," as performed by Dirty Vegas on the album Dirty Vegas, became an overnight radio smash in 2002.  This jingle - err, song - has a nightclub beat without being on the oppressive house side.  At the time of its original release in 2001, "Days Go By" was an immediate addiction to many.  U.K.-based Dirty Vegas achieved phenomenal success - #14 in the U.S., #16 in the UK, Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, and thanks to Mitsubishi, incredible exposure beyond radiowaves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_Go_By). 

Kia Motors recently presented to the world two new car models - Soul  and Sorento.  However, Kia inadvertently presented two songs that have left much wonder to listeners.  Both are cleverly presented and more than catchy.

"Fort Knox," by Goldfish and featured on the album Perceptions of Pacha, is best known through animated hamsters driving the Kia Soul with a groove.  And with a groove rightly so.  In my eyes, "Fort Knox" has a tough, static beat with enormous amounts of dance rock and the sense of a country western saloon at the very beginning.  Alas, however, the South African-based Goldfish pride their songs on electronic, dance, jazz, and African music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfish_(band) ).  Our visions are clearly different, but my God this song is awesome!  Every time I hear this song, I am lost in a groove that I don't want to get out of...much like the hamsters.  Goldfish has accomplished much in their career - 8 nominations for Best Duo/Group and Album of the Year and winning Best Producer and Best Dance Album (2009 South African Music Awards); 1 nomination for Best Alternative (2008 MTV African Music Awards) (Id.).

"How You Like Me Now?" by The Heavy and featured on the album The Heavy, is best known through animated stuffed dolls driving the Kia Sorento with overly enthusiastic grooving imaginations.  This song is just too much fun to listen to.  I imagine "How You Like Me Now?" being reminiscent of James Brown, had he created and performed well into the 21st Century - groove, funk, and fun.  I'm not too far off with my image.  The Heavy utilizes neo soul guitar, rock crunchy guitar, and funky horns, amongst many other blended sounds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heavy_(band) ).  "How You Like Me Now?" has gained great public exposure - Kia and the 2010 Super Bowl.

Readers may think that I watch too much television to find these songs (which by the way, I did download from iTunes).  I find myself instead to be passionate, finding great and unique tunes anywhere.

So rev up your engines and play it!

Something about guitars

There is just something about guitars...according to those below.  On Kenny Wayne Shepherd's website, three links to anything guitar are listed under the Links Tab.  His music is heavily influenced by the guitar.  So I thought I would show a more artistic interest in guitars as eloquently described by Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran.  Something about guitars. . .

Nick Rhodes Rock Couture Guitar