Set List - Music Performance Comparison

Duran Duran has had hit or miss albums throughout their career, from profoundly iconic to leaked success to poor reviews.  This is true of any musician or band.

In this edition of Set List - Music Performance Comparison, consider the music industry's classic "Rio" drums as covered by musician, Astronaut2005, and the live from London performance of "Rio" by Duran Duran.

Astronaut2005 v. Roger Taylor

The live version of "Rio" caps off the concert in a spectacular and extraordinary way.  The perfect way to end an exciting night.  The audience is beyond involved in the performance and the band is fueled by the electric atmosphere.  

The drum cover seemed to be rather fast, but did reach every recorded note.  In my opinion, I can envision Astronaut2005 playing live.  The question, though, is if he can match the positively intense atmosphere.

Quintessential British Style - Burberry

As with Quintessential American Style - Avon, I am promoting my Classic Burberry blogger business.

Burberry launched in 1856 by founder, Thomas Burberry.  The brand is beyond historic and iconic.  Burberry is to the UK as Avon is to the U.S.  In Europe, Burberry is to the UK as Louis Vuitton is to France.  The comparisons could go on.

From the vintage trench coat to the check pattern staple, Burberry defines fashion in pure class and timeless elegance.

Where Avon offers entrepreneurship, I am on my own as a blogger entrepreneur.  

Classic Burberry is a profound passion and I hope only to tap into reader interest and intrigue.

Explore and enjoy Classic Burberry!

Quintessential American Style - Avon

Dear readers and passersby,

I am taking a brief break from Set List music to promote my Avon business.

Avon is truly quintessential American beyond cosmetics as the brand's signature dating to the late 1800's.

Avon has long offered entrepreneurship to those wanting to be a "boss lady."  Self-employment is always intriguing because Independent Sales Representatives can work from home or anywhere and on our own time.

Sales Reps receive a generous perk - earning a commission on personal orders.

Avon has since crossed the pond to include an Avon UK opportunity unique to England and the British want of Avon products.

From makeup to the outlet...From trending products with each campaign...Avon will always define quintessential Americana.

Explore and enjoy my eStore!

His & Hers Most Grammy Awards

The Grammy theme on Set List continues - from the most wins, the most nominations without a win, most nominations in one night without winning, most nominations overall, most nominations in one night, the three coveted Grammy categories (Record, Album, and Song of the Year), and now...

The most Grammy Award wins by a male artist and female artist.

- Most Grammy wins by a male artist -
Georg Solti was an orchestral and operatic conductor.  
Solti holds the record for most wins by a male artist - 31.

Quincy Jones - 28

Pierre Boulez - 26*
*Pierre Boulez was a French composer, conductor, and writer.

Vladimir Horowitz - 25*
*Vladimir Horowitz was an American classical pianist and composer.

Stevie Wonder - 26

John Williams - 24

Chick Corea - 22*
*Chick Corea is an American jazz pianist and electric keyboardist.
*Corea worked with the Miles Davis band to create jazz fusion.

Jay-Z - 22

Kanye West - 21
Vince Gill - 21

Henry Mancini - 20*
*Henry Mancini has a distinctive sound that is somewhat ahead of his time.  If you listen to his work only once, you will easily recognize others.  I discovered Henry Mancini in the film, Charade, starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn as well as Walter Matthau.  The original Pink Panther film also features Mancini composition.  If you are curious, opt for Charade first (I am rather Cary Grant biased).

Pat Metheny - 20

Al Schmitt - 20*
Point of interest - Al Schmitt, as an American recording engineer and record producer, has collaborated with Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Natalie Cole, and many others. 

Bruce Springsteen - 20

Tony Bennett - 18
Yo-Yo Ma - 18
Paul McCartney - 18

Jimmy Sturr - 18*
*Jimmy Sturr is an American polka musician, trumpeter, clarinetist, saxophonist, and leader of Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra.  

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- Most Grammy wins by a female artist -
Alison Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer and musician.
Krauss holds the record for most wins by a female artist - 27.

Beyonce - 23

Aretha Franklin - 18

Adele - 15
Alicia Keys - 15

Ella Fitzgerald - 13
Emmylou Harris - 13
Leontyne Price - 13

CeCe Winans - 12*
*CeCe Winans is an American gospel singer.

Shirley Caesar - 11*
*Shirley Caesar is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and recording artist.

Chaka Khan - 10
Bonnie Raitt - 10
Linda Ronstadt - 10
Taylor Swift  - 10

Mary J. Blige - 9
Natalie Cole - 9
Sheryl Crow - 9
Norah Jones - 9
Rihanna - 9
Lady Gaga - 9

Hilary Scott - 9*
*Hilary Scott is a singer for the country music band, Lady Antebellum.  

(Source - Wikipedia)

Play It Sunday - Drum Accessories

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

The electricity filled within the audience and stage during a live performance is profound - especially when the spark is ignited by the electric guitar...the classic Gibson guitar.

The underlying deep groove is set by the bass guitar - especially the timeless Fender guitar.

The Korg.  The "controller."  A keyboard/synth mix.  The technical layer to music that truly does enhance the worth of each song.

And then there are the drums.  Electronic.  Acoustic.  The necessary accessories.  

Define what a drummer needs -

https://www.zzounds.com/a--3960264/cat--Drum-Accessories--2464

The Drum Accessories category includes -
- Drum sticks
- Drum heads
- Drum cases
- Drum bags
- Drum Cymbal Bags and Cases
- Drum Practice Pads
- Bass Drum Beaters
- Brushes
- Mallets
- Drum Stick Holders
- Drum Care
- Drum Rugs and Mats
- Drum Stick Tape
- Drum Silencers 
- Drummer Gloves

There is more to a drum kit than meets the eye, from a rock concert kit to a jazz kit.  Drummers make the instrument look seamlessly easy to play.

Andy Taylor once mentioned that his guitar is something he plays everyday.  This is what makes him so talented.

The same is true for drummers, both beginner and pro.  Accessories, then, are needed on a daily basis - from sticks to protective gloves.

The category specs will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above.

zZounds Premium Archives

Dear readers and passersby,

I am taking a brief break from posting.  In the meantime, explore the zZounds premium archives through the links below.  I will be back on track tomorrow.

zZounds Premium - Keyboards & Synthesizers

zZounds Premium - Drum Kit

zZounds Premium - Bass Guitar

zZounds Premium - Electric Guitar

As always,

Play it!

Friday Fave

In this edition  of Friday Fave, the trending post is -

Who is Adele? 

This favorite trend highlighted Adele's well deserved successes, honors, and awards.  

Where normally I would conclude with my signature quote "The post will say the rest of it.  Follow the link above...", I did state in the Who is Adele? post that her career background was as extensive as her successes. 

And so on this Friday Fave, I am dedicating this post to Adele's other half - her career background.

2006 - 2010
- Graduated from BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology 
(2006)
- Recorded a 3-song demo for a class project and gave it to a friend
- The share led to a call from Richard Russell, head of XL Recordings.
- In June 2006, Adele landed XL representation.
- In September 2006, Adele was signed with XL Recordings.
- "Hometown Glory" became her breakthrough song

19
- Named after her age at the time of recording
- No. 1 in Britain
- Mercury Prize Award nominee (2008)
*Annual award to best album in the UK by a British or Irish act
- Urban Music award win for Best Jazz Act 
- Q Awards nomination for Breakthrough Act
- Released in the United States in June 2008

Billboard Magazine 
"Adele truly has potential to become among the most respected and inspiring international artists of her generation."  (Wikipedia)

October 18, 2008 - Musical guest on Saturday Night Live
Songs performed - "Chasing Pavements" and "Cold Shoulder"
19 topped the iTunes chart ... No. 11 on Billboard 200

19 
Certified Gold by RIAA (2009) 
2.2 million copies sold worldwide

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2011 - 2014
21 
- Country and Roots genres 
- Reflection of growth over the past two years
-  No. 1 in 30 countries, including the UK and the U.S.
- "Someone Like You" - No. 1 in the UK
- 4.5 million copies sold in the UK
- Fourth best-selling album in the UK
- Biggest selling album in the 21st Century
- Over 10 million copies sold in the U.S.
- As of 2016, over 31 million copies sold

Achievement 
"Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You" 
- Top 5 in UK Singles Chart
- First living artist to achieve two top-five hits in Official Singles Chart and Official Albums Chart at the same time (since the Beatles in 1964)

Achievement 
- First artist ever to have an album (21) at No.  1 on Billboard 200 AND 3 No. 1 singles at the same time
- Billboard 200 & Billboard Hot 100 Top 3 Categories - Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year ... Adele was the first female to win all three - 21 for the album and "Rolling in the Deep" for the song

21
- Certified Diamond by RIAA
- Certification within less than two years

"Skyfall" + "A View to a Kill" 

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2015 - 2017
"Hello" - 25
- The music video was viewed 27.7 million times on YouTube in first 24 hours.
- The music video was estimated one million views per hour on YouTube.

"Hello"
- No. 1 on UK Singles Chart
- No. 1 international - such as Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, 
Germany
- No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
- At least one million downloads in one week (U.S.)

25
- No. 1 on UK Albums Chart
- Fastest selling album in the UK charts - over 800,000 copies sold in first week
- No. 1 in the U.S. - "record-breaking 3.38 million copies in its first week" (Wikipedia)
- 20 million copies sold worldwide

Adele Live 2016
Tour - Europe, North America, Australia 
"The Finale" - Wembley Stadium

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2018 - Present
Fourth studio album expected to be released in December 2018

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Influences
Spice Girls
Sinead O'Connor
The Cure
Dusty Springfield
Celine Dion
Annie Lennox
Aaliyah
Destiny's Child
Mary J. Blige
Pink
Jeff Buckley's album Grace
Etta James
Ella Fitzgerald 
Amy Winehouse
Beyonce 

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My take away -
Adele's career background is quite detailed in length and is truly as profound as her well deserved successes and honors.  Read even more on Wikipedia.  

Of all those who inspired her, I cannot imagine the many who Adele has inspired.