Posts Tagged ‘Acoustic’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Opening her debut performance at Radio City with Dark Side, Kelly Clarkson stood behind a sheer curtain that flashed a negative light of images and words — all tabloid fodder surrounding her professional career and personal life. The one word in particular that stood out the most, in bold red letters, was the word FAT. It was a touching moment to open the show in such a vulnerable way, in a way that most certainly fits the theme of Dark Side – a way that has lead everyone in the audience to feel connected to her, to cheer her on with a force to be reckoned with. Kelly Clarkson not only represents the girl next door who can rip a song a new one, she also represents a piece of all of us — that part of us that’s human and f*cking normal and real. This is why we, as fans, and as people, love and cling to Kelly Clarkson.

To keep it brief, after the show I updated my personal Facebook with this:

“On a high from Kelly Clarkson’s show. She was bloody amazing! I especially loved her cover of Florence + The Machine’s ‘Heavy In Your Arms’ — goosebumps! Vocally the best show I’ve seen in quite some time. Oh yeah, and Fancy herself (Reba McEntire) was in the audience. I will definitely be seeing her again. Unf*ckingbelievable!”

That pretty much sums up the show, except I did leave out the fact that besides her huge pop records, she also performed a cover of Etta James’ hit I’d Rather Go Blind (as a tribute to the iconic singer’s recent passing), and a wonderful rendition of My Man, taken from the huge Broadway favorite Funny Girl.

But since Kelly’s ballads have always hit home runs in my eyes, those particular numbers stole the show in my opinion. Below you will find an acoustic, stripped-down version of the angst-ridden Never Again, the beautiful rendition of Florence + The Machine’s Heavy In Your Arms, and a lovely ballad that Kelly wrote to help the children of Africa entitled You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like.

Get ready to feel your heart skip a beat.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Get ready for chills down the spine.

Can’t wait to see Kelly kick it live in January, here in the Big Apple!

In the meantime…

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Paramore’s new single In the Mourning is definitely picking up right where the band left off. They really know how to make hits and gets one’s energy flowing. I found this stripped down, acoustic version of the tune done by Miss Hayley Williams, and had to share it.

Feel free to eat this up!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is probably the best P!nk song you’ve never heard…

Love Song, taken from her 2003 album Try This, is probably one of the most beautiful and understated songs of her career. Real talk though, I still blame the album cover for this album not doing as well as her other efforts. Nonetheless, this track is flawless and I’m in reminiscent mode lately.

Watch. Tear up. Repeat.

It’s a cleansing process!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

-THE GZA, Wu-Tang Clan

This picture was snapped with my iPhone in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. From a distance, the first thing that caught my eye was Gaga’s overexposed horn-face. But then I looked closer…

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought this photo would stand the test of saying something heartfelt and lasting; something powerful.

It’s time we all give a little more. Be a little more. Feel a little more.

Count your blessings while your stuffing your face with pumpkin pie. And remember that not everyone has the option.

Real talk.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of the most striking moments in the new film Martha Marcy May Marlene is when twisted cult leader Patrick, played by the brilliant John Hawkes, performs the song you’re about to hear. I remember sitting in the theatre in total trance mode, seduced by the magic this song creates meshed with Hawkes chapped vocals.

JAW DROPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL.

Do yourself a favor and see this movie. One of the best films of the year in my opinion. The story, cinematography, acting; all brilliant.

And to everyone posting about J.Lo’s performance from the AMAs last night: THIS is what REAL music sounds like. No props, audio backing or shirtless male props required.

Song (live version) + trailer below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Guitar, people! Guitar.

Last week, passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight were given an extra scrumptious treat (damn them!) when singer/songwriter/uber-cutie, Mat Kearney, busted out an impromptu performance mid-air. Apparently this has been on Mat’s bucket list for quite some time.

Says Mat: “I’ve always actually wanted to pick up my guitar in the middle of a flight and just walk down the aisle and play songs, but this is the first time I’ve ever actually gotten the chance to do it.”

Here’s the proof!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of my favorite alternative rock duos, The Kills, are back with a smashing new single entitled Baby Says. This is by far one of the strongest tracks off of their fourth album release, Blood Pressures. Not to focus on the whole album, but it is indeed a fine work in a progressive discography.

There is just something about The Kills’ Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart that gets my heart pounding. In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers and these two certainly get a passing mark.

Check out this rare acoustic performance of Baby Says below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

So this past weekend I saw Footloose. Yeah yeah, judge me all you want, you pretentious boneheads. For the record, I actually liked it! I thought it was a cute movie. That’s saying something considering the fact that I went into the show very skeptical. Anywhoosie, during the film I was captivated by the remake of Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For A Hero. Except unlike the original fast-paced dance version of the song that appeared in the original film, this version was stripped down beautifully in an acoustic manner that felt painfully heartfelt.

Upon further research (AKA when the movie ended I googled that shit), I discovered this version was performed by South Carolina country singer-songwriter and rising star Ella Mae Bowen. But wait, there’s more. The shocker was finding out that she’s only 15! Yup. Crazy!

The good news for Ella (and for us new fans) is that she’s signed to Taylor Swift’s record label (Big Machine). So hopefully that means they throw some dough in her direction with regards to production and promotion and we hear much more music from her soon.

Her voice is incredible!

Find out for yourself…

Get More: Ella Mae Bowen, Music, More Music Videos

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ira Perez is one heck of a one woman show. Her voice is jazz, candlelight dinners, quiet secrets, smoky nightclubs. Another element of YouTube that makes me stop scorning the internet for a millisecond. She’s real talent, and I bless cyberspace for making her known to me.

Glad to say her talent has not gone unnoticed. She’s been picked up by a legit indie label and won the Houston Press award for Best Female Vocals in 2010. Her album is on the way, and for now she’s honouring our ears with original pieces and sundering covers.

One such cover is her rendition of Bruno Mars’ Grenade. Her low-key crooning makes the concoction all the more pensive, sensitive.

She’d catch a grenade for ya. Would you do the same?
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

First off, apologies to my baby daddy Drake for what I’m about to say. I think I may have a new crush! And he’s white! Guess the world is going to end in 2012 after all. I’m kidding. I love white dudes! As long as they are cool, personable, genuine, funny, and not into like Michelle Bachmann and stuff. Ya know, the usual ‘Is he worth it?’ routine.

His name is Jamie Scott and if you’re from London or a music trendsetter than you may have already called dibs, but I just stumbled across this video and instantly felt static cling. Beyond the surface remains a talent that stings just the same.

The style + art direction hits the bull’s eye.

Watch Jamie Scott in action below to see what I mean.

Graffiti6′s EP Free will drop on October 4th, so watch out!

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Martha Wainwright is my go-to gal for playful sensuality and bracing bilingual performances. Her transition from tragic to titillating is seamless. Her diction, even moreso. Every word she sings (whether in English or French) slips in your ear and stays there.

In 2009 she compiled a tribute to Edith Piaf, a notable French singer in the Canadian community. This was a far cry from the edge produced in other albums, straying away from expletive titles and leaning into pastel pallets.

Usually, I am not into covers. I prefer bona-fide beats and genuine verse. But somehow she makes the tribute stuff work. She does Edith justice, and more than once the album brought tears to my eyes. (Why are words always more tragic when sung in French?)

Best way to find out what she’s all about is by dipping into her original work. Then once you know her well, wade your way into her recent endeavours. No matter which way you go, you’re going to find beauty, and a whole lot of feeling.

My favourite song of hers is a bleeding heart on a record. Bloody Mother F*cking A**hole is painfully honest, a perfect pick for the badly wounded, a lullaby for the misfit. My second favourite is her take on Une Enfant, a tune that stills the heart.

Take your pick and open up to art.
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

BTB favorite Natalia Kills recently took over the roof of New York City’s Atlas Hotel, to celebrate the release of her debut album Perfectionist dropping earlier this week. Performing singles Wonderland and Free acoustically, the live set was part of the Hotel’s 4th Annual Open A.I.R: Artist In Residence Summer Concert Series, an event that benefits the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Awesome music + NYC rooftop views + a wonderful cause = 2Grool4Skewl!

[Related Post: On Heavy Rotation: Natalia Kills]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I mean, gurl…who told him this would be a good idea? Personally, I get a little too nervous watching this clip. I’m glad all ended well and errbody left happy as clams, but when you’re a famous little homefry like JB, someone might taser your ass and hold your body for ransom! Am I right, or am I right?

As expected, mass hysteria ensues.

For the record, this wedding took place this past weekend in California, where Jeanine Holguin and Rob McCool were getting their hetero marriage on (yes, it’s legal), by doing what, you ask? Oh you know, just singing some Bieber classic over the karaoke machine, duh. That’s when Justin decided to show face, shocking the heck out of guests who were probably stuffing their ears with cotton balls. What? Karaoke at weddings always makes the ears bleed!

It’s just as crazy but not nearly as fun as that one time Katy Perry crashed a high school prom in Australia. That was pretty funskies!

Regardless, it was a pretty cool and thoughtful gesture. See for yourself.

Oh! And congrats to the happy couple!

Oh yeah, one more thing and I’ll shut up — I threw in Dani Shay’s (les-bean that looks like Biebs) cover of Pink’s F**kin’ Perfect because it’s amazing and it helps to soothe the ears after the first clip. She’s fab.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

As always, I’ll be honest. I missed 98% of this past season of American Idol. Not because I’ve lost interest in the show, but because I gotz a life. Hello.

That’s pretty much it. I was a little too busy to catch the show every week and I don’t DRV.

Anyways, that’s useless information. I simply wanted to state that I missed the season so I can’t really put my two cents in with regards to Pia performing live during the season as a whole, but from what I’ve seen, the girl has a wonderful set of pipes. And on top of that, she’s prettier than a freakin’ pile of roses!

The season ten finalist recently released her debut single, the tender This Time on iTunes. The song deals with the issue of a bitter breakup — what else is new?

Pia is currently traveling the country on the the American Idols Live! 2011 tour and recently announced her deal with Interscope Records.

Listen to the track in full below.