Music Review: Cheek to Cheek: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

Yes, that’s right, you read correctly. Slipping very gently under the musical radar only a few weeks ago was the release of an album of duets between 17 time Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett and her fine self Miss Lady Gaga. Of all the possible artistic partnerships in the industry at present this is certainly the most unexpected. This is Lady Gaga in her most natural element, stripped back, no makeup, no fanfare or electro-pop. Cheek to Cheek is your classical restaurant music, up-tempo jazz tracks mixed with laid-back, gentle and sultry classical tracks. Tony Bennett is his natural classical self, whilst Lady Gaga shows off just how powerful her vocal talents are. She tackles each track flawlessly and almost unrecognisably. This album is worth the purchase just to hear Gaga alone but is also a great listen for any fan of the classical, the musicals and the fabulous divas. Sublime.

This review was originally published on QNews and can be found HERE

Music Review: Reigan Derry – All Of The Pieces

It’s been a long and complicated journey for Reigan Derry since her start in the music business. She’s been around the world and back, struggling to find herself and her musical identity (she’s even misplaced her last name). After her departure from the ill-fated girl group Scarlett Belle it’s fair to say she’s been picking up the pieces of her musical career. “All of the Pieces” is set to be the song to do just that, collecting a broken career and taking the steps forward towards her own musical identity. The song is dark and lilting, it’s gently anthemic and moving, a far cry from the bubblegum pop one might be expecting from this striking beauty. The song plays to the strength of her vocals, utilising her diverse range, striking the highs and lows in equal balance rather than relying on power notes and diva styling. It’s an interesting new start from Reigan, certainly one worth supporting and following.

This Review was originally published in QNews and can be found HERE

Music Review: James Johnston – How Am I to Know

This Brisbane boy may be a familiar face to many, having appeared on not one but two reality singing shows. Placing third on the final season of Australian Idol as a fresh-faced 18-year-old James rejected several offers and instead returned to writing and recording his own music. In 2014, fresh off his most recent attempt at The X Factor which saw him cut at the final hurdle, James is back working harder than ever creating his own music. His latest single “How Am I to Know” shows off his powerful vocals and gently blends his country style in a strong upbeat pop track. Whilst nothing can compare to the power and passion that James displays live on stage this song affirms his ability to transfer his vocal and musical talent to the recording studio with strength and style. “How Am I to Know?” is available now on iTunes.

This review was originally published on Qnews and can be found HERE

ALBUM REVIEW Ricki-Lee: Dance In The Rain

Ricki-Lee is the little Aussie diva who just keeps on giving. Dance in the Rain is the Gold Coast girl’s newest musical evolution. Ever since her shock departure from Australian Idol ten years ago, Ricki-Lee has continued unperturbed, delivering a string of hits that have seen her amass a loyal following. Dance in the Rain successfully manages to combine a strong personal narrative with catchy upbeat dance tracks. “Happy Ever After” is the strongest case in point, a track Ricki-Lee has described as one of her proudest. Title track “Dance in the Rain” is equally emotive, whilst other songs up the ante delivering strong dance beats and diva realness in “Giddyup” and “Until We Drop”. Overall the album manages to deliver a perfect package and is most certainly her strongest release yet.

This review was originally published on QNews and can be found HERE

Album review: Mary Lambert – Heart on My Sleeve

After finding international fame with Macklemore’s “Same Love” and her follow-up singles “She Keeps Me Warm” and “Secrets”, Mary Lambert has been gradually preparing us for her newest work. Her debut studio album Heart on My Sleeve is slated for a November 14 release in Australia and it has delivered well above expectations. This is an album with a story to tell musically and lyrically, and it takes the listener on a deeply emotional and personal journey. From the upbeat and anthemic “Secrets” the album shifts pace to the wistful “So Far Away”, continuing to shift and change as it progresses. Her cover of “Jessie’s Girl” is perfection, blending a beautiful and haunting queer spin on this classic that will move you deeply. Lambert’s strength in vocal and lyrical delivery is sublime, in short, this album is not to be missed.

MUSIC REVIEW: Taylor Henderson – Burnt Letters

A pretty face and a guitar are key parts of the recent recipe for reality TV talent, but last season’s X Factor finalist Taylor Henderson seems to have found himself something more. Fresh off the 2013 season Henderson has gone from strength to strength, charting great success and cultivating a legion of fans. After his first No 1 ARIA debut album Taylor has followed up with “Burnt Letters”, his second No 1. Lead singles “When You Were Mine” and “Already Gone” set a great tone for what’s to come of this album, which features a great mix of tracks. From the catchy “Worth Fighting For” to the gentle ballads “Host of Angels” and “Piece by Piece” this album is more than bubblegum pop. Taylor has set himself at a standard higher than his predecessors and is fast proving his ability to deliver quality Australian music.

This review was originally published on Qnews and can be found HERE

MUSIC REVIEW: You+Me – Rose Ave

Something strange happened in music land this week. Pink released a new album and well, no-one seemed to notice. Unlike her previous works there has been no fanfare and saturation for this record. This new release has slipped gently under the radar, as it is part of her collaboration with Canadian musician Dallas Green, under the name You+Me. Together they have teamed up for a beautiful harmonic release, shifting gears and taking their music in a vastly different direction to the usual party rock anthems we are used to. Rose Ave is sweet and powerful, throwing back to a lilting and gentle style we so often heard dropped throughout her previous works, but never an album entirely like this. It’s a unique direction, but a perfect one, again showcasing her incredible vocals and extensive talents.

This review was originally published on QNews and can be found HERE

 

MUSIC REVIEW: U2 – Songs of Innocence

It’s the most controversial album on the Internet at the moment. Why? Because it’s free. For the first time in their history Apple has gifted the latest album from U2, “Songs of Innocence,” to everyone with an iTunes account. But in amongst the complaints how many have stopped to listen? U2 have always taken their music seriously and being one of the best known bands in the world, you kind of have to. They have of course continued to deliver an album that stops, stands up, shouts and whispers all at once. Bono’s voice is both haunting and inspiring as he rips through track after track with such ease you have to be thankful for this freebie. “Song for Someone” is a standout along with “Volcano” and “This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now”. Get listening, it won’t cost you a cent.

This review was originally published by QNews and can be found here

Music Review – Ryan Amador

The Internet has changed the face of the music industry for both good and bad. It’s refreshing to experience the good reasons and one of those is Ryan Amador. Over 200,000 people around the world have discovered the music of this soulful New York twenty-something as he sings about the heartbreak and passion of love, strength and identity. Most well known for his song “Define Me”, his recent album proves he is a musical force well worth the attention he has been getting. With vocals that match some of the industry’s greats his work is passionate and honest: if his track “Instead” doesn’t leave you in tears you must have a vacant heart and the rest of his album will take you on an emotional journey you won’t soon forget.

You may have seen Ryan perform at this year’s Brisbane Pride Fair Day or at his intimate gig at The Junk Bar. His self titled album is out now.

We snapped Ryan at Fair Day and yes, he very talented plus a dam nice guy as well!

http://www.ryanamador.com/

This review was originally published on QNews and can be found here

Ryan Amador is coming to Brisbane

Early last year I discovered the incredible musical talents of singer/songwriter Ryan Amador, an independent artist based in New York who is creating some remarkable, unique and honest work.
I was not only captivated by his talent, his range and tone are remarkable, but also by the strength of the songs he writes as a young gay man, writing of love, loss and finding his identity. First rising to prominence in my world was his hit song “Define Me” with Jo Lampert, a beautiful anthem on washing away the labels and the negativity that society so often places upon the GLBTIQ community, it is beautiful and touching in the simplicity of it’s delivery and intricacy of it’s words. His self titled album is moving, gentle, uplifting and successfully makes you both smile and cry by the time it ends and you reach to start again. Perhaps the most passionate of all his tracks is “Instead”, a heart wrenching song of loss and love, if the film clip doesn’t make you draw a tear or two you may in fact have a heart of stone.

I’m more than thrilled to know that Ryan is coming to Brisbane all the way from New York to attend the Brisbane Pride Festival to perform with local Brisbane Band Youthfire, taking centre stage and delivery his empowering works will be a show not to be missed.

Even more exciting is the announcement of his second performance whilst in Brisbane, presenting an intimate evening of music at Ashgrove’s “Junk Bar” on Tuesday the 23rd of September.
To RSVP and all your event details see the Facebook event below.
The amazing team from Queer Brisbane are putting this together.
https://www.facebook.com/events/816748118349667/

Tickets are just $20 online, see the Facebook event above for details or they are $30 at the door. So come along and support this remarkably talented artist for a brilliant evening of music and great company.