Michael's Musings

What's Black & White & Read All Over...
Michael Shinafelt

"I'm outta time, all I got is four minutes" - "4 Minutes" Madonna/Justin Timberlake 

Even thought 4 Minutes is one of my least favorite songs ever. Sorry Madonna & Justin, not! This refrain is how I am feeling at present. "Yes" I said present, so shower me with gifts minions!

Ask me about how much patience and understanding I have at "present" it will turn into one of the worse gag gifts you have ever received. Moving on...

I f#cking miss Tina Turner, she's simply the best, better than all the rest...

Did a photo shoot with artist Daniel Dehnert yesterday, that is all 

If you are ever feeling powerless, just remember one of your pubic hairs can shut down an entire restaurant 

Went to the Gay Pride Parade in Los Angeles this past weekend. It was epic - that was not a compliment

Finally I cracked 170 and now weigh 169, that's correct minions I'm bringing sixties back!

When someone asks if you give a damn, be honest

Remember when damn was actually considered a curse word? "Yes" I am old

And then there's Maude -

Have you heard?! Mike Clifford crooning his awesome cover of Carole King's Will You Love Me Tomorrow? Here's your chance, after the jump!

Happy "Oh What The Hell" Day!

If at first you don't succeed, figure it the f#ck out

What's new pussycat?

Miley Cyrus, MIley Cyrus, Miley Cyrus

Have yourself a good day, and do what's right

I'm gonna take you out, on the neon side of town

Come along for the ride at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/mshinafelt?lang=en  

Twos - Day

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

Happy Twos -Day! That's correct minions being the random contraption I am, I'm feeling the love of the numeral two twoday. As in two people, couples or two people spending some "quality time" together.

This is most likely because I had some hot, intense "quality time" recently and it's been on my mind ever since. Hey, you can't shake that feeling easily.

So, I have decided to post celebrity twosomes that are eye catching to myself and others. Bask, minions, bask! No need to thank me you can just....

Chrissy Teigen & John Legend

Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel

Amal & George Clooney

Superbowl Schwing! Justin Timberlake

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas

Gingerbread Man/Ed Sheeran/Gingerbread Man/Ed Sheeran
with
Gwen Stefani

"Yes" I know today's byline is the name of Gwen Stefani's Holiday CD. It seems so fitting for this photo op she took witth Ed Sheeran, I mean the Gingerbread Man at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA.

Seriously what could give a Christmas vibe more than Gwen dressed as a Christmas ornament, standing next to a Christmas tree with a man that's good enough to eat I ask you? Uh-huh, that's what I thought, nothing.

Have a Sweet Saturday, only 16 more days until the Big C!

"I got this feelin' inside my bones, It goes electric wavy when I turn it on" Can't Stop The Feeling, Justin Timberlake

Gwen on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gwenstefani/?hl=en 

Tequila Shots w/Justin Timberlake

Can't Stop The Feeling!
Justin Timberlake

Whether you think he is a dreamy hunk or a guy who seems like a blast to hang out with, admit it, you know what you want to do with Justin Timberlake. Kick back shots of tequila and let the good times roll!

Pssssssssst! I'm here to let you in a a fact you may not know about him, he collaborated with tequila maven Casa Sauza to create Sauza 901 Tequila. It's a dream come true for all you Timberlake fans, it means your dream slamming down shots with Justin can be your reality for just $34 a bottle! 

Yes, I know Justin won't physically be there, but he will be there in spirits. Hey, whose to say he won't actually materialize? After a few shots the possibility is real.

Forget your troubles c'mon get happy, it's Wednesday you owe it to yourself to navigate "The Hump" and let it rip!

Justin on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/justintimberlake/?hl=en  

Turn And Face The Strange...

Believe It, Or Not
Justin Timberlake & Kate Winslet

When I was younger I thought nothing could surprise me. Yeah, you think you have seen it all when you reach your twenties. Well that's a load of BS! That is one of the joys of being fifty you realize life is always evolving and there is always something that will catch you off guard that you never expected.

This brings me to today's post. Who would have ever thought one would see Kate Winslet & Justin Timberlake acting opposite each other in a movie???

In Woody Allen's world, which has a certain bent to it, now you will. The photo above is of the odd couple bouncing creative energy off one another while shooting Allen's latest untitled opus in Queens, New York.

File this under: Wonders Never Cease.

Kate on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000701/

Justin on IMDB: 
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005493/?ref_=tt_cl_t3    

Why Take 5? When You Can Take 6?

"When Angels Cry" Available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Spotify

"Believe" on March 25, 2016

You'd better "Believe" Take 6 is back! “When Angels Cry,” the first single from multi-award winning jazz, pop and R&B group TAKE 6’s highly-anticipated album “Believe,” is now available for purchase on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon and streaming on Spotify. The new album will be available worldwide on March 25, 2016 via SoNo Recording Group. Known for working with some of the biggest and most iconic names in music, including Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, Al Jarreau, Don Henley and James Taylor, to name a few, Take 6 will delight music lovers with “Believe” a contemporary record filled with exciting collaborations and new material with every hallmark of the classic TAKE 6 sound. Motown Legend Stevie Wonder recently met up with the guys in Nashville to contribute his exquisite harmonica playing to the song “You Know You Are In Love.” “When Angels Cry” iTunes – https://itun.es/us/96Rr- Google Play – https://goo.gl/7R6Utl Amazon – http://amzn.to/1Migrgd Stream on Spotify – http://spoti.fi/1NueQJU Back In Action Take 6 TAKE 6 (Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley), has been heralded by none other than Quincy Jones as the "baddest vocal cats on the planet!” Their uniquely cutting-edge style is comprised of six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves. All of this bubbles into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. TAKE 6 are quintessential a cappella. The group, considered torchbearers for an entire reemergence of a cappella as a musical movement, has been performing together since their days at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama in 1980. Their debut album scored two 1988 Grammy Awards and landed in the Top Ten Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Twenty seven years later, the most talked-about vocal group of all time, TAKE 6 is in greater demand than ever, selling out shows all over the world. They have performed on Saturday Night Live, the Oscars, the Grammys, had the honor of performing for four sitting U.S. Presidents, and appeared at the Democratic National Convention. The group, which has inspired and been a founding influence to a generation of recording artists including Boyz II Men and *NSYNC, has collaborated with a who’s who of artists – including Stevie Wonder, Gordon Goodwin, Don Henley, Whitney Houston, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, k.d. lang, Queen Latifah, Brian McKnight, Luis Miguel, Marcus Miller, Joe Sample, Ben Tankard and Cece Winans. TAKE 6 Tour Dates: Dec 11 Lincoln, NE - Lied Center for Performing Arts Dec 12 University Park, IL - Governors State University Dec 13 Houston, TX - The Fountain of Praise Jan 02 Aspen, CO - Downstairs @ The Little Nell Jan 03 Aspen, CO - Downstairs @ The Little Nell Feb 12 Flagstaff, AZ - Northern Arizona University Feb 14 Chandler, AZ - Chandler Center for the Arts Feb 18 Santa Rosa, CA - The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6 Feb 20 Bellingham, WA - Mount Baker Theatre Mar 17 Urbana, IL - Krannert Center’s Colwell Playhouse Apr 01 Reading, PA - Berks Jazz Festival (The Summit Show) Apr 06 Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater (The Summit Show) Apr 15 Oceanside, CA - Miracosta College - Oceanside Jazz Festival May 14 Malibu, CA - Smothers Theater - Pepperdine University   take6.com facebook.com/Take6Official sonorecordinggroup.com

Jessi Teich Has A "Twisted Soul"

I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing the mega talented Jessi Teich recently. Her upcoming album which she recorded in Paris, Twisted Soul is due March 3rd and it's amazing!

Not familiar with her? Well let's get acquainted with the Jazz aficionado...it's time to know more about Ms. Jessi Teich!

JT: Hi Michael, this is Jessi Teich

MS: You and I were just in a Twitter frenzy.

JT: Yeah, that's exactly what was happening. (both laugh)

MS: I really loved Twisted Soul and the fact that you were Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music was not a real shocker.

JT: Awwwwwwww, Thank you. It's such a nice thing putting something out there that people respond to in a positive way. It means so much, it's great!

MS: The music biz is so up in the air it's the more unique artists that seem to be catching on.

JT: I tried to make this album accessible as far as the musicality of it. I know with jazz it's really easy to go into an eight minute solo...Not everyone wants to geek out on jazz. (laughs) People like simple music, I like simple music. I gravitated towards that with the album, I think it's a great marriage between jazz and simplicity. 

MS: Twisted Soul is described as "Poperatic." 

Jessi Hitting The Keys

JT: The story of it is autobiographical. Actually the booklet that is coming with the CD, each song is going to be presented as a chapter in the story and I do a little narration in each song. It's in third person, between a male and female character. This is all based on a previous relationship I was in which was emotionally abusive. The CD talks about how I was in the relationship, how I was able to break free from the relationship and how I was able to succeed in finding my own way, my own voice and emerging victorious. This is a very positive way in dealing with a terrible situation.

MS: I love your quote about "vomiting crazy emotions" out of yourself.

JT: (both laugh) I'm always afraid I'm going to gross people out when I say that, but it's true! It's like I am purging myself of these crazy feelings. It feels like vomiting, it's weird. (laughs)

MS: Yeah, it's like when I write. Something comes out that's so loopy I keep it because it's so cool.

JT: Yeah, it's you, it's unique. I think that is what people graft onto in this day and age. They want you the person, not you this unattainable artist. They want to be able to relate to you somehow. That is part of the reason I chose not to remain silent about my situation, not only does it help me, but I feel like it could help a lot of people, feeling they could live through this and get through something horrible.

MS: What I find interesting when artists do speak about these things is, it's not going to stop it. But it will help people.

JT: If I can benefit one person, I've done my job. When I was going through the worst of it, I really grappled onto who else has been in a similar situation to me. One things I did was I called one of the abuse hot lines. I talked to them about my options and protection and what I could do...because I was very scared. When I was able to reach out to somebody else, people that knew how to deal with situations like that I felt like I had a community. It was an amazing feeling. 

MS: You also had to overcome a cyst on your vocal chord.

JT: That was pretty intense. I was diagnosed with a cyst on my right vocal chord a few years ago. It was something that really kind of jilted me into reality, like oh my gosh! I might not be able to pursue my music career. When I was diagnosed I was teaching forty vocal lessons a week, eating pretty much what I wanted. I questioned myself first, and I asked my vocal therapist: is it me or my technique? She said: No absolutely not, this happens when you overuse your voice. I did everything I could for a while, speech therapy, singing therapy, changed my diet, everything that could be a trigger and the cyst went down about fifty percent, but it didn't go away so that's when I decided to have the surgery. But before the surgery, you're going to laugh at this, I still went to work and carried around a white board and wrote everything down, people did not know what to do with me. People thought I was deaf or mute, they thought I didn't speak English, even though I had a name tag and a white board that said: Hi my name is Jessi Teich and I'm on vocal rest. (both laugh) It really opened my eyes to how important your voice is. The only other universal language other than music is a smile, so I just smiled a lot, people were like: OK she's happy even though she's not talking (both laugh)

MS: It's interesting to me that you covered Justin Timberlake's Cry Me A River.

Jazz Baby

JT: Yes. I grew up listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin...My Dad had this amazing vinyl collection. I still was a child of the 90's and I listened to Justin Timberlake, he was on the radio, he was my guilty pleasure. It seemed to fit the album. I've always liked covering pop in a very different way. 

MS: When I first saw the song on your album, given your background. I thought it was a cover of the Arthur Hamilton version.

JT: Oh yeah the jazz standard. I think I have been throwing a few people for a loop, because they expect that. Then they hear Justin Timberlake  and they're like whaaaaaaat?! (laughs) 

MS: Throwing people for a loop is a good idea I think.

JT: I do too, and I do it on a daily basis anyway, why not do it on my album? 

MS: I loved your poetry on the title track of Twisted Soul. 

JT: Thank you. I could literally sit down with you and go through every line of that song, and really any song on the entire album, it all means something. Every lyric is prepared for a very specific reason. There are long and short stories behind each song. The album was so cathartic and so therapeutic, to write these songs and get them out in the world. I appreciate your compliments, it's so nice for me to get them out of my system. 

MS: You really love jazz, touch on that some before we say goodbye.

JT: Some of my greatest music teachers were Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington...I grew up listening to these women. Here I am this little white girl, so cool, all my friends are like: I listen to Brittney Spears, I listen to Christine Aguilera. I'm like: I listen to Billie Holiday. (both laugh) They would all look at me like: Who's Billie? (laughs) who is he?! I was such a different kind of kid I really walked to my own beat. 

Walk to your own beat with Jessi Teich at:
www.jessiteich.com
www.youtube.com/jessiteich
www.facebook.com/jessiteichmusic
www.twitter.com/jessiteich

Pentatonix: Celebrating 1 Million Plus !

In case you have not figured it out, I think Pentatonix rules! So guess what here is the latest on the PTX gang - Hit it!

Pentatonix are celebrating reaching 1 million Youtube Subscribers and 100,000 Twitter followers with their new video of Justin Timberlake's "Pusher Love Girl."

That's right, all love girls need a pusher, as well as "Mean Girls" (if you've seen that movie you get it) - so get down and get pushy with PTX - Werd! 

                                                Yep, it's "Pusher Love Girl" Time

Push your "Love Girl" at: http://www.ptx-official.com/

Being Justin Timberlake: Kevin "K-O" Olusola

Kevin "K-O" Olusola

Just when you thought you had been there and done all that with the amazing acapella group Pentatonix, along comes resident Cello aficionado Kevin "K-O" Olusola to take the talent of the group to a whole new level.

Kevin let's loose his inner Justin Timberlake with a cover of "Mirrors" that is vocal free...That's right it's Kevin and his cello cranking it out for your entertainment.

Just how much more talent can the PTX'ers mine Together? Solo? Remains to be seen, but judging from "K-O's" cover and video the well of possibilities is endless.....!

                                                                "Mirrors" Video

Check out Kevin and the PTX gang at: http://www.ptx-official.com/