With the passing of the last of the great Hollywood Broads, Lauren Bacall, this now marks the end of an era for the Madonna mega hit Vogue.
Yes, every amazing star named in the the monster 1990 smash Vogue has now passed away.
Wow! But what a great homage to all of those unique and singular talents of yesteryear this song is and shall ever remain.
As much as I loathe Madonna's recent output this is and will remain a song for the ages and in honor of Ms. Bacall's passing and all the other legends in it, let's have a moment and -
"Come on, vogue Let your body move to the music"...
"I'm more about telling a story than I am about vocal gymnastics" Pop Princess Shara Strand to yours truly, Michael Shinafelt "Chorus and Verse"
When I first interviewed Shara Strand for "Chorus and Verse" I knew she was something special, not only was she a gifted singer, she was also a ball of positive energy that is so infectious you can not help liking her.
The release of her second single "I Will Carry You" really hits all of this home, let's hear what Shara has to say about it:
"I Will Carry You" is a song about true love, partnership, and support- and mirrors the great place I am in now, after the "Jekyll or Hyde" type relationships. I am so happy my second single is released and hope my fans love many of the remixes"! Thanks Shara!
Puppy Love: Shara & Coco
That kind of unconditional love also extends to animals. Shara has partnered with the American Humane Association who Shara asked if she could share some of the royalties from "I Will Carry You" with them. They of course gave her an enthusiastic "Yes". By the way Shara's Pomeranian Coco recently celebrated her first Birthday. Shara's follow up to "Jekyll or Hyde" is sure to be smash! Let Shara "Carry You" at: sharastrand.com
Although I enjoyed Season One of "Smash" and sure I was going to watch the Second Season. I was not one of those people who was totally blown away by it.
Sure it had one of the best ensemble casts on TV and some knock out musical numbers, but there was something that did not quite push it to the greatness that it could be, very entertaining for sure, but that extra something just was not completely there that matched the ambition of the show.
Well, jump back! Season Two is off to an amazing start! With a two hour premiere that is already more dynamic and stakes claim to the ambition that was almost realized from Season One.
Things I loved:
1) Jennifer Hudson as "Veronica Moore" - J-Hud is a great addition to the show and, was great herself in it.
2) Katherine McPhee's "Karen Cartwright" - new found jaded and world weariness, is a much needed change from that wide eyed girl from Season One.
3) The new opening credit sequence, slick and jazz hot!
4) Julia (Debra Messing) shacking up with her writing partner Tom (Christian Borle) - so "Will & Grace" with a twist and an edge.
5) Jeremy Jordan as "Jimmy/Danny", hey bad boys are fun boys, especially in a nighttime drama/musical.
6) Liza Minnelli as an upcoming guest star and the return of Bernadette Peters. Enough said.
7) Visibly higher production values, they added greatly to a show that is as big as this.
8) Jack Davenport (Derek Wills) this is a personal thing, ahem.
9) Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn) - always a spot on singer/actress
10) Anjeica Houston, Anjelica Houston, Anjelica Houston...ever since I saw her in "Prizzi's Honor" I have been hooked, one of my favorite actresses.
The funniest thing that happened to me whilst watching the "Smash" Season Two premiere was I had totally forgotten, until I saw them duet together that J-Hud and K-Mc had both been on "American Idol" they have both risen so far above their humble beginnings they no longer need to list the show on their resume'...
Looking forward to the next episode, bravo everyone !
It's time for another "Entertain Me" favorite, singer/songwriter Aiden Leslie to let loose and answer this writer's "stupid questions" - OK Aiden, here we are now, "Entertain" us.
MS: Anything you are “Trying To Leave Now”?
AL: Not at the moment. That was last year...
MS: Do you aspire to perform with an Elvis hologram?
AL: I didn’t know what a hologram was until recently…they kind of scare me☺
MS: What's it like being a Devo, spill?
AL: There is nothing to spill…LOL. I feel like a nerd most of the time.
MS: Isn’t Erasure that thing on the end of a pencil?
AL: YES☺ AND also, a great band that inspired me in a huge way!
MS: Glee or Smash?
AL: This is probably the wrong answer…but neither.
MS: What’s a Farrah Burns and should we all have one?
AL: Hard to define, but (she’s) got it goin’ on!
MS: So, where would you like to visit that’s “Worlds Away”?
AL: Anywhere where I haven’t been before…and that list is long!
MS: Falsetto or Auto Tone?
AL: No question. Falsetto!
MS: Bitter or Sweet?
AL: It’s always bittersweet.
MS: If your life was a pop song, what pop song would it be?
