Staying Rooted to the Heart via Michael Bolton

The heartfelt lyrics and soulful beat produced by ballads sung under the 70s or 80s era are just magical to say the least. Despite the fact that we all have moved forward when it comes to the type of music we’re hearing as of current date, we just can’t seem to let go of those slow and indulging tracks that focused on love, relationships, heartbreak and the like.

True enough, we can still sing the songs and never get tired of it since it’s quite rare now to patronize an artist without any sensationalized bit attached to it. In a world full of mangers for attention and the always in-trend singers and musicians, replaying tracks from the not-so distant future is a breath of fresh air.

It was in the late 1980s, when American singer and songwriter Michael Bolton changed the game for heavy metal and hard rock by amalgamating the power of emotions to every song he popularized. Sure enough, Michael Bolton is one of the remembered singers to have filled your old house with lyrics that just creeps to the bone that makes your hair stand on its ends.

Now aged 62, Michael Bolton and the music he introduced to the world never gets old, as he’s still active and pretty much exposed to the music industry in general. Drifting to the utmost care of music outfits such as RCA, Columbia, Jive and Concord, Michael Bolton’s career have been one of the most sought-after and is always worthy of a look back.

Bolton might be tagged as your professional balladeer that has serenaded millions of torn and lovestruck hearts during the late 1980s, which made his career soar as, he wasn’t quite expecting. To date, Bolton’s triumph can be gauged with his 75 million copies sold in a global scale with hundreds of recognitions given to him over the years.

Michael Bolton’s peg on pop rock and adult contemporary have paved the way of his inevitable success and can be dubbed as one of the best male solo acts of all time. From his career in 1975 until now, Bolton is one prolific artist as he was able to release a total of 17 studio albums, all of which earned its rightful patronization and put him into the pedestal of world fame.

Some of the most famous albums known to have solidified Bolton’s career includes the first five entitled Michael Bolotin (his real surname, 1975), follow-up LP Everyday of My Life (1976), self-titled album released in 1983, Everybody’s Crazy (1985) and The Hunger (1987).

It had been deemed that Bolton’s tearjerker song How Am I Supposed to Live Without You is his first armament to fame as it immediately careened the charts and topped several like the US, UK, Australian and Ireland Hit Charts upon its release.

Some of the other songs that are reminiscent of Michael Bolton include Georgia on My Mind, Time, Love and Tenderness, Missing You Know (a known collaboration with Kenny G), To Love Somebody, Drift Away, Said I Love You But I Lied, I Found Someone, I’m Not Ready and Break Free.

The coveted Grammy Awards have never failed to recognize the talent that Bolton has and awarded him with his rendition of 1966 track When A Man Loves a Woman.

http://laurenceourac.com/staying-rooted-to-the-heart-via-michael-bolton/

Miley Cyrus singing for ‘Freeheld’

Miley Cyrus can be a lot of things, but if there is one word that would describe her, it would be fearless. Many of times this 22-year old singer has made the people raise their brows because of her actions and well, outfits.

We haven’t gotten over with her jaw dropping, almost naked set of wardrobes from the recently concluded VMA – indeed a stent made the very Miley Cyrus way.

This character of her made her fit to sing one of the songs in the upcoming movie ‘Freeheld.’ The movie is about a lesbian couple which stars Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. Entitled Hands of Time, the song was written by songwriter-producer Linda Perry.

It’s not often that we see Perry penning lyrics for a movie soundtrack. The songwriter admitted that working with executives and producers and their feedbacks are something that’s out of her style. “Everybody has an opinion, don’t they? It never works out for me.” – she confessed. (Cited: http://time.com/4032971/miley-cyrus-hands-of-love-premiere-freeheld/)

Miley has been a supporter of the LGBTQ community. In fact, she even showed how seriously she cares for them by having her own foundation for the homeless LGBT youth named Happy Hippie Foundation.

She even posed with a trans teenager with hashtag #instapride to stress how outspoken she is, showing love and support for this sector of the society. Ellen Page who stars in ‘Freeheld’ even expressed her approval of Miley’s stint on the movie’s soundtrack. “She has a really raw, unique, awesome, beautiful voice, and Miley‘s doing a lot of incredible things for the LGBTQ community. I just thought it was going to be a perfect fit. She and Linda made something really special. I kept listening to it after I heard it.” – Page told to Times. (Cited: http://www.justjaredjr.com/2015/09/14/listen-to-miley-cyrus-powerful-new-song-hands-of-love/)

In time after US approves same sex marriage, the movie was a real life story of the struggles lesbian lovers Stacie Andree and Laurel Hester have endured to fight for their rights. Moving and definitely a must watch, ‘Freeheld’ will be shown in October.

http://laurenceourac.com/miley-cyrus-singing-for-freeheld/

Taylor dedicates her song Never Grow Up to Jamie King’s kid

To be a godson of Taylor Swift is super. But having a song being dedicated to by the magnanimous Swift? Boy, that’s beyond!

Taylor Swift dedicated her song Never Grow Up to Jamie King’s son during one of her numbers on the ongoing 1989 tour. The gesture was touching and definitely endearing. “I wrote it when I was like 18 0r 19, but my friend just had a baby and she made me a godmother of it and I was holding this little baby the other night and I was just thinking differently. When you’re holding onto something that’s so innocent and so perfect and has no idea what’s coming for it with the world. The world is going to throw so many things at you as we grow up.” – The singer mentioned, while on stage in front of some 55, 000 fans in Santa Clara, California. While the song was part of her 2010 album, it was the first time Taylor sang it live, which made it even sweeter. King saw the clip and tweeted her appreciation saying, “This is beautiful Tay – Leo Thames is so blessed.’

The song is undeniably perfect and fit for the message Taylor has to send to her godson. These lines from the song are so touching, you might want to hug Taylor right then there: Don’t you ever grow up, it could stay this simple / No one’s ever burned you, nothing’s ever left you scarred / And even though you want to, just try to never grow up.

We know that Taylor has a lot of friends. Popular friends, on that note. We’ve seen her with supermodels and celebrities that own the most beautiful faces in the world. While the viewing mass thought it’s just all about the glam and fun, this side of Taylor showed that she’s just like any of us who cares and loves her friends, even treating them like her own. Thumbs up Tay Tay! This made you just even more adorable.

http://laurenceourac.com/taylor-dedicates-her-song-never-grow-up-to-jamie-kings-kid/

You shouldn’t turn off that light for Nelly Furtado

Thanks to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada, the world has come to know a talented artist by the name of Nelly Furtado. You’d never gone to have any difficulties reminding her, as her goddess-like face is all that you need to remember.

But when that mouth opens to sing songs, then it’s a whole new level to like her even more than you expect. Her musical inclination is not just about singing by playing an impressive set of instruments on the likes of keyboard and piano, guitar, ukulele and even trombone.

The 36-year old singer is known to have focused her entire career on being known for the genres pop, R&B, folk, Latin pop, hip hop, world and dance-pop. Born Nelly Kim Furtado, this mainstream singer slash songwriter is someone that’s been around for quite some time now and yet never has lost an inch in forwarding her musical career.

Truly a gift to humanity, Nelly Furtado is one beautiful face that can launch not only a thousand ships, but a full-force, sure-hit a plethora of songs that would creep magically in your subconscious.

Nelly Furtado is known to be one of the best-selling singers of all time as she was able to harness a whopping record of 20 million album copies and 20 million songs sold in the span of her career, worldwide. Furtado never had any concerns when it comes to making her name a sweet catch upon the release of internationally acclaimed singles I’m Like A Bird and Turn Off The Light. The thick and hurly-burly approach on both of the songs had made it indelible tracks during the time of its release.

Nelly Furtado debuted with her album Whoa, Nelly!, which basically sums up the success of this venture as this is when Nelly Furtado had been widely known as a relevant artist. It is with I’m Like A Bird that Furtado managed to snatch a coveted Grammy gramophone for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance awarded in 2001. Two years after this triumph, the iconic singer continued to pull-in another reason for her fans to adore her more via the album Folklore.

Folklore, released in 2003, had been the album where three of Furtado’s biggest hits have been included, which are Try, Powerless (Say What You Want) and Forca. In 2006, after a longish and uncalled for hiatus, Nelly Furtado brought the album Loose on the plate.

The infamous track Say It Right is one of the most memorable collaboration of modern pop as famous rapper Timbaland get to share this song with Nelly Furtado. Another iconic song that channeled Furtado’s flexibility and sultriness have been observed with the song Promiscuous.

Furtado never strayed away from her Latin roots and ensured that a full-length album would be in the music stands, hence, the release of the Latin album, Mi Plan.

A Latin Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Award had been well placed in this album and for Nelly’s brave attack on crafting a non-English ensemble. Furtado’s last album had been entitled The Spirit Indestructible, which was exposed to the market in 2012 and her fame, despite the very long and close to being permanent lay-off, continuously are being remembered to the short-lived yet worthy musical endeavors made.

http://laurenceourac.com/you-shouldnt-turn-off-that-light-for-nelly-furtado/

Carrie Underwood is back with a latest track and an upcoming album

The country hit maker is back with a new single and much anticipated upcoming album. Carrie Underwood fans, you no longer need to wait because the songstress is very much in return with the same original sound we have learned to love her first with.

Nah, Smoke Break isn’t about an experiment or reinvention. This latest single is about the very same Carrie belting high notes and singing in a country vibe. Set aside the pop sounding side of this singer because this track is about going back to her roots by having another piece of a country song.

Smoke Break is a story of the majority of us. However, the listener might take it, literally or metaphorically, the song narrates what happens to the commoners. First lines are about a mother who works hard for her kids. The introduction itself is a full story. Hear lines ‘She’s a small-town, hard-working woman just trying to make a living / Working three jobs, feeding four little mouths in a run-down kitchen / When you never taking nothing and doing nothing but giving / It’s hard to be a good wife and a good mom and a good Christian and get into the trance of visual depiction of everyday heroism.

The track is a telltale of fighting and getting tired but still battling through again. But this is not about empowerment or anything of the same note. There is no distinct message of positivity when it comes to dealing with matters. The song is stuck in the middle of the circumstance. The intricate telling of how things happen and how they eventually work out.

The song was penned by Carrie, Chris Destefano, and Hillary Lindsey and produced by Jay Joyce. 

The announcement of the song was a surprise and created a buzz amongst Carrie fans. Her upcoming album named Story Teller is expected to come out this October. With this song included on the said album, get a hint of nothing but pure sounding songs done in a distinct Carrie way.

http://laurenceourac.com/carrie-underwood-is-back-with-a-latest-track-and-an-upcoming-album/

Bono is the current wealthiest musician in the world

What could’ve been an easier way of getting hefty bills while having a great time than being a rock star? Behold, as the newest throne for the richest music icon has been named after the person of none other than U2 front man Bono.

Get this: Bono surpassing the record made by Sir Paul McCartney’s estimated £730M worth who used to own the throne of being the wealthiest music icon in the world. You might be getting it wrong though.

Bono’s reported worth of £940M didn’t come from endless road shows and album sales. U2 might have been there for a long time, but their existence is not the reason why Bono is now owning the crown of the richest person in the music industry today.

Thanks to the current dominating social media Facebook, Bono was able to make a humongous earnings creating his already stout bank account even more decent.

The journey to having bills, bills, bills started when the singer/activist gambled and put his £56 million to gain a 2.3 % share on FB back in 2009. Zuckerberg’s brainchild is definitely a hit and nonetheless history shaker.

With an estimated 1 Billion users every day, we can just imagine how the money can multiply immensely over time. As if ‘posturing at the back of our minds is even needed, just look at Bono’s wealth that grew in the span of six years and get a tangible amount of the estimates.

This news might have been a really good and may act as a saving grace in lieu of reports that his clothing company, co-founded with his wife is currently dropping around a million dollars.

Filthy rich and nonetheless influential, the figures bumped McCartney to top two and moved the equally famous Madonna, who has estimated £520M worth to top three amongst the most moneyed performers in the world.

Well played Bono, well played.

http://laurenceourac.com/bono-is-the-current-wealthiest-musician-in-the-world/

Getting OK with EDM master Steve Aoki

With the advent of technology being infused with the conventional music, electronic dance music, Dubstep and electro house are the new breed of genres that have spawned by this marriage of tones and makeshift boats. Music lovers, especially those who are on their teenage years, find the aforementioned music types as somewhat akin to rock as they have explicated that they were able to do some release whenever they listen to it.

The magical cacophony of sounds and the dizzying turn of melodies have made EDM and all the other music genres encompassed within it something worthwhile to listen to. The lyrics, if ever there’s any, is just a bonus to the whole music experience and despite the repetitive words splattered with beats, it’s just a magnetic void that everyone wanted to warp to. Speaking of which, many people have known Steve Aoki as one of the pillars of EDM and his rise to fame and the established footing, he was able to achieve the only means that he would be there giving us music frenzy for a longish time.

Steve Aoki’s career have been jammed with a lot of collaborations with equally bagshot musicians on the likes of Iggy Azalea, Lil Jon, Laidback Luke, Black Eyed Peas’ Will I Am, Afrojack and Kid Kudi. Easily, all of Aoki’s music genius has been translated to numerous climbs onto chart-topping outfits with his fan base ceaselessly growing in a global scale reaching United States, Europe and some parts of Asia.

It can also be remembered that the smoothness of Aoki’s career have been founded when he released his eponymous album Wonderland, which had been duly nominated for a gramophone award for Best Dance/Electronica Album. With a disc jock like Aoki, it had been quite expected that this musical prodigy is adept in maneuvering specific music-emitting tools such as turntables, CDJs and personal computers for beats creation and arrangement. As of current writing, Steve Aoki had been known linked to music giants such as Ultra Music, Dim Mak Records, Spinnin’ Records and the Ministry of Sound Australia.

The 37-year old DJ had been fairly received by everyone letting him reap some of the most coveted awards under his belt such as being nominated at the World Music Awards for World’s Best EDM Artist, Billboard Awards winner for Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles as Best Mix Album of the Year in 2008, Best Set of the Season by the DJ Awards and the cutesy Chiuku Award from the MTV Latin America outfit just recently.

Steve Aoki managed to have crafted three spectacular albums entitled Wonderland (2012), Neon Future I (2014) and Neon Future II (2015), which immediately rose to the top of US Dance Charts as the second spot upon its release. Steve Aoki’s music ingenuity can be remembered via tracks such as Delirious, Free The Madness, Get Me Outta Here, Rage the Night Away, A Light That Never Comes, I Love It When You Cry, The Power of Now and Lightning Strikes. Never forgetting his heart to help, Steve Aoki built the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund which aims to gather sums of money to aid and support humanitarian relief operations.

http://laurenceourac.com/getting-ok-with-edm-master-steve-aoki/