Vanessa: Unplugged!

Rest in Peace: Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

Michael Jackson has transitioned from this world to the next. It was difficult to accept the inevitable when hearing rumors of his death and then the confirmation of those rumors.

His death was the lead story on all the major news networks and the subject of blog posts. Celebrities and random fans were interviewed. His videos were broadcast on several channels. It was surreal.

Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm, Thursday, June 25, 2009. This is Day One after his passing. It's still very sad. Michael's death is such a universal loss. I couldn't relate to the loss some folks said they experienced when Elvis Pressley died but now I can.

My memories of Michael Jackson begin with the first performance of The Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was obvious then that Michael was a star.

The controversy later in his life did not diminish his remarkable talent. Michael Jackson was an entertainer. He passed just months away from his 51^st birthday and had been performing since he was four. Wow.

Michael Jackson is frequently described as child-like but his maturation is obvious in his songs and videos. Check out Black or White, Man in the Mirror, Remember the Time or In the Closet. His body of work is so extensive that he will live on through his music, songs, movies and videos.

Let's pray for Michael's family and that his soul is at peace. Ashe'.

Photo: Fanpop.com

While I Was Sleeping: Kris Allen Won American Idol?

What in the world happened last night? I intentionally missed the American Idol finale last night but I hadn't planned on sleeping through the evening. It was a foregone conclusion that Adam Lambert would be crowned winner so watching the show wasn't a big concern for me. I can’t say that I’ve paid very much attention to American Idol since Fantasia won but the finale is usually a great show.

Anyhoo, I was able to keep up with American Idol via highlights from my local FOX affiliate, WSVN-7. Lambert has an over the top style while Allen is understated.  I did like that other guy better. I think his name is Danny Gokey or something like that.

Lambert’s Goth-rock style complete with jet black eyeliner and big voice obviously didn’t cut it with the majority of the American Idol voters but don’t feel sorry for Adam Lambert; he and his big voice will do just fine.

I missed all of last night's performances and I usually like the guest performers. Oh, well; there’s always next year.

Year 2008 in Review by Uncle Jay

I never heard of Uncle Jay until a friend shared this video. Uncle Jay has a series of videos similar to this one.

 

 

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

   

   

Ageless Music: Blogger Album Project

My sister from another mother, Linda, from Ramblings of an Ageless Hippie Chick tagged me a few weeks ago with a meme on my seven favorite music albums. I’m such an eclectic music lover that I’ve started and stopped this blog post more times than I care to remember. Since it’s cold outside and I’m in for the night while I continue to fight off a cold, I’m going with whatever I write this time.

Besides, I am so tired of the Rod Blagojevich scandal and the Jesse Jackson Jr. denial tour that I really must move on for my own sanity.

THE RULES:

1. Post your list of the seven best albums, the seven bloggers you will tag, a copy of these rules, and a link back to this page.
2. Each person tagged will put a URL to their Blogger Album Project post along with a list of the seven best albums in the comment section HERE.
3. Feel free to post the “I Contributed to the Blogger Album Project” Award Graphic on your sidebar, along with a link back to this page.
4. Post a link back to the blogger who tagged you.


MY SEVEN ALBUMS:

1.       A Love Supreme – John Coltrane:  I can listen to this album over and over and over again. Coltrane was a musical genius and I’d choose his tunes over many of today’s musicians. That’s not a slap to just a testament to the groundbreaking sound of John Coltrane.

 

2.       Exitos Eternos - Celia Cruz:  There is only one Celia Cruz. I love watching her and predecessor, La Lupe. Celia Cruz mesmerized the Latin music industry and showed just why she’s the Queen with her modern tunes. My favorite song from this album is La Negra Tiene Tumbao.

 

3.       Electric Circus – Common:   This album is probably the least commercially successful of Common’s tunes. I happen to like the 1970’s flavor of the tunes. Common was obviously heavily influenced by his relationship with Erykah Badu at the time this album was made. There’s also a collaboration with Mary J. Blige that is underrated.

 

4.       Heaven – BeBe & CeCe Winans:   Before Kirk Franklin broke ground as a contemporary gospel star, BeBe and CeCe Winans paved the way with this album. Many secular radio stations found several cuts from the album in heavy rotation on their playlists. I love every track on this album. One of my favorite songs from this album is Lost Without You.  

 

5.       West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein:   Since my mom taught dance when I was a kid, I grew up listening to show tunes. I recall watching the movie version of West Side Story and memorizing all of Rita Moreno’s lines. While I liked Natalie Wood’s role but Rita had fi-yah.

I did get that the story was based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It’s really interesting to hear some of the songs today but I still love the album.

 

 

6.       3 Years  5 Months & 2 Days in the Day of the Life of… - Arrested Development:   I love this album and I love this group. They remind me of Sly & the Family Stone. There tunes are upbeat message music. I love the mix of reggae, rap and R&B. This is another album that I would turn the volume up on real loud and sing as I drove in my car on long distance trips.

 

7.       The Isaac Hayes Movement – Isaac Hayes:   This album was released in November 1969. I remember it vividly because of the song I Stand Accused. I had just become a teenager and the older kids talked about how long the song was. Since it was a slow song, it provided couples an opportunity to dance really close for a really long time. That song was the first song I danced close with a boy. I didn’t see what was such a big deal. I was really young. LOL

Here are the SEVEN BLOGGERS  I’m tagging. Play if you want, if not, that’s cool too.

TGrundy of RIBS

Regina of Regina’s Family Seasons

Mr. Chap of Mr. Chap Morning Show Live

Angie of What Floats My Boat

Marty of Marty BLOGs

Theo of Now That’s What I’m Talkin’ About

 and Matt of  A Bowl of Stupid.

My brain is fried; that was hard work. Your responses will be interesting. Peace and Blessings, y’all.

 

© 2008, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

Obama and McCain Dance-off

OK, y'all know that this is one funny video. It's so amazing how the candidates heads are placed on the bodies of the dancers.

I do have one question, why no love for Joe Biden? He should have been in the video too!

 

 

   

© 2008, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards.

   

 

 

Opie for Obama

There's been a lot of campaign foolishness lately and I'll get to the specifics in later posts. I must share this video that was sent to me by a few friends.

Now you know when Opie and the crew go to this extent to endorse Barack Obama, this must be a serious thing, check it out.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Tina Fey Scores as Sarah Palin --- Again!

The folks over at SNL (Saturday Night Live) are on a roll with their political satire skits. No doubt Tina Fey will win all kinds of awards and accolades for her spot on portrayal of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Each week's skit seems better than the previous week. Last Saturday's opening skit was a parody of the vice-presidential debate with Queen Latifah joining the cast as Gwen Ifill. You're really missing out if you don't watch it all the way through to its conclusion. Enjoy.

   

   

© 2008, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards.

   

Barack Obama Action Figure Great For Collectors

My Barack Obama action figure arrived and it's a definite keeper for Obama fans and collectors. I did remove the figure from its box to test its pose ability.

There's movement in the arms and the neck swivels. It appears sturdy and well-made. At $19.99 plus shipping, it's a tad pricey but I'll likely buy another as a collectible and not remove it from its box. Check it out.

 

 

SNL Showcases Hidden Talent

I saw this Saturday Night Live video on the Jailbreak Toys blog. It is creepy.

Who's that man in the beard? John McCain plays a stalker. Is he acting or just being himself? Check it out. He really wasn't that bad. Eeew!

Barack Obama Superhero Action Figure

In a move that will surely aggravate John McCain supporters even more; a New York toy company, Jailbreak Toys, has created a Barack Obama action figure along with other Obama items. No doubt McCain and Company will refer to this as idol worship so let's not give that point too much time and just move on.

Copy from the company's website says, "In many ways, Obama is the closest thing we've ever seen to a superhero... someone who has literally inspired millions of people simultaneously to step past fear, to be brave enough to hope and to go past cynicism and imagine what we could be if we were at our best. That's the stuff of legend!"

I'm going to check this out and give you a review of the product. In the meantime, you can go to the website and order one for yourself. A dollar will be donated to the Obama campaign for each action figure sold online. This is certain to be a collector's item.

Off Topic: Why can't I refer to this as an Obama doll? Oh, no, my guy friends said it's an action figure. I still say, get over it, it's a doll.