Martin VS. Gary V.

This is my first post for a Filipino artist on my music blog. And its not just one but two iconic OPM artists: Concert King MARTIN NIEVERA and Mr. Pure Energy GARY VALENCIANO. They are tagged as rivals but now they are joining forces for an album and an upcoming concert!

In the upcoming album, Gary Valenciano is reviving Martin's hit songs like "Be my Lady" and "Ikaw ang lahat sa akin" while Martin Nievera is singing Gary's hits like "Hang on".

The two pop icons in the country is now busy promoting their concert entitled "As One" this coming September 19 at SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds.

As they would say, magkakaalaman na. Isn't it high time we knew who really rules the concert scene, who performs better, who can shake the crowd to boiling point, who deserves to be ranked no. 1?

I gathered a few comparison points between Martin and Gary V. from my gaylalu friends and kayo na ang humusga kung tama sila o hindi:

• Martin is the better singer and Gary V. is the better dancer;
• Martin is an original while Gary is a Michael Jackson clone
• Martin is the total performer while Gary is Mr. Pure Energy; and
• Martin can entertain the audience not just with his singing but also with his sense of comedic flair; while Gary V. spices up his singing with "body language" and a sprinkling of religious music.

...and why not stream their selected cover songs here maybe this can help you to decide who's the better ONE:

Gary Valenciano- How did you know

Gary Valenciano- Can we stop and talk awhile

Gary Valenciano- Lean on me

Martin Nievera- It might be you

Martin Nievera- Ikaw lang ang mamahalin

Martin Nievera- Best of me

click also this:
more gary valenciano music here
more martin nievera music here

Taylor Swift New Song

We all know by now that Taylor Swift is one of the top young songwriters in both the pop and country music world. But when she decides to take on a rare cover song, she can make it her own before she even gets to the chorus. She's done that with a song cover by Tom Petty's "American Girl". (Available exclusively in Rhapsody).

The song is literally about a decade older than Swift, having been released back in the late 70's. But it's one of those classics that even other artists such as Def Leppard covered it.

There is definitely a gutsy rocker inside of Taylor Swift. Don't miss another side of this young superstar.

LISTEN: TAYLOR SWIFT- AMERICAN GIRL

Other songs she covered:

OUR LAST NIGHT- BETTER THAN EZRA ORIGINAL

UNTOUCHABLE- LUNA HALO ORIGINAL

UMBRELLA- RIHANNA ORIGINAL

Try also:
Akuztik Pick: Fearless by Taylor Swift
Playlist: All about Taylor Swift

To all the Young folks!

This is a very quick post!....



James Blunt doing an amazing cover of the song, "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John.

Try also this:
Original Version: Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn and John
The Kooks version
Triple J

Lisa Loeb is Ageless

I totally blown over when I first heard the song, "Stay (I missed you)" by Lisa Loeb which become her breakthrough hit back in 1994. The song which included in Reality Bites soundtrack- ultimately become a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earning her the distinction of being the only artists to top the US chart before signed to any record deal. I clearly remember being all anxious about getting her TAILS cassette album as soon as the song "Do you sleep?" hit the airwaves! (Ha ha how's 90s can u get!).

Anyway, I googled our fair lady and found out that she just turn 40 last March. FORTY!...Tell me she doesn't look practically the same as she did 15 years ago?... And I believe that these photograph were one of her recent image.

Aaah pasensya na! I cant help myself!... You say, I only hear what i want to...(stream dito.)

Punk Rock Cover: NEW FOUND GLORY- Stay

She also did an amazing cover song from Reo Speedwagon:

Lisa Loeb- KEEP ON LOVING YOU

Links:

Lisa Loeb STAY official music video
Lisa Loeb Weds!
Fresh Akuztik

Rampadura

I'm sure yung mga kafedex jan (kapederasyon gagah!) ay super abang to death na sa upcoming 2009 Miss Universe sa August 24. Aba! Dito pa lang sa lugar namin e mistulang nagkumpulan pa yata ang mga nagdadalaginding na vakla at pumunta sa inyong lingkod para lang sabihing makikipanood sila ng said event sa TV ko (dahil naka-cable kaya live telecast sya) na siyempre naman ay hindi ko matanggihan. Kesohadong nagsuggest pa ang isa sa kanila na may I bring ng mga pagkaing malalafang at yong isa naman ay sinabing itatake-down notes niya ang sagot ng mga kandidata sa Q & A portion para isaulo at baka magamit daw n iya sakaling magjoin din ng beauty contests!...Hay nakuu ang mga vaklush talaga!...pag nagsama-sama ang iingay pero ang saya!!...Halos mahilo pa ko sa mga gay lingo nila dahil sa totoo lang hindi ako expert sa paggamit ng ganun. Anuman ang mga ginagamit kong terms dito ngayon ay natutunan ko lang sa kanila.

It seems that our very own Miss Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo is doing great sa competition. I tried to watch the live feed of the preliminary pageant sa net kaninang umaga kaya lang super bagal magstream ang video kaya nagsearch na lang ako sa Google and to my amazement may available videos nang nai-upload!...Pamela is so fresh and radiant here. She really has the confidence and knows how to look charming on every angle. At marami siyang fans ha it looks like she's one of the crowd favorite.

Well sana nga masungkit niya ang title. After all Manalo ang surname niya and its really been so long na rin ung last Miss Universe title holder natin.

Anyway, here's a great cover version of BEAUTIFUL GIRLS by Jojo, originally done by Sean Kingston. :}

Lady Madonna

Sa August 16, ang tunay na gay icon at Queen of Pop na si Madonna ay mag-51 years old na!...Pero look at her- she's still hot as ever and feel's young pero u really cannot hide the fact na jumujunda na rin siya. By looking at her latest pics and videos, mapapansin mo ang malaking pagmature sa kanyang face at yung paglaylay ng skin niya sa shoulder ay isang malaking sign yon na damatans na nga siya. (I wonder kung ano magiging itsura niya by the time when she turns 60 or 70.)

After breaking up with husband Australian film director Guy Ritchie, Madonna has a new man of her life in the person of hunky Brazilian model named Jesus Luz. At minsan pang pinatunayan ng lola Madonna nyo ang pagiging dyosa ng mga gaylalu's by helping Jesus to have his own career sa modelling world at sa ambition nitong maging DJ. With that hot and gorgeous bod to die for ay talagang maiintidihan ko ang lola nyo kung ba't niya ginagawa yon!


Madonna remains one of the greatest pop acts of all time and even named as the world's highest earning female singer on earth. With the upcoming released of her new album, CELEBRATION later this year, expect more on continually reinventing her music and image and for retaining a standard of anonymity in the music industry. Here's some of my favorite cover version of her songs- as she is recognized as an influenced among other music artists.

Rihanna- Vogue

Lavender Diamond- Like a prayer

Natasha Bedingfield- Ray of light

Regina Spektor- Love Profusion

Madonna has her own share of covering songs. Here's some notable picks:

Madonna- Imagine (Beatles cover)

Madonna- American Pie (Don Mclean cover)

Love Story meets Viva la Vida!

This is an incredible cover version of Taylor Swifts Love Story mix with Coldplay's Viva La Vida by piano artists Jon Schmidt.



I just love this video. This is absolutely mind-blowing!

Check out more on Jon Schmidt here.

Carly Smithson

What'z up with American Idol Season 7 finalists Carly Smithson?...Well tinanggap lang naman ng lola niyo na maging lead vocalists ng isang rock band na ang miyembro ay ang mga dating kabanda ni Amy Lee sa Evanescence!...Of course with a new named, WE ARE THE FALLEN. (Check the group profile here.)

I'm very excited about this. She's one of my favorite during her time sa AI and glad that her career is moving along. I'm really looking forward for the released of their album this year.

Meanwhile, tsek niyo muna ang isa sa mga signature song niya na ginamit niya sa pag-auditon sa AI. Hindi niya inawit ito sa mismong competition but i think this performance was recorded pagkatapos na ng Final show.

Stream it here: CARLY SMITHSON- ALONE (Live Acoustic)

Eto ang ilan sa paborito kong studio recordings ni Carly na inawit niya sa Season 7 American Idol 2008:

Total Eclipse of the heart

Without you

Blackbird


Links:

American Idol playlists

More Idols here: Daughtry and Jordin Sparks

COOL COVERS

There are so many good cover songs out there na talaga namang very surprisingly amazing!...at kung minsan hindi mo inaasahan na mas okey pa ito kaysa sa original version dahil sa ginawan ito ng kakaibang renditon at style. Heto ang ilan sa mga paborito ko at ilan sa kanila ay inupload ko sa aking profile sa imeem. I-click niyo at baka magustuhan niyo rin. :}

Jill Sobule- Survivor (Destiny's Child original)

Mystery Jets- Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis original)

Corin Joel- I kissed a girl (Katy Perry original)

Shariff- Disturbia (Rihanna original)

Camera Obscura- Some guys have all the luck (Rod Stewart original)

James Morrison- Man in the mirror (Michael Jackson original)

The Walls- With or without you (U2 cover)

Arctic Monkeys- You know i'm no good (Amy Winehouse original)

Bree Sharp- Were going to be friends (The White Stripes original)

Links:

Accoustic & Cover Freak Group

PRES. CORAZON AQUINO TRIBUTE

SHE WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED AS THE ONLY WOMEN WHO RESTORED THE DEMOCRACY OF OUR COUNTRY. PHILIPPINES IS SO BLESSED OF HER PRESENCE-- A MOTHER, A LEADER & A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND FREEDOM.

YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON....

THANK YOU.

MUSIC HERE:

CANDLE IN THE WIND by Craig David

Links:

Philippines mourns democracy icon Corazon Aquino
RIP: Corazon Aquino 1933-2009