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The GrooveLife Divas are those woman that have such power, beauty and wit that they demand attention with such grace and dignity as they express such thoughtful reactions to the most serious challenges to the human soul These women carry themselves in a manner that makes it seem so effortless to be just plain sexy to the core, which is why they are... the Sassy 'n' Classy Divas of the GrooveLife

The Architects
1. Nina Simone
2. Me'Shell NdegéOcello
3. Sarah Vaughan
4. Billy Holliday
5.
6.
7. Morcheeba... Skye Edwards
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Lucinda Williams
13.

The Current Renovators
1. artist]Pat Appleton (De-Phazz, VFSix feat. Pat Appleton
2. Alice Russell (Quantic, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, TM Juke, Bah Samba, Kushti
3. Róisín Murphy (Moloko, w/ Handsome Boy Modeling School)
4. Beth Orton (w/ Finley Quaye & William Orbit
5. Goldfrapp
6. PJ Harvey (w/ Tricky, w/ Nick Cave)
7. Ani DiFranco
8. Jill Scott
9. Bjork
10. Joy Malcolm (Waldeck, Incognito)
11. Sia (Zero 7)
12 Erykah Badu
13. Beth Gibbons (Portishead)

Tomorrow's Promise
1. Lady Z... Slow Train Soul-- Slow Train
2. Amy Winehouse
3. Kata Miletich (LoCura)
4. Smoke City
5. India.Arie[/artist
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13

Divas from Down Under
1. Bebel Gilberto
2. Mari Boine
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
11.
12.
13.

Folkstress

Album
1... Lady Z
2... Amy Winehouse
3... Shirley Bassey
4... Joy Malcolm
5... Erykah Badu
6... Jewel
7... Bebel Gilberto
8... Mari Boine
9... Shirley Bassey
10... Zap Mama
11... Angélique Kidjo
12... Beth Gibbons
13... Skye Edwards
...

Track
1. Kata Miletich
2. Lou Rhodes
3. Cat Power
4. Julee Cruise
5. Beady Belle
6. Smoke City
7. Goapele
8. Dani Sici
9. Brazil Girls
10. Sia
11. Zap Mama
12. Micatone
13. Joss Stone

-- Pat Appleton (De-Phazz, w/ VFSix)
-- Beth Orton (w/ Finley Quaye & William Orbit
-- Goldfrapp
-- Alice Russell (Quantic, The Quantic Soul Orchestra, TM Juke, Bah Samba, Kushti
-- Me'Shell NdegéOcello
- Amy Winehouse
- Morcheeba... Skye Edwards
-- PJ Harvey (w/ Tricky, w/ Nick Cave)
-- Róisín Murphy (Moloko, w/ Handsome Boy Modeling School)
- Joy Malcolm (Waldeck,Incognito)
- Cowboy Junkies... Margo Timmins
- Lou Rhodes (Lamb)
- Kata Miletich (LoCura)
- Sia (Zero 7)
- Cocteau Twins... Elizabeth Fraser (w/ This Mortal Coil, w/ Massive Attack, w/ Ian McCulloch
- Jill Scott
- Ani DiFranco
- Incognito
- Bebel Gilberto
- Mari Boine
- Cat Power
- Sarah Vaughan
- Julee Cruise
- Erykah Badu
- Jewel
- Smoke City
- Bjork
- India.Arie *
- Lady Z... Slow Train Soul-- Slow Train
- Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
- Lucinda Williams
- Dani Siciliano (Matthew Herbert)
- Suzanne Vega
- Micatone
- Joss Stone
- Brazilian Girls
- Sade
- Billie Holliday
- [re: Jazz]
- Sinéad O'Connor
- Angélique Kidjo
- Everything but the Girl -- Tracey Thorn
- Astrud Gilberto
- Mazzy Star
- Jazzamor
- Shirley Bassey
- Nina Simone
- Alif Tree *
- Katy Perry *
- Moriarty *
- Norah Jones *
- Kylie Minogue
- Kosheen *
- Lila Downs
- Goapele
- Emiliana Torrini *
- Madonna
- Karen Ramirez *
- Lady GaGa
- Hird *
- Dido
- The Brand New Heavies
- The Dø *
- Tori Amos
- Alicia Keys *
- Les Nubians *
- Beady Belle
- Feist *
- Sweet Coffee *
- Naomi *
- Count Basic *
- Aretha Franklin
- Pink
- Gabin
- Stereolab
- Mellissa Etheridge
- MC Lyte
- Fiona Apple *
- The Cranes
- Kinny & Horne *
- Esthero *
- Emmylou Harris

With Angélique Kidjo's "Djin Djin (feat. Alicia Keys & Branford Marsalis)"!

It started with a list that I found in Corbin03's journal, my collection of...

Awesome Cover Songs:
Hallelujah - k.d. lang (Leonard Cohen)
Sea of Love - Cat Power (Phil Phillips)
Comfortably Numb - Dar Williams (Pink Floyd)
A Case of You - Diana Krall (Joni Mitchell)
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Tori Amos (Nirvana)
Dancing With Myself - Nouvelle Vague (Billy Idol)
Sweet Dreams - Marilyn Manson (Eurythmics)
Imagine - A Perfect Circle (John Lennon)
Chelsea Hotel No.2 - Rufus Wainwright (Leonhard Cohen)
Rebel Rebel - Seu Jorge (David Bowie)
Love Song - 311 (The Cure)
Blackbird - Sarah McLachlan (The Beatles)
Abracadabra - Sugar Ray (Steve Miller)
Blue Monday - Orgy (New Order)
Lola - Jacqui Naylor (Kinks)
Voodoo Child - Angelique Kidjo (Jimi Hendrix)
Super Trooper - Camera Obscura (Abba)
It Hurts Me Too - Warren Haynes (Elmor James)
Little Wing - The Corrs (Jimi Hendrix)
Not Fade Away (live) - Sheryl Crow & Keith Richards (Buddy Holly)
Soulshine - Beth Hart (Warren Haynes)
The Loco-Motion - Grand Funk Railroad (Little Eva)
creep (unplugged) - Korn (Radiohead)
Sixty Years On - Brandi Carlile (Elton John)
I'm on fire (acoustic live) - Heather Nova (Bruce Springsteen)
At Last My Love Has Come Along (Live) - Christina Aguilera (Etta James)
Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young cover) - The Alarm (Neil Young)
I Will Follow You Into The Dark (Live) - Amy Millan (Death Cab From Cutie)
Jealous Guy - Collective Soul (John Lennon)
Ooh La La - Counting Crows (The Faces)
Blues Run the Game - Counting Crows (Jackson Frank )
Song To The Siren - This Mortal Coil feat. Elizabeth Fraser (Tim Buckley)
Both Hands - Raining Jane (Ani Difranco)
Lilac Wine - Sarah Slean (Jeff Buckley)

...and just discovered...

KCRW Sounds Eclectic: The Covers Project:
01 I Go To Sleep - Sia (The Pretenders)
02 Harvest - Rufus Wainwright with Chris Stills (Neil Young)
03 Black Dog - Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation (Led Zeppelin)
04 Gentle On My Mind - R.E.M. (Glen Campbell)
05 Wishing On A Star - Paul Weller (Rose Royce)
06 I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl - Nikka Costa (Nina Simone)
07 Moses - Missy Higgins (Patty Griffin)
08 Mad World - Michael Andrews feat. Gary Jules (Tears for Fears)
09 Crazy In Love - The Magic Numbers (Beyoncé)
10 Let's Dance - M. Ward (David Bowie)
11 Hallelujah - k.d. lang (Leonard Cohen)
12 Out On The Weekend - Girls in Hawaii (Neil Young)
13 Knives Out - The Flaming Lips (Radiohead)
14 Fire and Rain - Dido (James Taylor)
15 Creep - Damien Rice (Radiohead)

65daysofstatic / Adam F / Africa Combo / Amel Mathlouthi / Angélique Kidjo / Anis / Anoushka Shankar / Aphex Twin / Archie Shepp / Aristide & Jean Zégarés / Aronas / Asian Dub Foundation / Assassin / Atmosphere / Au Revoir Simone / Autechre / Autorun / Balkan Beat Box / Bang Gang / Barbirooza / Beat Assailant / Beat Torrent / Ben Harper / Birdy Nam Nam (x2) / Björk / Black Sifichi / Brad Mehldau / Brain Damage (x2) / Breakestra / Brother Ali / Bumcello (x2) / Busta Rhymes / Busy P / Caravan Palace (x2) / Christophe / Clark / Clipse / Colleen / Craig Armstrong / Crazy B / D'Julz / D.Kay / DAAU / Dabaaz / Dave Clarke / David Neerman / Dee Nasty / Defiance, Ohio / Digital Soap (x2) / Dionysos / Dizzee Rascal / DJ Cam / DJ Fresh (x2) / DJ Krush (x2) / DJ Need (x2) / DJ Pone / DJ QBert / Dominik Eulberg / Dub Pistols / Dub Trio / Dubians (x3) / Electro Deluxe / Elisa do Brasil (x2) / Emilie Simon / Enfants 2la Basse / Erik Truffaz (x4) / Etikal Lab / EZ3kiel (x4) / Faraï / Foreign Beggars / Fumuj / Grails / Hecker / High Tone / Hint / Ill Bill / Improvisators Dub (x2) / Interlope (x2) / Iration Steppas / Iswhat?! / IZIA / Jack de Marseille / Jaga Jazzist / Jeff Mills / Johannes Heil (x2) / John Thomas / Joris Voorn / Justice / Green Velvet / Groundation / Heiko Laux / Herbie Hancock / Hexstatic / Hint / K2R Riddim (x3) / Kaly Live Dub / ケンイシイ (aka Ken Ishii) / Keziah Jones (x2) / King of Conspiracy / Kling Klang / La Spirale / Lansiné Kouyaté / Laurent Garnier / Lee Konitz / Leila (x2) / Les Brin'Chieux (x3) / Les Gourmets (x2) / Les Louise Mitchels / Lisa Gerrard / Lo Còr de la Plana / Maceo Parker / Madeline / Man Man / Manu le Malin / Martina Topley-Bird / Matmos / Meï Teï Shô / Method Man / Micropoint / Ministère des Affaires Populaires / MiSSiLL / Mix Master Mike (x2) / Molecule / Monsieur Orange / Narrow Terence / Nathalie Natiembe / N*E*R*D / Nosfell / Nouvel R / Orange Blossom / Paul Kalkbrenner / Pat Metheny / Plaid / Portishead / Public Enemy / Radiohead / Rage Against the Machine / Redman / Renata Rosa / Revo / Ricardo Villalobos / RJD2 / Roi Heenok / Roken Is Dodelijk / Rona Hartner / Roni Size / Roots Manuva / Rubin Steiner / S.Mos Sextet / Saez (gratuit bien sûr) / Sascha Funke / Sayag Jazz Machine (x2) / Sebastian Sturm / Simon Bassline Smith / Sing For Freedom / Slaine / Son Of Dave / Souad Massi / Speed Caravan / Spook & The Guay / Squarepusher / Suprême NTM / Svinkels (x4) / Taiwan MC / Tender Forever / The Black Seeds / The Chemical Brothers / The Herbaliser (x2) / The James Taylor Quartet / The Offbeat Generator / The Roots / The Skatalites (x2) / Thomas Dutronc / Tiken Jah Fakoly / Titi Robin / Toots and The Maytals / Underworld (x2) / uht° (x2) / Wax Tailor / Wu-Tang Clan / Yaron Herman / Year of No Light / Yuksek

Preamble : SiR HendRix Rating System

SiR HendRix Rating System employs a 50–100 point quality scale for individual musical tracks. the common 5-star rating points — [* to *****] — are not sufficient for rating the complexity of music and results in very subjective measures and inflated ratings. there is not so much 5-star [*****] music around as is rated in this world.

this rating is very serious. it’s not about “best rock song ever. period” or “my personal top 10” or something similar.

SiR HendRix takes a hard, very critical listen at tracks in order to underestimate and not overestimate the musical quality. if possible, in a peer group setting, i.e. comparing the track to be assessed with other representatives of the genre or style or with different covers resp. the original version.

my own personal subjective 5-star rating goes into the whole rating with 10-20 percent only. 80 percent of the rating process is in-depth assessment of musical motif, arrangement and structure, variety and dynamics, development and depth/breadth of the theme, expression and feel, uniqueness and/or innovativity, and performance. last but not least, i rate overall quality and lasting impression. this is not done by one autition only. up to 5 malus or bonus points may be subtracted or added according to two lists of 10 criteria each (including sound quality, metrics, virtuosity, instrumentation, interplay, expression of heart, genius work, simplicity/pureness, overdo, etc.). don’t ask for the specific point ratings for a track, i won’t reveal them, only the end result.

please note carefully : the ratings reflect a critical *listen at the music* and not just my personal opinion or taste. neither reputation nor being a fan nor the latest hip genre affect the rating in any manner. i don’t care. on the other hand, if a mainstream artist outside my listening habits performs well, he/she will get my points, no matter what. possible high ratings do not necessarily go with my love for the particular piece of music or the artist. i even could nearly object giving points and might be surprised or angried by my own rating results for artists i normally don’t care much about. my loved tracks would yield a different list, and i admit, i even do love mediocre music, we all do. but it simply won’t get my high ratings. i hope this clarifies the difference between love and assessment, it’s two different worlds.

once again : SiR HendRix Excellence Rating is not about “music i like”. it’s about a deeper understanding, appreciation, acknowledgement (and objection) of music performances beyond personal tastes. otherwise we wouldn’t need the Rating System.

the scoring of music is a professional task with applying a numerical system to it on a consistent basis. the advantage is rapid precise communication of quality to experts and amateurs alike, nothing more, nothing less.

music rated over 85 points is very good to excellent. please mind that the majority of quality music usually doesn’t cost more to listen to than to mediocre music. we don’t need to settle for less.


[*****]

98-100 points
unbelievable (AAA)
the top of the crop. music in this range is jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, really more than we could reasonably expect ...

95-97 points
extraordinary, profound (AA)
the very best, a rare level of greatness and elegance. music in this range has very high caliber, is overwhelming and might blow you away (or knock your socks off) ...

90-94 points
outstanding, high quality (A)
this is where special effort begins. music in this range is exceptional and terrific, but only few will make it into this category ...


[****]

85-89 points
flawless, very very good (BB)
great value for the price. music in this range is very satisfactory and hardly objectionable ...

80-84 points
slightly above average (B)
better than the bulk. music in this range has some redeeming features and is worth to be collected ...


[***]

75-79 points
very average, straightforward, mediocre and unremarkable (CC)
music in this range is generally pleasant but lacks complexity, character, or depth. this is where most of the mainstream music resides. just switch on the radio or TV. if you want to become somewhat famous and rich as an artist, go here.

70-74 points
slightly below average (C)
music in this range is imbalanced and should be less expensive to pay for ...


[**]

60-69 points
definitely below average (D)
music in this range is flawed, amateurish and to be avoided at all costs ...


[ * ]

50-59 points
poor, unacceptable, terribly dull (E)
words are insufficient to describe the inadequacy of this music ...


➤ List of Quality [****] published in the House of Quality
➤ List of Excellence [*****] published in the _ Center of Excellence _


i never ever will rate music upon request. so please don’t ask.
if you told me this reminds you of Robert Parker’s wine rating system, i would respond: exactly.


**** The List of Quality Music ****

this list is ever evolving and so are the rating points.


**** BB : very good ****

89 points

89 - Aretha Franklin - People - a bit schmaltzy but her great voice wins over
89 - De-Phazz - It Will Turn Out Right
89 - Dinu Lipatti - Piano Sonata No.8 in A minor K310 II. Andante cantabile con espressione - by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
89 - Enigma - Mea Culpa
89 - Grover Washington - Just Enough
89 - Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble - Credo
89 - Jazztronik - Someday (Etude for the Right)
89 - Jean Boguet - Le Vent Dans La Plaine - by Claude Debussy
89 - Joan Armatrading - Cool Blue Stole My Heart (Live) - Joan’s studio tracks mostly don’t compare to a vibrant and emotional live version with a particular band to be found on her album Performance Classics: Steppin' Out Live
89 - Omar Sosa - Mis tres Notas - this cuban pianist is amazing, more to expect ...
89 - 坂本龍一 Ryuichi Sakamoto - Lorenz And Watson
89 - Trần Thu Hà - Without


88 points

88 - John Abercrombie - Carol's Carol
88 - Mark Isham - Barcelona


87 points

87 - Angélique Kidjo - Summertime
87 - Pink Floyd - Interstellar Overdrive
87 - Rosalyn Tureck - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 - Fugue #13 In F Sharp, BWV 858


86 points

86 - Omara Portuondo - Killing me Softly - nice cover version by a charming cuban lady


85 points

85 - Mo' Horizons - Bosshannover


**** B : slightly above average ****

84 points

84 - Rhythms Del Mundo feat. Chris Martin - Clocks - sweet & groovy cuban cover version which balances Chris Martin’s poor singing performance. truly alternative.


83 points

83 - La Capella Reial de Catalunya & Hesperion XXI - Mille Regretz (Chanson) - by Josquin Desprez (1450-1521)


82 points

82 - Rhythms del Mundo feat. Sting - Fragilidad - Sting’s own cuban cover version seems to be better than the original


81 points

81 - Caetano Veloso - Haiti
81 - Cesária Évora - Miss Perfumado (4 Hero remix)
81 - Cesária Évora - Petit pays (Chateau Flight remix)
81 - Doruk Somunkiran - Strange Company
81 - El Lele De Los Van Van & Radiohead - High and Dry - Radiohead’s cuban cover version, happily doing without Thom Yorke’s falsetto


the purpose of the House of Quality is to collect and document above-average music performances. don’t settle for less.

for outstanding performances [90 and above = *****] refer to the List of Excellence, documented at the _ Center of Excellence _.


SiR HendRix
//

9. DJ Shadow
It's a while since I've heard good music produced entirely on turntables, and DJ Shadow most assuredly does that. The man is a very very smart cookie, basically.

9. Angélique Kidjo
I'd often meant to check her out, and based on one album she's not bad. A bit light on for my tastes in African music, but definitely not bad music in general terms.

8. Cro-Mags
One of the (arguably the) first bands to combine punk and metal - and thus lead to a very interesting series of developments on both sides of that equation. I've often been disappointed with "legendary" albums, but these guys can stand up and be proud even now.

7. Lair of the Minotaur
Without a doubt, one of the more boring doom bands I've come across. I used to be able to see what the fuss was about, even if I didn't agree with it, but I can't even do that now.

6. Lee Aaron
A strange one here. She used to sing rather run-of-the-mill glam metal and now sings jazz. Not convinced that she's overly good, though.

4. Woods of Infinity
I came very close to appreciating their albums this week, but the problem is that they just don't know when to stop recording. Everything's far too long and loses interest as a result.

4. Riverside
What a find! Poland's basically only known for death metal (and some black metal), but these guys are pure progressive rock and metal, and do terrific things as a result. I can't get enough of this band, and I'm so impressed with what I've heard. Definitely the musical discovery of the month.

3. Stam1na
As with Woods of Infinity, I nearly ended up liking this band. There's some definite quality on each album, but just not enough to make it worthwhile.

2. Vengeance Rising
In the abstract, a Christian thrash metal act with violent lyrics that then turned to atheism is an interesting idea. Over the course of four albums, though, it becomes very clear that it's a one-trick pony that wasn't particularly good at the trick in the first place.

1. DJ Assault
I found this album lying around on my hard drive, and hoped it might've been hilariously bad. In the event, it was just bad.

I stole this from somewhere... twas fun.

Take your top 25 artists, and find out how many listeners they have.

Pearl Jam 760343
The Frames 74969
Something for Kate 25317
Silverchair 317225
Jeff Lang 1329
REM 1012529
Powderfinger 65111
Michael Franti and Spearhead 52526
Augie March 34265
Red Hot Chilli Peppers 1472302
Luka Bloom 13143
The Go Betweens 62118
Matt Walker And Ashley Davies 47
Gomez 190043
Neil Finn 26246
Midnight Oil 106876
Beth Orton 228032
Holly Throsby 5581
Editors 435214
Doves 390847
Paul Kelly 15482
Damien Rice 665614
10,000 Maniacs 116856
Angelique Kidjo 52679
The Cat Empire 78415

..................................................

Total Listeners: 6203109
Average (divide 25): 248124.36

Divide by the number of Radiohead listeners (1522369):
0.1629856887522

Multiply by 100: 16.29

I AM 16% mainstream. Yay.