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1st track killing me :)

Mon 1 Jun – The Decemberists, Blind Pilot

Set One:
The Hazards of Love, in its entirety. With guest vocalists Shara Worden and Becky Stark.

Set Two:
Leslie Ann Levine
We Both Go Down Together
Billy Liar
Sleepless
Yankee Bayonet *with Shara Worden
Dracula's Daughter a/k/a "The worst Song I've ever written. Please don't share this on Youtube"
O Valencia!
Sixteen Military Wives
Crazy On You [Heart cover] with Shara and Becky.

Encore
Eli, the Barrow Boy
Sons and Daughters

I was having a tough time explaining to my lovely wife, who joined me to see this concert, why I felt like a giddy 15-year-old boy at the show.

The Hazards of Love is an amazing rock-opera concept album. And from the first listen, it was my favorite among favorites: I grew up on prog rock, and most of my favorite albums tell twisted incomprehensible stories and there's no breaks between the songs. So to see The Hazards of Love performed in its enirety, with no breaks between songs, no introductions or banter, no breaks to tune a bouzouki or to get a bottle of water - well, it was something I'd missed out on by being just a bit too young with the concept albums of yore. I never saw Pink Floyd perform "The Wall" or Genesis do "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway."

And The Decemberists, much like Genesis with their "Lamb" tour, seem poised on the precipice of something much bigger. We saw them at the moderately sized Lifestyles Community Pavilion, but I have a suspicion that their next tour will be played to arenas.

As for the music, The Hazards of Love was performed note-for-note perfect. Only on the high notes on The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All) did Colin's voice falter. He reached the notes, but didn't hold them as long.
But what a treat is was to see their guest vocalists.

Becky Stark as Margaret looked every bit like the Princess Buttercup that her voice sounds like. She was lovely and ethereal, and wore a white dress that drew all eyes to her on the dark and gloomy stage.

Shara Worden was a shock. Her soulful vocals as the Queen are an amazing bit of rock and roll, but on stage she brings a sexual energy to the performance that I wasn't expecting. She has this amazingly sultry alto voice, full of vim and soul, yet looks like Columbia from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm going to have to check out some My Brightest Diamond now (her band).

Jenny Conlee rocked on the organ and accordion. My wife accused me of having a crush on her. I told Shannon that my crush extended to the rest of the band.

Nate Query is the band's bassist. He looks like he should be a CEO for a small upstart green-friendly corporation. Perhaps it was the fact that he looked the most comforatble in a tie, and had the most respectable haircut. Query is the unsung hero in this band. His bass parts are fun and full of melody, and are every bit as interesting as Chris Funk's guitar work.

Funk, the unlikely rock god that he is, seems to have taken a class out of the Robert Fripp School of Rock Stars, by hiding in the shadows for much of the show, often facing away from the stage. Not exactly a showboating ham, but his musicianship is first class.

John Moen, the drummer, reminded me of Max Weinberg in the sense that he could play these incredible beats and polyrhythms and not look like he's exerting much energy at all. His backing vocals seemed to be spot-on, although slightly too low in the mix for most of the night.

Colin Meloy needed a haircut. Shannon thought he was wearing a hat, since his bangs had gotten to "Shaggiest Sheepdog" length. But as I mentioned before, he's incredible as a singer. The guy must be a dream to work with in the studio, since he seems able to nail the vocals 99.9% of the time, in pitch with the right inflection and emotion.



The rest of the band, too, were much like that: Its as if last night was proof that they recorded "Hazards of Love" in the studio in one take (they didn't). Very few flubbed notes, missed beats, etc.

This does mean that the band live is more like Rush or Yes than say, Phish: There wasn't much room for improv in the songs. A few songs in the second set were a bit less structured and allowed the band to breathe a bit, but for the most part, the songs were played with a laser-like precision.

Highlights from set one:
The Rake Song, where all but Query and Meloy got to bang on tomtom drums in unison, reminding me of a cross between Donnie Iris' "Love is Like a Rock" and Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom"

Jenny Conlee's amazing hard-rock organ solo on The Queen's Rebuke/The crossing, along with the ghostly background vocals by Jenny and Becky behind the voluptuous lead vocals by Shara Worden.

Set Two opened with Leslie Ann Levine, and then got a bit casual. After Leslie, Colin said, "Hi. We're The Decemberists. In case you weren't already of aware of that, you've now seen quite a good deal of us." He then went on to explain how easily they could be confused with the Kings of Leon, who were "back stage"

Set two included "Dracula's Daughter" - which Colin said was the worst song he'd ever written. It included a line something like "And you think you've got it bad/She's got Dracula for a dad"

Shara Worden came back out for Yankee Bayonet and did her best Laura Veirs imitiation.

Sixteen Military Wives became a massive sing along, with the left half of the crowd singing the melody; the right half singing the harmony. Colin then asked the balcony to sing the incredibly low bass line, and then chastised them after they attempted to sing it.

Set two ended with a cover of Heart's "Crazy on You" sung by Shara Worden and Becky Stark. Becky Stark wailed on the high notes, proving she could rock harder than Meloy allowed her to do on "Hazards." Chris Funk seemed to really enjoy himself on the tasty Nancy Wilson guitar parts.

Eli the Barrow Boy was the first encore, and the show ended with "Sons and Daughters" - another one that allowed the crowd to sing along to the line "Hear all the bombs fade away" over and over. Many of which were still singing it as the lights came on and the crowd faded away.

A fabulous show. I can't imagine that many songs from "Hazards" will be played on future tours, so I feel honored to have been able to witness it performed in its entirety.

[to be proofread and revised]

The Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance is the latest in a series of awards recognizing superior vocal performance by a female in the pop category, the first of which was presented in 1959. The award goes to the artist. The awards have had quite a convoluted history, particularly during the early Grammy years, having seen several name changes:

• 1959-1960: Best Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1961: Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track, Female and Best Vocal Performance Album, Female
  
• 1962-1963: Best Solo Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1964-1968: Best Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1966: Best Contemporary (R&R) Vocal Performance - Female
  
• 1967: Grammy Award for Best Contemporary (R&R) Solo Vocal Performance - Male or Female
  (the award went to Paul McCartney for Eleanor Rigby)
  
• 1968: Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance
  
• 1969: Best Contemporary-Pop Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1970-1971: Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1972-1994: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
  
• 1995-present: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year. Winners are in boldprint and head the list, followed by nominees.

grammy: best female pop vocal performance*
grammy: best female pop vocal performance nominee**

* Each year's winner has been additionally tagged with the year of award appended, eg Chasing Pavements (2008) by Adele has also been tagged grammy: best female pop vocal performance 2009.
** This tag includes all winners and nominees.

2010s
2010 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) (tba Jan 31, 2010)
Hometown Glory performed by Adele
Halo performed by Beyoncé
Hot N Cold performed by Katy Perry
Sober performed by P!nk
You Belong With Me performed by Taylor Swift

2000s
2009 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Chasing Pavements performed by Adele
Love Song performed by Sara Bareilles
Mercy performed by Duffy
Bleeding Love performed by Leona Lewis
I Kissed A Girl performed by Katy Perry
So What performed by P!nk

2008 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Rehab performed by Amy Winehouse
Candyman performed by Christina Aguilera
1234 performed by Feist
Big Girls Don't Cry performed by Fergie
Say It Right performed by Nelly Furtado

2007 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Ain't No Other Man performed by Christina Aguilera
Unwritten performed by Natasha Bedingfield
You Can Close Your Eyes performed by Sheryl Crow
Stupid Girls performed by P!nk
Black Horse And The Cherry Tree performed by KT Tunstall

2006 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Since U Been Gone performed by Kelly Clarkson
It's Like That performed by Mariah Carey
Good Is Good performed by Sheryl Crow
I Will Not Be Broken performed by Bonnie Raitt
Hollaback Girl performed by Gwen Stefani

2005 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Sunrise performed by Norah Jones
Oceania performed by Björk
The First Cut Is The Deepest performed by Sheryl Crow
What You Waiting For? performed by Gwen Stefani
You Had Me performed by Joss Stone

2004 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Beautiful performed by Christina Aguilera
Miss Independent performed by Kelly Clarkson
White Flag performed by Dido
I'm With You performed by Avril Lavigne
Fallen performed by Sarah McLachlan

2003 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Don't Know Why performed by Norah Jones
Soak Up The Sun performed by Sheryl Crow
Complicated performed by Avril Lavigne
Get The Party Started performed by P!nk
Overprotected performed by Britney Spears

2002 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
I'm Like A Bird performed by Nelly Furtado
There You'll Be performed by Faith Hill
Someone To Call My Lover performed by Janet Jackson
By Your Side performed by Sade
Essence performed by Lucinda Williams

2001 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
I Try performed by Macy Gray
What A Girl Wants performed by Christina Aguilera
Music performed by Madonna
Save Me performed by Aimee Mann
Both Sides Now performed by Joni Mitchell
Oops!...I Did It Again performed by Britney Spears

2000 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
I Will Remember You performed by Sarah McLachlan
Genie In A Bottle performed by Christina Aguilera
Beautiful Stranger performed by Madonna
Thank U performed by Alanis Morissette
...Baby One More Time performed by Britney Spears

1990s
1999 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
My Heart Will Go On performed by Céline Dion
My Favorite Mistake performed by Sheryl Crow
Can't Take My Eyes Off You performed by Lauryn Hill
Torn performed by Natalie Imbruglia
Adia performed by Sarah McLachlan

1998 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Butterfly performed by Mariah Carey
Building a Mystery performed by Sarah McLachlan
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone performed by Paula Cole
Sunny Came Home performed by Shawn Colvin
Foolish Games performed by Jewel

1997 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
Un-Break My Heart performed by Toni Braxton
Get Out of This House performed by Shawn Colvin
Because You Loved Me performed by Céline Dion
Reach performed by Gloria Estefan
Who Will Save Your Soul performed by Jewel

1996 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
No More "I Love You's" performed by Annie Lennox
Fantasy performed by Mariah Carey
I Know performed by Dionne Farris
One Of Us performed by Joan Osborne
You Got It performed by Bonnie Raitt
Colors Of The Wind performed by Vanessa Williams

1995 (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance)
All I Wanna Do performed by Sheryl Crow
Hero performed by Mariah Carey
The Power of Love performed by Céline Dion
Longing In Their Hearts performed by Bonnie Raitt
Ordinary Miracles performed by Barbra Streisand

1994 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
I Will Always Love You performed by Whitney Houston
Dreamlover performed by Mariah Carey
I Don't Know Why performed by Shawn Colvin
Miss Chatelaine performed by k.d. lang
I Don't Wanna Fight performed by Tina Turner

1993 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Constant Craving performed by k.d. lang
MTV Unplugged performed by Mariah Carey
Celine Dion performed by Céline Dion
Diva performed by Annie Lennox
Save The Best For Last performed by Vanessa Williams

1992 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Something To Talk About performed by Bonnie Raitt
Emotions performed by Mariah Carey
Get Here performed by Oleta Adams
Baby Baby performed by Amy Grant
All The Man That I Need performed by Whitney Houston

1991 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Vision of Love performed by Mariah Carey
I'm Your Baby Tonight performed by Whitney Houston
From a Distance performed by Bette Midler
Nothing Compares 2 U performed by Sinéad O'Connor
All Around The World performed by Lisa Stansfield

1990 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Nick Of Time performed by Bonnie Raitt
Straight Up performed by Paula Abdul
Don't Wanna Lose You performed by Gloria Estefan
Wind Beneath My Wings performed by Bette Midler
Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind performed by Linda Ronstadt

1980s
1989 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Fast Car performed by Tracy Chapman
Tell It To My Heart performed by Taylor Dayne
One Moment In Time performed by Whitney Houston
Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm performed by Joni Mitchell
Get Here performed by Brenda Russell

1988 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody performed by Whitney Houston
Heaven Is A Place On Earth performed by Belinda Carlisle
Coming Around Again performed by Carly Simon
One Voice performed by Barbra Streisand
Luka performed by Suzanne Vega

1987 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
The Broadway Album performed by Barbra Streisand
True Colors performed by Cyndi Lauper
Papa Don't Preach performed by Madonna
Typical Male performed by Tina Turner
That's What Friends Are For performed by Dionne Warwick

1986 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Saving All My Love For You performed by Whitney Houston
We Belong performed by Pat Benatar
Crazy for You performed by Madonna
Lush Life performed by Linda Ronstadt
We Don't Need Another Hero performed by Tina Turner

1985 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
What's Love Got To Do With It performed by Tina Turner
The Glamorous Life performed by Sheila E.
Strut performed by Sheena Easton
Girls Just Want To Have Fun performed by Cyndi Lauper
Let's Hear It For The Boy performed by Deniece Williams

1984 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Flashdance... What a Feeling performed by Irene Cara
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) performed by Sheena Easton
What's New performed by Linda Ronstadt
She Works Hard For The Money performed by Donna Summer
Total Eclipse of the Heart performed by Bonnie Tyler

1983 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
You Should Hear How She Talks About You performed by Melissa Manchester
Gloria performed by Laura Branigan
Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me performed by Juice Newton
Heart Attack performed by Olivia Newton-John
Get Closer performed by Linda Ronstadt

1982 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music performed by Lena Horne
Bette Davis Eyes performed by Kim Carnes
For Your Eyes Only performed by Sheena Easton
Angel Of The Morning performed by Juice Newton
Physical performed by Olivia Newton-John

1981 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
The Rose performed by Bette Midler
Fame performed by Irene Cara
Magic performed by Olivia Newton-John
Woman in Love performed by Barbra Streisand
On The Radio performed by Donna Summer

1980 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
I'll Never Love This Way Again performed by Dionne Warwick
I Will Survive performed by Gloria Gaynor
Chuck E.'s in Love performed by Rickie Lee Jones
Don't Cry Out Loud performed by Melissa Manchester
Bad Girls performed by Donna Summer

1970s
1979 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
You Needed Me performed by Anne Murray
Hopelessly Devoted To You performed by Olivia Newton-John
You Belong To Me performed by Carly Simon
You Don't Bring me Flowers performed by Barbra Streisand
MacArthur Park performed by Donna Summer

1978 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Love Theme From "A Star Is Born" (Evergreen) performed by Barbra Streisand
You Light Up My Life performed by Debby Boone
Here You Come Again performed by Dolly Parton
Blue Bayou performed by Linda Ronstadt
Nobody Does It Better performed by Carly Simon

1977 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Hasten Down the Wind performed by Linda Ronstadt
Natalie performed by Natalie Cole
Here, There and Everywhere performed by Emmylou Harris
The Hissing of Summer Lawns performed by Joni Mitchell
Turn The Beat Around performed by Vicki Sue Robinson

1976 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
At Seventeen performed by Janis Ian
Send in the Clowns performed by Judy Collins
Have You Never Been Mellow performed by Olivia Newton-John
Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady performed by Helen Reddy
Heart Like A Wheel performed by Linda Ronstadt

1975 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
I Honestly Love You performed by Olivia Newton-John
Feel Like Makin' Love performed by Roberta Flack
Jazzman performed by Carole King
Live At Carnegie Hall performed by Cleo Laine
Court and Spark performed by Joni Mitchell

1974 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Killing Me Softly With His Song performed by Roberta Flack
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy performed by Bette Midler
Danny's Song performed by Anne Murray
Touch Me In The Morning performed by Diana Ross
You're So Vain performed by Carly Simon

1973 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
I Am Woman performed by Helen Reddy
Quiet Fire performed by Roberta Flack
Day Dreaming performed by Aretha Franklin
Anticipation performed by Carly Simon
Sweet Inspiration / Where You Lead performed by Barbra Streisand

1972 (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Tapestry performed by Carole King
the Night They Drove Old Dixie Down performed by Joan Baez
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves performed by Cher
Me And Bobby McGee performed by Janis Joplin
That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be performed by Carly Simon

1971 (Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female)
I'll Never Fall in Love Again performed by Dionne Warwick
Fancy performed by Bobbie Gentry
Snowbird performed by Anne Murray
Long, Long Time performed by Linda Ronstadt
Ain't No Mountain High Enough performed by Diana Ross

1970 (Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Female)
Is That All There Is? performed by Peggy Lee
With Pen In Hand performed by Vikki Carr
Put A Little Love In Your Heart performed by Jackie DeShannon
Johnny One Time performed by Brenda Lee
Son Of A Preacher Man performed by Dusty Springfield
This Girl's in Love With You performed by Dionne Warwick

1960s
1969 (Best Contemporary-Pop Vocal Performance, Female)
Do You Know The Way To San Jose performed by Dionne Warwick
I Say A Little Prayer performed by Aretha Franklin
Those Were The Days performed by Mary Hopkins
Angel Of The Morning performed by Merrilee Rush
Funny Girl performed by Barbra Streisand

1968 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
Ode To Billie Joe performed by Bobbie Gentry
It Must Be Him performed by Vikki Carr
Don't Sleep In The Subway performed by Petula Clark
Respect performed by Aretha Franklin
Alfie performed by Dionne Warwick

1968 (Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance)
Ode To Billie Joe performed by Bobbie Gentry
It Must Be Him performed by Vikki Carr
Don't Sleep In The Subway performed by Petula Clark
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman performed by Aretha Franklin
I Say a Little Prayer performed by Dionne Warwick

1967 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
If He Walked Into My Life performed by Eydie Gorme
Ella at Duke's Place performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Born A Woman performed by Sandy Posey
These Boots Are Made for Walkin' performed by Nancy Sinatra
Color Me Barbra performed by Barbra Streisand

1966 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
My Name Is Barbra performed by Barbra Streisand
Downtown performed by Petula Clark
What The World Needs Now Is Love performed by Jackie DeShannon
The Astrud Gilberto Album performed by Astrud Gilberto
Gentle Is My Love performed by Nancy Wilson

1966 (Best Contemporary (R&R) Vocal Performance - Female)
I Know A Place performed by Petula Clark
Rescue Me performed by Fontella Bass
What The World Needs Now Is Love performed by Jackie DeShannon
Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows performed by Lesley Gore
Baby, I'm Yours performed by Barbara Lewis

1965 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
People performed by Barbra Streisand
Downtown performed by Petula Clark
We'll Sing In The Sunshine performed by Gale Garnett
The Girl From Ipanema performed by Astrud Gilberto
How Glad I Am performed by Nancy Wilson

1964 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
The Barbra Streisand Album performed by Barbra Streisand
Blame It on the Bossa Nova performed by Eydie Gorme
I'm A Woman performed by Peggy Lee
The World of Miriam Makeba performed by Miriam Makeba
Dominique performed by The Singing Nun (Jeanine Deckers)

1963 (Best Solo Vocal Performance, Female)
Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson performed by Ella Fitzgerald
No Strings performed by Diahann Carroll
Lovely and Alive performed by Lena Horne
I'm A Woman performed by Peggy Lee
Love Letters performed by Ketty Lester
My Coloring Book performed by Sandy Stewart
Desafinado (Slightly Out Of Tune) performed by Pat Thomas

1962 (Best Solo Vocal Performance, Female)
Judy At Carnegie Hall performed by Judy Garland
Mr. Paganini performed by Ella Fitzgerald
The Essential Billie Holiday performed by Billie Holiday
Lena At The Sands performed by Lena Horne
Basin Street East performed by Peggy Lee

1961 (Best Vocal Performance Album, Female)
Mack the Knife: The Complete Ella in Berlin performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie! performed by Rosemary Clooney
Latin A La Lee performed by Peggy Lee
Miriam Makeba performed by Miriam Makeba
Della performed by Della Reese

1961 (Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track, Female)
Mack The Knife performed by Ella Fitzgerald
The Sound of Music performed by Doris Day
I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues performed by Eileen Farrell
I'm Sorry performed by Brenda Lee
I'm Gonna Go Fishin' performed by Peggy Lee

1960 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
But Not For Me performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Porgy And Bess performed by Lena Horne
Alright, Okay, You Win performed by Peggy Lee
Broadway '59 performed by Pat Suzuki
La strada del' amore performed by Caterina Valente

1950s
1959 (Best Vocal Performance, Female)
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Everybody Loves a Lover performed by Doris Day
Eydie in Love performed by Eydie Gorme
Fever performed by Peggy Lee
I Wish You Love performed by Keely Smith



source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Female_Pop_Vocal_Performance

A collection of quotes from notable people regarding one of my favourite artists, Pearl Jam.


Bono (U2):

• I'm a huge fan of the Pearl Jam organization, of what you might call the culture around the group. They exist entirely unto themselves. They don't depend on the media, don't depend on the radio. They'll be around for as long as they wish to be.
• There's only 3 other bands on the planet that have the talent and the mystique to change the world with music. Radiohead, R.E.M., and Pearl Jam.

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave): Pearl Jam is better than any other band almost in history to have had that kind of enormous success, they dealt with it really eloquently. I think that set a great example to other musicians that, you know what, you can actually control the media spotlight. I think they stayed vital. The records they made didn't necessarily appeal to the same number of fans who were into Ten, but they appealed to a lot of people. They sold millions of records without having to make videos and without having to do an overhyped press campaign for each record.

Joey Ramone (Ramones): In 20 years they won't remember Limp Bizkit or any of these 'alternative' rip-off bands like they will Pearl Jam. They understand the word "integrity".

Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver):

• There's always been a media created feud between our band and theirs and it's just plain bullshit. There's some beautiful people in that band. They're very magical, which is rare in today's music world.
• The way they've gone about with their career reminds me a lot of Neil Young. It's like they're saying 'This is what we're gonna do and if you don't like it we really don't give a shit'.

Nancy Wilson (Heart): I think the best concert I ever saw in my life was Pearl Jam last year (2000).

Pete Townshend (The Who): Probably one of the most honest bands I've ever seen.

Brian Marshall (Creed, Alter Bridge): ..I never ever said that Pearl Jam sucked.

Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers): They're essentially an indie band that can sell out stadiums.

Julian Casablancas (The Strokes): Pearl Jam got me into rock music.

Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins, Zwan): Pearl Jam represent something fierce and independent. They've managed to stay "cool" in people's eyes because they never sold out.

Justin Timberlake: The good groups will always stick around long after they're no longer the flavor of the month or the flavor of the year. Look at Pearl Jam. They're still around doing their thing.

Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin): They're very sweet guys. We met in Sweden right before the Roskilde tragedy occured with them. They were very impressive...especially when they covered one of my songs (laughs).

Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains): It's getting a little ridiculous with all these new generation "grunge" bands. Sounds like there's 20 new Pearl Jams popping up everyday. Folks, there's already one Eddie Vedder and he's doing quite fine.

Pete Sampras (tennis player):

• I got the chance to spend time with them two years ago in New York. I was in town for the US OPEN. They're very grounded guys. They don't have any of the attitude that I see when I watch these Behind the Music shows on television.
• The only person that I have met, that I have ever been in awe of, is Eddie Vedder.

Lance Mercer (rock photographer): The one thing that struck me and stayed with me is that never in a million years would you guess they were rock stars. The only reminder was the group of Japanese tourists that screamed when they saw Eddie.

Dennis Rodman (basketball player): I feel like their music captures my inner spirit. It's powerful, pulsating, passionate, yet there's a streak of positivity running right up it's spine. I mean, you've got a heavy metal lead guitarist (Mike Mcready), a punk-rock rhythm guitarist (Stone Gossard), a wild bassist (Jeff Ament), a no bullshit drummer (Jack Irons) and Eddie, who has the most amazing voice of all time. Their songs tell a story, and I can always relate to it. Eddie doesn't shy away from pain, and he manages to capture a wild range of emotions. As I said, I listen to all different types of music, but I mostly rock out to Pearl Jam. Their music to me is like heroin to a junkie.

Kurt Cobain (Nirvana):

• We never had a fight, ever; I've just always hated their band.
• I can consider him [Eddie] a person that I really like, I mean we've had a few conversations on the phone. I really like him. I think he's a nice, really nice person.

Feel free to suggest some more. Both positive and negative quotes are welcome.

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Little Murray & the Mantics - "Don't Leave Me Mama"
Yamasuki - "Yama Yama"
Rance Allen Group - "I'm Gonna Make It After All"
CeCe Rogers - "In The Morning (Vocal Mix)"
Nancy Wilson - "Sunshine"
Takagi Masakatsu - "Flows"
Claude Young - "Motion"
Fila Brazillia - "Space Hearse"
Shuttle358 - "Isonpgn"
Hannu - "Winter Song"
B12 - "Gimp"
Speedy J - "Lanzarote"
Aus - "Apt"
Joel Gibb - "That's Us / Wild Combination"
Morning Recordings - "Cant Help Fading Away"
Triosk - "Moment Returns"
Calm - "Noon At The Moon"
Pharrell Williams - "Our Father"
Autechre - "Nine"
Brael / Tokyo Bloodworm - "Untitled (Remixed by The Remote Viewer)"
Goldmund - "Ba"
Tenniscoats - "Aurora Curtains"
Taylor Deupree - "Snow/Sand"

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Want to listen to "Moon River" over and over again? I've tagged as many cover versions as I could find on last.fm - plus the original sung and instrumental versions, of course - as moon river covers, and the list is still growing.

➤ Click to Play (lastfm client)
➤ Click to Play (radio page flash player)

"MOON RIVER" is a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Henry Mancini (music) in 1961, for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best Original Song. It is most well-known for being sung in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's by Audrey Hepburn, although it has been covered by many other artists.

It became the theme song for Andy Williams, who first recorded the song in 1961 and performed it at the Academy Awards ceremonies in 1962. He sang the first eight bars of the song at the beginning of his television show; he also named his production company and venue in Branson, Missouri after Moon River. Williams' version was vetoed by Cadence president Archie Bleyer, who believed it had little or no appeal to teenagers. Williams' famous version never charted, except as an LP track, which he recorded for Columbia in a hit album of 1962.

The success of the song was responsible for relaunching Mercer's career as a songwriter, which had stalled in the mid-1950s because rock and roll replaced jazz standards as the popular music of the time. An inlet near Savannah, Georgia, Johnny Mercer's hometown, was named Moon River in honor of him and this song. The popularity of the song is such that it has been used as a test sample in a study on people's memories of popular songs.

The original version
Mercer and Mancini wrote the song for Audrey Hepburn to fit her vocal range. Initially the lyrics started, "I'm Holly, like I want to be / like Holly on a tree back home...", however they were later changed to fit the theme to the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Although an instrumental version is played over the film's opening titles, the lyrics are first heard in a scene where Paul 'Fred' Varjak (George Peppard) discovers Holly Golightly (Hepburn) singing them, accompanied by her guitar, on the fire-escape outside their apartments.



There was much behind-the-scenes consternation which erupted when a Paramount Pictures executive suggested deleting the song from the film immediately after a very successful San Francisco preview. Hepburn's reaction has been described by Mancini and others in degrees varying from her saying "over my dead body" to her using somewhat more colorful language to make the same point.

Hepburn's version was not included in the original score album to Breakfast at Tiffany's. Instead, an album version recorded by Mancini and his chorus was released as a single and became a #11 hit. In different versions, Joel Whitburn's "Top Adult (Contemporary) Songs" reported the song as a #3 or #1 easy listening hit, due to unpublished charts in Billboard. Only months after Hepburn's death in 1993, her version was released on an album entitled Music From the Films of Audrey Hepburn.

Other recordings
"Moon River" was released by South African singer Danny Williams, and reached #1 in the UK. Shortly thereafter, Andy Williams recorded the song and made it his theme song. It was a hit for Jerry Butler in 1961, reaching #11 in the Billboard charts. Artists who have recorded the song include:

Moon River - Henry Mancini
Moon River Cha Cha - Henry Mancini
Moon River - Danny Williams
Moon River - Andy Williams
Moon River - Afghan Whigs
Moon River - John Altman
Moon River - Paul Anka
Moon River - Louis Armstrong
Moon River - John Barrowman
Moon River - Shirley Bassey

Moon River - Benny Anderssons Orkester
Moon River - Beru Revue
Moon River - Brook Benton
Moon River - Mary Black
Moon River - Blake
Moon River - Art Blakey
Moon River - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Moon River - Sarah Brightman
Moon River - Till Brönner
Moon River - Jerry Butler

Moon River - Liz Callaway
Moon River - Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra
Moon River - Celia Chavez
Moon River - Richard Clayderman
Moon River - Christine Collister
Moon River - Perry Como
Moon river - Ray Conniff
Moon River - Ania Dąbrowska
Moon River - Bobby Darin
Moon River - Neil Diamond

Moon River - The Divine Comedy
Moon River - Bob Dorough
Moon River - Dr. John
Moon River - Dump
Moon River - Billy Eckstine
Moon River (From The Motion Picture "Breakfast At Tiffany's") - Ferrante & Teicher
Moon River - The Four Freshmen
Moon River - Connie Francis
Moon River - Aretha Franklin
Moon River - Bill Frisell

Moon River - Emi Fujita
Moon River - Judy Garland
Moon River - Lesley Garrett
Moon river - Ed Gerhard
Moon River - Karel Gott
Moon River - Amalia Grè
Moon River - Grant Green
Moon River - Greyhound
Moon River - Patty Griffin
Moon River - Vince Guaraldi

Moon River - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Moon River - Audrey Hepburn
Moon River - Lena Horne
Moon River (Live) - Toninho Horta
Moon River - Toninho Horta
Moon River - The Innocence Mission
Moon River - Horst Jankowski
Moon River - Henry Jerome
Moon River - Stanley Jordan
Moon River - Bradley Joseph

Moon River - Kid Koala
Moon River - Eartha Kitt
Moon River (feat. Barry Manilow) - Dave Koz
Moon River - James Last
Moon River - Liberace
Moon River - Helmut Lotti
Moon River w/Stevie Wonder & Take 6 - Henry Mancini*
Moon River (feat. Stevie Wonder & Take 6) - Henry Mancini
Moon River - Mantovani
Moon River - Johnny Mathis

Moon River - Billy May
Moon River - Joey McIntyre
Moon River - Brad Mehldau
Moon River - Katie Melua
Moon River - Johnny Mercer¹
Moon River - Migala
Moon River - Jane Monheit
Moon River - Morrissey
Moon River - Willie Nelson
Moon River - Patsy Ann Noble

Moon River - Fausto Papetti
Moon River - Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't
Moon River - Jim Reeves
Moon River - R.E.M.
moon river - Mia Riddle
Moon River - Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra
Moon River - Andrea Ross
moon river - Nini Rosso
Moon River - Satélite Kingston
Moon River - Frank Sinatra

Moon River - Barbra Streisand
Moon River - Various Artists
Moon River - Sarah Vaughan
Moon River - Nan Vernon
Moon River - Lawrence Welk
Moon River - Westlife
Moon River - Victoria Williams
Moon River - Nancy Wilson
Moon River - Tata Young


(this list is still growing.)

¹Mercer himself recorded the song in 1974 for his album (appropriately named) My Huckleberry Friend.


source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_River

I don't know if it really works for the baby, some scientists say it does. I've stopped trusting "some scientist" long ago. Being an Asianized commuter, "western ways" are no more reliable for me. But I know one thing: It does help the mother reduce stress. Music is one of the best ways of relaxation and relief.

Many people recommend pregnant women to listen classical music. Actually, it's hard to decide because not every classical work's the same. Some classical works can be depressing; some can be annoying, even nerve-wracking. In my opinion, smooth jazz and swing are better devices of relaxation. It's good to find some easy-listening masterworks and instead of leaning back and listening to music still, it's better to let music accompany your daily routine while you're working at home, reading or cooking. One thing I hate about the modern concept of pregnancy is that most doctors try to immobilize women claiming daily life can wear them out. This is not true. In Bhutan, most women can work up to 8.5 months and give birth to healthy children. Modern concept of pregnancy tries to alienate women from their bodies and natural circles. For the West, a woman who is pregnant is doing an exceptional thing taking a huge responsibility scarifying her freedom. For the West, that woman must be both adored and hated. Fortunately, things are different for us, here. For us, pregnancy is natural, simple, and ordinary. It comes and goes. It’s no big deal. No need to exaggerate. But of course, it’s a period to plan a new future concerning a new child in the family and this naturally can cause some extra stress beside the hormonal ones. So, without any hesitation, we can knock the door of our loyal friend, Music to offer us some good moments. That’s why I tagged some of my favorite artists and bands as “music for pregnancy”.


A link about views of scientists:
http://sport.scotsman.com/nhshealth/Music-during-pregnancy.4568756.jp

Sarah Vaughan
Peggy Lee
Charlie Parker
Ella Fitzgerald
Blossom Dearie
Nancy Wilson

1. How did you get into 29? Anita Baker
She was a regular on the radio station I use to listen to at night.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? The Emotions
These girls are my mom's favorite. She loves ballads and more than likely "Don't Ask My Neighbor" was the first song I heard by them.

3. What's your favorite lyric by 33? Kirk Franklin
"Someone asked a question, why do we sing? When we lift our hands to Jesus what do we really mean? Someone may be wondering when we sing our song, at times we maybe crying and nothing even wrong. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free."

4. How did you get into 49? The Williams Brothers
On accident I downloaded one of their songs and their words touch me so that I needed more!

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? Patti LaBelle
I have never bought an Patti Labelle album. My mom owned "Flame" or something like that. It was a really good CD but Patti isn't an artist I actually buy full albums of.

6. What is your favorite song by 50? Dionne Warwick
That's hard because Dionne is a legend. I suppose if I must pick one "Don't Make Me Over". Wonderful lyrics but delivered with such class.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? Williams Bell
"A Tribute to the King" it's a song dedicated to Otis Redding.

8. What is your favorite song by 15? R Kelly
"Imagine That" love that guitar towards the end reminds me of the Isley Brothers.

9. What is your favorite song by 5? The Isley Brothers
Voyage to Atlantis

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? Yolanda Adams
All of them!

11. What is the worst song by 40? Smoke Norful
None, that I can think of. No song about God can be too bad, can it?

12. What is your favorite song by 10? Smokey Robinson
Cruisin

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? Betty Wright
On vacation with the fam, listening to her hit those Minnie Riperton high notes. Greatest memory ever!

14. What is your favorite song by 38?Michael Jackson
The Way you Make Me Feel, brings back memories of dancing in the basement with my sister and dad.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? Vanessa Bell Armstrong
"For God So Loved The World" makes me think of when we had church in my house. That is some great times!

16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad? Nancy Wilson
Nope

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? Juanita Bynum
"You Are My Peace"

18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? Marvin Gaye
War is not the answer for only love can conquer hate.


19. Who is a favorite member of 1? Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is only one person. Although her voice and keyboard skills is too much talent for one person. :)

20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy? The Temptations
"Beauty's only skin deep", I have memories from that song.lol :) Funny story

21. What is a good memory involving 27? Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
The music of the Miracles will forever be great memories of listening to their greatest hits, cleaning the house on Saturday mornings.

22. What is your favorite song by 16? Alicia Keys
Lovin' You, it was a bonus song from her first CD. That's when I knew she would be a solid artist.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? Shirley Caesar
"No Charge"

24. What is your favorite album by 18? Rachelle Ferrell
"I Can Explain" her voice shines and the lyrics are just as strong

25. What is your favorite song by 21? Natalie Cole
I've Got Love On My Mind

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? Gladys Knight & The Pips
Midnight Train to Georgia...I'm guessing because a lot of these artist I grew up listening to.

27. What is your favorite album by 3? Luther Vandross
This may be weird but he has one of the greatest Christmas albums EVER! Other than that I love "Dance With My Father" it is so many strong songs on that album.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? Whitney Houston
"I Will Always Love You", her voice control and the tone of the voice is beyond words.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? Teena Marie
The first time I ever really paid attention to her voice is on the duet with Rick James "Fire and Desire" She shines like only she can.

30. What is you favorite song by 8? Phyllis Hyman
"Meet Me On The Moon", I love the lyrics and her performance is truly a Phyllis Hyman performance.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? The Dells
I've never seen them live. Which is really a shame since I am in Chicago and they are based in Chicago.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy?Gerald Levert
Mr Too Damn Good

33. How did you get into 12? Jennifer Hudson
When she first auditioned for American Idol. I was hooked! I followed her career ever since. Even when she had the little crappy website and no movie offers.lol When she was singing in churches. I'm very proud of her :) That's a Chicago GIRL!

34. What is the worst song by 45? Jill Scott
I don't know if it is so bad but I can no longer listen to "Golden" but it's nothing Jill did just something somebody else did to it.lol

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? Ashanti
I currently love "Good, Good"

36. What is the first song you ever heard by 48? Donny Hathaway
"A Song For You"

37. How many times have you seen 42 live?Beyonce
NEVER, and I don't think I could stand her concert actually. That girl can't sing but she does have nice dance songs.

38. What is your favorite song by 36? Jean Carne
I love LOVE, her cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way"

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? Norah Jones
Whatever was her first song. Possibly "Don't Know Why"

40. What is your favorite album by 7? Stevie Wonder
"Songs in the Key of Life"

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? Angie Stone
Brotha

42. What is your favorite album by 41? Queen Latifah
The Dana Owens Album. Latifah, has such a warm tone. Reminds me of a Dinah Washington

43. What is your favorite song by 24? Kanye West
Family Business

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? Rev Clay Evans
Meeting him and seeing him preach. He's an excellent preacher! One of the best! Up there with Rev. CL Franklin.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? Sam Cooke
Wonderful, when he was with the Soul Stirrers other than that "A Change is Gonna Come"

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? Mariah Carey
"Emotions" I'm a sucker for those high notes.lol

47. What is your favorite album by 4? Chaka Khan
"Funk This" or any album with RUFUS

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? Al Green
Solo artist

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? Prince
I don't know but I remember the Batman album.lol Just a memory.

50. What is your favorite song by 20? Babyface
"What If"