British soul singer Adele won three early Grammys on Sunday, including best pop solo performance for her song "Somebody Like You," in a show that began on a somber note with a prayer for late pop superstar Whitney Houston.
Adele, whose album "21" was among the smash hits of 2011, took the stage and thanked her doctors who helped her recover from recent surgery to remove a polyp from her vocal cord. "Seeing as it's a vocal performance I need to thank my doctors, I suppose, who brought my voice back," she said.
Aside from surgery, the British singer has enjoyed a stellar year. Her sophomore album "21" has sold more than 6.3 million copies in the U.S. and broken many sales records, including spending 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
She has thrilled fans singing about personal heartbreak in a raw, soulful manner in singles including "Rolling in the Deep," "Somebody Like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain."
Rockers Foo Fighters were the other big winners early in the show, picking up four Grammys in rock music categories and a fifth for best long form music video. Their hit "Walk" earned them best rock performance.
"This is a great honor because this record was a special record for our band. Rather than go to the best studio ... we made this one in my garage with some microphones and a tape machine," said frontman Dave Grohl. "It shows that the human element of making music is what's most important."
But as jubilant as the audiences was for Adele - they gave her a standing ovation - and as much as Foo Fighters rocked the house, the Grammys audience was equally somber about the death of Houston on Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel room.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Chris Brown returns to Grammys
Chris Brown will perform at this Sunday's Grammy Awards for the first time since beating his then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 on the eve of the music industry's biggest night, which threatened to derail his music career.
Rihanna also is among the stars performing live at the event, and rumors have flown among fans and celebrity watchers in recent weeks that the pair may be secretly dating again -- speculation Brown's representatives have dismissed.
Grammy organizers said on Tuesday that Brown, who has three nominations including best R&B singer for his album "F.A.M.E.", had been added to the line-up for the February 12 awards show in Los Angeles.
They said Brown will join Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, David Guetta and deadmau 5 for a performance highlighting dance and electronica music for the first time on the Grammy Awards show stage.
Organizers said last month that Rihanna, who has four nominations including album of the year for "Loud", will sing with Coldplay on the Grammy stage.
Brown, 22, has skipped the Grammys since launching a violent attack on Rihanna in 2009, leaving her battered and bruised and Brown in the custody of police.
Brown publicly apologized, admitted to criminal assault in court. A judge sentenced him to five years probation, six months community service and anger management counseling. But his clean-cut image took a major blow.
Rihanna also is among the stars performing live at the event, and rumors have flown among fans and celebrity watchers in recent weeks that the pair may be secretly dating again -- speculation Brown's representatives have dismissed.
Grammy organizers said on Tuesday that Brown, who has three nominations including best R&B singer for his album "F.A.M.E.", had been added to the line-up for the February 12 awards show in Los Angeles.
They said Brown will join Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, David Guetta and deadmau 5 for a performance highlighting dance and electronica music for the first time on the Grammy Awards show stage.
Organizers said last month that Rihanna, who has four nominations including album of the year for "Loud", will sing with Coldplay on the Grammy stage.
Brown, 22, has skipped the Grammys since launching a violent attack on Rihanna in 2009, leaving her battered and bruised and Brown in the custody of police.
Brown publicly apologized, admitted to criminal assault in court. A judge sentenced him to five years probation, six months community service and anger management counseling. But his clean-cut image took a major blow.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Blues singer Etta James dies at 73
Etta James, the influential 1950s rhythm-and-blues singer best known for her show-stopping hit "At Last," died on Friday from complications of leukemia in a California hospital surrounded by her family. She was 73.
Her death prompted tributes from numerous musicians and artists who were influenced by her singing, from pop star Mariah Carey to Aretha Franklin and legendary rock band The Doors.
James died in her home town of Riverside, California, east of Los Angeles, said her manager and friend of some 30 years, Lupe De Leon. She would have turned 74 on Wednesday.
"She passed away this morning. She was with her husband and her sons," said De Leon.
James was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and had been in failing health for a number of years. Her live-in doctor said in December she was terminally ill with leukemia. James also suffered from diabetes, kidney problems and dementia and was hospitalized late in 2011 because she was struggling to breathe.
The three time Grammy-award winning R&B singer saw numerous ups-and-downs in her career and personal life. She struggled with obesity and heroin addiction, ran a hot-check scheme and had troubled relationships with men, including some gangsters. Her weight ballooned, and in 2003 she underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost more than 200 pounds.
Yet in the music industry, among fellow R&B artists and rock icons, James' career was legendary. With songs like "The Wallflower" and "Good Rockin' Daddy," the three-time Grammy winner was a key figure in the early days of rock 'n' roll, and her signature song, the 1961 ballad "At Last," proved her mastery of the blues.
Her death prompted tributes from numerous musicians and artists who were influenced by her singing, from pop star Mariah Carey to Aretha Franklin and legendary rock band The Doors.
James died in her home town of Riverside, California, east of Los Angeles, said her manager and friend of some 30 years, Lupe De Leon. She would have turned 74 on Wednesday.
"She passed away this morning. She was with her husband and her sons," said De Leon.
James was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and had been in failing health for a number of years. Her live-in doctor said in December she was terminally ill with leukemia. James also suffered from diabetes, kidney problems and dementia and was hospitalized late in 2011 because she was struggling to breathe.
The three time Grammy-award winning R&B singer saw numerous ups-and-downs in her career and personal life. She struggled with obesity and heroin addiction, ran a hot-check scheme and had troubled relationships with men, including some gangsters. Her weight ballooned, and in 2003 she underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost more than 200 pounds.
Yet in the music industry, among fellow R&B artists and rock icons, James' career was legendary. With songs like "The Wallflower" and "Good Rockin' Daddy," the three-time Grammy winner was a key figure in the early days of rock 'n' roll, and her signature song, the 1961 ballad "At Last," proved her mastery of the blues.
Adele sells most albums in a year since 2004
That Adele's "21" will rank as the year's top-selling album is no surprise - the English singer-songwriter's hits "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You" dominated playlists in 2011. What is surprising is that "21," released by independent British label XL Recordings, sold more than 5 million copies.
The last time an album topped the year-end chart with more than 5 million copies sold was in 2004, when Usher's "Confessions" moved 7.9 million, according to Nielsen Soundscan, which supplied all sales data for this story.
Indeed, music sales overall are expected to end 2011 up more than 3 percent from last year. Not coincidentally, the last time overall music sales rose by so much was in 2004 as well.
The resurgence in sales is welcome news for the music industry. A meager 1 percent increase in digital sales last year created widespread panic that the format had already plateaued.
Nielsen analyst David Bakula attributed the rebound to a strong release slate, plus retailers getting more aggressive with pricing and promotions.
For instance, Lady Gaga's album "Born This Way" was priced at 99 cents - less than one-tenth the price of most albums - in a special deal, helping drive sales beyond her core fans, he said. The promotion on Amazon.com angered other retailers who were selling the album at full price, however.
"In 2004, you had one massive album driving sales," said Bakula, senior vice president of entertainment analytics for Nielsen. "This year is similar in that you have one really great story that everyone is talking about."
The last time an album topped the year-end chart with more than 5 million copies sold was in 2004, when Usher's "Confessions" moved 7.9 million, according to Nielsen Soundscan, which supplied all sales data for this story.
Indeed, music sales overall are expected to end 2011 up more than 3 percent from last year. Not coincidentally, the last time overall music sales rose by so much was in 2004 as well.
The resurgence in sales is welcome news for the music industry. A meager 1 percent increase in digital sales last year created widespread panic that the format had already plateaued.
Nielsen analyst David Bakula attributed the rebound to a strong release slate, plus retailers getting more aggressive with pricing and promotions.
For instance, Lady Gaga's album "Born This Way" was priced at 99 cents - less than one-tenth the price of most albums - in a special deal, helping drive sales beyond her core fans, he said. The promotion on Amazon.com angered other retailers who were selling the album at full price, however.
"In 2004, you had one massive album driving sales," said Bakula, senior vice president of entertainment analytics for Nielsen. "This year is similar in that you have one really great story that everyone is talking about."
Monday, August 27, 2012
King's Singers - right royal treat
As a young DJ with a radio station in Hong Kong, I had to host a late-night easy listening program called Oldies But Goodies. It came on at 11 every night and my instructions from the program director were: No rock, no Beatles, nothing loud.
My favorite fallback album from the library then was a well-worn vinyl record with six fresh-faced, soap-scrubbed young men in Oxfords grinning engagingly from the cover. They were The King's Singers, and they sang a cappella in perfect harmony. They also made pleasing my bosses so much easier.
That was at least 30 years ago, and the group had already been singing for more than 10 then. Fast-forward to 2011, when they celebrated their 43rd anniversary, with their popularity no less than it has always been.
When a group stays evergreen with no sign of fading, you sit up and want to know more about the formula for success. For the King's Singers, it has always been perfect harmony - and proof that the most beautiful and versatile instrument is the human voice.
When The King's Singers toured China recently, they stopped in Beijing for a one-night performance at the Concert Hall of the National Center of the Performing Arts. The acoustics in the hall are excellent, as we all know, and The King's Singers exploited all the advantages.
My favorite fallback album from the library then was a well-worn vinyl record with six fresh-faced, soap-scrubbed young men in Oxfords grinning engagingly from the cover. They were The King's Singers, and they sang a cappella in perfect harmony. They also made pleasing my bosses so much easier.
That was at least 30 years ago, and the group had already been singing for more than 10 then. Fast-forward to 2011, when they celebrated their 43rd anniversary, with their popularity no less than it has always been.
When a group stays evergreen with no sign of fading, you sit up and want to know more about the formula for success. For the King's Singers, it has always been perfect harmony - and proof that the most beautiful and versatile instrument is the human voice.
When The King's Singers toured China recently, they stopped in Beijing for a one-night performance at the Concert Hall of the National Center of the Performing Arts. The acoustics in the hall are excellent, as we all know, and The King's Singers exploited all the advantages.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Olympics soundtrack races into British charts
London's 2012 Olympics opening ceremony raced into the British charts on Sunday with a collection of music from the kaleidoscopic extravaganza becoming the week's fifth-best selling compilation album after just 24 hours on sale.
Friday's 27 million pound ($42 million) "Isles of Wonder" spectacle, devised by filmmaker Danny Boyle and watched around the globe, was performed to a roller coaster of British music that ran from Mike Oldfield's blockbuster "Tubular Bells" to Dizzee Rascal's 2009 hit "Bonkers".
Elgar's "Nimrod" Enigma Variation shared the Olympic Stadium's stage with Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys and British electronic duo Underworld, who were music directors of the event.
All feature on the anthology, which had sold 10,000 copies by the sales cut-off time on Saturday, enough to make it fifth in the compilation album charts, which are separate from the main album rankings, the Official Charts Company said.
The week's best-selling album, "Ill Manors" from London singer Plan B, brought another Olympic connection to the charts as it topped the rankings on its debut.
The album is the soundtrack for a low budget crime film of the same title written and directed by Plan B - under the name Ben Drew - set in the run-down London area of Newham which includes the Olympic Stadium in its boundary.
Other new entrants in the album stakes were "Handwritten" at number two from U.S. rockers Gaslight Anthem, Jennifer Lopez's greatest hits collection "Dance Again" in fourth place and English singer Joss Stone's "The Soul Sessions Volume 2" at number six.
Friday's 27 million pound ($42 million) "Isles of Wonder" spectacle, devised by filmmaker Danny Boyle and watched around the globe, was performed to a roller coaster of British music that ran from Mike Oldfield's blockbuster "Tubular Bells" to Dizzee Rascal's 2009 hit "Bonkers".
Elgar's "Nimrod" Enigma Variation shared the Olympic Stadium's stage with Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys and British electronic duo Underworld, who were music directors of the event.
All feature on the anthology, which had sold 10,000 copies by the sales cut-off time on Saturday, enough to make it fifth in the compilation album charts, which are separate from the main album rankings, the Official Charts Company said.
The week's best-selling album, "Ill Manors" from London singer Plan B, brought another Olympic connection to the charts as it topped the rankings on its debut.
The album is the soundtrack for a low budget crime film of the same title written and directed by Plan B - under the name Ben Drew - set in the run-down London area of Newham which includes the Olympic Stadium in its boundary.
Other new entrants in the album stakes were "Handwritten" at number two from U.S. rockers Gaslight Anthem, Jennifer Lopez's greatest hits collection "Dance Again" in fourth place and English singer Joss Stone's "The Soul Sessions Volume 2" at number six.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Harbin music concert
The 31st China Harbin Summer Music Concert will be held from Aug 6-15 in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang province.
Founded in 1961, China Harbin Summer Music Concert is one of China's oldest concert festivals.
This year's festival will include the 10th National Vocal Competition, an International Accordion Art Week, a parade, and a series of concerts by musicians from home and abroad.
Considered the fashion capital of China in the 1920s, Harbin had the earliest access to European classical music in China. The city of Harbin was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2010.
China Harbin Summer Music Concert is sponsored and presented by the Ministry of Culture and government of Harbin.
Founded in 1961, China Harbin Summer Music Concert is one of China's oldest concert festivals.
This year's festival will include the 10th National Vocal Competition, an International Accordion Art Week, a parade, and a series of concerts by musicians from home and abroad.
Considered the fashion capital of China in the 1920s, Harbin had the earliest access to European classical music in China. The city of Harbin was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2010.
China Harbin Summer Music Concert is sponsored and presented by the Ministry of Culture and government of Harbin.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Madonna's MDNA world tour in Brussels
Best Wishes From Beijing, a song written by the renowned musician Wang Pingjiu and the young composer Chang Shilei, has been released in Beijing to convey the city’s best wishes to the organizers of the London 2012 Olympics Games.
More than 100 singers and movie stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland, including the superstars Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li, lent their voices to a recording of the song and took part in a related music video.
The video shows images of more than 50 well-known places in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and hutong — or old alleyways — to give evidence of how greatly the city has changed since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, a singing and dance gala, Best Wishes From Beijing, will be broadcast on CCTV on July 27, the day of the Opening Ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
More than 100 singers and movie stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland, including the superstars Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li, lent their voices to a recording of the song and took part in a related music video.
The video shows images of more than 50 well-known places in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and hutong — or old alleyways — to give evidence of how greatly the city has changed since the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, a singing and dance gala, Best Wishes From Beijing, will be broadcast on CCTV on July 27, the day of the Opening Ceremonies of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
CCTV-MTV Music Awards nominees announced
The nominees of the 11th CCTV-MTV Music Awards were announced and the public voting started on Thursday.
Li Jian, a composer and singer, was nominated for Best Male Singer (mainland). The song Legend, written by Li, was performed by Asian pop diva Faye Wong at 2010 CCTV Spring Festival Gala and won Most Popular Song of the Awards last year.
Viewers can log on ent.cntv.cn and ammh.mtvchina.com to vote for their favorite performers and songs, or send their votes through cell phones to 10669999084.
The 11th CCTV-MTV Music Awards will be held on August 21 in Beijing. CCTV-3 has been airing highlights of past ceremonies at 7 pm since July 5.
Launched in 1999, the Awards are considered the most prestigious music awards in China.
Li Jian, a composer and singer, was nominated for Best Male Singer (mainland). The song Legend, written by Li, was performed by Asian pop diva Faye Wong at 2010 CCTV Spring Festival Gala and won Most Popular Song of the Awards last year.
Viewers can log on ent.cntv.cn and ammh.mtvchina.com to vote for their favorite performers and songs, or send their votes through cell phones to 10669999084.
The 11th CCTV-MTV Music Awards will be held on August 21 in Beijing. CCTV-3 has been airing highlights of past ceremonies at 7 pm since July 5.
Launched in 1999, the Awards are considered the most prestigious music awards in China.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Director of the festival Chen Shu made a public statement after being taken to the police station to settle disputes with the contracted companies. He admitted there were problems with the management of the festival, and he would try to pay back the 8 million yuan ($1.26 million) he owes contracted companies as soon as possible.
I interviewed Chen last year, when he was preparing to hold the festival in October, in Mianyang, another city in Sichuan. He seemed very optimistic and estimated that an overall audience of 200,000 would attend the festival. That didn't work out because the local government changed its mind, but Chen was still optimistic about his festival and decided to hold it in Chengdu, in June.
In terms of lineup, Big Love was the best music festival of the year, with top-notch Chinese artists like Cui Jian, Xie Tianxiao and Miserable Faith, pop artists Chyi Chin, Alan Tam and Chang Chen-yue. There were also international acts like Extreme, Suede and Lisa Ono.
Chen had hoped to attract a huge audience by assembling the best musicians. He succeeded in this, but he failed to generate enough income.
I interviewed Chen last year, when he was preparing to hold the festival in October, in Mianyang, another city in Sichuan. He seemed very optimistic and estimated that an overall audience of 200,000 would attend the festival. That didn't work out because the local government changed its mind, but Chen was still optimistic about his festival and decided to hold it in Chengdu, in June.
In terms of lineup, Big Love was the best music festival of the year, with top-notch Chinese artists like Cui Jian, Xie Tianxiao and Miserable Faith, pop artists Chyi Chin, Alan Tam and Chang Chen-yue. There were also international acts like Extreme, Suede and Lisa Ono.
Chen had hoped to attract a huge audience by assembling the best musicians. He succeeded in this, but he failed to generate enough income.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Country-pop singer Taylor Swift has shot to the top of iTunes in 25 countries with her new single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," and is poised for a record digital sales debut on next week's Billboard chart.
Billboard said on Wednesday that the infectiously catchy song was already among the 40 most-played tunes on US radio just two days after being released.
The song went to the top of iTunes in the United States just an hour after it was released on Monday, and has since reached No 1 in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Finland and 20 other nations.
Citing music industry sources, Billboard said the track - the first single off Swift's fourth album, "Red," due in October - could sell 450,000 to 500,000 downloads by the end of the week.
That could make "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" the biggest debut for a digital song by a female artist if Swift surpasses the 448,000 download mark set by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" single in February 2011.
Swift, 22, has sold 17.8 million albums in the United States since bursting onto the country scene as a teenager in 2006. She went on to earn six Grammys, 10 American Music Awards and more than 13 other country music trophies for hit songs like "You Belong with Me," "Mean" and "Fifteen".
Swift is known for penning songs - some vicious and others dreamy - about past boyfriends, and the new single has sparked fevered speculation among fans and celebrity media over whom Swift is referring to in her new tune.
The singer's past musical targets have included actor Taylor Lautner, and musicians Joe Jonas and John Mayer. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" has few obvious hints, but speculation has fallen on actor Jake Gyllenhaal, whom Swift briefly dated in 2011, and folk-pop singer Mayer, once again.
Billboard said on Wednesday that the infectiously catchy song was already among the 40 most-played tunes on US radio just two days after being released.
The song went to the top of iTunes in the United States just an hour after it was released on Monday, and has since reached No 1 in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Finland and 20 other nations.
Citing music industry sources, Billboard said the track - the first single off Swift's fourth album, "Red," due in October - could sell 450,000 to 500,000 downloads by the end of the week.
That could make "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" the biggest debut for a digital song by a female artist if Swift surpasses the 448,000 download mark set by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" single in February 2011.
Swift, 22, has sold 17.8 million albums in the United States since bursting onto the country scene as a teenager in 2006. She went on to earn six Grammys, 10 American Music Awards and more than 13 other country music trophies for hit songs like "You Belong with Me," "Mean" and "Fifteen".
Swift is known for penning songs - some vicious and others dreamy - about past boyfriends, and the new single has sparked fevered speculation among fans and celebrity media over whom Swift is referring to in her new tune.
The singer's past musical targets have included actor Taylor Lautner, and musicians Joe Jonas and John Mayer. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" has few obvious hints, but speculation has fallen on actor Jake Gyllenhaal, whom Swift briefly dated in 2011, and folk-pop singer Mayer, once again.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
"We're not hired by someone. We work for ourselves."
The company's first move was to make the mainland's largest music copyright purchase - of 3,500 songs.
Online research undertaken in 2012 shows 85 percent of Internet users listen to music every day, Gao says.
"That means there's still demand for music," he says.
"It's not dying. We can use the copyrights to make the music market better. The Internet and digital music have changed things. We hope to create a healthy circle for Chinese songwriters."
Song surprised many when he opened a Peking duck restaurant in February.
But he says he isn't leaving the music industry.
"I have a professional team to run the restaurant. With the new music company's launch, I feel my second spring is coming," Song says, laughing.
The company's first move was to make the mainland's largest music copyright purchase - of 3,500 songs.
Online research undertaken in 2012 shows 85 percent of Internet users listen to music every day, Gao says.
"That means there's still demand for music," he says.
"It's not dying. We can use the copyrights to make the music market better. The Internet and digital music have changed things. We hope to create a healthy circle for Chinese songwriters."
Song surprised many when he opened a Peking duck restaurant in February.
But he says he isn't leaving the music industry.
"I have a professional team to run the restaurant. With the new music company's launch, I feel my second spring is coming," Song says, laughing.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Zhang, who rose to fame after winning the 2005 Supergirl singing competition, is known for singing in various languages, such as English, French and Spanish, in addition to Mandarin.
She is also known for hitting the high notes, which is why she is known as "Dolphin Voice". Zhang has been compared to Mariah Carey, whom she has admired since she was a teenager.
Her five studio albums and two EPs released since 2006 have all topped the Chinese music charts. She has also won best female singer awards over the past three years.
"I have been trying to sing in different styles because I want to find a style that belongs to (me)," she says. "I love music, but during the past seven years, I just wasn't enjoying myself singing."
She claims she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror - when practicing - and felt awkward when dancing on stage.
Zhang, from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, says she had been planning the live album for some time.
Through it she rediscovered her joy of singing and the pleasure of expressing her own ideas.
She is also known for hitting the high notes, which is why she is known as "Dolphin Voice". Zhang has been compared to Mariah Carey, whom she has admired since she was a teenager.
Her five studio albums and two EPs released since 2006 have all topped the Chinese music charts. She has also won best female singer awards over the past three years.
"I have been trying to sing in different styles because I want to find a style that belongs to (me)," she says. "I love music, but during the past seven years, I just wasn't enjoying myself singing."
She claims she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror - when practicing - and felt awkward when dancing on stage.
Zhang, from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, says she had been planning the live album for some time.
Through it she rediscovered her joy of singing and the pleasure of expressing her own ideas.
Friday, August 10, 2012
In 2005, she started her band, The Wanting Band, and sang at clubs and restaurants.
"My mum didn't want me to pursue music as a career, just like she hated my boyfriend then," Qu says. "So everything about realizing my music dream was secret then."
She went on to earn her business degree, but also tried her hand at songwriting in both Chinese and English and began performing in the Toronto area. She relocated to Vancouver, continuing to write and perform at events. It was there that she caught the attention of Nettwerk Music Group.
She is a productive songwriter and is preparing for her second album.
It seems that Qu is on an express train to musical fame, but says she hopes to hop off that train at some point in the future.
"Before I signed the contract, I felt confused and even thought about giving up. I didn't know where I was heading," she says. "Now I've released the first album and received some attention, I am still the person I started out and I believe I will stay the same."
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
A total of 26 cameras, a high number for a live TV program, are on standby to capture the singers' facial and emotional expressions as well as those of their families and the judges, as they share their life stories.
Millions are probably attracted to the show by heart-wrenching profiles such as a blind street artist who touches them with her rendition of Teresa Teng's songs or, a cute little girl who sings in remembrance of her deceased father.
China's most popular micro-blogger Yao Chen's compliments of the show on micro blogs were echoed by thousands. She says it demonstrates the most valuable elements in life: enthusiasm, optimism, sincerity and bravery.
But the show was also besieged by negative publicity, with netizens posting evidence to suggest that some stories are false. One such posting claims that a poor countryside singer actually came from a rich family. The program responds immediately to such allegations with a public announcement that it has signed integrity pacts with contestants - those who lie will be fired.
In the midst of the dispute, the program is one of the few to win approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In 2011, it launched a policy restricting the number of entertainment programs, including talent shows, to prevent TV screens from being vulgarized.
Millions are probably attracted to the show by heart-wrenching profiles such as a blind street artist who touches them with her rendition of Teresa Teng's songs or, a cute little girl who sings in remembrance of her deceased father.
China's most popular micro-blogger Yao Chen's compliments of the show on micro blogs were echoed by thousands. She says it demonstrates the most valuable elements in life: enthusiasm, optimism, sincerity and bravery.
But the show was also besieged by negative publicity, with netizens posting evidence to suggest that some stories are false. One such posting claims that a poor countryside singer actually came from a rich family. The program responds immediately to such allegations with a public announcement that it has signed integrity pacts with contestants - those who lie will be fired.
In the midst of the dispute, the program is one of the few to win approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. In 2011, it launched a policy restricting the number of entertainment programs, including talent shows, to prevent TV screens from being vulgarized.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
It's not every day you find a diplomat who's also a hit singer.
What's even more remarkable is how Charles Aznavour deftly shifts between the two roles at age 88.
Over the weekend, Aznavour flew in from Geneva - where he serves as Armenia's ambassador - to perform at the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation's charity gala. That he agreed to do the show in exchange only for transport to and from Shanghai was a pleasant surprise to the organizers.
"What is shocking to me is that when he decided to come as a guest of the charity, to sing for free, he asked for only one first-class ticket. One ticket," Yue-sai Kan, the gala's chairwoman, says.
"A lot of our Chinese stars or Korean stars, they have one person holding their lipstick, one holding their bag, one holding their shoes. They have five or six people around them all the time, and they're just attending an event. They don't even have to do anything."
The gala on Monday drew close to 1,000 guests and raised 14 million yuan ($2.2 million), according to the organizers. Part of the earnings came from an accompanying auction, whose offerings included six pairs of exclusive Christian Louboutin shoes.
What's even more remarkable is how Charles Aznavour deftly shifts between the two roles at age 88.
Over the weekend, Aznavour flew in from Geneva - where he serves as Armenia's ambassador - to perform at the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation's charity gala. That he agreed to do the show in exchange only for transport to and from Shanghai was a pleasant surprise to the organizers.
"What is shocking to me is that when he decided to come as a guest of the charity, to sing for free, he asked for only one first-class ticket. One ticket," Yue-sai Kan, the gala's chairwoman, says.
"A lot of our Chinese stars or Korean stars, they have one person holding their lipstick, one holding their bag, one holding their shoes. They have five or six people around them all the time, and they're just attending an event. They don't even have to do anything."
The gala on Monday drew close to 1,000 guests and raised 14 million yuan ($2.2 million), according to the organizers. Part of the earnings came from an accompanying auction, whose offerings included six pairs of exclusive Christian Louboutin shoes.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber makes his highly anticipated return with new album "Believe," revealing an edgier, grown-up side to the young star who has gained a worldwide fan base with innocent love songs and baby-faced charms.
"Believe," out on Tuesday, serves as Bieber's highly anticipated sequel to his debut album "My World 2.0," and has had critics buzzing on whether the teen who first found fame on YouTube is a short-lived phenomenon or a long-term staple in the music industry.
Bieber, 18, has become one of the world's biggest stars, with more than 23 million followers on Twitter and 44 million fans on Facebook, after being discovered at the age of 13.
The singer has grown up in the public eye in the last two years, dating 19-year-old Disney Channel star Selena Gomez, who is referenced in the album's electro-dance track "Beauty and the Beat."
But fame has also brought its downside and the track "Maria" addresses Bieber's most adult scandal to date. Last November, Bieber was hit with allegations from 20-year-old Mariah Yeater who claimed that the singer had fathered a child with her after a brief alleged encounter backstage.
Bieber, who vehemently denied the claims and watched Yeater's lawsuit fall apart, sings "She was schemin'...she was draggin' my name through the dirt," before hitting the chorus with "That ain't my baby, that ain't my girl."
"Believe," out on Tuesday, serves as Bieber's highly anticipated sequel to his debut album "My World 2.0," and has had critics buzzing on whether the teen who first found fame on YouTube is a short-lived phenomenon or a long-term staple in the music industry.
Bieber, 18, has become one of the world's biggest stars, with more than 23 million followers on Twitter and 44 million fans on Facebook, after being discovered at the age of 13.
The singer has grown up in the public eye in the last two years, dating 19-year-old Disney Channel star Selena Gomez, who is referenced in the album's electro-dance track "Beauty and the Beat."
But fame has also brought its downside and the track "Maria" addresses Bieber's most adult scandal to date. Last November, Bieber was hit with allegations from 20-year-old Mariah Yeater who claimed that the singer had fathered a child with her after a brief alleged encounter backstage.
Bieber, who vehemently denied the claims and watched Yeater's lawsuit fall apart, sings "She was schemin'...she was draggin' my name through the dirt," before hitting the chorus with "That ain't my baby, that ain't my girl."
Friday, August 3, 2012
Newcomer rapper Big K.R.I.T entered the chart at No 5 with his debut album "Live From The Underground", while New Orleans rapper Curren$y debuted his seventh studio album "The Stoned Immaculate" at No 8.
One Direction's "Up All Night" fell to No. 6 from fourth place, and John Mayer's "Born And Raised" dropped from two straight weeks at No 1 all the way down to No 7.
Country star Carrie Underwood dropped to No. 9 from the sixth spot with her hit "Blown Away", while folk singer Brandi Carlile rounded out the top 10 with her fifth studio album "Bear Creek", selling 27,000 copies.
On Billboard's Digital Songs chart, Carly Rae Jepsen continued her reign at the top with flirty pop anthem "Call Me Maybe", while Maroon 5's "Payphone" featuring Wiz Khalifa held steady at No. 2, as did Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" featuring Kimbra in the No 3 slot.
Katy Perry climbed to No 4 with her ballad "Wide Awake", and Canadian pop star Justin Bieber stormed in at No 5 with "All Around The World" featuring Ludacris as he continued on his worldwide promotion of upcoming album "Believe".
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The one-night concert was titled "East Meets West - Three Stars in Collaboration." The trio presented solo and collaborative performances accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Song, one of China's most popular vocalists, performed a selection of her popular Chinese folk songs, including "Little Back Basket" and "Flying Songs".
She was later joined by Bocelli and Lang Lang for "Love Song of Kangding".
Footage of Chinese people expressing their hopes for a successful 2012 London Olympic Games was also shown at the concert.
The event marked the second collaboration between the three musicians following the 2010 Shanghai World Expo's opening ceremony.
Song, one of China's most popular vocalists, performed a selection of her popular Chinese folk songs, including "Little Back Basket" and "Flying Songs".
She was later joined by Bocelli and Lang Lang for "Love Song of Kangding".
Footage of Chinese people expressing their hopes for a successful 2012 London Olympic Games was also shown at the concert.
The event marked the second collaboration between the three musicians following the 2010 Shanghai World Expo's opening ceremony.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Subsequent generations of Von Trapps turned to other occupations, but Sofia Von Trapp and her younger siblings grew up singing songs, such as the Austrian folk songs that their grandfather taught them.
Growing up in rural northwest Montana in the United States, they are often asked, "Are you related to The Sound of Music Von Trapp family?"
According to the Von Trapp children, it was a question that their father, Stefan von Trapp, avoided for years as he sought a normal, quiet existence for his family in Montana.
"We were home-schooled and our mom took us to music lessons as a hobby and stuff," Sofia says.
"Eleven years ago, Grandpa got sick and we decided to do a recording for him. It ended up being a bigger project than expected, and it turned into our first CD.
"But this was never planned."
The very next year they were booked on an overseas tour to Austria and made three more CDs.
The Von Trapp Children also sing songs they collect in other parts of the world, either a capella or with an orchestra.
Growing up in rural northwest Montana in the United States, they are often asked, "Are you related to The Sound of Music Von Trapp family?"
According to the Von Trapp children, it was a question that their father, Stefan von Trapp, avoided for years as he sought a normal, quiet existence for his family in Montana.
"We were home-schooled and our mom took us to music lessons as a hobby and stuff," Sofia says.
"Eleven years ago, Grandpa got sick and we decided to do a recording for him. It ended up being a bigger project than expected, and it turned into our first CD.
"But this was never planned."
The very next year they were booked on an overseas tour to Austria and made three more CDs.
The Von Trapp Children also sing songs they collect in other parts of the world, either a capella or with an orchestra.
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