Music From The Edge: Chris Gaines

As Garth Brooks retired (for, I think, the 4th time), he realized he couldn't stand to be away from music. He decided that he wanted to explore his "rock" roots and separate himself from his country identity.

In walks his alter-ego Chris Gaines. Originally conceived as a concept album, "The Life Of Chris Gaines,", [released September 28, 1999] (Peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top 200) was meant to be a starting point for a whole new career path for Brooks. This album was meant to serve as the "GREATEST HITS" of Chris Gaines and set the stage for an upcoming movie that Garth wrote about Chris Gaines' life, called "The Lamb."

The lead off single from the album was "Lost In You." Produced by Don Was and having that "Babyface" flair, the single was the only bright spot in the experiment of Chris Gaines. A massive ad campaign was started to promote the whole idea of Chris Gaines - trailers for the movie, a full page bio in Billboard Magazine, and even a VH1 Behind The Music Documentary (amazing!). But not all things Garth Brooks turn to gold....The movie deal went bust, the album flopped, and Chris Gaines went back to where he came from never to be heard from again. Many people had assumed that Garth Brooks had simply gone crazy, wanting to become another person and trying to start a new music career under an alias with an entirely new look - I personally think it was Genius.

Interestingly enough, for all of the many hits that Garth Brooks has had - this is the ONLY song to make the Top 5 in Billboard's Hot 100 - landing at #5 for 2 weeks. Two other tracks from the album managed some chart activity, "It Don't Matter To the Sun" (peaked at #24 Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks), and "That's The Way I Remember It," (peaked at #26 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart).

Download: "Lost In You" (Single)
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Bonus: Chris Gaines - Right Now


Enjoy!
Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From The Edge: Bananarama

I picked this track because it seems like the end of the road for Hillary Clinton. And "blue" is how I feel!

After a five year hiatus, Bananarama (Keren Woodward and Sarah Elizebeth Dallin) got back in the studio to record what they hoped would be their comeback album. Their 7th studio album titled "Ultra Violet" was your basic Euro-pop fare - nothing extraordinary, and certainly dated by today's standards. Without a record label, they duo shopped around various indie labels to promote and release "Ultra Violet." In Europe (sans United Kingdom where the album was never released) it was ZYX (one of the best dance labels EVER!), and in the U.S., it was a predominantly country label Curb Records (home to Lee Ann Rimes, among others...).

The lead off single was "Every Shade of Blue". Unfortunately, besides a minor blip on the U.S. Dance Singles Chart, this single flopped, as did the album and both disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. (Personally - I love this track, and think it was clearly overlooked!)

Fans of Bananarama believe it was the lack of promotion that killed any chance of this making a splash - but the release of a CD5 with no less than 7 mixes proved that to be false. There was definitely some money spent here - with remixes by Armand Van Helden and Lenny Bertoldo.

Bananarama's latest effort "Drama" was released in 2005. They are currently on the "Here and Now Tour" in Europe. Rumour has it...(I heard a RUMOUR!!!) that they are also working on a new album to be released in fall 2008 or early 2009.

Download: "Every Shade Of Blue" CD5
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track Listing:

1. Radio Version
2. Lenny B's Radio Mix
3. Mix I Vox Hi
4. "12" Fab Four Mix For Cleveland City
5. X-tended Club Mix
6. Armands Ruffneck Mix
7. Alternative mix

and as added pleasure....the video:



and a bonus ....the remix video Vox Hi


ENJOY!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

RapidShare

Can anyone tell me why they choose to use Rapidshare as their uploading source? For the life of me - I can't understand it. personally, I think zshare is the best -

I am sincerely interested in knowing why Rapidshare is so popular....your thoughts are appriciated!

Peace.Live.Love.
JPB

See you Tuesday!

I can't believe that it has been two weeks since I have blogged! I promise to re-appear tuesday, thank you all for your patience!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB