Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

Friday, February 27, 2009

New Tunes from Annie Lennox and Pet Shop Boys

Filed under: Uncategorized — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 04:51

Some new tunes from Annie Lennox and the Pet Shop Boys have just been released. Annie Lennox’s new single “Shining Light” comes from her new album The Annie Lennox Collection, which was released by Sony Music on February 17th. “Shining Light” is a great pop-rock track with some very rich instrumentals that serve as a throwback to such Lennox hits as “Walking on Broken Glass” and “Little Bird.” The album contains 14 hit Lennox songs–all of which were recorded during Lennox’s solo career so don’t expect any Eurythmics’ tunes on this compilation. Lennox’s music has only improved as a solo artist so the songs on this album bode better than any of the songs the duo ever released.

This week saw the release of the new single “Love, Etc.” from the Pet Shop Boys, who have recently been working with pop sensation Lady GaGa on remixing her latest single “Love Game.” Yes, the new album from the Pet Shop Boys will be released on April 7th and if this first single is any indication, the album will probably be fantastic! The Annie Lennox Collection and “Shining Light” are available in retailers nationwide and for digital download from iTunes from Sony Music. Yes will be released April 7th from Astralwerks. To watch Annie Lennox’s new video “Shining Light,” visit YouTube @: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoOaBsB30lU. Below is the new video “Love, Etc.” from the Pet Shop Boys featured in High Definition:

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

More Republican Ignorance

Filed under: Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:26

antirepublican.jpgThe Republican Party continues to show its disgusting ignorance. Spawned by Milk‘s several wins at the Academy Awards Sunday night, their new Chairman, Michael Steele, was interviewed  Monday by Mike Gallagher. When asked if Republicans should consider changing their position on civil unions for same-sex couples, Steele was quick to spew more Republican stupidity and prove he is nothing more than a moronic dolt:

 GALLAGHER: Is this a time when Republicans ought to consider some sort of alternative to redefining marriage and maybe in the road, down the road to civil unions. Do you favor civil unions?

STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you, crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.” […]

GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions in your mind?

STEELE: What’s the difference?

With their new leader, it looks like the Republicans continue to show they are simply clueless in-regards to just about everything. But perhaps this statement highlights just how backwards the Party continues to be in-regards to social issues. How anyone could justify being a Republican continues to simply baffle the mind…

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Erasure Update: New Album and Tour in 2010

Filed under: Popular Music — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 14:14

erasurenightbird.jpgPop-duo Erasure’s Andy Bell and Vince Clark have been hard at work on solo projects over the last year and April 7th will see the North American release of their Total Pop! Deluxe Hits, which features Erasure’s biggest hits re-mixed and re-mastered by some of the hottest DJs of today. Vince rejoined Alison Moyet to bring back the band Yazoo in the beginning of 2008 and toured around Europe and the United States.

Andy made a move to Hastings and has toured all over the world DJing in various clubs and performing solo at various festivals and events, including 2008’s True Colors Tour. But Vince and Andy will soon be working together again! Erasure will be regrouping in a few months to begin work on their next studio album. The last release Light at the End of the World in 2007 included smash hits “I Could Fall in Love (With You)” and “Sunday Girl.” And the Light at the End of the World Tour played to sold-out concert halls for close to a year, including a stop at Universal’s Hard Rock Live in Orlando on July 8th, 2007.

Every Erasure album seems to get better as the group ages! 2005’s Nightbird, featuring “Breathe” was only surpassed by the 2007 release. Andy recently told CityLife Magazine: “Vince and I will be going back into the studio in the autumn – he’s got a set up in a log cabin in the States – so hopefully we’ll get a new album out by 2010.” So, 2010 will be a big year for Erasure. The wait will be a killer, but something tells me it’ll be well worth it!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Knights Basketball Come Back from 17 Point Deficit to Beat Tulsa!

Filed under: UCF Sports — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 15:10

This past Saturday, the UCF Knights Basketball team (16-9; 6-5) came-back from a major 17-point deficit to beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, the #2 team in Conference USA.  Easily the most fun I have ever had at ANY basketball game in my life, the Knights AJ Rompza, scored a two-pointer in the last 0.1 seconds of the game to secure a Black & Gold victory 74-72. The UCF Arena became electric and fans went crazy! This win puts UCF back into the Conference USA hunt; but with only a few remaining games, it’s going to be an uphill battle. Here’s a clip of the last minute of the game:

Another Smart Decision by President Obama

Filed under: Nursing Science,Politics — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 05:50

obama.jpgWhile President Obama has vowed he would reverse the ridiculous restrictions placed on stem cell research by the Worst President in the History of the United States, it looks like that action is coming a lot sooner than expected. Within days into his administration, Obama lifted the executive orders affecting stem cell research. Now, it appears he is ready to take more extensive action. Reuters is reporting President Obama will soon issue an executive order which will lift bans on federal funds to sponsor stem cell research.

Medical scientists believe the research could eventually produce cures for a variety of diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease and spinal cord injuries. Obama vowed to reverse Bush’s ban during his presidential campaign and in his inaugural address last month promised to return science to its proper place in the United States. Bush ignored science in-favor of ignorance, stupidity, and idiocy.

Beyond his stem cell research bans, Bush also declared global warming a “debatable” issue despite sound and solid scientific evidence to the contrary and also ignored the theory of evolution in-favor of “intelligent design” which is the belief a supernatural “spirit” created the Earth and the planets in just seven days  (remember though on the seventh day, he took a break and “rested”), despite the fact humans created the calendar and defined what time constitutes a day! Thank God we are beginning to restore intelligence and integrity back to the United States of America!

Intolerance is Awfully Costly to Taxpayers

Filed under: GLBT Social Issues and Civil Rights — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 05:35

Two Florida high schools in the Jacksonville-area are about ready to enter serious litigation after their school boards refused to allow students to form Gay-Straight Student Alliances (GSAs). GSAs exist to promote acceptance and tolerance among students and also serve as much-needed resources for gay and lesbian students who are dealing with issues related to their own sexual orientation. The ACLU has rightly brought-forth several lawsuits over the years against school boards for denying students the ability to form GSAs within their schools.

The vast majority of these cases have been won and taxpayers are left paying the costly bill resulting from officials’ ignorance and intolerance. The most recent case was in Okeechobee, FL. The ACLU successfully represented students who were denied their request to form a GSA within their school. The final ruling found schools must provide for the safety and well-being of gay and lesbian students and failure to allow the formation of GSAs is discrimination. That lawsuit cost Okeechobee Schools $327,000. In a time when our schools are struggling to meet the basic needs of students and the economy is in shambles, taxpayers can ill-afford to pay for these costly lawsuits that result from disgusting ignorance, intolerance, and discrimination.

Gay teens are at more risk for suicide than any other class of individual in America. It’s time taxpayers begin to stand-up against stupidity that not only costs quite a bit of money in a time where every penny is precious, but also perpetuates harm to a vulnerable group of people. Educate elected officials about intelligent decision-making and the costs we all have to pay when narrow-minded idiocy is selected over the right policy.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hot New Lady GaGa Video

Filed under: Popular Music — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 01:13

Lady GaGa has just completed filming the video for her next single, “Love Game” from The Fame. Shot in LA and NYC, the video contains some very steamy sexually-charged choreography and highlights GaGa’s amazing dance talent. With the release of “Fashion” from the original soundtrack Confessions of a Shopaholic earlier last week, Lady GaGa has certainly been busy lately. And with her World Fame Ball coming soon to Orlando (April 6th), anticipation has never been greater!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Love Among the Flames

Filed under: Animal Welfare — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:30

koala.jpgOver the past few days, the Austailian State of Victoria has been the site of some horrific fires. Worse–investigators believe some, if not all, were started at the hands of arsonists. Out of this nightmare, with a human death toll now approaching 200, comes this very touching photograph of a rescue worker providing some love and assistance to the most unlikely victim, a koala bear:

“The koala moved gingerly on scorched paws, crossing the blackened landscape as the fire patrol passed. Clearly in pain, the animal stopped when it saw firefighter David Tree following behind. ‘It was amazing, he turned around, sat on his bum and sort of looked at me with (a look) like, put me out of my misery,’ Tree told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ‘I yelled out for a bottle of water. I unscrewed the bottle, tipped it up on his lips and he just took it naturally. He kept reaching for the bottle, almost like a baby.’ The team called animal welfare officers as it resumed its patrols on Sunday, the day after deadly firestorms swept southern Victoria state. ‘I love nature, and I’ve handled koalas before. They’re not the friendliest things, but I wanted to help him,’ Tree said.”

Confessions of a Lady GaGa

Filed under: Popular Music — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 02:18

ladygagathefame.jpgToday, Hollywood Records released the soundtrack to the upcoming film Confessions of a Shopaholic, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. The soundtrack is excellent and there is a suprise gem as track #2: Lady GaGa! Lady GaGa recorded the first single from the soundtrack entitled “Fashion.” While Lady GaGa writes all of her own music and actually got her career started as a songwriter, this song was actually originally recorded by Heidi Montag. The soundtrack is chuck-full of great tracks including songs by Macy Gray, The Pussycat Dolls, Natasha Bedingfield, Kat DeLuna, and many others. “Fashion” is definitely the highlight of the album; but the entire album is a smash hit! Confessions of a Shopaholic The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is now available from Hollywood Records in retailers everywhere and for digital download through iTunes.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Has Christine Been Named?

Filed under: Performing Arts — Dr. Christopher Blackwell @ 01:04

phantom.jpgPlaybill is reporting that the role of Christine Daaé has been cast for  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s upcoming sequel to The Phantom of the Opera:

“The talk of the town is that Sierra Boggess, the golden-voiced actress who created the role of The Little Mermaid on Broadway, will be an older — but perhaps no less romantically conflicted — Christine in the sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail Online reported that Phantom: Love Never Dies will star Boggess  and Ramin Karimloo (who plays the masked tenor in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera). In Love Never Dies, the disfigured Phantom — who released his beloved soprano and her love, Raoul, at the end of The Phantom of the Opera, and then disappeared in a flash — has been relocated from the Paris Opera to Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Christine apparently has a son, and is unhappily married to a now dissipated Raoul. The new story was created by Lloyd Webber, lyricist Slater, director O’Brien “and a twist of it was given to us by Ben Elton,” the composer previously said.”

Webber is hoping the show will bow at the end of 2009 in 3 separate locations. Boggess originated the role of Christine in Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular (which I saw 2 years ago–it was great to hear the music but the show was way too rushed to be enjoyable) and made her Broadway debut as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress