And John the Revelator will be his sound guy! :)
http://www.mystelizabeth.com/
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Downtown Harrison on Sunday!!
The inimitable Downtown Harrison will be performing at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Funfest on Sunday, August 1, from noon to 2:45.
And John the Revelator will be his sound guy! :)
http://www.mystelizabeth.com/
And John the Revelator will be his sound guy! :)
http://www.mystelizabeth.com/
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Karaoke in Kiev
Yesterday, I got a comment on my first post to my Milwaukee Karaoke blog:
"wow this is cool! I am not aware that there are a lot of people who really love karaoke. I was wondering if there are also communities out there who do the same because I need one in my region. I have been so stressed at work and I need some fun outside of work."
It's always nice to get some positive feedback.
Naturally, I wondered where the person was who left the comment. I clicked on the name of the person who commented to see their profile. This site came up: http://kiev-karaoke.info/ The site looks lovely. I wish I could read it. It's all in Russian!
Here is a translation of a paragraph from the first page on that website (thank you babelfish):
"Everything about [karaoke] in Kiev Here already more than 10 years leaves to ether the transfer of " To [karaoke] to [Maydane]" , which indicates its constant popularity, yes even popularity to [karaoke] as a whole as the form of entertainment, constantly it grows. Today Kievians sing not only at Maydana or family holidays under the domestic [karaoke]- prefixes, but also [prilyudno] in different bars, restaurants and night clubs. [Karaoke] it became not simply entertainment, but by the new culture, which attracts in its numbers of all new fans. In all several years ago you did not find specialized [karaoke] club in Kiev. Today Kiev changed. New to [karaoke] clubs and [karaoke] bars in Kiev are opened so frequently, that even the most inveterate amateurs of this entertainment no longer manage to follow all innovations in [karaoke] of the life of city. We hope that the portal Of kiev-Karaoke.Info will become reliable guide on capital [karaoke] peace and it will be useful to [karaoke]- novices and [karaoke]- executors with the period."
The next time I am in Kiev, I will have to check out this map: http://kiev-karaoke.info/map-kiev-karaoke.html
"wow this is cool! I am not aware that there are a lot of people who really love karaoke. I was wondering if there are also communities out there who do the same because I need one in my region. I have been so stressed at work and I need some fun outside of work."
It's always nice to get some positive feedback.
Naturally, I wondered where the person was who left the comment. I clicked on the name of the person who commented to see their profile. This site came up: http://kiev-karaoke.info/ The site looks lovely. I wish I could read it. It's all in Russian!
Here is a translation of a paragraph from the first page on that website (thank you babelfish):
"Everything about [karaoke] in Kiev Here already more than 10 years leaves to ether the transfer of " To [karaoke] to [Maydane]" , which indicates its constant popularity, yes even popularity to [karaoke] as a whole as the form of entertainment, constantly it grows. Today Kievians sing not only at Maydana or family holidays under the domestic [karaoke]- prefixes, but also [prilyudno] in different bars, restaurants and night clubs. [Karaoke] it became not simply entertainment, but by the new culture, which attracts in its numbers of all new fans. In all several years ago you did not find specialized [karaoke] club in Kiev. Today Kiev changed. New to [karaoke] clubs and [karaoke] bars in Kiev are opened so frequently, that even the most inveterate amateurs of this entertainment no longer manage to follow all innovations in [karaoke] of the life of city. We hope that the portal Of kiev-Karaoke.Info will become reliable guide on capital [karaoke] peace and it will be useful to [karaoke]- novices and [karaoke]- executors with the period."
The next time I am in Kiev, I will have to check out this map: http://kiev-karaoke.info/map-kiev-karaoke.html
Friday, July 16, 2010
How a song about a woman became a state song
Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.
Hoagy Charmichael wrote the music to "Georgia on my Mind" in 1930 and his college roommate, Stuart Gorrell provided the lyrics. Contrary to popular belief, the Georgia in the song was Hoagy's sister, and not the state of Georgia.
Ray Charles recorded this song in 1960 and it rose to the top of the charts. I mention it, because he had a part in making this a state song.
The biographical movie Ray propagated the myth that Ray Charles was banned from Georgia as a result of this incident. Interesting drama, but not true. The movie showed a very moving scene -- I cried -- where the Georgia legislature officially apologized to Charles. He performed the song on the chamber floor, and the song was voted in as the state song.
Ray Charles did actually sing the song for the legislature in 1979, and it did become the state song. But since he never was banned from the state, there was no apology.
And that is how a song about Hoagy Charmichael's sister became a state song.
And Wisconsin, where I live? Our state dance is the polka. It is widely held (but not true) that a wedding in Wisconsin is not considered to be consummated until the bride and groom have danced their first polka. And also contrary to popular belief, the tuba is not the state instrument. Wisconsin sadly does not have an official state instrument. But we do have an official state fossil. We are all proud of our trilobites.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_on_my_mind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AGeorgia_on_My_Mind
http://www.national-anthems.org/history.php
http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=Ray_Fredericksberg_05_ul
http://afgen.com/ray_charles.html
http://oldies.about.com/od/rbandblues/f/rayracism.htm
http://emol.org/film/archives/ray/knowingray.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350258/goofs
http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/historyinthemovies/ray.htm
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Undercover karaoke
"You can be an ugly girl with a voice like that and get laid all the time." This was a comment made to Jewel. Yes. The singer. That one.
Are you kidding me? Someone thinks Jewel is ugly? Well, when she is dressed in frumpy clothes, and given a wig, a fake nose, glasses, and a fake tush, she doesn't quite look the same.
But she still has a gorgeous voice. Patrons at the L.A. karaoke bar she visited were amazed when "Karen" performed a Jewel song. For the first time in the bar's history, a karaoke singer was requested to do an encore.
The joke was revealed later that evening when Jewel came out of disguise to sing as her real self.
News report
See the video
Other celebrity karaoke sightings:
Kelly Clarkson
Steve Tyler of Aerosmith
Are you kidding me? Someone thinks Jewel is ugly? Well, when she is dressed in frumpy clothes, and given a wig, a fake nose, glasses, and a fake tush, she doesn't quite look the same.
But she still has a gorgeous voice. Patrons at the L.A. karaoke bar she visited were amazed when "Karen" performed a Jewel song. For the first time in the bar's history, a karaoke singer was requested to do an encore.
The joke was revealed later that evening when Jewel came out of disguise to sing as her real self.
News report
See the video
Other celebrity karaoke sightings:
Kelly Clarkson
Steve Tyler of Aerosmith
Combination water park, musical instrument, and karaoke machine
I have a patent in front of me: US patent 7,551,161. The title is "Fluid user interface such as immersive multimediator or input/output device with one or more spray jets". Now, I'm not a patent attorney, and I'm not really sure what this all means, but the closest I can come is that this is a combination water park, musical instrument, and karaoke machine. Thank god one has finally been invented!
Basically, the invention is a thing with a bunch of nozzles that spit streams of water into the air. The user (who wishes to be interfaced) puts his or her hands into the stream. Sensors can tell which streams are being touched. To quote the patent "In this way a small child could choreograph the Bellagio fountains by playing in a smaller fountain."
The patent goes on
Such a large and expansive show presented from an individual could function much like a karaoke machine, in the manner in which an individual person of ordinary talent could "give" an excellent and dramatic show or performance. To the extent that karaoke is defined as a "method for the intoxicated to embarrass themselves" (Wikipedia.org online encyclopedia) playing in the fountains can further the fear of singing in public with the added fear of being seen in a bathing suit (or underwear) in public. In this sense, interactive waterplay performance spaces could be installed in "watering holes" and other drinking establishments like restaurants, lounges, hotels, and bars.
Well... harumph! There was no need to get nasty about it!
Basically, the invention is a thing with a bunch of nozzles that spit streams of water into the air. The user (who wishes to be interfaced) puts his or her hands into the stream. Sensors can tell which streams are being touched. To quote the patent "In this way a small child could choreograph the Bellagio fountains by playing in a smaller fountain."
The patent goes on
Such a large and expansive show presented from an individual could function much like a karaoke machine, in the manner in which an individual person of ordinary talent could "give" an excellent and dramatic show or performance. To the extent that karaoke is defined as a "method for the intoxicated to embarrass themselves" (Wikipedia.org online encyclopedia) playing in the fountains can further the fear of singing in public with the added fear of being seen in a bathing suit (or underwear) in public. In this sense, interactive waterplay performance spaces could be installed in "watering holes" and other drinking establishments like restaurants, lounges, hotels, and bars.
Well... harumph! There was no need to get nasty about it!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Milwaukee Karaoke blog
I am happy to announce the creation of a new blog dedicated to karaoke news in the Milwaukee area. This site will include reviews of karaoke spots, announcements of special events such as contests and karaoke venues that are not on the weekly calendar, and changes to my normal calendar.
Milwaukee Karaoke
First post
This blog will add to my listings of karaoke venues.
I welcome any Milwaukee karaoke news! In fact, I hope to not have to write very many of the posts!! Email me at RevelatorKaraoke@gmail.com.
John the Revelator
Milwaukee Karaoke
First post
This blog will add to my listings of karaoke venues.
I welcome any Milwaukee karaoke news! In fact, I hope to not have to write very many of the posts!! Email me at RevelatorKaraoke@gmail.com.
John the Revelator
Where can I download karaoke songs?
Here are a number of websites where you can buy downloads of karaoke songs:
buykaraokedownloads - These folks boast of 20,000 titles. Prices are probably the best around, $0.99 to $1.99 each, with a 20% discount if you buy more than 5 songs at a time. I use this site frequently, basically because it was the first karaoke download site that I found. And the prices are cheap. And I'm a cheapskate.
mp3gmusic, tricerasoft.com - These are two addresses apparently for the same site. This site has 36,000 titles. Prices are $1.99. One benefit to this site is that they tell you right up front which company produced the song, which is helpful, since CDG's vary a lot in quality. Tricerasoft, by the way, makes karaoke hosting software.
selectatrack - These folks claim to have the largest library on the web, but rumor has it they have only 13,846. I couldn't find a number on their site. As with mp3gmusic, you can tell which company created the music. Unlike the previous two, however, you don't know what it will cost until you put the song in your cart. The company is out of Normandy, so if you are in the US, the cost will be further affected by the exchange rate and foreign transaction fees on your credit card. I bought three songs from them, and it cost $9.41.
karaoke.com - This is a long-established seller of karaoke disks, but in the past few years that started selling downloads as well. Songs sell for $2.99 each, or $0.88 each for 3 or more. Interesting pricing structure. You can pay $2.99 for one song, or three for $0.35 less. Hmmm... My impression is that their current library is not huge - when I look for specific songs, I often come up empty handed. Another drawback is that all their titles seem to be on the iKaraoke label, which apparently is their own.
Amazon - You may have seen that you can download karaoke songs from Amazon.com. When I checked today, they had 3,862 songs available for $0.99 each. Good price, but they don't come with the lyrics files... just the music.
Other links
More information about the format for karaoke songs?
Some additional opinions about the various download sites
buykaraokedownloads - These folks boast of 20,000 titles. Prices are probably the best around, $0.99 to $1.99 each, with a 20% discount if you buy more than 5 songs at a time. I use this site frequently, basically because it was the first karaoke download site that I found. And the prices are cheap. And I'm a cheapskate.
mp3gmusic, tricerasoft.com - These are two addresses apparently for the same site. This site has 36,000 titles. Prices are $1.99. One benefit to this site is that they tell you right up front which company produced the song, which is helpful, since CDG's vary a lot in quality. Tricerasoft, by the way, makes karaoke hosting software.
selectatrack - These folks claim to have the largest library on the web, but rumor has it they have only 13,846. I couldn't find a number on their site. As with mp3gmusic, you can tell which company created the music. Unlike the previous two, however, you don't know what it will cost until you put the song in your cart. The company is out of Normandy, so if you are in the US, the cost will be further affected by the exchange rate and foreign transaction fees on your credit card. I bought three songs from them, and it cost $9.41.
karaoke.com - This is a long-established seller of karaoke disks, but in the past few years that started selling downloads as well. Songs sell for $2.99 each, or $0.88 each for 3 or more. Interesting pricing structure. You can pay $2.99 for one song, or three for $0.35 less. Hmmm... My impression is that their current library is not huge - when I look for specific songs, I often come up empty handed. Another drawback is that all their titles seem to be on the iKaraoke label, which apparently is their own.
Amazon - You may have seen that you can download karaoke songs from Amazon.com. When I checked today, they had 3,862 songs available for $0.99 each. Good price, but they don't come with the lyrics files... just the music.
Other links
More information about the format for karaoke songs?
Some additional opinions about the various download sites