Archive for February, 2012

Review of last Sunday’s (February 26, 2012) 84th Academy Awards (Oscar) presentations are in. Some early reports indicate 4% viewer increase over last year. Viewing audience estimated at 39.3 million compared to colossal disaster of Anne Hathaway and James Franco’s 2011 show which drew 37.9 million. This is second largest viewership for Oscar history. However, the viewership is lower than the recently held Grammy audience.

After Eddie Murphy bailed out in November 2011, the Academy opted for Billy Crystal. He should be commended for stepping in within such a short notice. This is 63 year old Billy Crystal’s ninth time hosting of the Academy Awards show after several years of absence from the show. Many say his work was safe and bland. The opening resembled Billy Crystal’s Saturday Night Live appearances in the 1980s. Fierce criticism came in for Billy Crystal’s donning blackface in light of Octavia Spencer’s win for her performance in The Hope. However, the Hollywood Reporter applauded the comic’s comeback saying Billy Crystal was solid and predictable.

Despite all criticism, the 2012 Academy Awards presentation was a social media hit. Who can forget Angelina Jolie’s leg-thrusting moment during her presentation an award?

The Voice Vs. American Idol

Article submitted by American Idol Forum

If you watch much television at all, you’ve most likely heard of the two very popular programs American Idol and The Voice.Both programs feature aspiring new musical artists competing for a chance to become the next big singing sensation. While American Idol has been in production for several years and has brought us such talent as Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, and Clay Aiken, The Voice is clearly taking America, and perhaps American Idol, by storm.

Unlike American Idol, The Voice adds a new element to the mix by having each artist audition while the four star judges have their backs turned to them. This way, the judging is done strictly based upon “the voice”, much as the name of the show suggests.This factor eliminates any bias in judgment that could possibly be made based upon a contestant’s appearance. The Voice features judges from all walks of the music industry. Adam Levine from Maroon 5, diva Christina Agulera, country crooner Blake Shelton, and the soulful and always colorful CeeLo Green have served as judges on The Voice for the first season, and the current second season which recently began.

After the team members are selected by each judge on The Voice, they team’s coach will actually two of his/her own team members to compete amongst each other, with the team’s coach choosing the ultimate winner. By process of elimination, each team’s coach is then forced to choose only the best members of their own team after these “battle rounds” are concluded. Later in the season, each of the remaining performers will then be allowed to perform live and then have the public call in to vote on their favorite performance of the evening. Last year’s competition was intense, and the new season is getting off to a promising start as well.

As far as The Voice vs. American Idol,either show can provide you with an entertaining panel of judges and some great singing talent.

Whereas there is a slim difference between gospel and Christian music, the two are very different from country music. Much as they all differ in a way or another, they also bare similarities. The fact that, they all entertain, have rhythm and so on relates them. Basically, country music originates from folk songs music and western cowboys. It is simply harmonized by aid of string instruments such as violins, harmonicas, banjoes, fiddles and guitars; setting out dance tunes.

Many up to date can hardly tell the difference between Christian and gospel music while the secret is just spiritual. However, there are many different views towards this argument. Some argue that gospel music is linked with blacks, simply because many of them sing to it whereas the latter is linked with whites. Of all the arguments, the most justified difference in all claims that; gospel music has a soulful energy while Christian music does not. Another major factor to note is that gospel is a genre. It bares sound from R&B and soul music from ‘negro spirituals’, all the more reasons to be associated with blacks. Unlike ancient times, artists singing gospel music have won major awarding events from it.

Christian music aims at expressing ones belief towards Christian faith. Its main themes are penitence, lament, worship and praise. The instruments that accompany this music include pianos, electronic guitar, and at times a band or orchestra accompanies the singing. One unique aspect of this music is; it can be done just instrumental. Many a times, instrumentals are used for meditation purposes. Like any other music, the definition differs in accordance to culture and social information. In the same way, it is composed for different purposes such as entertainment for marketplace, religious and ceremonial purposes among other reasons. Similar to gospel music, Christian music has become a great boom in award winning events.