The OzJoke Blog

August 22nd, 2010

Whats on at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre

The Mayflower reveals an incomparable late summer and early autumn array that involves large performances of Oklahoma, Les Misérables, and the Magic of Motown, along with two runs of Faulty Towers the dining experience, and a whole host of other performances and specially themed evenings. The Mayflower is distinctive in being the initial successful theater company in Southampton. The reasons for this no doubt to do with its incredible and cutting edge variety of shows that are continuously on. This year is no exception, as the Mayflower boasts a great number and variety of exciting productions, running from large musicals and plays, to intimate comedic one man or woman acts to specially themed events. Within the exciting category of major name, big budget musicals and plays, the Mayflower offers a variety of classics and newly popular offerings. Included in these are Oklahoma, Les Misérables, and the Magic of Motown. Oklahoma, that stars Marti Webb and Mark Evans, is playing Tuesday the seventeenth through to Saturday the twenty-first of August. This specific touring version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical is produced through the creators of the massive hits Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, South Pacific, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Everyone in the family is sure to love the story famously set within the Western Frontier of America taking place in the time of conflict between the cattlemen and farmers. The Mayflower is also very pleased to welcome the twenty-fifth anniversary production of Les Misérables, which is the world’s longest running musical of them all. It is going to be at the Mayflower for only three weeks, from Tuesday, August 24th through Saturday, September 11th. The brilliant all new cast is led by London’s West End and Broadway star John Owen Jones, who has been recommended through the New York Post since the very finest Jean Valjean since the days of Colm Wilkinson, and also graced through the West End stars for example Gareth Gates who plays Marius and Earl Carpenter who plays Javert. Finally within the category of large budget stage musicals may be the Magic of Motown, presenting the greatest Motown live tribute concert ever. In this stunning production, music of Diana Ross and also the Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves and scores of others is featured. This display boasts literally dozens of stunning costumes, a gorgeously choreographed cast, and fully thirty-six memorable hits from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. It will play one night only, on Tuesday, September 14th. For 1 man comedians and acts, the Mayflower outperforms again. Jethro will carry out his Too Late To Grow Up display on Thursday, September 16th. Sean Lock will perform his signature Lockipedia on Saturday, September 18th. Lisa Williams, the globally known psychic and clairvoyant, will appear on Sunday, September 19th. A special treat in the coming months is Faulty Towers, the Dining Experience. This well-known and long running television show turned touring musical makes two stops as the initial appearance rapidly sold out. It runs in the Mayflower from Tuesday October 12th via Thursday October14, too as from Thursday October 21st via Tuesday October 26th. Finally, two seasonal themed events will be presented within the coming months. The Ghost Hunt and Buffet Evening will take location on Friday, September 24th, while the murder mystery Much better by Nun happens on Saturday, October 30th. Once again, the Mayflower illustrates its uncanny ability to keep the crowds in Southampton coming back for much more. Find out much more info about what’s going on in the Mayflower Theatre

July 17th, 2010

John Legend Wants Beyonce Collaboration…

Posted by admin in Making Music

John Legend who is set to release his new album ‘Wake Up!’ has revealed to The Huffington Post who he’d like to collaborate with in the future. His taste is very high-profile as he has targeted the most talented of divas such as Beyonce and Amy Winehouse. Here is what he had to say:

“I have a few people that I’d love to write for or write with, like Amy Winehouse would be fun. Feist would be fun. Beyoncé would be cool too, just to name a few”. Source.

Legend has worked with several R&B singers recently. Melanie Fiona recently revealed she has worked with him on his new album and is hoping for him to do some stuff on her own upcoming new album for ‘The MF Life’. We also reported previously that he was in the studio with Jennifer Hudson working on music for her upcoming new album set to drop this Fall. Jennifer confirmed their studio sessions on Twitter. Meanwhile, he is set to release his new album ‘Wake Up!’ on September 21st.

beyonce music videos

November 29th, 2009

Robbie Williams

Posted by admin in Making Music

British pop star Robbie Williams caused a stir in Australia with an on-air proposal to his US actress girlfriend during a Sydney radio show.

Williams, in Australia as he pursues his comeback, popped the question to steady partner Ayda Field during a Friday appearance on breakfast radio, after host Jackie O told him Sydney was notorious for celebrity proposals.

“Is there anyone you want to get married to?” Williams laughed.

“This is so awkward,” Field replied.

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

She responded: “Yes I’ll marry you,” before jokingly asking him where her ring was. Williams borrowed a ring from the Australian host and slipped it on Field’s finger as he repeated his proposal.

“Ayda Field, I love you so much. Would you mind being my betrothed until the end of time?”

Scores of excited fans called the station to offer their congratulations, and his official site was inundated with questions about the pending nuptials.

But Williams’ London-based spokesman reportedly denied Williams was serious. “He did say it, but in a jocular manner. They are not engaged,” the spokesman said, according to the public broadcaster, ABC.

Williams’ mother, Jan, said her son had been planning to propose and told her a week ago he was going to ask Field, his partner of almost three years, for her hand in marriage.

“He wanted to do something different and she’s a lovely girl and I’m really pleased for them,” she told British state broadcaster BBC.

“I’ve always wanted a daughter-in-law.”

Williams said her son had bought a ring, adding she didn’t think the wedding would be too far in the future.

Speaking on air ahead of the engagement drama, Field, 30, said she met Williams through friends and they were set up on a blind date.

She said she knew instantly that it was love, but Williams was less convinced.

April 8th, 2008

At Last… The Duets Album by Kenny G: Smooth Jazz CD Review

Posted by admin in Making Music

Kenny G, the smooth jazz icon saxophonist for almost 20 years now, has released his first all guest star CD entitled At Last…The Duets Album.

This release finds the smooth jazz saxophone superstar paired with vocal giants ranging from Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan to pop stars including LeAnn Rimes, Daryl Hall, Richard Marx, Brian McKnight, and Earth, Wind and Fire just to name a few.

He also enlisted some instrumental industry heavyweights to pitch in as well. Including trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist David Benoit, and the legendary composer Burt Bacharach.

The CD formula largely works, coming off as a breezy, laid back concert with G adding soft asides to his guest’s vocal performances.

On track 7 Brian McKnight delivers a very nice rendition of Careless Whispers, and on what could be the highlight of the collection, track 5, Chaka Khan actually betters Christina Aguilera’s already outstanding Beautiful. Making it her very own as only she can.

Another very good song is track 6, Pick Up The Pieces on which G teams up with fellow sax smooth jazz Hall of Famer David Sanborn. The pairing of the two saxophone legends leads to a very intriguing sound combination.

I give At Last… The Duets Album my highest recommendation. It just plain belongs in any serious music collectors collection regardless of genre preference.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Kenny G’s most impressive releases ever.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites are Don’t Know Why [track 2], Pick Up The Pieces [track 6], and Baby Come To Me [track 9]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in “Stuck On REpeat”] is track 7, Careless Whisper. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Kenny G originally released At Last… The Duets Album on November 23, 2004 on the Arista record label.

CD track list follows:

1. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You- featuring LeAnn Rimes

2. Don’t Know Why- featuring David Benoit

3. I Believe I Can Fly- featuring Yolanda Adams

4. At Last- featuring Arturo Sandoval

5. Beautiful- featuring Chaka Khan

6. Pick Up The Pieces- featuring David Sanborn

7. Careless Whisper- featuring Brian McKnight

8. Misty- featuring Gladys Knight

9. Baby Come To Me- featuring Daryl Hall

10. The Way You Move- featuring Earth Wind & Fire

11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word- featuring Richard Marx

12. Alfie- featuring Burt Bacharach

13. XThe Music That Makes Me Dance- featuring Barbra Streisand

To listen to samples of each song on At Last… The Duets Album by Kenny G go to:
Kenny G CD - At Last… The Duets Album Samples

Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. “SmoothLee” is an AVID music fan, smooth jazz in particular, and in addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com can also be heard during his radio show which airs online daily at Smooth Jazz 24/7