Friday, February 26, 2010

Just sayin....

DISCLAIMER: I totally made my donation to the Haitian/Save Haiti fund and this is not a knock on the crisis at hand but rather the "wolves in sheeps clothing." I know that a lot of us are so sick of hearing about Haiti and all the vent-sessions going on but you guys....but I just saw this video and the second I saw this video I could not hold it in!  In the beginning there were a few tugs at the ol' heartstrings...The shots of Haiti are truly heartbreaking.  Enter: the Sugarland singer...immediately ruined the "We Are The World" experience for me....her facial expressions are...for lack of a better word...annoying.  However, a quick save was made by none other than the illusive Josh Groban who (I've heard) moonlights as Prince Charming.  WARNING: I'm probably not going to be sympathetic to the rest of the ARTISTS  (I will to a few...but the majority...no).  The video wouldn't be complete without "the greats" Tony Bennett and Babs lend a hand or rather vocal cords in an attempt for some nostalgic flavor....here is where we start to crack down.  The split screen of Michael and Janet....no offense (but this will be offensive to some)...ghetto.....you can't really tell if Janet is singing or if she's lip syncing....the reason being: they share the same voice!  Killer.  Ps Babs. thanks for throwing in a lil' "pop" in the bits....way to stay true to your sound.  Speaking of "Pop"...enter: Miley Cyrus...now, don't hate me for this comment but I thought she nailed her snip-it...that's my girl Hannah!  Do yo' thang!!!  Oh no, don't get too comfortable with the edge b/c immediately following Miley is our latest buzz kill Enrique Eglesis...honey, we were done w/you after your last hit "Hero"....you couldn't let us have THAT be our last memory of you...you had to sign on to THIS project...didn't you?  Closely following Enrique...a favorite of mine..Jamie Foxx...thank you for doing this project.....if we need anyone to "blame" for it's disappointing solos...we know who to go to.  Question: is it wrong that I can't tell the difference btwn Will.I.Am and Wyclef John?  B/c I seriously can't....and I'm really good with pop culture.  The next few artists nail their bits on the heads...kudos to Adam Levigne, Pink, some random black guy who sounds familiar but have no idea who he is, Michael, Usher (very nice)...and the Queen of Pop herself Celine!  Flawless performance...set the bar, and set it HIGH.  I particularly enjoyed the conducting stylings of Lionel Richie while Celine is so easily doing what she was born to do....execute her "solo" w/flying colors....and then we see Fergie (whose name is really Stacie Ferguson..."Fergie" is a self-proclamation...she is NOT of royal descent..just in case you didn't know)....and Fergie...well...Fergie just botches it up, don't really know why she's there...speaking of "why is he/she there" did anyone notice (at minute 4:51) that Jeff Bridges and Vince freakin Vaughn are in the "choir?" Um....did I miss that 15 min where they had released an album with their vocal stylings (solo and/or backup)?  Not far behind we have my favorite part....Lil Wayne, who is backed-up (heavily) with synthesized technology (that's real big these days).  Snaps to Mary Mary holdin it down for the "Gospel" community. To the most comical part of the performance, I realize that it is 2010 and music has changed drastically since 1980 something when the song was first recorded, but did we have to ruin it by adding the breakdown of rap?  What was once a classic is now a farce.  I am fully amendable to "improving" things....but I resort to the old saying "if it's not broken don't fix it" and so it goes w/this song.  I am completely impressed with this project as a whole, and I am certainly touched with the unity involved.  I just have a hard time getting around the egos that went into this project "for the right reasons" b/c I'm pretty sure I saw million dollar dresses on a few red carpets AFTER this song was recorded.....I wonder what Haiti could've used THAT money on....weird.  Whew!  What a great vid right guys?  Those are just thoughts....my thoughts....again, I'm NOT hating on Haiti....just the video...and some of the artists.

10 comments:

Jenilyn said...

Ps....why does Nicole Scherzinger (however you spell it) have the most solos? Can she quit w/her facial expressions please?

The Laban Family said...

Terina just said, "That was a great song mom. I just love Hannah Montana. She's my girl." HAHA! Hannah Montana is all she got out of that!

Nick and Amera said...

I will NEVER get tired of talking about Haiti. This has been such a good time for me to pray for others. I love Haiti and im all about it. Love ya Jen! you are a funny writer!

Jennifer Lane said...

amazing analysis.

pammysua said...

Since we never disagree (??) this might be unexpected and since I love rap (???) maybe even more so but there is really something great about any production where Tony Bennett and L L Cool J are working together. I think the rap makes it "you know, really cool" and adds a different aspect. Without the rap--wouldn't have the same impact.

Canadian Ainu'u's said...

Hahahaha!!! I love this post!!! Jenilyn, why are you wasting your time doing anything when you clearly you should be writing for Rolling Stone? BTW, Celine is Canadian. ;)

Kelli said...

I was confused about Nicole Scherzingers solos as well... but really I don't understand why it was necessary to have Lil wayne "sing" at all why not just put him in the rap part? I've been practicing my Wyclef Jean yell So if I'm ever called upon to do a renditon of this song I have his part covered jk :D

Kelli said...

Also The SNL remake of this song is HILARIOUS... sorry baout the double comments.

Lele said...

I thought the rap was corny and the whole remake was awful..a bit cheesy for me and I LOVE cheese.

P.S. that random black guy that you couldn't name is the legendary Bebe Winan and I only know cause I've recently become a fan of B.E.T.'s Sunday Best and he's a judge along with Mary Mary.

LOOOVE love love that you're blogging again btw!! Love YOU!!

Marek said...

OMG, you crack me up. It was all fun and games until Jamie Foxx and LL thought they should b-b-break it down.