#OnRepeat: Jessie J's "Masterpiece"

So this week, I've had Jessie J's song, "Masterpiece," #OnRepeat. I know I'm extremely late, but I've just recently discovered Jessie J. I think she has the same potential as Bruno Mars in terms of making mainstream American popular music substantial again (this is a hefty statement to make, but once you hear her voice, you might agree).

Jessie J (Jessica Ellen Cornish) is a singer-songwriter from London, England. She studied at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology before later getting a record deal and writing several songs for performers like Miley Cyrus and Chris Brown. Her music blends Soul, Gospel, and R&B-style vocals with Electro-pop, Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B, creating a unique sound that is all her own.  Some of her most well-known songs are "Domino,""Bang Bang," and "Who You Are."

"Masterpiece" is from Jessie J's third studio album, Sweet Talker, and is a song about living up to your potential and empowering yourself. The song has a Hip-Hop/Electronic feel and the words give the impression that it should be an anthem. Although "Bang Bang" definitely makes you move more, Jessie J's powerhouse vocals are really exemplified in this song. Some have criticized Jessie J for not trying to belong more to a particular musical niche, but I truly admire singers who have that chameleon-like quality--meaning they have the ability to fit in several different styles of music, comfortably--and Jessie J is one of those singers. The level of confidence present in her performances is also something that many singers, both beginning and advanced, aspire to have.

Take a listen below:

Is there a group or musician that you can't stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good"

This week, I've had Nina Simone's version of "Feelin' Good" #OnRepeat. I actually have been listening to this song a lot because one of my students brought in this song to work on, so I figured I might as well learn more about the song while I work on it with my student.

Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse composed the song, "Feelin' Good," for the 1960s musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. It was originally sung by Cy Grant during the U.K. tour of the musical and it was sung by Gilbert Price in 1965 for the Broadway version. The play's plot is basically a metaphorical representation of how differences between upper and lower-economic classes in Britain during the 1960s are maintained. The song, "Feelin' Good," is sung by the role of "the Negro," who wins a game while two other characters are arguing, and sings this song at the moment that he wins.

Nina Simone recorded her version of this song in 1965 on her album, I Put A Spell On You. For those of you not familiar with Nina Simone, she is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. She is known for fusing Pop, Jazz, Classical, and Gospel influences in her music. Some of her most well-known songs are "I Loves You, Porgy," "I Put A Spell On You," and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." Nina's contralto voice, powerful vocal timbre, and jazz-like vocal licks are showcased perfectly in this song. Her version of this song set the standard for vocalists afterward, in both performance and technique. You can listen to her version of "Feelin' Good" below:

Do you have a new song, artist, or group that you're listening to? Let us know in the comments below!

#OnRepeat: Kristin Chenoweth's "Maybe This Time"

This week, I've had Kristin Chenoweth's version of "Maybe This Time" #OnRepeat. This is one of those cases where you are introduced to a song by a modern artist or group, which in turn, leads you to research the original version (if you're anything like me).

I've also been listening to musical theater a lot lately and, from what I hear, Kristin Chenoweth is a lover of all things Broadway and is also a theatrical performer, herself. My first introduction to Chenoweth was through the movie, Bewitched, and the comedy, RV, but she was performing long before that, having originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in the musical, Wicked. Growing up she sang Gospel music, studied Opera, and went on to pursue a career in musical theater. She has won several awards, including three Tony awards for her performances in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, On the Twentieth Century, and Wicked.

The song, "Maybe This Time," is from the 1966 musical and 1972 film, Cabaret, made famous by the singer and performer, Liza Minelli. The play is set in early 1930's Berlin, following the story of Sally Bowles and Brian Roberts, and their odd love affair. Chenoweth's version of this Broadway classic captures all the melancholy, desperation, and longing that is found in Sally Bowles' character. When I first heard Chenoweth sing, I wondered how such a big voice could come out of such a small person. She has the ability to be intimate and sultry one minute, and the next, become brash and gaudy, all the while maintaining a clear, bright vocal timbre. Although she does adopt some of Liza's mannerisms for this performance, Chenoweth has her own performance style that is unique and intriguing to watch.

Here is the video of her version of "Maybe This Time" below:

What do you guys think? Are there any other songs that Kristin Chenoweth has performed that you like? Let us know in the comments below!