Chuck's Billboard reviews for 11/21/08

THE FRAY
You Found Me (4:05)
Producers: Aaron Johnson, Mike Flynn
Writers: I. Slade, J. King
Publisher: not listed
Epic
Most acts look at ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” as a potential launching pad, but introduction of the Fray’s new single during a commercial break promoting the network’s jumped-the-shark’s “Lost” Nov. 20 represents a switcheroo: an event for fans to tune into first exposure of the Grammy-nominated quartet’s sophomore effort (and immediately purchase the song on iTunes). The table was neatly set with 2005 Hot 100 No. 8 “Over My Head (Cable Car),” and follow-up “How To Save A Life,” which saturated pop culture in 2006, reaching No. 3 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 at AC, adult top 40 and Hot Digital Songs. Piano-driven “You Found Me” possesses a heavier rock stamp, moving between verses from ballad to uptempo, with a chorus that is plenty sticky—but the song takes advantage of prophesied airplay with a complex, intelligent melodic design that darts in unexpected directions. A live performance on the American Music Awards Nov. 23 will further lock in interest for one of few absolutes in first quarter 2009. All systems go.—CT

LUNASA November 21, 2008

Thank the dear lord above it's Friday...

Weekend With Betty

Weekend of November 15, my mother's maid of honor and best friend Betty Norman came to NYC and stayed with me while Ayhan is doing his home visit in Turkey...

LUNASA November 14, 2008

Chuck's Billboard Reviews for 11/22/08

IDINA MENZEL
Hope (3:26)
Producer: Steve Lipson
Writer: P. Hampton
Publisher: Paul Hampton/WhoDENE, ASCAP
Reprise
The 2008 Stand Up to Cancer initiative has raised more than $100 million to fight breast cancer. Joining the cause is Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel, who launched her pop career with top 20 AC song “Brave” and top five club hit “Gorgeous.” “Hope,” recently recorded at Abbey Road Studios, is a devastatingly beautiful story song about “a bird with no wings, certain that it can fly” and beating the odds: “Only hope can light the way, can heal the heart, can keep the clouds from hiding the moon and the stars.” Quiet piano-driven production allows Menzel’s stunningly emotional performance to drive the message home—just try and listen without blurring with a tear or two. iTunes sales go directly to Stand Up.—CT

EDDIE MONEY
Build Me Up Buttercup (3:27)
Producers: Eddie Money, Randy Forrester
Writers: T. Macauley, M. D’abo
Publishers: Unichapel/EMI Unart
Warrior Records
sEddie Money hasn’t always been taken seriously as a rocker, but 11 top 40 hits can’t be dismissed—from “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “I Wanna Go Back” to his biggest, 1986 No. 4 Billboard Hot 100 smash “Take Me Home Tonight.” Eleventh album “Wanna Go Back” includes Money’s take on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Higher and Higher” and “Build Me Up Buttercup,” which pays homage to the Foundations’ 1968 No. 3 hit. Production is joyous and crests neatly between retro and contempo, while the singer’s scratchy vocal is on the money. A fun romp for fans and worthy contender for classic rock stations indulging fresh product from name brands, as well as triple A, the destination for open-minded grown-ups.—C

Barry Writes The Songs, I Write ABout Barry...

MARIAH, JANET, MADONNA &... OOPS, MY CELINE!!

Pricesless...

THIS SATURDAY: The Fight for Equality for All Americans

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 1:30 p.m., City Hall, New York City

Chuck & Kirby 11/08

Okay, this blog ain't about posting pics of me... I mean, not really, but I can't resist this one that my pal Donna took. I kind of love it.

AYHAN AND CHUCK IN OIL!

Our beloved artist Kim Roberti has painted a custom portrait of Ayhan called "The Composer" and of myself, "The Journalist." We are humbled and thrilled beyond words...

CENTRAL PARK with Donna Mae & Cecil 11/8/08

Boy, we hit it right, just as the foliage was peaking. My rediscovered high school best friend Donna and hubby Cecil and I had planned to go to Central Park on Saturday, but it just insisted on raining—though not until we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge mid-morning. It all worked out, with lunch in Times Square at Juniors followed by them seeing "Avenue Q" on Broadway. And miraculously, the rain stopped just in time for drinks at Jimmy's Corner (I'm not telling where it is—remains the original dive bar smack in the middle of midtown, oblivious to tourists)... So we hit Central Park Sunday, a crisp day full of sunshine and blue skies... We spent three hours wandering, and it was idyllic... as you can see. Click on any photo for a larger view. Most of these were taken by Donna, who not only has a whiz-bang camera, but the eye of a master.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING to New York

It's the most wonderful time of the year... to be in the greatest city in da world... this was taken November 9, weeks before a turkey wing has even smacked itself upside the head. (Photo: Donna Mae Kendrick)

MY BELOVED DELTA

The '70s, Olivia Newton-John; the '80s, Sheena Easton; the '90s (into the millennium), Celine Dion; and the 2000s... my muse is Delta Goodrem. I had the great pleasure of attending her birthday celebration in NYC in November 2008. Here's our gorgeous grin'n'grab pic. (Click on the link to access her Web site.)

WHO YOU CALLING A GROWN UP?... Cecil, Donna, Chuckle, Ayhan & Kirby

It's called a camera remote... and it's a dangerous device...

LUNASA November 7, 2008

Imagine the neighborhood mall without Nieman Marcus and Bloomingdales... only Macy's. That was the case this past Friday with two of our three anchors out of town... Kristina and Christa. We still had a stimulating affair, in spite... especially with my beloved high school friend Donna and her husband Cecil (to the right of me) in town visiting, and a spontaneous drop-in from dreamy Billboard former sales dude Dave Moser and wife Sam (the ones adhered to each another)... We're also joined by Jennnnnn and Donna1 and Karl, who has the conversational skills to make a brick talk.

America's New Day Has Come

I'm sure I am joining millions of bloggers tonight who just can't contain their joy and hope with the election of Barrack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. It's so curious to me that my dear friends who supported McCain have a single talking point: "Raise taxes." Do they not realize that their friend Chuck's call to share the same equality that they take for granted is something that McCan't and his patsy Palin wanted to not only take from me, but from them, as women... to say nothing of the importance of Supreme Court appointees. After eight miserable years with a buffoon at the nation's helm, we at last have a leader who will restore pride to our United States, along with a return to reverence from the rest of the world, which now views the U.S. as an arrogant "look at the hand" nation. I am proud, relieved, hopeful and looking forward! At long last...

I WON!

Thrilled that the print to the left, "Boy's Night Out," I now OWN! i was the winner on ebay tonight. It had been for sale for the past week and I stalked it fastidiously, doing one of those desperate last-30-seconds bids. It's my first original work from my favorite artist Kim Roberti. I am digging this!

My Favorite Artist

I have discovered an astonishing artist, KIM ROBERTI from Texas, who paints a new portrait everyday on one of my favorite Web sites dailypainters.com. you can find her blog by clicking on the title above. She works strictly in oil and contributes a new work every day. We have communicated several times via e-mail and she is delightfully accessible. Her paintings are sold on ebay, starting at $50, but they often draw well over $100. I continue bidding, but haven't scored yet. Here are a couple examples of her wonderfully unique style. Please check her out

PLEASE VISIT MY NEW PHOTO BLOG!!!!

I've just launched a new Blog documenting my pursuit of all things Brooklyn on foot! Take a look, cool cats! Just click on the link.

My Apartment Building, Brooklyn Heights

I was geaking around at the Brooklyn Public Library on Friday and found this amazing picture of my apartment building at 62 Montague Street in 1920. The beautiful canopy over the front door is gone, sadly...

At this point, there was a railing along the sidewalk to protect pedestrians from the Wall Street Ferry streetcar, which ran down Montague to the river. Of course, the ferry, streetcar and landing are all history now. Instead the Esplanade (Promenade) now creates a beautiful view into lower Manhattan, but prevents access to the water.

The second photo is the corner of Montague Street and Montague Terrace, with 62 Montague Street in the background. This was taken in 1914. The third photo shows the bottom of Montague Street at the East River, where the streetcar dropped off passengers to board the Wall Street Ferry.

I think of my Strelie every day. Here's a link to many memories...

CLICK ON LINK TO SEE THE STRELE BLOG

More blasts from the past

Ok i'm having WAY too much fun with this little exercise...

Some favorite old school pictures from my earlier days...

My handsome partner Ayhan

From his album cover portrait session in Ankara, Turkey, November 2007.

Ain't aging a bitch?

Chuckles in 1988