What are you doing the rest of your life?

Tonight, my favorite American Idol contestant of the season, Amber Holcomb, sang the Barbra-Streisand-popular-version of What are you doing the rest of your life?; a song included in Streisand's The Way We Were record and only sung live once, impeccably if I may add as you would expect from Streisand, 20 years after, in her 1994 concert.

Although it was Streisand's version that became popular and iconic, probably because of her stature and how flawless and grand she interprets the very essence of the song, it wasn't her original. The song was originally sung by Michael Dees for the 1969 movie The Happy Ending, music composed by Michel Legrand and lyrics by the husband and wife team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

With or without Streisand's magnificent voice carrying it, I suppose the song is truly destined to be a classic, if only because of how cleverly and profoundly the song was written. This is probably the most intellectual and yet emotional way of telling the love of your life to stay with you; asking What are you doing the rest of your life? - to 'spend all his seasons and times of his days' with you - to make his life yours and your life his.

Whitney Houston: The Wait Is Over

Finally, definite album news and release date for one of the world's greatest and most affecting voices, and my greatest singer of all time, Whitney Houston. Whitney's new album will be released worldwide September 1, 2009 on Arista Records. This is Whitney's 7th studio album. Since her 1985 self-titled debut, she has built an illustrious career that has generated over 170 million combined worldwide sales of albums, singles and videos. Cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as music's most awarded female artist of all time, with an unsurpassed tally of 411 awards, inclusive of 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 23 American Music Awards and 16 Billboard Music Awards, Whitney remains a singular force in music today. Be sure to visit www.whitneyhouston.com regularly for up-to-date album information, exclusive photos and more exciting news!

And to remind us how great a singer Whitney Houston truly is, below are two exceptional performances that showcases her ability to richly interpret a song and touch people through it -no qualms, no lip-singing, no dance brouhaha - just the voice and a phenomenal stage presence that makes you stop and listen.

The Sound of Music's Do-Re-Mi at Belgium Central Station

This is a magical moment. Somehow, it causes one's seemingly unflinching despair to ebb away - to drown into warm childhood memories, when life is simple - when red means love and blue means peace.

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. With just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".

Of Paula Cole and how i see the music of today

With today's music becoming more of a trend dictated by the scheming strategic minds of big music producers - and artists who are shaped, packaged to become the next Mariah's, Beyonce's and Britney's amassing hits and billions of records sales - artist's statures cemented by titles and proclamations usually preceded by the phrase "the best selling...", one can tell that quality may have taken the back seat over quantity (the more you sell, the better artist you are).

Worst, the perception of what "quality" is has been jaded by all these - tucked away in the dark abyss of octaves upon octaves of voice, the teasing movements in a performance, the studio's post-production magic and the hype of the media; leaving some really great artists whose music are phenomenal but unfortunately do not sell, in the small recesses of YouTube, Multiply, and countless other social sites that aid them in independently showcasing what they love to do - great music - songs created through experience, time, pain, joy - songs that resonates the artist's soul and character - songs that aim to affect and communicate.

Such artist is Paula Cole. Yes, she had her share of attention and fame, she even managed to win a Grammy, but now, she seem to be part of a distant past where truly great and thoughtful artists dominated the airwaves and earned well deserved accolades and hits. Paula reminds us how disturbing that artists like her (i.e. Sarah Mclachlan, Tori Amos) have become increasingly scarce at least in the Billboard Charts.

These songs are my most favorite among the tracks from her 1996 released This Fire album which so remarkably showcased the magnitude of her talent and artistry. This Fire, for me, is Paula Cole's best album. It is one of the best albums that i have listened to, ever. No track is dispensable. Every song takes you into a journey; her vocals, haunting, mesmerizing and powerful.

Nietzsches Eyes - Paula Cole

Hush, Hush, Hush - Paula Cole

Me - Paula Cole

Some tracks off her 2008 released album Courage. An album that resonates positive growth and maturity in her songwriting and vocal abilities. Really good album.

In Our Dreams - Paula Cole

Its My Life - Paula Cole

And here's a video of Paula Cole singing Elsewhere with another great female artist, Sarah Mclachlan.




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