December 24, 2024

RECORD REVIEW: Mary J. Blige - "A Mary Christmas"

RECORD REVIEW
Mary J. Blige
A Mary Christmas
(Verve / Interscope Records)
____________

As an old-school R&B
aficionado and a massive
Mary J. Blige fan, I was
amped to discover this
Yuletide treasure when
it was first released back
in 2013. I was even more
stoke to recently score
a copy of the reissued
version on double green
translucent vinyl.
____________

A cozy collaboration between modern-day "Queen of Soul," Mary J. Blige, and iconic producer, songwriter and musician, David Foster, A Mary Christmas is a shiny musical ornament — one beaming with beautiful highlights.

Combining Blige's signature soulfulness with traditional choral and orchestral accompaniment, the classic "Little Drummer Boy" serves as a powerful opening track, while Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" makes for one of the record's brightest moments.

A more contemporary number, the Donny Hathaway / Nadine McKinnor classic "This Christmas" has been covered over the years by a host of top-selling artists, including Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, and Christina Aguilera. However, due largely to the happy-sounding orchestration and Foster's lively piano work, Blige's version truly zings!

While maintaining the warmth and charm of the Mel Tormé / Bob Wells standard, "The Christmas Song," Blige makes it sound fresh — enhanced further by Andreas Varady's "Breezin'"-flavored guitar work. Channeling the late, great Ella Fitzgerald, Blige delivers a stunning performance on the big band-styled version of "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" — simply amazing.

Written by Buddy Greene and Mark Lowry back in the 1980s, "Mary, Did You Know?" is the newest of the record's 11 tunes. Powerful lyrics, delicate piano and violin, honest and pure vocals with mighty orchestration — now this is a Christmas song! The great I AM, indeed.

Does anybody ever really get tired of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Certainly not me! And this duet between Blige and Jessie J is a real treat. Equally magical is Blige's union with The Clark Sisters on "The First Noel."

Whether it be English or Spanish, I love hearing the name of Christ proclaimed in Christmas music. And Blige's collaboration with Marc Anthony on "Noche De Paz (Silent Night)" makes for a perfect closing track.

In sum, A Mary Christmas is a true gem — one that easily will appeal to Blige's hipster audience and traditionalists alike.

-Christopher Long
(December 2024)


- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

March 10, 2024

GARAGE SALE VINYL: Rediscovering the Magic of Music... for a Song!

GARAGE SALE VINYL
Rediscovering the Magic
of Music... for a Song!
(2024)
____________

AVAILABLE NOW
Bibliozona Books
ISBN: 978-1-7332470-4-7
__________
 
One of the most exciting music trends in recent years has been the roaring resurgence of the vinyl record format. Enthusiasts worldwide now are rediscovering the magic of music — on cozy and (sometimes) crackly LPs.

Join author Christopher Long as he rummages through garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets along Florida’s sunny Space Coast (and beyond) in his pursuit of vinyl treasure — for "a song."

Based on his popular weekly Ink19.com column, Garage Sale Vinyl offers Long's lively analysis of his favorite seasoned album finds.

Each of the 50 chapters is devoted to a different classic album — enhanced by Long's feel-good stories and peppered with related commentary from an array of such famed music artists as Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Foghat co-founder Roger Earl, as well as celebrated media names, including FOX News personalities Jimmy Failla and Kat Timpf.

The foreword was penned by rising arena rock star, Bella Perron — guitarist for the band, Plush.
__________

__________
 
THE WORD ON THE STREET...

"Garage Sale Vinyl captures
the excitement of rediscovering
your favorite albums — a
must-read for any vinyl fan!"
—Bella Perron
(Guitarist, Plush) 

"A nostalgic tunnel of love."
—Judy Craddock
(Ink19.com)

"Warm and wonderfully written."
—Scott Itter
(AllMusicMagazine.com)

"A welcome return
to a simpler time."
—Steve Keller
(WFIT 89.5 / Melbourne, FL)

"I’ve been a Garage Sale Vinyl
fan from the beginning."
—Rodney O’Quinn
(Bassist, Foghat)

"It’s thrilling to have a
new book about our fortune
of growing up in the greatest
time in music history!"
—Cherie Currie
(Vocalist, The Runaways)

"I had to quickly get
on board this train."
—Jesse Striewski
(RewindItMagazine.com)

"Chris’ adventures in musical
bargain hunting always
make for a gripping yarn."
—Ian Koss
(Founder, Ink19.com)
 
__________
 
AMAZON (Paperback)

AMAZON (eBook)

__________



- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

March 23, 2023

MY NEW VIDEO: DL Serios - “Smile Sara, Smile”

MY NEW VIDEO
DL Serios
“Smile Sara, Smile”
__________

Dig the skinny
on my phat new
music video...
__________

Under my secret agent alias, DL Serios, I formed the band DEAD SERIOS way back in 1985. I fronted the outrageous, award-winning punk / metal combo for the next 35 years. In 2020, I launched my snappy solo project and began "rebuilding" — writing new songs with my (now) longtime musical partner, guitarist, Chuck Lazaras, and playing live shows in tiny dumps throughout the "Sunshine State." Last fall, I released my debut album, PECKER, along with the lead-off video single, "Feeling Freakie" (See it here). This week, the second PECKER video single, "Smile Sara, Smile" arrived over on YouTube (See it here).

Me and Chuck doing what we do!
(Photo: Lenin Rodriguez)

“Smile Sara, Smile" is a happy little song about a sad little girl. It reflects my two primary musical influences; Motörhead and Debbie Gibson. Sara is (or maybe was) a real-life person. She was a barista at my neighborhood coffee joint a few years ago when I lived in Satellite Beach, Florida. I always was the first guy through the door every morning, so we kinda got to know each other. Sara was a sweet 19-year-old kid. But I knew she was hiding something dark behind her sunshine smile. A little while after moving from the beach, I was heartbroken to discover Sara’s mug shot in the local paper — the tragic result of making bad decisions while hanging out with bad people. I still don’t know how it all played out, or where she is now.

  
Master makeup artist Misti Blu Day transformed
actress Laura Cummins for her lead role as Sara
in the "Smile Sara, Smile" video.

Sara meant so much to me that I wrote a song for her — a creative collaboration between me, Chuck, former Pat Travers Band drummer, Tommy Craig, and bassist, Darrell Fleming. Despite its happy-sounding exterior and playful lyrics, the underlying message suggests something completely different. My ex-wife has reminded me ad nauseam that "Smile Sara, Smile" is the "stupidest" song I've ever written. I maintain that it's the most important song I've ever written. People matter to me. Sara mattered to me.

Actress Christina Weaver as the 
contagious "Coffee Lounge Cutie."

"Smile Sara, Smile" was shot by
videographer, Brendon Keith Paredes.
(firstpillarstudios.com)

"Smile Sara, Smile" is the second video I've written and directed. It was shot at the fabulous Arts for All Studio in Melbourne, Florida. It features several return cast members from the "Feeling Freakie" video, as well as a bunch of fun, fresh-faced and very talented newcomers who I dubbed, "The Terror Teens."


The "Terror Teens" were total troopers!

To celebrate the recent video release, the folks at Arts for All Studio hosted an awesome "Big-Screen Premier Event" on March 18th. From the band to the cast to family and friends, it seemed like EVERYONE was there. The gala opened with a lively Q&A between Arts for All co-owner, Sarah Karp and myself. We then debuted the video on the in-house big screen, followed by a live set from the DL Serios band.  We even served up popcorn and soda AND milk and cookies! Now THAT'S punk rock!

See the full "Big-Screen Premier" photo gallery HERE.
__________

WATCH THE VIDEOS
 
HEAR THE RECORD

"FOLLOW"

MEDIA INQUIRIES
 
__________



- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

November 20, 2022

IN MUSIC: Louis Tomlinson "Faith in the Future"

IN MUSIC
Louis Tomlinson
Faith in the Future
(BMG)
__________

Hmm, the TWO shiniest
pop records of 2022 were
made by guys who once
were in the same band.
That's straight-up wacky.
__________

Truth be told, when a long-established, celebrated artist drops a new record, their past accolades and prior achievements become irrelevant. ALL that matters is what they've got cookin' NOW. And once one dismisses the typical distractions — "machine"-generated hype, schmancy packaging, appealing production, the allure of who's bangin' who, upcoming movie roles and so on, a new record release comes down to just ONE thing — songs.

Depending on the format, Faith in the Future houses anywhere from 14 to 21 songs — an impressive, exhaustive effort, to be sure. And throughout the affair, Louis Tomlinson checks all the right boxes with his signature style, swagger and charm. Simply put, the record is an intoxicating night out — an exhilarating orgy where Tomlinson entertains an array of contemporary influences, while never losing his distinctive artistic identity.

Overseen by the extremely qualified Red Triangle production team and a slew of very capable co-writers, the songs feel genuine — honest and pure. Rife with relationship-fueled tension, "Written All Over Your Face" offers a crisp "morning after" account. Equally telling, "Face The Music" delivers one of the record's best lines — "I don't wanna face the music, but I still wanna dance with you." Owning a particularly crunchy, ska-flavored guitar riff,  "Out Of My System" serves as another tall standout.

"Silver Tongues"
(Official Video)

From the epic-sized opener, "The Greatest" to the soaring "Bigger Than Me" to the catchy "Silver Tongues" to the ambient "She Is Beauty We Are World Class" to the transparent "Common People," Faith in the Future possesses the ability to "scratch" that "itch" — wherever one's itch happens to be. Among my personal itches that Tomlinson scratches best — the MASSIVE heartache ballads, "Chicago" and "Angels Fly," as well as the 110% irresistible "Headline" and the record-closing, "That's The Way Love Goes" — a delicate, heartfelt treasure that showcases Tomlinson perched atop the tippy of his songwriting apex.

In sum, Faith in the Future crushes with Buick-sized hooks and infectious melodies. And Louis Tomlinson proves — even after all this time, to be an important artist who continues moving in only one direction — forward. (A+)

Faith in the Future (Track List)
01. The Greatest 3:02
02. Written All Over Your Face 2:41
03. Bigger Than Me 3:42
04. Lucky Again 3:28 
05. Face The Music 2:49 
06. Chicago 3:53 
07. All This Time 2:56 
08. Out Of My System 2:18 
09. Headline 2:54 
10. Saturdays 4:25 
11. Silver Tongues 3:26 
12. She Is Beauty We Are World Class 3:40 
13. Common People 2:59 
14. Angels Fly 3:38
15. Paradise 3:32
16. Holding On To Heartache 3:31
17. Copy Of A Copy Of A Copy (Live From Lima) 4:16
18. That's The Way Love Goes 2:31

Additional Bonus Tracks
- Change
- High in California
- Face the Music (Acoustic Demo)

Street Date 11.11.22
Record Label BMG

-Christopher Long
(November 2022)
__________



- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

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