Pop music often gets a bad rap for being disposable or vapid, and in many cases that's true. (Katy Perry, Danity Kane and the Pussycat Dolls, step right up!) But every year, a few irresistible bits of innovative ear candy rocket up the charts and seep into our subconscious. The following ten singles saturated the Top 40--or what passes for hit-oriented radio in this topsy-turvy musical climate--while proving that accessibility doesn't necessarily preclude creativity.
Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild & Jazmine SullivanNokia TheatreFebruary 15, 2009
Better than: The usual endurance test that most multi-act concerts usually are.
I'll admit it. I didn't know heading into last night's show that Jazmine Sullivan and Musiq Soulchild were on the bill with Ne-Yo at Grand Prairie's Nokia Theatre. But it's safe to say that this was a pleasant surprise.
Sullivan opened the show and gave a wholly solid performance. Her vocals were absolutely on point and she sings with
One thing you can't expect every new year? Another record from Dallas' own The New Year—which is just part of why The New Year is such a crowning achievement.
Willie HutchIn the paper version of Unfair Park this week, I make mention of my interview with Willie Hutch, the Carrollton-born great who, during our 1998 chat at his Cedar Hill recording studio, recounted how he came to write the Jackson 5's immortal "I'll Be There." The story about The Mack, who died in Duncanville in 2005 at the age of 60, can be found here. But here are some links to versions of "I'll Be There" worth a spin during the holiday weekend.From 1986 comes this proudly sloppy cove
Your daily dose of national music news for Friday, July 17, 2009...
A man was killed by Madonna's stage set as it collapsed during set up in Marseille, France.
Ne-Yo broke down into tears on a stage in Manchester, England. I guess he just needed a hug?
