Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

The one word I can use to describe this is smooth. Bedingfield put forward one of her many brilliant works beautifully. I love how the song goes up and down yet never looses it's feel. She's spot on with her vocals; and definitely deserves the spot for the best performance this week.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Cell Block Tango

One of my really good friend recommended this clip to me from the Academy Award winning movie 'Chicago'. He had pressed me several times to view it previously, but for one reason or the other I overlooked it. Today, however, during one of our chat meet he passed forward the URL address for it. Finally my lazy bum knowing I'm only a click away from seeing the clip at last went ahead with it. And in just one viewing the damn routine got me to download the entire movie Chicago and I've already gone through it.

Though a few other of the numbers dawned on me but none took the place of the Cell Block Tango(He Had It Coming). It's just one of those really good things that you can't get tired of seeing. As of today my three most watched Youtube vids are Cell Block Tango, the Bollywood Number by the Top 5 Girls on So You Think You Can Dance and Kelly Clarkson's rendition of 'If' originally by Janet Jackson.

Catherine Zeta Jones who played as Velma Kelly alongside Renee Zellweger(Roxie Hart) and Richard Gere(Billy Flynn). She's one of the 'Merry Murderess', particularly the one who identifies herself with a smoking cigarette. It's actually the little things that have made this little piece so bloody fantastic. The twist of the leg when the first murderess was telling her unfortunate temper tale, the way the second murderess draws the red handkerchief from the man, how the third murderess wraps her leg and draws the man towards her and then many more.

Speaking of the third murderess she has the second most dominating stage presence out of all. I guess that's because of her long slender constantly straight with shoulders broaded and her commanding swagger. Catherine takes the first place no doubt. But my favorite of the lot, is the little blonde Hungarian number who pleads not guilty. Her take on her partner is far more tender and delicate compared to the others who are like jumping cats.

I knew this was definitely one for the blog the moment I fell in love with and just knew that I had to share it with you all. Take a peek and enjoy!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson made an appearance recently on the Late Night Show with David Letterman and sang a stripped down version of 'Already Gone' from her fourth studio album All I Ever Wanted. And the thing which made me put it down on my blog was the fact that it's just so darn amazing! So beautiful! Clarkson's vocals are extremely on spot with this one and I prefer this version more than the album one, it has a slight celestial feel to it that though very much needed, wasn't bought to my attention till now. Enjoy!

Little Voice; Sara Bareilles

Sara Bareilles definitely takes my accolade for the most original artists who emerged in 2007. Her major label release Little Voice is most definitely the best pop rock album from a female entertainer. It has spawned four singles, two of which have sky rocketed to major scale radio play, which I will reveal later.

Bareilles is an artist! An artist who defines herself by her music and not how she looks. Her appearance is nothing glamorous. It's plain simple and sophisticated. se She does not have a big power vocal house voice and she doesn't need that to survive. She has got all of her power play in the authenticity of her songs and how she performs. Speaking of songs, she has written all of the songs from her album. You've got slow power ballads, catchy pop numbers, up tempo jazzy tracks. And it works all over the place! The word for the album cover is cute. And more over, it clearly defines the unstripped, down-to-earth album content. Two thumbs up, girl!

The album opens up with the extremely commercial pop song. 'Love Song' is also the first single from the album. Bareilles wrote this song after being inspired from the comment of a certain critic who said that she needs to write more 'marketable' songs. Go figure! The song is definitely an attention getter with it's catchy piano background and repeatative bass play. The lyrics clearly describe her sassy twinge of smirk on the critic's remark.

The second track is the much softer 'Vegas'. The song is about a girl's frustration of her love life and her dreams to ditch it all for Vegas. The track has this fresh sassy approach and even though being about her frustration, she sure doesn't seem to be giving that image. It's a very radio friendly track!

'Bottle It Up' is the third track off the record and the second single. The word I'll use for this track is odd. That's right! It's oddly catchy, Bareilles vocals emit a playful vibe as she goes about. The thing I said earlier about having a really simple nothing fabulous image is clearly high lighted in the song. It gets eight out of ten for me!

The fourth track 'One Sweet Love' has a slight touch of jazz and folk to it. Though Bareilles has still kept it in the parameters of pop music. The song tells about the yearning to find the one person you can love unconditionally and endlessly. It's a beauitful song! That's the word for this song; beautiful! My favorite part is towards the bridge and the last verse, when the song mellows down to a minimum.

The fifth track 'Come Around Soon' is one of my favorite track from the album. The track has a really classy opening line, which grabbed my attention the moment I heard it. Her vocals are on the spot with this one. She resonates a classiness far expected from her but the best part is the fact that there is this tinge of innocence that is just amazing and I'm definite that no one else can perform this song well enough. It's a signature Bareilles!

'Morningside' is the sixth track from the record. This song clearly high lights the command Bareilles has over the piano. Her vocals are not over powered by the music and the lyrics are playful. The word for them is playful. Bareilles has indeed put down this song like a beauty. It's the first up tempo song from the record and it's really good. Nothingto complain about till now!

'Between the lines' is a heart tearing ballad. It's the seventh track from the twelve track album and is definitely one of the stronger numbers of the pack. Bareilles has given a beautiful performance that has a slight haunting tone to it. And absolutely it's the things like these that makes her one of the artist in my books. Beautiful! Heart tearing! Haunting!

The eigthth track is 'Love On The Rocks'. It displays the naughty but nice side of Bareilles. There is a quirkiness in the lyrics that define Bareilles for us further as an independent and budding artist of the 20th Century. She's definitely one of the people to watch out for. This is one track I'm definitely recommending you to listen to!

'City' gives one the same feeling they get from 'Between the lines'. This track is heavier on guitar rather than a piano but make no mistake, the song is really good! Bareilles pour out her heart and soul into her music, she's definitely one for the books.

'Many The Miles' is a definite crowd pleaser. It's an up tempo song in which Bareilles tell a person who wastes days away worrying is a fool. And I most definitely agree with that! It has a cheerful feel to it that comes through out to the listener and makes the person get up on his feet and start tapping. The background vocals are just so well placed that they blend in so well with the ride of the song. It's a shame this song was not released as a single because it most definitely deserves to be one.

The eleventh track 'Fairytale' is another quirky number from Bareilles. She is such a brilliant song-writer! Although I had accepted it many songs ago but in this particular song, she utilized the very popular fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Snow White. This is the main reason why this track is such a playful number! Not the best but definitely a good one.

'Gravity' is the charm of the album. It's the last song on the album and the third single off the record. For an ending note, Bareilles sure went out on a brilliant finish. The song is the best of her amazing capabilities. The lyrics are beautiful! The music is spell binding! The vocals are perfect to the last note! Right down to the part where she begins singing the bridge, Bareilles holds complete command over every word and this seeps through the song making it the most powerful track from the pack. The video of the song is also better than the video of the previous two singles.

If you happen to have bought the Platinum Bonuspass Edition, the album has anoter track on it's menu. 'Any Way The Wind Blows' happen to be that track, to those who don't have it your not missing out on anything special. It's a very ordinary track and the songs on her album are far better than it.

Bareilles is definitely a star and her next album out in 2010 is definitely on my list!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Lovegame & Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Taking the stage with a crew of male dancers, Lady Gaga charged up the entire crowd during the Much Wanted Music Awards that took place in June '09. She performed the very successful 'Lovegame' and 'Poker Face' for the crowd combined with a hip hop and pop jazz choreography.The thing about her is that she comes in the whole package that defines her. To a person who hasn't heard of Gaga(Are there even any left?) but is aware of the various genres, they can pretty much pin point to what they'll be hearing in a few seconds. Her dominatrix attire is a definite show stopper!

I love the fact that she just doesn't stand at one place and shimmy a little. She literally goes all over the place, in a good way obviously and makes everyone scream their lungs out. She's seriously built to perform live and large scales! Way to go, girl!

Yeah but the only stupid thing is that I couldn't edit out the Jonas Brothers part in the start, apologies for putting you through it guys!

Battlefield - Jordin Sparks ft. Jonas Brothers

Jordin Sparks will be joining the Jonas Brothers during their World Tour 2009 as a supporting act on all of their shows through out North America. She'll be performing songs mostly from her debut album. Two other songs to be performed is a cover version of Michael Jackson's P.Y.T(Pretty Young Thing) and the other will be her own lead single Battlefield from her sophomore album titled the same.

This is one of her performance I found on Youtube and is definitely one of the best live performances from her. Though her hair looks like a mess and she looks like she could snap any of those boys in half but her vocals and stage presence is undeniable. This is far from her appearences on American Idol. Nice going! The starting is somewhat better, I like the marching style drumming and voilin parts. Kudos to whoever did the arrangements. But I could have definitely done without the camera time on Joe Jonas!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Top 15 Season 8 American Idol Performances - 5/5

# 03 If I Can't Have You - Adam Lambert

This is Adam Lambert's best vocal and most original performance on Idol Stage by a mile. I absolutely love it! This was definitely his shining moment on Idol, to take a song from disco's hall of fame and change it so much that it turns out to be something completely different is amazing and remarkable. This is the performance for which I give Adam the cake.

# 02 I Can't Make You Love Me - Allison Iraheta

This definitely has to be one of the most moving performances of Idol. Allison displayed the best of the her vocals again and again but with such conviction and determination is something I witnessed for the first time with this one over here. Paula Abdul's comment was true when she said that 'You hear one note and it's undeniably Allison'! This stayed with me on the top spot being the most played song on my player till Top 3 week.

# 01 Heartless - Kris Allen

The most original song performed on the Idol stage after David Cook's "Always Be My Baby" has to be Kris reprise of Kanye West's 'Heartless'. I'm no big fan of Kanye, the original version never grasped me. Kris version is far far better than his. Even Simon said it was his favorite performance of the season. No wonder Kris took hime the title!

Top 15 Season 8 American Idol Performances - 4/5

# 06 To Make You Feel My Love - Kris Allen

Country Week bought a very cool surprise to the table. I for one was expecting Kris to be a complete disaster this week but was hoping(Also praying) for the opposite to come true. And it did! Kris gave the most touching performance of the night and this was the point where Kris showed that he was more than just a 'pretty face' in the running. This was where the tender dawg took the spotlight all for himself. This is one of the best ever!

# 05 P.Y.T.(Pretty Young Thing) - Danny Gokey

I solemnly swear I'm no Danny Gokey fan but even then I have to give credit where it is due. This was no doubt one of the best of the night, though I could've done without the dancing(Read; Gyrations), but thanks to me(And the Studio Versions) you don't have to witness the uncomfortable scenes. Enjoy the only up tempo Danny's song I ever liked on the show!

# 04 Part Time Lover - Matt Giraud

This song has been performed twice before on the American Idol stage but never was it this good and this much fun. The casual flirting and fun-loving side of Matt G was clearly the winning point of the whole song. His riffing and falsetto were fine tuned and extremely well placed. Never before was a Stevie Wonder song made current along with keeping it listenable to the ear. Great going, Matt!

Top 15 Season 8 American Idol Performances - 3/5

# 09 Let's Get It On - Matt Giraud

Matt's smooth R&B styling recieved a full on display over here. It has a fun loving party animal touch to it that clearly told us that he had changed the song to suit his vocals. Matt gets full points on this one from me. He started the night with a bang and was clearly one of the best at that particular night. Awesome!

# 08 Falling Slowly - Kris Allen

This is the second most touching performance of the entire season. Kris picked a contempary song off the current charts and gave it his own folk rock touch which went along with the song beautifully. It was a brilliant performance as Simon Cowell put it, definetely one of my favorite and it's certainly going to stay on my playerlist for a long time.

# 07 Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Allison Iraheta

This is the second track from the little rocker of Los Angeles, California. The Temptations put forward one of the most popular and hard to sing tracks ever in the history of music, plus it isn't a rock song to begin with. For Allison to take the song up and change it to excel her fine points is an amazing thing. She definitely proved herself to be a force to be reckoned in the competetion by turning the heat on to several degrees with this hot little number. This girl definitely has the spazz to tackle the big guns in the industry.

Top 15 Season 8 American Idol Performances - 2/5

# 12 The Way You Make Me Feel - Lil Rounds

This is probably the only song for which Lil Rounds will be remembered in good words. The R&B styling of Michael Jackson suited her well and she did her own sassy spin on it making it all the more cherishing. Lil indeed started her reign with the passion of a fire cracker, but it's sad she shouldn't maintain it in the coming weeks.

# 11 Come Rain Come Shine - Danny Gokey

Danny Gokey had never been anywhere near my favorite contestant for many numerous reasons, foremost being the fact that he wasn't original at all. While he definitely had the second best voice up there, he didn't do anything with the song he choose to make them his own. But still this was one song which made me watch him in the repeat telecast again. As the judges put it, it was a vocal master class.

# 10 I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Allison Iraheta

Never has there been a female rocker as good as Allison at such a tender age of sixteen. 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' is one of the most popular Aerosmith tracks and she did it better than anyone on the show before besides David Cook. Her love for rock clearly showed through as she put forward one of the most amazing performances of Season 8. Kudos to you, girl. You rocked my world!