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Thursday, July 26, 2007
ECCENTRIC DIVO- Benny Sings
From a musical standpoint, it takes a lot to get my attention. I’m just so underwhelmed by what’s currently being played. I recently discovered Benny Sings…. he has released 3 cd’s to date and within 2 weeks I’ve ordered one cd and I’m downloading tracks from the other two. His light, airy voice is not perfect but what he lacks vocally he makes up in lyrical content and musical composition. His songs are fresh, fun, and quirky..just the way I like my music. I have been listening to the track "Unconditional Love" from his “Champagne People” cd repeatedly..it’s an earworm for me now, just stuck in my damn head. Benny Sings is from the Netherlands (hell yeah!) and the story is he's a well-known hip hop beat maker who decided to try his hand at singing. I would best describe his music as 70’s pop with a smidgen of hip hop, which makes the sound current and new. His musical style, lyrical content and voice remind a lot of another one of my Eccentric Divos, Harry Nilsson. Michael Franks also comes into mind when I listen to him, Franks being another one of my favorite male singers. Below is the video to a track from the “Benny At Home” cd, titled “Let Me In”. The video is very cool and unusual. Benny Sings rocks!
Labels: All Things Eccentric, Random Musings, Random Reviews
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Sunday, February 18, 2007
ECCENTRIC DIVO AND COOL 70'S DUDE: Jimmy Castor
 
I could not decide whether I wanted to make Jimmy Castor a Cool 70's Dude or a Eccentric Divo, but this guy is so fly I decided he should be both. Jimmy Castor is a singer and musician that is responsible for some of the funkiest songs ever put on wax. He is also one of the most sampled musical artists that many people have never heard of. Some may consider him a novelty act, but listen past the goofy lyrics and you will hear some the strongest musical content this side of the planet. This cat certainly put the fun in funk! With his group The Jimmy Castor Bunch, the band had song titles such as Hey Leroy Your Mama is Calling You, King Kong, Bertha Butt Boogie, and Troglodyte. These songs were hilarious and you could dance your ass off to them. The track It's Just Begun is considered an essential break dance classic and was featured in the film "Flashdance". The video posted below is from a local television show called Big Chuck and Houlihan that I LOVED as a kid and still airs in Cleveland to this very day. The show features B-movies,skits and other nonsense. The skit they are doing in the video is performed to Jimmy Castor's song "Bertha Butt Boogie". It is absolutely hilarious and depicts Jimmy's song perfectly. I was really shocked this was available on You Tube.Cool Fact: Jimmy was the replacement for Frankie Lymon after he left the singing group, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers.Labels: All Things Eccentric, Cool Dudes and Chicks
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Wednesday, February 07, 2007
 ECCENTRIC DIVA: Marlena Shaw
I love unique, distinctive singing voices. Ms. Marlena Shaw fits that bill. Her voice is a little bit jazz, a little R&B and a whole lot of soul. I first discovered her talents after hearing her song "Woman Of The Ghetto" a few years back. The 6 minute song starts off with her speaking to the audience then she launches into one of the most soulful and passionate songs I've ever heard. I could feel the words she was singing. After that I was hooked and went on a quest to learn more about this talented lady. Ms.Shaw began her singing career in small jazz clubs around the country. Her talents were spotted by the legendary Count Basie and she sang with his orchestra for four years. After leaving the orchestra to strike out on her own, she was the first woman to be signed to the famous Blue Note Records, a leader in the jazz recording industry. She also toured with Sammy Davis Jr, how cool was that? At age 63, Ms. Shaw is still recording and touring and if she ever came to Cleveland, I would be there with bells on. Any woman who is bold enough to have an album titled "Who Is This Bitch Anyway?" is my shero! Unfortunately You Tube did not have any good videos of her performing but I did find a video of a DJ playing her song "California Soul". Please ignore his boring commentary *smirk* Noteworthy Tracks:
Woman Of The Ghetto
Yu Ma/Go Away Little Boy
Feel Like Making Love
Pictures and Memories
California Soul
Labels: All Things Eccentric
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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
 ECCENTRIC DIVO: Harry Nilsson
My love of all things eccentric does not end with films, I also love music that’s a little outside the box as well. Harry Nilsson would fit that bill. Harry Nilsson was a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. Apparently his friendship with members of the Beatles, especially John Lennon, helped to push his career into the mainstream. Many of Harry’s songs were used in some of my favorite films. He also wrote and sang the theme song for the television show The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, which was very popular but was never released as a recording (sigh). Not only did Harry write songs for himself, he wrote many hit songs for other artists as well. Harry’s style varied from record to record, on one record he would sing standards and ballads and on another he would sing songs full of expletives. His refusal to conform to one particular style is said to be the reason why he is often overlooked as one of the most influential songwriters in history. Harry won two Grammy awards for his songs Everyone’s Talking and Without You respectively. Sadly Harry passed away in 1994 at the age of 53 due to a massive heart attack. Harry’s music continues to be used in film, television, and commercials; I find it ironic that many people have never heard of him. Harry’s lyrics are so deliciously strange and delightful,whenever I’m feeling a little blue I can put on a Harry Nilsson song and laugh my ass off. Rest in peace Eccentric Divo.
Harry Nilsson Songs Used In Some of My Favorite Films:
Midnight Cowboy- Everyone’s Talking
Goodfellas - Jump Into the Fire
Reservoir Dogs - Coconut
Forrest Gump - Everyone’s Talking
Casino - Without You
The Ice Storm - Coconut
Magnolia- One
Popeye - Entire Soundtrack
High Fidelity - The Moonbeam SongLabels: All Things Eccentric
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Wednesday, October 25, 2006
SAY SOMETHING NICE FILES I dig the wrought iron headboard in the background *shrug*.Labels: All Things Eccentric
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Monday, October 02, 2006
SAY SOMETHING NICE FILES 
Who knew Wolverine's mom was so hot?Labels: All Things Eccentric
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Sunday, September 24, 2006
RANDOM FUNNY PHOTORecently DMX and Cam'Ron both have dissed Jay-Z for being seen in photos wearing sandals and flip flops. I wonder if the picture below had something to do with it? I'm just saying...... Labels: All Things Eccentric, Random Musings
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Friday, September 15, 2006
RANDOM VIDEO:The Ditty Bops- Your Head's Too BigThis is a shoutout to all know-it-all, pompous, stinking, conceited for no reason individuals in the world. I LOVE this! I love how they sing the lyrics with such sweet, innocent voices. Rock on Ditty Bops!
Labels: All Things Eccentric
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