Bravia!

Hand On Your Heart

well it's one thing to fall in love
but another to make it last
i thought we were just beginning
but now you say we're in the past

look me in the eye and tell me we are really through

you know it's one thing to say you love me
but another to mean it from the heart
and if you don't intend to see it through
why did we ever start?

i want to hear you tell me you don't want my love

put your hand on your heart
and tell me it's all over
i won't believe it 'til you
put your hand on your heart
and tell me that we're through

put your hand on your heart

they like to talk about forever
most people never get the chance
do you want to lose our love together?
do you find a new romance?

i need to hear you tell me you don't want my love

put your hand on your heart
and tell me it's all over
i won't believe it til you
put your hand on your heart
and tell me that we're through

put your hand on your heart
hand on your heart

look me in the eye and tell me we are really through

- performed by Jose Gonzalez


Isn't it amazing, that back in the mid '80's, Kylie was singing this tune in bright dresses and dancing around bad '80's props, blinding our minds from processing the real sadness of the song. The folk/easy listening version that Jose Gonzalez has arranged is truely emotion stirring. The image is beautiful.

"Put your hand on your heart and tell me you don't want my love. Look me in the eye and tell me we are really through"

Jose Gonzalez is the boy who sings on the Sony Bravia advertisement on television, where the coloured balls through the city. So you can imagine a cute Latino/Mexican stroking his guitar and singing about not wanting to lose a girl's love. Tear.

I'm off to have lunch with my father. I may be back later.


OnAirwithBlackPunk : Portishead & Moloko - Fun For Me

Block Party

It was freezing last night in Melbourne, and after a late finish at work, I was everything but ready to go out for a night on the town, but after intense personal debate, I convinced myself that I need to get out. Brent and Genevieve had planned to go out for cheap Asian (no, not me) in Chinatown, before moving on to the Kino to see the brand-spanking new film, "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" as previously seen on my blog.

The film was a bright and beautiful attempt to promote racial tolerance and the rule of education as a means to freedom. It did so, by bringing together communities, social and musical alike, to organise a Block Party in Brooklyn. Hip-hop culture was used to bring people, who would not normally be caught dead at a hip-hop concert, together. It was a beautiful juxtaposition, from the zany hippy couple who lived behind the concert stage in the "Broken Angel" - also known to Dave Chappelle as the "Crack House", the cute African-American boys who finished each others sentences in excitement of attending the hyped block party, to the Central State University Marching Band dancing and playing their way through Kanye West's "Jesus Walks".

Some amazing music was made too. I was so envious, I was readying myself to jump on a plane and travel to Brooklyn. Either that or go out and buy the entire Mos Def back catalogue. Erykah Badu was captivating, singing in a huge afro wig, reminding me of the old images of Diana Ross. Jill Scott sat back stage, watching the screen of Erykah performing,

"I love that girl. She is so special," she remarked in her smooth chocolate-like voice.

When asked about the ever-so-often comparisons between them, Jill responded beautifully,

"We are in totally different Queendom's. I could never compare to her Queendom, and she could never compare to mine..."

It was an amazing thing to watch, as she looked to Erykah with such admiration, yet was so secure in her own skin. She could be interpreted as arrogant, but upon hearing her voice and the passion behind it, it can only be taken as self-confidence. She has the ability to be humble, yet know her worth completely. I believe it's an uplifting characteristic. It was pure bliss when the two combined on stage. Their voices transcended anything else that was happening. It was mind-consuming. It was one of the most exciting and stunning things I have ever watched.

The reunion of The Fugees was also a highlight in the movie, which inter-weaved clips of the concert with 'making-of' documentary style footage. In the rehearsals with "The Fugees", Pras made note of the pure talent and beauty Lauryn Hill possesses. Which came to light especially when she began singing "Killing Me Softly". He said he couldn't believe her ability.

He was right. When she began singing on stage, "Killing Me Softly", it was the essence of perfect vocal ability. Her ease and grace as she sang, really brought the words to life. At one point through "The Fugees" set, she called to the crowd "Where you been?". She stopped the music when she heard the screams back from the crowd, returning the same question, "Where've you been?" She stood there.

"Where've I been? I've been there..." as she pointed to the back of the stage, where a minder was holding her son.

"That's where I've been."

Really, I know the movie sounds a bit, strange. But really it was an awesome piece of cinema that I know I'll treasure.

You might think I'm crazy, but I'm serious.

I'm thankful that Janet's song "Weekend" isn't going to be the first single from her album. It was great, but wasn't really a lead single. It's been confirmed that her new song is called "Call On Me" and will hit radio June 19th. The "Weekend" song was withdrawn from the website so fans are left to scramble on the net trying to find reasonable mp3 versions, as I am doing now. On www.janet-jackson.com, she has added a new promotional photo which fans have never seen before.

It's really amazing the change that we've seen in Janet. Especially after a few entries ago, I almost had an abusive outburst against her for portraying herself negatively in the public light. She's lost her weight and looks ready for a comeback. She also let loose the idea that she'll be touring with this album. She hasn't really snubbed Australia before other than the "All For You" tour, so it will be interesting to see whether the album will be successful enough to make an Australian leg justifiable. After the Superbowl, she kinda owes all her fans.



That's my girl.

Anyway, on less popular culture related news, we got the approval for the Oxford Street apartment! So exciting! Now it's just a matter of working out the logistics of moving and everything, especially when everything at work seems so busy...

This week has actually been fantastic in many ways. I got my business cards. Hot. Even Mum liked them. That's a progressive step in a stagnant relationship. We got the okay for the apartment... An apartment and location I've always wanted, somewhere I think I'll be able to settle for a while before investing. We got uniform at work, and some may say it's crummy because it's just a blacksuit and black and white shirts, but that's what I always wear anyway, so it's great. And any clothes that I don't have to pay for that look good on me are completely welcome without complaint. I've finally got Luke as my 2IC, which I'm am soo incredibly happy about.

Last night, Brent, Genevieve and myself, travelled out to Sydenham to farewell Bahtisen who is leaving to marry in Turkey. Driving out there seemed to become an ordeal when Brent noted his car was making funny noises, then when he noted he didn't have the directions. We travelled out into the wild wild west, passing shopping square after shopping square, and the largest Bunning's store I had ever seen in my entire life, I swear, it doubled as an airport, or military base of some sort. We thought we had hit Las Vegas when we saw a resort looking building in bad colours, with pillars. Yes, pillars. And palm trees. Palm trees. I was waiting for the water display and Josh Duhamel to walk out with Lara Flyyn to follow. It had huge letters on the roof in tac-o-rama font.

"LUXOR"

It became the running joke of the night. And combined with the incredible distance it took to get there, Genevieve and I made the observation that urban sprawl would make the area, in 10 years time, a heavily populated district with a city loop style train system. It was very funny. You had to be there.

"The next train departing from Melbourne Central is the four twenty-five, express to Luxor, stopping all stations to Luxor."

Funny. It was. But the Luxor in Sydenham is certainly nothing from what it acutally is in Las Vegas...http://www.luxor.com/


OnAirwithBlackPunk : Jose Gonzalez - Hand On Your Heart

Lookout, Cos Here I Come

Finally! The song that was exclusively released through www.janet-jackson.com is "Weekend", which is a remake of the 1984 song "Lookout Weekend" originally recorded by Debbie Deb. Really an '80's vibe to it, with a funky break in the middle, it's pretty hot. I don't know whether it's the lead single, it will be interesting to see. I somewhat doubt it though because it's not really the conventional sound of the moment.

It's definitely retro Janet. If I had to place it in line with her era movement it would be slotted after "Control", prior to "Rhythm Nation1814", but with more of a "The Velvet Rope" twist to it.

OnAirwithBlackPunk : Janet Jackson - Weekend

Always wait so patiently

So while I was waiting for the Janet site to be updated, I was flicking through the message board, and one 'user' had this poster on display. It's bloody hot.

As for Janet, what an anti-climax. It seems to be that the site won't post the special feature until the whole world has reached the final countdown. Fans in Australia have watched the timer end, but nothing has happened. Damn America.

OnAirwithBlackPunk : Mary J. Blige Featuring Brook - Enough Cryin'

Celebrating 20 Years Of Control

I'm waiting for a surprise. Janet's surprise. Finally, after her dismal effort of 2004, granted it was in the aftermath of the Superbowl Titty Spectacular, she is about to reveal something on her official website. No, I don't think it will be her other breast.

It's a little over half an hour to go. I'll let you know how it goes.

We've applied for a place on Oxford Street, Collingwood, an awesome slit level apartment with huge windows. Fingers crossed.



OnAirwithBlackPunk : Madonna - Get Together