Curtains: Original Broadcast RecordingAlbum Release Date: June 5, 2007 By: Jamie Kahler

This past Sunday, David Hyde Pierce, from the TV series Fraiser, won Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Curtains .

One week ago, the CD for the musical was released, giving more people a chance to get a taste of the award winning show.

Curtains was the last show by the award winning duo Fred Ebb and John Kander. Ebbs died in 2004 and this was his last piece given to Broadway. The duo are primarily known for their musicals Chicago and Cabaret. Their shows have reached enormous heights and have become classics in American society.

Curtains takes place in Boston in the late 50’s backstage of a theatre, where the leading lady gets shot. Detective, David Hyde Pierce, comes to the rescue yet gets pulled into a romance and longs to make the show a hit.

While there may be no visual to the music, when listening to the CD, the vocals are powerful enough. The showstopper alone, “Show Business,” will engage the listener to make them want to fly to the Big Apple.

It may take place in the 1950’s but it still grabs the attention of people of all ages. There is something for everyone. When listening to the CD, you will long for the show to hit the road and make its way to sunny South Florida.

For more information on the CD and the Musical click here

Curtains performance on the Tony Awards this past weekend

Blonde Redhead – 23 (4AD Records) By Anthony A. Choman

23 is the seventh album from New York based art-rock trio, Blonde Redhead. The latest edition of Rolling Stone magazine with alcohol-laden British songstress Amy Winehouse on the cover, features a two sentence review of the band’s latest offering to the masses, which by the way, does the album little to no justice if at all. Blonde Redhead may indeed be tapped from the same art-rock-trio vein as Deerhoof – both groups feature Japanese American females vocalists – but 23 is flat out different, adventurous even.

The album features ten broadly painted tracks from vast soundscapes that range from Radiohead’s Kid A to trip-hop deities, God Lives Underwater. Currently, the album calls the #6 spot on the Billboard College Radio charts home, however with each listen you’ll quickly find yourself hitting “repeat” or adding their first track, “23,” to your MySpace profile. Blonde Redhead is a band that features pure sonic intoxication as its mainstay…not exactly a bad thing.

The minute Rolling Stone review of Blonde Redhead’s latest notes that fans of My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth will favor this album as well – on that note, this UP writer concurs.

Tracks of Note on Blonde Redhead’s album, 23:

“Spring and By Summer Fall””Publisher””Silently””Top Ranking””My Impure Hair”

Blonde Redhead Video

Rodney Atkins – If You’re Going Through Hell (Curb)By Anthony A. Choman

You might be a redneck if…you know who Carrie Underwood and Rodney Atkins are. Rodney who? Atkins what? The world over knows Ms. Underwood from her having been a contestant on the ill-fated, faux-talented television show, American Idol. However, Ms. Underwood did win the CMA award for best female newcomer, along with good ole’ country boy, Rodney Atkins taking home the same prize for best male newcomer.

Despite Mr. Atkins’ latest album, If You’re Going Through Hell, having been released in late 2006, his hay bail of fans (present company excluded), and the country music industry have revivified his album nonetheless. The two main reasons for the album’s resurgence amidst the country charts are the tracks “Watching You” and “If You’re Going Through Hell.” Both of the aforementioned tracks are in heavy rotation on CMT and country radio stations all across this good ole’ U.S. of A.

Since his deserved accolades at this year’s CMA awards the self-proclaimed everyman has been one “helluva” busy boy. America’s current favorite farmhand is currently touring with country standby, Martina McBride. On the whole Mr. Atkins is a far, far cry from Mr. Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, but at least he wasn’t on American Idol.

Due Date: OUT NOW

Tracks to Drink and Watch NASCAR to:”Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)””Watching You””If You’re Going Through Hell”

Rodney Atkins Video