I like music. I listen to it frequently. (My current obsession is Anne Murray's Duets — Friends and Legends. It is soooo good!) I believe it's even fair to say I appreciate music — which is a good thing, apparently, because it seems that not all music is appreciated. I just read a seemingly random list of “10 Unappreciated Albums” on Musicouch.com. The author did not provide any context or standards, and I kind of agree with the only comment posted in response to the list: “I hav[e]n't even heard of most of those bands. This article is pointless.” Yet I feel like making my own similarly pointless list.

So I'm considering my own CD collection and pondering which CDs are unappreciated — or at least underappreciated. And I mean which albums are unfairly maligned, or, more likely, unjustly ignored? Here are six, because that's how many came to mind.

1. A Cheap and Evil Girl (2000) — Bree Sharp

Bree Sharp had one fairly big single off this album: “David Duchovny,” a catchy gimmick song that got her some attention, and probably led to her second album, More B.S.. Her first album, however, should have been bigger than the one song. It is absolutely fantastic. I stumbled across it at at a record store (remember record stores?), listened to a few tracks, walked away and then went back the next day to buy the album. I still listen to it regularly. The tracks “America,” “Walk Away” and “Faster, Faster” floor me every time. … continue reading

Here's the rumor floating all over the entertainment blogosphere: Michelle Pfeiffer has been approached to participate in a remake of Grease.

I have not found any credible information confirming that a Grease remake is in the works; all of the references seem to be based on the same quote, and it's not entirely clear what the original source is. (It might be this, but I'm not completely certain.) Ergo, I feel a little sleazy spreading the rumor based on so little. But, apparently, I will anyway. Here's the quote in question:

"It's a great idea and I hear they would like to get Jessica Simpson for the role of Sandy, she would be good. I would love to play the school principal. She is fun and has some great put-down lines. I think I would like the part now that I have been asked."

I'm hoping this is not true for a number of reasons. First, this quote makes her sound stupid, and I prefer not to view Michelle Pfeiffer as stupid. Actually, it sort of makes her sound translated — as if the original quote was not in English. (Assuming that this quote is not fabricated, I'm hoping it's some paraphrased throwaway aside from a Stardust press thing.)

Second, remaking Grease seems like a bad idea. … continue reading

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, "[t]hat is the question that only you can answer!" As long as you live in Canada, that is. Next year, the Andrew Lloyd Webber/David Ian production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music will make its North American debut in Toronto. And the role of Maria von Trapp will be cast the same way the West End version's was: via a reality show titled How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

I have mixed feelings about this. Mostly, I find it horrifying to watch the American Idol-ification of musical theater. But as critical and dismissive as I'm inclined to be, I cannot ignore the fact that the West End production has been not only a commercial success, but a critical success as well.

The format of the BBC show was somewhat similar to the format of American Idol. The producers held open auditions and selected approximately 50 aspiring Marias to attend "Maria School." Eventually this group was winnowed down to 10 aspiring Marias who were given catchy nicknames such as "Sexy Maria," "Tomboy Maria" and "Romanian Maria."

One Maria was eliminated each week until voters eventually chose "Telesales/Intense Maria," Connie Fisher. … continue reading