Record of My Day: Boyz II Men: End of The Road

As I'm currently sat a few feet away from the one and only Boyz II Men (they're doing interviews in the office) I thought I'd give my Record of my Day to them. (Not gonna lie, I had a bit of a squeal when I saw them!) I'm such a sucker for close harmonies and they make it sounds absolutely effortless.
Here's the insaaaanely cheesy video for their classic 'End of The Road'.

Record of my day: Janelle Monae - Come Alive [War of the Rose]

I know it came out 3 years ago but this whole album is ADDICTIVE! Love love love her!! The album is unbelievable but even more than that I love that she's so cool and completely original. She isn't a generic R&B princess AND a big plus for moi is that she was discovered by a bit of an obsession of mine (P.Diddy...I know it's weird...)
The album's called The ArchAndroid (2009, Bad Boy Records) and this video is her performance of Come Alive [War of the Roses] at last year's Glastonbury (her whole performance was AMAZING by the way and definitely worth watching in full!)
Other fave songs on the album are Cold War, Faster and Mushrooms & Roses. Enjoy :)

Michael Kiwanuka on Jools Holland

Michael Kiwanuka was fab at KOKO in Camden last night... Such a great voice and a talent so rare these days...

Go purchase/download his singles and get excited about his album coming out in March woop. Also watch his performance on Jool Holland (so smooth and soulful...)

 
 

Top 5 Dream Movie Men

So the other morning I dragged an extremely heave suitcase up and down four different flights of stairs in two different London underground stations. Naturally there was no lifts in either of them so I carried it by myself whilst juggling my laptop and handbag. I'm known to be ever-so slightly on the weak side (ahem...), needless to say this was quite struggle. Out of all the people, namely men, who passed me not a SINGLE person stopped to offer me a hand. I don't particularly consider myself an ugly leper so I'm assuming that's not the reason.. Is chivalry just coming dead now? Or am I being contradictory in wanting to be seen as an "independent woman" (said with a head wiggle and finger snap) but at the same time expecting a strong man to come to my rescue in heavy bag carrying situations such as this? I just do not know. What I have decided, however, is that movies and TV shows have ruined/heightened to a completely unrealistic level my expectations of the male species. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are some delightful chaps around somewhere but I think I speak for many ladies when I ask, where the hell are you?! And soooo, here's my Top 5 list of my Dream Movie Men for you to dream about until you can find someone with at least a few of their qualities :)

5.  Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.."
The ultimate understated love tragedy in my opinion! There may not have been a dramatic death alla R&J, but instead Casablanca is a perfect example of being in the right place at the wrong time. Needless to say it doesn't end well, but it doesn't matter because Rick sacrifices his own happiness with Ilsa because he knows she would regret leaving her husband. I shed a tear every time I hear Rick say "We'll always have Paris" and I can't even listen to 'As Time Goes By'. Rick Blaine is a true gentleman and selfless soul.

4. Cary Grant as Nickie Ferrante in An Affair to Remember
"There must be something between us, even if it's only an ocean."
There's a reason why this film is always voted as one of the most romantic of all time. I always feel like I need a long nap after watching this film because it is emotionally exhausting (in a good way of course!). The fun, the tradegy, the heartbreak, the hope! It's all just too much, but I love that it doesn't  play out as you expect. Cary is gorgeous, of course, in his charming, old Hollywood manner, and his commitment and love for Terry, even when he believes she has rejected him is what qualifies him as my number four!

3. John Cusack as Lloyd Dodler in Say Anything
"One question: do you need...someone, or do you need me?...Forget it, I don't really care."
I think I may be a little biased on this one due to my slightly unusual obsession with John Cusack characters BUT this movie is just so adorable. It's ordinary love between pretty ordinary people but it's young, innocent, and so so sweet! I'm sure we've all been there, just not with anyone as amazing as Lloyd Dodler! Please, oh, please will someone stand outside my house with a boombox playing Peter Gabriel?!

2. Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice
"I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
I know it's predictable but who doesn't want the shy and somewhat moody (oh and a bit rich) gentleman who is never interested in anyone to fall in love with them?! Good ol' Jane got it spot on, proving that in 200 years the ways of men and women have changed very little. Darcy is rude and pretentious and yet you completely understand Elizabeth's love for him towards the end. It's romantic in a truly British way, without cheesiness and chiches, and oh.my.god the second proposal on the moors! Who could resist...
(P.S. It was a tough decision but I chose Matthew over Colin Firth purely because I fancy him more ;)

1. Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun in The Notebook
"It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day."
Predictable maybe, but there is a reason why pretty much every woman on the planet fell in love with Noah! I don't know, maybe it's unrealistic, but to me this is REAL love. Not many men would write a letter every day for a year...nor would they build a house with a porch exactly how you'd wanted...nor would they dance in the road with you but Noah will!! So for all the men that think this film is sappy, girly nonsense, if I were you I'd sit down and take some serious notes. Noah, "if you're a bird, I'm a bird!"

Record of my Day: Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

I love love LOVE this guy! I'm so excited to see him play at the MTV Presents show tomorrow night at KOKO so I thought it only appropriate to have him as my record of the day. He's right up my street and his combination of smooth jazz rhythms and melodies and his gorgeous Otis Redding-esque soul voice makes feel feel like he's from another time. He won the title of BBC's Sound of 2012 and deservedly so - definitely think big things are in store for this guy. Plus he's super cute! Here's his super chilled and super smooth track, 'Tell Me A Tale' (his EP is available to buy now FYI!)

Top 5 Records That Brighten My Day

Top 5 Records That Brighten My Day :)

5. U2 – Beautiful Day (From ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ 2000)

4. Glenn Miller – In The Mood

3. Supergrass – Alright (From ‘I Should Coco’ 1995)

Picture this on a sunny day in Hyde Park with pear cider and sausage rolls…this would make me a happy bunny!

2. Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love…) (1975)

This song restores all my possibly naïve (but hopefully not!) romanticisms about love and lifelong happiness! If I were to have a ridiculously cheesy wedding, this would absolutely be the first dance song. Buuuut I won’t be…

1. Dean Martin & Helen O’Connell – How Do You Like (Your Eggs in The Morning?)

Probably the happiest record in the world! Every time I listen to it I picture myself in the Tropicana advert, eating breakfast in New York City with the sun streaming through the buildings…I actually did exactly this when I was in New York a few summers ago and it was BLISS. Ultimately it would be my dream to do this every morning (preferably with some beautiful New York investment banker sitting opposite me – his profession is negotiable). Dean’s voice is like chocolate lusciousness and this always puts me in the best mood!

The Artist Ticks ALL of My Boxes

I finally saw The Artist today and I'm soooo pleased to say I LOVED it! I genuinely need nothing more from a film than tap dancing, adorable dogs and scenes that look like every still could be posted on the walls of chic interior designers and called vintage. After the first ten minutes of the film, when I was unusually aware of how quiet the cinema was, I didn't even notice their was no dialogue and the music was a perfect compliment for the action. I must say, Berenice Bejo was just wonderful. She's absolutely authentic and could have been taken straight out of the 20s. I may be a tad biased on this one though, due to my adoration of chic French women, but she was just perfect for the glamorous movie star character of Peppy Miller. The character of George Valentin, played by Jean Dujardin, was heart breaking and I had a tear in my eye on more than one occasion watching his downfall from the top of Hollywood. 

Now...I was trying hard throughout the film to pay attention to the actors, but I'm sorry, Uggie the dog just stole the show! He is just too cute! And not only that, the reviews were right, he really was a convincing actor! My personal favourite moment is when he ran to find a policeman when Valentin's house was on fire, doing an impression of a dead person to explain the situation! Amazing.

I'm really happy that I enjoyed it so much after reading all the hype (often artistic films get a lot of hype from pretentious critics and then turn out to be weird...). This absolutely deserves all the awards and recognition it's getting. Have a look at these pictures, future iconic images I'm sure, and also look at little Uggie!!

Raise Your Glasses...

Helloooo new wayfarer sunglasses. £3 on eBay!

Record of my Day: Save Ferris - I Know

I watched 10 Things I Hate About You yesterday for the 50th time and I always forget how bloody good it is! There's something about funky Shakespeare that I just cannot get enough of (as well as the gorgeous Heath and baby Joseph Gordon-Levitt) so today I dug out my original soundtrack CD I bought when I was 10 (complete with the Virgin Megastores sticker on the front) and had a singalong in my car. AMAZING. This song is called I Know by the band Save Ferris who play the song during the prom scene. Great song :)

The Beautiful People

I know I'm a few weeks behind and all BUT is it just me or is Liz Hurley and Chace Crawford getting it on in Gossip Girl literally the hottest thing to happen ever?! Who the hell cares about a 20 year age gap when Liz Hurley (who is 46 btw!!) looks like that! They are both so beautiful I can barely watch for jealousy and awe... I mean wow.

Etta James

Tis a sad day for music as one of the greatest R&B and Soul singers of all time, Etta James, died aged 73 this morning of Leukemia and other related illnesses. She bought us classics such as "Dance with Me", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind" and of course "At Last". She is regarded as having bridged the gap between R&B, Blues and Rock n' Roll, won 6 Grammy Awards in her lifetime and 17 Blues Music Awards. She has influenced a huge number of musicians including Beyonce, Diana Ross, Janis Joplin, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Joss Stone, to name only a few, and I'm sure she will continue to influence artists to come. She will be missed - here's a video of her singing "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in 1962.

R.I.P Etta <3

Good news for our little industry!

Good news for our good old industry of le musique as HMV has been able to halve its net debt over the next three years, after its banks decided to waive the retailer's January 2012 convenant test (with the support of record labels). In case you care about this (which you should, as soon the only place you'll be able to buy music is TESCO!!!) then hop on over to the Music Week site (here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/775osqj ) and read alllll about it. It's actually really sad to think that so many independent music stores have closed down in the last few years and if HMV disappears there won't be anywhere to be non chart music left... Always buy legally folks, you'll regret it when all you have to listen to is Little Mix and Leona Lewis...
On the plus side, the Live Music bill was passed in the house of commons today which proposed a relaxion of the licensing rules (from the Licensing Act of 2003) around small scale live music events, making it easier for pubs and small venues to stage grass roots gigs. The act passed in 2003 required that any venue playing live music (no matter how small) had to have its own license - ridiculous on all accounts because obviously it had a disproportionate effect on tiny pubs and bars, in turn hugely impacting the careers of many young artists unable to perform in these venues. Alas, it is getting better! Rant over now.

Lovely Item of Today: Blue Lagoon Mud Mask

I though I'd share this because although few other people have ridiculous skin like mine (i.e. reacts to EVERYTHING in the world) you may appreciate your skin feeling like you've dipped yourself in silk... A few years ago I went to Iceland and went to the Blue Lagoon Spa above (which if you're really committed you should definitely go to because it's unbelievable) where they have they natural hot pools with silica mud at the bottom. Even though we looked like crazy people we plastered the silica mud all over ourselves and were as smooth as new borns for days. I obviously bought some and have somehow managed to make the one bottle last for about 6 years but it ran out today so I forfitted eating this week (and maybe the next) and bought more online (here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/6v9so4e ). It's about £60...which I'm aware is a lot but seriously, it's amazing!

Baby Sex and The City

They announced today that Sex and The City will be returning to our small screens with a prequel based on Candance Bushnell's The Carrie Diaries on America's CW network (Gossip Girl, Vamp Dairies, One Tree Hill, etc)... Now I've read the book, and it's cool and cute giving a bit of insight into Carrie's past. It also shows how she met the other gals and the beginning of her life in the Big Apple. Unfortunately, my first instinct is that this may be a disaster. Not because I don't want to see a young Carrie, but seriously, the actresses they're talking about are ridiculous. Blake Lively definitely looks like a young Carrie, if you squint, turn the lights off and pretend she wasn't a foot taller than SJP. And I don't even care to discuss Miley Cyrus and Emma Robert. And Selena Gomez as young Charlotte?! Um, no. Please don't destroy SATC! The films did a good enough job of that as it is...

Effortless Travelling...

So I don't know about you, but when I fly - particularly long distances - I do NOT look like any of these women (although in fairness I don't look like them on normal days...). But if you need hints on how to effortlessly look like you haven't been on a clammy plane crushed up next to an obese person for eight hours, eating congealed pasta, then I suggest you take note of these woman (and pack: you're entire make up bag - under 100ml products only - a hair brush, dry shampoo, deodorant and some big ass sunglasses - talking on phone and staring at the ground to avoid cameras optional). Disclaimer: these women have definitely been flying first class and probably fly with a beautifying minion.

Uggie the Serious Thespian

Oh how happy I am - I just found the Uggie Twitter Account for the little pup from the new silent film The Artist! Uggie's an extremely talented little Jack Russell who I fell completely in love with after seeing him skateboard onto the Graham Norton Show a few weeks ago. However, as well as being too cute for words, he's also a serious actor - with some even rallying for an oscar nomination! Here he is earlier this week collecting the Golden Gold for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical...in a tiny bow tie!!

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Records

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Records

5. Ted Nugent - Stranglehold
And here is why I am known for my old man music taste... But someone please explain how they can drive a car and not have the urge to listen to this?!?!

4. Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

This song is my curl up in a ball in a dark room on a stressful day song. Everyone needs one of these songs to clear your head. Love love love it and also the album this came from(Conditions, 2009 - Infectious Records) is VERY good. Go listen.

 

3. The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun

I love this song purely because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! I believe there's very little in the world that this song couldn't cheer me up from. 

2. Frank Sinatra - Night & Day

I have absolutely no doubt that I should have been born in 1925 so that I was a teenager when this song was released by Frank! And if I were only allowed to listen to one person's voice for the rest of my life it would be Frank's. This record, for me, is all about New York City, incidentally my favourite place in the entire world. I have a very vivid memory of listening to this record when I was flying over Manhattan once and it gave me goosebumps watching the concrete jungle mixed with Frank's heavenly voice. Classic.

1. Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen

And so, my number one favourite record of all time position goes to Stevie. A bold statement I know and I'll really listen to anything Fleetwood and Stevie to be honest. This song is so simple and repetitive and yet I wish it would go on longer than 5 and a half minutes every time I hear it! This woman has more cool in her eyelashes than I have in my entire body, which is evident when I do not hesitate to dance around like a loon on loon pills no matter where I am when this song comes on, as I'm indeed also just like a white winged dove.

Go have a listen..

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Movies

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Movies

Ahh there's soooo many others I wanted to include - Dazed and Confused, Say Anything, Bridesmaids, High Society, Inception, A Beautiful Mind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind, everything directed by John Hughes - but I could only choose 5 so...

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
"The question isn't 'what are we going to do', the question is 'what aren't we going to do?"

It was difficult to choose which John Hughes movie I liked the most because they're all so gosh darn good. But I realised that this was the movie I always always turn to at the end of a crappy day. There is something so pure and satisfying about watching three people on screen having a really lovely day! Matthew Broderick is charmingly cheesy and his asides to the camera are classic. Maaaaaan I love this movie, nothing puts me in a better move than a bit of Ferris and is it just me or is young Matthew Broderick kinda hot?

4. Walk the Line (2005)
"We're all going to hell for the songs we sing!"

Ohhhh Joaquin. So, what I bought away from this movie is that I have a serious inclination towards men who look like they're damaged in an extremely hot/dark and twisted way. There's something about a dangerous man (e.g Tom Hardy - I love a criminal, Alexander Skarsgaard - sexiest vampire ever in the history of the world) that seems so enticing, probably something to do with some suppressed cave girl instinct... Plus young Johnny Cash was seriously fine (I put this in my box with my extreme obsession and addiction with young Elvis...) and Joaquin really pulls off the brooding, sexy alcoholic, might slap you in the face thing. The music is just BRILLIANT and both Joaquin and Reese pull off the Johnny and June songs flawlessly. 

3. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
"Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate."

A surprising number of people have told me they thought this movie was depressing but I absolutely could not disagree more. It's weird and wonderful, and I've probably seen it about 100 times. I could talk about this movie all day and night so I did for a little while more - see my blog about this movie here!

 

2. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
"Lina. She can't act, she can't sing, she can't dance. A triple threat."
Do not, under any circumstance, assume that this is one of those movies just on BBC2 at Christmas that you put on in the TV room for your ninety year old Grandma to keep her entertained. This movie is SPECTACULAR in a big way. Not only is it extremely well written, beautifully acted and the music has evidently stood the test of time, the dancing (Gene's tap scenes in particular) is just perfection. Once again my obsession with Gene Kelly (in my box with Elvis and Johnny) means that I have seen all his films, and I find it literally impossible to take my eyes of him whilst he dances. There's some sad moments, some sweet moments and some hilarious moments. This is really one of those wonderful movies to be watched on a rainy Sunday (my favourite of all the types of days) and to discuss as though you were an old person, making comments such as "they really don't make them like they used to"...

1. High Fidelity (2000)
"What came first, the music or the misery?"

And first prize goes to my all time favourite movie - High Fidelity. It may be worrying but watching this movie is like taking a walk inside of my brain. I dream of having walls full of vinyls and of meeting a man who still thinks it's sweet to make a mixed tape (and really puts the thought into it - there's an art to it don't you know). John Cusack (one of my favourite actors of all time) is me on a really really bad day in this movie - he talks to much, thinks too much and has too many opinions on useless things (he really should have started a blog..). I love that they know so much about things that will never come in useful (welcome to my world)! I love their top 5 lists (sound familiar?) and their unprecedented music taste. And I LOVE Jack Black's performance of Let's Get it On. However, easily the best moment of the movie is Bruce Springsteen cameo - how awesome was that!?!

If you haven't seen it, be ashamed and then don't waste anymore time being a loser and go watch it NOW. And then go buy the soundtrack and educate yourself on some GREAT music.

Record of Today: Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere

My Record of Today is a classic from 1987 - Fleetwood Mac's Everwhere. SUCH a tune even though I have absolutely no idea what they were thinking when they made this mental video! Bloody love Fleetwood Mac.

Geeky and Proud

Ok so my roommate showed me this last night and I've watched it about 50 since. It may be super geeky but I love it - the thunder is particularly incredible! Plus this song is awesome on a level of awesomeness only reserved for the likes of Toto.

Best Gaga Cover Ever

Easily the best cover ever of Lady Gaga! My school was absolutely not this cool.

Can't Stand the Cuteness..

I was emailed this picture earlier today by one of my very good friends...I can hardly bare the cuteness! What is it about tiny furry animals that turns me all unecessary?!

Welcome!

Hello there. Welcome to Grace Note! Thanks for having a lil look around my home in the clouds…sorry it’s a bit messy, I only just moved in. I decided to start a blog mainly because I like a lot of stuff and I wanted to talk about it! On here you might some music and movies I like, my top 5 lists of everything and anything (feel free to post yours also), an occasional record of the day, some rants and raves about stuff I think significant enough to speak of and some lovely things because everyone likes lovely things.           


A wise man (John Cusack) once said “what really matters is what you like, not what you are like…books, records, films – these things matter.” And sooooo on that note, and so we can get to know each other a little better, here are my blogs for my two ultimate top 5 lists:

My Top 5 All Time Favourite Records


My Top 5 All Time Favourite Movies


So, judge away lovely people - I have no guilty pleasures, just pleasures! Enjoy :)


- Grace ♫