A few days ago my friend e-mailed me to ask if I’d watched the Russian Unicorn video yet.  I had never heard of it, but it’s hilarious:

But Michael’s response is even better:

Love that man!

My wonderful husband got me the new Michael Buble CD, “Crazy Love” for Christmas and I’m so crazy in love with the music! My two favorite songs on the album are “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)” which is a track that Michael sings with Sharon Jones (and the Dap Kings), another fave artist of mine, and of course “Haven’t Met You Yet” (video above).

I’ve already burned a copy of this CD for the car (because the original is now permanently in my kitchen CD player), and Dawson is loving the music, too.

Owen was a little fussy after his baptism, and I put the CD on and danced around the dining room with him in the Bjorn. He fell asleep instantly.

My mother is a mega Michael fan, too. I wanted to get tickets to one of his concerts in March but both the Chicago and Minneapolis shows are sold out on Ticketmaster. I’m totally bummed. Some day I will see my Michael in concert. Some day. (I hope!) For now I’ll have to settle for my DVR’d Glenn Beck program in which Michael was a guest last week. I’ve watched it at least four times already.

I don’t usually buy CDs, because I love my iTunes, but Michael Buble is one musical talent that I will forever love and support and I’m so proud of my husband for getting me a perfect present (plus he didn’t have to spend a trillion dollars to make me so very happy.)

Do you love Michael Buble? Share your Buble love in the comments!

On the radio this morning, I heard this song and flashed back to my childhood. My father, a Ronnie Milsap fan, played a cassette of Milsap’s greatest hits in the car whenever we took a family trip. My siblings and I know all the words to these songs, and with every country chorus, the memories flood my mind.

Enjoy!

Earlier this evening Doug and I were watching the news and heard that Michael Jackson was rushed to a hospital and that paramedics were performing CPR on the way to UCLA medical center.

“Drama, drama, drama…” I said. “I do hope he’s alright.”

And then for a split second I thought about the tragedy, should Michael Jackson die.

Not more than a minute ago I saw the news while checking e-mail, and I was in absolute shock. I had to turn on CNN just make sure the news was true.

I’ve always loved Michael.  I’ve been a fan since I was a kid.  I first loved the Jackson 5 (my mom had a few albums) and when my brother and sister and I were younger we’d do our own version of their music and called ourselves the J3 (Jurgella 3).

Little bro Nathan and I used to beg mom to put the Thriller album on in the 80s.  We loved all the songs.

I’ve never understood some of Michael’s crazy antics in his later years.  I’ve attributed it to depression or an inability to handle his mega stardom that began when he was young.  Still, it’s tragic that he has passed away.  He was only 50 years old.

I keep thinking of Elvis.  Mr. Presley died at 42.  I’m a huge Elvis fan, too.  In many ways, the two musical greats were similar in many ways.  Both took (and abused) prescription drugs, both suffered heart attacks (according to Larry King, Michael Jackson suffered cardiac arrest.)

I can’t even believe it.  Such a horrible tragedy.

Rest in peace, Michael.

I’m just in love with it all.  I have been for years.

When I was a little girl I’d dig out my parents’ vinyl records and beg to listen to Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Brenda Holloway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Tami Terell and so many more.

Can I just say that David Ruffin‘s voice melts my heart?  I mean I know he was kind of a jerk to the other Temptations, but when I hear his rough (Ruff?) voice, usually when listening to My Girl, I get a shiver down my spine.

Here’s just one of my favorite Temptations songs (but I don’t think Ruff is on lead on this one), I Want a Love I Can See:

And then!  Stevie Wonder!  I heart Stevie.  Especially Sugar:

Swoon.

Don’t forget Brenda Holloway.  She should have been a bigger star than Diana.  I really believe that.  Even in 2005, she proved she has the voice:

Compare that with the 1964 version:

I love her.

Here’s the Alicia Keys version (not on the Motown label, but awesome just the same):

Takes my breath away.  And makes me wish I could play the piano somethin’ fierce…

I Love Motown.  Love it, Love it.

I know.  I’m obsessed.  But can you blame me?

What are your faves?

I got a new iPod. It’s rockin’ awesome.  I’ve been dancing around the house (well, as much as I can despite the knee brace, of course) and singing at the top of my lungs.

Dawson dances along while playing his guitar.  It has an adapter that allows us to hook up his little iPod to play along with the songs.  It’s like So You Think You Can Dance mixed with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars around here.  And I love it.

When I’m not dancin’ and singin’, I’m reading (again) Gone With the Wind.  And I’m reading some awesome childrens’ books to Dawson, too.  Like this one and this one.  And this one.   Reviews of those books to follow.  They are wonderful.

Nothing else new to report.  I’m taking time away from the internet (well, as much as possible anyway) to do things I enjoy, as well as spend time with the Hubs and the Doodlebug.  And I love it.

I’ll see you next year.  Haha.  I just had to say it.

Happy New Year!

Looks like Jordan suffered a sprained ankle. Any bets as to how long before this video is removed from the NKOTB website? I sure hope Jordan is okay.

** Dude, this had to be a joke or a hoax or something, because friends in NYC went to the concert and said Jordan was dancing just fine.  How strange.  Although I’m glad to know the joker is okay.

Anyway, this is the video I was trying to find:

Swoon. NKOTB Forever. I heart Donnie, Danny, Jordan, Jon and Joe. Oooh, Joey. He’s still my favorite.

My sister and I had the best time. We rented a car (because mine is simply not travel safe these days), a cute little Dodge Caliber with Sirius radio — and I have to say I nearly squealed when I found the All Elvis (all the time!) station. I done died and gone to Heaven, it was that freakin’ cool.

But not as cool as getting close enough to the New Kids on the Block to bootleg some video and practically touch them. You know, if all the other screaming women weren’t blocking my way.

Seriously, though. I really wasn’t screaming as insanely as the chicks behind us who nearly toppled over Rachel to get closer to the stage. Thankfully our very handsome security guard (the one in charge of our section) got them to chill the heck out or my sister might have punched one of them out. The one who was so plastered she kept spilling beer all over the place.

I’m somewhat deaf today, but I had such a good time. Best time I’ve had in ages.

Swoon. Again…..

Every year, I remember Jim and his amazing music.  Could you imagine what he’d be doing today?

And then I saw this and giggled a little.  I think Jim would be proud:

And this one made me cry, just a little.  Watch toward the end for Time In a Bottle and you’ll understand why:

James Joseph Croce, January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973. Rest in peace, Jim.

I discovered Sharon Jones a few months ago when I accidentally downloaded this song on iTunes. I honestly don’t know how one accidentally purchases a song by an artist they have never heard before, but I’m so glad I did.

This woman has a voice and a style that make me get up out of my chair and dance in my dining room.

Pardon the French introduction to the video above…after that you will see Ms. Jones and her talent and you will agree…she rocks it.

I love her music so much I went back and downloaded the rest of the albums. (Yes. Plural, as in more that one). They are fantastic. I highly recommend this music!

In many ways, Sharon Jones reminds me of Etta James and Aretha Franklin, or a combination of both, perhaps, yet her style is so original to me. I just can’t get enough.

Here she is with the amazing Dap Kings on Letterman. Enjoy!