Perpetual Change — Year End Music Review/Shopping Guide
It’s that time of year again, the gift giving Christmas season where there’s always the question, “Gee, what can I get old so-and-so?” Well, to continue the tradition here at TG Forum/Perpetual Change, I’d like to offer a list of musical ideas, gleaned from all the interviews and CD reviews posted in both the (now defunct) Transvocalizers and Perpetual Change columns this past year. Since this is only the middle of the month, you still have a few shopping days left.
Please note that most of mainstream artists will have music available through on-line services such as Amazon, CD baby and iTunes. With many of the artists found in our columns, I’ve tried to mention their respective websites, although many of the independent artists do have a presence on the major retail sites.
As always, thanks for supporting TG Forum and my columns throughout the years. Now, go out and support some of our own artists and musicians.
Artists and musicians presented in Transvocalizers in 2014:
This is a compilation produced by J.D. Doyle as a fund raiser for the Houston Trans Center and Archives. It contains 21 tracks, many from artists mentioned in TGForum.
Boy George — This Is What I Do
This the Boy’s latest project. Excellent material all the way around
Jade London
This Canadian drag artist is venturing out onto the dance music charts, as well as still doing shows and working as a fashion and makeup artist. There are downloads of her singles available, and she is currently working on her first full length album.
She is an amazing operatic vocalist with a three octave range. Check out her website for studio recordings and videos; also wig and makeup sales and advice.
Hercules And Love Affair — Feast Of The Broken Hearts
This is an entire album of in-your-face dance tracks.
Artists and musicians presented in Perpetual Change in 2014:
Garcia
Michelle Rocking Horse Garcia — Spanish Traveler
This is a great instrumental project, and is actually a re-recording and re-release of an older version of the same project. Garcia is an amazing musician, and her other most recent album, Dead End Street, highlights her songwriting and vocals as well as her playing.
The Sexual Side Effects — High Maintenance
This is the one EP from this indie band that’s unique while still managing to sound like R.E.M at times. Some excellent rock here.
Another excellent indie band, often called a hybrid between The Spice Girls and The Sex Pistols. They have one self-titled EP, originally recorded in 2005.
Georgie Jessup — Philosopher Dogs
Ms. Jessup put a couple of years worth of work into recording and promoting her latest project, Philosopher Dogs. A video of Red Cloud’s Room from the album is available also. This is her best work to date, available through her website.
This past July we posted an interview with The Shondes and were turned on to several live concert videos taken from the European tour for The Garden. The Shondes are a very unique band with a unique blend of several styles. The aforementioned concert footage as well as several CD projects are available through their website.
Rev. Yolanda — Rev. Yolanda’s Old Time Gospel Hour
The Gospel Hour is now a movie, which we hope to review here sometime after the first of the year. Until then, check out her website for a short teaser clip, other CD offers, plus a lot of information regarding other projects that Rev. Yolanda is involved with.
Beth Isbell
This is Ms. Isbell’s latest project and is strong into the punk music genre. For more information about this and other CD projects, please check out her website.
Other music featured here
Hedwig And The Angry Inch Official Cast Album
This project features Neil Patrick Harris who starred as Hedwig in the Broadway production that turned into a major hit this year. Beside having Mr. Harris in the lead role, this particular CD version of Hedwig differs somewhat from the original 1999 CD of Hedwig with a slightly different running order and a couple of different songs. By the way, Harris left the role and was replaced by Andrew Rannells, who has been replaced by Michael C. Hall.
Cheek To Cheek — Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
This project has been much anticipated and it was worth the wait. Bennett is now 88 years old, but still is a powerful vocalist. For Lady Gaga fans, if you haven’t heard this, it’s jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, backed by big band and orchestra.
Chameleon Red has been featured here before. This newest project is excellent, tastefully played material with influences by Steely Dan and The beatles, among others.
Billy’s Back On Broadway — Billy Porter
Billy Porter was in Kinky Boots, but his solo album is a collection of Broadway standards, recorded with full orchestra. (On Facebook and Twitter.)
Cyndi Lauper — She’s So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration
Has it been 30 years since that iconic album came out? Yep, and the music found therein still holds up.
Coco Peru
Coco Peru — Show Me Your Pride
This is Coco’s only musical outing to date. The song was recorded for a video for Pride month. It’s available as a download. Please check out her website.
Spandau Ballet are back on tour. Check them out on their website.
Aline Queen released a great drag-themed video for this one very cool song.
Another great band with a great drag themed video.
Great dance material!
Neon Trees — Pop Psychology
A fun, up-tempo kind of dance band.
Arianna Grande — My Everything
Excellent material from a singer who definitely made a dent in the music business this past year.
NEW MUSIC
Jennifer Leitham — Future Christmas
I just received notice that Jennifer Leitham has released a Christmas CD entitled Future Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn’t find out about it in time to get a copy before my deadline for this article. I understand that it’s a mix of instrumentals as well as vocal tunes, most of which are well known Christmas standards. I did, however, get to hear the title cut, whose actual title is Future Christmas (The Global Warming Winter Holiday Blues). Funny stuff and very well done. For more information, please check out her website.
This is the newest project by producer/writer David Guetta, and is far more musical than some of his other work. Each of the project’s 14 tracks features a different vocalist. The material touches on everything from light rock to ballads, to only a few of the more danceable tracks Guetta is known for. All in all, a very wide variety of material and vocalists make the project his best to date.
Surrender the remixes by Cash Cash
This EP features 7 remix versions of Cash Cash’s Surrender, which will be the first single release from the band’s upcoming album release, scheduled for early 2015. (On Facebook and Twitter.)
Okay, dear readers, that’s it — now go forth, boost the economy and shop. Thanks for all your support.
Category: Music, Transgender Fun & Entertainment
About the Author (Author Profile)
Pamela DeGroff been writing for TGForum since the start of 1999. Her humor column, The Pamela Principle, ran until 2005. She started the Perpetual Change music column in May of 1999, and in 2008, Angela Gardner came up with the idea for the Transvocalizers column and put Pam to work on that. Pamela was a regular contributor to Transgender Community News until that magazine's demise. While part of a support group in Nashville called The Tennessee Vals she began writing for their newsletter, and also wrote for several local GLBT alternative newspapers in Tennessee. Pamela is currently a staff reporter for a small town daily paper in Indiana, and is also a working musician.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
