Something I Said – Heather Masse

Twin Cities Daily Planet

Dwight Hobbes

St. Paul’s Red House Records just keeps on rollin’ along, making the world safe for quality, grassroots folk music. And it was a fine fit when the label pulled off a coup to sign Canadian velvet throats the Wailin’ Jennys a few years back. So no one needs to call the purity police on Red House for deviating with Bird Song, a solo album by the Wailin’ Jennys’ moonlighting alto Heather Masse. So what if it’s not dust-bowl-dry fare, way off the beaten track? So what that it’s straight-ahead country music with—gasp!—a little jazz and pop thrown into the mix? The world will not come to an end.

Wonderfully backed by Jed Wilson (piano, Hammond B-3), Lyle Brewer (guitar), Karl Doty (bass), Joel Arnow (drums), and Aoiefe O’Donovan (vocals), Heather Masse sings up a sweet storm. The last time somebody combined this kind of quality rural roots and mainstream accessibility, Linda Ronstadt had just left the Stone Poneys to record her upstart triumph Silk Purse. Masse, of course, has not bolted from the Wailin’ Jennys and, in fact, is on tour with the group, as well as with the Heather Masse Band, even as we speak.

“Mittens” is a playful, tongue-in-cheek jaunt with Masse offering a little down-home seduction to a fellow who went outside in the winter air, forgetting to dress right. She matter-of-factly croons that she’ll warm his legs up so well he won’t miss them long johns for a minute. You get the distinct impression she’s telling the honest to God, no-brag-just-fact truth. “Chosen” is beautiful, bittersweet mood music, a portrait of an ill-at-ease lady that Masse delivers with haunting angst. You can’t beat “High Heeled Woman” for a rollicking hayride, featuring Patsy-Cline-style warbling that’ll raise your eyebrows and pin your ears back. When, after barreling along in fine, freewheeling spirits, the song finally comes to a rest, it’s hard to resist hollering “Yee-haw!” Don’t tell anyone I said that: I’ll get drummed out of the soul folk’s union and they’ll take back my secret decoder ring. “Our World” is indicative of most of the stuff here, thoughtful and heartfelt reminiscence set to rolling guitar licks and a pulsing beat as Masse airs out her crystal clear, powerhouse pipes.

There’s 13 cuts on Bird Song, all originals with Nicky Mehta of the Wailin’ Jennys helping out with the lyrics on the title song. Not a loser among the bunch.

Celine Dion, without a doubt one of the best Pop-music singer and composer of our time was born in 1968 Quebec, Canada. Her career as a singer began in this country and was financed at first by her home equity, but it wasn’t until the early 90’s when her terrific work started to get noticed and gain fame worldwide. An interesting fact you may not know is that the very first song she ever sang was composed by her parents.

In 1993 her remake-single “The Power of Love” landed her great work in the Top 5 records in USA, Canada, UK and France, in fact it reached number one in Canada and the US. “The Power of Love” was a song first interpreted by Jennifer Rush in 1885 and each time it was launched people loved to hear the beautiful lyrics and classic rhythm which best describes the 80’s. Some people remember this song as “I’m your lady and you are my man” because of its lyrics but however this great single is remembered those of use who have purchased the record can tell that the song is just fantastic and never gets old.

In 1995 she does it again but this time in French with the beautiful single “Pour que tu m’aimes encore” which means “So That You’ll Love Me Again” in English. The events organized in France to promote this song landed her work as the number one best selling single in France during that year and number severn in the UK.

1996 was a terrific year for Celine Dion because during that year she released two beautiful songs for which she is best known today, one of them was “It’s all coming back to me know” which starts with a beautiful piano solo and uses some of the fabulous elements of the 80’s in terms of its musicality. The second hit is perhaps more beautiful than the first, it is called “Because you loved me” and this one is said to touch people’s hearts because of the flawless combinations of lyrics and musicality. This single was so famous that it got nominated for an Academy award for best original song in 1996, it goes without saying that this single was number one in several countries (including the US of course).

Skipping a few years we get to 2003 when she signs a contract which extended until 2007 to perform at the Caesars Palace Coliseum in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is perhaps one of the most successful shows in the history of Las Vegas, every show announced was sold like hot bread. The Coliseum featured the biggest LED screen ever used for this type of events, the Coliseum’s cost was 95 million dollars and the screen 6 million dollars, the Coliseum also used a special humidity bubble ($2 million) which kept Celine’s voice as natural as possible during every song interpretation such as the 1998 super hit “My heart will go on” – Theme song of the movie “Titanic” released during the same year.

Celine Dion will always be remembered by her fans because of her touching lyrics and music as well as by the music industry in general as the best selling female vocalist in the world who has a world tour scheduled during 2008 and 2009.

R. J. Williams or Robert Jackson Williams (born: July 19, 1978) was a child actor on movies and television shows. He is best recognized by soap opera fans for playing Rowdy on General Hospital from 1989 through 1991. He appeared on numerous hit shows in the 80s and 90s such as Full House, Star Trek the Next Generation, Young and the Restless, Baywatch, Magnum PI, Love Boat, TJ hooker and many others. He earned 2 Young Artist Award and 9 Young Artist Award nominations.

After spending his entire childhood as an actor R.J. Williams decided to attend the prestigious USC School of Cinema-Television. Upon completion of his studies, he formed his own production company: Arjay Entertainment.

Since its inception, Arjay Entertainment has established its presence among Young Hollywood. The company had formed several distribution alliances and provided content for ABC, Showtime, TV Guide Channel, America Online and various Fox Cable channels.

In 2006, R.J. Williams launched www.younghollywood.com. Younghollywood.com is an online destination for original celebrity and Lifestyle video content that focuses on the rising generation. RJ Williams developed a very simple programming philosophy at Young Hollywood – all of his content is based on integrity, accuracy, and a real sense of fun.

Young Hollywood features the latest Hollywood entertainment news and latest scoops on your favorite celebrities. It stays away from gossip, tabloids and paparazzi and focuses on the positive side of celebrity life. Young Hollywood also features exclusive video footage on Hollywood celebrities and lifestyle that are updated daily. What restaurant they dine in and clubs they get their grove on. Young Hollywood offers movie trailers, music videos and celebrity photo galleries that range from headline makers, heartthrobs, TV hotties, Oscar nominees, comedians and athletes.

Young Hollywood is all about entertainment, but we’re informative too. We offer breaking news, update content on our web site daily, and send out a weekly newsletter to our fans, so you’ll always be in-the-know about what is hip, cool and fun.

Young Hollywood has already formed numerous strategic relationships – including recent deals with YouTube and Myspace. Young Hollywood branded segments also appear on CBSs hit show Entertainment Tonight. All of this brings Young Hollywood closer to the long-term goal of becoming the ultimate multi-platform entertainment experience.