(via Shutterstock) It’s a Snow Globe World by Molly Johnson (courtesy SoundCloud) If you’re a Canadian, you will be well and truly familiar with the towering musical presence that is Molly Johnson, a singer active since 1979 who excels in delivering pop and jazz numbers with evocatively soulful ease and Continue Reading
Music
On 7th day of Christmas, I listened to Christmastime by Trisha Yearwood and Verve: Remixed Holiday
(via Shutterstock) Christmastime by Trisha Yearwood (courtesy Apple Music) Trisha Yearwood’s new album Christmastime is as good a reminder as any that it’s best to always hold onto your expectations loosely and to never let them get in the way of experiencing something new. Initially dismissed by this reviewer because Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more Christmas songs #2 … Elysia Biro, Marcia Hines, Laufey, Jamra, LOLO + Sophie Ellis-Bextor … and more!
(via Shutterstock) The first batch of Christmas single took us down a quietly contemplative, chestnuts roasting kind of path but this time we’re channelling all the joy and eggnog-y energy of the season with 11 very catchy songs. Most of them hail from this year’s bountiful crop of festive tracks Continue Reading
On 4th day of Christmas … I listened to retro festive songs by Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra + Barbra Streisand
(via Shutterstock) Intangible though it might to say it but many Christmas songs are popular because they feel like the season. And what is that feeling exactly? It’s all kinds of cosiness and warmth, evoked by time with family and friends with snow falling outside – it may do that Continue Reading
On 1st day of Christmas … I decorated my tree with 10 new pop culture ornaments incl. Elio, Up, The Muppet Christmas Carol … and more!
(via Shutterstock) When I bought my first Christmas tree as an adult way back in 1992, I bought some pop culture ornaments but I mostly stuck to the sorts of ornaments and baubles I remembered from childhood. But as time went on, I increasingly bought more and more pop culture Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs Christmas songs #1: Sara Evans, Anaïs Reno, Lady A, Thelma & James, Mia McIntosh, Ingrid Michaelson + more … also Christmas releases by Eurovision artists!
(via Shutterstock) While Christmas albums from a wide variety of artists are hardly out of style, what is most remarkable in this year of our festive lord 2025 is how many Christmas singles have made their way out into an tinsel-draped, eggnog-addled world. Maybe there were always a lot of Continue Reading
Wicked: For Good goes full LEGO in this fun featurette
SNAPSHOT“You’re the only friend I ever had…” The final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized [sic] as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden Continue Reading
60th birthday movie review: Wicked: For Good #AndyAt60
(courtesy IMP Awards) When your parting gift to audiences at the conclusion of the first part of Wicked is the delivery of the scene stealing, future defining showstopper song “Defying Gravity”, where colours are nailed to the flag (no prizes for guessing which ones) and entreaties are made by both Continue Reading
Happy 60th birthday to me …. my favourite (roughly) 60 songs #Andyat60
(via Shutterstock) I can’t imagine a time when music wasn’t a major obsession. Granted I never took up the guitar or drums and joined a band, and my efforts to learn the piano were dismal at best (right Mrs. Noble?), but as a listener I was devoted beyond all reason. Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #130: INJI, Keli Holiday, Livia Barrell,Em Beihold + Jessie J … plus Eurovision 2026 update
(via Shutterstock) Want to feel good? Or even GREAT? Or freaking brilliant? Then fire up some music, and specifically these five songs from artists who have poured their heart and soul and talent into their music and whose songs give you just the lift you need, especially at the end Continue Reading