Rabu, 2 November 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music


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The Star Online: Entertainment: Music


Cancer-suffering Korean song contestant rivets nation

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 04:33 AM PDT

SEOUL: Lim Yoon-taek sings in a quartet battling for the crown in the third season of the South Korean equivalent of ''American Idol,'' with the semifinals looming this Friday.

But the slight, bespectacled Lim is also fighting stage four stomach cancer, and his plight has captured the attention and sympathy of the nation.

The 32-year-old leader of the group Ulala Session shocked viewers and judges alike in September by revealing his illness when asked why his hair was so short. He said he had had his stomach and duodenum removed in June, during the preliminary rounds of the hit Superstar K programme.

''I think that how one lives is more important than how long one lives. So I don't feel too bad,'' Lim said on the show.

Lim's group is one of three remaining since the final, on-air rounds began in August. If they make it through Friday's show they'll be headed for the finals next week.

Their song last week, ''Western Sky,'' was the soundtrack of a film starring an actress who later died of stomach cancer. It subsequently became the single most downloaded song on Naver, the Korean equivalent of Google.

Signs have emerged that Lim is struggling. He has lost 7 kg (15 lb) since July, along with his hair and eyebrows, and missed the rehearsal for last week's show.

But his determination has drawn the admiration of many across the nation, where celebrities tend to conceal their illness if they have cancer.

''No words are necessary. All of the judges are applauding with gratitude and respect for your enthusiasm for music and display of your fighting spirit on stage,'' said judge Lee Seung-chul after one show in October.

Lim's fellow band members, who are also friends of long standing, said that if they scooped the top prize of 500 million won ($450,000) - minus costs for recording an album - they would use it for Lim's medical costs.

''Of course he will recover soon, but before he gets worse, we want to show the world everything we have as if this is the last time,'' Park Gwang-sun, one member of the band, said on the show's website.

For many fans, Lim has already done enough.

''The show's slogan is 'Sing the Miracle', but I think he is already a miracle,'' said Park Hong-joo, a 26-year-old office worker.

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A taste of country

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 03:16 AM PDT

Taylor Swift is giving country music a cool edge.

TAYLOR Swift is leading the charge of country music artistes dominating not just the pop charts but worldwide radio airplay too.

The bona fide country star will be receiving the Billboard Woman Of The Year next month for producing hit after hit this year and being the biggest selling albums artiste in any genre for the last 12 months.

Keeping Swift company in the mainstream music world from the country realm are the likes of Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Blake Shelton and Scotty McCreery.

Somehow, these talented singers have managed to capture the hearts and minds of the masses, whether it is through reality shows like American Idol or The Voice or by coming up with tunes that have killer hooks and irresistible appeal.

By the looks of things, the country genre is having an influence on pop music too. Why else would Lady Gaga have a country version of her single Born This Way or Rihanna debut her song California King Bed at the Country Music Awards?

Galaxie magazine takes a look at how country music has made its presence felt in the pop scene today in the Nov 1-15 issue thanks to artistes like Swift, Shelton, Lady A, McCreery, The Band Perry, Lauren Alaina and Carrie Underwood.

The latest issue also features an exclusive interview with Justin Timberlake on his acting and singing careers.

All Time Low and violin virtuoso David Garrett took time out to chat with Galaxie about working with Rivers Cuomo and making "a good crossover CD".

What's more, fans of The Twilight Saga will not want to miss this issue as Galaxie is giving away passes to a special screening of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 plus awesome goodies like Terra Nova survival kits and Foster The People's debut album, Torches.

Packed into this issue as well is the juiciest gossip from the East and the West plus the lowdown on the latest in music, movies and TV.

Galaxie, which is owned by Star Publications (M) Bhd, also has a presence online at galaxieblog.com.my, which is packed with celebrity news and views. Greyson Chance fans will want to head on over there right now for a chance to win passes to his live performance in Kuala Lumpur.

For even more updates on the magazine, its blog and the entertainment world, follow Galaxie on Twitter (twitter.com/galaxiemag) and visit its Facebook page (facebook.com/GalaxieMagazine). – Evelyn Teo

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Justin Bieber launches charity effort, holiday album

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 11:12 PM PDT

TEEN sensation Justin Bieber kicked off a new charity drive coinciding with Tuesday's release of his Christmas album, "Under The Mistletoe."

The 17-year-old's holiday record, released around the world, features the festive single "Mistletoe," alongside collaborations with Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Usher, Boys II Men and The Band Perry.

An early review from Billboard Magazine's Kerri Mason, said "Under The Mistletoe" was Bieber's "most musically mature work to date."

Writing for entertainment website TheWrap.com, Chris Willman noted the singer's voice has lost some of its falsetto range and is now "relative baritone."

Prior to the album's debut, Nielsen SoundScan figures showed "Under The Mistletoe" pre-selling a strong 164,000 copies, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which should put it high on pop charts this coming week.

The singer's "The Believe Charity Drive directly benefits charities that are making a difference in the world," Bieber said in a statement, urging fans to donate whatever time or money they could afford.

He said he wants to raise millions of dollars by the release of his new album in 2012, titled "Believe." Bieber's initiative will benefit seven organizations with which he has worked before, including Pencils For Promise.

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