Tonight.
Leslie Hall, mother gem.
The EARL.
Hell yes.
Tag: leslie-and-the-LYs
music musings, music suggestion
the 31 best of 2008 – 8: Leslie Hall – Cewebrity
by duane • • 5 Comments
I know that this is probably going to alienate some of you, but hear me out; this album is magnificent and down right brilliant. I am sure that some of you will hate on Leslie, but that is probably because you are taking yourself far too seriously; Leslie Hall, aka Mother Gem, is a force of nature that has gyrated her way into my soul. Leslie is a whole new world of musical and comedic entertainment. I was lucky enough to see her amazing live performance earlier this year, and that is when I became a life long fan. She’s a lady rapper, clad in glitter and gem sweaters, and to use her own words, she’s doing her thing and “pounding out the sexy with a sparkly hammer”. Leslie is probably best known for her Gem Sweater Museum and her status as an internet celebrity (hence the name of her third album being titled Cewebrity),
Now, I want to say this, so listen to me; this entire record is meant to be satirical. It is meant to be funny, and it not only succeeds, it mystifies you with hilarious tales told in the way that only Leslie can tell them. However, even though it is funny, and down right silly at times, Cewebrity
Overall, I will definitely say, that Cewebrity
Sparkle Factor: 
Stand Outs: Test Ten Guys [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/lesliehall-testtenguys.mp3]
How We Go Out, Zombie Killer, Blame the Booty, Keep It Real, Real Gold and Glamorous, Drop a Gem.
five song friday, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion, near and dear, show the love
5SF: leap year day!
by duane • • 5 Comments
Every four years, we get an “extra day”, and how great is it that it is also a Friday this year? Perhaps the extra day is a sign that I am coming out of my music lull, because I have some fresh stuff for you today. I am also going to bring you some fantastic beats from Mother Gem herself, regardless of all the haters out there. Let’s get to it, shall we?
JES – Around You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_leap_jes-aroundyou.mp3]
When I downloaded JES’s most recent compilation CD Into the Dawn, I had NO IDEA that she was the amazing voice behind one of my favorite dance songs to have ever been recorded, As the Rush Comes by Motorcycle. After listening to her record, I completely love how many of the retooled down-tempo chill tracks completely showcase the ache in her voice. It is a little bit Portishead and a little bit Kosheen; and a lot of greatness. There is something about this song that just begs to be played over and over. It is simple and a perfect song “for the bedroom”, if you know what I mean…
MGMT – Time To Pretend
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_leap_mgmt-timetopretend.mp3]
This is one of MANY songs that I have heard, and been like, “eh”, and then never got back to it. Then, I hear it on the radio, and I am all, “wow! I kinda love this!”. So yeah. I really enjoy this song, mostly, because it really sounds like it has a huge influence from the amazing Peter Bjorn and John, whom I love. I love the electronic distortion, and I really dig the beats. This is definitely a fun track, and one that is getting attention; and even some more from me!
Styrofoam – Couches in Alleyways (feat Ben Gibbard)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_leap_styrofoam-couchesinalleys.mp3]
Whoa. I was driving home yesterday, and I was flipping through the radio stations, and I heard this song. At first, I didn’t hear the singing, because it was near the beginning, but I remember thinking, “this is really good… sounds a bit like the Postal Service”. Then, much to my surprise, the lead singer of the Postal Service Ben Gibbard’s vocals came through my speaker. Holy cow! Who is this? I thought. Well, turns out, Styrofoam, who has done a couple of remixes of Postal Service songs, released a record a while back, and this great song is on it! He has a new one coming out soon, and I look forward to hearing it when it arrives. Great random find.
The Faint – Glass Danse
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_leap_thefaint-glassdanse.mp3]
A good buddy of mine was telling me about The Faint the other night, and I promised that I would check them out upon his recommendation. Glass Danse was the first song that played when I went their myspace (which, isn’t that the only thing myspace is good for? music? anyway…), and I instantly loved it. I haven’t really gotten too much into their other stuff as of yet, but this song sounds a lot like Shiny Toy Guns with a touch of the Killers. This song has a lot of intense electronic energy, and a lot to get you going.
Leslie Hall feat. Elvira – Zombie Killer (revisited)
Alright, now I must bring the love to the Mother Gem, as promised. I know very well that this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that is fine, but I must tell you, that I love me some Leslie Hall. As I blogged about earlier, I saw her last weekend, and she is glamorous and fabulous in so many ways. I have been listening to all three of her CDs all week long, and I have been having such a great time with each one. She is hilarious, and has this talent to her act that is just refreshing and delightful. This song is hilarious, and even has guest vocals from none other than the amazing Elvira Mistress of the Dark!! Leslie warns us… The zombies are seeking beat-box revival… you must shoot them in the brains! How can you beat that?? A song about zombies featuring Elvira? I can’t believe I am privileged enough to type that previous sentence. Amazing. SHAZAM! If this makes you smile at all, you should check out more from the fabulous Leslie Hall… she is a midwest diva/tiger-colt, and she is hear to bring the freshest jams in all the land to you. Sweet lady rapper, sing your songs to me!! I want to be a junior gem!
Well, I hope that everyone is having a great leap year day, and I hope that you enjoyed the music!! As always, let me know what you are listening to… I really do take all of those suggestions and listen to each one! Have a great weekend everyone!
concerts, flickr, happenings, hotness, listen up!, music musings, near and dear, show the love, that is so gay
Leslie and the LYs: february 23, 2008
by duane • • 4 Comments
Well, I am here to bring a review of a concert that displayed such epic-ness, that can only be contained by the sheer will of itself. The concert of which is speak, was none other than Leslie and the LYs, Saturday night at eyedrum.
Leslie Hall hails from Iowa, representing her other Midwest divas, and brings the jams while she flashes her sparkle jems. She is the self-professed mother gem, and comes out of the night, as a purveyor of fantastical gem sweaters and slick beats.
During her show, Leslie dances, she grooves, and she moves her way into your heart, clad from neck to toe in skin tight gold-goodness. She’s a “sequined tower of eternal glamor, pounding out the sexy with a sparkly hammer”.
I have wanted to see her for a while now, and I am glad that I got the chance to this weekend. Basically, if you haven’t heard of her, she is an internet phenomenon who has been doing some great stuff on youtube. Her songs are great, and she makes me laugh out loud more than many can. Saturday night was an amazing night, and I will always remember it as the night that I fell in love with Leslie Hall.
The show itself was an amazing spectacle of ginormous proportions, and here’s a little rundown of how it went down…
The opening act was absolutely DREADFUL, which consisted of a whole hour (seriously) of really loud distortion and guitar “playing” by a tall black dude in a wig. Then a Bjork-wannbe came on and spoke some gibberish, while her other friend (with a fake third arm) “played” a base guitar and created even more loud distortion. It was loud, and uncalled for. I asked the bartender if they were for real, and all he could say was, “well, they’re up there… it doesn’t get much more real than that.”. Agreed.
After that monstrosity, this cute trio that reminded me of TLC busted out two great songs, only to hurry off stage after finishing. It was a refreshing sound after that nonsense from before; but I would have liked to have heard more. No matter… by that time, I wanted my Mother Gem more than ever.
Then… the gold one herself took the stage. Now, I have seen her videos and heard some of her songs, but I had no idea the show that Leslie Hall puts on. Flanked by her accomplices, the LYs, she grooved and jammed for over an hour. It was amazing.
People in the audience called out for Leslie, myself included, and she gave us a feast of beats, rhythms, lady jams, and scissor kicks. She fucking performed the hell out of everything she did, and was completely hilarious and amazing throughout. I don’t know if I have ever had that much fun; seriously.
After the show, she greeted fans, and signed autographs. I got bunches of pictures of both the concert, and the after meet and greet. (click on the photo to go to flickr, and see what you missed out on…). I ended up getting both of her CDs at the show, and I must say that have been lapping up the jams all day.
You must do yourself a favor and see the mother gem herself, Leslie Hall, when she comes to a town near you. She is a goddess, and she is coming for you… I myself cannot WAIT until she comes back my way. SHAZAM! SHE IS GLAMOROUS!