Photos: Mariah Celebrates End of Angels Advocate Tour
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010, 9:22PM EST
Mariah celebrated the official end of her Angels Advocate Tour in a party at Aria's Haze Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, February 27, 2010. Below are photos.
At home in her Manhattan apartment, Mariah Carey talks about her troubled background, why she had to "de-Mariah" herself, and how "Precious" changed her life.Interviewed by Dawn Sutton
Mariah Carey has made our jaw drop. No, she's not on time, but she's starring in a film that's actually really good (who remember her previous foray into film, the so-bad-it's-bad Glitter!>). Her role in Precious- which is nominated for six Oscars- sees her sporting visible facial hair and is a huge change from Mariah's usual glamorous image- perhaps her marriage to Nick Cannon is making her mellow. The pair are even rumored to be looking to adopt a baby soon, and Mariah has taken an uncharacteristic back seat to writer some songs with her hubby to be sung by a new girl band.
Here, Mariah talks all about Precious, why she's dreading turning 40, and what it was like to get frumpy.
You're turning 40 later this year... Don't say the F word around me! (Laughs)
You got married two years ago, your life has changed a lot. How are you feeling? I would definitely say these are some of the happiest days in my life. I've been working on my album, which I am so excited about. I couldn't think of something, another project, that I would rather be in more than this.
When you started out did people try to change you? I remember starting out and being at a record company at 19 and having someone tell me: 'This is your good side and this is your bad side. Don't ever let anyone take any pictures of you from that side. You look terrible from that side," and so on. It created this whole complex- like I didn't already have enough of a complex! I felt very different as a bi-racial person. Growing up where I did being half-black and half-white was a very weird and difficult thing because I didn't quite fit in either place and I moved around a lot. So when I went from that to this world, it was like, let's create an inferiority complex before we make this person go on TV and try to have self-confidence. That's what I love about Precious. I think that it's going to help a lot of people.
There's major Oscar buzz around Precious. How did you get the part? I was a huge fan of the novel and I am not really an avid reader. A friend of mine passed me this book and said, "You have to read this book." Actually, what she said was, "All women of colour must read this book." But mainly we all need to read the book because there is an intensity that just leaves you stunned. It changed my life when I read it. Then, years later, I became close with Lee Daniels and found out that he was going the project. I was so excited. Then it came together and he asked me to be a part of the movie.
Did you meet people from troubled backgrounds to prepare for the film? I come from a unique background- in my father's family there were a lot of troubled uncles and aunts and people that we weren't allowed to know who were in very intense situations that I couldn't even go into now. That's a whole other interview! But yeah, I've met people who have gone through similar things. Most people think that I was born in this magical bubble and here I am singing high notes- it wasn't like that. So yeah, I do know people who have been through some deep s**t.
Did you find it hard to 'de-Mariah' yourself for the role? It was definitely a down-there moment. Lee even said, "Look, you have to change your walk. You have to walk differently." Obviously I walk around on my tiptoes even when I've got on my four-inch heels. Even if I took them off, I'd still be walking on my tip-toes. (Laughs) He was like, "You're up here- can we bring it down here?" So all of the little mannerisms that people might know me for, they had to be thrown out the window. The preparation was quick, quick, quick. Stripping away the layers is easy- it's just taking on another persona, another perspective and another point-of-view of another human being. It was stripping away and adding.
In the film you look so different from the diva we know and love. How did it feel to be frumpy? It was crucial. If I'd have stood out as, here I am, a well-known person even looking remotely glamorous, it would have taken away from the essence of what the whole film is. It was tough, honestly, because I am so used to the music world which is so different with the cameras, the lighting, the angles and this and that. We were in fluorescent dentist office lighting- it was the worst lit scene of the movie on purpose. We did it specifically for a reason. But it's the overhead lighting, it's the dark stuff on her eyes. Lee caught me trying to put blush on and her said, "What are you doing? What are you doing?" And I was like, "Precious has blush on." He was not going for it. So it was just one of those things that I had to do. I guess I'll feel better about myself when I am just normal at my house walking past the mirror without make-up on. I'll be like, well I've looked worse! (Laughs)
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by Jonny on Sunday, 28-Feb-2010, 12:00AM EST
Mariah performs her final show of the Angels Advocate Tour at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace tonight. Our tour correspondents Cory, Hugo and Armando are there to provide us with live updates!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Don't Forget About Us 05. Fly Like A Bird 06. Make It Happen 07. Angels Cry 08. Always Be My Baby 09. It's Like That 10. The Impossible 11. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 12. Honey 13. My All 14. Obsessed 15. Up Out My Face 16. We Belong Together 17. Hero
Tidbits: • 9:00pm- Stevie Wonder, Prince and Boyz II Men songs are playing as the venue is filling up. • 9:07pm- Opening act RydaznRtist hit the stage. • 9:23pm- RydaznRtist are done. Michael Jackson songs playing now. • 9:48pm- Still waiting for Mariah to come out. Venue security has announced that cameras are prohibited and also that anyone who gets up and leaves during a song will not be permitted back in until the song is done. • 10:20pm- Still no Mariah. Fans are getting restless. • 10:25pm- Mariah is coming down on the swing. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude" • 10:31pm- Says "thanks for waiting" and starts "Touch My Body." • 10:35pm- Mariah says that she "apologizes for her tardiness" and that she is sick and flew her doctor in and almost couldn't do the show. "Don't Forget About Us" next. • 10:41pm- Takes a sip of water and says the next song means a lot to her- "Fly Like A Bird." • 10:50pm- Mariah is back on stage after wardrobe change. She plugs the remix videos and starts "Angels Cry." • 10:56pm- "Always Be My Baby" after hair and make-up touchup. • 11:12pm- Mariah sings an impromptu line from "Make You Happy" as she introduces Trey Lorenz. She goes backstage to change and Trey sings "Rock With You." • 11:22pm- "Honey" • 11:38pm- "Obsessed" • 11:53pm- Mariah is on for the encore. "Hero" • 11:58pm- Mariah appears to be wiping tears from her eyes during the final notes of "Hero," the last song on the tour. Show is over.
Many thanks to Cory, Hugo and Armando for their great updates! We would like to once again thank all of our tour correspondents who have helped us bring you live coverage from every show of the Angels Advocate Tour. We appreciate you!
If you were at tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief reviews; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Full Audio: Angels Advocate in Oakland, CA
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 27-Feb-2010, 3:15PM EST
The full audio of Mariah's Angels Advocate concert at the Oracle Arena Amphitheatre in Oakland, California on Friday, February 26 is below! You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Many thanks to Chino for recording the show for us!
Mariah Carey knows how to make a lasting first impression. Her entrance to the stage on Friday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland was a diva-licious act of pure grandeur. It began as the house lights dimmed and the spotlights spelled out the star's first name against three-story-tall stage curtains. Then the curtains parted, revealing a bare stage floor and a full band situated on an elevated platform in back.
At that moment, the 39-year-old star began to descend into view, riding a swing as she was lowered from the rafters to the stage. The near-capacity crowd erupted at the site of the singer, who wore a sparkling gold formal gown that just screamed "red carpet." The dress would only stay intact for a few minutes, before the lower portion was ripped away to allow Carey the legroom to properly work "Shake It Off."
The main difference between this entrance and the ones that Carey has made at previous Bay Area concerts – such as during her October 2006 date at the same venue – was that it was only one highlight of the set. Overall, Friday's concert was the most completely satisfying performance that Carey has delivered for local fans in several years.
What went right? It all boils down to having a stage show that plays to a performer's strengths, and that's exactly what we found with this "Angels Advocate Tour" stop. For one thing, the set list was focused on the big ballads – Carey's greatest strength – which allowed the star to properly showcase her amazing five-octave vocal range.
Equally important, the stage show was smartly choreographed with a tight focus on giving fans what they really wanted – as much Mariah as possible. Too often, these kind of big pop spectacles feature so many frills – from multiple video components to crowded dance routines – that the real star of the show is often lost in the mix. That didn't happen at Carey's concert.
There were some dance bits and other theatrical elements, but they rarely seemed to crowd Carey. Plus, placing the band members on the elevated platform was a stroke of genius, one that allowed the singer to work the entire length of the stage and truly interact with a large portion of the audience.
Continuing through the sexy bedroom romp "Touch My Body" and the gospel-tinged "Fly Like a Bird," Carey showed an uncommon degree of restraint in her vocal work. Gone are the days when the singer would simply try to bowl her fans over with pure power and melismatic tricks. Somewhere along the line, she's learned the art of setting-up a big moment, which requires an understanding of pacing. The result at Oracle was that when she hit one of those unbelievably high notes, or sailed off on some other type of vocal acrobatics, it truly meant something to listeners.
Between numbers, and when she wasn't changing outfits (all of which were designed to show ample cleavage), Carey exhibited much personality and was successful in connecting with the near-capacity crowd. She alternated between the diva role, such as when her hair and make-up crew came out to freshen her up onstage, and that of the goofy celeb known for saying things that make the tabloids. The silliest she got was in talking about the making of the video for "Obsessed," the first single from Carey's last album, 2009's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel."
"We are playing Barbies in the video," she said. "And that was a dream come true for me."
In all, Carey was funny, but didn't provide the kind of YouTube moment that some have come to expect from the star.
"I'm not making any speeches tonight," remarked Carey, in reference to the rambling speech she gave earlier this year at the Palm Springs International Film Festival after winning Breakthrough Actress for her role in the Oscar-nominated "Precious." "So, I guess we should be cool."
Carey was beyond cool – she was downright well-mannered. She said she was watching her language, and substituting words, out of consideration for the younger fans in attendance. That same logic was the reason for a playful "white lie" that Carey told the audience, as she downed a glass of champagne in two gulps.
"That's some nice apple juice that my auntie gave me," she explained to the kids.
The "apple juice" didn't affect her vocals – certainly not in a bad way. The singer – who Billboard Magazine proclaimed as the best-selling artist of the '90s – poured herself into the sweetly nostalgic "Always be My Baby" and the burning ballad "The Impossible." She closed the concert with a tremendous version of "Hero," which – out of the more than 40 Hot 100-charting singles of her career – may well be her true signature song.
The show's end was as impressive as its start, at least for this critic. For the first time ever, I wanted more Mariah as she departed the stage. Usually, that feeling only happens when she enters it.
Fan Photos/Reviews/Videos: Mariah at Oracle, Oakland
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 27-Feb-2010, 11:32AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Michael, Edmond, Jojo, Bernardo, Fellipe & Laura!]
Lariah Enriquez (Tour Correspondent): "It was my 1st concert and Mariah Carey concert. It was AWESOME I'M SO SPEECHLESS! 100000000000000 STARS! I would totally go to another concert of hers. She sang so well live!"
Sophia Perez (Tour Correspondent): "I can't believe the the show is over already. Like other fans have said, it went by really fast and I wish there was more time. I enjoyed myself the whole time. Mariah is always dedicated to her fans and entertaining us. Her vocals were at their very best. The sound was real high, even when she would speak so you knew everything was live. All fan favorite songs were mixed in. She never neglected the audience and did a great job at making the setting comfortable for everybody. I loved the stage and costumes because it added to the intimate surroundings and not too over the top. The night was an overall gratifying festive experience, and I will make sure to go to the next show because I'm sad this one is over. Glad to be a part of it."
Chino Mayrina: "This was the fourth Mariah concert I've been to, and I was still as excited as I was when I saw her for the first time during her first L.A. stop for the Charmbracelet Tour. Mariah didn't keep us waiting for that long after the opening act, and I even saw her silhouette–the big hair and ruffles were unmistakable–for a few seconds behind the curtain as they were situating her on the swing. The first bars of the intro took off, the curtain lifted, Mariah began to descend, and everyone, including myself, lost it. With the first high note, she had everyone hooked. Her voice was not in the best shape, but she sang, and that's all that mattered. She seemed really comfortable with herself, unlike in TV performances where she has seemed stiff and unaccustomed to performing. The stage also looked a lot more elegant and well-made than it does in pictures. Everything just worked–the lighting (which was excellent), the dancers, and the placement of the band and singers. Mariah could move around but was not left to maneuver through large, empty spaces. Many of the people in front of me looked like they have been fans since the beginning, not only because they were older, but because they seemed to appreciate all the nuances of Mariah's performance, both during and in between songs; it was as if they were there to support an old friend and enjoy the inside jokes once more. When Mariah agreed to sing H.A.T.E.U., per the request of a fan who screamed out 'H-A-T-E-U,' and actually sang it at the end, she proved that she is indeed like a true friend to her fans. When she sang 'Hero,' all of the audience sang along; no matter how much she and some fans claim to be tired of the song, all the people there, including Mariah, sounded like they meant every word they sang. Mariah really did look like an imperfect angel when she descended in her sequined champagne tutu-gown as a spotlight radiated an aura behind her. I still felt the same profound connection I first felt when I heard 'Through the Rain' on the radio in 2002. I was a sappy, sentimental, cliched, and lonely 14-year-old gay boy–much like the song itself!–but even now, as last night's performance proved, I still think Mariah speaks to the underdog in everyone but also makes sure everyone has fun in the process. Even with all the Mimi and MCC personae, she will always be Mariah Carey, a true talent, a true artist, and also a human being."
Curtis Hill: "I've been a Mariah fan since the early '90s and not just a casual fan. I have to say that this was by FAR my favorite concert. I even was much further away than the three other tours I've been to, but it didn't matter. I must say, I was floored at her voice. Yes, some parts are lipped...we all know that, but you could tell from her speaking voice just how rested she was. This is definitely the BEST her voice has sounded on Tour since the Butterfly Tour, even better than Charmbracelet Tour vocals. I also feel SO lucky that we got the longest show and that she came on before 9pm. It wasn't even close to sold out, so I was worried she may rush through it, but she didn't. She was hilarious with the fans. One thing that stood out to me was when she was talking to a fan in the audience who had a sign about needing gas money because they had gone to so many shows, and she said, 'Oh no! I don't need a guilt trip from you. I already get those from my family.' LOL! Mariah is a legend and a diva, and we love her for that. Always."
Andy Kif: "Even though I've been a huge fan for well over a decade, I have never actually been to a Mariah concert before. Tonight I finally got to see her for the first time, and the show was as amazing as I imagined it would be. The biggest surprise for me was when she decided to perform 'H.A.T.E.U.' at our request; this was my favorite song from Memoirs! In addition to her breathtaking vocals, I liked her talking moments too especially when she said 'why you so obsessed with apple juice' at one point. She has a great sense of humor. There were many other great parts, but I'll keep this review brief. Given the opportunity, I would certainly love to attend again, and hopefully by then I'll have a closer seat."
Matt Mene: "It was amzing! My first ever tour of Mariah Carey and it was amazing. Didn't have really good seats but I still loved it. The people around me weren't standing up so I decided to stand up myself! haha. All in all it was good. She did a lot of good songs from Memoirs and she did HATE U! My favorite song. Amazing concert. Stunning. She will always be the best."
Bernardo Huitron: "I've been a mariah fan since I can remember and seeing her last night was honestly a dream come true.. I mean u hear her voice every day n to finally hear the voice live is very surreal, there's no words to describe the feeling. She is even more beautiful in person than on tv n pictures. From the new material to the throw backs was a treat =] I believe she sang more songs on this show than any other on the tour! Favorite part had to be when she was drinking her angel champaign n said "its ok its not like I have to give a speech" haha lol! hilarious!"
Richard Hillman: "I think we got her best show of this tour. 6 songs from Imperfect Angel album. H.A.T.E.U. was a gift from above since it was taken off the tour set list. She was beautiful. The crowd was there, never sat down. What a great night!"
Jordon Miller: "The concert was so good! She sang really well. Loved the dresses. She was very funny all concert and she was so nice and very happy to be at the concert. I sang every song she sang. I had the best time ever! Wish it was longer."
Daniel: "Oakland show was off the hook! First off, Mariah saw my 'Candy Bling' shirt and she said, 'Candy Bling! I wish I could.' And when Trey got on stage he gave me and a couple of other lambs a shout out because we had all gone out to dinner the night before! The Oakland show was a dream!"
Fellipe Silva: "Whew, what a night! Just got back from seeing Mariah live for the first time ever. Being a fan for 11 years now, it was such a special moment. I think I cried when the 'Daydream Interlude' started playing, but I was so excited I don't remember quite well. Oakland was a great audience. The place was packed and remained on its feet the whole night. As a reward, Oakland got a special gift. We got an extra song on the setlist: H.A.T.E.U! She added it after some nice lambs requested in the front row. She joked 'I'm not known for keeping promises, but as I promised, here's H.A.T.E.U for u guys.' Loved it! She also mentioned how the song should have been the second single, and how the record label interfered. Her vocals were great especially in the ballads like Fly Like a Bird and and My All. I was glad to be able to witness her not lip synching songs, as so many people insist she does. She does use backing tracks (Angels Cry, Obsessed) but she's never dubbing/miming, she's always live singing on top/adlibing. Also, I was quite surprised with the concert production. Pictures don't do it justice. The stage, lighting, dancers and her wardrobe look much nicer in person."
Syreeta Williams Huerta: "Last night's concert was amazing oh goodness! This is my first concert seeing her and I felt so blessed to be there! She was so good last night! She hit all the notes and she was funny, all her jokes were funny! I enjoyed myself!"
Michael Fink: "It was fantastic! Her voice was on point the whole night! She changed up some of the songs to show off the skills a few times, which was great to hear. Really did show that it was LIVE and not lip-syncing. She also did a great mix of old and new. The song choices were great to show off her range and talent. The stage show wasn't over the top and kept her as the main focus. The crowd loved it! I loved it! I would even see this show again in another city, if I had the funds. Well worth the money!"
Edmond Lee: "I can say it was the best night of my life ever! I have never experienced seeing Mariah this close. Although I always wanted front row ticket for this tour, I guess 9 rows from the stage wasn't too bad either because it enabled me to see her in person in a very clear environment and take a decent amount of good pictures of Mariah without the interruption of those security guards since I was in the middle of the crowd. Also I had shot some great videos as well for my own personal collection. After the show, I immediately went outside to the entrance to back stage and tried my luck to get a hold of Mariah. Although I wasn't that lucky, I was still somehow able to meet the backup singers Trey Lorenz and Sherry Tatum-Frederick and took a picture with both of them. Trey had signed my custom made E=MC2 hat as well, which made my night very fantastic! This would be the night that I will never ever forget!"
Laura Rodriguez: "Mariah was Ncredible tonight! I loved every song, and I especially love that she sang 'H.A.T.E.U.' after a few of my Lambs crew requested it, at first she blamed it on the band, that she could probably not sing it but then what shocked us was that she did it as an encore! She was singing it she started to point over at us and we all cheered and screamed 'Thank you' for singing the song we requested. And then finally as MC was telling the crowd the story behind 'Hero' my lil section keeps yelling out 'Honey B. Fly Baby' at one point she looked over, smiled and said: 'Aww I love ya' then we all just let her finish and she rocked the hell outta 'Hero.' I made 2 poster signs for MC one that read 'I Want My MIMI Doll' which she then referenced the UOMF video and asked me if I liked it, I screamed 'Hell yeah. You're Such A Barbie!' and the other read 'MC I'm Going Broke 'Cause I Luv Ya!' MC then said it was nice of me and that I gave her a guilt trip LOL. and she thanked me! (video here). Apart from MC reading my signs I honestly felt like throughout the whole show MC literally would constantly come over to my section to see what real Lambs had to say, it truly felt surreal, I kept thinking damn this feels like a dream, but then I'd look up and I kept seeing a beautiful talented 'Angel' who assured me that it wasn't a dream, her voice reminded me that she is 'Angel' living on earth. I was in Lamb heaven for sure. And apparently myself, Tracy & Dan keep appearing on the big screen because we were singing every song. It is funny because we didn't’t even know we were coming out of the big screen we were just like living in the moment, and what I find kinda cool is that after the show a little girl recognized me from the “Big TV” as she put it and asked me to take a picture with her. I was like aww! that was so cute. After the show a few of us stayed to try to meet MC but she must have sneaked away from us because she never exited from the door where many Lambs were standing outside of. Mariah never came out, but the night was not a total lost, some of us got to take pictures with Trey, Sherry, Darryl, & RydazNRtist so we were pumped at least about that. Overall tonight was so great! I had more than enough 'Mariah Moments' to hold me over until her next tour!"
FAN VIDEOS
Mariah Performs "H.A.T.E.U." and "Hero" (Thanks to Michael!)
"Butterfly Intro" and "We Belong Together" (Thanks to Edmond!)
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Full Audio: Mariah's Two Shows at Gibson, Los Angeles
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 27-Feb-2010, 4:50AM EST
The full audio files of Mariah's two shows at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, February 23 and Wednesday, February 24 are below! You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Audio recorded by MariahDailyJournal.
Angel Champagne- "Hint Of Pink" by MC Coming Soon!
Posted by Jonny on Saturday, 27-Feb-2010, 2:22AM EST
MariahDailyJournal has learned that Mariah's Angel Champagne will be called Hint of Pink. Check out images from the official website, which says "coming soon," below!
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Oakland, California
Posted by Jonny on Friday, 26-Feb-2010, 11:00PM EST
Mariah performs at the Oracle Arena Amphitheatre in Oakland, California tonight. This is the second to last show of the Angels Advocate Tour! Our tour correspondents Rosana, Sophia and Lariah are there to provide us with live updates as they happen!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Don't Forget About Us 05. Fly Like A Bird 06. Make It Happen 07. Angels Cry 08. Always Be My Baby 09. It's Like That 10. The Impossible 11. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 12. Honey 13. It's A Wrap 14. My All 15. Obsessed 16. Up Out My Face 17. We Belong Together 18. H.A.T.E.U. 19. Hero
Tidbits: • 8:00pm- Opening act RydaznRtist takes the stage. • 8:17pm- RydaznRtist are done with their set. Michael Jackson songs playing as the crowd waits for Mariah. • 8:42pm- The arena is pretty much full. The crowd is getting pumped up every time an MJ song ends! • 8:51pm- Mariah descends upon the stage on her swing. • 8:54pm- "Shake It Off" • 9:01pm- Takes a sip of water and says "It starts here!" Next song is "Don't Forget About Us." • 9:07pm- Says she has a cold again because "not everyone uses hand sanitizer!" • 9:12pm- Leaves the stage as "Make It Happen" begins. • 9:17pm- Mariah back on stage. She is reading signs and sings a snippet of "All I Want For Christmas Is You." • 9:19pm- Dedicates "Angels Cry" to the victims in Haiti. • 9:24pm- Mariah is having a hair and make-up touchup. David brings her a dirty champagne glass and she asks the crowd to take a picture. She takes two sips and say "Uno, dos, done!" • 9:30pm- "It's Like That" • 9:34pm- The crowd wants to hear "H.A.T.E.U." and she says "Maybe later!" • 9:37pm- Mariah is singing "The Impossible." • 9:42pm- Mariah introduces Trey and he sings "Rock With You" as she goes backstage to change wardrobe. • 9:47pm- Back on stage for "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker" • 9:58pm- Talks about relationships leading into "It's A Wrap" • 10:04pm- Says she was going to do "H.A.T.E.U." but the band said "wait!" Does "My All" instead. • 10:12pm- Trey is introducing the band and back-up singers. • 10:14pm- Back on stage singing "Obsessed" • 10:24pm- "We Belong Together" • 10:30pm- Mariah sings "H.A.T.E.U." per earlier audience request. [MDJ: Mariah has done six songs from Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel tonight, the most she's done on a single night for this tour.] • 10:35pm- "Hero" • 10:40pm- Show is over.
Many thanks to Rosana, Sophia and Lariah for their detailed updates!
If you were at tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief reviews; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing her final show of the Angels Advocate Tour at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow night, February 27th. Please join us at 9:00pm PST (12:00 am EST). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Cory, Hugo and Armando.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Precious Tops NAACP Awards
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 26-Feb-2010, 10:34PM EST
It was a 'Precious' night at the NAACP Image Awards on Friday, where the film scored six trophies out of eight in the motion picture category.
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" scooped up prizes for best motion picture and best independent feature. Gabourey Sidibe topped Sandra Bullock for best actress, and in the supporting actress category Mo'Nique trumped co-stars Mariah Carey and Paula Patton for the kudo. Precious writer, Geoffrey Fletcher, and director, Lee Daniels, took their turn at the podium as well for their work on the film.
"It is an honor to be nominated, but it is awesome to win. I love winning," Gabourey Gabourey told the crowd (including Sandra) who took to their feet after Chris Rock announced she was the winner.
And the actress said she wasn't prepared to take home the award. "I didn't really expect this," Gabourey said as she tried to hold back tears. "I want to thank my God for ordering my steps, for everything that my life was and everything that it is now."
Gabourey went on to thank her family and her director, Lee Daniels. "I walked into his office in jeans and sneakers and he saw a glamorous dress and heels, and he saw a star and I could never thank you enough, I can't," she said before taking a big breath to stifle the tears.
And the actress also saluted her "Precious" co-stars for helping refine her natural talent. "I want to thank my teachers. My teachers happen to be Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah [Carey] and Sherri Shepherd – the people that I got the honor to work with and I thank you so, so much because I showed up not knowing what I was doing and I sat back and I watched you and thank you for teaching me," she added. "Lastly, I want to thank the 'Precious' girls everywhere, this is for you."
"Up Out My Face" Video on BET
Posted by Jonny on Friday, 26-Feb-2010, 8:01PM EST
Keep it up, everyone!
"Up Out My Face" is holding steady at #2 on BET 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" countdown today! This is the video's 12th day on the BET countdown since making its debut at #10 on February 9th.
Here is a summary of the video's chart run thus far:
Tuesday, February 9 - #10 Wednesday, February 10 - out Thursday, February 11 - #7 Friday, February 12 - #4
Monday, February 15 - Holiday Tuesday, February 16 - #2 Wednesday, February 17 - #2 Thursday, February 18 -#1 Friday, February 19 -#1
Monday, February 22 -#1 Tuesday, February 23- #2 Wednesday, February 24-#1 Thursday, February 25-#1 Friday, February 26- #2
Let's continue to vote and get it back to number 1! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote by sending the text message MCAR to 79922.
Source: Robyn
Photos: Mariah at Gibson Amphitheatre, LA - Show #2
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 26-Feb-2010, 12:01AM EST
Below are photos from Mariah's second Angels Advocate concert at Citywalk's Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. Pictures taken by MariahDailyJournal.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Fan Photos/Reviews: Mariah at Gibson, L.A. - Show #2
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 26-Feb-2010, 12:01AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Brendan, Felix and Art!]
Mariana Contreras is the designer of the sign that Mariah tweeted about last night. She is pictured below with her creation prior to attending the concert. Thanks Mariana for sharing it with us!
MariahCarey Ok,someone left me a sign that's a classic its pink yet lavender&says"Now I see that no one is inseperable except for-MCC&The Lambs"lol LYM
FAN REVIEWS
Josh Rojas (Tour Correspondent): "Last night's show was great! Mariah is like fine wine, she only gets better with age. MCC had the entire audience on their feet throughout the entire show. I was very shocked that our Diva was on time for both shows! I couldn't believe it. Her voice was an angelic stone winner. She sang her heart out for Los Angeles, her 'second home.' Mrs. Carey-Cannon deserves a Standing-O to say the least."
Felix Vazquez Jr. (Tour Correspondent): "Mariah's second LA show was amazing! She sounded flawless. She hit every high note in each song. She was earlier than the day before. She kinda went through the show quickly and she left out 'It's A Wrap.' She did interact with the crowd, but did less of it tonight. The theatre was kinda empty at first knowing that Mariah is always late but quickly got filled up as she started singing. My favorite part of the show was when she says she's going to take 'a lady like splash.' I know she keeps going on and on with the champagne and speech thing but I think it's hilarious that she can make fun of herself. Overall I had a fabulous night she was amazing and can't wait to see her in Vegas...tbc 'now only the true fans know that one'."
Amanda Marroquin: "My experience was terrible/wonderful! The first night, I was all dolled up in my Mariah gear with my beautiful glitterfied posters, and right when we got to the entrance to get our tickets scanned, we found out they were counterfeit! I just about passed and my eyes teared up immdiately. I had purchased the tickets from Craigslist, and was very dissapointed! So we were told to go to the sheriff's station and press charges... make a long terrible night short... the main officer in charge, felt so bad for us, he took us to the VIP entrance, worked his magic, and got my friends and I 3 tickets! The seats were pretty far and we missed a third of the concert! But I'm very thankful that I got in and got to see the Lovely Mariah! The second night was AWESOME! But I was very disappointed that we weren't allowed to bring any posters or signs in :( They were super strict! But our seats were first row off to the right, and we had a perfect view of Mariah! She made eye contact with me many times and I blew her a kiss, she blew one right back at me :) She sang all her classics as well as her new ones! But I must say it wasn't the best concert experience ever, I mean I have seen Mariah in concert 13 times, and I wasn't extremely impressed. The Charmbracelet and Mimi tours are by far my favorites. But it still was amazing and I'm still Mariah's number 1 'Obessed' fan and will continue to go to any future events/concerts of hers! I love you forever, Mariah! P.S. they were sold out of some merchandise including the program, very disappointing!"
Cindy Valenzuela-Diaz: "This is my first Mariah concert and I will be truthfull and admit to crying at the beginning of the show. Seen her perform for the first time gave me a sense of accomplishing one of my dearest dreams. She was amazing both in beauty and vocally. I managed to get my husband to get me really good seats in the front and sneaked a few pictures of her along with some audio with my cell phone. I will for a fact say, seen her at the show made me want to try harder to see her at more performances. As my first show came to an end I was thankful to have seen my IDOL not to mention she waved and blinked at me twice. LOVE YOU MARIAH!"
Steven: "I don't even know what to say at this point! WOWZA! Our girl sang her face off tonight! Her voice was so powerful and she had us all laughing until we cried between songs! AMAZING job Mimi. It was my best friend's first time to see her and she said it best. 'I have a new found respect for Mariah b/c she is a true professional, captivates the audience with her charm, and sings every note with strong conviction!' Love U Mimi!"
James Pantoja: "I just want to start out by saying that last night was yet another Mariah Moment in my life! I am a very very huge Lamb and I was lucky enough to get tickets the day of the concert! Very good orchestra seats which I will leave out how much I spent lol. But back to Mariah, what can I say. Beautiful, sexy, amazing, elegant, opulent! She was amazing last night. Last show I went to was The Adventures of Mimi tour in Anaheim in 2006 and I loved seeing myself in her DVD of the show, was sitting 4th row from stage. This show I loved because of the Memoirs album! I am Obsessed with this album, and to have seen her sing some of the best songs on the album live was truly emotional, but exciting. I loved her Angels Cry performance which I have to say she wore such a fabolous outfit! But when she thanked all her fans out there that actually do vote and call and help make her #1 on radio and TV for making 'Up Out My Face' feat. Nicki Minaj #1 on BET's 106 & Park, I loved it because that just makes me know even more that us fans do love her! Thank you Mariah for making my night! RIP Eddie aka 'Mimi,' my friend, and Lamb, who was there in spirit at her concert with me."
Keith Sinclair: "Mariah sounded just fabulous last night! I was a little late, plus I sat upstairs which was a bummer:( I still managed to see Mariah carey descend from the swing. The entire crowd was out of their seats, females behind me were screaming at the top of their lungs. All her notes were on point. I loved when she sang Fly Like a Bird, it touched me (not a gospel person), she reached those high notes without any problem. It was so soothing. The audience was singing along including me. Mariah has a great sense of humor, she cracked everyone up the entire night, making funny remarks, I couldn't stop laughing I just only wished they had let me bring my camera :( I could watch that performance over and over again. She needed her diva fan directly on her which I thought was so cute. She looked at the screen to make sure she looks good and her hair is fixed right lol. I love it! This was my first concert ever! I am glad that my first concert was with none other than Mariah carey, it means a lot to me, it is like losing your virginity in a way. I plan on seeing her in concert much more! Btw, she looked fairly thin, I do not understand how she is considered fat. She looked gooood!"
Joaquin Gutierrez: "The concert was amazing! Mariah is God! This was my 5th time seeing Mariah and she never disappoints. I loved that this concert wasn't as big and flashy as Mariah tends to do (don't get me wrong I love those shows too), it was much more intimate and laid back! I felt like I was sitting in my living room and Mariah was performing for just me and my best friend Connie! The set list was great, a little bit of old school and some of the new school Mariah makes a great combination! I loved the interaction with the audience and how upbeat and lively Mariah was. I would dare say one of Mariah's best concerts, due to the fact that it took into account her most dedicated fans (ME) and her new wave of fans! After last night Mariah definitely showed why everyone is so OBSESSED with her!"
Gilbert Suazo: "Amazing! First of all, I went alone to see Mariah and the funny thing is as I got there and found my seat I had to check 4 times to make sure this was really my seat. I couldn't believe how close I was to the stage. Then this couple was sitting behind me before the show started and he was telling his friend how he would ask his friends if they wanted to go and he said each one came up with one excuse one after another and I turned around and said that's why I just bought a ticket for myself and went alone to avoid all that hassle. The most memorable part of the concert is the wardrobe malfunction. It was cute and funny at the same time, and Mariah shouts why is this always happening to me."
Vivian Jackson: "I loved the concert last nite! It was a stone groove smash hit. Mariah did her thing. It was my first concert ever so I was having a blast! LYM Mariah and thank you for making my first concert an extraordinary adventure. Loved the whole show!"
Erika Viilchez: "Yes I was there... my first Mimi show ever and I have to say THE best show by far! Would love to have a video or something from the show in L.A. on the 24. Thank you all for making it happen here in Los Angeles! Mariah sure is a diva that inspires me in this world right now! True inspiration! Thanks, Mariah!"
Annette Gonzales: "Wow what a spectacular show! I had pretty good seats. The crowd was loud and full of energy. The people in my section were all standing the whole time. People were so loud. I loved all of the costumes. Stunning dresses that made Mariah shine. The show went by pretty fast. I really enjoyed the dancers. I love Mariah. Can't wait to see her again. Lamb 4 Life."
Art Ambartsumyan: "It was another amazing show in LA! Everyone always asks me why I'm so 'obsessed' with Mariah and here is my answer. Besides the obvious (voice, songs, looks, etc.) Mariah's music helped me out of depression and out of a suicidal time in my life. I owe my life to her because I honestly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her music. My 'obsession' with Mariah has led me to a lot of events such as The Adventures of Mimi and the rehearsal, E=MC2 signing, Angels Advocate as VIP with backstage pass to name a few and I have officially met everyone from her entourage and have a picture with them all including Mariah's mom Patricia BUT the only person I don't have a picture with is Mariah herself. No photo with Mariah makes me sad and laugh at the same time. I know however, with a little faith just like Mariah taught me this dream will come true as well. Mariah I have made it through the rain thanks to you and if another storm comes along I know a rainbow will appear!"
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Download "Angels Cry" Remix from iTunes
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 25-Feb-2010, 8:06PM EST
Mariah's new single, "Angels Cry" (Remix) feat. Ne-Yo has been released on iTunes. You can download the song ($1.29) and its music video ($1.99) by clicking on the links!
Below are avatars and signatures that you can use in forums/message boards, social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) or in your e-mails to let your friends know that Mariah's new single, "Angels Cry," is now out on iTunes!
AVATARS/TWITTER ICONS (100x100)
SIGNATURES (500x200)
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Graphics: Can & Regina
Billboard Update: "Up Out My Face" Debuts on Hot 100
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 25-Feb-2010, 4:58PM EST
Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated March 6, 2010.
"Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj Billboard Hot 100: #100 (Debut) Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: #39 (Last week: #41) Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay: #39 (Last week: #41) Billboard Hot Digital Songs: #98 Downloads this week: 19,765 Total Downloads: 32,444
"I Want To Know What Love Is" Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs: #14 (Last week: #14)
"100%" Billboard Hot Digital Songs: #197 Downloads this week: 10,149 Total Downloads: 17,713
Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel Billboard 200: #124 (Last week: #138) Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: #27 (Last week: #30)
ABOUT 'FACE': Mariah Carey begins at the Hot 100's anchor spot, as "Up Out My Face," featuring Nicki Minaj, arrives at No. 100. Carey has now debuted at either the chart's first or last position five times, making three bows at No. 1 ("Fantasy," "One Sweet Day" and "Honey") and two at No. 100, where "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" opened in 2008. (Fittingly, Carey's contribution to the "2010 AT&T Team USA Soundtrack" is a new song entitled "100%").
"Up Out My Face" marks Carey's 42nd Hot 100 charted entry, lifting her past Barbra Streisand into a solo share of sixth place for most Hot 100 hits among women in the chart's archives.
Here is a look at the solo female artists who have made the most visits to the Hot 100, followed by the dates of their first charted songs:
73, Aretha Franklin (March 4, 1961) 56, Dionne Warwick (Dec. 8, 1962) 55, Madonna (Oct. 29, 1983) 53, Connie Francis (Dec. 2, 1957) 48, Brenda Lee (March 2, 1957) 42, Mariah Carey (June 2, 1990) 41, Barbra Streisand (April 4, 1964) 40, Diana Ross (April 25, 1970) 39, Janet Jackson (Dec. 18, 1982) 39, Whitney Houston (June 9, 1984) 39, Mary J. Blige (June 20, 1992)
On R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "Up Out My Face" becomes Carey's 38th top 40 title, pushing 41-39.
Source: Billboard | MariahDailyJournal | Jameson
Fan Photos/Reviews/Videos: Mariah at Gibson, L.A. - Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 25-Feb-2010, 4:00PM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Aaron, Pablo, Marco, Laura and Hugo!]
FAN REVIEWS
Pablo Romero (Tour Correspondent): "We got there around 7PM. We spotted Rae Rae and I gave her my 4 CDs (Memoirs, Emotions, Daydream and E=MC2) so Mariah could sign them. I just wanted her to sign her name but she insisted to give her my name so she could personalize them. They ran out of tourbooks and I was sad. The show started and since we were on the 2nd row in the PIT, MC kept making eye contact with me and waving at me and talking to me and my friend. The setlist was great but security was ridiculous about us taking pictures or even calling our loved ones so they could hear her sing. I sang my heart out and loved every single moment of the show. Will be there tomorrow 2/24 for sure. After the show, Rae Rae gave me myCDs and she signed every single one of them and she mentioned that I was one of the lucky ones to get them signed. We waited outside but she never came out and they started kicking people out."
Marco Salas (Tour Correspondent): "Mariah Carey as always sounded and looked amazing. Her voice is one of a kind. It's soothing to my ears as well as entertaining to watch her on stage. Mariah is not only sexy in a classy way but she has a good sense of humor as she makes fun of herself with the whole diva concept. When she is on stage she owns it, she commands all her fans' attention when she hits those high notes. I personally get goose bumps all over as I watch and listen to her beautiful voice as she belts out those unique self written lyrics.My boyfriend Ruben had a blast. He was mesmerized by her talent he said. It was his first Mariah concert and definitely won't be the last. We enjoyed ourselves so much we can't wait to see her live on tour again soon. For all those Mariah Carey fans and non fans I recommend you to buy tickets to a future show. Mariah truly is a talent, blessed with a beautiful gift which I had the honor to witness."
Junior Medina: "So Mariah Carey was flipping awesome last night! I was there and to hear her voice in person is the ultimate pleasure! She was amazing from beginning to end. Yes she had her diva moments and drank her champagne but who cares, it's Mariah! She was just awesome."
Alicia-La Puente: "Mariah is by far the best performer! Although she is not much of a dancer herself, her voice ultimately took over the show. As she gets a bit older and I mean this in a good way! Her voice never failed throughout the entire show she hit every high note like it was the first time she had performed each and every song. It was a really great show and her diva moments were hilarious! She never once made it seemed like the entire show was about her even though it was! The fact that she interacted with the audience on many occasions made the show that much better. The crowd was loving the show from the minute the amphitheater filled up to her very last note. It was by far the greatest show I have ever seen and if it gets better than that I can’t wait to see it! Mariah delivered an outstanding performance."
Kevin O.C.: "I absolutely love Mimi! I have been keeping up with all her concerts, and I must say, this has been the best one of all, she did the best of all her stuff yet, and she was ON TIME! Keep it up M.C. It was very entertaining, didn't leave my spot for anything. I loved The Impossible, when the guy was dancing and freaking and woooo Lol smiley face. She was just amazing vocals, great! Appearance wow! The huge TVs didn't give her justice, 'cause man did she look good! 12 out 10 for tonight. Love ya M.C."
Art Ambartsumyan: "Overall this show was great. A lot of lip syncing going on but whatever. The crowd was overall loud and energetic except the people around me sat down during the most of the show. I would have to say that lowest point was during The Impossible even though I love that song because everyone sat down and a lot of people started heading out to the restroom and whatever breaks. It was kind of sad. The break after My All leading into Obsessed was so long but worth the wait cuz the crowd went nuts for it. Overall I'd say good concert but the Adventures of Mimi was better. Can't wait for tonight's show. Thanks to Sherry!"
Victor Ruben: "Ok, I am a true Mariah fan and have to be honest. The show last night was less than great, the show was very bland. I saw her in Vegas a few months ago and the show there was much better. Not trying to hate on MCC, but I feel like she should have put more effort into the show, after all my tickets were not cheap."
Laura Rodriguez: "I was in awe tonight, man did MC bring her A-Game to the 1st LA Show. I swear. MC’s voice sounded amazing! She must have been on a serious vocal rest for some days before because she was on point tonight. It was a sold out crowd and everyone was giving mad love to MC because her vocals were so incredible. Her set list was off the hook. I was so happy that she decided to stick with songs like DFAU, It’s A Wrap, & UOMF which she recently just performed in prior shows that had gotten a great crowd response. Then there was The Impossible it was so good, along with the little sensual dancer LOL. All the ladies went nuts, the dancer was a nice little addition to the show, he was putting on a good little show himself, but it only took many of us a few seconds to then regain our focus back on MC and her beautiful voice LOL. The only thing that I did not appreciate about tonight’s show was that we could not really take pictures. I was sitting near the Pit area and I had this 'Camera Nazi' constantly breathing down my neck, she kept telling me to ‘put my camera away or else she was gonna take it away.’ Luckily, I did manage some pics while she turned briefly to yell at other people taking pictures. Oh and also that no signs policy sucked! Me and my sorority sister made MC a sign but it was taken away from us as soon as we entered Grr. This was clearly the Best Show I have seen of hers to date. I went to the NYE show and I had believed that, that show had been the best from all her recent shows. This was my thinking until last night I believed that. Anyhow, I hope she continues her energy to the rest of her remaining shows."
Jonathan Serna: "Mariah is and always will be the best performer on this planet. She was filled with such grace and comedy throughout the night. From the beginning of the show to the last performance, Mariah was on the top of her game with breathtaking whistle notes to amazing lower register notes! I attended the 2/23 show and it was simply beyond what words can describe. I seen her perform at the Honda Center for her AOM tour in 2006 and this 2010 AA tour was by far way better and much more entertaining. She fullfilled all my expectations and more. Great band, great dancers, great woman! Lamb4Life. She sang 100% live."
FAN VIDEOS Mariah performing "It's A Wrap" and "My All." Thanks to Clara!
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Live Updates: Mariah in Los Angeles, CA- Show #2
Posted by Jonny on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 11:15PM EST
Mariah performs her second of two shows at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California tonight. Our tour correspondents Josh, Kiesha and Felix are there to provide us with live updates as they happen!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Don't Forget About Us 05. Fly Like A Bird 06. Make It Happen 07. Angels Cry 08. Always Be My Baby 09. It's Like That 10. The Impossible 11. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 12. Honey 13. My All 14. Obsessed 15. Up Out My Face 16. We Belong Together 17. Hero
Tidbits:
• 8:12pm- Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. The crowd is loving the energy. • 8:28pm- RydaznRtist are done with their set. • 8:34pm- Michael Jackson songs are playing. • 8:45pm- The venue is filling up slowly compared to last night. • 8:51pm- Mariah descends on to the stage on the swing. "Butterfly Intro." • 8:58pm- "Touch My Body." It is a packed house. Everyone is out of their seats. • 9:02pm- Mariah has a sip of water before singing "Don't Forget About Us" which she says is "one of my favorite songs." • 9:06pm- Confesses her love for L.A. and says she loves doing shows there. Says she sees people drinking alcoholic beverages and advises that they refrain from drinking and driving. "Fly Like A Bird" next. • 9:11pm- Mariah goes backstage to change wardrobe. Dancers are on for "Make It Happen." • 9:15pm- Mariah is back out in a long silver dress to finish "Make It Happen." • 9:18pm- Mariah thanks the audience for coming out on this dreary night and introduces "Angels Cry." Blair stops the show because she has an issue with Mariah's ensemble. Roque comes out to help. The acrobat who performs during this song is in position waiting. Mariah tells Blair "next time pull me out before I introduce the song... I love you" and informs the audience that "Blair is a California native." Re-starts "Angels Cry" now. • 9:23pm- Mariah says "It's Hollywood, can we call hair and makeup?" Jake and Roque come out on stage. She has a sip of champagne and starts "Always Be My Baby." • 9:28pm- Receives a gift from a fan; a Hello Kitty doll. Another fan also has a Hello Kitty doll for her and she asks "Is this the Hello Kitty land?" • 9:29pm- "It's Like That" • 9:34pm- Dedicates "The Impossible" to husband Nick Cannon and all the significant others out there. • 9:40pm- Trey Lorenz is down to sing "Rock With You." • 9:45pm- Mariah is back out in a gold mini-dress for "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker." • 9:50pm- Says she's feeling divaliscious, and starts "Honey." • 9:56pm- After getting situated in the robe on the chair, starts "My All." • 10:02pm- Trey is introducing the band and singers. • 10:05pm- The opening music to "Vision of Love" is heard, but Mariah comes back out to sing "Obsessed" in the Golden Globes dress. • 10:10pm- Asks for a mic stand and says she didn't have one last night. Introduces "Up Out My Face" • 10:15pm- Mariah acknowledges a "special" audience members and tells the crowd "This is my second hometown and I appreciate you coming out tonight." Next song is "We Belong Together." • 10:20pm- Mariah thanks the crowd again and leaves the stage as "We Belong Together" remix plays. • 10:22pm- Mariah back out for the encore, "Hero." • 10:26pm- Show is over.
Many thanks to Josh, Kiesha and Felix for their detailed updates!
If you were at tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief reviews; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA on Friday night, February 26th. Please join us at 8:00pm PST (11:00pm EST). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Rosana, Sophia and Lariah.
Source:
Ms. Patti Has A Famous Goddaughter
Posted by Jonny on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 9:35PM EST
Patti LaBelle was on The Wendy Williams Show today and she told Wendy all about her world famous goddaughter. Take a look:
Wendy Williams: Is it true that you're Mariah Carey's godmother? Patti LaBelle: I'm Mariah's godmother. Wendy: Now how did that come about? Patti: Because she wanted me to be, and I wanted to be. I love that voice. You don't find many voices like that. She just asked me and I said 'Of course, you're my godchild.' So she sends me, birthday and Christmas, like 4 bottles of Cristal, that I don't like. "Mariah stop sending the Cristal," "Oh no but somebody likes it!" And she sends me beautiful white flowers, like a hundred, two hundred flowers. It's just beautiful. Wendy: That's nice. So what's the trade off? Do you invite her to your house and stuff? Patti: I have a home in the Eleuthera in the Bahamas and she has a home now near my home so we party there. Not in Philly, or New York. We party over here!
"Up Out My Face" Returns to #1 on BET!
Posted by Jonny on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 8:24PM EST
Great work, everyone!
"Up Out My Face" returns to the #1 spot on BET 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" countdown today! This is the video's 10th day on the BET countdown since making its debut at #10 on February 9th.
Let's continue to vote and keep Mariah at number 1! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote by sending the text message MCAR to 79922.
Source: Robyn
Mariah's 2nd L.A. Show Tonight
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 2:38PM EST
Mariah Carey. Hot on the heels of her award-winning performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," and in anticipation of next month's remix album, the R&B chanteuse demonstrates her vocal range with her Angels' Advocate Tour. This marks the seventh concert tour for the 39-year singer and actress. Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal Terrace Parkway. 7:15 p.m. $250.75. (818) 622-4440. www.citywalkhollywood.com.
Please join us tonight starting at 8:15pm PST (11:15pm EST) for Mariah's second show at the Gibson Amphitheatre in L.A.'s Universal Citywalk. Providing us with the live updates will be our Tour Correspondents Josh, Kiesha and Felix.
Press Reviews: Mariah at Gibson Amphitheatre - Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 11:59AM EST
Mariah Carey Gibson Amphitheater; 6,089 seats; $250.75 top By Steven Mirkin, Variety
"We Belong Together" may have been the climactic moment of Mariah Carey's Gibson Amphitheater show Tuesday (the first of two sold-out nights), and "you and I" something of a lyrical refrain, but the 90-minute performance ran according to Carey's clock.
She fluttered her eyes and bragged about making it to the stage on time, stopped the show at one point and beckoned her hair and makeup people onstage for some mid-concert primping, then draped herself over a chaise lounge for a glass of champagne (a plug for her "Angel's Rose" bottling) -- pouting over the delay in having a mic stand brought to her and complaining about her shoes (the latter was met with a chair and a robe for the star to relax).
These are, of course, diva prerogatives, and as the most successful female vocalist of the last two decades, Carey certainly had earned them. But they were performed with a dose of winking humor and surprising self-knowledge.
Her vocals have also undergone a transformation, relying less on the almost athletic runs of her early, lachrymose ballads than on the staccato, hip-hop inflected phrasing (some of it buttressed by her trio of backup singers) that shows off her impressive breath control. If her voice isn't what it once was -- the stunning purity of her high end has eroded somewhat -- she has learned how to make the best use of it.
The slight roughness gives "Shake It Off" and "Up Out of My Face" (from last year's Island/Def Jam release "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel") urgency, and she brings an almost Pentecostal fury to "Make It Happen." A mash-up of Diana Ross' "Love Hangover" with "Heartbreaker" was also impressive. She chose, in spots, to let fly with her trademark runs, but by the end of the night, some strain was evident.
The production that accompanies her is also somewhat lower key; it's a diva's version of recession. It opens up with something out of the Ziegfeld Follies, with Carey lowered onto the stage on a swing, but for most of the night, she's alone on the stage, her four-piece band, backup trio and dance troupe on raised platforms.
Carey herself barely moves, except to scamper from one side of the stage to the other. And although she deploys the now de rigueur acrobatics of "Angels Cry," unlike Pink and Beyonce, Mariah lets someone else hang from the rafters.
Live review: Mariah Carey at Gibson Amphitheatre A nostalgic Carey shows today's divas how it's done in a soaring performance. Lady Gaga and Beyonce, take note. By Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times
Halfway through her highly entertaining show Tuesday night at Gibson Amphitheatre, Mariah Carey stood onstage in a sparkly gold cocktail dress and waxed nostalgic for a (more) gilded age.
"Remember the video with the jet skis?" she asked wistfully, referring to the James Bond-inspired clip for her 1997 hit "Honey," which the singer's seven-piece band had begun playing. "They don't make those anymore."
Nor do they make pop divas like Carey anymore. In an era of high-tech performance-art opacity (think Beyonce or Lady Gaga), her transparent blend of vocal talent and goofy charisma seems appealingly old-fashioned. Tuesday's concert, the first of two at the Gibson in support of last year's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," felt at times like an attempt to break down the kind of mystique that's grown up around Carey's successors.
Which didn't mean it lacked for production pizazz: Elaborately costumed in a cloud of honey-colored taffeta, the singer made her entrance upon an enormous swing that lowered from above the stage; later, during "Angels Cry," a pair of dancers performed a Cirque du Soleil-style aerial number while suspended from a flimsy band of cloth.
Yet rather than presenting these elements as immovable facts of nature, Carey took every opportunity to expose the business behind the show. Before an effervescent version of "Always Be My Baby," she invited her hair-and-makeup team onstage for a mid-set touch-up, then decided she could do the job just as well herself. "I went to beauty school," she said, powdering her nose. "Five hundred hours in 11th grade."
For "My All," Carey sat in a chair, explaining that her shoes were too tight; within seconds, though, she'd discovered that the chair had been placed out of range of the several industrial fans on hair-blowing duty. So while she waited for a stagehand to fix the problem, the singer took a sip of what she promised was water from a nearby champagne glass. "If you see me drinking from the bottle," she confided, "you know we've got a problem."
What made all these disclosures so endearing, of course, was Carey's singing, which 20 years after her emergence with the melisma-soaked "Vision of Love" has lost little of its uncommon power.
At the Gibson, she sounded as convincing in such up-tempo material as "Touch My Body" and "Obsessed" -- the latter a highlight from the somewhat underwhelming "Memoirs" -- as she did in sturdy slow jams such as the gospel-inflected "Fly Like a Bird," which she dedicated to her late pastor.
Carey closed the concert with a skyscraping rendition of her signature 1993 ballad, "Hero," though not before introducing the song with one more dash of early-days nostalgia.
"I wrote this song a long time ago," she explained, adding that people keep asking her to sing it "because it's helped them through difficult times and stuff."
Carey's biggest hits may be behind her, but her marriage of the plain-talking and the profound remains one of pop's prime pleasures.
To her legion of adoring fans, Mariah Carey is an honest-to-God angel, a beatific voice sent from above for their delight.
And Tuesday night Carey quite literally descended from the heavens. As her seven-piece band thumped out a disco-tinged intro, the singer gravitated from the Gibson Amphitheatre rafters on a swing, clad in a ruffled ballroom gown (which lasted all of one song before its bottom half was ceremoniously torn away). Backed by six male dancers in gray three-piece suits, Carey immediately launched into "Shake It Off" and "Touch My Body."
The flurry of activity in the background stood in stark contrast to Carey herself, who, though never much of a dancer, stood strangely rooted to the floor at center stage. Perhaps that was attributable to the super-high heels she wore, but until her first costume change a few songs later, her lack of movement was disconcerting — as if the woman who has sold more than 175 million albums worldwide had come down with a case of stage fright 19 shows into a 22-date tour.
Four songs in, though, the nearly 40-year-old star seemed to find her footing (both literally and figuratively), belting out her whistle-register wail at the end of "Don't Forget about Us." Almost as if asserting her authority, Carey's higher-than-high-pitched trademark vocals whipped the Gibson crowd into a frenzy — and as she settled into the Motown-sounding "Fly Like a Bird," her hesitation disappeared.
Carey's comfort level only seemed to rise throughout the remainder of her nearly two-hour set. Her super-tight backing band jammed on "Make It Happen" as she disappeared into an elevator built into her set's massive tiered structure, emerging in a long, sparkled halter dress that allowed her to cover more ground and interact with more of her screaming, exalting fans.
What's remarkable about Carey is that even after 20 years of commercial success and self-proclaimed diva status, she can still connect with each member of a 6,000-capacity venue due to her undeniable sincerity, self-effacing wit and girlish giggle, all of which help bring out the woman behind the tabloid fodder. She's endearing on a personal level, imminently humble and gracious, and very, very likable, even to those who aren't die-hard Mariah devotees.
The show's visuals reached their apex next, as a male dancer ascended on a trapeze, smoothly whirling and spinning above Carey (à la Pink at this year's Grammys) as she sang "Angels Cry." Midway through the song he was joined by a female acrobat, and the two swayed and spun as they clutched gracefully onto one another, a breathtaking display of aerial artistry that was the hands-down highlight of an otherwise so-so production.
Pausing for a tongue-in-cheek "diva moment" so that her hair and makeup crew could attend to an out-of-place strand and apply more powder, the singer then sipped from a flute of her own forthcoming Angel Rose champagne (a "shameless plug," she admitted) and playfully acknowledged her tipsy appearances at January's People's Choice Awards (and possibly the Palm Springs International Film Festival). "I'm mostly sticking to water tonight," Carey lilted, "but when someone pours you a glass of champagne, it's rude not to accept."
Accept she did, just before sparking off her 1996 Grammy-nominated hit "Always Be My Baby," during which she proved that though her moves might not be in peak form, there's nothing lacking with her voice. Her pipes remain prodigious, even if she was nearly drowned out by the sold-out crowd singing at the top of its lungs. Here (and during the somewhat predictable encore of "Hero") the audience not only sang along but even aped Carey's hand gestures and movements — telling gestures that revealed this all-walks-of-life crowd's dedication to their idol.
While Carey eventually found her proverbial groove, her dancers again stole the show during "It's Like That," cavorting about the stage's top tier clad in red-and-black get-ups, the whole number a fitting homage to Chicago. The six (sometimes seven) males and three females in this troupe were flawless all evening, mixing gymnastic-style stunts with classical, jazz and hip-hop moves that provided much-needed visual stimulation.
Carey dedicated "Impossible" to her husband Nick Cannon, who might have been a bit apprehensive had he seen the most rugged of the male dancers standing alone to the singer's left, gyrating suggestively to raucous applause.
Another costume change followed, allowing backup singer extraordinaire Trey Lorenz his moment in the spotlight, leading the band through a shimmering version of Michael Jackson's "Rock with You." Carey then re-appeared in a short black dress for "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker."
Heading into the homestretch, her band was never better or more focused than on the R&B-flavored "Honey." Delicate piano notes floated atop a syrupy, synthesized bass-and-drums groove as Carey turned to the ceiling and belted "I nee-eee-eed it!" It was a marvelous moment of symbiosis, of singer and band melding seamlessly, even if her musicians were perched 15 feet above her head.
"It's a Wrap" and "My All" preceded a final wardrobe change (this time into a long, glamorous black dress) and Carey's most impassioned performances of the evening, the kiss-off singles "Obsessed" and "Up Out My Face," both from last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. By this point in the set, the singer exuded confidence, reaching into her upper register and filling even the spacious Gibson's upper loge with rapturous applause.
The set closer, "We Belong Together" (Billboard's "most successful song of the 2000s") and her encore both evolved into rousing singalongs, proving Carey's luminous star quality, incredibly deep catalog (she performed only eight of her 18 chart-topping singles) and mass appeal. During that finale, all of her fans were on their feet, belting out lyrics with their (imperfect) angel.
Early into her set, Mariah Carey smiled widely as she surveyed the packed Gibson Amphitheatre on night one of a two-night stand. "You sound very, very festive," she told the audience. She picked up a glass from a table full of beverages. "This is water — don't get it twisted, please. Now that's not to say there aren't other things on the table. This is L.A. And I have been known to have a sip or two in L.A."
It was one of several moments of feisty self-effacing humor from the chatty singer. Throughout the night, her between-song banter felt light, honest and steadfastly lucid, in stark contrast to recent well-publicized bouts of public babbling. Her intimate connection with her fans was palpable from start to finish.
The evening began at 9 p.m., right on schedule. "I'm usually much more late and people criticize me for that," she pointed out later in the show. "But tonight, in Los Angeles, was I on time?" The crowd roared in the affirmative. A rousing rendition of "Shake It Off" set the tone for what felt like a celebratory evening.
The band and backup singers stood toward the back of the stage on high platforms, resembling a 1950s dance-show set, which kept the focus on Carey. The crowd sang the "I will hunt you down" refrains back to her, loudly, during "Touch My Body" and kept the participation going throughout the night. Backup dancers disappeared and returned in varying configurations throughout the show.
"I had forgotten about this song the whole tour and I don't know why. Funny I should forget it considering the title," she laughed as she introduced "Don't Forget About Us." She stayed dressed in a form-fitting short dress with a flared, tutu-like bottom for the first portion of the night, occasionally using a white mic stand. There were a couple of wardrobe changes into other form-fitting attire.
Mariah took a gulp of champagne (and later shilled for her own upcoming brand) while lying seductively on a chaise that seemed to have been brought out expressly for that purpose before singing "Always Be My Baby." It was the most symbolic moment of the evening, somehow embodying the many facets of her appeal in a single action: beauty, sexiness, luxury, playfulness and talent.
At one point she complained about a chair being placed too far from the fans — the electric fans. "Don't you know that my hair naturally blows just like in all of the videos? That's real," she joked.
She asked for hair and makeup people to come onstage and touch her up, saying, "I know it's a diva moment, but I don't care." But the vibe of all of the antics was coy and knowing, like a joke within a joke that all of the crowd is in on. "I went to beauty school, so I can do this, too. Five hundred hours! The teacher hated me."
A few tasteful and well-timed moments of seriousness notwithstanding — "Fly Like a Bird" was dedicated to her late bishop, "Angels Cry" to the people of Haiti — the evening rolled out with a relaxed vibe and the hits kept flowing, including "Make It Happen," "It's Like That" and "Up Out My Face." A male backup singer took over for a cover of Justin Timberlake's "Rock Your Body." "The 'Heartbreaker' remix was my favorite part of the night," a 20-year-old fan named Manny told MTV News.
"I wrote it for my husband, who is not here tonight because he had business," Carey said before "The Impossible," the night's only reference to Nick Cannon. "Whatever. Maybe he'll surprise me one night." Mary J. Blige was also absent for the text-message-drama song "It's a Wrap," which didn't stop Carey from belting out the entire number herself. "Give it up for the jet skis in the video!" she shouted during "Honey."
Carey thanked Jermaine Dupri for co-writing "We Belong Together," which she said he told her was Billboard's Song of the Decade. It also holds a high honor in the heart of at least one concertgoer, Tiffany, 21. "It's my favorite song from Mariah. It's my favorite song, period," she told MTV News.
Carey returned for an encore, "Hero," before unleashing the crowd into the night to fend off bootleg T-shirt vendors as they wandered Universal City Walk.
A remixed version of Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, called Angels Advocate, was due in stores this month but pushed back to March. Carey mentioned during the show that it might be pushed back again.
Photos: Mariah at Gibson Amphitheatre, LA - Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 24-Feb-2010, 5:29AM EST
Below are photos from Mariah's Angels Advocate concert at Citywalk's Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. Pictures taken by MariahDailyJournal.
MDJ Tidbit: After her show last night, Mariah stayed on to film a segment for Oprah. She left the Gibson Amphitheatre at around 1:00am.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Live Updates: Mariah in Los Angeles, CA - Show #1
Posted by Jonny on Tuesday, 23-Feb-2010, 11:15PM EST
Mariah performs at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California tonight. Our tour correspondents Pablo, Laritza and Marco are there to provide us with live updates as they happen!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Don't Forget About Us 05. Fly Like A Bird 06. Make It Happen 07. Angels Cry 08. Always Be My Baby 09. It's Like That 10. The Impossible 11. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 12. Honey 13. It's A Wrap 14. My All 15. Obsessed 16. Up Out My Face 17. We Belong Together 18. Hero
Tidbits: • 8:15pm- The venue is slowly filling up. Nicki Minaj, Eva Longoria and Russell Simmons have been spotted. • 8:17pm- Opening act RydaznRtist takes the stage. • 8:34pm- RydaznRtist is finished with their set. • 8:38pm- Michael Jackson songs playing. • 9:01pm- Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude" • 9:04pm- Mariah is in a gold dress. "Shake It Off" now. Security is being strict with cameras. • 9:11pm- Mariah takes a sip of water. Says it's her second time performing this next song on this tour. "Don't Forget About Us" now. • 9:16pm- "Thank you, how you feeling out there? You sound very very festive!" Mariah takes a sip and says "I have been known to have a sip or two in LA!" but says it's water not alcohol. Next song is "Fly Like A Bird," dedicated to her pastor Clarence Keaton. • 9:20pm- "Make It Happen" music now. Mariah goes backstage for costume change. • 9:23pm- Mariah back on stage to perform the end of "Make It Happen." • 9:26pm- Mariah points out that she was on time here in LA. She apologizes for always being late and asks the crowd if she was on time and they scream yes. She says she has a note from her mom to excuse the tardies and laughs. "Angels Cry" is next, dedicated to the victims of the Haiti disaster. • 9:31pm- Diva moment. Mariah gets her hair and makeup touched up and says "Industry people might be thinking, 'oh my God I bet she's difficult to work with' but I don't care. It's my show!" Her stylist pours her a splash of Angel Rose champagne. • 9:34pm- Mariah adjusts the stage fans herself and says she's got to multi-task. "Always Be My Baby" now. • 9:43pm- Talks about the remix album and hints that it may be pushed back. She says she might perform one of the songs from the video. The next song is dedicated to her husband who is not at the show tonight. "The Impossible" now. • 9:49pm- Mariah asks the audience if they like the dancer who was grinding on the floor during "The Impossible." Trey is now singing "Rock With You." • 9:55pm- Mariah is back out for "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker." • 10:00pm- Says "I'm feeling divalicious tonight!" Starts singing "Honey." • 10:03pm- During "Honey" she says "Remember the video with the jet-skis? It was my favorite but they don't make those anymore." • 10:06pm- Mariah is now talking about relationships, leading into "It's A Wrap." • 10:12pm- Says she took a trip to Puerto Rico and was inspired to write "My All." • 10:16pm- Mariah is carried backstage by one of her dancers. • 10:19pm- Trey is introducing the band and singers. • 10:22pm- Mariah is back on stage for "Obsessed." The crowd is going wild! • 10:37pm- Mariah leaves the stage after "We Belong Together." The crowd is very loud waiting for the encore. • 10:39pm- Mariah back on for "Hero." • 10:44pm- Mariah is saying goodbye with a tear in her eye and the show has ended.
Many thanks to Marco, Laritza and Pablo for their great updates!
If you were at tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief reviews; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing her second of two shows at the Gibson Amphitheatre in L.A.'s Universal Citywalk tomorrow night, February 24th. Please join us at 8:15pm PST (11:15pm EST). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Josh, Kiesha and Felix.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
"Up Out My Face" Run on BET Countdown
Posted by Jonny on Tuesday, 23-Feb-2010, 8:09PM EST
Great job, everyone!
"Up Out My Face" is holding steady at #2 on BET 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" countdown today! This is the video's 9th day on the BET countdown since making its debut at #10 on February 9th.
Here is a summary of the video's chart run thus far:
Tues, Feb 9 - #10 Wed, Feb 10 - out Thurs, Feb 11 - #7 Fri, Feb 12 - #4
Mon, Feb 15 - Holiday Tues, Feb 16 - #2 Wed, Feb 17 - #2 Thur, Feb 18 - #1 Fri, Feb 19 - #1
Mon Feb 22 - #1 Tues, Feb 23- #2
Let's continue to vote and get it back to number 1! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote by sending the text message MCAR to 79922.
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Robyn
Mariah at Gibson Amphitheatre, Los Angeles Tonight
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 23-Feb-2010, 3:24AM EST
MARIAH CAREY: She's been much praised for her turn as the cautious but caring social worker in "Precious" (see it; so very praiseworthy indeed); now the singer/actress is sashaying into Gibson Amphitheatre for a two-night set starting tonight. "Up Out My Face" is everywhere; have you seen the video?
Please join us tonight starting at 8:15pm PST (11:15pm EST) for Mariah's first of two shows at the Gibson Amphitheatre in L.A.'s Universal Citywalk. Providing us with the live updates tonight will be our Tour Correspondents Laritza, Pablo and Marco.
Couples' Canoodle: The Cannons
Posted by Jonny on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 9:13PM EST
Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon were all smiles & puckered up and held hands after having lunch in Bel Air yesterday. Mimi even leaned against Nick's Mercedes and stole a kiss in front the cameras. Nick carried left overs as a makeupless Mariah, in sweats, Dior heels, and a low cut shirt held his hand as he let her in the passenger side of his SUV. How cute.
"Angels Cry" Remix Single Out on iTunes Tomorrow
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 3:18PM EST
Mariah's new single "Angels Cry" feat. Ne-Yo will be available for digital download tomorrow, February 23th on iTunes! Be sure to get your copy!
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Support UP OUT MY FACE, Contest Ends March 1
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 2:52PM EST
REQUEST AT RADIO Please take a few moments to request "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj. Below are phone numbers and online links to some of the biggest radio stations across the country.
Request "Up Out My Face" at Urban and Rhythmic
URBAN Mediabase Feb 15 - Feb 21 Urban Chart: #25 (Last Week: #25) +90 spins, 5.078 million impressions, 56 stations playing
KIPR-FM Power 92 Jams, Little Rock, AR - 501-401-0200 | Online WTMG-FM Magic 101.3, Gainesville, FL - 888-333-1013 | Online WFXE-FM Foxie 104.9, Columbus, GA - 706-576-3560 | Online WLZN-FM Blazin' 92.3, Macon, GA - 478-646-0923 | Online WPEG-FM power 98, Charlotte, NC - 704-342-2644 | Online KVSP-FM Power 103.5, Oklahoma City, OK - 405-427-5877 | Online KJMM-FM 105 K-Jamz, Tulsa, OK - 918-494-9886 | Online WENZ-FM Z107.9, Cleveland, OH - 216-578-1079 | Online WJUC-FM 107.3 The Juice, Toledo, OH - 419-826-1073 | Online WJZE-FM Hot 97.3, Toledo, OH - 419-244-3973 | Online WPHI-FM 100.3 The Beat, Philadelphia, PA - 800-232-1003 | Online WUSL-FM Power 99 FM, Philadelphia, PA - 800-669-9936 | Online
RHYTHMIC Mediabase Feb 15 - Feb 21 Rhythmic Chart: #44 (Last Week: #47) +99 spins, 2.927 million impressions, 41 stations playing 1 new station, 24 new spins
KHTN-FM Hot 104.7, Modesto, CA - 209-567-1047 | Online KGGI-FM 99.1 KGGI, Riverside, CA - 866-991-5444 | Online KSFM-FM 102.6, Sacramento, CA - 916-766-5736 | Text 41025 | Online KCAQ-FM Q 104.7, Ventura, CA - 805-289-1400 | Online KIBT-FM 96.1 The Beat, Colorado Springs, CO - 719-226-2328 | Online WBTT-FM 105.5 The Beat, Ft. Myers, FL - 239-225-4300 | Online WJMN-FM Ham'n 94.5, Boston, MA - 617-931-1945 | Online KVEG-FM Hot 97.5, Las Vegas, NV - 702-320-5834 | Online WWPR-FM Power 105.1, NYC, NY - 800-585-1051 | Text 41051 | Online WRDW-FM Wired 96.5, Philadelphia, PA - Text 60145 | Online WWKX-FM Hot 106, Providence, RI - 401-433-4200 | Online KBFM-FM Wild 104, McAllen, TX - 877-945-3104 | Online
You may also check out our Radio Request page if your radio station is not listed above.
DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE "Up Out My Face" is available to download from iTunes for only $1.29. Click here to get it now! Our download contest is open until midnight of Monday, March 1, 2010. Multiple downloads will count as multiple entries! Contest details here.
VOTE FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO Keep voting for the video on BET's 106 & Park. "Up Out My Face" is currently at #1 on the Top 10 Live countdown. Keep it on top! Vote as many times as you can online here, or text MCAR to 79922.
STREAM THE MUSIC VIDEOS The "Up Out My Face" video is available for streaming at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music. Click on the links to watch now! Video streams at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music count toward the Billboard charts so please be sure to keep streaming the video as often as you can.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Press Reviews: Mariah at Dodge Theatre, Phoenix
Posted by Jonny on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 11:43AM EST
Mariah Carey, who brought her Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel tour to Dodge Theatre Saturday night, has demonstrated herself to be a master chameleon for very nearly 20 years. From the shy chanteuse in a simple black dress who released her first single, "Vision of Love" in May 1990, to the wizened Mottola-marrying Industry Queen who reneged on her plan to give "Hero" to Gloria Estefan, to the Ghetto Fab "Heartbreaker" Mariah who had rappers dropping verses on top of everything she recorded in the late-1990s, she's played the field.
Mariah Contemporary is a sparkly, self-effacing Ditz Diva, as she showed last night with a running joke about "very hydrating" coconut water. The Ditz Diva is a good character -- probably heavily influenced by the sensibilities of her husband, the comedian/actor Nick Cannon -- but, unfortunately, it's not quite versatile enough to wring the best out of Carey's complete catalog.
Dropping from the ceiling on a swing, dressed in a sparkly gold dress, a womanly-figured Carey showed up front she wasn't going to attempt any of the de riguer Basic Pop Singer Dance Moves she never quite pulled off. Wisely, she barely interacted with the dancers during the show -- even as one later dangled precariously over her head doing Cirque du Soleil-style gymnastics on a rope during "Angels Cry" -- instead concentrating on cultivating the fruits of her famous five-octave range.
Two Mimi tracks, "Shake It Off" and "Fly Like A Bird" were highlights of the early part of the set. "Always Be My Baby" -- for my money the ultimate gem of Mariah's mid-90s zenith -- showed some chinks in the Ditz Diva armor. The song is incredibly versatile (it did accomplish the rare feat of topping both Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart) but this tale of doomed but not forgotten love, while technically perfect, didn't quite work for the Ditz Diva. Maybe some denim and a return to the swing could've helped, but I doubt it, so long as the quest for coconut water was still such an important part of the show.
Likewise, I was almost a little offended by Mariah's half-hearted pitch for her new Angel Champagne Rose. I don't know why Mariah would even get involved in the gauche celebrity-endorsed fragrance/liquor trend at this stage of her career -- she couldn't possibly care about the money -- but if she's gonna pimp booze I'd like to see her really go all out and sip the stuff on stage before making an impassioned plea for our cash.
"Be Impossible," which she dedicated to her hubby, was another lowlight, as the song's bassline sounded like it was rattling out of the trunk of a 1988 Cutless Supreme. After that it was up to a discoed-up "Heartbreaker" and a stellar version of "Honey" to show why Mariah has earned her identity. "Obsessed" -- her 2009 Beyonce-lite smash single which is probably the least "Mariah" of any Mariah song ever released -- was delivered well, as was "We Belong Together," which Mariah called "very nostalgic."
"It was a long tone ago, but this is for you," she said before delivering "Hero" as an encore. You can't blame this nearly 40-year-old woman for nearly forgetting the feelings that drove her to write the song. By the same token, it was nice to see the Ditz Diva persona set aside for a second and acknowledge it.
Then, as the song reached a crescendo, some guy threw what looked like a flower and a note at Mariah, hitting her, then put his hands in the air so security could find him and escort him out, which they promptly did.
Maybe "Obsessed" isn't such an un-Mariah song after all.
So oh oh oh oh.
Critic's Notebook: Last Night: Mariah Carey at Dodge Theatre Better Than: Honestly, I'm not sure if it was better than Beyonce At US Airways Arena or not. Personal Bias: I borrowed my little sister's copies of Unplugged and Music Box; I bought my own copies of everything from Butterfly forward. Random Detail: OK, I admit it, I was really hoping to hear "The Roof" on a rare rainy night in Phoenix. One More Thing: A note to The Republic's Larry Rodgers: Mariah doesn't "largely nail the notes." I'm not sure I've ever heard Mariah miss a note in her career.
As she moves past the two-decade mark in her career, Mariah Carey seems to be having lots of fun with her well-earned diva image, letting her concert audience in on her lighthearted approach to life.
Carey often made herself the target of her playful stage banter as a large crowd at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre laughed and cheered her on Saturday, Feb. 20. In between the power ballads and dance-inducing numbers in her well-executed, 90-minute set, the singer-actress repeatedly referred to her loopy speech at January's Palm Springs International Film Awards, which she attributed to "splashes of champagne" enjoyed backstage.
"No, it's not vodka in the glass - water, darling, only H-20," she quipped as she took a sip after singing 2005's "Don't Forget About Us" (which Carey said she hadn't sung yet on this tour).
"You'll never know," she added. "Maybe you will; it depends on what type of speeches I start making."
Whatever Carey was fueled on, she sounded and looked great in the series of sexy dresses that she squeezed into during the show.
With her husband, actor-rapper Nick Cannon, in the house, Carey started things off in true diva fashion, descending from the rafters above the stage on a swing in a sparkling gown with ruffles.
She quickly got down to the business of making the crowd, dominated by 20- and 30-somethings, move.
"Shake It Off" segued into the soulful funk of the chart-topping "Touch My Body." Surrounded by six male dancers, Carey let her voice soar into its upper registers, a talent that separates her from most of her contemporaries.
She largely nailed the notes in the upper stratosphere on such songs as "Honey" and "Obsessed," although she came up flat in some spots in her spiritual ballad "Fly Like a Bird," from her Grammy-winning "The Emancipation of Mimi" album of 2005.
Carey, who let her troupe of male and female dancers do most of the physical work, did a good job of mixing the hip-hop she has sampled later in her career with the ballads that have long allowed her vocals to shine.
She served it up with plenty of drama, which included a pair of acrobats suspended above her for "Angels Cry" and the singer reclining in a red robe on a divan to deliver the Latin-flavored "My All."
At one point, a makeup artist and hair stylist came out to freshen up her look as Carey joked, "If you tolerate me, I'll just love you forever."
The crowd went wild when Carey sang "The Impossible," which she dedicated to her husband. As the diva worked through her breathy vocals, a male dancer performed a steamy routine just a few feet away, pulling off his shirt to reveal his chiseled physique when the song ended.
Fans of all ages joined in to sing 1996's "Always Be My Baby," after Carey said, "I'm gonna go old-school." Everyone seemed to be dancing in front of their seats for the ultra-funky "It's Like That."
Despite some extended breaks to change costumes, Carey had the crowd on her side for the entire evening, which ended with one of her signature songs.
The global hit, "Hero," allowed Carey to dish out a few more minutes of the star power that she still possesses despite some ups and down in her career.
Full Audio: Mariah at Nokia Theatre, Dallas
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 9:25AM EST
The full audio of Mariah's concert at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, February 18, 2010 is below. You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Many thanks to Ross for the audio!
Fan Photos/Reviews/Videos: Mariah in Phoenix
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 22-Feb-2010, 8:48AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Alan, Mark, Brendan, Elvin, Maria, Rebecca, Mame & Varian!]
FAN REVIEWS
Alan Flynn (Tour Correspondent): "Last night's show was awesome. She sounded so great and rested, no signs at all of 'losing her voice' as some seem to say. Typical set list she's been doing, except for Don't Forget About Us. I was so surprised from the moment I heard the first beat, I was like 'no, she hasn't done this yet!' and knew what it was right away. I was in row 7 and security was a pain in the ass for the front of the floor with taking pics or having your cell phones out. This was Phoenix staff not Mariah staff which kinda put a damper on the show. I can't wait for her to go back on tour or the next time she comes around. The audience was very lively, most of the people stayed standing the entire time of the show. I wish she did 'It's A Wrap' though, it's my favorite new song of hers."
Richie Zamora (Tour Correspondent): "So I drove 14 hours from Denver, CO to Phoenix, AZ to see my all time favorite performer - the great Mariah Carey. Her show was amazing! Her outfits, songs and that voice! She never disappoints her fans! She even surprises us with singing 'Don't Forget About Us' - an amazing moment!"
Mark Tellez (Tour Correspondent): "It was my 2nd time seeing MC here - the 1st being during the Charmbracelet tour. The energy was high, the tour books were completely sold out even before Mariah hit the stage. There were fans in tons of different shirts, as well as my crew who all wore shirts with names of our faves from Memoirs. Fly Like a Bird I used to make my way to the bathroom, because as great as a track it is I do not care to see it live when I could have heard a much better single from Emancipation. Always Be My Baby got lots of screams. It's Like That was next and I love this track and MC did a great job. I don't understand - The Impossible which could very well be the weakest Memoirs track besides the Languishing Interlude - after such an upbeat party anthem of It's Like That, it seemed so odd to throw that on when everyone was up and dancing. Mariah could have performed H.A.T.E.U. at least instead. We were all chanting for it up in the Suites but I guess she was ignoring us. Mariah joked with some guy in the audience whom could have very well been me about being cut off at the bar. Good thing I was in VIP lol. Next up were Honey and then My All from Butterfly. I wish she had done the Roof instead of My All. I feel like she performs that too much as well. Then came my song... Obsessed! She worked the stage and I worked my hoody ha ha. Next up is where I got upset. She talked about Up Out My Face being #1 on 106 and Park and thanked everyone for making it #1. Well she didn't even perform it so why mention it? Mariah you're not promoting your current single which is #1? That don't make any sense to me as a fan. She then did We Belong Together and ended with Hero. It was a great show much better than I anticipated, the staff at Dodge Theater especially Dustin England were awesome at keeping us VIPs happy except for the Tour book fiasco he had promised me one but said they were gone before he could get me one!"
Jimmy U.: "Wow, wow, wow! Mariah was amazing! I saw her in Vegas and this show had better crowd! You can tell she felt better and was feeling it! Her voice sounded amazing. It was a sold out venue and she lived up to her diva status. I loved it! Can't wait to see her again!"
Dario Rodriguez: "The place was packed full of energy. The upcoming group RydazNRtist where amazing! They can sing, dance and all the above. Mariah's voice was amazing, on point and just breathtaking. She talked and joked with the fans. She even poked fun of her drunk speech. Did I mention she sounded amazing? Mariah knows how to treat her fans with those vocals. It was my sister Maria's first time seeing Mariah in concert and loved every second - stood up the whole time and she is pregnant. She was happy and excited. Mariah never fails to put on a show. Just pure talent."
Steven DiFiori: "As an MC fan for 20 years and seeing her in concert for the first time all I can say is that I was not disappointed! She was flawless, funny, and completely perfect in all ways."
Varian McKinley: "Me and my niece had an amazing time at the concert. We drove all the way from Gallup, New Mexico to Phoenix to see Mariah! This is our 3rd time seeing Mimi on tour. Mariah came out like about 10 mins before 9pm, and she emerged from the ceiling on a swing. The crowd went wild and all for Ms Mimi! From her golden hair to her make up to her legs OMG, she was amazing! What really was a surprise was when she performed 'Don't Forget About Us' which was never played before on this tour. She interacted with the audience, made silly jokes, and made a cheer to the lambs with her own drink of something special 'champagne' of whom that were having a beer. And yes, she had a diva moment on the stage, her hair and make-up had to be did lol. When she was performing 'The Impossible,' her hubby Nick Cannon came out and got freaky on the dance floor that involved some major pelvic thrusting lol. I loved all her ensembles, she looked like a Barbie doll, very fascinating if you ask me. Some people thought the show was over and started to leave after 'We Belong Together,' but like a few minutes after she left the stage, she came back and did an encore of 'Hero.' The only thing that was wrong or negative was security, they took people's cell phones/cameras away just because they were taking pics of Mariah. After we got out of the theatre, we went to the back and waited for her to come out to her tour bus with some other fans. I got to see Trey Lorenz and Sherry. Finally, Mimi came out about close to 11pm and she came over to the lambs and gave them hugs and took a few pics, ugh OMG, the people were just rushing and shoving though! Although I didn't get to talk to her or take pics cuz alot of people were in front of me, I got to see Mariah and she was 5 feet away from me. I'm so used to seeing her on TV or a video, just the feeling of seeing her right there in the flesh just gave me goosebumps! A lamb4lyfe."
Rebecca: "Wow Wow! Mariah was amazing last night. Her voice sounded great. Kinda sad she didn't sing Emotions or H.A.T.E.U. but we did get 'Don't Forget About Us' which was great. Can't wait for another tour."
Elvin: "It was my first Mariah Carey concert, and an amazing experience. I snapped a couple of good shots. I also waited to hours out by her tour bus with other fans. she came out and signed a handful of our autographs. I happened to be one of the lucky ones to get an autograph. She also smiled at me, and it appeared she said 'hey there' but I couldn't hear anything over the screams. The security were like vicious pitbulls, shoving barricades at us... screaming in the faces of young girls, and woman and men. They would pull semi's infront of us, and leave them there for extended periods of time so we'd be left to wonder if we'd missed her exit. But she ended up walking around the barricades and approaching us. I managed to keep my cell phone's video camera rolling when she was signing autographs. It was an amazing experience!"
David Delgado: "So I just got out of the concert and have this to say. AH-MAY-ZING!! You haven't heard the voice until you hear it live! I was blown away at how powerful Mariah's voice was! She is a jaw dropping singer! Videos, even recordings do her titanic voice no justice in comparison to live! I had listened to other YouTube vids of her concert performance and was like she's doing good, but what I heard tonight was insane! She looked gorgeous, and all those reviews about her not moving or anything, I'm sure the crowd had a lot to do with it! It was sold out completely! My friend Andrea was actually the one who bought the last two tickets! I was a fan, now i'm obsessed with Mariah! It was great to see how many people loved her, of all ages and backgrounds! She seemed soo comfortable on stage she danced around, sang her butt off and conversed with the crowd. When she waved at me I almost fainted her smile is so pure! Mariah, I love you! Amazing Mimi! And Hero live is magical, just breathtaking and Fly Like a Bird just ahhh! I saw her tour bus and didn't get to see her after, but nonetheless she's perfect!"
And here are videos from the Dodge Theatre show. Thanks to Mark and Elvin!
SHAKE IT OFF
DON'T FORGET ABOUT US
TOUCH MY BODY
Leaving the Dodge Theatre
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Video: TV Guide Special on Precious
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 21-Feb-2010, 9:51AM EST
The TV Guide Network aired a full hour Pre-Oscars special on the film Precious last night. The Precious: The Story Behind The Film special, hosted by Tanika Ray, documents the film's extraordinary journey from page to screen, and includes never-before-seen film footage, exclusive interviews with the director, cast members, and Hollywood insiders including Hugh Jackman, Ron Howard, Taraji Henson and Helen Mirren.
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 20-Feb-2010, 10:00PM EST
Mariah performs at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona tonight, and our tour correspondents Alan, Richie and Mark are there to provide us with the play-by-play, as they happen live. Join us starting at 8:00pm MST (7:00pm PST/10:00pm EST),
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Don't Forget About Us 05. Fly Like a Bird 06. Make It Happen 07. Angels Cry 08. Always Be My Baby 09. It's Like That 10. The Impossible 11. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 12. Honey 13. My All 14. Obsessed 15. We Belong Together 16. Hero
Tidbits: • 08:02pm - Venue looks sold-out. Opening act RydaznRtist takes the stage. • 08:17pm - Opening act just finished their set. Michael Jackson music is playing over the speakers. • 08:51pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 08:58pm - "Shake It Off" just finished. "Touch My Body" now. • 09:03pm - New song on the set list, "Don't Forget About Us" now. • 09:07pm - "I forgot about that song. That was the first time I did that on this tour. What was I thinking?!" "Fly Like a Bird" now. • 09:11pm - Mariah goes backstage. Dancers dancing to "Make It Happen" with back up singers. • 09:16pm - Back on stage. "This is coconut water not a bottle of vodka. Coconut water is very good if you don't know. The vodka comes later laughs." Talks about new Gold dress too. The old one ripped she says. "Angels Cry" now. Dedicates to people in Haiti. • 09:24pm - Calls hair and make up on stage. "If you tolerate me I'll love you forever. I need fans to blow my hair. I feel it changing texture. I know people think my hair blows wherever I go ha!" "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:30pm - "It's Like That" now. • 09:35pm - To a drunk guy, "I see you got a new beer haha." Says her coconut water is mixed with pineapple. "It's good you should try it." Says she appreciates the signs and shirts, "It's very very nice so thank you." Introduces next song from Memoirs. She wrote it for her husband Nick who's in the audience somewhere. Says there are distracting elements that will occur during this song but she won't say what. "The Impossible" now. • 09:40pm - Male dancer grinding on stage during "The Impossible." Crowd screaming. Male dancer takes shirt off. She sings "Did you like that?" about dancer. • 09:41pm - Mariah goes backstage. Trey now performs "Rock With You." • 09:46pm - "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker" now. • 09:51pm - "Honey." • 10:00pm - "I feel like I'm in my Phoenix living room." Talking to drunk guy in front row and he said he was cut off. She's asking who's the snitch who told on him 'cause it wasn't her. Asks audience what song to do next. "See! We are improvising." Dancer Tory on stage helping Mariah put her robe on. "My All" now. • 10:03pm - Male dancer picks her up and carries her off stage. • 10:08pm - Back on stage. "Obsessed" now. • 10:14pm - "Phoenix you are an amazing crowd. Thank you for your energy 'cause it's been a rough couple of days and you have driven me to drink laughs. Just kidding! Want to make a toast for the next song?" Gives props to Jermaine Dupri for Song of the Decade. "Thanks to everyone who voted for Up Out My Face" on BET. It's #1!" "We Belong Together" now. • 10:19pm - She leaves stage and Nick is there to greet her. • 10:20pm - Crowd screaming. She comes back on stage for encore "Hero." • 10:26pm - Show ends.
Photos: Pictured below: Phoenix correspondents Richie (right, photo #1) and Mark (in 'Obsessed' hoodie, photo #2).
Many thanks to Alan, Ritchie and Mark for the great updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review of the show; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing her first of two shows at the Gibson Amphitheatre in L.A.'s Universal Citywalk on Tuesday, February 23rd. Please join us at 8:15pm PST (11:15pm EST). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Laritza, Pablo and Marco.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Fan Photos/Reviews/Videos: Mariah in Dallas
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 20-Feb-2010, 1:14AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Joseph, Crista, Isabel, Jamario, Patrick, Tanya, Kourtney, Tina, Luis, Aimee & Stewart!]
FAN REVIEWS
Frank Salazar (Tour Correspondent): "Mariah was super late! Some folk started chanting her name while others began booing. A little over an hour had passed since the opening act that's when I saw Darrell! He came out and stood right in front of me. I told him 'Darrell! Smile!' he did and said 'How are you doing?' I told him I was fine and I knew that MC was finally there because he was there! He said 'Yeah.' He was very nice! I always thought he looked so mean in all the pics with MC. Mariah finally comes out and I thought I was gonna have a heart attack! I was on the front row and my idol was right in front of me! MC was on point! She sounded M-azing and spoke throughout the concert! She apologized for being late and mentioned she almost didn't make the show. She wore a new gold dress. She complained the dress was too big and turned around and referred to her behind! lol She blew me two kisses during the concert! I was so excited during 'Up Out My Face' I couldn't breathe! After the concert we waited outside for MC. She came out and came over to us! She was protected by a fence and did not give any autographs BUT she did touch my hand! MC, We love you! L4L"
Tina Lewis: "Mariah was a little late for the show, but I was happy about that because I got lost trying to find the theater so that bought me some time. Mariah was amazing again tonight! She sang an incredible set list, however tonight she didn't perform 'It's A Wrap' like she did the night before when I saw here in Houston, she sang 'Up Out My Face.' I feel incredible blessed and so happy to see Mariah front row two nights in a row. Mariah made alot of jokes and was very cheerful and took out several moments throughout the show to point out how festive the lambs were in wearing their tshirts, and signs. Bonus the security tonight was very nice at the show, I only wish I got to meet Mariah and Darryl!"
Tanya Hudges: "The show was amazing! My ultimate fan moment: Mariah came over to me when she saw the painting I did of her and said, 'I love that picture! If I could walk across here (gap between stage and fence), I would.' Then I held it up to her, and she said, 'Oh, you want to give it to me?' I screamed Yes! She leaned to try and get it but couldn't reach so Darryl came and gave it to her. She asked me what my name was, I screamed Tanya lol, she said, 'Tanya?' I nodded. Then she announced to the crowd, as she held the painting up, 'She painted this y'all!' Then she said, 'I'm gonna put this in my Butterfly room when I get back' and handed the painting to her keyboard guy and they took it backstage!"
Crista Colvin: "Mariah was absolutely amazing. Another stunning performance from the beautiful songstress."
Eddie Williams: "Mariah was spectacular! Even though she didn't come out until 2 hours later, she was well worth it! This was my second time seeing her and this will not be my last! Her repertoire consisted of new hits (Up Out My Face, Obsessed, Angels Cry) and classics (Always Be My Baby, Honey, My All). With her distinct voice and powerhouse vocals, she makes each person, in the audience, feel as if they are getting a private concert! The vocals were on point, she was sexy, her ensembles were hot, and to top it off, her sense of humor is something like volcanic! This is only ONE Mariah Carey, and there will never be another!"
Andy Garcia: I've been in love with Mariah for 6 years. I'm 18 and I drove 10 hours to see her in Dallas all the way from south Texas. I went broke to buy front row tickets. But let me tell you, it was worth every pennyY! She was amazing! Her voice was pure bliss, flawless, and her body was banging! After sobbing for a minute or so after seeing her, I started feeling the energy. It was just amazing. People were getting antsy cause she was a bit late, but she's Mariah Carey. She's allowed to do what she wants. I loved her diva moments! And her heels! Wow! They were amazing. And her legs! Truly legs of a Goddess! She just looked hot! The concert was my first ever! She devirginized me. =) It was a Stone Groove Smash Hit Wonder! Words just can't describe how amazing it was! It was worth the 10 hour drive for sure! Definitely the highlight of my life."
Patrick Mitchell: "After looking forward to Mariah's arrival for months, the last thing Mrs. Carey-Cannon was disappoint. After waiting with great anticipation, Mariah made her grand entrance, descending from the ceiling; the commotion about waiting had ceased. Mariah put on a show I hope to never forget. She provided the audience with a great performance, with comedy and the thing that makes me love her, Mariahism... the Divaesque behavior that's just a part of the show. After singing a few songs, she gets her hair and makeup done on stage which made me laugh. In addition to singing the walls of the Nokia, Mariah seemed to show a more carefree side that made me want the show to be longer. When Mariah puts on a show, she puts on a show. The dancers were so skilled and elaborate that brought at balance to stage as Mariah changed from one amazing outfit to another. The setlist was amazing, couldn't have asked for more in concert. She has, is and will forever be my favorite musical artist."
Jennifer Coberly: "A Performance and Voice Fit for a Magical Princess! In true dramatic Diva fashion the curtains slowly opened to reveal Mariah perched on top of a swing singing Daydream Interlude. Mariah's voice was entrancing. She could see me on the floor on her far right of the stage (my left) and sang along with me during several moments of the concert! I am so glad she got to see I was a dedicated lamb who loved her music and sweet, funny personality. Most of the crowd sang along to some favorite and popular songs. I enjoyed each song but my favorites were 'Fly Like a Bird' and 'Love Hangover/Heartbreaker' and 'Always Be My Baby.' Her personality and humorous side stood out when she talked and interacted with the audience. Mariah effortlessly and beautifully sang each song with emotion and a magical voice only God could have blessed her with. She said we thought she was 'in a Magical Princess world!' and I too was for one night! I hope be blessed to sing along with Mariah the Princess again someday! It truly was magical!"
Luis Menchaca: "My sister and I traveled 7 hours to see the one and only Mariah Carey at the Dallas, TX stop. I can honestly say that it was super amazing! Mariah brought down the house with songs like 'We Belong Together,' 'Always Be My Baby,' 'Angels Cry.' My favorites were when she surprised us by including 'Up Out My Face' and when she sang 'Fly Like A Bird.' On this last one, I can honestly say it was so beautiful it gave me the chills. You could feel a special force in the air. There were people complaining in the audience but people need to realize they are there to see a legend. This woman has done so much and been so succesful with her career that she has the right to do whatever she wants whenever she wants to. Mimi is no longer doing things to break records, she is doing things to please herself. And you can see that in the concert. You can see that she is having fun and you can see she only sings the songs she likes and I as a fan, appreciate that. I myself had a blast at the concert and if I once loved Mimi, I now adore her. People complain about this and that but they need to realize they are not going to watch a one hit wonder that the music industry seems to spawn weekly. It's MARIAH CAREY, the woman who singlehandedly redefined success for a female artist in modern music."
Adam Jones: "I was very excited to see Mariah last night. I have been a fan since the beginning and always stuck by her when she wasn't exactly selling albums. Last night was a mess! She was very late, coming on stage around 9:15, and she kept saying how she almost canceled and had to take the bus from Houston. Really Mariah? It's a 3 hour drive in a bus that is probably nicer than some people's homes! Get over yourself! It made me feel like the $300 I spent on my ticket wasn't enough for her. I am slowing getting over Mariah Carey! That being said, she can still sing. The show was so so but her voice was amazing. I wish she would have included more songs from Memoirs but its okay."
Gary Lawton: "I am very unhappy with Mariah. I have been a fan for a long time. She didn't come out until almost 9:30. That is very unprofessional and extremely rude to her fans who paid a ton of money to see her and buy her merchandise. The crowd actually started to boo until she finally came out. Secondly, there are too many dead spots on the stage. I understand that Mariah is not a dancer, but if you're not going to dance then you need to make sure that the stage is filled with something. She sounded great and I loved seeing her, but over all this was not a great concert, or a good experience."
Jamario Bush: "Let me first start off by telling you that this was my very first Mariah concert and by the ways things went tonight in Dallas it will surely not be my last. Mariah looked absolutely stunning in every ensemble she presented tonight. I heard stories of how beautiful Mariah is but wow, I couldn't believe how pretty she was. Her voice was definitely on point and she hit every low, high, and in between note she set forth to do so. My favorite of the night would have to be Fly Like A Bird. She sang that song with so much passion and fire, I felt every bit of it. Another highlight of mine was Shake It Off. The groove of it right after the Butterfly intro is genius. Last but not least Obsessed. That song got every person there dancing. Other high points of the concert were Up Out My Face and I really loved the groove of Love Hangover. Mariah really knows how to serenade the audience with that one. The concert was great and I can't wait to see the one and only Mimi again in action!"
Stephen Garrett: "I've been watching her career for over 17 years and have been to 8 shows of her so I feel I understand Mariah well. I know when she's struggling, or when she's lip syncing, or when she's right on the money. I experienced all of it last night. The only song that was amazing and the crowd was going nuts over, like every single person standing and moving was to 'Up Out my Face' her current single and that song was where she seemed to have the most fun. Everything else she seemed to struggle. I think with her voice quality now, the big songs are hard for her to do but the Touch my Body and Obsessed tracks are easier and fun. It's honestly like a slug in a sparkling dress walking around. I know that's mean and I still love her, but she can't move, she can't even just a simple 360 turn without looking like she's going to fall or needing the hand of a dancer to help her through. Yes she's not a dancer but a normal person can move more than she does. It honestly just really disappointed me, to have such high hopes for someone and something and have it just be crap. Mariah kept messing up her songs, she would do a certain verse too early then have to do it again when it was actually the time to sing it. She kept apologizing, she said that she almost canceled and just wasn't really all there. She was also 45 minutes late and the crowd was booing. She did Houston the night before and she kept saying on and on how she's on the tour bus and it took forever to get to Dallas and blah blah blah. I don't need excuses. I need her to sing her butt off and stop complaining. It only takes 4 hours to get to Dallas from Houston so what was she doing the other 20 hours? Ok that's enough. Maybe next tour will be better?"
Susan M.: "Though I had a blast because of the fabulous people I sat with, there were a lot of bad moments. She came out late and not fashionably late, at one point the audience was booing. The music almost covered her vocals completely. She also did not sing that long or Emotions for that matter, after waiting for almost 2 hours she only sang about an hour. I still love Mimi, but I fear she has lost her vocal endurance. I am still a hopeful fan."
Aimee Kinsey: "The Dallas concert was amazing! We weren't allowed to take our posters in, but this security guard was super nice and stored them in a closet for us until the concert was over. However, since he felt bad for us because we spent a lot of time making them, he came and got us before the concert started and moved us from our seats (which were section 204, row MM) to section 203, row AA. It was amazing! Very very nice of him to do that! Afterwards, we went back by the tour bus and when Mariah walked by, she pointed at my poster, looked at me and said, "Love it!" Also, when some of her people drove by in black car, there was a guy sitting in the front seat and he looked at me and was tapping on the window and said, 'Your sign is awesome, love it!' Made my night for sure!"
FAN VIDEOS [Thanks to Tina, Isabel & Aimee!]
Mariah after the Nokia show
Mariah explains why she was late to Nokia Theatre
Clip of Mariah performing "Up Out My Face"
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Box Score: Angels Advocate in Philly
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 11:27PM EST
Billboard has published the box score for Mariah's concert at Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania in its 2/27/10 issue.
Date: Monday, February 1, 2010 Venue: Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA Gross: $216,675 Attendance/Capacity of Building: 2,466 / 3,116 Sellout %: 79.1% Ticket Price Range: $200.75, $56
Source: Billboard | Stephen
Box Score: Angels Advocate in Montreal
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 11:26PM EST
Billboard has published the box score for Mariah's concert at Bell Centre in MOntreal, Quebec, Canada in its 2/27/10 issue.
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010 Venue: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec Gross: $400,275 Attendance/Capacity of Building: 3,806 / 4,750 Sellout %: 80.1% Ticket Price Range: $189.66, $122.58, $84.79, $56.45
Source: Billboard | Stephen
Watch Mariah's "100%" Music Video
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 10:55PM EST
The music video for Mariah's "100%" is now available and can be viewed at the official AT&T Team USA Soundtrack website. Check it out!
If you're going to be a diva, have the total package.
If that's not a saying shared among the world's elite vocal performers, it should be. And one of the first singers who should heed it is Mariah Carey, the five octave R&B-pop princess turned hip-hop moll and occasional actress. Her 95-minute performance Thursday night at Grand Prairie's Nokia Theatre struggled to justify the nearly hour-long delay from the reported start time (for what it's worth, she apologized -- vaguely -- and alluded to nearly not coming out at all) and suffered from her tendency to ramble between songs -- when she wasn't disappearing offstage for minutes at a time for costume changes, that is.
Endearing? Perhaps, but a little charming chatter goes a long way.
Amid plugs for her forthcoming remix album, Angels Advocate, which shakes up tracks from last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, and an unreleased line of champagne, Angel Rose (hmm, a theme?), Carey dabbed herself dry with tissue, allowed her hair and make-up team to perform an onstage touch-up and cooed at the fans straining to reach across the barrier down front.
Taken together, it created a maddening, stop-start evening that made one wonder if all of Carey's snide cracks about the media's tendency to characterize her as a diva were actually defensive. ("You need the haters sometimes," she told the mostly full room.) Does she think she's in a class with the likes of, say, Tina Turner or Barbra Streisand, legends who've probably never done anything onstage as peculiar as apologizing for a sip of bubbly? Or is the whole thing a put-on, a sly commentary on showbiz's puffed-up tendencies?
Either way, once the distractions ceased, Carey also sang. Rather than simply mime along to a backing track and amp up the splashy choreography, Carey really, truly did sing -- she hardly moved at all during the often vocally challenging numbers, whether it was a vintage track (Make It Happen) or something more recent (It's Like That).
The surprisingly tasteful stage was nevertheless decked out with her trio of back-up singers (now we know what happened to Trey Lorenz after people stopped requesting that cover of I'll Be There), four-piece band and nine dancers.
Twenty years after her debut, Carey continues to exude an almost coquettish sexuality, mingled with a street-wise sensibility and pious songbird tendencies. She didn't shy away from indulging in the much-vaunted whistle register; Carey also didn't seem to notice the occasionally sloppy dance routines transpiring around her (or the blatant "Pink du Soleil" swipe during Angels Cry).
Maybe the tour, as it nears the finish line (only four shows left!), is showing signs of fatigue. Particularly during the first few songs, Carey seemed a bit adrift. She pulled together as the night wore on, emerging for a valedictory version of her signature hit Hero. It seems even divas, be they real or pretend, can have an off night.
Mariah's 100% Video To Premiere On NBC Tomorrow!
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 9:54AM EST
Tune in to the Olympics on NBC this Saturday, February 20 between 8:00 - 11:00pm ET to catch the video premiere of Mariah's new song "100%."
Get an exclusive first look of the "100%" video on Extra tonight, February 19! Visit the Extra website to check when it's on in your city.
"100%" is featured on the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack which supports Team USA athletes and their pursuit of greatness. You can download "100%" on iTunes now or to download ringtones and answer tones, visit the Mariah Carey AT&T Team USA page here. All proceeds from the purchase of songs, participating ringtones and answer tones from February 12, 2010 through March 1, 2010 will be donated to Team USA.
Full Audio: Mariah at Verizon Theatre, Houston
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 4:06AM EST
The full audio of Mariah's concert at the Verizon Wireless Theatre in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 is below. You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Many thanks to Ross for the audio!
And here's a video of Mariah's amazing performance of "It's A Wrap" live! Thanks to Hugo!
And "Heartbreaker" and "Honey."
Source: Ross | Hugo
Fan Photos/Reviews: Mariah at Verizon Theatre, Houston
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 3:19AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Edward, Monica, Sierra, Tina and Hazel!]
FAN REVIEWS
Edward Farinas (Tour Correspondent): "Having been to a previous concert, I had mixed expectations of how good this particular concert was going to be. After all, it has been nearly four years since the last show, it was a smaller production, a smaller venue, and definitely two or three less costume changes short compared to The Adventures of Mimi Tour. Hearing other people's reviews and that of actual critics I was hoping against hope that our girl would do well. She did more than just do well. She blew me away. The intimate environment of the show was an added bonus. It was special, as if she was just performing for us, her fans. Like many Lambs, I've noticed that her vocals as of late haven't been as strong as we've grown used to over the years. She has played with difference nuances of her voice and textures that have made up for it, especially with Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, the album of which this tour is in support of. Do they always work live? Not always. But it felt less Mimi and more Mariah. A diva returning to true form, but with added comedic value. She was relaxed, at home, and her voice was strong and rested. Her vocal acrobatics were clear and reminiscent of her sound during the late 90s. It was absolutely beautiful. Her performance highlights included My All, Fly Like A Bird, It's a Wrap, and We Belong Together. The last of which I felt she sang better than she even did during her Grammy award performance. I did feel that the set list did lack a few songs, but it felt like a quality over quantity type of night. Bottom line: I loved every minute of it! I didn't feel as if she tried too hard to do anything outside of which she does best. She sang her butt off to songs which she wrote. At the end of the day, that's exactly what I paid to see. No fireworks, no extravagant sets, just an extravagant woman with an angelic voice."
Bryan Taft (Tour Correspondent): Mariah was absolutely incredible. I love how real she was. She was funny, witty, and beuatiful. Her singing was just excellent. She brought the house down with We Belong Together, Hero, The Impossible, and Fly Like a Bird. Mariah is truly an incredible artist with a big heart. I love every bit of the concert. Mariah was a trooper. It was hot in that place, but she got thru it. I love you Mariah. I have been with you since day one, and will never leave your side! Your music has touched me in so many ways! Bryan from H-town!"
Gary Lindsay: "When the curtain opened up and I saw her way up high on the swing, I was a tad bit starstruck. This is my second time seeing her, but it still didn't register that this is the most talented woman on the earth 20 feet in front of me! As she descended (with the Butterfly intro playing) the venue erupted in cheers (including myself). From then on, Mariah owned Houston. She said she felt right at home, and we made sure she felt that way, especially because she was gracing us with a talent never to be matched. She went through old and new crowd favorites and kept us mesmerized the whole time with her vocal abilities, song choice, and outfits. After 'We Belong Together,' I was praying that she would not leave without singing 'Hero.' I was personally going to escort her back on the stage if she tried not to sing it! When the doors opened up and she came out we all went W-I-L-D! She sang it like it was '93, thanked us, blew kisses, and disappeared into the darkness. I had to stand there to catch my breath and let it all register. That woman is amazing!"
Monica & Sierra: "The show was amazing. As true life-long fans, we loved the venue she chose because it was so intimate. We would've loved to hear some more classics and newbies ('Vision of Love,' 'Up Out My Face,' 'I'll Be There' feat. Trey Lorenz) but other than that, we loved it and we can't wait until she visits Houston again. Oh and her wardrobe was fabulous! She looked amazing!"
Emmanuel Blanco: "The concert was awesome! She was great. She put on a great show. She looks so beautiful. Her voice is spectacular and she is so funny on her diva moments she gives. Anyways, it was a good show, and I would love to see her again in concert! The theater was kind of small but it was ok, the show was great though! Love you Mariah!"
Haze Fabon: "Rydaznartist went on stage around 8pm, and I got crazier because that meant MC was next and minutes later she came out! She descended from the ceiling looking like an angel and I, looking at her in disbelief of being in her presence, screamed Mariah on top of my lungs as the people in front of us cover their ears due to my high pitched scream! As soon as Mariah started singing we went wild, literally the whole time she was singing daydream interlude we were screaming on top of our lungs hoping that Mariah would acknowledge each and every one of us. After she sang 'Shake It Off,' she told us that she loved our energy and that Houston was the warmest place she's ever been the whole tour, and that set off the 'scream button' again we were just so happy that MC loved Houston. I would say Touch My Body, Always Be My Baby, Obsessed, and We Belong Together were the crowd's favorite, for me every song she performed was my favorite! She was pitched perfect, whistle notes were on point, sure she lip-synched some parts but she pulled it off! I would have to say the highlight of my night was when MC looked at me and smiled, as I smiled back, jumped up and down, and gave her a heart sign with my hands and ring pop on my finger. The entire concert was great, the band, the singers, the dancers, and of course Mariah was a groove smash hit wonder! I left the concert venue with a huge smile and became a much bigger lamb! One of my dreams came true on February 17, 2010 a great way to start off my year (I could die tomorrow! LOL), I encourage everyone to check out her show, you will not regret it!"
Tina L.: "I was so happy when Mariah entered on stage she looked and sounded flawless for the 'Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude.' Next, she sang 'Shake It Off," I always do the dance she does from the video when she sings this song, and I was happy to know I wasn't the only one in the audience who does the dance for 'Shake It Off,' and 'Obsessed.' She always does an amazing job singing 'Fly Like A Bird' and the transition between that song and 'Make it Happen' was perfect. 'Angels Cry' was dedicated to the people of Haiti, I was happy to hear the people around me singing this song back to Mariah. The crowd was on their feet and singing word for word when Mariah sang 'Always Be My Baby' the song is a classic and never gets old and Mariah still sings this song as passionately as if she was singing it for the first time. There were some parts that Mariah sang 'The Impossible' and at the end of the song she started just belting and singing and it was so amazing and too hard to describe the extent of what she was doing, amazing to say the least. 'It's a Wrap,' 'Obsessed,' and 'We Belong Together' performances were phenomenal! I could barely hear Mariah sing because the crowd was singing every word of the song back to her. 'Hero' was the encore last night, I was very happy because it doesn't really feel like a Mariah concert without hearing this song, it's like the victory song after winning a game, it has to be done. I am very very happy about going to this concert because I feel Mariah gave well over 100% at this concert. There were moments in the show when I was like 'wow Mariah really is giving us a show tonight' and 'wow i wasn't expecting that.' Mariah owned the stage tonight and took every opportunity to connect with the audience, even though the security was kinda bleak and this one guy near me was taking his job too seriously, it was still amazing to be that close to Mariah! I screamed and jumped up and down every chance I got and every time Mariah came by I would wave and scream and blow her kisses, I was very happy to see her blow them back, followed by a smile and wave."
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Audio: Mariah in Chicago, Show #2
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 19-Feb-2010, 2:39AM EST
Below are some audio files from Mariah's 2nd concert at the Chicago Theater in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Thanks to Ronnie!
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Dallas, Texas
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 18-Feb-2010, 8:30PM EST
Mariah performs at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Texas tonight; and our tour correspondents Frank and Alex are there to provide us with the play-by-play, as they happen live.
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Obsessed 14. Up Out My Face 15. We Belong Together 16. Hero
Tidbits: • 08:01pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. • 08:17pm - Opening act just finished their set. Michael Jackson music is now being played while waiting on Mariah. • 09:09pm - People are yelling for Mariah. • 09:22pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 09:25pm - "Shake It Off" now. • 09:29pm - Mariah thanks audience for their patience. "Touch My Body" now. • 09:34pm - Water spills on stage. She says she took the bus to Dallas. "I love the tour bus." "Fly Like a Bird" now. • 09:38pm - Mariah goes backstage. "Make It Happen" playing now. • 09:44pm - Back on stage wearing a new short Gold dress. "Angels Cry" now. • 09:51pm - Her mike stops working briefly. "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:56pm - "Let's have a party. Come on!" "It's Like That" now. • 10:01pm - "The Impossible" now. • 10:08pm - Trey Lorenz starts singing "Rock With You" as Mariah goes back stage. • 10:13pm - "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker." • 10:17pm - "Honey" now. • 10:22pm - Takes a painting from fan Tanya in the audience. "My All" now. • 10:24pm - Carried away during "My All" Latin beat. • 10:33pm - Back on stage to perform "Obsessed." • 10:38pm - Performs her new single, "Up Out My Face"! • 10:45pm - "We Belong Together" now. • 10:50pm - Sings "Hero" for encore. • 10:55pm - Show ends.
Photos: Pictured below: Dallas correspondent Frank with friend Sanity (photo #1)
Many thanks to Frank and Alex for the great updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review of the show; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, February 20th. Please join us at 8:00pm MST (7:00pm PST/10:00pm EST). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Alan, Ritchie and Mark.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
"Up Out My Face" #1 on BET Countdown!
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 18-Feb-2010, 8:10PM EST
Great job, everyone!
"Up Out My Face" advanced a notch to capture the #1 spot on BET's 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" countdown today! This is the video's 6th day on the BET countdown since making its debut at #10 on February 9th. The video's positions in the 6 days it has been on the countdown are as follows: 10-0-7-4-2-2-1.
Let's continue to vote and make sure that it remains at the top! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote by sending the text message MCAR to 79922.
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Robyn
NBC Dallas Preview: Mariah at Nokia Theatre
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 18-Feb-2010, 2:28PM EST
SCREAMING MIMI Look, when you've got 18 #1 singles we'll let drunken onstage acceptance speech rambling go by the wayside... You'll pretty much be a "Hero" if you snagged tickets to Mariah Carey's show at NOKIA -- especially if you scored them for a late Valentine's gift. In any case, the scenario should go like this; arrive to the packed show, listen to a couple of her latest songs, then become one with the crowd singing along to the music you swore you'd never learn the words to.
Our Dallas correspondents Frank, Alex and Eddie will be providing us with live updates from the Nokia Theatre tonight starting at 7:30pm CST (5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET). Please join us!
Lee Daniels Talks About the Mariah Drunken Incident
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 18-Feb-2010, 6:32AM EST
Moviefone talked to Precious director Lee Daniels about being only the second African-American director to be nominated for an Academy Award, having Oprah in his iPhone and taking the blame for that whole drunken incident with Mariah Carey.
Is it fair that you got the blame for Mariah Carey's drunk speech? Yeah, I do deserve the blame. I mean I told her to drink knowing that she had an empty stomach and it's not cool because I didn't know that we were gonna end up on You Tube. I didn't know that it was empty empty because Mariah and I will go out to dinner 'cause she don't like eating in front of a bunch of people. It's just not her thing. She was great. I mean, really she was fantastic. I looked great and she looked great and she was hot and I knew everybody, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and everybody's in the room like looking at us and we were bad-ass. We were just like, then we went back into the Green Room and stuff and all of a sudden I hear, "I said I want another glass of wine!" and I'm like, "Lee and you're on" and I was like, "Ha." I can handle it, you know, because I had been eating and I'm a guy and stuff and big but she hadn't.
Mariah Carey sang, of course, during her Wednesday night show at the Verizon Wireless Theater. It's one of the reasons we love her. Her voice veered from sexy coos to those trademark high notes.
At times, Carey also sang -- as in, "Sang it, girlfriend!" -- most impressively during the gospel-swoop of Fly Like A Bird, the kicky kiss-off It's a Wrap and We Belong Together, the mammoth song destined to soundtrack proms, weddings, graduations and probably a few funerals.
But what makes Carey more than just another multi-octave superstar is her knack for playing the diva. It's silly and ridiculous and probably smells like sugar-cookie perfume. It also wouldn't work if she wasn't in on the joke.
Carey may be demanding, but she makes fun of herself at the same time.
"I know it's a little bit over the top." she said of her first of at least half a dozen sparkly outfits. Carey descended from a swing wearing a gold dress that was equal parts sweet 16 and dream wedding, quickly removing the train to reveal a shorter skirt (of course).
Later, she had a "cleavage meets champagne situation." while taking a sip and paused for a hair and makeup redo -- onstage. The crowd ate it up. Screams of "I love you, Mariah!" were frequent.
Carey was flanked by a multitude of impossibly chiseled dancers throughout her 90-minute set, but she rarely engaged in any moves. Rather, she fluttered across the elaborate, pink-hued stage, which recalled something from the Lawrence Welk era. There was an episode in a kimono, which found her re-positioning a wind machine; and she walked back and forth as dancers swung above her head (like a more modest, dryer version of Pink's Grammy performance).
She dedicated new single Angels Cry "to those who are still suffering in Haiti" and told fans they could find the new version, a duet with Ne-Yo, on her upcoming Angels Advocate remix disc.
"I'm not sure when it comes out," Carey quipped. ( It's due March 30.) "Call the label. I sleep too late."
Some of the best moments were those with groove. Honey is still playful and smooth; Always Be My Baby had the entire crowd singing along; and It's Like That was a punchy party started.
Feel-good ballad Hero came along and closed the set, sending hands in the air and BFFs into swaying hugs. Well played, Carey.
But wait. What about Someday? New single Up Out My Face? Butterfly? Fantasy? I'll Be There as a sweet MJ tribute?
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Houston, Texas
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 17-Feb-2010, 9:00PM EST
Mariah performs at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas tonight; and our tour correspondents Edward and Bryan are there to provide us with the play-by-play, as they happen live.
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. It's A Wrap 13. My All 14. Obsessed 15. We Belong Together 16. Hero
Tidbits: • 08:03pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. • 08:19pm - Opening act just finished their set. Crowd is chanting Mariah. Michael Jackson music is playing again over the speakers. • 08:33pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 08:36pm - "Shake It Off" now. • 08:40pm - "Touch My Body" now. She sounds great! • 08:44pm - "If you only knew the drama I have with water and glasses. This is the warmest place I've been in a long time. The band agrees. Just rejuvenating darling. You've gotta rejuvenate. We must rejuvenate." "Fly Like a Bird" now. • 08:48pm - Mariah goes backstage while the dancers are on the stage. "Make It Happen" playing now. • 08:56m - Her voice sounds amazing. Clearly her cold is gone. She's asking if the audience likes her dress which was torn at the last concert. About to start "Angels Cry." Dedicates it to those suffering in Haiti. • 09:04pm - Getting her hair and make up touched up. "It's an over the top diva moment so that's what I am. If I'm gonna drink something my hair might as well be blowing in the wind." "It happened again. A cleavage meets champagne situation." "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:08pm - "Alright let's have a party!" "It's Like That" begins to play as Mariah goes backstage. • 09:09pm - Back on stage in time to start singing "It's Like That." • 09:14pm - "The Impossible" now. • 09:19pm - Trey Lorenz starts singing "Rock With You" as Mariah goes back stage. • 09:24pm - "Rock With You" done. Mariah appears, begins singing "Love Hangover." "We like to do this as a tribute to Diana Ross and add our own thing" into "Heartbreaker." • 09:29pm - "Honey" now. • 09:36pm - "Definitely not having the champagne darling. One was enough. I'm feeling very at home here in Houston." Someone is talking to her through her ear piece, "Were you going to say something to me? I have to tell them the story so they know what's going on." Talks about relationships. "It's A Wrap" now. • 09:42pm - She's introducing her dancer named Tory. He's helping her put on a red robe. "My All" now. • 09:45pm - Unlike the other concerts she didn't go straight into the "My All" remix. Three female dancers appeared as she was carried backstage by a male dancer. • 09:48pm - Trey Lorenz is introducing the background singers and the band. • 09:50pm - "Obsessed" now. • 09:56pm - She's retouching her own makeup now. Looks amazing in her black dress. "We Belong Together" now. • 10:00pm - Fades to "We Belong Together" remix as Mariah exits stage and thanks the audience. • 10:02pm - Encore of "Hero." "I have to sing this song. So many people have told me it's helped them through difficult situations" and begins to sing. • 10:06pm - Show ends.
Photos: Pictured below: Houston correspondents Edward with bestfriend Erika (photo #1) and Bryan with friends (photos 2 & 3).
Many thanks to Edward and Bryan for the awesome updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review of the show; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, February 18th. Please join us at 7:30m CST (5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Frank and Alex.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
AT&T Team USA Soundtrack Featuring Mariah's "100%"
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 17-Feb-2010, 12:00PM EST
Mariah has contributed a new song, 100%, to the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack, a tribute album for Team USA, celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Click here to watch Vancouver highlights cut to Mariah's inspirational new song "100%."
You can download "100%" on iTunes now or to download ringtones and answer tones, visit the Mariah Carey AT&T Team USA page here. All proceeds from the purchase of songs, participating ringtones and answer tones from February 12, 2010 through March 1, 2010 will be donated to Team USA.
Mariah Carey has been a part of the pantheon of modern pop vocalists since she shocked the world the ethereal registers she reached on 1990's eponymous debut. Those first singles were syrupy ballads that showcased her vocal tenacity, extremely tame and classy and not too far removed from the Celine Dions of the world.
Over the next five years, Carey slowly turned into a bombshell R&B diva, shedding her good-girl image (and most of her clothes) seemingly overnight as she collaborated with hip-hop producers like Jermaine Dupri, Puff Daddy and Just Blaze. A most public meltdown on MTV while promoting 2001's Glitter bomb sidetracked Carey into tabloid territory for a spell, but by 2005 she was recording with the Neptunes and Kanye West and selling albums again.
Last fall's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel has already gone gold, and Carey has a supporting role as a compassionate social worker to Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe's title character in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire.
Our Houston correspondents Bryan and Edward will be providing us with live updates from the Verizon Wireless Theater tonight starting at 8:00pm CST (6pm PT/9pm ET). Please join us!
New Album Available Exclusively at Target and iTunes
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 16-Feb-2010, 12:58PM EST
Mariah Partners Exclusively With Target & iTunes On Remixed Album Of Duets Mariah has completed her 13th studio album, Angels Advocate, a collection of newly remixed duets with some of her favorite artists, performing Mariah's favorite songs from her #1 R&B album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (released September 2009). Angels Advocate, on Island Records, will be available March 30 exclusively at Target stores nationwide, iTunes.com/target and Target.com.
Featured duet partners with Mariah on Angels Advocate include: Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Nicki Minaj, Fabolous, R. Kelly, The-Dream & Ludacris, T-Pain & Snoop Dogg, Akon, Trey Songz, K-Ci & Jo Jo, and OJ Da Juiceman & OutKast's Big Boi.
Source: MariahCarey.com Newsletter
MDJ Contest Announced: Download "Up Out My Face"!
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 16-Feb-2010, 12:01AM EST
Mariah's new single, "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj from the upcoming Angels Advocate album has arrived digitally today! To celebrate the release, we are holding contests for our US and International visitors who support Mariah and the song.
Our contest is open to ALL FANS (U.S. and International) and will run for two weeks, from Tuesday, February 16 through Monday, March 1. A total of twenty (20) lucky fans will be selected to win signed Mariah items - ten (10) from the first week (Feb. 16-22) and ten (10) from the second week (Feb. 23-March 1).
All you have to do is:
• Download "Up Out My Face from any U.S. ONLY digital music retailers (iTunes USA ($1.29), Amazon USA, etc.). E-mail your proof of purchase with original date of purchase indicated (purchase confirmation e-mail or screen capture in jpg format) to contest@mariahjournal.com. Multiple downloads will count as multiple entries.
Note: Two fans will automatically be declared winners - the first one to e-mail us their proof of purchase on Tuesday, February 16th and the first one on Tuesday, February 23rd.
• Use any of the avatars/icons and signatures below to promote the digital release of "Up Out My Face" in message boards, forums, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. E-mail contest@mariahjournal.com with a link or a screen capture (in jpg format) to show us where you posted the images. One winner will receive a signed Mariah item.
• Log on to your Twitter account and click to RETWEET THIS MESSAGE HERE. If we reach 500 retweets, one fan will be randomly selected to win a signed Mariah item.
Good luck everyone!
AVATARS/TWITTER ICONS (100x100)
SIGNATURES (550x220)
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Graphics: Can and Regina
"Up Out My Face" Download Campaign
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 15-Feb-2010, 7:16PM EST
Attention Mariah fans!
Mariah's new single "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj will be available for digital download tomorrow, February 16th and we need your help to promote the song so that it reaches as many people as possible.
On Tuesday at 12:01 EST, we will be posting all the details to the campaign contest designed to promote "Up Out My Face" and get as many downloads for the song.
Signed Mariah items will be given away to our visitors who will help us support Mariah and spread the word about "Up Out My Face." Get ready!
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Download "Up Out My Face" on iTunes for Free
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 15-Feb-2010, 3:39PM EST
The music video for Mariah's new single "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj is available to download for free on iTunes! Get it now!
Source: Christopher | Kathryn
Request "Up Out My Face"
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 15-Feb-2010, 3:34PM EST
REQUEST AT RADIO Please take a few moments to request "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj. Below are phone numbers and online links to some of the biggest radio stations across the country.
Request "Up Out My Face" at Urban and Rhythmic
URBAN Mediabase Feb 8 - Feb 14 Urban Chart: #25 (Last Week: #33) +240 spins, 4.263 million impressions #6 Most Added, 51 stations playing #5 Taking Off 2 new stations, 43 new spins
KIPR-FM Power 92 Jams, Little Rock, AR - 501-401-0200 | Online WTMG-FM Magic 101.3, Gainesville, FL - 888-333-1013 | Online WFXE-FM Foxie 104.9, Columbus, GA - 706-576-3560 | Online WLZN-FM Blazin' 92.3, Macon, GA - 478-646-0923 | Online WPEG-FM power 98, Charlotte, NC - 704-342-2644 | Online KVSP-FM Power 103.5, Oklahoma City, OK - 405-427-5877 | Online KJMM-FM 105 K-Jamz, Tulsa, OK - 918-494-9886 | Online WENZ-FM Z107.9, Cleveland, OH - 216-578-1079 | Online WJUC-FM 107.3 The Juice, Toledo, OH - 419-826-1073 | Online WJZE-FM Hot 97.3, Toledo, OH - 419-244-3973 | Online WPHI-FM 100.3 The Beat, Philadelphia, PA - 800-232-1003 | Online WUSL-FM Power 99 FM, Philadelphia, PA - 800-669-9936 | Online
RHYTHMIC Mediabase Feb 8 - Feb 14 Rhythmic Chart: #47 (Last Week: #47) +23 spins, 2.591 million impressions 2 new stations with 21 new spins
KHTN-FM Hot 104.7, Modesto, CA - 209-567-1047 | Online KGGI-FM 99.1 KGGI, Riverside, CA - 866-991-5444 | Online KSFM-FM 102.6, Sacramento, CA - 916-766-5736 | Text 41025 | Online KCAQ-FM Q 104.7, Ventura, CA - 805-289-1400 | Online KIBT-FM 96.1 The Beat, Colorado Springs, CO - 719-226-2328 | Online WBTT-FM 105.5 The Beat, Ft. Myers, FL - 239-225-4300 | Online WJMN-FM Ham'n 94.5, Boston, MA - 617-931-1945 | Online KVEG-FM Hot 97.5, Las Vegas, NV - 702-320-5834 | Online WWPR-FM Power 105.1, NYC, NY - 800-585-1051 | Text 41051 | Online WRDW-FM Wired 96.5, Philadelphia, PA - Text 60145 | Online WWKX-FM Hot 106, Providence, RI - 401-433-4200 | Online KBFM-FM Wild 104, McAllen, TX - 877-945-3104 | Online
You may also check out our Radio Request page if your radio station is not listed above.
VOTE FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO Keep voting for the video on BET's 106 & Park. "Up Out My Face" is currently at #4 on the BET Top 10 Videos countdown. Vote as many times as you can online here, or text MCAR to 79922 for "Up Out My Face."
STREAM THE MUSIC VIDEOS The "Up Out My Face" video is available for streaming at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music. Click on the links to watch now! Video streams at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music count toward the Billboard charts so please be sure to keep streaming the video as often as you can.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Precious Dominates Black Reel Awards
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 15-Feb-2010, 3:28PM EST
The story of the night at Friday's 2010 Black Reel Awards was the utter domination of "Precious." Falling one nomination short of tying the record set by "Dreamgirls," the film won in every category it was nominated except for one, Outstanding Supporting Actor. It received three nominations in the Outstanding Supporting Actress field alone with both Paula Patton and Mariah Carey losing to Mo'Nique.
Outstanding Actress - Gabourey Sidibe Outstanding Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique Outstanding Director - Lee Daniels Outstanding Screenplay, Original or Adapted - Geoffrey Fletcher Outstanding Film Outstanding Ensemble Outstanding Breakthrough Performance - Gabourey Sidibe
Watch this space for the full videos of "Emotions," "Honey," and "The Impossible" to be posted soon! Many thanks to Dionne for the photos and videos!
Source: Dionne | MariahDailyJournal
Fan Photos/Reviews: Mariah in Chicago, Show #2
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 15-Feb-2010, 2:22PM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Emily, Dan, Ronnie, Angie and Adnan!]
FAN REVIEWS
Emily Smith: "The concert was amazing! Ok first of all I have been a lamb since forever! This also happened to be my first concert and ever since I was 6 I wanted to see MC in concert! So now I'm 13 and I finally got to! I was very excited, although it took a while for Mariah to start the show when she did she was like POW! She started with 'Shake It Off,' Everyone was dancing and screaming it was as Mariah would say very 'festive!' Next 'Touch My Body' and she KILLED it! Absolutely amazing oh my goodness! All the songs she killed it! Especially with the high notes! She belted those suckers out! I mean she did great! She ended the show with 'We Belong Together' it was sooo good! I almost cried when it ended. I wish it never had to end. I love Mariah soooo much and I can't wait 'til she comes back!"
Angie Domino: "I went to the show both days. I sat front row! When she came out it was amazing. I couldn't belive how close I was! Last night's show was just beyond awesome! She threw many objects into the audience! She even leaned over to touch our hands! She interacted with the audiance alot which made me really happy! There was no encore which was really strange, but the show was amazing anyways. After the show I knew she was going to come out of the back door because the night before when I went she came out and gave autographs! Luckily I got one the first night because last night they rushed her to the car and pushed all her fans away. She was ready to give autographs she had a sharpie and everything but her bodyguards didn't allow us to get anything. I was so excited to at least see her up close and even touch her before she got into the car! Both of these shows were amazing and I hope she comes back on tour soon!"
Jonathan Garay: "This was my first Mariah concert and I've had so much fun! Mariah was looking spectacular as expected and her vocals were on point. We all got a little taste of the real Mrs. Carey from her funny jokes about the water bottles to the diva-isms, it was so MC. Although the show was majorly delayed, MC proved to us that it was worth the wait. I would have loved to hear more songs like H.A.T.E.U, I Want To Know What Love Is, Fantasy, Vision of Love, and songs from E=MC². And I was kinda disappointed that she didn't sing Hero, Emotions or It's A Wrap. But I can't complain because she had me speechless when she sang Fly Like A Bird and My All. I would most definitely recommend Mariah to everybody of all ages. I respect Mariah in what she does because she is truly a living legend. It was the best night I've ever had so thank you Mimi for a great show and I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time!"
Jai Hall-Prater: "This is my 3rd time seeing Mariah Carey on tour (Charmbracelet, Adventures and Angels Advocate). This has to be the best I have seen from her. It truly was amazing! The voice was top notch, the rresses looked stunning and fit her like a glove. She sang the hits and the way she connects with her lambs in the audience is truly remarkable. She is the sweetest person. Mariah is a joker, she tells a joke and laughs at herself while we laugh lol. This concert was just amazing and stunning. Words can't even describe how grateful I am that she stopped in Chicago twice. The lambs that missed out I feel sorry for you lol 'cause it was an incredible show. Thank you, Mariah. I waited outside with like 30 other lambs in 3 degree weather just to catch a look at her going to her car. She opened the door smiling and waving saying 'Hiii' then some annoying fan rushed her causing her body guard to wisk Mimi away before she could sign our things. I was highly annoyed at that lamb. But for 5 seconds I was 2 feet away from my idol. And I can't even come to think of the words that describe that feeling. All I can say is Thank You, Mariah and I love you! You're truly an Angel. Can't wait until you stop in Chicago again."
Jonathan Eric: "The concert was amazing! Mariah performed her all time greatest hits hitting every note on the songs performed. She even chatted with the crowd how she had a wardrobe malfunction and couldn't wear the red festive dress she had because she couldn't fit into it. Then she gave birthday wishes to a special fan and told them that her mother's birthday was February 15. Mariah's highlighted performance of the night was Fly Like a Bird - it was so moving and a very touching moment everyone was in awe!"
Adnan Nazeer: "The show was amazing! MCC's voice was top notch and it just an amazing experience to see her from where I was sitting. I was a little disappointed that the set list was so short and that there was no 'suprise' for V-day. My most memorable moments for me was during 'Honey' and 'We Belong Together.' While performing both she literally was singing to me! You may think I am crazy, but she looked right at because I was singing right along with her. At one point she even pointed her 'studded' mike at me to sing along! I was freaking out! After the concert we went and waited outside for her in the cold. It was worth it just to see a glimpse of her. My friend was in front of me and was able to get a wonderful picture. Security quickly threw her in the car because some crazy fan was literally attacking her. They totally ruined the moment, but what can you do? I did get to meet Rae Rae and get my picture taken with her! She was just amazing! All in all this was probably the best and most memorable MCC moment that I have had! I want to say thanks to everyone who I met and the festive party on the 13th that Kevin and Dan put together! Love ya much!"
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Chicago, Show #2
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 14-Feb-2010, 6:15PM EST
Mariah Daily Journal is live tonight from the Chicago Theatre for Mariah's second Angels Advocate show in Chicago, Illinois. Helping us with the play-by-play updates is our tour correspondent Ronnie.
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Obsessed 14. We Belong Together
Tidbits: • 07:15pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage.
• 07:32pm - The opening act is finished. Michael Jackson music now being played while waiting for Mariah to hit stage.
• 08:40pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." Same dress.
• 08:52pm - "Touch My Body" done. "Broken glass everywhere. I'm told it's good luck. I'm trying to hold the water, pour it in the glass and hold the mic all at the same time. Give me 5 seconds." Crowd chants 5 4 3 2 1. She goes, "I know, my goodness! It's like what I've done I needed the water. The janitor needs to come and wipe my mess up so I don't slip. This right here is dangerous! It's Valentine's Day and I'm feeling festive. I have some good gift but my main gift was to hang out with Nick. Happy Valentine's! Usually we do a song from The Emancipation of Mimi. "Fly Like a Bird" now.
• 08:56pm - "Fly Like a Bird" done. She gets off the stage. Guy dancers on stage. "Make It Happen" playing now.
• 09:00pm - Back for the end of "Make It Happen." She's wearing a long silver dress with see-thru on sides.
• 09:02pm - "Make It Happen" done. "See what had happened was I was trying to wear a red Valentine's dress. When we're in there I tried hard to get it on but I couldn't! So I'll try to wear the red one for later. So I tried putting this one on. So I said to myself, "SELF, I have two options. One I can cut this one short into a mini or two I can try to continue to rip it or wait for the seamstress." Stylist Blair comes on stage to help fix it. She fixes it and Mariah's happy again.
• 09:04pm - "I wanna slow it down for it a minute. I love you guys. I wanna do a song for you that I do as a remix with Ne-Yo." "Angels Cry" now.
• 09:09pm - "Who's here with a date? I love you. Who's here without a date? I love you too but maybe you guys can go out and get a date tonight." [Everyone laughing] She asks for Toby to help her, "Toby is here to help me 'cause I'm sweating profusely. Technically, I should do this back stage but they're gonna call me a diva anyways." "Always Be My Baby" now.
• 09:16pm - "I have this couch here just so you can see my shoes." (She lies down with her silver shoes in the air) "Play this song, man!" "It's Like That" now.
• 09:20pm - "Wow. Thank you. I'm tired 'cause that was my fastest song." She says Happy Birthday to a girl in the crowd. "Happy Birthday! 16? I don't call them birthdays I call them anniversaries! How is your 16th anniversary? Mine is this year too [Laughs]. I know how it feels to be eternally 12. I wrote this song for my husband. He's here somewhere." "The Impossible" now.
• 09:27pm - Trey Lorenz comes down and sings the rest of "The Impossible" with Mariah. They sing a mini "Happy Valentine's Day I Love You" duet and now he sings. He dedicates this to Michael Jackson. "Rock With You" now.
• 09:31pm - "Rock With You" done. Mariah comes back out to sing this as a homage to Diana Ross. Short silver dress with fur on shoulders. "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker" now.
• 09:38pm - "Who remembers this video?" Everyone screams. "This is the first video I was allowed to do what I wanted to do." "Honey" now.
• 09:43pm - "Honey" done. "Almost done with this bottled water. You know what this mean? Only a teensy weensy splash. Don't worry I'm not driving. I guess since I'm 12 I shouldn't be having any. Maybe one looong sip." She lets her backup dancer Tory introduce himself. Tory dresses her in a red and white robe and she sits in a chair. "I'm just relaxing now. This is one of the songs from my favorite album." "My All" plays.
• 09:48pm - Carried off stage by guy dancer after "My All." Girl dancers on stage dancing to a Latin beat.
• 09:52pm - She sings the first two words of "Vision of Love" and switches to "Obsessed." She's wearing her black 'Golden Globe' dress.
• 09:56pm - "Obsessed" done. "You have been an incredible audience!" "We Belong Together" now.
• 09:59pm - "Happy Valentine's Day! I hope cupid comes and gives you a kiss. Thank you. I love you!"
• 10:03pm - They announced the concert is over. No encore.
Many thanks to Ronnie for the awesome updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review of the show; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah will be performing at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, February 17th. Please join us at 8:00pm CST (6pm PT/9pm ET). Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Bryan and Edward.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
'Helping Haiti' Single Soars to UK No. 1
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 14-Feb-2010, 6:11PM EST
Simon Cowell's all-star remake of R.E.M. song "Everybody Hurts" has stormed to the top of the U.K. singles chart, making it the fastest-selling charity single this century.
The music mogul called on artists including Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis and Kylie Minogue to feature on the cover track to raise money for Haiti's earthquake relief efforts.
More than 453,000 copies of "Everybody Hurts" have been sold since its release last Sunday, February 7 to take it to number one and make history with the biggest first week sales of any charity song since 2000.
Fan Photos/Reviews: Mariah in Chicago, Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 14-Feb-2010, 4:35PM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Marleo, Daved, Joe, Don, La Tia and Kevin Lee!]
And below are pictures from a fan gathering, hosted by Kevin Lee and Dan, prior to the Chicago show.
FAN REVIEWS
Jeremy Bachelor: "Her cold is gone! The night was amazing. To kick things off, I went to a fan gathering and met some great lambs. They, especially KevinLee and Dan, made the night even more special. When Mariah first appeared and was coming down on her swing, I really had to convince myself that this was happening, live, in front of me, and wasn’t some YouTube video. Sometimes when you see the outfits online or in videos, you think, what was she thinking? But in person, she just looked astonishing. I really appreciated the new red ensemble for Valentine's Day as well. Overall, the concert was incredible. Her voice seemed very strong when she sang, and the crowd was extremely into her and intense! You could tell she was feeding off of it, and was really enjoying herself and the music. She even seemed to be a bit more risqué in going after some of those belting notes! Everyone went absolutely nuts when 'Emotions' came on, including myself. All in all, I have to say that her cold is definitely gone, and I had the time of my life. I was sitting right up front, and made eye contact with her multiple times. I can't wait to see her again in the future!"
Joe Straub: "Just got home from the concert! Everything about tonight was amazing! Mariah seemed so happy to be performing for us and the crowd adored her! Pretty much everyone was standing and very into the show all night long! Her voice was so strong, sounded beautiful. I loved the striped down tone of My All so we could hear that beautiful voice! Emotions is my favorite song since I was 7 and was blown away by her performance. For the nostalgia! The crowd loved it all, Mariah gave her all, and Chicago loves her!"
Don Ho: "Oh my gosh! So this was my first concert ever and what a great one to start my life with! I will be a lamb for life now. Mariah sounded great, and forget all that talk about her cheesy dancers or her lack of performance. I thought the show was perfect and super entertaining! The theatre was the perfect spot for Mimi, and she sure felt the Chicago love! I waited with friends outside for her to get in her car, and I saw Nick first then Mariah. I was so close to getting her to sign my hand, but she was ushered inside the car. Better luck next time!"
Joe Juan: "Let me start by saying. Mariah is an incredible singer. It's nothing compared to the stuff we see and hear on TV. This was my first Mariah concert. It didn't feel real until she descended to the stage on the swing. She is incredibly beautiful. She spoke to the crowd and performed the hits. After the show I waited with other lambs to get a glimpse of her. I spoke with Nick Cannon, got Sherry's autograph and then to top it off I got Mariah's autograph on the cover of my tour book! I had tons of fun with the lambs! Festive bunch of folks. Overall it was an outstanding night. Thankful I was able to experience it!"
Jonathan Leu: "I had never been to a concert ever, and what better way to experience my first one than no one else but the amazing Mariah Carey. By the time it was 8pm, the whole theatre was nearly filled. My friends and I were easily the youngest - we're teenagers lol - and everyone else was at least 21 since they were sipping martinis haha. Everyone was chanting for Mariah. When she descended from the stage, I was screaming, shaking, and admittedly crying since I simply could not believe I was seeing her in person. She looks absoutely stunning in person. The highlights were when she went in to Always Be My Baby and literally the whole audience was standing. Fly Like A Bird was one of the emotional peaks, and We Belong Together was the song that everyone knew every word to. The greatest thing about Mariah though is her connection with her fans. She has a way of moving you whether you're a diehard fan or a casual fan. The whole diva thing is just her business/professional persona, because when she's with her fans she treats them like best friends or 'extended family,' as she puts it. She talked and joked with the crowd, asked if we would buy her shoe line if she were to create one [enthusiastic 'yes'], mentioned how her mom Patricia was born in Illinois but unfortunately couldn't make it, said the Chicago crowd is always so loving and supportive, and of course, poked fun at herself by having her two makeup assistants come on stage to fix her hair and makeup. Every number she gave it her all, and she ended with a flourish with an incredible rendition of Hero that was as good as 1993. There was a lasting standing ovation after she had finished as everyone buzzed about how incredible she was. At the end of the 90 minute set I still couldn't believe I saw her in person, let alone hear her soaring gorgeous voice in person. To all those who are thinking about going, please do. It is definitely worth your money!"
LaTia McPherson: "We arrived to the show around 7:15pm. Already the house was packed! We took our seats on the upper balcony. The show was of course sold out and the energy was amazing! RydazNRtist took the stage and they did okay. I'd not heard any of their music before. And while I liked their songs, I didn't like that it felt like 99% of the time they were lipsyncing. After they left the stage, the crowd eagerly anticipated Mariah's entrance on stage! We waited about 45 mins or so for her to enter the stage, and when she did, the crowd went wild! From where we were sitting, we could see her on the swing before she decended upon the audience. It was amazing! Overall my friends and I had a great time! We danced, we sang, and throughly enjoyed ourselves. I was surpised that the majority of the time people were sitting down in the balcony area while she was on stage. This is my 3rd Mariah concert and usually people are on their feet the entire time! Out of the three, this is the shortest and smallest concert I've attended of hers, but it was worth it. It gave a more intimate feel! I knew this tour was intended to be a mini concert and mini tour, so I knew what to expect. My friend had the opportunity to stand near the stage door and got to take a picture with Trey! Overall, we had a blast and can't wait until Mimi comes to our town again!"
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Press Reviews: Mariah at Chicago Theatre, Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 14-Feb-2010, 5:06AM EST
Mariah Carey doesn't have to be contemporary and she doesn't have to be old school because she's both.
At the Chicago Theatre on Saturday, the first of two sold-out nights, she showed the fruits of a 20-year career: a sampling of crossover pop hits spanning R&B balladry to hip-hop soul. Of course, the former suited her natural inclinations more than the latter — for a singer with such a titanic voice, a speed workout like "Obsessed" (a slick toss-off to Eminem, no less), sounded like calculated slumming.
Instead, her skills came to shine in her older material, which in her possession sounded as ferocious as ever. Yes, her voice occasionally scaled into chipmunk territory — a vocal talent as instinctual as her knowing when to turn it on. But what stood out in isolated moments of Saturday's show was her ability to produce vocal riffs that overtook songs ("Fly Like a Bird," "Emotions") and pushed them higher into mighty pronouncements of pain, desire and inarticulate bliss.
These were moments that continue to give Carey such staying power, despite the dingbat award show acceptance speeches, public breakdowns and horrible movie choices of her past. Unlike the spectrum of ladies in her wake, from Barbra to Beyonce, Carey remains the people's diva. (There is a reason she is the best-selling artist of the last 20 years, behind only Garth Brooks and the Beatles.) On Saturday, she let us know she is one of us — insisting she was sipping water in a champagne flute less anyone think differently — but when launching into song, her voice said otherwise.
Her show featured a four-person band, three backup singers and nine dancers, all of whom provided enough action that Carey did what most singers these days do not: stand still. While lip-synching and intensive dance choreography have made singing a second banana for most contemporary singers, Carey didn't feel the need to prove she could dance. As if to prove her point, on "Angels Cry," the visual was handed to two gymnasts who performed aerial choreography — yet even they became distractions to her vocal calisthenics.
Instead Carey's show kept pace by mixing up ballads and pop hits, with several costume changes and comedic zingers thrown in for good measure. She relaxed on a chaise lounge where she received hair primping and makeup touch-ups; she also played market researcher by interviewing the audience about whether or not she should endorse her own line of shoes.
Those were the human moments of a 90-minute show that occasionally got worn down by too many costume changes masquerading as musical interludes and shapeless ballads ("The Impossible") that proved even the best singers can't better inferior material.
By her encore, Carey delivered "Hero," her signature anthem. Although she started the show in the rafters, lowered to the floor on a swing while donning a princess gown, by evening's end she slipped into a black cocktail dress and interacted with the audience like she was hosting a party in her living room. Versatile? Like a fox.
Below are photos from Mariah's concert at the Chicago Theatre Saturday night.
Mariah Carey was doing that diva thing Saturday in the first of two shows at the Chicago Theatre: Poured into a gleaming, silver gown; eyes closed; self-absorbed in the moment of singing how her lover had done "The Impossible." All the while, a male dancer a few feet off her left shoulder was bumping, grinding and eventually popping his pectorals like a circus act.
Carey didn't break stride, but then as the song wound down, she cracked up. "Did you enjoy that?" she asked the audience with a laugh, as if to let everyone know she was in on the joke all along.
The singer, who has sold more than 62 million albums in the U.S. in a career that spans two decades, has always had a prodigious voice. But now she's developing a personality to go with it, and that made all the difference in a concert in which the singer both played up her cartoon image and undercut it.
As the concert opened, Carey descended from the rafters on a swing, like a fairytale princess. Throughout the night her collection of gowns and mini-skirts were so tight-fitting, her heels so high, that she could barely move, a Jessica Rabbit with hair cascading down her back and curves on top of curves. Unlike many of her peers, for whom gyrating like an aerobics instructor is all but required, Carey didn't so much move as mince a bit, though at one point she was painstakingly hoisted to shoulder level by two of her dancers – a creaky and slightly ridiculous bit of choreography.
"If you're gonna call me a diva then, damn it, I'm gonna act like a diva," she cracked as two assistants applied make-up midshow.
She sipped from a glass of champagne and fretted about starting yet another product line. "If I did a shoe line, would you guys buy them?" she asked.
It all made Carey seem a bit eccentric and slightly daft, in the same way that Patti Labelle deflates her larger-than-life status by making fun of it even as she exaggerates it.
Of course none of it would work if Carey didn't have the voice to back it up. Her latest album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," is her best work yet, a warmer and more subtle album that makes her more relatable to those of us who aren't Mariah diehards – or "lambs," as she refers to them. The thaw-out carried over into Saturday's show, and gave new perspective to older songs that once were defined strictly by technique.
For many her defining moment was the 1993 hit "Hero," her encore. It's a template for the next generation of singers featured on "American Idol," a singing style that dictates emotions instead of evoking them. On Saturday, she trotted out a few of those dog-whistle trills that she popularized in the early ‘90s, turning Minnie Ripperton's soul into a vocal tic. In the late ‘90s she flirted with hip-hop, a rhythmic flexibility that carried over into her performances of "Honey" and "Heartbreaker."
But it has always been the ballads that kept her swimming in bling, and so it was Saturday. Whether ramping up some gospel-style fervor on "Fly Like a Bird" or dialing it down to a near whisper on "Angels Cry," Carey has slightly less vocal range but is a much better singer now than she was when she was enjoying her biggest sellers.
Part of it may have to do with her career nosedive circa 2001-02. Things got so bad her record company paid her to leave. The bumps and bruises haven't changed her assembly-line pop all that much. But as a personality and a performer, the brief tumble from her pedestal has worked wonders.
A Mariah Memo Song diva Mariah Carey, decked out in diamonds, a slinky-black floor-length knit dress and 7-inch-high, gun-metal-black high heels -- strolled into Gene & Georgetti eatery at 11:30 p.m. Saturday night with bodyguards in tow.
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Chicago, Show #1
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 6:30PM EST
Mariah Daily Journal is live tonight from the Chicago Theatre for Mariah's first of two Angels Advocate dates in Chicago, Illinois. Helping us with the play-by-play updates are our tour correspondents Marleo and Kevin Lee. Stick around!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Emotions 14. Obsessed 15. We Belong Together 16. Hero
Tidbits: • 07:30pm - Prince and Stevie Wonder songs are playing as audience fills the Chicago Theatre. • 08:04pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. • 08:20pm - The opening act is finished. Michael Jackson music now being played while waiting for Mariah to hit the stage. People are screaming Mariah. • 09:00pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 09:09pm - Just finished "Shake It Off." "Touch My Body" now. • 09:12pm - Someone screams 'I Love You, Mariah' and she sings back 'I Love You too.' She mentions her mom Patricia is from Illinois but couldn't make the show. She starts "Fly Like a Bird." • 09:18pm - "Make It Happen" starts. Mariah goes back stage. Dancers are performing. • 09:20pm - Mariah back on stage. Sips water from a champagne glass. She talks to the crowd and dedicates "Angels Cry" to remembering the people of Haiti. • 09:30pm - Mariah says hi to her friends in the audience, mentions Chicago B-96's Erik Bradley. Mariah calls out the hair and makeup folks out. Talks about having a splash. Mariah says, "If the crowd wants me to have a splash, then gosh, darn it, I will!" • 09:34pm - "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:40pm - "It's Like That" starts. • 09:43pm - Mariah talks about Valentine's Day. She says she's bad with dates but she remembers days like Valentine's Day and Christmas because they are about love. "The Impossible" now. • 09:48pm - Trey Lorenz comes out to sing "Rock With You" as Mariah goes off for a costume change. • 09:52pm - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" intro. Mariah back on stage wearing a hot red ensemble to perform "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker." • 10:04pm - The crowd yells that they like Mariah's shoes. She mentions the possibility of having her own shoe line. "My All" now. • 10:09pm - Mariah leaves stage. The female dancers dancing to the "My All" remix. Now a Latin mix is playing. • 10:12pm - Mariah back on stage to perform "Emotions"! • 10:25pm - "We Belong Together" now. • 10:30pm - Mariah leaves the stage. The crowd screams for Mariah Mariah Mariah! • 10:33pm - Mariah returns for encore song "Hero." • 10:37pm - Show ends.
Photos: [Pictured: MDJ Tour Correspondent Marleo]
Many thanks to Marleo and Kevin Lee for the great updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review/show experience; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah performs her second show at the Chicago Theatre tomorrow, February 14th. Come join us again at 7:30pm CST. Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Adnan, David, Ronnie and Randall.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Haiti Single "Everybody Hurts" Now on iTunes USA
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 5:46AM EST
The U.K. charity single for Haiti relief, a cover version of REM's "Everybody Hurts" featuring Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie Minogue, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Susan Boyle, Cheryl Cole, Robbie Williams, etc. is now available for download on iTunes USA.
Shop Angels Advocate Tour Merchandise
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 3:54AM EST
The official Mariah Carey Angels Advocate Tour online store is now open! Below is a list of tour merchandise currently available to purchase. Select an item and order today!
Box Score: Angels Advocate in Washington, D.C.
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 3:30AM EST
Billboard has published the box score for Mariah's concert at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in its 2/20/10 issue.
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 Venue: DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. Gross: $216,247 Attendance/Capacity of Building: 2,430 / 3,166 Sellout %: 76.8% Ticket Price Range: $249.25, $68.25
Source: Billboard | NSwain420
Full Audio: Angels Advocate in Columbus, Ohio
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 3:28AM EST
The full audio of Mariah's concert at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 is below. You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Thanks to Dwight for the audio file!
Mariah Puts a Big Smile on Little Molly's Face
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 13-Feb-2010, 12:56AM EST
Over the past three years, little Molly has been in and out of the hospital, most recently treated for Pneumonia and RSV infection. Molly has grown quite attached to Mariah Carey's music (she calls her "Ariah"). She spends a lot of her time listening, dancing and singing to her music.
Molly's dad Brendan, a huge Mariah fan himself, writes: "The last few years have been a very challenging ride for Molly and our family. Since the Memoirs record release, Molly's favorite track has been 'Angels Cry.' I do believe that everyone has a guardian angel watching over them and Molly has found a true connection to 'Ariah's' music. Through the last three imperfect years, Molly has had many angels looking over her. Yesterday, Molly received an incredible surprise in the mail! It's very evident in the depth of her smile that she was extremely surprised and excited by what she received. A very big thank you to Mariah's entire team, and to Maroon Entertainment! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to M for taking the time to put this deep of a smile on my little girl's face! My entire family and Molly will never forget this! Molly will have these items for the rest of her adventure and has a very special story to tell."
Watch the adorable little Molly sing along to Mariah's "Angels Cry" below!
Source: Brendan
"Up Out My Face" Rises 7-4 on BET Countdown
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 12-Feb-2010, 9:59PM EST
Great job, everyone! "Up Out My Face" advanced 3 spots to #4 on BET's 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" video countdown today!
Keep voting as many times as you can every day to help it get to the top! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote via text message to 79922 with the code MCAR for "Up Out My Face" and MCA for "Angels Cry."
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Robyn
Nick Talks About Valentine's Day Plans with Mariah
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 12-Feb-2010, 4:02PM EST
At 10 p.m. Saturday, Nick Cannon will DJ--name: DJ Sexyfingerz--for the third time at Underground ($20 cover; RSVP to rsvp@rockitranch.com). On his way from the Def Jam offices to the MTV building in Times Square, Cannon, 29, talked about his Valentine's Day weekend plans with his wife, who performs Saturday and Sunday at Chicago Theatre.
I'll name a list of elements in a possible Valentine's Day celebration. You tell me what you will or won't be including: Fireplace. Bearskin rug. Chocolate sauce. Edible underwear. A donkey. Wow. None of those except maybe the chocolate sauce. [Laughs]
That's the only one? No chance of the others? No donkeys! Unless we're putting luggage on his back to walk to the cars with. But the donkey cannot be in the room.
What do you really have planned for Valentine's Day this weekend? I saw you were shopping for sweets. Just really hangin' out. Obviously we gonna be in the Chi. Just spending time with each other, spending that whole day just havin' fun. We kind of cherish that time when we don't have to do anything and don't have to work, so that's probably what it'll be about.
What are some spots in Chicago you're hoping to check out? I mean, probably mostly the hotel room. The Pier's always a great place to go, so if it's not too cold we might venture down there.
Last Valentine's Day you guys started a fire in your hotel room. Yeah, she saved my life.
How did she put it out? There was a bunch of vases with water in it and roses and she just thought extremely fast, ripped all the roses out of the vases and just started throwing the water on the fire.
That must've been surreal. Yeah, I was just screamin' like a little bitch while she was being the hero.
What did she say to you afterwards? I mean, nothin'. I was too busy giving her props for saving my life that she was just like, "I had to think fast."
What can people expect from your DJ set at Underground Saturday? I like to bring the fun, you know what I mean. The hottest new records. I like to throw some stuff in there that'll make people smile or giggle and stuff like that. It'll be some throwback stuff, just keeping the BPM's goin', keeping people dancing.
Be honest: How many Mariah Carey songs do you put into a set? At least three. [Laughs] If she shows up it'll probably be more. But she's got some bangers. "Obsessed" is a smash, the new "Up Out My Face" is a smash, and then the classic "Fantasy." So I always gotta play that. I think every DJ plays those.
Do you expect that she'll swing by after the show? You never know. It always depends how she's feeling after the show. The most important thing is her voice, so we never going to jeopardize that. But sometimes if she knows I'm going to DJ she come in there and keep an eye on me.
I hear you and your wife are trying to conceive, which is awesome. Do you have any suggestions for setting the mood? [Laughs] Uh, not really. That's funny that people just make stuff up like say we're trying to conceive. That was news to me. I also heard I was adopting a Haitian kid too. Stuff like that is funny. We just leaving that type of stuff up to God and when the time is right.
Some articles are, like, you guys are hiding in a bunker just getting down to it. [Laughs] Yeah, that's definitely buggin' me out. People just make up stuff like that.
So that's not the goal. Yeah, nah. We don't need to try. When it's right, it'll be right.
What advice do you have for guys who are dating older women? Uh, don't think about it. I've kind of always been a dude that was just attracted to people more mature than I was. You gotta be a person who understands a female if you goin' to venture to someone who's probably a little more mature than you. Guys already got so much goin' up against us with women being smarter than us. So you gotta be ready for it.
"I Want To Know What Love Is" Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs: #13 (Last week: #11) Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel
Billboard 200: #109 (Last week: #112) Sales this week: 5,686 Total Sales: 426,379 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: #29 (Last week: #27)
Source: Billboard | MariahDailyJournal
Fan Photos/Reviews: Angels Advocate in Columbus, OH
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 12-Feb-2010, 12:59AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Stacey, Nicole, Desiree, JoAnna, Brandi & Shareef!]
FAN REVIEWS
JoAnna Caraballo: "I drove 2 and a half hours from Cleveland, OH for the Angels Advocate tour in Columbus, OH. This was my 2nd time being able to see Mariah in concert. Her voice is AMAZING live! She said she was still trying to "shake off" her cold. Despite being sick her voice was on point! The crowd was on their feet singing along and dancing the entire show, she loved the 'festive' audience! I absolutely loved all her 'diva' moments! Mariah caught someone recording her and told the person 'I see that red light boo... you better turn that off!' She is hilarious! She did not sing a few songs I would've loved to have heard like H.A.T.E.U., It's A Wrap, and Up Out My Face, and the show was a bit short. Security was very tight. I was told no cameras were allowed, but I still took pics every time I had a chance. No signs were allowed either. After the show a small group of us found the tour busses and waited on a walk bridge for Mariah to come out to hopefully get an autograph or a pic with her, we waited over an hour in the cold and snow with no luck, but we did see Sherry Tatum, we yelled and waved to her and she gave us a smile and a waved back. Over all I'm very pleased to have gotten the opportunity to see the greatest ever!! I would definitely see Mariah again, she puts on a wonderful show!"
Desiree: "I had the best time! This was my second ever Mariah concert and it will not be my last! She is truly amazing! I drove 3 1/2 hours from Louisville, KY to Columbus to see her! Last time I drove 8! Loved the show. Soooo glad she sang Always Be My Baby!"
Nicole M.: "There are some things the correspondent didn't add. Mariah told the audience to stop filming her that if she wanted to be filmed she'd have her own TV show. She said she was still sick with a cold that her dancers gave her. I felt like the concert ended before it started. Her Ohio show wasn't sold out. There was a lot of seats left. She didn't sing Make It Happen. It was playing while she was in the back changing. She had a sip of water and said it wasn't vodka. Security wouldn't allow signs or camera. They kept telling people to turn it off. Mariah had her people fix her hair and make up on stage and said she was going to have a diva moment. That she didn't need to but she had to. So the opening act came out and the crowd was wild, sitting in their seats. But once Mariah came out everyone was upon their feet! She did a good job."
Mark Ruhe: "The show last night was amazing.I was overly worried about the ever shortening set list but in the end I couldn't have cared less. This was my first time seeing Mimi and I knew what to expect in some respects but I couldn't wait to hear what her voice sounded like live. It was unreal. Amazing show and a hysterical woman and that's why we love her."
Shareef Wahdan: "Me and my friends got 10th row. This was my first Mariah experience and wow it was amazing and I'll be more than happy to pay $500 for front row next time. Her voice was amazing and I'm proud to be a lamb!"
Brooke Turner: "This was my first time seeing Mariah, and it was everything that I had hoped it would be. She was absolutely amazing! I was praying that she would sound good, as a few of her recent performances that I've seen on TV weren't so great. Her voice was on point - she hit every note. I am 30 years old, and have been a fan ever since she came out (I was in 4th grade!). I have been waiting forever for her to come to Columbus. I actually had tears in my eyes when she came down on the giant swing. She pulled through though and kept on going, even though she was sick. She really was sick; you could totally tell by her voice when she was talking. Nobody has a voice like MC - she is a true diva and icon in every sense. She looked absolutely beautiful! I can't wait for the remix album, and I hope she comes back to the C-bus soon! The only thing I will say, is that I wish she would have done a few more songs from her new album. The entire album is so great, and she only did three songs from it. A lot of the songs were the same ones that she did on the Adventures of Mimi tour, that I saw on TV. But... as someone who has never seen her in concert before, it was awesome to see her perform all of those major hits! Very inspirational!"
Mariah Helps Nick With New TV Movie
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 12-Feb-2010, 12:11AM EST
Mariah Carey has recorded backing vocals for the fictional band husband Nick Cannon has created for upcoming TV movie School Gyrls. The singer also helped Nick write songs for the teen trio in the film, but didn't want a part in the project, which debuts on Sunday, February 21 on Nickelodeon.
Nick tells TV Guide magazine, "She's all through it. Mariah actually helped me write the script... and if you listen closely, she also sings backup in the last song."
"Up Out My Face" Back on BET's Top 10
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 11-Feb-2010, 9:01PM EST
"Up Out My Face" returned to BET's 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" video countdown at #7 today! The video debuted at #10 on Tuesday, Feb. 9th, fell off the countdown yesterday; and today made a big comeback at #7! Great job, everyone!
Keep voting, as many times as you can every day, and help it move up the countdown! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote via text message to 79922 with the code MCAR for "Up Out My Face" and MCA for "Angels Cry."
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Robyn
Mariah on AT&T's Exclusive "Team USA" Soundtrack
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 11-Feb-2010, 12:20PM EST
AT&T to Produce Exclusive Soundtrack for Athletes Competing in 2010 Olympic Winter Games
Catch the Olympic Spirit and Connect to Team USA with Never-Before-Released Songs and Tones by Top Artists, Available via iTunes and AT&T Wireless Handsets
Proceeds from Downloads to Benefit Team USA
Music Videos to Appear During NBC's Broadcasts of the Olympic Winter Games
As the world prepares to take in the sights, sounds and majesty of the upcoming 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, AT&T is joining with world-renowned recording artists — 3 Doors Down, The All-American Rejects remix by Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, Mariah Carey, Gloriana, Green River Ordinance, Hoobastank, Puddle Of Mudd, Sugarland and many more— to create the exclusive AT&T Team USA Soundtrack for athletes as they pursue their dream of competing in the Olympic Games. These songs will be available exclusively via the iTunes Store, and via AT&T wireless devices, tones will available starting tomorrow.
The music, which will debut on the opening day of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, will offer inspirational songs for Team USA, sports and music fans across the country. In addition, several artists have recorded exclusive music videos, which will be featured during NBC's Olympic Games coverage, and will be available via TV, PC and wireless device through AT&T U-verse(SM) TV, AT&T Fan Zone and wirelessly through AT&T Mobile Video.
All proceeds from the purchase of songs, participating ringtones and answer tones from February 12, 2010 through March 1, 2010 will be donated to Team USA.**
Sample tracks for the 2010 AT&T Team USA Soundtrack include:
3 Doors Down – "Shine" The All-American Rejects – "Move Along (remix by Chad Hugo of the Neptunes)" Mariah Carey – "100%" Gloriana – "The World Is Ours Tonight" Green River Ordinance – "Rise Up" Hoobastank – "Never Be Here Again" Puddle Of Mudd – "Shook Up the World" Sugarland – "Wide Open"
The songs are available for purchase on iTunes for $0.99 or $1.29. In addition, AT&T wireless customers can purchase ringtones and answer tones featuring the tracks through AT&T MEdia Mall (or AT&T App Center) – prices from $1.99 to $2.49 for each download. AT&T wireless customers can access a link to these never-before-released tones from the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack by texting USA to 2257.
Mariah Carey said: "I am honored to be a part of this effort to support Team USA through this soundtrack. The Olympic Winter Games create once-in-a-lifetime moments for the entire world to see. It is truly amazing to watch these first-rate athletes compete and give everything they have to reach new levels of achievement. Their actions provide hope and inspiration for everyone. As artists, we strive to encourage others through our music."
It's a cardinal rule of the pop-music hierarchy: Divas do it big.
They have demands. They're impatient.
So it was no surprise that the 39-year-old descended from the steel-girder heavens of Value City Arena last night atop a giant swing, sporting a gold gown that appeared to be detailed by a frosting gun.
Or that she sipped water from a champagne glass ("No, it's not vodka," she assured the crowd).
Or that she lay down on a white leather divan to have two hair and makeup assistants apply a touch-up, just minutes into the show.
Or that she belted tunes into a diamond-encrusted microphone while taking two opportunities to promote her forthcoming "Angel" rose champagne.
It was all so theatrical, so staged. A little bit cruise-ship variety show, a lot like a Vegas residency.
But this is Mariah. It has to be dramatic, dahling.
What was missing, luckily, was arrogance.
Despite performing to a noticeably empty house - the upper-middle and top bowls were entirely empty, not aided by the weather or the fact that cheap seats were $50 - she worked the crowd well with plenty of banter (girls in the front row complained that arena security took their homemade signs; Carey apologized).
And, despite a new album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, she worked in plenty of blast-from-the-past fare (Make it Happen; My All) along with the late-90s mid-tempo jams tinged with hip-hop (Honey; Heartbreaker).
Recent hits Shake It Off and Touch My Body - released after the singer's rebound from a highly-publicized emotional breakdown - had listeners bouncing, a reminder that Carey's music is groove-worthy but not quite danceable.
Although flanked by nearly a dozen dancers, some at times suspended from giant rubber-band-style strings, Carey didn't bust a move.
She opted instead to strut in heels and multiple dresses (and, briefly, a kimono), leaving three times during the 90-minute show for extended breaks.
Divas, after all, can't be rushed.
Carey claimed to be fighting off the remnants of a cold, but it wasn't evident. There were several decent moments of her trademark high-pitched chirp and her voice overall was strong.
The night's greatest response came from her 1996 tune Always Be My Baby, an old-school hit that Carey and the multiage crowd still seemed to enjoy.
Even with the feigned dramatics, the evening was more lovable than loopy.
It was also a testament that even when divas make missteps, they can recover - a new hairdo, a new husband, another No. 1 hit.
As long as someone's there to refill the water glass.
The cold and snow couldn't keep thousands of fans from seeing the best-selling female artist of all time Wednesday night at the Schottenstein Center. As the diva herself said on stage, "the show must go on" — and it certainly did.
As Mariah Carey was lowered onto the stage from a swing, the atmosphere was electric. Audiences waited more than an hour and a half for her to come on, but when she did, their anticipation turned into pure excitement.
"She was absolutely amazing," Anthony Patton said. "When she came on stage I was like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe how awesome this is.'"
Patton said Carey's performance was worth driving an hour and 20 minutes to see. Coming from Dayton, he was worried about making the trip in such harsh conditions.
"I had to scrape sheets of ice from my car and was worried the roads would be really bad," Patton said. "I didn't care though — I wasn't going to miss this."
Carey performed many of her hit songs that have kept her in the business for 20 years. During her career, she has racked up 18 No. 1 Hot 100 hits, and is the only artist with the potential to surpass The Beatles' all-time record of 20.
The "Angels Advocate" tour marked Carey's first tour appearance in Columbus. The eight-week, 19-city trip promotes Carey's 13th studio release, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel."
"Memoirs" was released back in September and reached number one on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
The first single from the album, "Obsessed," was definitely a crowd favorite. As Carey sashayed onto the stage in her floor length black ball gown, cheers and screams erupted from the audience. Some people even got out of their seats to go dance in the aisles.
"Obsessed," rumored to be about rapper Eminem, is an up-tempo song with catchy lyrics denying claims that Carey and Eminem were in a relationship. "Obsessed" debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Others reacted strongly to her gospel hit "Fly Like a Bird," from her 2005 Grammy Award-winning album, "The Emancipation of Mimi."
"That was so moving," said fan Jennifer Pruitt. "I felt like I was at church."
Carey's record-breaking high notes wowed audiences the most. Every time "The Voice" dipped down to belt one out, the crowd was in awe.
"She hit every note perfectly," said Patton. "Since she's getting older I didn't know if she was able to sing like that again but the girl's still got it."
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Columbus, Ohio
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 7:30PM EST
Mariah Daily Journal is live tonight from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio with our tour correspondent Dwight giving us the play-by-play, as they happen!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Obsessed 14. We Belong Together 15. Hero
Tidbits: • 07:30pm - Boyz II Men and Michael Jackson songs are playing as audience fills the Schottenstein Center. • 08:00pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. • 08:18pm - RydaznRtist done with their set. Back to playing MJ music. • 09:01pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 09:19pm - "Make It Happen." Costume change. • 09:23pm - Mariah still has the cold. Took some Vicks backstage. "Angels Cry" now. • Show looks sold out and audience is very energetic. • 09:30pm - Mariah says she bused to Columbus from Toronto and slept the whole way. Mariah plugs news champagne. "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:45pm - Trey Lorenz now sings "Rock With You." • 09:49pm - "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker" now with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" intro. • 09:55pm - "Honey" now. • 10:01pm - Mariah dons a new red robe. "My All" now. • 10:09pm - Trey Lorenz introduces band. • 10:12pm - Mariah wears her black Golden Globe dress. She spots a red light in audience and says, "I see a camera out there" and mentions that if she produced the taping she wouldn't mind. • 10:15pm - "We Belong Together" now. • 10:20pm - Back on stage for encore song "Hero." • 10:24pm - Show ends.
Photos:
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review/show experience; and pictures to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
This coming Valentine weekend, Mariah will make her Angels Advocate Tour stop in Chicago, Illinois, playing two nights at the Chicago Theatre. On Saturday, February 13th at 7:30pm CST, Mariah Daily Journal will be there with its tour correspondents Marleo and Kevin Lee reporting live from the venue. Please join us!
Source: MariahDailyJournal | Aaron
Mariah Mentions
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 4:07PM EST
• In her recent interview with the Advocate, The Last Station's Oscar-nominated Helen Mirren relives her lesbian kiss in Losing Chase, gushes over Ellen DeGeneres, empathizes with Mariah Carey, and explains why she appreciates gays as much as they appreciate her. Below is an excerpt from the interview in which she mentions Mariah.
In her acceptance speech at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Mariah rambled on about meeting you that night. Have you ever had one too many before accepting an award? Oh, yes, I have, and it's a terrible mistake! [Laughs] But I thought she was so sweet and lovely—and blasted, yes, but why not? It was her night to celebrate. It wasn't officially televised, so she should've been free to be whatever she wanted to be, but the trouble nowadays with YouTube is that everyone records everything. I thought she accepted her award with great charm.
• Singer P!nk mentions singing "Vision of Love" at parties when she was younger and even does the signature Mariah whistle register hand movements in her Oprah interview. Watch the interview here. She mentions Mariah at around 6:45 into the video.
Source: Greg | Jaime
"Up Out My Face" Debuts on 106 & Park!
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 3:01PM EST
Great job, everyone! "Up Out My Face" made its first appearance on BET's 106 & Park's "Top 10 Live" video countdown yesterday at #10!
Keep voting, as many times as you can every day, and help it move up the countdown! Vote by clicking on the BET icon on the top banner or this link. You can also vote via text message to 79922 with the code MCAR for "Up Out My Face" and MCA for "Angels Cry."
Source: Robyn | MariahDailyJournal
Full Audio: Angels Advocate in Toronto
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 11:13AM EST
The full audio of Mariah's concert at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Tuesday, February 9th is below. You can either download each song individually, or the whole show at once. Many thanks to Sergei for the audio file!
And here's a video clip of Mariah recording her performance of "100%" at the Air Canada Centre. Thanks to Atusa!
Source: Sergei | Atusa | MariahDailyJournal
Fan Photos/Reviews: Angels Advocate in Toronto
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 5:00AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Sergei, Atusa, Shiraz, Sean & Lisa, Cindy, Mandy, Maurie, Varune & Alexander!]
FAN REVIEWS
Maurie & Matthew (Tour Correspondents): "In what was our 5th Mariah concert in less than a year - the fear of repetition was not at all present - the great thing about MC is her shows are always brilliantly different. Great song selection and we even got a bit of a treat as she sang 100 Per Cent. Having a cold didn't stop this magical musical force from blowing us away with another perfect show."
Atusa (Tour Correspondent): "Mariah was a lot sicker in Toronto than she did in Ottawa, but her performance was stellar! She knows she has so many die hard lambs in Toronto and she didn't want to let us down. She definitely did not let us down. When she told us that she was performing 100% for the video, everyone got really excited. This performance was amazing!! I tried to video tape most of it but security came and caught me recording. The choir was a local choir from Toronto and they were fantastic. I found out where the tour buses were after the show and I went to see if Mariah was there, but the security kept telling me she had already left for the airport to go to Ohio. Then I saw two white dogs from far being walked by someone, and I realized it was JJ and Cha Cha! I ran up to them and the lady walking them let me pet them and take pictures. I asked her if Mariah was in the bus she was going into, and she said that they were still waiting for her. Me and a few other lambs waited for about 15 minutes for Mariah, and we got to meet Trey, the dancers, the back singers, and Rae Rae. It was incredible, I can't even describe it. Then Mariah was coming out, security was trying to hold everyone back and her body guards had sandwiched her so noone can get close, but I reached out my hand and she grabbed my hand right before she hopped on the bus. She said she was going to sign autographs, but because it was really cold, we gave all of our tour books to Daryl and he gave them to her to sign. She came back by the stairs and said hi to everyone and went in. She didn't have a marker to sign the tour books so I gave her my sharpie and she kept it. It was the best night of my life!"
Sergei Y: "I was really nervous after hearing about the previous few shows being short and her cutting songs and being sick and all that. I was hoping she would be over it by now. And when she came out and said she was still sick, I was really worried that I'd be disappointed and would leave feeling short-changed. And even though she did still cut the three songs mentioned earlier, I didn't even notice it, and definitely didn't miss it. Yeah, I would've really liked to hear It's A Wrap live, but she more than made up for it. We got to hear 100%, which nobody else got on the tour, and she also filmed the video here! My favorite song was probably My All tonight, because she did some cool things with it, some vocal acrobatics, it was nice to hear a bit of a different version. I love that she changed up the vocals, because that's what concerts are for! The show didn't feel short, it was about 1 hour 40 minutes all together. I did feel there were a few too many interludes and instrumentals, it killed the mood a little bit, but perhaps it was good to give people a little break as well. I was impressed and more than satisfied with the entire show. She sounded fantastic, her voice was better than ever, it was mostly all live, and she was super fun and hilarious. I mean, what more can you ask for? I got to meet some other lambs and it was a much needed night of fun. The venue was very much filled, which I wasn't expecting at all. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Toronto came through. I'm sure it was almost a sell-out, probably 90-95%. Canadian singer Fefe Dobson was sitting directly behind me. I would not have recognized her if not for a girl that came up to her to ask for an autograph. But then I realized her face did look familiar, and I've heard about her. The girl that asked for her autograph and photo commented, 'OMG, I love that you love Mariah!' to which Fefe answered, 'Yes, of course, I love her!' I also noticed that she was singing along and really enjoying the show. It was cute."
Alexander Christopher: "Mariah gave me a splash! First of all, let me start by saying last night was one of the most incredible nights of my life! I still can't really remember how it happened. I guess it started all in Montreal. I was in the front row with my cousin and I wore a shirt that said Toronto Lamb. She spotted me out and she said hello to me and thanking me for coming out and that she knew she was in Montreal but that I was from Toronto. Next date, Ottawa, I was in the front row again and wearing the same Toronto Lamb shirt. Anyone that sat in the front row knows that she gives you that piercing eye contact. I smuggled in this sign that said, 'Hey Mariah... Where's my splash?' Ottawa was extremely hard core about no photos, no signs, etc. but I was determined that she read the sign. She read my sign and said because she was having a cold she wasn't really doing splashes that night. She then said to me: 'If you're from Toronto like you say you are, we will have to set up a splash then' or something to that effect. Now, Let's go to Toronto. I wasn't wearing my Toronto Lamb shirt. I was wearing my 'Where's my splash?" shirt. I can't get over it! Mariah gave me a splash at the Toronto show! I kid you not - I dreamed about it at least 5 times last night!" (You can listen to Mariah's shout out to Alexander in this audio file).
Cindy Daoud: "Tonight was absolutely one of the best times of my life. My friend and I had 3rd row seats. Mariah wowed me every minute with her subtle dance moves, amazing voice and presence and of course, her charm. My favourite song tonight was My All, and hearing Obsessed live was really good too. One lucky fan got some champagne with a glass that had her (in a NY accent) 'gloss' on it. She was asking as a joke if she should wipe the lipstick off the glass and we all screamed 'no' of course. Her dancers were a lot of fun to watch, not to mention sexy! To make the night even better for the fans, she informed us that tonight's crowd would be in the music video for a song she made for the Olympics called '100%.' Mariah definitely put the crowd on a high tonight!"
Shiraz Rafik: "This was the one of my favourite Mariah concerts to date (and my 4th), mainly because I was able to sit in the second row. She looked and sounded flawless all night. You could clearly tell she was sick with a cold because she sounded like it when she talked. When it came to singing though, you couldn't even tell. Just to be in her presence up so close was an experience in itself. She has amazing dancers who kept the audience entertained not only while she was in costume change, but a lot of great moves while she sang her songs, I was particularly impressed with the dances for 'Obsessed' and 'Shake It Off.' I think because she was sick her eyes kept watering so she can constantly wiping her eyes. It took an hour before she came on after the opening act but I heard she was sick so I wasn't upset about that. She had a Cirque De Soleil type of thing for 'Angels Cry' which was nice. It was so amazing that they wanted to do a shoot for 100%. She sounded amazing doing it and asked the fans to put their hands in the air making a '1' motion. Overall, a wonderful concert, and no matter what anyone says, she was 100% LIVE! I was close so I could see. A magical night with a perfect set list."
Azim: "Mariah was nothing short of awe-inspiring tonight. This show was the third time I've seen Mariah in Toronto and although I didn't think it was possible I was more astounded than ever. Her voice is in ridiculously jaw-dropping shape and she had a fantastic rapport with the audience. Lucky Alexander who got the champagne! A few songs (It's A Wrap, Up Out My Face, Emotions) were again absent from the setlist, but there was no palpable gap in the show - only MariahDaily visitors would have noticed anything :p. Mariah joked a bunch about her cold and her champagne intake, she had a great sense of humour throughout the show. The floor section was on its feet for the whole show. 'Always Be My Baby,' 'We Belong Together,' and 'Hero' were received particularly well by the crowd. Mariah didn't need to turn her microphone to the crowd for it to be heard throughout the arena. The '100%' filming was also a surprise treat! After the show, fans who stuck around got a glimpse of Mariah leaving the Air Canada Centre and boarding her tour bus. She posed for a few pictures from the doorway of the bus and one of her staff took a bunch of items in for signing. An unforgettable night!"
Ryan Barrowman: "It was hard not to be disappointed with the late start and the short play list, but it was easy to forgive as Mariah quickly charmed the Toronto crowd. Despite having a cold (she sounded very sick when she spoke), her vocals were just amazing. There were times it sounded like lip syncing, but Mariah would toss in an ad-lib here and there to remind us that no - she's really just that good live. A Mariah concert isn't the same without the inclusion of Vision of Love, and I really hoped she would add It's A Wrap back in, but she didn't; though the inclusion of 100% was an awesome surprise (and the crowd got really into it). When she spoke to the crowd, she was hilarious and had everyone laughing - even singling out one Toronto Lamb and providing him a glass of champagne. All in all, it was a great show and Mariah seemed to genuinely appreciate the love Toronto showed her. Can't wait till she comes back."
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Photos: Mariah in Concert at Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 4:38AM EST
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Press Reviews: Mariah at Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 10-Feb-2010, 3:27AM EST
Crowd bugs out despite lackadaisical tone to evening Mariah Carey's cold was a running theme at the singer's Air Canada Centre show. "If you don't mind, just have a little mercy. I mean, it's not like you can just take a Theraflu while you're onstage," she languidly told the crowd, mimicking herself dozing off mid-concert.
It's a testament to her vocal talent, then, that Mariah still managed to flex her legendary five-octave range throughout the night. Looking like a high-end cupcake in a frilly caramel-coloured dress, Mimi broke out more recent hits Shake It Off and Touch My Body. She then retreated backstage for one of four costume changes while her cadre of dancers killed time with an 80s-era Soul Train-style routine.
Based on their reactions, the crowd was there for Mariah's 90s classics. They bugged out for Always Be My Baby, Honey, and the closer, Hero. For some reason, the no-brainer Fantasy wasn't on the setlist, and few seemed interested in her discofied Diana Ross-mashup rendition of Heartbreaker. One exception was her commanding performance of the anthemic single Obsessed, which came out last year. Mariah, now wearing a shimmery black sequined number, asked the crowd to participate in a concert scene from her new music video for 100 Percent. The performance then devolved into an onstage dispute with her management team, which fit perfectly with the night's lackadaisical tone.
It was getting late. The pre-concert music – Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits – was nearly exhausted. Better be starting something, and quick. Then the giant purple curtains split in half and the skies opened, clearing the way for The Voice of Five (Some Say Four and a Half) Octaves. A full 60 minutes past her appointed hour, the unapologetically overdue Mariah Carey was lowered onto a stage that resembled a platform wedding cake, dangling sweetly in a seat suspended by a pair of ropes.
By that swing fell the imperfect angel.
Carey, long hair swooped to her left shoulder and a cleavage that shouted "you wish," sure was something. After her dreamy entrance, male dancers removed the floor-sweeping ruffles of her gown and the show began in earnest. The song was the heavily rhythmic, modern R&B tune Shake it Off, and although the chart-dominating singer shook her hips a bit, her high-heeled feet budged not an inch. For the lively 2008 hit Touch My Body, Carey seemed in danger of toppling over.
Then she spoke, adorably, about having a "little cold." She sipped tea, said she was dealing with it and asked a half-full arena of worshippers to "have a little mercy." It was a rhetorical appeal – the fans' compassion for the occasionally troubled artist is unconditional.
The lady's star-shine is mysterious: For all her glorious career, the platinum-glittering Carey offers almost nothing to grasp firmly. She is absolutely one of the top record-sellers in history, even if her latest album (last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel) was not one of her most successful. But as this slick, totally competent, costume-changing, meticulously choreographed 100-minute hit parade showed, her fame rests as much on heavy-handed music-biz machinery as it does on a leaping, sighing and still-soaring voice.
Carey has a certain ditzy charisma about her, but her expertly produced ballads and hip-hop pseudo soul have the gravity of butterflies and only a pin drop's reverberation. She emoted like crazy at the Air Canada Centre on the precious ballad Angels Cry, but she is not a stirring performer. The success of 2008's E=MC² album may have pushed the sales of Carey's various products to more than 175 million worldwide, yet her fan base is oddly an exclusive lot, composed mostly of love-song-seeking women. The absence of children and heterosexual males among the Toronto crowd was nothing less than striking.
Carey, no dummy, saved her best for last. The slow jam We Belong Together was impassioned, and 1993's Hero was a mawkish but unstoppably affecting and gospel-y crescendo-ballad. Unfortunately, the usually savvy singer disrupted the concert's rising finish by halting the proceedings between those big two tunes, using her audience for a live taping of a video for the new single, 100%.
That song, a swaying, slow number over a big clunky beat, is part of Angel's Advocate, the name of her current tour (including dates in Ottawa and Montreal earlier this week) and forthcoming remix-and-duets album. Angel's advocates, you bet, Carey is blessed by them. To their hearts and minds, the recording artist with a voice heaven-sent can do no wrong.
Dazzling as ever, Mimi kept both a cold and a video shoot for new song "100%" in check Though she'd plainly rather die than stop acting like a teenager, there isn't a showbiz professional on Earth who couldn't learn something from watching Mariah Carey operate. Sure, she's had her share of Kanye moments, and her between-song banter resembles a meeting of the minds between Oprah and Snooki. But not only did Mimi manage to keep a cold at bay long enough to display just enough vocal pyrotechnics to dispel any doubts about her skills, her clever stage-managing of her illness — and a video shoot that could have added insult to injury — still left the somewhat neglected audience screaming her name.
Descending from a basket lowered from the ceiling onto a stage that could have been a set from a mid-'70s variety show, Carey cooed her way through "Shake It Off" with even smokier pipes than usual, and stayed stock-still during "Touch My Body" — oddly, none of her elastic-framed dancers took her up on the invitation. Turns out that she had caught a bug from her entourage, but Carey was "dealing with it," which meant leaving numerous vocal lines to her backup singers, and sitting out some items almost entirely, including a long stretch of the ageless disco strut of "Make It Happen." Still, there's no keeping a good diva down, and when she pulled out the stops for a melodic blast, it was dizzying.
Fun as her last two albums have been, the micromanaged production on E=MC2 and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel left hardly any room for her to play; here, she gave Memoirs' tracks including the hypnotic "The Impossible" and even the cloying "Angels Cry" extra weight with careful ad-libs, and the occasional impossibly high but rigorously controlled squeal. It might be the product of her endearing between-song pleas for clemency, but the fact that her pitch sagged noticeably in certain songs partly served as a reminder that no Auto-Tuned robot could ever surpass a skilled human — not even one with a cold, and especially not one who can break glass at 10 paces and give an entire arena goosebumps with just a hint of a growl.
By the end, even though she had arrived late and disappeared for a chunk of the show — leaving long-serving backup singer Trey Lorenz both to perform the obligatory Michael Jackson tribute and to introduce the band — Carey even managed to convince the crowd to stay put and wave their arms while she lip-synched her way through a video for "100%," the single from her upcoming remix album Angels Advocate and, she said conspiratorially, a song to be used in the Olympics. It was written for her last album and rejected by the label until recently, she explained, though, "I liked it the whole time." The ACC audience giggled, as thought the popular girl had just confided in them over hasty bathroom-mirror mascara adjustments. For my part, I giggled when hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty came onstage to ask her to do another take, and after demanding that he sing Milli Vanilli's "Girl, You Know It's True," dismissed him, arguing that "these people don't have all night to wait around!"
Finishing the set with "Hero," easily the most maudlin — and beloved — song in her catalog (and one which, along with "My Heart Will Go On" and "I Will Always Love You," constitutes one third of the trifecta of mega-hit ballads of the '90s banned under the Geneva Conventions as instruments of torture), Carey once again left the stage with the audience in the palm of her hand. If she really is as loopy as the reports suggest and there's some shadowy puppet-master responsible for her success, he certainly knows how to keep his strings out of sight.
After reading about her starting late and indulging in other diva-like behavior on the Canadian leg of her Angels Advocate tour, I was expecting the worst from R&B-pop superstar Mariah Carey as she touched down at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night.
And while she did appear about 45-minutes later than the scheduled start time, making a dramatic entrance descending on a swing in a gold gown with a cut-away bottom and dripping in diamonds with some serious matching shoes, Carey was well-behaved and in good voice.
She even shot a video with the willing crowd.
Still, the 39-year-old singer with the five-octave range did tell the small audience of about 6,500 that she was under the weather early in her hour-and-40-minute show.
"I have a little cold, so I'm dealing with it, " she said teetering around in high heels. "I'm doing the best I can. So anyway, I'm really happy to be here. I'm not going to let a little cold stop me. If you don't mind, have mercy."
And Carey, while sounding a bit throaty at times, did manage to hit the high and long notes on Fly Like A Bird, Angels Cry, Always Be My Baby, a cover of Diana Ross' Love Hangover, Obsessed and Hero, and made numerous costume changes into one gorgeous sequined gown after another.
She also returned to her "beverage centre" as she called it at the back of her stripped-down stage either sipping champagne or tea.
"I'm not sure if this is good for a cold but it might make me feel better," she teased of the bubbly before adding: "Kidding."
Carey, who made headlines in January for a strange and tipsy acceptance speech for a breakthrough actress award for her social worker role in Precious at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, even shared the champers with a male fan - Alexander - at the front wearing a T-shirt saying: "Where's my splash?
"I only have one glass, this is a problem," she said, not wanting to share her cold, which she said she got from her dancers or back-up singers.
"Seriously, I waive all issues of someone saying I gave them a cold."
In the end, Alexander got his glass of champagne and someone took his picture.
Generous yes, a dancer no.
Movement is clearly not Carey's strong suit - although she tried to gyrate during Honey - so she left that to her lithe and nimble male and female dancers who scampered around her and her seven-piece band, on a riser behind her.
She also performed stretched on a chaise lounge during Always Be My Baby, changed into robe and sat on a chair before being carried off stage by a male dancer during My All, and was carried around by two dancers during Obsessed.
"I couldn't wait for this show," she said of her Toronto stop. "I had a special feeling about it. And then I got a cold, and I was like, 'Why?' But it's okay. I'll pretend I don't have a cold."
It was, in fact, Carey's first Toronto show in four years in support of last fall's Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel and the upcoming Angels Advocate, due March 30 (three days after she turns 40), a newly remixed album of duets of her favourite songs from Memoirs.
Carey has sold 175 million albums since her 1990 self-titled debut making her the top-selling female recording artist in history.
In other words, don't feel too bad about her cold.
She closed the night with her uber-hit We Belong Together, prompting a big audience singalong, before returning to shoot a video to run during the Vancouver-based 2010 Winter Olympics for her song, 100 per cent, which required further fan participation - pointing with their arms in the air - before she rewarded them with her classic, Hero, after a full blown hair and makeup touchup on stage.
"This is the work part of the show - I love you Toronto for this," she said as the audience remained in their seats and she was joined by a large local choir in white robes for 100 Per Cent. "This song means a lot to me. It's got a good message."
Given the so-so reviews of her current album and inability to sell out even half of the arena she once filled, you'd think Mariah Carey would be quick on the mark for last night's Air Canada Centre concert.
An hour before showtime her publicist put photographers and reviewers on alert that the songstress would be taking the stage 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Nice try.
After ushers moved some attendees down from the nosebleed seats to fill in the spaces (much to chagrin of new neighbours who paid up to $130 for their tickets), the New York native hit the stage 48 minutes after the original set time.
But all was forgiven once Carey appeared and delivered her classiest, most grown-up show yet.
Kudos to the director of this well-crafted concert billed as the Angels Advocate Tour - named for Carey's forthcoming remix album. It's a tasteful, yet unpredictable showcase for the talent behind a 12-album catalogue which includes 18 No. 1 Hot 100 hits (second only to The Beatles).
Gone are the skimpy outfits, stuffed animals and over-the-top skits; replaced with smooth segues and an artfully draped Vegas style set.
Buoyed by the sexy, high-energy choreography of 10 dancers, and a tight seven-piece band, Carey, 39, her buxom figure clad in glittery gowns or cocktail dresses, was mostly bump with little grind, keeping the focus on her golden voice.
She apologized repeatedly for having a cold, but it was evident mainly when she spoke; and didn't prevent her from hitting those impossible whistle notes.
Given to erratic public performances, Carey wasn't entirely scripted; she bantered lazily with the audience and lamented not being "in bed with some NyQuil and a frigging heater."
As she stepped gingerly across the stage and occasionally waved to individual fans, Carey's comportment was more queenly than the diva label she's often pegged with.
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Toronto
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010, 7:30PM EST
Mariah Daily Journal is live tonight from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario for Mariah's last Canadian stop of her Angels Advocate Tour. Helping us with the play-by-play updates are our tour correspondents Maurie, Atusa, Sean and Lisa. Join us starting at 7:30pm EST!
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Obsessed 14. We Belong Together 15. 100% 16. Hero
Tidbits: • 07:30pm - Prince and Michael Jackson songs are playing as audience fills the Air Canada Centre. • 08:01pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. • 08:18pm - RydaznRtist just finished. They're playing MJ music again. Half of the lights came on. • 09:16pm - Mariah's shadow seen getting into the chair high in the sky. • 09:20pm - Show starts. "Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude." • 09:25pm - Just finished "Shake It Off." And now singing "Touch My Body." • 09:29pm - She grabs a tissue and talks about having a cold, then drinks some tea. "I have a little cold, so I'm dealing with it. I won't let it stop me." "Fly Like a Bird" now. • 09:34pm - "Make It Happen" dance routine/costume change. • 09:40pm - "Toronto what's up?! Very, very festive. Seriously!" Lifts her bottle of champagne and says, "I don't know if this will make it through the show." "Angels Cry" now. • 09:45pm - They bring out the "fainting sofa" and she has more tea. She's really under the weather. • 09:46pm - Takes a little sip and says, "Please forgive me if I keep returning to my beverage center." "Always Be My Baby" now. • 09:50pm - To a fan in front holding a camera, "That lens is quite thick! I see it all!" "It's Like That" now. • 09:57pm - Talks about a guy in front row whose shirt says, "Where's my splash?" and she gives him a glass of champagne. Then she says, "Now don't come out the woodwork saying Mariah Carey gave me a cold." The fan has been to every Canadian date. She tells the fan, "I love you, seriously." "The Impossible" now. • 10:02pm - Trey Lorenz comes out to sing "Rock With You" as Mariah goes off for a costume change. • 10:06pm - Mariah back on stage to perform "Love Hangover/Heartbreaker." • 10:12pm - "Remember this one?" "Honey" now. • 10:17pm - She says her tea is disgusting. She jokes, "Dahhling, I love you but you need tea making lessons." Gets into her robe. "My All" now. • 10:21pm - Calypso dance break. • 10:24pm - Trey Lorenz introduces band. Playing Spanish/Latin grooves. • 10:27pm - Mariah back with "Obsessed." • 10:33pm - She has a little splash "'cause I'm in Toronto." She talks about "100%" for the Olympics and how she's going to film something for it later. "We Belong Together" now. • 10:39pm - Pause in show. They are going to film part of the "100%" video right now! Mariah asked audience to stay as she gets changed to film a special video for the Olympics with the song "100%." She filmed some of it earlier today as well. • 10:53pm - Just filmed for the "100%" music video. The video was a concert setting. She wore a black mini skirt with gold shiny stuff on the shoulders. A local Toronto choir came out and wailed right at the end. The crowd was loving it! • 10:54pm Just before "Hero," her manager Chris Lighty and tour manager Michael Richardson came up on stage to tell her they liked the video footage they shot and no need for her to shoot more. She said she wanted and promised to do "Hero." • 10:58pm - Show ends.
Photos: [MDJ Tour Correspondents: Maurie (center, photo 1), Lisa & Sean (photo 2) and Atusa (left, photo 3)]
Many thanks to Maurie, Atusa, Sean and Lisa for the awesome updates tonight!
If you were in tonight's show, we would love to receive your brief review/show experience; and pictures, audio and video recordings to share with everyone. Please send to contact@mariahjournal.com.
Mariah continues her Angels Advocate tour and heads to Columbus, Ohio at the Schottenstein Center tomorrow, February 10th! This will be Mariah's first show ever in the city. Our MDJ Tour Correspondents for the night will be Dwight, Dale and Whitney. Join us tomorrow at 7:30pm EST!
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Fan Cam at Mariah's Boston Concert
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010, 6:38PM EST
Check out audience reactions to Mariah's January 30, 2010 performance at Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston, MA.
Source: CitiCenter | Gary
Haiti Single Sells 200,000 In 2 Days
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010, 3:04PM EST
The U.K. benefit single for Haiti organized by Simon Cowell has sold more than 200,000 in two days, according to the Official Charts Company (OCC).
The cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts" for the Helping Haiti release from Sony Music features Alexandra Burke, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, James Morrison, JLS, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Michael Buble, Mika, Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Take That.
The OCC said the track has become the fastest-selling charity single of the last decade. It is also set to have one of the biggest first week sales of any single since 2000.
Proceeds from the single will be divided between the Disasters Emergency Committee and the Sun newspaper's Helping Haiti Appeal.
"100%" Now on iTunes!
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010, 12:35PM EST
"100%," a song written and produced by Mariah with Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and originally intended as a theme song for Precious, has been released on iTunes today!
Nicki Minaj on Working with Mariah
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 3:12PM EST
Nicki Minaj says she was so surprised that she got a call to work with Mariah Carey on the remix of "Up Out My Face" that she kept the collaboration very hush-hush.
"That one, I didn't believe until I was physically in the studio that I was doing with something with Mariah," the New York native told MTV News last week. "I didn't even tell anyone I shot a video with Mariah, because I didn't even believe. In the back of my mind, I felt like, 'This video is not gonna come out. There's no way I'm gonna do a video with Mariah Carey before I even put out my album.' Then, when it came out, I think it was the #1 video on YouTube in one day, something crazy like that. She's an icon, I've loved her since I was little, like 'Vision of Love,' 'Someday.' I was one of those little girls in the mirror singing her songs with my mother."
Much like her fellow Mariah Carey collaborator and good friend Gucci Mane, Minaj said the real Mariah was nothing like she imagined.
"When I met her, she was so funny and silly," Nicki recalled. "I thought when I was gonna work with Mariah, [she] was gonna be like this diva. But we were cracking jokes the whole day. She's a sweet, down-to-earth person."
Nicki and Mimi had their names written on two giant baby doll boxes in the video. In the Nick Cannon-directed clip, the two bust out and have a good time changing outfits and playing with men. The doll angle plays perfectly with Nicki's "black Barbie" persona.
"I think it was dope," Minaj said about the video. "A lot of times, more famous artists or more confident artists take from a younger artist but they'll never include you in that. I feel like she liked the whole doll thing and she wanted to do it with me. But she said that: She said, 'Everybody's gonna say "she's doing Nicki." But I told her, she's always had a doll persona, like all that 'doll baby' [stuff]. So it goes perfect with Barbie and we had fun. That's all that matters."
Request "Up Out My Face" and "Angels Cry"
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 3:07PM EST
REQUEST AT RADIO Please take a few moments to request "Up Out My Face" feat. Nicki Minaj and "Angels Cry" feat. Ne-Yo. Below are phone numbers and online links to some of the biggest radio stations across the country.
Request "Up Out My Face" at Urban and Rhythmic
URBAN Mediabase Feb 1 - Feb 7 Urban Chart: #33 (Last Week: #46) +269 spins, 3.218 million impressions #4 Most Added +306 spins, 46 stations playing #26 Taking Off +1 new station with 12 new spins
KIPR-FM Power 92 Jams, Little Rock, AR - 501-401-0200 | Online WTMG-FM Magic 101.3, Gainesville, FL - 888-333-1013 | Online WFXE-FM Foxie 104.9, Columbus, GA - 706-576-3560 | Online WLZN-FM Blazin' 92.3, Macon, GA - 478-646-0923 | Online WPEG-FM power 98, Charlotte, NC - 704-342-2644 | Online KVSP-FM Power 103.5, Oklahoma City, OK - 405-427-5877 | Online KJMM-FM 105 K-Jamz, Tulsa, OK - 918-494-9886 | Online WENZ-FM Z107.9, Cleveland, OH - 216-578-1079 | Online WJUC-FM 107.3 The Juice, Toledo, OH - 419-826-1073 | Online WJZE-FM Hot 97.3, Toledo, OH - 419-244-3973 | Online WPHI-FM 100.3 The Beat, Philadelphia, PA - 800-232-1003 | Online WUSL-FM Power 99 FM, Philadelphia, PA - 800-669-9936 | Online
RHYTHMIC Mediabase Feb 1 - Feb 7 Rhythmic Chart: #47 (Last Week: #59) +218 spins, 2.616 million impressions #10 Most Added +224 spins, 36 stations playing #5 Taking off +3 new stations with 73 new spins
KHTN-FM Hot 104.7, Modesto, CA - 209-567-1047 | Online KGGI-FM 99.1 KGGI, Riverside, CA - 866-991-5444 | Online KSFM-FM 102.6, Sacramento, CA - 916-766-5736 | Text 41025 | Online KCAQ-FM Q 104.7, Ventura, CA - 805-289-1400 | Online KIBT-FM 96.1 The Beat, Colorado Springs, CO - 719-226-2328 | Online WBTT-FM 105.5 The Beat, Ft. Myers, FL - 239-225-4300 | Online WJMN-FM Ham'n 94.5, Boston, MA - 617-931-1945 | Online KVEG-FM Hot 97.5, Las Vegas, NV - 702-320-5834 | Online WWPR-FM Power 105.1, NYC, NY - 800-585-1051 | Text 41051 | Online WRDW-FM Wired 96.5, Philadelphia, PA - Text 60145 | Online WWKX-FM Hot 106, Providence, RI - 401-433-4200 | Online KBFM-FM Wild 104, McAllen, TX - 877-945-3104 | Online
Request "Angels Cry" at Mainstream AC and Urban AC
ADULT CONTEMPORARY Mediabase Feb 1 - Feb 7 #36 Most Added +8 spins, 4 stations playing ["Angels Cry" officially impacts Mainstream AC radio today, Feb. 8]
KESZ-FM 99.9 KEZ, Phoenix, AZ - 602-260-0999 | Online KOST-FM KOST 103.5, Los Angeles, CA - 800-929-5678 | Online KOSI-FM Star 99.7 - Denver, CO - 303-631-2101 | Online WEZN-FM Star 99.9, Bridgeport, CT - 800-330-99993 | Online WASH-FM 97.1, Washington, DC - 202-432-0097 | Online WMGF-FM 107.7, Orlando, FL - 407-916-1077 | Online WLTM-FM Peach 94.9, Atlanta, GA - 404-741-0949 | Online WLIT-FM The Lite 93.9, Chicago, IL - 312-540-000 | Online WTPI-FM 107.9, Indianapolis, IN - 317-239-1079 | Online WLHT-FM 95.7, Grand Rapids, MI - 877-884-1057 | Online KMXZ-FM The River 94.9, Charlotte, NC - 520-880-0949 | Online WALK-FM Walk 97.5, Long Island, NY - 631-955-9750 | Online WRRM-FM Warm 98, Cincinnati, OH -513-749-1098 | Online KKCW-FM K103, Portland, OR -503-733-5103 | Online WLEV-FM 100.7, Allentown, PA - 610-720-1007 | Online
URBAN AC Mediabase Feb 1 - Feb 7 Urban AC Chart: #34 (Last Week: #37) +31 spins, 1.079 million impressions #26 Most Added +29 spins, 30 stations playing
KJLH-FM Radio Free 102.3, Los Angeles, CA - 310-520-5554 | Online WAKB-FM Magic 100.9, Augusta, GA - 803-279-0155 | Online WSRB-FM Soul 106.3, Chicago, IL - 312-649-2420 | Online KQXL-FM Q106.5, Baton Rouge, LA - 225-929-5129 | Online KNEK-FM Magic 104.7, Lafayette, LA - 337-920-5635 | Online KMEZ-FM Oldschool 106.7, New Orleans, LA - 504-260-1029 | Online WKXI-FM Kixie 107, Jackson, MS - E-mail | Online WBAV-FM V101.9, Charlotte, NC - 704-227-8005 | Online WDAS-FM 105.3 FM, Philadelphia, PA - 215-263-1053 | Online WXST-FM Star 99.7 - Charleston, SC - E-mail | Online WVBE-FM Vibe 100, Roanoke, VA - 866-704-8423 | Online
You may also check out our Radio Request page if your radio station is not listed above.
VOTE FOR THE MUSIC VIDEOS The music videos for both songs have premiered on BET's 106 & Park but have yet to make its Top 10 Videos countdown. Vote as many times as you can online here, or text MCAR to 79922 for "Up Out My Face" and MCA to 79922 for "Angels Cry."
STREAM THE MUSIC VIDEOS "Up Out My Face" video is available for streaming at Yahoo! Music; and "Angels Cry" at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music. Click on the links to watch now! Video streams at Yahoo! Music and AOL Music count toward the Billboard charts so please be sure to keep streaming the videos as often as you can.
Source: MariahDailyJournal
Shelves Stripped as Haiti Single Hits UK Stores
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 12:53PM EST
Brits stripped the shelves of the new Haiti charity single yesterday after it hit shops a day early. Extra lorries were even drafted in to get the star-studded cover version of REM's Everybody Hurts into stores.
Tens of thousands of copies were sold as big-hearted fans dug deep to help the quake-hit country. And as music lovers flocked to buy the single from record shops, thousands went online to send it rocketing to the top of the download charts after less than a day of sales.
The charity ballad is tipped to be the biggest and fastest-selling track of all time and is expected to raise millions of pounds. Even some shops that do not normally sell CDs put it on display. Bhs, Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser, Oxfam and BP all agreed to ship in Simon Cowell's disc at the 11th hour. Gennaro Castaldo, of HMV, predicted it would stay at No 1 for weeks.
Star names on the track include Mariah Carey, 39, Jon Bon Jovi, 47, Kylie Minogue, 41, Rod Stewart, 65, Leona Lewis, 24, Miley Cyrus, 17, Susan Boyle, 48, and X Factor's Cheryl Cole, 26. The single also saw former Take Thatter Robbie Williams, 35, and ex-bandmates Gary Barlow, 39, Mark Owen, 38, Howard Donald, 41, and Jason Orange, 39, reunite to record their first track since 1995.
Figures showing how well the song is selling will be out tomorrow. To become the biggest seller of all time it would have to beat Elton John's 1997 hit Candle In The Wind, which shifted 4.8million copies.
You can buy the CD for £3.99 at shops including HMV, Marks & Spencer, BP Extra, House of Fraser, BhS, Oxfam, Argos, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda; or online at HMV UK, Amazon UK and Play.com. It is also available for digital download for 99¢ at iTunes.
Precious in Israel
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 9:53AM EST
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push by Sapphire will be released to theaters in Israel on Thursday, February 18th. A special advance screening will be held at Cinematheque in Tel-Aviv on Wednesday, February 10th at 10pm. Details here.
The weekend edition of Yediot Ahronoth, the most popular newspaper in Israel, featured an interview with Mariah. The interview took place the day after Precious was screened in Cannes, and the article covered Mariah's career, image, new marriage, new album and her role in Precious.
Below, find the Israeli Precious poster; and scans from Yediot Ahronoth.
Other International release dates: • Chile - February 11 • Brazil - February 12 • Hong Kong - February 25 • Germany - March 25 • UK - Now showing (released Jan. 29) • Australia - Now showing (released Feb. 4) • Spain - Now showing (released Feb. 5)
Source: Tzachi | Sabine | Martin | Bernard | Rodrigo
TGN to Air Exclusive Special on Precious
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 8:04AM EST
TV Guide Network will air an exclusive one-hour special on the six-time Academy Award nominated film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," a Lionsgate release. The special, hosted by veteran television personality Tanika Ray, documents the film's extraordinary journey from page to screen, and includes never-before-seen film footage, exclusive interviews with the director and cast members, and emotional reactions from filmgoers who have seen the movie and been touched by its story. "Precious: The Story Behind the Movie" premieres Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on TV Guide Network.
Already a multi award-winning film, "Precious" was recently nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Gabourey Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), Best Adapted Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher), Best Director (Lee Daniels), and Best Film Editing (Joe Klotz). Director Lee Daniels, the first African American director to receive a "Best Director" nomination for a movie that was also nominated for "Best Picture," spoke exclusively to TV Guide Network about the journey "Precious" had taken from its introduction at the Sundance Film Festival to becoming one of the most talked about films of the year. "I'm proud to have been a part of this, and it's not just me...I'm proud for my cast..." He continues, "I'm happy for African American filmmakers...This is a statement...it's a very exciting time for me."
PRECIOUS, which has already garnered more than $45 million at the North American box office, expanded to more than 650 theatres nationwide this past weekend after the recent announcement that the film has earned six Academy Award nominations. PRECIOUS received Oscar nods for Best Picture, Best Actress (newcomer Gabourey Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique), Best Director (Lee Daniels), Best Adapted Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher) and Best Editing (Joe Klotz).
The film has already won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress (Mo'Nique). It has also earned nine NAACP Image Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture, and it earned a nomination for the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award In Theatrical Motion Picture (Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness), a Directors Guild of America Award nomination for Lee Daniels as Best Director and a Writers Guild Award nomination for Geoffrey Fletcher (Best Adapted Screenplay). PRECIOUS has been named to AFI's list of 10 best films of the year and dozens of year-end critics' 10 Best lists.
Fan Photos/Reviews: Angels Advocate in Ottawa
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 08-Feb-2010, 8:01AM EST
FAN PHOTOS [Thanks to Matthew, Maurie & Atusa!]
FAN REVIEWS
Maurie & Matthew (Tour Correspondents): "You've gotta ask yourself, is it worth driving 5 hours to see a concert? Tonight, the answer would be a big yes. Despite complaining of a bit of a cold on stage, she gave it 110% and killed it. A big round of applause to everyone- the dancers, band, trey & sherry. MC was, as she always is, outstanding. Taking time to chat with the audience with a splash of humor and that mariah charm we all love. The set list was steller; with some old and new songs. We all wanna hear "up out my face" but without it, we still loved the show. Feel better MC, can't wait to see you in Toronto."
Atusa (Tour Correspondent): "This night was a dream come true for me, one that I never thought would come true. I won front, centre tickets from MariahCarey.com and I couldn't have asked for better seats. Mariah carey didn't come out until after 9 PM but it was definitely worth it. She mentioned she caught a cold from one of the dancers and she wasn't feeling 100% but she sure gave her all! She was AMAZING! We Belong Together was my favorite performance of the night, she nailed it and it was absolutely flawless. She was looking at me when she performed Always Be My Baby and I was in heaven. Her dresses were all phenomenal, she was shining like a star! I was hoping she'd perform It's A Wrap, especially Up Out My Face. UOMF would've been a very entertaining song to perform on stage. I'm really happy she sang Fly Like A Bird, she does such a GREAT job with that song! I'm going to be seeing her in Toronto as well, I hope she's feeling better, and maybe (fingers crossed) she'll perform UOMF. I am so lucky and grateful to have had the chance to see her so up close! It was a night I will never forget."
April Winter: "I need to start out by saying, Mariah sounded the best I've heard her in concert to date (this is my 4th tour). It's definitely not an easy feat to please the 'not so enthused' Ottawa crowd (nothing like the Toronto audience I'm used to). Everyone was up on their feet for most of the night. This was my 10 year old son's first live concert and he was thrilled with most of the set list, having heard his favourites. I did notice the crowd was a little lost during the Impossible, but thankfully she picked them back up with Love Hangover/Heartbreaker. Mariah's shows are always over before I'm ready for goodbyes, so of course, I would have been thrilled to hear another song or two (apparently 3 songs had been cut from the set list). All in all, Mariah was still amazing!"
Rana & Dana Diab: "Wow. We are a bit overwhelmed. This is our first Mariah concert and we are huge fans and have been for a very very long time. She did not dissappoint. Her voice was phenomenal, and she looked beautiful. The sparkles, the glitter, it was ALL there! She performed well considering she was starting a cold. She seemed a bit tired but regardless she was still comic and spoke to the fans, and performed really well. We love Mariah and wish the concert was longer as we couldnt get enough! We wish her the best on the rest of her tour and can't wait till she comes back again!"
Kevin Williams: "Hey Fellow fans. So I attended Mariah's concert tonight at Scotiabank Place here in freezing Ottawa (-21C with the wind) and I am still speechless. She sounded incredible! She hit all the high notes on point although she claimed she had a cold. I like how she engaged all sections of the crowd. I was seated on the side of the stage and thought before the show started that maybe I would not be able to connect with her but she handled the stage well. I enjoyed all the song selections especially being a fan from the beginning. In my opinion the songs of the night were Fly Like a Bird, Angels Cry, My All (really showed that she doesn't depend on the backup tracks and delivers) and We Belong Together. Long Live Mimi, a True Legend! Can't wait for the Remix ablum!"
Source: --
Press Reviews: Mariah at Scotiabank Place, Ottawa
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 07-Feb-2010, 1:50AM EST
Mariah Carey made her performance debut in Ottawa last night in front of a smallish crowd of 2,900 at Scotiabank Place. Although she arrived on stage late, seemed to rush through songs and took breaks to conserve her energy, these were not simply attention-getting techniques from the famously difficult diva.
No, the superstar had a little cold, she informed us early in the evening, picked up from one of her dancers. It cut into her sleep, she added, "but here I am. The show must go on."
In a gold-and-sequined princess dress that showed off her ample cleavage, Carey made a fashionably late entrance dangling in a cocoon-like bundle that descended from the ceiling to the stage.
The full-length gown was torn away, revealing a short, leg-baring skirt as her breathy soprano fluttered into Butterfly, then darted from Shake It Off, Touch My Body and Fly Like a Bird.
Her voice was surprisingly strong, despite the sniffles, but there were backup singers and electronic effects enhancing her natural vocal power. A full band and a contingent of dancers accompanied Carey on stage, and she occasionally let them take over while she rested her voice and changed outfits.
"I'm not going to complain because I love everybody," Carey said, as if to remind herself not to complain. "No matter what you do, you can't make me hate you."
At one point, Carey played up her diva reputation with a tongue-in-cheek bit that involved calling her hair and make-up folks onto the stage for a touch-up.
It was evidently supposed to be playful and self-deprecating, but the sense of fun was dampened by her poker-face delivery, probably due to the fact that she repeats the gag every night.
Sipping something from a champagne glass (she said it was water, Carey seemed to come to life a bit later, and made a point of referring to her new line of champagne.
On the whole, though, Carey gave an uninspired performance – one hopes her champagne isn't quite so flat.
Mariah Carey was at her diva-best at Scotiabank Place Saturday night, and not in a good way. You would think that a star as big as Carey – 175 million records sold and a trunkload of Grammy awards – would have been a major event.
But fewer than 3,000 glammed-up, hardcore Carey worshippers even bothered to show up for her current Angel's Advocate show, which is touring North America and getting mixed reviews.
Perhaps it was the price of tickets, which went as high as $175 a piece. Ouch!
To be honest, after the show on Saturday night, I'd be surprised if she even got enough of an audience to fill the National Arts Centre, based on Carey's performance on, and off stage.
Mariah is the goddess of Grammys, the Princess Di of the divas, as frail as she is fabulous. But when she sings, she turns into a soul-singing superhero, with a five-octave range that can still shatter crystal champagne glasses.
And last night, she did plenty of both.
I've never been to a concert before that was so much about the star, rather than the music. Celine Dion's show here in 2009 had its narcissistic moments, but nothing on Carey's scale.
All the self-centred diva-like antics might have been worthwhile if they were sincere but Carey's struck me as all part of the show. And a bit of a lazy show at that.
The show started some 40 minutes late. Of course, all was forgiven the instant Carey finally made her entrance, and as grand an entrance as you would expect, with Carey suspended 15 metres in the air, hanging there like an angel, one with God-like cleavage in a dress that resembled a glass of champagne while the band played the Butterfly Intro and Daydream Interlude.
Then, it all seemed to go downhill from there.
For a scant 90 minutes, Carey treated the fans to a slickly rehearsed, loosely choreographed musical fantasy into her glittery life, parading nearly as many expensive evening gowns and sexy outfits as there were songs, mostly taken from her last album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel with a few classics thrown in.
Backed by a five-piece band and with 10 dancers providing a little boogie, a hoarse Carey opened with Shake It Off, Touch My Body and Fly Like a Bird while posing like a contestant in a beauty pageant at centre stage.
Later, she blamed being late on a cold that one of the 10 dancers she's touring with gave her. So it wasn't her fault. Hand that girl an Academy Award nomination for best dramatic performance by a diva.
I mean, c'mon, who else but Carey would bring her own makeup artist onstage for a quick touch-up, or performing Always Be My Baby from a white chaise-lounge and drinking from a fluted glass?
From that point on, Carey seemed to lose interest in the show, spending half her time backstage and leaving her backup crew to cover yet another costume change with an able cover of Michael Jackson's Rock With You before la Carey re-emerged to channel Diana Ross on Ain't No Mountain/Love Hangover in an inaudible whisper.
By now, the novelty was wearing about as thin as Carey's pablum pop, including Obsessed and Emotions, tunes as girly as gigs get. Like watching a Say Yes To The Dress marathon. I wasn't that disappointed when Carey seemed suddenly in a hurry to quit the show.
Live Updates: Angels Advocate in Ottawa
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 06-Feb-2010, 7:30PM EST
Mariah makes her second Canadian stop in Ottawa, Ontario tonight! Mariah Daily Journal is there with its tour correspondents Matthew, Maurie and Atusa reporting live from the Scotiabank Place starting at 7:30pm EST.
Setlist: 01. Butterfly Intro/Daydream Interlude 02. Shake It Off 03. Touch My Body 04. Fly Like a Bird 05. Make It Happen 06. Angels Cry 07. Always Be My Baby 08. It's Like That 09. The Impossible 10. Love Hangover/Heartbreaker 11. Honey 12. My All 13. Obsessed 14. We Belong Together 15. Hero
Tidbits: • 07:50pm - Still playing music, people are still coming in and lights are still on. • 08:00pm - Opening act RydaznRtist hits the stage. Venue almost full now. • 08:08pm - RydaznRtist performing their third song "One Last Time" now. • 08:17pm - Opening act done with their set. Michael Jackson songs now being played while waiting for Mariah to hit the stage. • 08:28pm - Still
