Reviews - Bette Midler, Gabriella Cilmi

So this weekend I was thrilled to receive my first batch of my recent Ebay purchases. Let's do some music reviews! I'm not talking about every remix, just the stand outs.

Bette Midler - In These Shoes (CD Maxi Single) (2001)

Released in 2001, "In These Shoes" is off of Midler's 2000 album - "Bette." According to All Music, "Bette" was her second and final record on Warner Brothers Records. She was dropped after declining sales, eventually signing with Columbia. The track was written by Kirsty MacColl & Pete Glenister.

1.) In These Shoes (Radio Mix) 4:10 (Remix By Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio)
Great radio remix. This one is jazzy and campy preserving the sound of the original.

2.) In These Shoes (Soundfactory Vox Mix) 9:07 (Remix By Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio)
This mix hits the ground running! Starting out with Bette Midler commanding our attention - finally screaming out "Shut the fuck up!" Love it! I don't know where that part came from because I don't think it's in the original track. This mix is totally high energy and I love it! Vocals start in around 2:40 and start with the first verse. Still no trace of the original instrumentation it's just Bette's voice over a house beat. The vocals don't really extend beyond the song's first verse. I wish there was more vocal here. It's still a lot of fun though.

***3.) In These Shoes (Mark's Heels To Platforms Vocal Mix) 8:35 (Remixed by Mark Picchiotti)

I love a lot of Mark Picchiotti's remixes, most recently his remixes of Sia's "The Girl You Lost To Cocaine." This Bette mix is a lot of fun! High energy with a bit of the original jazzy sound from the original. Vocals start in at around 2:30 with the first verse. This is the only mix (other than the Radio Mix and the Extended Radio Remix) that uses all of the verses...or at least most of the verses. This is hands down my favorite mix on the Maxi.

4.) In These Shoes (Other Side Mix) 7:57 (Remixed by Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio)

Good mix. The vocals come in at nearly 4 minutes into the track. The first half of the song is hot. The only vocal present on this track is the Spanish chorus - repeated over and over. Not full vox, but that's OK. Still plenty enjoyable.

Gabriella Cilmi - Sanctuary (Promo Remix CDM)

This is the 4th single off of Cilmi's debut album, "Lessons To Be Learned." Released on November 10th, it samples a riff from "Oh No Not My Baby" sung by Maxine Brown (1964). It's rumored that a new version of this song will be featured in the Disney 2009 animated movie, "Rapunzel."

1.) Sanctuary (Mac Project Club Mix) 8:00 This mix is great. High energy, bumpin' beats and her vocals sound awesome over all of the production. Her voice is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse in a way, a comparison she has heard back when she released debut single "Sweet About Me." It's hard to believe this talent is only 17 years old! My only complaint about this mix is that the original melody of the song is lost.

***2.)Sanctuary (Solitaire Club Mix) 5:28 First off, this is a relatively short club mix, clocking in at just under 5.5 minutes. That being said, it jumps to the vocals relatively quickly, which I like. The melody is preserved in this remix, which I really like. Her voice sounds fab with the production. It's a tough call, but I think I prefer this mix to the Mac Project mix.

3.) Sanctuary (Alex B Club Mix) 7:58 This is probably my least favorite mix. The vocals start in at a little after the 1:30 marker and immediately get lost in the production. The beats seem to be working against the vocals throughout the mix, and the melody is gone completely. I'm not saying I need the remix to sound just like the original track - but I love it if some trace of the original is left.

Recent Ebay Purchases - CD Promos Galore

Alright. It's been far too long since I've posted on here. Work has me exhausted and beat every day during the week and on weekends...well I have no excuse.

I went on Ebay today and wound up spending like $50 on various promos and CD Maxis. AHHH! Ridiculous. Ebay can be a death trap, especially if you find one seller who has everything you could possibly want! Here's a breakdown of what I bought today.

Gabriella Cilmi - Sanctuary (Promo CD Maxi)

Tracklisting:

1. Sanctuary (Mac Project club mix)
2. Sanctuary (Solitaire club remix)
3. Sanctuary (Alex B club mix)
4. Sanctuary (Alex B dub mix)
5. Sanctuary (Alex B radio edit)

6. Sanctuary (Solitaire radio edit)
7. Sanctuary (Mac Project radio edit)

Notes: I am excited about this one. This is the 4th single for the 17 year old Cilmi, off her debut album "Lessons To Be Learned." I remember listening to the song back when I first heard of her - 7Digital had it for sale (back when Americans could buy music on 7Digital) so I bought it. It received an official release on November 10th and had some remixes attached. Check out the video here. So far I've heard both the Mac Project and the Solitaire remixes and love them! Can't wait to hear the Alex B. mix. This promo has been difficult to find online so I'm glad Ebay had it. Oh...and a little side note...a version of this song will be included in the Disney animated film "Rapunzel," starring the vocal talents of Kristin Chenoweth and David Schwimmer.

Bette Midler - In These Shoes (CD Maxi Single)

Tracklisting:

1. In These Shoes (Radio Mix)
2. In These Shoes (Sound Factory Vox Mix)
3. In These Shoes (Mark's Heels To Platforms Vocal Mix)
4. In These Shoes (Other Side Mix)

5. In These Shoes (Extended Radio Mix)
6. In These Shoes (Sound Factory Dub Mix)
7. In These Shoes (Mark's Sole Dub)

Notes: I've loved the remixes for this song since I heard them last year. Released in 2001, the song is a fun and jazzy romp filled with character. So far, I've heard the Mark Picchiotti and Jonathan Peters (Sound Factory) mixes and love them! The Ebay item I bought doesn't have a tracklisting but it is the CD Maxi Single so I'm hoping for the best! It was only $7.00. Check out this video of Midler performing the track on David Letterman. Oh...and listen to the Mark Picchiotti mix here.

Sugababes - No Can Do (UK Promo CD Single)

Tracklisting:

1. No Can Do (Wawa Club Mix)

2. No Can Do (Wawa Radio Edit)
3. No Can Do (Bimbo Jones Club Mix)

4. No Can Do (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit)
5. No Can Do (Mowgli Club Mix)
6. No Can Do (Mowgli Radio Edit)

Notes: I just listened to this song for the first time recently. It's the Babes' follow up single to "Girls", off their new album "Catfights & Spotlights." I bought the album recently and haven't given it a fair listen yet. I enjoy what I have heard and am pleased that this smooth number is their new single. With remixes by Wawa and Bimbo Jones, I am particularly excited! Mowgli mixes in the past haven't done much for me but I'm cautiously optimistic. Listen to a clip of the Wawa remix here.

Bryn Christopher - Smilin' (UK Promo CD Single)

Tracklisting:

1. Smilin' (Edit)

2. Smilin' (Instrumental)

3. Smilin' (Jony Rockstar Dirty Latin Mix)
4. Smilin' (Moto Blanco Edit)
5. Smilin' (Moto Blanco Club Remix)
6. Smilin' (Moto Blanco Remix Dub)
7. Smilin' (Wideboys Bassline Mix)
8. Smilin' (Wideboys Electro Edit)
9. Smilin' (Wideboys Electro Full Club Remix)

Notes: I've heard a couple of these mixes before and love them. I don't know if Christopher is straight, gay or what...but in his video for Smilin', he just exudes so much sexuality! The song is fun and very...theatrical. I can't wait to have this full promo.

Will Young - Grace (UK Promo CD Single)

Tracklisting:

1. Grace (Fred Falke Remix)
2. Grace (Fred Falke Dub)
3. Grace (Fred Falke Radio Edit)
4. Grace (Tom Neville's Falling From Grace Remix)
5. Grace (Tom Neville's Falling From Grace Remix Dub)

6. Grace (Tom Neville's Falling From Grace Instrumental)
7. Grace (Tom Neville's Falling From Grace Radio Edit)

Notes: This is Will Young's second single off his 4th album "Let It Go." "Changes" also had some decent remixes...though I'm happier with the selection on this promo...plus radio edits always make me happy. Sometimes you're just not in the mood to listen to an 7 or 8 minute remix!