No less a harbinger of ‘what’s hot’ than Perez Hilton who has predicted that L.A.-based singer/songwriter Katy Perry will be “one of the breakout stars of the summer” when Capitol Records releases her debut album, ‘One of the Boys’, on June 17th, 2008.

Katy Perry will also join the traveling rock circus that is the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, for the entire trek this summer.

‘One of the Boys’ is a sharp and witty pop-rock gem filled with candid tales of neurotic ex-boyfriends like “Hot N Cold,” “Ur So Gay” (watch video), “Mannequin”, crazy road trips with friends with “Waking Up in Vegas”, and figuring out who you are along the way, with first single – “I Kissed A Girl” and “Fingerprints”.

While the album displays Perry’s feisty, girl-power swagger, it also reveals her more vulnerable side on such regretful ballads as “Lost,” “I’m Still Breathing,” and “Thinking of You.”

“I think people can appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides, and this album has many different colors,” Perry says. “I can write my share of angry break-up songs but I wanted to balance it out with fun, summertime songs. But there are also sad songs about loss and making the wrong decisions. It’s been blood, sweat, and tears making this record. I’ve put everything into it and I feel like it’s my baby. When people listen to it, I hope they will understand where I’m coming from as a person.”

To showcase her sharp, observational lyrics and big, charismatic voice, Perry worked with a host of noted producers and collaborators, including Greg Wells (Mika, Natasha Bedingfield), Glen Ballard (No Doubt, Alanis Morrisette), Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Max Martin (Leona Lewis, Robyn), Sam Hollander & Dave Katz (Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls) and Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas). “You can’t get better than these guys,” Perry says. “I feel like the luckiest bit** in town right now.”

‘One of the Boys’ is the full-length follow-up to Katy Perry’s debut digital EP, ‘Ur So Gay’ (available on iTunes since last November), which has already earned the 23-year-old Santa Barbara, CA, native a solid fanbase.

Perry performed “Ur So Gay,” a hilarious kiss-off to a guyliner-wearing ex that Blender called “wickedly funny” and Billboard called “zeitgeist-capturing,” on Last Call With Carson Daly on April 8th. The video for the clip, which premiered on MySpace had close to one million plays within one week of it being posted to the site. Perry has also been tapped for Yahoo!’s Who’s Next Critical Eye and MSN’s Ones to Watch for June.

Katy Perry will play a handful of live dates this spring on both coasts before heading out on the Vans Warped Tour. “Warped is going to be grueling and hot, but I’m ready to survive it – even without showers,” Katy says. “Gwen Stefani did the tour back in 2000 with No Doubt and she looked fabulous hopping around on stage in her little polka-dotted dresses. You can find YouTube clips of her up there and all the girls in the audience are going nuts. I’m am so channeling that.”

Katy Perry April 2008 shows:

April 11, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club (Vans Warped Tour Kick-Off Party)
April 24, 2008 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

Photo credit: Michael Elins

Katy Perry on amazon.com

Katy Perry on amazon.co.uk

Get to know music’s newest dynamite diva by visiting her websites:

Katy Perry on Myspace
Katy Perry’s Blog
Katy Perry

Sometimes it can be difficult having an open ear for all genres of music. Especially when it comes to explaining to my hardcore rock, metal or indie friends that I do indeed like Celine Dion. It’s even more difficult for me to keep my feelings to myself about how great an entertainer and singer she is. Luckily there are some people in my life who do appreciate her as well, and considering she’s sold over 180 million albums, I suppose there are some others out there who understand her talent as much as I do if not more.

I was really hoping that one day I would be able see her show in Vegas during her five year stint at Caesars Palace. She’s at her best when performing live and is such a character. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see her in Las Vegas since her last show will be this December, and then she’s off on a world tour which starts February 14th, 2008 in South Africa, to the delight of her fans around the world I’m sure.

‘Taking Chances’ is Celine Dion’s latest album, set for release November 12th, 2007 in the UK. I’ve got my hands on it and have been enjoying it. Let’s just get this out of the way: ‘Taking Chances’ is full of pop with elements of modern country, soul and power ballads and if that’s what you’re after, then this full 16 track Deluxe Edition CD + exclusive sneak peak DVD (with Vegas footage!) is for you.

Recently I reviewed opening track “Taking Chances”, written by Kara DioGuardi and Dave Stewart and I still feel that it could be the best pop ballad I’ve heard all year.

When “Alone” came on it took me by surprise and I was singing so loud along with the track I had to play it again to hear Celine’s singing – which of course her “punchier” version of Heart’s pop ballad hit from ‘87, produced by Ben Moody, sounds great. I especially like the intro – it’s gorgeous the way the bass comes in and then the cello and Celine’s voice.

“Surprise Surprise” also written by Kara DioGuardi, is a stand out track with a contemporary/country/pop feel. I wouldn’t be surprised (no pun intended) if it gets released sometime around Christmas and reached #1, but I’m just not sure if the lyrics would suit for Christmas, though. I am sure that when Celine performs “Surprise Surprise” live during her tour, it will be one of the big crowd pleasers of the night.

There’s a Barbara Streisand “No More Tears” feel to Celine’s vocal performance on the emotionally driven and atmospheric “This Time”, with the determined lyrics about being “another victim of poison love”.

It’s good to hear two Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) songs included on the ‘Taking Chances’ album. The piano-lead “My Love” and the superb gospel number “New Dawn”. Linda Perry not only wrote the songs, but she also plays electric and acoustic guitars, organ, mellotron and piano on “My Love” and she plays piano, acoustic, sings background vocals on “New Dawn” and engineered and produced on both tracks.

“A World To Believe In” could have been a Faith Hill song, but it’s good to hear Celine Dion singing on such a beautiful and modern-country tinged song. There’s quite a change of pace when the upbeat and big production of “Can’t Fight The Feeling” starts up and I can’t believe that Shaffer Smith aka Ne-Yo co-wrote, co-produced and sings background vocals on the ballad “I Got Nothing Left”, another great vocal performance by Celine. It’s easy to forget that it’s Celine Dion singing to the waltz beat of “Right Next To The Right One”. It sounds quite different from what I’m used to hearing her sing – and I like it.

I’m not so sure about “Just Fade Away”. It has a Kelly Clarkson/Eurovision feel to it, which isn’t the best combination in the world. Then again, Celine Dion did win the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Switzerland in 1988. There’s obviously a market for “Just Fade Away”, but not for me.

Blues number “That’s Just The Woman In Me” makes up for it, though. It has a Sam Cooke “Bring It On Home To Me”/Aretha Franklin feel with Celine Dion’s soulful vocals – and a Janis Joplin like scream at the end.

Let’s not forget about the additional exclusive sneak peak DVD! It includes the trailer for Celine Dion’s “A New Day Live In Las Vegas” with interview clips. There are also four exclusive songs, including one of my favorite Celine cover songs, “I Drove All Night” originally recorded by Roy Orbison and then Cyndi Lauper.

I highly recommend this Deluxe Edition CD/DVD for Celine Dion fans everywhere!

Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album track listing:

1. Taking Chances
2. Alone
3. Eyes On Me
4. My Love
5. Shadow Of Love
6. Surprise Surprise
7. This Time
8. New Dawn
9. A Song For You
10. A World To Believe In
11. Can’t Fight The Feeling
12. I Got Nothing Left
13. Right Next To The Right One
14. Just Fade Away
15. That’s Just The Woman In Me
16. Skies Of L.A.

DVD track listing:

1. Trailer for the DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day”
2. The Power of Love
3. I Drove All Night
4. I Surrender
5. I Wish

Celine Dion – Taking Chances album on amazon.com

Celine Dion Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Celine Dion is finally back in the spotlight for the world to see and hear. As her five year stint at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas comes to a close, she’s set to release her latest album, ‘Taking Chances’ and her new single by the same name, along with a world tour scheduled to begin on February 14th, 2008.

(Read the Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album + DVD review.)

“Taking Chances” was written by BMI’s 2007 Pop Songwriter of The Year Kara Dioguardi, one of the most sought after songwriters in pop music today and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). They’ve come up with what could be for me, the best pop ballad of the year – with Celine Dion on vocals.

There are quite a few mixed feelings about Celine Dion, maybe for some, her music is a bit too glossy. I think she has a beautiful voice and is a class act entertainer. I remember the first time I saw her perform live on TV. At the time I think I was just making my mind up about her. After her performance I thought she was the most unique, quirky, fun and talented singer that I had seen in a long time. There is simply no one like her. Celine Dion is her own woman.

The new single “Taking Chances” sends a message and Celine Dion is able to convey that message perfectly. There’s so much passion within her vocal performance, it would be difficult not to hear the lyrics and understand what the song is about – taking a chance, living life on the edge with someone that you don’t know very well, not worrying about the consequences of your actions.

With the gradual build up of the song, it’s wonderful to hear Celine’s delicate intro and then later the crescendo, with the anxious and passionate question, “What do you say to taking chances? What do you say to jumping off the edge, never knowing if there’s solid ground below, or hand to hold, or hell to pay. What do you say, What do you say?”

Watch Celine Dion “Taking Chances” video:

Celine Dion – Taking Chances on amazon.com

“Taking Chances” video link

Celine Dion Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Related: Celine Dion debuts new single “Taking Chances” + world tour

Sony BMG Music is proud to announce Celine Dion’s new single, “Taking Chances”. The single is set for release digitally on October 24th, 2007 in the UK. “Taking Chances” was written by Kara Dioguardi and the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, and produced by John Shanks.

Read the Celine Dion “Taking Chances” single review + watch video!

Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album + DVD review

“Taking Chances” is the lead single to be lifted from Celine Dion’s forthcoming album also entitled ‘Taking Chances’ – her first English studio album in over three years and which marks the beginning of a new era in Celine’s extraordinary career.

Celine Dion, who is the biggest selling female artist of all time, selling over 180 million albums, opens her first worldwide tour in 10 years on February 14th, 2008 in Johannesburg, giving a benefit concert for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Following on from South Africa Celine will take on a further seven shows in South Africa during February, contributing additional proceeds from these shows to Mr. Mandela’s Children’s Fund. From South Africa the tour makes stops in the Middle East, Japan, Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and North America, playing both stadiums and arenas throughout. The year-long tour will visit 5 continents, over 25 countries, and more than 100 cities.

On December 15th 2007, Celine Dion will take her final bows on the Colosseum stage at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, where she has enjoyed a record-breaking five-year run of sold-out performances to critical acclaim, with her spectacular show, A New Day… The show which has been documented in a deluxe High-Definition DVD, will be released later this year by SonyBMG Music worldwide.

“These past five years have been a wonderful experience for me”, says Celine. “To perform every night with such an amazing cast of dancers and musicians on this beautiful show created by Franco Dragone, has been a dream come true. The fans have been so incredibly supportive, coming to see us every night, year after year…it will be difficult to say goodbye, but I’m also ready for the next adventure…I’m looking forward to a new chapter.”

Album: ‘Taking Chances’ is set for release in the UK on November 12th, 2007 (US – November 13th).

Buy Celine Dion – Taking Chances on amazon.com

Celine Dion Official Website

Reuters reports that after years of supporting Greenpeace, Dave Stewart is now planning to release a single, “Go Green” on iTunes April 17th. Featured on the environmental friendly song include such artists as Annie Lennox, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan, Imogen Heap, Natalie Imbruglia, Nadirah X and was written by Dave Stewart and produced by Glen Ballard. “Go Green”, available through Greenpeace Works, is expected to help promote green and environmental issues.

The “Go Green” single release comes after Al Gore’s announcement of the upcoming Live Earth; Save Our Selves, SOS – The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis event. Live Earth will include a series of concerts set to take place at various locations around the world on July 7th, 2007 in a bid to raise awareness of climate change.

I’ll look forward to hearing “Go Green”, especially since Bonnie Raitt will be included on the track. It’s always good to hear her voice – and the fact that she and Annie Lennox will be working together on this green song is interesting indeed.

The Greenpeace Works website has a behind the scenes video with Dave Stewart talking about the making of “Go Green” and how it came about. There are also clips of the song included.

For more information, go to:

Greenpeace Works

Dave Stewart – Weapons of Mass Entertainment Website

Greenpeace

Earth Day is April 22, 2007
Earth Day Network Website

If you would like to submit a guest blogger entry about a music related green cause on BandWeblogs.com, register here.

By: Jenny May