[Duelling Divas] Deniece Williams "Free" Featuring Chante Moore, Debelah Morgan And Corrine Bailey Rae

A blast from the past today with a "Duelling Divas" that features Deniece Williams' 1976 hit Free as its focus. This was initially going to be just a post about the song, because for some reason unbeknownst to me it popped into my head. However, once I read it had been covered by other Diva's I thought I'd switch the post up a bit!

Like a time machine, Free will transport you right back to the1970's with its easy, laid-back groove and gorgeous, sweet and loved up vocals. (Actually, now that I think about it, I'm sure I'm talking about the 60's. Oh well. I'm not changing it. Call it "wilful ignorance" on my part.)

Like her contemporary and colleague , the great Minnie Ripperton, Williams is credited as having a 5 octaves vocal range. However, though this song contains some soaring vocals, there isn't actually any whistle notes in her own version. The other Divas, however, weren't so restrained.

[Watch] Ellie Goulding Sings Acoustic Version of "I Need Your Love"

We've all heard Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding's collaboration I Need Your Love- seriously, radio is KILLING the song. But I bet you haven't heard the club track done this way. (Note: That bet is off the table if you've already seen this EXACT video, mind!)

Sitting down with Billboard on a tour bus in Pittsburgh, Ellie (and her guitarists) discombobulated and reconstructed the dance anthem, putting a fresh spin on the played out song. In other words, they gave it the acoustic treatment.

In the context of Ellie's own folksy-inspired back catalouge, this version makes more sense to me. I wouldn't say it's better, so much as it's different. But a bonus of this change of pace is that the focus is put squarely on Ellie's impish voice. A voice that has never been what one would call "powerful" can be better appreciated-note its delicacy, slight rasp and nimbleness - in an softer setting

Take a listen to both versions of I Need Your Love and let me know which you preferred! 

[Watch] Florence Welch Covers Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" And Gossip's "Standing In The Way Of Control"

OMG! Okay, the Daft Punk bit I'm "meh" about- I don't really like the song- but Florence Welch covering Gossip's Standing In The Way Of Control blew my mind (as it clearly did to some woman in the audience). So how did this impromptu performance come about? Well, according to Spin,

It was the annual Sourberry summer party and Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine was in attendance...She hopped up on stage during our sound check and rocked out a couple of numbers with us while we warmed up. 'Get Lucky' - Daft Punk and 'Standing In The Way Of Control' - The Gossip.

Before you watch the video, don't expect a polished performance- Read:lower your expectations(!). I'm pretty sure Flo was on the libations before gatecrashing the stage- she certainly enjoyed a "wee dram" while on it- so her faculties might have been somewhat impaired! I'm just amazed she covered a Gossip song! Now if only I could get her to do it again in a more focused state, now that'd surely be something...

Also, hats off to the band, Sourberry. They rocked!

[New Music] Ariana Grande Comes Into Her Own With "Baby, I"

Ariana Grande returns with new single Baby, I, and like last single The Way, it's a track that's firmly rooted in the 1990's Rnb/Pop scene. To add to the authenticity of the sound, the Diva even managed to rope in the legendary Babyface- who created monster tracks in that very decade- to write and produce the cut. So if you were feeling her first single, odds are, you're probably going to enjoy this one. I certainly am!

What I was most looking forward to hearing from the new single was how/if Ariana was going to change her style of delivery after the Mariah comparisons The Way generated. With similar use of contrasting "airy" and solid tones, vocal runs that we'd heard before and a foray into the whistle register that was all very Mimi, it was a way of singing that though impressive, was entirely too reminiscent of her idol. And of course, nobody really takes serious an imitator when the original is still knocking out records.

Thankfully Baby, I doesn't suffer from any such identity crisis- much to my surprise- and Ariana's voice shines for all the right reasons (though the intonation is still a slight annoyance). It's a speedy evolution in sound that could just mark the beginning of her journey to her very own unique vocal style- something all great Divas need. If true, this makes the singer a whole lot more of an interesting musical proposition to me.

[Watch] Mariah Carey Breaks Down During Live Performance Of "Looking In"

Definitely a fan favourite, Looking In was Mariah Carey's self-aware nod to the privileged life that she had found herself in during the 90's. Recorded for the Daydream album, the introspective lyrics were in stark contrast to the fairytale life many thought she led and highlighted not only the darker trappings of fame, but a Diva who appreciated the success she had.

Even up until now it contains some of Mariah's most honest and open lyrics, leading me to wonder why, as a writer, she never sang it live. However, if her performance of the song with the NY Philharmonic at the MLB All-Star Charity concert was anything to go by, it seems she never did so before because it was just too painful.