[Watch] Ariana Grande Wows With "Love Is Everything" And "Last Christmas" @ Rockefeller Center

Ariana Grande continued her consistent streak of great live performances this year at the 2013 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Singing original song Love is Everything, and a cover of Last Christmas, the pint-sized singer didn't miss a note, bringing effortless vocals despite the cold conditions. There was also a noticeable and appreciated change in her delivery style- being less overtly showy (in range and melisma) than usual. I'm not sure what else to add other than she was great and looked as cute as a button!

[Excuse the "watercolour" recording of Last Christmas, I couldn't find a better copy. You should still be able to hear Ariana's vocal under the person's voice]

[New Music] Leona Lewis Serves Up Operatic Vocals On "Ave Maria"

Fine, so it's not legitimately "operatic"- more a faux-classical sound- but it does allow us to hear some of the classical training Leona Lewis received as a youngster put to use. It's not a style of singing we hear often from the X-Factor winner, but it's certainly a direction she should consider venturing into if the pop career fails to reignite.

Sang over a simple piano accompaniment, the Diva's take on Ave Maria shows off Leona's effortless head-voice, beautifully. There is a little too much reverb on the vocal for my liking, however I can appreciate that it does add to the ethereal/Churchy feel of the Schubert classic.

Ave Maria is taken from the Diva's Christmas album, Christmas, With Love, which was released on the 29 November.

[Music Video] Lorde Bases "Team" Video On A Dream.

Lorde is still riding that counter-culture with new single Team and its accompanying video. The singer-songwriter offered up this explanation on the visuals via her Facebook page (which thankfully means I don' t have to spend all day trying to decipher the meaning behind it):

“This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was Queen. I dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn’t need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger. Enjoy.”

Source: Facebook

Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan and Evelyn “Champagne” King Rock 2013 Soul Train Awards

Soul Train Awards time! Opening the star-studded show was a medley of songs brought to us courtesy of Divas Jennifer Hudson, Evelyn “Champagne” King and Chaka Khan.

Built around Hudson's own disco-inspired track, I can't Describe (The Way I Feel), the medley saw Elveyn and Chaka's songs (I’m in Love and Do What You Feel ) worked into the arrangement, giving the impression of it being one seamless composition. It did seem an odd choice to have Hudson's less known song being the linchpin of the performance- especially considering the iconic tracks the veterans on stage have in their catalouge- but I enjoyed it none the less!

[Watch] Tamar Braxton Delivers A Rough Around The Edges Medley @ Soul Train 2013

Tamar Braxton has been suffering from a few vocal problems recently, and her medley at the 2013 Soul Train Awards left me feeling that things still aren't quite right when it comes to her instrument. On the plus side, the Diva wasn't having problems reaching the notes (as has been the case previously) during her medley of Love And War, All the Way Home and The One. It was more the tone that was exhibiting a change, sounding "brassy" throughout the range.

More distracting than the slightly off vocal was the performance itself, which was all kinds of messy. From the awkward choreography to the moments Tamar was visibly out of breath, the whole thing was lacking polish and finesse. And I'm not even going to comment on the outfit choice!

Tamar Braxton has the potential to be something spectacular, it's just a shame she doesn't seem to want it enough to put in the work.

[Free For All Friday]

In this scenario you guys are the cat and I am the box.....:-D

Free For All Friday! Brother's wedding this weekend so expect lean times to commence! But don't let that stop you guys from having a good ol' chinwag in the comments! Much Love XX

If you don't know the score, here be the rules:

• Try not to get too perverted-this site still needs to basically be "safe for work".
• If somebody starts a controversial subject, try keeping it civil when dealing with it. If things get out of hand please flag the conversation.
• It would be nice if it stuck to music, but it's not a requirement! So talk about news, current events, how you're getting your hair done next time you hit the hairdresser! Whateves, really!
• No nasty comments aimed at other users.

Inappropriate hugs to all y'all, and wishing you an awesome weekend!

[Music Video] London Grammar- "Nightcall"

Possibly my favourite song from London Grammar's début album, If You Wait, has been given the video treatment. Hooray for Nightcall!

The original Nightcall was record by Kavinsky and was a synth-pop extravaganza that notably featured a distorted, robotic main vocal. With a voice like Hannah Reid's it was no surprise London Grammar chose to forgo this effect on their cover. They also "naturalised" the production somewhat, substituting most of the electronica for live instrumentation. The result is a melancholy and brooding ballad that fits perfectly within the trio's catalouge.

Take a listen to it, and the original, below!