Harmonies in Heaven

Mr. Brian Epstein
67 Pearly Gates Drive
Heaven

Dear Mr. Epstein:

As a former music critic and lifelong fan of rock and pop music, I would like to submit a proposal for an interactive media campaign that will help promote your vision of a two-day concert in Heaven.

The fact I even know what you’re thinking should give you good reason to consider me for the project. As a social security card-carrying member of Earth, I dreamed of the reunion you and John Lennon had when George Harrison arrived. I remember you excitedly telling Harrison of the talent that’s living in Heaven, and how the residents have been listening to the same angels tweaking harps for the last few hundred years.

I’ve seen several of your resident musicians during my lifetime on Earth, and would love to promote their legacy to the folks up in heaven. I saw Ronnie Van Zant fronting Lynyrd Skynyrd one month before the 1977 plane crash; I danced to Shannon Hoon at Woodstock ’94, one year before his arrival in 1995. I mellowed out with John Denver in 1980, grooved with Jerry Garcia in 1983 (OK, I covered my ears during “Friend of the Devil”) and freaked out with Frank Zappa in 1984. I have as deep of an appreciation for these musicians as anyone on Earth, and would use my communication skills to attract a huge audience.

I was a newspaper reporter for eight years, disc jockey for two years and have been working in an online environment for the last nine years. With Microsoft, I created a music guide for Sidewalk.com. I recently graduated with my master’s degree from Boston University with a degree in Mass. Communications.

I respect the vision you created for the Beatles during the mid-‘60s, and firmly believe your ideas and management style helped change the face of music here on Earth. The designer suits and mop-top haircuts was an innovative marketing strategy. I recognize your attention to detail, and would approach an interactive media campaign in the same way.

My proposal will be tucked inside a copy of “Yesterday and Today” on my front lawn. I will fall asleep tonight playing “Meet the Beatles,” and hope to get an answer in my dreams.

Sincerely

Dan from Earth

Comments

[deeceevoice]

I just read your commentary on Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken relative to the latter's CD.

I gotta disagree with you. Ruben is, by far, the superior talent. While his material on American Idol sometimes left quite a bit to be desired, Studdard's talent is unmistakable -- which is evident from his new CD, "Soulful." It's far stronger than Aiken's debut CD.

Aiken's AI performances, on the other hand, were impressive; but he had (and still does) a tendency to try to "sell" a song as though he were onstage, often at the expense of conveying the true emotion of the lyrics.

My comments on "Soulful":

RUBEN STUDDARD`S DEBUT CD, WHICH HITS MUSIC STORES TODAY, IS WELL WORTH LISTENING TO.

It`s about time!

Ruben Studdard’s debut CD “Soulful” finally presents a collection of tunes worthy of his prodigious vocal talent. With songs like "What is Sexy?" (w/feat & Fat Joe), "It`s All Good," and "No, Rubin," listeners are treated to a series of light, rhythmic romps that provide glimpses into Ruben`s personal life and sense of humor, as well as his free-wheeling vocal artistry. "Sorry" is an achingly soulful ballad destined to become an urban neo-soul classic and may surpass the Great Blackout as the development most singularly responsible for a spate of spanking-new babies sure to be born in 2004.

Covering Luther Vandross` hit "Long Ago" is risky for any artist -- but Studdard pulls it off and makes the song wholly his own. "The big man” also shines with a smoother remake of Al Green’s “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” Even less substantial songs like "What If?" "Play Our Song," “Can I Get Your Attention?” (with feat and Pretty Tony) and "Don`t Quit on Me" are strong and appealing enough to almost forgive the inclusion of the plodding, sappy, lamely sentimental "Flying without Wings." "Wings" is the only stinker in Ruben`s debut performance. Producers, understandably, I suppose, felt they had to include it. After all, it`s the song that put Studdard over the top on American Idol – but this “bonus track” only detracts; the CD would have been stronger without it. Not so with another bonus track, “We Have not Forgotten.” Studdard`s voice is tailor-made for gospel music, and without this track (with Fred Hammond), the CD would have been incomplete.

"Souful" blows away the skeptics and detractors and should once and for all put to rest any lingering sour grapes about Studdard`s American Idol win over Clay Aiken, whose vocal style and delivery are more suited to the Broadway stage than the recording studio.

Folks, the wait is over. Ruben Studdard has arrived.
-------

Peace.

[jeska]

i just gotta say that all ya haters need to quit it u all know who the real winner is and
there ain't nothin ya'll can do about it
so quit ur whinning and enjoy the deservin winner............Ruben Studdard!!!!!!!

[LadyLibra]

I agree with you, Rubin Studdard has a wonderful CD. His voice is a breath of fresh air. Continued successful for him. The first four songs on his CD, I play over and over again. The rest of the CD is good as well, but to me it's all about the first few. I consider it a good buy when you have at least 2 songs on a CD you like. So, Rubin's CD is a great buy.

[Don Dauphine']

I would like to know what Record Lable Rubin is on as I have some Spiritual & other original song that I feel He would do wonders with. How do I submit songs to him. They need someone like him who sings from the HEART.