Friday, December 31, 2010

Cassone's Top 10 Movies of 2010

If I were in any Academy, these films; their performances, screenplays, directors, et al would be on my list. It was a good movie year to me, not great. That being said, I almost purposefully didn't include one film that has been at the top of every critic and awards list thus far (the over-rated Social Network) because I feel like it has been shoved down my throat enough already. I only mention it, because I know people will notice the 'oversight' - I just wanted to make it clear it is far from an oversight...lol. So, here is my list of what caught my eye on film in 2010. Each title is linked to it's trailer. Enjoy!

Cassone's Top 10 Best Television Programs 2010

These are the shows that made me take a look, notice and even sit back, relax and enjoy the show. I ranked per my personal preference. Some shows I hope even gets a few more viewers for being on my little list (#'s 2, 3, 4, 5 & 8 in particular). These always either leave me compelled, awestruck or wanting more. I have linked all titles to their respective websites, most of which you can watch episodes for free. Enjoy!

Cassone’s Top 200 – I-Tunes Personal All Time Favorites Playlist 2010

Whether the record came out in 2010 or in the 1950s, every year for the past three years I have compiled my ultimate playlist that, in essence, I work on all year long. Thus, the All-Time in the title. It is the one place where I pit todays artists alongside legends, as they all are in heavy rotation in my headphones. So whether it was me getting through a day at work, walking to the store or working on that next artistic piece - this list is the cream of the crop of what I was listening to in 2010. The chart is simply based on airplay, the most plays rose to the top and the rest followed behind.

Each listing has (or will have by January 3, 2011) a link to where you can hear the song, watch the video of it or visit the artist's website. This was one of my most popular posts last year, which I am very proud of. I also have a breakdown of overall artist, male, female & dou or groups which will each have their own separate posts. This is simply my sharing my musical tastes with my readership. You never know, you may discover something new and refreshing. Enjoy!

Antonio Cassone’s Top 200 – I-Tunes Personal All Time Favorites Playlist

1. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

2. I'm In You - Peter Frampton

3. Under The Milky Way – Sia

4. My Way - Frank Sinatra

5. Practice: May '09 - James Blakstar John

6. This Is It - Kenny Loggins

7. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

8. Love Is the Message - The Salsoul Orchestra

9. Breathe Me - Sia

10. Get Together – Madonna

11. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) - Jimi Hendrix

12. We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart

13. I Wish You Knew - Mariah Carey

14. Across 110th Street - Bobby Womack

15. Love's Divine - Seal

16. Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley

17. Hold You (Major Lazer Remix) - Gyptian feat. Major Lazer

18. Stoney End - Barbra Streisand

19. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix

20. Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix

21. Con te Partiro - Andrea Bocelli

22. Day Too Soon - Sia

23. Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol

24. Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix

25. Hello It's Me - Todd Rundgren

26. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

27. Open Your Eyes - Black Box

28. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls

29. Soldier Of Love - Sade

30. Close the Door - Teddy Pendergrass

31. Empire State Of Mind (Part II) - Alicia Keys

32. Real Love - Cher

33. All Night - Damian Marley featuring Stephen Marley

34. Hold You (Hold Yuh) - Gyptian

35. Superstar (from Jesus Christ Superstar – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Carl Anderson

36. Chasing Pavements - Adele

37. The Ladies Who Lunch (from the Broadway musical Company) - Elaine Stritch

38. We Are Family (album version) - Sister Sledge

39. Voyage To Atlantis - Isley Brothers

40. Someday Soon - Judy Collins

41. Here Comes The Sun - Nina Simone

42. Dreams - Grace Slick

43. Crosstown Traffic - Jimi Hendrix

44. Private Party - Leona Lewis

45. Delta Dawn - Helen Reddy

46. Theme from Schindler's List - Itzhak Perlman; cond. John Williams

47. If There is a Heaven - Aaron-Carl

48. Just Dance - Lady GaGa & Colby O'Donis

49. The Wonder Of It All - Kristine W.

50. Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel

51. I Wonder As I Wander - Barbra Streisand

52. You Take My Heart Away (from "Rocky") - DaEtta Little & Nelson Pigford

53. Bad Romance (Bimbo Jones Radio Remix) - Lady GaGa

54. Misery (Bimbo Jones Club Mix) - Maroon 5

55. I Can Feel Your Pain - Gyptian

56. Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts

57. I Belong to You - Lenny Kravitz

58. I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) [More English Extended Mix] – Pitbull

59. Unchained Melody - Roy Orbison

60. I Write The Songs - Barry Manilow

61. Blame It On The Dancefloor - Christian Jones

62. Supersoulfighter - Lenny Kravitz

63. Lady - Kenny Rogers

64. Get The Party Started – Dame Shirley Bassey

65. Blood on the Dance Floor - Michael Jackson

66. Lady (Hear Me Tonight) [Original Mix] - East End

67. Vogue - Madonna

68. Just a Little Bit of Love - Céline Dion

69. Sweet Love - The Commodores

70. People - Barbra Streisand

71. Missing You - Tina Turner

72. Turn Off the Lights - Teddy Pendergrass

73. Electric Avenue (album version) - Eddy Grant

74. Woman In Love - Barbra Streisand

75. Run It - Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana

76. Freak - James Blakstar John featuring Sandy Rivera & Haze

77. Viva la Vida - Coldplay

78. Thriller - Michael Jackson

79. Ode To Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry

80. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

81. Love Soul Mix 2009: Edition 1 - James Blakstar John

82. Oooh Child - The Five Stairsteps

83. This Way Forever - Joan Stevenson

84. Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce

85. Sara – Fleetwood Mac

86. Nah Let Go – Gyptian

87. Just Like You Said – Seal

88. I’m a Fire – Donna Summer

89. Dangerous – Busta Rhymes

90. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Nina Simone

91. He’s Alive – Dolly Parton

92. Whenever I Call You "Friend" - Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks

93. When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman - Dr. Hook

94. Passion - Dionne Farris

95. Heaven Sent - Keyshia Cole

96. Strangers In the Night - Frank Sinatra

97. Earth Song - Michael Jackson

98. The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of - Carly Simon

99. Get It Right - Aretha Franklin

100. Not Ready To Make Nice - Dixie Chicks

101. A Touch of Jazz - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

102. Stamp Your Feet - Donna Summer

103. Get Down Saturday Night - Oliver Cheatham

104. I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan

105. Troy - Sinéad O'Connor

106. Footsteps In The Dark (Parts 1 & 2) - The Isley Brothers

107. I Still Love You (You Still Love Me) - Millie Jackson

108. September (2009) Set - DJ Atul

109. Make It Happen - Mariah Carey

110. Neither One of Us – Gladys Knight & the Pips

111. Just What I Needed – Cars

112. Get Down Tonight – KC & the Sunshine Band

113. Edith and the Kingpin - Herbie Hancock featuring Tina Turner

114. Peace Train (Junior Vasquez Extended Club Mix) - Dolly Parton & Junior Vasquez

115. Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me - Gladys Knight & The Pips

116. All Woman - Lisa Stansfield

117. Neutron Dance - The Pointer Sisters

118. Buffalo Stance - Neneh Cherry

119. You've Been Talkin' in Your Sleep - Crystal Gayle

120. Sexy Eyes - Dr. Hook

121. Hotel California - The Eagles

122. The Godfather [Love Theme] - Ferrante & Teicher

123. How Deep Is Your Love (from Saturday Night Fever) - Bee Gees

124. No One Gets the Prize/The Boss - Diana Ross

125. More Than A Woman (from Saturday Night Fever) - Bee Gees

126. You're Just The Right Size - Charo

127. November 2010 Freestyle Mix: Reach Out for Love – James Blakstar John

128. Oh, Lady Be Good - Ella Fitzgerald

129. Jolene – Dolly Parton

130. La Vie En Rose – Grace Jones

131. More Than A Feeling – Boston

132. Angel - Aretha Franklin

133. Coat of Many Colors - Dolly Parton

134. June 2009 Summer Soulful House Mix - James Blakstar John

135. Jump - Madonna

136. Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac

137. Ain’t Nobody – Rufus featuring Chaka Khan

138. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

139. No One To Blame - Anita Baker

140. We Are The World - U.S.A. for Africa

141. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

142. One of These Nights – The Eagles

143. I Dreamed A Dream - Susan Boyle

144. You Take My Heart Away – Dame Shirley Bassey

145. Dust in the Wind – Kansas

146. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) - Aretha Franklin

147. Gabriel (Live Garage Version) - Roy Davis

148. Dream Weaver - Gary Wright

149. Fly Like A Bird - Mariah Carey

150. Bella (She's All I Ever Had) - Ricky Martin

151. Bad Romance (Chew Fu H1N1 Fix) - Lady GaGa

152. I'm The One You Need - Jody Watley

153. Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden

154. What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner

155. Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John

156. Man I Used to Be - K-Os

157. Wild Horses - Susan Boyle

158. Easy - Lionel Richie

159. Gigolos Get Lonely Too - The Time

160. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston

161. That Sound - Michael Moog

162. Tender Love - Force MD's

163. Wildfire - Michael Martin Murphey

164. Smile | Main Mix (Original Raw-Dio Edit) - James BlakStar John feat. Deon Nathan

165. Icebox – Omarion

166. Home (from "The Wiz") - Stephanie Mills

167. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

168. Love T.K.O - Teddy Pendergrass

169. Paper Planes (from ‘Slumdog Millionaire’) - M.I.A.

170. Street Life - The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford

171. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince

172. Beautiful Calm Driving - Sia

173. Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

174. Together Again - Janet Jackson

175. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' - Michael Jackson

176. Baby, Come And Get It - The Pointer Sisters

177. Sign Your Name - Terence Trent D'Arby

178. Livin' For Love - Natalie Cole

179. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

180. Sonya - Miles Davis

181. Tear In Your Hand - Tori Amos

182. Can't Get Over You - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

183. Smoke And Ashes - Tracy Chapman

184. Sunrise - Simply Red

185. Dance Little Sister (T.T.D.'s Remix) - Terence Trent D'Arby

186. Careless Whisper - George Michael

187. Oh, People - Patti LaBelle

188. Red Alert - Basement Jaxx

189. Fame (The Game) - Donna Summer

190. Amazing Grace - Shirley Caesar

191. Come Go With Me - Teddy Pendergrass

192. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations

193. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler

194. Oye Como Va (James 'Blakstar' John Remix) - Tito Puente Jr. (feat. India)

195. I'm Not In Love - 10cc

196. Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees

197. I Wanna Love You Forever - Jessica Simpson

198. Don't Cry Out Loud - Melissa Manchester

199. I'd Really Love To See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley

200. The Glow of Love (LP Version) – Change

See what topped my little chart last year in 2009

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

MOONSTRUCK

This is when I wish I had a better camera. It is something I am working on, but what can I say? Today, globally people are watching a beautiful, natural spectacle occur - a total lunar eclipse. What I like about it is the fact people worldwide are looking up with awe and wonder, collectively in the spirit of something wondrous and good. It is just that simple. The photo I took was right before the eclipse began from my backyard. However, after the moon's rising, my tawdry piece of equipment disappointed, but not so much.

You see, I am not going to sweat the small stuff here. The fact that I am witnessing it live and in person is a marvel. Standing right there in my yard, alone with nothing, but me, the crickets and a cantankerous raccoon mulling about in a nearby tree. Sharing this moment, my lady friend, Deborah, who I met on Facebook, across the country in California and a friend, Antoinne, who lives back home in Detroit. I wasn't sure if my friend, Alma, from Texas was able to stay up at press time.

The point is, this is a moment in natural history that I can share with not only these special people, but the many people I am interacting with online tonight. People coming together sure beats out my complaints about my old camera, which aside from this has served me pretty well. I guess when I look up at the moon (I am having a Cher moment), it puts me right in my place and a lot in perspective.

Standing there in my yard, outside my cozy home where I live with people who care about me. It just shows me that I am here. I am now. This is just one moment. Take it in stride... and I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

You can read a cool brief article about the eclipse at WIKIPEDIA.

And watch the eclipse at SPACEVIDCAST on USTREAM.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Comfort & Joy 20 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature




Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 19 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature




Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 18 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature




"Fred & Ricky"

Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 17 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature





Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 16 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature





Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 15 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature





Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!

Comfort & Joy 14 - Photography by Cassone's Holiday 2010 Feature





Decorations & Designs by Paul Miller with Bob Drews & David Paul Miller
Photo by Antonio Cassone; 2010

See Slideshow 1 @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAJaiLzxwCo

See Slideshow 2 @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlsRs6RNr0

Share, Enjoy & Happy Holidays! Thanks!