J. Cole is a rapper and producer from North Carolina. He released his first mix-tape in 2007. In the mist of recording his second mix-tape he was signed by Jay-Z. J. Cole had become the first artist to be signed to Roc Nation (Jay-Z's new label). In 2009 he released his second mix-tape (The Warm Up). Since then people have been gravitating towards this rising star. He released a third mix-tape in 2010. He had a hit record and later a video for his record "In The Morning" which featured another young star named Drake. Although J. Cole had never announced a release date for his project, his mix-tapes had his fans anxious to see what his first album would sound like. J. Cole's debut album ("Cole World") was set to drop September 27, 2011.
Sadly J. Cole's album was leaked and I was able to get my hands on it a bit early. I've heard the album several times now. Once again I have tried my best to think about this from both a fan's and an artist's perspective. First let's talk about the album's production. J. Cole produced most of the beats on this album. I for one think that's amazing! It excites me as a fan and as an artist. I think it's great that he can bring his ideas to life with beats that he himself created. It probably makes things a lot easier for him. I know one of my struggles as an artist is trying to match some of the beats I've been sent from producers to the ideas that I have. However if you make the beats yourself you can set things up exactly how you want them to be. Most of the beats are smooth melodies with hard drums and baselines. He definitely made sure that the beats and the lyrics mesh together on every track.
Lyrically J. Cole is different on this album. He is still very topical and "conscious" as the mainstream media would say. However he has incorporated what commercial artists discuss as well. Not to say that he didn't on his previous projects, but you can hear it a lot more now. Nonetheless, Cole delivers strong lyrics from start to finish on this album. On "Lost Ones" he discusses the hard decisions that must be made when a young lady is pregnant and the parents are not a couple. He also has a very catchy song called "Mr. Nice Watch" which features Jay-Z. He touches many topics; but whether serious, promiscuous, playful or braggadocios Cole's lyrics and delivery are strong. Still I feel many people won't gravitate to this album until much later on.
Cole switched his style so he can appeal to a bigger audience. However he is not a completely different artist. He has incorporated what more people want to hear yet still he has stayed himself for the most part. It can be difficult to give the people what they want yet still keep your style intact. He balanced both sides very well in my opinion. I feel that is what makes this project so dope. It's got something for everyone and it's balanced very well. He is still hungry but he's also flashy and speaking about the ladies. He didn't completely sell out like some other artists have done when they try to gain mainstream appeal. Cole balanced things very well and that's hard for many artists including myself to do. Some like Nas have decided to not be balanced and just stick to the fan base they already have. However Cole has the right mindset and is on the right path if he wants to show people the best of both worlds.
J. Cole's debut album ("Cole World") was a good. It's a great way for new fans to be introduced to his music and it definitely has what Cole's fan base wants as well. Day one Cole fans should be able to appreciate the evolution of Cole. New fans should be able to enjoy both the conscious and cocky style that he has presented with this album. If this album is promoted right it can be huge for J. Cole. With several videos out now Cole should definitely be able to reach the crowd he wants and deserves to reach. I hope the smoothness of the album doesn't push too many people away. I for one look forward to hearing more of J. Cole's music very soon.
Sadly J. Cole's album was leaked and I was able to get my hands on it a bit early. I've heard the album several times now. Once again I have tried my best to think about this from both a fan's and an artist's perspective. First let's talk about the album's production. J. Cole produced most of the beats on this album. I for one think that's amazing! It excites me as a fan and as an artist. I think it's great that he can bring his ideas to life with beats that he himself created. It probably makes things a lot easier for him. I know one of my struggles as an artist is trying to match some of the beats I've been sent from producers to the ideas that I have. However if you make the beats yourself you can set things up exactly how you want them to be. Most of the beats are smooth melodies with hard drums and baselines. He definitely made sure that the beats and the lyrics mesh together on every track.
Lyrically J. Cole is different on this album. He is still very topical and "conscious" as the mainstream media would say. However he has incorporated what commercial artists discuss as well. Not to say that he didn't on his previous projects, but you can hear it a lot more now. Nonetheless, Cole delivers strong lyrics from start to finish on this album. On "Lost Ones" he discusses the hard decisions that must be made when a young lady is pregnant and the parents are not a couple. He also has a very catchy song called "Mr. Nice Watch" which features Jay-Z. He touches many topics; but whether serious, promiscuous, playful or braggadocios Cole's lyrics and delivery are strong. Still I feel many people won't gravitate to this album until much later on.
Cole switched his style so he can appeal to a bigger audience. However he is not a completely different artist. He has incorporated what more people want to hear yet still he has stayed himself for the most part. It can be difficult to give the people what they want yet still keep your style intact. He balanced both sides very well in my opinion. I feel that is what makes this project so dope. It's got something for everyone and it's balanced very well. He is still hungry but he's also flashy and speaking about the ladies. He didn't completely sell out like some other artists have done when they try to gain mainstream appeal. Cole balanced things very well and that's hard for many artists including myself to do. Some like Nas have decided to not be balanced and just stick to the fan base they already have. However Cole has the right mindset and is on the right path if he wants to show people the best of both worlds.
J. Cole's debut album ("Cole World") was a good. It's a great way for new fans to be introduced to his music and it definitely has what Cole's fan base wants as well. Day one Cole fans should be able to appreciate the evolution of Cole. New fans should be able to enjoy both the conscious and cocky style that he has presented with this album. If this album is promoted right it can be huge for J. Cole. With several videos out now Cole should definitely be able to reach the crowd he wants and deserves to reach. I hope the smoothness of the album doesn't push too many people away. I for one look forward to hearing more of J. Cole's music very soon.
Monday 26th September - Preview of New Show.
It is common for Theatre shows do run preview events and performances before the formal run of dates begins...
It is common for comedians to try out material on a selected audience before going on tour...
I would assume therefore that Magicians would do the same...
For me this was the first time of running a dress rehearsal preview of a full two hour show in front of an invited audience and I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to do it!
OK, the downside is having to cover the costs of hiring the venue BUT the pluses far outweigh these costs.
It's almost impossible to rehearse a mentalism show without an audience, and despite the scripting, blocking, routining that needs to be done its not until there are real people watching what you do are you likely to get any sense of the 'effectiveness' of your show.
Seance: The Daisey Mae story is a two hour show ending in a seance. I spent ages on a back story linking the effects I wanted to use and hopefully creating a sense of realism to what, is in effect, a very surreal show.
On Monday a small audience of around 30 people, including a couple of professional mediums, came to see the 'preview'. They were told it was a work in progress...
I can't begin to describe the valuable feedback I got from what they said; what I observed and how they reacted.
Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the second half of the show; but none of this was apparent from the audiences point of view as a quick re-think during the interval meant that I could cover for the things that were not going to do as they were told during the pre-round-2 set-up. A magician friend in the audience knew what I was 'going for' in the second act but said that what was used to cover about 20 minutes was in keeping with the rest of the show. In essence it was that old thing of the audience not knowing what to expect so not missing what they did not know...
The audience were very positive in their comments on the entertainment value of the show and all said they would come back to see the paying show booked for November.
So from this experience I have not only learned the value of doing such a live preview but also have some valuable insights on how to streamline the show and make the 'public performances' so much better... I've also created a bit of a buzz which I might be able to 'ride' into the local shows in November.
So now to sell the show to a broader market.
I guess this idea will not be new to many, especially those who regularly present full evening shows. But I suspect that many magicians faced with the challenge of creating a two hour stage show would look to their cabaret repertoire and mix and match from tried and tested routines. They will of course rehearse, have dress rehearsals and technical run throughts - but I wonder how many put their raw, untested material 'out there' in such a preview show?
Love to hear from those who do...
And if you don't then please do... you learn so much about the tweaks your show needs before it goes 'live' and of course, develops with continued performance.
Alan
It is common for Theatre shows do run preview events and performances before the formal run of dates begins...
It is common for comedians to try out material on a selected audience before going on tour...
I would assume therefore that Magicians would do the same...
For me this was the first time of running a dress rehearsal preview of a full two hour show in front of an invited audience and I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to do it!
OK, the downside is having to cover the costs of hiring the venue BUT the pluses far outweigh these costs.
It's almost impossible to rehearse a mentalism show without an audience, and despite the scripting, blocking, routining that needs to be done its not until there are real people watching what you do are you likely to get any sense of the 'effectiveness' of your show.
Seance: The Daisey Mae story is a two hour show ending in a seance. I spent ages on a back story linking the effects I wanted to use and hopefully creating a sense of realism to what, is in effect, a very surreal show.
On Monday a small audience of around 30 people, including a couple of professional mediums, came to see the 'preview'. They were told it was a work in progress...
I can't begin to describe the valuable feedback I got from what they said; what I observed and how they reacted.
Just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the second half of the show; but none of this was apparent from the audiences point of view as a quick re-think during the interval meant that I could cover for the things that were not going to do as they were told during the pre-round-2 set-up. A magician friend in the audience knew what I was 'going for' in the second act but said that what was used to cover about 20 minutes was in keeping with the rest of the show. In essence it was that old thing of the audience not knowing what to expect so not missing what they did not know...
The audience were very positive in their comments on the entertainment value of the show and all said they would come back to see the paying show booked for November.
So from this experience I have not only learned the value of doing such a live preview but also have some valuable insights on how to streamline the show and make the 'public performances' so much better... I've also created a bit of a buzz which I might be able to 'ride' into the local shows in November.
So now to sell the show to a broader market.
I guess this idea will not be new to many, especially those who regularly present full evening shows. But I suspect that many magicians faced with the challenge of creating a two hour stage show would look to their cabaret repertoire and mix and match from tried and tested routines. They will of course rehearse, have dress rehearsals and technical run throughts - but I wonder how many put their raw, untested material 'out there' in such a preview show?
Love to hear from those who do...
And if you don't then please do... you learn so much about the tweaks your show needs before it goes 'live' and of course, develops with continued performance.
Alan
Alan Jones is a performing Magician and Mentalist. He is a Member of the Magic Circle and is currently UK President of the International Magicians Society. You can find out more about him by visiting http://www.alanjonesmagic.com
Global Warning - The Economy
It's the 1920's and the struggle to live is facing every man, woman and child - even before the great war. The poor become poorer and the rich become richer. Many live in squalid conditions and for most there seems no way out. Let's fast-forward to the present year 2011; the poor become poorer and the rich become richer it would seem. The global warning has begun.
For the last few years, many individuals have struggled to feed and the recession hits every facet of life. It's the worst the economy has been since the early 1900's and there seems to be no respite. Who is to blame? It certainly is not the person who goes to work every day and earns a living to live and tender lovingly to their families. It is not the police officer, teacher, or the nurse who cares for the public. I suppose you can't keep blaming every government in power, or can you? Are they a product of mere circumstance or are they the root cause?
I woke up this morning to the resounding panic of those who understand the world economy - hearing the tumble of the markets again and claiming it is the worst recession we have seen.
We are certainly in the middle of a 'Global Warning.' The truth is that greed is at the root of all the problems, the need for power and control, the need to have more than the next man and the bravado of power to control the week. How can a company that makes millions or even billions justify raising the cost of energy when it is hard enough for someone to pay the every day energy bills that are required? With the onset of winter, you can hear the sobbing of the pensioner who has no idea how they will heat the home this year. It truly is dark times we live in and I fear this path we are treading is the only road for our children of the future. It is easy for those in government to sit in judgement - send young men and women to the battlefield, increase the countries debt and then continually put the pressure on the everyday man and woman to pick up the slack whilst carrying a cheery disposition. Will they ever stand in judgment of themselves?
No one knows where the answers lie, and I for one am tired of hearing that it will only get worse before it get's better. Why should that be the case, and why, if we live in a world of abundance and enough for everyone - do we have to continually fight to survive. The cost of living continues to increase and crime is on the increase. Come on, think about it, perhaps crime is on the increase because everyone is finding it difficult to live. Yes I know there are career criminal's who hold no morals and care not for whom they hurt, but normal lay women and men are turning to scrupulous methods to live. You have to have compassion for them. I liken this to the scene in 'les miserable' when Valjean is singing about stealing a loaf of bread to feed a sick child, and this is the reason he was imprisoned.
I once read somewhere that when Gadhafi was removed from power, the cost of fuel would plummet; he has and it hasn't. Those that we have put in power, and one must consider that the global corporations are who are running the world, are duping us and causing much of the suffering. I don't know the answers and the only solace that I can offer is that mother nature in her infinite wisdom will react to balance what is out of balance, but I hope I am long gone when that happens. Can we continually keep a smile on our face when we are being robbed blind?
I for one am a great believer in natural energy and using the innate power that mother nature has given, but I often wonder how long it will take before we are taxed on the very air that we breathe to reduce the country deficit. I will wait to see what develops.
The power of the human spirit is great and we are spiritual beings that cannot be destroyed. I believe that all struggles are temporary and that we have the inner power to overcome the hurdles that we come up against in daily life. In the words of a great teacher "There is always a spiritual solution to every problem." It can start with you by offering help to someone who needs it, and it does not need to be in a financial way. There are many ways to help someone in need; it takes just that small offering in a compassionate way to help overcome struggles of every day life. We can pray that our leaders see sense and awaken to the injustice in the world. If all else fails in this life, understand that Karma will play its inevitable role.
It's the 1920's and the struggle to live is facing every man, woman and child - even before the great war. The poor become poorer and the rich become richer. Many live in squalid conditions and for most there seems no way out. Let's fast-forward to the present year 2011; the poor become poorer and the rich become richer it would seem. The global warning has begun.
For the last few years, many individuals have struggled to feed and the recession hits every facet of life. It's the worst the economy has been since the early 1900's and there seems to be no respite. Who is to blame? It certainly is not the person who goes to work every day and earns a living to live and tender lovingly to their families. It is not the police officer, teacher, or the nurse who cares for the public. I suppose you can't keep blaming every government in power, or can you? Are they a product of mere circumstance or are they the root cause?
I woke up this morning to the resounding panic of those who understand the world economy - hearing the tumble of the markets again and claiming it is the worst recession we have seen.
We are certainly in the middle of a 'Global Warning.' The truth is that greed is at the root of all the problems, the need for power and control, the need to have more than the next man and the bravado of power to control the week. How can a company that makes millions or even billions justify raising the cost of energy when it is hard enough for someone to pay the every day energy bills that are required? With the onset of winter, you can hear the sobbing of the pensioner who has no idea how they will heat the home this year. It truly is dark times we live in and I fear this path we are treading is the only road for our children of the future. It is easy for those in government to sit in judgement - send young men and women to the battlefield, increase the countries debt and then continually put the pressure on the everyday man and woman to pick up the slack whilst carrying a cheery disposition. Will they ever stand in judgment of themselves?
No one knows where the answers lie, and I for one am tired of hearing that it will only get worse before it get's better. Why should that be the case, and why, if we live in a world of abundance and enough for everyone - do we have to continually fight to survive. The cost of living continues to increase and crime is on the increase. Come on, think about it, perhaps crime is on the increase because everyone is finding it difficult to live. Yes I know there are career criminal's who hold no morals and care not for whom they hurt, but normal lay women and men are turning to scrupulous methods to live. You have to have compassion for them. I liken this to the scene in 'les miserable' when Valjean is singing about stealing a loaf of bread to feed a sick child, and this is the reason he was imprisoned.
I once read somewhere that when Gadhafi was removed from power, the cost of fuel would plummet; he has and it hasn't. Those that we have put in power, and one must consider that the global corporations are who are running the world, are duping us and causing much of the suffering. I don't know the answers and the only solace that I can offer is that mother nature in her infinite wisdom will react to balance what is out of balance, but I hope I am long gone when that happens. Can we continually keep a smile on our face when we are being robbed blind?
I for one am a great believer in natural energy and using the innate power that mother nature has given, but I often wonder how long it will take before we are taxed on the very air that we breathe to reduce the country deficit. I will wait to see what develops.
The power of the human spirit is great and we are spiritual beings that cannot be destroyed. I believe that all struggles are temporary and that we have the inner power to overcome the hurdles that we come up against in daily life. In the words of a great teacher "There is always a spiritual solution to every problem." It can start with you by offering help to someone who needs it, and it does not need to be in a financial way. There are many ways to help someone in need; it takes just that small offering in a compassionate way to help overcome struggles of every day life. We can pray that our leaders see sense and awaken to the injustice in the world. If all else fails in this life, understand that Karma will play its inevitable role.
Jock Brocas is a professional Psychic Medium - natural from birth and developed later in life. Jock has dedicated his later years to his own spiritual development and the professional development of his psychic gifts and his Mediumship. Being a professional Psychic Medium is very rewarding but also has its inherent problems. Nevertheless, Jock believes in the sanctity of mediumship and takes his work as a psychic medium very seriously.
Jock is known for giving irrefutable evidence and some of which can be validated much later. Jock is passionate about the science of psychic mediumship and works closely with many professionals in this field. He does not give general information that some psychics throw out and prefers the protocol of scientifically controlled telephone appointments. Jock very rarely gives psychic readings face-to-face.
Jock developed his psychic gifts and mediumship later in life when he was visited by a spirit. At first, this visitation shocked him and terrified him, which led him into the true vocation he was here for, a psychic medium's life. He learned from his past and recognized that he was being groomed to work for spirit all his life - from growing up with spiritual leaders and spending time with religious communities - the path was being prepared.
Jock Brocas (Psychic Medium) has studied many martial arts in the past and dedicated his later years to the study of Budo. He has amalgamated what he has learned in Budo and as a psychic medium to help change individuals lives for the better.
Jock is known for giving irrefutable evidence and some of which can be validated much later. Jock is passionate about the science of psychic mediumship and works closely with many professionals in this field. He does not give general information that some psychics throw out and prefers the protocol of scientifically controlled telephone appointments. Jock very rarely gives psychic readings face-to-face.
Jock developed his psychic gifts and mediumship later in life when he was visited by a spirit. At first, this visitation shocked him and terrified him, which led him into the true vocation he was here for, a psychic medium's life. He learned from his past and recognized that he was being groomed to work for spirit all his life - from growing up with spiritual leaders and spending time with religious communities - the path was being prepared.
Jock Brocas (Psychic Medium) has studied many martial arts in the past and dedicated his later years to the study of Budo. He has amalgamated what he has learned in Budo and as a psychic medium to help change individuals lives for the better.
