Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Robert Plant
Robert Plant's fender baritone has symbolized rock excess for almost four decades; Alison Krauss' virtuoso fiddle and mountain soprano have symbolized country purity for two. Post-Zep, however, the leonine Plant has put his star power behind roots music from the Delta to the Sahara, while the demure Krauss has proven a fearsome workaholic, her vaunted modesty vying with her professional drive. So although Krauss brings folk cred to these new weird duets, ascribe considerable smarts and soul to Plant --and to producer T Bone Burnett, who assembled the atmospheric band and plucked most of the half-remembered material from the ether. Lend your ears to Li'l Millet's "Rich Woman," to Roly Salley's "Killing the Blues," and to the two Everly Brothers obscurities that cancel out the two Gene Clark obscurities. Skilled and inspired though it is, Raising Sand's relaxed, smoky harmonies and reverbed midtempo rockabilly don't always achieve the back-porch revelation they're going for. But they do both icons a world of good
Raising Sand and Alison Krauss
From its embryonic, conceptual stages – well before any music materialized – the mere idea of Raising Sand held infinite fascination for both its creators and those around them. As word spread of an impending musical collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, imaginations
About Alison Krauss
For Alison Krauss, musical collaboration has been a way of life. Her own story has been nothing short of amazing: signed to Rounder Records as a precocious 13-year-old fiddler from Champaign, Illinois, she has, over two decades with the label, become the most recognized face in contemporary bluegrass, a critically
About Robert Plant
In 1966, Robert Plant left home, left college, left work, and turned professional. By 1967 he had cut 6 sides for CBS, formed the Band of Joy with John Bonham, and created two crucial working partnerships. The first such partnership was with Terry Reid – the two became friends playing
About T Bone Burnett
T Bone Burnett is an American original. One of music’s most multi-faceted and successful artists, his multitude of musical identities include: acclaimed performer and songwriter; Grammy®-winning producer (the O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Walk The Line soundtracks; the Tony Bennett and k.d. lang album, A Wonderful World); Oscar-nominated songwriterRobert Plant
"We ostensibly come from such different places on the musical map," Robert Plant said in a media conference backstage Sunday. "Alison showed me so much I had never been exposed to."
That Plant is still learning new tricks is a testament to his artistry. That he's not touring with a reunited Led Zeppelin is a sign of enduring integrity. That's a lot of money to be passing up, even if "
But Plant was having none of it. The singer again was confronted with the inevitable question Sunday about his future involvement in any Zeppelin tour.
"How old are you, man?" Plant responded. "Because you look older than me. You try to do 'Communication Breakdown' in these pantsAnita Baker
Anita Baker Biography
Anita Baker—multiple Grammy
Just as soon as she decided to get back onstage, amphitheatres and arenas came calling and legions of fans came running, taking the 8-time Grammy winner around the country, before crowds of excited music lovers who were as overwhelmed by her return as they were stunned by her departure. “I needed to get away to rest, to take care of my family and to just spend some time with Anita, and my husband and my boys.” But in her time away, her singular and stellar voice could still be faithfully heard on R&B, Jazz and Adult Contemporary stations throughout the nation. However, the most peculiar thing is that it seemed that the rap/hip-hop genre, known as the Conscious of Music and often known to speak on things that others wouldn’t, seem to herald her return before anyone, making reference to her to several songs, including the recent #1 hit single “Slow Jamz” by Twista and Kanye West. So powerful is her name in music that she is the only artist who is acknowledged in the song by only her first name. ANITA. Now, this musical icon has joined the illustrious roster of Blue Note Records, with her long-awaited project MY EVERYTHING.
Anita’s Blue Note Records debut MY EVERYTHING is just that, a collection of the best attributes of Anita Baker—singer, songwriter, producer—wrapped in a lush package of ten (10) brilliant songs. Her offerings are not just aural pleasure. Something about her music is visceral and tactile and you don’t just hear it, you feel it, you visit it and it washes over you. The first single, “YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING,” shows that the singer’s amazing alto is bell clear and full. Produced by long-time musical director and industry heavyweight Barry Eastmond (as is the most of the project), something about the song is familiar and will have you singing along by the second verse. It’s warm and summer-filled love that feels like you’re sitting at an outdoor concert, wishing that days like this would never end.
Other masterful pieces of art from the project include “LIKE YOU USED TO DO,” a duet with fellow singer/songwriter/producer Babyface. The song is a bonafide smash already, just by the brilliant coupling of these two geniuses of love. It’s a woeful tale of a couple who both seem to realize that they had a good thing. The song begs to be heard and boldly steps forward as an anthem for trying harder, for love’s sake, in these days of instant marriages and temperamental annulments. “SERIOUS” is the only composition on MY EVERYTHING that Baker didn’t play a role in writing. The song was penned by Dawn Thomas, who composed “Only For A While,” from 1994’s Rhythm of Love and the two, who have never spoken or met, seem to be in sync. “I CAN’T SLEEP,” mature and sexy in its tone, was originally done by the Yellowjackets and was recorded live with the musicians and Anita simultaneously. It sounds like the songstress at her best—wailing and romping with her band and taking us higher, in love, for love! It’s soulful. It’s jazzy. It’s pure. It’s powerful. It’s what’s been missing since her departure: an unadulterated passion for LOVE! But the standout selection of the project is “MEN IN MY LIFE.”
Written by Anita Baker, but sung by Mrs. Anita Bridgeforth (her married name) and dedicated to Walter Sr., Walter Jr. and Eddie (her husband and two sons), “MEN IN MY LIFE” is something so sweet and sincere, powerful and so poignant that we may have never heard before in music: A True Tribute To Family. A loving wife, knowing that she is revered around the world and adored by millions, pauses, even as she prepares to return to music in glorious triumph, to center herself, assure her family and inform us as we await her arrival, that her truest and most triumphant joy in life is the love of the Men in her life. Offered in a voice so honest and vulnerable that you can almost hear the tears of joy roll down Anita’s eyes, this opus quiets any voice that wants to know why one of music’s most consistent composers has been gone so long. “MEN IN MY LIFE” speaks to priorities and Anita’s have clearly been on raising a wonderful family. Now, “as the boys grow up and branch out,” Anita has decided “that I wanted my day joy back” and she’s prepared to get back in the game on her own terms, just like she did from the beginning.
Anita Baker was born in Detroit, Michigan, always known as a musical hotbed, and started singing in church and later in groups throughout Detroit, before landing a gig with Chapter 8 (“they were the HOTTEST band in the land!”) with whom she had the hit “I Just Wanna Be Your Girl” in the early 80s. Anita later went solo and recorded the classic collection The Songstress (“Angel,” and “No More Tears”) before finding her way to Elektra Entertainment and a decade-long collaboration that birthed such completely perfected projects as Rapture, Giving You The Best That I Got, Compositions and The Rhythm Of Love, and honing a powerhouse songbook that includes such masterpieces as “Watch Your Step,” “Been So Long,” “Lead Me Into Love,” “Talk To Me,” “Body and Soul” and “I Apologize.” Her mantel is filled with Grammy, Soul Train, NAACP Image, Billboard and Rolling
With MY EVERYTHING, Anita Baker is poised to return to the forefront of music, where’s she been a standout since her debut. Evidence of her impact can be heard on Any Street, USA, as “YOU’RE MY EVERYTHING,” the first single, can be heard blaring from beachfront homes and big SUVs bopping down urban streets. Anita Baker’s soulful alto has always been something special to music. She’s given us the best that she’s got for almost two decades now, and just when other singers would be coasting on their legacy, Anita Baker returns to give us her all and with that, we know what you are about to receive is a pure and powerful collection. Prepare to welcome MY EVERYTHING to your collection of finest and favorites, which is exactly where Anita Baker, and her classic style, belong.
Anita Baker
Anita Baker (born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio) is a soul and adult contemporary Rhythm and blues singer.
With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the ’80s. Gifted with a strong, supple alto, Baker was influenced not only by R&B, but jazz, gospel, and traditional pop, which gave her music a distinctly adult sophistication. Smooth and mellow, but hardly lifeless, it made her one of the most popular romantic singers of her time.
Baker was born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, OH, and raised in nearby Detroit, where she grew up listening to female jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald. At age 12, she began singing a gospel choir, and by age 16 she was performing with several local bands. In 1975, she successfully auditioned for Chapter 8, one of Detroit’s most popular acts at the time; the group eventually signed with Ariola and released an album in 1979, but were immediately dropped when the label was acquired by Arista (which didn’t care for Baker’s vocals). Chastened, Baker worked low-paying jobs in Detroit and eventually found steady work as a receptionist at a law firm. In 1982, Otis Smith — an executive who’d worked with Chapter 8 — contacted Baker about recording for his new label Beverly Glen. Happy with her employment benefits and skittish over the experience with Arista, Baker was reluctant at first, but eventually flew out to the West Coast to record her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983.
With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the ’80s. Gifted with a strong, supple alto, Baker was influenced not only by R&B, but jazz, gospel, and traditional pop, which gave her music a distinctly adult sophistication. Smooth and mellow, but hardly lifeless, it made her one of the most popular romantic singers of her time.
Baker was born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, OH, and raised in nearby Detroit, where she grew up listening to female jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald. At age 12, she began singing a gospel choir, and by age 16 she was performing with several local bands. In 1975, she successfully auditioned for Chapter 8, one of Detroit’s most popular acts at the time; the group eventually signed with Ariola and released an album in 1979, but were immediately dropped when the label was acquired by Arista (which didn’t care for Baker’s vocals). Chastened, Baker worked low-paying jobs in Detroit and eventually found steady work as a receptionist at a law firm. In 1982, Otis Smith — an executive who’d worked with Chapter 8 — contacted Baker about recording for his new label Beverly Glen. Happy with her employment benefits and skittish over the experience with Arista, Baker was reluctant at first, but eventually flew out to the West Coast to record her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983.
Chris Brown arrested,
What makes Sunday night’s arrest of singer Chris Brown over a reported domestic dispute in Los Angeles so strange is that the 19-year-old singer is known for his wild dance moves, not a wild lifestyle.
Brown, who was released on $50,000 bail late last night, has previously had a squeaky-clean image, both in his music – best known for tame, lovey-dovey hits like “Kiss Kiss” and “No Air” – and in his personal life, which has mainly been his relationship with 20-year-old singer Rihanna. (Though the Los Angeles Times is reporting that the charge of making felony threats stems from an incident early Sunday morning involving Rihanna, neither the Los Angeles Police Department, nor Rihanna’s spokespeople have confirmed that it does. Police do say in a statement that additional charges may be filed.)
Since his debut in 2005, Brown has built his reputation as a teen phenom in the Michael Jackson vein, making sure strong choreography accompanies his sugary pop hits. He gained attention at the MTV Video Music Awards for leaping from table to table during his performance and for writing his recent hit “Forever” as a reworking of a jingle for Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum, which has been using the song in its recent ad campaign.
His hit duet “No Air,” with Jordin Sparks, was nominated for a Grammy last night, but did not win. Both Brown and Rihanna were scheduled to perform at last night’s ceremonies but abruptly canceled, pressing Al Green and Justin Timberlake into service, performing “Let’s Stay Together” with Boyz II Men and Keith Urban to fill their performance slots.
Brown and Rihanna have been linked for more than a year, though they have been reluctant to discuss their relationship. Early on, Brown reworked Rihanna’s hit “Umbrella” into “Cinderella.”
On Brown’s website, his fans are taking a wait-and-see attitude before making their judgment. On Rihanna’s site, though, some have already made up their mindsAngel on a Leash
Angel on a Leash
Angel on a leash is the Westminster kennel clubs pet therapy program. Angels on a leash helps children in hospitals. The angels on a leash program is called angels on a leash because dogs, on a leash, are taken into hospitals by handlers on the other end of the leash and visit patients. The dogs make the patients feel a little more normal- and many doctors and handlers describe it as being like a visit from an angel.
angel on a leash
As it enters its third year of existence, The Westminster Kennel Club's therapy dog program, Angel On A Leash, is growing in many ways, continuing to change the lives of many people in need.Under the leadership of program coordinator Greer Griffith, Angel On A Leash continues to be a wonderful success in benefiting the young patients at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian. The number of volunteer teams has grown to more than 25 since the program's inception.
Volunteer teams continue to be active in the Child Life Department at the Hospital. There, the benefits of the therapy dog visits are spontaneous, coming from interaction between the patient and the dog and its human partner and promoting smiles, conversation and positive emotional responses.
And recently, Angel On A Leash teams have expanded their roles, adding more involved activities in the Occupational / Physical Therapy Department. There the dog becomes an integral part of the treatment process, working with a health professional to promote specific goal-oriented improvements in physical, emotional and cognitive skills of the individual patients.
Angel On A Leash volunteer teams have also begun to visit the Ronald McDonald House in New York City. The New York House is one of more than 200 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world that provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, a low-cost temporary residence near the medical facility where family members can stay and find support from other families in similar situations.
The use of therapy dogs has been shown to help reduce stress for pediatric patients and their families. Studies are showing the many benefits, ranging from encouraging smiles and conversation, to motivating them during physical therapy
Helen Thomas
AKA Helen A. ThomasBorn: 4-Aug-1920
Birthplace: Winchester, KY
Gender: Female
Race or Ethnicity: Middle Eastern
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Journalist
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: White House reporter since 1961
Veteran print journalist and strident liberal Helen Thomas has been in the White House press corps ever since the start of the Kennedy administration in 1961. While her longevity at the post once afforded some ceremonial perks
When she is called upon to ask a question, the results are usually hilarious. Thomas asks a pointed question, and White House spokesman Scott McClellan sidesteps it. Thomas interrupts with a more pointed follow-up question, and interrupts again as McClellan sidesteps that. McClellan eventually gives up and calls on another reporter.
In a November 2002 talk at MIT, Thomas revealed: "I censored myself for 50 years when I was a reporter. Now I wake up and ask myself, 'Who do I hate today?'" Two months later, the answer to that question revealed itself in an off-the-record comment to a reporter from the Torrance, California Daily Breeze following the Society of Professional Journalists annual awards banquet. "This is the worst President ever. He is the worst President in all of American history." The Breeze ran the quote, and the rest is history.
Father: George Thomas (George Antonious)
Mother: Mary
Sister: Katharine (b. 1902)
Sister: Anne
Brother: Matry
Sister: Sabe
Sister: Isabelle
Sister: Josephine
Sister: Barbara
Sister: Genevieve (d. 1988)
Brother: Tommy (d., age 12)
Husband: Douglas B. Cornell (b. 1906, m. Oct-1971, d. 1982)
High School: Eastern High School, Detroit, MI
University: BA, Wayne State University (1942)
Gridiron Club 1975
National Press Club
White House Correspondents Association
Roast: Helen Thomas (1993)
Roast: Walter Cronkite (1997)
Roast: Bob Schieffer (2004)
Syrian Ancestry Paternal
Fahrenheit 9/11 (17-May-2004) Herself [VOICE]
Dave (7-May-1993) Herself
Selena Roberts Slurs Innocent Duke Lacrosse Players, Again
Times sports columnist Selena Roberts attacks innocent Duke players with sarcasm and accusations of white privilege: "Don't mess with Duke, though. To shine a light on its integrity has been treated by the irrational mighty as a threat to white privilege....lay off the lacrosse pipeline to Wall Street, excuse the khaki-pants crowd of SAT wonder kids."
When it comes to slurring innocent Duke lacrosse players, sports columnist Selena Roberts is apparently angling to become the Amanda Marcotte of the New York Times. Even after the three lacrosse players have been all but formally cleared of the sexual assault of a stripper (in a case brought forward by a zealous local prosecutor Mike Nifong, to go on trial himself for ethics violations in his handling of the case), Roberts apparently thinks it was worth it in her Sunday column, "Closing a Case Will Not Mean Closure at Duke." 
Here's what she said before on the Duke "rape" case in March last year (as the "victim's" case was trumpeted in the credulous media) in a column that seethes with the presumption of guilt.
"The season is over, but the paradox lives on in Duke's lacrosse team, a group of privileged players of fine pedigree entangled in a night that threatens to belie their social standing as human beings.
"Something happened March 13, when a woman, hired to dance at a private party, alleged that three lacrosse players sexually assaulted her in a bathroom for 30 minutes. According to reported court documents, she was raped, robbed, strangled and was the victim of a hate crime. She was also reportedly treated at a hospital for vaginal and anal injuries consistent with sexual assault and rape.
"Players have been forced to give up their DNA, but to the dismay of investigators, none have come forward to reveal an eyewitness account.
"Maybe the team captains are right. Maybe the allegations are baseless.
"But why is it so hard to gather the facts? Why is any whisper of a detail akin to snitching?"
The conclusion to Roberts' March 2006 column carried the same flavor of Duke guilt that emanated from the body of the piece: "Does President Brodhead dare to confront the culture behind the lacrosse team's code of silence or would he fear being ridiculed as a snitch?"
As the "case" winds down to its ignominious end, Roberts returned to the subject on Sunday (Times Select $ required), whining about some of the "loquacious bullies" who emailed her in support of the lacrosse players and against her biased columns -- "several hostile lacrosse advocates have burned a hole in my in-box as well over the past year."
But Roberts had nothing to say on Sunday about local North Carolina district attorney Michael Nifong's unethical behavior in pushing rape charges against the Duke lacrosse players (the most she could muster was to call him "one part district attorney, one part clueless Columbo"), or the assumptions of guilt by liberal Duke faculty, or the false charges from the alleged rape victim.
Roberts started off with snottiness: "The ubiquitous 'Innocent' wristbands of the yellow 'LiveStrong' variety have become a wardrobe accessory akin to a watch for some Duke lacrosse supporters."
Later on, Roberts tried to conflate the false rape charges with what she considers athletic misbehavior on campus (as if non-athlete students have never done similar things).
"What happens if all the charges are dismissed? There is a tendency to conflate the alleged crime at the Duke lacrosse team kegger on March 13, 2006, with the irrefutable culture of misogyny, racial animus and athlete entitlement that went unrestrained that night.
"Porn-style photos of two exotic dancers -- one of whom was the accuser -- emerged from cellphone camera downloads. Heated exchanges between players and dancers occurred. Racial slurs were heard. And in an 'American Psycho' reference, a repulsive e-mail message depicting the skinning of strippers was sent by a player, Ryan McFadyen, who, to his credit, has since apologized."
Note the double standard: While the woman who made false charges of rape has yet to be named in the media, but Roberts still feels free to criticize lacrosse players by name in print.
"To many, the alleged crime and culture are intertwined. No trial, all vindication. This microview has some passionate, respectful followers, but also a few loquacious bullies.
"Some of them have expressed their anger with threatening e-mail messages to Duke staff members who had voiced opinions on the scandal."
Is Roberts really ignorant of the infamous "Duke 88," the politically correct faculty who signed an open letter described by case expert-blogger KC Johnson as "a document saying 'thank you' to campus demonstrators who had distributed a 'wanted' poster of the lacrosse players and publicly branded the players 'rapists.'"
Roberts, perhaps aware that her legal hand was weak, next slapped down the race card.
"Don’t mess with Duke, though. To shine a light on its integrity has been treated by the irrational mighty as a threat to white privilege.
"Feel free to excoriate the African-American basketball stars and football behemoths for the misdeeds of all athletes, but lay off the lacrosse pipeline to Wall Street, excuse the khaki-pants crowd of SAT wonder kids.
"No one would want an innocent Duke player wronged or ruined by false charges -- and that may have occurred on Nifong’s watch -- but the alleged crime and the culture are mutually exclusive."
Roberts excused Nifong from responsibility, as if he was just a passive force, although he faces trial himself on ethics charges related to his conduct of the investigation, and dismissed in half a sentence the miscarriage of justice suffered by the innocent Duke players "that may have occurred."
Roberts seems to think the false rape charges were worth it in the end, if it opens up Duke to "change," and seems to think that partying and misbehavior on campus (not to mention "public urination") is the exclusive realm of spoiled white athletes.
"What’s new? Nothing really. But the opportunity to change this chronic campus dynamic is up to Duke. For now, administrators and faculty members seem earnest in giving it a college try.
"That would be a welcomed development to citizens who had long complained about the raucous partying and misbehavior of athletes in their neighborhoods. There were red flags about the Duke lacrosse team, including a history of off-campus conduct problems.
"Apparently, no player could hold his own beer because public urination was an issue."
[…]
"But if you take on the athlete culture that was exposed, not the alleged crime, there can be one healthy legacy to a scandal.
"A dismissal doesn’t mean forget everything. Amnesia would be a poor defense to the next act of athlete privilege."
Columnist Biography: Selena Roberts
Selena Roberts became a columnist for The New York Times sports department in October of 2002. She previously served as the Olympic writer for The Times, tennis reporter, general assignment baseball writer and beat reporter for the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets. She joined The Times in 1996 to report on the Nets.
Prior to joining The Times, Ms. Roberts had served as the Minnesota Vikings beat writer at The Minneapolis Star Tribune since August 1994. There, she wrote daily on the team and also worked on special sports projects during the off-season.
Previously, she was the Orlando Magic beat writer at the Orlando Sentinel from July 1993 to August 1994; N.F.L./Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat writer from July 1992 to July 1993, including coverage of the N.F.L. playoffs and Super Bowl; and motorsports/Volusia County beat writer from August 1991 to July 1992, covering NASCAR and IMSA events, including the Daytona 500 and 24 hours of Sebring. She also covered Bethune-Cookman College, area preps and wrote the metro TV/Radio column.
From March 1990 to August 1991, Ms. Roberts wrote four sports columns a week at the Polk-Heartland bureau, a four-county area, for The Tampa Tribune. She was the Hernando County sports writer from January 1989 to March 1990, covering preps for the bureau and writing a weekly golf column.
She was an intern correspondent at the Huntsville Times from June 1988 to January 1989, where she was a beat writer for the Huntsville Stars (Oakland’s Double-A team), wrote sidebars for Auburn University and the University of Alabama, and was a general assignment writer.
Her writing career began in 1986 at The Auburn Plainsman where she went from sports writer to assistant sports editor to sports editor in a two-year period.
Born in Live Oak, Fla., on May 15, 1966, Ms. Roberts received a B.A. degree in journalism from Auburn University in 1988. She lives in Westport, Conn.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Runway To Red Carpet - End Of The Week Round Up
Emily Mortimer in Chloé Resort 2009
Leticia Dolera in Josep Font Spring 2009 Bridal
Isla Fisher in Matthew Williamson Pre-Fall 2009
Rosana Pastor in Carolina Herrera Spring 2009
Amy Adams in Jasmine Di Milo Spring 2007
Belen Rueda in Carolina Herrera Spring 2009
Freida Pinto in Zac Posen Spring 2009
Mar Saura in Versace Fall 2008
Monica Cruz in Roberto Cavalli Pre-Fall 2009
Sophie Kinsella in Alexander McQueen Resort 2009
Dafne Fernandez in Hannibal Laguna One & Only collection
Rachel Griffiths in Lanvin Fall 2008
Maribel Verdu in Christian Dior Resort 2008
Michelle Monaghan in modified Giambattista Valli Spring 2009
Aitana Sanchez Gijon in Oscar de la Renta Resort 2009
Estelle in Versace Pre-Fall 2008
In Rihanna's Closet - Preen Blue Dress
Rihanna attended the Verizon & BlackBerry Grammy Party at Boulevard 3 in LA on Friday wearing a gorgeous electric blue Preen dress.
For me Rihanna had lost a lot of her spark which inspired me to write about her every week last year, but this dress puts her back in my good books.
The blue body-con halter dress creates a strong silhouette, with a peplum at the waist, which gives it definition. The exposed zipper at the back completes this edgy look, along with her strappy heels.
You can purchase this Preen dress from BrownsFashion.com for £570/€652.47/$835.62.
Her blue, white and silver Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte Spring 2009 heels are very distinctive by the platform.
Finch & Partners' Pre-BAFTA Party
What a welcome relief to see the gorgeous Thandie Newton back on the red carpet.
I've really missed her, and it looks like she hasn't lost any of her style when she attended this Pre-BAFTA party wearing a navy silk Chanel Resort 2009 asymmetrical mini dress.
She wore her dress with embellished heels, whilst carrying a black clutch.
Perfect in every way.
Freida Pinto was also wearing Chanel, but her haltered ruffled mini was from the Spring 2008 Couture collection.
Of all the BAFTA Award attendees, Freida's gown is the one I am looking forward to the most tonight.
Emma Watson completes the Chanel threesome, wearing a navy dress from the Fall 2008 Couture collection.
I love the dress, and the matching satin shoes, but I can't help wishing she had adjusted that collar better, as it looks really awkward.
I will hope to see see a different type of hairstyle on Emma in the future. I feel like I've seen this look a thousand times before.
Amy Adams has had her Giambattista Valli phase, now she has moved onto RM by Roland Mouret. This is the second time in a row the gorgeous actress has worn one of his dresses, and it's a perfect fit.
This silver dress has an asymmetrical hem, and an overshot shoulder, which she opted to fold down.
She completed her look with black peep-toes, and a satin clutch.
Penelope Cruz opted for warmth over style, as she covered up her black dress with a full-length coat, whilst sporting freshly cut bangs.
Anna Friel will have PETA on her case, after wearing a fur stole, with her black corset and maxi skirt look.
Lily Allen added a burst of bright red to this black/navy event. How very refreshing.
Salute To Icons: Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party
I really struggle with Miley Cyrus a lot when it comes to her style on the red carpet.
I do like this Roberto Cavalli Spring 2009 mini dress. It was one of the very few pieces I actually liked from this collection, but I don't feel Miley has the panache to pull it off.
I feel like she picked it out of her mother closet, and is playing dress-up.
This dress also needs the wearer to pull their hair right back off their face and shoulders, because the pretty detail on the front is lost under her hair.
Plus, the way she is showing off the layered and ruffled skirt at the back, is way too proactive for my liking.
Gucci Ambassador Rihanna, picked one of the floaty strapless maxi dress from their Spring 2009 collection to walk the red carpet.
Although the dress, does not quite fit with her current bad-ass image, it looks very pretty on her, despite her twins looking very squashed.
This look is slightly edgier than we would expect from Taylor Swift. She pulls off this Collette Dinnigan Spring 2009 LBD with silver sequin embellishments with a style and charisma that fellow teen Miley just doesn't possess.
I would have liked to have seen her hair straight with this dress though.
Estelle wore a nude Fendi Spring 2009 tunic, with latex leggings, and black peep-toes.
Katy Perry wore a lilac mini dress from couture designer, Georges Chakra.
The dress had a sheer yoke, which was embellished like the rest of the dress. I'm not normally a fan of sheer yokes, but in this case it looks like it's needed to keep Katy's twins under control.
The tulle hem is divine.
Regular readers will know my frustrations with Leona Lewis and wearing tights on the red carpet. No matter the event, and no matter what she is wearing, she is guaranteed to be wearing them.
This for me puts a downer on her Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2009 LBD, with it's silver embellished halter detail. What also puts me off this dress, is the quite unnecessary piece at the back of the dress.
The only saving grace, is her make-up and her stunning sparkling clutch.
Carrie Underwood is usually all about bright colours and heavy embellishments, so I imagine my surprise to see her tone down her red carpet look with this Pamella Roland Spring 2009 black and silver beaded dot dress.
It's nice to see her versatility on the red carpet.
Jennifer Hudson's heels are to-die-for. I have to own these.
Jennifer arrived with Clive Davis on the red carpet wearing head-to-toe black, and looked flawless. I especially loved her eye make-up.
Terri Seymour redeemed herself from her hideous crimped hair last week, to a wavy style which suits her better.
The TV presenter looked ever-so-cute wearing a strapless yellow and navy printed DKNY Spring 2009 mini dress, which she wore with Christian Louboutin Mary Janes.
Pregnancy definitely agrees with Kimora Lee Simmons, as her looks has soften from the less desirable ensemble she wore pre-pregnancy.
She walked the red carpet with her baby-daddy actor Djimon Hounsou wearing a ABS for Peas In A Pod gown, with a rosette detail on the shoulder.
Tattoo's aside I really like this lavender dress on Fantasia, which she wears with a Mary Norton clutch.
Sheryl Crow's tan is almost as dark as her bronze Ports 1961 dress, which she also wears with a Mary Norton clutch.
For some unknown reason Keyshia Cole decided to show off her leg in every picture on the red carpet.
Nice dress, shame about her desperate attempts to be noticed.
Great colour on Kelly Clarkson. I would have but money on her wearing black, but she opted for this perwinkle blue gown instead.
Boo to Duffy for letting us Brits down at this event by looking so plain.
Seeing this picture Whitney Houston gives me chills, as it takes me back to 1987, when I was totally in love with Whitney, and I would single along to her songs like a deluded contestant on American Idol.
If you weren't aware like Britney, Whitney's back. Both in spirit and in song. I just wish she hadn't sported road-kill to perform at this event.