Each year students roll out to audition for the Union Programming Board’s annual Sooner Idol competition. Ten of those students are chosen to compete. One wins. Last year, that winner was Vocal Performance major Keegan Josephson, a freshman at the time. Channeling the one and only Adam Levine for his first round song, Keegan worked the mic stand, danced, and sang his way to the top 4. His second round song took everyone back to his or her childhood. Choosing “Go the Distance” from the popular Disney movie Hercules, Keegan showcased his range and tackled notes that would make any vocal instructor proud. And he may have earned himself an admirer or twenty in the process.

Keegan has since been seen singing around campus in several different venues. From Sooner Scandals to the BYX A Capella group to performing his own song at the Mr. OU pageant last year, he has become a familiar face and friend to many of us. However, there’s one genre of music that Keegan excels at that we don’t get to hear year round. This weekend, just short of a year after winning Sooner Idol 2012, Keegan made his OU Theatre debut as Bardolfo in the comedic opera Falstaff.

I will be honest. The opera was long. Like, a solid two and a half hours long, but I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself laughing the whole way through. The plot revolves around Sir. John Falstaff, an old, overweight knight who has eaten himself into poverty (with the help of his two followers/thieves Pistola and Bardolfo). In an effort to alleviate his monetary burdens, Falstaff writes two identical letters to two wealthy married women. Of course, the women discover his treachery and the rest of the play concerns their plans to take the overweight knight down a few notches (In measures of pride that is. Falstaff’s belt notches stay exactly where they are).

Bardolfo, played by Keegan, serves as a source of comic relief throughout the show, and the part wonderfully showcased his strong tenor voice and great acting ability. How he managed to keep singing after falling off a bed, getting thrown across a floor, being smacked with brooms, and jumping/climbing onto most of the props, I might never know. All I know is that I was rolling with laughter any time Keegan was onstage, especially during the last scene when he is disguised as the maiden Nannetta and appeared to feel a little too comfortable wearing a replica of her dress. I can’t put my finger on why I thought that, but it might have been the twirling. That’s right. He twirled. And his hair for the performance looked scarily like that of Edward Cullen in the first twilight movie, which he actually pointed out himself after the show. Fortunately for him, I let it slide and not taint my opinion of his overall performance, which was truly fantastic. The kid’s what we call a triple threat- a master of singing, dancing, and acting.

And it all started with him winning UPB’s Sooner Idol a year ago.

At least, that’s what we’re telling people.

Auditions for Sooner Idol 2013 are March 27th and 28th. We’ll have more info on our website, facebook page, and twitter soon!

-Dehra McGuire
UPB Secretary and Sooner Idol Chair

skyfall casino night promotional posterTop 5 James Bond Themes Songs.  The theme song of each film is comparable to the film itself as far as hype goes.  It sets the tone for each film and let’s us, as the audience, know what we are in for.  Not to mention, with a couple of exceptions, each song fits the title of the film in the lyrics.  Overall, there are 22 “title” tracks from each film.  I chose 5 of my favorites

1.  A View to a Kill performed by Duran Duran (1985)

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4CR2HcHLQ

The only James Bond song to reach #1 on the U.S. Billboard charts, “A View to a Kill” is one of Duran Duran’s finest.  The other Bond songs of this time were riddled with bad melodies and lyrics, yet this song soared to become one of the series’ best. “Dance into the fire, that fatal kiss is all we need!” It doesn’t get much more Bond than that.

2. Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon (1977)

Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-c8aAntWA

It is definitely likely that Adele was influenced by this song when she wrote “Skyfall”.  The title track to the Spy Who Loved Me reflects the internal dialogue of a Bond girl and honestly professes “baby you’re the best”.

 3. Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK2hKzZss5Y

You’ve probably heard this song if you listen to any “Classic Rock” radio station and may have not even realized that it was a Bond song. Let’s just forget the Guns N’ Roses cover..

4.  Thunderball by Tom Jones (1965)

 Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYW2UgSJq8

This song is a more traditional Bond song, whereas the others on my list evoke a more “pop” feeling, this song has the sweeping orchestration, horns, and Tom Jones’ rich voice.

5.  Diamonds Are Forever by Shirley Bassey (1971)

Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80A6MtPwj-Q

Shirley Bassey has three Bond songs to her name, so I really felt obligated to put her on the list.  Also, Kanye sampled this track in his 2005 song “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”, so that’s something.  But really, the end of this song when the beat comes in is great.

Bonus.  Skyfall by Adele (2012)

Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-gLRp5bSpw

I have to include this song.  Adele killed it.  I’m not a presentist, but this song is just way too good and I have to recognize it.

-P. Vaughn

Patrick VaughnBig Sean dropped his Detroit mixtape Wednesday, September 5th FOR FREE.  Kanye Wests’ GOOD music artist is definitely following in Mr. West’s foot steps via catchy verses and well thought out beats. If you’re into avant-garde hip-hop, check out Detroit and keep an eye out for GOOD music’s collaborative album “Cruel Summer” which drops September 18th.

http://www.datpiff.com/Big-Sean-Detroit-mixtape.390127.html

Not into Hip-Hop?

Check out Imagine Dragons’ new album Night Visions.  They released it on Tuesday, September 4. Singles include “Radioactive” and “It’s Time”.

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Visions-Imagine-Dragons/dp/B008K9SG9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346944136&sr=8-1&keywords=imagine+dragons

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