You know where Janet Jackson likes to hang out when she’s in Chicago? According to a tid-bit in Bill Zwecker’s Sun-Times column, Miss Jackson loves watching the always-fab female impersonators performing at the Baton. During her recent Chicago stop for the All For You Tour, Janet slipped into the cabaret Friday evening and had a “great time watching the show” even as she viewed a near-perfect impression of herself being performed on stage. What’s more: Zwecker reports that Jackson “didn’t pull the diva stunt” and that “she graciously greeted fans and signed autographs.” (Be sure to send J get-well vibes: she’s had to cancel three shows…Cleveland, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh…due to a wicked flu bug, not to mention the tooth she chipped during a pre-show accident in Milwaukee.)
Some songs never seem to die, nor should they: Limp Bizkit has recorded a version of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s masterpiece “Relax” to be included in the new Ben Stiller film, Zoolander. “It is the bomb, it is so dope,” said Brian Transeau (BT), who is scoring the film (a parody of male models) to sonicnet.com. “The score is out of control and this film is the funniest movie I’ve ever seen in my life, hands down, bar none,” added BT, who said he may collaborate with No Doubt on a song for the film.
Jill Scott has revealed the title of her sophomore album to Interview magazine: Brown Baby Lullabies, due this winter, will reportedly have a “more relaxing, contemplative” sound than her debut, Who is Jill Scott? Other new releases bubbling below the surface: Posh Spice will release her first solo single “Not Such an Innocent Girl” on Sept 4. (It’s available now on her Web site.) Crystal Waters, is making a return after parting ways with Mercury Records. Her new single “Come on Down,” is out on Strictly Rhythm. And Sunscreem, who will be releasing a new single Sept. 17, called “Please Save me,” from their forthcoming album Ten Mile Blank.
As you know by now, Bjork’s Vespertine is due to hit shelves Aug. 27, supported by a world tour launching in Paris Aug. 18. What you might not know if that the Icelandic goddess has enlisted the backing of a whopping, 54-piece orchestra to accompany her on the tour, which is limited to opera house and theatre venues. She hits Chicago’s Lyric Opera House Oct. 14.
Madge news: Well, let’s see: her next single off Music will be “Amazing.” Her next movie role will either be in a remake of the 1975 Italian love story Swept Away directed by her hubby, or in the new DreamWorks pic, Madagascar, an animated film about zoo animals. (No, I’m not making this up.) And…in case you care…Madonna’s beaded Dolce & Gabbana bra that she wore during 1993’s Girlie Tour fetched an astonishing $23,850 at a Sothebys.com auction late last month. Her cone-shaped bra designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier for 1990’s Blond Ambition tour netted a cool $21,150, at a Christi’s auction last April.
Bonus item: One of the hottest dance tracks out there right now is a remix of “Higher Plane,” by none other than Cyndi Lauper. (She first debuted the dance floor friendly tune during a live performance at Club Universe last year.) The remix is white-hot. Look for “Higher Plane” and a bunch of other tunes on Cyndi’s new album Shine to be released sometime this year.
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