Despite his Chicagoland mansion hitting the auction block this past month, R. Kelly, R&B superstar of the ’90s, seems poised for some sort of a mini-renaissance despite the past allegations involving underaged girls and certain fluids. The 46-year-old crooner recently joined over-hyped French quartet Phoenix on stage at Coachella, is one of the headliners at this July’s annual hipster-fest, Pitchfork Music Festival, and was famously (or infamously) name-checked by Macklemore on his #1 single “Thrift Shop.” So if this unlikeable, shady singer can get back in good graces with a few well-placed appearances, I think it’s time a few more boomers got back in action.
What about George Michael? He’s got about as much soul chops as Kelly, and had at least as much cred in the R&B community at one point, but years of drug abuse and some other questionable sexual escapes have sidelined him since his last album in 2004, Patience. This past year he lamely released the self-produced “White Light” single. The overly synthesized and vocally treated track got a break when it was included in the opening ceremonies of the London Olympics, but this misguided attempted went nowhere. George needs to put down the smoke, clean up that voice and just sing his beloved blue-eyed soul. He’s one good track and one good producer away from full glory.
George’s sometimes friend, sometimes enemy, but always peer Boy George seems poised for something good. The recently slimmed down pop star has been seen around looking not only slim and healthy but with scruff (no, no). His output has still been a bit spotty with a vague covers of The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and Lana Del Ray’s “Video Games,” but he’s playing a few key hip festivals and working with DJ Marc Vedo, so my hopes are high. After all, stars only slim down for People covers, comebacks or Jenny Craig deals, so something’s coming.
Speaking of looking good all of a sudden, you must check out the newly revamped Lisa Stansfield. After about a decade of being out of the industry, the youthful looking Brit has a brand new website, new concert footage, and is promising a new CD this year. From the sounds of it, she’s miles ahead of her buddy, Mr. Michael. And she’s in the sweet spot of going away just long enough for us to miss her. She might not be quite hip enough for Pitchfork or Lolla, but we’ll happily take this one if someone wants to book her for Market Days this year. At 47, she’d sadly be one of the youngest announced so far (I’m really not kidding), and very welcome by a wealth of Chicago love. Plus, she has no desire to date 14-year-olds. Winning!
DJ Moose will be playing these “divas” and more at Mary’s Old Skool House Party at Mary’s Attic, May 12.