Music Makers

Melanie C. takes the Spice out of life; Norah Jones’ movie debut; Morrissey’s biggest fan

Melanie C. on her own This Time

Melanie C. is curled up on a hotel room couch the morning after The Spice Girls said goodbye to the world.

The previous night, the planet’s most successful girl group rocked Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in their final concert together, and although she’s exhausted, Melanie looks phenomenally fresh, and is eager to talk about her other musical life, the one in which no one calls her Sporty Spice.

“I missed being Melanie C. — and that’s no disrespect to Sporty Spice — but I truly feel I have a split personality and there are two sides to me. I’ve really enjoyed being Sporty again, but I have really missed my own songs and being able to express myself as an individual, so I’m really looking forward to getting back to that.”

You can hear Melanie C.’s solo efforts on her new CD, This Time (in stores April 8th). It’s her fourth solo CD, and unlike her previous works, This Time presents a more reflective, and dare we say, an almost demure Melanie C.

“I think this is quite an easy album to listen to,” she says. “I really wanted to have my vocals exposed on this album, and I’d like people to feel quite cozy, relaxed and nourished by this album.

“It was time for a change of pace so This Time feels like a more gentle take on the world. There are frustrations in there because I think that’s a recurring theme in life, but it’s definitely more romantic.”

Singers On Screen

Jones Lights up Nights

Norah Jones makes her big-screen acting debut this month in director Kar Wai Wong’s long-delayed My Blueberry Nights. Jones plays a heartbroken woman who meets odd characters while travelling across America. Wong ensured Jones’ natural acting style made it onto the screen intact by barring the singer from taking any acting lessons.  

You Gotta Hear This

Morrissey’s number one fan turns out to be a German singer named Perrecy, who makes a living covering the moody pop star’s tunes (complete with ukulele accompaniment). Check out his  version of “Panic” (“Panik”) at www.myspace.com/perrecy07

Out this month

April 1

The Black Keys - Attack & Panic
Moby - Last Night
R.E.M. - Accelerate

April 8

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
The Breeders - Mountain Battle

April 15

The Kooks - Konk
Phantom Planet - Raise the Dead
Constantines - Kensington Heights

April 22

Ashlee Simpson - Bittersweet World
Blind Melon - For My Friends

April 29

Madonna - Hard Candy

Portishead - Third

Go to HMV.ca for more information