Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll


Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml

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Around the Web?

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Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/lFH1BfeFutI/

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Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman


Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.

"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.

"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml

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Charlie Sheen's "Chipped Warlock Fang" Caused Spat With Bree Olson

Charlie Sheen and Bree Olson/Rachel Oberlin

"I chipped one of my warlock fangs on a great white shark I had to murder. Pissed me off and like an ass I took it out on her."

Charlie Sheen explains to TMZ what caused the temporary breakup between him and goddess/girlfriend Bree Olson/Rachel Oberlin last night. Chipped warlock fangs aside, it's not the slightest bit surprising that Charle Sheen continues to take his anger out on the women in his life. Read more here.

Source: http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-charlie-sheens-chipped-warlock-fang-caused-spat-with-bree-olson/?eref=RSS

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'The Adjustment Bureau': The Reviews Are In!

Critics largely praise the Matt Damon-led Philip K. Dick adaptation, with one calling it 'a brisk and affecting slice of sci-fi.'
By Eric Ditzian


Matt Damon in "The Adjustment Bureau"
Photo: Universal Pictures

Emily Blunt the garden gnome squares off against Emily Blunt the ballerina at the box office this weekend. Her toe-tapping dancer in "The Adjustment Bureau," which opened on Friday (March 4), will handily beat her animated statue from "Gnomeo & Juliet," a cinematic holdover from last month.

"Adjustment Bureau" stars Matt Damon as a one-time Senate front-runner who falls in love with Blunt's ballerina on the night he loses the election. One twist of fate later, Damon finds out that there are supernatural forces — slickly dressed "adjusters," played by the likes of John Slattery and Anthony Mackie — controlling everyone's lives and conspiring to keep him away from Blunt. That doesn't sit so well with Damon, who sets about fighting against these forces in an effort to keep his romance alive.

The movie blends sci-fi and romantic drama into a hybrid piece of entertainment that has won over the majority of critics. Check out what everyone has to say about "The Adjustment Bureau."

The Influences
" 'The Adjustment Bureau,' an enormously entertaining speculative thriller starring Matt Damon, would earn its kudos for ambition alone. An adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story, this is a movie of myriad genres and tonal gradations, including classic science fiction in the tradition of 'Blade Runner' and 'The Matrix' and the doomed romance of 'An Affair to Remember.' Throw in the conspiratorial intrigue of 'The Manchurian Candidate' — and a first-time director to keep it all straight — and the singular achievement of 'The Adjustment Bureau' becomes all the more impressive.' — Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

The Thrills
" 'The Adjustment Bureau' is the thriller as glorified philosophical videogame, with David dashing through doors that are like looking-glass passageways, trying to wrench his destiny away from the forces that claim he has no free will. In many ways, this is a dated and rather gimmicky movie. Yet it's directed (by 'The Bourne Ultimatum''s co-screenwriter George Nolfi) with a wide-eyed spirit. It taps into your longing for the days when a sci-fi matrix could explain the world without making it a darker place." — Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

The Performances
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, together onscreen, make all sorts of sense; his compact concentration and fire-plug solidity contrast well with her gangly physicality and spirit of mischief, sexual and otherwise. ... 'The Adjustment Bureau' has the guts to play its central romance for genuine romantic feeling — and in the tasty byplay between Damon and Blunt, who seem to enjoy each other." — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

The Dissenters
"The plot of 'The Adjustment Bureau' unfolds without rhyme or reason, with characters who behave in inexplicable ways just because. (Why, exactly, does one of the adjusters, played by Anthony Mackie, suddenly take a sympathetic interest in David's plight?) Damon and Blunt lack the onscreen chemistry to make you care much about their fate. Damon only seems plugged into the movie when he's running around and making like Jason Bourne, while Blunt does too good a job of portraying her character's strong, confident personality in her early scenes, only to retreat into wilting-violet mode in the movie's second half, as the script requires." — Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

The Final Word
Possessing great visual style, clever writing and the undeniable star presence of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, 'The Adjustment Bureau' is a brisk and affecting slice of sci-fi that allows room for optimism and even God. ... [The] movie spins off from what might be a prompt in a philosophy college class, and while it might not get much deeper than that, it's consistently entertaining and thought-provoking. An attempt at a climactic third-act chase feels forced, especially in contrast to the gentle and almost hushed tone of what came before it, but the film's earnest emotions and sure sense of itself remain captivating even through the mildly out-there finale." — Katey Rich, Cinema Blend

Check out everything we've got on " The Adjustment Bureau."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659268/adjustment-bureau-reviews.jhtml

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