Alicia Keys Performed a virtual duet with a hologram of Frank Sinatra. She sounded wonderful but it wasn’t really my thing.

Carrie Underwood performed with what looked like the cast of “Stomp”. She got a little Christina Aguilera towards the end!

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Alicia Keys was in a cobalt blue Armani gown. I know the hair may be a little controversial. I heard people on TV saying it looked like a rooster but I kinda like it. I think it looked much better on television than it does in these still pictures. Call me crazy but it works for me…Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Here are some of the picks from Clive Davis’ party last night!

Ladies Night Out
(R) Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Fergie get acquainted. (L) Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and Janet Jackson looking divinely splendiferous!

The Couples:
Chris Brown and Rihanna: Don’t they look so cute!

(L) Ashanti and Nelly (R) Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz

New mother, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden

Mingle and Schmooze!
Rihanna getting some Diva tips from Ms. Jackson (cause I’m nasty).

Usher and mega-producer/songwriter Johnta Austin have a talk.

Pink and Fergie gabbing it up!

Alicia Keys and Whitney look like they’ve been friends for life.

The Performances
Alicia Keys

(L) Fantasia giving it her all. (R) Leona Lewis making her stateside debut.

Alicia Keys – Graceful and Elegant

Lindsay Lohan – Clean and Sober! Let’s hope it sticks.

Ashanti – Love the dress but when I first saw this picture I thought she had left her curlers in. Is it just me or is she starting to look like Janet Jackson?

Fergie – Ever since she got engaged, she’s had this glow!

Fantasia – I could do a “Color Purple” joke like “You Sho Is…” but I won’t. I love me some Fantasia but she must know she is wrong for that hair and makeup – cute dress though.

Carrie Underwood – She always looks fabulous to me!

Janet Jackson – Standing by her man.

Paula Abdul – Grandma, Is that you? (OK that was mean but damn!)

Rihanna – That face and hair are flawless, but I don’t know about that dress!

I know it’s a lot of music post right now but what can I say, I’m in a musical mood. Anyway, A couple of months ago, Alicia Keys did a show for Clear Channel Entertainment called “Stripped, Raw and Real” where she performed 6 songs in promotion of her new album. I got my hands on the mp3s from that show and they were really good quality so I thought I’d share. My favorite song of the night was her rendition “Tender Love” (A cover of the Force MD’s classic for all my 80s music fans out there). She had me worried with her cover of The Fray’s “How To Save A Life” but Ms. Keys has totally redeemed herself with this one. Her version is just amazing.

Alicia Keys – Tender Love
Alicia Keys – Stripped, Raw, and Real (All 6 Songs)

One-hit wonder Uncle Sam also did a version of Tender Love that I used to have on repeat while in boarding school. Ahhh the memories. If you don’t remember who Uncle Sam is, he’s the guy who sang “I Don’t Ever Want To See You Again”.

Uncle Sam – Tender Love (Cover)

And we must never forget the original song sung by Force MD’s and written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The video looks corny now but trust me, it’s a classic. Where are all my 80’s fans?

Force MD’s – Tender Love (The Original)

One of my favorite artist out right now, Alicia Keys, said in a recent interview that one of her favorite bands was The Fray. Just by coincidence I ran across her live cover of their hit, “How To Save A Life”, and I wanted to know what my Love Muffins thought of the song. I have also provided the original song so you can see how you think it stacks up.

Alicia Keys – How To Save A Life
The Fray – How To Save A Life