"...The Wheels On The (Tour) Bus Go Round and Round...."

Attention fervent (and, seriously, are there any other kind?) Gaga fans...

The following observations are not intended to ridicule, denigrate or in any way cast a negative light on all things Stefani.

Please do not waste your, or our, time defending the Lady against critics/reviewers (I prefer the latter, actually, as the former is essentially oxymoronic) who point out that the latest, newest offering from the queen G is really nothing more than Madonna 2011.

Because it is.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The "artists" who remain true to their own vision have, in large part, brief, even minute, moments in the spotlight.

If they're lucky.

Those who understand from whence they came, on the other hand, and incorporate those influences into their work tend end up being timeless.

Scratch any one of a dozen successful bands these days and you're going to find wiring that was originally installed by John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Scratch any one of the fabs early recordings and you're going to find bricks that were laid by rhythm and blues singers of the 1920's and 1930's.

So let it be written. So let it be done.

And re-written. And re-done.

As far as Gaga and the "new Madonna" Frisbee that is already being hurled in her direction, here's the thing.

Smart people often spend their lives and/or careers trying to reinvent the wheel.

Really smart people spend their lives and/or careers utilize the the durability of the wheel that has been getting us all there for a long time.

Ms. Germanotta is really smart people.

Much like Ms. Ciccone.

"Wow...They've Got Looks...And Talent....And Looks.....and Looks...."

The first "class picture" of this season's Idol contestants has surfaced.

I was struck, immediately, by one thing.

To a man (guy, girl, chick, whatever), they are all young, fit and, let's just cut to the chase...pretty.

If I didn't know better, I would have looked at this pic and assumed that it was the cast of something, maybe a spin off of "Glee", for example.

Something, in a word, professional.

Not an amateur to be found in this crowd.

And yes, I know that they are, in fact, "amateurs".

And I'm sure they're all very nice kids from very nice families who have very nice singing voices, the very nicest of all the one that will win the thing.

But if American Idol is still pretending to be about "the American dream" that an average American kid can come out of nowhere and find fame, they're missing something.

An average American kid.

"..The Ultimate Actor's Connundrum...How Do You Portray A Character Who Is Already Portraying A Character?..."

Stefania has made it known that when (if?) the movie of her life is made, she would like to see herself portrayed by...

Marisa Tomei.

Three thoughts occur.

First, upon hearing this, Tomei will be either flattered, excited...or start thinking about going into witness protection.

Second, if she decides to actually do it, you just gotta know they're going to try and figure out some way they can make a cameo by George Costanza work.

And, third, I'm thinking that a "life of Gaga" movie would make "My Cousin Vinny" look like "Citizen Kane"....

Ga-ga..roh-roh-ah.

"...All's Pharoah In Love And War...."

History making events in Egypt this week.

And the Bangles have got to be dusting off and turning the merchandising machine back on as we speak.

Oh-ay-oh.

Enjoy.

"..Mars To The Moon...."

Clear grasp of the obvious.

I do way more than my fair share of ladling out the biatchin' in print and on the radio show about recording "artists" who bring it, but just don't get it.

Peter Gene Hernandez gets it.

Enjoy....

"..Coal Miner's Daughter's Doppelganger..."

Certain images and sounds are obviously iconic.

Bogart in "Casablanca"..

The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show"...

Gable in "Gone With The Wind"...

Here's a thing, though.

First, WATCH and listen to the video.




Now, close your eyes and just LISTEN.

First time, you most likely enjoyed both the sight and sound of country music's iconic treasure.

Second time, chances are, you heard Loretta...but in your mind, you saw Sissy.

One icon deserves another.

And...you go...girls.....