An original member of the Canadian Tenors, many of us already know Joey Niceforo’s voice. The Sudbury-born Singer is priming the release of his debut Solo Disc, PRICELESS showcasing in true cinematic beauty his emotion and range on the collection of original work and covers. We chat with Niceforo about his process, the nerve-wrecking experience of recording at historic Abbey Road Studios in London, working with songwriting legend Dianne Warren and what we can expect on the Disc.

Q) Your cover of ABBA‘s “Winner Takes It All” has a cinematic beauty to it. Is this the type of sound we can expect on your album and what other surprises will you have in-store?

Thank you! Yes, you will definitely a few of the other songs with the same treatment. When we decided to record the full album with a full orchestral treatment we wanted to utilize every dynamic that would possibly could. Some songs like ‘Take It With Me’ and ‘Solitaire’ didn’t need the full ‘cinematic treatment’ so the results were a beautiful simple, yet, lush treatment.

Q) Tell us about your experience recording at historic Abbey Road!

In October of 2015 we flew to London to record. I didn’t sleep the night before at ALL! I was so nervous…hundreds of people counting on me. Self-doubt flooding my mind saying that I was crazy for thinking I could ever do this at this amazing studio. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. I got up at about 4am the day of the recording when I realized/decided I wasn’t going to sleep. Had a shower then went for a walk to calm down and waited for the first coffee shop to open!

Nerves still getting the best of me, we were ready to go, grabbed a taxi (the ride itself is still a blur) and we pulled up to the studio and walked in. Abbey is more of a museum for people on the outside. Dozens of people outside taking pictures and you have to go through pretty heavy security before they’ll let you in. We walked into the lobby were hundreds of pictures of famous people who had recorded there from Maria Callas to Adele and Sam Smith, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Queen, The Beatles hung over my head as if to say ‘welcome and good luck’. I took out my phone to take pictures but was told to put it away by security. That didn’t help the nerves much.

When I finally walked into the studio, and heard the orchestra warming up, my fear turned to excitement. Tears filled my eyes, and I thought about HOW lucky I was to be there… most people in my industry would die for this experience. I thought of my dad who always wanted to hear me sing with an orchestra (he would never have believed I was with one of the best in the world).

The recording was a dream! Two full days at the most famous recording studio in the world. With the best orchestra I’ve ever sang with and the arrangements were incredible. I had to sing about 7-8 takes for each track (there were 11…it was a LOT of singing). With most tracks I got to go into the BIG room (Studio 1) with the orchestra and sing it LIVE off the floor, once or twice for each take. AMAZING!! But for the rest of the takes I was in an insulated/isolated room off to the side so that the orchestra sound was pure and so that I could perfect my vocals later. Everyone we met in studio were incredibly professional, the orchestra members being able to walk into the studio, sit down, take out their instrument having never heard or seen the music before and then play it PERFECTLY!!!

Q) How did you narrow down which songs you would cover on Priceless?

We spent around a year in the studio listening and trying out songs. I’m not the best songwriter in the world but I didn’t want to do an album of all popular covers.

There were a few of the pieces like ‘Winner Takes It All’ and ‘Solitaire’ hat I absolutely wanted to record because I knew we would try and make them our own.

One of the Producers, John Jones, was incredible. He came to the studio with loads of relatively obscure, but beautiful covers. If I liked them I would try them out right away and we would record them to see if it fit my voice and if I related to the piece. If it sounded right, we then made a mockup of the song and came up with a list of around 16 then picked the best 11.

Q) And your experience working with THE LEGEND Dianne Warren??

We floated around the idea of possibly getting a song from Dianne Warren (which would be INCREDIBLE) so John Jones had reached out to her office to see if it would be possible to do so. I was THRILLED when JJ (as we call him) called me and said they had some song suggestions and that we could go to her offices in LA and have a listen, also meet her. She was AMAZING! So nice, down to earth and interested in the project. A dream come true for me for sure! We have three of her songs on the album.

Q) Tell us about your love for horses. We see a gorgeous photoshoot you did with a white one.

I was lucky enough to meet some incredible friends. It was towards the end of my time with Destino (a crossover group I created) and I was planning on possibly returning to school to maybe be a teacher. I had always wanted to go ‘solo’ but having been in the business for years I knew how difficult it would be to start over. It was at around this time that I met some incredible people who owned horses and they quickly became my ‘family’ in Toronto. (I have an incredible family in Sudbury, ON). They knew I was thinking about quitting and decided to help me fulfill my dream of a solo career. But their one stipulation was that we record the best album with the best team and orchestra in the world. My love for horses grew and the first song I recorded in the pre-production process was ‘Live Like Horses’. An homage to Sonja Ucci the executive Producer. By chance, her and horses changed my life.

Q) What was your biggest challenge crafting this solo disc?

I would say building up the confidence to try singing on my own. My whole professional career from the ‘Canadian Tenors’ to ‘Destino’, I got to rely on other performers sharing the stage with me. Now I was alone and that was a VERY scary thing. But I’m so lucky to have amazing people in my life who lift me up through words and action. I couldn’t have done any of this alone.

Check-out Joey‘s latest Single, NOTE TO GOD, penned by Dianne Warren:

PRICELESS is in stores Friday, April 13, 2018.

More on Joey here:
www.joeyniceforo.com
Twitter: @joeyniceforo
Facebook: /joeyniceforomusic
Instagram: @joeyniceforo

In celebration of 10 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a special thank-you Video has been released for the Fans!

Check it out!

Don’t forget, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR hits theatres Friday, April 27, 2018.
Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER also arrives on Digital and Blu-ray Friday, May 15, 2018!

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Entertainment Canada)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver + Calgary a chance to attend an Advance Screening of the hilarious SUPER TROOPERS 2! Screenings are as follows:

TORONTO – Wed. April 18 / 7:00PM / Cineplex Yonge and Dundas
VANCOUVER – Wed. April 18 / 7:00PM / Cineplex International Village
CALGARY – Wed. April 18 / 7:00PM / Scotiabank Chinook

Synopsis:
Everyone’s favorite law enforcement team is back by popular demand with the long anticipated follow up to the cult comedy classic…SUPER TROOPERS. When an international border dispute arises between the U.S. and Canada, the Super Troopers– Mac, Thorny, Foster, Rabbit and Farva, are called in to set up a new Highway Patrol station in the disputed area. Unconventional police work follows, and the result is…SUPER TROOPERS 2.

Trailer (NSFW):

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there.

Fox Searchlight release SUPER TROOPERS 2 on Friday, April 20, 2018 (of course!).

Stay tuned for our George Kozera’s Chat with the Cast!

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of I FEEL PRETTY! Screenings take place in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, Hamilton and St. John’s on Monday, April 16, 2018.

Synopsis:
In I FEEL PRETTY an ordinary woman who struggles with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on a daily basis wakes from a fall believing she is suddenly the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. With this newfound confidence she is empowered to live her life fearlessly and flawlessly, but what will happen when she realizes her appearance never changed?

Cast: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Rory Scovel, Emily Ratajkowski, Aidy Bryant, Busy Phillips

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City!

eOne Films release I FEEL PRETTY Friday, April 20, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Hot off the news that it will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival out-of-competition, SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY has a brand-new Trailer for us to enjoy! Director Ron Howard and the Cast also are confirmed to attend the Festival!

Synopsis:
Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

The Film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany.

See the Trailer:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Friday, May 25, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

One anticipated event every spring is Fairchild Television’s TVB Fan Party held at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The show usually brings-in four popular names from Hong Kong’s TVB Network giving contest winners a chance to see them speak and sing. The night before the Convention Centre appearance, the stars appear at Markham’s First Markham Place for an autograph signing which usually draws people out by the hundreds.

Fairchild Television and Radio have been instrumental in creating unique Canadian content for the Chinese community here in Canada including securing rights to TVB Series from Hong Kong, allowing immigrants new and old to stay in touch with programming from back home.

Appearing this year are former Miss Chinese International and now popular TV Actress, Vancouver’s Eliza Sam, who just a few years back couldn’t speak a word of Cantonese.  Also in town are former Miss Hong Kong Rebecca Zhu who earlier this year won a Best Supporting Actress Award on her network. Former Mr. Hong Kong, Benjamin Yuen, who is one of the busiest new leading men on TVB also came, as did Mat Yeung who has had a lasting career in supporting roles over the past decade turning his luck around after some troubled times.

We grew-up on TVB Series and love supporting our Chinese-Canadian community. Although thr quartet were exhausted after a long flight and night of meeting corporate sponsors and fans, they were nice to stop for a few Selfies.

See our Snaps. Hover cursor left and right for more.

Always remember your roots. Love supporting our Chinese-Canadian community and the wonderful things #Fairchild does to help them feel a piece of home here in Canada. Loved meeting Miss Chinese International and Actress #ElizaSam who hails from Vancouver, leading man and Mr. Hong Kong #BenjaminYuen, Miss Hong Kong and TVB Best Supporting Actress #RebeccaZhu and popular Actor #MatYeung. The four are here for Fairchild Television’s annual #TVB Fans Party at Metro Toronto Convention Centre tonight. Swipe left for more! #岑麗香 #袁偉豪 #朱晨麗 #楊明

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 🐇 (@mrwillwong) on Apr 8, 2018 at 12:28pm PDT

More here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Fairchild Television)

Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. A QUIET PLACE, directed by and starring John Krasinski (and also partner Emily Blunt!) quietly has been building buzz and raves were loud after its SXSW Premiere recently in Austin. It debuts atop the Box Office with a smashing $50 million for Paramount Pictures from 3,508 theatres. It gets a 97% on the Tomatometer and a B+ CinemaScore.

In second is last week’s champ READY PLAYER ONE with $24 million from 4,234 theatres, a total $94 million over two weeks for Warner Bros.

Third is new entrant BLOCKERS with $20 million from 3,379 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Comedy was made for $19 million and gets 83% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore for first-time Feature Director Kay Cannon.

BLACK PANTHER is far from done, in fourth this weekend with $8.2 million in its eighth week out for Marvel/Disney. It has made $665 million to-date in North America.

Tyler Perry’s ACRIMONY debuts in fifth with $7.3 million from 2,006 theates for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films. The Director’s highest opening still goes to 2009’s Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail with $41 million.

CHAPPAQUIDDICK debuts in seventh with $5.7 million from 1,560 theatres for Entertainment Studios/D Films. The TIFF ’17 selection starring Jason Clarke gets an impressive 79% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.

THE MIRACLE SEASON rounds-out the Top Ten in its opening with $3.8 million from 1,707 theatres for LD Entertainment/Elevation Pictures. It gets 36% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore from Audiences.

Gorgeous women looking empowered. Drake‘s new Video for NICE FOR WHAT, the Track sampling Lauyrn Hill‘s Ex-Factor, features a star-studded Cast of familiar faces. Tiffany Haddish, Tracee Ellis Ross, Emma Roberts, Issa Rae, Bria Vinaite, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Letitia Wright and several more appear in the Clip, reminiscent of George Michael‘s Freedom! 90.

See the Video:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of TULLY in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Dates are as follows:

TORONTO Monday April 30 7:00 PM Cineplex Yonge & Eglinton
MONTREAL Wednesday May 2 7:00 PM Cineplex Montreal Forum
VANCOUVER Wednesday May 2 7:00 PM Cineplex International Village

Synopsis:
Marlo (Charlize Theron) lives with her husband, two young children and a newborn baby. Even though she has a sympathetic husband, she’s overwhelmed by the seemingly endless chores that go with being a wife and mother. When her brother suggests she get a nanny, she hesitates, not wanting to let a stranger into the house.

However, when it all seems to be getting the better of her, Marlo changes her mind. Tully (Mackenzie Davis), the nanny who arrives, turns out to be surprisingly warm and thoughtful, taking care not only of Marlo’s children, but of Marlo too.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City under this Post there. Tell us in the comments there about a friend who got your life in order and if you’ll be bringing them to the Screening if you win! Click “share” from this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance.

Universal Pictures Canada release TULLY Friday, May 4, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

In what looks already like the best MY NEXT GUEST NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION with David Letterman, Jay-Z opens-up about many things we’ve been wanting to know about for a while including his mother’s recent “coming-out” as a lesbian. New clips have surfaced from the interview.

Jay-Z on Trump

Jay-Z on Blue Ivy

Jay-Z on his mother’s “coming out”

MY NEXT GUEST NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION with Jay-Z streams today, Friday, April 6, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)