Florence and the Machine!

About a month ago, I won tickets to see Florence and the Machine, at the Hollywood Bowl. Well, last night, my mom and I went to enjoy the show. It was great. What a powerful voice Florence has. Did you know that she is a dancing machine??! She spins, runs and dances across the stage for the entire concert. She's wild! And she never seems to be out of breath!

You wouldn't get this from Florence's singing voice, because it is so forceful, but her speaking voice is quiet and delicate. I think that if she was born a few decades ago, she would have fit perfectly in the 70s. I mean, at the end of the concert, she told everyone to take their clothes off (some people actually listened to her) and then she tore her shirt off and ran through the audience. She's very free. Ha, ha.

It was enjoyable to look around and see people enjoying the music, in a common space. Music and the arts are a great unifier. One young man in particular LOVED Florence. He did a lot of first pumps and he also shouted 'I love her', 'She's so good', and 'She's perfect', a few times. I always embrace the love of the arts and how they bring joy to lives.

My mom and I had a good time! I've been a fan of Florence and the Machine for a while, but only had one of their albums. Their new album, 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' is lovely. Check it out!

Hello, Gregory Alan Isakov !!

I honestly have no idea, how I have lived my life up to this point, without knowing of Gregory Alan Isakov!


His sound is so great.  I love him and I just found him today.  I already have plans of buying his albums on vinyl, because I think that that fits his voice better.


Some great songs:


The Stable Song

Big Black Car

Honey, It's Alright

Dandelion Wine


Who am I kidding?  All of his songs are great!  I've been listening to him all day long.  Now, don't you hesitate, give him a listen!!






I don't own this song, just sharing a new found joy in the music world!

Aloe Blacc - Revisited

I wrote about Aloe Blacc in August of 2012 and just over the summer, he was blowing up with his song, 'Wake Me Up', with Avicii.  I am still a big fan, and so, I thought I would share one of his newer songs:  The Man.  My mom likes Aloe Blacc as well, now, but she keeps on calling him L.L. Brown. Ha ha.






A song that I love:

I Need a Dollar:  I like this version, because I love classical music and art!


The Song that is getting him noticed:

Wake Me Up with Avicii

Wake Me Up- Acoustic

Lucius- Wildewoman

This is one of my new favorites!  I discovered Lucius on NPR Music- Tiny Desk Concerts.  I loved their sound so much, that I purchased their album straight away.  It is fantastic in every way.

Check them out!

Lucius' Facebook Page

Lucius Website

NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

This is Lucius.  Photo by Peter Larson.

This is their album, 'Wildewoman'.  You can find it here.

You want to own this, I promise!

Some Surprise

A few years ago, this was one of my favorite songs.  It is off of the album 'Cake Sale', which is also just a great album!  Check the song and the album out.

I was really heavy into The Frames, Snow Patrol, Lisa Hannigan, Ben Harper, Damien Rice, etc. then and I still really enjoy their music.  If you enjoy this, then you will probably like music by Glen Hansard (The Frames, he's in the movie The Commitments and it is fabulous, The Swell Season), and The Swell Season!


Some Surprise


The Cake Sale album was part of the Make Trade Fair Campaign (I didn't realize this was the cause when I bought the album!) in Ireland, in 2005.  This brings me to my next topic, Fair Trade.

It was definitely some surprise to me, that I did not know about Fair Trade before, but it has recently come to my attention via friends from college.  I have been so shocked to find out that giant chocolate companies like Nestle, Cadbury, and Hershey's buy their cocoa and beans, etc. from farms on The Ivory Coast and in Ghana.  These farms typically pay their farmers hardly any money at all and they also have their farms harvested by young children and women. This is why we get chocolate for such a cheap price here in the states.

If you would like some alternatives, from companies that give their farmers a fair wage for their work, check out:

Equal Exchange (I just started getting my baking cocoa and chips here)

Divine

Madecasse

Alter Eco Foods

Ripple Brands Collective (I think they are at Costco)

Guittard

Lake Champlain

Shaman Organic Chocolates

Green & Blacks

Brandstorm Inc.

Sweetriot

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates

Read up on Fair Trade here:  Fair Trade USA, Fair Trade Federation

And don't forget to look for Fair Trade logos on the products that you are buying!

          

          

Pretty Flowers

I love this song.  It reminds me of songs of old.  I love Dolly and I love Steve's sound!  It's been a while since I have listened to this, so I thought I would share it with you!


This is not my song, no copy right infringement intended.

Josh Groban!

As you know, I am a huge Josh Groban fan.  I am on Twitter and do not really know how to use it, but have tried to get Josh Groban to respond to one of my tweets for a while now, without any success.  Well, the other day he responded!  Holler!

I like it when celebrities interact with their fans (fans pay the bills).  I am not someone who generally cares about the lives of a celebrity... I feel like they are just people and we shouldn't care so much about their comings and goings.  But, with that said I 'follow' a handful of celebs. and I do not check in on them every day by any means, so it was pretty exciting for me.

Here is that tweeting experience:

Pretty cool!

Aloe Blacc

Yesterday, I discovered a musical artist.  His name is Aloe Blacc and he is amazing.  I don't know why I am just now finding out about him.  He has two albums...

His debut album:

Shine Through (2006)

His newest album:

Good Things (2010)

I am not an alcohol fan, but I love this commercial and the song in it is by Aloe Blacc.





If you would like to own this song, you can get it for free here:  Tonight Downtown

You have to click on the link, choose your country, enter your birthday... all to enter the site.   Once inside, click on number two and you can choose to download the video and the song.

Enjoy!

Lukas Nelson and Jimmy Cliff

A few weeks ago, I won two tickets to see Jimmy Cliff at the Belly Up Tavern in Carlsbad.  Wednesday night was the event and I was happy to take my friend Tamara.

Reggae?  Yes, I enjoy reggae.  My mom was a huge fan of Bob Marley, so I grew up with that influence.  However,  I never really claimed my like for this musical genre.

I do not know if it was the venue, the people, or all of it combined together, but I had quite an enjoyable time at the show.

It was an acoustic night, which is always pretty awesome.

Lukas Nelson, son of Willie Nelson opened up and played some great songs. Some he wrote, some his father wrote, and some the Beatles wrote.  Lukas can really sing and play the old guitar.  He is pretty easy on the eyes as well.

Jimmy Cliff was fantastic.  For being in his 60s he sure can belt out those high notes and his lung capacity is amazing!  Tamara and I were right at the stage... with the exception of one tall guy standing in front of us.

Jimmy's drummer was crazy and really got into moment.  My body has never been rocked harder than it was with that drum going straight to my bones.  I thought my heart was going to malfunction, that's how hard the sound waves from the drums were hitting me.

Thanks to Sophie 103.7 for the tickets!  A great night was had.

Lukas Nelson

Jimmy Cliff

Unfortunately these are not the sharpest photos, but that is impossible to do when you cannot use flash photography and your are bopping up and down/ swaying to the music.

I have a few videos as well.  But, I cannot get them to load here.  Boo...  :(

The Rebel Jesus

I first heard of Bebo Norman when I was at camp in High School.  I fell in love with his music and the emotion/ meaning behind it.  I recently purchased his Christmas album:  Christmas- From the Realms of Glory.  It is quite good and there is one song, 'The Rebel Jesus' that is particularly good.  The Lyrics are below.


The Rebel Jesus
All the streets are filled with laughter and light
and the music of the season
and the merchant's windows are all bright
with the faces of the children
and the families hurry into their homes
as the sky darkens and freezes
We'll be gathering around our hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
and the birth of the rebel Jesus


Well they call him by the Prince of Peace
and they call him by the Savior
and they pray to Him upon the seats
and in every bold endeavor
and they fill His churches with their pride and gold 
as their faith in Him increases
but they've turned the nature that I worship in 
from a temple to a robber's den
in the words of the rebel Jesus 


We guard our world with locks and guns
and we guard our fine possessions
and once a year when christmas comes 
we give to our relations
and perhaps we give a little to the poor
if the generosity should seize us 
but if anyone of us should interfere 
in the business of why there are poor
we'll get the same as the rebel Jesus


But pardon me if I have seemed
to take the tone of judgment
for I've no wish to come between
this day and your enjoyment
in a life of hardship
and of earthly toil
there's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
from a heathen and a pagan
on the side of the rebel Jesus

Ben Harper Concert Photos

Here are the photos from the Ben Harper concert I went to in September!

So good!

A Summer of Concerts

I love music.  I always have a song in my head and I feel like I enjoy so many different sounds.  I don't generally go to many concerts, because they are expensive.  But, this summer I broke my own rules!

I started out with The Goo Goo Dolls with my friend Allison.  They came out to Temecula and played at Pechanga Casino.  Boy, that took me back to high school.  Their music was definitely a part of my growing up.

As you know, Monica and I got to meet Gavin De Graw, that came along with a mini personal concert and it was amazing.

My mom and I have been following Matchbox 20 since the beginning and we finally got to see them!  What a treat!

To celebrate Monica's birthday, we went to KBIG 104.3 myfm's 'My Big Night Out'  which had three acts for the price of one:  Gavin DeGraw, Train, and Maroon 5.  I love Maroon 5!  I have listened to them since my freshman year of college (2002) and their stuff is still great.  It was nice to finally see them live.  Adam Levine.  Whew, that's all I can say.  What a great performer and good looking guy.

Last night I ended my summer of concerts with Ben Harper.  My friend Nicole and I only had to pay 6 dollars each and we watched him play for 2 hours and when we left... he was still playing!!  I love his music.  I am all about being able to feel one's emotions through song and Ben Harper is the master of that.  Although I know much of his music, and own a couple of his albums, he only played a handful of songs that I know.  Overall, it was still a great display of true musicianship.  He played the steel guitar like no ones business!

Here are two of many Ben Harper songs that I love:

Better Way

With My Own Two Hands


Here's to the Arts!

Matchbox 20 with Vanessa Carlton

What a show!

I have listened to Matchbox 20 forever.  I have their first album on cassette!

My mom is a huge fan as well and that is why when Pechanga Casino was having them kick off their summer concert series, I got tickets so fast!  The concert was on July 9th.  It was a lovely day for a concert.  Despite our horrible seats, we enjoyed a rocking show.

Vanessa Carlton was very good.  Boy can she play a piano!!  She was very quiet and calm.  I think this was great, because it made Matchbox 20 even better.  Rob Thomas is a great performer and they all work well as a band.

At one point Rob Thomas went to use the stage towel... thinking it would be hand towel size, but it was a full sized towel.  He found this to be very funny and he wrapped it around his waist and pranced around for a while.  Funny to those in attendance only, I am sure.

Any song you have ever heard on the radio... they played!  It was bloody fantastic!!  I knew all but one of them and that always makes for a better concert!

Thanks Matchbox 20 for a rgeat night!

The middle blob is Rob Thomas.  Ha, ha.

Damien Rice

I have followed Damien Rice for a while now, but I do not own any of his albums and that is surely sad.  He always comes out with amazing work.  I do not know how old the following song is, but I am glad that I found it.

9 Crimes by Damien Rice

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<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uVDPRLszL6w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Which version do you like best?

Give Me the People... As In Free My Soul

For the longest time, I thought that in the song 'Drift Away' by Dobie Gray (not original, but perhaps the best?) said... Give me the People As in Free My Soul, I want to get lost in your rock and roll.

Well, I was very wrong and I just learned this at karaoke on Thursday night.  The real words are as follows and I am so sad that I have been singing this wonderful song incorrectly for soooo oo ooo many years!

Drift Away
DOBIE GRAY
(Mentor Williams)

Day after day I'm more confused
So I look for the light in the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame

Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soulI wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soulI wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
I'm countin' on you to carry me through

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You help me along makin' me strong

Boy, was I wrong!  Did you know the correct words?

Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw...

He is awesome.  I have followed his music since 2004, maybe a little earlier.  I think at times I have followed him so much, that I may have annoyed my friends.  For example, my junior year of college, I listened to his album 'Chariot' in the morning when I got up and any other time throughout the day that I was able to get a song or two in.

It didn't help that, that was the year I first saw him in concert.  He had come to town and played at Claremont Colleges.  It was pouring rain... I mean pouring!  It was an excellent show, he performed well and I still remember how great it felt to be there.  I was supposed to meet him after the show, but my mom had to leave and the friends I stayed behind with didn't want to wait any longer.  So, we left, and we were not 15 feet away when we heard cheering... he showed up and I missed him.  Boo.

It turns out that my now best friend Monica was at that very same show, but we had not met yet and in the years following that show Gavin has proved to be one of our strong bonding points.

We have seen him at the House of Blue on Sunset Strip and we have seen him at a small location in San Diego called SOMA.  Each time we have seen him, we have been closer and closer to him, but had yet to meet him...

WELL!  THAT HAS ALL CHANGED NOW!

I won tickets through 104.3 myfm and on Monday June 20, 2011...  I met Gavin DeGraw and I brought Monica along for the ride!  She got to meet him as well and we both walked away with a signed photo.

We saw him at the Myfm performance studio in Burbank.  We were in the very front... his keyboard was maybe two feet away from us.  I was front and center.  We got to be there for the radio interview and he also played three songs.

1.  In Love With A Girl
2.  Not Over You (His new single, which is on the album 'Sweeter' due August 9th)
3. I Don't Want to Be

Everything was perfect!  At the end of the performances, we all got to get our picture taken with Gavin and he really took the time to talk with each fan.  I found that to be really neat.  But, as my mom said, "If he doesn't take the time to have a photo, then he doesn't care about his fans, and without fans, he doesn't have a job."

He held my hand that I shook his with, the entire time we talked and he had is other arm around me.  I totally felt like I was in high school.  Ha ha.  I told him that I had been following him since 2004 and that I went to his bar last year.  He said, "Oh yeah?  Did you get hammered?"  I said, "No, I was with my mom, I couldn't do that."  He had a good chuckle.  I wanted to tell him so many things, but they all flew out of my head once I got up there.  Typical I am sure.  I thanked him for his music and for taking the time to chat and he thanked me, I don't really know why.

So, I pretty much think he should be my husband, but then I am a realisitc person and I know that would never happen, but it sure would be nice.

Here are the photos to prove that all of this greatness truly happened!

Gavin and Me

He's pretty tall, because I have heels on here.

Gavin and Monica

The two of us celebrating our Gavin DeGraw experience outside the studio building, with our signed photo!

Gavin was so nice and personable and that made me like him even more.  I wish him all the best and I hope he continues to make great music and continues to make me swoon!  A girl needs agood swoon every now an again.

Check his Music Out:

Chariot- His first album

(photo from uulyrics.com)

He also did this album accoustic and it is called 'Chariot Stripped'... he has all of the songs from 'Chariot', plus a few extras.

Gavin DeGraw- Self Titled second Album

(photo from clicp zones)

Free- His third album (fourth if you count Stripped)

(photo from behindthehype)

'Not Over You', the first single from his soon to be released album, 'Sweeter'

I am curious to hear all of the songs and to see what the album cover looks like.

Well, all I can say is this, "Please listen to Gavin DeGraw because he is fantastic!"  The end.