SG's Playlist: Tuesday, September 23, 2008

New season, new tunes. And believe it or not, I've actually got some dudes on here now (way to break the OBYCB glass ceiling, boys!)

First up is a catchy-tune by Australian native Lenka. It's called "The Show." If you don't start singing the refrain by the end, you have no soul. I'm not kidding...you might want to get an MRI because you're missing a soul.



And for the record (pardon the pun), I'd post the real video if they didn't disable the damn embedding.

Lastly is "Young Friend" by Brooke Waggoner. Brooke seems like one of those womyn's women, which is always good for some tunes. I couldn't find the actual video AGAIN, so here's some weirdo's video of the American flag to the tune (you have to skip a few seconds in to get to it--when you see the flag, you're good to go).



Brooke and Lenka--I'd feature your videos if you let me!!! You could use the promotion. You know it...

Finally, here are the Kings of Leon. They always seemed like a band I'd hate because of their name and genre. I hate those types of bands (alternative hipster types) sometimes just because of their stereotypes. But I do enjoy it when they prove me wrong. The KOL did that this weekend on SNL. Here's a non-official video (again) with the song. Enjoy!

SG's Playlist: Friday, August 22, 2008.

SG's music section is breaking out. The result? A new feature--"SG's Playlist." Here is the songs I'm digging for the week ending Friday, August 22, 2008.

Who can deny the power of Pink's new song, "So What?" It was harsh at first, but it's catchy now and I find myself wanting to hear it more often.




And the song I've had in my head for three days now has been Adele's Chasing Pavements from her album "19". What a beautiful song. I don't quite get the chasing pavements reference yet, but it's stuck in my head nonetheless. (I'd put the real video here because it's neat, but embedding is disabled on it. so this is a live performance.)

SG's Tunes: John Mayer, Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles

I need to start writing about music. I listen to it all the time. I have things to say about it. Isn't that what this blog is for?!?!?

It's no hidden fact that I adore John Mayer. I always have ever since I bought Room for Squares at the Virgin Megastore in Chicago and drove home to the enchanting sounds of John in a blizzard. I never once got bored of that CD. And although Heavier Things wasn't a critical success or a chart-topper, I really liked it and it suited my life at the time. But up until now I've never really been that in to his live stuff. Sure Any Given Thursday was fun, but was it really fun to listen to all the time? And Try! had some live stuff, but it was questionable.

I think John finally hit his live stride in Where the Light Is. The two-CD set is composed of three performance types: acoustic and mostly solo, the trio, and the live band. This gives a perfect blend of John's capabilities as a dynamic performer and yet allows you to enjoy some favorites. And even though there are a lot of non-album tracks, you never feel unsatisfied.

SG's Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Really?

Coldplay earned the title of most downloaded album in history (you know, the long history of music downloads) with it's new release "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends".

The album is good, but that's probably because it's produced by longtime U2 producer, Brian Eno and sounds like a U2 album.

You know how I know you're gay...?

So Good! So Good!

Apparently "Sweet Caroline" was Caroline Kennedy (now Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg).

Go figure.

I would have liked this to stay a secret until Neil Diamond's death. In fact, when I saw the teaser for the story I thought maybe he was dead. Not so--just bored with his race to "stay relevant" (as someone might say). Too many things are demystified as you get older, I'd like to hang on to the few that I have left.

Against my better judgment

So I did it.

I went ahead and ignored my better judgment and purchased the new Britney Spears cd, "Blackout." I must admit, it is a good set of dance and pop music.

It still makes me feel icky. The sad part is that I think it makes me secretly like it more.

At least I'm not as obsessed with it as this person.

Is it sad that I really love this song?

Apparently this "Hannah Montana" person is Miley Cyrus, daughter of BIlly Ray Cyrus (who I'm not ashamed that I like...I actually hate "Achey Brakey Heart," but love his other songs). Anyhow, I wasn't given the memo on Disney shows today.

This is not the video here...just someone who put the song to a picture on youtube. Apparently there's no video yet, but the song is addictive.

My favorite line "she's just being Miley."

Exactly.

Crossroads (not of the Britney Spears Variety)

I love Crossroads on CMT. I cannot say enough about it. The premise of the show is a rock or pop artist meeting a country artist and they do each other's songs. It's brilliant. The first time I saw it Martina McBride was rocking out with Pat Benatar. Tonight, Wynonna is rocking out with Heart. They're singing one of my all time favorite songs, "Only Love," by Wynonna. Her voice has always been so damn tasty to me.

Because Universal doesn't want me to promote this show or the video, I can't post the music video here. But I can send you here to watch it.

I was hoping today was a double video day. Damn it.

Coming soon to crossroads...Kelly Clarkson and Reba. Goddamn, I'm having a music crossover orgasm.

Does anyone remember the show Crossroads that used to be on VH1 late at night? They had the best damn music on it. That's when VH1 used to be good. Remember that? It was about music? MTV used to do that, too. Now it's just reality show and celebrity show and reality show and celebrity show over and over and over again. Rinse and repeat. I need to start my own music channel STAT.

Kenna Kenna, Who Can I Turn To?

On Tuesday I wrote about my exposure to the beautiful music that is made by Kenna. I found a neat pic from the Free Press website from Monday night's show and I am sharing it here.

I can't stop listening to Kenna. His 2003 release "New Sacred Cow" is still available on Amazon here. You can also download it and his new single "Out of Control (State of Emotion)" from iTunes.

I highly suggest you do it now, rather than later.

A helluva time

Last night was the Nelly Furtado concert at the Detroit Opera House. Although it was a Monday and I am eagerly (and nervously) awaiting some job news, I ended up feeling as if it were a Friday night...well, at least a Thursday night. Nelly put on a great show and her truly unique talents shone through. This guy at the Free Press agrees with me. I just love how she brings her heritage into her music and even though she's made her music more pop on her latest album, she doesn't forget the people that loved her first two outings.

However, my biggest joy and surprise of the night came from one of her opening acts, Kenna. Kenna is a solo artist, backed by a rather eclectic band (two keyboardists). He's basically a mix of U2, The Cure, Depeche Mode with a bit more edge. And much to my delight he was African (well, I guess African-American now, having immigrated from Ethiopia). Somehow that made it even better. He was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed every single song I heard. I just downloaded his 2003 release "New Sacred Cow" on iTunes. His new release drops in July. I was just blown away by his talent.

The best part of the evening was meeting Kenna. He said he was going to be at the merchandise booth after the show, but after wading through throngs of teenagers and 28 year-old women dressed like teenagers, we took some free Kenna posters and left. Then he was standing outside the bus. I waited my turn to talk to him (I even took some girls' photo with him) and then approached him and told him how much I absolutely loved his music and couldn't wait to get the new album. He was so grateful that he gave me a hug...and let me tell you, I was all a-flutter. It reminded much of my meeting with an up and coming John Mayer.

In any event, I am eager to listen to my downloads and thank Moxie for the gift card for graduation...she's helping me discover new artists and support them. And Moxie, for the record, this guy has your name written all over him--just listening to the music I knew you'd love him. I even made that comment last night that it was just the kind of music you'd walk down the street singing.

So I urge you to check him out. In fact, I implore you to check him out. Kenna. Kenna. His family immigrated from Ethiopia. How freaking cool is that?

P.S. His website is up (http://www.kennakenna.com/--I've linked it three times above), but it's not fully functioning yet. His MySpace page is, though, and you can check out his new song Out of Control.