Saturday, November 23, 2013

Jake Bugg, Shangri La...

by Garrett D. Kennedy (concertblogger.com)

Last night I had listened to most of Jake Bugg’s second album Shangri La.  More than pleased with what I heard, I went from one song to the next without much pause, except for a glass of water and a couple stretches.  But then, I got caught in the moment of track ten, Pine Trees.  Up to this point, Bugg presented similarities to his self-titled first album, and, in a good way, this song wasn’t much different (more on this song later).  I began to think, “What can’t this nineteen year-old do?”

There’s element of folk, rocknroll, country, and punk.  All the songs included his creative lyrical phrasing, with a little more confidence, or maybe cockiness – a troubadour who knows what he wants out of his music.  When hearing Bugg interviewed, there’s a maturity there, too – a nineteen year-old who knows what he wants out of life.  There was an addition of Bugg giving us a taste of his electric guitar ability (Slumville Sunrise, What Doesn’t Kill You, Kingpin), which I was lucky to see live earlier this year at The Iridium in New York City (thanks to concertblogger.com).  As I sensed then, and continued to after having listened to most of Bugg’s second album, there is more to be seen – his talent very evident, yet still revealing itself.  Up to this point, there was no question Bugg had already shattered any doubt of the second album flop and the idea that he was posturing as a wanna-be Dylan.  (read more)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Playlist suggestions for Garrett & Yvette's wedding reception...

Cocktail Hour:


Cowboy Junkies – “Sweet Jane”
John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman – “My One & Only Love”
Lucinda Williams – “Passionate Kisses”
Little Feat – “Willin’”
Bonnie Raitt or John Prine – “Angel From Montgomery”
Allman Brothers – “Sweet Melissa”
Drive By Truckers – “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac”
Bruce Springsteen – “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)”
Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes – Yellowbird”
Amy Winehouse – “To Know Him Is To Love Him”
Amy Winehouse/Tony Bennett – “Body and Soul”
Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together”
Cat Power – “Lived in Bars”
Corrine Bailey Rae – “Like a Star”
Corrine Bailey Rae – “Put Your Records On”
Dr. John – “Solitude”
Dinah Washington – “What a Difference a Day Makes”
Marvin Gaye – “What’s Goin’ On”
Hurray For the Riff Raff – “Ode to John & Yoko”
Jonathan Richman – “When She Kisses Me”
Johnny Ray – “Whiskey & Gin”
Joni Mitchell – “In France They Kiss on Main Street”
Justin Townes Earle – “One More Night in Brooklyn”
Rodriguez – “Sugar Man”
Wild Tchoupitoulas – “Meet De Boys on the Battlefront”
Velvet Underground & Nico – I’ll Be Your Mirror”
Lou Reed – “Perfect Day”
Van Morrison – “Crazy Love”
Steely Dan – “Brooklyn Owes the Charmer Under Me”
Steely Dan – Ricky Don’t Lose That Number”
Solomon Burke – “Fast Train”
Solomon Burke – “Soul Searchin’”

Dancing:
The La’s – “There She Goes”
Van Morrison – “Tupelo Honey”
Dexi’s Midnight Runners – “Come On, Eileen”
Dovells – “Bristol Stomp”
The Clash – “Should I Stay Or Should I Go”
Bobby Fuller Four – “I Fought the Law”
The Rivieras – “California Sun”
Sam the Sham & the Pharohs – “Wooly Bully”
Jack White – “I’m Shakin’”
Dr. John – “Right Place, Wrong Time”
Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes – “Love Letter”
The Clash – Brand New Cadillac”
Dex Romweber – “Is That You in the Blue”
Young Rascals – “Mustang Sally”
Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers – “Roadrunner”
Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer”

Saturday, November 09, 2013

Saturday afternoon at Integrity 'N Music...

Picked up:
Choices (Terrence Blanchard)
Thunderbird (Cassandra Wilson)
Hipsters' Holiday Vocal Jazz and R&B Classics (Various Artists)
Seven Classic Albums (Horace Silver)

While listening to the Elizabeth Grace Quartet featuring Elizabeth Grace (vocals), Zach Heyde (piano), Leo Catricala (bass), Steve Cussano (drums)
Elizabeth Grace Quartet


Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Sarah Borges says hey...

It's happening...Radio Sweetheart is being printed RIGHT NOW, and will be shipped to all of the amazing donors who made it possible in the next month or so. Thank you so much for your patience, I know it's been a long wait, but I think it's worth it. The album will be available in the online store as soon as it's here.  With the release of the new record I'm preparing to hit the road, shows in MA, CT, VA and PA, lots of them with the fabulous Girls, Guns and Glory. I'm also headed to the annual South by Southwest music conference in Austin, TX this March. I'll be working to showcase the record at an event that's always been a success for me. Both of the labels I've signed to have seen me first at SXSW, and I've made so many great band friends that I'll keep for life.

This year is a little different; now that I'm a mama and I've been away from the scene for a couple of years I'm taking a different approach to touring. In other words, the family is hitting the road to Texas together. And that's where you come in. I'm headed to Texas with my son, Elliott, my husband and musical partner, Lyle Brewer, and my mum. We'll be flying there and back, staying for a week, and doing our darndest to get this thing off the ground.

I've started a Pledge Music campaign to defray our costs. The link is below, and you can read more about what we're doing there as well. Givers can expect two new songs, an online concert, and some other goodies. Our goal is $2000, which is the minimum we'd need for the four of us to stay, play and eat for the week.

In closing, with both the release of Radio Sweetheart and the trip to SXSW, I'm hoping to strike that balance between being someone's parent and being a musician. I guess I'm trying to make us both proud:)