Who Are John Legend And Amy Winehouse Working With?

just now with my itunes playlist on random, Amy Winehouse's "He Can Hold Her" came on.



something about it sounded familiar... the first few notes, the beat, the familiar wailing in the background...

then it hit me.

John Legend's "Slow Dance"



take a listen for yourself!

upon further research, the blog Track Nine: Musical Interpretations had a post (a year old, cough) detailing that both songs were based on The Icemen's 1966 single "My Girl, She's a Fox".



it seems John Legend took a more original approach to recording his version by keeping the same feel to it, although speeding it up a bit.

heh, now would you imagine that! John Legend's version is still my favorite.

don't even get me started on Janet Jackson's "Free Xone" and Archie Bell and the Drell's "Tighten Up"

Lykke Li LIVE! In Review

Last night I saw Lykke Li for the very first time at The First Unitarian Church OR as it seems everyone else calls it, "the church".

I won't lie when I say that I originally thought about skipping out even after I bought the tickets ahead of time. It's Friday night, it's cold outside plus I'm tired from waking up early for work all week and ALL I want to do is sleep forever.

I suck it up and head out.

Ok, the line outside the church isn't too long, lets go stand in it and wait. Cut to me 45 minutes later with frozen toes and finger tips and they FINALLY let us in amongst the screams and cheers from the other frozen people in line with me.

Once inside the first act, Swedish husband and wife (young bucks!) duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums came out and banged the shit out of a drum and screamed into a microphone. I was completely blown away. I'll have to look them up later.

Then finally came out Lykke to Melodies and Desires. Lit up completely by candles and nothing else (which I admit I was a little nervous about watching the R5 people tell people to back up from the stage and be careful) amazing shadows were cast on the wall behind her. PERFECT! Then she sang. She was amazing. She was wild. An intimate show I’ve never experienced ever before. I was super close and she danced her face off. The crowd full of hipsters thrashing everywhere was kind of weird but I didn’t care. The energy she gave off made it all worth it. She even let out a COME ON because apparently the crowd wasn’t wild enough for her! Amazing Amazing Amazing.

Set List:
Dance, Dance, Dance
Everybody
I'm Good, I'm Gone
My Love (favorite)
Hanging High (NEW favorite)
Little Bit
Complaint Department
Lonely
Let It Fall
Window Blues
Tonight
I Don't Mind/Lil' Wayne
Breaking it Up (favorite)

Encore:
Time Flies
Can I Kick It

I can't wait until she comes back.

Best show of 2009 so far.

Is it too early to tell?

I don't care.

i'm embarrassed

mostly because the only way i've heard of this song was because i was watching MTV.

who can resist the MTV: Brooklyn?

introducing (way later than it's probably been released) Lily Allen's "The Fear"

it's fantastic, the music, the lyrics. completely different than what i'm used to hearing from her. but i like the new path she's taken. especially because the last i heard or knew of her, she was stumbling down some london street claiming she snogged two twin lesbians when she was wasted? what? when isn't she wasted? anway, i look forward to hearing more.

Really Diggin Lykke Li Right Now. Better Late Than Never, Right?

you probably know by now that most of my spare time consists of me spending time on the internet. whilst stalking one of my favorite websites for upcoming shows that i can go to, i come across Lykke Li.



i had been seeing her come up a lot on people's "recently played" lists on last.fm, but never actually got around to downloading anything of hers to actually take a listen.

UNTIL that is, this past weekend. and now what can i say? i'm hooked.

can't stop listening to "little bit"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CDQ4d6vH4
(i don't believe this video has anything to do with her, but i just wanted to put out the recorded version for all to hear)

and "my love", which is my favorite right now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otbGAoqMgDg
the music reminds me of something that i can't even put into words right now. it will probably come back to me at a completely inconvenient time where i can't get to a computer fast enough to put it down.

the rest of her album "youth novels" is certainly worth a listen, nothing is a let down. now i'm considering her show coming up at the first unitarian church. hm what to do what to do?

I Think I May Have Found The Saddest Christmas Song EVER.

Driving home tonight flipping through random radio stations, something about this song caught my ear and I decided to listen.

Prepare yourself for the most terrible Christmas song that you will have ever heard in your entire life.



Maybe even worse than Christmas Shoes?


You Decide.

"Happy" Holidays!

You Know What Lets Give One To Last.fm, Too!

I woke up this morning to start my daily playlist of playing whatever the hell comes up on random remembering songs I forgot I liked. In this process I always go on last.fm just to see what everyone else is currently listening to/obsessed with. (Yeah, I get a little embarrassed too when you look at my previously played tracks and the same song comes up about 15 times in a row but [I think] I'm ok with it.)

ANYWAY

As I click to look at someone's profile while I'm listening to music, some other strange sounds start coming up aside from the song that I'm currently listening to. I stumble, and many the times I have stumbled on a site that plays videos right away, or plays songs right away, or tells me congratulations I just won a free [insert random object here]. But I wasn't stumbling. Did I leave another window open? No... Is there a virus? Is this AIM being stupid again? No, MACs are better than that. Then where the hell is that sound coming from?

Then I realized. Hm.

It's coming from a banner on the side of my last.fm pages. On my profile page, on musician pages. Every page. Granted, they don't appear for you or your friends if you pay to be a subscriber... but I am not a subscriber. Normally ads don't bother me. In fact last.fm banners have previously been non instrusive and sometimes interesting (movie soundtracks, upcoming concerts etc.) UNTIL NOW.

Why the hell would they put a banner up for a Beck's beer that has random noises to it and NOT EVEN GIVE YOU THE OPTION TO MUTE IT? Is this their way of trying to get people to subscribe to the site? Not a very good ploy, for me anyway. If anything I'd stop using it. Sure, what's $3 dollars a month to not have this shit come up behind my songs and ruin them? Who cares, I'm not paying it.

Last.fm, please get off your shit horse and take that nonsense off your page. Unnecessary. You guys have lost points today. Congratulations.

Click here to air your grievances and push to have them ban audio banners. The audio banner isn't on this page. That'd be too ironic.

Ingrid Michaelson: In Review, Take Two

First (jesus christ) its been forever since I had anything to say, er rather, come out of a laziness slump to want to write anything. Who better to make me want to but Ingrid Michaelson!

Sunday night she delighted us in Philly at the TLA once again and as you can imagine it was beyond amazing. This time around I knew just about all of her songs inside and out and had to keep myself from climbing over the rail screaming and crying her name. Thank god someone else was wasted enough to do that and needless to say, ended up embarassing not only herself (assuming she remembers) but her friends as well. Congratulations!

ANYWAY- because the her last visit in June she thought the TLA looked like a ballroom, she suggested to everyone that if she visited again, everyone should dress up like they were going to a ball. While my friends and I did not, and maybe 2 or 3 in 10 did, her entire band was decked out in horrid dresses and suits (including the opening acts). You can get a glimpse of that here of a someone took while everyone swayed back and forth to Lady in Spain



Opening with Die Alone I almost forgot how much I liked that song. She did a handful from her Girls and Boys album (Far Away, Corner of Your Heart, Breakable, Overboard, and The Hat) as well as a few from her latest release along with Lady in Spain including The Chain (which kills me, this time she didn't pull anyone up on stage which I was kind of hoping for again but that's alright...and that's alright!) Be Ok, Giving Up and a couple of other covers.

Not gonna lie, I'm not really blown away by her second album "Be Ok". It feels like she just put it out there just to have something. Instead of calling it her second album (mainly because I believe it's her third?) I will call it her 1st and a half. It was a half. If it wasn't for The Chain on it and Keep Breathing (WHICH SHE DID NOT SING) and You and I and and and and... I would be highly disappointed.

Apparently she has yet another album coming out which came news to us as she announced and then played a new song called Locked Up.



Sounds pretty good, I like this one a lot! Her fascination with being 17 intrigues me...

Even her opening acts were spine tingling. David Ford, who also opened for her over the summer, was back again Sunday night. Watching him run around stage playing his different instruments listening to his songs Go To Hell and State of the Union as they progressed almost brought tears to my eyes. Listening to his studio versions just isn't the same. I highly recommend hearing him live.

Sunday night was far from disappointing. Except that damn slice of pizza from Lorenzo's at the end of the night that made my tummy box hurt :(

I'm ok. Cheers to a great show, can't wait for the next.

And I am SO GLAD that someone posted her encore, You and I, WHICH I WAITED ALL NIGHT FOR HER TO DO!!!

Enjoy!


frown to the girl video poster singing off key.

Janet Jackson Left Me A Message On My Phone Tonight.

She told me how excited she was to start her tour back up tomorrow night in DC, and to not believe anything I hear or read because nothing is cancelled!

I don't know if I believe her.

New Eargasms: Ingrid Michaelson, Vampire Weekend & Nickel Creek (what?)

For the second week in a row, I am pleased to say that my ears are STILL PLEASED with what they're hearing lately! (Despite my heart being broken/crushed/destroyed with no word of explanation, ahem)

ANYWAY! Who would have ever thought that there could be something(s) so soon that would be able to rip me away from my beloved Foreign Exchange's recent album (see post below)? Not me! And there are! THREE!

Let us begin.

As it is already known, I am a huge Ingrid Michaelson fan. After finding her around 6 months ago, I still can't stop playing her songs on repeat. And to make my fandom of hers rise even higher on this make believe chart I just created, she has finally joined, follows AND replies to her fans on Twitter! So if you haven't already...

Today she released her third album entitled "Be OK"



...which some of the proceeds go to breast cancer "SO NO STEALING" -her website. (Oh that's why I can't find it on Limewire). I'm ultra excited that she has finally put up The Chain on this album because every time I hear it my legs give out and I want to lay down and cry. Perfect walking to work at 7 in the morning music if you ask me!


Next up, I introduce (or re-intro to others) to you, Vampire Weekend. I don't get to listen to the radio too much anymore, but when I do I flip around to whatever station comes through until something happens to catch my ear. And the other day, that station happened to be XPN, and that song happened to be Ottoman, by Vampire Weekend.



This song is set to appear on Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (which is already out....?) and I can't get enough. This group formed sometime in 2006 at Columbia U, have a couple albums, and describes themselves as rock alternative with afropop influences. Crazy mix eh, but they're a great listen. Do explore.


AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST! (But certainly least expected)

I just want to put out there how after putting my entire playlist of 4k + songs on random this past weekend, up comes Nickel Creek's "Green and Grey"



I've known them as always killing my soul with songs like The Lighthouse's Tale and When You Come Back Down but, I never really paid too much attention to their others. However when you get a song whose very first line is: "I'm in a room full of people and hanging on one person's breath..." how could you not help but collapse to the ground and keep pressing pay over and over again? Well that's exactly what this song did to me, almost 3 years after it was initially released, ha!

Old music is new music sometimes and that's alright with me!

I hope you take these delicious mix of songs and add them on your "I really need to stop playing these" playlist because eventually, you really will need to...you know, to give others a chance.

New Eargasms: Rachael Yamagata & The Foreign Exchange

After FOUR PAINSTAKING LONG YEARS (on both sides, mind you) one of my top favorite artists evar released their newest and 2nd albums today. Yes, both of them their second and both on the same day!

Today October 7th 2008 The Foreign Exchange Released their second installment:

Leave It All Behind



Only after a first listen, its everything you can expect from it. The sweet sounds of Darien Brockington harmonizing mixed with excellent electronics and beats. Also a new voice comes along for the ride, one named Muhsinah. I know nothing about her, though over the next few days I plan to be listening to this one A LOT and researching everything I can on every single aspect of every song. I'm positive it won't be a let down, as it's got me hooked in only a matter of seconds.




Also on this unknowingly magical day, Rachael Yamagata also released her sophomore album entitled:

Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart



Since going to a few of her concerts, a few of these tracks aren't unfamiliar to me. Nevertheless, her raspy voice still grabs my heart the same as the last. Like the previous paragraph, I haven't gotten through the entire thing backwards and forwards yet, but I am excited for it's potential. Something different than the last, especially because of the track called "Faster". Completely rocker chick with it. Let me tell you it's just as awesome here recorded as it is live.

Now let me get back to it! I'll have some reviews in a few. In the meantime, don't watch the debate. Find something else to do instead. Unless of course, you're an undecided voter. But in that case, do not vote for McCain and SheBush because in all honesty if you do, you're an idiot.

If Only Men Fought With Music Than With Guns.

We'd get to experience impropmtu concerts like this all over the city!



This of course led me to one of my favorite jazz pieces, "Take Five" done by the Dave Brubek Quartet:


Turn this one up as loud as you can.

Alls Not Lost In Love!

A year ago the Neo Soul world crumbled (er, at least mine did) with the announcement that the Queen herself, Jill Scott divorced her husband Lyzel Williams after 12 freakin years together! The inspiration for all of her poetry has turned to a dream shattered.

BUT ALAS! The heart mends, and the world goes on.

As of 2 weeks ago Jill Scott officially announced that she is set to wed again, to her drummer! Congratulations Jilly from Philly...you have restored my faith in love again! Something like that.

New Eargasms: Stefanie Heinzmann, The Ting Tings

Here ye Hear ye!

Introducing:

Stefanie Heinzmann. The other day a friend of mine at work introduced me to her via a YouTube video called, "My Man Is A Mean Man".


He's a...mean man! But he's...my man!

Take a dose of Joss Stone mixed with some Pink voice and Natasha Bedingfield and voila you have Stefanie Heinzmann. I can definitely see this song becoming a hit of the summer. My personal favorite of hers right now, however, is "Like A Bullet"


Just makes you move on your own! But yooooouuuuu are the only one who ever got me! Very catchy! I'll probably be singing that tune to myself for a little while...without even knowing the words.

ON to the next.

A couple of weeks ago I stayed in on a Friday night and watched Pete Wentz's new show on MTV called FNMTV. It's basically a show that plays all new music videos (strangely a rarity on MTV anytime OTHER than between 4-8am) and debuts some new ones. The one they chose to debut in this episode was a video by a group called The Ting Tings and their song "Shut Up and Let Me Go"



Not only is the song awesome but the VIDEO is actually great too! Makes me not cry over the days of music videos that used to have stories to them. Sigh..those were good days.

If you happen to watch as much TV as I do, or not............you may already know this song. It's one of the latest lucky ones to have their shit debuted on an iTunes commercial. As much as I hate finding songs and liking them in iTunes commercials and MTV spots...I found MIKA that way... but this is actually pretty good.

Another favorite of theirs that currently has tangled my heart strings is "Traffic Light"



AMAZING!!!! Simply Put! It's so simple and easy. A collection of random sounds mixed together make something so beautiful. I love as the music drops out and you hear scratching of what sounds like a record and the lone electric happenings.

So take a gander, take a listen...and spread the good word.

Ingrid Michaelson, In Review

This past Sunday I was blessed with the chance to get to see Ingrid Michaelson live at the TLA on South Street. Very much worth the $20 spontaneously spent the day before buying tickets, and the $25+ after that spent on alcohol I randomly drank in the middle afternoon because I didn't feel like going back to my apartment yet!

I've only recently been aware of Ingrid since I became obsessed with Sara Bareilles (a little later than I'm proud of aka when I saw her perform on Ellen) back in...March, I believe? Well like the natural music addict I am coupled with my desire to always have MORE MORE MORE! I searched a "likefind" for Sara and beep boop there was Ingrid. I wasn't familiar with her song names, however after listening to a snippet of "The Way I Am" I searched further! And after many a listen my favorites have come to be: "The Hat", "Die Alone" and "Overboard" ALL of which I'm happy to say, she performed on Sunday!

Overall her concert was fantastic. I'm a sucker for performers (especially in intimate situations like those at the TLA or Trocadero) who talk and carry on with the audience. It lets me think in my head that HEY we CAN be friends! And that's exactly what Ingrid did. Right off the top she started off with "Ba da dop!"....Die Alone, and I was sold.

But what has stuck with me since Sunday was the song that she played in a round including 2 audience members with her on stage. It was perfect in every aspect. Sung beautifully, (including by the audience members which was a surprise!) and the lyrics (always my favorite part of a song) are amazing...

The sky looks pissed.
The wind talks back.
The bones are shifting in my skin and you my love are gone.

My room seems wrong.
The bed won't fit.
I can not seem to operate and you my love are gone

(Chorus)
So glide away and so be healed and promise not to promise anymore and if you come around again then i will take, then i will take the chain from off the door

I'll never say, I'll never love
but I dont say a lot of things and you my love are gone

The final chorus is sung 6 times in a round until the last person sings "...then I will take, then I will take...then I will take the chain from off the door..."

IT KILLS ME! I can't do it any justice in words and have tried and failed over and over trying to find it on Limewire so I can take it with me on my Ipod in my pocket. I can only settle for YouTube versions, which are just as good as when I was there. If only it could be louder...

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy.
(funny too, this version has the conversational banter I was talking about=) )

The Perfect Song

Children singing, a choir, music dropping out and singing, and singing on the next note up.

That's all I need.

Dance forever...
Forever on the dancefloor

Summer Concertsiwannagoto Lineup

June 1 - Ingrid Michaelson @ the TLA, $20

June 5 - Rilo Kiley @ the Electric Factory, $25
M.I.A. @ The 33rd Street Armory, $26

June 20 - POPPED! Music Festival 2008 @ Drexel

August 3 - Rock the Bells @ TBD

August 5 - Bloc Party @ the TLA, $27

I Twittered the FCUK out of that concert

Last night I kicked off my summer of fun aka the first summer I'll be working straight through every single day even on the 4th of July and not bullshitting around like the past 18 years of my life WITH the one and only Glow in the Dark Tour. It was fucking fantastic. As per the blog title, I twittered the fcuk out of that concert:

i'm spent. still room for pat's cheesesteak about 10 hours ago from twitterrific

Good idea at the time, bad idea today. I think there's ketchup on my purse.

I'll say this is the concert of the year..til i see janet about 12 hours ago from txt

Definitely money well spent, amazing performances from top to bottom. I'd do it all over again.

Jesus christ kanye's the next wave of hip hop about 13 hours ago from txt

Ay, sad but true. He's a jackass, but a very talented one.

Kanye has arrived...... about 13 hours ago from txt

and in style! Smoke machines, fake fire machines, flashing lights...

Land of the randoms who you're friends with now but who you'll never talk to later about 13 hours ago from txt BFF!!! <333 lolz

Rihanna knows how to put on a show! about 14 hours ago from txt

Je-hee-sus CHRIST do I have a newfound respect for this girl! I screamed my face off to umber-ella and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

No girls in the bathroom were amused with me screaming ALL THE GIRLS STANDING IN THE LINE FOR THE BATHROOM about 15 hours ago from txt I thought it was funny.

There are so many random ppl at this concert about 15 hours ago from txt

See below

Pharrell is so fuckin sexy about 15 hours ago from tx

Last night was the first time I've ever seen N.E.R.D. live and it was amazing. I knew it would be. I want them to have their own show! PS - Pharrell is so fuckin sexy.

Just missed lupe..o well about 16 hours ago from txt

Not heartbroken

Lets peruse the essentials of cool..wearing glowing clothes that don't match 16 years old about 17 hours ago from txt Not until recently did I ever notice how terrible "all ages" shows can be. Maybe it's because I've been too wasted or something. Put it this way, 99% of concertgoers probably got a ride from their parents. If their parents weren't there with them.

Pregame in the parking lot for KANYE about 17 hours ago from txt

Self explanatory. Only thing not, was that it was really really windy.


Overall rating for the concert, 11 on a 10 scale.
Rating for the weekend, 10!

I think I'm hungry because it's something I usually do after I wake up...but I usually don't down an entire cheesesteak, fries and a drink at 1am...

Ugh.