Sam Smith - A New Artist With Skill As A Writer And A Performer. This guy is the real deal!

Music Wed - Two surprises - First, for the first time in a long while, here is a Music Wed on a Wed! Second, I am taking a break from our jaunt through the 80's to highlight a new artist who will have his first album released later this month. If you have not heard Sam Smith, you will have a real treat this week. He appeared on SNL 3 weeks ago, and I loved his two-song performance so much, I pre-ordered his first album just based on the two songs he performed that night. Now, as other songs are being leaked, I cannot WAIT for the full album to hit. Enjoy these tasty treats from Mr. Smith - "Stay With Me" http://youtu.be/2n8k_bdOe94 and "Lay Me Down" http://youtu.be/dgJBKU9ALa0.  I promise that these songs will stick in your head. This guy writes and performs some really good new music. Bonus cut -  pretty fun Bruno Mars cover by Sam - http://youtu.be/xZIrzWcoCoU. Enjoy!

80's Hair Bands - Nuff Said!

Music Wed - Part 4 of our musical trip through the 80's, and I am psyched up, because I have cracked the code! I have solved the riddle. I feel like Robert Langdon in the Dan Brown novels when he realizes the painting he has been staring at holds the key to resolving his problems. My dilemma in this case was how to address Hair Metal bands from the 80's without having any sarcasm, even derision, I feel for this genre of 80's music leak through and dilute songs and bands I wanted to share.  My solution? I will be giving out my first (and only) Hair Metal Band Awards in various categories that I hope you find as amusing as I do as I have been thinking about this post once I had my "Da Vinci Code" aha moment. The first award is in the category of "Sure-that-girl-is-good-looking-but-that-lead-singer-is-way-hotter." And the winner is David Coverdale of Whitesnake. Yes, Tawny Kataen was hot and sexy rolling around on those luxury cars, but check out David's flowing, golden locks; his flawless skin; his crazy outfits. Any way you look at it, he (like many hair metal lead singers) was just plain hotter than the former strippers and groupies that were featured in their videos. Here's a little proof -  http://youtu.be/me_n5uhjQvU - Whitesnake/Tawny Kataen tribute video. Next award is in the category of "Well-they-may-not-have-any-discernible-talent-as-songwriters/performers-but-they-sure-are-having-so-much-fun-that-you-can't-stop-from-joining-in." The winner, of course, is Poison. Could they write an intelligible lyric? Was there any evidence they could do more than play up to five notes on any instrument? But, when their songs came on, could you resist the urge to bang your head (at least a little), tap your feet and sing along? Here's the evidence to support their award - http://youtu.be/xCChxBSRo1Y - "Talk Dirty to Me". Our next award is, "You-can-bitch-all-you-want-about-the-burdens-of-life-on-the-road-but-your-videos-sure-make-it-look-like-you-are-having-more-legal and illegal-fun-than-anyone-should-expect-from-this-life." We have co-winners with Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" http://youtu.be/SRvCvsRp5ho and Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home" http://youtu.be/3WAZ60xA9wo.  I have a Lifetime Achievement Award for the band who proved you can spend more on drugs even if you are given a few million dollars to make a video, and this honor goes to none other than Guns N Roses for "November Rain" http://youtu.be/8SbUC-UaAxE. I would like to give honorable mention for those brave performers who never let the idiotic fashion or hair style trends stop them from rockin' - bands like Loverboy http://youtu.be/oUuSvJhZXfQ, Damn Yankees http://youtu.be/k0Wf1u5At4k, White Lion  http://youtu.be/pk2U41uvOlI, and Skid Row  http://youtu.be/ivFYVAntpw0. As fun as this has been (at least for me), all things must come to an end, so my final award goes to the "D-Bag Rocker of the 80's", which coveted recognition goes to none other than Kip Winger of the band he creatively named Winger. Watch this and tell me I'm wrong -   http://youtu.be/GlN3oEjMpUQ.  Honorable mention for a "group-that-defies-any-category" is given to Twisted Sister. What the hell were they thinking - http://youtu.be/V9AbeALNVkk.  Enjoy!

80's Just Keep On Coming with The Cure, General Public and Talking Heads

Music Wed - Part 3 of the Gift-That-Keeps-On-Giving = the 80's tribute continues. I feel like I'm still rolling downhill because I have not had to tread in the dark, unsafe waters of some of the sketchy 80's messes, but am still able to skip along the tops of the waves of great bands with lasting songs. This week I'm going to focus on three very personal favorites who gave me hours of listening joy during this odd decade. First is my favorite London ska band, General Public. You can't get more 80's than Ranking Roger - a performer whose only contribution was to dance next to the lead singer. Oddly, this was a common role in many bands, but RR was certainly an early adopter and still one of the best at doing next to nothing. The band, however, left us with some memorable tunes like "Save It For Later" (http://youtu.be/h-QkQoNCmg4), and "Tenderness" (http://youtu.be/kDOqYyflGl0). Next up is The Cure - I just love the whole concept of this group of original emos. Robert Smith was and still is a star performer, as shown on these tasty morsels -- "Love Song"  http://youtu.be/yB6cybj394U (and here is a bonus Adele cover that is awesome - http://youtu.be/i5bpYECjPJ4), "Pictures Of You" (http://youtu.be/wIOimCvrypE), and for kicks, let's add "Friday I'm In Love", cuz it is such a fun song! http://youtu.be/P3Bg7yDUVnI.  Since I'm not quite ready to deal with Depeche Mode, I want to end this entry with Talking Heads - a band that mixed poly rhythms with a funky bass heavy sound, all topped off by David Byrne's edgy (and sometimes creepy) vocal performances -- this complex band really rolls up all that is good about the early 80's in one gumbo of sound: in quick succession, let's hit "And She Was" (http://youtu.be/GgKOgPu9sEk), followed by "Once In A Lifetime" (http://youtu.be/o7pVjl4Rrtc), and "Life During Wartime" http://youtu.be/xzORu1dqEE0 (this version captures their live energy) plus "Psycho Killer" http://youtu.be/pA1oFSMwRDU (this highlights Mr Byrne's non-traditional approach). Enough for tonight - Enjoy!

80's Celebration - Culture Club, TFF and The Pretenders! They still rule!

Music Wed - Part 2 of the Moment-I'm-Starting-To-Really-Have-Some-Fun-With. This week's dive into 80's music is keeping the foot firmly on the accelerator with no thought of braking. This week required very little contemplation, because I knew I could not waste another moment without having fun with three bands I love as much today as I did 30 years ago - Culture Club, Tears For Fears and The Pretenders. Besides the genre challenging look and attitude of CC, there is no doubt that Boy George wrote and sang great pop songs. Little known fact - Boy George worshipped Gladys Knight and mimicked her when he sang his ballads. Here is a sampling of some of my favorite Culture Club songs that may not have been the very top hits, but they showcase everything I love about this band = "Miss Me Blind" (Live at Hammersmith Odeon -  http://youtu.be/2qUxhy2JkN8); next is my personal fave, "Black Money" (featuring the great Helen Terry - http://youtu.be/GcePJssPnRU); and let's wrap up with a deep cut, "Victims" (again with the inimitable Helen Terry - http://youtu.be/dN2S1NqTOgc).  I loved TFF from their first album, which was inspired when Roland and Curt met at a primal scream encounter, Songs From The Big Chair, to their last great album, Sowing the Seeds of Love. Let's get rolling with a song that no one can resist tapping their toes to and singing along with, "Everybody Wants to Rule The World" -  http://youtu.be/KHoJPUHG83g; then let's switch to the song that both rocks and introduced the world to the powerhouse voice of Oleta Adams, "Woman In Chains" - http://youtu.be/nYFFTpg0t9g (hang in through the weird intro because the live version is killer); and I'm torn between ending with "Shout" or "Sowing the Seeds of Love", so here they both are -- http://youtu.be/1682rQdaYCE and http://youtu.be/I99byzYZbBI.  Finally the great Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders. The song that turned me on to them was the slightly atmospheric, odd early tune, "Talk of the Town"- http://youtu.be/VzU5gsnSHfU, moving right in to the hard rockin' "Middle of the Road" - http://youtu.be/hONtmFgh3IQ (hang in thru the weird intro from a Brit pop show or rock out to this recent live version which shows that ole Chrissie still has the chops http://youtu.be/-CYsOGTA0eo); and let's finish this songfest with "My City Was Gone" (which rolls into a medley with "Needle and the Damage Done" - too cool!) http://youtu.be/g9-CUHi4CpA. Enjoy!

Part I of The 80's! Elvis, Roxy Music and REM

Music Wed - Part 1 of the Moment-I've-Been-Dreading = An analysis of 80's music. I have an oft-expressed love/hate relationship with this decade. Sure, it produced some great music and spawned classic bands - U2 and REM were born in this time period. This also was the era that gave us hair bands, Bon Jovi, MTV-created bands, Huey Lewis & The News, Tiffany - shall I go on? But I know many of you love music from this decade, so I am finally chasing my white whale in an effort to capture my thoughts and feelings about 80's music. After much contemplation, I will begin with my first installment which will be dedicated to true New Wave pioneers. Now, first let me establish a few ground rules - I will not discuss U2 = I already have paid tribute to them and they are, for me! the greatest band to be borne of this decade. I also am excluding acts that had great success in the 80's, but were borne in the 70's, i.e., The Police, Van Halen, The Eagles, Bowie, Bruce, etc. So, to get this party started, let me give a nod to masters of New Wave music who went on to diversify their tastes and showcase their deep talents. I'm talking about Elvis Costello and Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. Both created wildly different music, but have grown as artists and demonstrated early on that good 80's pop music could be plain old good music. Check out the following tasty nibbles = "Alison" http://youtu.be/h99neu9HtQA (1st live appearance!), "What's So Wrong With Peace Love and Understanding" http://youtu.be/lhol3zIoynE (check out the Bangles jumping in stage to dance!), "Every Day I Write the Book" http://youtu.be/lhLztdvgpFY and "Watching The Detectives" http://youtu.be/K--POHTLGY0 (this is an absolutely wicked live version) from Elvis and his early bands, The Attractions and The Imposters. Next is Bryan Ferry's Roxy Music included such musical masters as Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, who went on to produce Bowie's best 80's music and to shape U2's seminal movement into ambient and dance music in the 90's. The effect of these artists stretches far, and check out this early Roxy Music classic gems "Love is the Drug" http://youtu.be/0n3OepDn5GU, "Avalon" http://youtu.be/bpA_5a0miWk and "More Than This" http://youtu.be/kOnde5c7OG8. Finally, let me pay tribute to the second greatest band from the 80's, REM. This band singly made local, indy/college bands relevant and inspired the creation of the chart on Rolling Stone magazine for College Radio. Here are some early REM classics -- "Its the End of the World" http://youtu.be/u2UhvN0k74w , "Everybody Hurts" http://youtu.be/NLlOeGeVih4, "Stand" http://youtu.be/AKKqLl_ZEEY, and "Radio Free Europe" http://youtu.be/KA57Pafq_NU. The more I discuss the subject of 80's music with friends, the longer the series becomes. Let's start with these clear winners and move from there. Enjoy!

Cerissa's Music Wed - Awesome songs of inspiration by Groban, Dion and the two greatest divas of our time!

I had planned to start this week a multi-part analysis of 80's music. For me this is a very conflicted exercise because of my love-hate relationship with that decade of music. As I was struggling, my lovely daughter Cerissa came to my rescue and allowed me an extra week to work on Part I by offering this spontaneous contribution. I love these songs, and in particular I love the specific recordings she picked - perfect pop music in the very best sense. Enjoy!

In tribute of Dad I'm doing Music Wednesday this week! My theme is uplifting, awe inspiring, legendary songs and voices. I listen to this set of 3 songs on nights when I need some cheering up, strength to go, and peace to sleep. I hop in bed, plug in my ear buds, and pull up each of these videos. I ask you to do the same. To start off we have Josh Groban's live version of You Raise Me Up-it features a black choir and phenomenal violinist: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tHDoLAJf8rQ
Next is the goddess Celine Dion in My Heart Will Go On-this is also live and is the weirdest video but she rocks it, just watch it. Her soothing voice provides resilience to keep going: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WNIPqafd4As . Lastly we have the dynamic divas themselves, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. These prima donnas battle it out in When You Believe. This song will banish any sorrow, doubt, or frustration. Listening to this always uplifts my spirit. This is a live version and they're awesome. Watch and enjoy these legends: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM2-hg7xJs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeAM2-hg7xJs.

Thanks to Cerissa for a really fun entry, and thanks to all of you who take a moment to enjoy with me a love for all types of music.