Music Love Tuesday XII: Something Different

For this Music Love Tuesday, I'm doing something a bit different.

You may know that I got my degree in Creative Writing back in 2010, just a few months before my health went south. While most people choose that major because they want to be an author, I chose it because I wanted to be a songwriter. I've gone through my phases of poetry writing, novel writing, etc., but the one outlet that always resurfaced with me was songwriting. It began when I was an early teen with some awful, though promising, songs, hibernated for a while, then came back out in full force in college.

I especially got back into songwriting by my junior year and was in it, as best I could tell, for good. Any other job I held or would hold would just be out of necessity, with the goal always being songwriting. One of the happiest times of my life so far was the summer of 2009 when I spent six weeks with family in Memphis, where I first got some direction in the songwriting world, recorded my first demos, and found out about GMA's IMMERSE conference, which I attended later that summer. It was a magical time.

Then, as I mentioned, my health disappeared. And it took a lot of me with it, including my songwriting and my lung capacity to sing.

The other day, I stumbled on this page that I was certain didn't exist anymore, as my subscription ran out long ago. But here, in all their glory, are five of the many demos I recorded over those few years. So I thought I would share them here.

The music and lyrics are by me, and yes that is me singing, but the accompaniment is by my friend Alandra on 1, 2, and 4 and by my cousin Olivia on 3 and 5. They're just demos--you'll hear a chair squeak now and then--and my voice never quite does the bigger songs justice, but collaborating to see a song come alive with accompaniment is magical, and so is recording. That first summer recording in Memphis will always be so very special to me, as will these songs, some recorded there and some later in West Virginia.

These songs are so old now but are still very much me. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be "Let the Sky Weep," though "When We Dance" will always be connected to that summer mentioned above and the amazing thrills that came with it. I hope there's one or two you like.  :)

MLT XI: New and Noteworthy

Even though it's Christmas and, yes, I have been listening to lots of Christmas music lately, I've still been adding new "regular" songs here and there to my rotation and thought I'd share those today. :)

Unfortunately I missed this broadcast but found the video on good old Youtube. How amazing is this?? (So help me, those two belong together. At least in the dream world of Nashville.)

And of course this awesome song from The Voice runner-up, which I tore apart for you on Friday.

I loved this when Jena performed it months ago on AI, and now she's finally released the single. So of course, I bought it.

And I went back through all the Emily West that iTunes could offer and added this one to my collection. Just can't get enough of her...

Plus, she recently released "Chandelier," as I believe I've mentioned before, and even more recently released her music video for it!

One other artist I've recently discovered but that is not on Youtube is Megan James. I was looking at Emily West options on iTunes, as I mentioned, and decided to click on a couple of the suggestions at the bottom, which I don't often do. And as soon as Megan James's clip started playing, she sounded soo much like Emily West. Now, she's not Emily West (no one could be), just has hints of her, but she is really good! I love her song "She Doesn't Know It Yet" from her EP Love Outside the Lines and can only send you to iTunes to preview it, as I can't find it anywhere else.

This girl is so good that I thought surely she had more music out or was about to by now, since the EP was released summer 2013. But in all my internet digging, her Facebook page has been silent since the release of the album, and I can find very little else. Evidently the purpose of the EP was to raise money to bring her adopted children here from another country, and that's all she's released. I can't believe it! It doesn't even look like she's working on any music at all and hasn't mentioned it forever, and that is so sad because, let me tell you, there are hints of brilliance in her EP, and her voice is amazing. I'm as perplexed by her whole situation as I am sad it looks like that's it from her as I am glad I found what I did.

Meanwhile in other music news, looks like 2015's gonna be a big year from the start: Javier Colon, Sylvia Yacoub, Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio, and of course Emily West (and I'm sure more I'm forgetting right now) will all be releasing albums in the next few months, and I am sooo excited. Bet you can't guess which one I'm most excited about! ;)

Are you listening to anything besides Christmas music lately?

Do you have any new favorites?

And have you ever heard of Megan James?

MLT X: Christmas Memories & Favorites

Hmm, wonder what we're covering today? ;) I've already mentioned before how I'm not a massive fan of Christmas (what??) and a large part of that is because it feels like there are about 20 Christmas songs that everyone records--and we get to hear every year--over and over and over. And I'm all for originality and depth in music, along with some variety.

So I decided to finally round up the Christmas music I do like in an attempt to make this hard season a bit happier. And the following has certainly been nice to listen to while wrapping gifts--and I've even found a couple new favorites this year!

As far as whole albums, these are my top picks:

Scotty McCreery || This pick really floors me. I never voted for Scotty on American Idol and have never bought another song of his. But I tried out Country Christmas Radio on Pandora and liked what I heard every time he came on, to the point that I decided I needed the whole album. And I pretty much love it--I'm not sure why, but I'll take it! I'll get into specifics below.

Andrea Bocelli || I love Andrea. And this album is just as good as anything else he does.

Michael W. Smith || There is a definite trend in my favorite Christmas music: the songs/albums are frequently by artists I'm not normally a fan of. I've never loved Michael W. Smith, but his Christmas albums are always pretty amazing, and this one is my favorite. He definitely wins for originality. If you want to know how to make a Christmas album, look to him for the perfect example. (We actually used "Song for the King" as the Processional in our wedding, which was in May--it didn't sound Christmasy at all on its own.)

Mariah Carey || Again, not a fan of Mariah Carey (especially after seeing her be a judge on Idol...), but this album is awesome. Especially "Joy to the World"--it is amazing.

The Nutcracker || Yep, love the Nutcracker. See, I love classical music too!

Antique Music Box Christmas || I think I picked this out at Walmart or Big Lots when I was about 10. You know, back when you just bought music without listening first. And I loved it. Warning: don't listen to it if you really need to stay awake. ;)

Gaither Homecoming: Christmas: A Time for Joy || Okay, this one needs an explanation. We started watching this what feels like all the time back when I was like 14. I hadn't watched it in years and found the CD on iTunes recently. And decided I needed it because it makes me happy. :) So, yeah, while this album isn't really overflowing with amazing works of musical brilliance or anything, it definitely makes me smile, and that makes it worth every penny. ;)

Now specifics:

This is definitely my favorite song on the Gaither album above. Love it.

And this song from Scotty McCreery's album. Oh my.

Now, back as far as I can remember, we would listen to these Christmas tapes (I'm thinking by Reader's Digest) and these next three songs were on there. So just hearing them makes me feel like I'm about 4 again. ;) "Hard Candy Christmas" is still a hit in my family...

I mentioned way back when that Daniel and I love this song and the story of him tracking it down for me. As a writer, I do think the words could be better in some places... but it's so our song. :D

Once again, not a Rebecca St. James fan at all, but this song is a long-standing favorite of mine.

I love this song, and Sissel's is my favorite version. And it is not on iTunes, which makes me sad. If you find it, let me know!

A more recent addition to my favorites list:

And my newest favorite. As I've mentioned before, I loved the original version Michael W. Smith recorded back in like 2000, and now this version is just as amazing in a different way. And I think it's my most favorite Christmas song ever.

So! What are your favorite Christmas songs or albums?

Are any of these your favorites too?

And am I the only one tired of the same old, same old?

MLT IX: Happy for Deep People

If you know me at all, you know that I love music. And if you really know me, you know that I am all about the sad songs. Hear me out:

I know nothing about Dr. Who, but no quote has ever described me more. As I put it to a friend once, I do happy weird. Old things make me sad-happy, and similarly, sad songs make me happy in a way happy songs can't. It's part of being a creative, melancholy-temperament introvert. Even back when I was an early teenager, I placed in a poetry contest with a piece about an old, crumbling, abandoned house. That's just where my creativity goes: "sad" and deep. I have always been that way and really can't imagine not being so.

So today, I give you the best 10 sad songs! Not to be confused with the top 10 saddest songs, no, these are my favorites of the sad ones. Feel me? ;)

Now, if you're most people, you may find this playlist depressing. (Sorry!) But if you're weird like me, you'll have a deep kind of happiness listening to these. :)

10~ "Cry," Kelly Clarkson

9~ "You're Just a Country Boy," Alison Krauss

8~ "I Know You By Heart," Eva Cassidy

7~ "Go," Kate York

Youtube fails me on this one, but you can preview and get it here. 

6~ "Been a Long Day," Rosi Golan

5~ "I Will Never Forget You," Danielle Bradbery

4~ "Last Kiss" Taylor Swift

3~ "Say Something," A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera

2~ "Blue Sky," Emily West

1~ "One Moment More," Mindy Smith

Beautiful. :)

What would you add to this list?

Anyone else out there do happy weird?

MLT VIII: All Is Well and Emily West

Well, I'm still recovering from our trip to Pennsylvania to my in-laws for Thanksgiving. Curiously enough I'm doing worse today than I was yesterday. You know when I don't make dinner and have trouble just using my fingers to edit photos that it's a bad day. But I'll tell you in a minute what made it better for a moment! ;D

But first...

So I decided to watch the CMA Christmas special on ABC on Monday. You know, in the background and switching during commercials to The Voice. I was mostly watching for Clare Bowen and knew Carrie Underwood would be performing but didn't know she would be singing with Michael W. Smith. And then I heard it announced that she would be singing "All Is Well" with him and flipped out. I love that song and hadn't heard it in years. I knew it would be amazing. And it was. Holy. freaking. cow.

It's amazing in a different way from the original choir version but equally fantabulous. Here's the original:

So we'll be buying that, from his new Christmas album, in the near future.

Meanwhile, in other music discoveries, found this on Facebook the other day:

I don't have adjectives sufficient for it except "on repeat."

And in even bigger news, Emily West released 2 singles last night!! Finally "Chandelier" can be taken home and kept forever. :D She also released "Santa Baby," which I've never cared for, but ... it's Emily West! I think it's safe to say that she is officially my favorite singer, period. Ever. 

Here's a reminder of her out-of-this-world AGT performance of "Chandelier."

And in the biggest news of all:

Yeah, that made my day. And maybe week. The REAL Emily West!! In the middle of a rough day, a few giddy scream-squeals was just what I needed. :)

What music are you loving lately? 

Did you watch the CMA Christmas special?

Is anyone out there as excited about Emily West as I am??

MLT VII: 5 {More} Artists You Need to Know About

A few months ago, I shared 5 artists that I think deserve a lot more publicity than they're getting. I'd never thought of myself as someone who loves artists that a lot of people have never heard of, but I'm starting to realize that might just be the case! So for this Music Love Tuesday, I want to share 5 more artists you need to know about (aka nobodies who should be somebodies ;).

Chantilly || This first artist is actually a fellow blogger, which is actually how I found her! And whenever I find a blogger who's also a musician, I gotta listen. And this is one of my top 3 favorites of hers:

Unfortunately my two huge favorites of hers, "Escape" and "What You Do to Me," aren't on Youtube, but you can listen to them (which you should definitely do)--and buy them!--here! Love those two! I think she's slowly working on a new EP, and I can't wait to hear it.

Elka || So, I'd bet a ton of money you've never heard of this artist. ;) I'd even bet I don't personally know anyone who's heard of her--besides from me. Why? Cause she's Russian of course!

I discovered Elka (pronounced "Yolka") a couple years ago while watching Russia's version of X Factor on Youtube (what else?), where she was a judge, and I decided to look her up. Awesomeness. Her music is amazing, and Daniel even likes listening to her too! ;) And no, I don't know what all she's saying unless I look it up, but I do know the gist of my favorites. ;)

Here's one of my favorites of hers (won't let me embed), along with these (translated "Hot Air Balloon" and "Near You"):

Eva Cassidy || I first heard Eva Cassidy when Michelle Kwan skated to "Fields of Gold" back ages ago at the Olympics.(Anyone else remember that?)

I finally looked it up probably a couple years after that and discovered Eva Cassidy and her story. Unfortunately she died of cancer in 1996 when she was 33. I started listening to the rest of her music and found a couple favorites to go along with "Fields of Gold":

Audra McLaughlin || Of course you've heard me ramble about mention Audra before. But in case you missed it, here she is again! Not a clue how she didn't make it farther on The Voice, but I can't wait until she comes out with more music.

My favorite from The Voice:

And a duet she recently released:

Ryn Weaver || And finally, I found this artist through Abigail at Rites of Asylum and holy cow, am I glad she shared this song!

I know I've mentioned it here before, but I just Love, love, love it so much! I cannot believe this song isn't more popular by now, and I cannot believe this artist has only released an EP so far. So much good stuff is yet to come from her!

So, who are some artists you love,

especially ones that aren't shared nearly enough?

Music Love Tuesday VI: On Repeat

Back again for my favorite: Music Love Tuesday! Some new music has appeared since my last music post, incuding Nashville's Christmas album. Have you guys heard it yet? I have to say ... I'm disappointed with it and haven't bought any of the songs. Coming from a show that's known for original songs, wouldn't you think they would have included several such Christmas songs? But there are only a couple on there that aren't your usual, run-into-the ground songs. And having Clare sing "Santa Baby" and Connie sing the "Grinch" song, of all things? Really?? And who wants a duet of "Luke and Rayna" singing, when 98% of fans hate Luke? Sigh.

But! Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio are both working on albums to release next year! AND THIS IS HOW EXCITED THAT MAKES ME!!! !!!!!!!!!  :D :D :D :D!!!

Moving on...

More new music released in the past week or so is Angie Miller's long-awaited EP. This girl turned down a record deal to let her faithful fans help fund her first album through Pledgemusic, which is both gutsy and interesting. (Though I cannot now find where I read that.) I looooved her when she was on American Idol what now feels like ages ago. However, like the Nashville album, I haven't bought any of her songs either... I don't know why; it's not that they're all bad (a couple kinda are though...), they just don't make me have to buy them. Maybe her next album will.

So while a couple of new releases have not won me over, one in particular has!

And they replied! :D The little things...

Anyone remember Pia Toscano back from American Idol season 10 in 2011? She's one of those people that are SO good and so perfect you know they won't win. Know what I mean? America's odd like that. And she made it to 9th place. But now she's formed a duo with Jared Lee called 7EAST and released a single, which I promptly watched. And it was good, though for some reason it didn't feel like a song that would take off. And I also kind of wanted Alex & Sierra to be singing it, as it sounds a lot like them (especially Jared). So I moved on with other things, and then had the urge to listen to it again. Then over and over again. So I bought it. And now I listen to it over and over again. So I say, well done. ;)

And popularly paired with that song on repeat is this song I mentioned in my last MLT post:

Same story with it: it was good. Then I decided I love it. It's all about Audra.

And while I'm listening to that song of hers, I might as well listen to this one too. Which is exactly what I've been doing.

Other songs that have been rotated constantly the past couple weeks are, of course, Taylor Swift's new ones, namely Wildest Dreams, Clean, and Wonderland (which I would include here but can't find on Grooveshark or Youtube).

And! I managed to find a new favorite this past weekend, thanks to Pandora:

I had never heard of Tracy Chapman, and this song got my attention right away. I just knew it was a new song, as it totally sounds like it could be current (reminds me of Passenger, who I don't like, but anyway), however it's from 1995. Crazy!

So! What music have you been loving lately?

Have anything stuck on repeat like me?

Music Love Tuesday V: Taylor Won

 

Well first of all, this happened...

Yep, surprising even myself, I decided to buy it. Thanks, Target, for holding bonus tracks hostage. I liked just enough that I determined I needed to just buy the whole thing. Hey, maybe I'll be one of the winners! ;P Plus, the voice memos are fascinating.

Now that I've heard all of the songs on 1989 multiple times, my favorites from last week mostly remain, the top 2 especially-- I love "I Wish You Would" and "Wildest Dreams," of course. Though I need to add "Clean" and "Wonderland" to the list, somewhere in there. I told you the more you listen, the more they grow on you! (Okay, but I really don't care much for "You Are in Love," "New Romantics," and "This Love." There, I don't love all of it.)

Meanwhile, in other music thoughts, after tonight's pointless episode of The Voice (you'd think they'd learn to quit doing those recap shows), we're finally to the live shows! And while I really don't have a favorite yet (am I the only one?) watching last night made me suddenly remember my favorite from last season: Audra McLaughlin!

So I promptly looked her up on Facebook, wondering how on earth I hadn't liked her page yet, to find I never refollowed her after unfollowing her during the competition to avoid spoilers. So I have been totally out of the loop on any developments! I quickly remedied that and found her on Twitter and Instagram also but sadly found she's released only a single, a duet, since the show. I bought it anyway. ;)

It's not the best song in the world, and Shawn is okay, but she could make the phonebook sound awesome. So now can someone please tell me why she isn't more popular yet?? Am I the only one who finds her voice absolutely remarkable?

I also found I hadn't bought any of her songs from the show, so quickly remedied that too by buying my two favorites. (I don't know what happened with me--I guess when she was eliminated, I just pouted?)

And now I want her to sing this song:

And speaking of Emily West, she's finally announced that her album is coming in March! I was really surprised that it's so soon--that's a ton of work in a short amount of time, but of course I'm glad. And I'm also happy for her that she's gotten a record deal, as she also announced, and I hope it helps her make the album of her dreams. And I have got a signed copy headed my way. :D Yeah, I'm always gonna throw that out there. :)

So! What music are you loving lately? 

Any favorites on The Voice yet?

Music Love Tuesday IV: "1989"

Man, it really seems like we just did Music Love Tuesday, but here we are again! And of course, considering I'm a Taylor Swift fan, you knew I had to devote this week's to her new album, right?

Okay, what do you think of 1989? I've seen mixed reviews--and that's pretty much how I feel about it too. I've never loved everything she's done--just a decent amount of her music, some of which I love, love, love. I do really respect her in many ways and think she is brilliant. And as a creative, I am excited for her about this album, even if I don't love it all. But, as usual, there are a few I really like and a couple I love. And I will say, the songs all grow on you the more you hear them. And also, as different as this album is, it's still Taylor, and therefore still oddly soothing to listen to and have on in the background. But that's just how my brain processes her music. :)

Now here I am, trying to list out my favorites, and the more I go through the songs the more I like and the harder it is to just pick a few--except for #1, which was a no-brainer for me--so we're going with my top 6. 

{Side note: Does "This Love" remind anyone else vaguely of "Holy Ground"? Just me?}

And as these aren't all on Youtube yet, we're having to go with the much less exciting version of Grooveshark.

#6 - Shake It Off

Yep, I didn't care for this one at first. Then it came on Pandora one day and made me happy, and now I like it. ;)

#5 - I Know Places

#4 - Blank Space

#3 - Bad Blood

As these top three are in a row (not in this order though) on the album, she was really on a roll here!

#2 - I Wish You Would

#1 - Wildest Dreams

This song is just soo pretty--the melody is gorgeous, enough so to make it stand out from the rest for me right away. The chorus is absolute perfection and just kills me. Again, brilliant.

 

Okay, so let me know! What are your favorites? 

Do you think she'll keep doing pop now?

If you love Taylor, be sure to check out my pre-"1989" top 10 favorites of hers!

 

Music Love Tuesday III: Nashville Obsession

Are you tired of hearing about Nashville yet? Sorry! Cause we're all about Nashville today!

I discovered Nashville up late one night last year on Hulu and had no idea how much I would love it. It's kind of weird how much I do, because, honestly, things get pretty messed up on there, and there is so. much. drama. But two things are what do it: the acting is amazing. Your brain doesn't even register them as acting but as real people. And it's all about singers and songwriters. And that is just perfection and takes on a whole new level of love and meaning for those who are singers or songwriters, or even those who just have a deep love for music. 

The show is good, the storyline is good, the acting is amazing--but the extra layer of music chosen and often written just for this show is nothing short of brilliant. (Can someone please tell me why this music isn't all over the radio??) I only hope it continues for several more seasons. But even if not, rewatching all the episodes recently has helped me discover that I think I could go through them all and then start right over and go around again. And that I also need to just buy all of the albums they've put out instead of just my favorite songs. The music is awesome in its own right but when you love this show, all of the music becomes a special soundtrack of so many memories. So I just need to buy it all sometime. ;)

So, in the meantime, I wanted to share my favorite Nashville songs with you in order of awesomeness:

~10~

This moment was awesome. Enough said.

~9~

~8~

This song is not on iTunes, and that makes me very sad.

~7~

~6~

I really hope this show lasts long enough for Maddie to get old enough to go on tour and 

have all her own guy problems, etc.--so much potential for a wealth of drama. ;)

~5~

~4~

~3~

I didn't even realize how much I liked this song, or that it was on iTunes, 

until I went back through season 2 this past week. Love it.

~2~

~1~

And the song that trumps all songs. Which I also didn't really discover until my second time watching season 2. This is my very favorite song right now, and I think I could cry every time I hear it. Plus, it's an amazingly emotional song in the context of the show. But it was written for me, and they just don't know it. You can hear the full thing here.

So! Are you a Nashville fan? Do you love any of these too? 

Please tell me your favorites!

Music Love Tuesday II: Taylor Swift Love

In honor of Taylor Swift's upcoming new album, plus one of her new songs being released last night, I thought I would devote this Music Love Tuesday to sharing my most favorite songs of hers. I was a little late to the Taylor Swift bandwagon, only coming on board once I saw her debut "Back to December" on TV back in 2010. It was amazing. "Mean" became a quick favorite of mine too. I'm not a fanatic in the sense that I go out and buy every album she puts out (I don't think I do that with anyone), but I do really like a large percentage of her music and have huge admiration for her, and man do I love the songs I love. I also find her slower stuff very soothing to listen to.

I actually have a playlist of my favorites of hers, and there are 17 songs in it... So, I've endeavored to trim it down a bit for you guys to share my top 10 Taylor picks:

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3



1 ~Tied

Yes, if I had to pick my absolute favorite, I'd pick these two. ;) They are two totally opposite ends of the spectrum but I love, love, love them both. One will always bump out the other depending on the day. "I Knew You Were Trouble" was a tad controversial among Swifties, but I think it is awesome. 

You can see I tend to go for the slow, sad songs, huh? ;) Doesn't bode too well for me loving this new album, but you really never know with me (see #1).

I do have to say I am a little unsure of how this new album will go. I mean, chances are good her fans aren't going anywhere--they are way too established and loyal at this point to leave her now. But I am very, very curious how it sounds and am quite eager to find out. No, I haven't pre-ordered it, but we'll see once it comes out if I feel compelled to buy the whole thing (which I'm prepared for).

So, for you fans out there, what are your favorite songs of hers? Do you like "Shake It Off" and "Out of the Woods"? And are we feeling good about this new album?

Music Love Tuesday

You may have gathered by now that music is a huge part of my life. I have it on in the background allll the time. So since it's so important to me, I thought why not share what I'm loving right now?

I may make this a recurring feature here on the blog, though fair warning that you may see some of the same ones week after week. ;)

Good ol' Pandora has introduced me to all kinds of new favorites. When that happens, I generally hear a song, kind of like it, may or may not give it a thumbs up, and then when I keep hearing it, I realize I keep liking it every time and get happy when I hear it start, before I maybe even realize what it is. At that point that means I probably should go ahead and buy it. ;) This is one of those songs. It is so sad that Caitlin & Will didn't have more success. This is from the only EP they released a few years ago, and I would have loved to hear more from them, especially her. Her voice is very Danielle Bradbery, but with a unique element in there that I would have thought would make more people like her.

 ~

Alex & Sierra's debut album is finally here!! It's pretty good. And I definitely have my favorites, of course.

If you love this song, you've got to see them sing it live. Look how much fun they have!!

And if you'd like to see their insanely lovey-dovey selves sing this live, check out this video. I don't know how she doesn't end up crying at some point in every concert.(She very well might.)

~

Are you tired of hearing about Emily West yet? Cause I'm sure not tired of talking about her! So you better get used to it. ;) After hearing it over and over on "Emily West radio" on Pandora, I finally bought her song "Rocket Science." I'm sorry the link to its preview in iTunes is the only place I can find it! She's also offered free downloads of two of her songs to pledgers, which I just happen to be. :D And you can be too! She's already hit 200% of her goal, but it's still going!

This is another song of hers that I first found on Youtube. Of course, like all her songs available right now, they're all pre-AGT.

And of course, this song continues to get played all that time. It's been that way for over 2 1/2 months now... :)

~

And before I go, I gotta remind you about my reader survey (that includes a thank you at the 

end--not just a chance to win a thank you!) and my hugongous giveaway that ends Wednesday night!

 So! What music are you loving right now? Would you like to see this as a recurring feature around here? 

If you haven't heard some of these songs, you should totally listen to at least one--you might become as obsessed as I am! :P

{Linking up with Monday Morning Gossip, Let It Shine, Manic Monday here and here and Be You Tiful Link Party}