Ahhhh, the golden years!

My buddy Biba made that picture for me and it just cracks me up every time I see it! So as you can probably guess it's my birthday today...my GOLDEN birthday in fact. I'm 29 on the 29th and it's GLORIOUS! I share my birthday week and month with some fantastic people that I adore more than words can properly express. Some of my closest and dearest friends were born in the month of March...I like to surround myself with amazing people ya know. Coincidence? Me thinks not. In honor of all those that I love (and myself, duh!) on this special day/week/month, I've compiled a playlist of 29 aptly titled or otherwise appropriate songs that I thought I'd share here with the masses.

Whether you're a fiery Aries or a fishy Pisces, may your March birthday be grand in every way!

50 Cent – In Da Club

Alabama – Born Country

Altered Images – Happy Birthday

Andrew Bird – The Happy Birthday Song

Ben Lee – Birthday Song

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A.

Clem Snide – Happy Birthday

Cibo Matto – Birthday Cake

Conway Twitty – Happy Birthday Darlin’

Do Make Say Think – 1978

Don McLean – The Birthday Song

Ed Harcourt – Born In The 70’s

Eric Clapton – Slow Down Linda

Gin Blossoms – 29

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Birthday Party

Junior Boys – Birthday

Meredith Brooks – Birthday

Mirah – Birthday Present

Ronnie Milsap – Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Ryan Adams – 29

Sara Evans – Born To Fly

Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday

String Cheese Incident – Happy Birthday

Sufjan Stevens - Happy Birthday

The Amateurs – Your Birthday

The Beatles – Birthday

The National – 29 Years

The Replacements – Birthday Gal

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Anatomy In Song

So Izzie & her best buddy George did the unthinkable last week and had sex. From experience, this is never a good idea. My motto is that you can always go forward but you can never go back. When your very best friend in the world happens to be a member of the opposite sex you must always, always, always proceed with caution. Even if you think you’re not attracted or they’re not attracted, things can happen. Strange, unimaginable, crazy, off the wall things happen when two souls bond through friendship. Ya gotta be careful with matters of the heart because once you cross the line from Friendville to Fuckytown things always get awkward. Don’t think it won’t happen to you. You’re not immune…it happens to the best of us. And once it does, it’s like opening Pandora’s Box and often times it’s the beginning of the end. Arguments happen, tensions occur, you find yourself not wanting to see the other person for fear of what they’ll say…what you’ll say…what they might want…what you might want. And you are no longer “just friends” and you never will be again. From that point forward they will always be your friend “with benefits”. Even if it was just one time; oh yes…one night can ruin even the strongest and healthiest of friendships. /End P.S.A. Iz & George were already treading on thin ice to begin with after her many bouts of diarrhea of the mouth with regard to the new Mrs. O’Malley but this…THIS just put the nail in the coffin of what was once a great friendship. Their acting in the linen closet was superb. Go back and re-watch that scene. Seriously, I’ll wait. If you’ve ever been in a predicament like that then you know how spot on that actually is. I’m surprised Shonda and Co. took it there with Izzie & George but they did and now there’s no going back. I actually can’t wait to see what happens next.

In the meantime, I’ll occupy myself by delving further into the careers and music of the four artists’ featured last night… all of whom I’m enjoying immensely this morning.

Mirah – "La Familia" (Remix by Guy Sigsworth)

It’s been a decade since this 32 year old Jewish singing-songwriting sensation from Pennsylvania put out her first EP, Storageland, and yet I’ve never heard of her. Not in whispers or screams. WHY?! Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn has the charm, voice, style and attitude that I love in an artist. She sometimes reminds me of my beloved Maria Taylor with a splash of the spunk of Pink. If I had to classify her music (which you know I hate to do since I’ve always believed labels are for jars and not people) I’d say she’s got a really great mix of folk rock and indie pop about her. Her voice is soft and delicate but by no means weak and her lyrics are engaging and honest…full of the themes that make life important. Mirah currently resides in Olympia, Washington where she attended Evergreen State College and went on to join the roster of artists at K in 1999. Some fun facts I found while researching: Mirah was born on the kitchen table of her parent’s home in 1974 and she was a guest of the awesome Nickelodeon show Double Dare back when Marc Summers was the host and it was good…in 1986.

Adam Merrin – "Still, Alright"

If you’re fans of L.A. band The 88 then you already know who Adam Merrin is. If you don’t know who The 88 are, then acquaint yourself here. I first heard The 88 while tuning into KCRW’s Morning Becomes EclecticAndrea turned me onto a few years ago. which my awesome pal Then I caught them on Jimmy Kimmel late one night during my retirement period and THEN I heard them pop up last season in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy with a song called “Hide Another Mistake” which I loved. They have that distinct L.A. sound that I love…I can’t help but think of Orson when I listen to The 88 and vice versa. Had I discovered Over & Over in 2005 when it was released, trust that it would have made my “best of” list that year. Why is Adam Merrin doing a solo project…did he leave the band? The answer is no. After recording on their upcoming album (to be released later this year) Adam used his time off to continue recording on his own and released his solo EP, Have One, in January. He definitely used his time wisely. Catch Adam with The 88 when they hit the road with Sloan in the next few weeks.

Let’s Go Sailing – “Sideways”

Let’s Go Sailing – “All I Want From You Is Love”

Having no clue who Let’s Go Sailing are I checked out their site and was tickled that this is at the top of their news section: “3/21/07 Hello!!!! We have some humonstrous news! There will be 2, yes 2!!! LGS songs on the next episode of Grey's Anatomy airing this Thursday 3/22 on ABC. "All I Want From You is Love" and "Sideways" will both be played and look out for "Sideways" over the ending sequence!!!! Can you believe Oprah's going to hear LGS?!” I love that they’re so enthusiastic about their appearance on the show and even more than that, I hope they never lose that excitement for sharing their songs. Too many really great artists don’t keep the excitement for the sharing…it’s sad when that happens. Let’s Go Sailing can be found on land these days. They just played SXSW and are currently making their way through the US in support of their debut The Chaos In Order. I got my hands on it today and it's good so expect me to mention it again at a later date if my life will ever slow down long enough to give it it's due. I’m thinking of seeing them in Dallas next month and if I get the chance, all you who lurk and don’t comment will get to hear all about it.

Alamo Race Track – "Black Cat John Brown"

Their debut album, Birds At Home was met with lots of enthusiasm and acclaim in their native Netherlands and neighboring France. The Dutchmen so impressed those in the know in the worldwide music community that they were asked to perform at the SXSW music festival here in the states last week. (I got some awesome feedback about their set from friends who were in attendance.) Their sophomore effort, Black Cat John Brown was met with the same enthusiasm as their first and fresh off that North American debut in Austin and now with the exposure from Grey’s Anatomy, Alamo Race Track is poised to be a big name in music this year and perhaps they can finally make their mark in the off the Myspace map in the US. I’m diggin’ the overall sound of Black Cat John Brown this afternoon and will probably do a more extensive write up in the near future.

Anatomy In Song

I've been on vaca in The Lou since Thursday so this is late. Deal with it. Despite the fact that the episode itself was a bit weak, some great tunes were played during "Scars & Souvenirs" and here they are now...


"Come To Me" - Koop

Despite my Swedish heritage and my love for Ane Brun, prior to watching Grey’s last Thursday I’d never heard of the Stockholm duo of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson who are known to me now as Koop. Their eclectic, retro sound born of modern jazz, classic swing and sampling is a mini vacation for the senses. I haven’t had the chance to check out any of their albums yet but if “Come to Me” is any indication of what they’re all about, I’m already a fan.

“Girlshapedlovedrug” – Gomez

Those of you who know me or who read my list of “must have albums” for 2006 know how I adore Gomez and this song in particular so I was really happy to hear the group be featured on Grey’s Anatomy again. They’ve become favorites of the show it seems and they couldn’t deserve it more. The UK fab five are currently on tour in Australia and will be coming stateside in July as they couple with Eisley to support The Fray on the second leg of their summer tour. Don’t be an idiot; hit a show when they come near you.

“Hi” – Psapp

Again with my favorites of last year! Psapp was on my contender list and I actually used this song to highlight the album on said list. But I digress…the point is Galia Durant and Carim Clasman are amazing. Andrea originally got me into them a few years ago and I’ve been a fan since. Then ABC used their song “Cosy In The Rocket” and the rest is history. The architects of their own special blend of experimental electronica, dubbed “toytronica”, Psapp are known far and wide for their diverse Indie pop sound as well as their onstage antics like homemade cat throwing. You have to be there to appreciate it. (They have their own game on their website…CATastrophe! Play it here.) At present, Galia is focusing on her art (much of which can be found adorning their albums) with exhibitions in their native UK. If you haven’t acquainted yourself with Psapp and their music yet, I strongly encourage you to do so…it’s fun. F’real.

“Land Of No Return” – Wild Sweet Orange

First of all, I ADORE the name of this B-ham band…Wild Sweet Orange…yum! Secondly, over the years I’ve come to realize that Birmingham truly is the “Magic City” and must be overflowing with musical talent as every time I turn around it seems a great new group is emerging from our nation’s southern shores. Third, I’m a big fan of Reg’s Coffee House and you should be too. Reg’s is actually where I first heard Wild Sweet Orange last year when they were featured as the unsigned artist of the week. I searched around for an album, EP or demo then to no avail. I still only have a handful of tracks from this gifted quintet of 20 something’s with an awesome southern alt rock indie sound but they’re a handful of good ones and I’m eagerly anticipating a debut from them. Rest assured that when I have it in my hot little hands, you’ll hear about it.

“Move You” – Anya Marina

The lovely and quirky San Diego DJ turned singer-songwriter Anya Marina is yet another Grey’s alum who made an appearance last Thursday’s episode. “Move You” brings Anya’s song count on the show to three by joining “Sociopath” and “Miss Halfway” from Marina’s 2004 debut. The powers that be liked “Miss Halfway” enough to include it on the second volume of the Grey’s soundtrack which is mighty impressive. Marina hasn’t jumped ship and quit her day job though…she can be found spinning the midday hits on San Diego’s 94.9 weekdays from 9-2. You can listen live and I suggest you do…her show is a lot of fun.

"All the men with enormous heads and tiny hearts..."

"In the end they’re only playing incidental parts...don’t you know it’ll all be gone when you’re gone?"

To be honest I’m not quite sure how the hell I stumbled upon Karine Polwart and her unique brand of contemporary folk music. Perhaps it was via cable on BBC America or any number of the music magazines that litter my living room coffee table. I’m sadly addicted to both, you know. Maybe I stumbled on her music after researching or hearing another artist…I can’t recall. No matter the way it came to be that I met Karine Polwart’s music, I am grateful. For the past few months I’ve been quietly obsessed with Polwart’s messages. The Scottish songstress is an amazingly down to Earth, outspoken, well read, politically minded individual whose work speaks to the core of me. With a soft style that reminds me of Alison Krauss, Polwart’s distinctively Scottish voice is very much the foundation of all of her songs…she’s unmistakable. Her lyrics range from thought provoking, tackling difficult subject matter like domestic violence, genocide, sex trafficking and television executions, to wistful, pleasant and hopeful musings. Above all her music is honest. True to her ideals, true to her roots…true to herself; an admirable quality for an artist in today’s ever fickle music climate full of facsimiles.

Her first album, Faultlines, debuted in 2003 to rave reviews and Polwart was quickly crowned the best of the best and a rising star of the Scottish folk scene. After a few listens to songs like the jazz infused “Only One Way” and the breathtaking and often times “The Light on the Shore” it’s easy to see where all the praise came from…all well deserved. Scribbled In Chalk finds Polwart attempting yet again to merge her folk heritage and tenacious activist spirit to create and tell heartfelt, enlightening, important stories through song. Regarding her work, Polwart says, “The thing I love most of all about writing songs is the meanings they take on for people who hear them. More than anything else I want to move people or make them think. And I’m really humbled by the stories they tell me about their lives and experiences as a result.” Mission accomplished. I could delve deep into what the songs on this album mean to me but I’d rather you decide for yourself what to feel about them. I guarantee you won’t walk away from it having felt nothing…you’ll be moved one way or another. I could explain to you in grand detail what Karine has to say about the songs on Scribbled in Chalk but she does that so much better herself here.

Her current production is her most important to date as at present she is in her second trimester of pregnancy. I can’t wait to see how the experience of Motherhood affects her songwriting. Here are some of my favorite tracks from Scribbled in Chalk…

“Daisy”

“Maybe There’s A Road”

“Hole In The Heart”

“I’m Gonna Do It All”

"Come on baby girl let me see those legs!"

I love a lot of things in life and this new video from Ben Kweller does a great job of marrying a bunch of them. I love little old people...especially the ones who can run circles around me...the ones who are older in body but not in spirit and mind. I love music...especially lots of Ben's...Ben Kweller in particular. I love dancing...the goofy, "I don't care if anyone sees me I'm living in the moment" kind of dance when the music hits you and you just can't help but groove. And, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it when people honor their families. Check it out...it's adorable!

“Got a suitcase, got regrets…but I’m hopeful yet.”

Last year I got on a rather large Tom McRae kick after discovering his music so imagine my excitement when in my hot little hand I have at this moment a copy of his upcoming album King of Cards. After the praise that accompanied the release of his other albums many speculated whether or not McRae had another brilliant album in him and rest assured he has delivered yet another great collection. Again marrying intelligent lyrics and outstanding musical compositions, Tom still has what it takes to bring ‘em in on his fourth record. Fans of his previous efforts are in for a bit of a surprise with tracks like first single “Bright Lights” and the angst filled socio-political slam “Keep Your Picture Clear”. I love both though and any real Tom McRae fan will be pleased to see him branching out and I for one hope these tracks are indicative of where he may be heading in the future. The sentimental and melancholy McRae of old hasn’t gone completely M.I.A. and on “Lord, How Long” and “Deliver Me” he shows everyone where the Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley comparisons have come from over the years.

Britain’s best kept secret will be touring his home country in May supporting King of Cards which will be available in the states as an import on May 3^rd.

“Lord, How Long”

“Keep Your Picture Clear”

“Bright Lights”

"Got A Suitcase, Got Regrets"

Track Listing

1. "Set the Story Straight"
2. "Bright Lights"
3. "Got a Suitcase, Got Regrets"
4. "Keep Your Picture Clear"
5. "Houdini and the Girl"
6. "Sound of the City"
7. "On and On"
8. "Deliver Me"
9. "One Mississippi"
10. "The Ballad of Amelia Earhart"
11. "Lord, How Long?"

"It's hard for me to see when I'm wrong...it's hard for me to weep when I'm strong"

"...but I can never sleep when you're gone."

Brandi Carlile is back and better than ever on her sophomore album, The Story. Often likened to the rugged and fearless Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin before her, Brandi has wholly come into her own with this effort. Her voice, as always, lends itself to the types of raw emotion her lyrics and music create and in this affecting and candid trek through the universal themes of love, loss, friendship, tribulation and loneliness this is Carlile bravely stripped bare for the entire world to see. With the help of the celebrated and brilliant T Bone Burnett, The Story was recorded in only 11 days and even though it was recorded live to audio tape each every track is beautifully produced. Friends Amy Ray & Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls fame offer their talent on “Cannonball” to perfectly compliment Brandi’s own voice. This is a beautiful, poignant album full of topics that offer something for everyone.

Brandi will be takin’ it to the streets in the coming months after the album officially drops April 3^rd. Catch her at a venue near you soon! If you can’t see her live, check her out on April 4^th when she performs on The Tonight Show, April 27^th when she appears on Late Night or May 5^th when she is the musical guest in the Second Cup Café on the CBS Early Show.

Spring Tour Dates

April 2: San Francisco (Great American Music Hall)
April 3: Los Angeles (Troubadour)
April 6: San Diego (Casbah)
April 7: Tucson, Ariz. (Rialto Theatre)
April 10: Dallas (Bend Studios)
April 11: Austin, Texas (Parish)
April 13: New Orleans (Parrish at House of Blues)
April 16: Birmingham, Ala. (Workplay)
April 17: Nashville (Belcourt Theater)
April 18: Memphis (Newby's)
April 19: Atlanta (Variety Playhouse)
April 24: Washington, D.C. (Birchmere)
April 25: Philadelphia (World Cafe Live)
April 26: New York (Bowery Ballroom)
April 28: Northampton, Mass. (Iron Horse)
April 30: Towson, Md. (Recher Theatre)
May 2: Burlington, Vt. (Higher Ground)
May 4: Portsmouth, N.H. (Music Hall)
May 5: Boston (Paradise)
May 7: Toronto (Horseshoe Tavern)
May 8: Cleveland (Cambridge Room)
May 9: Ann Arbor, Mich. (The Ark)
May 11-12: Chicago (Schuba's)
May 15: Indianapolis (Music Mill)
May 16: Milwaukee (Shank Hall)
May 18-19: Minneapolis (Varsity Theater)
May 22: Boulder, Colo. (Fox Theatre)
May 23: Boise, Idaho (The Big Easy)
May 24: Spokane, Wash. (Big Easy Concert House)

Turpentine

Josephine

Cannonball

Shadow On The Wall

“I’m over the moon, taller than clouds. I’m sailing along, smiling out loud.”

Much like my beloved Weepies, The Innocence Mission is comprised of a very talented married singer/songwriter husband & wife duo with amazing skills and ethereal voices. With a little help from friend Mike Bitts on bass, Don & Karen Peris have created a beautiful album in We Walked in Song. New to me, they’re nowhere near new to the scene…this is their tenth studio release! I discovered them by way of Denison Witmer (who I’ll tell ya all about in length another day) and was taken aback by their sound. And I mean taken aback as in transported. Where had I heard them before? Karen’s voice is unmistakable…where had I heard it? After a little research I discovered that they had a track appear on the soundtrack for one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies of all time…Empire Records!

This isn’t an album you throw on to gear up for a night on the town. This is an album full of intimate introspection, longing, loss, love, redemption and connectivity. If you’re emotional like me, expect to cry. If you’re not emotional, expect to be moved regardless. Karen wrote the majority of the tracks after the passing of her father and the effect that had on her is apparent in much of We Walked in Song. However…don’t think this is a Debbie Downer disc because it’s not. It’s most assuredly as comforting as wrapping yourself in a blanket that has your Mother’s scent and rocking yourself to sleep.

The album drops March 13^th…pick it up when you get a chance. Consider it a long lullaby after a long, hard day.

"Brotherhood Of Man"

"Lake Shore Drive"

"Into Brooklyn, Early In The Morning"

"Since I Still Tell You My Every Day"

"You don't know what it's like..."

These two quiet crooners have no idea what it’s like to adore their music the way their fans do. Happy Monday to me! My friend the Amazing Ashley found this video over the weekend of Damien Rice and Ray LaMontagne performing The Bee Gees' classic “To Love Somebody”. Both boys could use a shave and a haircut but it’s their voices that always make the biggest impression so to hell with the rest of it. I melt. F’real.





Download it for the road…

Damien Rice & Ray LaMontagne - To Love Somebody


Ray is still on hiatus...hopefully taking a mental health holiday but Damien is kicking off his world tour in Lille, France tonight with The Magic Numbers (LOVE THEM!) and will perform in front of a sold out crowd at L’Aeronef. The Magic Numbers will continue on with Rice through Germany, Italy, Austria and France for the next few weeks and will be replaced by BellX1 in Scandinavian countries and Fionn Regan (LOVE HIM!) in the UK throughout the month of March before heading back across the pond to perform Canadian and US dates until the end of May. No rest for the weary though as he’ll be right back on the road again after that with several dates scheduled in Europe come Summer and the UK in October. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that The Magic Numbers will accompany him on the US dates but there’s no official word yet on who his opening act(s) will be on the North American leg of the tour. To check all the dates and find him performing at a venue near you, keep an eye on his ever growing list of live shows.