There are a handful of celebrities that are known by a single name. Sting, the former member of the English rock band The Police, is one of the rare musical talents that earned his must deserved recognition. The "Back to Bass" tour is one of the best tickets available this summer, as Sting tours with his five piece band and performs many of his classic hits.
Recently seen at the Borgata in Atlantic City, Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, aka Sting, is still rocking and commanding the stage with his signature bass. At 61 years old he is as fit as a man 20 years his junior and still has that distinctive voice that resulted in millions of albums sold and 11 music awards.
Check out some of his classics and a few new songs along with a pretty could documentary on him.
Back to Bass tour
Sting Videos
Desert Rose
Fragile
Shape of my heart
Every Breath you take
A good Sting Documentary
Sting is still rocking at 60+ ... check him out and enjoy!!
Things that make me happy... Mumford and Sons - Babel
The 2013 Grammy Award for Album of the Year goes to Mumford and Sons, Babel. Mumford and Sons (M&S) is a English Alternative Rock band (with a folk music sound) that have risen to the top of the British and American pop charts with their bluegrass alternative rock sound. Their most recent album Babel is one of the best of 2012 and definitely worth a listen for anyone looking for a new group to discover.
There are 12 tracks on Babel with several more hits to come on this album beyond "I Will Wait."
1. Babel - Love the hard driving beat on this title track.
2. Whispers in the Dark - Ok song.
3. I Will Wait - Super mega hit... an instant classic.
4. Holland Road - Great lyrics on this track.
5. Ghost that we Knew - Soft ballad
6. Lover of the Light - Another favorite song on this album.
7. Lovers' Eyes - This could be a sleeper hit.
8. Reminder - Another favorite soulful ballad.
9. Hopeless Wanderer - This has classic folk feel but there is an awesome Rock change up.
10. Broken Crown
11. Below my Feet
12. Not with Haste - This song takes it time... and builds and builds. love the music arc. Beautiful restraint!
M&S is not a new to many people and the Babel album has been out for several months now, but after their somewhat unexpected win at the Grammy's they deserve a closer look at the album. Once you take the time to sample you will quickly realize they are definitely worthy of becoming one of your new favorite groups to listen to in the car (and anywhere else really). 2012 might have been the year of alternative rock with folk rock sound. Although bands like the Dave Matthews Band have been bring this type of sound to fans for years, there are several musicians that have moved this pop folk sound to the top of the pop charts and major airplay on radio. Bon Iver, Lumineers, Fun, Florence + the Machine and even American Idol winner Phillip Phillips (Check out the hit Home) are just a few of the acts that have garnered lots of attention this year. All are worthy of checking out actually, but M&S combines interesting use of bluegrass instruments with lyrics from works of literature including Homer, Plato, and yes even Shakespeare. Wanna have some fun? Try matching lyrics in their songs to the literary author.
The band consist of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, Ted Dwayne all are talented musicians that play several instruments. It is refreshing to hear something that isn't necessary new, but refreshing a music that has been a part of American history. Mumford & Sons is leading the charge and bringing new fans to a music that stimulates the mind while it keeps your feet tapping. It sample some of their earlier music check out 2009 Sigh no More.
I Will Wait
The Cave
Lover of light
Below my Feet (SNL performance)
Live from Red Rock (now showing on Showtime on Demand)
Pros
1. Great music with a fun band with great instruments.
2. The lyrics sneak up on you. Very smart and it brings a lot to the music.
3. You got to love good old fashion knee slapping music.
Cons
1. Folk rock is everyone's cup of tea but if you want to explore this is a good place to start.
2. Many of the melodies may seem very similar at first glance, but this is Rock so you want to lower your expectation. Kinda of like reggae, the same beat can bring you so many variations with superior lyrics and delivery.
Mumford and Sons have the Gentleman of the Road tour documentary showing on Showtime on Demand this February if you want to check out the awesome live performance for yourself. The film features several performances from the tour at Red Rock in Colorado in the summer of 2012.
Music should bring you joy. Explore more and find out what you have been missing.
Things that make me happy... Taylor Hicks (yes that Taylor Hicks, the American Idol Season 5 winner)
Season 5 was the first season of American Idol that I actually watched from beginning to end and Taylor Hicks was obviously the best performer on the show. This silver hair 28 year old with the crazy dance steps and the rich soulful voice showed that American Idol had room for a true artist and not just conventional pop stars. And I have been watching ever since (Season 5 is still my favorite season.) Eight years later, I happened to get the chance to see him perform live in small town in CT. And I think I am just became an card carrying member of his random group of fans called the "Soul Patrol."
America definitely got it right voting him the winner over Katherine McPhee (star of Fox's Smash TV show). Taylor Hicks' live show is one of the best around for fans of "Soul" musical and enjoy all of the variety it can offer. Not only can he really sing (he has a awesome voice) but his blue-eye soulfulness comes out in ever song. He performs no less than 5 different musical styles in his shows, from contemporary R&B to Roadhouse music, to blues, and yes he does some country too. His energy on stage is infectious and the band he is currently touring with, Jamie McClean band, feeds of that energy. I found myself loving many of his songs and grabbing one of his album online afterwards... Yes its on my playlist this month.
Taylor Hicks has produce three albums after his American Idol win, self titled "Taylor Hicks", "Early Works", and "The Distance." Some compare him to Mike McDonald of the Doobie Brothers fame. Although they both have distinctive voices, and silver hair, Taylor Hicks is in his own category. He is one of several musician that has carved out a niche for classic music for today contemporary adult. The youngsters don't know about this type of music. Not yet anyways... but they will learn eventually.
35 years old Hicks is currently touring the country, mostly in smaller venues and has an album due out this year. So watch out for it if you like the music. And the Jamie McClean band is a pretty awesome blues band that is opening for him too. He makes his home in Nashville and plays at local venues a lot and has a restaurant and music venue in Birmingham called ORE Drink and Dine where is known to perform quite a bit.
A couple live clips from his recent tour.
What's Right is Right Video
Taylor Hicks dancing Montage...
Why Can't we Live Together
Pros:
1, Hicks is a great performer. His energy and great soulful voice is a rare combination. He also has some musical talents and jumps around stage playing a bunch of instruments.
2. Great musical variety... R&B, Blues, Rock, and some Country. All are good and natural for Hicks. Not many artist can do that.
3. Engages the audience and has a quick wit.
4. Seven Mile Breakdown is a fun song... Why Can't we Live Together another goodie
Cons
1. Hicks antics may annoy some stuffy type people. He jumps around stage and has a funny dance style...
2. Hicks is all about the music, no tricks on stage. Its an all male band of real good musician.
If you want to see a great live performance with great musicians and better music check out a Taylor Hicks concert in a town near you.
Things that make me happy... Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil
First of all... this is an a$$ kicking rock concert! Better than U2 360 tour. I said it.
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil is one of the best shows touring this season. It is a must for any true MJ fan. The music is excellent. The dancing phenomenal. And the best part... you can feel MJ presence during the show. This show will probably be on tour forever since MJ music is timeless and this living tribute is a proper way to keep his music alive.
The show features over 25 MJ songs including hits like Man in the Mirror, ABC, and Dangerous. There are 24 acts featuring signature Cirqe du Soleil performances like dance numbers, pole dancing, acrobats, and ring acts. But these acts are set to MJ music which is the true star of the show. Besides the music the lighting, choreography, and general showmanship is probably the best on stage today. Period!
So everyone knows that Michael was one of the best performers to ever grace the stage. So you can imagine what would happen if you fill the stage with dancers inspired by the greatest ever.? Credit must be given to the Mime that stars in the show and the one legged dance (yes, and he really is amazing). The director and writer, Jamie King, is owed much of the credit for putting together this show. His previous shows included Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Madonna (so if you ever seen a Madonna show you know this director got skills).
The Trailer
Backstage Video...
This show was definitely money well spent. Some of the favorite acts include Human Nature with night sky backed ariel artist. Also the beat it performance is cleverly done... featuring the "Glove' and the "socks and shoes". "Don't care about us" touches the heart and "Earth song" is one of the highlights of the night. You will get more than your money worth in entertainment and when you see Michael appear out of no where for the last time... say your proper goodbyes to the Man in the Mirror. :)
Pros
1. MJ Music is some of the best on the planet. The sound system is awesome.
2. The performers... from the sexy upright base player, to the one legged hip hop dancer to all the high aire acrobatics... The integration of the circus acts and dancing is done beautifully.
3. The overall lighting and fireworks are some of the best I have ever seen in a live show.
Cons
1. The show is being featured in large arenas... and although they do have large screens seats closer to the act might be worth it if you have the cash. But every seat is good enough cause the music and show is that good.
2. There is no way to play all of MJ hits, but with over 25 they do it justice.
Don't worry if you miss the show when it comes to your town. I bet there will be an HBO type special at some point and the live show (a must see) will make its home in Vegas in 2013 for at least 4 years. Go ahead and plan those trip to Vegas and move over Selene Dion... your days are numbered!
Things that make me happy this week... Matisyahu @ Festivals of Lights
What do you get when when you mix reggae, rock, hip hop and traditional Judaism? The beautifully soulful musical artistry of Matisyahu.
Matisyahu is a musician that defies classification. He is simply an artist that shows music really has no bounds. My first introduction to this artist was on a NYC TV show where I saw this reggae artist diving into a crowd and he was dressed in a traditional hassidic outfit. First I thought this was a gimmick, but after listening to his album, Light, I realize his skills were legit. He is known for his hits "King without a Crown' and "One Day" both making it to the top of rock and reggae charts. But he has many influences in his music style. Matisyahu musical range include beatboxing, rapping, Jazz styled scat singing, and Judaism Hazzan style of prayer singing.
This past week he played four concerts in NYC for the Festival of Lights at the Williamsburg Music and Webster Halls. On Thursday night, Webster Hall was packed with adoring fans singing many of his hits and crowd diving from the stage. As a giant disco driedel hangs from the ceiling, Matisyahu dances, beatbox, and sing most of his hits from his various albums.
Webster Hall - Festival of Light - Youth
One Day
Time of your song
King without a crown
Concert Pros
1. Great band and performance by Matisyahu
2. Disco Driedel... pretty cool actually.
3. Yiddish Lil Wayne guy that came to rap.
Cons
1. No beard on Matisyahu which is a signature look for him. Good music anyways.
2. Venue was okay. Good for this type of concert but a bit warm.
Check out Matisyahu music if you want something a little different this holiday season.
Albums - Light, Live at Stubbs I & II, Youth, Shake of the dust
Or catch a live show... he is always touring all around the world.
