Well this is it. The last blog post before I leave for a nice extended stay up north. Have a lot planned for the next 10 days so it should fly right by and before too long I'll be back in good old Richmond. But its a welcomed break certainly from work and from the hectic life I've been living for the last few months. It will be a time to catch up with old friends, see my family, root on my Jets, give some gifts out and enjoy some music.
I hope that everyone has a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I'll be returning in 2012 hopefully with a lot of new and exciting music. I'm looking forward to a hear full of exciting things... including... wait for it... my 30th birthday! Ahhh! haha.
No but really a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.... thanks to all of you who have helped keep a smile on my face. You are the best!
If you haven't noticed by now I'm a sucker for concert photography. I think I explained it last week but to recap I just love how its able to capture a moment in time that really can't be duplicated. Its not set up, its real and raw.
Now with the end of the year approaching, lots of magazines and websites are putting out their list of "bests". Over at Spin Magazine they just put out "Spins 25 Best Live Photos". Lets check some out shall we?
Above you will see a prime example on why I thank my lucky stars each and every day for the job that I'm able to have. Above meet Maria and Teresa... formally conjoined twins from the Dominican Republic who have been staying at the Hospitality House for the last five months.
This morning... they went home from Christmas. Separate. Healthy. Happy.
Well Friday is just about on us and I am nowhere near done with everything needed to get out of town and head out on vacation for a week. I know, everyone seems to be running around without a head at this time of year, I just usually have my stuff together. This year... not so much. I hopefully will knock out my last two presents today and then tonight will finish wrapping and packing and then by tomorrow evening my car will be packed and ready to hit the road on Friday.
That all sounds relatively easy right? Right? RIGHT?
Lets just hope it actually is that easy because right now I'm kind of feeling like Jesse Spano on caffeine pills on Saved by the Bell...
No idea who this guy is or how I actually started listening to him but I may or may not have just downloaded his entire album and started a mini dance party in my office.
I know I have posted about this song before but here it is again.... now with a brand new video! I've said it before and I"ll say it again, you are not an American unless you like Kelly Clarkson. She kills it every single time she hits the stage and now with this new album we may see another round of her killer songs.
Look what I just found! a great video of three of the best in the game, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blidge and Jennifer Hudson opening the show last night.... now I really can't wait to watch!!
This looks like it was one fun show. Last night VH1 held their annual 'Divas Celebration' (its currently sitting on my dvr for viewing tonight...) but it looks like it all went really well. Take a look at some of these pictures!!
Hello and sorry for the delay. Yesterday was insane. I only worked about two hours. Had some stressful things to deal with that took me out of the office, not an overall wonderful day but I made it. The upside of this week is that its my last week of work of 2011. I leave Friday for my NJ/NYC adventure and will return back to Richmond when its 2012. Thats just crazy.... This week I have almost too much to do. Work is insane. I have to pack all my clothes and presents for Christmas. Oh wait speaking of Christmas... I'm not done shopping! Ahhhhh. What is wrong with me?
Anyways, with all that going on its time to get down to some music before I leave you for an extended break.
Over the weekend someone special (who has been paying attention to this little blog... hello!) got me the CD/DVD that I've wanted for the last month or two. Lets here it for Adele "Live at Albert Hall". Easily one of the more impressive concert dvd's I have ever seen. Its absolutely amazing... I almost have no words for it its that good.
This morning I was listening to the CD in my car and on came her cover of "Make You Feel My Love". Again... no words.
"When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I will hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love"
Here is the only decent version I could find from the concert...
Sad sad news for this Friday afternoon. I just read over on rollingstone.com that the legendary singer Etta James is terminally ill and that her doctors have asked everybody to pray for her. Best known for her rendition of "At Last", she is suffering from leukemia and dementia. Her career has spanned over five decades and has had heavy influence on such great artists as Adele and Beyonce. She is included on Rolling Stone's list of 100 'Greatest Singers of All Time' at number 22.
"There is a lot going on in Etta James' voice. A lot of pain, a lot of life, but most of all, a lot of strength. She can be so raucous and down one song, and then break your heart with her subtlety and finess in the next. As raw as Etta is, there is a great intelligence and wisdom in her singing" - Bonnie Raitt.
Here is my Christmas throwback picture of the day! Its of my older brother and I picking out a tree when we were little. What I wouldn't give to have that hat back...
Thats right people, this time next week my car will be loaded and I will be on my way back to New Jersey/NYC for 10 whole days! I've waited a while for a vacation from work and after three months of a very busy schedule I can't believe that its almost here.
What will I do with myself up there for that long? Easy. I got two parents (and two step-parents), two brothers, a jets game, four phish concerts, numerous friends and other relatives and well CHRISTMAS to keep me busy. So yeah I think my schedule will be pretty full....
I still can't believe I get to do four nights at my favorite venue with my favorite band. Seriously if it is half as fun as last years I am in for a treat.... oh wait you need a reminder of how I actually brought in the new year last year?
Here you go! (And yes, don't judge I shot this on my own camera and did my best...)
This morning on the way to work I ended up pulling into my parking spot, and sat in my car until this next song ended. I have had a major love hate relationship with Eminem. Loved his first two albums, hated his next two, loved this last one.
This last one is a vast departure from where he has been in the last few years. Its actually a good complete album. Many songs I could name as being favorites. This morning this next song came blaring across my ipod and I couldn't have been happier. Its all about his career in hip hop and how the game has treated him.
The 1970s Isle of Wight Festival was held between the 26th and 31st of August in 1970 at East Afton Farm on the Isle of Wight. It was the last of three consecutive music festivals to take place on the island between 1968 and 1970. Its widely refereed to as the largest musical event of its time, greater than the attendance of Woodstock. The Guinness Book of World Records estimated that over 600,000 people attended!
Here is the story of a young photographer who was at the time shooting for the new magazine "Rolling Stone" she ended up on the road with one of the greatest rock bands of all time... and well the rest is history.
Here is the story of one of my idols Annie Leibovitz and her time following the Rolling Stones.
I used to have dreams when I was a little kid that I was a rock photographer. That I was allowed on the road, behind the scenes to take pictures of the people who make the music that I have grown to love. I always thought that it would be the best job on the planet.
This dream has grown into just a love these pictures. They are able capture a moment that can not be created in a studio or on location. Its one of those 'you had to be there' shots....
So I've done this before and I'm doing it again today.... its Concert Photo day!!
This past weekend on of my favorite 'dance' artists performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. I said 'dance' artists because Robyn is one of those artists that I can throw her cd on and then all of a sudden I'm dancing around like a fool in my living room. You can't help yourself, I mean watch the performances below... she can't even contain herself on stage!
I dare your feet not to tap during these two songs.... and yes I would love to go to one of her concerts and dance for two hours. I think it would be fabulous! (And yes I know how ridiculous she is and I just don't care... she is a Swedish pop star... how can you not love her!)
Here is her first one: "Call Your Girlfriend"
And her second performance of "Dancing on my Own" (which is my favorite song of hers)
Meet I Wayne. The story of him as a solo artist is actually a fluke. He used to be part of a group consisting of singers and DJ's until one day when his bandmates were running late and he was forced to perform alone. The response that night was tremendous and he became motivated to strike it out on his own.
In the summer of 2004, he released his first solo album and was praised to returning reggae to its original roots...
Check out his NPR tiny desk concert below. Its a gem.
Tonight starts round two of what will hopefully be a more successful Christmas shopping experience. You see Monday night I tried to go to the mall and knock it out and well lets just say that failing is a nice word for what I did. What really happened is it just turned into a personal shopping trip.... I ended up buying stuff for myself.... Whoops.
So tonight I'm headed back with a plan. A mission to complete! And to get fully into the holiday spirit I'm listening to one of my favorite Christmas albums. If you don't own this James Taylor classic album... go get it immediately. Well worth every penny....
With this year quickly coming to a close I pause to bring you one of my favorite albums of 2011. Of Monsters and Men... ever heard of them? No. Well watch the video above and enjoy! Trust me on this one. Then go out and download My Head is an Animal immediately.
I'm sorry sorry that I have just completely neglected this blog in the past week. Things here at work and in life have been a tad busy and well like Jesse Spanno once said "No time... there is never any time!!".
So for my four readers (Hi Dad!) who actually read this thing, I'm sorry. I promise to one day make it up to you.
For now watch this next video. I saw this man perform here in Richmond on Saturday night and while I want to take a full post to explain how amazing of an artist this man is. For now I leave you with his video to enjoy until I circle back.
(Update: Problems with the above video.. i'll try and find another link...)
Above you will find the track that Paramore released yesterday called "In The Mourning". Now I know what you are going to say.... "Katie, when the hell did you start listening to this band!?!". Well I don't... I stumbled across this song on my internet travels and I instantly fell in love with it. There is no denying that this lead singer can belt a good tune, and well this is a great example of a sweet song.
They abandoned their rock roots and went for a more country slide guitar feel of a song and well.... I like it... and I think you will too!
On Monday night I watched Grace Potter on Guitar Sessions (a show on Direct Tv's Audience Channel) and was again blown away by not only her talent but the way that she talks about her music and influences. She is just one impressive lady. If you get the chance to check this out, I highly recommend it.
I also recommend getting out and seeing this band live. They put on quite the show. Here is my favorite song they sang during the show.... check out the lyrics for this one. Incredible.
"Yesterday he said my eyes were fading fast away
I said well what do you expect
You asked me not to stay and if it had all been for the best
I wouldn't feel this way
And he said
Oh he said it's crazy
How love stays with me
You know it hurts me
Cause I don't wanna fight this war
It's amazing to see me reading through this scene
Of love and fear and apologies
My love is like a blanket
That gets a little bit too warm sometimes
I wanna wrap somebody in it
Who can hold me in his arms
Cause when it got a little too hot in there
He was always stepping out for air and he froze
Oh he froze
He said it's crazy
How love stays with me
You know it hurts me
Cause I don't wanna fight this war
It's amazing to see me reading through this scene
Of love and fear and apologizes
Yesterday he looked at me
With a tear in his eye and said
I'll always tell you you're my friend
I hope I don't have to lie
Cause its clear you love another man
I said 'you're damn right'
And he said
He said its crazy
How love stays with me
You know it hurts me
Cause I don't wanna fight this war
Its amazing to see me reading through this scene
Of love and fear and apologizes
He said its crazy
How love stays with me
You know it hurts me
That it didn't figure it out before
And now its too late for a soliloquy
Its way too late for dignity
Its time for apologizes"
Damn. What a good song!
Added bonus just to prove this band will rock your socks off. Check out "Ah, Mary"
This morning while driving my three minute drive to work I heard an amazing cover. I have spent the last two hours tracking it down and I have finally found it... surprisingly enough it comes from that show "X Factor". This girls name is Drew and well she is 14! Yes 14! What the heck. How are you singing this song like this? So amazing. Enjoy!
(Also sorry for the lack of posts as of late. Things have been crazy busy, I promise a triumphant return soon...)
I love this song. I love this singer. I'm glad she is finally starting to get the recognition that she deserves. I feel like I have been following her forever... check out her first video.
Anyone who actually reads this blog should know by now that I love all things Freddie Mercury. He is my favorite front man who ever lived and well I just am inspired by everything he was able to do in his little time here on Earth.
So here are some of my favorite quotes from the man, the myth the legend that is Freddie.
“My soul has painted like the wings of butterflies, Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends...”
“Oh, I was not made for heaven. No, I don't want to go to heaven. Hell is much better. Think of all the interesting people you're going to meet down there!”
“I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend."
“I was born to love you with every single beat of my heart. I was born to take care of you every single day of my life.”
“When I'm dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance.”
“We've gone overboard on every Queen album. But that's Queen.”
“I want to live the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite clutter.”
“Does it mean this, does it mean that, that's all anybody wants to know. I'd say what any decent poet would say if anyone dared ask him to analyze his work: if you see it, darling, then it's there!”
“I always knew I was a star, and now the rest of the world seems to agree with me.”
Just now while looking at 45 of the "Most Powerful Images of this Year" found the one above. It was a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse. And while at first you say..."aww how nice" take a closer look. All I know is that if I happened to leave the earth today I hope that people don't remember me with liquor bottles, wine glasses and cigarettes.
This girl was tragically talented. She was almost too talented for her own good. She just didn't know how to handle it. She turned to booze and alcohol for reasons that I care not to even look into, but the girl was troubled. I hate that she will go down and be remembered as a junkie. Because well under the right supervision and with the right guidance, she may have still been with us.
The shot above is sad.
I will remember Amy as the person who put out an album almost four years ago; that has never left rotation of my ipod. And I can only say that about a handful of albums.
Looking forward to spending some quality time this weekend with this kid above. Thats right... Rick DeMaio is headed down to DC to join me for the Jets vs Redskins game on Sunday. And yes that is him posing next to the fried turkey from last years Thanksgiving.
Nothing short of a good time when hanging with the little brother.
Jets please show up and give us a good game. Thanks!
with thunder beneath us
all I want to feel is your arms"
Found another band today while I was fumbling through the internet trying to waste my last few minutes here at work. They are pretty great too, looking forward to finding out exactly who these people are and what they are all about. For now enjoy the next song... quite beautiful.
