Can't Go Back Now

"I can't really say
Why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter
Are the ones you take all by yourself"

Well said. Lyrical songs have been filling up my days as of late. Something about the springtime, sunshine and simple people with good songs and a guitar. Easy living.

Here is a old but still great track. Its from a band that I speak a lot about The Weepie" and its their video for the song "Can't Go Back Now". Its a simple yet great song with a feel good video. I mean, who doesn't love puppets in love, playing guitars?

Safety Dance

"You can dance if you want to. You can leave your friends behind. Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well then they're no friends of mine."

Some of the best lyrics ever written, from the band "Men in Hats". What?...I'm serious. This song is amazing.

Last night one of my closet favorite shows (GLEE) was amazing on so many different levels. For one, the man, Neil Patrick Harris was one of the guest stars, and Wicked Star Idina Menzel was the other. They sang amazing songs like Piano Man, Dream On, I Dreamed a Dream, as well as one of my personal favorite songs...

SAFETY DANCE

Elephant Micah

Okay, my project for the day is to find out exactly who this guy is. He captivated my morning commute with this very simple song, and now I have just found his complete 9 song LP for download off of NPR.com's website. Score.

So here I go to embark on a journey to find out who this sweet voice is.

Stay tuned.

You've Got A Friend

Two of my favorite singer song writers took the stage together today to sing an classic, and boy was it good. James Taylor and Carole King took some time out of their afternoon to stop by the Ellen Degeneres Show and sing Taylor's classic (and my favorite of his) "You've Got a Friend".

Carole on the piano and James on his guitar, they showed the room what real music should sound like. Its so good, it actually sent shivers down my spine when Carole was hitting those notes.

Bravo you two.

Murder in the City

To continue with my post below about my love for the Avett Brothers I just stumbled upon this video for their song "Murder in the City" and well again...amazing. I just love them so much.

Avett Brothers

Back in December I wrote that I had a new favorite band, and well they have not disappointed me one bit. The Avett Brothers are a band that has been around playing small southern festivals for about 10 years and are finally getting their due credit.

This band made up around two brothers is the definition of what good lyrical music is. The lyrics that they sing sometimes needs no melody, they are that good. The first song that caught my eye was "I and Love and You" yet their latest one "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" just hits me right in the heart. The lyrics seem to be jumping out the page and dancing around my head like a mantra.

Check out a few lines from this song:

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light

In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right

And it comes in black and it comes in white

And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected

And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected

If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected

Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it

Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it

"Decide what to be and go be it"

Loving Cup (Alternate Version)

Thats right you just read that title correctly. I'm bringing you a new version of one of my all time favorite Rolling Stones songs...."Loving Cup". Today marks the re-release of their legendary album Exile on Main Street and with that we are getting new versions of some great old songs.

This album for the Stones was legendary for many reasons but the most was the explanation of the title. Basically their "Exile" begain in 1971 when the members of the band owed more taxes than they could pay in England, so they did what any rock and roll band would do. They got up and got the hell out of dodge, leaving England for the south of France. There in the basement of a mansion the band recorded Exile on Main Street. The rest is music history.

Check out the alternate version of their classic below and understand why this band is one of the greatest in rock and roll history.

Nowhere Boy

::New Movie Alert::

Check out the trailer for "Nowhere Boy" below. Its the story about the teenage years of John Lennon, and how this boy turned into one of the biggest rock and roll icons of all time. The movie examines the impact of his early life on his music especially the influences of his Aunt Mimi and mother Julia. It also dives into the first meeting of music partner Paul McCartney and the development of their friendship into musical genius.

Now to be honest with you I can not tell if I'm going to like this movie or not from the trailer. It is either going to be really good or just plain terrible. I just can not tell yet.... decide for yourself.

Late Night Phish

My favorites Phish made their triumphant return to late night television last week with an appearance on Jimmy Fallon, their first in six years and well, they did not disappoint. Now while I do not care for Jimmy's show too much I have to give him credit for what he did last week.

To celebrate the re-release of the Rolling Stone classic album Exile on Main Street he brought a bunch of great bands together to play covers of the songs. Phish took their turn Thursday night, basically turning the studio on its head with their roaring cover of "Loving Cup" (one of my favorite covers they play). It was great to see this video for a few reasons. First, Keith Richards introduced the band, which was a treat for the band members who have spent most of their lives idolizing the Stones, second Trey debuted his new mullet style hair cut, third their version definitely melted a few faces in the audience and finally the crowd. It was great to see Phish have their phans on stage with them dancing their feet off, it looked and felt right.

Because really thats what Phish does, they bring the dance party. And that is why I love them so much.

Great job boys!! What a beautiful buzz...

Jessica's Daily Affirmation

We all could use a little of Jessica in our lives today. Big shout out to my friend Amy for posting this video this morning which I have quickly stolen to post here. Why? Um...because its probably one of the greatest things I have ever seen.

Jessica likes everything and "anything", including her sisters, her school, her mom and dad and her haircut to name a few. She is "great and can do anything good".

Seriously I just watched this about 400 times.

I needed this.

Lisztomania

Okay okay, I know when I'm wrong and I was wrong when it came to this. While back in NJ this weekend my brother introduced me to what is quickly becoming a song that I can not get out of my head. Now, I will admit that I had absolutely no idea who or what it was until my brother told me, so for this, he gets all of the credit. When he first said the name of the song I laughed in my head. Thought this was just another top 40s hit...nothing that would have peaked my interest. Then yesterday I heard the song on my ride back to New Jersey and really listened.

This song by the band Phoenix called Lisztomania is a fantastic song. Its happy its freeing its just great. Not only that but to whoever did this particular mash up video has made me quite happy. The dancing scenes from The Breakfast Club/Pretty In Pink fits in quite perfectly with this song.

To quote one of the comments on this youtube video.

"Whenever I am riding a "down" and want to be cheared, or flying an "up" and want to celebrate happiness, then I watch this vieod and dance without shame. Like they did in those movies; without shame, because they were young, because they wanted to and because life comes around but once. "

So watch this today. Enjoy it. Let it soak in. Its pretty great.

One Last Video

Okay, time for one last post before I hit the road. Now I am not watching American Idol this year. I promise you I am not!! But I am following one of the contestants performances. That is Ms. Bowersox. She is amazing, talented and well for once on that show completely original. Her cover of Me and Bobby McGee blew me away a few weeks ago. Anyways last night she teamed up with some other dude for a cover of one of my favorite songs "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once.

Great job. Crystal and random dude :)

Okay shutting down and heading home. See you next week.

Friend Like You

I'm making the drive this afternoon back to NJ. Last night while I was re-loading my ipod for what seem like the 10th time in 2 weeks, I put on it Joshua Radin's album. Anyone who is not familiar with this guy should go to you tube and just watch some of his acoustic performances. Hauntingly beautiful.

This song has stuck with me for this week mostly for the lyrics.

"When I had no one to call, all the world had shut me down.

I showed up at your door so blue, Thank God I had a friend like you.

Many times I've gone without a home, a meal a pair of shoes.

If you had three you'd give me two. There ain't no other friend like you."

Sweet.

When You're Strange

I wrote about this movie a few months ago, but now the time has come. Tonight on PBS is the premiere of the Johnny Depp narrated movie about the Doors called "When You're Strange". If your a fan of music, I would highly recommend watching this movie. It looks like its going to be a good one! That and how can you not love Jim Morrison. Yes, he was weird and a strange dude, but boy did his star burn bright, he was a talent. A quote from the movie sums that up pretty well: "This much is true: You can't burn out if you're not on fire."

Check out the trailer below...

Jakob Dylan - NPR

Yes, I have something to admit. I am in love with Jakob Dylan. I have been since his debut with the Wallflowers back in the early 90s. Now when I say this, it means that for some reason I had always been obsessed with him. Not so much his music, mostly his looks. But now that may all change, with the release of his latest album Women and Country. This album is absolutely incredible. Anyone who has yet to hear any of the tracks from this gem should take the next 15 minutes and watch their NPR concert below.

Trust me.

On The Road Again...

Well tonight I will be packing my suitcase again (well lets be honest I never really unpacked from St. Croix) and will be on the road back up to NJ until Sunday....

I appreciate every single one of my friends who has called email or thought about my family, my friends family and myself over this last two weeks. I would not be able to find the strength without you all.

xoxo

Best of Betty!

So you see below where I raved about Betty White's performance on SNL this past weekend. Well the folks over at Vh1 - Best Week Ever (still not sure why the blog is called that since the show is no more...) but still a great site they made a compilation of the best of Betty from Saturday night...

Enjoy!!

| | |

I Love Betty White

Anyone who caught Saturday Night Live this week was in for a treat! Not only was Betty White the host but all of the greatest SNL women from the past decade including Tiny Fey, Amy Poeler, and Maya Rudolph (to name a few) all came out to support Betty and lend their hand in what was a memorable night.

I have mentioned before how much I adore Betty White. To be 88 and to still be kicking around with that type of humor and zest for life is just amazing. If I can be half of what she is at that age I will be a happy woman. Check out this skit that she does with Tina Fey its just amazing! Her comedic timing is just incredible.

Betty White For President!! (Yes, I'm serious)

Home is Whenever I'm With You

Meet Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's. I had heard about them a few months back from the greatest podcast in the world..."NPR's Tiny Desk Concert" and on Saturday heard the Blaire Reinhard Band rock a great cover of their song "Home". This song exudes happiness in my book. Its light, its free, its happy.

To give you a background of this group, this is the story I just pulled off of Wikipedia. It explains why they are so awesome: "After breaking up with his girlfriend, moving out of his house, and joining a 12-step program for addiction, Ebert began work on a story about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. According to Ebert, Sharpe "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind...but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love." Ebert later met singer Jade Castrinos in Los Angeles. In the summer of 2009, as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Ebert and Castrinos toured the country with a group of fellow musicians in a big white school bus."

Again, they are amazing, if you like this head on over to NPR and listen to the 20 minute concert they did. So much fun.

The Only Thing Missing Is You....

There are really no words to accompany this video. My childhood friend Blaire and her band, the Blaire Reinhard Band (who I have talked about before on this blog) have made just a beautiful song for our friend Lauren. They played it this past weekend at her tribute concert, which you can read about HERE.

I could not have said it better than this: "When we dance as freely as a child, when we gather here in our joy and our tears, we'll always be thinking of you."

The Blaire Reinhard Band was Lauren's favorite band in the world. She would talk about them all the time... I know that she would have loved this.

Thank you the BRB for a song that will stay with me forever.

Emily and Lauren Failla

"I've heard it said...that people come into our lives, for a reason, bringing something we must learn, and we are lead to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return. Well I don't know if I believe thats true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you....."

This song is my favorite song from my favorite musical. It had held a different meaning for my friend Emily that passed a few years ago. Now it rings even more true after the tragedy of her sister Lauren this week. This is the song that I go to when I feel sad. This is the song that reminds me that its the experiences in life that help you to grow. Its your decision what you do with these experiences, this will dictate your happiness.

There will be people you meet that will change your life. They may be in your life for 10 minutes, they may be there for 50 years. The length of time does not matter. Its the impact and impression that they leave with you, that you take from them that matters. That is what this song reminds me of. It plays and the picture in my head is of peace. Its of understanding. Its of moving forward with memories rather than physical embraces. Its to remember that:

"It may well be, that we will never meet again, in this lifetime. So let me say before we part. So much of me, is made from what I've learned from you. You'll be with me, like a hand print on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine by being my friend."

So Emily and Lauren Failla I say this to you. While I will miss both of your fantastic spirits, beauty, wisdom, compassion and love for all things. I am happy that you two are together again, dancing in heaven. Lauren trying to get Emily to try on those fantastic red pumps that I will always remember her rocking, and Emily jumping on Lauren's back giving her a bear hug so big that she can barely stand. Both very very happy and cared for. And to your wonderful parents Kay and Frank, thank you so much for bringing these two angels to this world. Know that we will always carry love for them in our hearts and souls and "because we knew them, we have been changed for good".

Below is a clip of the rehearsals of "For Good", I think that it shows the exact emotions and explains the song perfectly. RIP my friends.

Freak Owl - Little Things

I just came across this adorable video for a cute little song by a band called Freak Owl.

Enjoy!

on Vimeo.

I Feel Home

There has never been a song better lyrically written for my life than O.A.R.'s song "I Feel Home". Somehow these guys crawled up into my brain and took all of my experiences from high school up to now and put them in a nice little package. I listen to this song every time I take that drive up I-95. There is just something about it. It makes me feel home...

There are few things pure in this world anymore,

and home is one of the few.

We'd have a drink outside,

maybe run and hide if we saw a couple men in blue.

To me it's so damn easy to see

that true people are the people at home.

Well, I've been away but now I'm back today,

and there ain't a place I'd rather go.

I feel home,

when I see the faces that remember my own.

I feel home,

when I'm chilling outside with the people I know.

I feel home,

and that's just what I feel.

Home to me is reality,

and all I need is something real.

Feeling alright, heading out tonight,

maybe out to a dark driveway.

I say now some feel bored,

and some are looking for more.

Well, we all just decide to stay.

We got nothing to do,

and I look at you

I see something that I know and love.

and with the crack of a smile we all stay a while

we know from home there ain't nothing above.

Well in the end we can all call a friend

well that's something I know as true.

And then a thousand years and a thousand tears

I'll come finding my original crew

cause to me throughout eternity

there's somewhere where you're welcome to go

I said it's something free that means a lot to me

when I'm with my friends I feel home.

I feel home,

when I see the faces that remember my own

I feel home,

when I'm chilling outside with the people I know.

I feel home,

and that's just what I feel.

Home to me is reality,

and all I need something real

Home to me is reality,

and all I need something real

I feel home.

Into the Mystic

Today I woke up with a smile. I'm not really sure why. But then I looked outside. I saw the sun. I saw people in Richmond starting their days. I heard my neighbors dog barking through the fence and realized that its true what they say. Life has a way of reminding you what is important, and what is important is that this world keeps on spinning no matter how much you wished it just stops for a week or two. The sun will rise and it will fall. Everyday. There is no stopping that.

Travel schedule for the next week or two is pretty hectic between Richmond and Morristown.

While I put these 350 miles per trip on my car I'm sure that music will be the thing that will carry me though. Songs like this one. Songs that remind me that "Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic".

Charlie Parker

Now this is the reason exactly I have this blog. To share with you clips like the following.

Here is one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time, playing with his saxophone. So amazing!!

Boy do I wish I lived in a time with more jazz music....

I Get By With a Little Help

This song could not be any more true today.... and this is my favorite cover of this tune.

Thank you to everyone that is helping my family and I during this difficult time.

Up On Cripple Creek....

In my opinion one of the greatest Bands and songs ever created. I should really dedicate a whole entire day to "the Band", but for now I'll leave you with this classic. Such a great recording, great video, great vibe.

Enjoy.

May God Bless and Keep You Always

Here are some of my favorite covers of Bob Dylans - "Forever Young". One of the greatest lyrically written songs ever made. That man has a way with his words.

First is the great Joan Baez who in my opinion can really do no wrong.

The second is one you may not expect. Its from Jay-Z. Yes I know. But he changed the song up just enough to pay it tribute but not to copy it directly. I have to admit that I do enjoy. That and the music video he created is pretty great.

Back to Basics

After what will be described as one of the most emotional weeks I will ever probably go through in my life, things are starting to fall back into place. One day at a time. Its with a heavy heart that I have been walking through these last few days, and well one of the only saviors that I have had is, you guessed it. Music. Its a great feeling to put on a song and go instantly to another world. To forget about everything around you and just feel happy for that moment in time.

I will slowly get back to this blog, bring back the music that is making me happy and keeping me sane. The first is a song that I heard coming out of the back of a guys tent today at "Arts in the Park". I have no idea about the artist, or his music but it was really really good. I stopped and asked and was pleased with what I have found. Enjoy: Mishka "Stars will be shining"

And to anyone out there today who I haven't told that I love them and I appreciate them. I do. Always.