Song of the Day

**2/28/10
Macy Gray - Beauty in the World
-----------I know, right?! Macy Gray! The last time I heard Macy Gray was at Mountainbrook Swim Club in the middle of summer when "I Try" had a play count of fourteen times an hour. The salty-voiced R&B songstress brings the blue skies and butterflies back with an uptempo, tambourine-shaking smile with "Beauty in the World."
I picked this one today as a little reminder to shake my booty (listen, you'll understand), and to take a deep breath and relaaahhhxx. Easier said than done, true. But there's hope with a catchy tune like this.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-02-25-new-macy-gray-and-its-good

Yo Mama So Phat...

Tonight, I'll be working a show for Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band and Major Magick CD release party. Yo Mama's is from Asheville, NC, and have a substantial lineup of shows in North Carolina coming up this month. Major Magick is releasing their new album tonight and have shows in Tennessee and NC to back it up.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow, and maybe...pictures?! Until then, Moby and Stevie Ray Vaughn have been circling my head today, and it may be worth your while to check out some stuff. Have fun with random music tonight!

http://www.myspace.com/yomamasbigfatbootyband

http://www.myspace.com/majormagick

Song of the Day

**9/6/09
Michael Alvarado - Weak At the Knees
----------------Ever heard a song that has such a lively, infectious chorus that you find yourself singing along on the first listen? Michael Alvarado's "Weak at the Knees" is full of sunny warmth and crooning soul. An already energetic jazz piano is caffeinated with Gavin DeGraw-esque vocals and clap breakdowns, ladies will surely love the sensitive-heartthrob attitude that Alvarado will give to a lineup of North Carolina shows this fall.
For those in Boone, North Carolina, Michael Alvarado will be performing at Legends Music Hall with The Gregory Brothers on Friday, September 11. If you can't catch the show, check out "Weak at the Knees" on Michael Alvarado's EP, Waste the Day.

http://www.myspace.com/michaelalvaradomusic

Jason Mraz - The Gratitude Cafe Tour

The Music Factory of Charlotte, N.C. played a very rainy host to southern soul rocker G Love and Mr. Wordplay himself, Jason Mraz. Following the next leg on the Gratitude Cafe tour, fans were given a rather wet welcome -a downpour of rain,booming thunder, and lightning pitching through the sky.

Many rainsoaked concertgoers with spirits more than dampened made their way out the venue, while the rest took shelter under thin plastic ponchos, overhangs, and a makeshift coffeehouse representing the real Gratitude Cafe.

When it looked like the concert would be a no go, it was announced to 5,000 fans that G Love and Mraz would play an exclusive acoustic session at The Fillmore, an indoor venue able to cram in 1,500 people.

Needless to say I bolted from the stands, risking broken ankles, bruised limbs, and beatings from lots of frustrated, drunk husbands/boyfriends/douchebags to get in line. After riotous shoving and nearly losing my fedora, I made it inside. Those fortunate enough to make the 1,500 cut were nothing short of elated. Despite the slippery floors, a post-rain stench, and wet clothes, the crowd couldn't have been happier.

G Love (minus the Special Sauce for the session) opened the show with freewheeling, freestyling southern soul. Blasting on his harmonica and tapping his feet like a spider, G Love entertained the crowd with laid back odes to cold beverages and booty calls.

Of all the concerts I've been to, "relaxing" has rarely made an appearance on my list of adjectives to describe them. However, Mraz's set was nothing short of refreshing. He spoke of sunshine in the midst of rain, relishing in his chance to clear his mind and soul throughout the set. Indeed Mraz's more popular tunes, "The Remedy," "You and I Both," and "Curbside Prophet" went off the constructed studio recording in favor of experimental breakdowns and whispered improvisations.

Mraz, Toca, and the gang performed music from his latest album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things, within an easy-going atmosphere and nonchalant joy. An energizing "Live High," "Make it Mine" and "Butterfly" sparked head bobbing and swaying, while a positively adorable rendition of "Lucky" magnetically brought couples together. Singing the female vocals was Elise, a manager of The Gratitude Cafe who happened to have the perfect pipes for the duet.

After six hours of standing (four of them waiting for the show to start), the concert was a breath of fresh air. I was able to check out The Music Factory, The Fillmore, and catch Mr. A-Z in action. If the tour is heading your way, grab some tickets and a poncho - just in case.

Song of the Day

**7/25/09

Eric Hutchinson - Ok, It's Alright

---------------Ever wonder what your favorite artists listen to when they themselves aren't onstage? Jason Mraz would like to tell you, playing with words on his Myspace blog while listening to soul-guitar man Eric Hutchinson. Fans of Mr. Mr-AZ will love to hear Hutchinson, who could be Mraz's twin for vocal dubs.

After a few fubars in an attempt to create the perfect album, Hutchinson is proud to release his debut album, Sounds Like This, to the masses. "Ok, It's Alright" opens up a blues guitar with a devil-may-care attitude. Become a Hutchead and grab Sounds Like This, the ten-song crooning wonder from Eric Hutchinson.

http://www.myspace.com/erichutchinson