New Artitist: Michael Kiwanuka

I have been listening to this MIchael Kiwanuka for months now.  His voice is so distinct yet so inviting and his music is combination of smooth jazz, african, reggae and rock all rolled into one. He is just an excellent artist who will be around for some time and is worth taking a few minutes to listen to.  Below are three of the songs that got me hooked, one is a live performance of his song "I'm Getting Ready" with just his basss player and himself, just great stuff.  The other is a life performance of "Tell Me A Tail"  with his whole band, pure magic.  The final video is just his voice and guitar performing "I'll Get Along" and "Home Again".  Enjoy. 

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Fits and The Tantrums

The other day Luke and I where having lunch, and as happens when we get together, the topic of music comes up, which always leads us to sharing something we have heard recently. This week, in one video no less, he got me hooked on this band Fitz and The Tantrums. They have a huge sound, without any guitars??(how could that be??), a Hall & Oats throw back vocal sound and very new 80's music vibe. The horn and organ instruments they use to fill out the sound is fantastic. Noelle Scaggs vocals and energy work so well with Michael Fitzpatrick that this band sounds as good live, if not even better, then on their records. I have posted the original video that hooked me and then one of groups live performances from Seattle for KEXP 90.3. It is well worth the time to go thru all the of the performance video from the Seattle set before you make up your mind on this band...be warned you will get hooked. Thankfully the latest album sells for under $9.00 on itunes.

Michael 
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Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody"


I have been playing guitar now for 12 years and I am always amazed when I hear or see someone who has really mastered how to play.  Unfortunately, I can also be a little bias towards it, especially when Elaine and I discuss my guitar versus her days play the ukulele.  All that changed the other day when I saw this video from the 2010 TED conference. Here is how it was described prior to watching the video "Jake Shimabukuro strums monster sounds out of the tiny Hawaiian ukulele, as he plays a cover of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' A sensational performance from TED2010 -- it'll send shivers down your spine". While It may not have sent shivers down my spine, I was mesmerized by the skill and sound he created. This is a must watch video for any musician or music lover. 

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February New Music: U2

"Only Love, only can, leave such a mark, only love, only love, can heal such a scar...Magnificent, Magnificent" 

New Music: U2: No Line on the Horizon.  Great album, but what do you expect from one of the greatest bands of all time.  So far I am hooked on “Maginificent” and “Moment of Surrender”.  As always head on over to iTunes and pick up a copy.  With U2 you can’t go wrong.

 

January New Music: Chris Tomlin

"Jesus Messiah, Name above of all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanual, the Rescue for Sinners, the Ransom from heaven, Jesus Messiah, Lord of All" 

MUSIC: For this month Chris Tomlin, Hello Love is on deck.  For awhile there I was beginning to wane on his music.  I just felt everything was sounding the same and that it would be good to have some fresh voices step up into the christian worship music world.  But his latest album, Hello Me, has some good songs that the church can use in corporate worship.  “Jesus Messiah” is a good sample of what you will find on the album.  As always head on over to itunes and pick up the entire album, you’ll be glad you did. 

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December New Music: Hillsongs UNITED

"Sing to the Lord, oh my Soul, Let the heaven shout for Joy. Great is our God , Great is our God"

New Music Part 2.  Hillsongs United: This is Our God.  Until last months Jars of Clay album I reviewed it had been quite some time since a Christian artist had attracted my attention and ear.  Even though I lead worship at Southside, it has even been longer since a worship album has taken on such listening power as this one has.  I am probably the last person to have found the United worship team but there is something about both their sound and lyrics that uplifts God, stirs in me the need to sing out to Jesus and reminds me just how much music can be a tool to connected us to Him.  We picked up the DVD and CD and the DVD has found a permeant home in our player at the moment.   I’m not going to suggested any favorites this time around as all of the songs have connected within me in some way throughout the month.   Take the time to give it a listen (click on the sample to left to start) and if you can pick the DVD do so, you won’t be disappointed. 

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October New Music: Jars of Clay

"So carry me, I'm just a dead man, lying on the carpet, can't find a heart breath. Make me breath, I wana be a new man, tired of the old one, out with the old plan"

NEW MUSIC: Jars of Clay - Good Monsters.  Jars of Clay have been around for some time now.  After a number of albums moving in and out of styles and billboard success, I found this one this month.  It has a bit of the old meets new sound to it.  Head on over to iTunes and check the album out.  I especially recommend, “There is a River”, “Dead Man (Carry Me)” and “All My Tears”

July New Music: OK GO

“Just when you think that you're in control, just when you think that you've got a hold, just when you get on a roll, here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again. Oh, here it goes again. I should have known, should have known, should have known again, but here it goes again. Oh, here it goes again.” (Here It Goes Again, OK GO)

NEW MUSIC: Ok Go. This month we have Ok Go on the menu.. I found them one night rummaging around You Tube when I stumbled on to their video for “Here It Goes Again”.  Completely original, which is hard to do these days. It took me awhile to get around to getting the latest album, but I am hooked.  As always, enjoy.

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March MUSIC: Paul McCartney

“Any Time, Any Day, You Can Hear The People Say, That Love Is Blind, Well, I Don't Know, But I Say Love Is Kind” Listen to What the Man Said - Paul McCartney 

I grew up listening to my Dad’s favorite songs as a kid. I remember many days traveling in his Ford pick-up listening to Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys and the Beatles. I guess as time went on I adopted his same affection for Paul McCartney’s solo music as each of the Beatles struck out on their own.  Over the years, I’ve remained steadfast in my resolve that Paul’s always got the raw shaft from Beatles fans and critics who thought more highly of John Leanon and George Harison.  And thanks to iTunes carrying all of his albums (solo and with wings) digitally remastered, he sounds even better.

 

February New Music: Jack Johnson STTS

“We could make this into anything. We could make this into more than words we speak. This could make us into anything. It could make us grow and become what we'll be.” What you Thought You Need - Jack Johnson

New Music: This month it’s Jack Johnson, Sleep Through The Static. Got hooked on his music a couple of years ago. This new album is a little more subdued at times, even for Jack. But there’s enough good stuff to give it a listen.

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January NEW MUSIC: Sara Bareilles

“I’ve been given this one world, I won’t worry it away, but now and again I lose sight of the good life, I get stuck in a low light, but then Love comes in”  Many the Miles - Sara Bareilles

New Music: Sara Bareilles...great chorus, arrangements and voice.  Pop  music done right.  The whole album is good.  Stick around for a few minutes and take a listen to the whole song, “Many the Miles”...then go buy the album. For $7.99 on iTunes it's a bargain.

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November New Music: Feist THE REMINDER

“Oh...Oh, Oh, Changing is hard, Oh..Oh,Oh, You know who you are. Oh...Oh Changing is hard, Oh..Oh, Oh, You know who you are” (Fiest, 1234)

Feist, The Reminder: I kind feel late to the party on this one, but I just recently developed a strong liking to her music.  Not only does she have this strange yet fantastic voice, she’s from Canada too!  You probably recognize the song playing right now from the Gap commercial this year.  Give her new album a listen, especially, My Man Moon, and Sealion.  Actually do a Youtube search and and watch her live, she is even better!

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August New Music: John Mayer CONTINUM

“Pain throws your heart to the ground, Love turns the whole thing around, No it won’t all go the way it should, But I know the heart of life is good”  (John Mayer, The Heart of Life)

John is just one of my favorite musical artist.  The guy know how to write lyric, create a great melody and plays fantastic guitar.  This album does not miss either, the more you listen to it the more the better it gets. 
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July New Music: Mute Math

“There is no better find than to find myself with you, In a fog you are all I see . I'm inviting you closer with each time I breathe, Surrender has somehow become so beautiful" (Mute Math, Control)

New Music: Mute Math.  Found them while browsing the other day. Love the combination of Coldplay/U2 sound with the infusion of synth, keyboards ala the 80’s. FYI check them out on iTunes and listen to the drummer!

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