Five From My Playlist - 10/01/2007

1. "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" - Patty Griffin. Love, love, love this song.


2. "Flowering Spade" - Sean Hayes. Wikipedia says "He has been described as playing Appalachian Ambient Folk music like an Irish rooster channeling Nick Drake." Exactly.


3. "Wicked Game" - Three Days Grace. I enjoy just about any of TDG's acoustic tracks, but I especially like this Chris Isaak cover.


4. "Songbird" - Eva Cassidy. Eva lost her battle with cancer back in 1996, at the age of 33. Truly a tragic loss to the music world.


Another artistic interpretation:


5. "Apologize" - OneRepublic. This band includes a cello, a piano and a lead singer who can really sing.

New Music: David Phelps

A new album from one of the most beautiful voices around, David Phelps, releases today. This album, One Wintry Night is a must-have for any holiday music collection.

David's version of "O Holy Night" from the Gaither music collection is the best, most moving arrangement of the song that I have ever heard. The version on this album recaptures the magic of that version with a slightly contemporary flair. It will still send chills down your spine.

Tracks:
1. Prelude: O Come O Come Emmanuel
2. The Singer (Let There Be Light)
3. Hallelujah!
4. Blue Christmas
5. Interlude: Lully, Lullay (with What Child Is This?)
6. Away In A Manger (with Sleep Little Baby)
7. One Wintry Night
8. If Everyone Believed
9. If Christmas Never Came
10. Interlude: Silent Night
11. O Holy Night (the highlight of the album)
12. Hark The Herald!
13. One King (beautiful duet with Sonya Isaacs from The Isaacs, another of my favorite vocalists)
14. Interlude: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
15. Santa Claus Tonight

Artist Spotlight: Mike Birbiglia

I first heard about Mike Birbiglia on the morning show of my local radio station. They played a couple of his clips, which were hilarious. Check him out below.

Fun with Meatballs

Lillie

Lillie Boyte
04.09.2004 - 08.28.2007

Lillie died today after a brave 10 month battle with Neuroblastoma. Memorials can be made in honor of her memory to The Loneliest Road campaign. Thank you for your prayers, and please continue to remember her family.

Remember Beaker?

Growing a Green Economy

"We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come."

This is the vision of Co-op America, a non-profit organization specializing in the betterment of society and our environment through economic aspects.

Check out their extensive informational resources on green ideas for individuals and for businesses, as well as issues that affect the integrity of our society.

Andrea Bocelli Visits Sesame Street

Andrea Bocelli visits Sesame Street to sing Elmo a lullaby based on "Time to Say Goodbye":

Planet in Peril

Coming in October - a CNN 360 special investigation on environmental issues affecting our planet. See the website for more information.

Artist Spotlight: Angélique Kidjo

With a powerful voice and astounding performance capabilities, Angélique Kidjo epitomizes world music at its best. This hard-working singer/songwriter was born in West Africa. She grew up listening to James Brown, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, and Santana. Her music combines traditional African beats with flavors she picked up from these artists and other artists from around the world.

I saw Angélique perform earlier this year, and her commanding stage presence impressed me immediately. After hearing the passion in her songs, the rhythm, the blending of musical styles and her magnificent voice, I immediately went out and got her latest album - "Djin Djin". I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Her music reaches beyond language barriers and invokes a sense of world unity and peace.

Angélique has released duets with many other popular artists such as Santana, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews Band, Ziggy Marley, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys & Joss Stone. Several of these appear on "Djin Djin".

You'll find a great blending of styles on this album. My personal favorites are "Salala" and the haunting rendition of Ravel's Bolero ("Lonlon"). The tracks are:

1. Ae Ae
2. Djin Djin (featuring Alicia Keys & Branford Marsalis)
3. Gimme Shelter (featuring Joss Stone)
4. Salala (featuring Peter Gabriel)
5. Senamou (C'Est l'Amour) (featuring Amandou & Mariam)
6. Pearls (featuring Carlos Santana & Josh Groban)
7. Sedjedo (featuring Ziggy Marley)
8. Papa
9. Arouna
10. Awan N'la
11. Emma
12. Mama Golo Papa
13. Lonlon (Ravel's Bolero)

Gimme Shelter: