Monday, June 25, 2012

Saturday Soundtrack: Outburst of the SOUL

You know what I love more than a sweet throw-back soul artist? NOTHING!

Nick Waterhouse is no exception to that sentiment. He is the bees knees.
He's a little r&b blended with a modern sound. Saxaphone? Check! Tamborine? Check. Guitar? Check. Sweet old school back up singers? Cheeeeck. Melodica? Check. Check. Check. I don't want to quit him.
Take a listen
Nick Waterhouse and the Tarots


Acoustic version of  "Some Place"

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saturday Soundtrack: Oldies and Goodies

Yo, Today's music selection is inspired by the Music Instrument Museum (MIM) and one eternal drive on the 101 to get there! Cheers to driving in haboobs! *clinks imaginary juice box* If you haven't visited there yet, what's your deal? Get yer booty in gear. It's a music, history and geography lesson wrapped up in one good time. Ahem, GREAT time. If you appreciate music, you'll enjoy the vast display of instruments from nearly every country and the influence that each region's traditional music had on surrounding countries. Plus, it's indoors and you most likely live in Arizona. If you just fried an egg on your driveway, go to the MIM. If you have a 3rd degree burn from touching your seat belt, head over to the MIM. If your A/C went out in your car, go to..the repair shop. Definitely don't try driving all the way over there in the 110 degree heat. My favorite displays included American Bluegrass (for obvious reasons), The Steinway, Martin guitars, Ireland, Hip hop, Appalachia, The Native American exhibit where the guy turned the tribal drums into a sweet drum set, Trinidad and Tobago (one of their national instruments is a plastic whistle! Um heck yes.) and Cuba! I'll have to ask Amber her favs, but I noticed her spending substantially more time at the Chinese exhibit, Ecuador, Fender co., electronic, and hip hop. We both agreed that the tiny little girls playing the string instruments from North Korea were precious and possibly brain washed. After the exhibit, we headed downstairs into the Experience Gallery.Fun ensued. Amber busted out on the drums and Ukelele. I hit up the gong. You know, they only let you play that thing once. Take it all in. It's the only chance you'll get. There's this sik electronic instrument called the Theremin that they grace you with the opportunity to play in the Experience Gallery. Try not to weep... Alright now dry those tears. Don't mock him. He spent a long time putting together that galaxy background. That guy is really talented. Are you that passionate about life? 3:46, look at that smile. The theremin fulfills him. If that didn't convince you, listen to this. Awwwwww yayuh. I know you liked that. If you've decided to take a visit, bust out your favorite jams. My roadtrip consisted of: The White Stripes (oo this is a good place to share a decent cover song) Cake and Andrew Bird (but just this song. I just kept replaying it over and over!) Es el fin

Monday, June 11, 2012

Saturday Soundtrack: Mix!

Hola amigos y amigas! This past Saturday I listened to a little of everything and found a couple of sweet records at this little antique shop in downtown Phoenix called QCumber. They have an awesome collection of old records! The record room is semi split up by genre. Rock on one side, jazz/blues/soul on the other. Although, a lot of the records are intermingled. I like that, though. I enjoy hunting for treasures. Walking through the store is like walking through a vintage wonderland. I am in mega-love with this place. I will definitely be visitng again! I scored an old Byrds album, Johnny Cash's Happiness is You, Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, and Disney's Peter and the Wolf. I collect all kinds of records but I have a certain weakness for soul, rare Cash albums, musicals, and random weird children's albums. Peter and the Wolf is one of my favorite stories! I made a classroom set of character puppets from the story and I love to introduce the story as re-tell at school with the younger kiddos and sequencing with the older ones. It's great for those auditory learners. Very engaging activity. I'm excied to teach it to the lil guys at work in the fall. Over the weekend, The Avett Bros played at Bonaroo in NYC. I missed the live feed but thankfully the festival uploads some of the acts on their youtube. The Avett Brothers are, by far, my favorite artists. Their live shows are so fun. Reminds me of why I love music so much. Take a listen. :) The Byrds are a class act, man. Legends. Here's an oldie but a goodie. Some sik guitar picking from the Byrdmaniax album. Enjoy :)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Saturday Soundtrack: Shadows on Stars

Woops! I can't seem to keep track of my days while on Summer vacay. I guess today is Tuesday. :) Anywho, here was my Saturday Soundtrack. Shadows on Stars, "Pay the Rent" Enjoy :)