G, It's been a while

I'm sure most of you have forgotten about my ipod challenge since it's been a while since I posted about a LETTER!  Well, I'm here to post about letter G - I finally got around to finishing.  Honestly, I had to go back and listen to some of it again since I had forgotten where I left off - whoops. **I realize I am skipping over F but had technical difficulty so will cover that next time


Before I get to the stats on G, I wanna give a quick shout out to my girl - ANGEL SNOW! I was fortunate enough to see her perform at The Ryman this past weekend, opening for Alison Krauss.  It was such a beautiful show for both artists. I can't imagine what it felt like for Angel to stand on The Ryman stage in front of a sold out crowd to perform her songs. I was nervous for her (you know how ya get when you watch someone you know do something like that) but she was flawless. I'm so proud to know her and excited that her music is reaching so many people. I think this is just the beginning and someday she will be back on that stage as the headliner!

Ok, now to the letter G:

Total songs = 158

It got pretty scary with 11 songs about GHOSTS:
Ghost by Indigo Girls
Ghost by Jes
Ghost by Live
Ghost Bitch by Sonic Youth
The Ghost In You by The Psychedelic Furs
The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells
The Ghost Of You Lingers by Spoon
Ghost Symbol by Zero 7
Ghost Town by The Specials
Ghost Train by Marc Cohn
Ghost Writing by Neko Case

To balance it out, there were also 11 songs about things that were GOOD. The word with the most songs was GIRL/GIRLFRIEND which doesn't surprise me since we are all about some love songs ;)
I also had 5 songs with GREEN and 4 with GREY to add a little color to the mix.

A couple of favorites that came up were -
Girlfriend In A Coma by The Smiths and Guns In The Sky by INXS

The winning word in which I loved all the songs were GREAT! (how fitting, eh?!)
The Great Curve by Talking Heads
Great Expectations by Elbow
The Great Gig In The Sky by Pink Floyd
Great Rejoicing by Thad Cockrell
The Great Salt Lake by Band of Horses
The Greatest by Cat Power

So there ya have it - my songs of G  - I think you should listen to whatever songs you have that begin with G to find out how GREAT they are ;) ha!

Ch ch cha changes....

Ok, I know that the one guarantee in life is change. (at least that's what I think) Change can be good, bad, ugly, exciting - you name it. It's just that sometimes, I'm glad to look back at the changes that have happened in life even when they are small, non-purposeful changes.

One thing that I've noticed lately, in terms of music, that has changed is visiting/living with my brother. I have so many memories of the first time I would hear an artist/song/band that all of a sudden my brother was blaring from his room/condo/home. I would end up loving the music and buying it for myself.

Just to name a few:

Peter Gabriel Live w/ Paula Cole - his bedroom at the house we grew up in
Guns & Roses - running around in the den, dancing to Welcome to the Jungle
Thome Yorke - driving around Sandestin, FL
Air - Condo on N Street in Washington, DC
DJ Shadow
Massive Attack
Royksopp
Groove Armada
Zero 7
LIVE - my highschool friends will never let me live this one down. they definitely know that I heard this band because of my brother. ;)

All of this to say, things have changed a little since my brother had a lil girl almost 1yr ago. When I visit now it's more about kid songs and staying quiet at nap time. I know he still has gems of aritists out there to introduce me to so I'm just waiting for the day when Sloan (my niece) starts to enjoy the music as well so we can turn the volume up again! Conversations about music have become something that I look forward to discussing with my brother whenever we get a chance. I'm not saying that we like all the same artists/songs - far from it but it's nice to be able to exchange some similar taste in music between each other.

My question for you is - where did your biggest music influence come from?? Family, friend, radio, concert, online, etc?

Sometimes I'm amazed at the music various people have introduced me to and thankful that most of those people are still in my life to keep up the good tunes. Honestly, I think my brother was born to be a DJ or something. He is good with music. YES, he can be controlling or dominating when it comes to what is played but typically you are happy with the end result. He can set a mood, create a party or just be silly. It will always make you smile. :)

Thanks broseph, for all the lovely music you made me aware of along the way! I look forward to what's ahead.....

Cheers to a "Good Winter"

Yep, I love BON IVER and i don't care how you pronounce it - he is a brilliant man. I didn't think I could have an obession until I saw Justin Vernon live. The lights, the sound, the presence  of it all was simply brilliant.

Seriously, I'm in love. This man has created a beautiful album from beginning to end. I can't get enough and that says a lot. I usually over expose whatever my new artist or album may be at the moment. I also get over the artist usually after I've seen him/her live in concert - until now. I've listened to Bon Iver's new album at least 20 times since I bought it a month ago and really want all that I know to enjoy it as much as i do.....I know that's not possible, I just dream when it comes to this music. WOW. SERIOUSLY. LISTEN. IT's that good.

I did not have any expectations when it came to seeing Bon Iver in concert. I just knew that I enjoyed what I heard....now, it's an entire new dimension. Ok, I know it helps that he performed at The Ryman but it is possible to have a mediocre show in the historic venue.

This is one of the first concerts (in a long time)where I really FELT the music. I loved the lighting, the multiple people in the band including two drummers, Justin's unique voice - it was all so magnificent from start to finish. It made life that much better - just knowing this kind of music exists. I know it's totally cheesy but my life is rewarded by knowing this is out there to enjoy. I want to have this feeling on a daily basis. I hope you do as well.......

Bon Iver Live in DC - Listen to the entire show on NPR (I know I have)

OR

Watch Bon Iver perform "Beth/Rest" - One of my favorite songs