Singer-songwriter – Not Your Mom's Playlist

Acoustic Songs, Folk, Political Songs, Singer/Songwriter, UK Artists

Song of the Day – “Be More Kind” by Frank Turner

July 29, 2018

Yes, yes … I know it has been a very long time since I have added something new to this blog. Let’s just pretend I have not been gone for so long and let’s enjoy a new song together. 🙂

I have a song that I just love and have not been able to get out of my head. Yesterday, I saw the artist live and so I decided it was the perfect time to share. This is such an incredible song and so timely. I dare you to listen to it and not feel the need to be more kind.

“In a world that has decided that it’s going to lose it’s mind … be more kind my friends. Try to be more kind.”

Frank Turner is a very passionate English singer-songwriter who just released his seventh studio album, by the same name as the song (Be More Kind), in May 2018. His music style could be described as folk-punk and this song, although definitely gentle and folksy, is certainly no different in it’s emotional personal – and political – message. I absolutely love his acoustic style of music.

I was lucky enough to get to see Frank Turner live yesterday afternoon in a very intimate setting. I went out on a sold out Rocks Off concert cruise in NYC and he performed for well over an hour while we traveled along the East River and the Hudson River. It was an incredibly beautiful afternoon and being on the water and listening to his music was a double treat. Turner played solo and the raw emotion of hearing him sing his songs was fantastic.

I would totally recommend seeing him if you get a chance. I have wanted to see him live for many years, but have never been able to make it work, so I was thrilled when this opportunity popped up yesterday morning. I love being spontaneous. 🙂

I hope that you enjoy this great new song. I posted another song by him on February 16, 2014 called “The Way I Tend To Be.” Check it out as well, it is one of my favorites.

Song of the Day – “Run With Me” by Hudson Taylor

February 5, 2018

New Music Monday!

I have decided to dedicate a few days each week to a particular theme. Mondays will now be “New Music Monday.” On this day I will post a song from either a new artist that is up and coming or new music from an artist you may already know.

Today I am posting a new song from a duo that I absolutely adore. This is Hudson Taylor – an Irish folk pop duo with brothers Alfie and Harry Hudson-Taylor. This is their new single which was just released a couple of weeks ago and which is on their new EP – Feel It Again.

I have posted about Hudson Taylor in the past – back in 2013 and 2015. Click here to see those posts and listen to other fabulous songs by them. I have been following the brothers since the spring of 2012 and I just love their sound. I hope you enjoy this great new music.

One more thing. They are heading out on a North American tour with Gabrielle Aplin (UK artist and long time girlfriend of Alfie) later this month. I have been trying to work out my schedule so that I can see them. If they are going to be in your area, I would highly recommend you check it out!

Pop Music, Rising Artist, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “San Francisco” by Courier (feat. Sidney Rudder & Josh Gabbard)

November 4, 2017

Three guesses where I am today? 😉

This is a song and an artist that are new to me and I really like both. This song is catchy, with a cool beat and great lyrics. Courier is the musical name of Nashville singer-songwriter, Blake Mundell. In early 2017, Courier released his LP, The Present Tense. It was a concept album with all of the songs written about the lives of his 13 closest friends. He says that his musical influences include Mat Kearney and Paul Simon … no wonder I like him. In a blog post he wrote at the end of 2016, he said the following about the album,

“In a year that felt lonely and isolating at times, I hope that this record helps remind us how vital community is.”

Would love to hear your thoughts about the song today. I am surprised that this is the first I have heard of this musician, but I plan to keep my eye out on this rising artist.

Folk, Folk Pop, Irish Artists, Love Songs, Rising Artist, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “World Without You” by Hudson Taylor

March 10, 2015

Today’s song is one you will have to listen to on YouTube below as it is not yet available here in the US. I love Hudson Taylor, an Irish folk pop duo with brothers Alfie and Harry Hudson-Taylor.

I have posted a song from Hudson Taylor in the past, but wanted to share this new song (and brand new video!) by them today. They will be releasing their debut album, Singing For Strangers, across the world (except the US and Canada) on March 30. I will be keeping my eye out for the US release date and will let you know as soon as I know. In the meantime, this is a great music video and I think you will love the song.

I have linked to their LP, Chasing Rubies, above. The LP was released in late 2013 and if you have not yet listened to their music, please check them out … they truly are awesome! You can also preview their new album by clicking HERE.

Alternative, Love Songs, New York Artists, Singer/Songwriter

Song of the Day – “Nothing Without Love” by Nate Ruess

March 4, 2015

Okay, you are probably thinking, “I thought she said she was back … and then she disappeared again.”

Sorry to have been so absent over the last few weeks. Sometimes life gets in the way. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of January and had surgery on February 23. I know, a little heavy for a music blog :), but I think knowing that will explain the song choice for today.

I love this new song by Nate Ruess (from the band fun.). fun. is one of my favorite bands and I have always loved Nate’s voice. He has been working on a solo project and this is the first single from that endeavor.

The title of the song just rings so true for me right now. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from so many – family, friends, work associates, and even acquaintances. It is amazing how much love there is in this world if we open our hearts to receive it. I have truly realized that I am nothing without love – it is the foundation of my life. I received a note from a friend that said:

“And now these three remain:

faith, hope & love.

But the greatest of these is love.”

You are loved by many of us.

Wishing you faith, hope & love.

Enjoy this new song. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the result of Nate’s solo album.

Electro, Electronic, Electronic Music, European Artists, Folk Pop, Pop Music

Song of the Day – “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance

February 11, 2015

A quick song at the end of a very, very long day. I am exhausted, but refuse to skip Day 2 of my new posting run. 🙂

This song is by the German duo, Milky Chance, and is off their debut album, Sadnecessary. The duo is made up of singer/songwriter Clemens Rehbein and DJ Philipp Daush who met in an “Advanced Music Course” in the eleventh grade. You may already be familiar with them and this song, but my son and I kept listening to it while driving to and from the airport for a golf tournament a few weeks ago and I just have wanted to share it ever since.

Okay, it is only 9pm, but I am physically and mentally exhausted … I am off to bed. No stolen dance for me tonight. 😉

Family Songs, Female Artists, Folk Pop, Love Songs, Singer/Songwriter

“Back To Home” by Tristan Prettyman

November 4, 2014

14 hours! Actually 14 hours and 5 minutes!

That is how long a direct flight takes from New York to Beijing, China. I know this because I am on that flight right now. For weeks I have been panicking about sitting on a plane for 14 hours. I am not very good at sitting. I bought me some Sleep Well and in an hour or so I plan to attempt sleeping so that I can try to be right ready to jump onto China time. That is probably wishful thinking since they are 13 hours ahead of my time, meaning that I should already be asleep now as it is 3:30 am tomorrow there right now. I know … confusing! I might as well admit to myself now that there is a very good chance I will not be posting on Wednesday. 🙂

I am so excited to visit China. I have never been to China and there are so many things I am looking forward to seeing, but mostly I am excited to see my daughter! ❤ She has now been in China for 10 weeks and still has another 6 1/2 weeks to go. I can’t wait to hear how much her Chinese language skills have improved and it will be so exciting to see China through her eyes, as well as my own. We will be spending a few days in Beijing, which will be new for her, and then I will accompany her back to Shanghai.

I am posting a new song today by Tristan Prettyman. This song is from her new album, Back to Home, which was just released last week on October 27. I have been a fan of Tristan Prettyman’s music for many years. She released her first album back in 2005. I think her music is so pure, raw, honest, and soulful all at the same time. Sometimes it feels light and breezy, reminiscent of her California surfing background, and other times it is just an incredibly deep lyrical song backed by great music. This album has a much different sound than her older music, but I love it! Today’s song is definitely my very favorite from the new album.

I really connected with this song – “Back To Home.” As I am sitting here on a plane off to China it struck me that I am off to find “home.” Home is not necessarily a place; I have learned that over the last 23 years through all of our moves and changes. Home is where I am with the ones I love. Home is where my heart is … and right now my heart is spread far and wide.

I was texting my son right before takeoff and I said, “I am so excited for you to come back home!” He responded, “In like 2 weeks?” I obviously think we disagreed on how close it seemed. 😉 I am just so excited to have him come home and I guess as I am off to visit one piece of my heart, I started anticipating having another piece return back home. I know that home will always be there. Life is a journey and my little family is certainly having a journey, but I find a lot of solace in the line of this song that says,

“All of these roads lead us back to home.”

No YouTube videos for any songs on this new album yet, so I have attached a recording of the song from SoundCloud. I hope you enjoy this new music as much as I have.

Let’s see … just 11 more hours to go! YIKES!

Acoustic Songs, Female Artists, Folk, Rising Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Upbeat Songs

“Somewhere All The Time” by Samantha Crain

November 2, 2014

I have not been very good at keeping up with my blog over the last few weeks. Funny how life gets in the way of things.

Amazingly, I have been at this blog now for an entire year! It has been such an interesting adventure. What I thought would be an easy undertaking was not always quite as easy as I thought it would be. Sometimes it became overwhelming and I have to admit I avoided it, but mostly it has been a fun experiment, a great way to share and explore my passion, and an incredible learning experience. As I evaluate the blogging experience of the last year, I can now begin to set new goals and work on improving.

Thank you for sharing this adventure with me. I hope that you have enjoyed the ride as much as I have, and I appreciate you hanging in there with me. New things are on the horizon. I can’t promise how quickly they will come, but they are coming … just as soon as I get this thing called life under control. 🙂 Speaking of which … so much to share with you in my next blog posts.

I am sharing a fabulous song with you today. It is one that I have liked for a long time from Oklahoma native Samantha Crain‘s 2013 album, Kid Face. I love her voice and her natural sound with that guitar. The words to this song are perfect!

Last weekend I made a very spontaneous decision after learning that my husband’s flight would be coming in late. I grabbed my purse and walked down the street to see a concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. It is a renowned venue in the city and one that I had not been to yet. A show was playing there that night that I had wanted to see and so I was glad that I got the opportunity. Samantha Crain was the opening act and she was delightful. She is a small person and it was just her and her guitar on that huge stage; however, she was able to warm up that audience with her humorous stories, great songs, and fabulous music. Her music was captivating and enjoyable. I loved hearing the songs that I already knew and I heard many new ones that I can’t wait to have released. Enjoy.

Acoustic Songs, Love Songs, Rising Artist, Sad Songs, Singer/Songwriter, UK Artists

SONG OF THE DAY – “LET IT GO” by James Bay

September 25, 2014

Just a quick note tonight with a song by one of my favorite new artists – James Bay. I have posted a song by him before (“Need The Sun to Break” back on February 3, 2014 where I give more background on the artist) and love his music. This is an incredible song and James Bay makes amazing music. I love a guy with nothing but his guitar and a voice that expresses vulnerability, depth, and passion. I could listen to this song over and over again … which, to be truthful, I often do. It has become one of my favorite songs.

The song is from his new EP, Let It Go, which was released this summer. This is his third EP and I can only imagine the hype when he releases his first full length album.

James Bay is a young British singer-songwriter from Hitchin, UK who is one of the most awesome acoustic performers I have heard. The lyrics to his songs are honest, emotional, and introspective and the music is incredibly smooth. His performances are raw and unforgettable. He is currently on tour and if you are lucky enough to score a ticket (he is touring with Hozier and the tickets are selling fast!), it would be quite a performance. Just watch this incredible performance below and see if he does not become one of your favorite new artists, too!

Can I also just say, I LOVE his hats – he wears them even better than Pharrell.

Jazz, R&B, Rising Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Soul, UK Artists

SONG OF THE DAY – “SCREAM (FUNK MY LIFE UP)” by Paolo Nutini

September 23, 2014

Last night I made a very spontaneous decision to attend a concert. I love being spontaneous!

I just arrived home Sunday night from an incredible hiking trip in Colorado (more to come on that tomorrow) and my husband was going to be gone on Monday night, so I decided I did not want to just sit home alone. I knew that Scottish, Singer-Songwriter, Paolo Nutini, was coming in concert this week, but I had never planned to attend because I did not think I would be able to swing it after just getting home. Luckily, I was able to get a ticket yesterday afternoon for his show at Terminal 5 in NYC. The show sold out and his show tonight at the Apollo Theater has been sold out for quite some time.

The show was incredible. What an amazing voice! He opened up his show with 9 other people on stage with him, including a three-piece horn section, which was awesome. He thrilled his audience and after he opened with “Scream (Funk My Life Up)“, I think it was the most appreciative crowd I have heard in a very long time. There were a lot of very passionate fans at the show and they were certainly eclectic, from young drunk boys to couples in their 50s and 60s. His music obviously appeals to a wide range of people.

This is the second Song of the Day I have posted by Paolo Nutini – I posted “Better Man” on June 10, 2014. His music truly is reminiscent of another time. He referred to one of his guitarists, who was singing backup to “Someone Like You,” as “Frankie Valli” and the song definitely had a 50s vibe. Then when he sang “Cherry Blossom” I felt like I was right in the middle of the 60s or early 70s, complete with strobe lighting. The music on his new album is such a unique sound and different from most everything else out today. Paolo Nutini has a raspy, throaty voice at times, but he also has an incredibly smooth voice and hits those beautiful clear notes as well. I’m not sure that I have ever seen anyone with such passion and emotion in both voice and performance.

Paolo Nutini’s third album, Caustic Love, was just recently released in the USA, but it was released in the UK back in April to strong reviews, debuting at number one on the UK Album Charts and certified platinum in June 2014. I can’t imagine that this album won’t get that kind of attention here in the US, both from music lovers and critics. His fans have been waiting 5 years for this new album and he certainly did not disappoint. I totally recommend that you listen to the entire new album and if you get a chance to see him live, I would highly recommend it.

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