Month: October 2017

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Chris Pierce, Raleigh, Chris Rea, Fool Heavy

Enjoying my final day in Oklahoma before heading off to the Durango Songwriters Expo in Wellington, Colorado this weekend.  It’s been an exciting week of reconnecting with my brother, Maj Charles Leggett, an Army chaplain who just returned from his third deployment to Iraq, as well as spending time with my father, who turned 85 in May.  Gonna be sad to leave them, but so glad I had the opportunity to visit.

Here are four more reviews that should complete all the September releases.  It’s been a very busy month.

Artist Name:  Chris Pierce

Album Name:  You’ve got to Feel It

Label:  Calabama Records

Genre:  R&B/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Cry to Me; 2.  Slip Away; 3.  The Dark end of the Street; 4.  You Better Move On; 5.  Don’t Fight It; 6.  I’m a Ram; 7.  Trouble Man; 8.  Stop; 9.  That’s how Strong my Love Is; 10.  Is it Something You’ve Got; 11.  You Haven’t Done Nothin’; 12.  Many Rivers to Cross

Publicist:  Rogers & Cowan

Review:  Chris Pierce is considered to be one of the treasures of Los Angeles, and this album of covers will only cement that reputation even more.   Pierce traveled to Alabama to the famed Muscle Shoals Studio to record this tribute to some of the greatest songwriters in R&B and soul, including Wilson Picket, Clarence Carter, Al Green, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.  The album was recorded using original members of The Swampers, the Muscle Shoals Horns and the Shoals Sisters, and ranks in the top 5 of all cover albums we have heard.  Pierce has the same powerful voice as the aforementioned greats, and knows how to bring out the emotion in any song.  His sound is a combination of Van Morrison and Otis Redding, among others, with the ability to channel the energy and power of these greats.  He even closes out the album with a song by one of our favorite reggae singers, Jimmy Cliff.  This album is sheer perfection to anyone who loves the golden age of soul.  Thank you Chris Pierce for your beautiful homage.

Recommendation:  This is a must have album for your collection and a worthy addition to your desert island collection.  Get. It. Now.

Artist Name:  Raleigh

Album Name:  Powerhouse Bloom

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Just Kids; 2.  Dead in Tracks; 3.  Smoke in our Eyes; 4.  Wake up Evangelist; 5.  Costume Party; 6.  We met in Alcatraz; 7.  Tithing, 8.  Nice Mistake; 9.  Acid Tongue

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Raleigh has a wonderfully raw sound that sets their music apart from many other indie artists.  The lyrics resonate over skillfully crafted musical accompaniment, allowing the power of the words to shine through.  There is no bravado in the album’s title, as “powerhouse” is an apt description of this band and their sound.  It is the perfect album to turn on and let it run from start to finish.  Our favorite tracks include “Just Kids,” “Smoke in our Eyes,” “We Met in Alcatraz,” and “Nice Mistake.”

Recommendation:  A most worthy addition, we recommend you take a chance on these guys and Get this album.

Artist Name:  Chris Rea

Album Name:  Road Songs for Lovers

Label:  BMG

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Happy on the Road; 2.  Nothing Left Behind; 3.  Road Songs for Lovers; 4.  Money; 5.  Two Lost Souls; 6.  Rock my Soul; 7.  Moving On; 8.  The Road Ahead; 9.  Last Train; 10.  Angel of Love; 11.  Breaking Point; 12.  Beautiful

Publicist:  The End Records PR

Review:  For those of us who have been around music a long time, the name “Chris Rea” brings back memories of a super hit from 1978 – “Fool (If you Think It’s Over).”  Rea has stayed active in the music industry over the past almost 40 years, making a total of 22 studio albums, releasing four other singles, and amassing sales of more than 30 million albums.  All of that experience pays off on this new album, which should once again make Rea a household name.  From rootsy rock songs like “Happy on the Road” to the laid back sound of the title track, this album has something for every music lover.   Check out the horns and keys on “Money.”  We are in awe of this album, and Chris Rea.  At a time when we are losing so many of our musical legends, let’s rally behind Rea and support his return.  He will be touring Europe and the UK for the remainder of 2017.

Recommendation:  If you love great music by a legend of guitar, check out this one.  You should definitely Get it.

Artist Name:  Fool Heavy

Album Name:  Gusto

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative

Track Listing:  1. Pulp Fiction, 2.  Dude Quest; 3.  Orange Dracula; 4.  Canada Dry; 5.  Lil’ Brains; 6.  Avant Garbage; 7. Bruise; 8.  Homebody

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  Vocalist/guitarist Taylor Berke and vocalist/bassist Sam Coughlin combine to form Fool Hardy, mixing garage, punk and alternative rock into their own sound that is full of energy.  On their debut album Gusto, they show that they have much to contribute to the indie music community.   This album will get your juices pumping to a steady beat and amazing riffs, with the vocals rising to the top like fine cream.  Our favorite tracks include “Orange Dracula,” “Canada Dry,” “Lil’ Brains,” and “Avant Garbage.”

Recommendation:  If you love rock, especially grunge and/or punk, then this is the group for you.  Run out and Get it – you’ll thank us later!

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews Women in Entertainment

K-Syran’s latest release is making us ‘Dizzy’

It has been two years since Norwegian artist K-Syran released her last album, Smoke in my Veins.  We interviewed her last year after her single, “Hello” achieved some success on the Billboard chart, and she has been mentioned in four of our Monday Mash-up articles.

When we first heard the U.K. version of her new material, we were not impressed.  Her initial single felt incomplete, like it was recorded unprofessionally in a garage.  The vocals did not seem to be in sync, and the only thing going for the song was its incessant beat, making it a good dance track since no one would be listening to the vocals anyway.

Enter Eric Alexandrakis, critically acclaimed musician and producer.  When he finished remastering the single “Dizzy,” it was completely transformed into a radio ready hit song.  All of the problems we had with the U.K. version had been corrected, and we were beginning to see why K-Syran was becoming such an in-demand performer.

Her new album Dizzy was released in its remastered version on September 29, along with her new single, “Temptation.”  Here’s the music video for that song.

K-Syran also recently hosted  a live event to commemorate World Peace Day on September 21.

Artist Name:   K-Syran

Album Name:   Dizzy

Label:   Intimacy Records

Genre:   Pop/dance

Track Listing:   1.  Dizzy; 2.  Temptation; 3.  Skin; 4.  Hudson River; 5.  Staring at the Wall; 6.  Show Me; 7.  My Angel Tonight; 8.  LA; 9.  Call out my Name; 10.  Peace Song

Publicist:   Jennifer Allison Publicity

Review:  K-Syran is not just a creator of dance music.  A thorough listen to her latest album, Dizzy, will attest.  Her songs are well written, and help propel her beyond her dance music beginnings.  The first two tracks have both been released as singles, and we think that there is other material on the album that would also make good singles, including “Skin.”  The songwriting skills have definitely improved, possibly as a result of K-Syran’s desire to be an activist for change, as indicated in her song “Peace.”  Other songs that caught our interest include “Staring at the Wall,” “Show Me,” “My Angel Tonight,” “LA” and “Call out my Name.”

Recommendation:  Kudos to collaborators Phillip Larsen and Chris Smith of Manhatten Clique on their work on this album.  We recommend that you grab this one, and also check out her live performances at her upcoming CD release shows in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 37

Took a couple of days off from writing to spend some time with my family.  Went with Dad and my brother up to the OKC suburb of Midwest City to visit my sister-in-law, her folks, and my niece and nephew.  Ate way too much food and needed Sunday to recuperate.  Ready for a new week that will be special with the Durango Songwriters Expo in Wellington, Colorado this weekend after my final three days of enjoyment with my family.

KELLY McGRATH CELEBRATES CMT DEBUT

Two weeks ago we debuted the new music video by Kelly McGrath.  This past Thursday, that video debuted on CMT, which McGrath celebrated with a screening and concert at The Family Wash in Nashville, where she was joined by her entire management team.  Congratulations to McGrath on this special occasion.  We hope to see her at #1 in no time on CMT.

NEW SINGLES

Take a listen to “This Could Mean the End,” the latest from Australian Lachlan Vines.  It has a smooth vibe that makes the poignant lyrics a little easier to take.  Please let us know what you think.

Our next single also comes from Australia.  Please welcome Bluebird to North America, with stunning song, “Invincible.”  We are very impressed with these guys, especially the lead vocals.   We think this band will take flight soon, so check them out now and get on board before they become a household name.

Our last single for today is another dynamic female named Priest, who has released her first single, “White Wing Dove” from her forthcoming EP.  Her sound is very reminiscent of Mandi Perkins and of Verona, and we are very excited to share her with you.  Enjoy this morsel.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Because it’s the first Monday in October, we are giving you a double-feature for our first new music video.  Check out the lyric video and official video for “Butterflies” by Beckett.  The song features the vocals of Claire Ridgley.  The song truly makes us feel upbeat and happy for the new week, and definitely puts us in the proper frame of mind.  Let us know what you think.

Moving over to the other side, here’s a new video from Lyod that has a very soothing and smooth male vocal to balance out your day.  Check out “Run Away” and let us know what you think.

Last but not least this week, here’s the latest from The Voice alum Jacquie Lee.  Her soaring vocals and stunning visuals should get your week off to a fine start.  We’ll be back soon with more Get it or Forget it and a stunning interview with the one and only Robert Earl Keen.