Andy Samberg & Adam Levine "I'm So Humble"

I'm a fan of The Voice on NBC because they seem to really go the extra mile to teach and help prepare their contestants for the stage. The show gets extra kudos for their ability to bring on a variety of music and entertainment stars. Sometimes it results in show-stopping performances, and sometimes it's great for laughs. I think this covers a bit of both. 

Enjoy "I'm So Humble" performed by Andy Samberg as Conner4Real and the Real Adam Levine. 

Yet Another Reason Jimmy Fallon Rocks!

Ariana Grande nails her vocal impressions then Jimmy jumps in with his own. Sting. I said STING! 

Love it!

While I Gently Weep (the Start of Another School Year)

“While my Guitar Gently Weeps” from the Beatles White Album is one of their best, IMHO. I love the guitar chords and the stories of how it became the version we know today.

The song was supposedly inspired by I Ching a Chinese Book of Changes, which George Harrison found at his mother’s house one visit. Some say Harrison had trouble convincing the band the song was any good. After several attempts, the band had a little help from their friend, Eric Clapton, and got it right.

Whatever happened, it is hard to argue the beauty and longing in this song. It reminds me of how change sometimes feels.

So many changes happen in September: back-to-school, football, autumn, and transforming leaves. I keep thinking how much our kids have grown this year, how much fun we had this summer (most of the time), and that they’re heading back to school. It makes me smile, and yet, I long for those seemingly simpler days when we went everywhere together. It wasn’t really simpler, just different.

Our family investigated the world and the kids asked a million questions, usually while I was driving. It was fun, crazy, exhausting and…everything all at once. And it was beautiful. So, in honor of change, and beauty, and longing, I’ve compiled my top five versions of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ by some truly great musicians: The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Santana, India Arie, Prince, and Tom Petty, just to name a few.

Let’s listen, maybe weep a little, and get through the start of this new school year together. Feel free to share your favorites too!

1. Santana, Yo Yo Ma feat. India Arie

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id457800639?i=457800647

2. Beatles “White Album” (with Eric Clapton)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id401126224?i=401126346

3. Jake Shimabukuro playing near Strawberry Fields

https://youtu.be/puSkP3uym5k

4. Eric Clapton

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id277510547?i=277510621

5. Prince, Tom Petty, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne & Steve Winwood

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/id425064523?i=425064557

Must Hear/See Music

I'm a big Nashville fan, it's true. I often tweet about the show, and I've blogged about it at least a half dozen times. So, whenever I hear of a Lennon & Maisy cover, like this one, I try to check it out. Thanks to PopSugar, I was turned onto their "Boom Clap" Cover here: http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Lennon-Maisy-Boom-Clap-Cover-Video-36785217

and here: https://youtu.be/X6f1yACIoNY

If you want to hear something amazing, listen to the Stella sisters sing. Want some incredible music with a side of Music City drama? Check out Nashville on ABC. Really, go do it now, and enjoy!

This might just blow you to the back of the room

Loving this video of Shatter Me Featuring Lzzy Hale - Lindsey Stirling

Adam Levine and Jimmy Fallon Sing-off

Love, love, love this! 

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/segments/11056

Friday Inspiration-Nashville: "A Life That's Good" by Lennon & Maisy Stella

Talented young singers, and a great song—amazing! Happy Friday!

Ah-mazing! Katy Perry - Dark Horse (Sang in 20 Styles) Ten Second Songs

I have to start by admitting my kids are the main reason I listen to Katy Perry every day now. They're not tweens or teens, not even close. And I can honestly say is this song (Dark Horse) is getting a lot of play at home, and on the road along with the rest of the Prism album, which I've found surprisingly enjoyable. Don't be a hater, I have eclectic music tastes. Plus, my kids are, thankfully, still young enough we don't have to explain the lyrics. 

I have never seen anything like this guy, with his Frankenstein tattoo (yeah, gotta look to find it), singing in so many varied styles. Get through the crush of heavy metal and you'll find Sinatra, The Doors, Pavarotti, John Mayer, Run D.M.C., and more! Listen for yourself.

Wow!  

Ann Arbor Family – Roll over Beethoven

Here’s a brief published in Ann Arbor Family. It’s about a “Beethoven to Jimi” class at Rudolf Steiner High School. Yes, it’s Beethoven to Hendrix and they get to study iconic pieces like Beethoven’s 9th and Hendrix’s version of the “Star Spangled Banner.” You can read it online or in the November issue.

Now, I've got the urge to get out my guitar...and take some lessons!

Music you should hear

I admit it. I'm a fan of Nashville on ABC. If I started out unsure before the first episode, I was convinced when I heard the music. By the end of the pilot, a smoldering number sung by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, "If I Didn't Know Better" hooked me. It got even better when they sang "Fade Into You" this week. The young characters have an attraction that jumps off the screen every time they sing. I've downloaded the songs and can't wait to hear what comes next. Not sure how the numbers will play out, so tune in if you can, check out episodes on ABC here and listen to the tunes. There's real depth to some of the songs — sample a bit of old country angst with lyrics like "Til there's no way to know where you end and where I begin." 

The series was created by Callie Khouri, who won an Academy Award for Thelma & Louise. The music comes from some amazing singers and songwriters. On October 2, 2012, it was announced that Big Machine Records will release all covers and original songs from the series. Some of the original songs will be written by John Paul White of The Civil Wars, Hillary Lindsey, and Elvis Costello. (Wiki and The Hollywood Reporter) The HW story has more details here. 

Attention Music and Movie Lovers - Adele's "Skyfall" Theme Song Leaked

This just in from Mashable. Adele is rumored to be the voice for the latest James Bond movie's theme song. The Skyfall theme won’t officially be available until 7:07 p.m. ET on Oct. 4, but you can listen to part of it here:

Mashable: Adele's 'Skyfall' Theme Song Leaks

London 2012 Closing Ceremony

Here's a link so you can check out highlights of the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, featuring performances by One Direction, Pet Shop Boys, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Jessie J, Taio Cruz, Spice Girls, Liam Gallagher, Muse and more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/olympics-london-2012-closing-ceremony-slideshow/

Best of the British (Olympics and Music)

Rumors are swirling around the Twitter-sphere about whether Sir Paul McCartney will be singing Hey Jude, Yesterday or Imagine at the Opening Ceremony. Hopefully, they won't pull the plug on him like they did at a recent jam session with The Boss. Whatever he has planned, it's sure to be historic. Other rumored performers include: The Who, Muse, The Rolling Stones and Adele. Wondering what else is planned? This link from the London Olympic website explains everything from Receiving the Head of State to the Parade of Athletes and the Official Opening of the 2012 Olympic Games.

http://www.london2012.com/spectators/ceremonies/opening-ceremony/

They note: A total cast of 15,000 will take part in the London 2012 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which will be watched by an estimated audience of four billion. Tremendous, awesome, incredible when you think about the number—four billion!

As far as the Closing Ceremony goes, the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) announced that the Ceremony would be titled ‘A Symphony of British Music’. The theme will celebrate the fact that music has been one of Britain’s strongest cultural exports over the last 50 years. Organisers will work with some of the country’s most globally successful musicians, along with some of the industry's stars of tomorrow. http://www.london2012.com/news/2012/02/olympic-closing-ceremony-to-be-a-symphony-of-british-mus.php

In honor if the London Olympics and British music, I’m posting a Best of the British Playlist. Several years ago while visiting our sister in Chicago, we strolled into a Virgin Mega Store and I found this CD. I’d really like to tell the person(s) who compiled this I dug the list then, and I still do. It’s filled with popular artists, but some of the selections are unexpected. Not everything is stellar, it's just a sampling of British music, but I highly recommend Bus Stop, Tubular Bells (suspense/horror film fans will recognize the tune) and the acoustic version of Days Go By. Definitely worth a listen.

Cheers!

1.    Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield

2.    Heroes by David Bowie

3.    Church of the Poison Mind by Culture Club

4.    Ever Fallen in Love? by The Buzzcocks

5.    Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones

6.    A Message to You Rudy by The Specials

7.    Girls on Film by Duran Duran

8.    Bus Stop by The Hollies

9.    If You Leave by Orchestral Maneuvres in the Dark

10. It’s My Life by Talk Talk

11. More Than This by Roxy Music

12. Days Go By (Acoustic version) by Dirty Vegas

http://www.london2012.com

Happy Feet

Some days parenting requires a lot of work. Ok, every day. Occasionally, there are moments with your kids that you really get to enjoy.

My little one and I can’t stop smiling or dancing when this cute penguin ditty comes on…even my husband thinks it’s fun. I challenge you to listen to this song and do the same. It would surprise me if you can be upset about anything after hearing this.

If you’re a Gen Xer or older see if you can identify the voice without the video, then see if you’re right. Check back and let me know how you did.

Here is the song-only address. Click, listen, dance and be happy! (If you have any trouble, try to copy and paste the address in your browser and hit enter.)

http://www.workman.com/boynton/songs/boynton/YourPersonalPenguin.mp3

You can see the video, and find out who the famous voice is by clicking here and scrolling to the Personal Penguin section near the bottom.

http://www.workman.com/boynton/

SYOAS - See you online again soon!