Citizen Cope

Wow, where to begin with this guy..

He hails from Memphis, Tennessee and his music is a mixture of blues, soul, folk and rock all tied up in his own unique sound. I happened upon him by pure lucky accident.
A number of his songs have been recorded by Carlos Santana, Dido, Pharoahe Monch and Richie Havens just to name a few. No he is NOT mainstream but his voice, lyrics, music and talent have caught the eye of many a fan, including myself.

" What's clear when you listen to Cope's own music now, years after he sat transfixed in front of his stereo speakers, is that he *is* ordained. Or touched. Or blessed. Or however you want to say it: The man has the gift."

" And even when he sings about politicians "ordering the killing of innocent civilians," there's still the background chant of "Without you I've been all alone." It's the sound of Cope connecting with himself, connecting with the one he loves, and most profoundly, connecting with the listener."

You may have heard a few of his songs in some of your favorite movies or TV shows without even knowing who it was.

One of my favorite songs, 107 degrees is in the movie Lincoln Lawyer

Another great song is Sideways - To me, it's about how someone comes along in your life and completely takes you by surprise and the feelings you have for them :)

The Hawk In Paris

The Hawk in Paris is one of those lovely little gems I found on NoiseTrade. The band consists of Dan Haseltine, Jeremy Bose, and Matt Bronleewe. Dan used to be the lead singer of Jars of Clay, Jeremy is a songwriter/producer and Matt was also in Jars of Clay.

They have a fan page on facebook, which you can find here

Semi quote " The Hawk In Paris began in 2009 when the three musical friends reunited after nearly a decade." They currently have two cds out which I highly recommend you obtain both as soon as possible.

“His + Hers”, the first 7-song EP from The Hawk In Paris, offers listeners a
chance to dive deep into the melancholy of relationships. “Dinner conversations after years of getting cold, things that made us fall in love in houses that we sold,” sings Haseltine in the song “Simple Machine.” “Rolling windows up in neighborhoods we drive through in our cars, most days we can avoid them so things will stay the way they are,” he sings in “Put Your Arms Around Me,” as part social commentary, part lovers lament in the song. And although the music is layered with synthetic noises and oscillating saw tooth waves, there is no lack of emotion. When Haseltine asks, “Have you ever stood out in the rain, watched love grow cold and roll away?” We believe he is speaking from experience.

I am going to post my favorite song (so far) off of the lovely EP I obtained on NoiseTrade


Between the World and You

Break up and Heart Ache Songs

First, no I am not breaking up with anyone...lol

I just started thinking about what some of my favorite break up/heart ache songs are. Weird list to compile but in my map of a mind, that's where it went...

In some point of our lives, we have experienced love loss/heart ache. Music is what will get you through that rough patch until you are healed. It just seems that sad/depressing songs go with this as you finally sit down and have yourself a great cry. There are also those songs where the words just perfectly fit your situation...

Here are a few that I have chosen for my playlist...

I'm starting with a lovely R&B group Mint Condition..Nothing Left To Say

This song tells the story of a love ending and you leave with nothing more to say,,

Next, you must add this one to the list...

The Cure - Pictures of You
 When you’ve been staring at pictures of your ex for so long you actually start to have tangible hallucinations about said ex, that’s bad.

Yesterday - The Beatles
There's nothing like wanting to turn back time and undo the wrongs...sadly that isn't possible

Everybody Hurts - R.E.M - Absolutely devastating and heartbreaking song....

This is Our Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
When you know it's over but you just want that last goodbye, embrace and to be able to walk away

John Legend - Everybody Knows
No relationship is peaches and cream...

These are just a few of many songs that fit this type of situation. Stay tuned, I am likely to make a part 2 :)

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday or Miss Lady Day is one of my all time favorite singers.

I don't even know where to begin to express just how absolutely wonderful she was and how no one has ever come to close to her talent (in my opinion). You can just feel her heartache, longing, love and sadness in her songs.
I have a Sunday tradition which consists of Irish Tea and listening to Billie. My favorite day of the week. Just she and I.
She had a hard and difficult life at times and I can relate, maybe that is why I love her so much. Towards the end of her life, she lost her higher pitch voice due to smoking, age and drug use.
The haunting and raspy voice you hear on the Lady In Satin album just sums up her heart for me. Her voice wasn't were it used to be but she still have the love of music in her heart and soul, which is all that mattered. She could tell a whole story and let you feel her emotions in her music, that is pure talent

You can read all about her life here

There are just so many songs of hers that I adore and that are special to me. It was hard to just pick a few that I wanted to share. I tried to cover a span of years so that you could see just how beautiful her voice, soul and heart were...
The wonderful thing about Billie is she is just timeless...

First Song Miss Brown to You 1935

 God Bless The Child 1941

I'll Be Seeing You 1944

And last by not least...a song towards the end of her life. Here you can listen to how her voice changed and this song just breaks my heart. You can feel the heartache of how much her life changed her. The sorrow, disappointments and broken heart.

I'm A Fool To Want You 1958 - This song took so many takes but it is the classic example of jazz and blues that will move your soul and break your heart at the same time

Glad Ghosts

Wow, I lucked upon this via NoiseTrade...

I listened to a couple of songs and was instantly hooked to his voice..I love when a musician can do that with their poetry of lyrics..I highly encourage you to give him a listen and buy his album :))

I couldn't find much information about this singer but this is his debut album even though he has been singing for about 10 years.

This was on his musician Facebook page "Gentry and I'm a musician who is from Springfield, Missouri that is now residing in KC, Mo. I'm excited to release the first record for Glad Ghosts which is titled "The Loudest." I have been writing/playing music for 10 years now and decided that I had enough songs to get a record out there. This is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time and I am very happy that it is finally here."

I chose the song "Let Me Love You" It is such a heartfelt plea and well written poem for love. I can't wait to see what other magical and beautiful songs he has in store for us.

Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol is one of those bands that I just don't ever remember not liking...

They have a lot of albums out with a lot of great songs..Most everyone knows the insanely popular Chasing Cars, which is great.

What if The Storm Ends is my absolute favorite song of theirs...It's just the music combined with his voice that makes this a perfect song. Plug it in your ear and enjoy :)

Lyrics
What if the storm ends and I don't see you
As you are now ever again?
The perfect halo of gold hair and lightning
Sets you off against the planet's last dance

Just for a minute the silver-forked sky
Lifts you up like a star that I will follow
But now it's found us like I have a found you
I don't wanna run, just overwhelm me
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/snow-patrol-what-if-this-storm-ends-lyrics.html ]
What if the storm ends? At least that's nothing
Except the memory, a distant echo I won't pin down
I've walked unsettled rattle cage after cage
Until my blood boils

I wanna see you as you are now
Every single day that I am living
Painted in flames, a peeling thunder
Be the lightning in me that strikes relentless

What if the storm ends and I don't see you
As you are now ever again?
The perfect halo of gold hair and lightning
Sets you off against the planet's last dance

Just for a minute the silver-forked sky
Lifts you up like a star that I will follow
But now it's found us like I have a found you
I don't wanna run, just overwhelm me

Ave Maria (Schubert) - Two Different Versions

Ave Maria (Schubert)

Oh where to begin with this song...it is one of my most beloved songs and I always play this one at Christmas. Well, I play it a lot actually. I am more of a lover of how it was meant to be heard, in a church setting..

Being of the Catholic faith, this song has special meaning in the church. It is most always played at weddings and at times Midnight Mass. You do not have to be of Catholic faith to enjoy this beautiful song...

"The original words by Sir Walter Scott are detailed below and include many references to the Latin "Ave Maria" prayer. This, no doubt, inspired an unknown person to fit the Latin "Ave Maria" prayer text to Schubert's notes, and it almost succeeds with a couple of exceptions. The adapted Latin words of Ave Maria prayer ( Hail Mary ) is now the version most commonly performed with the music of Schubert."

Lyrics

Ave Maria! Ave Maria! maiden mild!
Listen to a maiden's prayer!
Thou canst hear though from the wild,
Thou canst save amid despair.
Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,
Though banish'd, outcast and reviled -
Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! undefiled!
The flinty couch we now must share
Shall seem this down of eider piled,
If thy protection hover there.
The murky cavern's heavy air
Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;
Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, list a suppliant child!
Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! stainless styled!
Foul demons of the earth and air,
From this their wonted haunt exiled,
Shall flee before thy presence fair.
We bow us to our lot of care,
Beneath thy guidance reconciled;
Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer,
And for a father hear a child!
Ave Maria!

 I am posting two videos of this beautiful song, one sung in opera

And the other by Andre Rieu - she gives me chills for sure