PAOLO NUTINI: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Paolo Nutini:  Singer/Songwriter/Musician, released latest EP out 4/15/2014 ‘IRON SKY’.  The prelude to his 3^rd Studio Album CAUSTIC LOVE, released in Ireland 4/15 and United Kingdom 4/14/2014, and to be released in the US on 4/22/2014. 

His first album ‘These Streets’ brought hits like ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’ and ‘New Shoes’.  His second album not so much, but this album brings him back in the spotlight with the single ‘Scream’ (Funk My Life Up) released in January 2014.

The 27 year old Scotsman, known for singing with his eyes closed during his entire performance, sports a new hair style, and seems to have opened his eyes, (Maybe not).  With his knack for catchy-off beat melodies, Nutini enhances his raspy vocals, and highlight his mature songwriting skills with a charming ambitious album which is likely to sport more than one hit single.

The unique thing about Nutini; is you cannot peg him to be one specific type of artist, he can incorporate many different styles of music into his album, which makes him more universal than just a pop singer,  he is more like a world entertainer who appeals to a variety of genres and fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZswz64dFlw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELKbtFljucQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsx-JVymaGk

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NICKY EGAN: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Nicky Egan released her 2^nd studio album ‘The 45 Homestead Project’, 4/1/2014 which is a series of releases. The unique series will be comprised of three “digital 45’s” that will be released over a three-month span. Each “digital 45” will have an A/B side with a music video accompanying each a side track and a live performance at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. At the end of the third release, the singles will be combined to create one complete 7 song EP that will include an unreleased bonus track.  The structure is designed to resemble the old soul-music model of releasing single 7” records with a modern visual twist.    

The first release will feature the single ‘Made A Fool Of Me’, which evokes the spirit of 1960’s era soul legends, and the jazz tinged B side ‘I Tried.’  Each of the accompanying videos will be released on the same day simultaneously. All three videos are directed and produced by Little Lou Productions with Thin Edge Films contributing to the September video release.

Egan, from the Berklee College of Music, Boston MA, is a powerful soulful singer with a melodic tone that creates a specific individuality to her voice that can only propel her into the same league as some of the best. Her vocals are sure to get your attention as she performs her original tracks with mesmerizing lyrics. This girl has got it goin’on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpFieoP3JEc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APkhfH4DOQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6o8ekQhfro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MevMARBzrvc

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MIKEY JUNIOR: SINGER/SONGWRITER/HARMONICA

Mikey Junior  released his latest album ‘TRAVELING SOUTH’ out 3/25/2014.  Junior has been traveling the East Coast blues circuit for a decade or so, and finally he has released an album that has my attention. The original tunes are well written and his harmonica is all fired-up and making my harp pump wildly as his lips blow riffs and hooks that make my hips sway.

Even though this is  his 6 or7th album, he is virtually unknown, except on the East Coast, his homeland.  This album is worth the time it takes to listen to the blues, with blues harp, and bluesy vocals, while it may be a little more subdued than the live show, it is still very good. 

Check out this bluesy guy with the big Harp.

“…If he keeps Blowing Harmonica like that, people gonna find out who Mikey Junior is real soon.”

— Sonny Rhodes, 2009

He attacks his diatonic with a demonic vengeance and is smooth as southern comfort on ice when playing the chromatic, Mikey Junior is a rapidly rising blue harp performer, and rightfully so…”

— Jeff Silverman, 2011

“…The legacy of immortals like Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Big Walter Horton lives on in the infectious harmonica blues of Mikey Jr., a true apostle of joy.”

— Thomas J. Cullen, contributing editor for Blues Revue and director/co-founder of the acclaimed Bucks County Blues Society 2013

"...the kind of stuff that could single handedly light the fuse on a whole nu blues revival."

— Chris Spector, Midwest Record 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q-3_npKD3g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnGzgWc6wZU

http://www.mikeyjunior.com/

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SHAKIRA:SINGER/SONGWRITER

Shakira released her self-titled 10^th studio album 2/24/2014.  The Columbian born Singer/Songwriter, Record Producer, Dancer, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, and currently coach on the NBC show “The Voice” is very talented.  This is her best effort so far, with great melodies, dance  and duets with Rhianna, and Blake Shelton. Her native language is Spanish and has included a couple of tracks in her native language. She speaks fluent English , Portuguese and some French, Catalan and Arabic. She is of Lebanese (father), Italian/Spanish (Mother) decent.

Shikira was listed in Forbes   2013 as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world and ‘Her Hips Don’t Lie’ as she puts her talent to work by sharing her wealth making a difference in the world.

A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and in 1997 Shakira founded the “Barefoot Foundation”  (Pies Descalzos Foundation), and  has built six  schools in Columbia, one in Haiti, and one in South Africa, with plans for  20  learning centers by 2016, accommodating 20,000 children under the age of five.  “The Barefoot Foundation works to provide education to children across the globe. It supports practical and innovative education programs while promoting the importance of childhood education”. She was recently featured on the CBS Sunday Morning Show. See a portion of the interview with Lew Cowan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_AZchj7dYI

The  37 year old Shikira possesses a youthful appearance , but delivers a mighty impact as a multi-talented  entertainer with an electric personality and the  ability to make a difference in this world with her heart of gold. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3mP3mJDL2k&list=PL06-yyrG1OVcOU0KCJI_Bfy66i1Ak04CY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QapfTGTXbxc&list=PL06-yyrG1OVcOU0KCJI_Bfy66i1Ak04CY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUT5rEU6pqM

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WALK THE EARTH: ALTERNATIVE ROCK GROUP

WALK OFF THE EARTH:

Canadian Alternative Rock Group released their 6th studio album in March of 2013 REVO. 

This album has been out for a year now, and it is still going strong.  The track ‘Red Hands’ is getting radio play on a daily basis even though it came out in 2012 on their R.E.V.O ‘EP’.

 Walk Off the Earth mesh their sound between Alternative/Indie, Experimental Rock and Ska (Jamaican, Meto, Calypso, and Reggae), they are multi-talented, innovative, and they aren’t afraid to do covers of popular songs and put their own spin on them, with great harmonies and instrumentation that are as good as anything out there.  I can’t wait for their next album.

By Stacey Anderson of the ROLING STONE REVIEW:

March 25, 2013

Teamwork isn't a problem for these Canadians, as the 147 million people who saw their YouTube cover of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" can verify; in it, the five-piece hunch around a single guitar, subletting individual frets and strings. Their debut feels equally crowd sourced for maximum popularity, but fractures under its many moods: half heartedly scornful rap rock ("Sometimes"), teen-baiting party anthems ("R.E.V.O."), spare pop about breezy road trips and coconut cocktails ("Summer Vibe"). A handful of tracks are unified in their balance of plush harmonies and folksy guitar breaks – and the group, at last, seems to be in merry agreement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bt-FHaFVH8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIiYejABSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqg_rb59WYE

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ROBBEN FORD: SINGER/SONGWRITER/MUSICIAN

ROBBEN FORD: Released his 14^th Studio album A DAY IN NASHVILLE out March 4.2014. It may sound like it is a country album by the title, but it is not. It is a bluesy, jazz/fusion rock album for the ages.

Thom Jurek of ALL MUSIC says it best.

“A Day in Nashville isn't raw, but it is immediate and soulful. It is the sound class musicians make when they simply get down to doing what they do best: playing together”.

Ford has been around a long time; the native Californian is sounding better as time goes by and it may have to do with his collaborations with best in the business like Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison  KISS, Larry Carlton, Sonny Landreth, Michael McDonald, plus many more and has been named one of the top “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20^th Century” by Musician Magazine.  Ford has played on albums with Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Witherspoon, Rickie Lee Jones, Ruthie Foster, John Mayall  & The Bluestreakers and more. 

See Review by Jason Shadrick of Guitars & Gear

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20449-robben-fords-one-day-in-nashville-album-review

Album Preview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mloEyQUhjL0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWLvI7e7zE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZizhgWsDBA0

Previous Review:

http://tunedin4u.blogspot.com/2013/02/robben-ford-musiciansongwriter.html

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GARDENS & VILLA: INDIE ROCK GROUP

Gardens & Villa, released their 2^nd studio album 2/4/2014 “DUNE”.

The American Pop Rock/Indie Rock group formed in 2008 in Santa Barbara, CA

Their sophomore album has a little more pizzazz with a few danceable melodies. The tracks are catchy, meaningful and should generate interest and promote fans to follow along.

The group puts an original twist on their Synths creating sonic perfection along with Chris Lynch’s falsetto blended to perfection with a sound of their own.

Review by Tim Sendra of ALL Music.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/dunes-mw0002602836

 ‘Colony Glen’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNfERGRTw8c

‘Bullet Train’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhm-7olas2A

’Thunder Glove’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTB-INUWqPk

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