KING me!

Really digging KINGS on NBC right now.  I had some reservations about starting another show, but I was definitely hooked by the pilot.  If you missed the pilot, you can download it for free from itunes!!

KINGS is a loose retelling of King David in the Bible found in the books of Samuel and Kings.  It will be very interesting to see where they go with the show.  KINGS takes place in the kingdom of Gilboa (an alternate world resembling New York.)  There are some nice complex characters played by a great cast. Christopher Egan as David and Ian McShane as the King are wonderful.

 

Actually love the casting of the whole show... especially the King's family.  There's a great storyline that has been set up for Jack the king's son (played by Stan Sebastian.) 

I'm excited!  KINGS airs Sunday Nights on NBC.

Here's a preview...

Feelin' kind of FUNKY!

I have been battling a cold/allergies for about a week and a half.  This think is lingering!  Just when I think it might be done, it comes back again.  Since I've been feeling "funky," I thought I some classic FUNK was appropriate for today's post.

Here are 2 great tunes from the band RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN.

The first is one of their big hits which was actually written by Stevie Wonder.  Love the groove on this.  Here is TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD.

 I've working with a lot of 70's music lately for an upcoming show.  One of the songs is the Bee Gee's classic JIVE TALKIN'.  Check out this smokin' cover by RUFUS.

If you knew Susie...

Yesterday's post was about a female jazz vocalist who also plays bass.  Today's is about a favorite vocalist of mine who also plays snare drum!!

SUSIE ARIOLI, based in Canada, exudes infectious charm.  Her chief collaborator is the dashing Jordan Officer who has mad guitar skills.  After being together romantically for more than a decade, the partnership is now just professional.  Susie describes Jordan as her "musical soulmate."  She says "We had disagreements, but we have big agreements on music." 

My first purchase was PENNIES FROM HEAVEN.  I was in a cd store and new I would love them just by this picture.  

I indeed immediately loved their music.  Here is the title song from that album.  I also really like their version of NIGHT AND DAY.

Since then I have purchased all of their albums and really love them all.  However, my favorite probably is THAT'S FOR ME.  



Here is a cute song IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT from that album.

Other great songs on THAT'S FOR ME are THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT, IT'S A GOOD DAY, THAT'S FOR ME, and YOU DON'T KNOW ME.

Kate is great

Here's a great fresh face on the jazz scene.  

Vocalist/bassist.... KATE DAVIS, a Senior in High School!!!, released her debut cd last fall!  Her voice and bass skills are WAY beyond her years.

You can purchase INTRODUCING KATE DAVIS from her website or on itunes.  Her website also features free non-album tracks.

My favorite tracks are JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS, OUR LOVE ROLLS ON, and a lovely duet of SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN with the wonderful REBECCA KILGORE!

Check out this fun article on Katie.

Here's some live performances!

JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS

SOMETIMES I'M HAPPY

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Each year Garrison Keillor and friends do a PRETTY GOOD JOKE SHOW on NPR's Prairie Home Companion.  You can hear past shows online or purchase cd collections and books of the jokes as well.

Here is my FAVORITE knock knock joke I heard on his show.

-Knock knock

Who's there?

Sam and Janet

Sam and Janet who?

Sam and Janet Evening... 

and the wonderful followup

-Knock knock

Who's there?

Itzhak

Itzhak who?

Itzhak to you, New York... New York!

Also... in related news....

This could quite possibly be your next favorite website...

CLICK HERE!!

A dash of SALT

I LOVE the song SALT from jazz/folk/soul artist Lizz Wright.  This is one of those songs that you can crank up the volume and feel it in every pore of your body.  To me, her voice is a cross between Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone.

Here's a live version the wonderful SALT.

SALT is the title track on her debut cd.  The song is a must download.  

My favorite overall cd of Ms. Wright is DREAMING WIDE AWAKE.  She does great versions of A TASTE OF HONEY, GET TOGETHER and my fav I'M CONFESSIN'.  When I listen to this cd, I think of a late summer night... sitting on a porch after a long hot day.  In the air is a light breeze... and for the moment all is right in the world.  

Have a listen...

Hoop of Flames

Last night American Idol featured songs originally done by members of the Grand Ole Opry.  In other words... "Country Night!"

There were some really nice moments.  I loved Kris, Anoop, and Adam's middle eastern take on "Ring of Fire" (which I think was a "love-it-or-hate-it" rendition.)  I was reminded of another AWESOME cover of RING OF FIRE by folk/Americana artist Allison Moorer.  This track is from her cover album MOCKINGBIRD with all music written by women.  (Yes RING OF FIRE was actually written by June Carter Cash.)  

Have a listen...

My other favorite song on the album is I WANT A LITTLE SUGAR IN MY BOWL originally by Nina Simone.