He Ain't Heavy, He's My JONAS Brother!

This post I'd like to take a look at SIBLINGS making music together.  Here are two new releases and an old favorite.

Yes, you may be sick of them even before you've heard a note.  Their faces are plastered all over teeny-bopper magazines, back to school supplies and clothes, and the Disney Channel.  Their acting in the Disney Channel movie "Camp Rock" was pretty awful.  (This comes from a guy who admits he is super pumped for "High School Musical 3")

Yet their new cd release "A Little Bit Longer" is pretty darn good.  Often compared to "Hanson," these guys write their own music and play their own instruments.  On this new album they still appeal to Teeny-Bopper USA, and yet have advanced musically.  Traces of bands like Maroon 5 and Fall Out Boy can be found throughout the cd.  There's even a wonderful Jack Johnson-esque toon called "Love Bug."  It's a fun up-tempo album except the very touching title track written by youngest Jonas Nick about his battle with diabetes.

Here's the music video from the first single "Burnin' Up"

 

Here's a funny video of them meeting "the Queen of England" last year!

Another really cool sibling band is "The Bridges."  They are comprised of three sisters, one brother, and one cousin.  Produced by Matthew Sweet, they are heavily influenced by groups like Fleetwood Mac and the Mama's and the Papa's.  My favorite thing about this group is their amazing "sunny" harmonies.

Here is the music video from their single "Pieces."

Here is a short video of them rehearsing vocals...

Speaking of amazing harmonies, one of the best examples of sibling harmonies at their best can be found on the album "Sibling Revelry" by cabaret stars Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway.  This is one of my favorite live albums and an amazing cabaret album.  Liz has been in many broadway shows and has a beautiful clear soprano sound, Ann was in "Swing" and is an amazing jazz chanteuse.  She also wrote the theme song for "The Nanny" which she and her sister sang!  Their blend together is absolutely amazing.  They both have numerous solo albums where the other duets on a track.  This is their only full duet album.

Here are two videos of them singing a "Super-Long Medley" of all the songs their friends said "two sisters should sing."  This footage is from a Rosie Family Cruise.  A similar version is on their album.

O.K. this blog is getting a little long... I wanted to talk about Rufus Wainwright and his sister Martha, but I'll wait until another time.  Besides, I could write a whole post on Rufus. 

However, I can't end until I give a shout out to the amazing sound of the Carpenters. Here is some amazing live footage from early in their career shot during an Australian concert.

Speaking of siblings, my sister (who is a wonderful singer) is about to have a baby!  Her due date for their first child is in about a week and a half.  I'm super excited!  Uncle Michael is ready to spoil the baby with all kinds of music.  Look out Osmonds, a new family band may be in the making.