This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
I missed last month's Battle of the Bands I was travelling. January was a busy month so not much going on with the blog. However, it is a new month and once again a new battle.
The song "Treetop Flyer" by Stephen Stills
Contender One: David Jacob-Strains with Bob Beach
Contender Two: Jimmy Buffett
Let me know who gets your vote in the comments David or Jimmy. I'll announce the winner in a week or so.
Sheryl Crow won my Battle of the Bands contest 3 to 1 over P.P. Arnold. Why did I pick P.P Arnold as a contestant? Well she has done backing vocals for Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, The Small Faces, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash to name a few. She also had a solo career. During her solo career she was the first to record a song by Cat Stevens called "The First Cut is the Deepest." So Sheryl Crow beat one of the First Cuts.
Luther Vandross against The Supremes and Four Tops sounds like an interesting competition. However, I don't think I would have thought of any of them singing a Stephen Stills song. Oh well that is the fun of the Battles of the Bands.
It's the 15th of the month which means it is time for another Battle of the Bands. Think it's time to "Love The One You're With."
Here is Stephen Stills performing his song to refresh your memory...
You know the drill by now I will have two contenders and you vote for the one you like the best in the comments. I tally the votes and announce a winner.
Contender One: Luther Vandross
Contender Two: The Supremes and The Four Tops
Who's gonna win? We will find out in a week or so.
I just finished writing a preview for tonight's Crosby, Stills and Nash show at Wolf Trap which you can read here. If you are a fan of the band check out the attached slide show with the article though I can't take credit for the photographs.
I have been lucky enough to see Crosby, Stills and Young twice even though it was like 20 years apart. Funny thing it was at the same venue Wolf Trap. Anyway the last time I watched them I reviewed the show for DC Metro Theater Arts and you can relive the show through my review.
Yes, if you read my blog you know I like to add extras. I am digging some extras to add to this post like this..
That was the encore from the show I reviewed. Below is a song they performed in March of this year..
And one of my favorite songs by them..
If you are going to the show tonight enjoy! If you catch them on the tour I hope you enjoy! If not I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog.
I had a chance to see and review Judy Collins and Don McLean in concert. One question comes up when reviewing aging stars is how does their voice hold up. At 74 years young Judy Collins was able to hit any note she desired, her voice never cracked, and she performed music from throughout her career. I've read other reviews where her voice has cracked in the past. Maybe I was lucky, perhaps she played it safe and chose songs she new she can handle, perhaps a combination of the two. I don't know. I do know she sounded great. You can read my review here.
Here she is performing "My Father" a song she performed Friday. This was at the same venue but 11 years ago...
She has played Wolf Trap 30 times, 28 times at the Filene Center which is the outdoor amphitheater and two times in the more intimate Barns. She has been performing longer than I have been alive. Yet stripped down sets, simple voice and guitar, or guitar and piano, or voice and piano, or just voice is something Judy has down. Here she performs back in 1963.
Of course she performed her break through hit "Both Sides Now" and a few other songs written by Joni Mitchell which was fine by me. I am a fan of Joni's songwritting.
There were some surprises as well...She oerformed "Helplessly Hoping" by stephen Stills
I picked the above version since it had Ari Hest performing with her. I reviewed him in concert last year. HEr doing the song by herself vocally was daring. She is good but the song is fitted for the three voices in Crosby, Stills and Nash.
She also performed "Someday Soon"
She is a wonderful singer and I could sit here all day and plug in musical videos. Perhaps I will...
She ennde her show with this cover..
Well I hope you enjoy! I know I enjoyed watching her in concert.
The last time I was able to see Crosby, Stills and Nash was about 20 years ago. Wow, that makes me feel old. I walked away thinking Stephen Stills might be one of the most under rated guitarists. After seeing them again I still thing that may be true. Even though their voices may not be what they used to be, they still have plenty of moments and put on a great show. You can read my review here.
Here is a performance of Almost Cut My Hair from the concert I reviewed, thanks to youtube...
Here is the encore from that show..
The backing band was pretty solid. The guitarist has played with Bruce Springsteen, the drummer had played with David Gilmour, and the bass player had played with Jackson Browne.They played a couple of newer songs, a couple of deep tracks, and lots of favorites.
Including my favorite Crosby, Stills and Nash song "Southern Cross" here is the video..
I am having a great year of concerts seeing a bunch of diverse musicians. As long as the power stays on I will be blogging and sharing I hope you enjoy!
