The funny thing is at the Examiner website, my topic is Canadian music, which is a large and broad topic, however, I’m not allowed to write about anything else. This of course leaves out many great musicians/indie bands out there. So, I’ll use this blog to put up some cool new “foreign” music that I’m not allowed print at the Examiner.com/Canada.

You know that saying, “when you least expect it, you get it!”, well that saying goes far in explaining how I got introduced to this next band’s music. Normally, it’s myself trolling through the internet, music sites, listening to songs, looking for that group that just shines & sparkles. Oftentimes it’s few and far between. This time the band, found me on Twitter. I usually find my way listening to most of what people send me, but realistically I only time to write about a certain number of acts.

There are many ways to look at indie: just starting out & trying to find their sound; those that are starting to turn heads & have the talent, and are gigging like mad to make it (at this time they are pretty much ready); Indie/underground groups that have been around so long that they are very respected, but shameful they didn’t break through into the mainstream.

I would class the Junior League band in the second category, as they certainly are up and coming, but they bring a throwback roots/americana/country/acoustic sound. The Lissy Rosemount (the singer) stands out from the pack as her soulful voice that is truly unique, & the band has that polished sound that comes with many performances together. Anyway, you can check out their videos for yourselves. I chose: South Carolina Blues and Kiss You In The Morning b/c. they are more their “music videos”, the other clips are more raw performances.

Junior League Band- South Carolina Blues

Junior League Band – Kiss You In The Morning

If you want to see more, or leave a comment with them, check out these links:

Junior League Band’s Official Homepage: http://www.juniorleagueband.com/

Junior League Band’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/JuniorLeague

Junior League Band’s Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/juniorleagueband

Junior League Band’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/JrLeagueBand2

~ Jason Chu

Canadian Music Examiner

Jason Chu’s Twitter

selFbrush należy od unikalnych artystów posiadających moc spowalniania życia, hamowania pośpiechu, przywracania zagubionego po drodze dystansu do siebie i świata.

Kompozycje z wydanej niedawno EPki niezawodnie ocieplają uczucia i nawracają ze ścieżki wybrukowanej materialistyczną pobudką na stronę prostoty oczyszczającej przytłoczony informacją umysł. Z jednej strony to urok tradycyjnego folku, z drugiej specyficzne teksty – tak bardzo niemodne i dalekie od wrzaskliwych, zbuntowanych słów hałaśliwych artystów.

„For A New Moher” to prawdziwie swojska przyjemność obcowania ze szczerością przekazu, czystością formy, skromnością i urzekającym minimalizmem. Country’owo brzdąkająca gitara, urokliwa harmonijka i subtelne partie skrzypiec każdorazowo wprowadzają w błogi letarg, sięgając rdzenia ludzkiej natury. W tytułowym utworze Vaclav Havelka brzmi jak Johny Cash, w „Dry Feet” rozbraja łagodnością, a w „Treaded Heart” nuci filuternie.

Wszystko na tej płycie pięknie współgra, tworząc nastrój nieprzystawalności i radosnej harmonii. To teatr jednego aktora – obieżyświata, włóczęgi i mędrca jako przeciwwaga do tego, co tak nieludzko zmagdonaldyzowane i płytkie. Okazuje się, że hałas nie jest dla artysty jedynym narzędziem oddziaływania, a zawód rzemieślnika – songwritera nadal potrzebny, a nawet wskazany, żeby wysiąść na moment z pociągu życia i odetchnąć.

selFbrush “For A New Mother” EP

Magda Kotowska

Uwolnijmuzyke.pl

COUNTRY, COUNTRY, COUNTRY, COUNTRY!
NOT A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT.
NOT A GREAT PLACE FOR A VACATION.
NOT A GREAT PLACE TO HANGOUT.
NOT A GREAT PLACE FOR SHOPPING.
NOT A GREAT PLACE TO WALK THE STREETS AT NIGHT.
While I was there I seen a REAL crack house.
Smh, It was like 10 white people in one house.
Skinny ass fuck.
Itching and going crazzzzy.
Like I was in DOWNTOWN Dallas.
And it was STILL horrible, smh.
You know when you go to your city downtown.
That shit is all nice and shit.
Well this place was like where they keep the crackheads.
And while I was driving.
I seen this nigga doing the skanky leg and throwing up gang signs.
And he was skipping across the street.
LMAO.
The only excited thing.
I did was…
I went the Redskins VS. Cowboys game.
And the Cowboys won.
Then after that we went to the hotel room.
Pack our shit and headed straight airport.
It was like 2 doors down from us -_-
And that’s it.

af Benjamin Haslund-Krog

Hvad skal man forvente, når musikalske fyrtårne slår sig sammen? Kan monstre supplere hinanden, eller bliver det som når Real Madrid er værst og stjernerne spænder ben for hinanden?

Meningerne var mange, da Conor Oberst sammen med vennerne M. Ward, Jim James og Mike Mogis i september slap debutpladen ud. At Oberst er gruppens hovedattraktion, hersker der denne aften ikke tvivl om i et ikke-udsolgt Store Vega. Hans navn er på alles læber og en Bright Eyes t-shirt sidder på teenagepigen forrest i køen. Man har fornemmelsen af at størstedelen af publikum hellere havde set en regulær Bright Eyes-koncert.

Monstrene
Koncerten viser fire meget forskellige musikalske originaler i ét band. M. Ward er en elegantier og spiller balanceret, velafmålt countryfolk og besidder den varmeste stemmeklang. Jim James ligner en hulemand og hans stemme er noget af det lyseste, reneste og klareste, jeg til dato har hørt. Mike Mogis er nørden og multiinstrumentalisten bag Conor. Han både producerer og spiller de fleste instrumenter på Bright Eyes-pladerne. På hver deres måde er de musikalsk hamrende dygtige.

Conor Oberst besidder kun få musikalske evner, men har altid været meget personlig i sin musik. Han har sin skæve Dylan-agtige stemme, der aldrig lyder rigtig godt, men indeholder så meget alvor og weltschmerz, at de første Bright Eyes-plader om melodramatiske teenagefølelser blev kult i indiekredse. Tænk bare på linier som ‘I fell for the promise of a life with a purpose but I know that that’s impossible now’ og ‘I want a lover I don’t have to love, a girl who is too sad to give a fuck’. Siden er han blevet mere voksen, politisk og samtidig distanceret fra sin musik. Dette er også den Oberst, der møder Vega denne aften, hvor de fleste Bright Eyes-sange er taget fra de nyere albums.

Store forventninger
Det var varslet på forhånd at koncerten ville tage 2½-3 timer og indeholde sange fra alle artisters bagkataloger, så forventningerne var enorme og med bagkataloger med 2-300 sange var der nok at tage af. I alt blev det til 35 sange!

Koncerten svingede meget i form og intensitet med Mike Mogis som den mest stabile aktør, der blev ved sin pedal steel det meste af aftenen. De øvrige skiftede mellem guitar, bas og keys gennem hele koncerten. Trods omskifteligheden og variationerne var koncertens bundniveau umådelig højt og viste et band, der virkelig nød at spille hinandens, egne og fælles sange. De stærkeste MoF-numre var åbneren Say Please, Temazcal, Baby Boomer og ekstranummeret Whole Lotta Losin, hvor monstrene virkelig fik det hele til at gå op i en højere enhed.

Hit and miss fra bagkataloget
Valget af Bright Eyes-sange er nok min største anke, hvor ingen sange fra Fevers and Mirrors og Lifted… fandt vej til settet. Det ville have klædt koncerten og skabt en endnu mere ekstatisk stemning, hvis Oberst havde været lidt mere gavmild med de gamle klassikere. Af de valgte Bright Eyes-sange var det kun At The Bottom Of Everything og Hit The Switch, der virkelig imponerende og profiterede af de andre medlemmer i MoF. Numre som Kathy With A K’s Song, Soul Singer In A Session Band og Another Travellin’ Song har efter min vurdering intet at gøre i et set som dette.

Et af koncertens andre højdepunkter var M. Ward-nummeret One Life Away, hvor den stille sang fra Transistor Radio blev pumpet godt op af det velspillende band uden at miste sin elegance og charme. Jim James’ sange fra My Morning Jacket-pladerne er smukke og velskrevne, men besidder i aften ikke det samme nærvær som de øvrige sange, formentlig fordi færre kender dem, og bliver derfor af mange benyttet som en passende pause til at hente øl.

En koncert er mere end almindelig god, når den varer næsten 3 timer og man ønsker, at den skal fortsætte. Dette var Monsters of Folks første koncert på dansk grund.

For nye folk-fans kan følgende skiver på det varmeste anbefales:
M. Ward – Transistor Radio
Bright Eyes – Fevers and Mirrors
Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
My Morning Jacket – Z

7.5/10, Album. Part country and a little poppy this singer songwriter hits lots of right notes.  Reminds me of Josh Rouse.  Recommend: Caroline

7.5/10, Album.  Laid back folk/country album with some fine songwriting.  Good vocals too. Only visit if you like this styleof music. Recommend: How’s About You

Da kann man doch froh sein, dass es bei den AMAs nur um eine Hörerwahl geht…

Pop / Rock:

Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: ‘Number Ones’, Michael Jackson

Country:

Male Artist: Keith Urban
Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Album: ‘Fearless’, Taylor Swift

Soul/ R’n’B:

Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Female Artist: Beyonce Knowles
Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: ‘Number Ones’, Michael Jackson

Rap/ Hip Hop:

Male Artist: Jay-Z
Album: ‘Blueprint 3’, Jay-Z

Adult Contemporary:

Artist: Taylor Swift

Latin Music:

Artist: Aventura

Alternative Rock:

Artist: Green Day

Contemporary Inspirational:

Artist: Mary Mary

Soundtracks:

Album: Twilight Soundtrack

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist:

Gloriana

RUINING YOUR CAREER IN 8 SECONDS
You just did it.

(Kanye West and Taylor Swift)

Picture by: dunno source Caption by: IcanhascheezburgerNewbie via Poster Builder

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If you need destinations to plan to visit either as a tourist visiting England or as UK based traveller then there are certain parts of England that you simply must visit at least once in your lifetime and one of those has to be South Yorkshire.

Most people consider Yorkshire to be an industrial county full of factories and jammed full of houses for the workers but nothing could be further from the truth and South Yorkshire is vastly different to what you can imagine.

Granted the region did grow and become well known for its coal mines and the steel industry but a lot of the mining was in east and the north of Yorkshire, although Sheffield is world famous for its steel.

Situated partially in the historic Peak District National Park a visit to South Yorkshire will give you unprecedented access to this, one of the world’s most famous and largest national parks, which has enough to keep even the most active of holiday makers busy for a lifetime.

Activities in the park include rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and camping, bird watching and so much more, you can even take a balloon flight across the peaks or even a helicopter ride if you enjoy flying or don’t mind digging a little deeper in you pockets for a memorable experience that will probably stay with you for the rest of your life.

So if you are looking for a touch (or a whole lot) of outdoors activities during your visit then your off to a good start.

The area is also home to a number of historic buildings you can visit whilst your out and about most of which are National heritage properties for example

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens Brodsworth Hall and gardens, just to the north of Doncaster is a true survivor of the mid 1800’s and is said to be one of the finest complete examples of Victorian living and the most complete Victorian country houses ever to have survived in this country. A lot of the house is still original and it still has the wonderful Victorian gardens.

Whilst in the Doncaster area of South Yorkshire you’ll also want to visit the areas other main tourist attraction which is of course the magnificent Conisbrough Castle which dates back to the 12 century.

The main keep at the castle is a truly awe inspiring site and if you ever want to experience what it may have been like to storm a castle just standing at the base of this 97ft piece of architecture will leave you in no doubt that it must have been a truly frightening experience.

Also worth a visit if you like to see the history of the country is the Cannon Hall Museum with its gardens, which you’ll find near Barnsley. Cannon Hall is a country house museum and was the home of the Spencer family the home of the Spencer family. Exhibits in the museum include fine art, furniture and collections of glassware, and if you have an interest in anything of a military nature you’ll also be pleased to find a couple of regimental museums housed here as well, namely the Light Dragoons and the 13th and 18th Hussars.

The favorite main city in the area of course has to be the city of Sheffield which considering its steel and industrial heritage is surprisingly one the greenest cities in Europe and is known as the city of trees as there are said to be in excess of two million, as well as a large number of parks and even areas of scientific interest.

Also one of the largest cities in England you could also consider Sheffield as the London of the north as it has the largest theatre complex outside London, and is home to the world renowned Crucible and Lyceum theatres.

If arts are your love then there are a choice of major galleries you can visit whilst here as well.

A few days in Sheffield will truly be the icing on the cake of your South Yorkshire adventure.

The Bens EP [2003] <- Download

The Bens foi um projeto paralelo relâmpago que reuniu os xarás Ben Kweller, Ben Lee e Ben Folds. A banda gravou um EP homônimo em 2003, que teve suas 3.500 cópias vendidas durante os nove shows que fizeram juntos na The Bens Rock Over Australia Tour. Sem medo de soar pop, a sonoridade das quatro faixas corresponde às expectativas de uma parceria entre os Bens: baladas ao violão, arranjos de piano, algumas guitarras, refrões grudentos e backing vocals entrosados.

Just Pretend
 Stop!

Dünyanın en büyük arkadaşlık sitesi olan facebook.com’da, yeni yeni oyun uygulamaları ortaya çıkmadan gün geçmiyor. Facebook’un Country Life uygulaması’na bir arkadaşımın göndermiş olduğu istek sonrasında denk geldim. Uygulamaya girip başladığımda, farmville uygulamasının neredeyse tıpa tıp aynısı olduğunu gördüm. Arada ki farklar ortada ekip biçen bir insanın olamaması ve ambar gibi kısımların olması. Ekme ve toplama işlerini mausla hızlı şekilde yapıyoruz. Buda oyunun oldukça hızlı geçmesini sağlıyor. Farmville’nin yavaş olmasından şikayetçi olanlar kesinlikle bu oyunu tercih etmeliler. Browser tabanlı ve facebook üzerinden çalışan Country Life uygulamasına gitmek için tıklayın. Bu oyunla yeni tanışanlar ve oyunu oynamakta zorlanacaklar için biraz anlatmak istedim.

Amaç: Kazandığımız paralar ile, marketten ürünleri satın alıp, tarlayı ekip biçmek ve büyütüp levelleri (bölümleri) geçmek.

Nasıl oynanır: Oyuna girdiğinizde sağ alt köşede ki, Plow tool’u seçerek tarlanıza yeni topraklar ekliyorsunuz. Daha sonra Store kısmından, paranızın yettiği kadar ne ekecekseniz onu satın alıyorsunuz ve ekiyorsunuz. Ekeceğiniz sebzenin, meyvenin veya çiçeğin üzerinde kaç saat sonra harvest (Toplama) yapacağınız yazmaktadır. Move tool ile tarlanızda yerini değiştirmek istediğiniz hayvanın, evin, ağacın vb. nesnelerin yerlerini değiştirebilirsiniz. Delete tool ile silmek istediğiniz nesneyi seçip silebilirsiniz. Barn, ambar kısmıdır. Topladığınız ürünler ambar kısmına gider. Sizde eğer bu ürünleri satıp tarlanıza yeni ürünler ekmek isterseniz, barn kısmına girip oradan satmak istediğiniz ürünü seçip, satabilirsiniz. Ayrıca ambarda biriken ürünler ile çiftliğinizde ki hayvanları besliyorsunuz. Onlarda size yumurta, süt vb. gibi geri dönüşüm yapıyor. Gifts ise, eklemiş olduğunuz neighborların yani komşularınızın size göndermiş olduğu nesnelerin biriktiği kısımdır. Buradan gönderilen giftleri seçip tarlanızda kullanabilirsiniz. Yine sağ alt kısımdaki Multi tool ile bu işlemlerin çoğunu birden yapabilirsiniz. Yukarıdaki kısımda ise kaç paranız olduğunu ve kaçıncı levelde olduğunuzu görebilirsiniz. Paranın yanında gözüken RC’yi de bazı nesneleri almak için para olarak kullanıyorsunuz.

Sonuç olarak Country Life, zynga firmasının piyasaya sürmüş olduğu FarmVille oyunundan çok az farkı olan ve daha hızlı olan bir strateji oyunu.

7th Fairway at Greenhorn Creek Golf Club

I needed a picture.  Someone told me that there was a circa 1850’s printing shop in the HistoricPark of Columbia.  I needed a photo of it for a project I am working on for the Angels Camp Museum. It is just a half hour jaunt from my front door, but I was resistant.  It was Sunday. It had been a busy week and there was more work to do before the day was done.  At 1:30 I agreed to a Sunday drive; over there, get the photo then home. I forgot how entrancing the autumn could be.

It started with the ride over to Columbia from Angels Camp. Like I said, only about a half an hour,

New Melones Lake

but the sun was out, and it warmed my face and legs as we drove through the brilliantly colored trees and bushes and over the reflective lake at New Melones. The radio played some 1940’s jazz, a perfect soundtrack to autumn’s fantasy.  By the time we hit Parrots Ferry, there was a shift. Work? What work? I’d fallen victim to the magic of the autumn season and it’s spell had lulled me into it’s restful arms.

Fall Color

I think it was the colors. Red, yellow and shades of gold contrasted against the blue of the sky and the white puffy sky.  Green was already pushing through the remainders of beige summer grass now left behind in summer land.  Currier and Ives had come alive in the country roads ahead of me and in the fields to the left and the right. Bright squares of iridescent orange lit up the rolling hillside where grapes had recently been harvested.  A white home on the hill, a red barn in the field, an old brown shed created greeting cards as I passed by. The enchantment had begun.

We arrived in Columbia, a world all its own in any season with wooden sidewalks, 100-year-old buildings, employees in period costume and the occasional street musician, circa 1850. In autumn it somehow feels even more surreal. The trees that line the streets have seen the advent of winter well over 100 times.  They have perfected their act, playing the perfect part in autumn’s fantasy. Brilliant leaves, falling just slow enough to catch my gaze from beginning to end.  Focus, I told myself.  Where is the printing shop?

The Fallon House

I found the print shop just alongside the old Fallon House Play House.  At this point my husband made the mistake of leaving me alone for a moment while he returned our dog to the car.  There

was no hope for my wandering imagination now. The shop was closed, but I was able to snap a decent enough shot through the blurry, single paned glass of a building that must be at least 120 years old. I stood there. I felt the cool breeze of the November air on my neck and my chest.  It was quite a contrast to the warm sun that

Print Shop in Columbia

was baking through my thick wool sweater. The print shop drew me further in.  Wood floors, high ceilings and warm oak desks and chairs set the stage for someone. I waited for the ghosts to appearand perform their work. My mind wandered even further away in to the fantasy. I envisioned a boy sweeping the floor wearing suspenders and heavy wool pants, his hair was shiny black against his soft tan shirt.  A middle aged man sat at the desk in a crisp white shirt and small round glasses. His fingers moving small type set around fervently.  I was officially a goner.  My mind belonged to the fantasy.

Walking next door to the play house,  I planned of my next adventure to never-never land. I picked up tickets to Little Women for Thursday after Thanksgiving.  A Christmas treat to myself. My husband came back and found me there. He knew I was mush and he took advantage of it. Let’s stroll he said.  The street was dusty and as we entered it and the clicky clack of a horse drawn wagon snapped at me. I wanted to be in that wagon. We walked up the wooden side-walk and in and out of the assayer’s office, the Wells Fargo building and past the Old Saloon.  Hungry. I convinced my husband to buy me lunch less he want a grumpy wife on his hands. I knew the perfect place.

My poor husband had no chance at this point. He was now a player in my magical autumnal play

The tea house - Columbia Kate's

and I had my sites on the Tea House.  He went along with it! I couldn’t believe it either as we entered what mimicked a little girl’s doll house, filled with many a breakable things.  They delivered the menus which consisted of over 70 teas and a few edible items.  “They have homemade chicken pot pie”, I told him realizing that was about the only thing that might interest him.  Salads and scones with cream, Quiche and a foo- foo sandwich or two graced the menu.  He asked for “Iced tea please”.  “Which type?” asked the waitress.  His look toward me was somewhat dismal, somewhat accusing, so I answered for him “Plain black, please”.  My husband’s iced tea came to the table in a complicated system with hot tea in the top vessel, ice in the bottom vessel and a glass placed in front of him.  Again the bewildered look lurched out.  “It’s not as complicated as it looks” said the waitress.  She sensed his surrender to the absurdity of it all and said “I’m sorry sir, you ARE in a Tea House”, at which he laughed and moved on. My hubby was in a compliant mood today…the Autumnal spell had gotten him too.

Just like a doll house

An old barn in Columbia

We stepped out into the crisp air, bright sun and a completely clear sky.  More strolling was in order.  The old bowling alley sent the sounds of crashing wood and cheering players into the air.  Two young boys playing hide and go seek were off to the left, one counting very loudly. The Blacksmith’s shop was open and adorned with interesting iron gifts.  A heart shaped horseshoe and a nicely made hoof pick caught my eye; more Christmas gift possibilities for later.

Candy Heaven!

One last stop was in order. Nelson’s Candies is a regular visit every time we go.  The smell when you walk in is intoxicating enough. But the visual puts Santa’s Workshop to shame.  A 2″ snow man-made out of white chocolate and fondant, filled with cream caught my eye.  The cabinets are filled with sugar transformed into every type of shape, color, size, smell and flavor.  Chocolate creams, nut encrusted toffee, gummy chews, fudge in white, brown, and rocky road all line up like soldiers in a chess game.  Breath.  The floors squeak under my feet as I try to take it all in. It’s not so much the tasting as it is the anticipation of it all.  We had been there alone for a few moments.  Then someone else entered with their own fantasy intruding on mine. Time to pick, purchase and indulge I thought.

We head back to the car and my dog wants to smell every inch of me.  He wants to know where I’ve been, what I’ve eaten, what I’ve brought back. Not much for the dog I’m afraid. A pocket full of memories, a few photos and these chocolate creams, of which you are getting zero bud, I thought.  We pull out and begin our drive back.  The 1940’s jazz is still playing on NPR.  As we drive home I am amazed at the beauty passing by my window. We are quiet all the way home. Taking it all in I suppose.

Coming into Angels Camp - North East

The dreamy drive down the hillside, over the bridge and back into Angels Camp was sublime.  The town looks inviting as we enter over the scenic by-pass. A sea of green is mixed with spots of yellow, orange and red as we pass by over the tree tops looking south. Home. I love this place.  My trip down the rabbit hole was a brief respite from the cares of the world. But also a refreshment that reminded me of all I love about this place I live in.  Enchanting autumn will stay here for a few more weeks. Then winter will impose bringing it’s own magic, wonder and beauty.  But the delightful backdrop of these beautiful Foothills will be ever waiting for any season that enfolds it. And I will be mindful to allow the luxury of indulging myself in all its mysteries.

2009 American Music Awards

Le palmarès cette année a récompensé:

Artiste préféré :  Michael Jackson (Soul, R&B, Pop Rock)
Artiste féminine : Taylor Swift , qui a 19 ans reçoit quatre trophées (Pop, Rock, Counrty, artiste de l’année)

Taylor Swift

Michael Jackson

Voici le détail des nominations :

Pop/Rock: Groupe ou Duo Préféré Favourite Band, Duo or Group : The Black Eyed Peas

Country: Groupe ou Duo Préféré, Favourite Band, Duo or Group : Rascal Flatts

Pop/Rock: Artisite Préférée, Favourite Female Artist : Taylor Swift

Alternative Rock: Artiste Préféré Favourite Artist : Green Day (mostly with 21 guns)

Soul and R&B: Artiste Préféré, Favourite Male Artist : Michael Jackson

Country: Artiste Préféré,  Favourite Male Artist  : Keith Urban

Soul and R&B: Artiste Préférée Favourite Female Artist : Beyonce

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award : Gloriana

Country: Artiste Préféré, Favourite Female Artist : Taylor Swift

Pop/Rock – Favourite Male Artist – Michael Jackson

Rap/Hip-Hop – Favourite Male Artist : Jay-Z

Artist of the Year : Taylor Swift

Be the first to know on Manin’s Blog

Now I think Taylor Swift is a good wholesome sweet cute girl, but come on… wouldn’t everyone and their dog say she is overrated?  And if not, what have you been smoking!  The best part of her is the fact that she writes her own songs.  But soon she will be past the young country girl stage.  Will this part of her career overshadow anything she does later?  I tend to think it has to.  There is no way to go but down when your voice isn’t on the same level as a Carrie Underwood or Faith Hill.

Descriere: cantautor, instrumentist (chitară, pian)

Născut: David Ryan Adams, 5 noiembrie 1974, Jacksonville, North Carolina, SUA

Gen: Pop/Rock

Stiluri: Alternative Country-Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Alternative, Americana/Alt-Country, Alternative Pop/Rock, Roots Rock

Biografie:

Un produs al scenei “alt-country”, tânărul cantautor Ryan Adams şi-a câştigat la începutul acestui mileniu un loc bine meritat între cei mai importanţi muzicieni rock americani ai generaţiei sale. Chiar dacă succesul său comercial este mai curând unul moderat, artistul are o audienţă devotată şi se află printre favoriţii criticii muzicale. El se bucură şi de aprecierea unor iluştri colegi de breaslă, cum ar fi spre exemplu Elton John, care l-a denumit “the fabolous one”. Un compozitor foarte prolific, Ryan Adams are un repertoriu ce oscilează între balade cu o puternică încărcătură emoţională şi reprize de rock’n’roll energic.

Născut în oraşul Jacksonville, din statul Carolina de Nord, artistul a crescut ascultând muzică country, dar din adolescenţă a devenit un adept al punk-ului. A început să scrie cântece pe când avea 15 ani, iar un mai târziu şi-a alcătuit o formaţie numită The Patty Duke Syndrome, inspirată după propriile-i mărturisiri, de Hüsker Dü. Din ’93 trupa s-a mutat într-un alt oraş din Carolina de Nord, Raleigh. După numai un an însă Adams a părăsit Patty Duke Syndrome şi a înfiinţat un alt grup, Whiskeytown, orientat de această dată spre sound-ul country-rock alternativ, aflat în plină expansiune în anii ’90. Whiskeytown avea să devină una dintre marile promisiuni ale genului, dar disputele interne au dus în cele din urmă la desfiinţarea sa, în 1999, după numai cinci ani de existenţă, timp în care a imprimat trei albume.

Pentru Ryan Adams, despărţirea de Whiskeytown a însemnat începutul carierei sale solo. În 2000 el a realizat un prim album, Heartbreaker. Acesta a fost editat de Bloodshot Records, un important label specializat pe alt-country şi a beneficiat de contribuţii din partea unor artiste de prim rang, ca Emmylou Harris şi Gillian Welch. Adams s-a aflat apoi între primii artişti care au semnat cu  Lost Highway Records, un nou subsidiar al concernului Universal, profilat pe alt-country. Primul disc lansat de el acolo a fost Gold, în vara lui 2001. Cronicilor entuziaste, un fapt obişnuit pentru Ryan Adams încă de când se afla la Whiskeytown, li s-au adăugat acum şi vânzările considerabile, nu doar în State, ci şi în Marea Britanie, unde Gold a reuşit chiar să intre în Top 20. După catastrofa din 11 septembrie, radio-urile americane, ca şi MTV-ul, au difuzat intens piesa de deschidere a albumului,  “New York, New York”, deşi aceasta făcea de fapt referire la un eşec sentimental. La începutul anului următor, Ryan Adams a fost nominalizat de trei ori la Grammy, la categoriile “Best Male Rock Vocal” (pentru “New York, New York”), “Best Rock Album” (pentru Gold) şi “Best Male Country Vocal” (pentru un cover după Hank Williams, “Lovesick Blues”, provenit de pe un album-tribut). Nici una dintre aceste nominalizări nu i-a adus însă vreo distincţie.

Următorul material discografic semnat Ryan Adams a fost Demolition, apărut în toamna lui 2002. Acestea conţinea câteva dintre cele 60 de cântece pe care Adams le-a compus vreme de un an de zile, după lansarea albumului Gold. Demonstrându-şi mai departe fecunditatea şi inspiraţia, artistul a revenit în noiembrie 2003 cu un album, Rock N Roll, şi un EP,  Love Is Hell, Part 1, ce au ieşit pe piaţă în aceiaşi zi. Love Is Hell, Part 1 a avut apoi parte apoi de o continuare, tot în format EP, intitulată desigur Love Is Hell, Part 2. În 2004 cele două EP-uri au fost reunite pe un singur CD. De menţionat că una dintre piesele din cuprinsul lor, “Wonderwall” (cover după Oasis), i-a adus lui Adams o altă nominalizare la Grammy.

Cu tot ritmul constant al realizărilor proprii, artistul şi-a găsit timp în perioada respectivă şi pentru diverse colaborări. Astfel Adams a apărut ca invitat şi pe discuri aparţinând unor artişti ca Beth Orton, Lucinda Williams, Caitlin Cary (fosta sa colegă din Whiskeytown), Counting Crows sau Wallflowers. În 2003 a iniţiat un side-project punk, The Finger, avându-l ca partener pe Jesse Malin (fost vocalist la D-Generation). The Finger a realizat două EP-uri, reunite apoi pe un singur CD, denumit We Are Fuck You/Punk’s Dead Let’s Fuck.

Din 2004 Ryan Adams a început să folosească în mod constant o trupă de acompaniament stabilă, denumită The Cardinals. Prima sa realizare alături de Cardinals este Cold Roses, lansat în mai 2005. La scurt timp, în septembrie, a mai fost lansat un album Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Jacksonville City Nights, ce include şi un duet cu Norah Jones, “Dear John”. Surprinzător, în decembrie acelaşi an, Adams a mai scos încă un album, de această fară Cardinals, intitulat 29.

În perioada 2006-2007, artistul a postat pe site-ul său oficial o serie de peste 20 de albume, pentru a fi descărcate gratuit. Acestea sunt semnate cu diverse pseudonime, ca DJ Reggie, The Shit, Sad Dracula sau WereWolph, fiind în general parodii hip-hop şi punk sau înregistrări de factură lo-fi.

Ryan Adams a revenit pe piaţă în vara lui 2007 cu un nou material de studio, Easy Tiger, ce avea să-i aducă prima sa intrare în Top 10 Billboard. Deşi Easy Tiger a fost imprimat tot cu ajutorul celor de la Cardinals, numele trupei nu este menţionat pe copertă.

Un an mai târziu a fost lansat un nou material discografic, Cardinology, ultima realizare a lui Adams alături de The Cardinals, de care s-a despărţit oficial la începutul lui 2009.

Discografie:

Ryan Adams solo

Albume de studio:

Heartbreaker – 2000 – Bloodshot

Gold – 2001 – Lost Highway (#59 US, #20 UK)

Demolition – 2002  – Lost Highway (#28 US, #22 UK)

Rock N Roll – 2003 – Lost Highway (#33 US, #41 UK)

Love Is Hell – 2004 – Lost Highway (#62 UK)

29 – 2005 – Lost Highway (#114 US)

Easy Tiger – 2007 – Lost Highway (#7 US, #18 UK)

EP-uri:

Love Is Hell, Part 1 – 2003 – Lost Highway (#78 US)

Love Is Hell, Part 2 – 2003 – Lost Highway – Lost Highway

Extra Cheese (Valentine’s Day EP] – 2009

DVD-uri:

Music In High Places: Ryan Adams Live In Jamaica – 2003 – Image Entertainment

Single-uri de top:

“New York, New York” – 2001 – Lost Highway (#53 UK)

“Answering Bell” – 2002 – Lost Highway (#39 UK)

“Nuclear” – 2002 – Lost Highway (#37 UK)

“So Alive” – 2004 – Lost Highway (#21 UK)

“Wonderwall” – 2004 – Lost Highway (#27 UK)

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals:

Albume de studio:

Cold Roses – 2005 – Lost Highway (#26 US, #20 UK)

Jacksonville City Nights – 2005 – Lost Highway (#33 US, #59 UK)

Cardinology – 2008 – Lost Highway (#11 US, #41 UK)

EP-uri:

Follow The Lights [aka Everybody Knows] – 2007 – Lost Highway (#40 US)

The Finger:

Albume de studio:

We Are Fuck You/Punk’s Dead Let’s Fuck – 2003 – One Little Indian

The Senate did it Saturday night. Sixty Democrats voted to debate healthcare reform on the floor of the Senate. America is one more step to the government taking over one-sixth of the economy. That is what the Democrats want, larger government and smaller individual choices. I will speculate that a gigantic healthcare bill will eventually be passed. I am sure they know that they will more than likely lose control of either the House or the Senate, possibly both and this could be the last chance to pass this large sweeping takeover. Senators and House Representatives up for re-election in 2010 were thrown under the bus to get the necessary votes to move reform onward. The majority of voters still do not agree with this reform. However, the Democrats chose to push their agenda instead of listening to the voters. After all, they know better.  The Democrats will more than likely pay for this move in 2010 and 2012.

In the Denver Post Sunday Anthem had a half page ad voicing their opposition to this gigantic bill. The point of the ad was to relay the fact that insurance premiums will increase dramatically with the passage of this bill. For example younger/healthy insured individuals will have a 140% increase in premiums. A small business will experience a 36% increase in premiums. Middle age/ average health will have a 52% increase and small business will be increase 9%. Older less healthy will have a decrease of 22% and business will decrease 9 %. If these facts are possible and I am a senior why am I opposed to the healthcare bill?

The reason I am opposed is that I am a Medicare Advantage policy holder and from all indications is that the Medicare Advantage programs are going to be gutted and possibly totally eliminated. I am satisfied with my healthcare coverage and why should I have to pay for this reform? Also, nowhere has it ever been explained how you can put an additional 36 million patients in the current medical system and rationing will not result. My logic tells me that the line will just get longer and that means longer waits to see a medical professional.  Would someone please explain to me why rationing will not happen?

Someone is going to have to pay for this gigantic entitlement program and that will mean higher taxes down the road. Wait a minute, didn’t I hear Obama say “no new taxes”. Maybe he wasn’t really serious?