This week, I’ve had Bill Withers’ “Grandma’s Hands,” stuck #OnRepeat.  I grew up listening to Bill Withers, but was reminded of his music once again when I was listening to Gregory Porter’s music. I came across this song several days ago and have been hooked ever since.

Bill Withers is an American singer-songwriter and musician who was big during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Some of his most well-known songs are “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,””Use Me,” and “Lead On Me.” In my opinion, Withers is a versatile musician–his guitar-playing is musical and sophisticated, yet simple and his voice can be brash and powerful, but at the same time intimate.

In the video below, Withers explains the song, “Grandma’s Hands,” to the audience before he performs the song. This song really struck a chord with me because of my memories of my own grandmother. The similarities between my own grandma and the woman he sings about in the song are uncanny–protective yet sweet behavior, religion–which are characteristics that, I assume everyone can identify with in their own family members.  My point is that Wither’s lyric writing is so good that anyone can relate to it. What makes it even more impressive is that the song is only two minutes long! Take a listen below:

Do you have a new artist or group that you can’t stop listening to? Let us know in the comments below!

This week I’ve had Ed Motta’s “Dried Flowers” #OnRepeat. I was first introduced to Motta’s music during my undergrad years at UC San Diego, but have just recently within the past two years revisited his music, and this is one of his songs that I just can’t stop listening to.

Eduardo “Ed” Motta is a MPB, rock, soul music, funk, and jazz musician from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the nephew of the late, Brazilian soul singer, Tim Maia (someone I researched and wrote about while working on my thesis). Although Ed is mostly known for his voice, he is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and arranger; having recorded all of the instrument parts for several of his albums by himself and recording many of his original compositions. He has composed for several Brazilian films and has toured throughout the United States and Europe.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Ed Motta and being able to watch him perform live. Ed is an extensive collector of records and it is apparent in his writing and singing. Some of his other songs, like “Manuel,” are throw-backs to R&B and Pop music of the late 1980’s and 1990’s. Each album that you listen to is so dramatically different, yet Motta’s powerful vocals and writing style creates a unifying theme–almost a stamp–signifying that you’re listening to something written by Ed Motta. “Dried Flowers” is no different. I really appreciated in this song how the melody reflected the emotions conveyed in the lyrics and vice versa. Motta’s ability to write catchy melodies on top of great instrumental arrangements will always make him one of my favorite singers from Brazil. Take a listen below:

Do you guys have any new musicians or groups to listen to? Let us know in the comments below!

This week, I’ve had Adele’s version of the song, “Make You Feel My Love,” #OnRepeat. I know many of you out there have been listening to Adele for awhile now, but Adele is quite literally one of those singers that I keep circling back to because of her songwriting and her voice.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, or Adele, is a British singer/songwriter, whose music blends Soul, Country, Rock, Pop and Funk.  Some of her most well-known songs are “Rolling in the Deep,””Hometown Glory,”and the song, “Skyfall,” for which she received several awards.

The song, “Make You Feel My Love,” is actually a song originally written by Bob Dylan for his 1997 album, Time Out of Mind, and has been recorded by others such as Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood.  The song, though written with the common love theme, has very simple, yet emotive lyrics and Adele’s performance brings out the “bareness” of the words.  Although guitar accompaniment typically makes a song sound more intimate, I appreciate the fact that there are only piano and strings in this arrangement. Adele’s voice offers the intimate, raw sound that the piece calls for while the piano and strings give the song more of a “grand” feel. Listen below:

You can hear clear influences in Adele’s voice–Sam Cooke, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and at the same time, Pink, Spice Girls and even hints of Destiny’s Child–yet she still has her own unique sound. Although I haven’t heard much from Adele recently, I’ll let songs like “Make You Feel My Love” tide me over until she comes out with another album or song.

Do you guys have a new musician, group or song you can’t stop listening to? Let us know in the comments below!

This week #OnRepeat is Bruno Mars’ “Treasure.” I know that this song has been out now for some time, but I have to bring this one out and dust it off, so to speak.

The music for the song, “Treasure,” has a very throw-back feel to it, and truth-be-told, this song is what really made me start to take notice of Bruno Mars. The lyrics talk about a guy who absolutely adores this girl, which doesn’t really set the song apart from anything else that you would hear out there; however the musical arrangement and melody makes the song very catchy. He had great hits before this–“Count On Me,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Locked Out Of Heaven”–but they just didn’t have the same pull for me like this song.

One of the main things that was so appealing about, “Treasure,” was the music video itself. You can see the clear influence of the Jackson Five, with the dancing and cinematography, but you can also see influences of Earth, Wind, and Fire (matching outfits, singing lovingly at the camera and including a full “band” in the video). This song is also one of the very first songs that features Mars’ voice; you start to hear subtleties in his voice that allude to his influences. The raspy, funk-like quality is reminiscent of James Brown while his vocal timbre and melodic choices reflect Michael Jackson. Have a listen below:

Do any of you guys have a Bruno Mars song that is reminiscent of another musician or group out there? Let us know in the comments below!

This week #OnRepeat is Omara Portuondo’s version of the bolero, “Dos Gardenias.” This song is actually more well-known for Ibrahim Ferrer, another singer from the Buena Vista Social Club, however, I love Omara’s interpretation of this song and her deep, expressive voice, so I had to share this one with all of you.

Omara Portuondo is a singer and a dancer from Cuba and was one of the original members of the singing group, Cuarteto d’Aida. She has performed with groups and musicians such as Nat King Cole,  Los Van Van, Adalberto Álvarez, and Ignacio Piñeiro. Some of her most well-known songs are “Hasta Siempre, Comandante,” “Siguamos Amantes” and “Donde Estabas Tu.”

“Dos Gardenias” is a song speaking about a person giving these flowers–gardenias–to their  significant other as a representation of their love (conversation, affection). Towards the end of the song, there is an almost poignant, heart-breaking lyric that says that if those flowers were to die, it would be because they have sensed that there is someone else; or in other words, that that couple’s love has died. It is a beautiful song–you don’t find much music out there anymore with lyrics like this that can depict such emotion in a great, story-like arc. Here is a excerpt of the lyrics below:

I’ve had Trombone Shorty’s “Backatown” album #OnRepeat this week. I first discovered him while listening to his music at my job. One of the many perks of working at a job that promotes and holds musical performances is that you get exposed to great music that you usually wouldn’t be aware of or listen to on a regular basis. Since I first listened to this album, I’ve went on to listen to more of Trombone Shorty’s albums and his music never fails to disappoint.

Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) is a trombone and trumpet player from New Orleans who also sings, composes and arranges his own music. He has toured with artists such as Aerosmith and Lenny Kravitz and has participated in several benefit concerts and projects for New Orleans after the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His music blends New Orleans-style Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rock, and R&B music.  He is well-known for his single, “Do To Me,” and his most recent album, “Say That to Say This,” another album that everyone should definitely check out. Below is a Youtube video of the full “Backatown” album. Take a listen:

Although his music is a new, impressive hybrid type of music blending many styles that causes people to get up on their feet, I am even more impressed with his philanthropic work. Trombone Shorty is involved in several different programs that give back to the community in which he grew up and is still actively a part of; the main program being the Trombone Shorty Academy, which provides young New Orleans musicians mentorship, music performance experience, and basic musicianship skills, all while donating instruments to underserved schools in the area and teaching New Orleans musical traditions. He also takes a leadership role in the Fredman Music Business Institute, which gives music industry training to young musicians in the New Orleans area. Not many musicians give back to their community where they grew up in the same way that Trombone Shorty is and it is something to be admired and commended.

Check out his music for yourself and see what you think. Do you know any other musicians or groups who are giving back to their communities while making a name for themselves? Let us know in the comments below!

This week, I’ve had Pink Martini’s “Aspettami” #OnRepeat; matter of fact, I’ve had all of Pink Martini’s music #OnRepeat for the past couple of days. I first heard them while I was at work (my job always plays music from artists that will be performing in the next couple weeks).

Pink Martini is a musical group based out of Portland, Oregon, led by pianist, Thomas Lauderdale and vocalists, China Forbes and Storm Large. Their music combines elements of Jazz, Classical music, Pop, and takes influences from traditional and popular music from around the world. The vocalists are multilingual, singing in languages such as English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese. Some of their most well-known songs are “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love,” “Sympathique,” and “Hang On Little Tomato.”

The song, “Aspettami,” is a simplistic song (guitar and voice in the forefront), yet the lyrics make the song’s overall feel romantic, intimate, and at the same time, give the composition a grandiose nature. Forbes’ voice is reminiscent of the Bossa Nova Style–straight-toned, intimate–mixed with the Crooner style of the 1940’s and 50’s (think Sinatra, with perfect placements of vibrato). It isn’t very apparent on this piece, but on many other songs on the album, you can hear the range and power in Forbes’ voice, adding an even fuller sound to each song that the “little orchestra” plays. Listen to “Aspettami” below:

This is definitely a group that everyone should be following. There is an overall vibe to this group, yet each album and performance is different, making them so interesting to listen to. I look forward to what they will come out with next.

If anyone has any new groups or songs to listen to, leave a comment below!

This week #OnRepeat is Billy Ocean’s “Suddenly.” Interesting story: I actually came across this song while watching an episode of Family Guy. The character, Peter, (played by Seth McFarland) sings this song when he sees a cardboard cut-out of Cathy Ireland. Surprisingly, Seth McFarland does a great rendition of the song and this is one of the first episodes that caused me to respect McFarland not only as a comedian, but as a singer as well. The clip from the episode can be seen below.

Billy Ocean is an R&B singer-songwriter from England who was internationally popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Performance in 1985. Some of his hit songs include “Caribbean Queen,” “Loverboy,” and “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going.”

“Suddenly” is an iconic 80’s song, and Billy Ocean’s singing adds so much to the style that is considered 80’s music. His use of inflection, melismas and his clear, bright tone makes the song a unique love song to listen to. The words are simple, yet full of emotion; talking about suddenly realizing how in love the individual is with another person. Many musicians that I’ve spoken to aren’t fond of the instrumentation, but his powerful voice makes you stop and pay attention. The original version of this song can be listened to below:

Do you guys have any new musicians, groups or songs to check out? Let us know in the comments below!