Hey..

Its been a while..

I have been so busy.. that I hardly have time to log in.. let alone write anything..

but today.. as we speak.. I am doing a few loads of laundry.. and thinking.. I NEED TO PAINT SOMETHING!!!!

SO of course.. I thought..

How many of you actually feel this way?

Did anyone ever get so busy with life that you neglected your creative side?

 

I know.. it's hard to imagine.. but lately things have gone a bit wacky in my life.. My Dad is ill.. and My Mon wants to be with him.. and she doesn't drive..

So the last 6 weeks have been driving to the hospital.. visiting.. then going to work.. and then going back to the hospital.. visiting.. driving Mom home.. and getting home after 11:00 only to poop out and fall asleep.

Right now its more of the same.. its rehab.. and its a whole different vibe.. its depressing.. and hard to see loved ones suffer.. so I think about it almost non stop.. well . until I think.. I NEED TO PAINT!!!

 

I never realized how much I look forward to starting a painting.. a drawing.. anything..

I think about it for a while.. then I make sure I have all the supplies I need.. and then I start.. of course.. I start.. throw away my first try.. and start again.. Its a process that I LOVE..I miss it.. but of course I am so exhausted when I get home.. that I cant start anything..

 

It made me think..

how many of you have had life get in the way?

Has life's happenings ever gotten so intense that you could not create?

As anyone else felt like you would explode if you could not create?

 

Of course.. as I am writing this.. I am thinking..
WHY are you writing and not drawing?

bet you are too!!!

 

I would love to answer that.. BUT..

I am too exhausted!!!!

 

 

I have promised myself.. that tomorrow.. I will paint something.. ANYTHING..

I need to do this for me.. and perhaps..

I will feel better about everything..

Does anyone else watch American Idol?

 

I used to be so addicted to the show.. and then..

Dautry got voted off..

I was so angry.. and such a big fan of his, that it made me not watch the rest of the show.. BUT..

that was only last year.. and here I am watching it again..

 

Well .. by watching.. I mean I saw it.. decided who I loved.. and then I watch the clips on You Tube.

Isn't the Internet a wonderful thing?

 

I no longer need to suffer through all the stuff I am uninterested in..

I don't care about the "mentors" that are on the who,which quite frankly,  I think screw up the singers..

This year.. I LOVE that those who CAN play an instrument.. MAY

I love that they are not making them hide their personality to conform with what is a pop idol.. ok ok.. maybe THAT'S not true.. but really I think this year its the best crew..

 

My favorites this year..

DAVID COOK.. right form the start.. but

I also enjoy Jason Castro.

I don't think he is the best on the show.. but I DO love his quirkiness.. his.. vulnerability.. and shyness.. and yes.. his originality!

 

OK favorite renditions?

I LOVED Jason Castro's rendition of Hallelujah. by Leonard Cohen.. he also did a killer version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow as sung by Israel Kamakawiwo.

 

Now my favorite.. DAVID COOK.. there is probably nothing he has sung that I haven't liked..

I love his guitar playing.. his voice.. his . well everything.

I know that he sings like he is already a rock star.. he may even seem a little cocky.. but.. to make it.. don't you have to have some of that?

 

The first song that he did that made me REALLY listen was.. his version of HELLO by Lionel Richie..

Now I know that he is a song writer.. and the Commodores and all that.. but its not my kind of music..and since these blogs are all about what I LIKE.. I don't feel that bad saying that I am not a fan.. but after hearing hello done in a voice I can understand.. I thought.. this is a pretty good song..

Then the next song that I totally enjoyed was.. Billy Jean.. YES.. you may remember it the way it was done by Michael Jackson. Of course, there was some controversy about WHO actually did this arrangement of the song.. but.. no matter.. David did a great job.

He also did a good job on Little Sparrow.. A DOLLY PARTON Tune.. for me, he made it listenable..and a nice version of OLP's,  We are Innocent.

But the best transformation was Be My Baby by Mariah Carey.. who really annoys me..YES I know.. she is talented.. but I have a tough time listening to her..  

But this last week was Broadway week.. with Andrew Lloyd Webber being the mentor..

I LOVE music.. but really not a fan of musicals.. but even I have to admit.. that the songs are incredible.

Well David did The Music Of The Night.. From Phantom OF The Opera and he did a really good job!

 

OK.. OK.. am I gushing?

I guess I am.. I am a fan of David Cook.. and if you are curious about him..

Check him out on You Tube..

And when he wins.. and puts out his own music..

I have not written in a while..but of course.. it doesn't mean I have not been listening to anything..

 

I always have my computer on.. and Perhaps its just a case of ADD.. but I start to paint.. and before I know it.. I am back at my computer looking for something cool to listen to.

Thankfully.. the Internet has allowed me access to music that I would not normally hear..

then why is it that I haven't left Jersey yet?

 

I used to cringe when I heard people say.. "Oh..you are from Jersey"?.. you must be a Bruce fan.. or Bon Jovi.. (ok so I am an old Bruce fan.. and I DO like Bon Jovi..and even some of his music )

but can it be that people think that if you are from Jersey.. that might be the extent of our musical tastes?

 

It is certainly not the case with me..but it made me start looking at young bands.. and not so young bands from Jersey for an answer.

 

This time I am going to write a little bit about a young artist that I have been listening to.

His name is John Weiss. He is 19 years old from Voohees NJ

The band name is The Forever Machine.

 

All of his music is written, recorded and produced by him in his bedroom "studio" 

he considers his music experimental, ambient, electronic, and New age.

and I would have added EMO.. but when I wrote to ask him his thoughts.. he said..

that in his opinion. "it doesn't matter whether it's Rap. Country,Oldies, Death Metal, Blugrass. or Accapello All music is in essence EMO. "Without EMOthion, all songs written in the history of music would sound like boring , bland, monotonous voice of Ben Stein"

 

What could I possibly add to that?

 

I asked if he played out.. and he said that he plays pretty infrequently.. but he does play the occasional; coffee house.. and open mic nights.

 

He does have music for sale.. on Itunes, Napster, Emusic, and Snocap.

Te albun title is "Portrait Of Mirrors"

 

I really enjoy listening to him.... and the fact that he is so young.. makes me believe that he will only get better!

Give him a listen..

you can hear him at  http://www.myspace.com/theforevermachinenj  

 

If you like him, LET HIM KNOW!

Perhaps he will join here at Artist Harvest.

 

Well as promised..

here is it..

The band is called A Life of Riley.

They describe themselves as a central Jersey band that play acoustic rock/pop/indie/jazz/emo, or at least something similar. They have been playing since high school....

I find it interesting that the members are at different colleges at the moment.. and still find time to get together to play.(at least that is what it says on their My SpacePage)

I contacted the band hoping that I could verify some facts. but I have not heard from them as of yet..so please excuse me if I don't have the members names correct.. or even if they are  current.

 

the band consists of
Scottpercussion, Mitchguitar, Noahvocals, Rahulguitar, Ryanbass, Jackkeyboards/vocals, Briantrumpet, Kevinsaxophone, Zachsaxophone

 

I was combing the sites.. and came across this band. 

I have a soft spot for acoustic bands..so I immediately started listening to them.

I like their lyrics and the tone of the songs..

They have a lot of energy.. and it translates in their music..

So as usual.. I went to their web site.. but it looks as though it has not been updated in a long time.. (too bad the site looks good.) I kept looking around.. and I came across a clip of them on You Tube playing a gig at the Bitter End (a club in the Village.. NYC) Its hard to tell on a You Tube clip.. but it made me see that I would love to see them live,,   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5kKNmcQegg

God Bless YOUTUBE!!!!!

 

I am hoping that A Life Of Riley will join this site soon.. and perhaps upload some of their music.

In the meantime you can hear them at  alifeofrileymusic.com.. or at

Maybe send them a note and tell them about Artist Harvest..

I already have.  ..

Perhaps if they get LOTS of requests to join, they will pop over...

I would love to hear their music here..

My favorites are.. "60 Days" "Every Time" and "A Lazy Sunday"

So give them a listen.. and if you like them.. let them know!!

 

Ok.. that's it for tonight..

I am a  little tired.. and its killing me..

I have the new Counting Crows Cd that came today.. and all I want to do if listen..

of course.. if I pop it in now.. I will certainly fall asleep.. and I think that would be rude..

Adam and the boys deserve my full attention!!!!

I am excited to hear the Cd.. I am a big fan of theirs.. which by the way..

The Counting Crows are listed as one of  A Life If Rileys influences.... (anyone see a pattern? )

 

Well ..

I'll be back in a day or two..

Hope you'll here!!!

 

4/1/2008

 

Hi.

My name is Lynn.

I have become a member on this site because I love music..I am not musically talented.. but I play a mean CD!

 

I am calling it "Some Of My Favorite Things" because..

I will be writing about bands that I like.. mostly new bands.. well.. NEW TO ME..

I know that  you guys are probably up on the latest .. but I am old.. and well... it takes a little longer to get to my ears..

I will also write about other things..(favorite things..) but I think that mostly my interest lies in music..

 

I am going to start by writing about a band I have been listening to.

I don't know them.. I have never met them... but I have heard their music.. and  like it..

 

Now relax..

Like I said before.. I am not a musician.. so I have no idea if these people have any real talent.. all I CAN say  is that I like them. I have been told. (many times) by musicians that "they ( a particular band)  cant play" they only know a few chords" Electronic music is not real music" .."Rap Sucks" and the ever popular.. "no good music has come out since the 60's and 70's" (yes people say that) blah .. blah.. blah...

I cant say if any of those are right or wrong.. (except for the last one.. of course there is good music after the 60's and 70's) but if it is pleasing to my ears.. and it speaks to me. then they are good.. and worthy of talking about..

 

I would love to hear what you guys think.. but PLEASE keep in mind.. I am not a musician.. and I don't even know if the bands I like have talent. all I CAN say is if I LIKE IT.

 

I WILL ask a few things of you..

I will love to hear from you.. but please have something to say!

"THEY SUCK" is not what I want to hear.. instead.. you can say.. "THEY SUCK BECAUSE"...

 

If you have a band that you love.. and would like to tell people about them.. let me know.. I LOVE hearing new music..

I will also apologize in advance.. for

1) typos

2) manner of speech (I am from Jersey) 

3) improper grammar.. (I write like I speak.. and well. .. that could be scary.. AGAIN.. I am from JERSEY!)

If you can forgive these imperfections..

I think we will have fun..(ok.. I WILL HAVE FUN)

 

Of course.. this is just an intro..

I have contacted the band I would like to talk about.. and asked for some information..I would like to have their names spelled correctly. though I may not always be factually correct.. I do try!

 

So Welcome to my blog..

I hope you will read often... and again.. I welcome any suggestions.. (polite ones of course.. )

 

I'll be back soon with my first band.. and guess what?

THEY ARE FROM JERSEY!!!!!