My first open mic night!

Hello hello to everyone who reads this, there must be at least a couple of people right? Recently I've started taking more time to learn the guitar. It's an instrument I've always loved. Over the years I've had the privilege of songwriting with other guitarists, mostly my buddy Mike Knippers, but I've never had enough "guitar knowledge" or skill to write my own stuff.

So I decided to change that! Over the past few weeks I've written a couple simple songs, it's been fun. I ventured out to an open mic night in Salt Lake with my buddy Seth to unleash my original songs on the world! (Or at least the 15 or so people in attendance, haha) At any rate, Seth was kind enough to get some video of me playing.

Here's the youtube link, I hope you like the song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4N-cefJKO8

This week's a two-fer!

Due to my slacking off last week, and not posting a song-as I'm sure you noticed-I'm taking the liberty of throwing out to songs for your listening pleasure. As always, the youtube links will be pasted below!

The first song is "I Got A Woman" covered by the John Mayer Trio. This masterpiece of a song was originally written and performed by Ray Charles but most of you will probably recognize the chorus melody/hook from Kanye West's "Gold Digger." The Trio's version of the song is permeated with soul and energy. I absolutely love the way it sounds and I hope you do too!

The second song is from The Fray's new self-titled album. Has anyone listened to this album yet? In my opinion, it's better than their debut album. Track number eight is called, "Enough For Now." I'll be honest, I can't pinpoint exactly what this song is about. It seems to speak to a girl whose father walked out on her at a young age and the feelings associated with the experience sung from the perspective of the girl's friend, or maybe boyfriend? Help me out if you can decipher more than that.

Enough For Now: (Live Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlrTd_nMjc

I Got A Woman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RckfbOm84Qc&feature=related

Free Fallin...done right!

Does anyone listen to these songs I'm posting? Just checking...

"Free Falling" is an excellent song written by rock legend Tom Petty. It's safe to say that Free Falling is a rock classic, and rock classics are difficult to touch, that's why their classics! However, every once in a while, a talented artist will come along and cover an already great song and give it a brand new, refreshing, and modern sound. That's exactly what we have on our hands with John Mayer's cover of this vintage Tom Petty classic!

Performed during Mayer's 2007 LA concert called, Where The Light Is, the virtuoso Mayer is accompanied by two band members, Robbie McIntosh and David Ryan Harris. By giving the song a slowed down pure acoustic feeling, Mayer truly makes this song his own. The song is even better when you experience the video of the performance.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNW8q-Ucz18

A little bit of Kanye West...

How is everybody doing?! I'm doing fantastically well, especially since it's time for me to post another tight song (I hope you think it is too)!

This week's song comes from Mr. "Louis Vitton Don" himself, Kanye West. To be honest, I don't listen to TONS of Kanye, but some of his songs are, in my opinion, phenomenal. Musically each of his albums is unique and reflects his progression as an artist and a as a person. Lyrically, he throws down some creativity beyond the grasp of most artists in the hip-hip/rap world.

At any rate...this song, Heartless, was performed by Mr. West during his Vh1 Storytellers concert which aired a few months ago. If the original version of this song is enough to get you shaking and singin' then this live version, backed by a full-symphony and featuring numerous "on the fly" flows and monlogues, will definitely get you out of your seat! He's backed by a full strings section, bassist, multiple drummers, back up singers and a slick fingered guitarist who busts out a pretty impressive riff mid-song.

Needless to say, this song is dope, that's right, DOPE!

Enjoy and let me know what you think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz89AELIocE

PS: for anyone out there who really digs Kanye's stuff, you'll appreciate the other Storytellers videos featured on Youtube

Sweet version of a sweet song!

It's Tuesday! Well...technically it's 12 a.m. on Wednesday morning but who's keeping track really?
Man am I a huge slacker, I committed to posting a new song every week and here I am posting my second song three months later. I'll be better...

Hopefully you guys are digging the songs. Write me a note and let me know what you think each week.

This week's song came across my ears completely by happenstance...
So there I was, scrolling through the DVR at my buddy Seth's house when I came across a program from Palladia (a sweet HD concerts channel) called "Peace One Day Concert." Intrigued, I started the program and this was the first song, "Heaven" by Bryan Adams. The arrangement is so simple yet musically powerful.

Sweet song, sweet arrangement, killer sound, and an impressive vocal variation by Mr. Adams.

Here's the link to the song on youtube. Please check it out and let me know if you like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9oj7wAWs40

PS: For a good laugh, check out the violinist's facial expressions at the end of his solo, you'll laugh, trust me!

"Swim" by Jack's Mannequin

I'm a sucker for inspirational lyrics put to catchy music. The background to this song is inspiring. Jack's Mannequin's principle member, singer, songwriter, etc... is a guy named Andrew McMahon.

Three months before the release of the band's first album, McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was consequently forced to cancel an upcoming summer tour to fight the illness. Three months later, he received a bone marrow transplant from his sister which lead to a full recovery.

This week's song, Swim, is the track on JM's newest album, The Glass Passenger. The song's lyrics depict his struggle with Leukemia and how he found the strength to overcome the illness and push forward in spite of it. Pretty amazing stuff!

Check out the lyrics here, http://www.lyricsyoulove.com/j/jacks_mannequin/swim/

And listen to the song on youtube or be a spender and download it from iTunes. It's well worth your time and 99 cents!

Let me know if you like it!