New Music Monday

Hey there everyone..

I’ve been listening to some great music lately. So, it seemed only fitting that I would take the time here to try to get you all to listen to some of these fabulous tunes.. Not all of this is new music. Some of it’s old music that’s new to me. Enjoy!

Raising Sand: Robert Plant and Allsion Krauss

I think this album is the kind of music you always want right next to you. It’s reachable, relaxing, and insightful. Krauss and Plant create melody and harmony with easy rhythms and familiar tracks. Even my kids mellow when I play this one..

Favorite track: Killing the Blues

Impossible Dream: Patty Griffin

I like to think that Patty’s music found me. This album is unreal. It’s beyond words.

Favorite track: Mother of God

Children Running Through: Patty Griffin

This one isn’t really new to me. But since I am listening to it in VERY heavy rotation, I thought I’d recommend it. Besides, there aren’t really words for Patty. Her music is just.. transcendent..

Favorite track: Heavenly Day

Let the Woman: Andy Davis

This one really is new to me. Totally blind recommendation. Totally worth it. Davis is another Nashville vocal powerhouse. I’m still discovering this one, but it’s amazing.

Favorite track (so far): Black Keys

So, friends, get out of here and go grab some of this great music!

Happy listening!

Five albums you must own (or at least listen to..) Mammaren’s five faves of the moment.

Here we go friends.. The five albums getting the most play in my ears lately. All five of these deserve a spot in your iTunes, trust me.

In no (real) particular order.

1. Canyon Songs by Tony Lucca

Tony Lucca is nothing short of amazing and his voice is comforting. Canyon Songs is the perfect album for just about anything and anyone.

My favorite song on the album: So Long

 

2. Unspoken by Matt Morris

If you have been paying any attention at all, you know how much I love this album. You can read my review of it here.

My favorite song on the album: Tie between Eternity and Let Me

3. Futuresex/Lovesounds by Justin Timberlake

I’m not going to mess around and try to hide my love for Jt. I LOVE FS/LS in all its badness. It’s cocky, upbeat and fun to dance to. Way to go Justin.

My fave track: LoveStoned/Think that she knows..

4. Till the Sun Turns Black by Ray LaMontagne

 

I only recently found this one. It’s lovely and strangely classic. LaMontagne’s voice is a classic. Ruddy, deep and haunting.

Fave track: Gone away from me.

5. Red Carpet Massacre by Duran Duran

Who doesn’t love Duran Duran? I was stoked to see this one come out. It’s everything you love about Duran Duran, and more. Great music, great mixing, great album.

Fave Track: Nite Runner

Mammaren Reviews: UnSpoken by Matt Morris

Matt Morris:  UnSpoken

Brief Bio:
Matt Morris is a Colorado native songwriter and musician whose roots go deep into the music world. Born in 1979 to Terri and legendary musician Gary Morris. Matt went on to do a four year stint on the Mickey Mouse club. He has received several Grammy nominations for collaborations with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson. Matt also counts among his super star friends Justin Timberlake. Matt Co-Wrote the duet between Reba McEntire and Justin “The Only Promise that Remains.” Matt has released one album, UnSpoken, and is currently in the studio working on his second album. He was recently signed with Justin’s label Tennman Records.

The Album:

UnSpoken is unlike anything I have ever heard. I found this album a little by mistake. But man, am I glad I did. Matt’s songwriting is complex and thoughtful. His lyrics go beyond “typical” and lean on the heaviness of emotion. The big track, Eternity is a heavy hitter with surprisingly spiritual references.

“Somewhere between the first creation and tonight
Was a million incarnations of me, myself, and I
I was a savior in another life
With a white robe flowing in the morning light
I walked with angels through my darkest plight
In the desert for forty days and forty nights”

It gets better, much better…

“I’m carrying the memory
Of these things inside of me
I greet them with humility
They’re with me for eternity”

Matt goes on to write with such intensity that it seems that surely he will run out of amazing metaphors, but he doesn’t. Interspersed through the 14 tracks are 4 “interludes” of haunting piano and simple vocalizations. Matt is no novice musician, and he proves it. My personal 2nd favorite track on UnSpoken is “Betting Man,” a song about lost love

“You had your red stilletos on the day you walked all over me.. “ Ouch

Later in the album, Matt sings “Let Me” an unusually intimate love song.

“Let me, let me make a memory. Let me take you slowly, let me go deeper. Just hold tight, I will make it alright. I will love completely. If you just let me..”

UnSpoken is beautiful from beginning to end. Released in 2002 it was ahead of its time and still is. There’s no shortage of thought or talent in this album. Perhaps the only thing missing is more tracks. I get the feeling that I’d like Matt to sit at my piano and sing. UnSpoken is available on Amazon as well as iTunes.

UnSpoken is so rich and powerful, I find myself impatient waiting for more. Matt is a true artist and a uniquely personal musician. I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from Matt.

Be sure to check out Matt Morris.net for real video blogs from Matt and personal writing.

I am officially famous, kind of..

I have been mentioned on the fabulous Punkin Pockets Blog

You should check it out, daily.. But in case you don’t, here’s the post.. Doesn’t hurt that she also mentions my favorite singing blue eyed Memphis boy Mr Sexy..

From the Fabulous Mrs Tori..

So, now that my very dear friend and neighbor Ren has finally inherited her mother’s piano and had it delivered a couple weeks ago, I have to figure out a way to get my fingers on those delicious ivories on a regular basis. You see, ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. (For those of you who are paying really close attention, yes, that would make this Dream No. 327.) I began lessons at the little Baptist school down the street when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade and fell in love instantly. But I’ve been unable to keep my skills honed throughout the years.

Looks like now’s my chance! (Insert sinister laugh here.)

The way I figure it, she’ll be needing a babysitter a few times a week for yoga and for various other Mommy missions and that’s when I’ll make my move. I’ll have to be careful because I haven’t visited in a while and she may get suspicious. “Why Tori! You walked all the way down the street just to see me?” Better make some double chocolate vegan carob brownies and use that as my excuse. That and Zoë needed a play date. I’ll sign up for some free Piano lessons & piano chords from this cool site I found and show them to her. We’ll get into some playful duets, dance, and she’ll sing a Justin Timberlake song while I play the accompaniment. Thanks to those free Piano lessons & piano chords I will be able to play JT by ear in no time. It will be delightful. And Ren will never be the wiser because she, of all people, does not read this blog.

A perfect plan!