Tag Archives: Music

The Rock Boat Recap

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Every year, I come back from my annual rock n’ roll adventure on the sea with great intentions of writing about the experience…and every year, I fail. Epically. I think I have decided that it is relatively impossible to explain it to someone who has not experienced it. Take 30 artists/bands – most of them amazing – add many of my closest friends, a dash of margarita (and other beverages), the sunshine, and Caribbean air and you’ve got a recipe for something magical.

It was a terrific lineup this year and I feel like I saw more shows this year than I ever have before… And, oddly enough, spent more time with more friends than ever before. Rather than try to sketch out a day-by-day, I’m going to tackle my highlights (these are not in any special order):

1. Finally seeing Green River Ordinance live. After two years as a fan, the ultimate high point of TRBIX was getting to see this amazing quintet from Texas on stage. They were everything I knew they would be and more… It was such a treat to chat with them and get to know some of them, too. They are all such great kids, especially that J Whiskey fella. 🙂

2. Scott Feil’s Fan Club. Seriously, Scotty has got to be the most loveable…and loved…guy on earth. And his friends are all fantastic people. Erinn, Cory, Liz, Sujka…it was awesome spending time with you! And Scott, of course. Darlin’, is it possible for me to love you anymore? I’ll be eternally grateful to Will Hoge for bringing you into my world…

3. Aslyn. I’ve always managed to catch pieces of her sets on the Boat and last year, finally managed to work in a full set. This year, three of them. Aside from having a phenomenal set of pipes, there is no singer out there who I think captures the range of emotions women go through in a truer way. I can’t stop listening to The Dandelion Sessions.

4. Tonic. Back together. On The Rock Boat. Need I say more? “Mountain”…TWICE! Kevin’s shout outs to CW on his drum kit were a touching tribute to a musician who left us too soon.

5. Carbon Leaf…in particular, covering “Livin’ on a Prayer” and the whole entire Boat singing along at the top of their lungs. I got up the nerve to talk to Carter (3 double margaritas in) on the last night. Still can’t get near Barry without going dumb.

6. The rest of the Boat FINALLY getting how amazing Sam Thacker is. And Stephen Kellogg saying (about “The Last”) “I wish I’d written this song.” Yay… Sammy’s rock star is shining bright!

7. Lee and Peter. So glad I met these two fellas at The Heyday show back in October. Spent lots of time with them on the Boat… Happy they are my neighbors in Charlotte. Lee… breakfast at Panera soon!

8. Time with “my girls” & Mr. P. Michelle, Gail and Marc..I adore you all. Thanks for understanding me and being just as crazy in love with the music as I am.

9. Trevor Hall & Tyrone Wells. Both new for me, both wonderful. Can’t wait to get to know their music better!

10. Chocolate Melting Cake. Most likely better than sex.

11. Emerson Hart. This man’s live performances leave me speechless every time. There are very few musicians whose songs touch me in the way that Emerson’s do. And live…he is just so dynamic. Sujka called it…Part concert, part comedy show, part Dr. Phil session. All wonderful.

12. Gareth on board. The only person who can instantly make me smile just by walking into a room.

13. PAVE THE WORLD! I’d lost my voice by night two…Michael Tolcher was rocking it in the very crowded, very smoky casino bar. No way that he was going to hear me hollering. So I begged Lee to yell my “Pave the World” request. Tolcher: “You know what, I’m gonna do that for you!” The only thing that would have made it better would have been Christy singing along next to me. “The aliens are coming! What? The aliens are coming….Pave the world!”

14. Hanson sing along. On the last night, at Aslyn’s show, a Hanson and his wife ended up standing next to us. Aslyn asked the girls to sing one part, while the boys were to sing another. And that little Hanson sang along, smiling the whole time. Was nice to see one having a great time without being hounded by fans.

15. Wideawake and The Kin singing together. Scott Leger with Aussie brother harmony? Quite possibly perfection in music.

16. Katey and Scott airport time. I only get to see my friends from Birmingham once a year, and we’ve made hanging out on flights to and from TRB a tradition. I can only hope that when and if I meet my Mr. Right, we have as great a relationship as Katey and Scott do.

17. Inauguration. Watching Barack Obama become the 44th President of the U.S. was going to be emotional for me no matter where I watched it. But watching it in a room full of people who shared my pride in the moment was nothing short of beautiful. Applause every time they showed Obama or Biden. I actually teared up. There’s no place and no other people with whom I’d rather share the day…

There’s so much more, but nothing that I write can do it justice. It’s truly the most amazing experience every year. And despite losing my voice, getting an average of 3-4 hours of sleep a night, and spending ENTIRELY too much money…it’s SO worth it. BEST.VACATION.EVER.

Bring on Rock Boat X.

My Top Ten Albums of 2008

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Unlike most of the critics Top Ten lists, my Top Ten albums of 2008 is based solely on how much I like an album.  While I’m all about great songwriting, “breaking boundaries” isn’t necessarily a big deal for me.  So, if you’re looking for eclectic picks (like MGMT or Santogold), you’re out of luck.  This is a REALLY hard list for me to make and there is a lot of terrific music that isn’t included here.  But these, are my favorites…so here’s the damage.

Honorable Mentions

Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons – Cabin Ghosts
This one should be in the Top Ten, but since it’s not a full album, I moved it to honorable mentions.  Cory’s got one of those gravelly, raw, honest American voices that I am instantly drawn to.  The fact that he’s from middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin and centers his songwriting on that fact really adds a raw beauty to this music.  It was recorded partially in some old cabin in the woods and partially at a local venue, and the sounds inherent to these places are prevalent on the record and give it interestingness and depth.  I love it.

State of Shock – Life, Love & Lies
I dub this album the one that I will hate once the radio gets a hold of it and plays the shit out of it.  It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure.  Some really trite and overdone lyrics, but seriously, it’s just a fun record.  “Money Honey.”  That’s all I have to say.

New Kids on the Block – The Block
I am not ashamed to have this album on my list.  Unbelievably catchy little dance-pop ditties – a perfect fit for clubs and a great way for this band to come back from literally nothing.   I do not joke when I say it didn’t leave my CD player/iPod playlist for a month – I listened to it constantly.  And besides, it’s a little nostalgic for me, brought me back to the days of big hair and super baggy t-shirts.

And now for the Top Ten…in reverse order.

10.  David McMillin – Heartsteady
Possibly the most prolific young little folk-rock writer out there right now.  And incredibly nice person.  David released this album with very little fanfare this year, but it is a really delightful record.  I like to think of David as an old soul – modern day lyrics spun into beautiful bits of Americana.  I adore it.

9. Sam Thacker – Lines (Limited Edition)
Sammy grew up on this record (yet, I continue to call him “Sammy”) and it’s a treat for the ears.  Strong songwriting, some serious and some fun, tight band work, and in true Sam Thacker fashion, ridiculously catchy little melodies.  I stand by my prediction that one day soon, the world is gonna fall in love with Sam Thacker…and this might be the album that does it.

8. Amos Lee – Last Days at the Lodge
I think this album is actually better than Supply & Demand, but that’s just my opinion.  I think the inclusion of this record is also colored a bit by Amos’s live performance.  I saw him twice this year and he is simply outstanding live.  That being said, the album is quite terrific and worth it just for “Listen” and “Street Corner Preacher.”

7. Sequoyah Prep School – Ghost Town
This band was new to me this year, so I’d love to include BOTH of their albums, but since this is a Top 10 of 2008, their new one gets included.  Fun little band from Charleston with incredibly infectious  melodies, and fantastic harmonies.

6. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
I say this as someone who is not a giant Coldplay fan:  This album is brilliant.  Chris Martin & Co. just plain blew it out of the water with this gorgeous trip through emotions.  My favorite tracks are “Lost?” and “Lost!” because I think it was a genius take on how the same song can have an entirely different meaning when its rearranged.

5. People in Planes – Beyond the Horizon
Introduced to me by the Stereophonics this year.  An awesome rock band from Wales.  This album is such a refreshing departure from what has become boring, mainstream American rock drivel (all the Nickelback and Three Doors Down sound alikes), I was instantly hooked.  Just take a listen to songs like “Flesh and Blood,” “Get on the Flaw” and “Pretty Buildings” to get an idea.  Fantastic musicians, strong writing and a live performance with gusto.  They’re gonna be big, kids.

4. Kings of Leon – Only by the Night
This is one that the critics and I agree on.  This album rocks.  I’ve never been a huge Kings of Leon fan, but this album won me over.  It’s dirty and gritty, the way a rock n’ roll album should be.  “Sex on Fire” is a brilliant song and will leave you wanting to hear it again and again, but every song has its merits.  Favorite tracks are “Crawl”, “Sex on Fire,” “Be Somebody” and “Notion.”

3. Counting Crows – Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings
This album’s inclusion on my list should really should come as no surprise to anyone.  I don’t even think I have to explain it.  And to the hard critics complaints that it “should have been better” after such a long hiatus, I say poo on you.  It’s brilliant.  Period.

2. Alpha Rev – The Greatest Thing I’ve Ever Learned
Technically, this album was released in 2007.  However, it was re-released in 2008 and had new tracks, so I’m counting it as a 2008 release.  Alpha Rev literally shot into my Top Ten artists of all time last year when I first started listening to them.   Casey McPherson’s writing is on par with Adam Duritz’s in my book – and we already know how much I love a good songwriter.  Download “Colder Months” and “American Jesus” if you want a taste of this Austin band.

1. The Ruse – Midnight in the City
West Coast bands don’t often make my list of favorites….but this year is an exception. The Ruse’s Midnight in the City wins favorite album of the year this year for its solid songwriting and the ability of the songs to get stuck in my head.  From its first spin in my CD player (or, err, iPod, actually), these songs were on a constant loop.   It’s simply a fantastic pop-rock record.

Patrick Davis and Country Radio…Yes, You Heard Me Right…

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Those of you that follow my musical obsessions know that one of my biggest is a tall, skinny fella from Camden, SC named Patrick Davis. My friend David Phillips introduced me to him about three years ago, and I’ve been all goggly-eyed about his music ever since. Personally, his writing reminds me a LOT of Springsteen…very story-teller esque…and his stage demeanor is so amazing, I just grin through all of his shows. He happens to be just a little country leaning, which is unusual for me, but nonetheless, falling in love with a music is no different than falling in love with a person….sometimes, you can’t explain who you fall for and why, but there’s something about the music that grabs your heart. And Patrick’s songs had me at hello….:)

But I digress.

About a two years ago, Patrick started playing a new song he wrote called “Where I’m From.” As soon as I heard it, I knew I was hearing something special. It’s a phenomenal song about embracing your roots and your hometown being very much a part of who you are.

Well, something special indeed the song is. As is the case with a lot of truly phenomenal writers…other singers hear their songs and want to record them. So Patrick let country singer Jason Michael Carroll record the song and it is now rocketing up the charts. You can get the Jason Michael Carroll single now on iTunes…and I highly encourage you to go pick it up, since it helps Patrick in a number of ways…

JMC’s version is WAY more country than Patrick’s original version. So, for you to see how brilliant the song was in its original version, here’s a little video I recorded of Patrick performing the song back in February of 2007…with his Daddy, Rusty, playing guitar with him.

Congratulations, Patrick! I’m so excited for you!!!!