New music by Jason Aldean, Pink, Elton John with P'Nau, Gaslight Anthem

"BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS)"   PINK

Four years since "Madhouse", the last CD of all new material by Pink.   She's back with a edgy breakup anthem similar to a tougher version of Kelly Clarkson's Since You've Been Gone.   The chorus says it all:   “I think I finally had enough/ I think I maybe think too much/ I think this might be it for us/ Blow me one last kiss/ You think I’m just too serious/ I think you’re full of s—/ My head is spinning/ So blow me one last kiss.”   The new CD will be called "The Truth About Love" will similar biting titles like "Walk Of Shame" and "Slut Like You".

**NEW OFFICIAL VIDEOS BY THE KILLERS and CARLY RAE JEPSEN & OWL CITY are updated:  Here's the Links:   KILLERS     CARLY RAE JEPSEN


"TAKE A LITTLE RIDE"    JASON ALDEAN

CD #5 for Jason Aldean is getting ready to drop later this fall (read my discography of his first four CDs  JASON    ).    The lead single "Take A Little Ride" debuted at #1 on ITunes.  Billboard predicts sales will set a record for digital sales by a male country artist.   The current record is Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup at 207,000 in a week.     The song should dominate NASCAR commercials.   You'll love the guitar heavy song almost as much as the lyrics.  Jason sings of riding his Chevy down the dirt roads, picking up his girl with the summer tan and pink toes on the dashboard, turning up the radio, and letting the seats go back.

"SAD"  ELTON JOHN with PNAU

My college, The University Of South Florida, just renovated their Sun Dome and will open the facility with an Elton John concert.   It's been years since Elton's topped the charts but thanks to an Australian dance duo named Pnau, he's back on the charts.  While in a record store in Sydney, Elton picked up Pnau's album, loved it so much, he contacted the band and signed them to his management company.    Giving the green light to take Elton's catalog of music from the 70's and revamp them to their style.   What came of this was a new CD called "Good Morning To The Night", a hit and miss CD of dance, electronic sounds mixed with classic Elton John vocals.   The track I chose uses the "sad" line from Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and elements of "Curtains".

   
 "KEEPSAKE"   GASLIGHT ANTHEM

If you don't about Gaslight Anthem until now, you've been missing out on the best New Jersey bar band since Springsteen.   In fact, Bruce loves the band so much that he's joined them at the famous Stone Pony bar on stage and they've even covered "Badlands" on their own.  If the Ramones covered Springsteen it would be the Gaslight Anthem sound.   Their brand new CD, Handwritten, and the lead single "45" have been receiving critical reviews.   My favorite track is "Keepsake" with lyrics of family, opportunities lost, and that classic Jersey sound.    

Guest A Blog? new Christina Perri, No Doubt, Pink, Jes with Tiesto, Jessie McCartney, Rod Stewart

Want to dedicate some songs to someone special?    Want to take a trip down memory lane with some favorites of yours?   Send me a request!   I'm putting up two today!

MUSIC TRIVIA:  What is Pink's real name?  Yesterday:  Eddie Vedder wrote "pro-choice" on his arm

DEDICATION #1:  

"WHO KNEW"    PINK!

My all-time favorite song by Pink!    Love that line:  "If someone said three years from now, you'd be long gone, I'd stand up and punch them out".   I first saw Pink as the opening act for Lenny Kravitz.    Amazing stage presence, powerful vocals, she even did a cover of Janis Joplin.

"DON'T SPEAK"              NO DOUBT

Back to back days with No Doubt songs!   We all know the story of the song.   Gwen was dating Tony, the bassist in the band, and their breakup set the stage for one of the biggest songs of the 90's.   Lesson of the day:  Be careful dating anyone you work with, UNLESS you're in No Doubt and want a MTV Award Winning Video!

  
 "REASON TO BELIEVE"   ROD STEWART and THE FACES

"If I listened long enough to you, I'd find a way to believe it's all true, knowing that you lied straight faced while I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe" -   Put this song's lyrics up with "The First Cut Is The Deepest", "Mandolin Wind", and you have evidence that Rod Stewart's songwriting skills in the 70's were impeccable.

DEDICATION #2:

"DISTANCE" and "THOUSAND YEARS"   CHRISTINA PERRI with JASON MRAZ

At first glance, I didn't recognize Christina in this video with her longer hair and darker skin.   Jason Mraz joins Christina on this love song or is it a break up song?   The thing about distance whether it's physical or emotionally is that is hard to endure for a long time.   The critical line, "saying I love you when you're not listening" - deep meaning behind those simple lyrics.   Jason is touring and Christina is his opening act so I anticipate this will be a great concert moment when they team up nightly for this beautiful duet.   Also included, Christina's "Thousand Years" video.

"IMAGINATION"  JES FT. TIESTO

Great song choice!  Jes teamed up trance DJ Tiesto, for a great version of Imagination.  Check out these lyrics: "I can tell in your eyes exactly where you go, 'cause I have been to every distant constellation to see you again, in the world of my mind, there's nothing I wouldn't do!"

"BEAUTIFUL SOUL"    JESSE McCARTNEY

Usually if I put a McCartney on my blog, it'd be Paul but I've got to give Jesse credit for this tender love song.  It sounds like a lost Backstreet Boys ballad with the bouncy beat and the hopeful youthful lyrics.   Fun Fact on Jesse:  He's the voice of Theodore on the Alvin & The Chipmunks movies.

Grammy Winning Garage Rock: Foo Fighters with Bob Mould, David Bowie, and P!nk

"DEAR ROSEMARY"   FOO FIGHTERS with Bob Mould

"Wasting Light" won the Grammy this year for Best Rock LP.   Dave Grohl wanted a "pure" sound, no studio tricks, just straight forward rock 'n roll.   Their innovative plan, go back to the basics and literally record their CD in Dave Grohl's Encino garage.   Dave not only embodies the rock n' roll spirit but he's also a major rock music FAN.   He grow up loving the alternative punk bands that influenced Nirvana.  Chief among of his biggest inspirations was Minneapolis' Husker Du led by Bob Mould.    The HIGHLY RECOMMENDED documentary film, "Back & Forth" describes the formation of the Foo Fighters and ends with behind the scenes production of "Wasting Light".   Seeing Dave Grohl's excitement getting Bob Mould to appear on their record is priceless!!  I included a scene from the movie and the full song.

"THIIS IS NOT AMERICA"    DAVID BOWIE and Pat Methany

Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton did a suspense filled film in 1985 called "The Falcon & The Snowman" about two altar boys who grew up together and as they became adults, their lives took a dangerous curve.  Drug smuggling, espionage, FBI intrigue, and suspicion of selling secrets to the Russians created a thrill ride motion picture.    David Bowie along with jazz guitar virtuoso, Pat Methany, created this soundtrack masterpiece.  The only video I could find was David Bowie's live performance but it's classic Bowie.

"LAST TO KNOW"     PINK

From 2003, Pink's "Try This" CD comes this kiss-off track!    If someone's done you wrong, this song must be played at maximum volume.  Upon first hearing "Last To Know", it caught me by surprise, Pink began her career as an R&B princess.  Now she's aggressive and swearing, but it totally fits the mood of the song.  Imagine Britney or Christina recording this :) Pink is original, dynamic, and does things her way, you've got to love her individuality.

Too School For Cool: Pink, Story Of The Year, Bryan Adams Unplugged, King Curtis

"RAISE YOUR GLASS"          PINK

Alecia Moore, a/k/a Pink, is one of a kind.    She was basically a Britney clone on her R&B debut CD produced by Babyface and Dallas Austin.  L.A. Reid knew that wasn't the right music for this speak your mind rebel girl.   She released Missundaztood and  broke out of that shell.  I saw her opening for Lenny Kravitz and she was brilliant live.   Since then, Pink has released some highly personal songs that she wrote including "I Don't Believe You", "Sober",  "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" and the haunting "Love Song" .   "Raise Your Glass" is pure pop magic, positive energy, a pump your fist chorus, and a fun summer song that I wore out last year!   "If you're too school for cool!"

"UNTIL THE DAY I DIE"        STORY OF THE YEAR

One of my all-time favorite concerts, USF Sun Dome, Linkin Park, P.O.D., Hoobastank, and the opening band was Story Of The Year.    Didn't know much about them at the time but they were energetic, guitars slinging over the shoulder moves, lead singer leaping off the speakers, and they got the mosh pit going!     "Until The Day I Die" is SOTY's best song, great passion, intensity, with a little scream-o thrown in the mix!

"LET'S MAKE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER" (Acoustic)   BRYAN ADAMS

Another concert memory, saw Bryan's unplugged and acoustic tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.    It was simply Bryan and a rhythm guitar player.    One of the highlights was a super-fan about 40 years old who was so hyper that Bryan called him up on stage.   Unknown to Bryan and everyone else there, the guy wanted to sing with Bryan and they did the early classic "Take Me Back", it brought the house down!    "Let's Make A Night To Remember" is one of the sexiest songs in the Bryan Adams catalog and on the Bare Bones tour, it's a major highlight.

"MEMPHIS SOUL STEW"          KING CURTIS

Stax Records was the Memphis record label that competed with Motown in the 60's.    Stax had Aretha, Otis, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, and so many other R&B legends.    One of my favorites is this primarily instrumental funk/blues jams by King Curtis.   Love how he calls out the instruments for their spotlight!


Today's special is Memphis soul stew
We sell so much of this people wonder what we put in it
We're going to tell you right now


Give me about a half a teacup - of bass
Now I need a pound of fat back drums
Now give me four tablespoons of boiling Memphis guitars
This is going to taste all right


Now just a little pinch of organ
Now give me a half a pint of horns


Place on the burner
And bring to a boil
That's it, that's it, that's it right there


Now beat - well