CarpeDiem

Sieze the day by letting me take you on a musical journey through eclectic sounds of funk, electronic, blues and everything in between

[jams4days-blog]

Three of the four original band members from The Meters: George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli coining themselves the Metermen, will team up with with the epic Phish Keyboardist, Page McConnel for a two-night run at B.B. Kings Blues Club in NYC on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 20 at 12 EST. This is not the first time for McConnel to join NOLA funk forces with members of The Meters. In 2008 Porter, Batiste, and Stoltz (PBS) featured Page McConnel on most of the songs in the album "Moodoo." One of my favorite songs from the album is "All We Wanna Do." 

If you are in NYC and don't get this ticket, you're doing something wrong. 

[jams4days-blog]

© 2006 WMG Nappy Roots ft. Anthony Hamilton- Po' Folks

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY.

This Kentucky Hip-Hop band's first single was "Good Day," but "Po' Folks" is an all time favorite rap song of mine. In 2003 the song was nominated at the Grammy's for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. I advise you to add this to your party playlist. It is always great when you forget about a song for a couple of years and then someone plays it for you for the first time and you know you know it but it takes a second to realize what the song is. That is exactly what happened to me with this song recently and have shared this song with all of you so you won't forget about it either.

[jams4days-blog]

The Seeds- Mr. Farmer

I chose to showcase this song from the soundtrack because when I first heard the soundtrack, I would listen to "America" by Simon & Garfunkel or "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John. That is until I dug deeper and found this gem that is psychedelic rock that makes me wish I was alive during the 60's and 70's. The Seeds are known as one of the grandfathers of Punk Rock. Enjoy this groovelicous beat. 

[macedonum-deactivated20120918]

[jams4days-blog]

One of my favorite movies of all time is Almost Famous. It captures two things that I enjoy most in life, music and movies. It came out in the year 2000 but captures the essence of what rock n' roll was during an era that I sadly was not around for. The movie captivates you not only through the characters, but the soundtrack that played during each scene of the movie. I suggest listening to all the songs.

Track Listings: 

1. America - Simon and Garfunkel 2. Sparks - The Who 3. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference - Todd Rundgren 4. I've Seen All Good People: Your Move - Yes 5. Feel Flows - The Beach Boys 6. Fever Dog - Stillwater 7. Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart8. Mr. Farmer - The Seeds 9. One Way Out - The Allman Brothers Band 10. Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd 11. That's The Way - Led Zeppelin 12. Tiny Dancer - Elton John 13. Lucky Trumble - Nancy Wilson14. I'm Waiting For The Man - David Bowie 15. The Wind - Cat Stevens 16. Slip Away - Clarence Carter 17. Something In The Air - Thunderclap Newman

[jams4days-blog]

Pimps of Joytime- Janxta Funk  Directed by Maximo (Dope Films) and Jean Shepherd (Navegante) Join the PJT's online here: http://tinyurl.com/6rnd3o2 Purchase the latest album "Janxta Funk!" at iTunes here:http://bit.ly/ThePimpsOfJoytime_JanxtaFunk_iTunes

Not only do I think the name of this band is amazing, their sound is ever so funky. I think they bring a good mix of new age funk and a little bit of a hip-hop feel. They are a Brooklyn-based band that will be playing at All Good Music Festival on July 20 and will be at Equifunk, August 17. PJT is here to stay in the realm of funk and am excited to see what else they have in store. 

[jams4days-blog]

Bob Dylan- It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

"It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" is an original song by Bob Dylan that was on his album Bringing It All Back Home that was released in 1965. The first time I heard this song it gave me the chills. There have been a lot of versions of this song, a particular favorite of mine is on Vintage Dead by the Grateful Dead. I think this song has so much meaning and can really relate to anyone who has ever felt like they have lost something in their life. Most would like to take the easy way out and remain 'comfortably numb,' instead of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The positive message to this song is that the power to uplift yourself relies in your power- no one elses. Try looking at the glass half full. A wise person once told me instead of focusing on what you don't have, focus on the things you do.

[jams4days-blog]

DJ Bucket ft. Tupac- Hold On, I'm Still Ballin'

While I am usually not one for Glitch, I do like this. Some thugstep for your ears.

[jams4days-blog]

Obie Trice ft Nate Dogg - The Set Up

Obie trice is a midwest rapper from Detriot, Michigan who used to be associated with Shady Records starting in 2001. The song "The Set Up" was  produced in 2003 and features the late Nate Dogg. Obie Trice opened up his own label production company called Black Market Entertainment. In January 2012 his new album came out called "Bottom's Up." The song "Richard" from "Bottom's Up" features Eminem, it is actually pretty hilarious, Eminem does the hook, "Just call me Richard, cause I'm a dick." The Set up is one of those songs I play on repeat in my car, if you haven't heard it or just haven't heard it in awhile, enjoy.

[jams4days-blog]

Official music video for "Hold On" - the first single off Alabama Shakes' debut record Boys & Girls. Out now on ATO Records and Rough Trade. Download on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/boys-girls Buy CD & vinyl: http://ow.ly/9Zr2d Directed by Stephen Shirk and Chris Hershman.

The band was formed in 2009 and is a roots band out of Athens, Georgia. Brittany Howards is the lead singer and John Parales of The New York Times compared her voice to Janis Joplin.  I can also see her voice being compared to Sharon Jones and if we really want to dig back deep it can be compared to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  The band performed at Bonnaroo this past year and their popularity will only keep increasing due to the raw energy that they bring to the stage.

[jams4days-blog]

The Bridge- Easy Jane 2007-29-08

Produced by FarmersTan.com: 10 camera shoot: Filmed at the 8x10: Baltimore, Maryland: Hyena Records. 

The Bridge has been on the jam band scene since 2001 and are from Baltimore, Maryland. They blend elements of funk, blues, folk, and bluegrass. 

[jams4days-blog]

Phish- Sand / Golden Age 2012-7-03

My favorite band is Phish. Why might you ask? The band Phish is something that I enjoy so much and brings me so much happiness.  Hearing the music they produce not only elevates my spirit, but I am in awe of the music that they make.  They are somehow able to take a song and every time they play it and add some type of flavor that makes it funkier or faster or even slower. I have traveled to many different states to go see them but was lucky enough to catch them this past July 3 and July 4 at Jones Beach Nikon Theatre which is only 30 minutes from my house.  "Sand" is an original song by them, while "Golden Age" is originally by T.V. on the Radio. Phish always puts their spin on a song and out of all three times I have heard this song at their shows this was by far my favorite.  Sand is not only funky while having an elusive twist to it.

WATCH THE WHOLE THING AND GO SEE A SHOW IF YOU ARE ON THE WEST COAST---THEY JUST STARTED THE WEST COAST LEG OF THEIR TOUR :) 

[jams4days-blog]

Marcy Playground- Sex and Candy (Papa Skunk Remix) 

In 1997 Marcy Playground released "Sex and Candy" on their album titled Marcy Playground. Papa Skunk is a bass producer from Boulder, CO and was able to take a catchy 90's tune and turn it into a filthy bass remix.

[jams4days-blog]

Pretty Lights- From the Album "Filling Up The City Skies" Disc 2. Download for free at: http://www.prettylightsmusic.com

This track is sampling at its finest. Pretty lights is from Colorado and has a broad spectrum of electronic music that always delivers cutting-edge party rocking beats.  If you have not seen Pretty Lights live, it is a must see! 

[jams4days-blog]

Etta James - Something's Got A Hold On Me - 1962

Artists that have sampled this song: Pretty Lights, Avicii, and Flo Rida  

Unfortunately we lost Etta James this past year but her music will never be forgotten. One of her most popular hits was "At Last" but my favorite of hers is "I'd Rather Go Blind" 

[jams4days-blog]

Let the good times roll

When someone asks me what type of music I like, I used to be hesitant to answer.  The reason I was hesitant to answer was because although I found myself going to mostly jam band and funk concerts, I would listen to such a wide variety of music genres. I soon realized I did not have to have a genre of music I liked to listen to. Instead my answer to the question is now simply "anything that sounds good to my ear."

If you even look within a genre of music, it has either changed, progressed, or sadly almost become extinct.  To me an artist has only truly suceeded when they are able to be progressive and innovative and not constraint themselves to one genre. There should be no boundaries between music genres or generations. I once got my grandma a picture frame that said "Grandparents are there to teach us about to past so we can learn about the present." I believe that this quote relates to what artists of this generation should take from the 'grandparents' of music. A perfect example is the American electronic music artist, Derek Vincent Smith, who is better known as Pretty Lights. The "Finally Moving Remix" that is from the album "Filling up the skies" uses a sample from Etta James' "Something's Gotta Hold of Me."  Derek Vincent Smith was able to take the soulful voice of Etta James and turn it into a timeless electronic jam.

Sadly, I recently overheard a conversation that two young men were having, when one man said to the other "Yo dude, did you hear Flo Rida's new song "Good Feeling" that samples Avicii's song "Levels," its so dope."  I do not have anything against some mainstream music, but I do have a problem with people who do not understand levels (no, I am not talking about the amount of times Avicii drops the beat) of music.  Music is complex and has only reached its current potential thanks to past artists, and artists such as the great Etta James should not go unnoticed.  I am here to take you on a musical voyage through out time so you too can seize the day and listen to tunes that you will end up playing on repeat, I PROMISE!