Since Chad Cavanaugh mentioned this song by Kenny Eng, I've had a hankering to post it. You see, I didn't know the song until Chad, and I had to immediately go check it out. It was there I discovered Chad was right, it is fantastic.
Like Chad, Kenny is an independent musician making his way in San Diego, California. He plays plenty of gigs in the area, and makes his presence known online on all the social networks. He was also recently nominated in the category of Best Acoustic Artist in the San Diego Music Awards. Here is another song, Life By The Drop. It was originally performed by Stevie Ray Vaughn.
To discover more about Kenny Eng, check out his official website here.
On a cold Wednesday night, I made my way to the Manayunk section of Philadelphia to see Garrin Benfield play at the Grape Room. It was December 15, and I can't tell you how excited I was, driving up with Garrin's music blaring on the way. I have been dieing to see Garrin live for about 5 years now, so finally getting the chance had me very excited. I was meeting up with fellow-blogger and friend Mistress Borghese, or Maddie. Maddie wasn't all that familiar with Garrin's music, but a night out, after all, is never a bad thing. Maddie was also kind enough to take pictures while I manned the video.
Before the show, I was chatting with Maddie when Garrin entered the club. I smiled and mentioned it, although Maddie would never miss a handsome man making an entrance. It was not long before Garrin came up to me to say hello, and I was totally thrilled. I am such a fan of his music, have all his albums, so I was excited to hear whatever he played. To have him recognize me, well, I was over the moon!
When Garrin got on stage to play, he played a healthy 6-song set. He opened with I'm Only Sleeping, the Lennon/McCartney song he puts in a definite Benfield frame. I was so excited I was listening to him live, well, I kinda accidentally hit the pause button in the middle of the song. Luckily, I accidentally hit it back to play. From the first note on the song to end, I was not disappointed. I love to hear him playing the guitar, and his use of electronics to record and loop so he can layer and texture the live music is amazing.
His second song was Are You With Me?, one he had written although it hasn't appeared on an album yet. I love it's kind of dreamy quality, almost hypnotic.
One of the first songs I heard when I first came across Garrin was a video of a performance of the song What You're Hiding, dedicated to Matthew Shepard. It blew me away, and now listening to it live, I can tell you, several years later, it still moves me like few can. I got goosebumps!
For the fourth song, he sang Thirteen, written by Alex Chilton. There is a sweet playfulness to this song, an innocence that is irresistible, especially in Garrin's performance of it. It brings you back to that almost child-like time at the beginning of the teen years.
I had seen a couple of fan videos of Garrin singing The Colors In You, his own song I am hoping makes it on to the next album. When he started playing it, I was totally excited, and again, the drive paid off. The song is fantastic, with an honesty and truthfulness behind it that I find remarkable. It almost has a feeling of a prose piece to me, a discussion of love and relationships. When Garrin really starts to let loose on the guitar, I thought i had died and gone to heaven. It evolves from a haunting ballad to an intense psychedelic jam.
For the final song, Garrin's own Rock N Roll, I didn't get it on video, cause, well, somehow, I screwed up. But the song is another fantastic new song, and one I can't wait to hear recorded.
After the show, as Maddie & I waited to see Garrin, the bartender asked if we had seen him before. I explained I hadn't, but wanted to enough to drive 80 minutes each way. He responded that he was blown away, and 'that was some of the best music I've ever heard played live.' Pretty high praise from a bartender in a music club! And, I couldn't argue with him one bit.
Maddie mentioned to Garrin how his music was so very moving, so very personal, Maddie had to dab an eye once or twice during the set. I plan to not wait another 5 years to see Garrin play again, and am ready to become a groupie! Of course, I had to get a picture taken with him, and Maddie was once again kind enough to take it for me.
For more about Garrin Benfield, check out his official website here. You can get a bit of biographical info, links to some free music, and check out his touring schedule. If you like what you've heard here, I would suggest you join his mailing list, and get to a show as soon as possible. It is well worth it!
Philadelphia's version of Broadway on Broad Street, New Years Day is time for the Mummer's Day Parade, and the string bands. And with more colors, sequins, feathers, and makeup than any 12 drag shows I could even imagine, the parade is a spectacle to behold. It is tradition for the family to watch the Mummer's Parade, although I have to admit, the String Bands are the highlight for me. So I thought I would offer up this little taste of Philadelphia by posting a couple a clips from last year's parade.
2010 winners, Fralinger String Band
2010 Quaker City String Band
2010 Greater Kensington String Band
2010 Avalon String Band
For a little bit more background information, you can check out my post from last year here. Happy New Year, break out the strut, and hum O Dem Golden Slippers!
I thought I should start out the new year with a laugh, and am not sure it can get much better than with drag queen Jackie Beat. Jackie does comedy, and has a really great voice. I should mention that Jackie does comedy for adults, so the language might be a tad strong for some, and just over the top for others. I, on the other hand, find it just right, and hysterical. Love her! Check out Jackie's take on the old Billy Ocean song, Tired Old Queen...
There are times when Jackie seems to be auditioning to be the next Bond girl. Check her out doing her very best Shirley Bassey when she covers the classic Bond theme song, Dildos Are Forever...
To celebrate the New Year, Jackie sings a song by Prince, 1999. Needless to say, Jackie puts her own very special spin on the song when she updates it to 2012.
And, of course, what would life be if Jackie couldn't sing a tribute to Lady GaGa? I mean, her mash-up of Just Dance and Poker Face, and somehow, managed to make GaGa's songs even gayer. Who'd a thunk it?
To find out more about Jackie Beat, check out her FaceBook fan page here. There is also a FaceBook page to get Jackie more time on LOGO here. I think the world could really use hearing more from Jackie Beat!
I love this haunting, lovely version of the classic song. I am a real fan of Daniel J. Cartier's music, both his original music and his cover songs. He is always putting a great spin on things, something personal.
Clockwise: Sacha Sacket, Ivri Lider, Jason Walker, Derek Nicoletto, Brian Kent, SIRPAUL, Archy & Mehitabel and Christopher Dallman.
Time to get the New Year party on, with some of the fun music that will help you get up and shake the 2010 'blahs' off you and be ready for 2011! So I just gathered together some of the videos from the last year or so, with some recent remixes, all by some incredible sexy out performers who where either established favorites or new discoveries. No matter which, I hope you enjoy your time with Club S2MD, and get your a$ on the dance floor, even if it is about 5 feet from your computer.
First up, I have to say I love it some of my favorites overlap a bit - appearing together live, showing up in the liner notes, it just makes me happy. So it was one of those moments when I heard that a great song from this past summer, Sacha Sacket's Cocky, was getting a remix from another of my faves, SIRPAUL. If I didn't love Cocky enough when first released by the handsome Sacha, add in SIRPAUL and there is another great version. And SIRPAUL told me he first heard the song on my blog! The result can be heard below, and you can download the SIRPAUL vs Robotika Remix for FREE by clicking on it!
While the song nor the performance are from the last year, I do have to say I am incredibly excited about the release of Ivri Lider's first English language album soon. So, to celebrate that, I am bringing out a clip of Ivri singing Bo (Henree version) live in New York. I would love to interview Ivri at some point, but first I must assure myself I can end each question without the words 'Will you marry me' in there.
In the fall of 2009, Christopher Dallman released a song in support of Marriage Equality, and I just loved it. It was a lovely song, and I bought it right away. However, a bit later, a new version showed up, and it turned out to be a great dance song, too! So check out Anthem (Radboy Radio Edit).
I only recently found the music of Jason Walker, and can't get enough of it. His most recent album release was Leave It All Behind, and the title cut was a rollicking song suitable for any party/dance mix. His voice, it just makes me find happiness.
I have been a fan of Derek Nicoletto for a couple of years now, and loved the song Crash Me Up from the second Telling On Trixie album. Well, only recently, I became familiar with some of the remixes, and I can't seem to let go of them, including this one, Crash Me Up (Arudius Remix).
Since discovering the music of Archy & Mehitabel, I have become fully addicted to it all. Every damn track. Lee Waters and Alexander Horwitz, the men behind the music, make music that is impossible to categorize, other than to label it as great. This particular track, Callisto, is a great addition to this group of songs. Enjoy.
Just saying the name SIRPAUL makes me happy, and listening to his music is even better. Put the sexy singer/songwriter/producer in a video and you have a surefire winner for me, like in Killer. SIRPAUL takes electronica and spins it outta control, taking me on a ride I love to take over and over.
I only recently found the music of Brian Kent, and discovered it is filled will joy and life. Check out I'll Find A Way, and I think you will agree with me.
As we come up on the New Year and the according celebrations, we are also approaching the latest installment of 5 on the Fifth. One reason I know that is the receipt of a message on FaceBook reminding me, so I thought I would offer the readers the same courtesy. The following is the message from Stephen Chapman.
It's almost time for the next "5 on the Fifth". As usual, everyone is welcome to take part. You can either take 5 random pictures of something that happens to you on the 5th of January (or the days leading up to it) or perhaps go for my suggested theme. This month, the theme is Fun and Games.
So, be they pictures taken during the holiday celebrations, or just part of your everyday life, it is time to make sure your cameras are handy, the battery is charged, and you snap a few shots.
