I am calling on Daniel J. Cartier to welcome the new year with his wonderful version of "Auld Lang Syne". I have long been a fan of Daniel's work, and can't get enough. I love his voice, and feel the same about the songs he writes. And he truly does an amazing rendition of the classic "Auld Lang Syne", which you can hear in this music video.
You can find "Auld Lang Syne" on Daniel's holiday album, 'This Christmas'. You can purchase it from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Daniel Cartier, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.
In an earlier post, I mentioned the history of the song, which started out as a poem written by Scot Robert Burns in 1788, and then set to a traditional Folk tune. Through the years, it has maintained a popularity, especially when it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve. I remember hearing the song played by Guy Lombardo and his band at midnight, my parents watching him every year. This is a different version, a haunting and beautiful version by sing/songwriter Daniel J. Cartier, a truly talented man whose music I love. And for me, the New Year wouldn't be the same without listing to Daniel sing "Auld Lang Syne".
Happy New Year, everyone! For more about Daniel, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on FaceBook, where you will find some of his music, and a free download can often be found. "Auld Lang Syne" can be found on Daniel's album 'This Christmas', available on iTunes and Amazon.
Clockwise: Christopher Dallman; Casey Stratton; Chris Garneau; and Daniel Cartier.
While I generally tend to post particular themes, tonight I thought I would be a bit loose with that, and more just posting a couple of songs from singer/songwriters I love, and who I haven't had the opportunity to feature here lately. All four I proudly play on a regular basis, and will continue to do so. They all have a pensive, ethereal quality that really intrigues me. They are also indie musicians, with not a great deal of money to invest in music videos, so there might not be tons of special effects, but the music and talent are more than special enough. I will also add they are all very handsome, something that didn't ever escape me. I will begin with a video by Casey Stratton. The Michigan-based Stratton has a wonderful catalog of music, written from the time he was a student at Interlochen Arts Academy, through his period with Sony Music, to now when he is making the music he loves. This is a video he made for the song "The Dead Sea", written for the 2002 collection The Winter Children, and later featured on the Sony album Standing At The Sea.
For more about Casey Stratton, visit his official website. You can also find his music on iTunes and Amazon. The next singer/songwriter is another favorite of mine. Christopher Dallman has been a regular on my playlist since I purchased his 2004 debut, Race The Light. The is such a personal feeling to his songs, like we are reading his diaries. Dallman took a bit of a break after the album, but has been making some great music once again. Here is the video for "Over My Head", which was featured on the debut.
For more about Christopher Dallman, visit his official website. You can also find his music on iTunes and Amazon. I am not sure exactly when I stumble across the music of our next singer/songwriter. I can tell you that I am damn grateful I did. I think it was about the time of his wonderful 2004 album, Revival. It was before his magnificent You And Me Are We, released in 2006. But I have been hook since on his music, which feels like he is reaching down deep and baring his soul with every track. You can tell with a look at his video for "Diving Too Deep", off the album Redemption.
For more about Daniel Cartier, visit his official website. You can also find his music in his online store at the website, or Amazon. The final member of this group is one I think I have somehow managed to not include on this blog yet, as crazy as that sounds. I first encountered his music with the album Music For Tourists. I can best describe Garneau's music as quirky, folksy, and enchanting. I also love his 2009 album El Radio. Tonight I bring to you "Relief", a song off Music For Tourists which has a confessional feel, with truth coming straight from the heart.
Top: Daniel Cartier; Bottom: ABBA, Barry Manilow, and Dan Fogelberg.
Every year, I try to bring in the New Year with great music. Daniel Cartier's cover of Auld Lang Syne is haunting and beautiful. The song, a traditional greeting of the new year, is based on a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. That poem was set to a traditional Scottish melody, and the song was born. Daniel Cartier recorded it, and I just love it.
It seems like I would not be able to bypass the 1980 song from super-group Abba, Happy New Year. It was written by the "B's", Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. They, along with Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, make up all the letters in ABBA.
And how about the 1977 song from Pop Maestro Barry Manilow? It's Just Another New Year's Eve was a poignant song released in between the uplifting songs Can't Smile Without You and Daybreak. It was based on a melody from Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations.
In 1980, singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg released Same Old Lang Syne. It was later put on the album The Innocent Age. Like the best of Fogelberg's work, it told a story we could all relate to. It went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains a favorite holdiay song for many, 30-some years later.
Here's wishing us all prosperity and lots of love in 2012!
My pretend boyfriend has made his song about marriage equality available to you! To celebrate New York State making marriage available to all the citizens, not just the chosen few, Daniel is making the song Married, from his album Redemption, available for free download. Just join his mailing list, and the song is yous! Check out the montage of great pictures he made for the song.
I am a big fan of Daniel and his music. You can check out some other posts I have done about him here, here or here. For more about Daniel, check out his official website here. You can go to his FaceBook page for the download here or his website here. You can find the album on iTunes here, or on Amazon.com here.
I have been a fan of Daniel's for several years, and just have loved his music from the start. It has just really spoken to me in a way I can't explain, except to say I wouldn't want to do without it. That would include his latest album, Redemption. One of the songs I really love on the album is Diving Too Deep, and I just noticed Daniel had made a video for it, and I was quite excited!
Oh, yeah, in case I haven't mentioned it, Daniel is a handsome guy, too. Daniel has never been shy about putting videos up on YouTube, with several covers to be found, some of which I have posted earlier. But he will also post a song he is working on, like this one, Don't Worry You Sweet Head (Acoustic Demo).
A couple of years ago he released the album You And Me Are We, which was just outstanding. There is a bunch of great music on that one, including the song Just Wanted To Fall.
For more on Daniel Cartier, check out his official website here.
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.
I recently asked 5 questions to some of my favorite performers featured on this blog, wanting to add a little something to the holiday season. I wanted to learn a bit more about the artists, and their thoughts on music. Daniel Cartier is the next stop on my holiday rounds. As well as being a singer/songwriter, Daniel is also a artist, have some pieces in galleries in New York.
I have been enchanted by Daniel's music for several years now, and find it speaks to me in different ways than much does, as is the case with my favorites. They have a certain something that just makes their voice touch my heart, touch my soul in a way many don't. His videos often have an interesting perspective, perhaps due to his background in art. Take, for example, the hypnotic quality of Hovering, from his album Redemption.
I have been in contact with Daniel for several years, all online. I have yet to see him perform live, but hope to get the chance at some point. So when I thought of this series, I knew I wanted to include him, as someone of whom I wanted to learn a little bit more
So I was eager to ask him what his favorite holiday song was, and it didn't take him long to answer. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by Judy Garland." What holiday song does he like to perform? "Uh... Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," he answered wryly, "but I'm no Judy!" I don't have a copy of Daniel singing it, but I do have one where Judy does.
As to what his hopes are for the coming New Year, he was very philosophical in his answer. "That I can feel a deep acceptance for whatever comes to pass. If there are things I cannot accept," he continued, "I hope I have the courage to stand up and do something about them if I'm able. The fact is, 2011 will be whatever it winds up being. All I can effectively pray for is acceptance and the willingness to be in the solution if that's possible."
Since we are talking about the New Year, I thought I would run a video of Daniel singing the consummate song for that particular holiday, Auld Lang Syne.
As I am always fascinated by what artists might actually have on their iPods, I wanted to know what he was listening to this year. "Yikes... can I say my own music? Is that obnoxious? I think my album Redemption is the best thing I've ever done. It's a shame my crazy personal life forced it to be temporarily sidelined," he said. "I also love new music by Katy Perry, Keisha, Daft Punk, Florence and the Machine and so on and so forth."
Daniel has recorded some holiday music, including a very cool version of Carol of the Bells. It was on his This Christmas CD, which, of course, I had to own!
Since we've covered the past and present, what about the future? What is Daniel looking forward to musically in 2011? "I'm looking forward to relaunching my album Redemption," he said, "and getting my song Married out to the masses in support of marriage equality for everyone, everywhere." Well, that is exciting, since I know it from the album. But I look forward to seeing a video at some point.
For more about Daniel, check out his official website here. There you can also find out where to buy his music, either directly from him, or find links to buy from iTunes or Amazon. As I skim through the available albums, I have to laugh, cause I have them all.
I am incredibly fond of Daniel Cartier, and have been for several years. I like everything about his music, from his haunting ballads to his charming upbeat songs. He recently started doing a 'Mr Daily Song' feature on YouTube, and I have been enjoying it greatly. I really needed to share this one with the readers. Here is Daniel Cartier singing Movin' On Up, the theme from the Jeffersons TV show.
For more about Daniel, check out his official website here. And you can check out his YouTube channel or subscribe here.
I have been a raging fan of Daniel J. Cartier for several years. I just love the guy; his voice and style just being all kinds of joy to my life. A couple of years ago, he did some cover songs he popped up on YouTube, and I still watch to suckers. HEre are a couple of them. The first is an acoustic cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song Under The Bridge.I have to say, it is a great song, done just perfectly by the Peppers, but Daniel definitely adds his own something to the mix, and it is worth seeing again.
In 1982, the amazing voice of Martha Davis of The Motels rang out so clear and true on the song Only the Lonely, it was most amazing. I am shocked the song made it in to the Billboard Top 10, but barely, topping out at #9. Here Daniel gives it a go, and I am impressed.
The next song first appeared in the 1971 classic Harold & Maude, written by the incredible Cat Stevens. There was no soundtrack album, and Stevens didn't release a recorded version until his Greatest Hits Volume 2 album in 1984. The song might have faded into obscurity [except for die-hard Stevens fans] if it weren't for a T-Mobile commercial, and the incredibly catchy If you Want To Sing Out, Song Out. Again, I love Daniel's deft touch with this one.
For more information about Daniel, check out his official website here.
I have been a fan of Daniel J. Cartier for several years, after stumbling across his music online. his original music tends to really speak to me, that is for sure. But when the man does a cover of a song he really likes, he truly makes it his own, breathing emotion and intensity one would expect, and then some. Damn, the boy is talented. Here is Daniel singing Cyndi Lauper's amazing Time After Time.
For more information about Daniel, check out his official website here.
Yes, as I and several others mentioned yesterday, Soundtrack to my Day was named Best Weblog About Music in the 2010 Weblog Awards, or Bloggies. I discovered this when I noticed increased traffic from the Bloggies site on my FEEDJIT traffic feed, and I went there and found this:
I went back and checked several times, for I was in disbelief. I will admit to being in a bit of a winter funk, with what seemed like endless snow, and a rough week or so at work. Then I read the rules, and see that the winners were announced on Sunday night via Twitter, so I had missed this:
So it was true, it seems the blog had won. I was totally prepared for the whole 'I am just thrilled being nominated' thing, because that is so very truth. It was not that long ago that David Dust and Tranny Beth talked me into blogging, and then through setting it up. My goal was to talk about the music I love. My first real post was about Casey Stratton, for I had just purchased his album and decided to review it. I've covered my favorite out and proud singer/songwriters, their videos, new releases, and the live shows I have attended. So I feel once I have thanks David & TrannyBeth, I must thank all the musicians, signed or unsigned, gay or str8, who have made music that inspired me on this blog. Casey, Eric, Tom, Aiden, Levi, Matt, Chad, Chris, Gareth, Guy, Toby, Syd, Travis, Ari, Ivri, Wes, Lee & Alex, Theo, Mikey, Shane, Ronan, Jimmy, Paul, Stewart, Anthony, Garrin, Daniel, Angel, and others, thanks. Y'all do the hard work, I just chat about it. And to the readers, I owe appreciation as well. Your comments keep me on my toes, and remind me there are people out there who, like myself, appreciate good music. Whether you appreciate the new artists or the old favorites, without your support and kindness, none of this would be possible.
To celebrate in the traditional 'Soundtrack' way, I offer you Daniel Cartier, who has a new album coming out soon. Here he is singing an a cover of the Eurythmics Here Comes The Rain Again as I look out the window to watch the rain, grateful it isn't more snow.
I never worry when I hear Daniel J. Cartier is covering a song. For one thing, he has great taste when he is picking the music, and another, he just has a tendency to blow me away. But to take on Morrissey and the Smiths, well, that is a tall order. There is no cause for worry, because Daniel covers the iconic There Is A Light That Never Goes Out just beautifully. In fact, he is brilliant, and left my skin tingling.
For more about Daniel Cartier, check out his website here.
2009 is coming to an end, and 2010 is drawing near. Sometimes is amazes me how holidays and such have evolved for me through the years. When I was very young, I was excited to get to stay up late and watch Guy Lombardo ring in the new year with my parents. In my teens, I remember finding Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and claiming it as my own. Once I moved with Bill to Brooklyn in the 80s, we would venture out to Spectrum, a gay club in Brooklyn where they filmed Saturday Night Fever, complete with that dance floor. [I recently discovered that club was torn down in 2005]
1993 changed things a bit for me. After nearly 10 years in NYC, I decided to move back to Delaware from NYC in September. A few days after Christmas, I went into the hospital, and spent New Year's Eve and day there. I was eventually told I had colon cancer, and had surgery. This was followed by 50 of 52 weeks of chemotherapy, and the appropriate weekly blood tests. Following that period of being a pin-cushion, I wasn't really up for a whole lot of big partying. Pretty much from that point on, I preferred a quieter celebration for New Year, whether I was in Delaware, Rhodes Island, or Vermont. But I do tend to be somewhat introspective, and very grateful for each new year I can welcome.
And while some might be remembering Michael Jackson or Patrick Swayze, I will be thinking of my dear Timon, my moody teenaged feline son, who I lost in June after nearly 15 years together. He was born on the farm in Delaware, and had been with me from the time he was a few months old. He moved with me to Rhodes Island, and again later to Vermont. When I was sick, he was there to comfort me, and I him.
And I will be listening to a traditional song by Daniel J. Cartier. He does a particularly haunting and beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne which I find irresistible. Here it is.
So, I just thought I would share a couple of Tweets that were placed over the weekend. All these are crossed my screen, most with links associated with them. So, this is a bit random, but enjoyable, I think.
Ricky Martin will often tweet a link to a video, and he offered the following on Sunday night.
Chris Daughtry took a moment to record his version of O Holy Night to fans Sunday night. Just a boy and his guitar, and the rocker sounds pretty darned good.
Daniel Cartier, whose music I love, tweeted a link to a new video for a song from his seasonal CD, This Christmas. The song is Carol of the Bells, and stylistically, it is very Daniel. I love it.
Josh Groban often just makes me laugh. He'll just toss out a little tweet hither and yon, and just make me laugh.
Apparently, Shayne Ward was asked to confirm it really was him on the Twitter account. Shayne, who won the second season of X-Factor in the UK in 2005, is in the studio working on a new release. And he looks damn good for a str8 boy. And reminds me I should post about him sometime.
MJ's Big Blog focuses on all things American Idol, and ran a link to one of my favorite AI contestants, Ace Young. The singer and his fiancee have joined Taylor Hicks on the Grease National Tour, but before that, he took part in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and sang Silent Night.
There were several big things going on this past week, and I figured I would share the news with you all. Plenty of news on music releases and purchase opportunities, and live shows I am attending for Christopher Dallman, Jay Brannan, Eric & the Adams, Daniel Cartier, Casey Stratton and Tom Goss.
Christopher Dallman recently released his fantastic EP, Never Was. It is now available on iTunes, and you can purchase it here. The four-song EP has scored a perfect 5-star rating with everyone who has reviewed it so far, including myself. And Christopher has another EP coming out soon. Can't tell you how excited I am.
Jay Brannan offers his own particular brand of Christmas cheer with the release of his holiday single, Christmas Really Sucks. It is available on iTunes, and you can get it here. Jay had a big week, as he went all fangirly when he was going to see The Cranberries in concert. The incredible Dolores O'Riordan took his CD and actually waved it around as she sang. How knew it was possible, but I think Jay was not only happy, but excited!
Eric & the Adams released their first video at a party in Tulsa. The video, for the song Every Move. They had a great party, and it was covered by JabberBoxTV. I posted the video earlier here, so here is a report from the party in Tulsa. Angel has some excellent hosting duties!
I also discovered one of my favorite artists [cut me a break, I have many - including the artists listed above] Daniel Cartier, has a couple of releases lined up. There is a Christmas release ready very soon for the holiday season, a collection of cover songs due out in early January, and an album of new songs, entitled Redemption, due out in the new year as well. You can order any or all of them here. The following is Daniel doing an acoustic cover of Under The Bridge by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Casey Stratton had a concert recently at the Bitter End in NYC [and I am a little bitter I missed it, but I digress]. Anyway, the recording of the show is available for purchase through Casey's website. There are nine great songs, and you can buy them here. Casey performs a combination of some old and new songs, and one of the classics is Blood. Here is a performance from a couple of years ago.
Aiden James has his latest, Live At The Tin Angel, recorded at a concert in Philly I attended and I already have my copy. It is exceptional, and you can listen to and buy it here. Aiden has a show on the schedule for January and I plan to go.
I am going to see Tom Goss performing live at the World Cafe Live in Philly on Sunday. Tom is promoting his latest release, Back To Love. It is an impressive album, and you can purchase the mp3's here for under $9. Tom's video Till The End has been nominated for Click List Video of the Year, you can vote here. Actually, you can vote for several musicians on that list that have appeared on this blog: Telling On Trixie, Jay Brannan, Gregory Douglass, Toby Madigan, Levi Kreis, Ari Gold, Guy B, and Josh Zuckerman.
I am crazy about Daniel Cartier. I wish I could be more reserved and cool about it, but I am not. I have been waiting for some new music for some time, so I am now giddy with the news he has released a new album. In fact, he has three. First, there is a collection of holiday-inspired music, second there is a collection of cover songs, and third, there is an album of new music coming out in the new year. Be still my heart!
I have all his CDs to date, and now I have ordered the new ones as well. I just couldn't help myself. There are several reasons. One is that I just think he has an amazing voice. Whether he is singing a ballad, a rock song, or a seasonal favorite, Daniel makes it work for me. As a songwriter, I really like his artistry. So many styles and genres, yet they are all identifiably Cartier to me. Lyrically, the songs ring so true, so personally. He is also a visual artist, with showings in several galleries in NYC. And I think he is just so damn hot. Part of that is I find talent sexy, but another is just he is so hot.
Daniel just released that video to promote his holiday album, as Unfinished Business will be a bonus track on the offering. To find out more, or to pre-order his music, vidit his website here.
There were just a couple of things I wanted to mention in a quick post, so here it goes.
First, I want to thank everyone as the blog had hit number 2,000 on Friday, July 24. That is half the time it took to get to 1,000, so hopefully that means I am doing something right. And Friday night, the Robert German selection was my 100 post. The thing that truly amazes me is the list of countries that is on the first page of the Feedjit list: Belgium, UK, USA, Brazil, Singapore, Poland, Israel, Germany, Canada, Australia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Costa Rica and Lebanon. The thought my odd little musings about some of my favorite music and musicians, favorite television shows, and my computer problems have been read by so many is just odd to me, but a good odd. For me, it is like sending out a message in space, and hearing back from the world. To offer my thanks, here is a video recently posted by Daniel Cartier, singing a cover a song by The Church, Under the Milkyway Tonight.
Second, I saw an iPod widget on another blog, My Place In This World, and ripped it right off and put it on the blog here. I might change out the music from time to time, and if you would like listen, just click on the iPod Touch under the 'About Me' section on the right hand side. It is a clever little virtual gizmo, and you can fast forward to the next song, or just choose the songs you would like to listen to, and even pause it.
Forty years ago, two American astronauts took part in the first walk on the moon, something that was telecast across the world. I remember being a 9-year-old kid sitting in front of the color television, although the pictures were in black & white. The entire family was watching, marveling at the act as a combination of American ingenuity and bravery. So amazing! It was certainly a time of national pride, the country coming together - conspiracy theories about almost everything came much later.
To commemorate the event, I choose to listen to Daniel Cartier's version of Moon River. I love this song, and Daniel's rendition is fantastic. It is simple, warm and heartfelt. Couldn't ask for more.
What can I say about Daniel Cartier? First, I really love his music. I have all the CDs he has released, and a DVD. His singing, his songwriting, I love it all. Second, he is hot! Third, I have had a little bit of communication with him to order some of the material, and he is an incredibly nice man. So what more can you ask for? So far, his latest, You And Me Are We, is my favorite, but I truly enjoy the others as well.
Daniel sings everything, from uptempo songs like Beautiful, to a gorgeous and touching rendition of Auld Lang Syne. There are rock songs like Lost In Detroit, and the country flair of Lay It On, while one of my favorite songs, Doofus of Love, has an updated doo-wop feel.
Daniel has his own channel on YouTube, and offered many cover versions of songs for his fans, sung on a webcam in his home. He makes all the songs his own, from Des'ree to the Eurythmics to Broadway tunes. One of my favorites is his cover of Moon River. There are so many that are great, including Dreams by Fleetwood Mac.
Daniel is also an artist, with some of his work hanging in galleries in New York. He also had a farm and store on the New England coast, although he has moved to Nashville, TN, with his fiancee Joe. He has recently mentioned he is working on a new album, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
You can find out more about Daniel at his website.
