Kings • Bones

The last month has been a very good one for me, at least when it comes to music. Several new voices came into my life, most of whom I am so very grateful. One of those is Kings, a Country trio who found their way to me via my buddy, J.D. Doyle. the 'curator' at Queer Music History, suggested they contact me, and the next thing I knew, I had a Facebook message from Robert Maril, giving me a link to the music. Maril plays with Emily Bielagus and Steph Bishop, making up Kings, a band with an intoxicating sound. With harmonies tighter than Dolly Parton's brassiere, and strings that can soar or ground the song with amazing ease, Kings make ear candy I want to gobble up, but instead learn to savor. That is the simple lesson I learned when I listened to their EP, 'Bones'.

Robert, Emily, and Steph have released 'Bones', which kicks off with the breathtaking harmonies on "Western Sky", which combines Country with a splash of jazz, showcasing the vocal prowess of the trio. There is a wonderful quality in those vocals, exposing the remarkable co-existence of pain and hope. The brisk rhythm of the acoustic guitar brings us to "Wake Up Scared", a place far too many people have found themselves over time. As we all search for a place to be, without feeling fear. Check the song out for yourself.

There is a true simple beauty to "Carry Me Home", a heartfelt and honest song that utilizes harmonies and a Dobro guitar to enrich the colors of the picture. This gives was to "That's Fine", a song that lives on the intersection of Tin Pan Alley and Honky-tonk Boulevard. There is a wonderful lightness to the jingling bounce, giving life to that feeling of fresh love. Hit play, and try to not smile like a young fool in love.

From the start of "Wolf at the Door", I had this palpable feeling since I first hit play. It occurred to me right away the Kings were the bastard children of Peter, Paul & Mary and the Dixie Chicks, weaving a strong message in a beautiful aural landscape, using harmonies to brush on the strong strokes of a deft artist. They can turn pain to joy, and go back again with a simple phrase, with an astonishing ease. I can't tell you how much this group impressed me on this debut. They stay true to their music, a look toward the Roots, while never feeling old nor dated. There is both a freshness and honesty present, something that cannot be faked. I can easily hit play with the repeat loop on, just loving life. 'Bones' can be purchased from iTunes and Bandcamp. To learn more about Kings, visit their official website. You can also "like" them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Dan Paul • The Make Up

I am always excited when I hear about new music, so I was very happy when Dan Paul emailed me about the release of his new album, 'The Make Up'. It seems my buddy JD Doyle of Queer Music Heritage suggested Dan contact me, and am I glad he did. But first, I wanted to learn a little bit about the man. Dan grew up a boy with a dream in Dallas, Texas, and he moved to Brooklyn, New York, to pursue a career in music. And as you can tell from the picture above, Dan is a sexy out and proud man who certainly gets my attention right away. But when it comes down to it, it's all about the music, and man, I can't wait to press play on his new album, 'The Make Up'.

Part of the joy of hitting play with new music, and, in fact, a new musician, is the electricity you feel when you are the verge of discovery. You might not be finding a new planet, or a new continent, but you must might be finding someone who speaks to you, connects with you on a very personal level. I wasn't listening to 'The Make Up' very long before I knew that was the case with Dan Paul. There is a disarming honesty I felt from the start, like Dan was sharing something very personal that could easily be mine to tell. The music Dan Paul makes is really a 'Personalized Pop', and at times 'Confessional Pop', moody and real, telling stories from the heart. With simple instrumentation, the evocative musical landscape can feel moody and dark, or romantic and bright. Paul never shies from looking at his life, staring it down until he makes sense of it. That is obvious from the start, when the first bars of "Come Clean" invites you in to examine why and how we might want to be expel a demon or two. Join Dan Paul in the shower while he looks to "Come Clean".

As a light piano opens "All My Life", followed by Dan's voice, we hear questions we've all asked at several points in life. How do we handle the questions, and our feelings for others? Next up, we have the title song, "The Make Up". Paul explores the literal definition of the term, not the powder or colors of make up, but the very essence of our being that truly means something. It's not the mask we wear, but the life we live that matters. In the next track, Dan reminds me how the soundtrack to our lives, the music we hear, can really be tied to important events. When he broke up with me, what was playing on the stereo? Might it have been "Etta James"? Will it remind me of him for the rest of my life? There is a lovely lightness to the start of "Painted Over Portraits". There is a lovely feeling of prose to the lyrics, capturing a warm memory in words. "You and Me Right Now" continues that warmth, adding harmonies to the mix. There is an introspection that seems to be a preparation to opening ourselves up to others. That brings us to a place for "City Romance", when you can take an honest look at a relationship, and how much someone can mean to you, to your life. Check out the music video for "City Romance".

On "No Patching Up", we instantly know there are problems in paradise. There is the fine line between rumor and reality, and that is a tough spot for any relationship. When this goes too far in a relationship, it leaves a wound that might never be patched up. There is a simple and lovely start to "Catalyst", an introspective song searching for answers. What really draws things together to combust, to trigger what goes on. There is a lovely ethereal moodiness that floats with "Subtle Casting", as much a pastoral elegy as anything else. The final track on album is "City Romance Remix", a driving dance interpretation of the earlier cut. There is an easy sexiness to it, but it still maintains a dreamy romantic quality that I love.

I can't tell you how happy I am JD sent Dan Paul my way. Like every Christmas, there is an excitement to opening every present, but when there is a present that really touches our heart, that really connects to us, there is an extra jolt of something that tells us this was a special gift. That is how I feel when I hit play, and find music that touches my heart, and speaks to my soul. And that is what Dan Paul's 'The Make Up' does, on so many levels. It found it's way onto my iPod, and I don't think it will be coming off any time soon. To learn more about Dan Paul, you can check out his official Tumblr page. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. To download your own copy of 'The Make Up', find it on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Matthew Perryman Jones • Stones From The Riverbed

At the end of May of 2012, Matthew Perryman Jones released a new album, 'Land of the Living'. But it wasn't until this year that he released a music video for one of the songs off the album, "Stones From The Riverbed". There is a wonderful lush quality to his music, one that feels natural and organic. I love the way he takes me on a journey, charting it over this amazing aural landscape. See for yourself with the official music video for "Stones From The Riverbed".

I have the album, and really enjoy it very much. You can purchase 'Land of the Living' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Matthew Perryman Jones, you can visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. I will leave you with a fan-made video using the title cut from the album. They also use such beautiful imagery, it is wonderful to watch. And I find a wonderfully affirming flavor in all his music. Please enjoy!

Mark Weigle • I Confess and Others

From the photo shoot for the album cover, 'Different and the Same'.

I am just in the mood to revisit some music I dearly love, and an artist I respect so much but hardly get the chance to talk about any more. I speak of Mark Weigle, an amazingly talented singer/songwriter, who retired from the music business in 2007, after releasing six great albums since his 1998 debut. His is the music that makes me happy, touches my heart, brings a tear to my eye, and yearn for love, sometimes all in the same song. There is a wonderful richness to his voice, the tone remarkable. He made music that was not always easy to categorize, often blurring the lines between Folk, Country, and Pop. Whenever I start listening to him, I tell myself it has been too long, no matter how long it has been. His voice wraps me in a warm embrace, and his honesty reminds me to live my life not quite as safely as I might want to, so I can strive to live life as open as I can.

Mark Weigle with JD Doyle at a rodeo in Texas.

I think I first discovered Mark's music through JD Doyle and his Queer Music Heritage website. JD has long been a a curator of sorts, for the music of LGBT artists. I've discovered many through him, as was the case with Weigle. I can't remember exactly when I discovered the music, but I do remember being hooked instantly, and purchasing all the music I could on iTunes. Soon, I was eagerly awaiting the next release, more music to enjoy. I was addicted, and couldn't shake it. As I am at a loss for words as I try to explain how his music makes me feel, I sahll let Mark himself do the talking. Man, I just love his 1998 debut album, 'The Truth Is'. There is plenty to love, from his beautiful "Two Cowboy Waltz" to the breathtaking "Take Your Shoulder From The Wheel", and the stunning "I Confess". There is an honesty to his song, and a truly touching nature. On this song, Mark smooths over the distinctions of Folk and Country to create this gem. This is "I Confess".

Fast forward five years, and we find Mark releasing his third studio album, 'Out of the Loop'. On that album, Mark did a posthumous duet the Steve Grossman on the late singer/songwriters wonderful song, "Out". You could also find his delicious homage to sexy men in "Bears", as well as the touching "Blue Eyes To Brown Eyes". But I chose to share with you a bold and beautiful Country song, "In the Last 5 Minutes", the first track off the 2002 album. This is a song that just does my heart good.

The following year, Weigle released another album. 'Different and the Same' had a slightly different sound for Weigle, incorporating more of a Pop flavor than the three that came before it. The album featured several covers, like "867-5309/Jenny", the fun song by Tommy Tutone. Only Weigle adapted it to be "867-5309/Jimmy". And his take on the iconic song from the Jackson 5, "ABC", and it became "AZT", a song featuring the daily schedule of an HIV positive person. He also did a brilliant cover of "Love Song to a Stranger", written by the great Joan Baez. But toady, I decided to offer you his version of "A Different Kind of Gone", a song written by the gifted Mary Gauthier.

The album 'The Truth Is' can be found on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. The album 'Out Of The Loop' can also be found on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. The album 'Different and the Same' can also be found on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. For more about Mark, you can 'like' him on Facebook. I still hold out hope that Mark will come out of retirement, even if for just one last tour. I've not seen him live, and it remains one of those things on my bucket list. After listening to these songs, I bet you are feeling the same way.

Holcombe Waller • Into The Dark Unknown

Recently, I was on Facebook minding my own business, when I happened across a mention of the latest artist on the blog, Holcombe Waller. Singer/songwriter Andy Moore mentioned him, and as much as I love her music, I knew I'd have to check Holcombe out. Now that I have, I just gotta say, if Andy recommends something, check it out. Don't ask questions, don't dawdle. Look them up, and get ready to buy it. I am mad about Holcombe's music, and, by extension, about Holcombe. He makes his home in Portland, Oregon, I am not exactly sure how to describe Holcombe, or categorize his music. There is a Folk feel that I can't resist, but he blends it with a bit of Roots music, a dash of World music, and the layered construction of Classical music. And all the while, allows the songs and music to speak for itself, never trying to throw a stick of dynamite when a birthday candle is called for. And while 'Into The Dark Unknown' was released about a year ago, I will take a look at it, as it is brand new to me. 

'Into The Dark Unknown' was released in November 2011, a beautiful twelve song collection. The smart "Atlas" kicks it off with a light and airy opening that turns to a slight melancholia with the addition of the expressive cello. The song in moody, slipping in and surrounding you like a fog descending on the field. The second track is "Risk Of Change", a hint of Country barely hidden under the Folk veneer. It highlights the scare we all undertake when thinking about trying something new in our lives. Track three, "The Unicorn", offers up a lazy opening with a moody piano and a shimmering vocal, reminding me of some of the Celtic sound from the early 1990s, with groups like Clannad. But somewhere in the middle of the song, a shift in gears happens, and Holcombe takes a bigger bite of the listener. "Baby Blue" opens with a sweet acoustic guitar taking the focus, each note a separate brush stock to paint the mood. The fifth track begins with some Electronica that belies what is going to come. Check out the official video for "Hardliners".

I just love that song, with the build that takes you places you never saw coming, to the emotional climax. That is followed by an interesting choice, to be sure. Waller takes on Buffy Sainte-Marie with "Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan", originally recorded in 1976 by the Canadian Cree to celebrate her birthplace and heritage. Waller's voice becomes another instrument, not only holding a cadence, but also adding texture to the song. That is followed by another song with a mystical feel, with depth not only in the lyrics, but in the very essence of the music. See for yourself with "Shallow".

We finally roll into the title cut off the album. "Into The Dark Unknown" has an earnest honesty, with a slice-of-life realness of a Steinbeck novel. There is a sweetness in telling this story, a true warmth in Holcombe's live performance. "About Time" is a song driven by the cadence of the chorus, Waller's voice punctuating the song, allowing a build to offer a crescendo, and a natural ebb and flow. When the opening bars of "Bored of Memory" kick off, there is a return to a more languid feel, the harp and piano blending with a beautiful harmony, a lovely counterpoint to Waller's vocals. There is something about "Down & Cried" that makes me think of traditional Folk music, something unearthed from 2 centuries ago, without feeling the age, a beautiful blend of the old with a new twist, a shot of a spiced rum. And that leads us the the final offering, "I Can Feel It". There is something so bright, so uplifting about this song. It seems the perfect way to complete this album, to draw to a close this emotional journey with Holcombe Waller.

I'm telling you, Waller is one of my new favorites. His music has this regenerative quality for me, replenishing my soul. He manages to splice together a variety of sounds that might seem very different, and weave them into a wonderful tapestry. You can purchase 'Into The Dark Unknown' on iTunes, Bandcamp, CD Baby, and Amazon. For more about Holcombe Waller, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Jeremiah Clark • It's Gonna Be Alright

I first head of Jeremiah Clark through Tom Goss, and I even saw him playing with Tom back in 2009. Since then, Clark has two releases out, and I am proud to say both are in my iTunes. We all know I love a talented out and proud singer/songwriter! The latest release is Born & Raised, a highly personal acoustic journey. On it, the Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter shares a good bit of his heart on the nine tracks. There is a real purity to Clark's voice, a clarity of tone that is a joy to my ears. The album is filled with some amazing moments, but I think my favorite could be the fifth cut, "My Brightside". There is something wonderfully revealing, and insistent on the song that just made me listen three times in a row, never losing my smile. Give a listen and tell me what you think.

However, it is tough to find a song that could touch my heart more than the third song, "It's Gonna Be Alright". I'd read that Clark wrote the song about the experience of a friend battling cancer. That does hit home for me, a cancer survivor myself. There is a bold honesty, a journey explored here. I remember telling myself on more than one occasion that "It's Gonna Be Alright". Check out this live version of the song.

And there are several more tracks that immediately caught my attention. "4-3-2-1" has a different feel, yet maintains that honesty. And "Ghosts" offers a look those ghosts of memories, of former lovers whose shadows still live in our minds. And the simplicity and beauty of "My Final Hour" is just an acapella treat about a life well-lived. Throughout the album, I never lose the feeling Jeremiah is offering up his journey for us all to take a look, and realize how connected we all are. For more about Jeremiah Clark, visit his official website. You can purchase Born & Raised on Bandcamp.

Ian Wilson • This Is Water Album Review

When I was checking out JD Doyle's May issue of OutRadio, I came across a couple of talented LGBT performers, and one was Ian Wilson. I was drawn to the interesting tone of his voice, and the intricate sound of his music. Today, Ian releases This Is Water, a full album filled to the brim with great music. Ian calls his music Folktronica, a catchy description, to be sure. That left me filled with intrigue, and ready to be very attentive when I hit play on the advanced copy I received from the artist.



The album begins with the awesome "Indentured Servant." Right away, I am grabbed by his voice, a beautiful baritone. In fact, it reminds me a little bit of the sound of Brad Roberts, the vocalist for Crash Test Dummies. This perfectly complements the piano-driven music, which combines Folk, Rock, and Electronica in a melodic way. The music is layered and energetic, matching the intensity of the vocals in this highly personal and volatile journey. The next track, "Crate & Barrel," changes it up, offering a bluesy arrangement, boldly making a song about a breakup use the tempo to show the frenetic energy relationships can bring about.



"Resurrection Ship" pulls the energy back inward, confessional. The song soars with its simplicity, keeping with a strong melody, allowing the lyrics to bloom. Harkening back to moody Folk, "Old Soul" is a dark tale, told with a light hand. There is the feel of Folk, but the piano brings it to a greater urgency, a bright spark. "Bad Ideas Work Best" starts off with ethereal vocals, adding an R&B feel to this lovely ballad. While it retains the soulful gooey center, the instrumentation give it more crunch, a perfect response to emotional vocals. The electronic percussion track brings "Nitrogen" to a elemental pace, one that organically builds, with Ian's vocals playing with the tempo, bringing up with him at the pace he wants to travel. The haunting imagery cuts through it all, leaving me touched. "Bad Wolf Bay" has a hectic beginning, with layers seemingly competing with one another, but at times also feeling in total harmony, much like the relationship the song describes. Complete with bomb blasts. There is a loveliness to the opening of "Se Dice No," and it feels almost classical in structure. But that eases into more of a Pop flow, celebrating chance, the roll of the dice. Then a cool piano riff pops up, and it is time to hear "Made."



From the brightness of the beginning, the song builds in strength and texture as it moves along, taking my emotions with it. That leaves the final track off the album, "Balancing Act." I love this on so many levels. There is the beauty of the song, but also how that applies to the whole album, and what a great job Ian did on the balancing act when he put this album together. One of the truly impressive accomplishments of this album is the way it remains cohesive, a full album, while taking some twists and turns on a fascinating journey. There are moments I thought I was listening to music written by Bob Dylan, and others felt it was inspired by the early music from Genesis, the Peter Gabriel years. Then I hear a bit of Memphis Blues, followed by a bit of self-aware Folk. This is a very special collection of music, at times light and breezy, and at times dense and sculpted. I am so happy to make this a part of my collection, and you should do the same.



You can find This Is Water on iTunes, Amazon. and should soon be on CD Baby. For more about Ian Wilson, visit his official website. You can also find him on Facebook.

Casey Stratton • The Parting Glass

Just in time for the holiday weekend, Casey Stratton brings you The Parting Glass, a new album willed with traditional folk music. While it does have an Irish twist - perfect for your St Patrick's Day party, it also has that timeless quality of great songs passed down through the ages. It was just released yesterday, and has no video, but I did find a clip of Casey singing a song that is NOT on the album, but in the same vein, Danny Boy.



The album includes favorites like Scarborough Fair and Wild Mountain Thyme. There is also a fascinating version of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, set to music! You can learn more about Casey Stratton on his official website here. You can purchase The Parting Glass at his online store, here. If you have any questions, you can get to him on Twitter here. I'm sure he'll be glad to answer any questions you might have about the new release, or any older ones as well.

RightOut TV Awards - Best Folk/Roots/Jazz (Pro) Video

RightOutTV announced their first winners in the inaugural awards to celebrate the depth and diversity of the music in the LGBT community. The results reflect an impressive array of talent in 13 different categories. Winning artists represent the United States, Israel, Australia, England and Austria, making this a truly global contest. Next I will feature the winner of the Best Folk/Roots/Jazz (Pro) Video category.



The award was given to Brett Every for his video, Prince Charming, which also features Estelle Noonan. The video was directed by Byron Quandary and starred James Carrick & Kade Greenland, and features Brett Every, Estelle Noonan, Robin Dixon, Lauren Allison and Stuart West. The video was featured on this blog in May of 2010.



Brett Every is an out and proud performer since the release of his debut album, Camping Out, in 2008. His music combines the best of Jazz and Folk, with a sheer veneer of Pop. You can find out more about the talented Australian on his official website here, and on Facebook here. You can find the album Fairy Godmother's Gone To Vegas featuring the song Prince Charming on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. His latest album, Menu, is a gorgeous collection I just love. You can find it on iTunes here and Amazon here. You can watch the music of RightOut TV online here.

RightOut TV Awards - Best Folk/Roots/Jazz (DIY) Video

RightOutTV announced their first winners in the inaugural awards to celebrate the depth and diversity of the music in the LGBT community. The results reflect an impressive array of talent in 13 different categories. Winning artists represent the United States, Israel, Australia, England and Austria, making this a truly global contest. Next I will feature the winner of the Best Folk/Roots/Jazz (DIY) Video category.



The award was given to Julie Clark for her video, Courage Of Our Convictions. The video was directed by Peter Hackes when she performed in front of the US Capitol at the conclusion of the National Equality March. The march was held on October 11, 2009. The video is so very stirring.



Julie Clark is an out and proud performer since the release of her debut album, Feel Free, in 2003. You can find out more about the talented singer/songwriter on her official website here. You can find the album Change Your Mind featuring the song Courage Of Our Convictions at CDBaby here, on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. You can watch the music of RightOut TV online here.

Aiden James - Live Double Shot

I was lucky enough to catch Aiden James not once but twice on Easter weekend, first on Friday night at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, and the second show on Saturday night at the Burlap & Bean Coffee in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. I went solo to the first show, and accompanied my sister to the second.



The show at the Tin Angel was wonderful, although I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. I left for the show before 5PM to make sure I had plenty of time, but the traffic delays - damn sporting events! - and a malfunction with the GPS put me in the parking lot just 10 minutes before the starting time, but thankfully, they were running a little late. I had brought a video camera - having asked Aiden first, of courses, but struggled with powering it up. I suspect the battery was not good. So I put it away, and stuck with the reliable still camera, and loving the music. At one point he dedicated Be Just Fine, a song from his first release, Have You Ever?, to 'Howard' and, whether it be true or not, I will claim it for myself! Also, he did a fantastic job with a medley of Lady GaGa songs, as only Aiden could.

Determined to be better the next night, I brought the videocam with me, and figured out how to use it. Kathy & I were plenty early, ad got out seats. Saw Aiden before the show, and he was cute as ever. He was opening for Antje Duvekot. He was fantastic, and I took the following videos.

He played a couple of new songs, including the audience participation number At It Again. First there is practice, and soon the audience was ready for prime time.



He also performed the new song Best Shot (not the Pat Benatar song LOL). I will admit I didn't realize I had this on video until I came home, thinking I had paused the camera, and indeed I had not. Still catching up to the technology!



He also did the song Snapshot, also found on the Live At Tin Angel album. Another excellent song.



Finally, he performed Gonna Hurt More, also from the Live At Tin Angel, album. This ios a gorgeous song, one of my favorites.



For more about Aiden, check out his website here. You can download a copy of the latest album, Live at Tin Angel, here for just $7.99, quite the bargain for 12 songs. You can get the first album, Have You Ever?, on iTunes here, or the second album, On The Run, here. So I had a great weekend, capping it off with jelly beans.

Great Music - Andy Moore - Repost

This was originally posted to this website on June 18, 2009.


Andy Moore is another musician I can thank Eric Himan for an introduction. Andy is an out and fabulous lesbian whom I saw while she was touring with Eric a couple years ago at the World Cafe Live! in Philadelphia. I was thrilled that she was on the bill with Tom Goss in a show at Nellie's Sports Bar in Washington, DC, earlier this year.



Andy is a wonderful mix of the Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, and Bob Dylan, with an order of soul and a dash of sarcasm sometimes added to spice things up. She has released two studio CDs, both of which I own. Dig Right In was released in 2004, and Shifting in 2001. I like 'em both, but if I had to choose one, it would be Dig Right In.



It offers 11 songs, and all are extremely good. Her voice is gorgeous and full, and so damn expressive. The song Desire is just amazing, perfectly describing the burgeoning feelings affiliated with love and, well, desire. There is also Forgiven, a song she wrote and duets with Eric Himan. I can't say about how their voices harmonize perfectly together. 'You should see, how I've forgiven me.' Wow, that is good stuff.



Slip Away is a lovely folk ballad, with Andy's crisp and clear tone never faltering. Sobering is some old school folk, and emotional gift about love and life. Long Before Goodbye opens with 'You left me long before goodbye, I could feel it in your cool green eyes.' We've all been there, haven't we? Her guitar playing certainly doesn't take a backseat to a strong voice. The girl can play, and not just strum. There is such an honesty in her voice and performances.

Unfortunately, there are not any videos available of Andy, so I have to make due with one I made myself following the Nellie's show. My pictures roll to the song Uncomplicated from Dig Right In.



I bought her stuff from CD Baby, a great resource for indie music. You can find out more information about Andy on her website.

Great Women - Tracey Chapman

Not sure what else to say except that Tracey Chapman is an exceptional talent. As a songwriter, she can be so poetic, and the music so inspired and organic. As a singer, she is always right there with the interpretation, emotionally right there while maintaining her own ever so light quirky of cadence.



In 1988, the self-titled debut album was released, as well as the first single, Fast Car. When I think of what was playing on the radio at the time, this was about as different as you can get. INXS, Poison, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Chicago, Exposé, and Rick Astley were scoring the hits with produced and stylized pop, dance and rock, and here comes Chapman with a soft and subtle acoustic folk with an understated delivery. Not only did the song rise to #5 on the Billboard chart, it also finished the year in as one of the Top 100 songs of the year.



Seven years later, and Chapman is still putting out music that is in keeping with her own taste and style, while maintaining herself as a relevant artist on the radio. The 1995 release of New Beginning once again introduced some fresh air to the stale world of radio, giving a bit of the blues with the song Give Me One Reason.



Returning to 1988, the second single from the debut album was a bit more classic folk, at least in theme if not by music as well. Her discussion of social issues, from the welfare line to the unemployment line to the army of salvation was almost biting by comparison to much that was clogging the airwaves. The simple production of the song used light percussion and guitar, and focused on the voice and message of the song. It just seemed right. So here is Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution.



Tracey Chapman was rumored to have dated writer Alice Walker in the mid 90s, but to the best of my knowledge has never 'come out' with any information on her sexuality, although many presumed her to be a lesbian. To find out more about what has been going on in Chapman's life, visit here official website by clicking here.

New Video - Angela Leo - You'd Be Here

Angela Leo is an up and coming folk artist based out of Hollywood, California, and is starting out with quite a bang. Her first video, You'd Be Here, steps up and tells much about Angela as an artist. She is beautiful, strong, talented and bold. You'd Be Here is a song about longing for lover, yet doesn't succumb to the maudlin or morose.



Instead, it celebrates that love. And it just so happens in this case, the love is for another woman. Yep, Angela is a hot and out lesbian. She has a CD out, entitled Cognitive Dissonance, and I am liking it great deal. Listening to the CD, she reminds me of a cross between Melissa Etheridge and Joan Baez, with her strong folk roots and connection to her music.



Her music and lyrics have an organic feel, very tied to natural sources. Trying, the fourth cut on the album, is an uptempo song about growth and self-realization. It is a great song. Spring is another hot one, a ballad celebrating life with the passage of the seasons. 'Spring comes down like sunny rain. Doesn't it feel so good to be alive.' Waves of the Tide returns to the uptempo, again finding love to be a source of so much good. The One sings of a great love, with an almost tropical bossa nova beat.



You can find out more about Angela at her official website here, or can check out her MySpace page here.

Worth Another Listen - Clannad

Clannad was an Irish group steeped in the tradition of Irish Folk and New Age music. The nucleus of the group was a family, with brothers, sisters and uncles making up the roster. Lead singer was Moya Brennan, whose sister, Enya, went on to considerable success. Frankly, I'll take Moya any day of the week. Although they came together in the 70s, it was the 80s where Clannad found their success, recording for movie soundtracks like Harry's Game and television shows like Robin of Sherwood. In 1986, the band recorded the song In A Lifetime with Bono, lead singer of Irish supergroup U2, although it was re-released in 1992 to a much greater response. It is their most successful song to date. The band still plays and tours together.

Great Music - Robert German

Robert German is unique, gifted, and a tad on the eccentric side. His Siren's of Brooklyn CD is quirky, cool, and most likely ahead of it's time. He is a smart and talented writer, and an excellent singer. He is definitely an out man, singing of his feeling, both emotional and physical. Open Wide, Walking Song, Well Formed Man, Lemon Scented, Sirens of Brooklyn, and Marlboro Man are my favorites from the CD. Yes, there are a few more, but I didn't want to type in the entire list from the CD and look silly... Oh, I really like Mr Carpentier and Unplug.

You can find out more about Robert and his music at his website or his MySpace page. His music can be found on iTunes and CD Baby. It is well worth the cost to have the Sirens of Brooklyn CD in your collection.

New Music - Toby Madigan

Just this week I discovered a new artist of whom I am pretty fond. Toby Madigan is a hot little number, and doesn't seem to have any issues letting his fans see it. He is an out performer, and was arrested at a No On Prop8 rally in California.

According to the website, Toby splits his time between West Hollywood and NYC. He has released his first indie offering, Left Brain/Right Brain. Chatroom Romance is now starting to get some play on LOGO, although I am also fond of Somebody. I have DL'ed the CD, which you can do directly from his website. I like it very much, especially Somebody (I Can Talk To), The Rest of Me,One Last Time, and Something Was Missing. It is a strong first effort, moving from the fun Chatroom Romance to some serious tales of love. Toby is at his best when speaking from his heart, as some of his more politically charged lyrics come out a bit stilted, which is not usually the case in his lyrics. It is a wonderful first effort, and I look forward to hearing more as he matures as an artist. On YouTube, there is also an interesting acoustic version of Madonna's Like A Prayer, singing with the star of High School Musical Tour, Arielle Jacobs.

You can find out more about Toby at his website.

Aiden James - Satelite Sessions #1

I enjoy Aiden James quite a lot - hope to see him next month at a show in Philly where he will be celebrating his birthday as well as the release of a new video. The video just had a premiere viewing at the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Meanwhile, he had started a new series at the beginning of the month, singing a song just for us YouTube fans. The first installment captured him singing the song Mifflin County on July 4th. Hope you enjoy this sweet voice and great song!

For more information and to hear more music, click here!

Worth Another Listen - Mark Weigle

I have been a huge Mark Weigle fan for several years, and I hope there is another CD to come from this talented man. I often search the internet for out performers, and I came across information on him, accompanied with a picture. I have often mentioned how shallow I can be, and this was no exception. I thought he was hot, and ventured further to find his music. I first heard him, and it was all over. I heard The Two Cowboy Waltz and then Take Your Shoulder From The Wheel, both gloriously performed. I knew I couldn't escape his charm. I bought the CD, and each release following and previously recorded.



Mark's music is highly personal, with a country/folk flavor. The warmth and depth of his voice just melts me, his sound so lush. As a singer/songwriter, he often recorded his own songs, but also did some covers. His own songs spoke of his life, be it ex-boyfriends, love, life, and his life as an HIV positive man.



2003 offered Different and the Same, a collection of mainly cover songs, from the countryfied What I Like About You, to the rocking 867-5309/Jimmy, to the poppy cover of the Jackson 5 hit ABC, rewritten to be suit the singer, renamed AZT. His last CD, the eponymous Mark Weigle, was released in 2007, and I haven't heard of anything since. The video above was recorded in October of 2007, a radio interview/performance to support his current CD for a queer Australian radio program. This is one of a four-part series. I chose to focus on his cover of the Dolly Parton song Jolene, although he also performed some of his own stuff.



You can find more about Mark Weigle at his website. To purchase his music, you can go to CD Baby, a favorite music store of mine. You can get the physical CD, or do MP3 downloads.