Thirty Years with Howard Jones

To help celebrate my birthday today, I thought I would post some music that really matters to me. In fact, I hope to be doing that all week long. Last night, I kicked the celebration off with a song from Raul Esparza, the man who is every bit as talented as he is sexy. This morning I reviewed a new album from Spencer Day, a man whose music I simply love. Tonight, I will look back 30 years to the year 1984, when I became enamored of the music by Howard Jones, the amazing British Electro-Pop singer/songwriter who managed to touch my soul time and time again.

In 1984, Jones released his debut album, 'Human's Lib', although the first single was released in the Fall of 1983. I am not sure how or where I found his music, be it on the radio, MTV, or U68, one of my favorite stations when living in New York City. But however it happened, I was instantly impressed by "New Song", off Howard's debut. It was so fun and upbeat, and just made my heart feel good. This is the official music video for "New Song" by Howard Jones.

While I loved 'Human's Lib', the follow-up album was just mind-blowing. 'Dream Into Action' was released in 1985, and had song after song that spoke to me. There was "Look Mama", "Life in One Day", and the gorgeous "No One is to Blame". I know this album drove me to see Jones live on several occasions, usually with my sister Kim. Howard was every bit as amazing live as in the studio, and it only made the album that much better. This is the official music video for "Things Can Only Get Better", Howard's first Top Five song in the Billboard Hot 100.

The following year, Howard released another album. 'One to One' hit the record stores in 1986. The first single was the eccentric "All I Want", which would have been enough to get me to purchase the album, if I wasn't already buying it because Howard was putting it out. That album also featured the lively single, "You Know I Love You, Don't You?" I loved the joyful and positive feel of the song, a real celebration of love. This is the official music video for Howard Jones' single, "You Know I Love You, Don't You?".

When the Seattle music scene and Grunge took over music in the 1990s, Howard's music took a back seat both in sales and record play. But it didn't stop me from following the man, and I am pleased to say he is still making music today. In fact, in 2009 he released the impressive album 'Ordinary Heroes', which rekindled my love for his music. Even before I heard it, I had pre-ordered, knowing Howard never let me down. That remained true, for I love the album. The single off the album truly touched my soul, and proved Jones still has what it takes to make music. This is the official music video for the first single off the album, "Soon You'll Go".

You can find the music of Howard Jones on iTunes and Amazon. CDs and DVDs are also available on Howard's online store. You can find the individual albums, as well as several compilation and live albums that have these songs included. To learn more about Howard Jones, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter or 'like' him on Facebook.

Cazwell • Guess What (featuring Luciana)

As the weekend kicks into gear, it seems almost mandatory to have the latest single from Cazwell to help us get ready for a party. With a new music video, we can all enjoy Cazwell working with Luciana on "Guess What". The collaboration is a good one, allowing Cazwell a chance to go at full tilt on the song, a party boy you can't wait to arrive a little late to the party. The song mixes up the tempos and the intensity levels, keeping us wondering about what might be coming next. It certainly had me bopping around in my chair. Enjoy the music video of "Guess What", featuring Cazwell and Luciana.

You can find "Guess What" on iTunes. To learn more about Cazwell, visit his official website. You can keep up on the latest news, including where you might catch up with Cazwell if you 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. Trust me, it is never boring to have Cazwell in your Twitterfeed...

Christopher Dallman • Christmas On My Own

Singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman posted a video performance of the new song her wrote, and it is another beauty. "Christmas On My Own" is Chris' personal story of growing up and making his own life. I think it is fantastic. Enjoy.

To learn more about Christopher Dallman, check out his official website. You can also check out his music on iTunes and Amazon.

Brendan MacLean • Onlyonly

I am a fan of Brendan Maclean's music. I learned about him from the wonderful David Raleigh, and I always take the words of musicians to heart. I instantly had a real fondness for his EP, White Canvas. You can read about it here. And I was delighted to learn he is not only talented, but also an out and proud member of the Australian LGBT community.



I heard some rumors he was working on some new music, and was ecstatic to see word of a new music video on Facebook. When I checked it out, I was it was also a new single, and it was available for download. So, I hightailed it over to Bandcamp, and got my copy. And I am loving it. For me, Brendan is a musical powerhouse, much in the vein of Patrick Wolf, who I also adore. His are like inner dialogues, ones that have slipped out is a a weaker moment. There is this honesty in the work, but there is also a bombastic side that I find both enticing and intoxicating.



Like I said, as soon as I saw the video and discovered the single was available, I went straight to buy it. You can purchase the single OnlyOnly on iTunes and Bandcamp. You can also check him out on his official website.

Angelo • Narcissus Drowned Available!

I mentioned last week that the gorgeous and talented Angelo was getting ready to release his latest single, Narcissus Drowned. If you'd like a quick reminder, check out the preview clip below.

You can purchase Narcissus Drowned and a remix collection on iTunes and Amazon. You can learn more about Angelo on his official website here. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Chad Cavanaugh • Lost In Each Other & Others

After giving it some thought, I figured there might not be a better way to kick of the month of February than with new videos made by singer/songwriter Chad Cavanaugh. I am more than willing to admit I have been somewhat addicted to the music of the San Diego resident. I think I will start off with a recent favorite of mine, Lost In Each Other. I am willing to bet after you watch it, it will be a favorite of yours, too!



Chad is finishing up work on a new album, which is very exciting news. I knew from the first listen of The Coffeehouse Rebellion that I was a goner. To make matters worse, I purchased We Got Love, and I loved it even more. So I have no reason to believe I will think any less of his latest effort. I am not sure if Just You and Me is part of the new record, but am enjoying it nonetheless.



Chad has a nice way of combining classic folk storytelling with a rock sensibility and a very personal outlook. Indeed, it feels like you are reading his personal journal, invited in to the lives of Cavanaugh and his wife and children. Or at least his thoughts on it all. Or at least in to a special spot in his mind, where he holds his thoughts on everything. Give a listen to Drivin', and let yourself get lost in it.



Hope you enjoyed a taste of Chad's work. If you'd like to hear some more, visit his official Facebook page here. You can also find The Coffeehouse Rebellion on iTunes and Amazon. You can download We Got Love on iTunes and Amazon as well. Give them a try - you won't be disappointed.

Casey James • Let's Don't Call It A Night

As the eleventh season of American Idol is starting off, I thought it might be nice to visit some of the former contestants. Not sure why, but I am starting with one of my favorite contestants from Season 9, Casey James. I will readily admit that the 2010 season was a tough one, with only two or three contestants I really liked, and only two I wold be interested in hearing the post-Idol music. I thought Crystal Bowersox was a talented musician, and I never got the interest in winner Lee DeWyze, but he certainly wasn't the first winner to confound me. He might not be one of the few gay performers on the show, but I loved Casey's Southern Rock sound, that bluesy feeling he added to his rocky Nashville sound. It was like he was the lost Allman brother, found playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan.



Once the season was over, I kept hoping we'd hear some music from him. After 2010 passed, and there was music from the others, I didn't know what to think. By the middle of 2011, I just figured this was another one of those contestants that would be lost somewhere, and maybe he would be putting out his own stuff soon. Turns out he was signed by Sony/Nashville, and released his first single in August. I missed it completely. But I have it now, and really like it. Let's Don't Call It A Night has a nice sound. While I wasn't looking, the song made it into the Country Top 40, landing at #32. Check out Let's Don't Call It A Night.



You can purchase Let's Don't Call It A Night on iTunes and Amazon. While doing some detective work, it appears he will have an album coming out this Spring, possibly March. I am looking forward to it. You can find more about Casey James and his post-Idol life on his official website here. You can find him on Twitter here.

David Raleigh • One Together

As promised, David Raleigh has released his latest video, featuring the song One Together from the album Beginning Again. It is a beautiful and uplifting song of hope, love, and our collective future. It is a tale of growth through love, how love makes us better than we ever thought we'd be.



David has a smile that just transmits joy, telegraphs love. It also reminds us, life begins today. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and all that. For more about David, check out his official website here. You can find Beginning Again on iTunes here, and on Amazon. here.

New from Ivri Lider - Mike

I can't believe how giddy I was when I saw a tweet from ElectroQueer mentioning a new song from Ivri Lider. I men, seriously excited, clicking like there was no tomorrow. It brought me to a lovely picture, and, best of all, a chance to listen to the new song. I will say, what I have come to expect from Ivri is the unexpected, and he delivered.



EQ mentions the name of the English language album to come, Fly/Forget. The song, Mike, is fascinating to me, with the heavily processed verse, combined with a gorgeously sung chorus. Like we are invading a private message conversation, the voice processed to reflect the electronic age, a strong juxtaposition to the chorus, filled filled beautiful vocals keying on the melancholy of the situation. Not sure radio is ready for the song, but I sure am, and can't wait to get the album.



I have been a fan of Ivri Lider since the first time I heard the song Bo/Your Soul, the theme for Yossi & Jagger. No matter the language, it was a gorgeous song, one I never tire of listening to. Recently, he recorded a cover song on a dare from a radio DJ. That song was Katey Perry's I Kissed A Girl, and Ivri slowed it down, but kept all the pronouns in tact. While he might be the biggest rock star in Israel, he is also an out and proud gay man, adding an interesting layer to the song. Here he is singing it live in a park in San Francisco.



Of course, it might be tough to beat his cover of the Judy Garland classic, The Man I Love. He performed it in the brilliant Eytan Foxx movie The Bubble. I don't know what it is, but this man's voice just moves me so. On the soundtrack, he also performed the amazing Song To A Siren, a song by Tim Buckley, the father of Jeff. But here is The Man I Love.



The Bubble was the latest collaboration with Eytan Foxx, but not the first. Bo/Your Soul was featured in the movie Yossi & Jagger, another Foxx film. And there was Walk On Water, another great Foxx film. Ivri performed on the soundtrack. The collection included a cover of the song Cinderella Rockefella, performed by Ivri and Rita Kleinstein. The joy and vivacious performances are wonderful!



For more about Ivri Lider, check out his official website here. You can also find his MySpace page here, and his FaceBook fan page here. I'd buy just about anything Ivri Lider is wanting to sell. To see ElectroQueer's original post, click here. ElectroQueer has a great blog, so check it out.

New Music - Dave Patten - So Much Free Download

Philadelphia's Dave Patten released his latest song on YouTube, and created a bit of a sensation with his strong and vocal fanbase. He posted a video for So Much, a new song to tease an upcoming album. Turn on the radio these days, and you will hear an awful lot of auto-tuned voices, so Dave decided to try the same with his song.



Well, suffice it to say his fans were less than impressed. Part of this love for Dave is his distinctive voice, and they weren't buying into the computerized version, nor were they shy about telling him just that. After reading the commentary, Dave went back to the studio, and released a revised version of So Much, minus the Autotune. While I wasn't as put off as others were, I almost regret saying that losing the Autotune did make the song better. Good call fans!



To get a free download of the song, sign up for Dave e-mail list here. And as a bonus, you will get all the news on this wonderful up-and-coming artist.

New Video - Adam Joseph - Finally

The fabulous Adam Joseph has released a new song and video and I am excited. I have been a fan since the release of his fantastic How I Seem To Be a couple years ago. His Flow With Your Soul is amazing (see it here), as are many other songs. So he posted a video on YouTube of Finally, the old CeCe Peniston disco hit that was also featured in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.



So nice to see a young gay man coming out and making a statement about marriage equality. Not that Adam has ever stepped away from taking a bold step, as he did with the song and video of Faggotty Attention [which can been seen in the previous link]. He is also an amazing singer, as you can tell on the song You're Mine, from his first album.



For more about Adam, you can go to his website here. You can also download How I Seem To Be from Amazon.com for under $9 by clicking here. I am very glad to have my copy!

New Video - Jay Brannan - Go Away

So, Jay Brannan released a video to talk about what is going on with him, with a new song about to release, a new t-shirt up on his online store, and upcoming Australian tour, and to sing a new song, Go Away.



I have seen Jay performing live twice, once in Philly and again in Annapolis, and can tell you it is truly worth it to see him live. That golden voice of his is just a good on the road as it is on the CDs.



To find out more about Jay Brannan, go to his official website here. Find the link to his store and check out the music for sale, as well as other merchandise.