David Raleigh • The Equation of Love

On October 20th of 2014, I was lucky enough to be in the audience for David Raleigh's CD Release Party at The Cutting Room in Manhattan. I was joined by my sister, Kim, who rode the train with me from New Jersey to Penn Station, and then the easy walk to 32nd and Park Avenue. There we found the plush space, with a long line of fans equally eager to find a good seat to hear him performing songs from his new album, 'The Equation of Love'.

It isn't really surprising that I had both my cameras with me, and decided to share by photographs and videos here with you all. Once we found a seat, and had a yummy meal, it was time for the show. I was delighted to hear David would be singing all the songs off the album, as they were on the track list. I was pleased to hear Nathan Leigh Jones was there, representing himself as producer of the album, as well as the co-writer with David on all eleven songs. The show started with the "Technicolor Dream", a beautiful ballad that draws a vivid picture of love. I hope you enjoy David Raleigh singing "Technicolor Dream".

The next song was the first single off the album, "Do It To Me". The song also had the first music video, and was featured on this blog last fall. You can check that out on the blog post here. Following that uptempo number, it was time to go back to the ballad, with David at the piano. There is such charm and love in "Minus You", and I find it had to resist. That is followed by another ballad, the lush and gorgeous "Paradise". This is David singing it live.

After a moment to recover, my senses came back down to earth as Raleigh prepared the next song, "Sweet Love". This is a wonderful uptempo song that can make you hungry, as well as warm your heart. It certainly made me rethink not ordering a dessert after dinner. For the next song, David brought out a dear friend, one who also happened to sing "Stay" with him on 'The Equation of Love'. Rhonda Ross came out to sing, and she was ready to go. This should come as no surprise, for the daughter of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy should be special. And she is. And so is David, as they both have great fun with the sexy Latin rhythms of "Stay".

It was time to change things up, so David slowed things down with the next song, "Maybe". The song has an inherent sweetness, with just the right amount of melancholy. Raleigh switches gears again, this time taking on a thoughtful quality of music with "Lost In Time". What does time really mean, and how does love affect it? Next up is "It's Only Love", an anthemic power ballad reminiscent of the work of Dianne Warren. I love this song.

"Good Times" is up next, and strikes a note of nostalgia, in the sweetest of ways. It recalls a time before, and the music we listened to - it is amazing how music can bring us back to quickly. David ended the show just as he ended 'The Equation of Love', with the song "Thank You". The song is so earnest, so heartfelt, it always manages to touch my heart. This is David singing "Thank You".

After the show, we were all invited to the after party, and it was fun to go. I must admit, while I was standing there chatting with my sister, and in walked in Tony winner Billy Porter, I was impressed. and he looked fabulous, by the way. But soon it was time to go catch a train out of the city, so I collected my autographed copy of the album, and started walking to Penn Station. I had a great time, and couldn't wait to load 'The Equation of Love' on my iPod. You can to, for 'The Equation of Love' can be found on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about David Raleigh, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Steve Grand • Here to "Stay"

I will readily admit I didn't jump on the Steve Grand bandwagon when his first video seemed to take of the internet, where sites, both gay and straight, were crowning him the first gay Country star, which made me roll my eyes a bit. You see, I've been covering music, and LGBT music in particular, for more than three years here, and there have been some very talented artists playing Country music, so that made me sit back. Also, when I listened to "All-American Boy", it didn't sound all that Country to me. It was a great Pop song, one I liked and purchased, but it wasn't Country to me. For me, it had more of the earmarks of great songs from amazing Midwest Pop/Rockers like John Mellencamp. Sure, there are elements of Country to be heard in all American Rock, but still... So I was waiting to see what he would do for a follow up, and that has finally come to pass. And guess what? Not only do I like the new song, I think I might like it even more than the first. But before I get ahead of myself, I want to come back to the start, and take a look at "All-American Boy", the song and music video that sent the blogosphere into a tizzy, where blogs normally dedicated to political pursuits were suddenly featuring a music video.

In early summer, Grand released the music video for "All-American Boy", and the song and video instantly became the talk of the internet. The minute I heard this song, it gave me hints of Hair Band Power Ballad, with an anthemic quality, almost bordering on the bombastic. I can hear Mellencamp, or Brett Michaels singing it in a stadium filled with screaming fans. I really like the song, which was also written by Grand, and was pleased to add it to my music collection. Here is the music video for "All-American Boy".

As I mentioned earlier, I heard, enjoyed, and purchased the first single, but was still hesitant to feature it on the blog. I wanted to hear more, so I could get a better feeling of the music made by the handsome singer/songwriter. With the release of the music video for "Stay", I was able to hone in a bit more, and on closer inspection, I like him even more. Once again, I am getting the Midwest Rocker vibe, not as bold as the first, too intimate to be bombastic. But that is not to say the song doesn't soar, for the infectious chorus brings everyone along for a spectacular journey. Check it our for yourself in the latest from Steve Grand, "Stay".

With the two songs, Steve Grand is showing me he has the talent to be around for a while. And since I hear he is working on a full album, I really can't wait to hear what he brings to the table, for he has set the bar high with the singles. His songs are well written and produced, and he has been obviously working hard on more than just his impressive abs. And like so many strong artists, he has left me longing for more.

For more about Steve Grand, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can purchase "Stay" on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. You can purchase "All-American Boy" on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp.

Cover Boys • Jackson Browne

I am not sure who didn't have a crush on Jackson Browne back in the late 70s. I mean, he was cute as hell, had those sad songs to sing, and was just adorable. In the summer of 1978, my high school friends and I went to see Jackson Browne playing live in Philadelphia, and heard this song played live. He was touring in support of the Running On Empty album, and had to close the show with The Load Out, and Stay. While he had co-written The Load Out, his own peak into life on the road, Stay was written by Maurice Williams in 1960, and sung by Maurice and his doo-wop group, The Zodiacs. But in 1978, it was Browne's version that was on the radio, and made it to #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Friday Night Party Mix

From Top: Annie Lennox, Culture Club, Seal, Stephen Gately, George Michael, Boy George.

Perhaps it is time for another British Invasion, this time via the web, and by this blog in particular. Over the course of a couple of decades, there are a few Brits who managed to be among those who's music could get me outta my chair and shakin' the hips, even if I was home alone listening. Take, for instance, the most recent song from this particular grouping, Stephen Gately's Stay from 2001. I was a big fan of Gately's, and still listen to his music.



The 80s would certainly not be the same without the music and sheer force of personality of the great Boy George and Culture Club. The gender-bending tour-de-force took the world by storm, and there were certainly tons of great music to be heard in all the clubs I went to. Here is the 1984 single, Karma Chameleon.



The 80s, the 90s, and even some of the 2000s might not have been the same if it weren't for talented singer/songwriter George Michael. The man went from a chart-topping group of WHAM! to a solo turn that is still going strong. Here he is from a 1991 show singing I'm Your Man.



At the 1995 Grammy Award ceremony, Annie Lennox & Seal offered up a tribute to the great Marvin Gaye when they did an amazing duet on one of his greatest songs, What's Going On?



In 1992, Annie Lennox had an MTV Unplugged show, back in the day what the 'M' in MTV stood for music. There used to be some really great stuff on it, like here cover of the iconic song, River Deep, Mountain High.



Be it the 80s, the 90s or 2000s, fun music that makes you wanna dance is worth buying. so check them out, and shake you groove thing, kids!

Worth Another Listen - Jackson Browne

The first concert I went to see with friends was to see a show in 1978. A group of us Smyrna High School recent graduates and friends decided to go to a show together before we went on our merry way off to college - the last hurrah, so to speak. So we decided on a show at the Valley Forge Music Center, with Jackson Browne the headliner.



I gotta be honest, I remember Jackson Browne, but don't remember any other act. I say that because Jackson was so freakin' memorable. We were all fans, and loved the album The Pretender, and enjoyed Running On Empty very much. See, I loved singer/songwriters even then. We were ready, and psyched because we were driving to Philadelphia [OK, just outside of Philly] ourselves and taking in the concert. We had lawn seats, and packed blankets and baskets to make sure we were comfy. Indeed, we might have had an illegal beverage or two, but we were giddy 18-year-olds. I am not sure what it was, it might have been Mad Dog 20/20, cause we were kids from a rural town in Delaware.



So, we set up and got ready, chatting away excitedly before the show. When Browne took the stage, he was in quite the state. Thankfully, he pretty much didn't move much, because he was toasted. We all eagerly awaited Here Come Those Tears Again, we all understood the backstory of his wife taking her own life and leaving him with an infant, but that was 2 years previously, so we thought perhaps he would be over it, if only for the child... We were mistaken. After several failed starts and some giggling, he remembered the lyrics. And it wasn't the only song he struggled with, I think he blew The Pretender, too. But, to his credit, when he did get the lyrics, he sounded good. And I was willing to forgive him, because he was awfully nice to look at. And the musicians he traveled with covered well, and played so very well. The show ended with The Load Out/Stay, always a good time.



I'll be honest, Browne lost me with the song and album called Lawyers In Love. He was also busy with a relationship with Daryl Hannah, which was rumored to end badly involving physical abuse. So I was surprised to discover he is still at it - I didn't have a clue. And good Lord, he looks old now. And damn, he is only 12 years older than me. But no matter what, I will always have the amazing memory of my first concert with Candace, Jay, Ed, and Verne, all ready to be adults on our own. That was, of course, over 31 years ago.


To catch up with what is going on with Browne, check out his official website here.