Eric Himan & the Soultré Sisters • Live at the Tin Angel

Top: Eric Himan. Bottom: Tylisha Oliver, left, and Tina Phillips, right.

A few weeks ago, I was luck enough to see Eric Himan at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, PA. Eric was touring in support of his latest album, 'Gracefully', and was accompanied by Tina Phillips and Tylisha Oliver, also known as the Soultré Sisters, adding their vocals to enrich the sound of the great new music by Himan. I was joined at the show by my niece, Mandy, and her fiancée, Mark. Eric played several songs off his latest album, 'Gracefully', as well as some very entertaining cover songs. The show started out with a great song off the album, "Red Hot Tears".

The show was wonderful, filled with great music, great storytelling, and some truly funny moments. Eric was once again behind the piano for "The Only Way", another great song off 'Gracefully'. The second track on the album, the song highlights the soulful qualities of Himan as both a singer and a songwriter. I love the song, and am so glad to share it with you.

While there were a few covers performed, I simply could not resist posting this one for all. I do love me some Dolly Parton - who doesn't? - so when Eric took on "Jolene", I was excited. I had heard him sing it before, but he mentioned he would try to slow it down, giving it a different feel. Well, between Eric and the amazing voices of Tylisha and Tina, this song was fan-freakin-tastic.

Eric also had some great new for the night. It seems He has had a few songs licensed for various reasons, including by the clothing store, Hollister. This very weekend, "Everything To You" was to start playing in the stores! That is so cool, showing more and more people appreciating the great work Eric consistently has made over the last decade or so. So here is Eric playing the fifth track of the album, "Everything To You", in a great live performance.

The show was fantastic, and left the entire audience on their feet, begging for more. It is never a wise decision to pass up a show put on by Eric, so keep your eyes open, and your ears to the ground. You can learn more about Eric Himan with a simple visit his official website. Once there, you can order music, as well as checking out his tour schedule. To keep up-to-date on all things Eric, you can also 'follow' him on Twitter, or 'like' him on Facebook. As for the music, 'Gracefully' is now available on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp.

Interview with Songster Aiden James

Singer/songwriter Aiden James released an interview where he talks about music and the new album he is looking to release.



For more about Aiden James, check out his official website here. I can't help but get excited when I think about new music coming out!

Happy Birthday, Stewart Lewis

Happy Birthday, Stewart Lewis!

I have to admit something. A couple of years ago, Tom Goss told me he was going to be part of the Rock The Folk Out tour, with two other singer/songwriters. He mentioned their names, but I didn't recognize the names. Because I tend to be a Type A personality, I of course had to look them up, so I had some sort of clue. Well, you'd think that would be the case, but I didn't. Anyway, I showed up at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, and was delighted to see Tom, and also got a chance to meet the others on the tour, Jake Walden and Stewart Lewis. Well, a couple of years later, I am still a fan of all three artists, and will be going to see Tom play live in Philly this weekend.



But I will have to admit something else about that first show. When Stewart took the stage and started singing, I got like the biggest crush on him. He is a good looking man, that is for sure, but he was also such an upbeat and happy personality, with a beautiful singing voice. He was also very kind after the show when I met him, and purchased all his music, as well as a novel he had written, RockStarlet. I have since read RockStarlet, loved it, and would highly recommend others picking it up and reading it themselves. In fact, you can get it here from Amazon.Com.

OF course, it is about the music first and foremost for me. And I do love Stewart's music. The single off the album In Formation was one I have always felt was the definition of charm, Not A Love Song. Check it out below.



I found a video from another song off that same 2008 album. Taped at a club in Denver, Colorado, this is Stewart on the piano for This Town. While the song is at least 3 years old, some of what it has to say is even more prescient today than it was then. I love this song, and hope you do too.



You can purchase Stewart's music on iTunes here for $9.90, but can get it on Amazon here for just $6.99, although I would advise you checking to make sure before you purchase. You can also check out his FaceBook page here. Most of all, if you get a chance to see him perform live, I would highly advise it, cause it didn't take long for him to steal my heart in Philadelphia that night.

Happy Belated Birthday, Aiden James!

I can't believe that I managed to miss Aiden James' birthday. A handsome man with a voice like honey, I have been a fan since the first time I heard him sing at the World Cafe Live!, opening for Eric Himan. After the show, I bought his debut album, Have You Ever, and have been hooked ever since. I have his second studio album, On The Run, as well as the Live at the Tin Angel album, which I was lucky enough to attend live as well. Despite all that, I missed the opportunity to wish him salutations for the day on Monday, August 9th.

To celebrate, even if belated, I thought I would post a couple of videos from the show I saw at the Burlap & Bean Coffee Shop in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The first is a new song, debuted on the Live album, and one I really love. It is called Gonna Hurt More, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.



The next song was also on the Live at the Tin Angel album, and one I also enjoy very, very much. It is called Just For A Second.



For more about songster Aiden, visit his official website here.

Live Music - Aiden James Preview

This weekend I had a double shot of Aiden James, singer/songwriter extraordinaire, and had a great time. The first night I saw him at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was fantastic as ever, in perfect voice and showcased a couple of new songs, as well as songs on his recent albums. I also caught him at Burlap And Bean Coffee in Newtown Square, PA, on Saturday night. Again he amazing, and I could listen to that boy sing any night of the week. At the Burlap and Bean, I managed to overcome my obvious technological deficiencies and tape a few songs, on of which is Just For A Second, a song featured on the album Live At Tin Angel. Please forgive some silliness at the beginning as I was trying to figure out these fancy moving pictures...



More on the shows to come.

Live Music - Aiden James

Going to see Aiden James tonight in Philadelphia at the Tin Angel. It is a combo Video Release/Birthday Party for Aiden, and I am looking forward to it. Haven't seen Aiden performing live since last fall when he played with Jay Brannan. The Tin Angel is where I saw Aiden and Adrienne play last year, as well as Tom Goss, Stewart Lewis and Jake Walden on the Rock The Folk Out tour. Hopefully I will get some pictures, although the space is usually dark and not conducive to good pics.

Also, just got last minute word from my friend Rickey that we have tickets to see American Idol Season 8 live in Newark, NJ, Saturday night. He runs the Idol megasite, RickeydotOrg. So looks like it is going to be a big weekend for me!

Live Music - Aiden James

Aiden James in performance photographed by me.

The always adorable Aiden James posted a new 'Satellite Session' while touring in San Francisco. He discusses the song On The Run from the new CD as he drives across the Golden Gate Bridge. He also performs Gonna Hurt More.

I am excited because next Friday, August 7th, I will be going to Philadelphia to see Aiden for his video release party at the Tin Angel. That is just a week from now! For more information about the show, click here.