MARY BRAGG: tattoos and bruises {music review]

I was given the opportunity to review the newest cd of Mary Bragg, "tattoos & bruises".  This cd consists of the following 10 songs:

1.   How and Why
2.   When Your Heart Belongs To Another
3.   Tattoos and Bruises
4.   Leave Tonight
5.   Hanging on the Wheel
6.   The General
7.   Gone
8.   Wildflower
9.   Morning Lover
10. Hurricane

Each song tells a story.  Mary's voice is beautiful, melodic and easy to listen to.  Not only is Mary Bragg an inspirational singer on these songs, she also wrote every one of the songs, though some compiled with other writers, she did, however, put her soul into each song. 

This cd goes on sale to the public June 7th and can be purchased here for $12.99.  If you cannot wait until June 7th, you can pre-order now and instantly get a free download of her hit "Gone".

Mary Bragg is going on tour.  If you want to see if she is coming to a venue near you, click here to see.

This cd is music for both the young and old with no age limitations - everyone can and will enjoy..

I highly enjoyed this cd and would recommend it.

About Mary Bragg:
After several years of growing acclaim on the New York Americana scene, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mary Bragg reached a peak in her early career last year when she attracted overflow crowds for a residency at NYC’s famed venue The Living Room. Her latest recording, Tattoos and Bruises, grew out of that series of shows. Produced by one of the genre’s contemporary icons, Lee Alexander (Norah Jones, Amos Lee), the album was recorded and mixed at The Coop, the studio of Alexander’s long-time collaborator, Norah Jones.


Featuring a number of her fellow musical luminaries and friends, and writing or co-writing all of the album’s songs, Bragg invited Alexander to co-write four of them, while three more of her favorite songwriters, Adam Levy, Colin McGrath, and her bassist/husband, Jimmy Sullivan, made additional co-writing contributions. The ten tracks that comprise the final album were recorded and mixed over 14 days in December 2010 at Jones’ East Village studio, with Tom Schick (Wilco, Rufus Wainwright) engineering. Backing Bragg on the album is the same accomplished band of players who regularly perform in her live shows: Jimmy Sullivan (bass); Rich Hinman, Steve Elliot and Adam Levy (guitars); Jordan Perlson and Brian Wolfe (drums); Mike Cassedy (piano, organ); and Marika Hughes (cello).

Raised as the youngest of four children in a big musical family in Swainsboro, Georgia, Bragg lived in a number of Southern musical capitals – Athens, Atlanta, and Nashville – before settling in New York in 2004. Her music is consequently a seamless hybrid of her southern Americana roots and the downtown New York singer-songwriter community of which she has become a key member.

Tattoos and Bruises follows her sophomore release, Sugar (2007), which was produced by Darius Jones, and recorded just a block away from her home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sugar earned Bragg several industry nods – at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (Emerging Artists Showcase), the Wildflower! Festival ( Performing Songwriter Competition finalist), and in the International Songwriting Competition (Honorable Mention). Her debut album, Certain Simple Things (2004), was co-written, engineered and produced in Athens, Georgia, by Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum).

Drawing comparisons to Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith, Bragg has come to inhabit her own unique fusion of American musical forms, clearly heard and felt on Tattoos and Bruises.
 
Disclosure:
I was provided Mary Brigg's "Tattoo & Bruises" cd in exchange for a fair and honest review.  In no way receiving this item did it have any effect on my thoughts.  My opinion is 100% mine and honest.

He Is We (Music CD Review)

My Review:
Music drives me in a way that relaxes me and depending on the beat, uplifts me.  Have you ever experienced a bad day, put on some music and it was just what you needed?  Well, that is the case here, though I wasn't having a bad day.

I was provided He Is We cd to review and I thought immediately, "road trip"!  I love listening to music in the car, especially music that my girls also can listen to.  This music was cheery, uplifting, rhythmitic, wiggle in your pants, tap your foot, kinda music.  I really enjoyed it, and so did my girls!  It is now a favorite in our car.  Songs like, Forever and Ever, Everything You Do and Blame it On the Rain, are a few of my favorites.

About He Is We:
Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly both worked at Ted Brown Music together in Tacoma, Washington. Aside from the Tacoma aroma (local joke!), there was something else in the air. Trevor thinks it was destiny… Rachel still thinks it was the aroma.


After countless days of passing each other at work, they eventually started to jam together in the back room. While Rachel influenced her past years growing up and Trevor continued to listen to hardcore music, something interesting, creative and original came out. This was the start of He Is We; the idea that someone who you pass by everyday can influence the rest of your life… and you would never know. It’s the thought and power one person can have over their surroundings.

You are listening to Rachel’s words and Trevor’s music. He Is We wants to go on a date with you; the signs are just too obvious.

It's a Contest:
He Is We is giving away merch and goodies and treats! Head to http://sneakattackmedia.com/contests/heiswe/ and tell them all about YOUR “Happily Ever After.” How did you fall in love? What was the best day of your life? How did you discover He Is We? How has their music helped you? They want to hear what you have to say and cannot wait to read ‘em all!

Disclosure:
I received a copy of the cd to help abide in my review.  All opinions are mine, 100%, and completely honest.  I listed to the music and loved it!  You definitely should check He Is We out - they are an amazing group.

...FEATURING Norah Jones {Music Review}

Norah Jones' new album …Featuring is in stores today! The album is a star-studded collection of the multi-platinum selling, multi-Grammy Award winning singer’s musical collaborations from the past decade.

The 18 songs on the album include cool cameos, collaborations and duets with such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and with 21st Century icons from OutKast to the Foo Fighters. The album spans Norah’s entire career and reveal her astonishing musical versatility, from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock.

Check out the video for the Making of ...Featuring here.

For the latest news, tour dates and more, check out Norah's website, Facebook and You Tube Channel.
_________________________________________________________________________

...Featuring Track Listing:
1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

My review:
When Norah Jones hit song came out a few years ago, I instantly loved it - the song drew me in.  So, when I was offered the opportunity to review her new cd "Featuring" it seemed pretty much a proven fact that I would like it.  Boy, was I wrong - I LOVED IT!  Not only do I love it, but both of my daugthers love it to.  At 4 and 8, they definitely know what kind of music is good and which is bad.  This cd was definitely a hit!  Norah Jones has a voice of beauty.  Her voice is unlike any out there - different in a very good way.  I can't even begin to describe it, just that each song is different.  The sounds that come from her voice are legendary.  I wish I could sing as good as her.  The venue of music is from jazz, to hip hop to country, to blues - it puts you in so many different moods, all good and positve.  From one song, while listening you almost feel like sitting back, lighting some candles and sipping on a glass of wine, to wanting to watch Christmas movies (Baby It's Cold Outside), to getting up and dancing to relaxing in a bubble bath.  The songs are awesome and geared toward not one specific age group.  This cd will be a GREAT holiday present to any and all.

Disclosure:  I received this cd through my membership with One2One Network.  No monetary was given.

Max and Ruby: Bunny Party {Music CD Review}

Who does not love Max & Ruby?    Ya know, Max & Ruby.....Ruby & Max....  Sitting here on the computer right now with no tv on, I am humming the theme song to the tv show Max & Ruby - it is quite catchy.  That is the same as the cd too.

Max & Ruby originated as an enchanting book series by Rosemary Wells, and has sold over 3 million books and 1.7 million DVDs world wide. Quickly becoming a classic favorite for families worldwide, Max and his older sister Ruby never want quite the same thing and their plans always collide - with hilarious results.

Max & Ruby's debut album features songs from Koba Entertainment's latest touring theatrical production Max & Ruby: Bunny Party.  Created by Patti Caplette, the live show follows Max & Ruby as they prepare for the Bunny Party of the year!  Together the beloved siblings embark on a musical bus ride to find teh greatest present in the world before coming home to undergo an unpredictable make-over just for this happy occasion.

The original music and lyrics are composed by 2010 Juno Award winner Norman Foote whoe clever lyrics and great melodies please audiences of all ages.  Parents and children will find themselves singing, dancing and clapping their hands to the music as Max & Ruby take them on a musical journey of make-believe.  The CD is sure to connect with the listeners and enchant the young and young at heart.

My 8 year old grew up watching Max & Ruby and now my 4 year old does.  It is a great tv show, you can only imagine how awesome this cd is.  Listening to this musical cd, makes you think that you are part of the theatrical production.  My girls loved it, especially Emma.  At 4 years old, she has her cd player in her room, and now with this added Max & Ruby" Bunny Party cd added to her collection, she will go into her room, put on her new cd, and sing and dance.

I love taking my children to plays and even though we missed Max & Ruby: Bunny Party when it came to our town, listening to this cd now, it makes me feel like we didn't miss it after all.

This cd is a great addition to your childs music collection - they will love it!  This cd is recommended for ages 2-5, perfect for my little Emma!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the above cd from The Children's Group to help abide in a fair and honest review.  By receiving this product, in no way did it effect or change my opinion.  We listened, we sang, we danced - we loved it!