On Repeat: Rachael Yamagata- WOW!

If there was anything that could cheer me up last week it was seeing the great shows that I saw. Rachael Yamagata was out of this world. She is witty, beautiful, and has a perfect, crystal clear, intoxicatingly stunning voice. Even though her songs are emotional, sad, and mostly about heartbreak and getting back on her feet, she has the crowd wrapped around her fingers and entranced. The audience was cracking up when one of her band members stated "Lay off the sauce!"

There's nothing like dancing at a Ghostland Observatory show on a Friday night with friends. The show was at Terminal 5, a venue that needed a little more warmth and inclusiveness for the audience, but they still put on an awesome show and the light show was incredible, as always. It's a wonder to me how only two people can make so much noise and lovely music (such as the Black Keys), and more so have the amount of energy you see on stage. Aaron Behrens takes the cake on that aspect of the performance...I've never seen a male human dance quite like it. He is damn good. Damn good.

On Repeat: Rachael, Brett and More

This past weekend was filled with great music and great friends--to me a perfect combination. The Obama fundraiser introduced me to some music that I rarely see live; a line-up of Funk / Afro-beat including Budos Band and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Their energy is rocking, inclusive of the congo drums, trumpets, saxophones and more. Sharon Jones is fierce and incredibly soulful. Charles Bradley, who made a grand entrance during the Budos set as their lead singer for only two songs, is like James Brown reincarnated. He made a great statement on stage in light of the Obama event:
"We are a world full of different colored roses. These roses need sunlight and love. We are killing our planet and need a change, and need to give love to the roses!"

Friday night was dedicated to the CMJ festival line-up at Mercury Lounge. Most notable was Mother, Mother, a Canadian band with great harmonies, Ambulance LTD, and Delta Spirit. Delta Spirit is a rock band that I stumbled upon at SXSW and was the highlight of the show. They are similar to the Black Keys, with rich piano beats and a lead singer with a raw, sexy voice.

There are two great albums out that I also wanted to mention. I am so excited that Rachael Yamagata just released Elephants...Teeth Singing into Heart, her second album since her EP Happenstance, which is one of my favorite albums. Yamagata's voice is hauntingly beautiful, and the video below captures her vibe perfectly:


Brett Dennen recently released Hope for the Hopeless, an album just as sweet and catchy as his past works. His video below is for his single "Make You Crazy" featuring Mandy Moore. At first I thought it was a bit cheesy, but it's growing on me! His unique sound is light and something to enjoy on the surface.