The old adage is that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and in places on her new album, Blown Away, Carrie Underwood shares the same vocal abilities and qualities of such artists as Adele, Pat Benatar and fellow country artists LeeAnn Rimes, Taylor Swift and LeeAnn Womack. Believe me, it works, especially on this album as the overall sound of this record is somewhat all over the map. After my initial listening, I was a bit dismayed, however, after re-evaluating and listening a few more times, I came to discover that statement is not a criticism; experimenting and pushing yourself to move past boundaries is required of any artist else stagnation becomes commonplace. Blown Away is part country; part pop, part reggae and part rock all rolled into one.
As I have always said, good music is good music no matter what format or where it is written and Blown Away is good music. Will country fans be "upset" with her for "abandoning" her country roots? Will they want to recall their Idol votes? Probably. Yes, I did catch myself thinking the same thing. Fortunately, I came to my senses after a few more listens and realized that this is a record that she needed to make as an artist evolving in her craft. My crow-eating advice to you, the listener; leave the close-minded to their own devices as they matter not in the grand scheme of life. Stagnant and routine are anathema to artists and Carrie Underwood is no exception to that statement, especially with her release of Blown Away.
From top to bottom I found a much deeper, dark and more diverse set of subject matter for Miss Underwood on this record. A sure sign that the country girl from Oklahoma has depth, raw, limitless emotion and a lot to say about matters not only of the heart but of different facets that encroach and dissolve our routine daily lives into chaos, mayhem and fear. Congratulations to Miss Underwood for branching out and making the listener think as well as emote with her on this calliope of musical stylings.
First and foremost, girl can sing! Period! Those of you who doubt her vocal abilities…which is the sole reason why she won Idol…need to just sit back and listen to the opening track, Good Girl, to erase all doubts of that ability. A very strong opening number vocally, musically, and one that gives us a glimpse as to what we are going to hear on the remaining thirteen tracks of the album. Close you r eyes and you can her Pat Benatar nailing this type of song. Miss Underwood tackles the horrific emotion of an abusive parent/spouse on Blown Away. Anger and revenge pour out of her voice like a raging stream after the spring thaw. Forever Changed brings us a story about the devastation brought on by Alzheimer's. Is this a personal track to Miss Underwood? I dunno, but I do know that singing about it as she does in this haunting piece of music is as deeply honest, true and genuine as you will hear on any record. Thank God for Hometowns reminds us that you can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl! Carrie can tell a story with the best singers/songwriters music has to offer and she does it with aplomb on this ode to the hometown that lives and breathes inside each of us. Wine After Whiskey is as rich, original and traditional country in its theme as it can get; Miss Womack could have cut this single, however, Miss Underwood does a masterful job of bringing us back to the traditions of the female country music legends that graced the radios and stages in our parent's time.
Carrie Underwood is evolving as an artist and as a human being. Superstar fame, marriage, and now life's daily struggles are bringing her to a deeper, more meaningful place with regards to her singing and songwriting skills. This is the place where all artists aspire and the good ones take us with them on their journey and we all grow together. With Carrie Underwood's fifth release, Blown Away, the ride has grabbed us, strapped us into our seat belts and sped on down the emotional highway of music and sound.
The saying goes that all things get better with age. In the case of one Willie Hugh Nelson, better is a complete understatement. He is as country as country can get and with his latest release, Heroes, Mr. Nelson does not disappoint in the least. The writing is crisp, his stories relevant and he still conjures vivid imagery in his simple yet effective words. Shakespeare (whom I truly dislike) said that "brevity is the soul of wit." Mr. Nelson is the epitome of brevity, soul and wit and that ability is no more clear than on this record. Oh, by the way, he will turn 80 years young next year. I can only hope to be able to stand up at that age let alone compose great music, play guitar as he does and get on a bus and tour the country on a nightly basis. Whatever he is smoking, we all need more of that!
I cannot, in good conscience, write about this record without some facts about Mr. Nelson and his life in the crazy world of country music; astounding facts some of them. He recorded his first album, And Then I Wrote, in 1962. Since then he has amassed a library of over sixty studio albums, ten live albums, thirty-seven compilations, soundtracks to movies The Electric Horseman and Honeysuckle Rose and then throw in over twenty-five compilations too boot. All totaled, Mr. Nelson has sold more than 40 million albums in the US alone. The man has done it all and seen it all in country music…and other endeavors. If there is an objective definition of "American Icon" it must include the name Willie Nelson!
This latest release, Heroes, is quite simply a record of music. Fine music! If there is a theme it is of a man looking back at his well-lived life and taking the time to say what he should have said all along to the people that truly mattered…and also to those that did not matter. We all grow and learn. It is truly NEVER too late for ANYTHING! Take charge and do it today. One gets an overwhelming sense of the joy, happiness, and camaraderie Mr. Nelson feels when creating music. It begins from the opening guitar strum of A Horse Called Music, a duet with another "American Icon," Merle Haggard. You will hear fellow outlaw Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, the incomparable Ray Price, Billy Jo Shaver and Snoop Dogg accompany Mr. Nelson on several of the tracks. Roll Me Up is most certainly an ode to his long-standing belief that marijuana should be legalized. Mr. Nelson gives us a glimpse of his hopeless romantic side with the simple melody called That's All There is to this Song. The most memorable moments are left for Mr. Nelson and his son Lukas who joins him on nine of the albums fourteen tracks. Let me just say that the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree. Just Breathe is as beautifully composed a song as you will ever hear in your lifetime.
The melodies seem simple but are refreshing in an over-analyzed world of music today. The art of the waltz has generally been ignored in country music over the past several years. Mr. Nelson makes the ¾ time signature seem like a long, lost friend on this record. The sounds are an eclectic mix; country, blues, zydeco and pure Texas Swing are well represented with this album. Mr. Nelson has a great knack of bringing that harmonica from absolutely nowhere and his use of the steel guitar is Texas Music 101! One can hear the influence his use of that instrument has had on many of the great country artists of today. Make no mistake, his own guitar playing is as strong and poetic as it ever has been and exactly what you come to expect from Mr. Nelson and his stringed partner in crime, Trigger.
At a time in life when most country music artists are hanging up their spurs and riding off into the sunset; their legacy in place and the history books written, Mr. Nelson, ever the non-conformist (God love him for that!), defies conventional wisdom, age and expectations with an album that is a continuation of his cowboy life in music. I find that quite appropriate for a man whose heroes have always been cowboys.
Ultimate Makeover
5.15.12
How do you get to be a part of an Ultimate Makeover? Make yourself look like a mountain man…it has been 17,193,600 seconds or 286,560 minutes or 4776 hours or 28 weeks or 199 days since I last cut my hair or mustache...(trimmed my beard twice) tomorrow it all comes off or most of it will. I am not gonna lie, I have become partial to the longer hair, but I don't think the lilies of the valley like it. Ladies? So, tomorrow I am off to Salon Oasis and Day Spa to lose six months of growth…
The weight is continuing to fall off. Right now I am down 20 lbs from the beginning of this. Thanks to Bobby at Total Body Fitness for the diet plan and the fellas at Complete Nutrition. If you read the first blog you would know that I have had a minor speed bump in this makeover because I have had surgery on my left hand and I still have a pin in my thumb. So basically, following the supplement schedule and meal plan have been the biggest factor so far. 20 lbs and over 10 ½ inches off my by body…this is the best I have felt and the best the "beast" of a belly has looked in over 5 years.
On Wednesday May 23rd I will have the cast and pin removed from my hand and then it is back to the butt kicking Title Boxing Club for the Power Hour! You can burn up to 1000 calories an hour. I have had a few friends join since I have started talking about it, and they love it. I know when I get back to boxing and the power hour I know it will take a bit to get up to speed but the staff there is awesome and will help you in the right way.
Many of you wanted the recipe for my strawberry margarita cupcakes so here goes!
Cupcakes:
1 box of white cake mix
1 cup bottled strawberry margarita mix
1/3 cup veggie oil
1/4 cup tequila
3 egg whites (or whole)
Frosting:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 box (1 lb) powered sugar (4 cups)
2 to 3 tablesppons bottled strawberry margarita mix
Garnish with lime wedges if you wish
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Beat all cupcake ingredients together for about 30 seconds or so
pour into cupcake cups
bake 18-23 minutes and then let cool 10 minutes
For the frosting , beat shortening and butter together, gradually adding powdered sugar. Add 1 -2 tablespoons of the margarita mix and continue mixing until fluffy. Then pipe the frosting onto the cupcake and enjoy!
As y'all have heard I, Just have started the "Complete Makeover". First, let me give you a little background on how this all came about….
In November I am sitting around with my roommate and we were talking about how we should set a date and extend the "no shave or cutting of the hair" part of November. So, we decided on doing the first day of spring, March 20th. So needless to say the last day I shaved my face or cut my hair October 30th.
After letting the hair and beard grow, curl, cover me ears, reach my shoulders, and cover my mouth the girls at work continued to ask when I was gonna shave or cut my hair. I told them the story about no shave, blah, blah, blah, and on the first day of spring I could shave and trim. Plus, in the past 10 years I have swelled and needless to say I have a spare tire around my waist, a 44 extra wide…and a few chins I could spare. The girls here at the office asked if they could give me a makeover and that was the beginning of the "Ultimate Makeover" featuring Salon Oasis & Day Spa, Complete Nutrition (in conjunction with the nutritionist Bobby Smith at Total Body Fitness), and Title Boxing Club.
So the idea had been born and the "Complete Makeover" was underway.
First I met with the guys at Complete Nutrition and we came up with a supplement program that was specific for me. I have to admit I am not big on taking pills, but they have made it easy for me. Everything is easy to follow and the pills aren't bad at all. When I started taking the supplements I noticed a change right away. I no longer drink caffeine, where I used to have about 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning, and now I have more energy that I can remember. I am not falling asleep at my desk anymore and the energy I have lasts longer. AND, I am not jittery like I drank a bunch of energy drinks…BONUS! The supplements are working great and I like the energy I have found.
Second, hair and beard…Abigail and I went and met with the team at Salon Oasis and discussed what in the world are we gonna do with me. Well, needless to say I look like Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams) if you haven't seen me so, now you have the image. Now the date is set, 5/16, for when I go get my hair cut, and beard trimmed off? That is where you, the listener, come in. Go to 1065thewolf.com and vote on what you think I should look like.
Third, Title Boxing Club…holy cow do they bust you butt…The power hour puts me to shame. But they let you work at your own pace and don't get in your face. There are some people there that can do everything that is going on; there are those like myself that it takes a few times to even get close to all that is happening. 1000 is what you can burn in a SINGLE hour with these classes. And even if you don't do a class they have weights there and you can get a personal trainer when you are there.
The biggest problem… I have had a preexisting injury, thumb, prior to starting this makeover. Now you may be wondering how much pain can one be in because of a thumb, A LOT. It is called Game Keeper's Thumb, look it up. It has slowed me down a bit because I had surgery on April 17th to reconstruct the join and I still have a pin in my hand until May 24th. BUT, just following the supplement plan via Complete Nutrition and the diet from Bobby Smith at Total Body fitness I have lost a total of 10 ½ inches off my body, 5lbs, and 2% body fat in the past month. I feel better, even though I have a giant red cast on and a pin in my hand, I have more energy, and I am about to have my hair and beard taken off in a couple weeks.
Just because I had surgery, I haven't slowed down. I am ready to turn heads in the right direction and everyone I have mentioned is a major contributor. This is just the beginning of a life change for me. I'm 31, overweight, underdressed, force to be reckoned with. This is the beginning of my blogs, check back next week for more news about the changes, pics, and more!
Something is happening in Nashville and with song writers today. They are writing with a depth, introspection and brutal honesty that I have not heard in the past; mayhaps I was just not listening as closely before but I am now and I cannot get enough of the emotion with which they bring with their songs/stories, i.e. their lives to the table of country music for all of us to re-live, re-learn in our own time and about our own selves. For these songs are not singular in nature but provide us with a connective plurality that brings us all together via the vehicle of music. The artists on stage delivering the vocals are one thing but the writing has become of such quality that it is a shame there are not more awards for songwriters. It is truly an art form and as a lover of words, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate their artistry.
The new record by Lee Brice, Hard 2 Love, is no exception to this re-discovered discovery. Powerful, emotional, honest and playful all wrapped up in a mere forty-nine minutes and change. Mr. Brice definitely belongs in the aforementioned class of song writers and Hard 2 Love is certainly proof positive of his ability to craft songs with the best Nashville has to offer. Mr. Brice co-wrote eight of the thirteen tracks on the album (along with names like Jerrod Niemann and Eric Church…just to drop a couple of names) and all are filled with pictures painted with simple yet effective words conveying all the elements that comprise the totality of the human condition; pain, sorrow, melancholy, happiness, and complete relevancy in our everyday lives.
His endearing vocals…edgy yet with a solid, quality, colorful timbre…provide honesty, charm and free-spirit to the lyrics and provide us with insight to a man who has traveled far on his journey thus far, experienced plenty and is not afraid to look back and let us know just where he has taken some mis-steps. This is a very introspective and personal body of work. Within its melodies and harmonies, it contains an honesty that is not usually treaded upon by most artists. The love of country music and its fans is that honesty; and the more honest it is, the better we enjoy and appreciate the art.
Hard to Love the opening and title track sets up the entire record with a very introspective and very personal look at a man admitting his flaws to the one woman he has found is the true love of his life. Don't Believe Everything You Think is for those of us who let our minds wander and create problems or issues where no problems or issues exist. He nails this idea perfectly and one we can all relate to…especially with matters of the heart. I Drive Your Truck is a haunting, emotional story about missing a loved one who was taken too soon; Add the fact that this one died serving is and it is even more poignant. Seven Days a Thousand Times is reminiscent of ZBB's Colder Weather in its ability to paint the picture on a level that has never before been seen or felt by a piece of music. This should be the soundtrack for the next big romance movie….hell, it's a movie in its own right. I can't wait for this video! As a matter of fact, I have such a strong vision for this song that I hope and pray Lee and his team will call me to direct! This is a powerful piece of music…life…not to be missed! Finally, That Way Again requires that all men pay close attention lest you will end up like the man in this song. We have got to do a better job of treating the women we love like we really do love them. Period.
Lee Brice and his sophomore effort Hard 2 Love is a body of work that delves deep into the heart of a man who has made mistakes but is ready, willing and able to look back, let them go and do better in the future. We should all aspire to that level of honesty and perseverance in our own lives. Fortunately, we have singer/songwriters like Lee Brice to remind us of the beauty of that endeavor.
As I listened to the debut album…Up All Night…from Kip Moore, one word or phrase kept coming to mind; storyteller. The basis for country music is the story "played out in one long song." The music tells us a story and takes us on a journey; happy, melancholy, thought-provoking or any of a number of different types of emotional connections. Like all country artists and lyricists before him, Kip Moore does this effortlessly, with lyrics and expression that is passionately honest in all of its splendor. Each track is a bit longer than the usual 3:12 minute country song, but not overly lengthy; it allows us insight to his foundation as a writer and as the subject in the lyrics. This is a very poignant, deeply personal and special record. It has a lot to say and does so in a casual, effortless manner. Kip Moore is a gifted songwriter and I cannot wait to hear more of his stories in the years to come. The depth is what I really dig about country music and its lyrics. Not that I do not like the non-serious stuff but when the honesty takes you on the ride and touches you at your very soul then you have really created something special. Kip Moore has done that with his debut album, Up All Night.
Drive Me Crazy opens the record and gives us a very strong look at his storytelling influences; Springsteen, Kristofferson and Petty all come to mind as you listen to this track. Crazy One More Time, while the sound is country…the steel guitar is a lost art form, is a signature country sound and one missed by a lot of artists today…as mentioned above, this track is reminiscent of the raw, honest and spiritual grittiness of a Springsteen song. Hey Pretty Girl, more Springsteen here too. Think I'm on Fire…it's a hand holder with the woman of your dreams who you cannot live without, want to provide for, keep safe; and grow old with together. Up All Night, the title track to the album could have been cut by Keith Urban! It is very well crafted in its structure and visualization.
You hear Bryan Adams-esque guitar work and with an Eric Church/Brantley Gilbert vocal quality, Up All Night has soul with just enough of a rough edge to give it grit and authenticity. Mr. Moore has great ability to color the story and paint great pictures with not only the lyrics but also with the innate ability to use his voice effectively; much like a very good voiceover actor does to make commercials and movie scripts jump off the page and spring to life on the big screen or through the airwaves via many different audio mediums available today.
Producer Brett James has done a masterful job in the production quality. The entirety of this record is solid with a good balance between vocals and instrumentation…the two must blend well in order for the story to really come alive to the listener.
Up All Night is effective in introducing the country music fan to the human being that is Kip Moore. He brings to Nashville a sense of depth in his words, thoughts and emotions and a vocal ability that blends a soulful edginess with a mainstream country sound. Welcome to country music, Mr. Moore! Come on in, kick your shoes off, grab yourself a cold one and sit a spell. We'd like to get to know you better!
Wolf Music
The old adage is that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and in places on her new album, Blown Away, Carrie Underwood shares the same vocal abilities and qualities of such artists as Adele, Pat Benatar and fellow country artists LeeAnn Rimes, Taylor Swift and LeeAnn Womack. Believe me, it works, especially on this album as the overall sound of this record is somewhat all over the map. After my initial listening, I was a bit dismayed, however, after re-evaluating and listening a few more times, I came to discover that statement is not a criticism; experimenting and pushing yourself to move past boundaries is required of any artist else stagnation becomes commonplace. Blown Away is part country; part pop, part reggae and part rock all rolled into one.
The saying goes that all things get better with age. In the case of one Willie Hugh Nelson, better is a complete understatement. He is as country as country can get and with his latest release, Heroes, Mr. Nelson does not disappoint in the least. The writing is crisp, his stories relevant and he still conjures vivid imagery in his simple yet effective words. Shakespeare (whom I truly dislike) said that "brevity is the soul of wit." Mr. Nelson is the epitome of brevity, soul and wit and that ability is no more clear than on this record. Oh, by the way, he will turn 80 years young next year. I can only hope to be able to stand up at that age let alone compose great music, play guitar as he does and get on a bus and tour the country on a nightly basis. Whatever he is smoking, we all need more of that!
Something is happening in Nashville and with song writers today. They are writing with a depth, introspection and brutal honesty that I have not heard in the past; mayhaps I was just not listening as closely before but I am now and I cannot get enough of the emotion with which they bring with their songs/stories, i.e. their lives to the table of country music for all of us to re-live, re-learn in our own time and about our own selves. For these songs are not singular in nature but provide us with a connective plurality that brings us all together via the vehicle of music. The artists on stage delivering the vocals are one thing but the writing has become of such quality that it is a shame there are not more awards for songwriters. It is truly an art form and as a lover of words, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate their artistry.
As I listened to the debut album…Up All Night…from Kip Moore, one word or phrase kept coming to mind; storyteller. The basis for country music is the story "played out in one long song." The music tells us a story and takes us on a journey; happy, melancholy, thought-provoking or any of a number of different types of emotional connections. Like all country artists and lyricists before him, Kip Moore does this effortlessly, with lyrics and expression that is passionately honest in all of its splendor. Each track is a bit longer than the usual 3:12 minute country song, but not overly lengthy; it allows us insight to his foundation as a writer and as the subject in the lyrics. This is a very poignant, deeply personal and special record. It has a lot to say and does so in a casual, effortless manner. Kip Moore is a gifted songwriter and I cannot wait to hear more of his stories in the years to come. The depth is what I really dig about country music and its lyrics. Not that I do not like the non-serious stuff but when the honesty takes you on the ride and touches you at your very soul then you have really created something special. Kip Moore has done that with his debut album, Up All Night.
