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Preston Reed
“Running”

“Reed has been releasing technically impressive acoustic guitar records for close to twenty years. His multifaceted style fuses elements of folk, jazz, blues and new age. His six-string work centers around a nimble fingerpicking approach, colored with occasional slide and harmonics playing.”
– Will York

Michael Hedges
“Layover”

There isn’t a weak track on this album. Michael hedges was a musical genius. His life was cut short in a car accident. It’s tragic – he was on his way to being a prolific and amazing musician. No one had heard anything like his music at the time.

Erik Mongrain
“Airtap”

Erik Mongrain plays a style of guitar called “lap tapping”. It’s unbelievable. You must see it to believe it. (Problems seeing video?)

You must purchase this CD. Erik’s talent is amazing. I’ve decided next week will be devoted to fingerstyle solo acoustic guitar. I hope you enjoy.

Visit Erik’s website

Greg Laswell
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun”

I’ve listened to this song a few times since Easter. I’ve been wanting to play it, but needed a good time to do so. This ends girl power week, and better way than to post a song about girls having fun? :)

I might have to continue this trend and post songs about girls. We’ll see. I have a day to mull it over.

Indigo Girls
“Love Will Come to You”

I heard this song for the first time in 2000. I have loved it since. These two girls are amazing musicians. You should listen to more of their work. These girls are all about girl power.

Lisa Loeb
“Life is just a bowl of Cherries”

This song was written in 1931. I used to be in like with Lisa Loeb when I was in high school (10 years ago). I still think she’s awesome. I wish she would come out with more music.

By the way, Lisa was also a part of Lilith Fair. Go go gadget girlpower.

Sarah McLachlan
“Last Dance”

Sarah started Lilith Fair – a fact that I had forgotten. At each Lilith Fair venue, one dollar for each ticket sold was given to a women’s charity in that community.

If you listen closely, you’ll hear a high-pitched “bendy” instrument. It’s a saw. A soccer game I attended last year included a performance by an artist who played the National Anthem on a saw. Here is a picture I took of that performance.

Music
“Uninvited”

Alanis raised a firestorm of protest when she released her CD “Jagged Little Pill”. I remember Wal-Mart banning the CD. They wouldn’t sell it. Apparently some of the words in the track “You outta know” were just too much to stomach for Wal-Mart.

Regardless, Alanis apologized for nothing. She stood by her words and her music. For that I give her a thumbs up, and put her in this week’s music.

Pat Benatar
“We Belong”

Pat Benatar showed men how to do it in the 80’s. She rocked out. She had some serious girl power. No “girl power” week would be complete without one of her songs.

Annie Lennox
“A Whiter Shade of Pale”

As you know, I usually reserve sundays for Classical music. Since this week is ‘cover songs’ week, I figured I’d feature a song whose roots are from a Bach piece — Annie Lennox’s cover of “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, originally written by Procol Harum. You will notice the resemblance to Bach’s “Sleepers awake” and “Air on a G String”. Hundreds of artists have covered this song, but I picked this one.

Annie lennox is a synth-pop godess and diva with an androgynous fashion sense. Her version of this song also affords me a nice segue into next week’s genre i’m calling “Girl power” week. Next week will feature women artists only.

I remember being scared of her when I was younger. I saw her videos on TV and something about her demeanor scared me. She still scares me a bit, but I have learned to respect her. She’s confidant, artistic, and certainly a diva.