Jaded Reviews
A jaded view of music, movies and whatever else I desire.
She Swings, She Sways
Jul 19th
She Swings, She Sways @ Balloons Over the Mississippi
***WARNING*** Click the following link at your own risk. It contains auto-play muzack. I hate that! Don’t say I didn’t warn you…..
She Swings, She Sways was the house band on hand at the 7th Annual Balloons Over the Mississippi celebration on July 18th. They touted themselves as Americana/Pop/Folk and I believe that to be the perfect description of their sound.
An odd compilation of characters, this band included a stand up Bass player, an accordion, a trumpet and a mandolin. At any given point you weren’t sure exactly what you were going to get. The three front men wore flannel shirts and jeans while the drummer and the rhythm guitar player wore t-shirts and baseball caps. The one female of the group played keyboard and the trumpet was dressed up, albeit tastelessly. The awkward way that she used a huge sparkly purple scarf to cover up the front her “over the top” of a bolero style black jacket was distracting. A beautiful girl, with a fantastic voice, really needs a personal stylist. Or, follow in the footsteps of the front men. Don a cute flannel top, a pair of jeans and high heels.
Their music was quite melancholy. I didn’t realize that Americana/Pop/Folk had to be so depressing.
If they had removed a few members of the band, I could see them fitting in quite nicely performing at some high end yuppie-style coffee shop between poetry readings in Chicago. It wasn’t until they began doing covers, such as 4 Non Blonds “What’s Up” that they began to grab my attention. Their original music (of which you can purchase at their website) did not whet my pallet on any level. Their commentary between songs was supposed to be humorous and down to earth I believe, however, once again they missed their mark. It was borderline idiotic rambling that got annoying pretty quickly. Their inside jokes that anyone not living in their “band house” wouldn’t get isn’t something that a general audience is going to bite and run with and really should be saved for nights of beer drinking around their table together.
However, the did have swag and plenty of it. From cd’s to t-shirts to buttons. They even had a sheet to sign up for their mailing list.
They are trying. Maybe we’ll see them around sometime. I would be interested to see if they grow or if this band is stagnant in their sway.
It’s About Time Bud Buckley!
Feb 2nd
You could totally say that again!
It’s about time I pulled my head out of my ass, got my shit together, and let y’all in on a little something I’ve been keeping to myself, too!
It’s About Time is my dear friend Bud Buckley’s latest cd release. His first cd, Feel My Love was a super huge hit around my house and I’ve been waiting anxiously for this next cd. One of the things that makes this newest cd super special is the fact that Bud got Deni Bonet to perform the violin arrangements! I know, amazing hu? I met Deni and Bud about the same time several years ago just roaming around in the blogsphere. I was new to the whole thing, and these two were so warm and welcoming. I had interviewed Bud around the time of the release of his first cd for an ezine I was writing for. Deni’s blog became a daily read for me as her humor and her warmth are addictive. She inspired my BTP to keep playing vionlin for a spell (she’s since given it up *sigh*).
I’ve been redecorating my bathroom all weekend and in such situations, one needs tunes – great tunes- loaded up on the iPod to keep them going. I’ve loaded It’s About Time up on my iPod along next to Colbie Caillet, Feist, Carrie Underwood, Good Charlotte, Kid Rock, etc. Yes, I like an eclectic mix of tunes. I didn’t even mention Kanye and Timberlake, but I was trying to get on with my story. Anyhow, I’ve listened to the album enough thus far that when one of Bud’s songs come on, just hearing the first few bars makes me feel at home. Cozy, comfy and familiar. His voice soothes my soul and his songs are addictive.
“Keeping Secrets” is my newest favorite. The guitar in this song brings goose pimples to my skin when I hear it beginning to play through my ear buds. After the third or so time, I had all of the lyrics memorized and now I sing it out-loud, totally not doing Bud any justice mind you as I’ll never be an American Idol – get it? Yeah, so anyhow. I’m totally convinced that “Keeping Secrets” is a song that they would play on a local station that we listen to quite frequently around here, KYOT. I can totally see us driving in the family mobile on our way out to dinner or to visit the in-laws, hearing the announcers deep voice say ‘KYOT’ and the next thing you hear is “Keeping Secrets” oozing through the speakers, taking you away with his incredible sound.
“Elevator” oooh, elevator. This song gets in your head – and stays. At least it’s not lame like the Macarana, making you want to kill yourself after having it stuck in your head for four days straight. “Elevator” has become a handy tool to irritate my children, however. Completely catchy, totally unforgettable and one that will grab ahold and not let go. Until you hear “Keeping Secrets”, then, when “Elevator” comes back around on the iPod shuffle all bets are off.
This whole album is fantastic. It’s edgier than his last, braver. Omg, when I first heard “Meltdown” I nearly choked on my soda. Hearing Bud be aggressive like that is almost a turn on! He comes across as such a mellow, go-with-the-flow kind of guy most of the time. I loved it. I love the edge, the power, the confidence that comes through in this album. You can feel every single song. I can relate to each lyric in my own way. As you will once you listen to his new album too! That’s just the way Bud rolls. He’s an amazing musician, a wonderful person and snuggles right in perfectly between ‘Sexy Back’ and ‘Bubbly’ on the good ol’ iPod!
Get your copy of “It’s About Time“.
You want your iPod to be in-the-know too, dontcha? :smirk:
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