Bridging the Gap Between Mind & Paper
Ken Flagg and Chris Ayer, two currently obscure musician/singer/songwriters are on the move…and they deserve to be heard. Covering both coasts, these two gentlemen should not stay obscure for long. Give them a listen and see for yourself…
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/ken-flagg-end-of-suffering.html
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/chris-ayer-dont-go-back-to-sleep.html
Blues Traveler has been making music for the better part of two decades. They’ve gone through a lot over the years, but they still put their heart and soul into every album and every show. In talking to Brendan, I got the feeling that this band truly appreciates their fans. It is the fans that keeps them going.
http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-brendan-hill-blues.html
Another personal story on this one. I’ve been very lucky with these two interviews (this one and Matt from Vertical Horizon). I have personal history with both. In this case, my wife and I have been big fans of this band vor a very long time. Steph remembers seeing them as they played frat houses in Ohio. I remember Kevin Grennan walking into the cafeteria at Suffolk County Community College listening to Travelers and Thieves.
We danced to the song “Yours” from the Straight on ’til Morning CD at our wedding and my four year old son has to listen to “Dog Train” off of a kids’ CD almost every day.
It was truly a pleasure to speak to Brendan and I wish him and the band the best of luck as they continue to make music.
Here’s the latest and greatest. Mrnorth is definitely worth checking out. Originally from Dublin, you can hear the influences of U2 and The Cure. You’ll also want to check out the new live CD from the same band.
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/mrnorth-fear-desire.html
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon. After a six year break, they released the new album, “Burning the Days.” Both the review and inter view can be seen here:
http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/vertical-horizon-interview-with-matt.html
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/vertical-horizon-burning-days.html
Let me give you some history here. Way back in December ‘96, my girlfriend (now wife) and I went to see a show at Wetlands (may she rest in peace) in New York. A band from Massachusetts, called Percy Hill, was the headliner that night. We met my future brother-in-law there. He went to school in the northeast and said we had to see this band. He was right. Percy Hill put on a great show. The interesting part here is the opening act.
Out comes two guys with acoustic guitars, and from the very first note, they blew me away. That night I bought the two albums they had released themselves. I followed them as they went from a duo to a full quartet, and as the acoustic guitars turned into electric ones. Vertical Horizon has had an interesting life, and I am proud to now be a part of it, no matter how small.
Here are a few album reviews…
500 Days of Summer…an independent hit this Summer. An even better soundtrack.
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/500-days-of-summer-soundtrack.html
Gray Young…a trio out of Raleigh worth checking out, especially for Coldplay or Radiohead fans:
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/gray-young-firmament.html
The Color Morale…This is not your mother’s Christian rock band:
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-morale-we-all-have-demons.html
Ponytail…out of Baltimore, MD. Name of the album is “Ice Cream Spiritual.”
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/ponytail-ice-cream-spiritual.html
Here are links to two different articles recently published:
http://moneysmartlife.com/index-fund-investing-overview/
The easiest, least “hands-on” portfolio is built around index funds or ETFs. This article discusses the idea and even offers a sample portfolio.
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/portugal-man-satanic-satanist.html
Portugal. The Man is a band most people have never heard of, but that will most likely change.
Don’t let the name of the magazine scare you. I’ll let you go find it. :-)
If it were not for this opportunity, I would have never heard of this band, Movers & Shakers. I was impressed. Take a look at the review:
http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/movers-shakers-larrabee.html
