The Black Keys:
Brothers
Brothers
Allmusic.com Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Retreating from the hazy Danger Mouse-fueled pot dream of Attack & Release, the Black Keys headed down
to the legendary Muscle Shoals, recording their third album on their own and dubbing it Brothers. The
studio, not to mention the artwork patterned after such disregarded Chess psychedelic-era relics as
This Is Howlin’ Wolf’s New Album, are good indications that the tough blues band of the Black Keys
earliest records is back, but the group hasn’t forgotten what they’ve learned in their inwardly
psychedelic mid-period. Brothers still can get mighty trippy — the swirling chintzy organ that circles
“The Only One,” the Baroque harpsichord flair of “Too Afraid to Love You” — but the album is built
with blood and dirt, so its wilder moments remain gritty without being earthbound. Sonically, that
scuffed-up spaciness — the open air created by the fuzz guitars and phasing, analog keyboards, and
cavernous drums — is considerably appealing, but the Black Keys ace in the hole remains the exceptional
songwriting Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are so good at as they twist a Gary Glitter stomp into swamp
fuzz blues, steal a title from Archie Bell & the Drells but never reference that classic Tighten Up
groove, or approximate a slow ‘60s soul crawl on “Unknown Brother” and follow it up with a version of
Jerry Butler’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” and it’s nearly impossible to tell which is the cover. And
that’s the great thing about the Black Keys in general and Brothers in particular: the past and present
intermingle so thoroughly that they blur, yet there’s no affect, just three hundred pounds of joy.
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Chrisette Michele:
Epiphany
Epiphany
Allmusic.com Biography by Cyril Cordor...
In a very short span of time, R&B singer/songwriter Chrisette Michele shot from small-time performer up to one of Def Jam's most promising talents, purely based on her unique instrument — a gorgeous and effortlessly versatile singing voice colored with Billie Holiday-esque inflections of vocal pop and jazz. The jazz-influenced vocalist, born Chrisette Michele Payne in 1982, developed her pipes through singing gospel, first performing for a congregation at age four. God and music were clearly instrumental in her upbringing: her father, who also played the organ, was a deacon, and her mother was the church's choir director. Growing up in Patchogue, NY, a small town on Long Island, the young singer's parents always kept her busy with tap dancing, piano lessons, choir rehearsals, and the like. But at age 17, Michele had an epiphany. After a teacher gave her a CD containing the bossa nova standard "The Girl from Ipanema," she was immediately won over to jazz by Brazilian jazz singer Astrud Gilberto's voice. She spent endless hours isolated in a room with a piano learning jazz standards as they were sung by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and other greats. She wound up studying vocal and jazz performance at Five Townes College on Long Island.When she began doing gigs at local venues, it was mainly for small audiences at open mics or for auditions. However, shortly thereafter neo-soul singer India.Arie, who spotted her at Manhattan's Village Underground club, enlisted Michele to be her opening act, as did Kem and Angie Stone. And at that same club, she was also discovered by representatives of Def Jam, who were enamored with her vocal abilities and had her signed to the label by 2006. At the end of the year, Def Jam brought her out in full force, allowing her to write and sing the hooks for Jay-Z's "Lost Ones" and Nas' Nat King Cole-inspired "Can't Forget About You." Her album debut, I Am, followed in summer 2007. Adding to the album's influences of gospel, adult alternative pop, and hip-hop, she wrote all the songs herself and worked closely with artists/producers Babyface, Salaam Remi, John Legend, and will.i.am.
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Keith Urban:
Defying Gravity
Defying Gravity
Allmusic.com Review by Thom Jurek...
Keith Urban's fourth album, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, was released literally days after he entered an alcohol treatment center to treat his disease. The album was issued, debuted in the top spot in the Billboard country charts, scored four hit singles, and eventually went double platinum. What's so remarkable about this is that Urban's rehabilitation regimen didn't allow him to tour for months after the disc's release, potentially hurting sales. It didn't happen. Urban's now trademark meld of country, pop, and rock & roll connects deeply with fans and they are nothing if not loyal. Defying Gravity is his fifth studio release, and in many ways it simultaneously builds on its predecessor while standing apart from it completely. Certainly, there are similarities in sound and approach: Urban once again worked with Dan Huff to co-produce the set, and his now signature manner of layering everything from strings and drum machines to taut, sheeny electric guitars playing power chords, banjos, pedal steel, and crunchy, crisp drums is a sound that belongs to him alone. The other is that this album is unapologetically one of redemption tomes colored as love songs in various shades and tempos — though none of them are heartbreak songs. He co-wrote eight of Defying Gravity's 11 songs, and arranged all of them.
That said, this time out Capitol throws everything into the ring by issuing a pair of leadoff singles in the tight little rocker "Kiss a Girl" and the shimmering, reverb-laden guitar workout "Sweet Thing," which is disguised as a midtempo power ballad. Both are 21st century equivalents of rock & roll love songs that echo everyone from Tom Petty to Greg Kihn and even Dwight Twilley — though this is clearly not conscious. As radio tracks, they are smart picks, especially with the clever guitar and banjo interplay — Urban has transformed the role of the backwoods and in-the-hills instrument into a respectable part of the rock & roll toolbox. There are some proper ballads on the disc as well, such as the haunting, nocturnal, and dreamily textured "The Summer Comes Around," his nakedly emotional paean to wife Nicole Kidman ("Thank You") that closes the set, and the shuffling "Only You Can Love Me This Way." The skittering drum loop that undergirds the guitar and Rolling Stones-esque "doo-doo" chorus in "I'm In" makes it an excellent choice for a fourth single, and the clipped pedal steel, distorted electric guitars careening in the bridge, and shuffling hi-hat and snare make the finger-popping "Why It Feels So Long" feel like a contemporary country take on of one of Bruce Springsteen's boulevard songs, or John Mellencamp's "Cherry Bomb." In sum, Defying Gravity builds on the skill set that gave listeners Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing and takes it further, seamlessly combining hook-laden crafty songwriting with a pop sensibility in the modern country vernacular that blazes a new trail and underscores Duke Ellington's dictum that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. This is a shining case in point for the former.
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Untitled Document
Article:
The Healing Effects of Gem Stones
Gem stones have tremendous healing powers according to many people.
It is believed that valuable information can be channeled through
gem stones to humans and that they can keep us healthy and actually
promotes healing. It is also reasoned that as time past humans became
more disconnected from nature and its powers. The ancient art of Feng
Shui is supposed to teach how to live harmoniously with nature.
One place where you can find jewelry made with these healing semi-precious gemstones is
"Gayle's Image Designs". Here you can find an abundance of pendants, necklaces, and anklets made with gemstones like amethyst, tiger's eye, and hematite. Amethyst is said to be imbued with calming, protective qualities, and can enhance one's understanding of all things spiritual, mystical and psychic.Tiger's eye aids in general healing of wounds and bruises, is also effective for ailments of the eyes and throat and powerful for detoxification. Hematite is associated with reliability, courage, optimism, trust, balance and stability, as well as will power, confidence and personal magnetism.
What are some examples of gem stones and what are they supposed to do for us
specifically. Let's start with aquamarine because it is supposed to promote
meditation and spiritual inspiration among other things. Possess fluorite to
foster mental healing by calming stress and reducing chaotic situations. Attain
green jade for emotional balance. For a more comprehensive guide to gem stones
check out
"The Power of Gem Stones Guide."
Focus On:
GaylesImageDesigns.com
Gayle's Image Designs
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