Well hello there my fellow music aficionados! I’m baaaaaack! Well, not quite at 100% power, what with all the boxes I still have yet to unpack, but I need my music, and I need my music peeps to motivate me to keep plugging along! When last we spoke, we were supposed to be moving into our new house Christmas weekend – if you caught my last update, you know that didn’t happen.

But finally the stars aligned and it all worked out in the end – so our move date was last weekend to this awesome house:

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3 stories, so you know I’ve been working like a crazy person trying to make a dent in the stacks’o’boxes, and I have made a pretty good sized dent, so now it’s time for a much needed break and some great music! I’ll have more info on the goings on around here for tomorrow’s Random Tuesday. Feel free to stop back by!

Meanwhile, being that it’s Monday (it is Monday, right?!) it’s time for some music! This week’s Spotlight Dancer, John of The Sound Of One Hand Typing, has chosen the theme of “Monday Blue” – songs with ‘blue’ in the title, blues songs, and/or songs that you play when you’re feeling blue. So let’s get to it, shall we?

Let’s start off with one of my favorite actors who also happens to be an accomplished musician. The song is from this Englishman’s second studio album released in 2013, which contains several blues songs (like its predecessor).

Unlike his previous album, however, the multi-talented artist also branches further into other Southern US and South American genres, including jazz, R&B, and tango.

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Give a listen to the inimitable Hugh Laurie with “Louisiana Blues”:

Next up is an artist who has been singing the virtues of life’s simple pleasures since the mid-2000s, and this single falls obediently in line. It’s a feel-good, mid-tempo, country-rock song that, despite its similarity to everything else he’s released to country radio over the last half-decade, feels pretty dang good.

The artist’s raspy, cigarette-burned voice immediately allows him to seem like one of the guys. There’s no star halo over his head. His accessibility makes him easy to root for. Also, who doesn’t like a feel-good song, even if it’s been done thousands of times before?

UncleKracker

Here’s Uncle Kracker with “Blue Skies”:

Next up is a group I only stumbled across while looking for songs to fit this week’s theme – and I really like them! They’re a Canadian indie alternative rock/folk and synthpop band formed in 2004 in Vancouver, and their music draws from many genres, including pop and acoustic, and the group tours Canada widely.

The lead singer’s voice acting work has drawn international attention to the band from members of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fan community. Fans have created music videos featuring the band’s songs and footage from the show, some of which were featured on the band’s official website.

The band was nominated in the “Breakthrough Group of the Year” category for the Juno Awards of 2013.

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Without further ado, here’s Hey Ocean! with “Big Blue Wave”:

Last, but certainly not least, is one of my favorite singles from this next artist. This is the first single from his third album, a song he almost didn’t record. It was his former girlfriend who convinced him to record the song. He said:

“I was almost finished with my record. I had that song on my email. I listened to it over and over one night when my girlfriend at the time came downstairs, and we were breaking up. She said, ‘You’re an idiot if you don’t record this.’ I think she thought I was an idiot anyway, which is why she was leaving, but I did listen.

She liked it, and for a girl who never mentioned much about my music, because I think my music is the one thing that kept me away from her, so she never complimented me much on it – for her to say that, I knew. I already knew in my mind it was a good song, but when she said that, I was like, all right, I’m cutting it. So it worked out. It’s weird, I knew it would be a hit, but I didn’t know it would be this big. I don’t know what else to base it off of, because I’ve never had anything like that. I’ve had hits on the radio, but this is different.

I keep telling folks, there’s a difference between a hit song and a career song, and this is a career song.”

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Give a listen to Jake Owen with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”:

That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:   PhotobucketI have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, Callie from JAmericanSpice.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

INTRODUCING OUR “SPOTLIGHT DANCER”:



7 Comments

  1. WOO HOO! WELCOME BACK GIRLFRIEND!!! YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ROCK! How’s everyone doin? Oh heck, I know they’re doin’ great right? You all living in that Country Castle of yours now. you go girl… I can’t wait until you post more pics… Anyways your fine taste in music is back on board & that’s what I’ve missed. Uncle Cracker oh yeah one of my favorites for sure…. all are superb and love rockin’ to all with you. You duh best girlfriend you have soooooooooo ROCKED the house!!! HUGS & WELCOME HOME!!! WOO HOO!!!!

  2. Stacy, glad you’re making headway in the new house settling in process. Sounds like a problem I’d like to have. lol Oh well, maybe before the year is up I will find myself up to my neck with stack o’ boxes to unload. I enjoyed this morning’s song picks, especially “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”. 🙂 I’m here to lend a hand for as long as needed. So, don’t sweat it! 😉 Have a good week, my friend.

  3. “Louisiana Blues” is an old song; Muddy Waters did it in one of his first Chess sessions back in the Fifties, and I think he heard it from Robert Johnson. I like Hugh Laurie’s take on it.

  4. Now that is a lovely home Stacy. Lovely!
    Enjoy the setting up of it.

    And I had no idea that Hugh Laurie was a musician! He is something eh!

    Love the tunes. Have a great week!

    1. Thank you, Callie! I’m loving it so much and am having fun unpacking and getting things set up. Yeppers, Hugh Laurie is a multi-talented dude! 😀 Glad you loved the tunes – you have a great week, too!

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