Country Covers

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Another Friday.

And with Fridays come country music.

This week I was recommended to feature country covers, which I thought was a wonderful way to highlight great songs and new artists. So let's do this.


The First: Riot covered by Sara Haze

First off, what an excellent song originally recorded by the always great Rascal Flatts. Secondly, I think this girl's voice is so clear and beautiful, and I recommend you also checking out some of Sara's other stuff. For example, her Opry performance of I Want You Anyway definitely highlights her vocals skills. (Yes, I just said "vocal skills"). Thirdly... I really don't have anything else to say about this song other than I hope you enjoy it.


The Second: Runnin' Outta Moonlight covered by Brandon Ray

OKAY. Things that make me laugh now, but initially made me not want to watch this video: his friends are drinking capri suns and raving about how "sweet" their bmx's are. Are they still in fifth grade? Possibly. Isn't it a little dark out for fifth graders to be causing a ruckus in the town square? Absolutely.
The good news is that Brandon is freaking excellent and does a great job with this song. Like a really great job. Like, I would kinda be okay hanging out with his fifth grade friends if it meant that Brandon would just serenade me all the time.


The Third and Final: Colder Weather covered by James David Carter

Allow me to begin by saying that this is one of my top three favourite Zac Brown Band songs. That's a pretty intense statement since we all know how much I love ZBB. Having said that, I think James does justice to this V.I.S. (Very Important Song). Now, he gets a little (read: super) dramatic around 2:45, which I could do without if I'm being honest, but his voice is still good so I let that slide. James apparently also auditioned for The Voice at some point. I don't watch that show nor do I feel obliged to go look up how he did, but I hope he did well. If you know, feel free to let me know.

That's it for this week! I hope you have discovered a new artist or two that you like and that I've now sent you off to a weekend of falling into that dark, perpetual rabbit hole lovingly known as youtube.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Nothing exciting has happened in the last 24 hours

As you may have guessed, I don't really have anything too important to share. The last 24 hours have been pretty standard. I woke up. Worked out. Had some meetings. Did some work. Ate some food. Heard some vocal performances by Little Big Town that legitimately changed my life. Stretched. Went to bed. Now we're here.

Really nothing to report.

The First: Boondocks by Little Big Town

SO THIS CONCERT. Let's talk about it.
Their harmonies: on point.
Their song selection: excellent.
Their theatrics: subtle and not so overwhelming that it takes away from the music.
I've chosen this classic mostly because I realized that I hadn't up until this point and that seems shameful. They closed with it last night and it really was the best last song. Also, for the record, the ending of this song is hands down the best part.


The Second: Won't You Be Mine by Bobby Wills

You have permission to not watch the video. It's weird and has no clear storyline.
Actually, maybe go ahead and watch it if you like watching confusing videos.

I like this song because, as most of you know, I get oddly enthusiastic about songs that have clapping parts. Exhibit A. Exhibit B. Also it doesn't take itself too seriously and I think that's what we all need right now.

PS If you like watching confusing videos (or if you just need a serious laugh), please enjoy this incredible gem that a student shared with me last week. I've been forcing people to watch it all week - that's how good it is. The epitome of Fox News.


The Third and Final: Crazy Beautiful Sexy by my faves Old Dominion

I HAVE BEEN REMISS. Old Dom released their debut album Meat and Candy (gross) several weeks ago and we HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IT.
I will say this: they do not disappoint. The entire album is everything I had hoped for and more. Simply put, every single new song is perfect.
I only chose this song because it is the first one I listened to and since we have seven new songs to work through, I had to start somewhere.
(There's also clapping.)


Okay. I think I've now exhausted myself by all the music-related excitement that's happened in this edition of CMF. I feel like my four-year-old niece on Christmas morning after opening all the presents: hungry and ready for a nap.

Enjoy your Friday! Only a few more hours until you can go home, pour that glass of wine, and unwind from the week.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Oldies but goodies.

To be honest I don't know what's new in country this week. So we're sticking to oldies but goodies because a) they need love too, b) when else am I going to showcase them? and finally c) it's the safest option considering my current lack of awareness.


The First: Bourbon in Kentucky by Dierks Bentley ft. some vocal love from Kacey Musgraves

How appropriate is this video right now amidst all this Alaskan rain? (That's right: it's a weather system that's come on down from Alaska. I like to do my weather-related research, thank you). But actually 1:57 is basically all of Vancouver right now. Thanks, Sarah Palin.

This song is an old favourite when I'm in a rainy moody mood. That's a phrase I just came up with, although the concept is not new at all. Essentially it just involves cozying up on the couch with a fluffy blanket near a window that I've opened just a tiny bit so that I can hear the rain, while a glass of wine, a book, and Dierks keep me company. Rainy moody moods are actually super pleasant, despite what the name may lead you to believe.


The Second: Hip To My Heart by The Band Perry

Ahhh TBP. I linked a live-in-studio version of this song that I think is incredible and a little funkier and a little banjo-ier than the recorded version, which is also great but different. I'm in love with this version and am really sad that I've lost out on five years of not knowing it existed. Ugh.
In other news, can we take uno momento to talk about how fun it would be to just start emphasizing sentences by saying "brother man"? I think it would be awesome. Just picture this with me:
"Excuse me, brother man! Can you please pass me the hot sauce?"
"Hi. I'd like a ticket for one to Sleepless in Seattle. Yes, that's right, just the one... brother man."
"Dear Santa, I would like a Princess Unicorn doll under the tree this year. BROTHER MAN!"

PS Kimberly Perry: I want your outfit. Thanks.


The Third and Final: On Fire Tonight by Little Big Town

Hey... have I mentioned at all that LBT is in concert in the greater Vancouver area next week? Probably not... I've been trying to be super subtle and quiet about it over the last few months.

I AM VERY EXCITED. And I anticipate that this song is basically a description of what will happen in real life next Thursday. Get ready to hear all about it.

It's the weekend in a few short hours and I hope it's a good one for you. I also hope that you are able to keep dry out there and take care when puddle-jumping.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Don't be shy, be yoncé

So Eric Church took a lesson from Beyoncé (or George Strait, if you're looking for a country reference) and spontaneously released a brand new album on Wednesday by casually just emailing it to members of his fan club (cleverly named the Church Choir, by the way... so good!). Just like, "Hey, how are y'all doing? Yeah, I'm good too. Really happy to have gotten that extra hour of sleep on the weekend, y'know. But oh my goodness now it's sooo dark out, SO early, amiright? Oh hey by the way I made this for you *INSERT NEW ALBUM HERE*"

Literally* that's what he said. How wonderfully outrageous is that?!

(*Okay so maybe not literally, but that was what it felt like.)


The First: Mr. Misunderstood by Eric Church

How could I not include his first single after that intro? I had no choice, really. Now, I will preface by saying that this is not my favourite track off the album. My favourite track off the album upon my first few listens is Knives of New Orleans. BUT YOU CANNOT HOLD ME TO THAT. I've barely had time to really delve into it, if you consider time spent working and sleeping since Wednesday afternoon. And I need time to settle on important life decisions such as this one. But for now, it's that one. Followed closely by Round Here Buzz, which also conveniently follows it on the track list.

Now for the song at hand. I do like Mr. Misunderstood. But I also immediately think of Kelly Clarkson and her song Miss Independent every time I hear it and that jars me a little. So now you know my hesitation.


The Second: Drunk On Your Love by Brett Eldredge

Listen. Brett's been on fire lately, in my mind. And I do mean fire in more ways than one, if you'll recall. I like this one because I think it's different and funky and good.

That's all there is to it.


The Third and Final: Arms of Fire by Brothers Osborne

This is what me giving up and giving in looks like.

I've wanted to feature this song for ages. Ages. But since they haven't released it as a single and it really doesn't look like they're ever going to (shameful), it means that they don't have a recorded version of the song on Youtube for me to share with you. And even though you all know my adoration for live music, the thing is that I don't feel this version really does the song justice. So, I IMPLORE YOU to please listen to the recorded version (it's faster and smoother) of this song on your iTunes or Spotify or whatever.

You owe it to yourself.


Please enjoy your weekend.

Thanks for listening!
Karla