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

No Name Post

Helllllloooooo.

Welcome to the I-don't-know-what-number of CMF iterations. Lovely to have you here. So glad you could make it.

You know how sometimes you see a road titled "No Name Road" or there's that grocery brand called "No Name Brand"? And do you ever think to yourself, "That's kind a witty - they couldn't think of a name, but then their lack of name became their name!? And you think about how it was a super smart idea? Well that's what I've done here. Because my brain is exhausted. And also because I'm super smart.


The First: Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band

Just throwing it way back (even though it's not Thursday) to this song that I forgot about. When it first came out I tried to learn it on guitar and failed miserably, despite the efforts of my ever patient guitar-playing father to teach me. So perhaps subconsciously I stopped listening to it out of fear of being reminded of that experience. But then it came on the other day and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. And what do I do with things that get stuck in my head? I lovingly pass them along to all of you on Fridays.


The Second: Running for You by Kip Moore

I thought I would share with you the entire monologue that happened in my brain when I first heard this song on the radio a few days ago. Allow me to set the scene: Monday morning. Let's say it was approximately 8:49am. I'm in my car, driving to work. Still a little sleepy because I thought tea would suffice on what was clearly a coffee morning. The song starts to play...
"Is this Johnny Reid? It sounds like it might be Johnny Reid... How in the world did Johnny Reid manage to come out with a song that I am actually kind of super into? This can't be JR... can it? Either way, I'm loving this song. Way to redeem yourself after years of (in my opinion) subpar music, Johnny!!"
Parked my car, and because my curiosity got the best of me, I looked up the song on my walk to my office...
"Oh. Nevermind. It's Kip Moore. Yes, that makes more sense."


The Third and Final: Head Over Boots by Jon Pardi

I've been head over boots for Jon Pardi's music lately, so here I am to shamelessly share yet one more with you. I'm fully aware it's because of his intense twang.
One thing I am not a fan of: the questionable CGI animations throughout this video (for example, why a tiny hat? Why is the tiny hat only twice as big as the abandoned playing cards? That seems highly inaccurate.).
One thing I am a big fan of: "You're the rock in my roll. You're good for my soul, it's true. I'm head over boots for youuuu."


So I don't personally celebrate Halloween (mostly because I dislike dressing up in costume) but I do wish a happy and safe evening to all of you who do! I will likely be at home watching Gilmore Girls and eating halloween candy I pretend to buy for trick or treaters to save face with the cashier in Safeway, even though we both fully know that that box of 94 chocolate bars will just be for me.

Thanks for listening,
Karla