Spotify Wrap for 2019

As we get closer to the end of the year more and more social media's are doing the end of year review or wrap for the year. Spotify is no different and it was really cool to see my music trends for 2019...

One of the many cool features was what genre of music I listened to the most. It was interesting to see how my taste changed over the year. Clearly pop is my main choice but the others surprised me. First off I didn't even know that pop rap was a category... then kpop, Latin, and finally viral pop (What is this even?)

The next really cool feature what how much time I have spent on spotify since being a member (I joined in 2012 but it clear when I got my unlimited data plan). I mean 13,574 is a lot of minutes... compared to 2015 which had less than 33

 The other really cool feature is how many artist I discovered being on Spotify 757 but apparently I really, really like BTS and spent 27 hours with them this year o_0 So much so they are the artist of the decade for me! As well as my #1 artist of 2019

 So another cool feature was how they broke down what I was listening too from season to season this year. Starting with Winter and cycling through.

Clearly Summer is when I fell for BTS
Spotify also did a around the world view of what artist from all over I have been interested in. Including 5 Seconds of Summer from Australia, BTS from South Korea, Shawn Mendes from Canada, and Ed Sheeran from UK. I have listened to music from over 50 different countries and this is one of the many reason I enjoy Spotify getting exposed to all these artist is truly cool.

It also broke down the artist for the year and the songs as well. 

Songs: 1. Truth Hurts Lizzo, 2. Mic Drop BTS, 3. Senorita Shawn Mendes, 4. Boy With Luv BTS, 5. Goodbyes Post Malone, 6. Good As Hell Lizzo, 7. It's You by Ali Gatie, 8. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, 9. boyfriend by Ariana Grande 10. paradise by Bazzi

Needless to say it was really cool to see the final results. If you haven't had a moment to check this feature on Spotify out I would highly recommend it.

Playlist Review ~ Derek Trucks Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band

So this week I thought I would share with you one of my favorite play list to listen to when working or just puttering around the house. I listen to ITunes music unlimited for $9.99 a month and this is something discovered because of my love of Alabama Shakes (which I will share a review of their album next week) So the playlist can be found here

Songs:
1. Down In the Flood - Derek Trucks Band
2. Midnight in Harlem - Tedeschi Trucks Band
3. Made Up My Mind - Tedeschi Trucks Band
4. Sweet Inspiration - Derek Trucks Band
5. This Sky - Derek Trucks Band
6. Calling Out To You - Tedeschi Trucks Band
7. Crow Jane - Derek Trucks Band
8. Part of Me - Tedeschi Trucks Band
9. Anyhow - Tedeschi Trucks Band
10. Bound For Glory - Tedeschi Trucks Band
11. Shaib Teri Bandi - Maki Madni - Derek Trucks Band
12. Back Where I started - Derek Trucks Band
13. Do I look Worried - Tedeschi Trucks Band
14. The Storm - Tedeschi Trucks Band
15. Volunteered Slavery - Derek Trucks Band

Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes

Favorite Song: I would have to say that Calling Out To You is one of my favorite songs by Tedeschi Band so to have it on this playlist is a true treat. I really enjoy this song and it is one of the reasons that I became such a huge fan of the band.

New Song/New Artist To Me: I happened to be very familiar with Tedeschi Trucks Band and I listen to them a lot at work. So color me pink when I stumbled across this playlist that not only had them but another member of the band. Basically what I can determine is its the same group with Derek Trucks focusing on him singing while Tedeschi is focused on the female lead singing. So I was very happy. So long story short (to late!) Derek Trucks Band was new to me.

Final Thoughts
I really enjoy this playlist it is a little jazz and a little rock and roll. Perfect for the office. It has easy melodies and words that you can hum along with and then you occasionally get an upbeat song like Down In the Flood and you have to tap along to it. Both of the bands to me have a unique voice sound to them that makes it nice to listen to. Derek Trucks band is raspy and lovely his wife Susan who is in Tedeschi just has one of those smooth voices you want to listen to and sway along to. 

New Favorite Song

I have to say I have a new favorite song...

Birthday by Somi

no idea why but I seriously can't stop listening to this fracking so

oops you're not invited...yeah you're not invited

Kpop

Where have you been my whole life?

I am sorely disappointed that kpop has just now come into my life. Because honestly I am in love and I can't stop listening to it. I started off just wondering what it was and found a playlist on YouTube and it spiraled from there.

Some of my favorites right now

EXO
Tempo has been on non-stop play since I found it. It is fantastic to dance to and to listen to with the headphones on.

if you like EXO
Loveshot is also fantastic

I also love that they have English subtitles so I know what the heck I am listening to LOL (that would be the old lady in me)

Another favorite is
BlackPink
DDU-Du DDU-Du

A new favorite that reminds me of Ginuwine (if you are old enough to remember him) is
Lu
artist & album title: LuHan-Reloaded

And let us not forget the lovely BTS' idol with our very own Nikki Minij (which is how I found it to be honest)

Lastly I am really digging as a fun pick me up
iKon - Love Scenario

And a bonus one is
Twice - What is Love?
This is a fun girl group that I am also digging

So help me out who did I miss who should I listen to next? What is the newest craze in kpop and what should I know about it?

Album Review ~ Playlist Review

So this week I thought I would share with you one of my favorite play list to listen to when working or just puttering around the house. I listen to ITunes music unlimited for $9.99 a month and this is something discovered because of my love of Alabama Shakes (which I will share a review of their album next week)

*favorite song
Songs:
1. Night Train by Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery
2. Walk On the Wild Side
3. Back at the Chicken Shack
*4. Midnight Special
5. Fever by Kenny Burrell & Jimmy Smith
6. Root Down (and Get It)
7. OGD (Road Song) by Wes Montgomery & Jimmy Smith
8. The Organ Grinder's Swing
9. All Day Long
10. Please Send Me
11. High-Heel Sneakers
*12. Jumpin the Blues
13. After Hours
14. When Johnny Comes Marchingn Home
15. Got My Mojo Workin'
*16. Blues In the Night
17. Ol' Man River
18. Muster Greens
19. Hobo Flats
20. The Cat
21. Sonnymoon For Two
22. See See Rider
23. Red Top
24. On the Sunny Side of the Street
25. The Sermon

Total Time: 2 Hours, 59 minutes
Final Thoughts:If you are a jazz lover then this is a highly recommended playlist. Jimmy Smith is one the jazz legend who mixed R&B and jazz together which kept him on the pop charts. Jimmy Smith was known for the use of the organ and keyboards. I have included this playlist because it is a fantastic combination of music, lyrics and rhythm that makes work go smoothly without having to use a lot of brain power to push through. The background of keyboard is fantastic and it introduces the listener other great jazz musicians such as Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell. I really enjoy this list and it does help kill 3 hours of my day listening to great jazz. 

Album Review ~ Sort of.... Playlist review instead

So this week I thought I would share with you one of my favorite play list to listen to when working or just puttering around the house. I listen to ITunes music unlimited for $9.99 a month and this is something discovered because of my love of Alabama Shakes (which I will share a review of their album next week) So the playlist can be found here

Songs:
1. Promise by Monophonics
2. I Can't Hear You by The Dead Weather
3. Head In the Dirt by Hanni El Khatib
4. I Got Mine by Black Keys
5. Electric Man by Rival Sons
6. Love is Blindness by Jack White
7. How Long Must I Wait by Dr. Dog
8. Only For You by Heartless Bastard
9. No Sugar In My Coffee by Caught a Ghost
10. In The Dark by Reginwolf
11. Everlasting Light by The Black Keys
12. Come To My Party by Black Joe Lewis
13. Light of The Morning by Band of Skulls
14. I Want Some More by Dan Auerbach
15. Flames Go Higher by Eagles of Death Metal
16. Love Comes and Goes by Lee Fields & The Expressions
17. Half the City by St Paul & the Broken Bones
18. Your Touch by The Black Keys
19. Them Shoes by Patrick Sweany

Total Time: 1 hour and 9 minutes

Favorite Song:
Your Touch by The Black Keys I'm not sure what it is about this song but I love it 100% as soon as it comes on I just crank the volume and sing my heart out. It doesn't hurt that I love me some Black Keys but man oh man I love this song.

New Song/Artist to Me:
Them Shoes by Patrick Sweany I have to say I had never heard of this artist let alone this song and man there is something about his particular song that just does something. I don't know if it is the grit in his voice or the guitar but I just love this song and I particularly enjoy this song. The middle with the drums and guitar I could just listen to over and over. I am really impressed with it. Because of that one song I am now 100% behind this artist and have a lot of the albums downloaded and listen to him. So I feel we will review his music soon here but until then go and check him out.

Final Thoughts:
If you are looking for a good playlist to just listen to at work this is a safe playlist and a fun one at that. I highly recommend everything and song on here.

Album Review ~ Casey Abrams

Title: Casey Abrams
Artist: Casey Abrams

Released: 2012

Songs:
1. Simple Life
2. Ghost
3. Get Out
4. Great Bright Morning
5. Blame It On Me
6. Wore Out My Soul
7. Stuck in London
8. Midnight Girl
9. A Boy Can Dream
10. Dry Spell
11. Hit the Road Jack

Bought from: Amazon
Price: $9.49

Thoughts on Album:
This album reminds me of summer. It makes me want to get a picnic together to sit out in the sun and listen to these jams. This artist has a simple lyrics with easy rhythm and bongos so that right there makes me want a cold drink and sun. He was a contestant on American Idol and this was the result of his first debut album. As a first time album it isn't bad. It's a happy uplifting remake of a favorite  song of mine, Hit the Road Jack which he did fine with. He tends to lean very acoustic on this album. Lots of guitar, hand clapping, and simple piano in the background. Even his "slow songs" or songs you would think would be sad and slow still tend to go towards the positive upbeat measures. Nothing to really make you want to relax and chill just listening to him. He reminds me of almost wanting to be a mix of island music, but unable to really pull it off. His lyrics just don't quite get you there.

Favorite Track(s)
1. Simple Life
2.Hit the Road Jack

Grade: C

Would I recommend: I recommend it for those moments that you are looking for upbeat music that makes you happy and want to do things outdoors or just listen to simple music that feels good. It's not an album that I want to listen to all the time. That being said I don't regret listening to it.

Buy on Amazon

Album Review ~ Under My Skin by Ben L'Oncle Soul

Artist: Ben L'Oncle Soul

Album: Under My Skin

Released: 2016

Songs: 

1. A Very Good Year

2. All The Way

3. Fly Me To The Moon

4. The Good Life

5. Moonlight Serenade

6. I love Paris

7. My Way

8. New York, New York

9. The Way You Look Tonight

10. I've Got You Under My Skin

11. Witchcraft

Bought from: Amazon

Price: $9.49

Thoughts of Album:

This album obviously just from the name of the tracks is a throw back to old blue eyes of Sinatra, but what I love is Ben has made it his own. The words are there you recognize them for what they are and yet they are uniquely Ben's. I don't feel that once again I am getting Frank Sinatra redone and thrown back in my face the same old way again. I am getting a little of unique Ben and his interpretation of the how he feel Fly Me to the Moon, New York New York and Witchcraft should be done. Ben has his own flavor which makes everything on this album unique and fun. I enjoy listening to it getting ready for work as well as coming home and cooking dinner. Ben has a unique voice yet at the same time I feel that he could totally jam with Ottis Redding and fit right in there as well. I like the mix of modern and yet I could feel at home in a jazz club doing what I need to with wine to relax. Everything about this album just flows together. Never once did I feel jarred out of place wondering where does that song fit in or how did they think that worked. If you are feeling like you want more Ben check out his original album it has both English and French you can get it on Amazon here it is my ABSOLUTE favorite album of his and I play it all the time. 

Favorite Track(s)

1. Fly Me To the Moon

2. The Way You Look Tonight

Grade: A

Would you recommend: I would highly recommend anything this man does and any of his albums are worth it. This is just his latest one released. 

Buy from ITunes

Buy from Amazon

Album Review ~ Gary Clark Jr

Artist: Gary Clark Jr

Album: Blak and Blu

Released: 2012

Songs:

1. Ain't Messin 'Round
2. When My Train Pulls In
3. Blak And Blu
4. Bright Lights
5. Travis County
6. The Life
7. Glitter Ain't Gold (Jumpin' For Nothin')
8. Numb
9. Please Come Home
10. Things Are Changin'
11. Third Stone From The Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say
12. You Saved Me
13. Next Door Neighbor Blues

Bought from: Amazon

Price: Vinyl $22.98

Thoughts of Album:

This album goes from modern to blues to back. Lots of guitar riffs to soulful lyrics can lead you to wondering what's going on. If you are looking for bass this isn't the album for you. However, if you are looking for lyrics that fit a life situation Gary Clark Jr has you covered. From waking up under Bright Lights thinking there's no way you should have survived to asking friends to help you out cause you don't have any funds for food and drinks "can't go on like this knowing that I'm just getting by" to feeling numb over a love and how you're being treated in that relationship. Gary has a strong guitar presence that reminds me of Jimmy Hendrix to a point. He shows his emotions through lyrics and that guitar. It's as if he singing and playing to you letting you hear what he can't get out in words. The album tells his story to a point but can get lost in transition from strong guitar riffs to all of the sudden a transition to a Motown sounding Please Come Home where you almost wonder if you have stepped back in time, he still manages to get his guitar going in this one to bring some modern to his soda pop sounding track. While marveling at the time travel you still can't help but sit in awe at his vocal range he's like the Jackson 5 wrapped in one. This is definitely an album that I would recommend for anyone who likes guitar, guitar heavy riffs, and great lyrics that can fit any mood. Gary Clark Jr tends to lean a little heavy on the blues side with this album as it is more about the harder side of life, but still manages to keep you entertained in an upbeat fashion if you are concerned about crying your eyes out. Gary Clark Jr is a magician when it comes to guitar and lyric combo.  

Favorite Track(s)

1. Bright Lights

2. The Life

Grade: A

Would you recommend: Yes I love Gary Clark Jr's music and I especially love this album. So much I bought on vinyl which is not something I just rush out and waste my cash on but his voice and songs are worth it to me.

Buy from ITunes

Buy from Amazon

Album Review ~ Elle King

Artist: Elle King
Album: Love Stuff

Released: 2015

Songs:
1. Where the Devil Don't Go
2. Ex's and Oh's
3. Under the Influence
4. Last Damn Night
5. Kocaine Karolina
6. Song of Sorrow
7. America's Sweetheart
8. I Told You I was Mean
9. Ain't Gonna Drown
10. Jackson
11. Make You Smile
12. See You Again

Bought From: Amazon
Price $9.99

Thoughts of Album 
Most of us are familiar with Ex's and Oh's and man did they play the crap out of that song in late 2015 and early 2016 it was literally everywhere from commercials to every other song on the radio. So please believe me I was very hesitant to listen to her whole album. What convinced me was watching a clip of her on James Corden show (I heart him) singing American Sweetheart and I thought man that girl has just enough rasp to her voice and sings just enough edgy lyrics I'm curious enough to check her out.
I'm glad I did Elle takes you on a ride from making you wonder why the Devil will be her savior to Kocanie Karolina which is almost folky sounding to American Sweetheart you are bounced back and forth thinking man this girl has had a really hard life for sure. Her music goes from dance and scream out loud to smooth almost a jazz quality of Under the Influence where you almost sway along to. She is still edgy in it but gives her vocals a little more go of it. If she isn't boozing, drugging or in love with someone in this album then girlfriend is pretending well. I have to say though whenever I feel like being a rocking rebel (which that alone should prove to you I am not one) Elle King is who I put on and I rock out to her. She is not a sit back and listen to with the gals and wine or read a book while listening to. She is more of a get ready for a night out kind of music. She reminds me a lot of Gin Wigmore who is one of my favorite go to raspy female fighting the male system drink whiskey and let's be hurt together singers.
Then you get like every other song that are soft and slow wanting to get back with someone, or they are folksy in nature. It's like a drastic contrast to what is happening in the hard hitting songs. She is heartbroken one moment, angry the next, at a square dance the next second, then angry again. She kind of bounces all over the place in this album for me. While I enjoy all the songs it has not real flow in a story for me and the album seems jumbled out of order and chaotic. Definitely a good voice but could have used more direction on how to place the songs in order.

Favorite Tracks:
I love I Told You I Was Mean makes me feel rough and bad even though I am far from it although to be fair I can be mean at times.
When I need to slow down with Elle Under the influence is my softer song I go to it.
American Sweeheart is a fun song to sing along to and pump up to if you are getting ready to go into a meeting that you need to wake up for or just need to be pumped up for.

Grade B+

Would Recommend: I think Elle is an acquired taste just like whiskey she did her one song to glory and American Sweetheart came out not as popular, but if you can learn to swallow what she is serving she is great. If you don't like cussing make sure to get the clean version of the albums in case you have a mother who was listening to this as you were reviewing....

Buy on Amazon here
Buy of Itunes here - cheaper on Itunes for $5.99 right now

Soundtrack Saturday ~ #1

We have a new book meme to help me with Saturday's!!! Thank the lawd cause Saturday is a hard day to post on.. So this one is called sound track Saturday and it is hosted by Erin at The Hardcover Lover which you can visit here. The idea is to list out the soundtrack you listened to while read whatever book you are currently reading...

So here goes.

Reading:

Title: Augustus: The life of Rome's First Emperor
Author: Anthony Everitt

Summary:
He found Rome made of clay and left it made of marble. As Rome’s first emperor, Augustus transformed the unruly Republic into the greatest empire the world had ever seen. His consolidation and expansion of Roman power two thousand years ago laid the foundations, for all of Western history to follow. Yet, despite Augustus’s accomplishments, very few biographers have concentrated on the man himself, instead choosing to chronicle the age in which he lived. Here, Anthony Everitt, the bestselling author of Cicero, gives a spellbinding and intimate account of his illustrious subject. 

Augustus began his career as an inexperienced teenager plucked from his studies to take center stage in the drama of Roman politics, assisted by two school friends, Agrippa and Maecenas. Augustus’s rise to power began with the assassination of his great-uncle and adoptive father, Julius Caesar, and culminated in the titanic duel with Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
The world that made Augustus–and that he himself later remade–was driven by intrigue, sex, ceremony, violence, scandal, and naked ambition. Everitt has taken some of the household names of history–Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Antony, Cleopatra–whom few know the full truth about, and turned them into flesh-and-blood human beings.

At a time when many consider America an empire, this stunning portrait of the greatest emperor who ever lived makes for enlightening and engrossing reading. Everitt brings to life the world of a giant, rendered faithfully and sympathetically in human scale. A study of power and political genius, Augustus is a vivid, compelling biography of one of the most important rulers in history.

SOUNDTRACK
Usually while listening to biographies of this nature I tend to turn on a station vs playing albums I have but with Augustus I feel like he is very powerful and would be for a movement... so I pick these 10 powerful songs for Augustus

1. Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth 
2. My Shot - The Roots (remix of Hamilton Soundtrack)
3. Perfect - Hedley
4. Castle - Hasley
5. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
6. Alright - Kendrick Lamar
7. Break on Through to the Other Side - The Doors 
8. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke 
9. Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival 
10. The Times They Are A Changing - Bob Dylan

Album Review ~ Lianne La Havas

Artist: Lianne La Havas
Title of Album: Blood

Released: 2015

Songs
1. Unstoppable
2. Green & Gold
3. What You Don't Do
4. Tokyo
5. Wonderful
6. Midnight
7. Grow
8. Ghost
9. Never Get Enough
10.  Good Goodbye

Bought from: Amazon vinyl
Price: 21.84

Thoughts on Album:
Lianne is a voice that now having heard I will recognize every time she sings. Before however, she is someone I had never heard and therefore a great loss on my behalf. Lianne has one of those voices that haunts you. Her lyrics are real and raw. Green & Gold talk about growing up in a world of finding out where she belongs where her eyes fit in and how to recognize being Greek and Jamaican being raised in London and how does one identify with that. Unstoppable is a song that can be an anthem to just about any cause or simply a song to play when you a feeling beat down and need a reminder to not stop at what you are doing. Lianne inspires you to keep going. Tokyo is one that hits home when feeling lonely no matter when it's in a crowd at home or in another country Lianne just has a way of connecting with her listeners and getting to our inner parts of our soul and making us think, "hey she gets us". Her vocals are smooth and seamless at times others are deep and have a gravel sound that make her emotions raw. Overall the tracks seem to flow seamless together to tell her story yet even on shuffle work as an overall album to listen to when when drinking wine and relaxing. 

Favorite Track(s):
1. Unstoppable for sure a great dance or workout song
2. Tokyo is a song that I really connected with
3. Never Get Enough

Grade: A

Would Recommend: I saw her live in concert she opened for Leon Bridges and I realized that I had to have her album and bought her on vinyl so yes I recommend her to everyone. 

Buy on Itunes here
Buy on Amazon here

Album Review ~ Leon Bridges

Artist: Leon Bridges
Title of Album: Coming Home

Released: 2015

Songs
1. Coming Home
2. Better Man
3. Brown Skin Girl
4. Smooth Sailin'
5. Shine
6. Lisa Sawyer 
7. Flowers
8. Pull Away
9. Twistin' & Groovin'
10. River

Bought from: Amazon vinyl
Price: 18.99

Thoughts on Album:
Man where to begin with this album... It is absolutely amazing. He reminds me of Mo-town meets modern day soul. Put James Brown, Usher (slow jams), Nat King Cole and John Coltrane together with just a sprinkle of Little Richie and you go you some Leon Bridges in my mind. His lyrics have the meaning they are near and dear to his heart. They are his story (they may or not be true he makes them sound as a part of his history) his beat makes you want to dance and boy when you see him live he dances like James Brown. He has a live band reminiscence of the big band music of Little Richie and James Brown. I actually turned to my friend and said, "No wonder he's so skinny he straight up won't stop moving". He makes you want to wear poka-dot dresses and pearls again while twistin' & groovin to his songs. Whenever I have a hard day at work I come home pour some wine and just groove to Leon Bridges.  

Favorite Track(s):
This is one of the hardest albums to figure out a favorite on because I absolutely love all the tracks
Coming Home - is one of my favorites and seriously when I say that it is saying something. 
Better Man - makes you wish you had a man like Leon who wants to be the better man for you who would swim the Mississippi River to get another shot with you
Brown Skin Girl - makes you want to go buy a pok-a-dress just to be noticed :)
Seriously there isn't a track on this album I don't care for 

Grade: A+

Would Recommend: Yes and I have over and over and over and over. Great album highly recommend either on amazon or itunes or vinyl which is saying something

Buy here on Amazon
Buy here on Itunes