Kaaaaaynaaaaaaan! and some Furtado

Came across this great mini concert done at NPR. It's K'Naan and a backup singer, a keyboardist and a guitarist. I love the accompanying music--he's found the perfect acoustic band for this sort of touring.



I've just finally checked out his Fifa version of "Wavin' Flag." He is just so so filled with awesomosity.


Never realized Furtado's "Forca" was also a Fifa song.


That was from her second album, before she went all Timbaland-crazy.


And then returned from the dark side of Popland. (Oooh the lyrics. Never even knew what this song is about.)

What i'm listening to...

How to tell if you're a vocal supergroup: When the audience doesn't expect anything more of you, than to sit perfectly still and sing. (Even though you're renown for having hip moves!)



Tom Waits "Falling Down"


Rolling Stones "Emotional Rescue" (How did the Stones manage to write so many of the sexiest songs of all time? ...I'd attribute it to getting lots of sex, but then KISS isn't exactly known for hot hits.)


Remember Bette's great video for "Beast of Burden?"

Tired of carrying signs

From 50 Best Protest Signs

molto satisfacto

Now that Nano's over I'm happy to up my daily reading again. I finished Mapp and Lucia, which was fairly funny (and gave rise to the made-up Italian of my title). Today I started Colleen McCullough's novel about Mary Bennett, the priggish sister in Pride and Prejudice. It seemed like the right December choice--light, historical, with some romance.

Got some key things done at work this week, so I should have another guilt-stress-free weekend on Wed-Thu.

Now off to see what's new in iTunes store...

a quote

"It was so bad, my opinion of it went straight to video." - Denis Leary reviewing a movie

Comedy specials are often pretty disappointing (Oh Colbert) but the Denis Leary one has some moments.

yawns

Dear Blog,

Imma let you finish. But Miss Mabel is too sleepy to stay up any longer. She's going to bed early.

[hands back microphone to computer]

[computer sits there in stunned silence]

Christmas Music Update: Don we now our gay apparel

* I bought the Tori Amos and am enjoying it. I think I like her original pieces better than the covers, but it's still early days.

* I only bought two Sting songs, because on the samples his voice sounds weird. Like someone put him on the wrong speed. He's allll sllllooooowwww. I only bought two songs, but they're good.
- The Burning Babe
-Soul Cake

* I bought three songs Sugarland Christmas songs, and they're all great.
- City of Silver Dreams
- Maybe Baby (New Year's Day)
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

I'm starting to like these Sugarlanders. I googled to see if the guy in the band is gay (after watching this ad), and discovered that--whether either of them is gay or not (or their third ex-member who used to roadie for the Indigo Girls)--they have a gay following. Coolio!

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles is out and proud of her fans, no matter what their sexual orientation. When asked if she knows about her gay and lesbian fan base, the singer told ChicagoPride.com, "I've been aware even before Sugarland. I've actually performed at Gay Pride in Atlanta three times in my career. I've always had a large gay following, particularly in the lesbian community. I am grateful for that. To me, it means my music transcends categories. It also means that I'm a cute girl singing a rock song in an alto voice!"

Jennifer insists that she and singing partner Kristian Bush just set out to make music that "celebrates the human condition" -- no matter what age, race, sexual preference ... or hometown!

"I had a friend write me that our music was being played at Gay Pride in New York, which is a big compliment," she said. "In the biggest city in the country with the most culture and the most grit -- I love it." (article from here)