BuzzSugar

The Music Review Group Gets a Dose of Ray LaMontagne

Buzz Community — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:30:00 PDT

The following post was written by brisas, who submitted it to the Music Review Group in the BuzzSugar Community.

I recently saw David Gray in concert and the show was wonderful. His opening act Ray Lamontagne simply astonished me and I fell in love with him and haven't stopped listening since. He is a little folky, a little bluesy and a little rock n' roll. Think a more modern and raspy version of Cat Stevens. The audience kept calling him out for more encores - that is always a good sign. If you get a chance to see him live, go, you won't regret it. "Trouble" is one of my favorite songs so far.

Want to see your posts on BuzzSugar? Just click here to join the community!

What to Download: New Music This Week

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:35:02 PDT

Wake up your earbuds with some new music this week! Not only have I told you about the DVD releases this week, I also have some recommendations for brand-new sonic satisfaction.

David Gray, Foundling
The lowdown: The British singer best known for "Babylon" gets dreamy and deep on his ninth album.
Choice tracks:
"When I Was in Your Heart"
"A Moment Changes Everything"
"Holding On"
Download this album if you: Want a mellow, romantic album to play all the way through on your next date.

Ray LaMontagne, God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise
The lowdown: The folk rock singer-songwriter shows off his beautifully raspy voice on another collection of mellow, bluesy songs.
Choice tracks:
"Repo Man"
"Beg Borrow or Steal"
"Like Rock & Roll and Radio"
Download this album if you: Like listening to a mix of smooth and upbeat tunes at work.

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:41 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here's what's on my list this week:

Unmistakable voice: I've been excited about the new Ray LaMontagne album, Gossip in the Grain, and am so glad it's already getting some high marks from music critics. The trademark soulful, gruff vocals are all there and familiar on tracks like "You Are the Best Thing" and "Let it Be Me," but there's also something different going on in songs like "Meg White" and "Hey Me, Hey Mama" that's a pleasant surprise. I think I'll download the whole thing.

Pretty ditties: I like Ingrid Michaelson's big hit single, "The Way I Am," and was curious to check out her new album today called Be OK. The title track is upbeat and bouncy, there's a lovely cover of "Over the Rainbow," and "You and I" is pretty darn cute. There are also a couple of live recordings, including "The Chain" performed in Webster Hall.

One more selection, so just

Finding a balance: I've been a fan of Keane through the band's ups and downs and am happy to report that Keane's newest album, Perfect Symmetry, is being received pretty well. USA Today says this album "finds the group moving onward and upward, at least musically speaking." The first song, "Spiralling," is great, and "Better Than This" is quirky and fun.

BuzzSugar's Must Haves For October

BuzzSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:39:47 PDT

I love the Fall and October is the best, what with the changing leaves and Halloween and all. It's also a great time of year for entertainment, so I didn't have any trouble digging up some must-have items for my list. I've included an artist who should definitely be on in the background when the weather gets cold, a funny book to read by the fire (or heater), a scary movie to watch in the safety of your own home (with candy), and very cool TV-to-DVD choices. Ready to check it out? Just hit "Start."

Link Time! 9/25

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:31:54 PDT

This redesign of the Changeling poster is cracking me up. - FilmExperience
Ray LaMontagne has made a great song about Meg White called, well, "Meg White." - Stereogum
Isn't it about time House gets some new opening credits? - TV Squad
This post about the American Psycho stage musical (I'm not kidding) is making me smile through the tears. - Popwatch
A chat with Supernatural's new angel. - TV Filter
FYI: Sex and the City Blue-ray discs come with digital copies. - geeksugar
I will never get sick of interviews with Amy Ryan. - Vulture
Welcome online, MySpace Music. - Rock&Roll Daily

Salute the Sun: A Morning Yoga Playlist

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:24:46 PDT

Sun Salutation can mark a beautiful, introspective time in your day, and I'm a huge fan of employing the help of some happy, sunny tunes to get me motivated and centered. Starting a day with even just 20 minutes on the mat can make a big difference in how you look at the world around you. If your morning practice is feeling a little tired - or like me, you've literally fallen asleep on your mat in the morning! - try out these tunes to see if something new will work. I've got you covered, whether you're into the smooth, sweet sounds of Norah Jones, or old school soul like Bill Withers is your style. And if you're feeling particularly down in the dumps, hear me out and allow me to suggest some Styx. I once had a teacher kick off a morning vinyasa class with this tune, and the whole class started cracking up. But at about 30 seconds in, the happy energy in the room was basically palpable!

Find out how to do a Sun Salutation A sequence here or a Sun Salutation B sequence here.

Keep reading to see the full 10 tracks on the list.

An Indie Wedding: An Alternative Approach to Reception Music

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:29:43 PDT

If your music collection is stuffed with indie rock staples, you don't have to put them aside while planning your wedding playlist. Mainstream dance tunes just aren't every couple's style, and there are plenty of indie songs with a good beat that will get the crowd grooving.

Don't be afraid to wander off the proverbial beaten path when compiling your reception playlist. If this is the kind of music you and your fiancé enjoy most, it will have more meaning. Just because Sinatra didn't croon it (or Timbaland didn't produce it) doesn't mean it's not wedding-appropriate or fun.

I put together a playlist of good reception songs from smaller artists - including some tunes that are pretty and others that are straight-up fun to dance to. Whether you're looking to go all indie or just want to sprinkle in something a little different between your oldies and your retro tunes, these songs are a good start. Are there any indie bands or songs you'd love to hear at a wedding? To check out my playlist,

Slow:

"You & I" by Wilco
"Marry Song" by Band of Horses
"Publish My Love" by Rogue Wave
"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab For Cutie
"Sea of Love" by Cat Power
"Simplest Love" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine
"Sleepwalkin'" by Modest Mouse
"Waste" by Phish
"Hold You in My Arms" by Ray LaMontagne
"First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes
"Question" by Old 97's
"When the Stars Go Blue" by Ryan Adams
"Ambulance" by TV on the Radio
"Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized
"Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
"You Can Have It All" by Yo La Tengo
"Eyes" by Rogue Wave
"Let's Dance" by M. Ward
"Book of Love" by the Magnetic Fields
"Melt With You" by Nouvelle Vague

Upbeat:

"When I'm With You" by Best Coast
"Mushaboom" by Feist
"The Sweetest Thing" by Camera Obscura
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
"I Was Made For You" by She & Him
"Heart" by Stars
"Do You Realize" by The Flaming Lips
"Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap
"I'll Be Your Man" by The Black Keys
"Cameras" by Matt & Kim

Announcing the Winners of the 2011 Grammy Awards!

BuzzSugar — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:34:56 PST

There goes another staple in award season - the Grammys are a wrap! The night was chock-full of performances from standouts like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, but there were a few statuettes passed out between songs.

Muse frontman Matt Bellamy took the opportunity to thank his "beautiful pregnant girlfriend" Kate Hudson while accepting the trophy for best rock album, and Lady Gaga gave props to Whitney Houston in her acceptance speech for best pop album. Lady Antebellum scored big with five golden gramophones, but it was Arcade Fire that won the biggest award of the night, taking home the accolade for album of the year.

Check out the full list of winners when you

RECORD OF THE YEAR
"Need You Now", Lady Antebellum

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Need You Now", Lady Antebellum

BEST NEW ARTIST
Esperanza Spalding

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Bad Romance", Lady Gaga

BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Just The Way You Are", Bruno Mars

BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
"Hey, Soul Sister (Live)", Train

BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
"Imagine", Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
"Nessun Dorma", Jeff Beck

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
"Take Your Pick", Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto

BEST POP ALBUM
The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga

BEST DANCE RECORDING
"Only Girl (In The World)", Rihanna

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM
La Roux, La Roux

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Crazy Love, Michael Bublé

BEST SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Helter Skelter", Paul McCartney

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
"Tighten Up", The Black Keys

BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE
"New Fang", Them Crooked Vultures

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
"El Dorado", Iron Maiden

BEST ROCK INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
"Hammerhead", Jeff Beck

BEST ROCK SONG
"Angry World", Neil Young

BEST ROCK ALBUM
The Resistance, Muse

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Brothers, The Black Keys

BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Bittersweet", Fantasia

BEST MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"There Goes My Baby", Usher

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
"Soldier Of Love", Sade

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"Hang On In There", John Legend & The Roots

BEST URBAN/ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE
"F*ck You", Cee Lo Green

BEST R&B SONG
"Shine", John Legend & The Roots

BEST R&B ALBUM
Wake Up!, John Legend & The Roots

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B ALBUM
Raymond V Raymond, Usher

BEST RAP SOLO PERFORMANCE
"Not Afraid", Eminem

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
"On To The Next One", Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
"Empire State Of Mind", Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

BEST RAP SONG
"Empire State of Mind", Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

BEST RAP ALBUM
Recovery, Eminem

BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"The House That Built Me", Miranda Lambert

BEST MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE
"'Til Summer Comes Around", Keith Urban

BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
"As She's Walking Away", Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson

BEST COUNTRY INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
"Hummingbyrd", Marty Stuart

BEST COUNTRY SONG
"Need You Now", Lady Antebellum

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

BEST NEW AGE ALBUM
Miho: Journey To The Mountain, Paul Winter Consort

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM
The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee, Dee Dee Bridgewater

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM
You Are Not Alone, Mavis Staples

BEST COMEDY ALBUM
Stark Raving Black, Lewis Black

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TV, ETC
Crazy Heart

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TV, ETC
Toy Story 3, Randy Newman, composer

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURE, TV, ETC
"The Weary Kind" (From Crazy Heart), Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett, songwriters (Ryan Bingham)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (NON-CLASSICAL)
Danger Mouse

BEST REMIXED RECORDING
"Revolver" (David Guetta's One Love Club Remix), David Guetta, remixer (Madonna)

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO
"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO
"When You're Strange," The Doors

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Brothers, Michael Carney , art director (The Black Keys)

BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
Under Great White Northern Lights (Limited Edition Box Set), The White Stripes

BEST ALBUM NOTES
Keep an Eye on the Sky, Big Star

BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM
The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL
Battle Studies, John Mayer

BEST SURROUND SOUND ALBUM
Britten's Orchestra, Michael Stern and Kansas City Symphony

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
The Path Among Trees, Billy Childs Ensemble

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT
Carlos, John Scofield, Vince Mendoza, and Metropole Orkest

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT ACCOMPANYING VOCALIST(S)
Baba Yetu, Christopher Tin, Soweto Gospel Choir and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

BEST MUSICAL ALBUM FOR CHILDREN
Tomorrow's Children, Pete Seeger With The Rivertown Kids and Friends

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM FOR CHILDREN
Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies, Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (INCLUDES POETRY, AUDIO BOOKS, AND STORYTELLING)
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook), Jon Stewart

BEST MUSICAL SHOW ALBUM
American Idiot, Billie Joe Armstrong

BEST HAWAIIAN MUSIC ALBUM
Huana Ke Aloha, Tia Carrere

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC ALBUM
2010 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow: A Spirit's Dance, Derek Mathews, Dr. Lita Mathews, and Melonie Mathews

BEST ZYDECO OR CAJUN MUSIC ALBUM
Zydeco Junkie, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band

BEST REGGAE ALBUM
Before the Dawn, Buju Banton

BEST TRADITIONAL WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
Ali and Toumani, Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate

BEST CONTEMPORARY WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
Throw Down Your Heart, Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks, Bela Fleck

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
Paraiso Express, Alejandro Sanz

BEST LATIN ROCK, ALTERNATIVE OR URBAN ALBUM
El Existential, Grupo Fantasma

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM
Viva La Tradicion, Spanish Harlem Orchestra

BEST TEJANO ALBUM
Recuerdos, Little Joe and La Familia

BEST NORTENO ALBUM
Classic, Intocable

BEST BANDA ALBUM
Enamorate De Mi, El Guero Y Su Banda Centenario

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE
Grace, BeBe and CeCe Winans

BEST GOSPEL SONG
It's What I Do, Kirk Whalum and Lalah Hathaway

BEST ROCK OR RAP GOSPEL ALBUM
Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot

BEST POP/CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Love God. Love People., Israel Houghton

BEST SOUTHERN, COUNTRY, OR BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ALBUM
The Reason, Diamond Rio

BEST TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
Downtown Church, Patty Griffin

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B GOSPEL ALBUM
Still, BeBe and CeCe Winans

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL
Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina, Giancarlo Guerrero and Nashville Symphony Orchestra
AND
Porter, Quincy: Complete Viola Works, Eliesha Nelson and John McLaughlin Williams

BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE
Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina, Terrence Wilson and Nashville Symphony

BEST OPERA RECORDING
Saariaho: L'Amour De Loin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin; Rundfunkchor Berlin

BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Verdi: Requiem, Ildar Abdrazakov, Olga Borodina, Barbara Frittoli and Mario Zeffiri; Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus

BEST INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST(S) PERFORMANCE (WITH ORCHESTRA)
Messiaen: Livre Du Saint-Sacrement, Paul Jacobs

BEST CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Ligeti: String Quartets Nos. 1&2, Parker Quartet

BEST SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
Dinastia Borja

BEST CLASSICAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Sacrificium, Giovanni Antonini and Il Giardino Armonico

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION
Daugherty, Michael: Deus Ex Machina, Giancarlo Guerrero

BEST CLASSICAL CROSSOVER ALBUM
Tin, Christopher: Calling All Dawns

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, CLASSICAL
David Frost

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
Verdi: Requiem

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM
The Stanley Clarke Band, The Stanley Clarke Band

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee, Dee Dee Bridgewater

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO
A Change Is Gonna Come, Herbie Hancock

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP
Moody 4B, James Moody

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard, Mingus Big Band

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
Chucho's Steps, Chuco Valdes and The Afro-Cuban Messengers

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Mountain Soul II, Patty Loveless

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM
Joined at the Hip, Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM
Living Proof, Buddy Guy

BEST TRADITIONAL FOLK ALBUM
Genuine Negro Jig, Carolina Chocolate Drops

BEST CONTEMPORARY FOLK ALBUM
God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise, Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs