Chic Tunes Tuesday

Panic mode has settled in.  I’m leaving in 48 hours for SxSWi and um, I’m SO not ready.  I’ve been slowly gathering and planning a reasonable wardrobe for warmish weather for around 3 weeks now, and yesterday my friend Arianne casually says to me “You know it’s going to be chilly and rainy, right?”

Um, no.  Cause that’s just fab.  Really.

I live in Louisiana, people.  I laid out in my backyard to get a tan yesterday.  I don’t have chilly weather clothing.  It’s TEXAS for crying out loud, it’s not supposed to be cool in March.  So my relaxing 3 weeks of gathering exactly what I want/need has come down to two very hectic days trying to figure out what in the world I’m gonna do.  And apparently I need an umbrella, heh.

Aside from my clothing dilemma (ok, with me it’s always a clothing dilemma) I had to do one other very important thing…update my playlist on my iPhone!  Here are the songs making the cut this week…enjoy!

1.  The Climb – Miley Cyrus  — Ok, I’m TOTALLY not a Miley Cyrus fan, not for any other reason but that I’m not generally a fan of her voice.  This song is my new favorite for the week though – love the lyrics, the sound, all of it.  It makes me happy, stick it on your “motivation and inspiration” playlist and let it make you happy too. 

2.  Green Light (feat. Andre 3000) – John Legend — Love this song, when it comes on I’m usually groovin’ around my house in a mellow mood.  It makes me smile!

3.  Candle (Sick and Tired) – The White Tie Affair — I heard this song the other day and it was one of those songs that had me bouncing around singing it for the rest of the night.  It is rock/pop and lots of fun, I’m a fan.

4. Here Comes Goodbye – Rascal Flatts  — So I’m on a bit of a Rascal Flatts kick since I saw their rockin’ show last Friday night.  Seriously, these guys are way talented, seem down-to-earth, and put on a truly awesome show for their fans.  This is their newest single from their album which drops April 7th.

5.  Kiss A Girl – Keith Urban  — If you keep up with Chic Tunes Tuesday, you already know I’m a huge Keith Urban fan.  Today marks the release of the second song from his yet-to-be-released album “Defying Gravity”.  I downloaded it about 30 minutes after it hit iTunes this morning and I’m already smitten.  He’s good, what can I say.

Chic Tunes Tuesday – Mardi Gras Style!

Happy Mardi Gras!  I’m proud to say that I was born and raised here in the New Orleans metro area, and am essentially a part of “old” New Orleans.  My family and ancestors have been a part of this great city since it’s inception.  Growing up here I think it is really easy to take the culture and history for granted a bit, and it wasn’t until I was in college that I started to truly appreciate the rich traditions and history that we have as a state.

Naturally, Carnival season is one of those traditions!  If you don’t know, Carnival starts on January 6th, which is Kings Day (or Twelfth Night) and goes through Mardi Gras Day itself (the date of which changes each year, depending on the date of Easter!  Mardi Gras is scheduled to be 47 days before Easter.).  I know, it’s kinda confusing, but in a nutshell it was a season created to “live it up” before Lent begins.  It is such a fun and festive time of the year, and well, the fact that you can only buy King Cakes during Carnival Season doesn’t hurt either.  (Can you say yummy?)  I do want to say that the seedy side of the Carnival Season that is so often played up on TV and in the movies IS NOT how Mardi Gras really is to the people that live here.  The flashing, drunkeness, excuse to do whatever you want type of attitude is one that sweeps into town along with the hoards of tourists, NOT the locals.  As a matter of fact, we hate that you think that is ALL that Mardi Gras is!

As a native New Orleans girl, I grew up hearing the music of the city.  During Carnival, that music takes on a very specific sound, and there is music that I know by heart – every beat, every tinkling of the piano keys, the sound of each horn – that has been ingrained in my soul since I was a child.  It was never “forced” upon me, it just found its way into my heart by virtue of its mere existence.  Then one day, not too long ago, I realized that people who aren’t from here have no idea what this odd sounding mix of music actually is!  To think that it sounds foreign to your ears truly blows my mind!  How can you not know what it means to Second Line, or to instinctively hum “Big Chief” under your breath?

So, with that, I give you Chic Tunes Tuesday – Mardi Gras style.  All of the songs linked here have multiple re-makes, but these are the originals, and the best versions, in my opinion.  Enjoy this fun mix of Jazz and Blues songs – and mostly enjoy hearing a little bit of Mardi Gras!

1. “Mardi Gras Mambo” by The Meters – Play this song and NOLA folk can’t help but dance.  I promise we know every word!

2. “Carnival Time” by Al Johnson  – Frequently played on the radio this time of the year, Carnival Time is a favorite, and yet another way that you know the season has arrived!

3.  “Big Chief” by Professor Longhair – This song is very old, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the main Mardi Gras Anthems.  There are words to the song, but most people just know it by the instrumental part.  I was on the dance team when I was in High School, and we marched (for 3 straight weekends) in 6-8 parades a year.  This song was one that our band played during the parades, and I can STILL remember the dance that we did to it.

4. “The Second Line” by Stop, Inc.  – A New Orleans tradition, but one commonly associated with Mardi Gras, the second line referred to the people drawn to the brass band processions because of the music.  A sweet tradition at New Orleans weddings is to hire a brass band and “Second Line” to the reception, with all of your guests following behind you.  My cousin Jennifer recently did this at her wedding, and it’s so much fun.  (And it gave French Quarter tourists quite the eye full!)

5.  “Hey Pocky Way” by the Neville Brothers  – I have no idea what it means, but I groove to this song almost every year!  One of my faves, and sure to get me dancing and acting silly!

Can’t get enough?  There are SO many great songs that I associate with Mardi Gras, that it was hard to choose just five!  You can also check out “Iko Iko“, and “Go To The Mardi Gras“.

Chic Tunes Tuesday

You know the worst part about traveling?  Hands down, it’s the unpacking and putting stuff away.  Why in the WORLD did I pack THIS MUCH STUFF?  I’m all — oh yeah, stick that in there in case we need it! – that is until I find myself (literally) sprinting across the Houston airport with something like 5 carry-ons AND a kid in a stroller.   All this trying to make it to my connecting flight in a “terminal” that is nothing more than a converted trailer.  For reals – Gate 84E?  Wouldn’t that be easier as Gate 89? Anyway, yeah, it’s at that point I regret throwing the roll of blue painters tape in the suitcase, as well as trying to shove in the last 3 issues of Vogue and In Style.  And did I really need to bring her mini-piano?  REALLY?!

How about some music?  I’ve been bopping around the house all day, and I’ve declared these my favorites of the week.  Check ‘em out on iTunes.

1.  Thinking of You – Katy Perry — Her first single was catchy but not something I’d add to my iPod, but her last two singles – this one being her newest — have really captured my attention.  I love this song, and I’m impressed that she can do a ballad equally as well as snarky pop.

2.  Broken – Lifehouse — This song came on the radio yesterday on our way home from Florida and I loved it so much that I googled the only lyrics I could remember.  When I discovered it was Lifehouse and realized what the song was called I couldnt’ help but giggle — I had already downloaded it a week ago because I really liked it.  So yeah, at the least I can say that my taste in music is consistent.

3.  1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s – Great lyrics, really sweet, reminds me of why I love “Hey There Delilah” so much.

4.  Love Remains the Same – Gavin Rossdale — I’ve been hearing this song for a couple of weeks and today when it came on Sirius I came flying into the living room to see who sings it.  I am totally impressed with Gavin Rossdale – I love the sound of this song, as well as the lyrics.  What a difference 10 years made for this guy, eh?

5. Waitin’ on a Woman – Brad Paisley – Ok, ok, I’ll admit it.  This song made me cry.  Like, tears streaming down my cheeks cry.  Such a beautiful song about what it’s like to spend life waitin’ on a woman.   I won’t ruin the surprise, but I’ll just say that the end of the song is what made me cry. If you hate country music, google the lyrics, at the very least.

Chic Tunes Tuesday

It is SO me to start a new column one week and then um, forget to do it the next week!  See, you come back to CSC to read my stuff not only because you think I’m cool (you DO!?  Wow!  Thank you!  I’m flattered!) but because you can always expect the unexpected.  Yup, that’s right, spread the word, tell your friends – it’s not a newsflash to my friends, but your friends?  They might enjoy watching the craziness unfold before their eyes.

This Chic Tunes Tuesday is coming to you from the Westin in Alexandria, VA – where I am tempted to take their dual-showerhead “heavenly shower” home with me in my suitcase.  We’re here with hubby while he’s at a conference, and so far the most I’ve done is drive around town a bit.  Tomorrow I have high hopes for lunch with my friend Lindsay and her son, some shopping at Nordstrom Rack (I’ve heard so much about it yet have never been!), and then taking Little AG to see Disney On Ice at the Verizon Center tomorrow night.

Oh, and I got to try Iceberry today, which for the record, tastes JUST like Pinkberry.  (Picture me doing a happy dance in your head, because I definitely did it at least twice!)  I was beyond pleased and it was delish, though I was a bit perturbed that they wouldn’t let you sample the flavors first.  The taste is so unique that I wasn’t sure if I was willing to branch out and try something besides the original, so I didn’t.  Yes, I’m pseudo-obsessed with Fro-Yo.  It’s a charming quirk of mine, m’kay?

Moving along to the reason you clicked over to read – the music!  Last week a couple of people asked WHY I chose the songs I did, so this week I’m including commentary.  Here are 5 songs I’m lovin’ on this week, in no particular order.  (Suddenly I feel like I’m announcing the finals of the Miss America Pagent!)

1.  “You Found Me” by The Fray — Heard it on the radio yesterday, whipped out my phone and wrote a note to myself to download it ASAP.  Haven’t regretted it yet.

2.  “Angels on the Moon” by Thriving Ivory  — Sort of alternative/pop, not sure what to think of the lyrics but she song makes me want to sing along as loudly as I can, so it scores points in my book.

3.  “I Will Be” by Leona Lewis  — Her new single – it’s strong and soulful.  I’m thinking I should download more of her stuff.

4.  “Sweet Thing” by Keith Urban  — It’s Keith Urban, it’s new, he rocks.  Need I say more?

5.  “Rain King” by Counting Crows — I’ve always been a CC fan, but I heard this one the other day and was reminded of how much I really, really like it!  Added it to my On-The-Go playlist, now it’s on perpetual shuffle.

Chic Tunes Tuesday

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but music is a huge part of my life.  The right song can make or break my mood and I really enjoy creating different “soundtracks” for my life (I believe now we call those “playlists”, right?).  Back before I had Little AG some of the best days were spent with the convertible top down and good songs blaring on the radio.  Just remembering those days makes me smile – it was such a natural high.  As you may have guessed, I’m a rather expressive person so I was often drumming on the steering wheel, singing loudly along, and, yes, dancing.  (People love being next to me at stop lights – I’m endlessly entertaining!)

I don’t listen to just one type of music, and I don’t have a specific sound, so I feel that makes my choice of music rather eclectic.  Rock, Pop, Alternative, Techno, Country, Rap, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, Hip Hop — I like bits of almost everything.  Since I believe the music someone listens to can really tell you a lot about their personality, I decided it was time to start Chic Tunes Tuesday, a weekly column where I share 5 songs that I’m really loving that week.

So, here are this week’s Chic Tunes – straight from my iPhone!  Maybe you’ll find some new music to add to your library, maybe you’ll expand your musical tastes a bit, or maybe you’ll leave me a comment telling me that I have awful taste in music!    Feel free to let me know what you’re listening to – I’m always looking for some great new music.

Looking back over this I’ve realized that it is a rather mellow list.  Perhaps I’m feeling zen today?

1.  Mercy – Duffy

2.  Love Story (Pop Mix) – Taylor Swift

3.  Hollywood’s Not America – Ferras

4.  Lucky – Jason Mraz (feat. Colbie Calliat)

5.  Love, Save the Empty – Erin McCarley