Another year ends

Christmas and the holidays are times during which many people take stock of their lives, the past year and the family and friends who have been such an important part of their lives. Music2Work 2 has had a great year and we have made many new friends through MySpace, other music websites and communities, and people discovering our music and registering on our website. We are pleased that so many new friends are enjoying Music2Work2.

We have great plans for 2008 and are looking forward to making changes to our website, adding new music, and exploring new avenues for sharing our music with more and more people.

We wish you all happiness, success and peace during the holidays and the new year.

Andrew and Charlotte
Music2Work2

John Frusciante - A Review

Some people may recognize the name, John Frusciante, as being a member of Red Hot Chili Peppers. He played a 4 year stint with them and then after several years away, rejoined the group. But he also is a solo singer and songwriter and a MySpace friend of Music2Work2.

There are four sample songs on Frusciante's MySpace page, unfortunately only three of the songs will play. My favorite of the three is "The Past Recedes." The lyrics and John's clear, pleasant voice are great, but I especially like the melody and the sound of the different instruments in this one. "The Mirror" and "Goals" are great songs, as well; I wish I could also hear the fourth song, "666."

John Frusciante has apparently had quite a life - parts of it very difficult. But, his music continues to be fantastic and his guitar-playing never better.

Feelin' Alright Coverin' Joe Cocker

Feelin' Alright - the Joe Cocker version - is an awesome track - I first heard it when playing with Stirling Brig - we were thinking of covering it back then.  I was going to link to the versions of the track on YouTube - but I wouldn't recommend them - get the studio version - it's in a different league.  It just has this killer groove - driven by that bongo percussion and insanely simple piano lick.  I'm sitting here trying to work it out on the table - and it's nuts!  The left hand / right hand relationship is just - well - to me - it' just cool!

I'm putting it forward as possible cover song for Kelli - along with:

Gimme Some Lovin -Spencer Davis Group
We Are the Champions - Queen
Me & Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin

I love the fact that we're going to be adding covers to the set - it makes huge sense - and of course, it means we get to play some great songs.  It also means that the pressure's on - the performance has to be unique - has to be Kelli's - has to be as good if not better than the original - and when you're taking on tracks like these - well - I don't think you can ever be "better" - but you can make them you're own if you have big enough balls!

So - how about doing the Joe Cocker track on a B3 organ - give the piano groove to the Bass and just see where it goes from there...?  Instead of having the organ on the Spencer Davis track - have that as piano driven - Me & Bobby McGee would need to be sexed up - instead of the acoustic approach - putting this with the instrumentation from Can't and popping the tempo a bit - Kelli and I did an acoustic version back in 02 that's got an interesting groove to it - we could "Jeff" that up and turn it into an out and out rocker - as for we are the Champions - I have no idea how to approach that!  Of course - there's 4 other players in the room who will all have their own ideas - it's going to be a fantastic experience putting these together.

Blogged with Flock

A Review of Revolutionary Side Effects

Do you like the cool sounds of progressive rock? If so, check out Revolutionary Side Effects, one of the MySpace friends of Music2Work2. Revolutionary Side Effects out of North Hollywood is made up of band members Mike Blumberg (Guitars, Vocals & Sampling), and Josh Baldwin (Drums, Vocals, Slidewhistle), with help on Bass from a variety of great players.

There are six sample songs on their MySpace page, all of them great. It would be difficult for me to chose a favorite. I like "Hey Western Union Man" and also "Fearless Jam" in particular, but they all provide a pleasant listening experience.

Since their first live performance in 2005, they have entertained audiences with their live improvisations at over 85 shows. Check out this jam band; I think you'll like them.

Keane - A Review

Keane is a fantastic alternative band from the U.K. The band members are Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley and Richard Hughes.

Their music is melodic, upbeat tempo, with lyrics sung by a clear, pleasant voice and nice harmony. It seems to be piano/keyboard driven.

Three of the four songs available to hear on their MySpace page are recordings from live performances. I enjoyed listening to all four songs but my favorite is "This is the Last Time" with "A Bad Dream" as a close second.

Keane is one of Music2Work2's MySpace friends and a friend I would recommend checking out. Their band website won People's Choice Award for Best Official Music Site in the 2007 BT Digital Music Awards. Keane are currently working on their third album.

Let the Sunshine in

Apollo Sunshine, a MySpace friend of Music2Work2, can brighten any day with their upbeat, melodic sounds. The band is made up of members Jeremy, Jesse, Sam, Quentin, Oli, etc. Their music is classified as Idol/Religious/Salsa but realistically I would call it Pop, Rock, Electronica...

The songs available to hear on their MySpace page are instrumental except for one, "Magnolia." The vocals, harmony, and melodies performed by these musicians are all enjoyable. My favorite of the songs on their MySpace page is "Gnarls." However, all the songs give you a happy, uplifted feeling.

I recommend checking out their MySpace page and website and letting some Apollo Sunshine into your life.

Sophie Serafino - A Review

Sophie Serafino, a MySpace friend of Music 2 Work 2, is a violinist, singer and songwriter from Sydney, Australia. She began playing the violin at age 3.

Her music seems to be a mix of several genres - pop, rap, funk, rock, classical; these are evident just in the sample music on her MySpace page. Of the four songs available to hear on her page, my favorite is "Liquid Crystal." It is an upbeat, melodic piece with touches of classical and rock.

In addition to her solo performances, Sophie also plays with The String Angels and The String Selection.

I recommend checking out the sounds of this very talented musician.