Gearing up for Coachella: Where the soul at?

Black Keys, Cee Lo Green, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu. Done. Plus all the acts I've yet to discover. After 6 years of Coachella I never underestimate the power of the festival, the people and the music.

One of my favorite memories was catching Gnarles Barkley play their FIRST show EVER! I just walked upon this spectacle of what looked like the Wizard of OZ with instruments. Cee Lo was the lion (in the desert sun, that boy is committed!) and Danger Mouse rocked steady as the Tin Man. Believe me when I tell you that NO ONE knew the words to "Crazy" yet, the smash hit of the summer, EXCEPT my boy Shane and I simply because it leaked on myspace (remember myspace?) the same weekend we moved into a new apartment.

We couldn't get enough of "St. Elsewhere" and played it on repeat the entire weekend. We looked like freaks screaming "Craaaaaaaaazaaayy!" But we knew they'd know soon enough. Here's hoping for more unforgettable Coachella moments this year.

Y'all know by now I don't stick strictly to soul although it is my first love...

Other acts I'm dying for are: Scissor Sisters, Marina and the Diamonds, CSS and The Kills. I also cannot wait to see the Strokes reunite. We've been chasing Julian around for the past year and it looks like he's brought a little solo love to the new album. We'll see!!! Pack up ya sunscreen, let's get it in.

MAHALIA JACKSON: My Angel

Let me tell you a story...

When I shop for records, often it's a grab it all and go situation. I pick up anything and everything in the soul section (don't get me STAAAH-TED). Sometimes it takes me awhile to listen to it all so I have a few lurking around that have never been played. This was the case with Mahalia Jackson.

Mahalia Jackson was a spiritual singer who brought rock n' roll to church y'all. I first saw her on PBS while flipping through channels. There she was: eyes closed and pouring her soul into a simple hum that stopped me dead in my tracks. Who was this woman!?! I missed the part where they said her name...

A few weeks later, I went over to my record collection and picked up a record I had never played before and suddenly I heard a familiar hum. Instantly it hit me like a wave of joy that this was the inspirational angel whose simple hum guided me through recent trials and whose voice was now in my hands.  Needless to say, it now gets a lot of play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l49N8U3d0Bw

JESSIE J: Part ONE

I don't normally curse but holy shit. She wrote this for Rhianna. It didn't work out I guess. Don't worry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAd3ogzmnl4

TRIBUTE TO ETTA

I just had to cover this one.

"ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY" by Etta James
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yIVKeIhs5c&feature=player_embedded

And yes, I love me some granny sweaters.

<3 Steely Nash

The Velvelettes

It's no secret I wanna bring back old school soul like nobody's business. Inevitably there will be a sprinkle of now. Soul music comes from somewhere between your heart and your gut. And c'mon y'all, you GOT to strut!

The Velvelettes 1963-66

Marina and the Diamonds: MY NEW OBSESSION PART ONE

So I wanna thank Coachella for introducing me and so many others to great underground acts. This gal and her people, well, this is what she says about her name/band: MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS..

"I never envisaged a character, pop project, band or solo artist. I saw a simple group made up of many people who had the same hearts. A space for people with similar ideals who could not fit in to life's pre-made mould. I was terribly awkward for a long time! I really craved to be part of one thing because I never felt too connected to anybody and now I feel I have that all around me."


I LIKE EM' I like em' a lot. Here's her video for "I am not a Robot" I can't tell if I love the song or the make-up more...glitter lips? DONE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_oMD6-6q5Y

Etta James PART ONE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETTA!!!

Miss Etta, I hope you know by now that you're it. You're everything. Happy 73rd mama.