COACHELLA Part One: MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS

"I know EXACTLY what I want and who I want to be!" sang Marina as she glided across the Mojave stage this past Friday night rocking an ironed out 80's Madonna bob and a single pink glitter glove to perfection. And she did. She dazzled us with her indie pop fabulousness reminding her audience that Beyonce ain't the only diva who can work a fan.

Everything she did was magical. "Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!" she yelled to her sound crew as she sat down to an inaudible piano. Just as we were about to dismiss her as a bit of a cheeky brit brat, she lovingly introduced her sound man and demanded an applause. This girl is a pro. A glittery, fantastic pro.

She reminds us of top 40 American pop princesses with her style, beauty and diva costume changes, but one listen to this doll's deeply round and husky vocal tone and we are introduced to indie gold.

Marina makes no apologies for who she is and inspires her audience with lyrics like "It's better to be hated, than loved, loved, loved for what you're not"

LOVE.

Check out her bubble gum comic book pop vid for "Oh No" here:

Fantasia: Motown in the new Millenium

CORNBREAD AND COLLARD GREENS! Fantasia is back and she ain't afraid to bring some old school soul with her. YES GIRL!

Last week I saw her on American Idol and threw my shoe at the TV (a sign of overwhelming R.E.S.P.E.C.T according to my girl Nicole Julian) Damn she good! But not only is she a commanding force on stage and a brilliant vocalist with her sassy growl and her Ella Fitzgerald riffs, she takes risks!!! Who else could take a song about comfort food and make you BELIEVE.  "We're gonna take it back old school IDOL!" She demands! You can see this performance here or on her website:

http://www.fantasiaofficial.com/us/home

For me that's what soul does. Simple lyrics. Epic delivery. Thank you Tasia.

Look for her upcoming album appropriately titled "Back To Me" comin soon! Till then get your cornbread on ;)

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