Giveaway: Playing For Change – Songs Around the World CD/DVD Combos

[caption id="attachment_1437" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Playing for Change CD/DVD Combo"][/caption] Playing For Change: Songs Around The World - Deluxe Edition, featuring the award-winning, previously unavailable full-length documentary film Peace Through Music was released by Playing For Change Records/Concord Music Group on October 13th. This special two-disc package includes a 10 track "Songs Around the World" audio CD plus DVD containing the 84 minute documentary as well as 2 bonus chapters: "The Filmmakers' Journey" (a 15-minute behind the scenes featurette consisting of interviews with project executive producer Norman Lear, directors Mark Johnson and Jonathan Walls along with several other key members of the Playing For Change initiative) and "The Playing For Change Foundation," focusing on the enlightening and inspiring work of the project's remarkable non-profit organization. The Playing for Change Band is currently on tour to promote the release of the CD/DVD Combo. The current members of the Playing For Change Band are: Clarence Bekker (lead... Read More »

Artists Such As Terra Naomi Could Make Music Real Again

Terra Naomi has not been overweight since she was a child, but her voice could represent a fat lady’s for the music industry in the not-too-distant future. After a frustrating and short relationship with a big label (Island Records), singer/songwriter Terra Naomi decided to return to being her own boss and pursue her music career by marketing herself through the internet—a pursuit that has worked brilliantly thus far. Terra Naomi before she became a YouTube phenomenon Naomi was a self-proclaimed “big nerd” as a kid growing up in New York.  After graduating high-school, she attended the University of Michigan School of Music where she studied opera and claims on her website to have abused drugs. In the early 2000s, Naomi cleaned herself up, returned to New York, wrote her first songs, got her first guitar and played her first gigs.  In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles; and, in 2006, she started a YouTube Virtual Tour that would... Read More »

Norah Jones — Chasing Pirates

Norah Jones isn't exactly known for her seafaring ways. From the start, "Chasing Pirates," Jones' first single in nearly three years, leaves us scratching our heads. The title is clever, whimsical, and unexpected--but that's to be expected after her Hollywood jaunt in such films as My Blueberry Nights. We have to wonder: Is Miss Jones still in character? "And I don't know how to slow it down," Jones begins, drums driving the mid-tempo melody. Noticeably absent are the heavily present keys that made "Don't Know Why" and "Sunrise" radio favorites. The lyrics provide a playful excuse: "My mind's racing from chasing pirates."  In real life, Jones insists it's really quite simple. "I wanted the grooves to be more present and heavy. And I also just wanted to do something different." With the latter, Jones undoubtedly strikes the right key. Currently sailing high atop Rolling Stone's "Hot List," "Chasing Pirates" deserves to be different. Present and heavy? Well, Jones knows how to play--and make us... Read More »

5 Questions with…Bill Engvall

Famous comedian Bill Engvall (Blue Collar Comedy Tour) has done pretty much everything as a comedian: had his own TV show, been in movies, recorded successful comedy albums, written a book and, his favorite thing of all, performed stand-up in front of a live audience.  Frequency Magazine recently talked to the talented entertainer about his upcoming album, his comedic style and a hypothetical insult battle between two of his favorite comedians. Frequency Magazine: Your new album, Aged and Confused, is now available.  Why should people buy this new album? Bill Engvall: Aged and Confused was a lot of fun for me to record.  My previous albums have been about my kids and raising a family.  Now that we are empty-nesters, it has forced me to go back and write comedy like I did before I had children.  This material will speak to anyone who is getting older and having to deal with those side-effects of aging.  It... Read More »

Ernie Halter

Ernie Halter has a soulful voice that seems to wrap around you like a blanket on a cold winter night.  Okay, not really, but it is pretty damn close, especially when you hear him live. So it’s fitting that Halter’s most recent album is a live album that pieces together each of his past efforts into one miraculous piece of work.  Recorded over a month at different tour stops, this album showcases what is at the heart of his music, his fans.  Via his website, Halter states, “At my live shows, I always thank them and tell them, ‘You are my employer, this is my office, and I’m doing this for you.’  My fans are the foundation of everything I do.” Halter doesn’t just talk the talk though.  He tours almost constantly, usually more than 100 dates a year, solo or with an array of other musicians/friends such as Tony Lucca, Tyrone Wells, Josh Hoge, and has... Read More »

Kristina Train – Spilt Milk

Spilt Milk, the debut single from Kristina Train is a bittersweet remedy for the music industry.   While her voice stands out immensely on the mellow track, (a raspy soulful voice clearly influenced by Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin) the song itself is lacking character and flow. The opening of the soft drumbeat and piano accompany the soulfulness of Train’s voice, reminiscent of Norah Jones (circa Come Away with Me).  However, the chorus fails to impress, the melody sounding a bit erratic for the power of Train’s vocal abilities.  While the lyrics are catchy, Train fails to connect the melody to the words after the first chorus. Though not ideal for a debut single, the track showcases the power of Train’s voice perfectly.  As the song progresses, her strength as a singer grows, convincing the listener that she is the real deal. Train’s debut album is due out October... Read More »

Miranda Lambert – Revolution

She calls it Revolution, I call the third album from Miranda Lambert brilliant and apparently country fans agree; Revolution debuted at #1 making her one of three country artists in SoundScan history whose first three albums all landed the #1 spot out of the box. Somehow Lambert manages to consistently put out solid albums full of everything you'd expect from a country album except on this one, the growth from her previous two albums is obvious. She's been country's spitfire since she released Kerosene as a single and while she maintains that label with Revolution she also shows she can do the emotional and downright raw songs as well. Fifteen songs and not a bad song to be found. There are five that don't even make it to the three minute mark, but as with traditional country songs, the shortness doesn't take away any of the greatness. It's easy to forget with her... Read More »

Ingrid Michaelson — Everybody

Ingrid Michaelson’s latest album, Everybody (released August 25, 2009), inks in her status as one of the best contemporary female singer/songwriters in the pop genre. Everybody vs. Girls and Boys Despite the high quality of Everybody, this album feels as if it is missing a distinct briskness that made Girls and Boys (her 2006 breakthrough album) one of the most refreshing pop releases of the decade. Perhaps, Michaelson’s gloriously quirky and imaginative metaphors no longer take people who are familiar with her previous albums by surprise.  Upon first listen, a disappointed fan may lament that the spunk which flowed through Girls and Boys is less prevalent. Furthermore, the decision to include “The Chain,” a song that has developed into an enormously popular live song because of the breathtaking overlapping voices of Michaelson and guitarists Allie Moss and Bess Rogers, was ill-advised.  The studio version sounds like a short album filler as opposed to the mesmerizing display of vocal harmony... Read More »

Carrie Underwood — Cowboy Casanova

As the first single off of Underwood's third studio album, Play On, Cowboy Casanova has a lot riding on it. It should come as no surprise that the single is about as country as...well Underwood's previous singles. There's no denying that she has a strong voice and it is on display here but what is missing is growth. Underwood and the powers that be seem to be content with putting out similar sounding music instead of finding material that showcases anything more. It's a song that will undoubtedly get mass amounts of air play just like all of her other singles and has the potential to be an anthem for women but it is nothing that special. Play On will be released on November 3rd,... Read More »

Joss Stone — Free Me

The first single off of Stone's fourth studio album, Colour Me Free, is a refreshing addition to the radio waves. Stone's signature soulsy voice shines on this great choice for a first single. An inspirational song about being free and making the choices regarding your life, Free Me is a song that must be heard and the advice followed. Listen to the single below: [audio:http://frequencymagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/Joss_Stone-Free_Me.mp3|titles=Free Me|artists=Joss Stone] Colour Me Free will be released in North America on October 20th with the physical release exclusively sold at Target and the digital release exclusive to iTunes. The album will be released on November 2nd outside of North... Read More »