Music and Fun

1. She Just Wants To Be, by REM - Of course I have an REM song to kick off the week. I actually have been looking at jobs and stuff in places other than St. Louis, and that’s the theme for the week. She does want to be somewhere else. It’s not that I hate St. Louis, it’s just not home to me. That’s my inspiration for making this the top of my list.

2. Champagne and Reefer, by Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line - I just saw this band weekend before last, and this song was the best one (in my not-so-humble opinion!). I saw a video from the performance the other day and I could totally hear my drunken loud mouth in the background. This song reminds me of the fun time I had, and keeps me motivated for my mini-vacation at the end of the month.

3. When I Grow Up, by the Pussycat Dolls - Oh my god, did anyone see them perform at the MTV Movie awards last night? They looked totally amazing. I am not ashamed to admit that they’re so smoking hot, I’d probably drink their bath water. I like their new song, looks notwithstanding. They have a fun sound that I love to dance to. Don’t judge me!

4. Whoever You Are, by Geggy Tah - Ok, so it was an obscure song in the mid 90s when it came out, but I absolutely love this song. I put it on my playlist this week and every time it comes on, I am dancing like a mad woman. If you haven’t heard it, go listen right now!

5. This Is the New Shit, by Marilyn Manson - Ok, as with most of his music, you shouldn’t listen if you are easily offended or are wearing a pacemaker or whatever. I like this song. I like the lyrics, and I like to bounce around and fake-mosh while it’s playing.

I got writer’s block after this. I mean, how does one define a week in progress with ten songs? So those are the five songs to the beginning of the week. I have also been a bit grumpy and unwilling to blog much because my air conditioner is broken, and at midnight it is still 88 degrees in here. Bear with me!

I am also open for suggestions on topics to write about. Anything music is really up for grabs.

picture taken from MichaelHolloway.com

Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar is located in Printer’s Alley in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. It’s an amazing little place that I discovered years ago, when my dad was playing the blues around town. I happened to go see Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line there last weekend, and let me tell you, the place has only gotten better. It’s being managed by Peter Berger, former saxophone player for Stacy Mitchart and Blues U Can Use. Last Saturday night was the last night of Mardi Gras in May, an annual event for the bar.

We got there around 8:00 P.M. and had some great cajun food. Their menu is rich with cajun and creole dishes that will make your mouth water. They have the best dirty rice north of Louisiana, and their gumbo will make your toes curl. I always get their fried fish with garlic mashed potatoes and dirty rice, and have yet to be disappointed. The rest of my party was equally satisfied with their choices.

The house drink is called Blues Juice, and I can only guess at what’s in it. I am pretty sure there’s some rum, blue curaco, and either orange or pineapple juice. It definitely borders more towards the tropical side in tastes. Their southern hurricanes are amazing too (and were on $5 special along with Jager bombs). They’ve got tons of beers to choose from and even sell hurricanes by the pitcher!

As far as decor goes, they always make it up nice. There were beads and masks on every table, and the band tossed out more beads during their set. They have a huge souvenir and cigar shop, a fun little dance floor, and enough seating for everyone. The good thing is that the club is actually two levels which makes for a good seat no matter where you are.

A couple of fun Bourbon Street Facts: Gretchen Wilson waited tables here before she made it big. She used to get up and sing with some of the bands (my dad’s included) and was always just the biggest sweetheart. Also, the Governor of Louisiana has made Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar in Nashville, Tennessee the most northern parish of Louisiana. Quite the honor!

All in all, you can’t go wrong if you make Bourbon Street a must-do on your next Nashville vacation. Check the calendar to see who’s playing, and check them out beforehand too. It makes for a much more satisfying experience.

image taken from myspace page
Click here to view their website and hear some tunes!

I was in Nashville visiting the folks over the weekend, and whenever I’m there we try to get down to Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar (which I’ll be doing a review on tomorrow) to see whatever band is playing that night. Sometimes it’s very “meh” and other times it’s actually phenomenal. This past Saturday night, the four of us all rolled up and met some friends there. We hadn’t heard of this band previously, but it didn’t matter because we were there for many other things. We usually get there about an hour before the band starts to give us time to have dinner before the music starts playing.

They were a little late coming on stage, which annoyed me because I usually don’t like to start drinking until the band plays, and I was ready for my Blues Juice. I noticed a few things when the band was setting up. First off, a full horns section (sax, coronet, and trombone) but no pianist. That’s a different combination! Josh Garrett plays guitar, and he has a bassist and drummer of course in addition to the horns.

When he started playing, it was complete magic. He took command of the stage, worked the crowd, and completely transformed the place into a party. It was the last night of Bourbon Street’s famous “Mardi Gras in May” and I swear that it felt like I was on the real Bourbon Street in New Orleans, partying with my friends and drinking hurricanes (I was drinking hurricanes, but that’s beside the point). Highlights of the night were his song “Champagne and Reefer,” the title track off of his new CD, “Changed Man,” and “I’ve Got My Mojo Working.”

Not only is he an amazing musician (and the rest of his band as well), he’s an excellent performer. He’s charismatic, fun, and really knows how to work the crowd. If you go to see Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line you will definitely have an amazing time, especially if you love the blues. Check out his website and his album, which can be bought off of his MySpace page.

Get it here on Amazon.Com

I have waited for this album for a very, very long time. This album captures the REM-ness that REM hadn’t really had in their last few albums (don’t get me wrong, I loved “Around the Sun,” but this is much different). Michael Stipe and Mike Mills have brought back those amazing melodies and countermelodies with interlacing lyrics that I loved so much back in the day. To this day, “Fall On Me” is one of my favorite REM songs and this reminds me a lot of that song. Highlights on the album are “Supernatural Superserious,” “Living Well Is the Best Revenge,” and “Hollow Man.” I liked the lyrics to “Horse to Water” but reading them before hearing the song disappointed me. I was almost hoping for slow and creepy, and instead it was a loud, angry song. It completely changed the tone and meaning for the lyrics for me once I heard them.

All in all, get this album. Put it on your iPod, and walk around in the beautiful late spring/early summer afternoon weather. Hit up a college campus while “Supernatural Superserious” is playing. You won’t be disappointed, and guaranteed you’ll get caught singing along.