Lauren Zettler

Fallen in love again - definitely one of my favorite things to do.

This time it's Lauren Zettler - you can check her out at:
http://laurenzettler.com/
http://www.myspace.com/laurenzettler

I'm digging the voice - she has this whole Susan Vega / Shawn Colvin / Alanis Morissette / KD Lang / Nanci Griffith thing going on - complete with high register vocal moves that Michael Jackson (may he rest in peace) would recognize. All this is a good thing. She has a seriously nice instrument and sounds like herself. The music is accessible and cleverly delivered, the guitar work particularly tasty - also, you just gotta love a glockenspiel every now and then - listen to Shapes.

The reason I found this music? Back in november of 2008 I came across the following tweet:

Today my wife went to a panel discussion on the economy w/ some world leaders and economic experts. Meanwhile, I bought a glockenspiel.

It struck me as just funny - it paralleled my own experiences and so I started following the author - turns out that Cameron Mizell is a guitar player: he practices, he plays out, he loves his family, he's hipped me to new information and he's made me laugh - he reminds me of Jazz Pianist Noah Baerman who is definitely one of the good guys.. I caught something in his stream recently about going out on the road and had a moment to see what the gig was - which of course led me in turn to Lauren Zettler.

If you like the names referenced at the top then you're probably going to dig Lauren - you get a free download when you join her mailing list - a killer cover version of FleetWood Mac's The Chain - it's very good. otherwise, go buy her two EPs - hell at under $7 each they didn't break the bank and here I am - listening to her music on rotation while I'm writing this!

I love living today and right now I love Lauren Zettler - but in a way that my wife would be ok with ;-p

---------------- Now playing: Lauren Zettler - Persevere

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.