Music Week Day 2

Welcome to day two of music week here at my little corner of the world.  This week's posts were inspired by a great sale on mp3 albums at amazon.com.  As I read through the list of $5 picks I started sorting it into two parts - the albums I already had and wish I'd managed to buy for five bucks and those that were going on my wish list.

I'm always on the lookout for new music and, because I buy so much, finding good deals is a huge bonus.  I'm guessing some of you are the same, so for the rest of the week I'm going to highlight some of my favorites.  First up, the music from amazon's sale that is already part of my collection and I can vouch for:

• The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You: One of my favorite bands and albums of the past year, I'm dying to see them live.
• Ray LaMontagne - Till the Sun Turns Black: Not his latest, but an all-time favorite, I'm almost always in the mood for a little Ray
• Sara Bareilles - Little Voice: She just came out with a new album last week, but this is the one I fell in love with, her songs will make you happy
• The Fray - How to Save a Life: The title song was a little over played for my taste, but still a decent album
• Amos Lee - Supply and Demand: This one has had a ton of play in my iPod over the past few years, one of those artist I turn to when I want to relax
• Coldplay - Parachutes: Their music is always good.
• Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds: From two members of the Dixie Chicks, this album made up part of my summer soundtrack, the perfect pick for a long road trip.
• The Garden State Soundtrack: An older album, but full of great artists before they became well known.
• Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilbert: Takes me back to my years in Rio, such an amazing voice.
• Sugarland - Love on the Inside: Full of great songs you can't resists singing along with.
• Darius Rucker - Learn to Live: Former Hootie lead singer did something right when he went country,  This album is full of amazing songs
• Dierks Bentley - Up on the Ridge: Dierks did a bluegrass album that even people who aren't bluegrass fans will love.
• Jaron and the Long Road to Love - Getting Dressed in the Dark: Former pop singer makes me laugh with his clever songs.  Saw him live at the Ryman, just him and a piano, this guy has talent.

See something you like?  You can find them all at Amazon (and I promise I'm making nothing from them for sending you here - just the satisfaction of helping you find cheap tunes.)  Amazon $5 Albums

A sneak peek:

Do you have an tips for discovering great new music?  Any other sources for finding great deals on music?

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Music Week Kickoff

The event I've been in Lexington working on is less than 2 weeks away, but my portion went live last week.  Needless to say, my life has been full of long, long days which stretch into the weekend, making me tired but also energized as I see the project come alive and to know that all those months of hard work are paying off.

One downside to my crazy work life is there is no time left over for exploring the area, adventures worth writing about or capturing photos.  So this week's blog post are going in a slightly different direction.  I'm going to help you fill up your iPod with great music (on the cheap.)  This gives me an excuse to share music I love and means that I can save my creativity for solving problems at work.

Over the past couple of years I've fallen in love with Americana, a genre of music that wrapped up a music festival this weekend.  The Americana Music Association provides this description:

Americana is music that honors and is derived from the traditions of American roots music. It is music inspired by American culture traditions which is not only represented in classic man made / roots based sounds but also through new and contemporary artists whose music is clearly inspired by these great traditions. It is a great genre, vast, like jazz which encompasses a wide range of music. Like jazz, which spans from Miles Davis to Harry Connick to the Preservation Hall, Americana's range includes artists like Gram Parsons, Soloman Burke, The Band, Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, Mavis Staples...


Thanks to the festival and Amazon, you can sample some of the top Americana artists for free.  Simply download a free sample and give it a try.  I'm guessing you'll find a least an artist or two you'll fall in love with.


Americana Music Awards Sampler 


Here's a sneak peek:





Do you like American, or is this your introduction to the genre?  If you download the samples let me know what you think. Pin It

The Sunday Creative - Timeworn

I loved this weeks prompt (and not just because it fit so well with my weekend jaunt to the Lexington Cemetery.)  There is so much beauty that can be found in objects which have weathered the elements for years.

I found these tombstones at the cemetery, time has completely worn away the name and any other markings but left behind a beautiful patina of age.  I love that these slabs continue to stand marking the final resting place of someone, even after the years have worn away the marking.

I can't get enough of Ray LaMontagne's latest album - it's on frequent repeat and his "Old Before Your Time" is amazing (and fitting.)

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A Milestone: 400

This is my 400th post!

Can't quite believe I made it here, when I started I was just hoping to record some of the memories of my time in India.  But since the first post nearly 3 years ago a funny thing happened.  I fell in love with blogging.  I learned to appreciate the habit and discipline that comes from regularly sharing my photos, thoughts, fears and discoveries.

I've made amazing friends and started to explore my creative side.  I've been encouraged and have found teachers/tutors who are willing to share their advice and talents.  I feel like I'm a part of a supportive community that I can take with me, no matter where work takes me - and that is an amazing gift for someone who is used to starting over every year or two.

Thanks for all of your support and comments - I really can't tell you how much it means to me.

Here's my celebration hallelujah in the form of Ryan Bingham:

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Playing the If Game

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had been born somewhere else?    I have always felt extremely lucky to have been born in the US and after living in other countries that feeling has been multiplied.

There is a great website called, If It Were My Home, that tells you how different your life would be if you were born in a different country.  The differences are amazing - for example if I were born in India I would use 93% less oil in my lifetime, but I would die nearly 12 years earlier.  The site is a fun (and educational) time waster, that left me feeling luckier than ever, but also helped me realize that there are some other amazing places to be from.

Have you ever considered what it would be like if you had been born somewhere else?  If so, in what country would you like to have been born?

Here's a little Uncle Kracker with "Good to be Me," in the hopes that you all feel good about where and who you are today.

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Cemetery Stroll

In addition to the gardens there are some gorgeous tombstones throughout the cemetery.  Some of them are true works of art.

I fell in love with the ones in the older section of the cemetery.

Part of what makes this cemetery so gorgeous is the way it is integrated with nature.

I love today's song and have for a while but haven't posted it because I couldn't figure out how to do it without sounding morbid, but since this entire post already crossed the line I've decided to go all the way.

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Secret Garden

I feel my time in Lexington growing shorter and there are so many things I still want to see, unfortunately a crazy work schedule means I have to grab opportunity when I can find it.  I had a couple of hours on Saturday and wanted to mix in a walk with a little photo time.  I was also looking for a little quiet time, so I decided to check out the Lexington Cemetery.  I'd read that it was considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country and that the gardens and trees there were beautiful.

I'll admit, it did feel a little strange to take a walk in a cemetery, it was very beautiful.  I found this lovely secret garden between sections and found myself sitting on the bench for a while.  The only thing that could have made it better was to have had a good book to read while I sat there.  It was so peaceful.

I fell in love with this song after one listen this week, it is gorgeous.

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The Sunday Creative - Illuminate

Maegan picked a wonderful theme for this week's challenge.  So full of possibilities.  I've loved watching the posts go up this week and the inspired photos that have been posted.

I've always loved old light fixtures and doors, anytime I go to Europe I come with hundreds of pictures of lights and doors, there is something about the workmanship that went into each.  Above is one of my favorite lights, this one was next to the door of a beautiful church in Copenhagen.  I love the angels looking down over the light, adding their own bit of illumination.

Contrast this very ornate light to one I found here in Kentucky at a Shaker village.  The Shaker light above is beautiful in its simplicity and yet it is a work of art all the same.

Each light serves the same purpose - to illuminate the area around it, each is beautiful and I love them for different reasons.  I can't help but take this thought a bit further to people - we are all beautiful and one of the things I love most about meeting new people is learning about the differences and finding the beauty in each.

Today's song is taking Maegan's theme in the opposite direction, instead of the lights coming on, I'm going to share a gorgeous song from Faith Hill about making it through the hard times, "When the Lights Go Down."

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What Would You Take?

We had a bit of excitement at the office recently.   The building was suddenly filled with the overpower scent of methane gas.  We told the smokers to hide their lighters, threw open all the doors, evacuated and called the fire department.  All is well, but our unexpected evacuation gave me a chance to think about what was important enough to grab in an emergency.

It's a good thing it wasn't too big of an emergency because I grabbed pretty much everything.  Computer and power cord, both cell phones, purse, ipod and speakers, notebook, lunch bag, and even my water bottle.  I hope than a real emergency I'd focus on a fewer items but I don't really see myself walking out with out my purse, phone, keys, computer and ipod.

I know this isn't what we are taught to do in case of an emergency, but I seem to be the kind of girl who doesn't pack light.  Could you walk out with nothing, traveling light like the butterfly above, or would you grab a few things as you exited?



Don't forget to hop on over to The Inspiration Studio to check out my guest post. Pin It

Thoreau

Another photo from my arboretum trip, can you see my reflection in the drop of water?

Corinne over at Trains, Tutus and Tea Time posted photos and the story of her recent visit to Walden pond.  It was an amazing, beautiful post that has had me dreaming of a visit or just a week alone in nature.  Either option sounds heavenly right now.

Can you imagine a week without the worries of work, email, cell phones or any other electronic leash?  Don't get me wrong, I love all of these tools, but there are times I want to escape from them all with nothing but a few dozen good books.

With Thoreau already on my mind a quote of his jumped out at my as I read through a local newspaper over the weekend:  "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

At first the quote didn't seem to fit with my idea of Thoreau and what he stood for (at least in my mind.)  But after a bit of thought I've decided it is a perfect fit.  True success is living the life you love and not striving for the world's idea of success.  If I spend my life occupied with the things that bring my joy, what the rest of the world thinks or says won't particularly matter.

Bon Iver, another guy who escaped the world to focus on his art for a period seems the perfect match for a post about Thoreau.

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