Archive for the ‘Romance’ Category

Hey Pumps and Gloss-ers,

Thank you for your warm birthday wishes!! I appreciate it!!!!

As fall is drawing nigh (my fave time of the year), I have been thinking about the music I discovered over the summer. I do not listen to music stations, except for Spirit (on XM) on Saturday mornings riding to church, so I depend on the Internet to find me new music.

Colbie Caillat, a 22 year old from Malibu, sings sweetly about falling in love, breaking up, the birth of a niece as well as growing up. Music is in her DNA as her dad, Ken, is a record producer, who has worked with such acts as Fleetwood Mac. (Her song, Bubbly, was the free song of the week on iTunes.)

Her voice made me of a White version India.Arie (sans inspiration). Her first single, Bubbly, from the CoCo album, reminded me of the innocence of love, even though this same love can be hot and sexy. Bubbly is an easy breezy tune that explores the quiet times shared with one’s lover.

I enjoy this album from track 1 to the bonus track Older (iTunes version). The sound is definitely a folky pop with slight ska rhythms. Now, I find it does not work well as a road trip album because the record is very relaxing. Definitely not like Norah Jones’ music, which I refer to as “sleepy time music.” Norah should be listened to, only, at home.

(Bubbly)
Sara Bareilles, another artist who had a free single of the week on iTunes, is one of my new favorites. Her sound is definitely poppy soul with jazz influences. I am kinda bummed because I could have her seen her open for Maroon 5, but I decided that I did not want to go. It is rare to have an opening and main performer that you want to see performing at the same time. (Sidebar: I showed up for an opening act, Jill Scott. Definitely worth the price.)

All the tracks on, Little Voice, are very solid and substantive. The song, Love Song, really pulls you in. Made me think, “Girrrrl, don’t write him anything!!” I like all the songs, but my fave right now is “Morningside.”

She belts:

I try to forget what you do to me but then you do it over again
I could rage like a fire and you’d bring rain
Til you get to me on my morningside

 

 

 

 

 

This is definitely a road trip CD. Keeps you pumped up and awake.

You can tell that she has been honing her craft for a long time. I love her voice because she is one of those singers that can sing anything: from gospel to rock. She knows how to command a room with her voice. I want to see her doing Broadway, maybe even a jazz cover album. The possibilities for Sara are endless.

I think she will be around for awhile, but I need to see her promoted better i.e. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno or Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Vegas

Love Song

Remember there is quality music of every genre, so no more complaining. If you have found any up-and-coming artists that I should check out, please send me an e-mail to pumpsandgloss@yahoo.com.

Enjoy the Hump Day,

Mix Maven

Hey Pumps and Gloss Readers,

Happy Tuesday to you! I hope you all enjoyed your extended holiday weekend.

Mr. Maven and I had to a chance to spend a part of the holiday weekend in Chicago for my friend, LH, surprise engagement party. You may remember LH from an earlier post I wrote about “Shopping Serendipity” about one of my friends who asked God to help her find an inexpensive, yet elegant dress and she did.

In early August 2007, J, LH’s sister, invited us to the engagement soiree. We gladly accepted the invitation for this joyous occasion. Both LH’s and her fiance’s families went the extra mile in planning this event. They all had her believing she was going to get the proposal around December 2007.

Fast forward to Saturday night. Elaborate romantic plans were made for the actual engagement. Every action was well-thought out. (Sidebar: I am going to suggest to GS to do a series of seminars on the fundamentals of romance. Let’s just say he raised the bar!) Everyone congregated in the fiance’s (GS) family’s home. The great thing is that she had no idea that family and friends came from far and near to celebrate her engagement. (Backtrack: LH and I were chatting a few weeks back about what she thought the proposal would be like, so I told her to be patient and it will happen soon enough probably by October or November.)

So G suggested to L that they go back to his mom’s house to show off the ring. She called her parents and siblings to let them know what happened. They were all “stunned, yet happy” for the news. As they were approaching the house, we were all instructed to hide. As we heard the first set of “Congratulations” from her family, the rest of us emerged. She was so surprised that she cried. (I was misting up too!!) LH was totally speechless when she realized that her parents had flown in from the Southwest to share this wonderful memory. When she saw the rest of us, she could barely stand because she was too stunned.

The rest of the night was about showing off the ring (which was absolutely LOVELY!) and sharing each version of the engagement story (the best!!!!) My heart was warmed that night to be apart of Love that was in the room:

1. The obvious Eros – romantic love – L and G.
2. The Agape – the love that we have for God for being wonderful and always working on our behalf, even though at times things may be seem hopeless.
3. The Philos love – the love shared among family, friends and community.
4. Storge – the specific love that a family shares with each other.

I was very impressed, not shocked, than Mama and Sister S love LH, so that will be 3/4 of the battle won. We, Mr. Maven and I, look forward to sharing more wonderful memories with LH and GS. May God continue to be in their details and that their love for each other will continue to grow.

We learned that JOE’s “I Wanna Know” is LH’s special ringtone on GS’ phone. (A great song!!)

Continue to Live Triumphantly,

Mix Maven