The London Sessions by Mary J Blige are deep and soulful

I loved this album. It was such an eclectic mix of tracks, that each time I played a new song I felt like it was coming from a different artist. To be honest reminded me of something between blues and motown in several places,  but also played on the R&B scene of the '90s. The deep beats and the soulful singing keeping me pumping throughout my workday. I loved it.



 Mary J Blige is a staple in my household already, her beautiful voice accompanying me through my teenage years, all the way to the end of my twenties.

This album is no different.



 According to Capitol Music Group Chairman Steve Barnett, “Mary J. Blige created a one-of-a-kind blend of hip-hop and soul that has excited fans for more than 20 years, making her one of the most successful and acclaimed artists in any genre of music. The London Sessions is a fantastic album; another step forward for this great and enduring artist, and I am thrilled that she is now an important member of our Capitol Records family.”

 It is fantastic. I loved every bit of it.  From the deep bluesy "Therapy,"  all the way to the soft piano pieces like, "Not Loving You." Each track feels like a completely different experience.


Track Listing
1. Therapy
2. Doubt
3. Not Loving You
4. When You're Gone
5. Right Now
6. My Loving
7.Long Hard Look
8. Whole Damn Year
9. Nobody But You
10. Pick Me Up
11. Follow
12. Worth My Time

Where to Buy

* iTunes: http://bit.ly/MJBLondon
* Amazon: http://bit.ly/MJBLS 

Other Links

*Official Mary J Blige Website: www.maryjblige.com
* Twitter - @maryjblige
* Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/maryjblige
* YouTube - http://bit.ly/MJBVIDEO

I participated in the Mary J Blige The London Sessions album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.  

Idina Menzel's Holiday Wishes: Review

Holiday Wishes is a sweet album filled with classics, old and new, as well as her own original song “December Prayer”. This easy listening album would be great for a christmas get together, while cooking your Christmas Cookies, or doing the chores that happen around the holidays. It is very Christmas-centric despite the title of “Holidays” so it may not work for those of you celebrating Chanukah, or Kwanza.


We all know Idina Menzel from the instant classic, Rent. Oh, and of course from her show stopping performance as Elphaba in the broadway musical Wicked. Some of you dont? Okay, okay she is probably most widely known for her role as Elsa in the Disney motion picture, Frozen. Which has seemingly taken the country by storm. Ice Storm.

Okay, I’ll show myself out.

Idina Menzel is known for her clear crisp voice. It is high quality, makes me wonder why she hasn’t released more studio albums. Her voice is beautiful and perfect for that contemporary crowd. The kind that love Michael Buble (who does a duet with her in Holiday Wishes).

Holiday Wishes Track Listing:

Do You Hear What I Hear

The Christmas Song

Baby It’s Cold Outside (Duet with Michael Buble)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

All I Want For Christmas
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
December Prayer

When You Wish Upon A Star

Silent Night

River

Holly Jolly Christmas

White Christmas

Despite saying “Holiday Wishes” almost all of Idina’s musical selections are Christmas tunes with a few exceptions for holiday tunes. I had hoped there would be a few more exceptions on there, for example, Jewish songs that encompass the time of year.

My favorite two songs on the album are Joni Mitchell’s “The River”, and the only original song, “December Prayer”. They are hands down the best sung pieces, beautifully done. Tasteful and in an arrangement that makes you want to hit repeat over and over again.

That is not to say that any song is less than good, Idina’s voice is amazing and she brings her talent to each and every classic, or new classic song. From “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” To “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Listening to this album reminds me of the kind of music my Granny would have loved, and it brings back all those memories of family Christmas. If she were still here with us, it is certainly a gift I would give her.


Holiday Wishes is a great compilation with a talented voice behind it.

Pick it up today!

Where to Buy:

* iTunes: http://bit.ly/IMHolidayWishes
* Amazon: http://bit.ly/IDINAHOLIDAY

Social Media: 

* Official Idina Menzel website: www.idinamenzel.com
* Twitter - @idinamenzel
* Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IdinaMenzel
* YouTube - http://bit.ly/IMHWVID

Frugal Tips: Quick and Easy Lizzy Shannon (Review)

Lizzy Shannon is a newcomer on the scene of writing, and I picked her book up on a whim. It was so good that I had to give it a review.

I'm a huge proponent of frugal books, and I read a lot of them. This was was absolutely wonderful for anyone starting to look into the frugal lifestyle.

This book was not overwhelming at all, and while every single tip did not apply to me (for example, I work from home), I found it to be truly useful. Lizzy details exactly what new to frugal people need to know.

What frugal means, how to start slowly, where to focus, all the essentials.

I highly recommend it.

You can pick it up on Amazon today for only 0.99 cents!

Neil Diamond, Melody Road Review

Neil Diamond is one of those artists that my parents played from their lives, an artist that I heard all the time growing up in the 90's. He was prolific, and carried his 60's, 70's, sound. Something I will never forget. When I was offered, through the One2One network to listen to this album and review it, I jumped at the chance. Because I knew it was something I would enjoy. And I did.

If you are a Neil Diamond fan, this will add to your collection nicely. If you are not familiar with his sound, I recommend you get familiar, because it is worth the listen!

His new album, Melody Road, provides a path down nostalgia lane. His new album carries a lot of his signature sound, and it lulls you with its sweetness.

This is the perfect CD for someone going on a honeymoon, for someone in a good place. I highly recommend it for road tripping.


Neil Diamond has charted 37 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums in the U.S., which shows his dedication to the music world. He has contributed so much to the world, from his song writing, to his own radio tracks.

 His most recent original studio release, 2008’s Home Before Dark, debuted at #1 in the U.S. and the UK on the Billboard Top Albums chart.

Diamond is already inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but continues producing works.

 ( The album is great for honey mooning or road tripping. Like along this nice dirt road.)

This is definitely an uplifting album, mostly about romance, love, and embracing the beauty of life. Flute, tambourine, guitar, and banjo mix together to create a beautiful melody, one reminiscent of his older works, almost fifty years ago.

My favorite song on the album is Seonagh and Jimmy a sweet ballad that says "each day is a promise, I'll never let you go." About the dreams of love, and overcoming the differences of language, ethnicity, and culture. Each song has similar elements, overcoming all for being the main message of the album, in my opinion.

Pick up your copy today!

 iTunes: http://bit.ly/NDMelody

 

Amazon: http://bit.ly/MelodyRdND

Heart on My Sleeve Review

I've been hearing the name Mary Lambert everywhere. Everywhere. The first time I heard her melodic voice was in Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's smash hit Same Love. Tackling the hard topics of sexuality and prejudice. I knew I wanted to hear more of her voice in that instant, so when I was offered by One2One to review it, I jumped at the opportunity. This two time Grammy nominee Mary Lambert carries it all in her new album Heart On My Sleeve released Tuesday, October 14th, 2014. I found myself lost in her raw emotion.

Secrets is the first single off the album, with an already released video. It pushes away the ethos that we should hide who we are, hide those things that we don't like. "I don't care if the world knows what my secrets are." 

I can personally resonate with "Sometimes I cry the whole day," and a host of other lyrics on this entire song. It grabs you, surprises you, and makes you want to go along for the ride. There is a good reason it is the opener on the album. It is the epitome of what we all want to say, all while trying so desperately to hide.

Lyrics like "Kiss me like the world is gonna disappear," (So Far Away) pull me into the deep emotion that is her life. That is my life. It is the kind of album filled with songs that almost anyone, anyone who has been vulnerable in their life, can resonate with. I am a sucker for music that does this, and I find it rarely. 

Mary Lambert captures this voice, the little voice in so many people, the one calling to be heard. The one full of fear, and hope, and vulnerability. And she shines a light on it, unafraid of the exposure of all those things.

Her poem, Dear One, really speaks to me. The love and want and raw emotion of finding the one, her Dear One. It pulls me in and makes me want to hold my Dear One close.

I'm totally in love with this album, and I know it is going to be one of those that I rely on for writing, for working out, for those moments when I just need to vegetate to something that speaks to me.

Mary Lambert can speak to us all. I recommend that you discover what resonates with you in Heart On My Sleeve by picking up a copy via Amazon or iTunes Today, Tuesday, October 14th. You can  more about Mary Lambert by following her on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, and visit her website at www.marylambertsings.com.

Include the following disclosure statement: I participated in the Mary Lambert Heart On My Sleeve album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

Coppertone Clearlysheer Review

Sun tan lotions are putting out more products than every. But what I need is something sensitive, something that I can trust to put on my skin and avoid a break out.

So when I got Coppertone Clearlysheer in the mail through bzzagent, I felt excited to try it! Especially for my latest activity. Biking.

I go biking, I bought myself a new bike, and want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. So when I got this in the mail I was excited to try it. My face is especially prone to breakouts, and therefore something that was as sensitive as possible was a must.

I got the box in the mail (with a little squee of delight), and opened the contents. I received a full size of the sunny days, 3 travel sizes of it, and two unmarked coppertone sprays (I am unsure if they are clearlysheer or not).

I used the spray (which has a strong smell), on my body, and the cream on my face.

I was not disappointed with the amount of coverage I got out of this product, but it felt a little... greasy going on. I did not like that, and I worried about the way it would feel all day. After about 10 minutes, the feeling diminished and I went out to go biking on a trail. I biked for about 3 hours, with a moderate amount of sweat. It seemed to hold up okay to sweat, but this is definitely not a sport lotion.

My nose got a little red (it always does), but the rest of my face was protected, and my nose was not as red as it normally is. I was very impressed with the quality of protection.

In short, I would recommend this to friends, I think it works as directed, and it leaves me from an allergic reaction, or an ugly breakout.