If You Don't Like Blues Music, You're Wrong

How do I help someone understand why I love blues, jazz and soul, so so much?  This type of music gets personal.  It gets gritty, and sarcastic, and passionate, and seductive at times.  It is exactly the roller coaster I want to ride.

I used to live in Utah, and I met someone there who proceeded to introduce me to Blues dancing.  I just looked at her, bewilderment and gratitude swimming in my eyes, and stuttered to her, "this is a real thing?"

She just smiled, and began to teach me.

Thank you Laura.

I have since attempted to teach my husband how to dance to blues music, and he actually catches on pretty well.  I'm grateful he tries, because it really is therapeutic for me.

If you are curious what blues dancing looks like, take a gander:

It is very much like a tango, but, just, so much more fun.

That being said and shown, here is a list of some really fantastic tracks.  Blues, jazz, and fusion.  For listening and dancing alike, in no particular order:


1. The Big Bang - Katy Tiz
2. My Boy Builds Coffins - Florence and the Machine (THIS version)
3. Sexy Silk - Jessie J
4. Grounds For Divorce - Elbow
5. Damn Your Eyes - Alex Clare
6. Skyfall - Madilyn Bailey
7. Volcano - Damien Rice
8. Poison - The Silent Comedy
9. Layla - Eric Clapton
10. Damn Right, I've Got The Blues - Buddy Guy
11. Til The Casket Drops - ZZ Ward
12. Bottom of the River - Delta Rae
13. Get Back Temptation - Ollabelle
14. Eyes On Fire - Zeds Dead RMX - Blue Foundation
15. Who Will Comfort Me - Melody Gardot
16. Broken - Lauren Hoffman
17. Got My Mojo Workin' - Asylum Street Spankers
18. Knockin' - Carolina Chocolate Drops
19. Really, any rendition of St. James Infirmary.
20. Black - Kari Kimmel
21. Feeling Good - Michael Buble
22. Relax My Beloved - Alex Clare
23. Dreaming With a Broken Heart - John Mayer
24. Cyclone - Ernie Halter
25. Bartholomew - The Silent Comedy
26. Cold Turkey - Anthony David
27. Breathe Me - Sia
28. Ain't No Sunshine - Lighthouse Family
29. My Discarded Men - Eartha Kitt
30. Summertime - Renee Olstead
31. Sinkin' Soon - Norah Jones
32. Inside Out - Imelda May
33. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Nancy Sinatra
34. Skin and Bones - David J. Roch
35. The Garden - Mirah
36. Come Together - Joe Cocker
37. Le Ballet - Celine Dion
38. Stay With Me Tonight - Emma Wallace
39. Blues 2.0 - Fruteland Jackson
40. Me and Mrs. Jones - Michael Buble

P.S. My ultimate favorite song to blues dance to is Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer.  Ugh.  Perfection.

Prove You Wrong

I expect a lot of myself.  I mean, a lot.

It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean I inevitably disappoint myself frequently.  But here is the thing, I know what I am capable of, and that is encouraging.  Because I am capable of anything, honestly.  I've seen myself do things I was certain would be impossible.  This has made me far more daring, open, and passionate about my pursuits.  So far, it's done nothing but good for me.

Here's hoping it continues.

I have hit a point in my life, where I stand on a precipice.  Looking over the edge, I am greeted by a plethora of smells, sounds and feelings, but can not see the bottom.  Only darkness.  Do I jump into nothing, to possibly gain everything?  Or am I too gullible to see the certain demise opening it's maw wide open to devour me?  I can't stand here forever guys.  

The thing is, turning away would go against the whispers of my heart.  I can't leave these questions unanswered.  If I fail and get burned, I know who will be there to bring me back.

So, that's what's been on my mind lately.

Times like these, I rediscover myself.  We always think we have ourselves figured out, don't we?  Will I ever really know what makes me tick?  If I don't know, my husband doesn't have a prayer.

I've started to sing again.  I forgot how I much I love it.  Someone told me I sound like Norah Jones once.  It might be one of the best compliments I have ever received.  I doubt the truthfulness of it, but still.  If beautiful, beautiful Norah and I were ever to meet, there's a conversation piece?  I'd humiliate myself.  Let's be honest.

I'm great at humiliating myself.

In other topics, it has come to my attention that I have, in fact, some semblance of a readership?  My manager (Well, ex-manager, enjoy California, Josh.  And your stupid beaches too.) told me the other day that he spent 3 hours reading my blog a couple weeks back?  And then again, an old childhood friend confessed she follows my blog closely?  Shucks, ya'll.  I'm both flattered and self-conscious.  What else is new.

I'm listening to some really fabulous music at the moment.  For those of you who don't know, I have a very real, very serious love for blues music, blues dancing, soul, etc.  Throwout to my husband, who was sweet enough to learn to blues dance for me.  He claims he can't dance.  But, oh.  He can.

In any case, I am contemplating putting together a playlist and publishing TWO posts tonight.  Because if you don't know blues music... you just, you should.  That is all.  Soothes my soul, period.  If you have a soul, it will soothe yours too.

Oh, I'll probably be back.

Stay riveted.