Adios! (RIP 2011-2012)

Well, blues fans, it's been fun. The Crossfire Blues blog has generated a massive amount of enjoyment for me. I was given the opportunity to stretch my creative brain cells and research/write about one of my most favorite things in the world (if you've never read any of the older posts and this happens to be your first one, this is a blues music blog and I love blues music). But, as George Harrison once wrote, all things must pass. I was listening to that song the other day and realized that although I had a lot of fun maintaining this blog, I think it's time to embark on other opportunities. Harrison also wrote "Here Comes the Sun," and because the sun is an epiphacanical metaphor of sorts (a symbol for a new day I guess), I decided to close this bluesy, bloggy chapter and open up a new journal. Meaning, I have created a new blog that doesn't focus on blues music, but instead on my future travel endeavors. I'm going to keep this blog up on the internet, mostly because I had so much fun writing on it and would like to look back and cherish all the good memories that came from it when I'm old(er). Who knows? Maybe one day my great grandchildren will be interested and ask me, "Grandma, what's the internet?"

Until then, I encourage myself and others to keep listening to a variety of music. Don't limit yourself to one genre and try to give new types of music a chance. If you're able to, pick up an instrument, practice, and find creative fulfillment with it (kazoos, as well as tambourines, are very cheap and easy to learn). If you are a musician, see if you can find other cool cats to jam with. You never know, you may be the next headliner for Aerosmith. Or LMFAO--whatever floats your boat.

Again, it's been great working on this blog and I'm happy with how it turned out. Thank you to all who ever read my blog, left comments, etc. My new blog address is: http://blog.travelpod.com/members/crossfireblues. I'll update it more as my journeys around the globe commence! :-)

Thank you to all and to all a good life,

Carla

I'm back...again.

It's been a couple of months and I'm ready to get back to The Crossfire and to give a more updates from the (blues) music world. There is a fairly new phenomenon called "Spotify" that allows one to listen to lots and lots of music for free (with a few limited commercial interruptions) for six months. After six months, users are limited to 10 hours per month. Sounds pretty cool right? Don't worry about legality. Spotify is friendly with major music corporations (it's not another Limewire nor Napster). I've been using the highly addictive Spotify for awhile and can't seem to kick the habit. I haven't found anything wrong with it yet; almost every major (even a few minor) artists you can think of and enjoy listening to have full albums up on the downloadable device. So if you're one of the dozens of people under the age of 25 who haven't heard of Spotify, check it out. There are a ton of blues artists on there and even a blues radio to find new songs/artists to enjoy.

My question is, why is it called Spotify?

After a Google search, I found out that Spotify is not named after anything. It's just a random name. Alrighty then.

Until next time (hopefully sooner than 2 months...).

~ Carla

2012 Grammy Awards

The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live - Sunday, February 12 @ 8/7 C on CBS.

Sadly, the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album was discontinued in 2012 a.k.a. it is no longer in existence. Instead, it merged with the Best Contemporary Blues Album to become one category, "Best Blues Album." Thanks Obama.

Anyway, here are the nominees for Best Blues Album:
Low Country Blues by Gregg Allman
Roadside Attractions by Marcia Bell
Man In Motion by Warren Hayes
The Reflection by Keb Mo
Revelator by Tedeschi Trucks Band

And some other awards/nominees I'm excited about:
Record of the Year: "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons
Song of the Year: "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons
Best Pop/Duo Vocal Performance: "Dearest" by The Black Keys
Best Pop Instrumental Album: Hello Tomorrow by Dave Koz
Best Rock Peformance: "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons
Best Rock Song: "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons
Best Rock Album: Rock & Roll Party Honoring Les Paul by Jeff Beck

The Blues Blog Is Back!

Greetings blues fans,

Good news! As you can probably already tell, The Crossfire has finally been revived from an almost 9-month coma. In other words, I have partially recovered from an addiction to the unfortunate disease known as procrastination, common among most college students. In even simpler terms, I have been wanting to blog for awhile, decided not to do it a few times, and now I'm back even more bluesy greatness. Yup.

Don't worry, I haven't succumbed to ramen, ultimate frisbee, and Hootie and the Blowfish addictions just yet...working on it.

A lot has happened in the blues world over the past nine months that seems rather irrevlant now, but I'll give a list of what I deem as the best blues albums of 2011 and the best songs found on them. And, for old time's sake, I'll spotlight a couple of blues artists you can check out.

If you're new to the blog, welcome! If you're not new to the blog, thanks for sticking with me. All of the twitterers...tweeties??...those who follow me on twitter, thanks for following me on twitter! Your interest and support for the blues and this blog is much appreciated!

Best Blues Albums of 2011
(Note that this list was not compiled or inspired by record sales. Think about it, if all "best albums of [insert year]" were based on record sales alone, the best album of 2011 would be Adele's 21. I'll let that one sit on your brain for awhile--not on your ears, they might bleed.)

5. Bright Lights EP - Gary Clark Jr.
It's only got four songs, but one listen to this album and you'll wish there was LOTS more. Gary Clark Jr. has got a great future ahead of him if he sticks to the down-home, gritty guitar strummin' he's put on his debut extended play. I recommend all four songs, but the opener/title track makes the album. Look for more soon!

4. Time Slips On By by Rich DelGrosso and Jonn Del Torro Richardson
Don't judge a book by its cover--don't judge an album by it's cover. The music's great, the feeling's great, and the best part is these guys act like they don't have anything to prove. If you enjoy blues with a Latin flavor (never thought I'd say that), Time Slips On is the album for you. "Summertime Is Here" is the best song on the album, but "Shotgun Blues," "The Real Deal," "Baby Please," are just as good.

3. Can't Control Myself by Gina Sicilia
I admit it, at first I was skeptical of Gina Sicilia's third album, Can't Control Myself. Honestly, I was stunned when I heard the first track, "Addiction." This is a phenomenal album and definately her best. Don't believe me? Listen to it for yourself--you won't be disappointed with "Members Only," "As Long As You're Here," and her excellent cover of Diana Ross' "Place in the Sun."

2. Dust Bowl by Joe Bonamassa
Check earlier posts, I think I've talked about the album before. I'm only partially cured of procrastination (fortunately, I'm totally cured of hibernation sickness).

If you didn't get that reference, here's a hint:
(photo taken from russin.gadgetmug.com)

1. Low Country Blues by Gregg Allman
See directly above, then below.

All photos taken from amazon.com

Artists of the Week
Etta James (1938 - 2012)
(photo taken from billboard.com)

Jonny Lang (1981 - present)
(photo taken from theguitarbuzz.com)

NEW! Upcoming Events
Sounds boring and it is, but here's some dates to remember anyway:

Sunday, February 5: Super Bowl (New England Pats vs. New York Gigantors)
Sunday, February 12: Grammy Awards
Thursday, May 10, 2012: Blues Music Awards
Friday, December 21, 2012: End of the world.

I don't know how that got here.
(photo taken from discountpostersale.com)