LaLaGirl Reviews » music

David Garrett – Rock Symphonies Review

lauralee — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:46:18 +0000

I just had a chance to check out the new CD from David Garrett, who was named best-selling new classical artist of 2009. Rock Symphonies is full of classic rock covers by artists like Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, and it’s a definite twist on the classical music I generally listen to! (Which is: not much. We bump a lot of hip hop and indie rock in this house, but we like to turn on the classical music channel when the kids are doing homework; it seems to calm them right down. This CD would NOT have the same results!)

When I opened up this CD, I threw it in the player and my husband and I took a quick listen of each song. I asked him what he thought of it, because, as you may or may not know, he’s a DJ, and usually has thoughtful perspective to offer. At first, he mentioned that these types of compilations are hard to categorize when he’s looking for music. Do you file it under classical? Under classic rock? And where would you play it? What sort of gig calls for classical versions of classic rock songs? Eventually, though, we both started to dig it. We started thinking it would be good background music for a funky dinner party. Also, I think my kids will like it a lot. We listen to a lot of eclectic music in the car, and this will be a good addition to our vehicle’s musical library. My 2nd grader, in particular, is obsessed with the violin at the moment, because her good friend Grace is a child prodigy who knocked the socks off of everyone in music class during last week’s Talent Day. Maybe one day Grace will release a CD of classical music covers of Taylor Swift songs? Only time will tell.

If you like classical music or classic rock, this might be a CD you’ll like. Here’s the track list:

Smells Like Teen Spirit
November Rain
The 5th
Walk This Way
Toccata
Vivaldi vs Vertigo
Master of Puppets
80s Anthem
Live and Let Die
Asturias
Kashmir

Here, check out this video – he’s cute, too:

You can pick up Rock Symphonies at Best Buy, on iTunes, or at Amazon. I’m not going to put up a link, because Amazon canceled my affiliate account because I live in Colorado and Amazon killed its affiliate program here, thanks to a change in our sales tax law. Booo, Amazon, and booooo, Colorado. But hey, everyone just buys stuff on iTunes now anyway, right? Hey, maybe you want this CD, but you don’t want to pay for it. I can help you with that! I have an autographed copy to give away. Just leave a comment here, and I’ll pick one at random. No hoops to jump through, just leave a comment.

Disclaimer: Music Moms provided me with this CD for review. Other than receiving the CD, I was not compensated for this review.

Celtic Woman Review

lauralee — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:08:05 +0000

I recently had a chance to hear the new Celtic Woman CD, courtesy of EMI Music and Music Moms. This CD is AMAZING. I hadn’t even heard of Celtic Woman before I received it, and as soon as I popped it into the stereo in my car, my kids were all mesmerized. I expected it to be pretty much, well, Irish music, but it was a lot more than that. I was pretty surprised to hear gorgeous renditions of Mariah Carey’s “When You Believe,” Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” and Billy Joel’s “Goodnight My Angel.” The song that moved me the most, though, was the classic Amazing Grace – it gave me chills.

Here is the track listing from Songs from the Heart:

1. Fields of Gold
2. Amazing Grace
3. Níl Sé’n Lá
4. My Lagan Love
5. When You Believe
6. The New Ground – Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears
7. The Coast of Galiçia
8. Non C’è Più
9. The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress
10. You’ll Be In My Heart
11. Goodnight My Angel
12. Galway Bay
13. The Lost Rose Fantasia
14. O, America!

Check out these ladies – aren’t they just magical?

They’re about to embark on nationwide tour beginning February 9th, but I noticed they don’t have any dates scheduled for Colorado. Booooo! That’s okay, Celtic Woman promoters. I won’t hold it against you this time.

Check out Celtic Woman – they’re everywhere. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter on their own website at Celtic Woman.com, and you can view their videos on YouTube.

Corneille: The Birth of Cornelius

lauralee — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:08:48 +0000

I checked out this CD recently, when I decided I couldn’t listen to one more minute of children’s music in the car. It was on a day when I was out running errands, the girls fell asleep in the car, and we arrived way early to pick up the kids from school, so I had close to half an hour of blissful “alone” time, just me, a magazine, and this CD. It was perfect chillax music. (Can I say “chillax?” I’m not sure if it’s a word I can get away with. It feels weird in my mouth. Maybe I’m too old. I’m not sure. But there you go.)

Corneille’s music has been described as being a mix between John Legend, Tracy Chapman and Marvin Gaye. I can sort of see that, I guess. He’s not big in the US yet, but he will be! Check it out if you’re into soul and R&B. I’ll bet you’ll like it.

Kicking off Children’s Music Month!

lauralee — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:51:21 +0000

We seem to live our lives in the minivan these days, and I love being able to pop in a CD that the kids enjoy – it cuts down on the bickering BIG TIME and makes for way less stress for mommy! But do you have any idea how hard it is to find something to listen to that appeals to 5-year-old twins, 3-year-old twins, a 13-year-old girl who thinks everything is “below lame” and their jaded, sleep-deprived mommy? Let’s just say it doesn’t happen very often.

Music is a huge part of our lives, particularly since we have a child with autism who adores music. So often, I hear other parents tell me that they can’t stand listening to kids music CDs, but I’m here to tell you – times have changed! The selection of music for children extends way beyond Disney movie soundtracks and songs from Barney. And this is what led to the idea of doing a whole month of giveaways featuring artists who create great children’s music.

Throughout September, I’ll be posting music reviews of artists that my kids adore, and you’ll have the chance to win CDs and prize packs from all of them! I’ll update this post with links to each giveaway. Yay! You’re going to discover some fantastic music!

Links to each contest:

Children’s Music Month – Coming Soon!

lauralee — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:45:55 +0000

I’ve been alluding to this for awhile – and I’m pleased to announce that September (just a week away!) is going to be CHILDREN’S MUSIC MONTH!

Each week, I’ll be spotlighting different artists and giving away CDs, so plan to discover lots of great music! Here are some of the bands participating:

Milkshake
The Laurie Berkner Band
The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Hot Peas ‘n Butter
Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck
And lots more!

If you have little kids, you’ve probably seen lots of these folks on Noggin! Now you can win some of their CDs! And plan to discover some great artists who haven’t made it big yet. Just think, when they’re on Noggin and Nick Jr., you’ll be able to say, “Hey! I knew them when they were but a wee little garage band, rocking out for their children…” Woohoo! It all begins in just one week. Mark your calendar!