What's The Guru Listening To --- December Edition

Welcome to the December Edition of What’s the Guru Listening To? I get asked this question a lot. What am I currently enjoying and what would I recommend? And since time is severely limited these days, it gets harder and harder to post a full review of the outstanding music that I am discovering (or re-discovering). Therefore, every month I will fill you in on the latest song, album, and/or band that I am obsessed with.

Here's what The Guru is listening to this month:

Brian Fallon – If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven  

Brian Fallon, former lead singer for the band that is on indefinite hiatus, The Gaslight Anthem, is gearing up to release his second solo record Sleepwalkers. That record will be released in February of next year, but Fallon has gifted us with the second single, “If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven.” The first single, “Forget Me Not” was magnificent and the latest release is just as grand. “If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven” is another foot stomping, hand clapping, 50’s rock inspired masterpiece. The music is tremendous and Fallon’s strongest talent, lyric writing, shines brightly once again. If all the songs on Sleepwalkers are going to be this good then give me the album now and don’t make me wait until February!

Diamonds – Elton John

Sir Elton John released a massive 3-disc collection (available as a single disc or double disc too) last month and I’ve given it several listens since then. With classics like “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” and “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” how could I not listen to this several times over? I’ve always enjoyed Elton John’s music and even though I have almost all his hits compilations, this one had to be added to the collection. If you only own or listen to one Elton John collection, this is the one it should be. Diamonds is just a massive gathering of his ultimate hits.

Lord Huron

I don’t know why it took me so long to find this band, but better late than never I suppose. Lord Huron is an amazing indie folk band that reminds me of an amalgam of The Strumbellas, The Head and The Heart, and The Revivalists. “She Lit A Fire” is my current favorite track, but as time goes on I know that I am going to find several more Lord Huron songs that are going to become favorites. I will most likely add this band to my 2018 to see in concert list as well. Lord Huron is just terrific music that moves me, finding me swaying in my seat and smiling. And the good news is that Mrs. Vie really likes the band too. Which will give us the opportunity to enjoy them in concert together.

From Good Homes

Obviously since I was seeing them live in December I was listening to From Good Homes. They are a local Northwest New Jersey grassroots jam band that was huge for a short period of time in the mid-90s and then abruptly split up. Eight years ago, they got back together for reunion shows in our area and have been performing every December since. In preparation for this concert I was listening to some deeper cuts like “Way To Go Pam,” “There She Goes,” “Go Wild,” and “Gettin’ Dirty.” If you aren’t familiar with From Good Homes I recommend that you check them out as a New Year resolution. Who knows? You may find yourself taking a trip to Northwest New Jersey next December to see them in concert.  

Traditional Holiday Music

Every December I break out the holiday tunes and get into the joyful spirit! And every December I seem to gravitate toward one particular genre of holiday music. Some years it’s indie holiday songs, some years it’s rock and roll Christmas music, some years it’s classical. This year I found myself listening to the traditional classics more and more. Songs like “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, “Frosty The Snowman,” by Gene Autry and “We Need A Little Christmas” by Percy Faith.  I’ve always enjoyed the traditional music from the 40s and 50s and find that the holiday songs from that era are wonderful. I know that come December 26^th I will trade in the holiday tunes for the new rock albums I am (hopefully) getting from Santa Claus, but I will continue to enjoy the traditional Christmas music up until then!

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

My Annual Trek To See From Good Homes

From Good Homes is returning to the Newton Theatre this weekend and I will return there with them as a participating audience member in what has now become an annual tradition. Three years in a row is enough to call it an annual tradition, right? Once again, I will be attending the show with my buddy Adam. We’ll eat at our favorite restaurant near the venue, listen to some fabulous music by an underrated yet extremely talented band, and have an exceptional evening of good company and great times.

From Good Homes is one of those bands that really should have hit the big time, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out for them. They are as talented in the jam as Dave Matthews Band or Phish. They have a cult following that loves them dearly. And their concert performances are legendary, which is why I am so excited to see them in concert again. Every show is a different experience and as I learned last year, I really don’t know what to expect from their set. And that is an exciting prospect. I don’t like attending stale concerts where the setlists are tired and I know every song before it’s played. It takes away from the magic of the evening. From Good Homes is not like that. They mix up their sets. They add in covers. And occasionally they dust off a forgotten gem that hasn’t seen the light of day for years. That’s how the closed out the first set of last year’s night two with a blistering rendition of “It’s Getting Dirty.” And it was magnificent.

That’s one part of the joy of From Good Homes. Other joys emulate from the chemistry that the band has. Even though they haven’t recorded a new album in almost 20 years, they still have a bond that is clear and present every time they take the stage. And while Todd Sheaffer is doing well with Railroad Earth and Brady Rymer is having fun (and success) with his family music releases, when the two of them get together with Patrick Fitzsimmons, Dan Myers, and Jamie Coan, it’s breathtaking. Separately they all make solid music, but together they make unforgettable music.

It would be nice to see From Good Homes put out new music, yet I realize that’s probably never going to happen. We will just have to appreciate the material we do have from them. Three studio albums, a live release, and a live EP will just need to be enough. Of course, we should also be thankful that the band returns to their home area every year and performs for two nights that always sell out. Not many bands that haven’t recorded new material are able to do that and keep the shows fresh. And while From Good Homes does give other one off performances throughout the year (not many, but a few) it is their New Jersey shows that resonate the loudest. Maybe it’s because they’ve returned home for the holiday season and there is a blissful harmony in that feeling of coming home again.

This Friday and Saturday night The Newton Theatre will be jamming. From Good Homes usually puts on a 3-hour performance with a 15-minute intermission in between sets. There’s a lot of sing-alongs that take place during the show and the fans that see it always leave with a big grin on their face. That’s the power of live music, especially when it’s played by individuals as talented as this band. If you’ve never experienced From Good Homes live, I highly recommend that you do so. There are still a few tickets left for this weekend’s shows, but I imagine they are going to sell out by Friday. So, give yourself a holiday treat and purchase tickets to one of these shows. You might just start your own new annual holiday tradition.  

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Announces Spring Tour

Andrew McMahon in the WIlderness has announced his headline The Pen and The Piano Tour - an acoustic evening featuring Allen Stone, Zac Clark and Bob Oxblood (formerly of Jack’s Mannequin). The six week run will start on April 10th in Kansas City, MO and will end on May 24th on Denver, CO.

April 10 - Kansas City, MO @ The Truman

April 11 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

April 13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity

April 14 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

April 15 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues

April 17 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall

April 19 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues

April 20 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Palace Theatre

April 21 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom

April 23 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

April 24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

April 26 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

April 29 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

May 1 - Charlottesville, VA @ The Jefferson Theater

May 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre

May 4 - Nashville, TN @ Top Golf Live

May 5 - Charlotte, NC @ Underground

May 6 - Orlando, FL @ The Beacham

May 8 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues

May 9 - Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn

May 10 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater

May 12 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren

May 13 - San Diego, CA @ Humphreys

May 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Ford Theaters*

May 16 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

May 18 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

May 19 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre*

May 20 - Spokane, WA @ Bing Crosby Theater

May 22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

May 24 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre

Tickets are on sale now. Get some!

You Have To Watch This Video For Mondo Cozmo's Plastic Soul

I love Mondo Cozmo. I think his music is brilliant and I believe that he is one of the best new artists to come around in a long time. After reading that his latest video helps raise awareness for pets that are in need of a forever home, I love him even more. Mondo Cozmo has combined two of my favorite things: exceptional music and pets. Watch the video for “Plastic Soul” below:

Once again going the extra mile for rescue pets and animals of all stripes (the man did notably name his band after his dog!), Mondo Cozmo shares the music video for his latest single “Plastic Soul,” and it raises awareness for Best Friends Animal Society.
 

 The heartwarming clip stars Cozmo (the dog) and the artist’s three-legged cat Santee. Intersplicing animated and home movie footage together, the audience witnesses a delightful narrative as it unfolds between furry friends. Moreover, it spotlights various lovable pups in need of forever homes from Best Friends Animal Society pet adoption centers in New York and Los Angeles —which Mondo (the person) visited on the road (in between playing sold out venues & festivals across the country).

About the clip, Mondo commented, “I wanted to make a video that would do some good. If one of these dogs gets adopted because of this video, I would be so humbled.”

Best Friends Animal Society Chief Development, Marketing & Communications Officer Julie Castle added, "Working with Mondo Cozmo on the video for ‘Plastic Soul’ was a wonderful opportunity to show not only the love we all have for our pets but also to showcase our work to save the lives of our nation's homeless pets. It was especially timely and meaningful because of our work in the Houston area saving hundreds of dogs and cats that were displaced by Hurricane Harvey.  We're grateful to Mondo Cozmo and Republic Records for this opportunity to raise awareness for Best Friends and our effort to Save Them All."