12 Songs that Made Me Happy in 2008

In no particular order. 12 songs that made me happy in 2008!

(In cases where an official video isn't available, I linked the artist's name to their MySpace page - most of the songs can be heard there.)

1. "I Want to Have Your Babies," Natasha Bedingfield

2. "Say It Again," Marie Digby


3. "Imaginary Girl," The Silver Seas

4. "Say," John Mayer


5. "Ordinary Day," Emilie Mover

6. "Doin' It All For My Baby," Huey Lewis and the News


7. "Got It Good," Jem

8. "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time," Mariah Carey


9. "To Be Surprised," Sondre Lerche

10. "Nothing At All," Madi Diaz

11. "Be OK," Ingrid Michaelson

12. "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year," Rosie Thomas

John Mayer covering Justin Timberlake

Happy 2008.

And welcome back.

I can wait, I can wait, I don't want to wait

Vh1.com's The Leak is currently streaming the new album from Alicia Keys, called As I Am. As with everything Alicia Keys touches, it is awesome. Highlights so far are "No One," "Tell You Something" and "Lesson Learned," which features John Mayer.

But don't take my word for it, listen for yourselves. That is all.

(Except for this: How awesomely Diana Ross-like does she look on that album cover)

JPP Review: John Mayer, Continuum

First paragraph of the latest Just Press Play review:

"Since his debut album, Room for Squares, took the top 40 charts by storm in 2002, John Mayer has been working to convince us that he’s not a pre-packaged teeny bopper heartthrob, but rather an accomplished blues musician, singer-songwriter and all-around student of music. He made strides toward this goal with his sophomore release Heavier Things, but with Continuum, his third studio album to date, Mayer fully accomplishes that goal. He establishes himself as a musical genius and there is no looking back..."

For the rest, go here.

MSN Video: Down at the Crossroads

Yesterday was Eric Clapton's annual Crossroads Guitar Festival, and while MSN supposedly has the video, in true MSN Video fashion, it is currently not working. So to tide us over until (if) that moment ever comes, here is a teaser highlight of John Mayer and Eric Clapton performing "Crossroads":

Live Earth highlights

Finally got a chance to catch some of the Live Earth videos on MSN tonight. I was generally very impressed with the video and sound quality, though in true MSN fashion, the player is kind of a pain. (The links below will take you to the right concert, but then you have to toggle to the correct performance. There doesn't seem to be any way to link directly to the performance - argh.) Anyhow, here's what I'm particularly digging.

KT Tunstall performing "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" in New York. Very acoustic and funky.

Jack Johnson performing "Mudfootball" in Sydney. Still my favorite JJ song. Love that bongo rhythm.

Joss Stone performing "Tell Me 'Bout It" in Johannesburg. Man, this girl can blow. It's nice to see her looking a little more put-together, too.

John Legend performing "Ordinary People" in London. I like the stripped down quality of this version. Simple and powerful.

The Police featuring John Mayer and Kanye West performing "Message in a Bottle." Seriously, does it get any cooler?

JPP Review: John Mayer "Heavier Things"

And speaking of electric guitars, I have another review posted on Just Press Play- this one for John Mayer's Heavier Things.

Here's the first paragraph:

Call it John Mayer's blue period. The title of his sophomore release is perfectly appropriate. It not only refers to his choice of instrument (from the largely acoustic ear-candy of his debut, Room for Squares, to the mellow, almost exclusively electric sound of Heavier Things,) but also to his lyrics (from Squares' wry wit to Heavier Things' more worldly gravitas.)

For the rest, go here.

More Grammys

I have my issues with Sting, but you have to admit, the man sounds GREAT. If you missed the Police reunion on last night's Grammys, here's some video to check out.

It makes me proud to say, despite my love/hate relationship with the man, that Sting was my very first concert back in 1993.

Also, here is Christina Aguilera proving she deserves every accolade. The lady can blow.

And channeling Lady Day with white flowers in her hair, here is Beyonce singing a song from Dreamgirls. Not crazy about the arrangement, but again... the girl can sing.

But what the Grammys really reminded me of last night is how INSANELY talented Justin Timberlake is. I am not ashamed to admit that my friends and I went through a huge 'Nsync obsession when I was a senior in college (let me just repeat that - a SENIOR in college) and it was entirely because we could see the talent in JT even then. (For proof, watch this video.) And he has done an amazing job of developing that talent into something other-worldly. Need more proof? Check out this rehearsal of "What Goes Around" and then his duet with contest winner Robyn Troup.

It will come as no surprise to regular readers of this blog, but for me, the highlight of this year's Grammys was the amazing Corinne Bailey Rae/John Mayer/John Legend medley. As I said, an amazing time to be alive.

It's nice when Rolling Stone agrees with me

Not that I agree with everything Rolling Stone says, but it's nice to see that they do occasionally back me up.

Like, for instance, my recent post where I defended my love of John Mayer by explaining that he's one of the greatest blues guitarists of the modern era? Well, for those of you who prefer to take your musical opinions from journalistic behemoths, check out the latest issue of Rolling Stone. Author David Fricke says, "Mayer is a pop star and a dynamic, accomplished guitarist with an electric-Chicago attack and melodic concision." Or, as I said two weeks ago, the real deal.

While you're there, make sure you watch the featurette interview/jam that's posted.

Update: While perusing the Grammy winners list, I just noticed that David Fricke, author of this article, was nominated for a Grammy for his liner notes for the Byrds' box set There Is a Season.

Stripped - No, not like Xtina

Radio station Cities 97 out of Minneapolis, thanks to media conglomerate Clear Channel, has a great feature on its Web site called Stripped, and it's a series of live, acoustic performances by artists like John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge, Rob Thomas and Gavin Degraw.

Right now I'm listening to John Legend, and if it's possible, I think I like it more with every listen. He plays an amazingly funky, grooved-out version of my favorite song from his debut album, "Number 1," and covers Stevie Wonder's "Visions," among the half-dozen songs in this performance.

Check it out.

In defense of my love of John Mayer

I know people think he's too mainstream, he's too teeny-bopper friendly, he's too overexposed, whatever.

But I love the blues, and I'll tell you this: John Mayer is the real deal. You don't have to take my word for it, however. Check him out messing around with a new amp. (It's the January 12 entry.) That riff is from my favorite song on the new album, "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room."

Talent is talent. And that's the last time I'm gonna defend my love of all things JM.