fashion clothes

For as much as I adore almost all types of music, and for as many local concerts and shows as we see, we don't get to headliner type concerts all that often. Mostly because it's hard to rationalize spending that much money on something like that...at least for me it is.

That's why I was a little bit shocked when my husband told me a few months ago that he got tickets to see Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson.

And when I say shocked, I mean it in the best way possible. I mean, I don't care if you're young, old, male, female, straight, gay or purple, Adam Levine is one of the hottest men on the planet. You can try and tell me that you don't drool a little bit over the guy, and I'm going to call bullshit.

I mean, seriously.


Everyone has a folder of Adam Levine pictures on their computer, right? That's not weird. No.

Anyhow, he told me he got tickets a while ago when they went on sale. Which was pretty good considering that the concert sold out pretty quickly. And for good reason.

I've seen enough live music performances to know that some people who kick ass in the studio can't hold a damn note in person, that editing makes some people really famous, and that stage presence is totally separate and apart from singing ability for some people.

I was a little leery of both of them, to be honest.

Kelly is a power vocalist, always has been. I sang for a hot second back in the day and I know how hard it can be to maintain range, clarity and tone. Adam tends toward the falsetto a LOT, and that shit is hard to pull off in a studio, let alone live.

So, as a music critic, I was curious what would happen.

Mostly, though, I was hoping he would take off his shirt. Sadly, a breeze picked up about halfway through their set and he never felt compelled to remove it. I know. I'm sad too.

BUT HE HAS A BEARD NOW. DID YOU KNOW THIS????


You guys. It's bearding season. Hot damn.

We got to the concert venue a little bit later than intended, mostly because of traffic and kids who had to be picked up from school and real life stuff. It wouldn't have been such an issue, but our seats were in a general admission portion.


We ended up literally in the back of the place, like that is the wall right behind us, but towards the end of the night I was actually grateful for that because standing on grass for four hours is better than standing on concrete. And you just weren't going to sit down.

Kelly was on stage over an hour, and I have to tell you that she is freaking adorable in person. I've always liked her since way back in the American Idol days. She's humble and grounded and real. I love that about her.

I was pleasantly surprised by her banter on the stage though. She fully makes fun of herself in the most hilarious self deprecating way, and I freaking adore that. She poked fun at herself for being single and crazy, for being engaged and crazy, for being a crazy cat lady, for being really pathetic and sad sometimes, for being ridiculous other times.


That, and girl can sing. Like holy crap. Her voice was a little raspy in the beginning, but as she got further into the set, she was hitting the high notes like you wouldn't believe. Then there is the issue of all her songs that make me cry, and I'm standing there among thousands of people sobbing like a fool. She was awesome.

Which makes sense. I mean, her name is Kelly, so I'm sure it's some kind of prerequisite. Kelly, Kelly, Kelly....

My husband may or may not have yelled I love you, Kelly at the end of every song.

That might have happened.

Then Maroon 5 came on stage. They were up there just about two hours straight, and played songs from their entire career. The lead guitarist James Valentine is pretty damn amazing. I feel for the guy, and for the rest of the band in general, because they really are like an asterisk next to Levine. He's taken front man to a whole new level.

I mean, I guess I wouldn't mind if I got to ride those coattails and all (especially if it meant that I got to stare at his ass all the time), but most of the band has been together since high school. Seems like they're all cool with his insane fame and all since only one of the original members left though, so I'm not asking any questions. Just don't break the band up, please.


Like Kelly, Adam is pretty funny live, and has a bit of a problem with the swears. Which...I'm totally okay with.

Towards the end of the show, a little girl next to the stage gave him a bouquet of roses, which he thanked her for...then shared with the audience. He bent down to give the last rose back to the little girl, and warned everyone around her not to try and steal it from her. Don't you break a little girl's heart. Don't be an asshole. 

Swoon.

They left the stage for a minute in their fake show ending, because everyone knows they are coming back out for an encore. The encore ended up being like five more songs or something. I have to say that I was impressed with the stage production values, the special effects, the entire band, and with him. The Voice.

Man, can he sing. He sounds just as good live as he does on the radio, and I'm not kidding.

He even covered I wanna be your lover by Prince, and sang almost the entire thing in falsetto. That part was hilarious because the couple in front of us was there with their teenage kids, and dad broke out in his falsetto to sing along while dancing quite enthusiastically. Dad. Stop. Oh my god. Daaaad.

As he was taking his last bow, Adam told me he loved me.

Okay, so he loved Denver.

Whatever.

Imma count it.

I have a million things I am supposed to be writing this week, and since I'm having a hard time getting to the place where I can do what I need to do, I was glad when my friend Lance over at My Blog Can Beat Up You Blog challenged me to write another 100 word song.


Funny, his timing.

He's figured out to ask me on a day that something is happening of huge social significance, because then I can't say no. The first time I wrote a song the evening of the DOMA rulings about equality. Today, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, he baited me.

Yes he did.

The theme this time around has to do with the fact that Pearl Jam's Ten was released 22 years ago. Which I refuse to believe. I insist that he must be lying.

I'm going to attempt to combine Pearl Jam with MLK's speech. I can't promise it won't be terrible.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Once upon a time, passionate and well spoken
He stood for equality and human rights
His words, his will could not be broken
He spoke of a world within his sights

This land he dreamt of, so right and just
Where little boys and girls could hold hands 
A world in which those children could trust
That those in charge had a vision and plans

This world, it still needs built somehow
To come together, with his inspiration
He is gone, but we have to do this now
Only we can form a better nation

Once upon a time.

I asked begged for topics to write about last night, because all that has been on my mind for the last 36 hours or so is the verdict.

This is the first time I've ever attempted song lyrics, so forgive me if it's atrocious. I was tagged by Lance over at My Blog Can Beat Up You Blog to do this. It's his fault.

Stop playing that drum beat.

Time's come, change is near. 

The rain will come today. 

Let it wash away this tear. 

Because I was made this way. 

Go on and preach that I've sinned. 

It's no choice, you see. 

The laws you wrote they will rescind. 

Unequal can't be free. 

Put down the shield, embrace love. 

Rain comes around the bend. 

This day the one they'll write of. 

Laws based in hate must end.

I'm supposed to be doing a spring break series on r&b right now, but seem to be lacking the focus for that.  Instead, I'll hop on the blogging train for the month of April.  The A to Z challenge is intended to be just a writing challenge, but I'm putting my own twist on it.  I don't follow rules well, anyway.

Each day, I'll write about something from the world of music that begins with the letter of the day.

A is easy.  Tons and tons and tons of things start with the letter A, which is great.  Here, I'm showcasing my randomness when it comes to music.  I love almost all genres, love almost all time frames.  Love it all.

Axl Rose
Primarily known as the front man for Guns N' Roses, he was a rare bad boy in the time of hair bands.  He wasn't so much about the guyliner and hairspray, he just rocked.  Hard.

Raised in a very strict Pentecostal household, he's proof that the more you try to repress your children, the more they will rebel.  He's the last remaining member of the band.

He's been in trouble for almost as many years as he's been singing, and has been an almost constant source of fodder for the press.  Abused as a child, he's often said there's a reason he tends to act like a two year old.

Adele
I don't know what the hell has happened to this poor woman, but it's transformed her into one of the most powerful vocalists of this generation.  She can take a broken heart and turn it into rage, revenge or renewal.

Her voice is deep and soulful, and for as passionate as she is when she sings, she has a light and fun sense of humor.  A self-deprecating one at that.  Combine it with the fact that she's evidence that strong, beautiful, successful women can shop in the plus section, and she's got an instant fan base all over the world.

I have a bit of a girl crush on her.


AC/DC
I love them. I just love them.  I've managed to successfully brainwash my son into loving them too.  They rock hard, raw and edgy...and they've been around forever.

If you lived in San Diego when Trevor Hoffman was pitching and you don't hold a special place in your heart for this song, I don't want to know you anymore. Seriously.


Annie Lennox
She's drop dead gorgeous, she confuses the hell out of people, she's magnificent and she has one of the purest voices in all of music.  I adore her.

She sang with a bunch of bands for many years, but I think we all know she never needed the backup.  She's a humanitarian, an activist, a powerful voice in a world of apathy and distance.

I'm having trouble focusing today.  There are too many things I want to write about but won't let myself.  I've started a post about six times and deleted it.

Instead of all that stuff, I'm going to write about the lessons we learned from the Grammy Awards last night.

1. Justin Timberlake still has it.  I mean, I knew all along, but there were naysayers.  To them, I say pish posh.  He can pull off 40's b&w sexy and may single-handedly encourage men to dress up again...which is something I could get behind.  Here's looking at you, kid.



2. Katy Perry has the most perfect boobs.  The thing that mystifies me about a dress like the one she pulled off last night is this, and forgive me for being the queen of TMI...but where the hell are her nipples?  Does she just not have any?  Magical.  Also, she didn't need to smile because we all know that no one was looking at her face.


3. Chris Brown is still a douche, but Rihanna can't stay away.  The wonderful Mr. Brown thought it appropriate to be the only one not giving Frank Ocean an standing ovation, and you know they put those two close to each other in the audience for drama.  I don't understand Rihanna....she's gorgeous, she proved last night that she can actually sing better than she's ever been given credit for, and she's wildly famous.  What the hell is she doing back with this abusive ass?  There are other fish in the sea, RhiRhi...and most of them don't have douchey neck tattoos.


4. Taylor Swift still can't sing live, still needs to stand up straight, and still needs to tone her OHMYGOSHYOUGUYS act down.  We get it, Taylor.  You've been famous for years now.  Stop acting surprised.  You're tall, own it.  Work it.  Most of us would kill for legs like that.  Seriously.


5. Miguel is bringing back the slow jams of the early 90s and I could kiss him for it.  Think Jodeci.  Johnny Gil.  Think Ginuwine.  The music that just makes you want to hump a wall.  That.  All good things.


6. Prince is one fine ass tiny man.  He has to be the highest maintenance star in the universe, but maaaaaaan can he still work it.  Now, put on your man heels and dance sexy for me.  Bring the big stick.


7. Speaking of tiny sexy men, Bruno Mars sang the song that I'm pretty sure I could listen to 3.7 million times before I get tired of it.  Then Sting came out.  Then  Rihanna and the Marleys  and all was right with the world.


8. That time that I blew my kids' minds, and my husband's when I told them all that Will.I.Am. is a play on his actual name.  That if you take out the periods, his name is William.  Minds.Blown.  He wasn't even at the Grammys, but this came up. Oh, and play the version with bitch in it please, radio censors of America.  We'll ignore Britney's fake British accent for now.


I flipping love music.  I'm still coming down off my high from last night.

You know the drill.