Sallie's Sophomore Release Postponed

According to sources, due to the vast musical difference between Nate Sallie's freshman release and Ruined for Ordinary, I'm told that Curb Records will release an EP in October to warm people up to Sallie's new sound. The full length (RFO) will hit stores in February. This smacks of the dc talk Jesus Freak release strategy (and the stylistic expanse between Free at Last and Jesus Freak). I still love the JF EP and remember literally screaming (with excitement) the first time I heard the title track.

My Bad

I visited one store and called another this evening in search of Nate Sallie's Ruined for Ordinary. Apparently, the CD release date has been changed yet again. Alas...

My Two Cents: Blue on Blue

I've been a fan of Leigh Nash since the mid-90s, after hearing Sixpence None the Richer's freshman release, The Fatherless and the Widow. I loved the melancholy pop that Nash and guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum brought us from day one. I first met Nash back when her last name was Bingham (before she married PFR's drummer, Mark Nash) at a little youth hang in Grand Rapids, Mich. during the band's This Beautiful Mess tour. She was shy, sweet and sincere. I witnessed her musical career blossom over the years and caught many Sixpence shows. Not long ago, I watched her debut her solo material at a club here in Nashville. (See my Two on Tuesday post.) These days, she's more quirkily endearing than ever.

To be honest, I have to admit that, had I not discovered Sixpence, I don't know that I'd pick up her solo album. Don't get me wrong -- Blue on Blue is a solid, adult pop record and Nash's vocals have never been stronger. Canadian producer Pierre Marchand (Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright) brings not only notoriety but beauty to the project. To her credit, Nash co-wrote all 11 radio-single-worthy tracks. Many of the tunes have a timeless pop sound, which should ensure her some great movie soundtrack spots. I guess the sad thing about this record is that it's an official reminder that Sixpence is no more.

In Related News:

My good friend Julie B. Carter (a.k.a. JuJuBee) sang BGVs for Nate Sallie today at an outdoor concert in Franklin, Tenn., alongside Marcia Ware of Nashville's WAY-FM.

Sallie Breaks Through on Tuesday

I can't tell you how excited I am about Nate Sallie's new record, Ruined for Ordinary, dropping on Tuesday. I just watched the video for "Breakthrough" on his site. The track is fast becoming one of my absolute favorites. Sounds like Stevie Wonder meets Keith Green meets Coldplay. I saw him play "Breakthrough" and several of his other new tunes at GMA this spring. He nearly blew all the other acts out of the water with just his piano and pure passion. I highly recommend that you check out the "Breakthrough" video. (It can also be viewed on his MySpace.) And if you're skeptical due to the cheesy pop/punk single off of his first album, I don't blame you. I did NOT buy that record, but I can't WAIT to rip the wrapper off of RFO on Tuesday and spin that puppy! If it disappoints me, I'll let you know.

The Wickham Wow Factor

Is it possible to have a crush on someone's voice? If so, since introducing you to Phil Wickham in my New Albums post, I have developed a crush on Wickham's vocals. I haven't been so taken by somebody's singing voice since the early 90s, when I was preoccupied with Kevin Max (Smith)'s velvet voice (before he went "goat boy," as I call it, when his velvet vocals evolved into violent vibrato). If you like Jeff Buckley, Josh Groban, Kevin Max or Coldplay, do yourself a favor and check out Wickham's self-titled debut.

Diary of a Disappointed White Woman

I need to get something off my chest. I've been wanting to say it for nearly a year now, but felt too badly to do so. That's because I've been a fan of Josh Schicker's music ever since he started the band paisley dave during our years at Hope College. From day one, Schicker's vocals engaged me. It was the sense of urgency in his voice that was so believable. Though the band changed its name to the episode, Schicker remained the group's frontman and chief songwriter. Since the band's dissolution, I've kept track of Schicker's solo career. After two great solo albums, Schicker made a trip down to Nashville to record with well-respected producer/engineer Mitch Dane. I was so thrilled for him and anticipated an amazing third album. (I even named him my favorite independent artist of 2005 in HM Magazine.) I hate to say it, but I have been quite disappointed with Moonlighting. I don't know if 1) his voice was tired the week he recorded; 2) he has taken a different direction vocally since his second release; 3) he was "being careful" because the project was too costly to chance a bad take; or 4) someone (namely, Dane) "coached" him vocally. Whatever the reason, it's the lack of warmth and passion that have always been synonymous with Schicker's vocals that leaves the new album sounding "safe" and sterile. Josh, if you're reading, forgive me.

Note: As many of my posts make apparent, I am not afraid to speak my mind on matters of music. It just gets tricky wearing two hats at once -- music critic and friend.

Two on Tuesday

Just a reminder that Leigh Nash's solo debut, Blue on Blue, hits stores on Tuesday. I saw Nash, frontwoman of the retired Sixpence None the Richer, in concert Mar. 16, and am happy to report that she is in fine form. The CD reviews I've read in both CCM and Paste magazines bode well of the new album. You can read my take on the record in the days to come.

Tuesday also marks the sophomore release of Gotee Records' Sarah Kelly. I'm a bit skeptical of the new album, Where the Past Meets Today, simply because I was disappointed by her freshman release, despite a fabulous first single, "Take Me Away." On the positive tip, CCM Magazine gave WTPMT an "A." But Kelly's gonna have to "take me away" with this new record if she's going to convince me that her powerful voice is more than a one-hit wonder.

Graduation Day

It's official. I have graduated from the world of mix tapes. Up until a month ago, I clung to my party-mix-tape-making tradition. Over the last several years, it has become a joke amongst my closests friends and I, and one that I honestly enjoyed. I'll admit it -- I am a low-tech girl. (See my Spin & Recycle post.) I don't understand the digital world or much of the technology that many my age and younger consider everyday elements. However, I am proud to report that after hours of experimentation (and some generous blank CD samples provided by Jamie and Janine), I have successfully made my first two party mix discs. Now, for that party...

P.O.D. Parts with Label

P.O.D. released the following to fans early this morning via e-mail: Warriors - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT P.O.D. have left Atlantic Records. We've been proud to be Atlantic Recording Artists, but it's not the same place anymore. For most of our stay, we were blessed by a staff that was gracious towards our vision, faith, and love of music...resulting in more than 7 million records sold. It's time to dream again with a new staff and we leave with grateful hearts. by the people, FOR the people - P.O.D. - Aug. 2006 Personally, I am excited about this move. I look forward to the return of the "real" P.O.D. Time will tell. To Atlantic Records, "good-bye for now, so long," indeed.

Coldplay Warmed Up My Chops

I watched a portion of Coldplay's Live 2003 DVD again yesterday and was inspired to write three poems. Below is one of them.

Keys

When I sit down at the keyboard and punch the keys,
in that moment, I am like Coldplay's Chris Martin --
his fingertips plunking out melodies
and mine plunking out memories.

© 2006 Amy E. Hall

"The One" Cancelled: Poor Ratings

Did a little investigating (see my previous post) -- according to (an acquaintance of mine who is) one of Caitlin Evanson's friends, ABC pulled "The One" due to terrible ratings. Per my source, Caitlin is "still kicking around L.A. for the time being...spending some time with (the show's) female judge. Maybe she's giving her some more advice or maybe they're writing a little together." Even though my inquiring mind wants to know more, I suppose that will do.

"One" Equals Zero

I am really bummed. ABC's "The One: Making a Music Star" has apparently been cancelled. I will admit that I got sucked in, what with one of my favorite independent artists on the show. (See my Favorite Indie Artist on ABC's "The One" post.) I went to ABC's Web site to double-check The One's time slot for this evening only to find it nowhere on tonight's listing. Upon surfing over to The One's site, I read, "There are no plans for additional episodes. Thanks to all who participated in and supported The One!" Call me pathetic, but I am truly disappointed. I can only wonder why...and my inquiring mind wants to know!