Steven Tyler - "Sweet Emotion"

Last night I shared the stage with a living rock legend and a music icon. I am grateful, humbled, and still in shock. 

Steven Tyler is asinger, a songwriter, amulti-instrumentalist, and an incredible performer. Best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'" due to his high screams and his wide vocal range. He is also known for his on-stage acrobatics. During his high-energy performances, Tyler usually dresses in bright, colorful outfits with his trademark scarves hanging from his microphone stand.

In the 1970s, Tyler rose to prominence as the lead singer of Aerosmith, which released such milestone hard rock albums as Toys in the Attic and Rocks, along with a string of hit singles, including "Dream On", "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way". In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tyler had a heavy drug and alcohol addiction and the band's popularity waned. Tyler and bandmate Joe Perry became known as the "Toxic Twins" due to their drug abuse. In 1986, Tyler completed drug rehabilitation and Aerosmith rose to prominence again when Tyler and Perry joined Run–D.M.C. for a re-make of the classic Aerosmith song "Walk This Way", which became a Top 5 hit. Aerosmith subsequently launched a remarkable comeback with the multi-platinum albums Permanent Vacation, Pump, Get a Grip and Nine Lives, which produced a combined thirteen Top 40 singles and won the band numerous awards. During this time, the band embarked on their longest and most extensive concert tours, promoted their singles with conceptual music videos and made notable appearances in television, film and video games.

"Sweet Emotion" was released as a single on May 19, 1975, and peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's breakthrough single and their first Top 40 hit. The day it hit #36 on the U.S. chart, July 19, 1975, Aerosmith was booked at a gig in New York City's Central Park, called the Schaefer Music Festival. The song and consequently the album that went into the Top 10 were so successful that the band decided to ride the heels of success and re-release one of their first singles, the power ballad "Dream On", which had originally charted at #59 in 1973. The re-released version went on to hit #6, the highest chart performance in the 1970s for the band. "Sweet Emotion" remains successful in the modern day, having sold over three million digital downloads.

In the wake of this success, Tyler emerged as one of the most enduring rock icons. Since the late 1980s, he has embarked on several solo endeavors including guest appearances on other artists' music (working with artists as diverse as Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe, Santana, Pink and Keith Anderson), film and TV roles (including as a judge on American Idol and several cameo and guest appearances in other programs and films), authoring a bestselling book and solo work (including the Top 40 hit single "(It) Feels So Good" in 2011). While tension with his Aerosmith bandmates boiled in 2009 and 2010 after he fell off the stage at a concert, had a relapse with prescription drugs (which he successfully received treatment for in 2009), and signed on to American Idol without telling his bandmates, Tyler has continued to record music and perform with Aerosmith, after more than 46 years in the band. In May 2015, Tyler released the country single "Love Is Your Name", followed by the second single "Red, White & You" in January 2016; his debut solo album, We're All Somebody from Somewhere, was released on July 15, 2016.

Tyler is included among Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers. He was ranked third on Hit Parader's Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time. In 2001, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Aerosmith and in 2013, Tyler and his songwriting partner Joe Perry received the ASCAP Founders Award and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

So today, with all the feels, I choose Steven Tyler, and Aerosmith's, "Sweet Emotion" as my, you can have all the feelings, emotion like a hit in the face, tears can be happy, song for a, make your own music and find your own drum, never believe them when they say it isn't pretty, pretty is a state of mind Monday.

Jeff Buckley - "Hallelujah"

Jeff Buckley was born in California’s Orange County in 1966 and died in a tragic drowning accident in Memphis on May 29, 1997. He had emerged in New York City’s avant-garde club scene in the 1990’s as one of the most remarkable musical artists of his generation, acclaimed by audiences, critics, and fellow musicians alike. His first commercial recording, the four-song EP Live At Sin-é, was released in December 1993 on Columbia Records. The EP captured Buckley, accompanying himself on electric guitar, in a tiny coffeehouse in New York’s East Village, the neighborhood he’d made his home.

By the time of the EP’s release during the fall of 1993, Buckley had already entered the studio with Mick Grondahl (bass), Matt Johnson (drummer), and producer Andy Wallace and recorded seven original songs (including “Grace” and “Last Goodbye”) and three covers (among them Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, Benjamin Britten’s “Corpus Christi Carol”) that comprised his debut album Grace. Guitarist Michael Tighe became a permanent member of Jeff Buckley’s ensemble and went on to co-write and perform on Grace’s “So Real” just prior to the release of the album.

In the years since Buckley’s death, his legacy continues to grow. His fan base include rock legends, new artists, loyal followers, and an entirely new generation of music lovers. Jeff’s only studio album in his lifetime, Grace, endures.

In addition to Grace, 1998 saw the release of Jeff’s unfinished album from his Memphis days, Sketches (For My Sweetheart The Drunk). The 2000 release of Jeff Buckley – Mystery White Boy was joined by a release of a live DVD performance at Chicago’s Metro Theater. In 2003, Sony Legacy released Live at Sin-e Legacy Edition and 2004’s Grace Legacy Edition, both of which featured rare tracks and outtakes from live performances. In 2007, the album So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley was released, featuring remastered tracks for hardcore fans and audiophiles. In 2009, we saw Jeff performing on his album tour in the Live DVD Grace – Around The World. In 2014, to mark the 20th anniversary of Grace, 2000 limited edition Lilac Swirl 180-gram vinyl albums were released. A new album of previously unheard material will be released in March 2015. We hope to see more highly-anticipated releases in the coming years.

So today, with Grace and Guts, I choose Jeff Buckley's iconic "Hallelujah" as my, do the unthinkable, live beyond boundaries, rules cannot apply, song for a, who am I to tell you not to, find the path of most existence, charge forward with the light brigade Friday. 

Sarah Vaughan - "Nice Work If You Can Get It"

Possessor of one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century, Sarah Vaughan ranked with Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday in the very top echelon of female jazz singers. She often gave the impression that with her wide range, perfectly controlled vibrato, and wide expressive abilities, she could do anything she wanted with her voice. Although not all of her many recordings are essential (give Vaughan a weak song and she might strangle it to death), Sarah Vaughan's legacy as a performer and a recording artist will be very difficult to match in the future.

Vaughan sang in church as a child and had extensive piano lessons from 1931-39; she developed into a capable keyboardist. After she won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater, she was hired for the Earl Hines big band as a singer and second vocalist. Unfortunately, the musicians' recording strike kept her off record during this period (1943-44). When lifelong friend Billy Eckstine broke away to form his own orchestra, Vaughan joined him, making her recording debut. She loved being with Eckstine's orchestra, where she became influenced by a couple of his sidemen, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, both of whom had also been with Hines during her stint. Vaughan was one of the first singers to fully incorporate bop phrasing in her singing, and to have the vocal chops to pull it off on the level of a Parker and Gillespie.

Other than a few months with John Kirby from 1945-46, Sarah Vaughan spent the remainder of her career as a solo star. Although she looked a bit awkward in 1945 (her first husband George Treadwell would greatly assist her with her appearance), there was no denying her incredible voice. She made several early sessions for Continental: a December 31, 1944 date highlighted by her vocal version of "A Night in Tunisia," which was called "Interlude," and a May 25, 1945 session for that label that had Gillespie and Parker as sidemen. However, it was her 1946-48 selections for Musicraft (which included "If You Could See Me Now," "Tenderly" and "It's Magic") that found her rapidly gaining maturity and adding bop-oriented phrasing to popular songs. Signed to Columbia where she recorded during 1949-53, "Sassy" continued to build on her popularity. Although some of those sessions were quite commercial, eight classic selections cut with Jimmy Jones' band during May 18-19, 1950 (an octet including Miles Davis) showed that she could sing jazz with the best.

Sarah Vaughan During the 1950s, Vaughan recorded middle-of-the-road pop material with orchestras for Mercury, and jazz dates (including Sarah Vaughan, a memorable collaboration with Clifford Brown) for the label's subsidiary, EmArcy. Later record label associations included Roulette (1960-64), back with Mercury (1963-67), and after a surprising four years off records, Mainstream (1971-74). Through the years, Vaughan's voice deepened a bit, but never lost its power, flexibility or range. She was a masterful scat singer and was able to out-swing nearly everyone (except for Ella). Vaughan was with Norman Granz's Pablo label from 1977-82, and only during her last few years did her recording career falter a bit, with only two forgettable efforts after 1982. However, up until near the end, Vaughan remained a world traveler, singing and partying into all hours of the night with her miraculous voice staying in prime form. The majority of her recordings are currently available, including complete sets of the Mercury/Emarcy years, and Sarah Vaughan is as famous today as she was during her most active years.

So today, with a secret sitting in my pocket, I choose Sarah Vaughan's "Nice Work If You Can Get It" as my, go out and make it, build it and they will come, believe in yourself beyond all doubt, song for a, when the world tells you that you can't is exactly when you MUST, we built this city, call me crazy but I refuse to believe something simply because someone else told me it was true, Thursday.

Michael Giacchino - "Enterprising Young Men"

Michael Giacchino is an iconic American composer of music for films, television and video games. He composed the scores to the television series Lost, Alias and Fringe, the video game series Medal of Honor and Call of Duty and many films such as The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible III, Ratatouille, Star Trek, Up, Super 8, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Star Trek Into Darkness, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Jurassic World, Inside Out, Zootopia, Star Trek Beyond, Doctor Strange, Rogue One, Spider-Man: Homecoming and War for the Planet of the Apes.

Giacchino has received an Emmy Award and multiple Grammy Awards, as well as a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for his work on Up.

His work is truly prolific, and his diverse styles are only complimented by the amount of work he does. Unlike so many other composers of note today, you can't always point to one of his scores and say "Ah, this sounds like Giacchino." he's a musical chameleon, and I find that to be a terribly tantalizing quality for someone who's work is not only so saturated in the market, but also so beautiful in such a varied many type of styles. 

So today, with vim and vigor, I choose Michael Giacchino's "Enterprising Young Men" as my, get up a go, just do the thing, everything is accomplishable, song for a, look beyond the stars and then take yourself there, the only limits are of your own creation, believe nothing simply because someone told you it was so, Wednesday.

Ryan Star - "Orphans"

His music has appeared prominently in films such as P.S. I Love You and hit television shows like The Vampire Diaries, as well as the theme song to Lie To Me. Given his live-show prowess, he's been tapped to share the stage with many incredible artists, from Imagine Dragons to Bon Jovi to Maroon 5.  His 2010 full-length major label debut, 11:59, landed at #10 on Billboard's Rock Albums Chart and #4 on the Tastemakers Chart. In 2012 Ryan’s hit "Stay Awhile" charted Top 30 at Hot AC radio and quickly amassed over 2 million YouTube views.

He's often called the "Darkhorse" or the "alt-rock Frank Ocean", because he has a diverse musical style and deeply touching lyrics. So give this guy a chance, I promise his music will hit you right in the feels. 

So, today with all the feelings boiling over, I choose Ryan Star's "Orphans" as my, fight for yourself, give no credence to naysayers, lift yourself back up by the bootstraps, song for a, hotter than necessary, accept the new reality, we live here now, Tuesday.

Luther Vandross - "Never Too Much"

Because today I took care of my 6month old Godson, Luther, and because there can never be too much fairy godfather time. Also, I had a really full weekend, and I'd like more of the same. 

So today, with heat and laughter, I choose Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" as my, why not, stay hydrated, sweating is healthy, song for a, make a little more magic, take each chance, maybe this is the one, Monday.

Reid Lee - "To The Limit"

I am so excited to share this video with you! It was made with some of my favorite people on earth, and it's one of my favorite songs on the album! It was a true labor of love and I think we created something really special. Thank you to my amazingly talented (and good looking) friends for helping me do this, I couldn't be more proud of you!

This one is for my Dad, and his father, who both carried the poem below in their breast pocket every day, and never let me quit.

"When Things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to Smile but have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he'd stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up,
When he might captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown,

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
~Edgar A. Guest

So today, with confidence and determination, I choose Reid Lee's "To The Limit" as my, break your own glass ceiling, rage against the dying of the light, Stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, song for an, in bold and beautiful color, every vibrant shade of human, Don't. You. QUIT!, Friday! 

Ralph - "Young Hearts Run Free"

If Sade & Stevie Nicks & Donna Summer had a love child... you'd get Ralph. I heard this song on the 4th of July and just couldn't get over how well this cover was done. Nostalgic but new, fresh but with an homage to the original, fun and sexy all at once, this song will get your groove going no matter where you are.

Raffa Weyman is a classically trained vocalist from Toronto's collegial (read: student swarmed) Annex neighborhood. She lives a block over from her parent's place in a house filled with creatives. Her best friend and roommate, Gemma Warren, directed the dreamy, spa haven video for "Tease." Working in the Toronto music scene for several years, RALPH tells me that this project is a product of the city's creative west end community; talking about how Toronto Women in Music—a group that began on Facebook by a handful of other female-identifying musicians in the city living in the downtown core—have helped her. The group facilitates networking, promotes conversation, and general sharing and support for women, two-spirited, and non-binary people in Toronto and fortunately where RALPH met her manager. It's also through this community she's been able to support herself and others by doing some backup singing, appearing in music videos, and costume design, to name a few. "Now it's really great because it's come full circle and those people are helping me," she says.

In the same vein as Lorde, Charlie XCX, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and many other solo performers, the duality of personalities a pop act needs to assume is not lost on RALPH. Where chart dominance was the sole predictor of success in pop's previous decades, it's now social media and how your listeners can connect with you on a more (superficially) personal level that help bear the mark of success. "I want to have a presence. I want people to feel like they know me and respect me," she tells me. In an article for The Creator Class she wrote, "Raffa (me) and RALPH (my creative alter-ego) are closely linked, but Ralph is a little more adventurous. When I'm performing, I get to tap into a part of my personality that is less careful, less contained." RALPH, hesitating as she says it to me, calls herself a brand. She is very in control of this—she consciously chooses images of herself that support her aesthetic goal. Some pop stars have a vice grip on their image (Taylor Swift or Beyonce, for example), which RALPH argues is more of a positive attribute than not, especially for someone who is so new to the pop game. "I am an entrepreneur. I am a business. I am my own business now. So, yes, I am an artist and I have a team behind me who are doing that for me but I am interested in my own success," she says. "I think that you do have to be aware of how important personal branding and cohesiveness is nowadays in your Instagram or your press photos or videos. People want to feel like they can rely on you."

She's locking down her image, nailing down her sound, and commanding an ever growing audience. It's no wonder, with incredible original material, and effervescent hit covers like this, that she's holding on to that rising star. 

So today,  with my hands in the air, I choose Ralph's cover of "Young Hearts Run Free" as my, let it crack open, why not today, smile with your whole heart, song for a, from the tips of my toes, lemon yellow sunshine, eyes full of fireworks Thursday.