Shoshana Bean - "Defying Gravity + Gravity (Mashup)"

Shoshana Bean was born to a Jewish family in Olympia, Washington and raised in the Portland, Oregon area. She first found her love for performing at a summer camp in Olympia called Capital Kids.

Barely out of college, Shoshana Bean was pounding the pavement, booking roles in regional productions like Annie to earn her Equity Card. Pretty much immediately after that, Bean stayed on her post-grad energy wave and found herself in New York City. The excitement of her new surroundings kept Bean’s theater buzz going and she quickly began finding work as a New York actor.

Shoshana Bean was one of the original cast members of the 2003 Tony Award winning production of Hairspray, where she got her broadway debut! In addition to understudying the roles of Tracy Turnblad (who was originally played by fellow Jewess Marissa Jaret Winokur), Velma Von Tussle, and Prudy Pingleton, Bean starred as Shelley (one of the Corny Collins dancers).

Following her success in Hairspray, Shoshana took over for Idina Menzel (why yes, another Jew!) as Elphaba in Wicked, arguably still one of the most highly coveted roles on Broadway. As the first predecessor of the role, Bean had some big shoes to fill and she did not disappoint. Her vocal riffs and rock star mezzo-belt left audiences speechless and on their feet after every performance.

In 2015, Shoshana Bean starred as Fanny Brice (role originated on Broadway by Barbra Streisand) in a revival of Funny Girl at North Shore Theater near Boston and received an IRNE award for her portrayal. Bean also originated the role of CeeCee Bloom in the pre-Broadway run of the musical production of Beaches (role originated in the film by Bette Midler). Her part in Beaches earned Bean a Jeff Award nomination.

She writes her own music too! Show tunes, pop, jazz— Shoshana Bean does it all. In addition to her long reigning Broadway career, Bean writes and records original songs and popular covers of songs, like her latest release covering Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Bean has three original albums in addition to dozens of EPs, single covers, and guest recording tracks. Spectrum, her latest album, reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Charts in 2018. Her musical style is heavily influenced by R&B artists like Mariah Carey (you can tell by her to-die-for whistle tones). Her voice is truly an American treasure and we are not worthy.

So today, with grit and guts I choose Shoshana Bean’s delicious versions of "Defying Gravity + Gravity (a Mashup)" as my, grind on, rise up, lift off, song for a, float if you can, support those who are leaping, be a net when necessary, Tuesday.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - "Our House"

So, I did a thing, and I’m excited, and scared, and hopeful, and stressed, and already worried, but mostly I am simply thrilled that I have a place to call home, where my family can create some beautiful memories.

So today, with hope by the handful, I choose Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young’s "Our House" as my, this is for all of us, memories in the making, cherish the gifts you’ve been given, song for a, sing in gratitude, share the experience, hold out your hand to lift each other up, Monday.

Oh yeah … I bought a house.

Sarah McLachlan - "Ice Cream"

She’s been around since the early 90’s and her music is still and beautiful and impactful now, as it was then. This song is an oldie but a goodie. It holds a special place in my heart, and when you wake up full of the warm fuzzies this is the kind of feeling you hold on to.

Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan debuted in 1988 with her piano-based folk-pop, which went on to gain her a devoted following, a number of Juno and Grammy Awards, and placement in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. She also founded Lilith Fair, a concert tour that helped usher other female songwriters into the mainstream during the late '90s, while maintaining her own presence on the charts.

McLachlanwas born on January 28, 1968, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she began taking lessons for voice, classical piano, and guitar as a child. Following a year of art training at the Nova Scotia School of Design,McLachlan(who had also been fronting a new wave band named October Game) was approached by Nettwerk Records and offered a solo deal. She initially turned it down in favor of continued studies; however, she reconsidered and accepted the offer in late 1987, relocating to Vancouver soon after. On the strength of her debut, 1988'sTouch, the budding songwriter was signed to Arista for international distribution. The album eventually reached gold status in Canada and was reissued worldwide in 1989. In 1991, she followed up withSolace, an impressive collection that showed a great leap in songcraft and began to build a strong cult following in the U.S.

In September 1992, following a 14-month promotional tour,McLachlantraveled to Cambodia and Thailand to work on World Vision, a Canadian-sponsored documentary on poverty and child prostitution. Inspired by her experiences, she retreated to a secluded house outside of Montreal to write material for her next album. After six months in a Montreal studio with collaborator/producerPierre Marchand, she releasedFumbling Toward Ecstasy, her strongest and most personal effort to date, in late 1993. The album peaked in the U.S. charts at number 50; by the end of 1994, it reached platinum status after spending 62 weeks on the chart. "Possession," an atmospheric single that mixed electronica influences with lyrics inspired by a stalker, broke the Top 100 and received considerable airplay, especially on modern rock radio, where it peaked at number 14. "Good Enough" also found a home in that format, reaching number 16.The Freedom Sessions, consisting mainly of alternate versions of tracks fromFumbling, arrived in 1995; that same year also saw the release of "I Will Remember You," whichMcLachlanwrote as the theme for Brothers McMullen.Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff, a collection of non-LP tracks and remixes, was issued in Canada in 1996.

In 1997,McLachlanbegan work on her fourth album, the enormously successfulSurfacing, which debuted at number two on the pop albums chart. She also organized Lilith Fair, a package tour focusing on emerging women singer/songwriters. Released in 1999, the multi-platinumMirrorballchronicledMcLachlan's performances on that tour and served as her first live release. In 2003, after a short hiatus from the business, she put out the successfulAfterglow, followed by another concert release,Afterglow Live. Both releases eventually went multi-platinum, andMcLachlancontinued to tour through 2005. In June of that year, she performed on the Philadelphia stage of Live 8, the multi-city anniversary celebration of Live Aid and G8 summit protest coordinated by Live Aid founderBob Geldof. She releasedBloom, her second remix collection, several months later. While most of its material was drawn fromAfterglow, it also included a version of the 1989McLachlantrack "Vox" and a previously unreleased collaboration withDMCandBlack Eyed Peas'will.i.am.

McLachlanreleased two albums in 2006:Mirrorball: The Complete Concert, which captured the entirety of the last date on her 1998 tour, andWintersong, a collection of traditional and modern Christmas covers (plus one new song, the title cut). She then returned to original material for 2010'sLaws of Illusion, her first studio album in nearly seven years. Featuring "One Dream," which she wrote for the 2009 Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, the album was released several weeks before the start of Lilith Fair 2010, the festival's first appearance in more than a decade.McLachlanspent the next couple of years focusing on her charitable endeavor The Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which provided free music lessons to at-risk kids in Vancouver. She returned to the studio in 2013 to record a new album with longtime collaboratorPierre Marchand, inspired by the recent death of her father. Parting ways with Arista, her label home for more than 20 years, she signed to Verve. She releasedShine On, her first album for the label and another collaboration withPierre Marchand, in May of 2014.Shine Ondebuted at number one on the Canadian charts and number four in the U.S.; it would win the Juno for Best Adult Contemporary Album. In October 2016,McLachlanreleasedWonderland, her second Christmas album. The following year, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

So today, with ice cream on my chin, I choose Sarah McLachlan’s "Ice Cream" as my, go on and smile, stay hopeful, today will be as beautiful as you let it, song for a, hold on to the feeling, don’t let the bastards get you down, put down the cross, Friday.

Colin Hay - "Waiting For My Real Life To Begin"

Most know him as the front man from Men At Work, but this Scottish–Australian musician, singer, & songwriter has had a much longer and more prolific career than most people realize. This includes over 13 Albums released and a large body of Film and Television work.

I heard this song the other day for the first time and the raw emotive sensitivity of it struck me to the core. Like an early Dave Matthews, or Jack Johnson, he’s got a bit of Sting mixed with Jason Mraz and that is right up my alley.

So today, waiting for the next big thing, I choose Colin Hay’s "Waiting For My Real Life To Begin" as my, look forward, look up, look for the light you already carry, song for a, shift into motion, let go of the chains you built that no longer serve, silence the parrots, Thursday.

Mavis Staples - "You Are Not Alone"

She’s a legend, a soul singer, a rule breaker, and beyond all that she’s still an innovator!

She recently had a tiny desk concert that was incredible. You see exactly why she is a star.

What you may not know is that Mavis Staples has been actively working with her fellow Chicago musician (and Wilco leader) Jeff Tweedy on her upcoming album, You Are Not Alone. Tweedy produced the record and wrote a few songs for her, as well — including the title track, which she sings here.

So in homage to my elders, today I choose Mavis Staples’ "You Are Not Alone" as my, crack open the dawn, look into your own soul, see the divinity within, song for a, show up for yourself, continue on, help yourself up - and then help them up too, Wednesday.

Listen to the whole Tiny Desk Concert here: https://www.npr.org/2010/08/09/129005693/mavis-staples-tiny-desk-concert?fbclid=IwAR0vpJZ2fHvg49o9UeYdTuervbKmLbJ6guIlJZr_N9bv4HGXoFQ9kQiSVHo

Melanie C - "High Heels (ft. Sink The Pink)"

Mel C hasn’t always been my cup of tea, but she does have a way of holding on the LGBTQ+ community and she’s been an ally for her entire career. So when this bop came out and I saw the Video I was immediately on board.

Will this tune be remembered forever, maybe not, but it’s a great little jam to workout to. You know she’s keeping it sporty with this running beat.

Seriously though, the video slays.

So today, running in heels, I choose Melanie C’s "High Heels (ft. Sink The Pink)" as my, move on, move up, move it move it, song for a, here we go, buckle up buttercup, sometimes you just say yes to throw them off, Tuesday.

Sara Bareilles - "Orpheus" & "Manhattan"

I had the distinct pleasure of going to see this woman perform this past weekend. We made a date of it, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. There were so many layers to her work, and there was so much joy in her performance. It was certainly one that I’ll remember for a long while.

As I stood there, holding hands with the Man that I love, singing along I took a quick moment to pour out the gratitude I had. To be there. To be with him. To have loved her for so long. To have had so many friends scattered across the audience and knowing they too felt this way. It was an overwhelming sensation, and I was humbled.

I was so glad, that through all of life’s trials and tribulations, sinkholes and setbacks, broken hearts and broken bones I had not given up on love, nor on my dreams. Things come in their own time, and that’s the only lesson you can learn.

So today, with joy glowing like a halo and gratitude strumming like a harp, I choose Sara Bareilles’ "Orpheus" & “Manhattan” as my, I would not be who am if I had not been where I had, the long and winding road, the foundations of the better man I have become, songs for an, in this moment I am content, I could hold this heart forever, like a lantern for the path forward, Monday.

We did not give up on love today.

Tim Curry - "Anything Can Happen on Halloween" & Kelly Clarkson - "I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins Cover)"

Today’s Duo is a real Halloween Trick & Treat!

First we have Tim Curry’s deliciously campy turn as the Grand High Wizard in the Worst Witch. Which, coincidentally, also starred Fairuza Balk in the first of her many Iconic Witchy Roles. Curry comes to the school of witches to teach them about the magic of Halloween. Really though, “High”Wizard is right. The whole song is like 3 minute acid trip that will definitely get you giggling.

Second we’ve got Kelly Clarkson’s incredible cover of the original Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version of “I Put a Spell on You”. The orchestration is beautifully close to the original and her homage to Screamin’ Jay’s licks and rough vocals are amazing. To top it off she’s wearing a costume in tribute to my gal Bette’s iconic version in Hocus Pocus. Her voice is point, wild and rough, and yet always in control. One for the record books.

So today, with witchcraft and wizardry swirling all around, I choose Tim Curry’s "Anything Can Happen on Halloween" & Kelly Clarkson’s "I Put A Spell On You (Screamin' Jay Hawkins Cover)" as my, make the magic fall from your fingertips, walk in beauty, like the devil on your shoulder and the angel in your ear, songs for a, wild, wonderful and wicked Halloween Thursday!