I’m going to see Third Eye Blind in concert this evening. I think this is artist number 116 for me now that I have seen live. Should be a fun show.

Here’s a live acoustic version of Jumper 3EB performed in Radio 104.5 studios in Philly. The song is off 104.5′s compilation album “Studio Sessions, Vol. 2″ available for free here with a donation to Philabundance. Enjoy the song.

Third Eye Blind – Jumper [YSI]

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Bonus: Rise Against – Swing Life Away (Live acoustic) from “Studio Sessions Vol. 2″ as well.

This past week NBC’s “Chuck” had an assortment of great music: from the weekly Cake opening theme to Vampire Weekend and a live cover of John Denver. Near the end of the episode there were also songs by Polyphonic Spree and Nina Simone. As soon as I heard Simone’s voice, I remembered how much I love it. “Feeling Good” is one of my favorite songs that Muse does and it’s only a cover. Simone’s not the original singer of it but is only the second recording of the song back in 1965. And is fantastic! I can’t possibly leave this at only one song today. Also here’s a remix from the 2006 Miami Vice soundtrack of Simone’s “Sinnerman,” the song that first got me interested in Simone.

Nina Simone – Feeling Good [YSI]

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Nina Simone – Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat’s Heavenly House Mix) [YSI]

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“This will be your favorite song” – Zachary Levi as Chuck Bartowski on NBC’s Chuck in reference to Simone’s Feeling Good.

Not that long ago when I heard the Mashup-Germany song “Imagine One Day,” I considered it one of the happiest mashups I’ve heard in a very long time. However, this one is right up there with it. Maybe not quite surpassing it but def up there with it. Anyway, check out some more of DJ Dain’s work here.

And don’t worry, be happy!

Jason Mraz vs. Bobby McFerrin vs. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Don’t Worry, I’m Yours [YSI]

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So I log onto Facebook the other day and a friend posts this on my wall:

it’s been seven hours and 15 days since you took your love away. i can go out every night and sleep all day since you took your love away. since you been gone i can do whatever i want. i can see whomever i choose. i can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant, but nothing can take away these blues. cuz nothing compares. nothing compares 2 you.

Well that instantly changed the rest of my night. Not because nothing compared to me but I decided it was time to listen to Prince the rest of the night. Prince is that good. He is an excellent composer, lyricist, and one of the best guitar players around. Anyway, two songs weren’t even enough today, so here are three four from the artist formally known as a symbol, Prince, including the catalyst for all of this: Nothing Compares 2 U. BTW, I had a lot of trouble what other two songs to go along with it, so I chose 3 more.

Related side note: I wouldn’t mind being Prince.

Prince – Nothing Compares 2 U [YSI]

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Prince – Let’s Go Crazy [YSI]

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Prince -  Raspberry Beret [YSI]

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Prince – Darling Nikki [YSI]

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P.S. – Check out Foo Fighter’s cover of Darling Nikki and Incubus’s cover of Let’s Go Crazy

So I just heard this morning on the radio that Cake is coming to Philly! I’m so pumped. I’ve been waiting somewhere in the realm of 5-6 years to see them live now. They haven’t had a “new” album since 2004 but they did release a B-sides and Rarities album in 2007. Here’s a great Cake cover of Old Blue Eyes himself off the 2007 album. Oh yeah, and I definitely had to give you a second one today. I like these guys too much not too. Yeah, a video too.

Cake – Strangers in the Night [Sinatra cover] [YSI]

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Cake – Love You Madly [YSI]

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Well it’s Sunday. Had a long Friday and Saturday night so today was all about relaxing. I decided what better way than watching a movie or two. I scanned my DVDs and went with Phone Booth first because I hadn’t seen it in awhile. Then when that was done (it is only 81 minutes), I chose Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, which apparently was still sealed from when I bought it 2-3 years ago. I’d seen it but I guess never watched me own copy.

Anyway, when they got done, I was looking some stuff up online about the movies and it turns out I chose to watch two movies from the same year: 2002. I thought, “Why not post a song from 2002 to stick with this unplanned theme?” So I looked up the charts from 2002 because I can’t remember what was hot from 8 years ago. Turns out the number one song was Nickelback. THERE IS NO WAY I’M POSTING NICKELBACK!!!

So I kept searching my own music collection and justified “Down With The Sickness.” I know Disturbed released in 2000 instead of 2002 but Richard Cheese and The Lounge Against The Machine covered it on their 2002 album “Tuxicity.” Cheese’s cover didn’t really take off until its use as a backing track for zombie killing in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.

Anyway, here’s Richard Cheese lounge-ifying Disturb as well as the original. I couldn’t possibly let this go without both being posted.

Richard Cheese – Down With The Sickness [YSI]

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Disturbed – Down With The Sickness [YSI]

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One more thing, here’s one of my favorite lines from 25th Hour:
“Champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends.” – Ed Norton as Monty Brogan

And check out his rant here.

Well these songs might be somewhat out of the ordinary for me but Aladdin was on Disney Channel today and I ended up watching the entire thing… I forgot how much I enjoyed it as a kid (and now, I guess.) Haha. Anyway, here’s Aladdin’s first song in the film when running from the palace guards, the genie’s intro song for himself and, of course, the (in)famous “A Whole New World.”

Now go and relive your childhood (or your kids’ childhoods…).

Disney’s Aladdin (Brad Kane) – One Jump Ahead [YSI]

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Disney’s Aladdin (Robin Williams) – Friend Like Me [YSI]

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Disney’s Aladdin (Brad Kane & Lea Salonga) – A Whole New World [YSI]

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Here’s another fun one off of my remix playlist. It’s the good ol’ Pussycat Dolls with a couple verses from the big guns including Darkchild, Diddy, Weezy, and Fatman Scoop. I originally got this from a monthly mix download from DJ Willis back in August 2008. Check him out at williswho.com and torrent search his name. He’s on top of his new music releases and always seems to know what the next big single will be.

Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up (Remix ft. Lil Wayne, Diddy, Darkchild, and Fatman Scoop) [YSI]

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Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young? No thanks.
Neil Young solo? Not so much.
Buffalo Springfield? Yes please.

For the year and half that Buffalo Springfield existed in the late 60′s, they toured all over, released 3 albums, and over half a dozen singles. I don’t know the majority of their music too well but I really, really do enjoy “For What It’s Worth.” I don’t know what it is. Something has always just drawn me in.

Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth [YSI]

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I’m really looking forward Travis AKA Travie McCoy’s new album “Lazarus” due out June 8 this year. I’ve always liked what he’s done with Gym Class Heroes so this solo album has great potential. Of course, it always does help that Bruno Mars (of B.o.B. “Nothin’ On You” fame) sings the hook. I’m really looking forward to his future debut EP release as well due out in May. By the by, this version is NSFW. It’s not the radio edit.

Travie McCoy – Billionaire (ft. Bruno Mars) [YSI]

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