Review & Giveaway: Celtic Woman Believe CD & DVD (2 Winners!)

When I was contacted  about checking out the new album and live DVD from Celtic Woman, I nearly passed. Though I'd seen bits and pieces of their performances on PBS over the years, they're not the sort of thing you'd normally find me listening to.

I clicked through to check out a little video trailer, though, and a funny thing happened. My kids went crazy. V was mesmerized by the ladies in the "fancy princess dresses," and L was interested in all the musical instruments. I asked the kids if they'd like to see and hear more and they said yes, so that was that.

When the DVD arrived, we popped it in, and once again the kids were riveted. In typical homeschool fashion, L and I ended up having several discussions about musical instruments, folk dancing, and Ireland. Nearly four year old V said she wanted to be just like the pretty lady in the purple dress that sang and played the violin. (In a world full of sketchy female role models, that's one I could get behind...)

The DVD was very pretty and well produced. The show included an orchestra, a children's choir, and dancers, among other things. The group covers several familiar songs, (Ave Maria, and Bridge over Troubled Water,) as well as a number of apparently traditional Irish songs. The ladies have lovely voices, and I was glad I decided to check it out after all.

Sometimes it good to stretch your boundaries a little.

Several weeks later, the kids are still periodically asking to watch and listen to the DVD and album.  How cool is that?

Celtic Woman is touring all over the U.S. this spring. Check out their website for tour dates and locations, to buy merchandise, or just to find out more about the group. You can also pick up the Believe DVD and CD via Amazon.

The PR company representing the group has offered to host a giveaway here. One randomly selected commenter will receive a signed copy of the DVD, and another randomly selected commenter will receive one signed copy of the CD. (U.S. and Canada only, please.)

For your first entry, just leave a comment saying you'd like to be entered. (Easy, right?)

For additional, optional entries, you may do any or all of the following, up to once per day: tweet, FB, or blog about the giveaway. (Be sure to leave a comment for each entry, as well as a way to contact you if you win.)

This giveaway will end 3/8/12, at 10 pm, Central time.


Disclosure: I received a DVD and CD in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Review & Giveaway: He is We My Forever

Sneak Attack Media recently sent me a copy of the new album by He Is We, entitled My Forever to review.

I'd never heard of the group before being contacted, but after checking out the video for Happily Ever After, I was interested. It's cute, kind of quirky, and upbeat.

As it turns out, that basically sums up the album. It's young, not in a teenybopper sort of way, but in that it's full of  love songs that are both hopeful and wistful. The female vocalist, Rachel Taylor, reminds me vocally and stylistically a little bit of Michelle Branch.

I thought this album full of light, fun, acoustic pop songs was perfect for a summer road trip.

For me, Happily ever After is the hands down best song on the album. Other high points included the first track, Forever & Ever, and Blame It On The Rain. (No, it's not a Milli Vanilli cover, in case you were wondering. LOL)


For some instant gratification, you can pick up My Forever on iTunes.

Sneak Attack Media has offered to host a giveaway here. One commenter will receive a copy of He Is We's new album, My Forever. To enter, leave a comment saying you want to win.

For additional entries, you may do any or all of the following:
 become a follower of my blog
Follow me on Twitter.
Tweet/FB/Blog about the giveaway.(You may do these up to once per day.)
Follow He Is We on Twitter
"Like" the He Is We FB page.
(Please leave a separate comment for each, with a way to contact you.)


This giveaway will end at midnight central time on 5/30/2001.

Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of this album. No other compensation was provided, and the opinions are my own. 

Review: Yael Naim She Was a Boy

Have you ever heard of Yael Naim? I hadn't, until I was recently contacted about reviewing her newest album, She was a boy. I was sent links to her videos for 'Come Home' and 'Go to the River,' and I was intrigued.

As soon as I turned on the album, my daughter started dancing. 'Come Home' is the opening track, and it's sort of oddly retro. Other stand out songs were 'Go to the River', and 'She was a boy'. Nearly every song  has a distinctly different sound, which is pretty rare. It's pleasantly eclectic.

 Her voice reminded me a little of K.T. Tunstall, and her unique style sort of brought Tori Amos to mind.

My husband's reaction to the album was that it was "weird, but really good." I thought it was fantastic. After I listened to it straight through the first time, I immediately listened to it again. It's in my regular rotation now.

I loved this one.

You can check out Yael Naim's FB page, or follow her on Twitter.

Disclosure: Thanks to the folks at Sneak Attack Media for providing me with a review copy of the album. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are my own. The above link is an Amazon affiliate link.

I Will Praise You Review & Giveaway

Our family loves music. Up until several years ago, my husband and I were pretty much rock devotees, to the exclusion of just about everything else.
My husband joined the praise band at church a couple of years ago, and we suddenly realized we knew nothing about contemporary Christian music. Since then, we've been dipping our toes in here and there, expanding our musical tastes.

When I was presented with the opportunity to review Rebecca St. James' new album, I Will Praise You, I was excited. Here apparently, was a big name in Christian music, that I was previously ignorant of.

The overall feeling of the CD was soothing and modern. I enjoyed it, particularly the first track, "I will Praise You," and track number 5, "In a Moment." It's good listening for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

You can find Rebecca St. James on FB, or check her out on YouTube.

You can also win a copy of her new album, I Will Praise You here.

For your first entry, leave me a comment saying you want to win.

For additional, optional entries, you may do any or all of the following:
Follow my blog.
Follow me on Twitter.
Tweet/Blog/FB about the giveaway, up to once per day. (Please leave a separate comment for each.)

This giveaway will end at 10 pm, central time on 4/15/2011.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free, in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Review: Tiger Suit by KT Tunstall

Several years ago, after hearing a few songs by KT Tunstall on the radio, I picked up her album, Eye to the Telescope, and  was blown away. Though I'm a lover of female rockers, there hasn't been many new faces  in mainstream music that I thought were worth listening to these last few years.
Her voice is beautiful and distinctive, her musical style was pretty unique at the time, and her interviews read as quirky and smart.

I recently had to opportunity to review her new album, Tiger Suit, which is available in stores, and on Amazon now.
Musically, KT went in a whole different direction with this album, in a style she's describing as "nature-techno." Instead of being sort of folky acoustic stuff like Eye to the Telescope, this is dance music. In all honesty, while I still think she has a gorgeous voice, and admire her willingness to go out on a limb and do something different, I preferred the first album. Maybe I'm too much of a rock purist.  :)
I'll be anxious to see what she does next, though. She's one to watch.
If you want to know more about KT Tunstall, her music, or her upcoming tour dates, you can visit her website, follow her on Twitter, or check her out on Facebook. You can also check out some of her videos here.

Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of this album through the One2One Network, and will be entered into a drawing for providing a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Need a cool Valentine's Playlist?

My husband and I normally don't really make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. It's just not our deal.

In 2005, when I was pregnant with L, I must have been feeling really hormonal and mushy though, because I decided to burn my husband a mix CD of my favorite love songs. It was a hit with him, and is still one of our favorites, after all these years. Other folks riding in our cars over the years have dug it too, so I thought I'd share it, in case anyone was trying to come up with a cool, low budget gift. Some of the songs are standards, some you might not have thought of...

Into the Mystic-Van Morrision

Fade into You-Mazzy Star

Love Song-The Cure

Call on Me-Janis Joplin

Melt With You-Modern English

Yes I am-Melissa Ethridge

Keep on Loving You-Reo Speedwagon

At Last-Etta James

Stand by Me-Ben E King

Violently Happy-Bjork

Crash-Dave Matthews Band

Thank You-Tori Amos

(Incidentally, this one was originally a Led Zeppelin song, but at the time, I only had it on vinyl, and couldn't find anywhere to download it, so I used Tori's version, which is also great. Given the choice, I would have went with the original, though...)

Possession-Sarah McLachlan

All of My Love-Led Zeppelin

Time after Time-Cyndi Lauper

What are your favorite love songs?