FAVORITE CONCERTS 2009

I probably attended less live music performances this year than I have in many years. That's primarily due to two factors: 1) the economy and 2) I've been performing myself at open mics and colleges at least every other weekend. Nevertheless I did manage to attend quite a few outstanding shows, the most musically exciting and emotionally ecstatic are listed below:

Lesley Gore, Yoshi's SF
Lily Allen, Warfield
Lesley Gore, Feinstein's, NYC
Deadlee, Project Artaud
Dwele, Yoshi's Oakland
This Time Next Year, Blake's Berkeley
Solange Knowles, Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton
Maxwell/Common/Chrisette Michele, Concord Pavilion
Dorian Wood, Homo A Go Go, SF
Pet Shop Boys, Warfield
Nellie McKay, Yoshi's SF
This Time Next Year, Bottom of the Hill, SF
Ashford and Simpson, RRazz Room

Also enjoyed Petula Clark; Tim'm West; Jeremy Gloff; Jack Jones

FAVORITE RECORDS 2009

2009 was one of the best years ever for music and it was easy to make a list of my favorite records. The only problem is that the list is so long! There are a couple of surprises, namely my favorite record of 2009, because it didn't even come out this year but a couple of years back. Those who follow my blog and facebook and twitter postings already know...my favorite record of 2009, hands down is (drumroll, pop ingenue opens the envelope):

DEADLEE - ASSAULT WITH A DEALEE WEAPON

Not only is "Assault" one of the finest, most ferocious and committed rap records of all time, it had a huge impact on me personally and on my music. When my next record is released in fall 2010, just how influential Deadlee has been in my new sound will be apparent...and look for a collaboration with Deadlee on that project, too!

THE REST OF THE LIST;

Ashanti, From the Vaults (Japan only release, rare & unreleased and better than all her domestic CDs combined)
The Bird and the Bee, Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future
Bry'NT, Porn Star II: The Director's Cut
Chris Brown, Graffiti
Chris Cornell, Scream
Common, Universal Mind Control
Drake, So Far Gone
Drew Mason, Paradigm Shift
Duffy, Rockferry bonus tracks
Dwele, Sketches of a Man
Jay-Z, Blueprint 3
Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You
Mariah Carey, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (career best)
Maxwell, BLACK Summers Night
Musiq Soulchild, OnMyRadio
Pet Shop Boys, Yes (official & bonus remix discs)
Q-Tip, Kamaal the Abstract
Ryan Leslie, Transition (underrated, overlooked, off the chain)
Salvimex, Uniendo Fuerzas (also came out a couple years back, this one is made to blast out of your car speakers)
This Time Next Year, Road Maps and Heart Attacks
Tori Fixx, Fixxology

Also loved these 2009 releases by Amerie, Gossip, Lady Gaga and Ting Tings

Already getting into the brand new records by Mary J Blige, Timbland, Annie, Alicia Keys, Clipse, Trina's Mixtape with DJ Pain1, Lil Wayne and Robin Thicke

Advance Warning: Tori Fixx "RE-Fixxology" will set your pants on fire!