Saturday, March 29, 2014

Album Review: Keith Harkin - Keith Harkin


Keith Harkin is one of the voices of Celtic Thunder, but you wouldn't know that listening to his solo album entitled simply Keith Harkin.

This album consists of 6 cover songs and 6 original compositions.  Most of the time you wouldn't believe that Keith is a member of Celtic Thunder, except on Don Henley's "End Of The Innocence." On this particular song, the Irish in him really shines through. It is perhaps because it has the biggest arrangement of all twelve songs.

As you move on to "Daisy Fields" you start to here what the "real" Keith Harkin sounds like. There's a hint of Ireland to him, but his songs are more folksy and simple.  These are the songs that really shine on this album.

"Nothing But You and I" is a love song that will stand up with the best of them. At times, when listening to Harkin you may catch yourself thinking you're listening to John Mayer. Older fans may think he sounds a bit like Justin Hayward. Mr. Harkin also bares an uncanny resemblance to the Moody frontman. You'll notice this resemblance (musically) on "Don't Forget About Me." The lyrics and Harkin's laid back style feel like they could have been ripped from Hayward's  The View From The Hill.  Be warned, this song will worm its way into your brain.

Don't fret if you like a more rollicking tune. "Take It Away Boys" is a fun spirited offering.
The open road has got much to offer. The open road's for me.

These lines should accompany everyone on their next road trip.

There are two covers that will blow classic rock lover's minds, "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Here Comes The Sun" for very different reasons. "Everybody's Talkin" sounds so much like Harry Nilsson's 1969 original. "Here Comes The Sun" is given a burst of new life, without changing the arrangement much. It does George Harrison proud.

Keith shows his Irish on the stunning ballad "Tears Of Hercules" This is more theatrical song that could easily show up with the rest of the Celtic Thunder crew. The lyrics are full of emotion. This is the kind of song that can bring a tear to the eye.

If any song really stands out on a near perfect record it would be "Orange Moon." Keith goes the root of many guys from the British Isles, and gives this stunning tune a slightly country feel. There's nothing better than a lovely Irish accent trying to sound southern.

The only downfall to this album is his cover of "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." This song has always been too sappy for human consumption. (Sorry Rod Stewart)  When you add the vocals of Colbie Caillat, it just makes the song a bit to sweet. It is a case of too much of a good thing. Plus, the song wasn't meant to be a duet.

One throwaway song out of 12 is pretty good, in an industry where most albums are throwaways. If you want a taste of one of the Celtic Thunder boys away from the spotlight of the band, you definitely want to grab this album.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Watch: Don't Forget About Me





Sunday, March 23, 2014

Zucchini Quiche

This is such an easy recipe to whip up.

3 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 c oil
1/2 c cheese of your choice (I like colby or cheddar)
4 eggs
1 cup chopped onion (I like the frozen)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup bisquik
Pepperoni

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a pie pan with butter spray (or butter)

Combine the oil, cheese, eggs, onion, salt and bisquik and mix well. Then add zucchini.(You can also add some sliced up pepperoni too)

Pour into pie pan...top with pepperoni.

Bake @ 350 40 - 50 minutes

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

So Much Pretty, All In One Place



These two shouldn't be allowed near each other. It is just too much cute...and inevitably the photos will make it to the internet...and well..this is what happens on my end.


Saturday, March 15, 2014

Must Hear Music

Thanks to The Tonight Show, I've discovered Jake Bugg.

He's only 20!

His sound is nothing like any 20 year olds I've heard recently.

He's one part Dylan and 2 parts Donovan.

Here's a video of Me and You....Listen and love it


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Doctor Who Squeeage!

Keeley Hawes is going to be in an episode of Doctor Who next season!

If you don't know who she is...

SHAME ON YOU!

She was DI Alex Drake in Ashes To Ashes.

Oh and she's married to Ripper Street hottie Matthew Macfadyen.

I'm totally on board for her being a Who villain.

Now if only the series would get started. It seems like forever since there was more than one episode on the telly for months at a time!

Now if only those rumors about Tom Hiddleston were true.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Thursday, March 6, 2014

My New Favorite Book Series

Awhile back I was part of a book tour for one of Jennifer Chiaverini's books, Sonoma Rose. I loved the book but it was a hard read.

For some reason that kept me from reading her other books, until I started going back to the library, where I came across The Christmas Quilt, part of her Elm Creek Quilts series. I fell in love with that book, and now I have to read all of them, in whatever order I find them!

I love the history in these books and the family stories that are involved in each book. Jennifer weaves the past and present well in each, just as she brings the past to life in her historical novels.

Right now I'm reading The New Year's Quilt and I feel like I'm meeting old friends.  Imagine if Debbie Macomber wrote books with a historical flair. That's how these books feel to me.



This is the list of the books from the series. If you've read any of these, share your thoughts with me.

* The Quilter's Apprentice (1999)
* Round Robin (2000)
* The Cross-Country Quilters (2001)
* The Runaway Quilt (2002)
* The Quilter's Legacy (2003)
* The Master Quilter (2004)
* The Sugar Camp Quilt (2005)
* The Christmas Quilt (2005)
* Circle of Quilters (2006)
* The Quilter's Homecoming (2007)
* The New Year's Quilt (2007)
* The Winding Ways Quilt (2008)
* The Quilter's Kitchen (2008) 

* The Christmas Quilt takes place in the interim between The Quilter's Apprentice and Round Robin.
* The Sugar Camp Quilt is set in 1849-1850, so it takes place before the events chronicled in Gerda's memoir in The Runaway Quilt.
* The Quilter's Homecoming is set mainly in 1925, but it branches off from a storyline introduced in The Christmas Quilt.
* The New Year's Quilt immediately follows The Quilter's Legacy.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

One Of The Most Beautiful Dylan Songs

Anyone who watched How I Met Your Mother this week got to hear one of Dylan's most beautiful songs, "If You See Her, Say Hello."

It is hard to appreciate Dylan's music, when Dylan is singing it. His voice, is definitely an acquired taste, but his songwriting is brilliant. This is one of his songs that I wish would have been covered by someone like Elvis Costello. Yes, another acquired voice, but still one that could really do justice to this song.




Sunday, March 2, 2014

Creamed Ground Beef On Toast...

On Sunday's I like to find something that isn't frozen to feed the family.

Dad has a soft spot for waffles and french toast sticks.

Well a few week's ago I saw Trish Yearwood make creamed ground beef on toast. For those of you around during wartime, that's SOS (shit on a shingle)

I think if I ever made this as breakfast for dinner I'd have hash browns or homefries with  it, but we are not big breakfast eaters here.

The recipe is simple.

1 lb of ground beef
1/4 c flour
2 cups of milk (or a little more depending on how much gravy you want)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Brown the ground beef until no pink remains.

Drain.

Sprinkle with flour and mix in the skillet until well coated.

Add the milk and stir until it thickens.


Yummy!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Must See Tv: Growing Up Fisher

I don't usually get too excited about sitcoms anymore. Sure there are some good ones, but the ones I usually like always teeter on the brink of cancellation.

Yeah..I know The Neighbors is still hanging by a thread.

That's why I'm hesitant to express my love for NBC's new comedy, Growing Up Fisher.

It has so many things that should work in its favor.

1. A fab cast..Looky! It's Jenna Elfman! Oh and dad is the dude from the Farmer's Insurance commercials!

2. Its a family comedy!

3. It is actually quite funny and sweet.

The problems though are many..

1. Its on NBC.

2. The time slot isn't going to get many kids to watch and this show doesn't thrive on sexual tension, unlike the lead in show, About A Boy.

3. Did I mention it is on NBC? I think that's a double whammy

4. Lastly, I fell in love with the show, and that is its kiss of death.

Still, give this show a watch, it is so cute.