Ain't Ain't So Green Anymore

I grew up in a house full of music.  My dad was a choir director/music director/composer/arranger; my mom sings in his choirs; family gatherings and social parties always wound up around the piano, with Carly Simon or Billy Joel being channeled through 15 questionably sober choir members.  I know a lot about how the politics of churches work, the dangers of working in a school system, and the fun and drama of choir tours.  However, staying with Carsie and Jon the last few weeks has given me a lot of insight into how the other side of music works- the singer/songwriter/recording artist side. 

In case you're not familiar with Carsie's music, you simply must check her out.  No, really- she hasn't bribed me to put this up.  She's one of my favorite artists.  I can't possibly top this review, and I agree with all of it, so I'm going to share what David Wannop says: "She has the cleverness of a thousand magic nymphs, word play that skips and jumps through meaning and a sunny disposition that isn't too wistful, thus allowing her to still make the occasional serious comment. Always engaging, her folk and blues mixture conveys a sense of adventure, led by the smart girl one grade ahead of us in school."  Normally I'd try to be witty, but he says it better.  Go, now!  Listen to her stuff!  Then come back for the rest of the blog.

Carsie Blanton's Website
Carsie Blanton's Myspace

Glad you came back!  Now that you know how clever and charming she is, you'll be thrilled to realize that she's working on a new album.  But, aside from the grueling process of actually making a record, she's struggling with another process: naming the record.  So, here's where you (and I) come in.  Listen to her songs (again, because I know you already did), and envision yourself walking into a CD store.  You go to the section labeled "Awesome", and find Carsie's section.  You see a host of CD's before you:

Buoy
Brighter than a Buoy
Gutsy and Smart
The World is Just Grand
Love is the Antidote

Which one would you be most likely to buy? 

Poll Time!

So, now that I've scratched your back, with exposure to one of the world's wittiest lyricists, and you've scratched my back, by chiming in and helping out Carsie, we can all sign off, itch free.

That was sort of gross, wasn't it?

-m.