October Cardio Playlist

In honor of my upcoming high school reunion, I am devoting this month’s playlist to ’80s tunes.  Many of the songs on the list are contemporary versions of the originals that will knock your leg warmers right off!  The dance versions are usually faster, longer versions that are more conducive to workouts.   So get out your torn sweatshirts and parachute pants and ‘get into the groove!’

If you’d like a different playlist for each day of the week, check out my past monthly playlists:  Grading Girl’s Playlists

80′s Cardio Playlist

“Wanna Be Startin’ Something” by Michael Jackson – A perfect way to start the workout – not too fast and not too slow.

“Don’t Stop Believin’” (Glee Cast Version) – Glee is a new favorite in our house! It’s such a refreshing, shout-out-and-sing show.  Every person should sing at the top of his or her lungs whenever possible. . . this song truly jumpstarts your cardio while making your heart sing.

“Legs” (Dance Mix) by ZZ Top – The lyrics help you concentrate on those quads & hamstrings . . . plus the dance version is bold!

“Let’s Dance” (Dance Mix) by Hi_Tack – This serves as a perfect accompaniment to the middle of your workout when it seems like your workout will never end.  Happy memories with this song!!!!

“Out of Touch” by Uniting Nations – You can hear Hall & Oates original in the background of this dance version.  If you aren’t tapping your hands and running (or walking or climbing) to the beat, you aren’t listening to the song!

“Take Me to the Clouds Above” by LMC Vs. U2 – This is a remixed combination of U2′s “With or Without You” and Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know?.”  No matter where I am, I can’t help but dance when I hear this unique combo.

“Ray of Light” by Madonna – I know this song was actually released in the early ’90s, but I think it’s one of her best to get a body moving!!

“Give it to Me Baby” by Rick James – We did a fun poms routine to this.  This song’s got the groove!

“When Doves Cry” by Quindon Tarver – This version is on Baz Lurhmann’s Romeo & Juliet soundtrack.  Its beat will resonate right through you, keeping you going as you head through the last stretch of your cardio.

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police – A classic!! One of my favorites from the decade . . . you can’t grow tired of this.  This keeps you strong as you sweat, sweat, sweat.

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August Cardio Playlist

Every time I type a new monthly playlist, it seems like I just finished the last one – another testament to my philosophy of ‘live in the moment.’  If there is one thing that helps us live in the moment, it is music.  Music makes everything easier . . . whether it’s attempting that long stretch in yoga, completing chores around the house, pumping that heavy iron at the gym . . . it’s all a bit simpler when there is music playing.   I don’t know what this planet would be like without it.  I am convinced life would not be as we know it.  To all singers and songwriters out there – thank you, thank you, thank you.

**Don’t forget to check out my previous monthly lists for more motivating music ~  Cardio Playlists: Grading Girl**

What Keeps Me Motivated to Move this Month:

“Knock You Down” by Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Ne-Yo (lyrics that make me stand straight and tall)

“Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” by Lady GaGa (every time I hear a new song off her new album, I like it . . . sexy song)

“I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas (won’t get tired of this . . . such a happy tune!!!)

“Viva La Vida” (Thin White Duke Mix) by ColdPlay (yes, this is the 3rd version of this song on my lists – the original made it to my Top 10 of all time list. . . there’s one point in this where I can’t help but bang fists to the beat on the treadmill or stairs)

“(I) Can, Can (You?) by Vanessa-Mae (a fun Can, Can like you’ve never heard before)

“Body” by the Jackson 5 (haven’t heard this in 25 years . . . makes me want to ‘get down’)

“California Man” by Cheap Trick (did a poms routine to this in high school . . . still riles me up and I remember the moves too)

“Time of Our Lives” by Paul Van Dyk (an invigorating tune)

“Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop” by Landon Pigg (makes me cry . . . thanks to my bro for the recommendation!)

“January Rain” by David Grey (a calming cool-down . . . I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it in one of my favorite movies, Serendipity)

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Watch Out, Jonas Bros!

A friend of mine recently sang at the infamous open mic night at BlueBird Cafe in Nashville, TN.  While there, he met many musicians, wanna-bes, producers and agents.  One person that struck a chord was 16-year old Casey Lee Smith who came down from Arizona to sing at the BlueBird.  While my friend claimed Casey was amazing, I was skeptical being that he is 16.

Always looking for the opportunity to review, I paid a visit to Casey’s web site, www.caseyleesmith.com.  The second I clicked on his music, I was touched.  In fact, it’s playing in the background as I blog and four of his songs are already on my ITunes (and I’m a discerning downloader).  Heartfelt lyrics, friendly vocals, and harmonious instruments leave your toes tapping and heart smiling.  Casey’s style is part country, rock, blues all fused into one unique sound.   But don’t let his age fool you – he appeals to teens, adults and everyone in between!  The younger crowd will appreciate his blue-eyed, curly -haired charm and the more mature audience will connect with his spot-on lyrics.

My favorite song is “Losing You,” a song about a broken relationship.  As Casey writes:  “When you’ve screwed up your relationship, there’s nothing to do but point to where the blame belongs. Me.”  “Losing You” is a ballad for anyone who’s felt that regret after a hard-to-get-over break up.  Grading Girl predicts this will be number one on the charts someday soon!!  “Chasin’ Tin Cans” is a fun, raucous, rock song written about, of all things, running barrels.  Any woman, however, will feel empowered singing along to the lyrics “She’s moving like a rocket ship, blood surging through her vains.”  A country “Barracuda” song!  “Never Stood Taller” is a celebratory song about his grandfather being baptized as an adult and proclaims “He never stood taller than when he’s on his knees. He never was stronger than when his head is bowed.”  Very spiritually powerful . . . and what a beautiful subject to write about.  That’s what is amazing about Casey’s songs – the maturity in his lyrics shine through so that we learn something after listening.  His songs help us reflect on our own experiences, misgivings, and triumphs.

According to his site, Casey has been singing and playing instruments at a very early age . . . piano, banjo, guitar are among those he brings to life.  He attends the Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics.  It takes dedication, persistence, and discipline to harbor your talent from very young on.   Grading Girl gives Casey Lee Smith an A for remarkable early talent and an undoubtedly bright future.  Sounding this polished at age 16, I dare imagine what he will sound like in a few years.  Casey Lee Smith -  memorize that name.  You’ll be hearing it again.

October 26th update:  Grading Girl just received word that Casey Lee Smith won the Colgate County Showdown.  Now it’s on to Regionals and then Grand Ole Opry, here he comes!   Like I said, “Watch out, Jonas Bros!”

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July Cardio Playlist

It’s a new month already!  That means it’s time for me to pick new songs to accompany the cardio portion of my workout.  Here are the songs inspiring me to keep moving on the stairmaster, elliptical and treadmill this month:

“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” by Propellerheads (if this doesn’t get you started, nothing will)

“When Love Takes Over” (featuring Kelly Rowland) by David Guetta (exhilarating!)

“Boom Boom Guetta” by Black Eyed Peas (fresh version to the song we hear all the time on the radio)

“You are Not Alone” (Classic Club Mix) by Michael Jackson (a happier version to this beautiful song)

“Clocks” by It’s Time (1:45 of the best part of this song – only faster!)

“Amazing” (Kaskade Remix) by Seal (this really gets my heart pumping)

“Gettin’ in Tune” by The Who (helps me begin to unwind as I endure the last long moments on the machine)

“I Wanna Dance wtih Somebody” by The Side Project (beautiful slow version of Whitney’s song that makes for a perfect cooldown . . . close family know another reason this is special)

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Part Time Cowboy, Full Time Rockstar

What makes a person true to himself, truly authentic, is when he takes his passion and acts on it.  It’s when he isn’t trying to be who he thinks others may want him to be but, rather, he expresses himself creatively and freely.   Furthermore, he takes great fulfillment in sharing that expression.  There is an up-and-coming musician who is that person.  With his searing lyrics, soaring vocals, and driving rhythms, the passion is evident.   Strums of an acoustic guitar, harmonica, drums, and piano all stream seamlessly together.  Harmonies lift hairs and bring up gooseflesh. Unexpected chord changes cause you to stop and LISTEN.  Creative accompaniments such as loose change or leg slapping add unique, dimensional elements.  This is what you hear when you listen to the music of Darryl Markette.

I can’t help but listen to two of his CDs in my car over and over. His sound has a part rock, part country, even part bluesy feel that projects what Darryl does best – take a bad situation and pour it out for the world to absorb and commiserate. His songs tell real tales of love and loss, but they’re sung with such passion and commitment that the message becomes more about learning and living than losing.  The songs leave you with something to ponder over rather than something to pine over.  I recently returned from kicking back to Darryl’s music live as he performed with his band at Penny Road Pub.  With the starry sky as his backdrop, Darryl seduced the rooftop, standing-room-only crowd not only with his soulful voice but with the stories behind his songs.  I have to confess – Darryl and his band did a few perfect cover songs this evening. . . but my favorite are his own creative endeavors.

Singers and songwriters are expected to be deep in a cliched caricature of anguish. Somehow, Darryl goes beyond that to a deeper place. Each song is musically individual enough so that he escapes a cookie-cutter oh-woe-is-me sound. “Never Said Goodbye” is a jaunty tribute to his beloved dog, Hunter. “Lost in Time” is an alternative ballad with piano and harmonica tracks that crescendos gradually until it pierces the heart. Completely opposite, “Rockstar” has that sing-along, nothing can stop me now mood everyone can relate to. You hear a crack in his voice in the haunting “Have Faith” as he sings “How do you forget your biggest regret when all you can do is weep.” What makes his music not just good but perfect for soothing the soul is during moments, such as in the “I Keep on Waiting” finale, when the toe-tapping whistling will have you humming for hours afterward.  DMarkette’s music makes your heart sing.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Darryl is tenaciously taking his musical message across the country.  He recently performed at Gold Pan Saloon in Colorado and made his much anticipated Los Angeles debut at Hollywood’s Whisky A Go-Go.  See GG’s latest post “Part Time Cowboy Full Time Rockstar Rides to L.A. Better yet, visit Darryl Markette’s website,  dmarkette.com, to experience his original music firsthand, sample his covers that include a handful arguably better than the originals, view past concert videos, and find out about upcoming performances.  Example performances include Darryl’s now infamous annual event on his birthday, May 5th.  But rather than a birthday celebration, Darryl raises funds to fight breast cancer.  Pinko-de-Mayo, as he cleverly termed it, has proved a ravingly popular success over the past two years that he’s made this an annual musical crusade.  See GG’s press releases for details for Pinko de Mayo III on May 5th, 2011:   Chicago’s Most Promising Rocker, Darryl Markette, Holds Pinko de Mayo and Chicago’s Hottest Rocker Paints ChiTown Pink for Pinko de Mayo and Darryl Markette Paints ChiTown Pink.

Markette’s songs can also be purchased on iTunes at dmarkette’s iTunes store. Don’t miss the release of his newest CD Just Another Lonesome Cowboy.

Grading Girl gives Darryl Markette’s music an A+ for touch your heart lyrics, sear your soul vocals, and seduce your ears guitar chords.

Here’s my very favorite cover by Darryl Markette!!

 

 

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