A TLC review of TLC!

A Favorite Snack

Addendum to this original post:  Thank you to Kashi for sending the coupons for free snacks!  It is easy and enjoyable for me to review such delicious yet nutritious snacks.

How would you feel if you walked into a grocery store and saw your initials plastered all over products on the shelves?  If you’re like me, you’d be a little excited, a lot curious, and extremely likely to purchase them.  One day not too long ago, I was looking for crackers to serve at a party.  I planned on purchasing another leading brand but then I spotted it – a box of crackers with my initials, TLC!!  (I’m talking about my birth initials, peeps, not my blog initials. )

I snatched the box, read the nutrition information on the side, and was pleasantly surprised to find the crispy critters are low in fat, high in fiber, and full of nutritional ingredients such as brown rice, oats, buckwheat, and sesame seeds.  Honestly, I would have bought the crackers just to have the box with my initials; but, I ended up purchasing much more than a keepsake box.  I made my first of many purchases of the doesn’t-taste-as-healthful-as-they-are crackers.  These TLC crackers come in a variety of yummy flavors such as Country Cheddar, Toasted Asiago, Honey Sesame, and (my favorite) Fire Roasted Vegetable!  The crunchy crackers with the leaf imprint leave you satisfied and energized.  Check this out – no trans fat.  Being the kind of person who likes to make the extraordinary out of ordinary activities, I had my daughter try the TLC crackers and Wheat Thins while blindfolded.  I asked her to choose which one she preferred:  she chose the TLCs!!  This, coming from a girl who usually turns her nose up at my attempt to substitute eat clean products for old favorites, attests to the taste of these little gems.  I enjoy them with my Hummus to Hum About, with cheese, or even naked with nothing on them at all!  They are that good.  I LOVE finding snacks like this when I’m hosting parties . . . snacks that will keep my guests satisfied while not veering off of my own eat clean diet.  Win win!!

The TLC products are made by Kashi, the very healthful food company.  Prior to discovering the crackers, I was already and still am a big fan of the Kashi cereals.  Since finding the crackers, I’ve been on the lookout for other great products by Kashi.  The TLC products consist of the company’s line of snacks and bars, the TLC standing for Tasty Little Crackers (how adorable!), Tasty Little Chewies, Tasty Little Cookies, and Tasty Little Crunchies.  Since faithfully purchasing the crackers, I made another recent TLC find just this past month:  the TLC Honey Almond Flax All Natural Chewy Granola Bars (pictured above) a.k.a. Tasty Little Chewie.  This is big news because I am VERY picky about my snack bars . . . so picky that I don’t purchase them that often.  I am turned off by all the unnatural additives, unnecessary fat, or high caloric content.  These, in fact, are free of any refined sugars and artificial ingredients.  They are packed with seven types of grain including whole wheat, rye, barley, oats, brown rice, seasame seeds, and buckwheat.  They live up to their name . . . they are chewy and just sweet enough to satisfy taste buds.  I now keep one stashed in my purse for those times when I’m in-between working out and chores, knowing I won’t be home for a while to eat a meal.  With seven grams of protein per serving, they serve as a quality post-workout snack to maintain lean muscle.  Finally, with each bar adding up to only 140 calories, eating one of these leaves me satisfied without the guilt.  Kashi makes it possible to eat clean on the go.

GG gives both the Kashi TLC crackers and the Kashi TLC Honey Almond Flax bars an A for healthful nutritional content accompanied by tantalizing taste.  I recommend trying these products along with Kashi’s other offerings including their very healthful cereals, cookies, and frozen entrees.  Thank you, Kashi, for spreading a little TLC.  The world is that much more healthy when we have healthful foods such as yours to choose from.

GG’s side note:  When I was preparing to write this blog and visited the Kashi website, I couldn’t help but notice what a people-oriented company Kashi seems to be.  Between the daily challenges to the recipes to the wellness hub, Kashi certainly is dedicated to making our world a more healthful place.  We need more companies like this!  See for yourself:  www.kashi.com

Share on Facebook

GG at the Movies – The Ugly Truth

Before seeing this, I was at a party when someone told me she didn’t really like this movie because the ending was predictable.  While I was able to guess the resolution, I still enjoyed watching it unfold.  The truth is that The Ugly Truth is a funny, sweet, and light escape.  Not a true “chick flick,” this movie will make both men and women tick.

In The Ugly Truth,  Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her single. She’s in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men tick.  Heigl plays her role as the “psycho aggressive control freak” career woman with conviction and Butler plays the pig-headed anchorman with sexy nonchalance.  At first, Mike appears to be the complete opposite of the attribute list Abby has put together for her perfect man.  You know the list, ladies, all those things you’re looking for in Mr. Right:  sense of humour, sensitivity, career success, good looks….  Abby’s list is that and more.  In fact, she brings this list on dates and checks off the qualities as she discovers them in a potential mate.  One can see why she hasn’t had much luck in love.  Along comes Mike Chadway who promises to help her get the guy of her dreams if she, in turn, promises to let him stay as anchorman for her show once she gets that guy.  He’s that confident.  Here’s where the fun starts:  Mike is very, very blunt in what makes guys tick.  He believes all men are perverse and isn’t afraid to say so.  Without spilling every reveal, one point he makes clear is that men are very visual. . . and so the venture begins.  Abby transforms herself according to Mike’s advice, she does get the guy but later learns he’s actually not the dream guy.  It’s fun to watch these two bicker back and forth as they fight the obvious spark between them.  It’s even more fun to laugh at (or balk at) some of the things Mike has to say about how a woman should ‘get the guy.’  Speaking of transformation, the supporting cast is lovably quirky:  My favorites are John Michael Higgins, who plays a sexually frustrated anchor on Abby’s show and Cheryl Hines as the prudish wife and co-anchor.  The change this couple makes under Mike’s influence serves as hilarious background.

Grading Girl gives The Ugly Truth a B.  Yes, the ending is predictable . . . I don’t even need to reveal it here; you can guess what unfolds.  Credit needs to be given, however, for the funny lines, for the obvious chemistry between Heigl and Butler, and for the quirky supporting cast.  This movie is worth the ticket price.  If nothing else, you’ll walk away with a debatable topic to discuss – that is, what you think the ugly truth is between men and women.  How should a girl go about attracting the man she wants to date?  What do men want?  What pushes a man’s buttons?  What pushes a woman’s?  Is it all about looks in the end?

Grading Girl thinks the ugly truth is that timing is everything, by the way. 

Extra credit for some pieces of Heigl’s wardrobe . . . I WANT that low back black dress she wears in the movie!!!  I need to find out where and how to get it!

Share on Facebook

Can You OD on This Stuff?

My Favorite Snack

Don’t let my site fool you. I wasn’t always Ms. Clean Eater by any means. In grade school, Hostess Suzy Q’s or cupcakes were my favorite breakfast fare . . . that is, if my mom didn’t have one of her delectable baked goodies around like she usually did. In high school, I remember regularly noshing on tater tots and chocolate shakes for lunch. In college, oreo blizzards at 10:30pm were a regular snack. Hey, I was hungry after late night play rehearsals or study sessions. It wasn’t until as recently as a couple of years ago that I started to become fully aware of the benefits of clean eating. And now the more I know, the more I want to eat well.

One food item I cannot get enough of these days is FAGE.  Yogurt became a regular staple in my diet a couple years ago but it’s only been a couple months since I dived into the extra, ridiciously thick Greek yogurt style.  I’ve tried many brands and this one is definitely the tastiest.  It’s not as tart as others.  It’s the one brand that can stand alone plain without any added sweeteners or fruit.

Maybe it’s my replacement for ice cream (yes, I used to spoon ice cream right out of the container – my favorite time to do that was right after I brought it home from the grocery store when it was still semi-soft,  hmmmmmm heaven), maybe it’s my replacement for vanilla pudding (I used to love to make vanilla pudding and put cherry pie filling on top, OMG), maybe it’s my replacement for all things sweet.  Whatever it is . . . I’m satisfying my cravings while getting important nutrients at the same time.  And I mean it when I say I can’t get enough of this stuff.  It’s the first thing I grab when I open the fridge hungrily looking for a snack.  I MUST have at least one serving a day, although lately I’ve been known to have two.   I can’t help it – after having one serving a few hours before, I’ll peel open the cover of a second 6 ounce container just a wee bit . . . I’ll fully intend to just take a couple spoonfuls but WHAM . . . before I know it . . . I’m lustfully licking the whole container clean.  I guess there are much more unhealthy foods I could be binging on, right?

Did you know that Greek style yogurt contains more protein and less carbs per 8 0z serving?  Fage 0% contains 0g fat, 20g protein, 9g carb, and only 85mg of sodium.  Comparing Greek style to regular, StonyField Farm Organic fat free plain yogurt (not Greek Style) contains 0g fat, 11g protein, 16g carb, and 160mg of sodium.  StonyField is a great brand and is, in fact, my second favorite.  But ounce for ounce, we get more bang for our buck with the Greek version.  Higher levels of protein with lower carbs helps build and maintain muscle while lowering cholesterol levels.  This creamier yogurt contains casein – a slow digesting protein that will keep you fuller longer.  Like regular yogurt, it also contains active cultures that are linked to improving the immune system.  This means better digestion and less bloating, people.

The consistency of Fage Greek style yogurt is equivalent to sour cream.  This means it can be placed on potatoes, in dips, and in recipes that call for sour cream as a healthful alternative.  If eating plain yogurt just doesn’t appeal to you no matter what I tell you, try this GG healthful tip:  place 1/2 – 1 scoop of your favorite flavor whey protein into 8 ounces of Fage and mix.  Yummmm . . . you’ll have flavored yogurt without the unnatural additives or sugars.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that indulging in ice cream or pudding or whatever your fancy once in a while is fine and in fact healthful.  You’ll then avoid the crazy binging overload by giving into your cravings once in a while.  Everything in moderation is the way to go.  Just keep Fage in mind for your everyday, eat clean diet and you’re digestive system will be thanking you. 

Grading Girl gives Fage an A for satisfying taste, beneficial nutrients, and practical replacement options.  Fage earns a B- for a slightly higher price than most yogurts (approx. $4 for two 6 ounce containers compared to $4 for one 32 ounce container of Stonyfield plain yogurt) . . . . but they say we get what we pay for.  I’ll just have to save my pennies by holding off on the sour cream and mayonnaise on my grocery list.

Now, if you’ll excuse me . . . I think it’s time for my second serving of Fage today!!!

Share on Facebook

“The Only Guaranteed Moment is This One”

That is what one of the instructors at Tri Balance Yoga Studio regularly expresses at the end of my Hot Yoga class.  This statement mirrors one of the philosophies I try to live by – to live life in the moment.  There is no future, there is no past.  The future and the past only exist in our language, not in reality.  The only real moment is the present moment, yet too many people try to live for the future or re-live the past.  In doing so, they miss out on so much.   I wanted to start taking yoga to relax my body and help my mind live in this present.

I discovered Tri Balance Yoga Studio two weeks ago and I can honestly say I’m a better person for it.  As listed on the Tri Balance site, the many benefits of yoga include improved balance, relieved aches and pains, reduced stress, increased body strength, more flexibility, anti-aging effects, improved blood pressure, and more.  Being an avid strength and circuit trainer, I used to write off yoga as a good stretching activity but not much else.  I only wish I realized how wrong I was earlier.  I now believe yoga can accomplish all of those benefits and more.  I personally feel so lithe and light after each class that I’m glowing.  It could have to do with the fact that I literally drip sweat and melt skin during class.  In any event, you CANNOT walk out of Tri Balance in a bad mood.

The first week I joined, I participated in four hot yoga sessions and one fitness Pilates.  The first day I missed a session, I instantly felt it.  The second week (last week), I was unfortunately busier and was only able to partake in two hot yoga sessions.  I missed it terribly.  This week I vow to take five sessions.  Allow me to explain some of the reasons Tri Balance is such a soothing studio . . .

First, the people at Tri Balance – the instructors along with those behind the desk – create a welcoming, individualized environment.  I have had two hot yoga instructors so far and one fitness pilates instructor; all three of these experts constantly walk around the room, either helping to correct our body positions or challenging us to maneuver in more difficult positions.  I have received individual attention every single session as I noticed so has everyone else.   Classes always attract an impressive amount of people but because the room is fairly large, it never feels too cramped to move fully.  The entire studio is impeccably clean.  The women’s bathroom is inviting with extra towels, mats, soaps, etc. ready for members; plus, it always has that fresh just-been-cleaned smell each day.  The studio offers a variety of classes including Hot Yoga, Hot Core Yoga, Fitness Pilates, Ashtanga Yoga, Total Body Conditioning, and Core.  Classes are offered seven days a week and cost $17/class ($10 discounted for public service occupations . . . see below) or $3/day for unlimited monthly use.  It really is reasonable; and, you don’t have to sign a contract locking you in for a certain time.  You can pay as little or as much as you like at a time.

Along with the yoga studio, there is a hair stylist, massage therapist, nutritionist, and holistic doctor within the same walls – another attestment to Tri Balance helping the whole person . . . physically and mentally.  The studio also regularly offers workshops to enhance the yoga experience.  For instance, the next workshop is covering Gong Meditation, using our inter-vibratory system to de-stress.

Convinced yet?  Well, if you live, work or visit the northwest suburbs of Chicago, you should give Tri Balance studio a try.  Tell them Grading Girl sent you!  You will not be wasting your time.  People of every size, shape, gender, and age take classes here.  Everyone leaves his or her inhibitions at the door.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the room is set at 106° and the lights are very minimal during the hot yoga sessions.  Admittedly, I’ve fallen asleep momentarily after the Namaste because I’m so relaxed by the end.

An added benefit:  Tri Balance offers discounts to police officers, firemen, teachers, military personnel, and nurses.  Of course, they get extra credit from Grading Girl for that one!

Grading Girl gives Tri Balance Yoga Studio an A for providing the community with a soothing environment for very healthful classes.  The convenient schedule (hot yoga is offered at least four times a day) adds to the high grade.

Share on Facebook

Fun at Francesca’s

My Favorite Boutique

Apparel ~Francesca’s has dresses, tops, bottoms, and jackets.  The pieces she carries are not to gaudy, trendy, or age-specific.  The four times I’ve been in the store (in the last two weeks . . . at three different locations!), I’ve noticed the clientele spanned from teenagers through 70 year-old women. The average price is $35 or less for any piece!!!  One tiny complaint (no pun intended!) – Francesca’s does not carry extra-small sizes.

Jewelry ~ Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings abound.  I noticed Francesca’s carries many designer copycat styles but at much low er prices.  Good for every day jewelry or for a specific outfit you need to match.  Jewelry ranges from approximately $3 – $50 – not a bad range.

Accessories ~ shoes, purses, scarves, headbands, sunglasses . . . it’s all here.  When you go, don’t forget to look up because there are handbags bordering the entire stores on the overhead shelves.  Some of the handbags are the types one can only wear with one outfit (come on, how many times can you use a shiny, bright turquoise bowler’s bag?) but there are plenty of delicious finds.

Gifts ~ The first time I stepped into the boutique, I purchased a Votivo candle in Red Currant (my favorite scent!) because I haven’t been able to find it elsewhere lately.  Francesca’s sells those more exclusive items while keeping the prices down.  Books, bubble bath accessories and cards keep this place packed as well.

Francesca’s has earned a raised grade from a B- to an  A. It is a very fun boutique to peruse through, they have new merchandise every single week, and I never walk out of there empty-handed!!!   They still would benefit in adding extra-small sizes for the teens who frequent there but many of their smalls work fine; you just have to try everything on – and isn’t that the fun of it?!  Added bonus:  GG loves that Francesca’s is known for frequent sales.  For instance, over a recent weekend, Francesca’s offered 75% off of marked items.  I scored a burnt orange tank for $10!!

A Couple of My Recent Purchases from Francesca’s:

(check out the fabulous pricing)

Share on Facebook

GG Reads – Change of Heart

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult did not receive quite the notoriety as My Sister’s Keeper or 19 Minutes but not for lack of a compelling story.  The controversial topics of religion and capital punishment are what kept this book off of some people’s nightstands – but not mine!!  Picoult is my favorite contemporary author and she does not disappoint with this one; she carries her characteristic twists to the end once again.

Within each of her 16 novels, Jodi Picoult delves deep into the most troubling contemporary social issues.  In Change of Heart, she examines a convicted killer on death row, Shay Bourne, who has taken the lives of Officer Kurt Nealon and his young stepdaughter, Elizabeth.  When Shay discovers that his victim’s living daughter, Claire is desperately in need of a heart transplant, he sees his only chance for salvation – donating his own heart after his death sentence.  Standing in his way, of course, is the law and a mother filled with anger.  On his side are three unexpected allies:  a Catholic priest (who had a hand in Shay’s sentencing!), an ambitious attorney who is determined to see Shay die on his own terms, and a community that sees Shay as a messianic character who gives them hope.

Picoult’s research never ceases to amaze me.  Her meticoulous portrayal of death row laws along with the book’s attention to Christianity, Judaism, and the Gnostic gospels gave me new insight.  This story is told from four different points of view:  the Catholic priest, the attorney, another death row inmate, and the mother of the victims.  Through their thoughts, the reader is given some very deep food for thought . . . “There’s a big difference between mercy and salvation” . . . “Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love?” . . . “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you” . . .  quotations such as these make for a very provocative book.  In fact, Picoult uses several famous quotations here from some of the greatest thinkers in history including Lewis Carroll, Mother Teresa, Albert Einsten, the Dalai Lama, Woody Allen, Albert Einstein, etc.

I enjoy books that make me think, challenge my philosophies, and offer new perspectives.   Change of  Heart does all that and more.  In the story, religion seems at times to bring characters together and at others to drive a wedge between them.  All the while, what defines “justice” is continually challenged.  We all know it’s wrong to execute someone innocent, but what about someone who is guilty?  The book never screams one side or another.  Rather, through the completely varied characters in Change of Heart, the reader is left with perspectives on all sides of these compelling issues so that one closes the book exploring one’s own values and beliefs.

Grading Girl gives Change of Heart a B+.  While this did not make me outwardly cry like My Sister’s Keeper did (something I never normally do when reading), this did leave me with some deep, concerting thoughts.  It’s a captivating story of redemption, justice, and love.

On to more books off of my very high summer reading pile . . . Picoult’s Handle with Care is one of them and I look forward to exploring more thorny moral and ethical issues with this compelling author.

Share on Facebook

Here We Go Round the Mulberries and Gojis

Along with whey protein powder mixed with water or chocolate milk, here are my two favorite post-workout snacks for muscle recovery.  But wait . . . they are not just for the exercise addicts.  Contraire mon frere, they are beneficial for EVERYONE!!  I’m a firm believer that we are what we eat; absolutely everything we put into our bodies helps or hurts us in some way.  Read on, and you’ll see why these two little-known berries pack powerful punches for our physical and mental health.

Goji Berries:

Goji berries are usually found dried. They are shriveled red berries that look like red raisins to me.  After doing a little digging, I found that goji berries have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to:  improve sexual function and fertility, strengthen the legs, protect the liver, help eyesight, boost immune function, improve circulation, and promote longevity – pretty interesting usages!!!  Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Get this . . . one of zeaxanthin’s key roles is to protect the retina of the eye by absorbing blue light and acting as an antioxidant. In fact, increased intake of foods containing zeathanthin may decrease the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65.  Hmmm . . . could this be why my contact lenses strength improved a while back?!?  Gojis have a sweet and sour taste (more on the sour side actually) so you may not crave them; but, just munching on a handful a day gives you the extra boost from the antioxidants.  GG tip:  walnuts compliment them perrrrfectly.  Mix the two together and, voila, you’ve got a terrific trail mix.

Mulberries:

Mulberries have a subtly sweeter taste than goji berries.  They are also most readily found dry and are somewhat chewier than the goji as well.  As the package of The Raw Choice mulberries states, this superfood is rich in anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant able to increase the quality of our eyesight, fight cancer, slow down the aging process (including slowing gray hair!!), fight or control diabetes, and generally strengthen the body against disease.  But wait, there’s more . . . another main antioxidant in mulberries is Resveratrol, which is thought to increase endurance, fight neurodegenerative diseases and also prevent cancer. Tests have also indicated that Resveratrol may counteract the ill effects of a high fat diet too!!  They also have quite a large percentage of protein, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin K.  Whoa, that’s a load of vitamins in a tiny package!  In other words, they make especially good snacks for anyone who feels slightly rundown.  GG tip:  these are the perfect snack to stash in your gym bag, tote, etc.  Also, these are especially yummy mixed with oatmeal.

Both the goji berries and mulberries are a perfect dry snack to enjoy by the handful or can be mixed with cereals, blended in smoothies and stirred into yogurt or salads.  Grading Girl gives both berries a B+ only because they are not as readily available here in the United States as other dried fruit such as cranberries.  So far, I have only been able to find both at Whole Foods.  Trader Joes sells a goji berry trail mix including other nuts but they do not sell gojis alone.  C’mon grocers, get your gojis and mulberries on – we may be a more healthful society with these berries made more available!

Share on Facebook

Panera People, You Disappoint Me

Panera Bread used to be my favorite quick service restaurant.  On those busy days when I didn’t have either time nor energy to cook, Panera is where you’d find me.  Attempting to maintain a more clean eating lifestyle,  much to my daughter’s dismay, we haven’t been ordering out as much.  The other night, I broke down and stopped by Panera on the way home from the gym.  Let me tell you, I was sorry!!!

First, the cashier behind the counter apparently doesn’t understand the concept of standing in line because she summoned the last person in line, leaving me and the person in front of me thinking we must have been using our invisible superpowers that day.  I finally ordered my daughter’s “You Pick Two” Cream of Broccoli soup and Caesar Chicken sandwich and my “You Pick Two” Garden Vegetable soup and Chipotle Chicken sandwich.  Thankfully, I checked my bag before I left because the servers slipped two white baguettes in the bag when I asked for one white and one wheat.  Okay, small mistake . . . I was starving and the food smelled good.  Time to get it home.

So I get home, take out the soup, and discover that the people at Panera know some magic tricks . . . they apparently know how to make things smaller than they used to be.  The soups were in a seemingly smaller container, but with the same price tag.  When ordering a “You Pick Two Item,” you receive 8 ounces instead of the 12 ounces offered as a single item.  Hmmm . . . the economy affects everything.  Well, I was really looking forward to that Chipotle Chicken so I put the soup to the side and unwrap my sandwich.  I take a bite and, that’s funny, I don’t taste any chicken nor bacon . . . only bread.  I then open up the sandwich and see that there are three very miniscule pieces of chicken and one little inch of bacon drowning in gobs of chipotle spread.  Uggghhh!!!  It takes a lot to make me outwardly angry and I was.  Now, I know the name of the restaurant is Panera Bread, but c’mon!  In order to eat my bread sandwich, I had to add my own chicken from home . . . VERY disappointing!!!!   My daughter’s sandwich had a whopping four miniscule pieces.  She too had more bread than substance but she didn’t mind as much as I did.  I was mad enough for the both of us.

Grading Girl is sorry to say that she is assigning her first D.  Panera people, you earned a below average grade for poor customer service, small portioned food, and poorly assembled sandwiches.  Additionally, GG did her homework and discovered that the Chipotle Chicken aka Bread Sandwich packs a whopping 1280 mg of sodium.  That’s more than I consume in one day!!  The only reason Panera Bread is not earning a F is because what little bit of soup I had was refreshing – even though that sodium content is even worse - a whopping 1200 mg of sodium into the ungenerous 8-ounce portion of vegetable soup.  Very disappointing!!  It’s time for me to find a new favorite. . . .

Share on Facebook

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!!

 

 

Share on Facebook

« Previous Page