Big Leather Couch

Down to three...Giles, Shawn & Melissa battled it out last night on the dance floor with the Paso Doble and the always interesting freestyle, which has been considered the make-or-break dance in previous season...and which professional will be selected as the new pro for next season?

For me, the show is not over until I head over and visit TRAVIS of "Trav's Thoughts", because NO ONE does a DWTS recap like our buddy Travis...

Chris Botti In Boston.
Recorded live on September 18th and 19th, 2008.

I received the CD the other day and have been listening to it over and over. The CD opens with the Boston Pops string section and the crowd applauds as Mr. botti walks to the stage and then, along with pianist Billy Childs they perform a stirring version of "Ave Maria". Mr. Botti's trumpet just soars and he holds notes beautifully.

Besides the Pops, Mr. Botti is backed by a band of Childs on piano, Mark Whitfield on guitar, Robert Hurst on bass and Billy Kilson on drums.

The band joins the rest for the beautiful upbeat version of "When I Fall In Love", the trumpet of Mr. Botti taking the vocal lines.

The first musical guest arrives in the form of Sting to perform his own composition, "Seven Days". Also joining them is Dominic Miller on guitar. They even dabble in "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" toward the end of the performance as Mr. Botti rips the scales on the trumpet and Sting responds in song. have always enjoyed Seven Days, but this is now my favorite version of the song. The band is right there and the Pops adds that special touch.

Violinist Lucia Micarelli is featured on "Emmanuel". In a word she is absolutely brilliant.

OK, now...truth be told, when I was listening the first time I had not read the liner notes. I knew Sting appeared with Mr. Botti and others, but I did not know who. I did not hear the introduction, but then listened to a terrific version of the song "I've Got You Under My Skin"...ummmm who was the vocalist? NO NO, not her!

I guess the Boston Pops and Mr. Botti can make anyone sound good! Mark Whitfield is also featured on guitar and makes the crowd come alive.

Next up is the theme song from the movie "Cinema Paradiso" featuring Yo-Yo Ma on cello. The two masters trade turns, intertwine their instruments and just let the world fade away.

Josh Grobin climbs the stage to sing his song "Broken Vow". I am not a huge fan, but it sounded good.

The Mile Davis classic "Flamenco Sketches" follows. This would have been amazing to see and hear live. The entire band is given a chance to show his stuff and they all did just that! Robert Hurst on bass is featured in the middle and he is just flying over the frets.

Then we get the favorite singer of TURNBABY from "As As The World Turns"...Mr. John Mayer! Sorry Turn..smooch...performing the Richards/Hart composition "Glad To be Unhappy". IF you like Mayer, as I do --- as a singer, not as a human ok? - you will enjoy this song.

Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" follows with just Mr. Botti on trumpet and Mark Whitfield on guitar. This is one big song but the two artists cover us with a wall of sound that comes from the simplicity of the notes they play. Lightly in the background the Pops string section adds a ground layer for the song to emerge from.

Boston's own Steven Tyler then takes to the stage for the Chaplin/Parsons/Phillips song "Smile". He dedicates the song to his dad, who is in the audience, in a touching gesture.

This is not the Steven Tyler you know. He proves his place in the annals of singers - not necessarily rock singers. I liked the variation to the song given by Steven's raspy vocals.

Back onto the stage is Sting and Dominic Miller to perform Sting's "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You". Having lived in the Boston area for 5 years I have had the pleasure of seeing the Pops live and I always found them the most fun when they are out of their 'element'. Playing rock and roll is one of those times.

As I am listening to this, I can visualize the entire Pops Orchestra grooving along, the horns swinging from side to side...full on fun.

The CD closes with "Time To Say Goodbye". As someone who was not familiar with Mr. Botti before listening to this CD, I can say that for me...Mr. Bottti, it is time to say HELLO.

I am torn between trying to post something from this, but since it is through my friends at Sony/BMG Columbia Records - thanks Arbell!...I will refrain.

But, I will send the CD to the person who makes the best case...This is a winner.

Today's featured dish:
Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin
with grilled red potatoes & prosciutto-wrapped asparagus

Received my copy of Leonard Cohen Live In London, and have been listening...some really good stuff there. Will have a review tomorrow for y'all and one guest can win the CD...and another could win the DVD of the concert!

Leonard Cohen’s first newly recorded release since 2004’s gold-certified Dear Heather, the Live In London collection fully captures and recreates the extraordinary show that earned Cohen, who celebrated his 40th year as a Columbia Records artist in 2007, more than 80 five-star reviews for performances during his fall 2008 UK and European tour.

Mr. Cohen's website can be found HERE, and to buy the CD or DVD immediately, you can go HERE.

Columbia Records released Chris Botti In Boston on March 31st on CD, CD/DVD and Blu-ray. Capturing the chart-topping jazz trumpeter’s star-studded concerts at the Boston Symphony Hall, Chris Botti In Boston features special guest performances by the likes of Sting, Steven Tyler, John Mayer and more.

On Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19, 2008, American jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, one of the world’s top-selling instrumental artists, invited an extraordinary variety of musical artists -- including Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Lucia Micarelli, and Sy Smith -- to join him on-stage with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime concerts at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall, one of the world’s most exquisite performance venues.

This CD is also on the way and I will have a review for y'all and the CD for one lucky guest...stay tuned.

You can visit Mr. Botti's website HERE. And if you can't wait for my review and a chance to win the CD, they can be purchased HERE

The Killers have tapped New Hampshire quartet Wild Light to be the main support on their upcoming North American tour, which kicks off April 17, 2009 at the highly anticipated re-opening of Las Vegas’ premier rock club, The Joint. During this 10 city trek Wild Light will play to packed crowds at arenas including the San Jose Events Center in San Jose and the WAMU Theater in Seattle , before closing the tour with a final show at the Capitol Federal Park in Bonner Springs , KS on May 2nd.

Pete Yorn has been picked by Coldplay to open over a dozen tour dates this spring. Yorn will highlight songs from his expansive new album ‘Back and Fourth’ (June 23, Columbia ).

As most know, the music business is in a huge flux. Contracts being signed are more creative, artists have the technology to record studio quality albums for a third the cost, marketing is more important then ever.

In the last month artists are reaching out on their own and I, for one, appreciate the efforts. You might vaguely remember when The Couch and specifically our efforts to share new music was featured in the e-newsletter of the PR Firm I get the new music from. I received the following email, and quite honestly, it got buried for a few weeks. For that I apologize, because I found a fine songwriter and an accomplished musician.

Scott Krokoff is his name. This was his email to me -

Dear Bond:

I am a subscriber to Cyber PR's newsletter and read about your blog. Congrats on your success in the blogosphere! I am a singer-songwriter from New York, from Queens, though, not Rochester where I believe you are from. I did go to Binghamton for college a number of years ago, and one of my best friends is from Syracuse (and now lives in Roch, incidentally), so I am pretty familiar with Central New York.

I used to practice as a tax lawyer, but quit working full time last year to pursue my dream to be a musician. I would like to submit my debut CD, A Better Life, for consideration as a possible review. My home site is scottkrokoff.com, where you can read more about me, and you can download my entire CD for free from my iLike page. Here's a link - http://www.ilike.com/artist/Scott+Krokoff

Thanks in advance for taking the time to listen to my music. Let me know what you think, and if you need any additional info do not hesitate to ask.

Best of luck and continued success with your blog.

Scott Krokoff

Well, Scott, you got a few details confused. I did go to school in Rochester, but grew up on Long Island like you.

But on to the music. When it loaded into my iTunes, the genre came up as acoustic rock. i think that limits the description of the music I have been listening to. It is certainly not head-banging metal. Nor is that guy on the staircase in the Delta House in Animal House, strumming his guitar until Bluto shatters it into pies.

On his website, which you can find HERE, Scott describes himself this way; "My music combines the pop sensibility of John Mayer with the folksiness of James Taylor, and has the kind of crossover appeal of artists such as Shania Twain".

Let's let you, the best test audience on the internet, decide. Two from Mr. Krokoff's debut album A Better Life. This is the title track and then "A Glimpse Of Your Face".

Remember to use the poll and hey, send your friends over to play. I do not have a promo CD from Mr. Krokoff, but if he does accept our invitation to stop by and reads this, maybe he will send one to me and I will then pass it on to one of you, my faithful readers - hint hint...

MY APOLOGIES TO SCOTT. I HAD HIS NAME SPELLED KRAKOFF IN THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THIS POST. I HAVE CORRECTED IT TO KROKOFF EVERYWHERE BUT ON THE POLL.

ALSO, in an email, Scott has agreed to send me a CD, so one of you will be able to enjoy his music soon. THANKS SCOTT