November 2014 – Page 4 – Cindy's Love Of Books

CD Review/ Melody Road by Neil Diamond

Posted on November 5, 2014November 20, 2014 by Cindy

Band/Artist: Neil Diamon
Title: Melody Road
Date: October 21, 2014
Label: Capital Records

Throughout an illustrious and wide-ranging musical career, Neil Diamond has charted 37 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums in the U.S. His most recent original studio release, 2008’s Home Before Dark, debuted at #1 in the U.S. and the UK on the Billboard Top Albums chart.

A Grammy Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond’s many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 Grammy nominations and 2009’s NARAS’s MusiCares Person of the Year award. In 2011, Diamond received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime of contributions to American culture.

I grew up with listening to Neil Diamond in my house. My parents were huge fans. So I was thrilled when I was given the chance to listen and review Neil Diamond’s newest cd. I even brought my iPad over to my mother’s apartment so that she could listen to it as well and she loved it and once she told me that I knew what I was going to get her for Christmas.

Listening to the cd brought back so many happy memories from my childhood. I remember my parents playing music on an A track and then upgrading to cassettes. We loved having music playing in the house and I think that is where my love of music comes from and being exposes to it at an early age.

Can I just make a comment on how good Neil Diamond looks?

Track listings for Melody Road:

Melody Road
First Time
Seongah and Jimmy
Something Blue
Nothing but a Heartache
In Better Days
(OOO) Do I wanna Be Yours?
Alone at the Ball
Sunny Disposition
Marry Me Now
The Art of Love
Melody Rose (reprise)

Listening to this cd you know you are listening to Neil Diamond. He has stayed to true to who he is and his sound. This is very much Neil Diamond.

This is his first cd in over six years and honestly it feels like he never left.

“It takes tremendous vision, focus and determination – combined with a mega-dose of God-given talent, charisma and soul – to create music that becomes indelibly ingrained in the fabric of our culture,” shared Melody Road co-producer and Blue Note President Don Was. “For decade after decade, Neil’s songs have been such a major part of our lives. Making this record with him has served as a profound reminder of what a powerful and amazing artist he truly is,” he continued.

Each one of his songs tugs a little at you. I enjoyed listening to the cd as did my mother.

According to Capitol Music Group Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett, “Neil has made a brilliant record, one of the very finest in his singular body of work. His beautiful and heartfelt songs on Melody Road are imbued with the wisdom of a man reflecting on life’s experiences while still looking forward on the road ahead of him. He delivers these songs with the passion of an artist fully committed to his craft, and in that warmly distinctive voice that has brought us so many Neil Diamond classics.

* Official Neil Diamond Website – www.neildiamond.com

* Twitter – @NeilDiamond
* Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neildiamond

* YouTube – http://bit.ly/NDMelody

I participated in the Neil Diamond Melody Road album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

CD Review/ Heart On My Sleeve by Mary Lambert

Posted on November 4, 2014November 20, 2014 by Cindy

Band/Artist: Mary Lambert
Title: Heart on My Sleeve
Date: October 14, 2014
Label: Capital Records, LLC

I was thrilled when I was given the chance to do a review for Mary Lambert’s debut cd called Heart On My Sleeve because I first discovered her when she did the song Same Love with Ryan Lewis and Macklemore. She has a beautiful voice.

I wanted to write a pop album that had profound emotional depth and interesting language, while being accessible and catchy,” she explains. “I wanted the songs to be poignant and raw, but I want to hear them on the radio. I like to describe Heart On My Sleeve as a pop album with a conscience.”

I absolutely love this cd. I love each and every song. During my trial period I played it constantly in the house and I have it listed on my Birthday/Christmas wish list.

Mary’s voice is just breath taking. The only word I can think of its powerful.

“I felt like there were a lot of songs coming out about self-empowerment and challenging beauty standards, and I wanted to write a song along those same lines, but in my voice,” she explains. “It’s easy to paint a pretty picture and tell everyone to love themselves, but it’s way more complicated than that. There is so much shame and guilt in our society, and I think it has deprived a lot of people from living fully. We’re all facing battles. We’ve all had someone who has hurt us, so let’s talk about it. I believe vulnerability is what will save the world. I wanted to point the lens at myself in hopes of inspiring others to do the same. This song is my dirty laundry, and that’s actually really freeing. Now I can walk around with accidental pieces of bagel in my bra and eat it anyway.”

There is no way I can pick a favorite out of her songs because each and everyone is fantastic. I do have to say that next to Rick Springfield her version of Jessie’s Girl is amazing. Its a totally different spin on it and in Lambert’s hands, becomes a dark piano ballad with the twist of being sung by a woman about a woman.

I think this would be a fantastic addition to someone’s music collection.

Tracklisting for Heart On My Sleeve:

Secrets
So Far Away
Ribcage (feat. K.Flay)
Dear One
When You Sleep
Chasing the moon
Jessie’s Girl
Monochromatic
Heart On My Sleeve
Wounded Animal
Sum of Our Parts
Sing to Me
Assembly Line
Sum of Out Parts (alternative version)

For more information on Mary, please visit her official site at www.marylambertsings.com

* Twitter – @marylambertsing
* YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqqqV50zaAc
* Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/marylambertsings

I participated in the Mary Lambert Heart On My Sleeve album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

20 Things You Might Not Know About Me Tag

Posted on November 3, 2014September 20, 2014 by Cindy

This is a pretty new to me tag that I spotted over at Christian Novels and I thought it sounded like a fun little tag to do.

So I am not going to tag anyone specifically because this has been making the rounds but if you do take part please leave me a comment so that I can go and check out your replies.

1. How tall are you?

If you met me in real life you know I am short but if you haven’t I am just under 5 feet.

2. Do you have a hidden talent? If so, what?

I don’t think I have any hidden talents.

3. What’s your biggest blog-related pet peeve?

I have to say that for me its all the spam comments which make no sense what so ever to the blog post they are hitting. Thankfully its all blocked so your not all bombarded with it but yea its a little annoying at times.

4. What’s your biggest non-blog related pet peeve?

People who don’t fully understand what I do and thinking I do nothing all day but read and thinking that I get paid to blog or read when that isn’t the case although I wish it was.

5. What’s your favorite song?

I have quite a few such as Rude by Magic, All About The Bass by Megan Trainor, All of Me by John Legend, Happy, Problem by Ariana Grande, Am I wrong by Niko & Vinz, Stay with Me by Sam Smith, and so many more.

6. What’s your favourite Etsy shop that isn’t yours?

I have to admit that I am not on Etsy’s. I haven’t fallen into that…yet

7. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?

When I am alone I like to listen to music, bake, clean and squeeze in some reading if I can. If its the day I have to car because I have library I have to say that I love to shop.

8. What’s your favorite junk food?

I have would say its chips, pretzels and chocolate.

9. Do you have a pet or pets? If so, what kind and what are their names?

No we don’t have any pets at all.

10. What are your number one favorite non-fiction and fiction books?

I don’t read alot of non fiction books so could I add cookbooks? I love looking through cookbooks. As for fiction, there is so many but if you read my blog you will see in my reviews if I love a book.

11. What’s your favorite beauty product?

I have so many favorites but to pick a few I have to say bb or cc creams. They are a life saver if you don’t have time for foundation and I tend to use it daily. I also love lip balms especially the eos ones. I think I practically own them all. Finally nail polish, because you can add a pop of color so quickly to a look.

12. When were you last embarrassed? What happened?

Its been awhile so I am not quite sure. I will edit this if I can think of something.

13. If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would have to be salted carmel mokas from Starbucks or apple cider. Those are two of my favorite drinks.

14. What’s your favorite movie?

I have a few it would be TopGun, Grease, Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and The Breakfast Club are ones I can watch all the time.

15. What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep?

Hmm this one is hard I never was in any of those categories. I mean I was just a kid who went to school and hung out with friends.

16. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Its a toss up between NYC which I love and London. I have never been sight seeing in London just at the airport but I have always wanted to go.

17. PC or Mac?

PC as I don’t have a mac computer

18. Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boy/girlfriend, spouse?

I was surprised with flowers. It doesn’t happen very often but when I am stressed and down something appears

19. Favorite celebrity?

Shemar Moore hands down LOL

20. What blogger do you secretly want be best friends with?

This is a hard question because I feel like I am friends with everyone so far LOL and besides I don’t think I could list anyone for fear they wouldn’t like me and want to be friends with me LOL

I hope you enjoyed this.

2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on November 2, 2014November 3, 2014 by Cindy

Christmas is quickly approaching and its hard to believe there is only 7 1/2 weeks left until the big day. Are you ready?

This year I thought I would try something different and I hope you guys will like it. I am currently taking submissions for the Christmas Season.

I always find it hard to find just the right gifts and I know I am not the only one.

If you would like to be included in my first every Holiday Gift Guide please click on the Holiday Gift Guide Button in my navigation bar or email me at

cindy@ifc.ojo.mybluehost.me

I am accepting items for children, women, men, and stocking stuffers.

Reviews will include a blog post with photos, a vlog, Facebook shares, Twitter shares, a spot on pinterest in my Holiday Gift Guide pin, instagram photos, and so much more.

Give away and featured posts without a review will be subjected to a fee or need to meet a min requirement.

Please note shipping of give away items is your responsibility.

Thanks in advance. Happy Holidays.