The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Carly Simon Edition

Well, it was a tie again this week, with one vote going to Carly Simon and one vote going to Neil Young. I have choosen that this weeks mix-up will be all about Carly Simon, but Neil Young will be left in the polls for next week. So if you want Neil, get your friends to visit the blog and vote for him! Anyways, here it is, the Carly Simon Mix-Up!!!

• Legend In Your Own Time (from the album Anticipation)
• Summer's Coming Around Again (from the album Anticipation)
• Devoted To You (from the album Boys In The Trees)
• De Bat (Fly In Me Face) (from the album Boys In The Trees)
• Oh! Susanna (from the album In White)
• All The Things You Are (from the album Moonlight Serenade)
• Hola Soleil (from the album This Kind of Love)
• Sangre Dolce (from the album This Kind of Love)
• The Right Thing To Do (with Megan Mullally) (from the soundtrack to Will & Grace)
• Mockingbird (with James Taylor) (from the album For The Children Too!)
  

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Police Edition

Well, thanks everyone for getting out and voting this week! The winner was The Police, in a 75% victory over The Rolling Stones. So, here it is, the Police mix!

• So Lonely
• Message In A Bottle
• Bring On The Night
• Don't Stand So Close To Me
  
• Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
• Every Breath You Take
• Wrapped Around Your Finger
• Walking In Your Footsteps
• Synchronicity II
• Roxanne

So, it looks like my iTunes decided that the best way to shuffle through the Police is via their greatest hits! I hope y'all enjoyed it! Now go vote for this weeks "newcomer" edition!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The ABBA Edition

Well, this weeks winner was ABBA! It should be a fun and high energy way to start the week off, right? Plus, if you are a real ABBA fan, then you should go this summer and see Mamma Mia in theaters! Anyways, here it is:

• When I Kissed the Teacher
• Dancing Queen
• Happy Hawaii
• Fernando
• Knowing Me, Knowing You
• Take A Chance On Me
• Voulez Vous
• Money, Money, Money
• Chiquita
• The Name Of The Game

So, the new poll will be up by the end of the day or first thing tomorrow. Please, please, please make recommendations for future polls.

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Cover Edition

Well since it was a tie, I decided that this weeks mix-up would be devoted to cover songs. And in the light that Carly Simon did tie, one of the cover songs will be a song originally sung by Carly! It will be the only song not to be "shuffled" into the mix...so lets get on with the show:

• Anticipation (sung by Mandy Moore, originally Carly Simon) This CD of Mandy Moore's is a great collection. All cover songs from the 70s and 80 and this Carly song is one of the many standouts!
  
• Begin The Beguine (sung by Sheryl Crow, originally Cole Porter)
• I Only Have Eyes For You (sung by Jamie Cullum, originally Peggy Lee)
• Over The Rainbow (sung by Catherine Britt, originally Judy Garland) I have come to the conclusion that there could possibly be no bad version of this song. It's all about dreaming and being able to dream!
  
• Mockingbird (sung by Toby Keith & Crystal Keith, originally James Taylor & Carly Simon) So we got two Carly Simon references in! This one was shuffled in!
  
• Heartbreak Hotel (sung by Willie Nelson & Leon Russell, originally Elvis Presley)
• The Way You Look Tonight (sung by Rod Stewart, originally Fred Astaire)
• Wanted Dead or Alive (sung by Chris Cagle, originally Bon Jovi) A great country rock version of the song. I remember when the album that it is on came out, they were interviewing Chris and he had sent the version to Jon Bon Jovi, who replied that it was possibly the best version of that song he had heard, and he included his own version!
  
• Stairway to Heaven (sung by Dolly Parton, originally Led Zeppelin) I absolutely love this version of this song! The original is fantastic, but this understated and simple take is just beautiful.
  
• Missing You (sung by Alison Krauss, originally John Waite)
  

Well that was a little more difficult than I had anticipated, since my iTunes doesn't have a "covers" category, but it was fun! Until next week!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: A Jazzy/Rocky/Country-Folky Edition

Well, this week there was a three way tie! And instead of breaking the tie this week, I decided, since many of these are my favorites, to put all three into the Mix-Up! One of them will have four songs, and I haven't decided which one yet...that will be a bonus! Anyways, here it is, the Mixed Up, Monday Morning Mix Up:

Jimmy Buffett

• Only Time Will Tell (from the album Banana Wind)
• Delaney Talks to Statues (from the album Fruitcake) - Very pretty song, somewhat family oriented...sweet song, very beachy!
  
• Conky Tonkin' (from the album License to Chill, featuring Clint Black) - Such a great song with so many great references for us Miami (some of them many people will know, like the loacations) folk! Lets list them all: South Beach, US1, Key Largo, Dadeland Mall, and Key West.
  

Queen

• Somebody to Love (from the album A Day At The Races) - I know this might be mildly sac religious but, this song almost sounds something that Disney would of come up with! I like the song, but it is kinda cheesy!
  
• Mother Love (from the album Made In Heaven)
  
• Headlong (from the album Queen Rocks)

Diana Krall

• Exactly Like You (from the album From This Moment On)
• Frim Fram Sauce (from the album All For You) - One of my favorite Diana cover songs (originally performed by the Nat King Cole Trio). It's a fun, cool, jazz song that is fun to sing along too!
  

Harry Connick, Jr.

• He Is, They Are (from the album Blue Light Red Light)
• A Spoonful of Sugar (from the album Songs I Heard) - This is one of my all time favorite albums! It is Harry singing all the songs you might remember from when you were a kid! He does songs from Mary Poppins, Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Sound of Music, Annie, and others. It is a great CD! And of course, this song is great too!
  

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: Soundtracks Galore

Well, this week there was more votes (Yay!)! Which means there was a little competition, and the winner this week are songs from soundtracks! So, here we go!

• Camellia (sung by Bette Midler, from the soundtrack to The Rose)
• Work It Out (sung by Beyonce, from the soundtrack to Austin Powers: Goldmember)
• Leaving on a Jet Plane (sung by Chantal Kreviazuk, from the soundtrack to Armageddon)
• You're The Top (sung by Cole Porter, from the soundtrack to De-Lovely)
• Mack the Knife (sung by Kevin Spacey, from the soundtrack to Beyond The Sea)
• Razzle Dazzle (sung by Richard Gere, from the soundtrack to Chicago)
• Science Fiction/Double Feature (sung by Richard O'Brien, from the soundtrack to Rocky Horror Picture Show)
• Old Plank Road (sung by Robin & Linda Williams, from the soundtrack to A Prairie Home Companion)
• Murder He Says (sung by Tori Amos, from the soundtrack to Mona Lisa Smile)
• My Generation (sung by The Who, from the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me)

Okay, so it kinda turned into a mix of soundtracks and cover songs, but thats the way the iTunes wanted it! Don't forget to vote for next weeks Mix-Up and offer suggestions!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Madonna Edition

Well, once again, a record vote and a unanimous decision! Thats right, another week of just one single lonely vote! The theme to the poll this week was Hall of Famers, with John Mellencamp and Madonna being inducted last week, REM last year, and Blondie in 2006. Well that one singular vote went to the ever evolving Madonna! So here it goes:

• Die Another Day (from the album American Life) - The song that possibly started the whole dance floor phase of Madonna! A good song, a decent Bond song!
  
• Beautiful Stranger (from the soundtrack to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me) - A great retro style song! What was even better was seeing the video for the song!
  
• Bedtime Story (from the album Bedtime Stories)
• Like It Or Not (from the album Confessions on a Dance Floor) - A great beat to this song! This is a great contemporary album that seems to have completely rejuvenated Madonna into a new generation!
  
• Vogue (from the album I'm Breathless) - A classic Madonna song! Who doesn't know most of the words to this song!
  
• Love Song (from the album Like a Prayer) - It's early Madonna! So different from current Madonna, but still good. (Even though it seems there is a reason this wasn't a single!)
  
• Think of Me (from the album Madonna) - Even more classic, from her very first album!
  
• Don't Tell Me (from the album Music) - Probably one of my top two Madonna albums (the other being Ray of Light) and this song is great! I remember listening to this song the first time and thinking there was something wrong with the CD because it sounds as though it is skipping in the beginning!
  
• Swim (from the album Ray of Light) - My favorite Madonna album! From beginning to end it has a flow about it that just keeps you entranced!
  
• La Isla Bonita (from the album True Blue) - A very fun, very Florida-esque song!

Well that is is for this weeks mix up! Please send me suggestions for future voting selections!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Neil Diamond Edition

Well it was a record turnout in the voting booth this week! And it was also unanimous this week as to who walked away as the Mix-Up winner... now this might not seem as big of a feat as many of you are thinking. You see, the record turnout was a record low...only 1 person voted, therefore the lucky winner had 100% of the votes...and the winner was Neil Diamond! All these songs have come from (1) The Essential Neil Diamond (2) Three Chord Opera (3) 12 Songs. So, here it is the Neil Diamond Mix:

• Solitary Man - A classic (as though most of these aren't!)
  
• Red, Red Wine - So, now here is my question, did Neil Diamond cover UB40 or did UB40 cover Neil Diamond, because until now I had never heard this version. Update: I now know, that Neil Diamond is the genius behind this song!
  
• I Am...I Said - It is a good song! Love the references throughout, "Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king?"
  
• He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
  
• Brother Love's Salvation Show - A good song, even though it sounds like something that Eddie would of sung in Rocky Horror Picture Show! Update: Sorry, the words were mixed up in my head! Title of the song is fixed!
  
• September Morn
  
• You Are The Best Part Of Me - I am beginning to think that Neil Diamond doesn't like Saturday Nights, he seems to reference them, in negative ways in many songs!
  
• A Mission of Love - Very old fashioned, Elvis, Big Band, style! A great message, in a nicely refreshing song!
  
• Save Me A Saturday Night - A nice song, but slow, and again another depressing Saturday Night!
  
• We - My absolute favorite Neil Diamond song! It is from his latest CD 12 Songs, and it is just such a light song with so much meaning!

Well that is it for this week! So please please please vote for next week! You have the opportunity to choose the music!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Beatles Edition

You swooned over them coming to America way back when. You bought their records in mass droves, and you taught us younger generation to love them as well! Brought to you by Pat...here is the mix-up...Beatles Style! (Don't forget to vote for next weeks choice!)

• Because (from the album Abbey Road) - It's a song...and it's by the Beatles and evidentally because the world is round is a reason to be turned on!
  
• Blackbird (from the album The Beatles aka The White Album) One of my absolute favorite Beatles songs! It is also one that I didn't really know about until recently!
  
• And I Love Her (from the album A Hard Day's Night) Did you know that the Beatles did instrumental music? No...me neither!!!
  
• Another Girl (from the album Help!) An upbeat and fun song about having a girl on the side?
  
• Hey Jude (from the album Love) A classic! Enough said!
  
• Baby Your A Rich Man (from the album Magical Mystery Tour) Again, a fairly repetative Beatles song, but good!
  
• Yellow Submarine (from the album Revolver) I realize now that the Beatles liked to put their songs on as many different albums that they could! I think I have this song on at least 3 or 4 different CD's.
  
• Norwegian Wood (from the album Rubber Soul) It seems that the Beatles also liked to sing about birds....the subtitle to this song is This Bird Has Flown!
  
• Something (from the album 1) A beautiful song! Has been covered by a number of artists but nothing like the original!
  
• Back In The USSR (from the album Anthology 1967-1970) It starts out mentioning Miami Beach!
  

Well that's it for the mix-up this week! Look out for 5 new choices for next weeks mix-up! And vote-vote-vote!!!

The Week-End Wrap & Review: 2 Books Done Edition

Well, this week has been another crazy week in the life of the Scribbler! Wednesday I had to run a Toastmaster Contest that was odd, by all means! The winners were all surprises this time around, but it seems as though much fun was had by all involved...

So here it is, the end of the week review:

What I Saw: This week I watched a couple of movies, yet I only remember one off the top of my head, which was Mr. Magorioum's Wonder Emporium and on all accounts it was such a great movie. Very uplifting and full of magic and wonderment. A great movie for kids of all ages (1-99). I also watched Resident Evil:Extinction, which was a good continuation of the series. Good suspense, good zombie movie!

What I Heard: This week I went back and was listening to the last Jewel album that had come out, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland, which was a great CD, and began her journey into the country genre. Also this week, I had listened to the usual mix of songs on iTunes!

What I Read: I got to finish two books today, The Four Agreements & Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles. So with that I started another book, Dave Barry's History of the Millennium...So Far! And so far, it is typical hysterical Dave Barry! Reviews on the other two books to follow within the week!

Anyways, tomorrow I am off to the zoo with the cousins, and just a day to relax...much needed if you ask me!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: It's Been A Long Time Coming Edition

Well this past weekend, my iPod was bestowed upon it a name. You see with Troy's Fred and Hilda's Lola, my "iPod" was sad without a name. Since we could not decide if my iPod was male or female, it got the name of Pat! So, for the first time in over a month...take it away Pat...

• Kenny Chesney - Something Sexy About The Rain: Yes there is! In fact it is extremely sexy and sensual...but that might too much information for some!
• Loretta Lynn - Story of my Life: A classic country singer who only gets better with age. A beautiful song from the Coalminers Daughter!
• Bon Jovi - Ordinary Day: A Bon Jovi sound with a country twist, but it is a rarity of a song from their box set that came out a couple years ago.
• Mandy Moore - All Good Things: A great song from her new cd. If you hear the name Mandy Moore and think of the old poppy sounding girl, she is so not that. She has turned into this folksy, bluesy, singer with a powerful voice!
• Vertical Horizon - Forever: One of my favorite "finds" from many years ago. It happened that I first heard them in Georgia (where they are from) only to find out that one of my best friends sisters went to college with the drummer and are good friends. The CD's are fantastic as are their songs and lyrics!
• Natasha Bedingfield - Wild Horses: A powerful and husky voice from this newer import from England. A pretty song, sung nicely.
• Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild: Says enough all by itself!
• Kelly Clarkson - Beautiful Disaster: One of my all time favorite Kelly songs, but the piano only version is so much better!
• Carrie Underwood - Just A Dream: A very pretty song, but very sad at the same time. Reminds you of what people have lost in this crazy war we are in.
• Ben Folds - Gone: I agree with Troy, why don't more people know of him...even though it seems as though he is huge in college towns!
  

Well that is all for this week....have fun and good shuffling Pat!

The Week-End Wrap & Review: The I Got Up To Early and Went To Bed Late Now I'm Tired At W I ork Edition

Well everyone, I am back! And ready to fall asleep at 8:45 AM! Last night was a very fun game night with some friends (from both the real world and the blogosphere). We played Apples to Apples, Trivial Pursuit, and of course debated if we needed slidey, or if reachy would be fine! (We chose slidey.) Anyways, I am at work now, where there is nothing going on...at all...so I will be blogging off and on these next two days...completing meme's galore, and so much more!

What I Saw: I didn't really get to watch too much this week, as I was babysitting in Coral Springs. I did watch the new season of American Idol, get to a start with a bang (or rather an off key yelp). I also watched the first episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which I thought was fantastic! Lots of action, lots of drama, and just very entertaining! The only movie that I think I saw was Rob Zombie's version of Halloween, which was okay. It was violent and gory, but it was the same story, nothing new added really.

What I Heard: This week was more of a radio week for me. The one song that I heard that I have immediately fallen in love with is the new Jewel song. Now you won't hear this song on Coast 97.3 FM or Lite 101.5 FM, no for this one you have to tune into 99.9 Kiss Country! That's right, Jewel has finally gone country. The song is Stronger Woman, and it is fantastic. Her voice is amazing, and she will be here a week from this Sunday at the Chili Cookoff to host and sing!

What I Read: Well I am currently working on four different books (talk about multi-tasking). As you can see in the little sidebar, I have started Blink, as well as Dispatches From The Edge. So far those are both good books. I have switched for this weekend at work and am half-way through The Four Agreements, which so far is very insightful and fantastical. I am also going to start Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles, which moves the previous story to here in Florida! I am also anticipating the new Stephen King novel Duma Key, which comes out on Tuesday and also takes place in South Florida and the Florida Keys!

Well, everyone have a very happy weekend! Catch ya on the Monday side!

The Week-End Wrap Up & Review: The Tallahassee Airport Edition

Well, this week has gone by so fast. I have been on vacation in Tallahassee for the past week. What would anyone do on vacation in Tallahassee you ask? Well, I got to hang out and visit my 22 cousins that live here. It was a fun week with lots of doings which I get to share with you!

What I Saw: This week was eventful when it comes to things I have seen! I watched at home with the cousins, 28 Weeks Later, Flushed Away, a bunch of Law & Order episodes, and the regular television shows. 28 Weeks was a good suspense zombie movie, however it was not as good as the original. I also fully enjoyed Flushed Away, full of references to other movies and just plain fun! At the movies I saw Sweeney Todd and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Sweeney Todd was fantastic, many critics have lauded the latest pairing of Depp and Burton, and it was again a home run! The story is extremely dark but the movie is full of great songs and voices that give to a great story. National Treasure was a fun movie to watch, not as much action as the original, but more humor, which was good. The sidekick Riley, is absolutely hilarious!

What I Heard: Nothing this week, I have not had the iPod with me, and I have not been listening to much music!

What I Read: Well since I have finished The Book of Lost Things, I have started the Spiderwick Chronicles, so out of the five books in the series, I am halfway into book four, and should finish the books by the time my plane touches down in Orlando!

Besides that I am looking forward to finally get home Saturday night, while I have one week at home before I go to Coral Springs to look after my cousins! Also, my class starts again a week from tomorrow so that will give me something to do!

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Wednesday Evening Edition

Sorry for the delay everybody, construction has been hectic on the schedule...but it is almost over! We are confident that everything should be done by Friday (minus the Shower Door, only because every Home Depot in Dade County is out of stock!)

Anyways, here it is, The Wednesday Evening Edition of the Monday Morning Mix-Up:

• LeAnn Rimes - The Trouble With Good-Bye: A good LeAnn song, only it was during her "pop" phase. A fun upbeat song though!
  
• Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All: A very pretty song (sung much better by Alison Krauss) but this version is also quite nice! It was featured in the movie Notting Hill!
  
• Jill Scott - Exclusively: What a fun song and a great voice! One soulful up and coming!
  
• Gloria Estefan - Reach: Ehhh....so iTunes has it's moments of falter. I love Gloria...I do not love this song. In fact, the only reason I tolerate it is that it reminds me of the 96 Olympics, and I just love the Olympics!
  
• David Bowie - Changes: Ahh! A much better choice! A great Bowie classic....for all times!
  
• Queen Latifah - I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl: Again the Queen has done it! From her second CD of standards, this is just a gorgeous voice singing a cute song!
  
• Third Eye Blind - Jumper: A great 90's rock song that is sad when you listen to the lyrics, but just a fun song.
  
• Eric Clapton - Sunshine Of Your Love: A classic guitar inro! One of those songs you hear and instantly love!
  
• The Beatles - Lady Madonna: A classic! And just in time for the bra's 100 birthday! (Had to get some Madonna reference in there)
  
• Kelly Clarkson - My Grown Up Christmas List: Possibly one of my all time favorite contemporary Christmas songs. It just seems to go so well with the way of the world and how everything around seems to be in constant disaray!

Anyways, thats the list! Please feel free to comment, etc.!

The Week-End Wrap & Review : Monday Morning Edition

Well, it has definately been one busy, crazy, displaced week! I am still out of my room (crossing my fingers to move in in the next couple of days!). I worked Friday-Saturday-Sunday, which is why this has become the Monday Edition for this week. Anyways, here's the run down for last week:

What I Saw: Well, not too many movies were played this week over here at the Scribbler's Nook. I did watch Hairspray, which is just a fun and entertaining movie. All of the cast seem to fit their part nicely (even John Travolta). Right now at home I have waiting to be watched: Skin Walkers, Waitress, and Live Free or Die Hard, so look in next weeks Wrap Up to hear about those!

What I Heard: Two words...Alicia Keys! I have been listening to her new album, As I Am, for days now and it is fantastic! She never stops evolving and creating something new and better! This time around she still has her R&B and Soul roots, but adds rock into it, and the result is just amazing! I have also been listening to some Christmas music around the house and in the car, mostly Jo Dee Messina's A Joyful Noise.

What I Read: Well, I am still reading The Book of Lost Things. Being displaced temporarily from room has not given me a good reading area, so it got put on the back burner, but I got to read some of it while I was at work over the weekend! So far, it is a great book.

The Monday Morning Mix-Up: The Ha Ha Ha Edition

Well welcome to the Scribbler's Nook for this very festive and fun edition of the Monday Morning Mix-Up! I recently read an article that Santa, when he is in Australia can no longer use the phrase "Ho, Ho, Ho" for risk that he might offend someone. Instead, he is to say "Ha, Ha, Ha!" So for the big man in red and white, I present the Ha, Ha, Ha Edition!

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Nights in Blue : It's Joe Cocker meets New Orleans blues and Ray Charles soul.
• LeAnn Rimes - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas : A great voice who has only improved with age singing a classic song.
• Kelly Clarkson - Oh Holy Night : One of the must's for any Christmas CD, and sung a capella with such a powerful voice
• Brian Setzer Orchestra - Dig That Crazy Santa Claus : A fun song to listen to, dance to, whatever you please
• Chris Botti - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town : Great trumpeteer and a great rendition of this classic!
• Bette Midler & Johnny Mathis - Winter Wonderland : A fun version of this song that is sassy, brassy and everything else that Bette is!
• Jo Dee Messina - A Joyful Noise : I'm usually not a fan of "new Christmas" songs that artists create, but this song is just magical, and Jo Dee's voice just soars on this song!
• Mariah Carey - Joy To The World : One of those definitive Christmas albums is Mariah's and this song is just fantastic!
• Spice Girls - Christmas Wrapping : I know it sounds odd to have the Spice Girls doing a Christmas Song, but it is actually a cover of an older song, but very catchy!
• Jewel - Silent Night : A very nice and subtle yet folksy cover of another perennial favorite.

Well that is it for this "Ha, Ha, Ha Edition." Look for many more Christmas themed lists over the holidays!