GIGI SEE GIGI HEAR

I missed D's 50th by a few days and still feel absolutely wretched. He's one of my dearest, most steadfast friends, and always thinks of me better than I do of myself. I have nothing for him right now except for this playlist, which tells a bit of our story, and my constant friendship and love. Happy Birthday to someone who always makes me feel like I'm home. You wear 50 well.

Somebody Hurt You - A Girl Called Eddy
Angel Tonight - Leigh Nash
Love Like Laughter - Beth Orton
Thank You - Dido
Love is Stronger Than Pride - Sade (what he still always tells me -- after all these many years -- whenever I mess up.)
Here We Go Again - Angie Stone
All Good Things - The Weepies
Breathe - Lalah Hathaway

I'm up late at night and I'm in a mood. These ladies are, too. :)

You're Makin' Me High - Toni Braxton
That's The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
All I - Jill Scott
My Place - Tweet

This got me off to a good -- or at least, hopeful -- mood this morning. Each member of the band was given a video camera to shoot themselves doing what they normally do in and around Dallas, their hometown. Loved the "together we're better" message of this catchy, touching song.

It takes me almost 20 minutes to drive to work these days, and I put together this playlist to get me there in a good mood. Hope it works for you, too!

1. I'd Rather Dance With You - Kings of Convenience
2. F*cking Boyfriend - The Bird and the Bee (Warning: Explicit Lyrics. Duh.)
3. Can't Say No - The Helio Sequence
4. Running Up That Hill - Chromatics
5. Don't You Evah - Spoon

I don't know why I don't post more music on my blog site.There have been too many terrific album releases in different musical genres these past few months -- so much so that it feels like I don't have enough time to listen to them all. Which is why I've been focusing on R&B/NeoSoul lately, just until I can catch up on all the other kinds of music I love.

So Amazing - Patti Austin
Fire & Rain - Babyface
I Remember - Keyshia Cole
All I - Jill Scott
Angel - Chaka Khan
Take Everything In - Angie Stone
Gone Girl - Tony Rich

This second half of my current dance playlist brings it down a notch, cools things off a slight bit. But trust me: it will hardly put you to sleep (unless you've had too much to drink -- which I wouldn't know anything about since I've been cursed with an allergy to alcohol -- the drinking kind).

Time To Turn Around - Denis the Menace, Jerry Ropero & Francesco Diaz
Borderline - Michael Gray & Shelly Poole
By My Side - Flanders
100 Stories - Andrea Burns
Warrior - Andy Caldwell
Let's Do It Again - Brand New Heavies
Angel Love - Samantha James

I'm not the kind of girl you find whooping it up loudly or dancing on tables at clubs but you can bet there's always a crazy party going on inside my head. The kind of party you'd find in a Gay bar, actually. Here's a sample of what I've been grooving to this past year -- hope I get your toes tapping at the very least. But if you're with me, chances are you're doing way more than that.

I See You Baby - Groove Armada
Ooh La La - Goldfrapp
Beautiful Things - Andain
Don't You Love Me - Andy Caldwell
Moving Into Light - Black Fras
Watchin' - Freemasons (featuring Amanda Wilson)
Follow Me Follow Me - Black Alien & Tejo Speed

When I used to drive a long distance to get to work or school (and for a long time, both), my radio was my friend. But now my husband and I carpool and he gets to pick what we listen to because he does all the driving; unfortunately, he chooses Talk Radio (a really conservative, right-wing show at that -- which I think he does just to annoy me and thereby keep me awake). So I'm always looking for music to listen to, and when I find a new (or at least new to me) artist, I consider it a gift.

Anyway, I have a new rule when posting music on the "Soundtrack" section of my blog: I MUST listen to something at least a dozen times before I do so. I used to rave about a song or album that I got sick of way too soon, and then I have to see it up on my site for a long while. Here are the latest tunes I've posted -- and you can bet I'm still not sick of them.

1. If I Have My Way - Chrisette Michele
2. Sophia - Nerina Pallot
3. Younger Than Springtime - Amel Larrieux
4. Dreamin' Of One - Trina Broussard
5. Greatest Love - Musiq Soulchild

I don't think I ever loved children's songs. I suppose only mom would know for sure if this is true (if she can even remember, that is) but the earliest tunes I remember singing to were either those I used to listen to on the radio or from the records I used to "borrow" from my older sisters.

These were the first songs I truly loved, the ones I used to sing loudly inside my room over and over again -- so much so that I still remember the lyrics today, even if I didn't understand what the words meant then ( I was, like, 5-7 years old for crying out loud). Most came out years "before my time," I suppose, but considering I still listen to them now, I probably knew how to pick them even then.

1. The Girl's Song - The 5th Dimension
2. Make It With You - Bread
3. It's Going To Take Some Time - Carole King
4. I Can't Get You Out Of My Mind - Friends of Distinction
5. The Right Thing To Do - Carly Simon
6. I Saw The Light - Todd Rundgren
7. Tin Man - America
8. Just A Little Lovin' - Dusty Springfield
9. Long Ago and Far Away - James Taylor
10. Of All The Things - Dennis Lambert

I'm not sure how this became my Easter Day's all-male Neo Soul music playlist. Easter...eggs..(okay, we're not going there now). Many of these guys don't get a lot of airplay so give them a listen now, especially if you never have. You might even find a few new favorites. Let me know if you do.

1. I Can't Stop Loving You - Kem
2. Lifetime - Rahsaan Patterson
3. Enter My Mind - Marlon Saunders
4. Money Don't Mean A Thing - Dwele
5. Heaven Sent - Donnie
6. Down Here in Hell (With You) - Van Hunt
7. The Day Ahead - Siji
8. My Imagination - Gordon Chambers
9. Stop Playin' - Anthony David
10. The Love Experience - Raheem DeVaughn

March is Women's History Month, which inspired this 10-song playlist. I selected music from women (not girls) whose voices resonate with strength even when they are down, struggling, aching, or heartbroken. And when they are defiant and independent, definitely inspiring. But even if none of that matters to you, just listen to their stunning, resplendent voices and be amazed. I always am.

1. Tears All Over Town - A Girl Called Eddy

"I'm scattered like newspapers all over the street
I see your face in everyone I meet
I'm avoiding the corners
I'm avoiding your name
I know that I loved you but I loved you in vain"

2. Crazy - Alana Davis

"So the way that I act may not fit in
Just because I've got a mind of my own
Doesn't mean it's a sin
I don't ask you to give up
Don't expect me to give in"

3. 32 Flavors - Ani DiFranco

"And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Cause some day you're going to get hungry
And eat all of the words that you just said"

4. Sweetest Decline - Beth Orton

"What's the use in regrets
They're just thing we haven't done yet
What are regrets?
They're just lessons we haven't learned yet"

5. This Woman's Work - Kate Bush

6. Chasing Strange - Lizz Wright

7. Grace - Me'Shell Ndegéocello

"Can’t say I have ever been faithful
Except to God
Never felt I could call anywhere home
Till I fell asleep here in your arms"

8. Reason Why - Rachael Yamagata

"It's not that I don't understand you
It's not that I don't want to be with you
But you only wanted me
The way you wanted me"

9. Dreamsome - Shelby Lynne

10. I'd Love You - Sonya Kitchell

Start:	Apr 3, '07 8:00p
Location:	UCI Bren Events Center, Intersection of Mesa Rd. and West Peltason Dr., Irvine 92617

With Corinee Bailey Rae. Tickets sold out. Let me know if you're going -- Sandra and I will be there!

Start:	Apr 26, '07 10:00a
End:	Apr 29, '07
Location:	South Coast Plaza (former Crystal Court side, near Crate & Barrel)

One of the most highly anticipated garden events in the Western United States. Guests will experience competition gardens, over 75 unique vendors, seminars and children’s activities. Visit the website at: www.springgardenshow.com.

Start:	Mar 2, '07 8:00p
Location:	Aratani Japan American Theater: 244 South San Pedro St., LA CA (Little Tokyo)

A benefit performance for the women's shelter at the Center for the Pacific Asian Family. Featuring: Tamlyn Tomita, Amy Hill, Cher Calvin, Tsai Chin, Angela Oh, Sheetal Sheth, Janet Choi, Elizabeth Sung, Michelle Krusiec, and others. For tickets ($20-35) call 213-680-3700. Log on to www.cpaf.info.