Michelle Branch Previews Promising New Music
Though she's bounced from pop charts to country charts, Michelle Branch is finding her place once again as a solo artist. Formerly one-half of the Wreckers, Branch performed a private, acoustic set last night (July 23) at downtown Nashville's charming Cellar One, a treasure of a place tucked between brick buildings on First Avenue. The dimly lit room featured finely decorated tables, a few pictures of Branch hanging on the walls and a delicious buffet of tacos, gourmet chips, salsa, guacamole and rich, chocolaty desserts. After the meal, Branch made her way to the tiny stage dressed in blue jeans, a black vest, white T-shirt, and a hippie headband festooned with a feather. I was reminded of a quote on her Web site: "I was this girl from Sedona wearing Led Zeppelin T-shirts, hemp necklaces and baggy pants, so that whole sex kitten thing just wasn't me." How refreshing.
Although the showcase was catered to country radio executives, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter peppered her set with earlier pop hits such as "Everywhere," "Breathe" and "All You Wanted." Played acoustically, they sounded like something you'd hear on country radio today. She also performed Willie Nelson's "Sad Songs and Waltzes," as well as the Wreckers' No.1 hit, "Leave the Pieces," which she referred to as "a complete surprise in my life." But what I enjoyed most was "Crazy Ride," which she wrote for her daughter who's about to turn 4. It wasn't sappy but sincere -- a song of advice and also warning. Branch ended the evening by graciously thanking us for accepting her as a pop and country artist and ended with "Sooner or Later," her new single from her upcoming album, Everything Comes and Goes. If last night's performance is any reflection on her future in country music, she'll be rising to the top -- sooner than later.
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TierraStudios says:
Glad that she’s making her way to the top again. I was sad to hear that The Wreckers split but I’m sure she’ll make a comeback as a solo country artist.
Redmaz says:
“Though she bounced from pop charts to country charts”? That make absolutely no sense. Pop music is not an individual genre of music. It’s an industry consisting of many genres including Country. You’re certainly not claiming she’s been on the Roots Country charts are you?
SamBushFan` says:
Red, you know as well as everyone else on these blogs what she is speaking of. Quit whining over semantics.
Twangtown7 says:
Red=Broken record
WHY??? says:
red once again two different types of pop.
(1) The genre itself which ranges from dance musics to sweet easy listening ballads
(2) The one you are referring to.
Stop trying to educate everyone. You know what she meant.
solongsowrong says:
Now I’m confused. Isn’t there any dance music or easy listening ballads in any of the Country genres?
Redmaz says:
Do any of you know what an advocate is? Of course I know what she meant, but I also know what she said. Anyway…no whining here, and I absolutely disagree that everyone on these blogs know about basic music fundamentals. If they did they wouldn’t say the things they do. It’s not my fault. That’s just the way it is.
David says:
Now that we settled that…Redz, did you give the song a listen??
countryiscool says:
And they are going to CONTINUE to say the things they do and NOT care about the semantics difference between “pop” and “pop country.” They just blog about who or what they do and don’t like, period. We already know you are an advocate for educating people about basic music fundamentals. They have to CARE first, which most don’t by the looks of it, and that IS THEIR problem, not yours.
Redmaz says:
To countryiscool, I agree with you on a few things like people blog about who and what they like and dislike. I do that too. I also agree with you on something I’ve been saying for quite some time now. Most people don’t care to learn that much about music, especially basic music fundamentals, however that doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant part of any musical discussion. Whether someone likes or dislikes a particular song or singer doesn’t really come into play yet. As far as the “broken record”…that starts with the people posting blogs here not with me. All they have to do is be more specific in their descriptions. If the blogger would’ve said “she bounced from the Pop chart to the POP Country chart”…that would make sense. OR…where she said “Played acoustically, they sounded like something you’d hear on country radio today” My question would be…on Pop Country radio or Roots Country radio? Because lets face it, I know there may be some, but there isn’t very much acoustic music being played on Pop country radio. Whether people like it or not music is changing all the time, and for someone to throw this huge blanket over all of today’s music(in this case Country Music) is in my view unacceptable. The term “Country Music” is just too vague of term these days. Anyone with a knowledge of music already knows that, and to the people who don’t…well, they’re just following around behind the little animals. Personally I feel If you want to participate on a music blog site, I’d say it’s time to catch up on today’s music scene. I don’t see that as too much to expect from anyone.
To David, yes I listened to the song “Sooner or Later”.
countryiscool says:
yes Red, and sometimes I feel bad for you because it looks as if you are ramming against a wall trying to educate people who don’t care a whit about music other than the (mostly) pop country here on these blogs. I’m not sure if they just don’t “get it,” or they don’t care, but I commend you for trying. And yes, “country music” term is vague even though we know it is vast, but again, with a few exceptions of other bloggers I’ve noted on here, most is pop-country fluff. I have to admit I like much of it myself, but I DO know there is MORE out there. I hope you do not suffer from too many headaches. lol
T J says:
Love that Michelle is doing new music - I am just now getting back into “Spirit Room”.
its about the music says:
red just stop repeating the same things over and over again. You may not notice but your posts come off narcisistic(spelling?) and redundant(i think i spelled that one right)
Adults do not need to be force fed education and the teenagers get force fed enough of it school.
As for you countryiscool, some topics such as the music industry are not essential need to know topics. Generally people enjoy the music industry for the music itself. If people like country pop(the genre)then they like it. If they like country-pop in terms of mainstream radio and choose not to broaden their experiences, leave them alone. No one is better for listening to many artists are knowing more than others.
Thanks again red for making this post about your knowledge again.
Redmaz says:
Hi “its about the music”, nice to hear from you. I believe repetition is the key. I’m certainly not force feeding anything to anyone. I am just replying to music blogs, just as everyone else here. I’m not interested in the people who do not care to broaden their musical experience or knowledge…only the people who do. The dissident of ones cultural knowledge may limit oneself to the evident and the obvious, and it seems as though you are the one making this post about my musical knowledge. I just happen to know a few things about music and basic music fundamentals. Shouldn’t everyone who visits a music blog site? You’re giving me way too much credit.
doug555 says:
Pitch, timbre, rhythm, meter, chords, scales are some of the fundamentals of music. How an individual decides to categorize the various ways of arranging these basic components is not.
Redmaz says:
Now you’re going way over their heads! Heck, they can’t even differenciate between Pop and Roots music. These are the basic music fundamentals that I’m discussing. If you really followed the blog up to this point that would be evident. By the way, you left off one of my favorites BMF. Dynamics. I love toying with them even more than I do Mainstreamers.
Kate P. says:
Ignoring all the other chatter on this blog, I want to thank Whitney for updating me on Michelle’s status and for wonderfully describing some of her newer stuff. I’ll look forward to seeing where she is going from here. I always did like her!