December 2015 – Page 4 – Concert Katie

Book Review: Blues Hands

Katie December 11, 2015 0 Comments

You know what they say – a picture is worth a thousand words. And this book is certainly full of a lot of great photographs of hands that play the blues. Some of the hands belong to well known artists like Al Green, BB King and James Brown. Others are less well known but all the hands tell the story.

At the end of the book there are some notes on the performers and the photos that were included, but just looking at the photos really captures the essense of the blues and the life these people have led.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Through images of hands, this book conveys the strength, beauty, diversity, depth, and power of the blues, the root of all American music. It features photographs from Joseph A. Rosen’s 30-plus years of adventure in blues and music photography. Included are such noted music personalities as B.B. King, Gary Clark, Jr., Buddy Guy, Al Green, Willie King, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, The Blind Boys of Alabama, James Brown. The book holds rich treasures for lovers of music, photography, and the human form. One need not be deeply versed in the blues to appreciate the beauty, strength, and diversity of those who make it. With powerful imagery, as well as anecdotes and biographical information, Blues Hands tells a story of human experience.

Book Review

Book Review: Van Halen Rising

Katie December 11, 2015 0 Comments

Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal. This book is very heavy on the text. There are a few pictures mixed in but it is all full of information. The book was written based off of over 200 different interviews with members of the band and other pieces to the Van Halen puzzle. It is probably the most comprehensive writing that you will be able to find.

How did Van Halen save Heavy Metal? Read the book and find out… if you dare.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

A vivid and energetic history of Van Halen’s legendary early years

After years of playing gigs everywhere from suburban backyards to dive bars, Van Halen — led by frontman extraordinaire David Lee Roth and guitar virtuoso Edward Van Halen — had the songs, the swagger, and the talent to turn the rock world on its ear. The quartet’s classic 1978 debut, Van Halen, sold more than a million copies within months of release and rocketed the band to the stratosphere of rock success. On tour, Van Halen’s high-energy show wowed audiences and prompted headlining acts like Black Sabbath to concede that they’d been blown off the stage. By the year’s end, Van Halen had established themselves as superstars and reinvigorated heavy metal in the process.

Based on more than 230 original interviews — including with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and power players like Pete Angelus, Marshall Berle, Donn Landee, Ted Templeman, and Neil Zlozower — Van Halen Rising reveals the untold story of how these rock legends made the unlikely journey from Pasadena, California, to the worldwide stage.

Book Review

Book Review: His New Jam

Katie December 11, 2015 0 Comments

His New Jam is about Sydney Peters, a girl in marching band who is sick of playing just the symbols and wanting to play drums. Then there’s Hunter, who seems to be flirting by playing her a song on his sax every day – most recently “Let It Go”, so maybe he thinks she’s an ice queen for ignoring him. Sydney had a bad last relationship and isn’t sure she trusts guys anymore. But somehow Hunter ends up breaking down her guard and her giving him drum lessons and joining his band turns into more.

This was a good book. It was short, which I always appreciate, which means it got to the point (and action) rather quickly. Of course the relationship with Hunter and Syd was not without it’s drama, since both have had issues in the past that needed to be worked through.

I received a free e-copy in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Sydney Peters can’t wait to finally drop the cymbals in marching band and devote time to her true love: drums. With the semester coming to a close, she’s blocking out the cacophony during practice, especially sax serenades from Hunter Reed. But when Hunter offers her a paid gig as a drummer in his band, Sydney quickly changes her tune. The two favor different styles, but they make beautiful music together…in more ways than one.

Hunter is fascinated by Sydney’s distant allure. He might be a ladies’ man on campus, but the sarcastic cymbalist is impervious to his advances. When Hunter sees how passionate Sydney is behind the drums, he orchestrates a plan to find out if she kisses like she plays. What he doesn’t anticipate, however, is falling so hard. But will the repercussions of his past crash down on his chance at something real?

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: SK6ers 2/2/07

Katie December 10, 2015 0 Comments

Headliner: SK6ers
Opener(s): Mikel Paris
Venue: Century Lounge Providence RI
Cost: $15

Setlist:

Flower In Rain
Maria
Keep Me In Your Thoughts
Wagon Wheel
Days
Milwaukee
See You Later, See You Soon
Uninspired Gambling
Such A Way
Fat Bottomed Girls
Now I’m Not So Lost
Anth

Recap:

I think this is the show where there were two really, really loud and obnoxious drunk girls. The venue was so tiny that almost any crowd noise could be heard, and for the most part everyone was being really respectful. Except for these 2 girls. Finally Stephen mentioned something about how he was trying to sing and heard what sounded like just gnats buzzing. Everyone cheered because everyone knew exactly what he was talking about but unfortunately the girls didn’t get it! Also after the show Jen’s car was involved in a hit and run and the side mirror got knocked off while it was parked outside. If I remember correctly I was 21 but Jen wasn’t yet so I was the only one allowed to leave and come back in to the venue so I had to go out and scope out the scene and then call 911 to get a police report done up.

Product Review

Product Review: Handmade 4×6 Notebook

Katie December 9, 2015 0 Comments

Since I like to think of myself as a writer, I like to always have a notebook handy. Whether it be to jot down notes for a NaNoWriMo idea, write out a setlist at a concert, take notes for an upcoming blog review, it’s best to be prepared.

I recently received a hand made notebook that has 60 pages to try out and review. I was able to pick any cover I wanted, so I went with the Statue of Liberty because she’s cool. The notebooks are high quality, 100% brand new, stylish with a durable cover with soft Low-Eye strain paper inside. The pages are 5.8 x 4.1 inches. It can be used as a notebook, diary, sketchbook, or all of the above! Paper is unlined, soft and high quality.

I love that I can easily fit this notebook in my purse or even my pocket and it has a decent amount of pages. Not to mention, the front cover is so cute. I also like the idea of low-eye strain paper. With all the looking at my digital devices I do, it’s nice to have something that won’t totally be killing my eyes when I am using it!

Product Review

Product Review: FujiFilm Instax Photo Album

Katie December 8, 2015 0 Comments

Once again, Hellohelio has come up with a great accessory for my Instax Photos. This time we have a Vintage Book Style Photo Album which I received at a discount in order to review. The album can hold up to 60 photos, and displays 3 photos per page. In addition to the photos there is also a memo writing area so you can either choose to keep this book for yourself and document all your fun photos or put something together for weddings, engagements, graduations, guestbooks, baby photos, etc, the possibilities are endless!

The other thing that I like about this book is that in addition to using it as an album, you can also use it as a bit of a display frame. If you take the latch to close the book and hook it backwards, you are able to prop the book up and display the photos on that page. (See second photo) Since there are so many page in the book, you can spice things up and change the page daily if you’d like to make things a little bit different as a display each day!

Book is very sturdy and I can’t wait to fill it with more photos from my Instax Camera and SP-1 Instax Printer!

I received this product at a discount in exchange for this reivew.

CD Review

Music Monday: Justin Bieber Purpose

Katie December 7, 2015 0 Comments

Mark My Words
I’ll Show You
What Do You Mean?
Sorry
Love Yourself
Company
No Pressure (feat Big Sean)
No Sense (feat Travis Scott)
The Feeling (feat Halsey)
Life Is Worth Living
Where Are U Now (w/ Skrillex and Diplo)
Children
Purpose
What Do You Mean? (acoustic)

Justin Bieber’s latest album, Purpose, came out in early November. While I do not consider myself to be a Bieber fan (or sorry, a ‘Belieber’) I have seen him live several times and it is often hard to avoid him when you listen to Top 40 radio. The first 2 tracks on the CD “Mark My Words” and “I’ll Show You” I had trouble getting into after the first 30-60 seconds so I moved on. I really like the debut single from the album, “What Do You Mean”, so that one got a full listen. The second single is “Sorry” and that is also the next track on the album. This one got a full listen as well. And I am left to wonder if I liked them more than the first 2 because I am just more familiar with them, or if it is because they aren’t quite as slow as the other two. (I am not a fan of slower songs and I am also the person who needs to listen to a CD 3 or 4 times before I can really “get into it” so to speak.) Love Yourself is a pretty song but again, too slow. And I’m pretty sure he means to be saying something else other than love 😉 Company kind of put me into a trance so I didn’t end up skipping it even though it’s a bit too slow for my tastes. After Company there are 3 tracks in a row with collaborations – Big Sean, Travi$ Scott and Halsey. I couldn’t make it through No Pressure or No Sense. The Feeling was a bit better, but still couldn’t make it through in its entirety. Life is Worth Living is a pretty nice ballad, I really like Justin’s voice on this one even though in theory I shouldn’t like the slow ballad 😉 Children and Purpose are another couple that I enjoyed (probably because they were lulling me to sleep or into a trance while I was getting some paper crafting done) Been You was also pretty catchy from the opening notes. This is more of a throwback Bieber track which is probably why I like it so much. Get Used To It also has a bit of a throwback vibe too it, but I couldn’t get as into it as some of the other songs. We Are is another collab song, this time with Nas. This one is probably my fave of the collabs and it may just be because it says “Mets cap”. Trust was a pretty good track too. All In It closes out the album (ignoring the What Do You Mean? Acoustic version) All In It is a bit too slow and repetitive for my liking.

Overall this seems to be a more mature Bieber and not exactly what I’d be rocking out to in the car since it has a bit of a more R&B and Rap edge to it than the usual Pop which is what I am all about. But I did like it a lot more than I was expecting to.

Product Review

Product Review: Del Sol Color Change Nail Polish

Katie December 6, 2015 0 Comments

I don’t paint my nails all that often, but I am a sucker for fun nail polish. When I found out that Del Sol had Color-changing nail polish I just knew I had to try it out! I received 2 colors – Trippin’ Out which starts out with clear polish and pink, silver, white and green confetti and outdoors it changes to a vibrant orange. The other was Glitz & Glam which starts off as cyan glitter and transforms to plum glitter.

I quickly painted 8 fingers with Glitz & Glam and my 2 ring fingers with Trippin’ Out so that I could see the effects in the sun on both colors at once. Indoors, the nail polish is one fun color, but outside, Del Sol’s exquisite, color change nail polish turns a dramatically different hue with exposure to sunlight.

Product Features:

5-Free: No harmful toxins added
Never tested on animals
Square cap, round base
Bottom label is in three languages (English, French, Spanish)
Lifetime Color Change Guarantee

It’s been a bit cold outside and overcast, but I ended up going to Sonic for lunch one day and had one arm hanging outside my car window in the sun and the other one inside. I was able to really see the color difference this way because I could hold one hand next to the other to see the change. Unfortunately it was almost impossible to get a picture but you’ll see one blurry on included in the gallery. The Trippin’ Out color change was not as obvious (and may end up more obvious with more sun exposure) but the change from Glitz & Glam to plum was much more obvious. It was a lot of fun to look at my hand and say “Oh! It does work!”

On lucky ConcertKatie winner will receive 2 nail polishes. Enter below! If you don’t win, there is also a coupon code for 30% off exclusively for my readers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coupon Code: ColorChange6781
Discount: 30% Off
Expiration Date: 12/31/15

Product Review

Product Review: NESTL Sheets

Katie December 5, 2015 0 Comments

Recently I was told that I could get NESTL bed sheets on sale for $19.99 from the original $35 price tag on Amazon. Since my parents have recently gotten a new King bed, I asked them if they wanted to try out the sheets and they agreed. My Mom wanted a brown sheet set.

My Dad liked the sheets because they kept you warm and snug in the bed, he said it was a little bit hard to move around once you got in bed. My mom liked them but found they kept her too warm.

The sheets are made of Microfiber which means they are super soft with a silky touch and are made with the highest quality double brushed microfiber so both sides of the sheets are extra soft. Combined with the fabulous selection of colors you can make you bedroom look like a dream celebrity home!

The sheets hug your mattress. The King-Size Luxury 4 piece bed sheet set comes with 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillow cases. The sheets are deep pocket and fitted with elastic all around, not just on the corner and will fit mattresses up to 16″!

Microfiber sheet are fade, stain, shrink and wrinkle resistant. They are more durable than cotton. Hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites! They also come with a 100% Lifetime Guarantee. If for any reason you decide that these sheets are not for you, send an email for a 100% money back refund, no questions asked!

I received these sheets at a discount in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Product Review

Product Review: Candy Jewelry Kit

Katie December 5, 2015 0 Comments

Kids Candy Jewelry Kit comes with 2 items: Love Beads Candy Jewelry Making Kit and the Fish Cross Stitch Kit. These are great to use during sleep overs, parties or in the classroom! Everything is included – make candy bracelets or cross stitch.

The Kids Candy Jewelry Kit comes with everything you need – string for the necklaces and all the different candies to design whatever kind of jewelry you would like! No instructions included, bring your creativity and string the beads however you would like!

The cross stick kit also comes with everything you need, a plastic needle, yarn and the colored pattern to follow.

Wonderful Birthday, Christmas gift set or stocking stuffer.Keep children busy for hours.

I received this product for free in exchange for this honest review.