Using Both Hands
31 Days of Brannan – Day 27
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Today’s Playlist – Both Hands (Ani DiFranco Cover)
This is a song that Jay has recorded (quite brilliantly, I might add) on his 80 Days of Jay album. This is a rather simple cover but it is beautifully rendered as he is performing it in a stairwell that has some lovely acoustics going on.
I searched out Ani’s original and while it was good I always find Jay’s work a bit more introspective, and reflective – well that and his crystal clear voice that works so well with the acoustics of the nondescript setting.
On balance, the recorded version of it is quite a lovely piece of overdubbed multi-tracking studio work. If you haven’t purchased that album you really should consider it. I only wished he had recorded some of the other songs he’s translated or uploaded to his youtube channel. He seems to do foreign songs quite well and I would like to see more of these types of recordings because we Americans seem to be obsessed with our own shit and miss a huge collection of international songwriters and songs that are out there. Sure we can search them out as well, but I find it a lovely little surprise when Jay finds one and decides to put his own spin on it.
Anyway – didn’t mean to ramble so much. Enjoy this acoustic version of Ani DIFranco’s Both Hands and seek out the recorded version which is a little slice of brilliant.
The Always, Then & Now Tour…
Please check out his site with links for his upcoming shows. I am definitely a late comer to the Brannan bandwagon whenever he pulls through my city. But now that I am going this year, I am making it a goal never to miss when he swings through town. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity as well. Also be sure to check out his web store at the following link.
- Jay’s Website – jaybrannan.com
80 Days of Jay
31 Days of Brannan – Day 26
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Today’s Playlist – Twee Vaders – in Dutch, no less…
I like that Jay takes the time to find a way to connect with his international audiences. He may flub things up a little but they are so much more appreciative when he makes these efforts. This is a true artist that will work on his craft to engage his audience. Having sung in many languages myself I am really impressed with how fearless he treads these linguistic waters. Part of his brilliance as a self-promoter and marketer, I suppose. Give them what they want, and a little of something they didn’t see coming.
Lovely stuff there Mr. B.
Enjoy this one. It made me smile – and that’s saying something considering I was doing battle with the cable company this morning so I could get my internet back! Thanks for restoring my smile Jay!
The Always, Then & Now Tour…
Please check out his site with links for his upcoming shows. I am definitely a late comer to the Brannan bandwagon whenever he pulls through my city. But now that I am going this year, I am making it a goal never to miss when he swings through town. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity as well. Also be sure to check out his web store at the following link.
- Jay’s Website – jaybrannan.com
Introducing (well better late than never) Celine Jayon!
31 Days of Brannan – Day 25
Author’s Note: I lost my internet as I was writing this one up last night and didn’t get it back until the middle of the following day (like, today) when the damned cable guy showed up to fix it! Don’tcha just LOVE speedy customer service? (If you can’t smell the cynicism in that statement then you either aren’t paying attention OR you haven’t experienced the absolute blunder that is cable internet service).
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Today’s Playlist – CELINE JAYON! Singing an encore of “Pour Que Tu M’aimes”
So I am not going to go on with this post since I think it speaks well enough for itself. This is Jay riffing off of someone else’s work but in a way that is totally him, totally snarky, with a slightly reverential nod to the original, and wonderfully entertaining. This is a side of Jay that I love most. When he goes somewhere unexpected and takes us along for the ride.
So without further adieu, we have Celine Jayon gifting us with his/her take on a Celine classic (I particularly love the vocal embellishments that Jay emotes through out the performance). He’s bloody fucking brilliant when he pulls that funny bone out his ass and tickles the fuck out of us with it. Okay, maybe that wasn’t the metaphor I was really looking for (sorry Jay).
Enjoy!
The Always, Then & Now Tour…
Please check out his site with links for his upcoming shows. I am definitely a late comer to the Brannan bandwagon whenever he pulls through my city. But now that I am going this year, I am making it a goal never to miss when he swings through town. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity as well. Also be sure to check out his web store at the following link.
- Jay’s Website – jaybrannan.com
We can all use a little expert advice…
31 Days of Brannan – Day 24
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Today’s Playlist – Relax your neck (and breathe through your nose)
I’ve always wanted to play this video. I am a big Margaret Cho fan. So the idea of Brannan and Cho whooping it up together – no matter what they did, I just knew I’d be entertained, was beyond anything I could’ve hoped for.
Seriously, it’d be the same thing if it was him and Sandra Bernhard – Now there’s a conversation I’d like to be a fly on the wall for…
Anywho… so Cho and Brannan. Or how about Cho and Jay? Yeah, they could be Jay-Cho (sorta riffing on J-Lo) – no? Just me? Okay.
But doesn’t that just sound like the ultimate gay chat show moniker?
Groan every early morning with Jay-Cho!
But just think of the solid life advice that would just pour forth from these two? It’d be a cult I’d be happy to join, I can tell you what.
Anyway – some sound solid cock sucking advice here and who doesn’t need that in life? I mean, we’ve all done it…
This is advice you can actually do something with. Nothing like those vapid infomercials on TV. This shit would actually help a brother get ahead in life. Oh, brother, do I need to stop here.
N-Joy!
The Always, Then & Now Tour…
Please check out his site with links for his upcoming shows. I am definitely a late comer to the Brannan bandwagon whenever he pulls through my city. But now that I am going this year, I am making it a goal never to miss when he swings through town. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity as well. Also be sure to check out his web store at the following link.
- Jay’s Website – jaybrannan.com
Journey to the Dead Sea
31 Days of Brannan – Day 23
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Today’s Playlist – The Eldan Song
So after the dark and wanderlust thoughts I had in my last posting with Jay’s (and my) past, separate as they may be, I wanted something a bit lighter on balance. So here is more of Jay’s wanderlust moments in his travels as he tours the globe.
Rather than babble on about it, I thought I’d simply present it for what it is. Jay getting lost in Israel and then gifting us with a cute little number at the end. I swear this guy is a song writing genius.
Enjoy!
I SOOOO want the picture of him in the Dead Sea on a T-Shirt. I think it’s fucking brilliant!
The Always, Then & Now Tour…
Please check out his site with links for his upcoming shows. I am definitely a late comer to the Brannan bandwagon whenever he pulls through my city. But now that I am going this year, I am making it a goal never to miss when he swings through town. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity as well. Also be sure to check out his web store at the following link.
- Jay’s Website – jaybrannan.com