Michelle's, Seven Songs for Seven Days....

Dawna and I have been Best Friends since we were about six, growing up in Marin County.  We practically lived together on her at her Mom's Houseboat in Sausalito Ca.  Ever since those days, she's bugged me to be the DJ.  Even though we were pulling 8 track cassettes out of Hello Kitty purses, back in then, some things never change.  Now I live in Seattle with husband and three girls...She has asked me to be a Guest Blogger on her adorable new site and I couldn't resist.  I'll be posting a different, themed music mix every week and I hope you all enjoy the them as much as I do.

The first of the Seven Songs for Seven Days Series is titled:

SUNNY DAZE:

 A day at the beach, cooking with your kids or reading a favorite mag. These tunes will warm your heart.

Ben Taylor-Nothing I Can Do-If you're not familiar, Ben Taylor is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon.  This guy is super talented (I wonder where he gets that from?), .  His music seems like a direct extension of what his Father has sang for years and what I grew up on.  Ben Taylor does have a little huskier voice and you will feel the Jazz and R&B influence in his tone.  It's almost as if he picked up where James left it, except with a modern edge that I love.  Hope you do as well....
The Derek Trucks Band-Back Where I Started-Derek Trucks is the Grammy Award Nominated American Guitarists, who first attracted attention as a 12 year old prodigy.  At that ripe age, he sat in with the likes of Buddy Guy and The Allman Brothers.  At 15, he founded The Derek Trucks Band with his own brand of Rootsy Blues and Slide Guitar.  In 1999, he met and married Blues Singer, Susan Tedeschi.  Trucks and Tedeschi have merged their respective bands on occasion, billed as the "Soul Stew Revival".  Back Where I Started, reminds of a Bonnie Rait kind of tune that really moves the soul....
G-Love-Sunshine-Check out this Dylan-esque guitar/harmonica guy.  G-Love (Garrett Dutton III), is the Philadelphia born son of a wealthy banking lawyer who credits not only Dylan, but Ron-DMC and The Beastie Boys, as his inspiration.  He has toured with Jack Johnson for several years and the two feature each other songs on one and others albums.  Ramble On with the tune Sunshine and "Every Lil' Thing Gonna Be Ahwright".
Ryan Adams-Answering Bells-This American Alt-Country Singer-Songwriter, is the husband of Singer, Mandy Moore.  Abandoned as a small child he began taking his Bluesy Brand of music to the streets of North Carolina, where he developed and pretty big audience in a very short time.  His influences include Willie Neslon, Toots & the Maytalls, The Wallflowers and Counting Crows.  Answering Bells sounds like it could be off of an old album from The Band to me.  Enjoy...
Jack Johnson-Girl I Wanna Lay You Down-Nothing much needs to said about Jack Johnson that we don't already know, except that I really love this particular tune.
The Beautiful Girls-La Mar (The Ocean)-This Aussie band plays a great variety Roots Music and has been compared to Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and even The Police.  I thought this track, La Mar (The Ocean) was entirely relevant to this mellow mix....

Donavan Frankenreiter-Our Love-To complete this mix, it would only make sense to add another Jack Johnson Buddy.  Donavan grew up in San Clemente, surfing at Trestle and rockin' out at keg parties.  At 18 he made the trek to the North Shore of Oahu and rented a room from Jack Johnson's parents.  Since then, the two of them have been playing and touring together.  Our Love is a keeper and sure to be a favorite on your ipod, all summer long...