You'll Be Mine - The Pierces

Catherine and Allison Pierce were born in Birmingham, Alabama 2 years apart to self-described "hippie" parents (their father was a guitar player, their mother a painter). The girls were home-schooled and grew up traveling extensively, encouraged by their parents to explore their artistic sides. Besides having beautiful musical gifts, both girls are accomplished ballerinas. Their debut album, "The Pierces", was released in 2000 but "got lost in the shuffle" due to a lack of label support. In 2007, they appeared on the television show "Gossip Girl" playing their songs "Secret" and "Three Wishes", bringing their music to the mainstream audience where they have been very well received. Their fourth studio album, "You & I", was just released on May 23, 2011 on Polydor Records.

You'll Be Mine by The Pierces from the 2011 album "You & I"



The Pierces website

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Kiss Kiss (Şımarık) - Tarkan

Several months ago, we (my band, Juana Ghani) met a wonderful Turkish photographer by the name of Muzo Gul. Such a nice man! We've had the pleasure of meeting him several times since then. He's been encouraging us to learn some Turkish music, even sending me links to some to listen to ... and dance to because, honestly, I just can't sit still when these rhythms start. It's wonderful stuff! This is one of the songs he's shared with me, and now I will share it with you. Get ready to dance!

Born Hüsamettin Tarkan Tevetoğlu in Alzey, West Germany, Tarkan's family moved to - rather, returned to - Turkey in 1986 when he was just 13 years old.
This song, Şımarık, was Tarkan's first hit. The lyrics were written by Sezen Aksu and, at the time, the music was credited to Tarkan, Aksu and Ozan Çolakoğlu. Tarkan later admitted that this was done without consent from Aksu. Because of the infectiousness of the song, it has been covered by many artists in many languages, including English covers by Stella Soleilin 2001 and Holly Valance in 2002.

Kiss Kiss (Şımarık) by Tarkan from the 1998/1999 album "Tarkan"



Tarkan website

Shake That Bone - Black Cat Zoot feat. Dr. Ring Ding

Today is a toe-tapping day and if this little ditty doesn't get your toes tapping, well, you need new toes. This 7-peice ska and swing revival band fronted by the amazing vocals of Lisa Müller comes out of Germany, as does featured artist Dr. Ring Ding (real name: Richard Alexander Jung).

Shake That Bone by Black Cat Zoot (feat. Dr. Ring Ding) from the 2008 album "Main Attraction"



Black Cat Zoot website

Black Cat Zoot on MySpace

Dr. Ring Ding website

Dr. Ring Ding on MySpace

I'll Dream of You Tonight - Ledfoot

This is nice for a gloomy, windy day. Gothic 12-string blues. Mmmmmmmm.

Ledfoot is Tim Scott McConnell. Just him, his 12-string guitar, his stomping foot, and his beautifully melodious voice. It really doesn't get much better.

I'll Dream of You Tonight by Ledfoot on the 2007 album "The Devil's Songbook"



Ledfoot website

Ledfoot on Facebook

Ledfoot on MySpace

Nellie the Elephant - The Toy Dolls

OK, yeah, so I'm feeling a little silly today. This is an old one and undeniably goofy, but I guarantee it will be marching around inside your head for hours, if not days, now.

The Toy Dolls are a punk band out of Sunderland, England, originally formed in 1979 and are, surprisingly, still at it (after a gazillion personnel changes - 14 different drummers and 12 different bassists). Nellie the Elephant, by far their most well-known song, was written in 1956 by Ralph Butler and Peter Hart.

Nellie the Elephant by The Toy Dolls (released as a single in 1982) from the 1983 album "Dig That Groove Baby"



The Toy Dolls website

Musica - Canteca de Macao

This is an amazingly fun band I found the other day, thanks to Strictly Global. Canteca de Macao is a flamenco/ska/reggae band from Madrid, Spain. My Spanish is limited at best, but from what I can make out, this band has been playing together for about 6 years now and have released 3 studio albums (1 of which is a double CD) as well as their demo "Maqueta".

Musica by Canteca de Macao from the 2009 album "Agua pa la Tierra



Canteca de Macao website

Canteca de Macao on Facebook

Canteca de Macao on MySpace

Rain On My Footsteps - Rattlin Bone

Part of the underground zombie burlesque and voodoo circus scene with a hellishly good brass section, smooth and seductive backing vocals and a lead voice that reeks of bourbon and candlelight, Rattlin Bone is an incredibly tight 14 piece band out of London, England. And I do have to say, their leader - Mr. Wily Bo Walker - is one of my favorite people. He is not only an amazing talent, but damned nice guy, too. (And yes, you can tell him I said so.)

Rain On My Footsteps by Rattlin Bone from the 2011 album "The Life and Death of Rattlin Bone"




Rattlin Bone on MySpace

Rattlin Bone on Facebook

Rattlin Bone on ReverbNation

Rattlin Bone on Twitter