Two new E.P.s from Bleu

Just found out that Bleu has two new E.P.s out. The first is "The Blizzard of '05". Bleu says "Most of it was recorded in the two weeks surrounding that legendary storm, and it was done almost entirely live in the studio." The second is "Happy Birthday" which he describes as "a collection of songs i've written for people's birthday's over the years (many years)....they were all written, recorded and mixed in 24 hours (or less)." Unfortunately, they are only available via iTunes at this time. That counts me out. I've written to Bleu's manager to see if there's another way to get a hold of these E.P.s. I'll let you know how that turns out as I'm sure there are other serious music collectors like me who can't stand bloatware on a Windows box.

New Release: L.E.O. - Alpacas Orgling

I'm 10 days late on the release, but it's finally here: "Alpacas Orgling" from L.E.O. I don't have it yet, so read this cool review here: http://www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/harris/leo-alpacas_orgling.htm.

Here a two excerpts in case you're not sure you want to click the link:

The phrase “pop collective” has been used to describe L.E.O., and it’s as good a description as any. The project came about courtesy of Bleu, the singer/songwriter probably best known to mainstream audiences for “Somebody Else,” the song of his that ended up on the soundtrack to the first “Spider-Man” movie. Serving as the album’s executive producer, Bleu pulled together a decidedly diverse crowd of performers, including Paula Kelley, Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Mike Viola (the Candy Butchers), John Fields (the Rembrandts), Tony Goddess (Papas Fritas), Matt Mahaffey (sELF), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Gorman (the Black Crowes), and…wait for it…Hanson.

Sturmer even takes lead vocals during a brief portion of “Goodbye Innocence”…though it only lasts long enough for you to say, “Hey, you son of a bitch, it’s been thirteen years since Spilt Milk and, clearly, you still sound awesome, so where’s that fucking solo album already?” (Actually, you might not say that. But that’s totally what *I* said.)

Bleu update

So I saw that Chili's commercial for building your own burger and heard this great song in the background. I couldn't place it right away and I was right in front of my computer, so I IM'd Joe and he did a quick Google (why didn't I think of that; duh) and found out it was "Get Up" by Bleu. If you haven't heard Bleu, you need to do that right away. I apologize for sending you to myspace, but it's probably the quickest way to get you to hear some of his tunes. Anyway, he's playing in Hollywood at The Hotel Cafe on Thurs. Aug. 17. Let me know if you want to go. Also, he's been working on another project called L.E.O. I heard some tunes (again... myspace (different account)) and it's really good. Here's the description from myspace:

L.E.O. is a power-pop-collective..a recording project that began as a tribute to the idiosyncratic genius of Jeff Lynne and the Electric Light Orchestra. It has become a Traveling Wilburys-esque creative outlet for a gang of like-minded musician/producers...it was originally conceived by Bleu and includes the diverse talents of Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Mike Viola (The Candy Butchers), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes), Matt Mahaffey (Self), John Fields (big-time pop-producer), Tony Goddess (pApAs fritAs), Hanson, Eric Barao (The Cautions), Scott Simons (The Argument), and Paula Kelley, among others..

Quite a few names in there I dig! Check it out. Now.