Toad and Mutlu

Toad the Wet Sprocket  AND Mutlu - at the Keswick!

Life is good!

Mutlu

We are long time fans of Philadelphia's own Mutlu!

Mutlu plays everything from Sitcom theme songs (which we missed this time) to great covers - to a cover of a Turkish pop song (that has gone from in "oh no!" in my mind to eager anticipation)  - to his own beautiful and distinctive music.

Mutlu's brand of music is upbeat - hopeful - with a soft groove that will melt your heart and a voice that angels envy.

On his most recent CD, "Livin' It", Mutlu is joined by G. Love, his buddy, Amos Lee, Darryl Hall, and others.  There are songwriting collaborations with Amos Lee, Ben Arnold, Tony Reyes - and more.  My favorite cut?  Maybe "Hello Morning" - but I'd better not think about it too long or my "favorite" will turn out to be my "favoriteS".  If you're not ready (yet) to buy the whole CD, try "Hello Morning" on iTunes.  You won't be sorry.

As a "Philly Local", Mutlu is a friend of WXPN (the NPR station from the University of Pennsylvania) and an active participant of the "Musicians on Call" program, where musicians go to local hospitals and sing for children who are hospitalized. 

If you have a chance to catch Mutlu in concert, don't pass it up! 

Really!



Toad The Wet Sprocket

I mean... really!  Toad!!! Could we possibly pass up this one??  What a great night!  (And what great seats!  First row, center!)

Glenn Phillips is not a stranger to Philadelphia - and we go to see him - and his bare feet - every time he comes through town, but we've never seen him with Toad before! 

My oldest son said that he thinks it was the first concert he's ever been to where he could sing along with ALL of the songs. 

I'm sure every song brought back memories of where he was when he heard those songs for the first time. 

It was obvious that the band enjoyed the concert almost as much as the audience.  Personally, I'd like to see a new "Toad" album - and I'm sure I'm not alone.   There were about a thousand people there last night who, I'm sure, would agree with me.

Glen, Todd Nichols (guitar), Dean Dinning (bass), and Randy Guss (drums) were joined on stage by Johnny Hawthorn (slide, guitar, mandolin), who also plays with Everclear.  (Johnny is the guy in the hat sitting back there by the drums.)

The music was great!  The energy level was high.  The harmonies were spot on.  The band and the audience were completely connected.  Toad never sounded better! 

They played music from "Fear", "Dulcinea", and "Pale" - and closed the night with "Walk On The Ocean"...

"Don't even have pictures,
just memories to hold
Grows sweeter each season,
as we slowly grow old"

Hey Toad!  Come back soon!