UK Artist Rumer: "Access to music should be every child’s basic right"

Greetings and Happy New Year 2015 to one and all! We've got big plans this year for LoveSongs.com and our "Keep Music Alive" Mission including publishing our book "88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life" and the 1st Annual Teach Music America week coming this spring. We are still looking for inspirational music stories and quotes for the book, so if you've got something you'd like to share please visit www.lovesongs.com/keepmusicalive and let us know.

While researching for our mission, we recently came across an article about music education in the UK, and the title of the article really got our attention. It simply states: "Access to music should be every child’s basic right" and the quote came from UK singer-songwriter Rumer. Up to this point I had not been aware of her music, so I did some digging and really liked what I found. Her voice is eerily similar to Karen Carpenter ("We've Only Just Begun", "Close to You"), not a complete match fortunately, but with many of the same warm and beautiful qualities.

Rumer was speaking at the Westminster Education Forum which was an event held in the UK to discuss the future of music education. While there was much debate on the progress of improving music education and how best to continue, it was Rumer's comments that held the audience most captive. We at Keep Music Alive could not agree more. Every child no matter where they live or where they go to school should have the opportunity to be exposed to both music and music education. They should have the chance to learn how to play an instrument at an early age. Doing so would help open up their creativity in so many ways that would benefit both them and society later in life. We need to find a way to somehow make music and arts education an integral part of every childs education experience. When we finally do that, I believe we will be amazed at what the results for our world can be.

Here is the article from The Guardian that first introduced us to Rumer The Guardian - Access to Music Education is every Childs Basic Right. We also discovered another article where Rumer talks about her latest album and her adventure from the UK to California and what the change in scenery (and climate) have helped do for her and her music. Huffington Post - Rumer, California and Into Colour

Finally we'll leave you with an Album trailer for Rumer's new CD entitled "Into Coulour". I have to say I had not heard of an album trailer before (movie trailers yes), but it certainly sounds like a really good idea. Please take a look and listen to the latest musical works from Rumer including her song "Dangerous"' which has landed her once again on the UK Music Charts.

I hope your New Year has gotten off to great start...we'll be back soon with another post and more details about whats happening in 2015!

Music, Love & Happiness

Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com

Happy Mothers Day and NOW US - 50th Edition

First we'd like to send out a BIG Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there! We are all indebted to you for everything you have done for us in the past, present and future. Canada Huffington Post has a great article listing some of the most touching songs about Mom which includes tracks by Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Boyz II Men and more. Check out the full list right here - 20 of the most adorable Songs about Mom

One of the standout songs is "Mama Liked the Roses" by Elvis Presley who lost his mother to a heart attack in 1958 when he was 23. His tearful funeral quote was "Goodbye, darling. I love you so much. I lived my whole life just for you." A decade later, Elvis recorded this beautiful tribute that shows just how much a mother's love endures.

"Now That's What I Call Music - 50th US Edition

Since 1998, the "Now That's What I Call Music" has steadily put out hit CD after hit CD. The "NOW" series originally started in the UK in 1983 and has now expanded to over 25 countries. Altogether the US series of 50 CDs has included 984 songs, 583 artists and together with all NOW series in the world have sold over 250 million CDs (WOW NOW!). The US 50th NOW CD track listing includes some of the best songs on the radio right now including "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, "All of Me" by John Legend, "Pompeii" by Bastille and more.

Unfortunately not all the NOW tracks are hit material - As I continued scrolling through the track list and listening to unfamiliar songs there were many of what I would call B-sides included. I'm sure this has to do more with licensing restrictions then the inability to pick out the hit songs :) Still you may listen to the whole CD and find a new gem of a song that really appeals to you.

Here's a Youtube tribute to the NOW US - 50th edition:

NOTE: When searching out the NOW 50th edition be aware that the UK 50th edition came out in 2001 (confusing right :)) and the UK version includes some very cool hits from say 13 years ago. Here's the YouTube clip for NOW UK 50th which features Westlife, Destiny's Child and Kylie Minoque among others (flassssh back whiplash :))

That's all for today kiddies - Once again a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the Moms out there - hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day Weekend!

Peace, Love & Laughter,

Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com