Music Monday #1

Ok, since I am a HUGE music lover I thought it might be fun to do a Music Monday where I introduce some of my favorite musicians. Since I love all kinds of music, there's no telling what kind of music it will be week to week! For my first post, I would like to talk about one of my recent discoveries and current favorites, Paolo Nutini. Paolo is a young Scottish singer I found on youtube while listening to another artist from the UK. Just 21 years old, he was signed 3 years ago just after his 18th birthday. Since then he's played with Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Etta James, Stevie Nicks and more. His music has been featured on shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs. Here's a brief description found on his youtube channel page

Despite the Italian name, the Nutini family have lived in Paisley for at least four generations. Paolo grew up hanging out and later working in the shop but was always surrounded by music. His grandfather played him Scottish folk songs by the Corries and a local priest would often come round to play boogie-woogie on the family piano. Exposure to '50s rock'n'roll came via his father's love of the Drifters, and amongst an aunt's record collection he found a Ray Charles album, which began his love of classic soul.

When the opportunity arose to tour the UK as a roadie for a friends band, Paolo quit school in Glasgow and the die was cast. After moving to London, he performed regularly at the Bedford in Balham, later signing to Atlantic Records shortly after his 18th birthday

Despite his young age, Paolo is an old soul who sings with so much depth and emotion. I love that he writes his own music and he truly has a gift with words. Of course it doesn't hurt either that he is easy on the eyes! I want to share a couple of my favorite songs of his. The first, Autumn, is a song he wrote for his grandfather. The words are so poignant and touching and easily bring to my mind my own grandfather whom I lost nearly five years ago. I'm posting a live version of it because I love the emotion he puts into his performance.



Ok, since it's Monday and that's depressing enough as it is, I can't leave the post on such a sad note. So here is one of my favorite Paolo "happy" songs, New Shoes. It always puts me in a good mood when I hear it because hey....who doesn't get happy about new shoes? :)



If you are interested in learning more about this talented young singer, you can visit his website or download some of his songs on itunes. Also, for those of you who like covers, he's got some great ones like Rehab originally by Amy Winehouse, Crazy originally by Gnarls Barkley or Cry me a River originally by Justin Timberlake. One last thing, if you like what you hear, he's coming out with a new album next month.