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  • Props: Duncan Sheik

    Most of you reading this, if you remember the name Duncan Sheik at all,it’s because you couldn’t duck into a supermarket without hearing “Barely Breathing” in 1996. It was Sheik’s only legitimate hit, but it’s incredibly unfair to relegate him to one-hit wonder status.

    Part of that can be attributed to the fact that the male singer-songwriter had fallen out of favor in the Nineties. The only dudes hitting the charts were R&B vocalists, rappers or frontmen for grunge or jangle-rock bands. Had Sheik arrived five or six years later, it’s possible that his initial success would have paved the way for a more commercially fruitful career.

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  • Ooh!! Free stuff!! Win a copy of Donavon Frankenreiter’s New CD!!

    I guess you could lump Donavon Frankenreiter in with kindred spirit Jack Johnson. After all, not only do the two men enjoy dual careers as songwriters and surfers, but the two are great friends-not only did Donavon at one time rent a room from Jack’s parents, but Donavon was also initially signed to Jack’s label…more on that in a bit.

    Donavon Frankenreiter\'s new album, \"Pass it Along\" is in stores and online now.

    I first discovered Donavon’s music via 2006’s “Move By Yourself” album. What I liked about it was that it was mellow enough to make you wanna put your feet up and relax, but it had a funky edge to it that set Donavon apart from similar-minded artists. It was like listening to a Commodores record after smoking a loooooooooot of pot (not that we here at MHW endorse that sort of activity. Ahem.).

    Anyhow, Donavon’s back with a brand new album called “Pass it Around” (I’ll leave that one alone, folks). It’s the same mellow surf-rock/jam-bandy/funky sound as his previous work, perfect to pop on the boom box or the laptop as you enjoy the last four weeks of summer chillin’ on your backyard hammock. The album features appearances from the likes of Ben Harper, G. Love and Grant Lee Phillips.

    If that turns your crank, then you’re in luck! One lucky person can win a free (free!!) copy of “Pass it Along” by answering one simple question:

    What is the name of the label, formed by Jack Johnson, that Donavon was originally signed to?

    Send your answers to musicpublisher@consumerhelpweb.com and a winner (who guesses the correct answer, obviously) will be chosen at random. This contest will end at 12 noon Eastern Standard time on Friday, August 22nd. Employees and staff of Musichelpweb and Consumerhelpweb and any of its’ affiliates are ineligible. Good luck!!

  • R.I.P. Leroi Moore: 1961-2008

    As a veteran of Dave Matthews Band concerts that now run into the double figures, I am completely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of DMB’s saxophonist Leroi Moore, apparently from complications arising from an ATV accident that occurred in June. I’m struggling to describe what Leroi’s contribution with the band was, not because it was minimal, but because each of the band’s five members contributed so much. It’s hard to imagine the band’s sound without any of the five individual members. This is definitely a blow. My condolences go out to Moore’s family and everyone in the DMB camp.

    http://www.davematthewsband.com/