I'm sure you want some Friday the 13th post or whatever, but come on! We need to feel good today!

So... John Legend... new album comes out on the 24th... that's 11 days. 11 days until you can hear this new, awesome album. I just finished my first listen and I am feeling great because this album is great. If you liked Legend's debut, Get Lifted, you're going to feel a little different about this one. He's been taking some of the emphasis off of the modern, piano-driven, downtempo jams and really embracing the style of the soulful music of the 60's and 70's. Listening through the album I could have sworn that some old O' Jays or EWF was playing ("Slow Dance"). The only difference was Legend has added his signature keyboard nuances and really takes his music to a new level. Other songs feature no piano at all. "Show Me" simply features a hot beat and a distorted rock guitar cranking out a little jazz but still sounding like rock.

Finally, some songs just make you feel good. Here's today's song of the day from the upcoming John Legend album that is totally amazing. Whether Legend is playing some old soul, some old funk, some new age jazz, rock music, bossa nova or plain solo jazz, he excels and really keeps me listening. I can't speak for the whole community, but if you found his debut slightly inaccessible, you will love this stuff. If you really loved John Legend before, this album only shows his versatility as an artist and it is great to see an artist grow... Especially if he's growing into the stuff of legends (no pun intended).

Despite the ridiculously stupid title, this song is AWESOME! Listen to it loud.
MP3: John Legend - "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)" from Once Again (Feelin' Good!)
MP3: John Legend - "Slow Dance" from Once Again (OH! That's soul, my friends...)

Preorder Once Again: Amazon | iTunes
or order from his website and get Once Again, one of his live albums and a behind the scenes documentary!
Listen to more John Legend on his website or his myspace.

Bonus MP3: John Legend - "Show Me" from Once Again
Bonus MP3: John Legend - "Save Room" the single from Once Again
Bonus MP3: John Legend - "It Don't Have To Change" from Get Lifted
Bonus MP3: John Legend - "Sun Comes Up" from Live at S.O.B.'s in New York

Catch John Legend on tour:

October 2006
26 - Washington, DC - Hilton Hotel
27 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
28 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
30 - New York, NY - Nokia Theatre
31 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head

November 2006
4 - Boston, MA - Avalon
5 - Washington, DC - Cramton Auditorium
6 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
8 - Detroit, MI - State Theatre
9 - Chicago, IL - Riviera
10 - Minneapolis, MN - Quest
13 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
14 - Park City, UT - Harry O's
16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
18 - San Francisco, CA - To be announced
20 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
21 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
22 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
24 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy Ballroom
25 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
27 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
28 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Revolution/Hard Rock
30 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle

December 2006
1 - Charlotte, NC - Tabernacle
2 - Norfolk, VA - Norva