“The Voice” showcased a signature Erlewine tune this week, making it an iTunes hit. In return, she spotlights Joshua Davis (who returned to Traverse City Thursday) and other Michigan artists on a Guest Playlist.
Inspirational Friends: May Erlewine’s Top 10 list is full of them.
For years, Earthwork Music artist May Erlewine and her singer-songwriter husband, Seth Bernard, have championed Michigan’s music scene through the collective’s network and by collaborating with a host of talented artists on stage and in the studio.
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May Erlewine: The Local Spins Guest Playlist
One of those Earthwork musicians, Joshua Davis, has made a splash in recent months on NBC’s “The Voice,” reaching the Top Five in the singing competition, which continues next week.
Davis received a hero’s welcome on Thursday in Traverse City when he performed a “hometown concert” at the State Theatre in a segment taped for NBC, an evening show which followed an afternoon surprise party at Workshop Brewing.
Fans, friends and fellow musicians greeted Davis with chants of “We love Josh” as he entered the brew pub with his family. And not only did Davis receive a key to the city from the mayor at one point, but the streets outside the theater were packed with people waiting to get inside.
Thursday’s concert itself – featuring an all-star, Michigan-grown band with Dominic John Davis on bass, Mike Lynch on keyboards, Geoff Lewis on drums, Jen Sygit and Laura Ann Bates on vocals and Mike Shimmin on percussion – had Davis sing some songs from “The Voice” (“In My Life,” “Fields of Gold,” “I Shall Be Released”) as well as his own material (“The Ghost of Richard Manuel,” “Everybody Goes Someday”) for an exuberant crowd of well-wishers.
‘We Love Josh’: Traverse City fans filled the streets for Davis’ return. (Photo/Ralston Bowles)
According to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, Davis said the reception on his return home was “really, really moving” and he hopes “The Voice” can be “a vehicle to show America what is going on in this town and in this state.” (Read the entire Record-Eagle story by Sarah Elms.)
It was with Davis’ encouragement that fellow contestant Sawyer Fredericks made an overnight star out of Erlewine on “The Voice” earlier this week when he selected and sang one of her signature tunes, “Shine On.” By Tuesday, his rendition of the song had soared into the Top 10 of the iTunes singles chart and Erlewine’s own version of the 2004 tune saw a boost in sales, too. (Read the back story at Local Spins.)
With Erlewine enjoying a few moments in the national spotlight, Local Spins asked the singer – whose latest Americana-hued album, “Where We Are,” earned rave reviews – to share a playlist of favorite songs. Not surprisingly, it’s a Michigan-made roster, including an inspirational tune by Davis. (Check out Davis’ Local Spins Guest Playlist, too.)
“There are a lot of Earthwork artists on here, almost completely, but it’s honestly the local stuff I listen to,” she said. “So cool to have so many of your friends inspire you.”
MAY ERLEWINE: THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST
1. “Beautiful Light,” Joe Reilly (from “Greyhound Bus Tour”) – This song makes me happy, every single time I hear it. Joe has that infectious positivity. This was one of the most rewarding recording sessions I’ve ever been a part of. Joe does everything with so much intention. This song will brighten up anyone’s day. It’s my jam.
2. “Waiting on the Dove,” Joshua Davis (from “A Miracle of Birds”) – Inspired by his journey to Palestine with the organization, On the Ground, this song captures the depth of some extremely big issues. It’s an age-old story of conflict and struggle. Verse by verse, we are carried deeper into his journey and realizations. It’s really a gorgeous piece of writing. To learn more about On the Ground and to support their work in the Congo go to onthegroundglobal.org.
3. “Je N’aurais Jamais Rêve,” Rachael Davis (from “Bandbox Jubilee”) – Hearing Rachael Davis sing will send you swooning, her voice is so incredibly beautiful. To hear her sing in French? I think that’s enough to make grown men faint. This song has special meaning to me because it was the first song Rachael sang upon meeting our daughter, Iris.
Listen to a snippet of Rachael Davis’ song at: cdbaby.com.
4. “Car Crash,” Pat Carroll (from “Glow in the Dark”) – This is one of the bravest songs I have ever heard. To write with such open honesty and passion about the struggle to stay alive, there are no words for that. You’ll hear it and you’ll feel it. Just close your eyes and listen. You will never be the same again. This album will remain with me as a lesson in what it truly means to have the courage in this life.
5. “All I Wanted to Say,” Max Lockwood (from “Outrider”) – I love the this song. There is nothing fancy about it and it’s perfect. It describes the feeling so well. Those things in life that aren’t resolved, undone, messy and left hanging. Sometimes that’s all we have … and what does it mean to live with that?
6. “How to Rest,” The Crane Wives (from “A Fool in Her Wedding Gown”) – What a powerful and quiet reminder. Love does win. It will overtake us despite our best efforts to fear it. Love can only love. What a wonderful thing to rest in. A beautiful song played by beautiful people.
7. “Bluetooth Pillow,” Seth Bernard (from “Reconciliation and the Mystical Beyonda”) – I may be bias here, but I love this song. It makes me cry, it makes me weep. Being alive in this world right now, it’s so confusing and there is so much pulling us away from what truly nurtures our being. How can we possibly make that right? I don’t know, but this song helps me to process what it feels like to be a human in 2015.
8. “Fly Away Home,” Micah Ling (from “Kingdom Come”) – This album is a new classic. I listen to it almost every day with our daughter, Iris. This song is so uplifting and beautiful. It takes me back, back to a simpler time. A time where nobody needs to check their iphone. We’re all dancing together with rosey cheeks and smiles. Excuse me, is your dance card full? This is such a timeless piece of music.
9. “Us,” The Accidentals (from “Bittersweet”) – I love this luscious song about the trials and surprises of relationship. The beautiful arrangement swells with the letting go and then the honesty that, well, maybe things just aren’t that simple. I love The Accidentals’ creative and energetic writing and this track really gets me.
10. “A Clearing In the Wild,” Red Tail Ring (from “The Heart’s Swift Foot”) – Every once in a while there is a song that comes along and it’s just what you need to hear. This one has been a gentle and loving reminder for me, over and over again. What tenderness, what a beautiful statement to real and wild love. We all need to be a little bit more tender. This song takes me there, every time.
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
You didn’t mention the Wilson Brothers, Andy and Joe, in the article’s paragraph about the homecoming concert at the State! They are such an integral part of the band!
Terrific musicians, those two.