Former Handsome Band member, Adam Levy would like YOUR help. Read his letter to you ...

What's the big idea?

'The Heart Collector' will be an all-acoustic recording—something I've never done before. I'll be singing and playing guitar, I may overdub a few other acoustic instruments, and three of the songs will have string-trio arrangements accompanying my vocal & guitar. I want the songs to shine on their own, without much window-dressing, and I want to push myself as a singer and solo performer. I want to know that I'm digging deep for the songs, and that I can give them the delivery they deserve. 'The Heart Collector' will be my proving ground.

To make sure 'The Heart Collector' sounds absolutely incredible, I've enlisted producer/engineer/arranger Mark Orton (Tin Hat, the Old Joe Clarks). Mark and I worked together a few years ago on my production 'Postcards from Gypsyland' for the Hot Club of San Francisco, and I loved every minute in the studio with him. Mark has big ears and an even bigger heart, and he knows how to capture every nuanced pling and whoar of all things stringed. We'll be recording at his home studio in Portland, OR.

The songs for 'The Heart Collector' will mostly be from a batch I wrote earlier this year. I made a pact with myself, in February, to finish a song a week. I did—for 20 weeks straight—resulting in a bumper-crop of new material. This new CD will feature the cream of that crop, plus a few holdovers from the past year or so. I am proud of this music, and I'm excited by the opportunity to present it in the best way I know how.

"Once your goal is met, where does all that money go?" I'm glad you asked. Half of the money will go toward music production costs (paying Mark for his estimable skills, as well as hiring the string ensemble, the mastering engineer, and so on; then there's there's the artwork, and the cost of manufacturing CDs; plus other expenses, such as hard-drives and lunch). The other half of the budget will support publicity and advertising, helping ensure that the music actually gets heard.

If you've ever wanted to do something direct and personal to support an artist you'd like to see thrive, here's your golden opportunity. You can help me reach my goals. Yes, you.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

~Adam

For more information on how YOU can help, please visit www.kickstarter.com/

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Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will be performing at Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 2. The full lineup is below

norahjones.info fans will no doubt also be pleased to see Amos Lee, who opened for Norah on the 'Feels Like Home' tour.

• Willie Nelson
• Neil Young
• John Mellencamp
• Dave Matthews
• Kenny Chesney
• Norah Jones
• Jason Mraz
• Jeff Tweedy
• Band of Horses
• The BoDeans
• Amos Lee
• Robert Francis

For more information, please visit the Farm Aid website

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All profits raised from this album will help fund field research and awareness raising efforts in the Congo, which has been ravaged by a war fueled by the minerals necessary in all our electronic products. The conflict in the Congo has become the deadliest since World War II and has turned the Congo into the most dangerous place in the world for women and girls.

Raise Hope For Congo: Has not only new music by Norah but it's also for a great cause!

To read more about this album and to order, please visit raisehopeforcongomusic.org/

Tracks:

1. “Lonely Soldier” – Damien Rice
2. “Not Immune” – Imaad Wasif
3. “Angel Mom” – Jesca Hoop
4. “40″ – Meshell Ndegeocello
5. “Je t’aime” – Staff Benda Bilili
6. “Leila” – Angelique Kidjo
7. “Na Miso” – Chantal Kreviazuk
8. “World of Trouble” – Norah Jones
9. “My Name is Mwamaroyi” – Sheryl Crow
10. “Don’t Let Me” – Amel Larrieux
11. “Raise Hope” – Omékongo Dibinga & Shahin Shahida
12. “Never Again” – Ozomatli & The Agahoza Shalom Youth Village
13. “Sleep Alone” – Bat For Lashes
14. “Before You Were Young” (Live at Joe’s Pub) – Travis
15. “Hora Zero” (Live at Wecheter) – Rodrigo y Gabriela
16. “Tambara” – Amadou & Mariam
17. “Nsimba & Nzuzi” – Konono No 1
18. “Priority” (A Cappella) – Mos Def

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Check out Ben's photo's on photobucket.com/ and watch his You Tube video. It looks like Stubbs BBQ was a real fun gig:

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We're pleased to present our new site theme for "The Fall". With elements from "Back to Manhattan" and "Young Blood" we think it makes for a clean, fresh appearance.

Remember, if you register and log in to the site, you may choose your theme from any of those available - from "Come Away With Me" to "Not Too Late".

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Check out these cool pictures from the Omaha, Nebraska show courtesy Marie: Sunday March 7, 2010 Omaha Nebraska

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