2008: The Year in Jason Mraz

In case you missed some of them, here are Jason’s highlights from 2008.

January

• Jason contributes to a San Diego 2007 Fire Relief album.
• Jason writes a Superbowl Song for the Rest of Us.

February

• We find out that not only is a new album on the way, three mini albums (“a trio of exclusive EP releases”) are going to lead up to it. It’s Easter, Christmas and Talk Like a Pirate Day all at once. What, you don’t give Pirate Day gifts?

March

• Jason went to Africa and told us all about it.

April

• The Music, Magic, Makepeace tour kicks off and becomes my favorite of all Jason’s tours. Bushwalla + Jason Mraz = insane entertainment, with or without the duct tape.

May

• We are treated to extra interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and dancing in the docu-comedy on We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things.
• Jason shares his chocomole recipe with the world.

June

• Jason recommends a restaurant. The Cafe Gratitude probably appreciates it.

July

• “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” comes out. Jason Mraz is not in it, but NPH is, and it’s the best thing I saw on a screen all year. Except maybe “Skins”, but that’s like comparing joyful apples and evil watermelons. It’s on DVD now, and makes an excellent “sorry I forgot to get you a Christmas gift” gift.
• Jason replaces Jack Black in Tenacious D.
• I discover the joy that is James Morrison.

Sing it, Captain!

August

• YouTube allows us to see Jason’s first video for “Make It Mine”, which reminds me of the Beatles. You can judge for yourself.

September

• Real Magic TV gives Jason his own channel.

October

• Jason records a song for the benefit album Amazon Tribe – Songs for Survival, and posts a video on YouTube for us.
• I start my Fall Mraz tour by visiting the original Mrazturbators in Boston.
• a thousand things, Jason’s book of Polaroids, goes on sale.

November

• My Mraz tour continues, and while it’s hard to pick a favorite show, I think Seattle comes close. It was a good crowd, I had my best seats of the tour, and Jason had a really warm, happy post-election groove.

December

• Jason is nominated for not one, but three Grammys! Incredible. People everywhere still say, “Jason who? Oh, that “I’m Yours” guy. Right. I think I like him.”
• Jason ends the year with the greatest holiday video ever. Happy couple of days.

Here’s hoping for more Mrazaliciousness in 2009. Whatever that is.

Lisa

Mraz Makes VH1 Top 5 for 2008

This isn’t very new news, but I wanted to put it up before the year is over. Jason took spot number four on the VH1 Top 100 Videos of 2008 countdown with “I’m Yours”.

Maybe, someday, another song of his will get played on TV. If not, at least we can say we all tasted success with him in 2008.

New Year’s Plans and Wishes

“I’ve always held the belief that however you spend your New Year’s Celebration, it will be reflected in the year ahead, such was that year behind the wheel. Here’s another example: If you have the dream of traveling, I suggest packing your bags and having them with you when the clock strikes 12. Really show the universe that your intention is more than a thought. It is an action!”

- Jason Mraz

So where will you and your bags be this New Year’s?

Jason Mraz and the Nobel Peace Prize

No, Jason didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his travels around the world to serenade people about love and gratitude and all that. The prize went to Martti Ahtisaari, “for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.” Well done, Martti.

Jason did, however, perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway, and he didn’t play “I’m Yours”! Shocking!

Take a look at him singing “A Beautiful Mess” at the December 11th performance, accompanied by a full orchestra. It’s a great sound for him, although I still prefer a stripped-down Mraz, just him and a guitar.

Kind and courteous,
Lisa

Happy Couple of Days, From Jason Mraz

Once again, Maureen is way ahead of me with the Mraz spotting. She let me know that Jason has a new holiday message up on his site, and it’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen him do. And that’s saying something.

Put your balls into it,
Lisa

Update 12/23/08: It’s not quite as good as closed captioning, but if you want to have a sing along with friends, here are the words/lyrics to Jason’s Merry Holidays video/song.

Hi, and merry, jolly times. I’m Jason Mraz.

You know, as an international traveler, I have a really special opportunity to give unique gifts this season.

For instance, for my elderly acquaintances, I give the gift of life, by paying for their medication, cheaply, in foreign countries.

My sister’s going to love these Ritz-Carlton towels, and slippers.

Mom loves lotion and soaps.

For dad, it’s another year’s subscription to Sky Mall.

For my brother, I just got myself this new iPod. Why don’t you join me in the singing of this timeless Christmas classic?

Happy Christmas time
Happy Christ-mas time
What an awesome time of year
To celebrate Christmas cheer
Wherever you go
You may find lots of snow
Unless you’re livin’ in the southern hemisphere

Merry holidays
Merry cou-ple of days
What a wintery way to say
I’m not workin’
It’s a time for you to be you
And a time to go and see how grandma’s doin’
And maybe she’ll have some money too

And oh yeah, the presents!
The way they overflow
from the belly of the Christmas tree
And oh ho ho ho ho, here comes Santa
To say the very best things in life
You can have for free

Everybody, put your balls into it!

Merry holidays
Merry couple of days
Make it a Nat-King-Bing-Crosby-Charles-Dickensy kind of thing

So whatever you’re planning on giving this holiday season, give from the heart. But most importantly, make sure you have a merry couple of days.

Jason Mraz on Regis and Kelly

I’m a bit behind, but if you haven’t seen it yet, Jason’s performance on Regis and Kelly from December 11 is now available on their site. Click the tab for 2008 Performances and he’s just a few down on the list.

He’s playing his “brand new” hit, “I’m Yours”, but it’s an acoustic version with just him and Toca, which is a really nice change from the radio version that we’ve all heard a few dozen times too many.

Actually, when I was in Florida I mentioned to my friend that I couldn’t believe how often I was hearing the song, and she said she didn’t think she’d heard it on the radio at all. Then I got back to California, and the next morning my radio alarm went off just as “I’m Yours” came on. It was like it was tuned up and all ready to go for me.

Then I went to drop off film and the song came on as I walked into the photo place. Then I got back in my car and there it was again. Is it following us somehow? Or do we just have very good timing?

I drew a new face and I laughed,
Lisa

Enjoy Jason Mraz’ Winter Wonderland

Happy holidays, everyone. Enjoy some festive Mraz tunes as you trim the tree, wrap your gifts, bake some cookies, or sit at school or work, counting the days until vacation.

• Jason sings “Winter Wonderland”. (Note how freaking tall Craig Kilborne is next to our Prophet. Well, he’s the same size even when Jason isn’t there, but you know what I mean.)
• A more acoustic “Winter Wonderland”.
• Jason and Tristan Prettyman sing “All I Want for Christmas is Us”.

• Last year, Jason put together a group of gospel songs for the holidays for his Grandma Mraz. Watch Jason Mraz’s Christmas song here.

No matter what kind of religious beliefs you identify with, you can’t not like the powerful sound of a gospel choir, and this group is amazing. Also, nobody rocks an old man sweater like our Mraz. Mmm, mmm, Christmas cozy.

Pa rum pum pum  pum,
Lisa

Make It Mine, European Style

It’s so cool having people from all over the world to help me keep tabs on what Mraz is doing. I could never keep up with every fan site, YouTube clip, news story and blog. But you all help me to filter through everything and find the really good stuff.

Alicia wrote to let me know that the German Jason Mraz site has a new video up for “Make It Mine”. I didn’t even know there was a German Mraz site. The video is very cool, similar to the one he made in England a while ago, but with more casual European flair.

I think this might be my favorite video of his yet, just because he looks so relaxed – dancing and surfing, skateboarding, bicycling, all fit and happy. And I’m very jealous of his passport.

Have a look and see what you think. Stay tuned after that video finishes to check out the video for “Remedy”. He looks so damn young in it. Adorkable, but young. And I’m really glad the trucker hat era is over.

And if anyone finds some particularly good footage from the tour on YouTube, let me know. In particular, I want to find the intro to “If It Kills Me” where he talks about dating. I’ve seen bits and pieces, but not the whole thing, and not with sound good enough that you can really hear him.

I la la la la love this,
Lisa

Jason Mraz: Grammy Nominee?

Well here’s something I never thought would happen. ”I’m Yours” was nominated for a Grammy for both Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. I wouldn’t have known except Maureen was kind enough to leave a comment for me with the news.

It’s funny, because this morning I read an article at SFGate.com about how this year’s poor field of nominees in all categories was a sign of how terribly dull music has become, and I thought, “What a shame that Jason will never be popular enough to get any kind of award.”

Then I thought it really wasn’t that much of a shame, because do we really want him lumped in with Justin Timberlake and the Jonas Brothers?

And now I find out that he was nominated, but of course it’s for a song that’s a few years old, and isn’t nearly as good as most of what he’s done. (In my opinion. Others are free to disagree.)

Still, it’s exciting to see him get some kind of recognition. And maybe he’ll show up at the awards barefoot.

Update, 12/6/08: Turns out Jason actually got three nominations. I didn’t see the one for Best engineered album (non-classical), but Maureen is on top of things for us. Thanks!

Listen to the music of the moment, dance and sing,
Lisa

Review: Mraz at the Florida Theater, Jacksonville, December 2, 2008

Here’s the set list. More details to come tomorrow.

Please note: The role of Ian Sheridan was being played by Bruce Hughes tonight. First we lose Adam King, now this. At least Toca isn’t going anywhere, right?

1. Make it Mine
2. Remedy -> Wonderwall
3. If It Kills Me (minus the usual funny intro)
4. Who Needs Shelter
5. Life is Wonderful
6. A Beautiful Mess
7. Winter Wonderland (Yay for holiday surprises!)
8. Live High
9. Dynamo of Volition
10. I’m Yours -> Three Little Birds
Encore
11. Lucky (with Anya Marina)
12. Unfold
14. No Stopping Us -> Invisible Gum bit
15. Butterfly

Some notes:

• Eric Hinojosa looks really good in a suit. More men should wear suits.

• Jason looks really good barefoot. Maybe more men should go barefoot in suits.

• Anya Marina was ok, but she was no Lisa Hannigan. Mraz never shared a mic with LH during “Lucky”, which made it seem like a very distant duet, but it was pretty. With Mraz and Anya sharing a mic it just felt crowded, and her voice is too little girl for me. I don’t know if I’ve seen him do a duet that I loved since he toured with Tristan Prettyman, but we don’t need to dig up old history.

• I can’t believe he did “Unfold”. Talk about a flashback. The most vivid memory I have of that song is from a Boston show in 2003. (I think. I’ll have to check on that.) That was back when the shows didn’t seem as planned, when there was more improvisation. I appreciate the time traveling experience, and it was a perfect lead-in to “No Stopping Us”.

• Those older songs are making me think of other things I haven’t heard him play in ages. I should make up my own Mraz Dream Set List – then we can all compare wish lists.

• This was one of the rowdiest, craziest crowds I’ve seen at a Mraz show. Not crazy about him, but just crazy and loud in general. For example, does anyone know what was up with the wild girl in the front row of the balcony who had to be subdued by five guards and carried away? It was high drama, but I was glad it didn’t end with her jumping over the side, which she seemed close to doing.

This was my last show for 2008, and the end of my personal Friends and Family Tour. Read up on the other shows I hit this year for more set lists and saucy details. I’ll do an overall tour recap in a day or two when I’m back home.

• Review: Mraz at the Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA, April 4, 2008
• Review: Mraz at the Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, April 5, 2008
• Review: Mraz at the Boston Orpheum, October 17, 2008
• Review: Mraz at San Diego State, October 31, 2008
• Review: Mraz at the L.A. Greek Theatre, November 1, 2008
• Review: Mraz at the Berkeley Greek Theater, November 2, 2008
• Review: Mraz at the Paramount Theater, Seattle, November 9, 2008