Jason Mraz's Beautiful Mess-Live on Earth

I'm a big fan of Jason Mraz, so when I found out that he would be releasing a live CD/DVD on November 10^th, 2009, I was very excited! This date also coincides with my wedding anniversary, so it was an easy year for my husband to figure out the perfect anniversary gift.

The CD is called Beautiful Mess-Live on Earth, and was recorded in Chicago on August 13^th, 2009. I was fortunate enough to see Jason Mraz in Nashville during the Dave Matthews Band spring tour in April 2009, and loved Mraz's live show. I sang and danced the whole time, encouraged by Mraz's fun vibe and dance moves. Having the opportunity to relive the tour is always a welcome experience!

The track listing on the CD is as follows:

1. Intro

2. Sunshine Song

3. Traveler/Make It Mine

4. Anything You Want

5. Coyotes

6. Live High

7. Only Human

8. The Remedy

9. The Dynamo of Volition

10. A Beautiful Mess

11. I'm Yours

12. Lucky (feat. Colbie Caillat)

13. Copchase

14. All Night Long

15. Butterfly

16. The Boy's Gone

Recent hits include "I'm Yours" and my personal favorite, "Lucky," featuring Colbie Caillat. "I'm Yours" was easily the crowd favorite at the Nashville show I attended, and on Beautiful Mess-Live on Earth, you can hear the crowd singing along on the CD as well. I'm not ashamed to admit that not only did I sing along (again) during the first time I heard the CD, but I danced around in my computer chair as well. "Lucky" was a welcome addition as a live track, since I've not heard it live since Mraz's appearance on Saturday Night Live in early 2009. Honestly, the song sounds even better live and the musical chemistry between Mraz and Caillat is evident on the both the CD and the DVD.

If you're in the mood to dance, "The Dynamo of Volition" is the song to listen to. Mraz gives the audience directions for uncomplicated dance moves, and although the lyrics might not seem to make much sense at times, the musical accompaniment will keep you dancing even if you can't keep up with the lyrics. The song is jazzy and has a fun vibe that kept me awake during the long drive from Nashville back to West Virginia after the concert. Other songs that will keep you energized include the motivational "Traveler/Make It Mine," a cover of Lionel Richie's "All Night Long," and the instrumental, 70's-sounding "Copchase." "Butterfly" is a great song to dance to as well, but the lyrics are a bit graphic, and not for the younger crowd.

Mraz has a knack for writing songs that make you sit back, reflect, and think about what he's trying to say. "The Boy's Gone" is a sad but intimate song that ends the CD track listing ("Butterfly" ends the concert in Chicago). The song features Mraz and his guitar, which is the most simple and beautiful pairing on the CD. Thankfully, the lyrics in the song aren't too depressing, and left me wanting more.

The song that first made me fall in love with Mraz's music was "The Remedy," and was given a Bob Marley-like makeover for the tour. I like the original better, but the live version at the concert and on the CD are an easy listen and the message of the song still remains the same.

Overall, I was impressed and happy to relive my concert memories while listening to Beautiful Mess-Live on Earth, and I felt motivated and inspired by Mraz's lyrics. The DVD includes extras such as "Fall Through Glass," and videos of Mraz on tour from the summer. The DVD will make you laugh as you watch Mraz and his friends amusing themselves on tour, and you will also get an inside look from Mraz and his video director as they determine what songs work best with what visuals for music videos.

I'd recommend the CD/DVD combo for Mraz fans, and it would definitely make a great gift this holiday season.