Hot Video Alert: Vanessa Carlton – Carousel (Live on the Today Show)

    In the midst of a MASSIVE PR blitz for her new album, Rabbits On The Run, singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton stopped by the fourth hour of the Today Show Tuesday for a “surprise” performance celebrating host Hota Kotb‘s birthday.  After an awkward introduction and hug, Kotb and her co-host Kathie Lee Gifford slink off and let Carlton do her thing.  Singing an especially sweet rendition of first single “Carousel,” Carlton sounds absolutely beautiful.  I don’t know what it is about this performance, but I think this is the best she’s sounded doing this song live.

    Vanessa Carlton‘s fourth album, Rabbits On The Run, was released on July 26th via Razor & Tie Records.  Produced by Steve Osborne (A-ha, KT Tunstall) the album was recorded in Peter Gabriel‘s Real World Studios in England.  Featuring collaborations with a variety of talents including Ari Ingber, guitarist from The Upwelling and Patrick Hallahan, drummer for My Morning Jacket, Rabbits On The Run is Carlton’s first album since 2007’s Heroes & Thieves and her first signed to Razor & Tie, which is home to a diverse array of artists including Dar Williams, Richard Ashcroft, Nicole Atkins, Joan Baez and many more.  The album debuted at #62 on the Billboard 200, becoming her lowest charting album to date, following Heroes & Thieves, which peaked at #44.

    Vanessa Carlton burst onto the scene back in 2002 with her infectious piano pop single “A Thousand Miles,” which went on to be her most successful single,peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Carlton’s debut album, Be Not Nobody, peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200, and is still the highest charting album of her career.  The last single to chart for Carlton was 2008’s “Hands On Me,” which peaked at #30 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart.  Her last time on the Billboard Hot 100 was back in 2004 with her single “White Houses,” which peaked at #86.  After you watch her Today Show performance, make sure you catch the music video for “CarouselHERE.  Download Rabbits On The Run on U.S. iTunes HERE.

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