I am not really into proscribed commercial holidays. I am a much bigger fan of spontaneity and would rather people take it upon themselves to randomly celebrate their love, appreciation, thanks, heritage etc whenever the spirit moved them regardless of whether there are a gagillion cards, candies or decorations readily available to support the effort. It would be a pretty fantastic world if people embraced the unexpected and put a little energy into paying it forward. That said, this year I am going to put that aside because I know too many people who could use a little valentines day pick me up. This week I’m going to post a few songs every day that are somehow valentines related.
As you listen to these please think about the people/person who may need a little nudge of sweetness whether it be Saturday or or three week from now.
To kick it off I’m going to some of the classics:
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
I can only hope that everyone get to indulge in a little cliche at least once in their life and dance with that special someone to this song. Say what you will but this song has the power to freeze the moment.
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is responsible for providing pop with a little touch of soul/R&B and no where else is that combination of happy in love and catchy hook better heard than on this track. And the presence of harmonica makes it that much better.
I Wanna Hold Your Hand- The Beatles
The original pop song. They kept it simple and pay tribute to that most basic of gestures, holding hands.
A quick post for my sister’s birthday. Kind of a random assortment of songs that at some point have been danced to, sung at the top of our lungs or included in mix tapes. So, to my dearest HB, Happy Birthday!
So Right, So Wrong – Linda Ronstadt
Montana Summer of 1992…castanets, dollar bill origami
Standing Outside The Fire- Garth Brooks
Top of the lungs
Dancing Queen- Abba
Full choreographic MASTERPIECE
My Girl - The Four Tops
“talent show” brilliance
You Got The Right Stuff- NKTOB
Joan’s stage ahem, porch
Oy Vey! Its been ridiculously long since I last posted but I have so many reasons/excuses why that simply trying to figure out how to recap them all has become one of the factors contributing to the delay. Ultimately they can be summed up with: Holiday Prep, holiday travel, viscous clinging illness, sad passings and major decision to quit my job to dedicate myself full time to my small business creative development/marketing company Spigot Marketing.
So not only have I been so busy I’m too tired to sleep I have also been overwhelmed with stuff I want to post that I didn’t know where to start. In the spirit of somethings better than nothing I’m going the bullet point route. Sadly I’m not going to be able to give them the coverage they deserve but I need to clear the slate so I can move on to the new year.
In no particular order….
Laura Marling- Ghosts
Beyonce- Single Ladies
Ray LaMontagne- Let It Be Me
Gold Panda – I Suppose I Should Say ‘Thanks’ Or Some Shit
Brett Dennen- Ain’t Gonna Lose You
Slow Runner – Trying To Put Your Heart Back Together
Rural Alberta Advantage – In the Summertime
Mobb Deep vs Ray Parker Jr – Ghostbusters Got It Twisted (DJ Ayres Remix)
Treasure of the Everglades- Bark Hide & Horn
Port O’brien – Dance With Our Ashes
Ben Sollee – Change Is Gonna Come
Esperanza Spalding – Precious
Wild Sweet Orange – Either/Or
Mumford & Son – Roll Away Your Stone
I’m From Barcelona- Paper Planes
Matt & Kim – Day Light or Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare (tie)
Bikini – Tonight
Yarn- Can’t Slow Down
The Little Ones -All Your Modern Boxes
The Watson Twins – How Am I To Be
Hello Saferide – Anna
Plushgun – Just Impolite
Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool
Little Joy – Brand New Start
Pierre De Reader – I’ll Be Around
Most of it is in here >>>> ZIP
I am unsure what exactly it was the incited it but early this year I developed a fascination with Irish musicians. I think it was some combination of finally watching the fantastic movie Once, becoming a member of emusic which has a great regional search capability and most notably tapping into the music blog culture. For a while there I was rabidly hunting down new and old Irish groups as they seem to provide the most consistently fabulous tunes. Regardless of the genre there is something about the lyrical playfulness and intelligent musical crafting that is shared by folks from the green isles.
Of course I have always enjoyed the musical stylings of the widely known Irish acts: Van Morrison, Belle & Sebastian, The Cheiftans, Flogging Molly etc. But my research turned up a few gems I intend to share.
*** Amendment*** Frightened Rabbit are actually Scottish (thanks to NotAgnes at It All Started With Carbon Monoxide for the heads up)
As anyone who has read this blog can gather I Ha-luv Frightened Rabbit. Their album Midnight Organ Fight is one of the strongest released this year. Charging out of the gates with the confidence of a group that has been playing together for years, as these gentlemen have. They recently followed that studio album up with LiverLung a live recording capturing some of their songs better heard with a tinge of spontaneity. I must say after experiencing them in person this fall there is a whole new side of them live so I’m providing you with two live recordings one from that EP and the other from a Daytrotter Session.
Frightened Rabbit Old Old fashioned
Be Less Rude
Before I discovered FR Bell X1 crossed my path. Rocky Took A Lover was the first song I heard of theirs and it was catchy enough to send me looking for more. A little bit like an Irish The Fray their music is poppy and not particularly complex. Their output isn’t very consistent some songs like Flame are a little too childish to garner my support however when they hit it they hit it. I saw them this fall when they opened for Stars and their live show is also a little soft but that could have been the poor sound system preventing us from really hearing them.
Bell X1 Rocky Took A Lover
I have long been a fan of Snow Patrol. Their song Chasing Cars was included on a compelation produced by Cities97 (a Minneapolis radio station) a few years ago and I adored it upon first listen. Their lyrics are sincere and romantic and their compositions carry your ear along. Not challenging it too much but keeping you on your toes. I grabbed their newest single last week, Crack The Shutters is ripe for a TV soundtrack and reveals a slight change in Snow Patrol’s sound. I look forward to really listening to the rest of the album.
Snow Patrol Chasing Cars
Crack The Shutters
Finally there is the musical empire helmed by Glen Hansard. I first heard him unknowingly when my mother introduced me to the Frames 6 or 7 years ago. The Frames were an alt rock band that was much more popular in the UK than here. Their sound was a slightly less country Old 97′s and much like Rhett Miller Glen delivered their lyrics with a truth and unrefined pitch that makes them even more endearing. I first knowingly happened upon Glen when I read about the movie Once. Instead of retelling the modern romance that the movie’s making was start here IMDB. After finally watching the movie I needed to hear more and my oh my has Mr. Hansard delivered. From the Swell Season ( the group formed by his new partnership with his co-star Marketa Irglova) to his solo covers (of both Britney Spears AND Justin Timberlake) to his duet with fellow irishman Damien Rice there is plenty of him to be had. The Swell Season are about to release their next album and I am anxiously awaiting it. Low Rising is the first song to be leaked and if every track is as good you may very well see it on 2009′s best of list.
The Frames Your Face
The Swell Season Low Rising
Damien Rice (with Glen Hansard) Lay Me Down
So there you have it. My first installment of Irish adoration. I don’t anticipate this infatuation ending any time soon and I have lots of other Irish music to share so stay tuned…
Well I have officially hosted my first holiday and I think it safe to say it was a resounding success. More than just a day of being thankful it was more of a whole weekend celebration. My bff no J/k Samantha came down from Boston for five days. We kicked it off right Wednesday night straight from the train station we went to see my friend Jeremy’s band Pink Skull play at the Barbary. I have seen them before and they are simply fan-fucking-tastic. The first time I saw them the crowd was weak and no body was dancing. Thankfully, Wednesday was a totally different story. Pink Skull plays what I would call spacey dance band eletronica. A strong percussion foundation (provided by Jeremy) is funked up by Julian Grefe’s drum contribution. Grefe is a key figure in the Philly electronic music scene he has been the co-driving force behind Making Time a ginormous Philly dance party. He clearly has a gift for the dancable beat and his partner in crime Justin Geller (who does mixing and lights) makes it even tighter. Mike Hammel and Sam Murphy round out the act and provide the spacey guitar and bass elements. They are at their dancey best when they are just jamming and despite some lame dead weights in the middle of the dance floor Sam and I, joined by a fine bunch of my Philly friends danced like crazy people.Even after Pink Skull left the stage and the DJ stepped in the dancing continued. I can’t imagine a better way to kick off Thanksween.
Thursday JT and Marley, two fine souls from my college days, rolled into town at 12 and Thanksween officially commenced. Because this is a blog aimed at the music that colors such times I am going to avoid going into too great of detail about what antics we got into. Instead I’ll stick to the tunes that were discussed, played and obsessed over. Beyonce’s Single Lady Video was the central talking point. If you haven’t seen it watch it NOW!
She is beyond furce in this video. The choreography respects the dance hall beat and she looks hamazing bringing it to life. Jenny Lewis was also looped a few times. Her latest release takes the bluesy alt country sound of Rabbit Fur Coat to a new level. Its got soul its got beautiful harmonies and is varied anough to keep your ear interested through out. Instead of writing at length I will simply refer you to Billy’s posting on our house blog Whats Rockin Watkins. Other albums that got play: Fleet Foxes Winter White Hymnal Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight YeaSayer All Hour Symbals plus a ton of random tracks.
We worked off the day of lounging and eating with a night of Soul/R&B/Funk again at the Barbary. Sam and I, as we are prone to do, got our dance on with Melinda, Keegan, Matt, Ashley & Dan as well as some other excellent booty shakers. The DJ’s were supurb playing a little of everything from Otis Redding to The Stones. I think it is beyond safe to say a good time was had by all.
Yesterday we kept it low key some good heads came over we ate, watched movies and played with aminal (I’m watching my friend’s bunny Morris and cat CrabCakes who were the mascots of the festivities). On the whole I must say this was by far the best Thanksween ever and hopefully the beginning of a fine new tradition.
Pink Skull Get Inside (My Tiny Pyramids)
Beyonce Single Ladies
Jenny Lewis Sing A Song For Them
Otis Redding Try A Little Tenderness
My friend Shannon made this video for some friends and has managed to wrench some smiles from far more bluish faces. Click the link and watch the videos (Shannon’s is the first)
Dance white boy DANCE!
Depeche Mode
I have long feared my generation would be remembered as the apathetic generation. But today as I biked past lines wrap around the block, saw “I Voted” stickers adorn the bags and chests of nearly everyone I passed and listened to reports of historically high voter turnout I have hope that we will be remembered for much greater things. Regardless of this evening’s outcome I hope you remember what it was like to have participated in this sea change and don’t loose faith in the value of your words, the power of your actions.
To complement yesterday’s list of classic political songs here are some of today’s voices not willing to let current events go unnoticed.
Nappy Roots Good Day
Green Day We Are The Waiting
Rustic Overtones Letter to The President
James William Roy Donuts & Bacon
Steve Earle Rich Mans War
John Mayer Waiting On The World To Change
The Flaming Lips Yeah Yeah Yeah
Ben Lee We’re All In This Together
Twista Hope
Novel (ft. Talib Kweli, Ben Folds & Spredd Wilson) I Am
On the eve of what promises to be a truly historical Presidential election I am choosing to look back at political musical statements that have defined other historically monumental times. Musicians have often given voice, drawn attention and channeled power to people and events lacking the soapbox or eloquence to capture the essence of their struggle. Thanks to a life long awareness of political/social music, from gospel to Woodstock, provided by my mother it was tricky to choose which tracks to include in this post. Dylan was essential, of course, but I didn’t want to travel the predictable road and I think the final playlist manages to cover some quality music history plot points.
It takes an exceptional degree of awareness, empathy and talent (not to mention serendipity) to create music that can inspire millions to act, or at least pause and reconsider their reality. And I will always respect, share and appreciate this music. I ask you to listen, think and ACT. You may not have what it takes to write the next great social anthem but you do have the power, the RIGHT to vote. Go out tomorrow and be part of history. Play your part and your song will be sung in the returns declaring Obama and hope the victors.
Jackson Browne I Am A Patriot
Allen Toussaint Yes We Can Can
Bob Dylan The Times They Are A Changing
Sly & The Family Stone Stand!
Robin Williams & Bobby McFerrin Come Together
Blind Boys of Alabama Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen
John Mellencamp This Land Is Your Land
Matt Nathanson The Wind
Ben Jelen Talkin Bout A Revolution
Anthony David Whats Goin On
An interesting list
I managed to catch the tail end of the Obama-mercial last night and I have to say it got me thinking. I have been hesitant to throw myself into this election because I was so involved in politics in college and so crushed when Bush won (plus I have a million and one things going on in life) so I have let what little my little donations be my voice. Perhaps the sense of urgency that compelled me to act in college was placated by the overwhelming number of people of all walks of life, social status, profession, education and culture who have volunteered, registered, demonstrated and ACTED to make the change they want to see. Witnessing and participating in this wave of revolution has energized me and fanned the wee flame of hope that had dimmed to pilot light status during the last seven wretched years.
While that flame is currently burning bright there is still a tinge of worry about Tuesday and I couldn’t really put my finger on the exact reason until last night when I heard Obama speak. He is an incredible person and there exists true potential in the vision and hope he has for the future of this country however he was absolutely right in turning the focus back to the people, US.
Voting is just the first step in creating change. Even when Obama is elected you must not forget that change is constant and to keep this revolution moving your actions, efforts and voice will still matter more than ever AFTER you drop your ballot in the box. Barack Obama the man represents a new horizon however the journey to that end is one we each must take responsibility for. So, before I get too preachy here I will leave you with the words of the man I am one hundred percent certain would have been the VP nominee had he not passed far before his time:
Will.i.am Yes We Can
Ben Sollee A Change Is Gonna Come