The Friday Five: October 16, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Shai – “If I Ever Fall in Love (a cappella)” (from If I Ever Fall in Love, 1992)
1992 was absolutely dominated by New Jack Swing crooners Boyz II Men; more specifically their monster single “End of the Road” which spent the better part of the summer and fall on the top of the Billboard charts. It was only a matter of time before record labels began searching for clones to cash in on the market. Enter Shai, a group of fraternity brothers from Howard University who fell into the business after handing a demo of “If I Ever Fall in Love” to a local DJ who brought the track to radio where it was an instant hit. The group struggled to match the success of the track, only coming close with the top 10 hits “Baby I’m Yours” and “Comforter” and fading into obscurity after that despite releasing several records in the years since.
Prince – “Chelsea Rodgers” (from Planet Earth, 2007)
Here’s the problem with writing a tune that name checks your current squeeze, when she’s gone and you’ve got a new Stella on your arm she might not take kind to you rocking a tune about your former. Now this is all hearsay as Prince and Chelsea both maintain that they were purely platonic friends, but you sure haven’t seen her ‘round since Bria Valente came on the scene. Regardless this track’s disco-funk inspired groove was a stand out on the otherwise groove-less Planet Earth.
The Afghan Whigs – “Creep” (mp3) (from Honky’s Ladder, 1996)
Greg Dulli is one morose motherfucker. The Afghan Whigs front man is also a genius taking TLC’s 1994 hit about a woman displeased with her current lover and “creeping” around to get some ass into the dark and, well, creepy place that Dulli is the master of.
Bee Gees – “More Than a Woman” (mp3) (from Saturday Night Fever, 1977)
I’ll admit this tune shuffled up and I started to dance in my chair. I’m going to let the music do the talking for this tune, click that link above and enjoy!
Radiohead – “Creep (radio edit)” (from Pablo Honey, 1993)
“You’re so very special” doesn’t quite have the ring and bite of “You’re so fucking special” but despite that this is the version – as featured in the video as well – that the kids went nuts for and catapulted the band to the uncomfortable heights they’ve eschewed in the years following the success of the single.
What’s creeping up in your shuffle this week?
Kiko and the Lavender Moon
This just made everything better:
Video: Prince mini show on French TV (2009)
Let’s face it, it’s been a long time since quality video footage of Prince has been readily available to the internet masses. So it was refreshing earlier today when I came across this cool mini-concert of Prince on a French TV show called Le Grand Journal.
On the set list: “Dance 4 Me”, “No More Candy 4 U”, “1999”, and “Controversy”. The quality of the video is excellent,and Prince, his band, and his dancers appear loose and relaxed…they’ve been over in Paris for a week or two now – I think with more shows to come over there.
This may be one of those here today / gone tomorrow videos, so enjoy while you can…
Video is available here on Facebook.
Here’s a 2011 performance too..
With eyes that burn so bright they make me pure
I’ve had a nice 3 day weekend: a hike near Canyon Lake in the Superstition Wilderness, an outing to the zoo with the family, BBQ and wine with the neighbors… but as all good things come to an end, it’s time to face the work week ahead (albeit a shortened one).
Tonight, the music of Conor Oberst makes a damn fine accompaniment.
I didn’t hear about Bright Eyes until Conor released the great album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning in 2005 and grabbed my attention. So I didn’t hear this great track until this past summer while I was in Telluride. It’s from their second album, Letting Off The Happiness, released in 1998.
Bright Eyes – June On The West Coast (mp3)
Conor’s most recent project and release is Outer South, by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band. This is one of my favorites. You can see I like the more introspective tunes…which Conor’s music spilleth over with…
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – I Got The Reason (mp3)
Visit ConorOberst.com.
The Friday Five: October 9, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Editor’s Note: With barely time to listen to five tracks today I’m presenting an abbreviated shuffle. Once a few of you chime in I’ll add your content to the post… that’s right we’re crowd-sourcing this week’s five!! – Michael
Wesley Willis Fiasco – “Girls on Film” (from The Duran Duran Tribute Album, 1997)
Van Halen – “Runaround” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, 1991)
Prince – “Te Amo Corazón” (from 3121, 2006)
Beastie Boys – “Body Movin’” (from Hello Nasty, 1998)
Dog Eat Dog – “Games (feat. Ronnie James Dio)” (from Play Games, 1996)
Who’s got the next Five?
Matt from Addicted to Vinyl:
Elton John – “Can I Put You On” (from 11-17-70)
Bruce Hornsby – “Dreamland”
Caroline’s Spine – “Deep In Your Wake”
Eddie Vedder – “No Ceiling”
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Yer So Bad”Kelly Willis – “Fading Fast”
Kelly Willis is one of the country’s best country singers. If you are not familiar with her, I highly recommend you do so.
Steve Earle – “She’s a Mover”I am not a big Steve Earle fan (I always felt I should like him more than I do) but this is a great cover.
Beatles – “I Am Happy Just to Dance With You”Enough said.
Marshall Tucker Band – “Can’t You See” (Live)OK, I admit it. I love MTB, and a host of other southern rock bands from the ’70s. This is a great version of a great song.
The Yardbirds – “Certain Girl”Yes, the same song that Warren Zevon later made famous. Great song.
Keep em coming!
Buzz Cason’s Sentimental Attitude
Oh here’s a nice one. Sort of like Rodney Crowell singing an up-tempo 60’s Bob Dylan tune. The singer is Buzz Cason.
When I heard the song this morning on Sirius Outlaw Country, I pictured Buzz as a younger 20/30-something alt-country rabble rouser a la Todd Snider. Come to find out Buzz was born in 1939 and was a backup singer for Elvis in the 70’s. Whaaa? But that doesn’t do justice to his career accomplishments. Read his bio here, with name drops like U2 and the Beatles.
And enjoy this catchy, quick Nashvillian shit-kicker of a number….
Hear: Sentimental Attitude (mp3)
From his new album, Busload of Love
.
A Quick Nod to Rick James
I’d just like to know… how in the holy hell is it possible that we live in a world without Rick James?? Yeah yeah, we all know Rick was certainly no angel. I mean, no upstanding citizen would hold someone hostage as a sex slave for six days and torture her with a crack pipe. But it’s crazy nonetheless to think that he’s been gone for more than five years.
I’m still working on getting my Rick James digital collection filled out – several of his vinyl albums sit tucked away in a shelf next to where I sit now – but I have managed to get his 1981 classic, Street Songs (featuring his biggest hit, “Superfreak”), which is my favorite album, along with Cold Blooded.
A tip o’ the hat to you, Rick, wherever you may be. Any fan of the funk worth his salt owes a debt of gratitude to you… I hope the J is being passed your way.
The Time live in KC
In the year nineteen eighty-three, Prince’s Triple Threat Tour did hit the road. Vanity 6 opened the evening, with The Time as their backing band behind a curtain. Next up, before Prince took the stage, Morris Day and the boys got their 45 minutes in the spotlight, and they took every advantage, trying their hardest to upstage their boss.
I was a wee 12 year old during this tour, so I didn’t get to witness the competition firsthand. But from all accounts, it made for an amazing tour – Prince touring behind 1999, and the Time, with two solid (Prince-produced) records under their belt, there to try and show him up night after night.
Here’s The Time’s set from a recently unearthed soundboard recording from March 19th, 1983, at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
The Time
Kansas City, MO
March 19, 19831. Intro
2. Get It Up
3. 777-9311
4. Girl
5. Wild & Loose
6. Gigolos Get Lonely Too
7. Cool
8. The Walk
9. OutroName This Jazz Tune
Can I get a little help? You see, I pulled out an old mix CD today.
You know, the kind you don’t label and it gets put in a box and you move a few times and suddenly it’s a Sunday afternoon and you’re 39 years old and you hear a great jazz tune, and you knew the artist and song title long ago but you can’t for the life of you remember what the hell it’s called now??
Well, that’s the scenario. And Shazam – that awesome lil’ app that recognizes tunes for me on my iPhone – well it couldn’t recall the name either.
So I put it to you good people. Can anyone peg the artist & song title? All I can offer in return is my gratitude, and maybe a Tweet in your honor. The lonely untagged mp3 in my iTunes will thank you too.
Here it is, my Unknown Jazz Tune: Name This Jazz Tune (mp3)
The Friday Five: October 2, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
The Who – “You Better You Bet” (mp3) (from Then and Now (1964-2004), 2007)
While I accept that saying that “You Better You Bet” – originally from The Who’s 1981 album, Face Dances – is my favorite song in the legendary band’s catalog is probably some form of blasphemy, I’m going to say it anyhow. It could be due to the fact that it was an FM radio staple during my formative years. I could be its infectious sing-along quality. Whatever it is, for me, it’s the tops.
Dead Can Dance – “The Carnival Is Over” (from Into the Labyrinth, 1993)
The ethnic fusion of duo of Brendan Perry and vocalist Lisa Gerrard has appeared on the Friday Five a few times over the past (nearly) two years. This track is quite possibly the best representation of the group. Soft beds of strings with contrasting medieval counter-melodies contrast against Perry’s powerful baritone.
Paramore – “Playing God” (from brand new eyes, 2009)
ANGST! The latest from the emo-pop power group Paramore serves up more pent up teenage rage than a sale at Hot Topic and contains some signs of growth and decent songs. Though it is a little difficult to take it seriously when it includes lyrics the like of which are to be had here:
“You don’t have to believe me
But the way I, way I see it
Next time you point a finger
I might have to bend it back
Or break it, break it off
Next time you point a finger… I’ll point you to the mirror”GRR!
John Coltrane – “Cousin Mary” (from Giant Steps, 1959)
A master class in improvisation, the entirety of Coltrane’s seminal Giant Steps should be required listening for everyone.
Ambrosia – “You’re The Only Woman” (mp3) (from Anthology, 1997)
Here’s something to consider “You’re The Only Woman” is Ambrosia’s least successful single. Make no mistake, you know this song and it’s quite likely that you like it. For those of us with an unhealthy addiction to the Mellow Gold this is a worthy addition to your collection (but more than likely you have it already.)
Now that’s a fine five, what’s yours look like?
