The Flame of Mary
There have been many men that have songs titled “Fire,” most notably Bruce Springsteen who managed to paint a very accurate image of young lust in the timeless 1970s. U2 had a track called “Fire” on their 2nd effort, October, that conveyed the passion of youth as well. Yet a certain magic is released into the world if there is a female leading the artistic expression using the theme of fire. It’s a very old and sacred, feminine energy that is both captivating and comforting.
Twin Cities artist Alicia Wiley has a track called “Fire” on her latest CD titled Both Sides which brings us to that Magdelene place. I’ve been lost in its wonder for the last few weeks and have no desire to escape. When a woman sings about fire, I find myself propelled into a state of heart that can best be described as mesmerized and haunted. That alone is seriously stunning.
But the way Alicia structures the song–a quiet reflection juxtaposed with pulsing and energetic soundscapes –conjures images of that chill out kiss…on the street…outside the club…after a ridiculously mega show at First Avenue. Really it’s universal, though, because it’s the same kiss at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Or Terminal 5 in New York. Or the Riveria in Chicago.
This is, of course, the world in which the romantic narrative of my life resides…romantic in not just the simplest of definitions but in the most complex way you can imagine….so compelling that it’s warmth resonates for even the bitterest of Minnesota winters.
Check out the video for “Fire” below and buy her CD, Both Sides, on iTunes or Amazon
[vimeo 17172852 w=400 h=225]
Alicia Wiley – Fire from Rapid Water Media on Vimeo.
SNL’s “Worst of Soul Train”
Lots of funny moments. But Jim Carrey as “D’versity”?
Priceless.The Friday Five: January 7, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a 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:
“Heaven” by Bryan Adams (from Reckless, 1984)
Oh, the melodrama! Now, I’d be lying if I said that I did love this song for every bit of its Journey inspired power balladry. Hell, the entirety of Reckless provided the soundtrack to my tween years.
Here’s a fun little bit of trivia: the drum part on “Heaven” was played by Journey’s own, Steve Smith.
“Get Over It” by Amy Petty (from House of Doors, 2010)
If you follow me on the twitter, you’ll no doubt already be aware of my deep seated love for Amy Petty’s songwriting and seductive voice. This record earned a spot among my favorites of 2010.
“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes (from Billboard Top Hits: 1979, 1991)
I really don’t care for Piña Coladas, but I love this song.
“Creep” by TLC (from Now & Forever: The Hits, 2003)
While I prefer the Afghan Whigs version, I have nothing bad to say about this track.
“O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature (from The Hip Hop Box, 2004)
Seems like a great track to kick into the first Friday dance party here in the office.
What’s on your shuffle today?
Justin Townes Earle sings “Harlem River Blues” on Letterman
In my recent Best of 2010 post, I crowned “Harlem River Blues” by Justin Townes Earle as my song of the year. Last night, Justin made his network television debut on Letterman. With Jason Isbell on guitar, and Paul Shaffer providing the organ riffs, Justin blazed through this great song in his one-of-a-kind fashion. He has some kind of style doesn’t he? Dressed like a Depression-era accountant or college professor, Justin stands straight & stoic as he sings, pivoting from one direction to another. Truly a unique guy, and so different from the performing style, look and feel of his old man, Steve Earle…
If you haven’t heard the album of the same name, I recommend picking it up. Harlem River Blues
is available on Amazon for just $5.
Morgan Heritage – “Down By The River”
How about some feel good, positive vibes?
I have to give a shout out to the mother-in-law for pointing the song out a couple months ago at a restaurant. Out came my iPhone, I tapped on the Shazam app, and there was my answer: “Down by the River” by Morgan Heritage – a group of five family members who split their time between Jamaica and Brooklyn.
If the chorus doesn’t make you feel irie and have you grooving along by the end, then wake up…
Jah bless.
Check out the album Down By The River
.
Q-Tip’s “Barely In Love”
Well, shame on me for not listening to this album when it came out September. 2009. It’s teeming with life. Live instrumentation; a funky, soulful, jazzy laid back vibe (it is Q-Tip, after all, who perfected “laid back” hip-hop twenty plus years ago with A Tribe Called Quest).
This song sums up the greatness of the record. “Barely In Love” is nothing you’d ever expect from Q-Tip, or anyone else in the hip-hop scene. I go back to my main theme – no boundaries, no genres. I feel 70’s Stevie Wonder. I feel an urban street scene, late on a Saturday night with musicians gathered around in a circle, jamming out. There’s hip-hop in this album, but it can’t be called a hip-hop record. It’s just… music.
Q-Tip – Barely In Love (mp3)
[audio:barelyinlove.mp3]
Check out Kamaal The Abstract
on Amazon.
I Suppose
One of my music resolutions for the New Year is to get my ass out on the town to see What Laura Says at least a handful of times. Here’s a nice street-side performance at ASU…
