• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 24, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa (from The Hip Hop Box, 2004)

    What ever happened to Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor?

    “Seeing Things” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)

    Any group that can successfully cop the soul and emotion—not to mention the chord progression—of Otis’ “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” and manage to do it well? Well, shit … they can do no wrong in my book. I don’t recall hearing this on the radio, despite it being a single.

    “Love Is” by Chrisette Michelle (from I Am, 2007)

    A perfectly simple declaration of love. The mainstream is still sleeping on Chrisette Michelle, which boggles my mind. She’s got jazz chops for days with the ability to rock a mainstream R&B track with the rest of them.

    “Through Glass” by Amy Petty (from House of Doors, 2010)

    One of my favorite records of last year, this song still rocks me to my core.

    “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (from Number Ones, 2003)

    Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Michael’s passing. It’s strange to think that we live in a world without Michael Jackson. A figure that had been omnipresent—for better, or for worse—in all of our lives for the better part of the last 35 years, it is still odd to realize he’s gone. Tomorrow I’ll undoubtedly pull out the entire catalog and hit the shuffle button, letting fate lead me through his incredible discography.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 15, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)

    Sounds as good today as it did 20 years ago. Damn, has it been 20 years?

    “We Can Get Together” by The Hold Steady (from Heaven Is Whenever, 2010)

    My doppelgänger’s finest tune. Somehow, The Hold Steady’s music hadn’t made it to my ears in any major fashion until last year’s Heaven Is Whenever. Now, I can’t get enough.

    “Amie” by Damien Rice (from O, 2003)

    So here’s a question, who is the bigger sad bastard: Damien Rice or Glen Hansard? I’m asking with the best intentions, because let’s face it, I love sad bastard music. “Amie” is nothing short of brilliant.

    “It May Be Late” by Harper Blynn (from Loneliest Generation, 2010)

    I discovered this band when they opened for—and subsequently, and quite seamlessly became—The Damnwells at their NYC tour stop. I was blown away by the band’s sheer presence, as they tore through an amazing set. I recall commenting to my wife that had they pulled out a Queen cover, complete with four-part harmonies, I wouldn’t have been surprised. I believe that fellow Popdose’r Matt Wardlaw is a convert as well, after seeing them last night.

    “Road” by Nick Drake (from Pink Moon, 1972)

    The O.G. sad bastard!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: January 15, 2010

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, 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.

    Editor’s Note: Due to a recent hard drive crash, my library is a bit compromised at the moment. Today’s five comes courtesy of my iPod which, not surprisingly, has some holiday music that was skipped along the way.

    The Five:

    1. “She’s Got a Way” by Billy Joel (from Greatest Hits, Volume I & Volume II, 1985)

    2. “Twice as Hard” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)

    3. “Cousin Mary (alternate take)” by John Coltrane (from Giant Steps, 1960)

    4. “Sara Smile” by Hall & Oates (from Greatest Hits: Rock ‘n Soul, Part 1, 1983)

    5. “Burning Down the House” by Dave Matthews Band (from 2008-08-09: DMB Live Trax, Volume 15: Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI, USA, 2009)

    What’s on your shuffle today?