Friday Five

The Friday Five: October 2, 2009

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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?

9 Comments

  • Kristi

    Haha! Angst. Love angst!

    Here are my fabulous five, thanks to Mr. iTunes Genius. That’s kinda still random, right? 🙂

    1) Breathing in Fumes – Depeche Mode
    2) World in My Eyes – The Cure (DM Cover)
    3) Scoundrel Days – A-Ha
    4) All She Wants Is – Duran Duran
    5) Real Life – Simple Minds

  • Larry

    Shuffle button engaged !!!
    1) One Love Stands – Little Feat from the Last Record Album. —- Lowell George was a very fine songwriter, singer, and producer. Little tidbit of knowledge. He produced the Grateful Deads Go to Heaven.

    2) Bubble Gum Years – Gomez from Bring it On —- great live band !! Good song.

    3) I will Always Love You – Vince Gill w Dolly from Souvenirs —- Vince Gill is a fellow Oklahoman and one of the most underated country guitarist around with Merle Haggard. Two great voices !!!

    4) With God on Our Side – Bob Dylan from The Times are a Changing — just got front row balcony for Bobs current tour. I am not sure what if I will be able to live in a world without Bob when he is gone

    5) Creator by Santiogold — selftitled — This chick is great. Get this album if you dont have and at least give it 3 tries. Best to listen when your up and at it.

    have a great weekend.
    Willie and DMB tonight
    Avett Brothers tomorrow
    Citizen Cope last night
    — hope my bank account does not go dry

  • KathyB

    That is actually my favorite Ambrosia song, and I proudly own Ambrosia’s Anthology, which is currently in residence in my car. I should either be proud or extremely embarrassed.

    1. “Only One and Only” by Gillian Welch, live from somewhere. I’ve loved Ms. Welch (and Mr. Rawlings) ever since her first album in 1996.

    2. “Sing” by Garrison Starr from “Airstreams & Satellites” (2004)

    3. “One” by Aimee Mann, from the Magnolia soundtrack. Covering Three Dog Night, who were covering Harry Nilsson.

    4. “Why Come” by Dr. John from “Anutha Zone” (1998)

    5. “Rapt in You” by Lowen & Navarro. From “Walking on a Wire” (1991), except it didn’t make it onto my pressing of the CD, only on the reissue after the original had gone out of print, and I went searching high and low for just this one track. I believe the album is out of print again. Pity.

  • EightE1

    Billy Squier, “My Kinda Lover.” Had access to my father-in-law’s satellite radio down at the beach this year. Kept it on one of the classic rock channels and proceeded to hear Billy Squier at least 2-3 times a day. Could NOT figure out how they put together their rotation. Anyway, this is one of his best.

    Sly & the Family Stone, “Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey.” Stand is such an amazing record, and the remastering job they did on it and There’s a Riot Going On a couple years back wuz revelatory. Didn’t somebody cover this, like ten years ago? I seem to recall seeing a video with Perry Farrell or some such alt-dude.

    Kill Henry Sugar, “Where the Roads End.” Cool folk song. I bought this disc for “Tammany Hall,” which Vin Scelsa seemed to play every week for a while.

    Counting Crows, “A Long December.” I always think of San Francisco when I hear this — I bought the album (Recovering the Satellites) at Virgin Records, while on vaycay out there, and played the shit out of it. It’s a little whiny, but I enjoy a little whine every now and then.

    Jethro Tull, “Lick Your Fingers Clean.” Christ, I hate Jethro Tull. Why is THAT on my iPod?

  • Gonzo

    1. Run DMC – Hard Times

    Classic.

    2. The Roots – Concerto of Desparado

    Illadelph Halflife may be my favorite Roots album. Maybe.

    3. Prince – New Power Soul

    So-so title track from the so-so album of the same name. I just listened to this album recently, and it’s actually a little better than I remembered. But it suffers from Prince’s late-90s production style.

    4. Old Dirty Bastard – N***a Please

    “I’m not caught up in your law.”

    5. Ladytron – Seventeen

  • Anne

    1. “Peaches”–The Presidents of the United States.
    2. “My Hero”–Foo Fighters (from Skin and Bones, live album)
    3. “When You Say Nothing At All”–Alison Krauss
    4. “One of These Things”–Nick Drake
    5. “The Great Salt Lake”–Band of Horses

  • Slappy

    Mandala – Thievery Corporation
    Art of Revolution – Bassnectar
    Angel – Weekend Players
    Roots Bloody Roots – Sepultura
    My Sensual Mind – Anggun

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