The Friday Five: October 30, 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:
Hanson – “MMMBop” (mp3) (from Middle of Nowhere, 1997)
From The Osmonds to Taylor Swift every generation has its own batch of teeny-bopper talent. The ‘90s spawned the trio of Hanson brothers and their über-catchy blend of sunny post-grunge, alternative-pop and Motown informed harmonies and what could possibly be the most ubiquitous hit of the ‘90s. No small feat for a group of adolescents from Oklahoma. And for the record, yes this album is in my library.
The Beatles – “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” (from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967)
While I’ve just recently come up for air from my prolonged dive into the Beatles remastered collection I still cannot hear these songs enough. If you’ve not picked up any of the collection yet I cannot suggest strongly enough that you put the entire collection on your Mellowmas list.
2Pac – “California Love (long radio edit)” (from How Do U Want It, 1996)
California knows how to party… Proof!
Everything But the Girl – “Time After Time” (mp3) (from Acoustic, 1992)
I’m certain that I’ve said before that covers of a classic song can sometimes exceed the original performance. More often than not, the cover is merely a dutiful facsimile. Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” has been recorded by no less than 45 artists in the 25 years since its original release and of the versions that I’ve heard not one comes close to the original but this rendition by the British duo holds its own.
Prince & The Revolution – “Raspberry Beret” (from Around the World in a Day, 1985)
After the success of Purple Rain Prince surprised everyone by releasing the neo-psychedelia opus Around the World in a Day with little fanfare. The music was closer to the less radio-friendly fare of 1999 and showcased the increasing input of the members of the Revolution. “Raspberry Beret” itself was more straightforward pop than anything else and to this day gets play when Prince tours.
Hit that shuffle button and drop yours in the comments!
8 Comments
Mindy
That is one diverse group of songs there sir 🙂
Jackie
Good to see someone else appreciates Hanson.
EightE1
Ray, Goodman, and Brown, “Special Lady.” Great R&B. These guys used to be called The Moments; they’re the ones who did the original “Love on a Two-Way Street” and a load of other terrific singles. Love the vocal harmonies. I’m a sucker for harmony singing.
ELO, “Ticket to the Moon.” From the Time album in ’81 — a sci-fi concept record I loved as a kid and still enjoy today. “I’ve got a ticket to the moon / But I’d rather see the sunrise in your eyes.”
Alias, “More than Words Can Say.” I write a column for Popdose.com called “Death by Power Ballad,” and this is a terrific example of the power ballad arts. The version that came up in the shuffle is an acoustic version vocalist Freddy Curci cut for a VH1 compilation. He sounds just as great on this one as he did on the version that got airplay in ’91.
Linda Ronstadt, “When Will I Be Loved.” A decent slice of California radio pop from the heyday of the Laurel Canyon era.
Gin Blossoms, “Until I Fall Away.” I love the chorus and the second verse, particularly when he sings, “My fear — pretend / That I’ll never be in love again / It’s real to me / But not like these fools and not like this scene.” Definitely conjures some memories of that summer after I graduated college. That was a long freakin’ summer …
Pete
Good call on “Special Lady”, Rob… Had to go straight to it for a listen.
Michael
I’ve got a real soft spot in my heart for “When Will I Be Loved.”
Pete
My 5……
1. The Black Crowes -“Young Man, Old Man” – from Lions – shit’s got soul!
2. Fela Kuti – “Shakara (Oloje)” – from Shakara – 13 minutes of signature Fela afrobeat. I can never get enough.
3. Robert Randolph & the Family Band – “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” – from Colorblind. Meh.
4. Prince – “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” – from 1999. Opposite of “meh”. Back when Prince would explore his horniness without limits.
5. Beausoleil – “Gitane Cajun II” – from Gitane Cajun – Michael Doucet and Beausoleil… when i need my Louisiana cajun fix, I turn to them.
Anne
@Pete–Love that Robert Randolph song.
Saturday, but still my 5:
1. “Una Notte A Napoli” Pink Martini from “Hang On Little Tomato”. I think I like the album cover actually more than the album. Although, the album is good.
2. “Gideon” My Morning Jacket from “Z.”
3. “Bubble Toes” Jack Johnson from “Brushfire Fairytales.”
4. “Enjoy the Silence” Depeche Mode from “Violator.”
5. “Seven Nation Army” The White Stripes from “Elephant.”
Erika
1. Emit Remmus – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication
2. The Rock – The Who – Quadrophenia
3. My Sweet Lord – George Harrison – All Things Must Pass
4. Streetcorner Symphony – Rob Thomas – Something to Be
5. Deeper – Hanson – Underneath
looks like we both got hanson! while mmmbop is amazing, you should look into their newer stuff. they’re indie now, and every album they release is better than the last