The Friday Five: June 3, 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:
“Stay” by David Bowie (from Station to Station, 1991)
We’re kicking off the festivities with a aggressively funky cut from the Thin White Duke. I especially dig the go-go congas panned hard left.
“Fireflies” by The Hush Now (from Constellations, 2009)
File these guy under “the best bands you’ve never heard.” Heck, I’m not even sure how I originally tripped over their 2008 self-titled effort, but it was one of the records that I ended up coming back to more than a few times. The second record was a bit uneven in spots, but still solid overall.
“Manipulation” by Chicago (from Chicago XIV, 1980)
In the year 1980 BDF—that’s Before David Foster, for the uninitated—Chicago released the record that got them dropped from Columbia records. Yes, boys and girls, it’s that bad.
“Speak Low” by Billie Holiday (from Verve Jazz Masters 12, 1994)
Oh, how I love Billie.
“Breakout” by Foo Fighters (from Greatest Hits, 2009)
Hail! Hail! Rock n’ Roll!
What’s on your shuffle today?
10 Comments
Chris Holmes
1. The Beatles, “I’m Looking Through You” – Don’t tell me Macca can’t write great songs with bite.
2. Metallica, “Helpless” – I dug up Diamond Head’s first album to see what about them influenced so many bands. It was cool I guess, but seems tame to my ears.
3. Hallelujah the Hills, “Wave Backwards to Massachusetts” – Saw these guys open for Field Music awhile back. They were good enough that I downloaded one of their albums.
4. Stevie Wonder, “Pastime Paradise” – You cannot go wrong with anything off of Songs in the Key of Life. That is a truth fact.
5. Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” – Listening to vintage Aretha puts all these shrill modern-day pretenders to shame.
Mike Duquette
Silly me forgetting the iPod en route to work…here’s five from Pandora (I think I was on the Squeeze station):
1. Squeeze, “Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)”: one of their best singles, no doubts there, but this was the version from last year’s “Spot the Difference” album, which is all re-recordings. No band should have to go this route, least of all one as good as this one.
2. Cutting Crew, “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”: not sure if the parentheses are correct. If you, like me, were not around when this song was a hit, you apparently think this is a-ha. That’s based on my own encounters; I’ve never heard it that way.
3. Pat Benatar, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”: what a track. Ain’t it weird we never heard much more from her as time went on?
4. The Killers, “Mr. Brightside”: I vividly remember loving this record in college and then debating the merits of Sam’s Town with friends. The lyrical switcheroo in the prechorus is still snicker-worthy.
5. Squeeze, “Revue”: from the underrated Cool for Cats. Yes, virtually every Squeeze LP is underrated. Won’t stop me from saying so.
Anonymous
The “First Day in My New Apartment” edition of the Friday Five:
“Rock With You” by Michael Jackson from Off the Wall (1979). This is appropriate, since all I’ve listened to the past week is MJ.
“Alamo (Live)” by Tori Amos from Columbus, OH (2003). This is probably my favorite Tori song. She rarely plays it live, but that never stopped me from requesting it at every show. Finally, I got my request fulfilled at this show. And to make it even better, she performed the song — which is usually done with just her and the piano — with her backing band. It was one of my all time favorite concert moments.
“Breakin’…There’s No Stoppin’ Us” by Ollie & Jerry from Breakin’ Soundtrack (1984). As ridiculous as the movie may be, its soundtrack kicks major ass.
“To By Young, Gifted and Black” by Donny Hathaway from Everything is Everything (1970). I need to listen to more Donny Hathaway. I also really love Nina Simone’s version of this song.
“Up and Down” by The Pop Ups from Outside Voices (2010). This is a kids’ record put out by my friend Jason from The Bloodsugars. He and his songwriting partner also put on The Pop Ups as a musical with puppets. If you have kids, you should check out this record. Hell, if you don’t have kids, you’ll still find it to be fun. I certainly do.
de10ero
The Saw Doctors-Useta Love Her
A ripping Irish rocker with just the right touch of blasphemy
War-Why Can’t We Be Friends?
…’I know you’re working for the CIA, they wouldn’t have you in the Ma-fa-ay…”
C.C.Adcock-Love N’ Gold
Like the latest Black Keys? Sample Lafayette Marquis from years ago
Van Morrison-Have I Told You Lately?
Back to the old sod for the original and the best
The Beatles-Back In The USSR
The Euro version of California Girls
Mindy
1. David Gray – Who’s Singing Now
2. Wilco – Far Far Away (live)
3. Evanescence – Hello
4. Ingrid Michaelson – Are We There Yet
5. Lady GaGa – Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
Anonymous
1. “Shattered Dreams” by Johnny Hates Jazz
2. “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung
3. “Well Well Well” by David Lindley & Wally Ingram
4. “Queen Of The Slipstream” by Van Morrison
5. “Not Dark Yet” by Jimmy LaFave
Dennis Corrigan
Listened to a good chunk of Springsteen’s conversation with Little Steven on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage channel Monday (to me the 2d most interesting channel after the Loft). They were talking about “hit radio” in the early/mid 60’s and the British Invasion in ’64/’65. Of course, I’ve been shuffling my 1964 & 1965 playlists ever since. Here’s what came up from ’64 today:
1. “You, Baby” by the Ronettes from Back to Mono. The Ronettes were at the apex of their career in 1964, scoring 3 top 40 hits. They released their only studio album that year, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes, Featuring Veronica from which this track is taken.
2. “I Call Your Name” by the Beatles from Past Masters Volume 1 (Originally on The Beatles Second Album in US/Long Tall Sally EP in UK). The story is John gave this to Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas but didn’t like their version so the Beatles did it over. The Mamas & The Papas covered it a couple of years later and is the first version I can remember hearing since my folks had it on an M&P LP.
3. “Amen” by The Impressions from People Get Ready The Curtis Mayfield Story (originally from Keep On Pushing) The Impressions took this cover of a song from the Lillies of the Field soundtrack the year before to #7 on the charts in ’64
4. “Laugh, Laugh” by The Beau Brummels from Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968. Had no idea that this was produced by the man who would become the great Sly Stone, Sylvester Stewart. Released in December of ’64 it peaked at #15 in February of ’65. The Beau Brummels were a California act formed to counter/cash in on the British Invasion.
5. “Baby Love” by The Supremes from Hitsville, U.S.A., The Motown Singles Collection, 1959-1971 (originally on Where Did Our Love Go). The second of 5 #1 singles in a row after the aforementioned Where Did Our Love Go. A Classic. We were out at the Experience Music Project last year, and my daughter really got into an exhibition of Supremes dresses.
Bonus tracks: Mr. Pitiful by Otis Redding, It Ain’t Me Babe by Bob Dylan, A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles, Penetration by The Pyramids and It’s All Over Now by The Rolling Stones.
1964 was good, but 1965 was just around the corner …
Hope you hear something good this weekend!
Pete
1. Metallica – “Dyers Eve” – saw part of the Big 4 concert in Bulgaria last night on VH-1 Classic. I need to see the whole thing. Only caught a little of Anthrax and Megadeath, but it was cool.
2. Joe Strummer – “Smash Everything” – from the Walker soundtrack (1987)
3. The Waterboys – “And a Bang On The Ear” – my favorite Waterboys song, bar none.
4. Gillian Welch – “One Little Song” – just bootiful.
5. White Rabbits – “They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong”
Happy weekend!
dslifton
“I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)” – The Beach Boys. From the Pet Sounds Sessions box. Joy.
“At Last” – Neko Case. Deep track on Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. Bliss.
“Quarter To Three” – Bruce Springsteen (London, 11/24/75)” – Ecstacy.
“Tormentress (Edit)” – Elvis Costello. Goddammit.
“Bald Headed Woman” – The Who. Fun.
EightE1
After an evening of drink, I humbly submit the following, before I go to bed, and before the clock strikes 12:
The Cars, “You Might Think.” I am 14 again.
Giuffria, “Call to the Heart.” I am still 14 again.
Chic, “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah).” I am 7 again. And glad Nile Rodgers is cancer-free.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “It Ain’t Nothin’ to Me.” I am 15 again.
Billy Joel, “I’ve Loved These Days.” I am 10 again. Songs in the Attic is my favorite record. Truth be told, I still love it.