The Friday Five: January 23, 2009
If you’ve been working for the weekend, well you are in luck because it’s just about that time. That’s right, it’s Friday and it’s time to kick back hit the shuffle button and let the music take us where it will. Today we’re firing up iTunes to battle the post-lunch dip!
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday 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 more the merrier!
The Five:
“For Giuseppe Franco” – Frank Zappa (from Trance-Fusion)
This is an outtake solo from “Hot Plate Heaven at The Green Hotel” recorded December 17, 1984 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, Washington. And to think, this is an outtake…
“Dirty Mind” – Prince (from Dirty Mind)
Listening to this era’s records is making me antsy to hear the new record.
“Linger” – The Cranberries (from Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?)
Definitely in my top 5 of 1993, there really is nothing to compare to this record.
“Tomorrow, Wendy (live)” – Concrete Blonde (from Still in Hollywood)
A stark and poignant song written from the view of a woman coping with the AIDS virus and the frustrations and challenges to faith that come with it. This particular verse has always stood out as particularly powerful:
“I told the priest, don’t count on any second coming.
God got his ass kicked the first time he came down here slumming.
He had the balls to come, the gall to die and then forgive us.
No, I don’t wonder why, I wonder what he thought it would get us.”This live version holds nothing back with Johnette Napolitano delivering every line with the utmost conviction.
“Dear God” – Sarah McLachlan (from Rarities, B-Sides, & Other Stuff)
A quiet and introspective take on the XTC classic. I adore Sarah’s voice and could listen to her sing the phone book.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!
The Friday Five: January 16, 2009
If you’ve been working for the weekend, well you are in luck because it’s just about that time. That’s right, it’s Friday and it’s time to kick back hit the shuffle button and let the music take us where it will. Today we’re firing up iTunes to battle the post-lunch dip!
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday 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 more the merrier!
The Five:
“Jamie’s Cryin'” – Van Halen (from Van Halen)
“… Hey you two I was once like you and I liked to do the wild thing”
“Crash Into Me” – Dave Matthews Band (from Live in Chicago 12.19.98)
I’ve recently discovered that Dave Matthews has a twitter account that he uses quite actively (clearly via his iPhone and Twitterific). He provides a view into his twisted head and preoccupation with his farts (and sharing photos of himself in various states of clown make-up).
“Golden Ring (feat. Tammy Wynette)” – George Jones (from The Bradley Barn Sessions)
An absolutely classic tune from the master
“Direct Line to the Telepathic” (mp3) – Flickerstick (from Welcoming Home the Astronauts)
Before American Idol, Rockstar:INXS, Making the Band and other awful music-based reality programs was VH1’s “Bands on the Run” which placed 4 bands in vans and sent them out to tour with challenges along the way. It was sort of like MTV’s “Road Rules” with twice the alcohol and prima donnas’. Dallas, Texas’ Flickerstick won the competition and a recording contract. The band released one major label record and an indie follow up (along with a pair of live recordings) and it was announced late in 2008 that they had decided to go their separate ways. They will play a final show on Jan 24th at the House of Blues in Dallas. In honor of this great band I’m sharing this epic track with you all.
“Jet City Woman” – Queensrÿche (from Empire)
I’ve got a real soft spot in my musical heart for Queensrÿche, specifically this time period between Operation:Mindcrime and Empire.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!
The Friday Five: January 09, 2009
If you’ve been working for the weekend, well you are in luck because it’s just about that time. That’s right, it’s Friday and it’s time to kick back hit the shuffle button and let the music take us where it will. Today we’re firing up the iPod to battle the post-lunch dip!
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday 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 more the merrier!
The Five:
“Sister Christian” – Night Ranger (from Midnight Madness)
Yeah! Now this… this is the way to kick off a shuffle. In the world of truly kick-ass power ballads this definitely is ‘all-time’ material. Who would ever think that a tune written by a big brother watching his little sister grow up would cement’s the bands place in history.
“Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad” – Prince (from Prince)
Here’s the thing, Purple Rain is classic, Parade is sublime and there are few that would argue that Sign “☮” the Times is anything but a masterpiece. But for me Prince‘s 1979 self-titled album is the record that I turn to time and again for my purple fix. From “I Wanna be Your Lover” to “Bambi” this is, for me, the best quick fix.
“Your Boyfriend Sucks” (mp3) – The Ataris (from Blue Skies, Broken Hearts… Next 12 Miles)
This power pop gem pulls absolutely no punches. Hell, the first line about sums it up… “You’re better off without him, don’t call him… He’s breaking your heart.” From the band’s 1999 release, this tune along with “I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone” won me over as a fan back then and I still look forward to hearing their brand of pop-punk brashness.
“Crush” – Dave Matthews Band (from Before These Crowded Streets)
Writing the perfect love song is a task where many a man falls short; Dave Matthews is not one of them.
“The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove” (mp3) – Dead Can Dance (from Into the Labyrinth)
In the early 90’s my desire for new and ‘different’ music was insatiable and one of my favorite ‘finds’ was the dark baroque (and often Celtic) music of Dead Can Dance. Recorded at Quivvy Church (in County Cavan, Ireland) Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry blend world and ethereal music to a profound effect. This track features Perry‘s deep baritone singing of, as Perry put it, “the abstract relationship of myself and woman “.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!
The Friday Five: January 02, 2009
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the first Friday Five of 2009. We’re kicking the New Year off with a look back as I hit shuffle on my Top 100 of 2008. As you can guess I have a bevy of playlists that I maintain to keep a good balance of new/unheard music and my personal favorites. This particular playlist was created to help me write up the Year in (Ick)Music 2008 column and I liked it so much that I put it on countdown style (counting down from 100 to number 1) on New Years Eve.
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday 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 more the merrier!
But hey, enough of my yakkin’… Whaddaya say, let’s boogie!
The Five:
“Staying In Love” – Raphael Saadiq (from The Way I See It)
A rave up to kick off the first shuffle of the year, this song is a great start to any playlist!
“Say You Will” – Kanye West (from 808s & Heartbreak)
As far as track one, side one cuts go this one definitely is up there. Setting the mood of Kanye’s heartbreak perfectly this track is an introduction to the state of his (apparently) fragile psyche.
“Details in the Fabric (feat. James Morrison)” – Jason Mraz (from We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.)
This one has made a previous appearance on The Five. From September 26, 2008… This tune opens to an answering machine message from Mraz cohort Bushwalla clearly dealing with a bad day. The song itself has a lilting yet uplifting message “Everything will be fine, everything in no time at all, Hearts will hold”. The song closes with a second message where he strikes the single oddest metaphor I’ve ever heard “I feel like you’re an island of reality in an ocean of diarrhea. And I love you buddy. Ok. Bye.”
“Another Day” – Jamie Lidell (from Jim)
True blue-eyed soul from the UK. This one made my Top 10 and I have a feeling it will continue to spin up whenever I need a little lift. Jamie stopped by KEXP (Seattle) back in May ’08 and turned in this brilliant stripped down performance…
“I Wanna Know” – Alan Wilkis (from Babies Dream Big)
You know that scene in Pretty In Pink where Jon Crier does his best Otis Redding impersonation? That’s what I always think of when I hear this track, Alan is a rather unassuming white guy who is able to capture so damned much soul that it should be illegal. If you still have not picked this record up, you are missing out.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 26, 2008
Welcome to the final week of our “Holiday Edition” of the Friday Five!
As we wind down to the New Year the last four editions of the Friday Five will be shuffled from my vast collection of Holiday music. I encourage everyone to play along and spin up some holiday cheer. With the holiday season being short and the duress of the current economic climate being ever present we could all use a little lift in spirits.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. The Pogues – Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) (from The Best Christmas Album in the World… Ever!)
As I mentioned in last weeks post, this stands as my favorite modern era non-traditional Chirstmas song period. The gritty tale of two junkies sleeping it off in the drunk tank on Christmas Eve somehow manages to be uplifting and is in all regards timeless.
2. Hall & Oates – Jingle Bell Rock (mp3) (from Classic Soft Rock Christmas)
This kitschy reading of the Bobby Helms classic is on the verge of crossing over into Mellowmas territory but manages to stay the course just enough to be a true holiday classic.
3. Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschannel – Baby It’s Cold Outside (mp3) (from Elf)
From the best Christmas movie since Miracle on 34th Street, this was (for me) the first time I heard the lovely voice of Zooey Deschannel. Paired here with the enigmatic Leon Redbone, the pair put a jazz-ed up spin on the Frank Loesser classic. It’s not a holiday season until I sit and watch this movie with my family.
4. Jimmy Eat World – Last Christmas (from Last Christmas)
A bright and breezy take on the 80’s classic.
5. Dean Martin – Winter Wonderland (from Christmas With Dino)
And to play us out of the holiday season in the last Friday Five of the year it’s out favorite Rat Pack member here to croon us out into 2009.
Thanks to all the Fivers out there for playing along this year. For the last time this year, what’s coming up on your shuffle?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 19, 2008
Welcome to week three of our “Holiday Edition” of the Friday Five!
As we wind down to the New Year the last four editions of the Friday Five will be shuffled from my vast collection of Holiday music. I encourage everyone to play along and spin up some holiday cheer. With the holiday season being short and the duress of the current economic climate being ever present we could all use a little lift in spirits.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Bing Crosby – God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (from Merry Christmas)
Salvation! Satan! Scorn! Way to bring the Christmas cheer Bing!
2. Bing Crosby & David Bowie – Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy (mp3) (from Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy)
More Bing! The “poor relations from the states” and “The Thin White Duke” take on the holiday classic. The track was originally recorded for Crosby’s 1977 television special. Interesting factoid from wikipedia:
According to co-writer Ian Fraser, Bowie balked at singing “Little Drummer Boy”. “I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?” Fraser recalls Bowie telling him. Fraser, along with songwriter Larry Grossman and the special’s scriptwriter, Buz Kohan, then wrote “Peace on Earth” as a counterpoint to “Little Drummer Boy”. Crosby performed “Little Drummer Boy”, while Bowie sang the new tune “Peace on Earth”.
Bowie? A diva? Who’d have known?
3. Dean Martin – I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (from Christmas With Dino)
Here’s Dino back again to give the ladies a little something.
4. Bing Crosby – It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas (from Merry Christmas)
Looking out my window at the snow that is currently blanketing the greater tri-state area, I’d say ol’ Bing is about right.
5. The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping (mp3) (from The Best Christmas Album in the World… Ever!)
This and The Pouges “Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl)” are two of my favorite non-traditional holday tunes. Hell outside of the fact that they mention Christmas in the song they barely qualify but both contain such cool storytelling.
It’s almost Christmas, have you been naughty or nice?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 12, 2008
Welcome to week two of our “Holiday Edition” of the Friday Five!
As we wind down to the New Year the last four editions of the Friday Five will be shuffled from my vast collection of Holiday music. I encourage everyone to play along and spin up some holiday cheer. With the holiday season being short and the duress of the current economic climate being ever present we could all use a little lift in spirits.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime (from The Best Christmas Album in the World… Ever!)
I can’t really say why I like this tune so very much, but it is among my favorite contemporary holiday songs.
2. U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (from A Very Special Christmas)
Does anyone else remember the video for this one?
This is a traditional Irish Christmas song? Um, last I checked Phil Spector was from the Bronx and Darlene Love from California. And seriously, could The Edge look any more annoyed? Regardless this stands as Top 5 list material… I truly love this song.
3. Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock (mp3) (from Rockin’ Little Christmas)
Nothing beats the original.
4. Run-D.M.C. – Christmas in Hollis (from A Very Special Christmas)
“It’s Christmastime in Hollis Queens, Moms cooking chicken and collard greens, rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and Santa puts gifts under Christmas trees…”
An ’80s classic! To this day I can rock this a cappella on demand.
5. Meco – R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas (mp3) (from Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album)
I’ve made no attempt to cover my geekdom here; yes this is a Star Wars Christmas record. Yes I’ve owned not one, but multiple copies of this record over the years and it is as much a part of my holiday tradition as trimming the tree. And since I’m sharing, yes I have not one, but two Millennium Falcon ornaments along with an R2-D2. And in the spirit of giving I’m sharing this holiday classic with all of you. And yes, the lead vocal is a young John Bongiovi, Jr. Enjoy!
What’s helping you count down the days until Santa pulls his sleigh?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 5, 2008
Welcome to the first week of our “Holiday Edition” of the Friday Five!
As we wind down to the New Year the last four editions of the Friday Five will be shuffled from my vast collection of Holiday music. I encourage everyone to play along and spin up some holiday cheer. With the holiday season being short and the duress of the current economic climate being ever present we could all use a little lift in spirits.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. The Jackson 5 – Up on the Housetop (from Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Volume 3)
My wife and I were discussing the irony of the bevy of Jackson-related holiday tunes just the other day. I do love this track though.
2. Chuck Berry – Merry Christmas Baby (mp3) (from Rockin’ Little Christmas)
As much as I dig this track, “Run Run Rudolph” is far superior. I will say, however, that Springsteen‘s cover of this is on my “Top 10 Recent Christmas Songs”.
3. Vince Guaraldi Trio – Christmas Time Is Here (instrumental) (from A Charlie Brown Christmas)
Nothing captures the holiday ‘feel’ better than the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
4. Andy Williams – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (from Now That’s What I Call Christmas, Volume 3)
I realize it’s the pangs of nostalgia that endear these tunes to our collective conscious but some of these songs are so earnest and true that it’s hard to deny their timelessness.
5. Dean Martin – Baby It’s Cold Outside (mp3) (from Christmas With Dino)
Dean Martin was one smooth motherf**ker. Proof positive is the cover of the record that this classic is originally from A Winter Romance where we see a picture of Deano holding a lovely young lady while throwing the “how you doin'” look to another philly nearby. You can clearly deduce that he’s bringing both of these birds back to his chalet for martinis and a three way romp.
Now it’s your turn, what’s getting you in the holiday spirit?
Ickmusic’s “Black Friday” Five: November 28, 2008
Now that everyone has slept off their L-tryptophan induced coma and quite possibly spent the morning hunting down the best deal on the latest greatest gizmo it’s time to relax and what better way to do that than with a shuffle through some tunes. And in celebration of the day, we’re limiting the results to only tunes with the word “Black” in them.
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Weather Report – Black Market (from 8:30)
An absolutely masterful live performance highlighting the genius of Joe Zawinul, Peter Erskine, the brilliant Wayne Shorter and the incomparable Jaco Pastorius. Jaco’s bass percolates along the afro beat rhythm as Shorter blows hard bop lines that are out of this world.
2. Metallica – Fade to Black (from Ride the Lightning)
It has always been my theory that the entire Black Album is a vein attempt to capture what the band did in what is easily one of the bands most significant tunes. From the opening movement to the fade it is Metallica at their best.
3. AC/DC – Back in Black (from Back in Black)
Classic.
4. Pearl Jam – Black (mp3) (from Ten)
This is easily one of my favorite songs from the 90’s period. Eddie Vedder is a master of conveying the depths of the human condition and this is by far one of his finest moments. Up for grabs is the classic MTV Unplugged version.
5. Prince – Black Sweat (from 3121)
This is as close to the funk as he’s come in ages.
What’s saving you from long lines and aggressive shoppers?
Ickmusic’s (late) Friday Five, November 21st, 2008
Michael-el-el-el-el!! *looking around*
MICHAEL-EL-EL-EL!!!
Well folks, Michael is AWOL this Friday, so although it’s late, I shall post my own Friday Five on behalf of Michael since we’ve had this feature going for about a bajillion weeks in a row. Here’s what’s shuffling on my faithful Mac tonight…
1. “Young Turks” – Rod Stewart. from Tonight I’m Yours: A great piece of early 80’s pop from Mr. Stewart.
2. “God Knows What I Want” – Moodswings, from Psychedelicatessen: the first two Moodswings albums are high on my list of favorites. Total chill music, a lot of ambient instrumental stuff, interspersed with some beautiful vocals like on this tune.
3. “Brownie Hawkeye” – Jason Collett, from Idols of Exile: I don’t listen to Jason enough. Always enjoy the indie-pop stuff he has to offer.
4. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” – Elvis Presley, from Elvis: 30 #1 Hits: Perfection. Timeless.
5. “One Step Up” – Bruce Springsteen, from Love, Tears & Mystery: this is a great compilation from Bruce’s Devils & Dust tour. This one’s from August 3rd, 2005 (my 25th, I mean 35th birthday).
Your turn!! What’s shufflin’ in your corner of the world?