The Friday Five: November 4, 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:
I hear that my little town—Newtown, CT—has made the news recently as being “ground zero” for the power outages effecting the Northeast, thanks to the Halloween snowstorm this past weekend. I say “hear” as I’ve been living life a little bit more simply the past few days, relying on the kindness of friends and family to get warmth, recharge my batteries and catch up on the world.
So … live, from my Mother-In-Law’s dining room, it’s the Friday Five!
“This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” by Fall Out Boy (from, Believers Never Die – Greatest Hits, 2009)
“All My Tomorrows” by Frank Sinatra (from, Nothing but the Best, 2008)
“Hated” by The Afghan Whigs (from, Up in It, 1990)
“Mr. Bojangles (live)” by Nina Simone (from, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story, 2008)
“Datskat” by The Roots (from Buy-Product 1, 1995)
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: February 26, 2010
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:
“Loom” by Ani DiFranco (from Little Plastic Castles, 1998)
There are songs that define you; coming into your life at the exact right moment in your life, taking up residence next to the memory of that time. This song is one that finds place in a very distinct period in my life. Lyrically it spoke to a relationship that had consumed me in a decidedly unhealthy way. I will admit, I listened to this a second time before moving onto the next song.
“Endless Summer Nights” by Richard Marx (from Richard Marx, 1987)
Nearly a decade earlier, here is nostalgia in a jar. You see, before I grew into the wise old music geek that I am today, I was a young music geek — with an emphasis on the geek. Even at the tender age of 13, I was smitten with the schlock-pop of Marx. Fast-forward some twenty-odd years and I still get that tinge of youthful yearning that hearing this tune brings to mind.
While we’re on the subject, has anyone else heard the Adam Lambert single, “Whataya Want from Me,” and asked themselves, “Hey, does Richard Marx have a new song out?”
“The (Shipped) Gold Standard” by Fall Out Boy (from Folie à Deux, 2008)
I know I have stated it here before, but I dig Fall Out Boy. If you can manage to ignore the gossip-columnist drama of the band, and get past the image, the band has actually cranked out some quality pop music. It certainly does not hurt that Patrick Stump’s voice is golden.
“Bad Habits” by Maxwell (from BLACKsummers’night, 2009)
The lead off track from Maxwell’s triumphant comeback record, BLACKsummers’night; this song starts at a smolder and builds to its soulful climax before breaking it back down to a simmer. It might have taken him eight years to create this record, but it was well worth the wait.
“Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson (from Off the Wall, 1979)
In all, not a bad way to end this week’s installment of The Five and kick off the weekend. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with this week!
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: February 12, 2010
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:
Editor’s Note: Is anyone else feeling like maybe February is going by too quickly? This week’s Friday Five comes courtesy of the iPod, see you back here next week!
“Sebrina, Paste and Plato” by Jellyfish (from Spilt Milk, 1993)
“Time Bomb” by Rancid (from …and Out Comes the Wolves, 1995)
“America’s Suitehearts” by Fall Out Boy (from Folie à Deux, 2009)
“Le Freak” by Chic (from C’est Chic, 1978)
“Girl” by The Beatles (from Rubber Soul, 1965)
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 17, 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:
Raphael Saadiq – “Never Give You Up” (feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton)(from The Way I See It, 2008)
Raphael Saadiq took Neo-Soul to a whole new level with this record. Classic soul with a killer Stevie harmonica solo.
Huey Lewis & The News – “So Little Kindness” (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)
Everyone’s favorite little bar band and the subject of the latest installment of Rock Court over at Popdose (link)
Prince – “Dig U Better Dead” (from Chaos and Disorder, 1996)
Not my favorite, but one of the better tracks from this lackluster effort.
Fall Out Boy – “What a Catch, Donnie” (from Folie à Deux, 2008)Patrick Stump does his best Elvis Costello, only to be trumped by the man himself making an appearance.
Guns N’ Roses – “Paradise City” (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
Nice way to tie it up!
What next on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: February 13, 2009
The best laid plans… I had intended on launching the new (and improved) format, but alas time and life got in the way, next week I promise the new look (and a new take) on the Friday Five… until then here’s this weeks all to brief five!
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:
“All Night Long (All Night)” – Lionel Ritchie (from Can’t Slow Down)
“I Know” – The Derek Trucks Band (from Already Free)
“Fopp” – The Ohio Players (from Honey)
“I Don’t Care” – Fall Out Boy (from Folie à Deux)
“Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” – AC/DC (from Back in Black)
What’s playing in your neck of the woods?
The Friday Five: January 30, 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:
“Both Hands” (mp3) – Ani DiFranco (from Living in Clip)
Perhaps one of Ani‘s most iconic tunes presented here in orchestral form. Recorded live with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Doc Severinsen, in a good set of headphones you can feel the ebb and flow and airiness of the performance and the way the arena responds.
“Slave to the Grind” – Skid Row (from Slave to the Grind)
I firmly stand behind my theory that Sebastian Bach is the one of the best rock vocalists of the 90’s. Not my favorite track from this record, but a good kick in the ass nonetheless.
“Day Old Hate” – City and Colour (from Sometimes)
This entire record is a faultless accompaniment to a cloudy day. Dallas Green‘s delivery is effortless and heart-wrenching.
“Dance, Dance” – Fall Out Boy (from From Under the Cork Tree)
I’m fully willing to admit to this ‘guilty pleasure’. I love me some Fall Out Boy.
“Climbing Up the Love Tree” (mp3) – Francis Dunnery (from Fearless)
While the (clearly) 90’s production on this track reveals its age this song, and record for that matter, has been a mainstay of my collection for the last 15 years.
Okay, I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!