• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: February 24, 2012

    Friday Five

    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:

    “Always and Forever” by Heatwave (from Can You Dig It? The ’70s Soul Experience, 2001)

    During the nomination process for the recent Popdose 100: The Greatest Love Songs of All Time there were only a handful of tunes that I could’ve smacked myself for forgetting to include, this is one of them. I don’t know about you lot, but when I was growing up this tune was a staple of the high school dance.

    “Tell Me (Go Go mix)” by Groove Theory (from Tell Me – The Remixes, 1995)

    Here is one of the things that I love about doing the Friday Five: after doing a quick background check on Groove Theory I discovered that principal players Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson have reunited. There isn’t much in the way of details, but damn if that isn’t exciting news.

    “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” by The Beatles (from The Beatles, 1968)

    This one is a little less ‘Beatles’ and more ‘McCartney’, much in the same way “Julia” is more ‘Lennon.’

    “Under the Cherry Moon” by Prince & The Revolution (from 1986-08-02: Madison Square Garden, New York, Ny, USA, 2012)

    Okay, two things to discuss here:

    This soundboard recording was recently unearthed and is nothing short of excellent. The band did two shows at the Garden to prep for the European tour, and these performances are fiery and loose. This one is well worth seeking out.

    I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up the benefit gig that The Revolution —that’s right: Wendy, Lisa, Bobby, Mark, Dr. Fink and Dez!— performed at the legendary First Avenue in Minneapolis last weekend. The skinny motherfucker with the high voice didn’t show his face, but after listening to the tapes from the show he should be listening, and thinking about taking this band out on tour. Hell, they don’t even need him! Viva la Revolution!

    “I Have Loved You Wrong” by The Swell Season (from Strict Joy, 2009)

    Did you know that Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová made a second movie chronicling the recording of Strict Joy? I didn’t know this until earlier this week, and now it’s all I can do to try and find a way to see this film. If you haven’t watched the film Once, I cannot recommend it more. All that said, I hold hope that the duo will reconvene for another record in the near future.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 15, 2011

    Friday Five

    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:

    “Behind the Wheel (Vince Clark remix)” by Depeche Mode (from Remixes 2: 81-11, 2011)

    Both Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder make appearances on this second remix collection from Depeche Mode.

    “Kept” by Matt Nathanson (from Modern Love, 2011)

    I first discovered Matt Nathanson through his appearance on Live From Daryl’s House; and no sooner completely forgot about him. Save for his big hit “Come on Get Higher,” I’d be hard pressed to name another song. His new record, however, is quite good.

    “Baba O’Riley” by Pearl Jam (from Live at the Gorge 05/06, 2007)

    This is probably my favorite Pearl Jam cover. I remember buying a bootleg import back in the early ’90s that closed with an insanely raw version of the tune.

    “Colonized Mind” by Prince (from Lotus Flow3r, 2009)

    ZZzz …

    “Michelle (1965 stereo mix)” by The Beatles (from Rubber Soul, 2009)

    Let me take this space to express my extreme jealousy of those of you getting to see Macca at Yankee Stadium this weekend.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 1, 2011

    Friday Five

    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: I had considered a few different April Fools’ Day scenarios, but ran out of time to execute. I suppose the joke is on me! – Michael

    “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney & Wings (from Wingspan: Hits and History, 2001)
    “Hard to Say I’m Sorry (single edit)” by Chicago (from The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, 2007)
    “Goin’ Out of My Head” by Wes Montgomery (from Verve Jazz Masters 14, 1994)
    “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” by Stockard Channing (from Grease, 1978)
    “Take a Photograph” by Dropping Daylight (from Brace Yourself, 2006)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Rock

    A Day in the Life: Paul joins Neil Young

    Now this had me grinning ear to ear. Last weekend at Hyde Park, Neil Young was closing with “A Day In The Life”, and out strolls Paul McCartney. The look on Neil’s face while they’re singing together is just priceless. Pure joy.  And they don’t call it a night until they’ve done a duet on the vibes. Killer!

  • Miscellaneous

    Howard interviews Paul McCartney

    Say what you will about Howard Stern, but you gotta admit, the man is one of the best interviewers around. He has a way of putting his subjects at ease, and he delves into territories you won’t find on the morning or late night talk shows. He asks the questions a regular person would want to ask, and goes beyond the prepackaged “tell me about your latest project” crap best exemplified by Mr. Jay Leno.

    On Wednesday of this week, Paul McCartney dropped by Howard’s show on Sirius-XM. Now this is how you interview a Beatle…

    Howard Stern interviews Paul McCartney (1-14-2009):

    Paul discusses, among many other things, his latest album as “The Fireman”…

    The Fireman – Official Web Site

  • Friday Five

    Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 12, 2008

    Is It Live, Or Is It Shuffle?

    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 HelmsJingle 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. MecoR2-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?