Monday, 22 November 2010
Cream-Sunshine of your love
The only thing I can really comment about is the awesome guitar solo improv of 'BlueMoon'.
There's not alot I can add about how awesome Cream is is there? They do it themselves!
The Monkees-Listen To The Band
Part Country, part Brass Band, part Pop but honestly nothing like a Monkees track.
Mike Nesmith recorded and produced this using Monkees studio time without telling anyone.
This along with The Porpoise Song and Circle Sky are my favourite Monkees tracks.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
The Doors-L.A Woman
After such a sad song, what better than a pick me up.
I think this should have been on TopGear's list of great driving songs.
Jim Morrison had such a fantastic voice and added real personality to his singing.
Only Roger Daltry can be classed as doing the same (in my opinion).
Ricky Nelson-Lonesome Town
With just a guitar, him and a chorus behind him, Nelson truly creates a lamentable song.
You really picture a place where people (who have had their hearts broken) live.
It's almost like a paragraph from a book describing a place. And I think that's why I like it.
The Kinks-Autumn Almanac
I love The Kinks or should I say Ray Davies songwriting.
To take something such as Autumn and write a simple, fun and memorable song is fantastic but that is Davies' gift. This and "Harry Rag" are my favourites.
David Bowie-Andy Warhol
True Story: I used to play guitar when I was younger but gave up because...wait for it...it hurt my thumb.
I now realise that that was stupid of me and I started to learn again until I broke a string from constantly plucking the opening chords to "Stand by me". The opening riff on this is one of many reasons I started again.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Screamin' Jay Hawkins-I put a spell on you
The original and goose bumping best. Hawkins voice is absolutely mind blowing and that sax solo!
The Who-Baba O'Riley
Another great Who song-I think this is possibly THE tune to wake up to. If I could get this as an alarm, I bloody well would! Taken from the film "The Kids Are Alright". Moon and Townshend at their second best (after "Won't Get Fooled Again").
The Who-Magic Bus
It's been a while since I last added some music to this so here's a great tune by The Who.
From beginning to end, a classic and a great pick-me-up.
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Led Zeppelin-Black Dog
This song is a great pick me up and gets I find gets me going at the start of an early morning.
Performed live, there's a great little adlib of another great track 'Night on the tiles' at the beginning.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Tchaikovsky-1812 Overture
I first heard this in music class when I was 10. It made me realise that Classical Music is not at all boring.
It can evoke different emotions at various stages during just once piece. 1812 is a perfect example of this.
I really enjoy listening to Classical Music and I'm particularly fond of it as it helped me go to sleep when I had a few months when I struggled to sleep. It calmed me down which again, shows how Classical Music can affect you. Here's the whole thing but in 2 parts.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
The Streets- Everything Is Borrowed
From the album of the same name, what I like about this album is that most of the tracks make you think.
I know, I know, that sounds really cheesey, but listen to this and then "The Escapist" and "The Way Of The Dodo" and you'll see what I mean. Mike Skinner is a genius and possibly one of the best writers around in the UK at present. I bet the rest of the people who were supposed to make up The Streets but left him in the lurch at the last minute, are kicking themselves now.
The Streets last album comes out later this year but Skinner is carrying on under a new name.
Fatboy Slim- Right Here, Right Now
The tune made me notice Norman Cook and I'm probably not alone in that.
I think what really helps is the fantastic video!
Basia Bulat- Snakes & Ladders
From the album "Oh My Darling" (2007).
I was first introduced to Basia Bulat's music when I was working at Ogilvy. A good friend who loved music as much as me, gave me her album and it's great. She reminds me of Eva Cassidy a bit.
Anyway, I find this her album very soothing but upbeat at the same time. Enjoy.
Procal Harum- A Whiter Shade Of Pale
The drumming isn't in time with the organ and the lyrics don't make sense but my god, what a song!
This just about fits nearly every sad movie ending and is possibly my favourite song to slow dance to.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Gary Puckett And The Union Gap- Young Girl
About 7 years ago, on a rainy drive back to my student digs after a break at my parents, Terry Wogan played this. It's one of those songs that, for what ever reason, you just can't explain why you like it but you bloody well do! Hearing this on "Glee" being mashed with The Police's "Don't stand so close to me" just reconfirmed why I like it so much.
Chuck Berry- Johnny B. Goode
Again, another inspiration to The Beatles (They covered it on "With The Beatles"), but to be honest, you can't not like Little Richard and not this guy. You also can't not like this song if you like Marty McFly's version in "Back to the future". It's not the greatest quality but it's quite a rarity this video (I would have thought) hence why I've put it up. But there's the version above it that is of a far better quality.
Little Richard- Long Tall Sally
As I've mentioned, I love The Beatles and anything that can be linked them. Tenuously or not.
A music mag a few months back issued a free album called "Pre-Fab", a CD comp of tracks that inspired the Fab Four. This is on it and you can't help but like this song and have a smile on your face.
It's the raw energy that Little Richard puts into it. You get the passion for and love of entertaining the audience from the first note to the last.
Scorpions- Wind of Change
.
There are songs that you know you shouldn't like but they stick to you bluetac (whitetac in the USA) superglued to your brain. This is one of them. It must have been buried deep in the depths of my memory as it wasn't until I watched "In search of a midnight kiss" that I remembered I liked this song.
So, here it is...
There are songs that you know you shouldn't like but they stick to you bluetac (whitetac in the USA) superglued to your brain. This is one of them. It must have been buried deep in the depths of my memory as it wasn't until I watched "In search of a midnight kiss" that I remembered I liked this song.
So, here it is...
Stevie Wonder- Past Time Paradise
My Dad introduced me to Stevie Wonder around the same time he introduced me to Ramsey Lewis.
I mean, yes, I knew who Stevie Wonder was- we all know "Isn't she lovely" and "I just called to say I love you" but once you've listened to "Songs in the key of life",
I promise you that you'll discover why Stevie Wonder is heralded.
Outkast-Bombs Over Baghdad
Otherwise known as B.O.B, I was watching MTV one Christmas when this song came on (it had just been released). Andre 3000s mc-ing, to me, was amazing and so to was the beat. To MC as quickly as that and for me to understand every word that came out of his mouth was great. And I thought Busta Rhymes was quick! Anyway, enjoy the song and video. Every time I hear or see this, I do.
Ps-There's no lyrics on here so I don't know why it says it does.
Human League- Being Boiled
I liked the Human League anyway (it helps when you were born in the early 80s and just listened to whatever music you could get you grubby hands on), but when I found this on the MOS 80s album that came out before Christmas 2009, well...
I think this is their best work.
I just love the synths on it.
Heaven 17- Temptation
The first time I heard this tune was on TV in the late 80s/early 90s. I fell in love with it then and still love it now. It gets everyone up and dancing within seconds of starting.
Can't believe these two guys were part of the original Human League line up, which nicely leads to...
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Ramesy Lewis-Les Fluers
I discovered Ramsey Lewis a couple of years back when rifling through my parents vinyls, looking to put new music on to tapes to take to Uni. Amongst the ABBAs and Average White Band, I found "The Best of Ramsey Lewis" (circa. 1970).
The man can't half play the piano and although this particular song isn't it's some of the best Jazz I've heard (although I'll admit, I haven't heard that much-Miles Davis Jnr, Coltrane), but of course, that's just my opinion. My Dad would go for Miles Davis and Davis Jnr.
Blind Lemon Jefferson-Hot Dogs
Born blind in 1893, Blind Lemon is now considered by some to be the first star of the Blues (or the Father of Texas Blues).
Rumour has it that he taught the great T-Bone Walker how to play in exchange for T-Bone being his guide. Being a creative in advertising and having always possessed an inquisitive mind, when I spotted the album "Black Snake Moan" for a fiver, I thought it was worth a punt. And so it proved.
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons-Beggin'
When I heard the Madcon version, I couldn't get the song out of my head...AND THEN I HEARD THE ORIGINAL! 1000 times better, if not more. This remix is pretty good too.
You may laugh, but I would absolutely recommend "Jersey Boys" the musical and the greatest hits of the same name.
Tinie Tempah-Passout
Now, I love old school stuff. You know, The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin...
But every once in a while, I like to listen to hip hop or grime (or whatever people who think they're cool call it). I love Dizzee Rascal but I heard this, and f*** me! Blew me away!
Anyone know when (if it isn't already) the album's out?
The Beatles-Across the universe
The first song that me got in to The Beatles was "Magical Mystery Tour".
Not their finest but at 7 or 8 years old, it was repetitive and easy to remember.
I've been a massive fan ever since.
I don't particularly like the video someone's put this to but my god, I get goose bumps everytime I hear it.
From the album "Let it be" but you probably already knew that.
From the album "Let it be" but you probably already knew that.
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