Saturday, August 11, 2007

MUSIC IS LOVE

MUSIC IS LOVE by David Crosby.

Today is a special day for the music blog, because we are announcing a leave of absence, to go get married. I've offered the keys to the blog to a few people, and will do so again, but unless they feel like jumping in it'll all go quiet around here until after Labor Day at least.

So here's a special bonus track to keep you company, from David Crosby's first album. Music Is Love, and, in a phrase I have yet to use until now, "the song speaks for itself." Enjoy!

LISTEN.

Photo: On the ferry to Little Cranberry.

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Friday, August 10, 2007

DANCE

DANCE by ESG.

A song like Dance feels a little like cheating on a music blog. Meaning, the whole point is to introduce people to obscure out of the way stuff they have never heard before. But Dance is such a classic, it's too easy! But, the fact is most people haven't really heard any ESG. I know I went a long time before I knew this song. Sooooo... apologies to all of you who think this one is old hat, but for those of you hearing Dance for the first time, you're in for a treat.

My favorite part of this tune is the mad tambourine that rattles around in the back almost from the first note. It's the only song I know where I play "air tambourine." Further apologies for that image.

LISTEN.

Photo: Blue skies (3).

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Wednesday, August 8, 2007

WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS

WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS by Justice.

I first heard about this tune a couple years ago when it won an MTV Europe best video award, and Kanye West crashed the stage to complain. Funny, and classy and the same time.

But suffice it to say, it never made an impact over here even though it's high quality. With the somewhat greater success of Justice's new album & especially D.A.N.C.E., it's worth a second listen to We are Your Friends. I've heard it called a mashup but I don't think that's the right label, it's just a sample of a track, and to be honest I don't know why Simian gets any credit for it at all. So I haven't here.

LISTEN.

Photo: Blue skies (2).

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Monday, August 6, 2007

PULL UP TO THE BUMPER

PULL UP TO THE BUMPER by Grace Jones.

I've never liked Grace Jones that much. I think because she scared the hell out of me. Like in "Conan the Destroyer," and May Day, and all those shoulder pads. A very intimidating, bizarre woman.

But I never gave much thought to the music, which is a mistake, because some of her tunes are first class. Pull Up To The Bumper is a great example. It's Sly and Robbie, so it's shiny but funky, and Grace has a stylish, sexually aggressive vocal. It's a great fit and makes me want to dance in the 80s.

LISTEN.

Photo: Blue skies (1).

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Friday, August 3, 2007

LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT

LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT by The Bee Gees.

Everybody needs the Bee Gees. I'm sure we'll get our Bee Gees at some point, and I wouldn't mind if this was the one we got.

Give this one a listen if you haven't heard it yet, and have a good weekend!

LISTEN.

Photo: Charlton Street hotel, July.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

RED HOT MAMA

RED HOT MAMA by Funkadelic.

First the trivia: Red Hot Mama is a re-recording of a track Parliament did for their "Osmium" record (i.e., the debut record). Then Parliament morphed into Funkadelic, and eventually got to it to open their "Standing on the Verge of Getting It On" record. This version has the syncopation figured out, and has some insane Eddie Hazel guitar soloing. And it's another proven dancefloor filler.

Now I am going to listen to this tune 14 times in a row. Right now. See you later!

LISTEN.

Photo: Charlton Street hotel, April.

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