Music Diary, Vol. 29
For the rationale behind this mad effort, the initial post is here. The full series of Music Diary posts are here. The full playlist is above, and also here.
Week of July 22-28, 2024
LYRICS: Ella Fitgerald (Rodgers & Hart), "Ev'rything I've Got"
SONG: Thinking of this Harry Nilsson novelty classic today, no special reason.
SONG: Thinking of this Harry Nilsson novelty classic today, no special reason.
ALBUM: It is hard to overstate what an earthquake Violent Femmes’ debut was in the midst of the New Wave pop of the era. Unmistakably punk and resolutely acoustic, it both tapped old weird Americana and opened up exciting new sonic pathways.
LYRICS: Ry Cooder (tune by Raymond Quevedo), "Women Will Rule the World"
SONG: Long before it was used so memorably in SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, this delicately soaring duet from FIGARO was a favorite of mine. When the two voices intertwine in their tender plan to entrap the Count, I too am seduced.
SONG: Long before it was used so memorably in SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, this delicately soaring duet from FIGARO was a favorite of mine. When the two voices intertwine in their tender plan to entrap the Count, I too am seduced.
ALBUM: The first 2 Steve Reich pieces on this essential Amadinda Percussion Group record beautifully evoke weather and machines, per usual, while the roiling, riveting “Sextet” takes Reich’s sound into dramatic new realms.
LYRICS: Lynn Kellogg (Ragni/Rado/MacDermot), "Easy to Be Hard"
SONG: I’ve always unapologetically loved this midtempo Little River Band banger, even used to cover it with my old band Millhouse. The song’s power rests in its careful build to the chorus, which opens on the highest note and a soul-lifting IV chord.
SONG: I’ve always unapologetically loved this midtempo Little River Band banger, even used to cover it with my old band Millhouse. The song’s power rests in its careful build to the chorus, which opens on the highest note and a soul-lifting IV chord.
ALBUM: It’s hard to single out a record from the Talking Heads’ first half dozen, each one a breakthrough to another level. But I return with the most unalloyed pleasure to their clenched, percolating, funky, unsettling third effort.
LYRICS: Keane, "Somewhere Only We Know"
SONG: Dawn Upshaw recorded this aching Hugo Wolf gem twice, and I have to give the slight edge to her second pass with Richard Goode, which renders the full dynamic range of this darkly enchanted shepherdess’s waltz.
SONG: Dawn Upshaw recorded this aching Hugo Wolf gem twice, and I have to give the slight edge to her second pass with Richard Goode, which renders the full dynamic range of this darkly enchanted shepherdess’s waltz.
ALBUM: On a fresh relisten, this 2018 Dirty Projectors record sounds like one of their best, not least because it has a quality not all their work has, if I’m honest: unclenched, unbothered, nothing-to-prove joy.
LYRICS: The Beatles (McCartney), "I Will"
SONG: 16 years ago today, this ardent Loesser standard served as the processional for my wedding. Celebrating the anniversary with this lovely trombone rendition by Cal Tjader’s band (Bob Collins on the horn).
SONG: 16 years ago today, this ardent Loesser standard served as the processional for my wedding. Celebrating the anniversary with this lovely trombone rendition by Cal Tjader’s band (Bob Collins on the horn).
ALBUM: PP&M’s 2nd album is just as essential as their debut (and their stunning follow-up), and not just for that famous dragon song. Here the solo voice showcases feel as central as the trademark tight harmonies. And then there’s the romp “Big Boat.”
LYRICS: Supertramp, "The Logical Song"
SONG: Was fascinated to learn (thanks to a bonus episode of Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock in 500 Songs podcast) that this quintessential bit of psychedelia by Status Quo was Francis Rossi’s imagining what tripping on LSD must be like. (Btw, only the mono version has the wah-wah guitar.)
SONG: Was fascinated to learn (thanks to a bonus episode of Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock in 500 Songs podcast) that this quintessential bit of psychedelia by Status Quo was Francis Rossi’s imagining what tripping on LSD must be like. (Btw, only the mono version has the wah-wah guitar.)
ALBUM: Forever grateful for the time Cinco Paul made me a cassette of this Replacements classic. It still amazes me how prescient it seems (of both grunge and Wilco) and how much range and feeling it wrings from its unique blend of craft and chaos.
LYRICS: David Bowie, "God Knows I'm Good"
SONG: I’ve always loved the impish racket of this Beastie Boys classic, built on the supple bones of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Loosy Booty,” not least because of its callout to the Book of Daniel’s 3 coolest cats.
SONG: I’ve always loved the impish racket of this Beastie Boys classic, built on the supple bones of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Loosy Booty,” not least because of its callout to the Book of Daniel’s 3 coolest cats.
ALBUM: I like sacred music in a gentle and contemplative register, sure, but I’m also a sucker for composers who go hard for God—like Jean Langlais, who in the stark, rousing 1954 piece that anchors this record, goes medieval on your mass.
Comments
Post a Comment