I have been noticing lately that none of the things I like to do, which normally make me happy, are actually making me happy anymore -- they have become merely agreeable ways of distracting myself and making the time pass. I have decided to think of this as my own version of the cabin fever that is currently afflicting the world. And I have to admit, I feel like it is impinging on me with far less force than most people. Nevertheless, it feels odd.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 18
May. 13th, 2020 06:53 amDay 18: A song you like from the year you were born
Little Rain by Jimmy Reed
What I love most about this number is its raggedness. I’ve heard clearer remasters of it since, but the sonic murkiness of the reverb they threw on or whatever it might be, is for me a major part of its lo-fi charm. Also, Reed was hammered when he recorded this (as usual), and I get such a kick out of how he insists on cutting the first line of each vocal verse short, throwing off the rest of the band, with his second guitarist audibly stomping on the floor trying to get Reed back into time with everyone else… such a strange mood to it, when all is said and done.
Little Rain by Jimmy Reed
What I love most about this number is its raggedness. I’ve heard clearer remasters of it since, but the sonic murkiness of the reverb they threw on or whatever it might be, is for me a major part of its lo-fi charm. Also, Reed was hammered when he recorded this (as usual), and I get such a kick out of how he insists on cutting the first line of each vocal verse short, throwing off the rest of the band, with his second guitarist audibly stomping on the floor trying to get Reed back into time with everyone else… such a strange mood to it, when all is said and done.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 17
May. 12th, 2020 08:34 amDay 17: A song from your preteen years
I Will Follow Him by Little Peggy March
I think I was six when my dad took us to a theme park one day in the summer -- something we didn't usually [and couldn't usually afford to] do... and I was riding a tiny train. The rhythm of the wheels on the track reminded me of the rhythm of this song, and suddenly I was hearing the song playing in my head along with the ride. I remembered hearing this song on the radio... and that day is the first time I can remember being aware of the ability to hear a song, recall it, and play it back in your head. It felt kinda magic.
I Will Follow Him by Little Peggy March
I think I was six when my dad took us to a theme park one day in the summer -- something we didn't usually [and couldn't usually afford to] do... and I was riding a tiny train. The rhythm of the wheels on the track reminded me of the rhythm of this song, and suddenly I was hearing the song playing in my head along with the ride. I remembered hearing this song on the radio... and that day is the first time I can remember being aware of the ability to hear a song, recall it, and play it back in your head. It felt kinda magic.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 16
May. 11th, 2020 09:13 amDay 16: A song that's fun to scream along to.
(Note: NOT just "sing a little bit loud". I mean scream. The singer doesn't have to be screaming but you do.)
Walk Like a Man by The Four Seasons
For me, this one is a screamer because I can't hit those notes quiet. The only way I can push my range up there is to hit it hard and loud.
(Note: NOT just "sing a little bit loud". I mean scream. The singer doesn't have to be screaming but you do.)
Walk Like a Man by The Four Seasons
For me, this one is a screamer because I can't hit those notes quiet. The only way I can push my range up there is to hit it hard and loud.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 15
May. 10th, 2020 07:24 amDay 15: A song you like that's a cover
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace by Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick didn't perform all that many covers, really, and they made their reputation on the strength of their uncommonly fine original material... and yet somehow this cover is my fave of all their recordings. I love the production trick in the intro that makes the drums approach from the distance, everyone's performance is stellar (one of Robin's finest vocals ever, in particular) and they give the song an undeniable hypnotic power. It was only by paying attention to the composer credits that I realized that this was a cover -- I was not at all familiar with the original version or its creator, and in fact many decades passed before I ever managed to hear it.
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace by Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick didn't perform all that many covers, really, and they made their reputation on the strength of their uncommonly fine original material... and yet somehow this cover is my fave of all their recordings. I love the production trick in the intro that makes the drums approach from the distance, everyone's performance is stellar (one of Robin's finest vocals ever, in particular) and they give the song an undeniable hypnotic power. It was only by paying attention to the composer credits that I realized that this was a cover -- I was not at all familiar with the original version or its creator, and in fact many decades passed before I ever managed to hear it.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 14
May. 9th, 2020 08:43 amDay 14: A song you like that uses an unconventional instrument
The Minister by The Move
Seems to me that it's unusual to use an oboe in a guitar-rockin' tune like this one, but it was not unusual for The Move to do this...
The Minister by The Move
Seems to me that it's unusual to use an oboe in a guitar-rockin' tune like this one, but it was not unusual for The Move to do this...
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 13
May. 8th, 2020 07:52 amDay 13: A song you like from the 60s/70s/80s
(You can pick one or do them all!)
60s - Slow Blues by Duke Ellington
70s - Lovin' You Ain't Easy by Pagliaro
80s - Mad Jack by The Chameleons
My sixties choice surprised me a little bit, but I realized that I once, purely for the helluvit, whittled down my Desert Island List® to a Desert Island Top Ten, as if my island limited me to only ten songs, and Slow Blues was the only song from the sixties that made the cut for that cruelly truncated list.
(You can pick one or do them all!)
60s - Slow Blues by Duke Ellington
70s - Lovin' You Ain't Easy by Pagliaro
80s - Mad Jack by The Chameleons
My sixties choice surprised me a little bit, but I realized that I once, purely for the helluvit, whittled down my Desert Island List® to a Desert Island Top Ten, as if my island limited me to only ten songs, and Slow Blues was the only song from the sixties that made the cut for that cruelly truncated list.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 12
May. 7th, 2020 10:58 amDay 12: A song you like to sing at karaoke
Sour Suite by The Guess Who
This song was actually a hit single (in my region, at least), but today I am surprised by how few of my fellow Canucks remember it. But I always had a special fondness for it, it touched me deeply, and it was one I loved to sing – in the shower, around the house, whatever.
A few years back was the first time I was ever invited to karaoke, and I wasn’t sure if I felt like participating or not… but I decided that if they had Sour Suite, then I would take it as a sign. I went. They had it. I did it. I loved it – a great moment!
Sour Suite by The Guess Who
This song was actually a hit single (in my region, at least), but today I am surprised by how few of my fellow Canucks remember it. But I always had a special fondness for it, it touched me deeply, and it was one I loved to sing – in the shower, around the house, whatever.
A few years back was the first time I was ever invited to karaoke, and I wasn’t sure if I felt like participating or not… but I decided that if they had Sour Suite, then I would take it as a sign. I went. They had it. I did it. I loved it – a great moment!
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 11
May. 6th, 2020 10:38 amDay 11: A song that makes you cry
Songbird by Oasis
Most songs that bring me to tears do so because they are pretty in a touching way, and I was quite tempted to go with The Mighty Pat's Letter from Home. But I recently came across this song again and was reminded that, not only is it pretty in a touching way, but I also associate it with a time of pain and loss, meaning even more reason for tears. So this one is more appropriate for me.
Songbird by Oasis
Most songs that bring me to tears do so because they are pretty in a touching way, and I was quite tempted to go with The Mighty Pat's Letter from Home. But I recently came across this song again and was reminded that, not only is it pretty in a touching way, but I also associate it with a time of pain and loss, meaning even more reason for tears. So this one is more appropriate for me.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 10
May. 5th, 2020 07:46 amDay 10: A song you like that tells a story
She's Got Medals by David Bowie
from Bowie's first album, pre-stardom, when he was oddly under the sway of Anthony Newley - fun song, odd story, epic bassline, classic use of oboe
She's Got Medals by David Bowie
from Bowie's first album, pre-stardom, when he was oddly under the sway of Anthony Newley - fun song, odd story, epic bassline, classic use of oboe
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 9
May. 4th, 2020 09:05 amDay 9: A song that makes you want to h*ve s*x
Los Desperados by Gato Barbieri
In the late 70s, I knew someone who used Gato's Caliente! album as her Sex Soundtrack®. And, timing being what it is, when this song played was also usually around the time that at least one of us was cumming. So for me this song became The Sound of Orgasm®. Also, Gary King's bass playing is succulent.
Los Desperados by Gato Barbieri
In the late 70s, I knew someone who used Gato's Caliente! album as her Sex Soundtrack®. And, timing being what it is, when this song played was also usually around the time that at least one of us was cumming. So for me this song became The Sound of Orgasm®. Also, Gary King's bass playing is succulent.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 8
May. 3rd, 2020 08:40 amDay 8: A song you like that's used in a movie
How Does It Feel by Slade
In the mid-70s, Slade starred in the movie Flame, which I never saw until sometime in the 2000s and which is better than it has any right to be. They created an album's worth of new songs for the movie, and I was familiar with the soundtrack from back when it was released. Overall it is probably their best album: every track is strong, and this opening cut is one of their finest ever compositions. More than one friend back in the day was converted to Slade fandom by my playing them this song...
How Does It Feel by Slade
In the mid-70s, Slade starred in the movie Flame, which I never saw until sometime in the 2000s and which is better than it has any right to be. They created an album's worth of new songs for the movie, and I was familiar with the soundtrack from back when it was released. Overall it is probably their best album: every track is strong, and this opening cut is one of their finest ever compositions. More than one friend back in the day was converted to Slade fandom by my playing them this song...
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 7
May. 2nd, 2020 11:55 amDay 7: A song that makes you feel energized
Nelson's Blood by The Bang-Bang
There are tons of great ones I could have picked, but once again decided to give a bit more exposure to the relatively obscure.
The Bang-Bang are a fictional band in the film Brothers of the Head, a mockumentary about the "true" forgotten founders of punk rock. I ended up loving the movie more than I expected to, and was particularly smitten by the music in it. The songs were written by Clive Langer, who was active in the British music scene at the time the movie was set, when pub rock was morphing into punk -- therefore, a real musician who knew and understood the era from experience, and this authenticity comes out in the material. I also dig that the actors perform their own vocals -- for me, it always gives something extra to a film when the actors portraying musicians actually perform their own music. [Still Crazy is another great example of this, where the actors both sing and play.] In Brothers, the band Crackout play most of the musicians in The Bang-Bang, and I enjoy their performances so much that I was led to discover their own albums, which I also quite enjoy. A movie full of riches.
Nelson's Blood by The Bang-Bang
There are tons of great ones I could have picked, but once again decided to give a bit more exposure to the relatively obscure.
The Bang-Bang are a fictional band in the film Brothers of the Head, a mockumentary about the "true" forgotten founders of punk rock. I ended up loving the movie more than I expected to, and was particularly smitten by the music in it. The songs were written by Clive Langer, who was active in the British music scene at the time the movie was set, when pub rock was morphing into punk -- therefore, a real musician who knew and understood the era from experience, and this authenticity comes out in the material. I also dig that the actors perform their own vocals -- for me, it always gives something extra to a film when the actors portraying musicians actually perform their own music. [Still Crazy is another great example of this, where the actors both sing and play.] In Brothers, the band Crackout play most of the musicians in The Bang-Bang, and I enjoy their performances so much that I was led to discover their own albums, which I also quite enjoy. A movie full of riches.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 6
May. 1st, 2020 10:36 amDay 6: A song your family played around the house
I'm Moving On by Hank Snow
I don't remember my mom being much of one to play records when I was a kid, but once in a while dad did, most often on Saturdays. He had a few Hank Snows (and some Ernest Tubbs) that I remember. So I grew up thinking of this as My Folks' Music®. They were both from Nova Scotia, as was Snow, so I guess it figured that for them he was a major star...
I'm Moving On by Hank Snow
I don't remember my mom being much of one to play records when I was a kid, but once in a while dad did, most often on Saturdays. He had a few Hank Snows (and some Ernest Tubbs) that I remember. So I grew up thinking of this as My Folks' Music®. They were both from Nova Scotia, as was Snow, so I guess it figured that for them he was a major star...
Banding Together
Apr. 30th, 2020 11:26 amThe letter ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
leecetheartist gave me for reposting is S. So, if you'd like to play, the rules go thusly:
• Name a BAND (NOT a song, NOT a solo performer) that starts with the letter “S”.
• Please don’t Google one, just use your brain.
• I'll then give you a letter for you to REPOST.
With a further variant if you like - give me a link to a video clip of a song you like from your band.
leecetheartist gave me for reposting is S. So, if you'd like to play, the rules go thusly:• Name a BAND (NOT a song, NOT a solo performer) that starts with the letter “S”.
• Please don’t Google one, just use your brain.
• I'll then give you a letter for you to REPOST.
With a further variant if you like - give me a link to a video clip of a song you like from your band.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 5
Apr. 30th, 2020 08:31 amDay 5: A song you like that uses a sample
Can U Dig It? by Pop Will Eat Itself
I've been listening to this song for a good twenty-five years now, and it came out well before that, but it was only this year, by a pure fluke, that I learned where its prominent vocal samples came from.
Can U Dig It? by Pop Will Eat Itself
I've been listening to this song for a good twenty-five years now, and it came out well before that, but it was only this year, by a pure fluke, that I learned where its prominent vocal samples came from.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 4
Apr. 29th, 2020 06:15 pmDay 4: A song you like with a location in the title
Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks
The location in question is of course a major London Underground station. I'm not alone in thinking this is one of the most beautiful and exquisite songs ever written.
Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks
The location in question is of course a major London Underground station. I'm not alone in thinking this is one of the most beautiful and exquisite songs ever written.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 3
Apr. 28th, 2020 10:53 amDay 3: Your favorite post-breakup song
Maybe You'll Be There as recorded by Diana Krall
It's not that I associate this song with any particular breakup, but I find it does a great job of capturing my feeling in general. Diana's version is, for me, particularly touching. Some people dismiss her as being too commercial, on account of her phenomenal success, but when I listened to her work closely, I found more genuine quality and depth than I went in expecting. She clicks with me.
Maybe You'll Be There as recorded by Diana Krall
It's not that I associate this song with any particular breakup, but I find it does a great job of capturing my feeling in general. Diana's version is, for me, particularly touching. Some people dismiss her as being too commercial, on account of her phenomenal success, but when I listened to her work closely, I found more genuine quality and depth than I went in expecting. She clicks with me.
#30DaySongChallenge - Day 2
Apr. 27th, 2020 11:09 amDay 2: A song you like with a number in the title.
Take 5 by Northside
It was also tempting to go with the far better-known song of the same title which was a hit for The Dave Brubeck Quartet back in the day, but a part of me enjoys promoting the more obscure.
This song is utterly frothy, and they can't hide their theft of the classic riff from More than a Feeling by merely adding a couple of grace notes to it... but I always find it cheers me, and it is not uncommon to find me headbanging and chairdancing behind the wheel when it comes on in the car...
Take 5 by Northside
It was also tempting to go with the far better-known song of the same title which was a hit for The Dave Brubeck Quartet back in the day, but a part of me enjoys promoting the more obscure.
This song is utterly frothy, and they can't hide their theft of the classic riff from More than a Feeling by merely adding a couple of grace notes to it... but I always find it cheers me, and it is not uncommon to find me headbanging and chairdancing behind the wheel when it comes on in the car...
