I haven’t been around much today because I’m working on a long piece that you all will see Monday-ish, but the Random Ten kind of happens randomly and automatically, so it’s music time! And then it’s the weekend! This week we’re starting with two bands. I got to see Wye Oak live the other night, and though the lead singer was sick, everybody banded together and made it work and I can’t wait to see them when they’re in their best form. Their song “I Hope You Die” is one of my very favorite songs I’ve heard in the past year. So we’ll start with that, and also the amazing Big Star song “Life Is White.” If you don’t know Big Star, please understand that they wrote some of the greatest pop songs ever written, and that half the people you listen to now got their inspiration from people who got their inspiration from Big Star. They’re that good. So Wye Oak, Big Star, hit shuffle on the iTunes machine, see where we are ten songs later, and see ya. More videos after the jump.
1. Lalaland – “Over Again”
2. Jane Siberry – “Narrow Bridge/Millenium”
3. Le Loup – “Le Loup (Fear Not)”
4. Nina Nastasia – “Superstar”
5. Josh Groban – “Love Only Knows”
6. Santigold – “L.E.S Artistes”
7. Cry Cry Cry – “The Ballad Of Mary Magdalen”
8. Wilson Phillips – “Next To You (Someday I’ll Be)”
9. Bizet: Carmen Suite, #1 – “Intermezzo” [English Festival Orchestra]
10. Tori Amos – “Pink and Glitter”
Wow, we’ve got Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the Montagues and the Capulets all playing roles in this. Not sure what that means, but those are some fierce archetypes. ”The Ballad of Mary Magdalen” is one of my very favorite songs of all time. Here goes: (Read More)
Music time, and then weekend time! This week the song we’re starting with is one of, in my opinion, the most beautiful songs ever written. I was reminded of it this week when it popped up in my iTunes shuffle on Wednesday and I ended up listening to it about nine times. The song always hits me, but it hit me a little extra this time around. [As I said, I listened nine times...] Many people who are familiar with “The Valley” know it as a k.d. lang song, and she does make it her own, but it was originally written and performed by the wonderful Jane Siberry. If you are not familiar with her, get to work changing that please. For a couple of reasons, this song seems even more appropriate to me today than it did on Wednesday, particularly this stanza:
“you walk through the shadows
uncertain and surely hurting
deserted by the blackbirds and the staccato of the staff
and though you trust the light towards which you wend your way
sometimes you feel all that you wanted has been taken away
you will walk in good company”
So, let’s start with a performance of the song from Jane, and then one from k.d.; then we’ll hit shuffle, see where we are ten songs later, and then we go! Take care of yourselves and the people close to you.
1. Kings of Convenience – “I’d Rather Dance With You”
2. Corelli: Concerto Grosso No. 8 in G Minor, Op. 6, “Christmas Concerto”: II. Allegro, performed by the Moscow Conservatory Chamber Orchestra [Full recording: Parts I and II]
3. Dar Williams – “The Tide Falls Away”
4. Tori Amos – “Raspberry Swirl” [Lip Gloss Version]
5. Dosh – “Call The Kettle”
6. Stereophonics – “Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today?”
7. Wilco – “I’m The Man Who Loves You”
8. Coolio – “Gangsta’s Paradise”
9. Brandi Carlile – “Looking Out”
10. Dar Williams – “Go To The Woods”
Wow, lots of Dar lately. I like that. And yeah, that says “Gangsta’s Paradise,” it’s in my iTunes, stuff it.
Janelle Monae is one of the coolest artists out there right now. She’s like Erykah Badu’s brilliant and slightly off-kilter little sister, a comparison that makes sense when you consider the fact that the two artists have been touring together this year. You might remember, earlier this year, when Janelle Monae took to Twitter to express solidarity with girls like Constance McMillen and Ceara Sturgis, who just wanted to wear their tuxes and go to their proms in peace. Janelle, of course, often wears a tux when she performs, and she looks damn good. I guess there’s some speculation out there about her sexuality (who cares?), but she did an interview with Rolling Stone the other day where she explained, “I only date androids. Nothing like an android — they don’t cheat on you.” The answer might not make sense if you’re not a fan, but Janelle has created an entire world around her music, and yes, it involves androids.
“Mushrooms & Roses” is one of my favorite songs from her new record, The ArchAndroid, and it’s more evidence that Janelle Monae can write and perform any genre of music you want, and it will be awesome. So let’s start the shuffle with that. More videos after the jump. Open thread slash confessional booth below.
1. Rufus Wainwright – “April Fools”
2. The Beatles – “Fool on the Hill”
3. Frank Sinatra – “Luck Be A Lady”
4. Glen Phillips – “Crowing”
5. Cry Cry Cry – “The Kid”
6. Jane Siberry – “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”
7. Josh Ritter – “The Curse”
8. Ron Sexsmith – “One Last Round”
9. Tori Amos – “Almost Rosey”
10. U2 – “Ultraviolet (Light My Way)”
