Fitz and the Tantrums- Money Grabber

A new band with an old sound. I think they really capture the sound of 60's soul Motown music. Love the alto sax!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6cBKE3WzQ

Deep Forest

Anybody remember this from the early 90's? Notice the Peter Gabriel sample?
Dig it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBzytMCCKlQ&feature=related

Mercy Street- Peter Gabriel

SO-Peter Gabriel's melodic and meaningful 1986 album brought me through a very dark time when my Dad died of cancer in February 1987, after being sick for 3+ years. I listened to this album (cassette actually) constantly, and it helped me to grieve. I also love the duets with Kate Bush- "Don't Give Up", and Laurie Anderson- "This Is The Picture(Excellent Birds)". GREAT, great album.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnVdN2GEC8&feature=related

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Beautiful rendition of a lonely tune, by Diana Krall. Aka Mrs. Declan McManus (Elvis Costello)...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU_BBNeumLI&feature=fvw

Only Happy When It Rains- Garbage

I blew a chance to see Garbage and No Doubt together in Long Beach! Arrgh! I will always think about that when I hear both bands. Missed opportunities suck!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzzf44HkFw8

The Rain Song- Page and Plant

What Jimmy Page can do with a guitar! One of THE guitar gods! Lovely to listen to on a rainy day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6QWQS-pRR8

A little Tchaikovsky anyone?

My absolute favorite music to listen to at Christmas time. The Nutcracker Suite by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky! I'm not a ballet fan per se, but I had the thrill of my young life when I got to see the ABT perform the Nutcracker at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, then just called the Terrace Theatre. It was fantastic. To hear a full LIVE orchestra play these pieces is just that, thrilling!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x85lDFtWKBg&feature=related

Winter Wondaland-The Del Rubio Triplets!

My favorite part of the Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special! These ladies are classic! It's a must see every year for a good laugh!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI9VlzajpL4

Silent Night- Annie Lennox

Annie has a new album titled, "A Christmas Cornucopia." Lovely,lovely songs,this is one of my favorite Christmas Carols of all time.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mo9Rj4oyhg

Blues for Christmas

Who says the Blues and Christmas don't mix? Not me man!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Jt8vuLt40

LA Woman- We Miss You Jim

It's Jim Morrison's birthday today too. Two years ago, my friend Terri and I went to see a great Door's cover band (Wild Child) at the Whisky A-Go-Go on December 8th. The band was great, and the Whisky management played John Lennon's music before the band came on. If you don't know, The Doors used to be the house band at the Whisky, so it was quite fitting! We got to celebrate both of these great artists that night! Wild Child also played one of John's songs, but for the life of me, I can't remember which one...
Being an LA Woman, I had to go with this song!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ohFqkhASU

We Miss You John

It's been 30 years since the night I came home from seeing The Elephant Man and my Mom told me that John Lennon had been shot and killed. I immediately turned on the radio to hear the tributes that were already on the air. I remember writing in my journal that night, expressing my hurt, disbelief and outrage! That some lunatic would take the life of someone who was a great artist, who wanted to talk about peace. Make love, not war.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHUfy_YBps&feature=related

Only You

Taking a step away from Christmas for a minute, and back to 1982. Alison Moyet has one of the classic voices I've heard. The genius of Vince Clark and Alison Moyet still resonate with me today, I LOVE Yaz! They toured here 2 summers ago with one date in LA, I'm STILL upset that I didn't get tickets!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9DOmlfICGw&feature=related

Sleigh Ride- Brian Setzer style

From The Brian Setzer Orchestra's Boogie Woogie Christmas!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0gbOJVQyzc

It Must Be Christmas Time!

Another favorite "Holiday" song, this time for Christmas. But then again, it's not really a holiday song, or a Christmas song for that matter. But they do reference Christmas and snow, so that counts, right? "Our Hearts Were Singing, It Must Be Christmas time!"







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa6f7CZgmZ8

Bela Lugosi's Dead- Bauhaus

I love Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula, and I have the movie on video. One of my scary movies I MUST watch every Halloween season! This Bauhaus song is featured in the film The Hunger, which you should see if you're so inclined...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtLlmrrCajA

Halloween- Siouxsie and the Banshees

I've seen Siouxsie and the Banshees 7 or 8 times, and Siouxsie and Budgie's side project The Creatures once too. I love the dark power and freedom of these songs. This band is JFA!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRZ2l9941CM

Season of the Witch- Donovan

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It's a time of being scared, dressing up, watching great scary movies, trick or treating, eating candy and handing out candy to the neighborhood kids. There is also a plethora of great Halloween themed music. Here we can delve into the obscure for sure, but I'll start with something more main stream.It may be the songs lyrics, or just the title, but it sure is fun! The Wicked Witch of the East just happens to be another favorite of mine!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5aPhGQ0L9Q

Everything's Just Wonderful- Lily Allen

My friend Lawrence burned me Lily Allen's first album, Alright Still a couple of years ago. I had never heard her before, but was an instant fan. Her lyrics are sarcastic and her music is fresh.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPmH1fzZ-zk

Chopin's Raindrop Prelude in D flat Major Op.28 No.15

As played by one of the greats, Vladimir Horowitz. Can't your just hear the rain?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_6APTb3RNQ&feature=fvsr

Rain Song-Led Zeppelin

I was wanting to post a rain song that spoke to how the rain makes me feel. I LOVE THE RAIN! Ever since I was a kid I've enjoyed walking in it, I would run and jump in puddles. I like to drive (during the day) in the rain. Great rainstorms remind me of a boyfriend I had during an El Nino winter. We enjoyed lots of rain and lots of sex.
I think I mostly love the rain because So Cal doesn't get it much, so what little rain we get, I love.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4v-_p5dU34

Erik Satie - Gymnopedie No 1

The Colors of Autumn accompanied by beautiful what I refer to as "floaty" music. This piece is wonderfully rendered on classical guitar as well. I have Classic Arts Showcase to thank for this, though the music is something I've heard my whole life.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atejQh9cXWI

Tift Merritt- New Artist!

I just heard this artist today for the first time. Thank you Carson! Grammy nominated artist who has been called the "new Joni Mitchell" but she's a bit of a country too. I love new music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE5S7dVpXC8&feature=channel

Phranc- Everywhere I Go I Hear The Go-Go's

As a Go-Go's fan, I love this song! For a time in the early 80's this was true!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1wAaMJXIFA&feature=related

I'm Bored- Iggy Pop

No one says it quite like Iggy. He who also brought us, Lust for Life and Shinny Happy People. I love Iggy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXpL8XICJrc

John Doe!

John Doe plays in one of the BEST bands to come out of Los Angeles, the band X. He has done some solo work, featured here, and has a side project band, The Knitters. I love him in any variation! John is a true artist, he's been featured in TV and movies too. LOVE HIM!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqDbwOc_Mv4

Are You Strong Enough?

Beautiful song and sad searching lyrics. story of my life...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o1fgn8MZZQ&feature=related

Home- Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow is, IMHO, one of the best singer songwriters of her generation. This beautiful song has stayed with me from the first time I heard it. I love the gorgeous slide guitar and the rhythm just takes me away.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IxowwuXWA

Garbage- Stupid Girl

To all girls who don't always make the right decisions! To me and to you, always! If you don't recognize your flaws, you won't work past them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HBxUWSxcq8&feature=related

Lady Sings The Blues- Billie Holiday

Great music to listen to when you've got the blues! Funny I'm wearing a B.B King concert t-shirt right now too, so I DO have the blues...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdCIsMeA8eY

Annie Lennox- Money Can't Buy It

I've decided that my role in doing this blog is that of a DJ, or VJ as the case may be. That is a job I wish I had pursued when I was much younger. I just want to present music that I like, that I think you will enjoy too. Annie Lennox is one of my favorites, and this video is a trip and a treat!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CjBgIe9WkE

Heart- Love, Reign O'er Me

Living in Southern California and loving the rain, about this time of year I long for rain. I know I won't get any for a couple of months at least, but I want it to rain. I have always loved this Who song from Quadrophenia, but I think Heart more than does the song justice. Powerful song of yearning for love and rain, I understand both.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw7zNXmu0yQ

Heart- Magic Man

I have wanted to see Heart for YEARS! This weekend my dream finally came true! They were as great and hard rockin' as I always imagined they would be live. Ann Wilson is above all others as far as female rock singers go. The power and precision of her voice BLEW ME AWAY! I loved the new Asian sounding arrangement of Dog & Butterfly, they do wonderfully on quiet songs like that and they kick ass like nobody's business on their harder edged songs. They played the Who's Reign O'er Me, Led Zeppelin's What is and What Should Never Be, and blended The Stones' Gimme Shelter with their own Even It Up. It was a brilliant show!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Odhanp1QgM&feature=related

My State of Mind- TV OD

I hope something comes up soon, I may have to go to rehab for my HGTV addiction! Plus movies galore... I have this Warm Leatherette/TV-OD on vinyl.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v7FZwyOdvU&feature=related

Summertime

Since summer is winding down, I thought I'd post some "summertime" songs. You've got to love Sam Cooke's voice, he really does justice to this beautiful Gershwin tune! It is one of my favorite songs and has been covered by everyone, but this version is nice.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWmGAR4_jRg

The Blasters with Billy Zoom!

Long White Cadillac and Border Radio! I love Phil Alvin's facial tic, BIG GRIN!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EChmg

What Are Words For?

Missing Persons was a great opening band in the 80's, IMO. If they had to do a full set, they could not sustain the energy (and audience) and I would quickly lose interest... But if they opened they ROCKED!
.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IasCZL072fQ

More Than Words

This beautiful melodic song is the only one I know by Extreme. I'm addicted to Scrabble on Facebook, so right now I'm very focused on WORDS!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrIiLvg58SY

UB40

One of the tightest, most "together" bands I've seen live. Great musicians these guys, even if they are just playing 3 chords! When I FINALLY did get to see them the couple of times I was lucky enough to see them, I was soo excited! The wait was worth it, I mean they are really GREAT!

Once upon a time there was a promoter (who shall not be named, but you know who you are!)who promised and advertised UB40 at a reggae festival we went to on Catalina in 1984. When he couldn't produce UB40, he had the horn section of The Untouchables (who were GREAT btw) play instead. Trouble was, he didn't tell anybody! AND he left the island to avoid controversy. And they didn't live happily ever after... Well, UB40 did, the promoter not so much, so far.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXQCZ5i7U8Q&feature=related

File Under: I HATE THIS SONG!

1. The Knack- My Sharona
I saw this video late night last night, I was in bed so I wasn't gonna find the remote and mute it or change the channel. BUT, right now it's on the Music Choice Classic Alternative channel and I refuse to listen to it again. It has a catchy hook, but it is so dated. Definitely NOT a song that stands the test of time. Plus it's like "It's A Small World", it stays in your head forever! So instead of listening to it, I'm starting a free for all blog entry, called I HATE THIS SONG! Feel free to contribute a song YOU hate!

Tempted

I used to be and still am a huge Squeeze fan. Songs like this are the reason why.
What a great vocal by Paul Carrack on this one. One of my all time favorite songs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PmtS_qMdXg

From The Beginning- ELP

One of THE MOST beautiful songs recorded! I love the sort of melancholy, far away feeling I get when I hear this song. You Were Meant To Be Here! You thought I was going to post "Lucky Man" didn't you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm1OJ0LAgt4

Rosanne Cash- The List

This song, "I'm Movin' On" from her latest cd (The List) just kills me! It is soo good! Great way to say farewell to a tired, old love affair. "The List" refers to the list of the 100 essential country (or American, cuz it covers rock, blues, pop) songs her Dad wrote out for her while she was on tour with him right after she graduated from high school...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXT9oxIScGg

Almost Blue/Nighthawks

Somehow I feel like the GREAT Edward Hopper painting "Nighthawks" goes along perfectly with "Almost Blue." It's just a blues feelin' I get. My friend Terri and I saw the play, "Nighthawks" a few years ago. The set was this painting, the people in it came to life and told the story of these late night loners. Very melancholy and fantastic! Multi-media: music, art, and performance. What could be better? I can only dream of what Billie Holiday could do with this song, she'd have us all in tears...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zju3lT02PiE

Lancers!

I heard this song while crusin' around running errands, then later in the day took this photo of the Lego Lancer. Love the Beach Boys and the Endless Summer album especially. This song has it ALL!! To all of the Lancers: past, present and future, Be True To Your School!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4dHkSAciJs

LR loves LR!!

Leslie Rallings loves Linda Ronstadt! Put on her Greatest Hits cd and you'll be singing along to every song! This woman has some pipes, she can just belt out a song with no effort! I remember watching her Canciones de Mi Padre with some friends. We didn't understand much, but we were completely enthralled anyway! One of the best to come out of the Southern California music scene in the 70's!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wci-tuggO_M

You Go To My Head- I'm A Fool To Want You

You Go To My Head

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGNc1yLGPug&feature=related

In 2003 I took a Public Speaking class at Golden West College. Our last speech was an informative speech, mine was about Billie Holiday. I had loved her music for years, but doing the research about her life for my speech, and collecting more of her music was a thrilling historical, musical journey!

This post is an exercise in compare and contrast. Billie Holiday near the beginning of her career singing "You Go To My Head". Following with "I'm A Fool To Want You" which she recorded on her final album, Lady In Satin. The later is almost painful to listen to, because her voice, once clear as a bell, is in tatters. BUT, the emotion that she sings with, lets you know she has LIVED the lyrics of the song. Fantastic artist! I love that even though she passed away in 1959, some of these videos, like "Strange Fruit" have millions of views, she's an American icon! These songs also symbolize the beginning and the end of a love affair..

I'm A Fool To Want You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9P-pfqF6Y&NR=1

Billie Holiday- Rare live video!!

"The blues, to me, is like, being very sad, very sick...or in the church, being very happy. There's two kinds of blues: there's happy blues, and there's sad blues. I don't think I ever sing the same way twice. I don't think I ever sing the same tempo. One night, it's a little bit slow, the next night, it's a little bit brighter- it's according to how I feel. I don't know- the blues is sort of a mixed-up thing. You just have to feel it. Anything I do sing, it's part of my life."
- Billie Holiday

I love watching her watch and listen to the fantastic musicians playing with her!
Everything about this video is Fine and Mellow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtgUbJN8oPE

Frank!

Classic Frank Sinatra inspired by my friend PJ, who is accompanying singers in a Frank tribute in her home town this weekend. Frank is known for his phrasing, singing behind the beat. I've read that he was influenced by Billie Holiday, who pioneered that style. Some old jazz is always great to listen to! Frank had style!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j1KGHOvSkM

River

A hauntingly beautiful song about a young man who,had he lived would have been a HUGE STAR. Or as one writer put it, "After River died, the part was given to Leonardo DiCaprio."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3rv4UFA0uU

These Are Days- 10,000 Maniacs

I've been ignorant enough to basically ignore the 10,000 Maniacs and lucky enough to see Natalie Merchant. 10K Maniacs were opening for Squeeze at the Bren Events Center at UCI, I went with my now "ex-sister-in-law." We really wanted to see Squeeze and were dismissive of the "opening band" that no one had heard of... 3 months later 10,000 Maniacs exploded and were everywhere, and I LIKED them. Faux pas on our part!

Saw Natalie Merchant as a solo artist at The Greek a few years later, in support of her Tigerlily album. She just has the most interesting voice, love Natalie! I love the positive lyrics of this song, a 10,000 Maniacs HUGE hit!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-HLxpWGCzc&feature=related

SRV- Couldn't Stand The Weather

For y'all in SoCal who are complaining about the June Gloom in July... I AM NOT ONE OF THEM!! Stevie describes your passion for higher temps through his guitar playing!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOF8QmRBVng&feature=related

Stormy Monday- The Allman Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gDhR1R3S0s

This here is the BLUES! 'Nuff said, 'cept listen, feel it and love it!

The New World- The Knitters!

Very high quality video of The Knitters doing The New World. Written in the 80's during the Reagan administration and originally performed by X, this song is still relevant in the 21st century. The Knitters is comprised of 3 members of X, DJ Bonebrake- snare drum, Exene Cervenka-vocals, John Doe- vocals and acoustic guitar, in addition to Dave Alvin on electric guitar and Jonny Ray Bartel on stand up bass. Country, rockabilly, punk, folk music is their specialty. Dave Alvin's guitar solo ROCKS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKfAa9I5Oho