Fat Freddy’s Drop – Hope
Fat Freddy’s Drop are an eclectic New Zealand 7 piece band who put on a great live show. I saw them in East London in September and was very impressed with their energetic performance.
I really like this one in particular because it is so mellow. It has soothed many a hangover. Based on a true story, the album it is taken from, is also well worth a listen and is both one of my most cherished LP’s.
Miriam Makeba – Pata Pata
This song from South African singer Miriam Makeba continues my recent world music motif. The specific reason it came into my mind is the following awesome picture of Miriam and Marlon Brando, which is taken from this website:
Ricardo Villalobos – Fizheuer Zieheuer
I wanted to post something completely different from yesterday. This is a huge dance tune. It is relentless and hypnotic and I have found it to be spellbinding in recent days.
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come on Eileen
Was at a old friend’s wedding tonight and so I wanted to post something suitably cheesy in that spirit and this was one of the songs played that stuck in my mind.
This is taken from Here lies love, a concept album made in collaboration between Fatboy Slim and David Byrne (of Talking Heads). The album charts the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, who was first lady of the Phillipines. As I previously mentioned, I am a sucker for songs that double as history lessons or more generally ones that have an interesting concept that makes me think.
The whole album is really stimulating and great in places. It is kind of an opera rapped up in sultry disco beats and features lots of great guest vocals, such as the one here from Charmaine Clamor.
DJ Marky and XRS – LK (It’s the way)
I wanted to post something upbeat and energetic as I am looking forward to what will be a busy and fun weekend. I am home for what will be a raucous wedding that will no doubt be full of laughter and high spirits.
This is also apt as it is an old school friend who is getting married and this brings back many happy memories from that period.
I wanted to post something Irish today as I have just spent the day in Dublin.
These guys have come into a little prominence after Glen Hansard, the lead singer, starred in a Once a couple of years ago. I really liked them when I was in my late teens and early twenties, seeing them live quite a few times.
The reason they first piqued my interest was that I saw Glen Hansard when he was supporting Bob Dylan and I walked into the show halfway into his set while he was covering Astral Weeks which is an obscure song from my favourite album of all time and I instantly knew I had to investigate him further.
Brook Benton – Rainy night in Georgia
This is apt for me today – I am back in Ireland for a few days and when I stepped of the plane this morning it was indeed a rainy night in Georgia.
I also really like the song. It has a wistful longing that I can relate to and which seems to come particularly with rain (maybe that is because rain reminds me of home).
A friend and fellow music fan recommended this a couple of weeks ago and I have been enjoying it since. He suggested that the singer has has a little of Jeff Buckley in her vocal style and I would agree with that assessment. The song veers back and forth between being dreamy and urgent and is perfect for said vocal.
Dark Dark Dark – Daydreaming
Dark Dark Dark are hipsters from Minnesota that I have heard and read much praise for recently. Tom Ravenscroft (repeatedly) described them as “the best band in the world.” I don’t know if I would be that gushing about them (shock) but I have certainly been enjoying this track of late. It is sombre and atmospheric and this gives it a compelling quality.