Tennis* – Origins
Tennis are a husband and wife duo from Denver, Colorado. The hazy sound and light, airy feel here remind me a little of Best Coast who were favourites from last year. It is taken from their second record Young and Old, which has just been released I think.
RjK
*Artist #384
Prince and The Family – Nothing compares 2 U
Those of you who know me may not be too shocked to find out that I am somewhat cynical about Valentines Day. My intention was to ignore it completely in today’s post, however a good friend was goading me that I should prove that “I have a tiny bit of romance somewhere in my soul” (he may have been confusing me with someone else). He then went on to suggest I post one of two songs about heartbreak? Davy – Sinead O’Connor isn’t my thing but I can do Prince any day of the week so you will have to make do with the original.
Moby* – In my heart
I was looking for something mellow to ease me into the working week this morning and Moby did the trick. It surprised me a little that he hadn’t already featured on the blog.
This is taken from Play which was a favourite from my school days and is still a favourite album cover. It, along with Air’s Moon Safari came along about the same and opened my naive eyes to Electonic music. While Moby has perhaps strayed towards the status of celebrity with too much to say from himself (is it just me or are vegan’s a little unsettling?), Play is still a great album.
A fact about Moby – apparently he got his name because he is a descendent of Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick.
RjK
*Artist #383
Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you
Posting two Whitney songs in a week is a little break from the spirit of the blog up until now. But given the circumstances I think it is appropriate.
I have been listening to a lot of Whitney and feeling a little sombre today. Her’s was a tragic if sadly predictable story. What talent she had. Perhaps the perfect pop voice, I would view her as being one of the few to be in the same league as her godmother, Aretha Franklin. This is her at the mid-80’s peak of her powers.
RjK
Chic – Everybody Dance
Saturday. Night. Anthem.
The reason it came into my head is that I was reading this week that Nile Rodgers, who produced it is apparrently working with Daft Punk. That is an almost unimaginably fabulous combo. Enough to get even as stoic a chap as me excited.
RjK
Whitney Houston* – I wanna dance with somebody (GPF)
It’s Friday again (thanks goodness). That means another cheesy, upbeat tune. A colleague reminded me of Whitney this week and was talking about seeing her in concert last year. Wow! What an amazing voice. Also a very pleasingly kitschy and perfectly 80’s video here. I hope you have a great weekend.
RjK
*Artist #382
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble* – Black Boy (NAT)
This is one of the freshest tracks I have heard in a while. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are a Chicago-based family brass band (oh, the interesting journeys this blog has taken me on). I love how rich the sound is, also the vocal is strong, wise and wistful.
RjK
*Artist #381
Josh Rouse – Winter in The Hamptons
Josh Rouse is an old favourite from university. I hadn’t thought about him in ages until I heard this song on the radio over the weekend. It was probably the first song of his that really grabbed me back what is probably 10 years ago by now. How can it be that long?
It is also fairly apt as today must have been the coldest day of the winter so far in London. It was absolutely frigid. I thought my face was going to fall off on my way home this evening!
RjK
Betty Wright – Clean up woman
Betty Wright is a hero. She is a favourite mine and I how sassy she is here. Also, what a killer bass line! She came into my mind when I noticed she was playing live on Jools Holland’s show on New Year’s Eve and I have wanted to post this since.
RjK
Elvis Costello – Watching the detectives
Short post tonight. I am feeling jaded after staying up to watch the Superbowl last night. What a game!
I found myself listening to a lot of Elvis Costello in the second half of last year. I had somehow forgotten how talented and prolific he is. Here is another illustration of this.
RjK