Is Your Love Strong Enough

If you didn't see Ridley Scott's film Legend back in 1985 starring Tom Cruise, Mia Farrow, and the incomparable Tim Curry and you weren't a Bryan Ferry fan then you may have missed this song. If you do see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo then stay as the credits roll and you will hear a very good remake of Is Your Love Strong Enough done over by How To Destroy Angels. Their interpretation of Bryan's classic isn't a straight ahead remake. It's fashioned in a brand new and refreshing way.

If the groups sound is familiar it's because HTDA is comprised of Trent Reznor, his wife Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. Trent and Atticus won the Oscar for their score to the social network and Trent was the frontman and creative force behind Nin Inch Nails. Atticus Ross did the score to The Book of Eli that starred Denzel Washington.

Their version starts off with vocals only which I think is brilliant, then the keys come in along with the bassline. The song has an eerie feel to it and when the song opens up with the full instrumentation, it takes off. It's a head bobber and if HDTA is the evolution of Trent Reznor from his NIN days then I'm looking forward to the future. Give it a lesson and let me know what you think.

Hey Sexy Lady (remix by Skrillex)

Look, if you haven't heard of Skrillex by now then prepare yourself. You will either absolutely love what they do or you will most assuredly hate it with every fiber of your being. Me, I love it and can't get enough of their sound and music. They have taken the formula of music and thrown up all over it. They have taken songs you would otherwise recognize and turn them completely on their heads. The intro to them I bring to you is a remix by them by the new Bad Boy/Puffy machine group known as iSQUARE and their song Hey Sexy Lady. No never hearing the original version (I found the remix by accident), after hearing Skrillex's version of this song I have absolutely no desire to hear the original and maybe you won't either.

Now I will admit that Skrillex's sound isn't for every ear and while mine finds it tasty, yours may not agree. Their stuff could take some getting used to but if you throw their stuff on your stereo with your "big boy" speakers pumping you may just become a convert. I won't break down what I love about this song, listen to it and you'll hear it for yourself. I will say this though, while I was going through my shit earlier this year, it was Skrillex (along with some other artists) that kept me going, kept my head on straight and allowed me to push through my issues. For that, I will always be a fan.

And if you like this song (or what they've done to it) then you should check out their original piece First of The Year. That is only if your ears can take it of course. Enjoy.

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3-III Allegro

Without question one of my all time favorite classical pieces of music is this, the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major: Allegro. It's pretty, lyrical, very rhythmic, and full of breathless energy. It's one of a few Bach pieces that pulled me in and made me an unapologetic fan of this composer (hear Toccata and Fugue for a few of the other pieces).

This piece is also rife with drama and darkness which is almost immediately offset with playfulness and light. It starts off like an avalanche coming at you (albeit a playful one)and it never slows down. It never gives you a chance to catch your breathe and I liken it to someone rushing to catch a plane home for Christmas or the last train. Running through a crowded depot or airport with nothing but obstacle after obstacle in his or her way. Spinning, jumping, whizzing past someone all the while apologizing and saying "Excuse me".

This is a fun classical piece of music and one hard not to like. Bach isn't my favorite composer by any stretch of the imagination (see Vivaldi, Mozart, and DeBussy first) but this piece, which always puts a smile on my face when I hear it and others by him definitely lands him in my top five. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do and Happy Holidays.

The Way it Is

I can still remember how I felt the first time I heard this song. It gave me chills (and at times it still does). As a huge fan of the piano (and one time player many moons ago) I felt like this song was written for me or at least written with me in mind. Bruce Hornsby wasn't setting the music world on fire with his lyrics but his playing pushed this song to the top of the charts. Though the lyrics and this song could be the anthem of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement because the times mirror this songs sentiment perfectly.

It starts off with a little piano ditty until the drums kick in and then the song takes off. Bruce Hornsby and The Range I'm sure didn't set out to make an uptempo head bobber some twenty or so years ago. I'm sure they were just hoping to make the world sit up and take notice of the ignorance going on right in front of our faces. With "Just The Way It Is" they did both however. This song will make you bob your head AND take account of all the ignorant injustices in the world. It does this while at the same time being timeless and mesmerizing you with some incredible piano playing.

Give this song another chance to blow you away like it did so many years ago. It's one of my all time favorite songs. I mean how could it not be since it was written for me? Enjoy!

Sura

I know I haven't posted anything is what seems like forever but I have been in some deep dark places recently. As I did my best to find the light I had music like this to be my soundtrack. This piece is entitled Sura by Ben Lukas Boysen aka Hecq. Now upon first listen you may think "ahhhh techno, I hate techno" and dismiss it but you'd be doing yourself a disservice. This is piece has nothing at all to do with techno.

Hecq's music is raw and uncompromising, it's unrelenting. It's heavy and comprised more of manipulated sounds than actual instrumentation. It's inventive, provocative, and all in your face not asking to be liked and daring you to categorize it. This tune in particular, off of his 2010 EP release of the same name is one that ONLY belongs on the big boy speakers but be warned, when the bass kicks in you might be getting a knock on your front door by either your neighbors or the police.

I might also suggest steeltongued off of his 2009 release of the same name and the Trifonic remix of With Angels off of his 2011 release Avenger.

All I

I'm going to say something that may shock some of you. I'm not a really big fan of Jill Scott. I know, I know! How on earth can that be since she's just so talented. It's not something I can firmly put a finger on but there it is. She has quite a library of songs and the majority of them don't move or touch me but she has crafted some songs that I love and enjoy. One of them happens to be the song All I off of her 2009 release The Real Thing - Words & Sounds, Vol.3. This is smooth baby making music, the Jill Scott version.

It starts off with some real smooth keys playing in the background over the bass kick and Jill telling someone not to be scared. She wants to know if the person likes her this way, a way she's never been seen in before. She starts off with the lyrics I've been a goodie daddy / But I don't have to be / If you don't want me too / I'll be your nasty baby. She's got no time for games, no rules, just play and that basically let's you know what she's talking about and how she's feeling. Just in case you weren't sure she adds It's just all the things I see when you're inside of me for good measure.

It's really difficult to not like this song even if Jill sounds like she's out of her element on this x-rated joint. The melodies and harmonies are so catchy and tasty and the line tease me, please me, spank me, feed me, you know what I need baby is definitely hard to resist no matter who sings it. Enjoy!

Ugly Part of Me

If you are looking for some cool out music, something mellow and inspires you to light a few candles then check this out. The song is called Ugly Part of Me brought to you by the smooth voiced Avery Sunshine. Off of her self titled debut album, Avery sings a smooth song explaining how that ugly side of her reared its ugly head and caused her to "trip out" on her man. This is an apology and it's a damn smooth one.

Her entire album harkens back to the early days of Floetry and early Jill Scott, I think she is cut from a similar cloth as those exceptional artists both vocally and lyrically. This song however stands out as far as I'm concerned from all the rest because of it's beauty and significance. For a Black woman to admit that she has that ugly side feeds into that stereotype of the "angry Black woman". She sings lines like I don't know about you but I got an ugly side and Sometimes, sometimes there's just some things I can not have which are very powerful. To me this song is both heavy and beautiful and I can't stop listening to it.

Check this tune out and see if you don't feel the same way I do about it. Maybe you won't be able to stop listening to it either. Enjoy.

Give It To You

I was digging around in my collection of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis songs and this song popped me upside the head. For those that thought Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake were the original white R&B crooners allow me to refute that claim with this artist and this catchy tune. The artist is Jordan Knight and the song is Give It To You off his 1999 release Jordan Knight LP. Jordan who was once part of the questionably talented New Kids On The Block had his biggest hit with this song which which was written by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jordan Knight, and Robin Thicke and produced by Jam and Lewis. This song pretty much paved the way for Robin and Justin to be the artists they are today. It showed that white male singers could and would be accepted by Black audiences.

The song is fun. Seemingly inspired by carnival music and arranged in such a way that you would have to imagine it was fun crafting this song. It starts off with that carnival music and then Jordan comes in riding the bassline singing "You say it's been too long / Since you / Had some. You say I turn you on / Like the fire that's burning inside / You think that I'm the one (you see in your dreams) / I know what you mean". Basically it's yet another song about about a guy trying to get some. However, this song is a lot of fun to listen to.

The carnival vibe comes back into the song twice more, once at the bridge and the outro. What surprised me about this was that Jam and Lewis had a hand in creating it but the more I listen to it their influences are all over it, as are Robin Thicke's, especially in the vocal layering department. Either way, you may hate Jordan as a singer and artist and that's your prerogative or you may have forgotten all about this song as I did but maybe unlike you, I'm glad I found it again. Enjoy!

Bittersweet Faith

When I first heard this song I was immediately hit by the musicianship and the strings. I was online one late night just looking for something new musically that I hadn't heard before and I was just punching things in my search engines. I came across a few things that night but this song was the shiny gem of the bunch. The name of the song is Bittersweet Faith by Bitter:Sweet. It's off of their 2006 release "The Mating Game" and this song will make you bop your head, I swear.

It has a tango feel to it at first and then the strings and percussion come in and that adds the groove. Then the vocals by Shana Halligan come floating in over the track giving it an added dimension. Now granted, Shana isn't the strongest of vocalists but her voice is just another instrument added to the mix. You can almost disregard what she's singing about because the track has grabbed you and won't let go. My favorite part of this song is when Shana begins the second verse, all the instrumentation drops away and it's just her, the strings, and the bass. Lovely.

I like this song a lot and if you give it a chance you just may become a fan of Bitter:Sweet yourself. Enjoy!

Sunrise

I fell head over heels for this song when I first heard it and every time it comes up on the playlist I smile. It transports me back to a time when everything was genuine and true in my life and hardship and heartbreak seemed miles from shore. The song is "Sunrise" by the immensely talented Norah Jones off of her 2004 release "Feels Like Home".

I don't know if it's the easy laid back feel of the song, the beautiful melody, or the piano, guitar, upright bass, and knuckles on wood accompaniment that makes this a favorite of mine. Maybe it's Norah's voice or just the overall sweet sentiment. It's a well arranged song and the voice layering is pitch perfect. I don't know about anyone else but this song definitely reminds me of home. That's why it'll always be a favorite of mine.

Luna Negra

One of my all time favorite songs is Luna Negra by Rey Ruiz. It's not one of my favorite salsa songs, it's one of my favorite songs period (and I don't even speak Spanish). Whenever I hear it I just want to dance and I always remember how I felt when I heard it the first time, it gave me goosebumps because I had never heard anything like it before. Sure I've heard some great salsa songs before ever hearing Luna Negra but for some reason this song struck a different chord in me and I was an instant fan.

It's a song about serious heartbreak and how a man finally knows what pain is like when his love walks out on him. He then sees a Black moon but holds on to the hope that one day he and his love will be re-united again to see another morning together. Ruiz' voice is like silk and the music with the muted horns is simply pure perfection.

Like I said earlier, Luna Negra is one of my all time favorite songs. If you take a listen to this classic it may become one of your all time favorite songs too (even if you don't speak Spanish). Enjoy!

E.R.

One of the most underrated soul and r&b singers to hit the scene in the past decade has to be without a doubt the artist simply named Joe. I am a fan of this talented man because he rarely ever lets me down. Usually he releases quality songs that are catchy and entertaining and why he's not on the level of an Usher or an R. Kelly is a true mystery. Maybe he needs to release a sex tape or something or get caught driving drunk. Maybe that would give his career the push it needs to get him out of the middle of the pack with the Avants and the like.

The song E.R. is a catchy and creative song that's a head nodder and foot tapper for sure. Off of his 2008 release New Man, E.R. was the first song on the album and it was a tone setter. The lyrics are witty and the hook is memorable and the song is layered in so many ways both vocally and musically which I like. It's a well arranged song and while Joe doesn't have the pipes of say a Jaheim, he's still a very capable singer and gets the most out his gift.

This song was the first single and it failed to catch on but I am a fan of this tune and of Joe's. Give it a chance and you may be too. Enjoy!

My Right Eye

I haven't blogged in a while for a few reasons. Some reasons were personal and one reason in particular was I was allowing some new readers to catch up from digging through the archives (there are a LOT of songs on this blog o'mine...lol). I'm back now though so I hope all you new people are all caught up, this train is about to leave the station and this is the perfect song to leave said station to. When I first heard this song I was struck by it's ethereal sound and it made me pay attention. The artist is Laurie Anderson and in this case the word artist fits perfectly. Laurie Anderson is not just a musician but a performance artist and sculptor.

My Right Eye is off of her 2010 album Homeland and it's not really a song I can break down, it's more a song you just have to listen to. A song you have to listen and pay attention too. It's a song with no real hook or structure but it's damn addictive. It's intense in it's easy nature and cinematic in sound and scope, like it could be the song the end titles run to at the end of a movie.

I don't know if this song will make you a fan of Laurie Anderson like it did me. I thought the song was worthy of being shared and listened to. I hope you enjoy it.

You Are Goodbye

Allow me to introduce to you the talented Holly Conlan and what I think is the most inventive break up song I have heard in a very long time. The song is called "You Are Goodbye" and what caught me initially about this young woman was her voice. It was just so real and not enhanced or improved with any studio tricks but the more I listened to her I realized she's a damn good songwriter. She reminded me almost instantly of another young singer songwriter that burst on the scene only to slowly fade away, Fiona Apple. And while Fiona and Holly are both talented singer-songwriters and both play piano that's where the comparisons stop.

"You Are Goodbye" is off her 2008 EP entitled Bird is a haunting song about remembering the pain that came from a relationship that slowly just went away. It's about how one person saw how things ended and coming to grips with it. There is no percussion in this song, it's just Holly, her piano, and accompanying keyboards. There's nothing to take away from her vocals. It was lyrics like "I remember "Go"/And I remember one "maybe you can wait"/I remember arms reached out too late" that made me sit up and pay closer attention.

A simple song that's not overly produced. Great lyrics, beautiful melody, and a distinctive voice makes this one of my favorite songs. I don't know if it'll be one of yours but take a listen because you never know.

Love's In Need of Love Today

And now for something completely different. This song is a bonafide classic and the sentiment is simply beautiful. Given to us to enjoy by the maestro Stevie Wonder, this song is timeless and for someone to disagree with that just doesn't know music, that's right I said it! The song is the beautiful Love's In Need of Love Today. I was raised on this song (my mom played the hell out of this song) and I thought it was time to bring Stevie to my blog. Now really I could have picked ANY song from his seminal masterpiece Songs In The Key of Life but it's this song that makes me just feel damn good.

It starts off as a public service announcement as Stevie addresses each and everyone of us that love is in trouble. After the harmonizing vocals he sings "Good morn or evening friends/Here's your friendly announcer/I have serious news to pass on to everybody" and he goes on to tell us that his words could mean the end of the world. He explains that we've basically taken loving one another for granted and that there's more hate in the world today because of that which pretty much makes this song timeless in my opinion. Think about it, very soon there will be another Presidential election and if you thought the divisiveness and discord was bad the last time around, just you wait.

My favorite part of this song is towards the end when Stevie, our "friendly announcer" asks the song to be brought down a level because love is very peaceful. The song goes out as it comes in, harmonious and easy. It is, quite simply music at it's very best. Enjoy!

If It Isn't Love

It's time to get cheesy. High time in fact and the cheese starts with this wonderful blast from my past. Starring the five of the most or should I say four of the most talentless brothers to ever grace a stage (Johnny Gill could actually sing). The group is New Edition and the song is If It Isn't Love. For me this is a fun song and I could use as much of that right now as I can get my hands on. I fired up the old ipod and turned on the trusted playlist and when this song hit my ears, I smiled.

Produced by the legendary hit makers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Love is a great song with a great sound. It turned out to be one of New Edition's biggest hits and a tentpole song on their 1988 album Heartbreak, the other smash hit off that album being Can You Stand The Rain. This grooving song powered Heartbreak to become a commercial success and it inspired four kids from Philadelphia to realize their dreams. They went on to form a group and named themselves after one of the songs off this album, Boys II Men.

Like I said this song makes me smile and I guess that's because it just oozes cheese. Or maybe it's because Ronny, Ricky, Mike, and Ralph basically showed me that yes even without any real singing abilities, success was possible (again Johnny Gill who replaced Bobby Brown could actually sing). Enjoy!

Beautiful

Okay let me just say that from the start this song isn't the most craftiest of songs. It's a decent song by a decent singer and that's as far as I'll go on this track by Noel Gourdin. Beautiful doesn't have any of those wow moments and the more you listen to it the more you can begin to pick out the weak spots. Now you're probably asking yourself "Well Mark why would you blog about a halfway decent song?" and if you aren't, why aren't you? I'll be more than happy to explain why this song makes the blog and it may be the first and last time I make this exception.

Don't get me wrong, Beautiful isn't crap. Off of Noel's latest release Fresh:The Definition , Beautiful has got a great beat, a sweet piano, and can't forget the strings that come in during the chorus along with the bass line. The musicianship and arrangement is tight, it's the lyrics that drag this song down BUT I love the message of this song and that's why it makes the playlist. I don't know who wrote the lyrics but lines like "so soft, so sweet, like a fresh strawberry/I want to bite you, squeeze you, your love is necessary" just makes me cringe. I love the sentiment though and that's what matters but other songs of this type, where men come around to finally realizing a woman deserves his respect and love have been done far better.

This is a good attempt by Noel Gourdin but I'm sure he can do better, at least I hope he can. Enjoy!

Black Republican

This is a first for my blog and for those that know me know why. When I was a wayward youth hip hop was the soundtrack to my life. I loved it because it spoke to me and it touched me deeply. Over the years though hip hop changed and it's changes slowly pushed me away from it's embrace. It got to the point where it actually disgusted me, not all of it but the majority of it. Every now and then though hip hop would surprise me, where it gave me chills with it's creativity and it would seduce me to listening again. This song is one of those songs that captured me right from the start. Not because of the title of the song or who preforms on the song, none of that mattered to me once I heard the backing music. I heard it and I was floored.

If you don't know about this song Black Republican by Nas featuring his one time nemesis Jay-Z then allow me to introduce it to you and tell you why I love it so much. I am a HUGE movie fan and my love for movies rivals my love for music. This song brings those two worlds together for me like nothing ever had before. The melody that's riding the beat is from The Godfather Part II by Nino Rota (which I include below) and I knew it the second I heard it. I can listen to this song over and over again and I completely tune out both Nas and Jay-Z (I wish I could find the instrumental of this track but that remains a dream). If you're wondering where this music is in Part II it's when Vito played by DeNiro kills Don Fanucci of the Hand.

Black Republican off of Nas' album Hip Hop Is Dead that dropped in Dec of 06 was produced by L.E.S. and Wyldfyer. This is one of those songs that makes me wish I was in the studio when it was being crafted. I think it's fucking amazing and definitely a tasty tune. Enjoy!

Everlong

Okay so I have this friend named David and David is a VERY big Foo Fighters fan and he brought them and their music to my attention. I gave them a solid listening to but nothing grabbed me hard enough to turn me into as big of a fan as David is (did I mention he is a really big fan?). The one song that did catch me though was this one entitled Everlong and it's really a beautiful song. I love the melody and the lyrics. It's a cool song when the Fighters rock it out with the crunching guitars and screaming vocals but to see the true beauty in this song the acoustic version should be heard.

Everlong was off the Foo Fighters second album The Color and the Shape which dropped in May of 97. The original version of Everlong is a hard charging rocker that comes in with the single guitar riff but not long after that the song explodes with guitars and drums and Grohl's vocals. My favorite lyric in the song is Breathe out so I can breathe you in/Hold you in. This song is definitely worthy of making the playlist.

I couldn't thank Dave enough for introducing me to Foo Fighters and this song. It's made me respect the band as artists and Grohl as more than just a drummer. It's also made me a fan, just not as big a fan as David is.

Adore

It's high time this classic be added to "the playlist" because it is most definitely deserving. It might actually be listed by me as one of my all time favorite songs. If I ever composed a list of my favorites this song would definitely be on it. It's playful, erotic, passionate, and funky. That's a deadly but addictive combination but I truly believe this song falls into that category. Maybe not deadly but without a doubt highly addictive. It's a standout song on a double record set full of amazing songs. The artist is Prince and the song is Adore.

What was supposed to originally be a three LP album called Crystal Ball was shaved down to two at the demands of Prince's then home Warner Bros. Records. WB didn't think a three LP album would sell basing that opinion on the lack of sales of Prince's previous release Parade, the soundtrack to his Under The Cherry Moon film. I think they underestimated their biggest artists of the day fan base. Crystal Ball would have flown off the shelves. Sign, released on March 31, 1987 was his best album in my opinion with songs like Sign Of the Times, Housequake, You Got The Look with his muse Sheena Easton, If I Was Your Girlfriend, I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man, and the amazing The Cross. This album had something for everyone and just when you thought it couldn't get any better the last song was this song.

Adore starts off with a live audience applauding and the band coming in as tight as you would expect any band led by Prince to be. The music is whimsical and Prince begins to sing Until the end of time/I'll be there for you/You own my heart and mind/I truly adore you/If God one day struck me blind/Your beauty I'd still see/Love's too weak to define/ Just what you mean to me...you knew you were in for something special. When you listened to this album and this song you were listening to greatness because you knew no other artist could do anything like this. A unique album, a unique song by the most unique musical genius ever. Enjoy!

Prince- Adore MP3 Download

Keep On Moving

Now if you don't know this song then I will keep that look of shock that is on my face to a minimum (but really, how could you NOT know this song?). And if you DO know this song then you know just how great and moving it is. It may have been awhile since you've heard it and like most old music (old being mid to late 80's) it's usually forgotten about. When you hear it again though you wonder why the hell it's taken you so long to bless your ears. Soul II Soul's Keep On Moving is definitely a blast from the past and it's a great soundtrack when you take that trip down memory lane.

Off their US debut album Club Classics Vol. One that dropped in 89, Moving went all the way to number one on the soul and dance charts. Produced by Jazzie B with vocals by the talented Caron Wheeler this song was a thumper and pretty much irresistible when it came on. Wheeler left the group itching to capitalize on the success of the album. She embarked on a solo career and while she never attained the success she knew while part of the Soul II Soul/Funki Dred family she always has this song and what a song it is. The first thing that catches you is that beat then Caron mellifluous vocals, that thumping bass line, and the sweet piano all come in together and this song never looks back.

This is a song meant for the big boy speakers so download it if you don't already have it. Then take your laptop/computer or ipod and hook it up to your stereo and turn the volume up. Then try and remember where you were and/or what you were doing back in 1989 and enjoy!!!!

Sunscreen

Quite honestly my blog would be incomplete without this track. You can't call it a song since it was originally believed to be a commencement speech given to the graduating class of 1999. That was a hoax and in fact it was a column that was in the Chicago tribune although it SHOULD have been a commencement speech because it makes damn good sense. The article in the Tribune found it's way onto the internet and that would have been the end of it except that email made it's way to someone and he was truly touched by it.

Award winning movie director Baz Luhrmann eventually bought the rights to the words and then turned put the words to the music "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)" that was used in his Romeo and Juliet remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. It was then released by Capitol Records.

If you've never heard of this song or heard it and forgot it then allow me to introduce or reintroduce it to you. It may be just what you need to hear today, you really never know but do yourself a favor and take heed to the words. Enjoy.

Maybe She'll Dream Of Me

Ever since I was introduced to this group by my friend Art I have been a huge fan. Their sound is very easy on the ears and their songs while not always musically catchy are always lyrically enticing. Usually though the music and the lyrics are perfectly matched like they are on this tune "Maybe She'll Dream Of Me" to the point where as a fan you begin to wonder why The Foreign Exchange isn't far more popular than they are. If you aren't a fan or if you don't know someone who isn't a fan already or a fan of the now defunct rap group Little Brother then the Exchange will continue to sadly fly under your radar.

The group is made up of singer/rapper Phonte Coleman and Dutch music producer Nicolay who was a huge fan of Little Brother himself back in the day. They released their first collection of songs on their 2004 release Connected and they have always and consistently have gotten better both musically and of course lyrically. This track off of their 2010 release Authenticity showcases that perfectly. Phonte's crooning is splayed easily over the relaxed groove and his rap keeps the song from getting boring. It's witty wordplay about a guy hoping a girl he feels is out of his league will give him the chance to show her what real love is all about.

It's starts off easy and smooth and stays that way throughout much like this duo has been since first getting together. When you listen to them hopefully you'll react like I did when I was first introduced to them ("Where the fuck was I and how come I've never heard of them until NOW?"). This is the remedy to that, an introduction from me to you since you don't know Art lol. Enjoy!

Running Up That HIll

First and foremost let me say that I love this song, always have and always will. It's amazingly poignant and moving both melodically and lyrically which is what any real singer songwriter aims for and in "Running Up That Hill" Kate Bush hit the mark squarely and firmly on the head. I became a Kate Bush fan when I "discovered" her on "Don't Give Up" a duet with Peter Gabriel and I was taken by her voice. The next Kate Bush song I heard was this one and I was hooked.

"Running" has been redone by so many artists thanks to the melody and the lyrics and the latest remake has been done by the group Placebo who do a slight disservice to the original by subtly changing some of the lyrics, lyrics that really didn't need any changing in my opinion. First off there aren't that many lyrics to change in the first place and secondly why would you want to change them? "If I only could/Make a deal with God/And I'd get him to swap our places/Be runnin' up that hill/Be runnin up that road/Be runnin up that building" is lyrical perfection.

Placebo's remake is a nice song, slow and methodical, menacing in it's own way but good. It's just not as good as the original in my opinion but in this world what is ever as good as the original? Enjoy.

Don't Explain

If you love Nina Simone like I love Nina Simone then maybe you've heard this song, Nina's rendition of the Billie Holiday classic "Don't Explain". Now I have a serious love for Billie but Nina's version of this song is virtually heartbreaking. I wouldn't say Billie's version is lighthearted and upbeat but Nina takes this song to another level. If you haven't heard Nina's version of this song then allow me to introduce it to you.

Nina's "Don't Explain" is slowed down and jazzed up and you can hear the pain in her voice as she coos this song of unconditional love. It's a song about a woman who accepts her man and his cheating ways. She's just happy he's home and doesn't want him to explain where he's been or what he's done and she even ignores the lipstick on him. With lines like "Don't wanna hear folks chatter/Cause I know you cheat/Right and wrong don't matter/When you're with me my sweet" and "Hush now don't explain/Don't you know you're my joy and you're my pain/My life is yours love/Don't explain" along with Nina's piano playing makes this song achingly beautiful.

Nina makes this song as much hers as possible and I think she did a great job. It's hard as hell for anyone to remake a Holliday song and not stand in her shadow but Nina stepped out of that shadow with her version. Enjoy!

You're All I Need

If you don't know anything about Slow Runner or their music then allow me to introduce to you the musical stylings of Michael Flynn, Josh Kaler, Danny Cassady, and Dave Middleton. There is one word that always comes to mind when I hear their music and it's "provocative". Reason being their sound can change dramatically from one song to another from one album to another that it shows just how talented this group truly is. And "You're All I Need" is the best song to make the introduction stick because it's really hard to forget.

Musically it's just so smooth and relaxing and it starts off so nicely with the shaker, keys, and addictive percussion. Then Michael Flynn's vocals come in and add some serious depth to the song with lyrics like "You're all I need/You're on my mind when my airplane's fading into trees and the shadows". It's not your typical love song and it's not epic, it's just tasty. The lone violin that comes in towards the end of the song just adds to the beauty of the song. It's not overly arranged and there's no real bassline to speak of which makes this song....provocative.

"You're All I Need" comes off of their three song 2010 EP release "Ghost Rendition". I also highly recommend their song "Rainyface" also off that EP. This a very talented band with a very bright future and I'm happy to be along for the ride.

Enjoy (and you're welcome for the introduction).

Theme to Harry's Game

When I talk about beautiful music I always have this particular piece of music in the back of my mind. I first heard it in the movie "Patriot Games" with Harrison Ford and fell in love with it. The group is Clannad and the song is called "Theme to Harry's Game". The lyrics are in Irish and if you don't speak the tongue you will not know what is being sung but I have said many times on my blog, that doesn't take away from the beauty of the song. In fact it adds to it.

It's a haunting song that was written for a fictional Yorkshire television show entitled "Harry's Game" which depicted the troubles of northern Ireland. It was the song though that far outlived the show and introduced the relatively unknown group Clannad to the world. Enya was originally part of the group and broke off to embark on a multi-platinum solo career of her own and Clannad went on to sell millions themselves as well as record a song for the movie "Last of the Mohicans".

"Harry's Game" is ethereal and virtually breathless. There is no percussion to speak of, no sharp edges anywhere to be found. It's as smooth as glass and addictively melodious. It's also heartbreaking when you realize this song was born from the violence that gripped northern Ireland. Moya Brennan from the group though explained that the song basically says that through war and violence no one will win, how all will lose in the end. We the listener win though, enjoy!

Charging Fort Wagner

I was flipping through the channels tonight not really paying attention to what was going across my TV screen until my flipping fell upon "Glory". It's a moving story and a stirring movie (Denzel won his first Oscar thanks to this movie) about the all Black 54th regiment that fought in the Civil War. I remembered walking out on rubbery legs because I was so touched. I couldn't find a flaw with the movie and that included the music.

James Horner composed the score and it was absolutely beautiful and it would have been fine without any vocals. I don't know who came up with the genius move to have The Boys Choir of Harlem supply the vocals. Founded in 1968 by Walter Turnbull the choir received international fame and toured the globe. The choir was eventually disbanded and shut down in 2007 amid lack of funding, lawsuits, and the death of its founder Dr. Turnbull. Luckily though for us the listener they blessed the world with their amazing gifts and sounds and they brought their gifts and their famous sound to the movie Glory and this amazing track.

Those that know me know I love beautiful music and this track is absolutely beautiful. It's at the end of the movie when the 54th is charging on Fort Wagner (if you've never seen then there is something wrong with you). All I can ask is that you listen, let the music and the soaring voices wash over you. If you do that then you better for it, I promise. Enjoy.

Parker's Mood

Whenever I hear this song one word comes to mind right away and that word is "sassy". This song has a sassiness and a swagger to it that only an artist like Charlie Parker could provide. One of the brightest stars in the jazz night sky Charlie "Bird" Parker was one of the most amazingly talented and troubled souls to ever play. Often high, Bird used to proclaim he played better when he wasn't sober and if that was indeed the case then he was stoned out of his mind on this tune entitled "Parkers Mood".

The song kicks in with Birds tenor sax burning while the piano cooly plays underneath those wailing notes. Birds horn much like his personality dominates this track and it's almost like the other instruments aren't even playing. The piano solo comes in at the perfect time giving the listener a slight respite from that mean ass sax. The contrast between Birds wailing away and the subtle cool of the keys gives this song some serious depth.

This tune simmers and Charlie Parker's genius is so easily identifiable on this one song that it makes you wonder had he lived past 34 where he could have taken jazz. Much like Jimi Hendrix, Charlie "Bird" Parker Jr. died way too young but thankfully he's left us quite a cache of brilliant and amazing songs much like this one, this one which just so happens to be my favorite Bird tune. Enjoy!

I Can't Make You Love Me

What has to be in my opinion one of the prettiest songs efter crafted and excuted has to be this classic by Bonnie Raitt. It was one of the few if not the only crossover hit of her career and the one song she is most indentified with by almost every casual fan of hers (I'm sure her more devoted fans could rattle off a list of her songs they think is better than this one). Written by Michael Barry Reid and James Allen Shamblin II and on Raitts "Luck of the Draw" album, "I Can't Make You Love Me" is not only beautiful in it's melody but just as poignant in it's lyrics and Bonnie's voice sings them perfectly.

When I first heard this song I stopped whatever it was I was doing and just listened and rarely has a song ever stopped me in my tracks. Usually music propels me forward, to not only keep moving but to move faster, this song however stopped me cold. First I was astonished at how beautifully melodic it was but the more I listened to it the firmer the lyrics grabbed me. A song about unrequited love and a chorus that basically tells of a place we've all been at one point or another. We've either been both the person loving and not being loved and vice versa or one of the other.

This song has been covered by so many artists from the likes of Tank, Boyz II Men, Kenny Rogers, Prince, Patti LaBelle, George Michael and countless others and I doubt any of their versions come close to Raitt's original. You may or may not disagree with me on this being one of the prettiest songs ever written but listen to that piano towards the end of the song and I defy you to disagree with me then.

Fix Me Jesus

There is a rather large and eclectic variety of music on my blog. Everything from country to euro-pop but the one genre not represented yet has been gospel. Now those that know me know how I feel about gospel music, not a huge fan but this song when I first heard it sent chills down my spine. The second time, it brought tears to my eyes. I first heard it sitting next to my mother while we watched two marvelously skilled dancers from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company perform to it. It's part of their most famous "Revelations" routine and it's a standout. I watched my mother get excited when it began and then I watched her cry at it's beauty. The following year my mother and I went again and that time, I cried.

Now I have no idea who the vocalists are on this song. The soloists and the choir aren't listed on the CD so they can sadly get no love or should I say praise from me for their wonderful voices but this is a beautifully rendered song by them. This song resonates deep within me and the simple fact that I am moved every time I hear it is a testament to them.

If you've never seen Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" then you might want to put that on your bucket list. And when this song begins to play and those dancers begin to dance, be careful because you just may cry too.

Angel

There are some songs that transcends the art form. Seriously, they raise the bar and it's those kinds of songs that change you after you hear them. Sometimes that change is temporary but then there are times like with me where that change takes hold permanently. For me it started with "Sideshow" by Blue Magic and continued with Vivaldi's "Gloria", the aria "Nessun Dorma", "Mercy, Mercy Me" by Mr. Gaye, and with this song entitled "Angel" by Massive Attack. When I first heard this song I had no idea what I was hearing but the more I listened to it the more I realized that what I was actually listening to was a work of art. If this song could be made physical it would be breathtaking and it would be placed alongside other masterpieces in a museum.


The song starts off menacing, downright evil and the tone is set almost immediately. A low rumbling bassline is soon joined with some serious percussion. Those two entities are soon joined by dropped in instrumentation that just adds to the dark atmosphere and the eerie feel of the song. Then the vocals come in, light and airy over the dark track singing about love. "You are my angel/Come from way above/To bring me love" and from that point on the track starts to cook and finds its groove. The drums open up giving the song more depth and even more menace (as if that were needed). The vocals drop back in with "Her eyes/She's on the darkside/Neutralize every man in sight....love you/love you/love you..." and the guitar comes in and the song begins to swell as that bassline holds it all together and rides all the way through this song until it ends like it began. Slow and menacing.


Massive Attack has over the years made some amazing music like "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Paradise Circus" (a song that is also on this blog). "Angel" however in my opinion would have to be the jewel of the crown. It's a song I never get tired of listening to and never will. It's made me an unapologetic fan of theirs and I hope they are locked in a basement studio somewhere in London trying to come up with a song that will top this one. Good luck fellas, you're going to need it.

The Tide Is Turning

One of my favorite artists of all time and who I think is a musical and lyrical genius is a man by the name of Roger Waters. Those that don’t really know the man by that name may have heard of the group he helped form. It was a little band that made a little noise on the charts back in the day known as Pink Floyd. They had a massive mainstream hit back in the 80’s with “Another Brick in the Wall” off of their huge selling album “The Wall”. About eighty percent of that double record LP was written by Roger Waters as was Pink Floyds previous records and their last as a complete group “The Final Cut”. Due to shall I say “creative differences” Roger left the band and struck out on his own for good. He and other members had released solo albums while still within the fold of Floyd but Floyd was over as far as Roger Waters was concerned. I won’t go into the drama that ensued between him and his ex bandmates but just know it wasn’t pretty. That being said, Roger Waters lost absolutely nothing creatively wise while stepping out without the rest of Floyd and his album “Radio K.A.O.S.” proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. It was an impressive solo debut and the most impressive song of that album was “The Tide is Turning”.


Roger was never known for a great singing voice and actually he’s a horrible singer. Thankfully though it’s not his singing that keeps fans like me interested, it’s his lyrical ability and that’s on full display with “Tide”. It’s a song of a man who is coming to the realization that while things look bleak for the future of mankind that the tide is turning. It starts of with “I used to think the world was flat/rarely threw my hat into the crowd/I felt I had used up my quota of yearning…Used to look in on the children at night/in the glow of their Donald Duck light/and frighten myself /with the thought of my little ones burning but the tide is turning. It goes on to tell you that the youth stood as one and refused to back down and believe what they were told and fed by the powers that be and that began the tide turning.


I will always be a Roger Waters fan because of songs like this. He will always be one of those artists I hold in the highest of regards because in my opinion he belongs in the pantheon of all those other artists we consider geniuses. Enjoy!

Purple Haze

There's some debate amongst my friends as to which is the better Jimi Hendrix song. Some say "All Along the Watchtower" and others say "Hey Joe" and some feel "Voodoo Child" was Jimi at his best. I personally feel there is no better Hendrix rocker better than "Purple Haze". This song doesn't just rock, it burns. This song resonates deeply because of Jimi's sharp playing and the most unforgettable lyric of "scuse me while I kiss the sky".

I'm not say those other songs aren't hot or worthy of great respect but "Purple" stands out to me. Everyone has their favorite Jimi burner, this one just happens to be mine. It's so raw and unforgiving, kicking ass and taking names. It starts off with what could be a pulse and then the drums comes in under that unforgettable guitar riff. Then that unmistakable voice comes in with "Purple haze all in my brain/lately things just don't seem the same/acting funny and I don't know why/scuse me while I kiss the sky". Then Jimi just goes right into the next verse. There's no chorus, there's no hook, no tricks, no bells and whistles, it's just Jimi. Doing his thing over some serious guitar licks. This song itself is a musical lsd trip and you have to love that.

I often imagine what Jimi would be playing today had he not died so young. Can you imagine where Jimi would be musically today? The thought sends chills down my spine because I know whatever came from Jimi were he alive today would blow everyone away. That man would be on some next shit for real. Enjoy!

My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration

This was not supposed to be here. I had something else in mind to hit you my readers and followers with, something so recognizable and searingly funky that you wouldn't be able to keep from smiling but then this song came up on my ipod. One of the most amazing songs in terms of love and devotion from a man to a woman that it became THE song that newly married couples would dance to for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. The song is by the amazing Teddy Pendergrass and the song is "My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration". This song still gives me chills when I hear it and it has nothing to do with the sentiment although it's what every man should feel for his woman and vice versa actually. No, what gets me is the fact that this song musically is just so damn pretty.

Teddy has sung some serious heartfelt lyrics in his day and this song belongs alongside all of those other classics (too many to list here but you know them, don't you?). This one though has lyrics that will make Teddy immortal. He comes in with "I've been so many places / Seen so many faces / but none quite as lovely as you...More beautiful than the Mona Lisa / worth more than gold / and my eyes have the pleasure to behold" and shockingly the second verse is better than that. He goes on the tell this amazing woman how much she keeps on lifting him up and inspires him to be the man she knows he can be and in the background there are those strings that came in with the second verse and just gives this song true depth. At the bridge Teddy sings "I plan to give you all that I have / I'll be everything, everything you think I am / You make life a joy to live /yes I'm blessed, yes I'm thankful just to know you" as the strings swell.

It's easy to see why this song was and is THE first dance song for newlyweds. It embodies everything they feel for each other at that moment in time. The trick is trying to keep that magic from fading. I would suggest listening to this song together when things get difficult and trying. Teddy WILL bring you back to that moment and more importanly back to each other. How could he not with this song? Enjoy.

I Am Not My Hair

I think it’s about time to add this lovely voiced lady to my blog. I have been a peripheral fan of hers for a while now, really ever since I heard her first single “Video”. I was really impressed with her lyrics, sense of melody, and her velvet voice. There have been some songs that I wasn’t all that fond of but she always snatched me back with a new song with a message of self esteem for Black women, a new single or video. This song covered all of those bases as far as I am concerned. “I Am Not My Hair” sounds like an odd song title for a pop song but when you listen to the lyrics it definitely makes sense. Hair has been and continues to be a huge issue in the African-American community and this song really asks why since our hair doesn’t determine who we are or what we are worth. Basically she’s saying get over it because it’s really JUST hair.

She’s not alone on this song, she collaborates with rapper Akon who has never really impressed me but his verse on this song helped me to appreciate his talents a little more. The song opens up with him telling you how hair affects a Black mans life and it’s rather profound. He talks about how “nappy headed brothers never had no ladies” and how he couldn’t get a job because the corporate world wasn’t hiring if you were rocking dreadlocks. He goes on and indicates that he really didn’t see any kind of success until he cut all his hair off. Then India comes in with that sultry throaty voice of hers over a beat, handclaps, and a pretty piano backing her up. She takes you on a trip through her youth and her harrowing hair experiences from gheri curl to getting a relaxer to her hair falling out to her going “natural”. She takes you right up to her revelation that she is not her hair. Akon comes back in with another poignant verse about how he got harassed for having waves and how he’s never “seen nothing like that in all my days” which leads into India into the beautiful break.

In my opinion this song didn’t get the amount of appreciation it should have received for the musicianship, arrangement, and subject matter as I think it should have gotten. If you weren’t careful this song could have slipped right past you but I wouldn’t let that happen to you. For those that know this song, enjoy it again and for those hearing it for the first time, enjoy!

Save Your Love For Me

He’s back to grace my blog yet again, this time with a classy remake of a classic song. The man I speak of is the incomparable Jose James and the song is his refashioning of “Save Your Love For Me”. The first time I blogged about Jose was for his song “Desire” and how it invoked the setting of a smoky little hole in the wall out of the way jazz joint. This song however invokes images of a man walking through Central Park in the middle of fall, crimson scarf billowing in the wind and him lost in his thoughts. Thoughts of an amazing woman that has him wrapped around her finger and there’s nothing he can do about it and quite frankly he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The song starts off with a crisp beat that gets you rocking and the piano comes in with a sweet chord, James follows closely behind with that flawless voice of his. He sings so smoothly and his voice floats above the exceptional accompaniment of nothing more than drums and piano. The stripped down sound works so well that if there was ever a song considered perfect, this one would have to be included in the argument. Off of Jose's album Blackmagic "Save Your Love for Me" is in my opinion the best song out of the twenty two tracks that make the album up, it's the stand out track amidst some great material. Should you purchase Blackmagic you will not be disappointed at all.

It was hard for me to stop listening to this cut when I first heard it and I'm sure you'll put it on repeat a few times yourself. Enjoy!

Keep Your Eye On Me

Forgive me, I guess I'm in a trumpet mood right now because I'm hitting you with yet another master of the instrument. This one's name is Herb Alpert, yes THAT Herb Alpert of Tijuana Brass fame. That Herb Alpert who was co-owner along with his business partner Jerry Moss of A&M Records where so many prominent careers got started (See The Carpenters, Janet Jackson, Cat Stevens, The Police). Herb Alpert and his label played a major role in popular music and back in 1987 Herb decided to branch out into the world of r&b. He did so with a fun, sexy, sensual album called "Keep Your Eye On Me" which was produced by the same team that played a vital role in shaping Janet Jackson's sound, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis the masterminds behind Flyte Tyme Productions. Now sure, I could have picked any number of songs from Herbs massive collection to blog about, songs that displayed his artistry, skill, and talent but none are as fun and playful as this one.

This song is just out and out quirky from the start with glass breaking, door knocking, dog barking, and an electric guitar bringing in the groove. The bassline and the percussion with that open snare takes over and Herb comes in light with a really simple melody. Backed by backup singers it sounds like Herb is just having some fun and then the break comes in and the song heads off into a different direction melodically only to come back to the original groove and thanks to Jimmy and Terry you get a sense of that the one time iconic r&b band The Time was in the studio, this song has that kind of feel. "Keep" also spawned the hits "Diamonds" with Janet Jackson on vocals and "Making Love in the Rain" with volcals by Lisa Keith and Janet Jackson (I recommend checking out "Making Love" and "Pillow", great songs).

This was Herb Alpert doing somethig different, breaking out of a box his critics and his fans had previously put him in. This was Herb Alpert taking his trumpet and smashing that box to nothing but splinters, and having a damn good time doing it. Enjoy.

Time After Time

I know you've heard of Miles Davis, how could you have not? World renown trumpeter, composer, and artist his name is known by practically anyone that listens to music. What you may not have heard though was his take on Cindy Laupers classic song "Time After Time". Miles did this tune as honestly and as straightforward as he could and he did a damn good job. He could have taken this song in a direction where it wouldn't have been recognizable except to him, his band, and the producer. You would have known what song it was only by reading the song title on the CD. Jazz artists can do that to you, take a pop or top forty song and turn it completely on it's head. I'll show you a case of that real soon. Miles though did no such thing, he played it straight and it's really a lovely tribute to a beautiful song.

He comes in with his trumpet sounding very much like a cornet, all high pitch announcing it's arrival and then breaks into the melody. The musicianship is pitch perfect and on point and Miles plays above the track, plays with it, toys with it even but all the while stays true to the song. This tune was on Mile's first album with CBS Records entitled "Under Arrest" which dropped back in 1985. CBS had at the time the two biggest acts in music of the day, Cindy and Michael Jackson so Miles being Miles he did this song and a verson of Michael's "Human Nature" which is just as straightforward and just as beautiful. Check it out, I know you'll love it as much as I do. The rest of "Under Arrest" was typical Miles, avant garde and just different, challenging you the listener to follow along if you could. The only time you were able to take a breath was when this song and "Nature" played. At least that's my humble opinion but "Arrest" is by far one of my favorite Miles' albums (Bitches Brew comes in first).

Take a listen to this song and maybe like me you'll add it to your playlist or you may go back and check out more of the enigmatic and masterful Miles Davis. The one artist that definitely did things his own way, except this song and for that you just have to smile. Enjoy!

The Look of Love

I was never overly impressed with Chris Botti and in fact I saw him as the Kenny G of the trumpet. He never leaves his comfort zone, never really climbs out there on a limb and goes beyond what he knows. Instead he continues to constantly drop schmaltz tune after schmaltz tune on us and as a jazz fan that's just never worked for me. I can't however expect an artist to play what I'd like to hear or go where I'd like for them to go. I instead have to let them do their thing or ignore them altogether. I was doing the ignore thing with Mr. Botti until I heard his version of the Burt Bacharach, Hal David classic "The Look of Love". The second I heard it, it invoked a mood and a feeling I was thoroughly enjoying. This song, Chris' rendition of it is a mood setter. Smooth and lush with some great vocals.

It starts out with some faux DJ scratching and a keyboard sample over an nice and easy beat. Then Chris's trumpet comes in and before you know it you're bopping your head or tapping your foot. In a word, it's pretty. The heat comes in when Chantal Kreviazuk lays down some great vocals made famous by Dionne Warwick. She glides over the track like rain on glass, albeit her vocals are processed she stills sounds great and takes this track to heights it couldn't have reached without her. Chris comes back in and plays beautifully (admittedly his phrasing is amazing) and he and Chantal bring this hypnotic track to a close. The song is on Botti's 2003 release "A Thousand Kisses Deep", a collection of original pieces and remakes like this one and another classic "My Funny Valentine"

Like I said, I'm not really a Chris Botti fan and don't think I ever really will be. I am a fan of this song though and if you give it a chance to grow on you, you may become a fan of it too and maybe even a fan of Chris' too. Enjoy!

Jolene

This is not one of those songs where you need to break out your big boy speakers because aurally this song won't be impressing you. The sonic landscape isn't at all intimidating. There are no lush movements, no searing guitar solos, no soaring vocals of any kind but what this song does have is simplistic and pure beauty. The song is Jolene by Ray LaMontagne. It's a great story about a man that is bad to the core and there's no good in him, he knows this. The only good he's ever known was this woman named Jolene, the love of his life.

The song starts out with a pretty piano melody accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Ray comes in with his raspy voice singing "Cocaine flames in my bloodstream / Sold my coat when I hit Spokane / Bought myself a hard pack of cigarettes / In the early morning rain". The first time I heard those lyrics I knew I would always love this song. It gets even better when the chorus comes in when Ray sings "Jolene, I ain't about to go straight / It's too late / I found myself face down in a ditch / Booze in my hair / Blood on my lips / A picture of you holding a picture of me / In the pocket of my blue jeans / I still don't know what love means".

It's a lovely, moving song about a lost soul who has embraced that about himself but wishes he could have gotten it right just one time with Jolene. You have to ask yourself though, was it his losing her that turned him dark or was it his darkness that turned her away from him? Either way it's a beautiful song. Hope you agree.

Cult of Personality

If there is one band I loved more than any other, one band I wish never disbanded, the one band I will never forget, it's this one. Why? Because this band was untouchable and unstoppable at it's height. With the singing of Corey Glover, the skins of Will Calhoun, the bottom of Muzz Skillings, topped off with the absolute incendiary guitar playing of Vernon Reid, Living Colour blew roofs off venues, doors off hinges, and other bands right out of the water. And the one song that get's me amped no matter where or when I hear it is their classic "Cult of Personality". Not only does it bring me back to a time in my life when life was truly good and music was music and not something made to make money but this song is also absolutely timeless. It sounds like it was put together yesterday and released today.

This rocker starts off with the voice of Malcolm X, letting you know something is about to smack you upside the head. Then Vernon's crunching guitar hits your ears along with Will's drums and Muzz' bass and the groove is created, the perfect bed for Corey's soulful vocals. He comes in with "Look in my eyes / What do you see? / The cult of personality / I know your anger / I know your dreams / I've been everything you want to be / Ohhh I'm the cult of personality". If you close your eyes you can see Corey grabbing the mic and letting it all hang out, dreads flying in the air as he whips his head around. After the second chorus comes one of the best guitar solos I have ever heard. Vernon lays it down and then shreds it all to hell. If you've never air guitared in your life this song will tempt you to do it and truth be told this song almost made me want to learn how to play the guitar. Corey comes back in and brings the song home and JFK 's voice brings the track to a close.

This is one of my all time favorite songs by one of my all time favorite bands and they will always be. Living Colour eventually got back together and are still making music but they'll never recapture that magic and hunger of the first album "Vivid" and of this song. Enjoy!

Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd

In this day and age everyone and their mother knows of the Dave Matthews Band, even MY mother knows and that's saying something. They aren't some odd local band I happened to have stumbled upon and thought "hey, the world needs to hear these guys". They are literally one of the worlds most popular bands with a signature sound that has garnered them fans far and wide. Now honestly I am not a fan of all of their stuff, I said it! Every group or artist drops an album with a vibe that resonates with you and it becomes your favorite out of their collection. This is the case with DMB's album "Stand Up" and my favorite song off that album is "Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd". I don't think this song was ever released as a single here in the states so it never really got the play I think it deserved.

It's a great song with a great sound and great sentiment. There have been times when I would be walking the streets of this city and wonder if I would ever bump into an old flame and what would I say to her. This song captures that moment perfectly in my opinion. The song starts off with a nice smooth beat, some keys, and the unforttable saxaphone riff by the late great LeRoi Moore. Then Dave comes in singing "Hello again / Seems like forever between now and then / You look the same /I mean you look different but you haven't changed / Funny to think how the time gets away / Funny how you take me right back again". It's that moment when you see that person again after years and all those old feelings come flooding right back. It's done perfectly and just when you don't think this song couldn't get any better or prettier that violin comes in and dances on top of the groove so nimbly it becomes the cherry on the sundae.

I can listen to this song over and over again and never grow tired of it. If you've never heard this song before due to lack of airplay maybe you might grow to love it as much as I do.