random tunes part 13

back to an an old favourite listening and blogging pastime
stick the iriver on random play and see what comes out
2 things happened today of significance
that prompted a resurrection of this exercise
firstly a long and enjoyable walk in the summer sun
with iriver on and filling my head with music
and a realisation that since the last random tunes blast
i had stacked some new and good albums into the magic box
secondly a good few hours spent today reading a book
that in no small way connects the importance of music
in the human psyche with a truly happy and calm life
amongst other things of course but it's up there
more on the book in a subsequent blog rave
but in the meantime - spinning the dial - and....
nostalgia by david sylvian
yes yes yes this man can do no wrong in the ears of this long-time fan
this one from his first solo album titled brilliant trees released in 1984
a slow brilliantly produced tune that straddles his work with japan (the band)
and his solo work that still continues to impress with it's originality
there's some random trumpet work and gentle cruisey ambienty-stuff happening
dugu by aurelio martinez
this performer from berlize on south america strikes me as another performer
that given the same break, airtime, adulation, as say mr bob marley from jamaica
should achieve the same level of success - but - it's the language barrier you see
the style of music is known as garifuna and is quite infectious
totally acoustic - guitar-based, percussion, harmonising vocals, beat, rhythm, melody, great
neon bible by the arcade fire
i think i'm kind of cool having hooked into this band several years ago
they are now huuuuuge on the festival circuit - a headline act at big day out 2008
so there - me first - told you so - love their early stuff, etc, etc, etc
this one is totally stripped back which demonstrates their absolute originality
acoustic guitar, percussion, violin, whispered vocals, addictive verse/chorus thing
nothing seeker by the church
from another one of their largely ignored albums titled forget yourself
one day the world will wake up and realise this outfit does not understand
the meaning of the words - repetition, safe, expected, formula, etc
but they certainly know the meaning of - integrity, confidence, originality, etc
this one again showcases their production values and sense of uniqueness
gnid jougouya by amadou and mariam
another outfit unfortunately given that horrible label of 'world' music
which i think does no favours to anyone - musician or potential fan
saw this duo and backup band perform at the basement in sydney last year
have rarely been so mesmerised and taken away by a performance
this a fine example of their guitar based, african female vocalist and brilliant production
vete de mi by bebo and cigala
a trip down memory lane now with this piano based tune
diego cigala is a young gypsy flamenco singer with a hugely emotive voice
bebo valdes is a much older cuban based jazz pianist
somehow their paths crossed and a single album was recorded titled lagrimas negras
lots of lovely tunes including this one that in a parallel (english) universe would be a huge hit
slowly surfacing by inga liljestrom
had the utter pleasure of seeing this stunning lady perform twice in 2007
she is absolutely and totally unique in the delivery of her music
the rest of the world has been switched off - she delivers as though transcending
not fair to link other artists to her unique style but sigur ros is the closest i can think
intense, spacious, evocative, demanding, relaxing, contemporary, timeless music
lucky days by laughing clowns
speaking of contemporary - recorded in the early 1980's but forget that
ed k was way ahead of his time then as he pulled this outfit together
played and recorded the most dischordant music that must have offended a few
but another case of an artist fulfilling his/her vision and damn those that disagree
this one typically is full of riffs and sounds that seem so natural now
tonight the streets are ours by richard hawley
he's done it again - put together an album of gems of songs
one of the albums of 2007 - for me he is the modern day crooner - no challengers
i blame radio, etc, etc but he really should be rich and famous
move over elton john, robbie williams, michael buble, etc, etc, etc
this one another case of wonder who originally wrote it - yup - him - timeless stuff
time by leroy young
another musicican from the south american country of berlize (see above)
but in this case he sings in english so has an immediate and necessary accessibility
especially as his style and him are labelled as 'dub-poet'
the first time i heard him i thought he should/could/would be famous
for his lyrics alone as in this one that speak of disaffected and restless youth

damn - no big surpises tonight from the large number of albums in there now
the beast said feed me i'm hungry and i obliged
but nothing new has come up tonight
maybe next time