random tunes part 14

self-indulgence time again with this fun exercise
play tunes at random on the iriver mp3 mega machine
listen, think, comment on that which comes out of the box
i have never been that taken by the lyrics of songs
the music is the big appeal for me - the feel!
but forcing myself to be a bit more critical
leads to a better and deeper understanding
not only of the music but quite often the lyrics also
well that's my theory and i'm sticking to it
caravan by wes montgomery
my favourite guitarist pat metheny is a big fan of this man
which led me to purchasing his most recognised album titled movin' wes
recorded in 1965 before his untimely death at age 45 in 1968
he's out in front of a big band - lots of brass, percussion - and swing
serious soloing going on at speed on his jazz guitar - nice work
come one come all by the laughing clowns
another eclectic piece from the 3-cd anthology set of the clowns music
rapid-fire bass guitar and duelling drums introduce this tune
ed then takes over vocal duties with minimal and slow instrumentation
then the brass kicks in and works it's way into the tune
the tune ends as it starts - perfect jazz-alternative-rock music
ave maria by corou de berra
and leading to a complete change in feel and ambience
a sumptuous, rich, emotive mix of voices from this french outfit
this is not the wedding song but presumably another classic version
starts with the 6 men and women in the group harmonising a cappella style
violins and a single quiet drum come in as perfect accompaniment - beautiful music
carousel by iron and wine
sam beam is the man behind this group - professor of film and cinematography
from the deep south of america - anti-bush and uses his music accordingly
has a real handle on production as his albums are put together brilliantly
this is a nice slow number with the emphasis on 70's-ish vocals and few instruments
reminds me of someone - seals and crofts maybe but not entirely
born to be blue by wes montgomery
there you go - 2 in this session from the man not heard that often
though the more i listen to his music the more i like it
this one is slowed right down with light backing from the big band
upright bass, an occassional piano, a few stabs of brass
but wes right out front being mr dexterity on his electric jazz guitar
ha palavras que nos beijam by mariza
the one and only mariza - sigh, gasp, weep, etc
i.e. behave in the true fado spirit for this style from portugal
the english translation for this song is 'there are words that kiss us'
less than 3 minutes of musical bliss with her emotional voice only in first gear
matching the light instrumentation - gorgeous - and the song too
fly by alabama 3
just sometimes an album comes along that is totally original
this very non-english outfit from england delivered one recently
one of the most chopped-up, mixed-up, superbly produced albums heard recently
this lead-in track has rich vocal harmonising, funky beats, soul/gospel backing, humour, etc
typical of the rest of the album - move over moby - the new play has arrived
baby, you're my light by richard hawley
not sure about the rest of the world but this man is basically unknown here
for no apparant reason though he's not alone there - blame radio i guess
he writes and performs tunes that sound like classics on the first listen
this one is just such an obvious and perfectly written/performed song
reminds me of the appeal of that mental as anything classic - but much, much better
a wolf at the door by radiohead
they put out an album a year or 2 ago titled com-lag for the japanese market
containing out-takes, b-sides, album rejects, etc - i.e. undervalued work
but for me it contains a bunch of tunes that are as good as anything else they have done
in this one a single organ leads in thom doing a monologue type vocal delivery
full band kicks in and then we have another superb, unique, radiohead-only tune
four hours in washington by m ward
some people say this fellow is the new bob zimmerman - a big call but he can churn them out
i have 3 albums so far loaded into the iriver - each containing original and damn fine tunes
here he accurately describes the frustration of insomnia
as he sings us through the hours of the night in a hotel room - drumming the feature
reminds me of seeing him at the metro last year with 2 sets of drums on-stage - awesome (man)

that's it - all over for another session
fun had as usual but realising
more albums needed
the iriver is hungry
only 3% loaded
cd collection
needs work