…if you make the list

Countdown to Bruce: 4 sleeps!

Today’s entry is totally unrelated to anything Bruce or anything photography…..but I figure it’s my blog and, more importantly, it’s my birthday! So…..here we go:

I love my iPod…. I’m a huge music fan and have a fairly nice collection. I still can’t get my head around how I’ve flipped pretty much every recording I own (plus about 1,600 purchased tracks at last count) on to this 3”X4” device. It’s truly amazing to me. Gotta’ love technology.

My favourite iPod feature is the playlist; I have created a bunch of them; one to suit any mood I could possibly find myself in. (I’ve always done this – used to be cassettes (gulp!), then CDs and now playlists!) And I take great care in creating a playlist – the music really needs to “feel” just right – one song leading perfectly into the next. To me, it’s worth the effort and I take great joy in getting one just right.

But I can be a little fickle too. There are songs that I may absolutely love for a few days or a week then I’m done with them for awhile. So I created one playlist for the songs I’m “currently loving” and just rotate songs in and out on a pretty regular basis. So here are a few songs from that particular playlist – songs I’ve been listening to – some old favourites, some new favourites – that are all making my day today.

Oh – and stay awake – it all changes tomorrow…..

The Air That I Breathe – The Hollies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF1WQF28Zb0

DAMN – this song…. It never leaves my “Faves” playlist – that sliding note at the beginning of the song just drags me right down into it and I can’t get out. The chord progression makes my stomach drop out like a roller coaster – just a great song. If only life was this simple…..

Golden Years – David Bowie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd2clb5T8JA

I never get sick of listening to this song – don’t know why – just love it!

I Got a Woman – John Mayer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pk5pc5loD0&feature=related

OK – I know it may be blasphemous picking John Mayer’s version of this over Ray Charles’ but, if you haven’t heard it, I strongly recommend it. On “Try”, John really shines: it’s not the schmaltzy stuff for which he may be better known; instead, he’s wailing on the guitar here and seriously channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan. THIS is the stuff he was meant for.

Say Goodbye – Dave Matthews Band – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkjdA1TiI8s

I think Dave Matthews is absolutely brilliant. A lot of his music, like this track, makes me feel like I’m some kind of cartoon character floating through the air being drawn in by the smell of a fresh-baked pie cooling on a window sill. If you don’t know this song, give it a shot – it’s very soul-soothing – great chord progression – just beautiful. Kind of a modern-day “We’ve Got Tonight”. And BTW – Dave’s drummer, Carter Beauford is awesome! Incredibly talented and really fun to watch.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92. II. Allegretto – London Symphony Orchestra – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWUDnCnAUxI&feature=fvw

I love the “build” on this one – how, with each section, another instrument is added in, providing additional texture and lift to the music. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I think I’ve ever heard and I get goosebumps every time I hear it. (Honestly, I love it up to about three minutes in – not crazy about the rest of it – but that’s all I need. Sorry Rider, I’m sure that will drive you crazy….) I’m absolutely drained after listening to this one and need to regroup before I can go on.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills and Nash – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1WGF5sA-3c

This is just a sweet, light song – love the harmonies these guys pumped out – a really distinct sound that worked SO well.

American Woman 2007 – Bachman Cummings

Not a big fan of this song’s original recording – but I love this one. A little funkier? Softer? Not sure – just love when the guitars kick in and let loose…. Big fan of Burton’s voice – not necessarily on this track but I always thought he was pretty talented. I wish I had a link so you could check it out if you haven’t heard it – it’s awesome!

I’m Goin Down – Bruce Springsteen – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZarmRLa2p9Q

I think I’ve gushed about this one before…..(“Happy Birthday Bruce” – September 23). Suffice to say, I love this song!

Midnight Rambler – The Rolling Stones – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXhRZJ5eo6s&feature=related

How can you not like this song? The guitars do it for me – great driving song if you’re in a good mood and have an open road ahead of you.

Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked – Cage the Elephant – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t99bpilCKw

What a great song! I haven’t heard much else from this group yet, but I’m loving this track. The steel guitar right off the top draws you in and it just doesn’t stop from there.

#36 – Dave Matthews Band – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVFaqJseQr4&feature=related

Aye-yi-yi…..I can’t take this song! You know how a song can change for you when you hear it live? I heard Dave Matthews perform this at an outdoor venue – it was a beautiful summer night and I was just in heaven.

Night and Day – Frank Sinatra (from “A Swingin’ Affair) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMv8U2ObeUU&feature=related

You have to hear this version of Night and Day if you haven’t already – fabulous! Especially the big finish…..This link isn’t the studio version (which is better) but it’s close. Love the way the horns build in the middle – on the album version, Frank’s vocals are a lot stronger and he really runs with it. You just want to pull a “Fred and Ginger” when you hear it.

Downbound Train – Bruce Springsteen – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw3y_WDOgbI&feature=related

A bit of a depressing song, but a good beat and great guitar work – especially love the drums coming out of the bridge – all good.

Cumbia del Sol – The Blazers

I first heard this song when Bruce Springsteen “guest hosted” on “E-Street Radio” and spun some of his own favourite songs. I love hearing from artists themselves on what they like, what influenced them and the stories behind the songs – very interesting stuff. I really like this genre of music – makes me want to host a big tex-mex party in my backyard with strings of light bulbs criss-crossing above everyone’s heads. Weird….. Similar feeling with the “Texas Tornados” – songs like 4 Aces and A Little Bit is Better Than Nada – all good stuff!

More – Bobby Darin – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX3xVQ7LiwE

I just love the sentiment of this song I think – and this is nice jazzy arrangement. I especially love the ending when he “brings it all home” and the horns kick in.

Dvorák’s Slavonic Dance: Dumka, Op. 72 No. 2 – Kurt Masur & New York Philharmonic – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7SjnkoNZrU&feature=related

This one gives me shivers – the rise of the violins with every phrase – just gorgeous. Honestly, it literally takes me breath away. It’s like a beautiful gothic waltz…. The youtube version here isn’t the NYP playing, but you’ll get the idea.

Lying in the Hands of God – Dave Matthews – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEgio0C-Xs

Another great one from Dave Matthews – love the chorus on this one.

Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

Stevie is one my all-time favourites and I’ve always loved this particular track. It became even more special to me, though, when I had my first child and I would sing it to him (inasmuch as I can actually “sing”) as we cuddled and rocked. He was definitely my “pride and joy”.

ConseDJo – Cesaria Evora – Tough to pick one Cesaria Evora song but for today, let’s go with ConseDJo. She is just great – and her music is rich and textured and a real treat (and, on a side note, always makes me want to move to some romantic place in Europe, drink lots of red wine and have those beautiful outdoor meals at those long wooden tables surrounded by friends and family.) Listen to the accordion in this one – it’s fabulous! This isn’t ConseDJo, but I couldn’t find a good version of much on youtube (it didn’t have that accordion in it, which truly makes the song) – try this instead, and check the other one out on iTunes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiWwTIu1Ma4&feature=related

Nem Vem Que Nao Tem -Wilson Simonal –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssHV0eTCeTc

This song, from the film “City of God”, has a sassy little feel to it that I just love. I can’t sit still when I hear it.

Let it Bleed – The Rolling Stones (version from “Stripped”) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoqXhAdOIHU

Great version of this song…..slick and tight – almost too perfect. (And the youtube link isn’t the one off the Stripped album, but it’s still good) Everything in this song makes me happy – the guitars, the piano, the drums – it all just flows so easily. Hasn’t go the edge or feel of the original version, but I still love it.

Free Bird – Lynard Skynard – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgkYN3QjD5M

Again, it’s the guitar in this one that I love – the beautiful strumming after “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?….” – just brilliant. Also love how this song was used in Cameron Crowe’s movie “Elizabethtown” – did you see that? He’s a genius at placing music in films in the perfect place. Check out “Almost Famous” if you haven’t already seen it – great, great movie, particularly the director’s cut. One of my top three movies for sure.

I Only Have Eyes for You – The Flamingos – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nlhoda2MY&feature=fvw

This song is so sweet – and I love the intro with the piano. I just picture a 45” spinning around on an old turntable when I hear it. (funny enough, that’s the visual on this youtube link I found…) And, really – who’s going to argue with someone having eyes only for them?….not me!

Come Rain or Come Shine – Don Henley (Live) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rgNdqv7kU

This is a great song – and this version is so sweet and sincere and genuine. Love it!

Ahhhh…..so much great music, so little time…..