FYE: Janis Joplin Forever

Janis Joplin is a Goddess. She works out her life through the microphone, sings from her core and hits on so many good levels I get chills. When I said before that I wanted Dusty Springfield to REALLY TELL ME that Billy Ray was the only one, I meant SING IT LIKE JOPLIN. What an unbelievable voice this woman has, and the soul to bang it out with heart, and make me fucking BELIEVE Bobby McGee was the only one. Really wish this beauty was still alive, what a shame she died so young. Now listen to that and then try to tell me she isn't fucking incredible:

 

Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee

FYE: Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man

I'm really digging this song right now. Wish it was a little grittier, like Billy Ray is REALLY the ONLY one who could ever reach her and teach her - when Dusty sings it's like there could possibly be a couple others that might be able to. I really want her to sound like Billy Ray is THE ONLY ONE, but it still has a groovy-ness I can jam to over and over again.

Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man

Aretha Franklin does a great version too, but I like Dusty's more.

 

Aretha Franklin - Son of a Preacher Man

Vinyl Wednesday: Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman

Despite growing up with this album and hearing it almost every Sunday thanks to my father, it still happens to be in with my all-time favourite albums. Stevens just knows the way into my heart and what to say while he's there. If Cat Stevens was a preacher, I would follow him regardless of the religion. Ok, so he's chosen a different career, but I still love the guy.

With this collection of songs, you get to dive into another world and swim about in luscious harmonies and a very sweet man that loves you very much. I don't know what else to say about this album other than it will comfort you and give you peace. And it's a lot of fun.

Track Listing:
(Side I)

Where Do The Children Play

Hard-headed Woman

Wild World

Sad Lisa

Miles From Nowhere

(Side II)

But I Might Die Tonight

Longer Boats

Into White

On The Road To Find Out

Father & Son

Tea For The Tillerman

FYE: Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Soundtrack)

 If you haven't seen the film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (directed by Wes Anderson, starring Bill Murray, 2004) then you should see it at least for the film's soundtrack. The main tracks are performed by Brazilian-born Seu Jorge; they're all popular David Bowie songs sung in Brazilian Portuguese and accompanied by an acoustic guitar. WHAT? Sounds like it would be incredible, right? WELL IT IS. He gives each song a completely different feeling than Bowie originally intended. They're mostly sung in Jorge's low, soothing voice as he gently strums on his guitar. You can tell immediately which songs he's covering, but it's the new style that makes you feel like Jorge is making sweet, gentle love to each song, and it's a match made in heaven.

You can also catch Seu Jorge acting in the film as Pelé dos Santos. He's been in a couple other films, the most notable being City of God as Mané Galinha. He also has a couple of albums out of his original music: Samba Esporte Fino (2001, or "Carolina", 2003), Cru ("Raw", 2005).


Below are just a few of the songs from the soundtrack. Check it.

Life On Mars

Changes

Lady Stardust

 
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Vinyl Wednesday: Adam and the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier (1980)

I can't get enough '80s lately, so here's some more... let's party! Adam Ant knows where the party is at, and he's saved you a slice, it's called Kings of the Wild Frontier. Aside from their outrageously amazing style, the music is just full to the motherfucking brim with anthem after anthem for the young, angry, ready-to-party, fruitful individuals. Mostly every song starts with a solid beat from what I would assume is a seriously fit drummer considering every moment of this album has a hard thump, but it keeps the energy up and flowing fast. God, I love New Wave Punk.

Adam Ant is one of the best frontmen I've laid ears on: teeming with energy, style, passion, fury... it's exactly what you need to front a band like this in the late 70s/early-mid 80s. He's got a voice that sings every lyric with so much conviction, and you really just cant help but get carried away with the whole band as they party away with heavy guitars and big beats.

I first fell in love with Kings of the Wild Frontier (the first track on Side II) when I was just out of high school; it's got enough beat to keep you up and rebelling for days, just gives us kids something to kick ass to (ha ha). The rest of the album has mostly up-beat songs, a couple are a bit slower, but they're no Simon and Garfunkel slow... still have enough to beat the shit out of your ears. Get ready to rock.

Track Listing:
(Side 1)
Dog Eat Dog
'Ant Music'
Lost Rancheros
Feed Me to the Lions
Press Darlings
Ants Invasion

(Side II)
Kings of the Wild Frontier
The Magnificent Five
Don't Be Square (Be There)
Jolly Roger
Physical (You're So)
The Human Beings

Vinyl Wednesday: Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair

 

I really love this album, it has to be in my top 5 of all time (as entire albums, not as artists or singles). It starts with "Shout", in my opinion one of their best songs... it begins with low synthesized tones paired with percussion that gives it a low mood... something is building up throughout the duration of the song. It just gets heavier and heavier with sax, guitar, synthesizers, lots going on and just giving good, powerful vibes: I wish all albums started me off with a bang like this one. The second track, "The Working Hour", mellows down with some solo saxophone and takes us into some great beats and percussion, a little keyboard/piano and it's just another sweet track! Tears for Fears just ace their build-ups EVERY SINGLE TIME.... guys, take notes on these climaxes.

AND THE LYRICS. I really enjoy musicians that can not only create a wonderfully-sounding piece of music, but can also make it a substantial addition to vocal literature. A great pop song is an art form, but to make an album that was this popular ["...certified triple-platinum in the UK and quintuple-platinum in the US (where it remained the #1 album for five weeks in the summer of 1985)," Source], with substance just gets number one in my books. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is pretty much both of these things, if not a little more on the pop side compared to the rest of the album, and who doesn't love a good synth-and-electric guitar solo??

If you haven't heard this album (ON VINYL... not sure what it is about this one being on vinyl, it just has to be), then you must get your hands on this immediately. Sure, it's purely evocative of the 80s, but it's 80s New Wave with some twists and it might just leave you a little more satisfied with your life.

Track Listing:
(Part One)
Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk

(Part Two)
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels
Listen

Vinyl Wednesday: Shirley Ellis - The Name Game

The original Name Game, Miss Shirley Ellis, brings some sweet rockin' tunes on this album. Her voice is powerful, but flirty, and the songs are upbeat and danceable. The best part of this album is her song "Nitty Gritty"; just pure NITTY GRITTY, you know? I love the album's style, just imagine a full dance hall in the early 1960s,  a full band on one end with the beautiful Shirley Ellis positioned upfront centre, the crowd ready to groove and shake, the drums start and then you hear Shirley and her band belting it the whole night, just giving it all their energy. Smooth sounds, great lead up to the funk era, and a good tribute to the Motown scene. Watch out, Supremes, this one is smokin' hot. Blast that shit! (Note: I'm feeling a little woozy from my cold so this post is a little thin)

Track Listing:
(Side 1)
The Name Game
Don't Let Go
Kansas City
Shy One
Stardust
The Nitty Gritty

(Side 2)
Such a Night
C. C. Rider
I Never Will Forget
Stagger Lee
Whisper To Me Wind
Bring It On Home To Me

Shirley Ellis - NITTY GRITTY:

FYE (For Your Ears): in the GARAGE

My Music Man (aka Joe) has introduced me to some phenomenal hip garage that blows my mind. I could dance all night to its rowdy beats and grungy sounds. Some of my favourites:

King Khan and The Shrines - (How Can I Keep You) Outta Harms Way

en francais...
Les Miserables - Miserablement Votres

Macabre - Be Forwarned

 

The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog