a) Given:
1) you have a music collection
2) you have a device capable of choosing random selection from 1
3) you have access to 2
b) Enable the device, 2
c) Allow it to choose 5 (five) songs at random
d) list each song here and
e) describe it so that we may learn from you
For example:
- Albert King + SRV - Matchbox Blues (from "In Session"). Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King got together in the studio and made a record (and the whole thing's on video, too). This is from that session. It's classic "master and student" stuff; King is as good as ever, but SRV shows that he's not only mastered King's moves but has super-charged them with Hendrix-style fire. SRV is humble throughout, but King is clearly impressed.
- Apples In Stereo - Dots 1-2-3. A snappy little thing from an under-appreciated band. Space-age retro-psychedelic, but still very early 90's. This was a favorite for a month or so, back in the day.
- New Pornographers - Broken Breads. Never knew the name of this one - it's always been the "I Don't Wanna" song, to me. Like most NP songs, there are a lot of gear changes and tight corners, so listening is a bit of holding on while they flit around. A few of the sections don't really work for me, so I've never completely loved this one. Still, it's un-terrible, and works in context on the album.
- Andrew Bird - Some Of These Days. A classic (very) early jazz tune. This is from his Bowl Of Fire album "Thrills", which is full of these early jazz standards. The version on the record is about 3:40; but, after a short silence, there's another five minutes of a smokin early-jazz instrumental which I can't identify and isn't credited. Very cool.
- Bad Company - Rock Steady. Straight-up 70's rock. The lyrics are a little meh, here and there. But the song's simple, non-nonsense vibe is solid. And the chorus is pure Paul Rodgers.
Now, you do it.
I’ve shuffled three times and they all kind of suck. I’m just going to listen to what you guys post.
Phew, what a scorcher!
Yazoo – Only You
Comprising of Alison Moyet and a post-Depeche Mode Vince Clarke, this electronic duo were quite popular in the early 80s with this being one of their biggest hits. After a couple of albums Alison’s fantastic ballsy voice lead her to a very successful mid-80s solo career of which I was also a big fan. I missed the boat with Yazoo but thanks to my older brother I got into them later in the decade. This song sounds fabulous on this very sunny and hot June Monday.
U2 – New Year’s Day
From their 1983 album ‘War’ this is one of my favourite U2 songs and one of the first tunes I learned to play on the guitar (it’s no more than 4 chords). People either love U2 or hate them but despite their much-publicised tax-dodging and Bono’s God-complex (he’s a f*cking rock star fronting one of the biggest bands in the world so yeh, he’s got an ego) I still like them and thought they did great at Glastonbury (I wasn’t there of course, but I did tune in on BBC2.) I don’t rate much of their material post-Achtung Baby but they still manage to fill stadia worldwide, even if nobody actually admits to liking them.
Travis – Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Ah, Travis. They had the world in their skinny Indie fingers and then Coldplay came along and stole their crown. This song was huge, especially at festivals but their drummer broke his back falling into a swimming pool and the band were out of action for a while, allowing Coldplay to come along and hoover up the genre. Fran Healey, the lead singer, plays nearly every song with a capo on the 2nd fret and for reasons I can’t explain I absolutely love doing this too. This song sums up the sound of the band nicely – inoffensively tuneful – the sort of band you could take home without offending your parents.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cheated Hearts
I love everything this band does, be it grungy sex-rock or filthy disco. Karen O is a legend in my books and I got to see them live at Reading a few years back – simply mind-blowing. This is from their second album ‘Show Your Bones’ which is a bit less-rushed and a bit more polished then their debut. If you don’t own anything by this band then you’re missing out. Check it out and then collect the whole set!
The White Stripes – Black Jack Davey
This was a B-side. A f*cking B-side!!! It’s bloody brilliant, featuring another awesome riff that even I can occasionally play. The fact it’s sort of a cover of a Dylan song/traditional Scottish ballad aside, it’s still too good not to have been a single (though I’m not sure about the Dylan bit). Jack White is a treasure to us all and if you don’t like their lo-fi sound and prefer more of a full band then go and buy the second Raconteurs album (‘Consolers Of The Lonely’). It will blow you and then cook you dinner.
Heatwave over tomorrow? Yep, usual English summer.
Have you heard Golden Bough’s version of “Black Jack Davey”? One of my old favorites. I never really got into Bob’s version that much as a tune of its own, it would just send me back to Golden Bough.
OK, I’ve listened to the Harrow and the Harvest through twice in a row, time to do a (remarkably geographically consistent) shuffle.
“The Old Cross Road” — one leads down to destruction, the other to the pearly gates — performed by Bill Monroe and the bluegrass boys. The characteristic whining tone of bluegrass musicians singing gospel. Kentucky.
“Wilkes County Blues” — Gwen Foster sure can play harmonica. North Carolina.
“Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake”
— The exact same nasal tone, a couple of years later (if I have my chronology right). Virginia.
“One Rose that’s left in my heart” — the original, the Jimmie Rodgers recording, which is oddly not on YouTube with all the covers. Mississippi.
“Lynchburg Town”. What gives, Windows Media Player? North Carolina.
That White Stripes version is all right.
I’m seriously starting to wonder if Rob stole my music collection.
Finally, not as busy but leaving for the US of A today so no time yet again for a random 5. But, next Monday I swear I am going to do one, USA version (especially since it will be the Fourth…or will we even have one…)
we will have one. i’ll make it happen.