Pongo and Perdita

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nighttime: Streets of Paris

Sophie Hunger - The Sad Fisherman (2007: Sketches on Sea)

(fast forward the video to 0:53)

A very sad story lies behind this band. Badfinger (originally named The Iveys) was the so-called 'heir apparent' to the Beatles. They were signed to the Beatles' label (Apple), Paul McCartney wrote a hit song for them, Mal Evans (the Beatles' roadie) produced some of their music, etc. Sadly they never became too successful... and the story ends with a lot of bad blood, depression, and multiple suicides. But the music lives on (as they say). Here are a few of my favorite songs from possibly the very first power-pop rock band.

Badfinger - No Matter What (1970: No Dice)

Badfinger - Without You (1970: No Dice)

- This song was famously covered by many artists including Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. My favorite cover was done by the father of Italian easy listening music, Fausto Papetti. [Let it be a guilty pleasure: Fausto Papetti - Without You (1972: 14ª Raccolta)]

The Iveys (Badfinger) - Maybe Tomorrow (1968: Maybe Tomorrow)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Music that Makes Me Want to Live Longer...

... or live forever. When I hear music like this I'm sad that all things must pass.

1. Serge Gainsbourg/Jean-Claude Vannier - Jane dans la Nuit (1970: Cannabis)
- Listen to this song right before you go to bed.

2. Serge Gainsbourg/Jean-Claude Vannier - Cannabis (Instrumental) (1970: Cannabis)
- Listen to this song right when you wake up... and turn it wayyyyy the fuck up!!!

Challenge!

Can anyone guess the year this song was recorded? Without cheating?

Silly Kissers - You Don't Love Me (????: Love Tsunami)

Bombastique!

Jacqueline Taïeb - Bravo (1968/2004: The Complete Masterworks of the French Mademoiselle)

Monday, March 14, 2011

A Grin from Ear to Ear Starts at the Ear

Music that makes me happy is good. Here are three songs that have made me happy:

1. The Beach Boys approach: The Magic Kids - Hey Boy (2009: Hey Boy 7")

2. The Ennio approach: Ennio Morricone - Un genio, due compari, un pollo (1975: Un genio, due compari, un pollo)

3. The super high electric guitar approach: Delicate Steve - Sugar Splash (2011: Wondervisions) Update: Delicate Steve's Label Not Into File Sharing
-Thanks to Alyssa for turning me onto this band... I think this is my favorite recording of the year so far!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

An Oasis in the Rainforest

Do yourself a favor someday and take the time to sit and really listen to this piece of music all the way through (it's only 7min). If you really listen you'll hear, somewhere in the midst of the piece, 30 seconds of the greatest music ever written. You'll know it when you hear it (if you're listening).

Beethoven, Ludvig van - String Quartet No. 13, Op. 130: V. Cavatina; Adagio Molto Espressivo (1996: Cleveland Quartet)

Library Music

Jean-Claude Petit et son Orchestre - Jenny Girl (1960s: Chappell Dance & Mood Music Vol. 6)
Jean-Claude Petit et son Orchestre - A Tire d'Ailes (1960s: Chappell Dance & Mood Music Vol. 6)
Marcy Music - Moogy's (1974: Marcy Music no°1)

Beatles Covers

1. Nothing particularly amazing about this cover... but for some reason I can't get enough of it. Laid back, nice arrangement, great vocal... and one of McCartney's very best.

John Holt - I Will (1983: 2000 Volts of Holt)
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2. One of many recordings from the 60s and 70s that doesn't make sense. Where'd these hacks get the money to record this?? And yet a kick ass recording was born. Check out the stutter at 1:28... can't beat that.

Toi Et Moi - Across the Universe (1970s)
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3. Love the push and pull of the harpsichords in the intro... and these chord changes blow this song wide open.

The Baroque Inevitable - Yellow Submarine (1966: The Baroque Inevitable)
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4. Not really a Beatles cover (it's a Burt Bacharach song)... but everyone should hear this at least once. Lead singer Gayle McCormick can out-belt even John Lennon.

Smith - Baby It's You (1969: A Group Called Smith)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

If Sigur Rós were Indian... kind of

Master, show some compassion on me,

Please come and dwell in my heart.

Because without you, it is painfully lonely,

Fill this empty pot with the nectar of love.

I do not know any Tantra, Mantra or ritualistic worship,

I know and believe only in you.

I have been searching for you all over the world,

Please come and hold my hand now.

Don't pass this one up...

Ravi Shankar - Prabhujee (1997: Chants of India)

Questionable

Bad music has a place. Sometimes that place is a car stereo whilst driving through the countryside with a close friend. Sometimes it isn't. You decide. And if you think that this song isn't bad... I'm right there with you. Think Carole King if she was Japanese.

Yumi Matsutoya - Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumareta Nara (1989: Kiki's Delivery Service)

Bolly-good!

There's lots of bad Bollywood music out there... there's also lots of good Bollywood music. This is (so far) my favorite song that I've come across from the Bollyworld. Incredibly beautiful and interesting. Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar are heavyweights but for me the real excellence stems from the phenomenal orchestration. In fact, if anyone can find the orchestral score to this song, I will give or send you $40. That offer stands for the rest of my life.

Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar - Dekha Ek Khwab (1981: Silsila)