Friday Music

Got a bunch of goodies for you this week:

First off, a bit of Funk for : Bobby Womack – “Across 110th Streeet”, which is a reference to the traditional “border” of Harlem, running along the northern edge of Central Park. A great song, used to good effect in Quentin Tarantino’s homage to blaxploitation films, Jackie Brown.

While we’re on the subject of Soul, give this track a listen. It’s my second-favorite track from Ray Charles (after “What’d I Say”), and the backing vocals by Margie Hendricks are a big part of it…her smoking-hot “BABY!!!” gets me every time. Ray Charles – “Night Time Is The Right Time.”

Now, a pair of tracks from my favorite animated-animals-in-a-post-apocalyptic-supernatural-rock-musical, Rock and Rule, which is now available on DVD. First up we have the villain’s signature tune: Lou Reed – “My Name is Mok.” Second, we have my favorite song from the film: Debbie Harry – “Angel’s Song.” (Debbie Harry actually used the same music with different lyrics for a song called “Maybe Just For Sure” on her 1989 solo album, but I like this version better.

I found this the other day, and I’m completely obsessed with it. It’s a cover, but in the best way…it uses the same key and the same lyrics, but the music and the feel is so different, it deserves to stand as its own song: Snake River Conspiracy – “Lovesong.” I might even like this more than the original version by the Cure. (Blasphemy, I know.)

Speaking of covers, here’s a brilliant one from the great soundtrack to the not-quite-as-great film, Tank Girl: Paul Westerberg and Joan Jett – “Let’s Do It.” Gotta love Cole Porter…

I’ve enjoyed several releases by Bond, even though I recognize that their primary purpose is to be a string quartet of eye candy, to sex-up classical. It’s infectous stuff, though: Bond – “Explosive.”

Another track by Middle-Eastern diva Natacha Atlas, this time singing a French cabaret tune, and completely changing the feel of it via middle-eastern instrumentation. Love it. Natacha Atlas – “Mon Amie La Rose.”

I discovered this track this week, from a Denver-area band that I can only describe as sounding like they came off the soundtrack of Twin Peaks, but with Julee Cruise as a man. This song is absolutely beautiful…especially when his vocals come in. Devotchka – “How It Ends.”

Lastly, I leave you with my favorite track from everybody’s favorite proto-Goths: The Damned – “Street of Dreams.”

Now, off to prepare for tomorrow’s opening day of KCRF 2005.