Category: Music

Off to see Duran Duran in KC tomorrow night. It’ll be the third time I’ve seen them in concert, but the first time I’ve seen the original line-up. So, in honor of that, here’s one of my favorite tracks by Simon, Nick, John, Andy and Roger: Duran Duran – “Hold Back The Rain (Remix)” (That’s the extended 7-inch single version, from “Night Versions – Essential Duran Duran”).

Found this gem online recently–it’s a recording of the Scissor Sisters doing a cover of a Franz Ferdinand song. The Sister’s Elton John vibe is highly in evidence here. Scissor Sisters – “Take Me Out”

I saw the video for this song last week at the Manor, and as I told , “I think I’m in love.” It turns out that it was a track from the Shakira album immediately preceding her US debut. If they had released this stuff, I would’ve been a lot more interested. This track features Arabic instrumentation mixed with Spanish lyrics…which is a combination that I suppose could be called “Moorish.” The whole thing is kicked up with some decidedly modern guitars and thundering dance beats. I *LOVE* this song. Shakira – “Ojos Asi.”

Last week, I shared some Roísín Murphy with you. This week, I got the rest of her album. WOW. I spent a lot of time hemming and hawing about which track to post this week, because the entire album is just so great. Finally, though, I’ve settled on the following: Roísín Murphy – “If We’re In Love.” In fact, I want to plug this CD so much, that I found a flash-based e-card promotion from her record label, which allows you to sample every track on the album. If your computer can handle it, click here, listen to various tracks, look at the info, and get this album.

Sometimes, I listen to the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which came out in the mid 90s, and I’m stunned at how so much of what they talked about is still an issue, 10 years later. This avant-garde alternative hip-hop group opened for U2, which gave them some limited exposure, but eventually folded after one album, with frontman Michael Franti going on to found Spearhead. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – “Television (Drug of a Nation).”

I’m a big Thomas Dolby fan. (Surprise, surprise) None of his albums received the attention in the US that they deserved, relegating him to “one-hit-wonder” status for most, with “She Blinded Me With Science” as the sole stand-out (which wasn’t even the best song on that album, naturally). The record label hung their hopes on the lead single from his second album The Flat Earth, but it didn’t make as big a splash as “Science.” Still a great song, though: Thomas Dolby – “Hyperactive.”

More next week.

Friday Music

Off to see Duran Duran in KC tomorrow night. It’ll be the third time I’ve seen them in concert, but the first time I’ve seen the original line-up. So, in honor of that, here’s one of my favorite tracks by Simon, Nick, John, Andy and Roger: Duran Duran – “Hold Back The Rain (Remix)” (That’s the extended 7-inch single version, from “Night Versions – Essential Duran Duran”).

Found this gem online recently–it’s a recording of the Scissor Sisters doing a cover of a Franz Ferdinand song. The Sister’s Elton John vibe is highly in evidence here. Scissor Sisters – “Take Me Out”

I saw the video for this song last week at the Manor, and as I told Mike, “I think I’m in love.” It turns out that it was a track from the Shakira album immediately preceding her US debut. If they had released this stuff, I would’ve been a lot more interested. This track features Arabic instrumentation mixed with Spanish lyrics…which is a combination that I suppose could be called “Moorish.” The whole thing is kicked up with some decidedly modern guitars and thundering dance beats. I *LOVE* this song. Shakira – “Ojos Asi.”

Last week, I shared some Roísín Murphy with you. This week, I got the rest of her album. WOW. I spent a lot of time hemming and hawing about which track to post this week, because the entire album is just so great. Finally, though, I’ve settled on the following: Roísín Murphy – “If We’re In Love.” In fact, I want to plug this CD so much, that I found a flash-based e-card promotion from her record label, which allows you to sample every track on the album. If your computer can handle it, click here, listen to various tracks, look at the info, and get this album.

Sometimes, I listen to the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which came out in the mid 90s, and I’m stunned at how so much of what they talked about is still an issue, 10 years later. This avant-garde alternative hip-hop group opened for U2, which gave them some limited exposure, but eventually folded after one album, with frontman Michael Franti going on to found Spearhead. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – “Television (Drug of a Nation).”

I’m a big Thomas Dolby fan. (Surprise, surprise) None of his albums received the attention in the US that they deserved, relegating him to “one-hit-wonder” status for most, with “She Blinded Me With Science” as the sole stand-out (which wasn’t even the best song on that album, naturally). The record label hung their hopes on the lead single from his second album The Flat Earth, but it didn’t make as big a splash as “Science.” Still a great song, though: Thomas Dolby – “Hyperactive.”

More next week.

Another Friday, more music.

We’ll start off with a track specifically for (since I know she likes it) and in honor of yesterday’s Bastille Day. Nothin’ says “French” like Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose.” Makes me want to fire up some Gauloises and puff away while bemoaning the current state of cinema.

I just discovered this track yesterday, and I’m absolutely going to track down the album. It’s the first release from Roísín Murphy’s (pet peeve from somebody with a lot gaelic-named relatives: that’s pronounced “Rosheen”, not “roysin”) debut album, Ruby Blue, and it’s got this whole Rat-pack era Nightclub Diva vibe to it….but take the backing orchestra, glitch it up with some electronics, cut-and-paste, and big beats. I’m fascinated, and definitely want to hear more. Roísín Murphy – “Sinking Feeling.”

I got quite a kick out of this when I first heard it, so I had to share. It’s a cover of the Sex Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant”, but done as late 50s/early 60s Doo-wop: The Delltones – “Pretty Vacant.”

This is a track that got some alterno-radio play around 96-97, but I never heard anything more from the guy, nor have I ever been able to find the CD. I’ve had to settle for this single ill-gotten mp3: Eric Matthews – “Fanfare.” What hooked me was, well….the fanfare. I love songs with brass sections, and that’s pretty damned rare nowadays.

…and, just ’cause I feel like it: Adam & The Ants – “Stand & Deliver.” You can never have too many songs about highwaymen, pirates or general swashbuckling. “What’s the point of robbery, when nothing is worth taking?” Amen.

I have to admit that I got a huge chuckle out of the fact that anarchist band Chumbawamba ended up making fans of the very sort of folks that they were mocking in their one-hit-wonder single “Tubthumping” (you know: “I get knocked down, but I get up again…” The album was pretty good, but of course, at least in this country, you never heard anything but the infectuous single. So, here’s my favorite track from the album: Chumbawamba – “Amnesia.”

Finally, a track from the brilliant soundtrack of Run Lola Run (aka Lola Rennt), which I only just recently got to see (missed it when it first came out in 99). Franka Potente and Thomas D – “Wish (Komm Zu Mir)” Vocals are by the star of the film, Franka Potente. The entire soundtrack is brilliant German techno, and is well worth getting.

There ya go. Hope you like ’em.