Here we go….
First up — something that I discovered during the recent Iranian uprising. Western music is illegal there, but there is a thriving underground scene, often with music recorded by expat Iranians, smuggled back into the country. Here is a bit of Iranian hip-hop, recorded by the Netherlands-based female MC, Farinaz. The title translates as “In the Name of Women” — a song of political and cultural protest. Farinaz – “Be Name Zan.”
A request by Dotta Numba 2, here is some NYC-based gypsy-punk: Gogol Bordello – “Start Wearing Purple.”
Something old, now — forgive the cock-rock, but this is my all-time favorite track by this band, far more than the lovely but now-clichéd “Stairway to Heaven.” I find this much more musically interesting — plus: DUDE! How could teenage me *not* buzz to these lyrics: “Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream — I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been.” Led Zeppelin – “Kashmir.”
The latest ear-worm– the infectious bit of music used for the new Palm Pre commercial. I needed to find out who this was, and thankfully South By Southwest had the answer, and a free mp3: IO Echo – “Doorway.”
I heard this on this week’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance (yes, I watch it. Shut up.), and was reminded how much I like it. I prefer the original Betty Hutton version from 1944, but try finding *that* as an mp3 online…. So, here’s the version from the film “For the Boys” — Bette Midler – “Stuff Like That There.”
Lastly, in honor of Nikola Tesla’s 153rd birthday (while simultaneously avoiding anything by the god-awful hair-metal band that took his name), here’s some 1984-vintage Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark – “Tesla Girls.”
Enjoy.