Friday Music

Hey folks….

First up, as requested last week by , a track in tribute to Lou Rawls, who died last Friday. I decided to go with my favorite: Lou Rawls – “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.”

When I was a young’n, I was a huge fan of U2. No, let me correct that. I was a HUGE fan. It was with the release of their biggest break-through album, The Joshua Tree, that they started to lose me. They went from being a phenominal alternative post-punk garage band from Ireland into an overproduced global supergroup. I still like the band, but it’s usually one or two songs on each album now, rather than playing an album until it falls apart….and it’s usually the songs that remind me of the older sound. Here is one of my favorite U2 tracks, from the last album where they still had me, The Unforgettable Fire: U2 – “Wire.” (Be patient…the link sometimes takes a bit to connect, but once it does the speed is pretty good.)

Armin van Buuren is the top DJ in the world, holding the Guiness Record for longest DJ set (12 and half hours), and having a number of top-selling progressive trance mix releases under his belt. He’s started releasing his own “artist albums” as well (featuring his own compositions, rather than mixes of other artists), and this is the title track from his most recent, which I like very very much: Armin van Buuren – “Shivers (feat. Susana)”

Ever since I added “Man of Constant Sorrow” to my Serenity RPG playlist, the tracks on the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack have all started to make me think of my campaign. This track, with its reverential, mournful sound, absolutely reminds me of the situation that the crew of Icarus find themselves in: Alison Krauss – “Down To The River To Pray.”

I can’t remember if I’ve previously posted this or not, so if I have, bear with me. A brilliant cover of Smokey Robinson by one of my favorite second-wave Ska bands (and, as I’ve mentioned before, one of my favorite bands of all time, period.): The English Beat – “Tears of a Clown.”

It’s hard for me to think of this song now without picturing Bill Murray trying his best in a Tokyo karaoke bar, from “Lost In Translation.” I’ve always loved this song. Roxy Music – “More Than This.”

While I’m in a classic mood, I figure that I’ll go ahead and post my favorite track by The Rolling Stones. The best things about this song are Keith Richards guitar work and the amazing vocals by the back-up singer Merry Clayton (who was one of Ray Charles’ Raelettes in the 60s): The Rolling Stones – “Gimmie Shelter.” In my opinion, this is the best Rolling Stone song ever recorded.

…and, lastly, I blame the fangirls for this one (you know who you are). Ever since you guys started talking about the DVDs, this has been stuck in my head, so now I’m sticking it into other people’s heads to get it out of mine. Queen – “Princes of the Universe.” So there.

More music next week.