Charley's blog: "music"

So we got satelite TV last week... (I don't even know how to turn it on yet) anyway as an added bonus which I were unaware of, it came with Sirius Radio... nothing like cooking, drinking a glass of wine and turning on real music instead of the shit we get here in radio hell. *smiles* that's all.

So i heard this song for the first time on my way to work today and i kind of hit me hard. Sorry I know the video blogs are a pain.

Mad props to anyone that can make a rock band centered around a flute. Just saying...

As you should know I like all types of music, but recently I have been listening to a lot of female singer songwriters. This genre goes way back and exploded with the women’s movement in the 60’s – see Joni Mitchell, Joan Beaz, Joan Armatrading and even Carly Simon. It seems as if the women’s movement is going backwards now, a symptom of our apathetic society possibly… But there are still some great voices out there singing about women’s lives and issues. And more importantly what is more beautiful that a woman’s voice (or you could just leave voice out of that statement). Here are a few that are currently at the top of my list: Emmy Lou Harris – Perhaps the most distinctive female voice, for years Emmy has brought us amazing song after song. Victoria Williams – kind of like Bob Dylan or Tom Waits… not the prettiest voice, but you just can’t stop listening. Victoria suffers from MS and along with some friends has done some great albums as a benefit to find a cure for the disease. Ani Difranco – A true voice for women and she plays a mean guitar. Ani is one of the best poets of our generation and worth a listen whether you are looking for a pick me up or a sobering tale. Maddy Prior – For those that like the traditional music of the British Isles try Maddy. She will become a favorite. Lisa Loeb – Probably not the best writer, but a hauntingly pure voice (and I think she’s hot). Voices on the Verge – Three great songstresses got together to form this group that has some outstanding harmonies. Lucinda Williams – All about grit and tough times. Simply awesome. Laura Love – A mix of grunge, Caribbean, reggae, and folk with a continental flavor, Laura has a gift for the upbeat and the sublime. Great with a cup of coffee on a rainy day. Tori Amos – Great songs better playing, unique sound and most of all passionate. Melissa Etheridge – Wow, what power and passion. Best thing to ever come out of Leavenworth Kansas. Susan Werner – A little known artist out of Iowa, Susan’s talent is writing a song that brings you to the moment she is writing about.

So I'm not really a country music fan, but occasionally there is some good stuff.... I was listening to NPR yesterday and they reviewed the new album (CD) by Brad Paisley and one song in particular -- Online. I felt it was appropriate. Brad Paisley "Online" I work down at the pizza pit and I drive and old Hundai I still live with my mom and dad I 5'3 and overweight I'm a Sci-fi fantatic mild athsmatic never been to 2nd base But there's a whole nother me that you need to see Go check out Myspace Cause online I'm down in Hollywood I'm 6'5 and I look damn good I drive a Mazarati I'm a black belt in Karate and I love a good glass of wine It turns girls on that I'm mysterious I tell 'em I don't want nothing serious Cause even on a slow day I can have a three way chat with two women at one time I'm so much cooler online So much cooler online I get home, I kiss my mom and she fixes me a snack I head down to my basement bedroom and fire up the mac In real life, the only time I [Online lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com] Ever even been to LA Was when I got the chance with the marching band To play tuba in the Rose Parade. Online I live in Malibu I posed for Calvin Kline, I've been in GQ I'm single and I'm rich and I got a set of six pack abs that'll blow your mind It turns girls on that I'm mysterious I tell 'em I don't want nothing serious Cause even on a slow day I can have a three way chat with two women at one time I'm so much cooler online Yeah I'm cooler online When you got my kinda stacks, it's hard to get a date Let alone a real girlfriend But I grow another foot and I lose a bunch of weight everytime I log in online I'm out in Hollywood I'm 6'5 and I look damn good Even on a slow day, I can have a three way chat with two women at one time I'm so much cooler online Yeah I'm cooler online I'm so much cooler online Yeah I'm cooler online

Eddie From Ohio Fifth of July looking out the fishbowl at this beethoven bust ever since the canine no one's looking at us but i bet with a running start we could leap out of the water a two foot drop to the oriental rug and no one would be bothered we could flip and flop across the hardwood floor hold our breath through the lawn the bust now sits where a globe used to be canada should be at the end of this street and lake louise is where i want to be (chorus) it's the fifth of july feeling independent please step aside the celebration's over we're now on our own for the first of our lives on the fifth of july now what looking out the kennel at the dying oak tree ever since the newborn no one's looking at me but i bet with these incisors i could gnaw through this lead a two mile run to the county line a two state run to the sea i could run through the briars and the brambles where a rabbit wouldn't go so fast the hounds couldn't catch me like a johnny horton show and anywhere is where i wanna be (chorus) one if by land two if by sea three if by phone or facsimile four if by plane five if by boat six if bilingual seven by goat eight by ten glossies of me looking out the bedroom at the snowy tv ever since commencement no one's asking 'bout me but i bet before the night falls i could catch the late bus take small provisions and this beethoven bust i could find work in the outskirts of the city eat some fish on the way befriend an old dog for a roadside pal find a nice couch to stay a pull sofa, if you please (chorus)

Well, I have compiled a list of songs that make me sing, dance, think, cry, shout, etc. I have only listed one song per artist (which was difficult) to try and give the list a lot of diversity. These are not necessarily the best songs of all time or even the best songs by each artist, just ones that I like and that I think are worth listening to. So... in no particular order... Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones Taylor - Jack Johnson Whispering Wind - Richard Thompson Careful - Guster Clap Hands - Tom Waits Memphis in the Meantime - John Hiatt The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix Lemon Tree - Peter, Paul and Mary Ripple - The Greatful Dead Layla - Eric Clapton Building a House - Lincoln Feel Like Making Love - Bad Company Hunger - Voices on the Verge Too Tough to Die - The Ramones Fed Up - Yellowman Deeper Well - Emmy Lou Harris Mocking Bird - Low Millions Idaho - The BoDeans The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Ferious Five Turn Me On - Norah Jones Volcano - Jimmy Buffett Can't Let Go - Lucinda Williams Black Dog - Led Zeppelin (imagine opening upthe debut album in 1971 to hear this song...) You are Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens Not the Only One - Bonnie Raitt No More We Cry - The Hated Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison Time Between Trains - Susan Werner Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley Record Lady - Lyle Lovett Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall Instant Karma - John Lennon Janie's got a Gun - Aerosmith 32 Flavors - Ani Di Franco If you Love Me (Why am I Dying) - Boxing Ghandis Desire - Ryan Adams Sometimes in Winter - Blood, Sweat and Tears Don't Leave the Lava Lamp on For Me - Bacon Brothers I Was in the House When the House Burned Down - Waren Zevon We are going to be Friends - The White Stripes Whisper your Name - Harry Connick Jr Knocking on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan I got a Bad Feeling - Laura Love Old Valley Road - Bruce Hornsby (I like the version on "Will the Circle be Unbroken II" with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but this made the list for the version recorded with The Greatful Dead.) I'm not From Here - James McMurtry Legalize It - Peter Tosh Minnesota 1945 - Eddie From Ohio White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane The Ghetto - Elvis Well... All Right - Buddy Holly Observant readers have noticed an obvious omission. This is because I am unable to select only one song from this band due to the vastness and quality of their work.

Ok, last week I posted some anti-love songs on the 13th. I got a little flack for this, being that it was the day before Valentine's Day. So I thought it would be appropriate for me to post a counter point of view. These are not your typical sweet love songs, but rather hot songs that make you (me at least) jump into bed, or at least do some dirty dancing and some serious making out. Since a lot of what makes these songs hot is the beat, intonation and style of the singing, I'm leaving it up to you to find them and listen to them and play them for the appropriate person. {It will be worth your while ;)} Feel Like Making Love -- Bad Company -- A classic, you can't go wrong with this one for a slow dance and more. Desire -- Ryan Adams -- all i can say is HOT! Turn Me On -- Norah Jones -- This sultry siren heats it up on this one. Wicked Game -- Chris Isaak -- some people could sing the alphabet and make it sexy. Hero -- Enrique Iglesias -- see above... the Spanish version is better that the English one. Nikki -- Low Millions -- everyone should have an ex-girlfriend (or current) like this... just a raw sexual song. Soon Be Done -- Shaggy -- Shaggy's music has a rhythm that is perfect for... this opening track on the Pure Pleasure CD is a great start for just that, pure pleasure. Come to My Window -- Melissa Etheridge -- One of many gems by Melissa where her sultry voice and longing desire come together. Righteously -- Lucinda Williams -- This sultry singer is most noted for her blues songs, but this one is hot, hot, hot. This is my top song on this list. You will not be disapointed. Dishonorable Mention Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw -- Jimmy Buffet -- I love Jimmy and the sentiment sometimes fits, but this song isn't getting anyone into bed. Happy hunting and....