July 2005 List

"Sacre Francais": Dimitri from Paris
(Sacrebleu, 1997)
I've long been a fan of Dimitri's mix albums of house and disco classics (e.g. A Night at the Playboy Mansion), but only recently have I heard his original material. I can't remember the last time a xylophone has been this irresistibly catchy.

"The Heart's a Lonely Hunter": Thievery Corporation & David Byrne
(The Cosmic Game, 2005)
I attended my first Fort Green Park dance party in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon and this song, replete with kaleidoscopic percussion and horns, quickly sent my feet to the dance floor. I asked the DJ who was singing and he replied - to my surprise - "The guy from Talking Heads"; 24 hours later, I hold the album in my hands.

"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go": Madeleine Peyroux
(Careless Love, 2005)
This is probably the most wistful song about unrequited love I've ever heard. With guitar-strummed chords that conjure images of tears gently falling, Madeleine Peyroux gives Bob Dylan's classic cut from Blood on the Tracks a delicate, tender rendering.

"I'll Always": Angela Johnson
(Got to Let it Go, 2005)
Angela Johnson introduced the songs from her second solo album (including this Al Green-inspired tune) at S.O.B.'s a couple of months ago when opening for a band called Tortured Soul. If you want the hairs on the back of your neck to stand at attention, I implore you to run, walk, or crawl to experience Angela Johnson in concert.

"Bubble Toes": Jack Johnson
(Brushfire Fairytales, 2002)
After walking through the garden that is In Between Dreams (see March 2005 List), I decided to delve into one of Jack Johnson's earlier releases. "Bubble Toes" is one of the most fun listening experiences I've had of late, especially because of the infectious refrain of "la da da-da da-da."

NOTE: I just have to gush about seeing Donna Summer perform at Jones Beach on Saturday night. She sang a stirring cover of "Nights in White Satin" that MUST be recorded sooner than later!