October 2005 List
"Whatever": Jill Scott
(Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds, Vol. 2, 2004)
On two occasions in the past six months, I heard the remix of "Whatever," but it wasn't until my friend Mark shared the original version with me that I appreciated its cozy, laid-back soundscape and frolicsome wordplay. Jill Scott can sing in a variety of guises and I particularly enjoy her voice on this track where she's effectively sexy without being tacky.
"How Am I Different": Bettye LaVette
(I've Got My Own Hell to Raise, 2005)
Until last week, Betty LaVette was a singer who I knew very little about other than her esteemed standing among soul music aficionados, so upon David Nathan's very compelling recommendation, I bought her new album. I walked home from Park Row back to Hell's Kitchen on a rainy Friday night, listening to a woman whose voice is a force of nature, whose delivery of lyrics is raw and naked, and who, on this song, refashions a question from Aimee Mann's lyrics into a declaration of independence.
"State Your Peace": Hootie & the Blowfish
(Looking for Lucky, 2005)
I didn't ever think I'd listen to Hootie & the Blowfish again after drowning in their songs back in high school, thanks to W104.7. However, I had an opportunity to see them perform earlier last month at China Club and hear a set of songs from their new album, which - to my listening delight - is actually a very welcome breath of fresh air!
"Bohemia After Dark": Herbie Mann & Phil Woods
(Beyond Brooklyn, 2004)
In an effort to indulge my love for flute-based jazz, I decided recently to learn more about one of the best jazz flutists ever - Herbie Mann. Though Herbie Mann passed away shortly after Beyond Brooklyn was released, his legacy and influence are intact, and it's such a joy to hear him and saxophonist Phil Woods play together on this track, which conjures images of twinkling lights on the Manhattan skyline.
"Night of My Life": Barbra Streisand
(Guilty Pleasures, 2005)
Ahhhhh..."Night of My Life" is my own personal anthem this month! It is certainly no "guilty pleasure" of mine to:
a) hear Barbra Streisand's voice soar on a dance track
b) hear Barbra Streisand collaborate with Barry Gibb again
c) hear this song at full volume in a club (which I haven't done yet but I will no doubt MAKE happen)
posted by Christian John Wikane @ 7:44 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
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Is it that time already? As always, your descriptions make me want to run out and buy ten new CD's - I've listened to your compilation of former postings over and over and over again!!
A
THANKS A! We share similar music DNA, don't we?
Thanks for sharing Christian! You really should be a record promoter, you know that? The few sentences you manage to give on each little ditty are done with such a wonderfully descriptive flair, it makes me want to run to my nearest Tower Records and plunk down all this money that I DON'T have! But--I must say to your fellow music listeners --if you are on a budget(like I), but would like to get just 1 CD from this month's list, let it be Bettye Lavette's! Her powerful, gritty, emotionally charged renditions of these 10 covers are well worth the price.
Bettye recently performed Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow" from the new CD you mentioned on the David Letterman show.
Here's the link if by chance you missed it:
http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/exclusives/music/ls_ex_music_bettyelavette.shtml
Take care!
ML
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