April 2007 List

“Okay”: Macy Gray
(Big, 2007)
As I stood on line at the stroke of midnight at Virgin Records to pick up Stevie Nicks’ Crystal Visions two weeks ago, I heard this new track by Macy Gray blasting over the speakers. I now have it in my possession and it’s been making me smile after a rather dismal weekend and on this very dreary NYC afternoon!

“It’s All True”: Tracey Thorn
(Out of the Woods, 2007)
A couple of songs by Everything But the Girl stand in the reserves of my musical memory (“Missing” and “Driving”) so Tracey Thorn’s voice is well-etched in my cranium. The retro-‘80s drive of this song is charming and sounds like it could have been on a Eurythmics album from 1983…ahh, memories!

“Someone to Love”: Fountains of Wayne
(Traffic and Weather, 2007)
I just discovered this song today courtesy of PopMatters though I’m ashamed to admit I’d never heard Fountains of Wayne’s music before. Something compelled me to sample their music today and I recommend anyone in need of a lift to hear “Someone to Love”!

“Perfect Dream”: Three5Human
(A Swig from the Acid Bottle, 2007)
Three5Human’s name stems from the time in our history when black Americans were counted as three-fifths a person towards representation in the House of Representatives. Three5Human’s blistering rock is a catharsis of such social injustices; the song that appeals to me most on their new album is “Perfect Dream". (In memory of the 31 who perished at Virginia Tech. today.)

“That’s How Heartaches are Made”: Deniece Williams
(Love, Niecy Style, 2007)
I had the pleasure of interviewing Deniece Williams last Friday in the middle of Central Park for David Nathan’s Soulmusic.com on the occasion of her new album. I’ve always loved “That’s How Heartaches Are Made” and her heartfelt version is simply a joy to behold!