October 2006 List

“I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’”: Scissor Sisters
(Ta-Dah, 2006)
At this very moment in my home town of East Hampton, I know there’s a 12 year old boy who secretly loves “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” but hesitates to tell his male friends, given the flamboyance of lead singer Jake Shears and the song’s decidedly retro-pop-disco sound. Well, that's how I felt at 12 years old about some of the music I liked…but now I’m 27 and I proudly sing and dance along with Shears’ falsetto!

“Love Me Right”: Goapele
(Change It All, 2005)
Thanks to Donna and Yvonne, I was introduced to the wondrous, cosmic stylings of Goapele, an artist who completely escaped my radar in December 2005. “Love Me Right” is my favorite track on Change It All – a quirky blend of R&B and rock with Goapele's cooing vocals – but I sense that the album will slowly unveil other favorites over time.

“Sympathize”: Amos Lee
(Supply and Demand, 2006)
I’m so glad Amos Lee recorded a follow-up to his debut album so quickly because I just about wore out my copy of Amos Lee. Supply and Demand is definitely stronger than Amos Lee and Lee sounds more confident, especially when he harmonizes in his higher register on songs like "Sympathize".

“Up to the Mountain”: Solomon Burke
(Nashville, 2006)
Earlier this week, I had the distinct honor and pleasure of interviewing Solomon Burke for a feature article soon to be published on PopMatters (separate from my CD review). Beth-Anne, Elizabeth, and Jason can attest to how much joy I derive from speaking to artists about the meaning behind their songs so it was thrilling to chat with Reverend Burke about “Up to the Mountain”, a poignant parable about perseverance.

“What About Love”: Diana Ross
(I Love You, 2006)
I’ve patiently waited seven years for a new Diana Ross album that is not a compilation or a re-issue so the arrival of I Love You was welcomed with a warm embrace. "What About Love" (from The Color Purple stage musical) resonates fully within me, especially the line, “What about tears/when I’m happy?", since I now know what that feels like! (Note: Miss Ross hasn’t sounded THIS good since 1991.)