A couple of weeks ago I posted a Gorillaz Inc. cover by Skye Edwards of Morcheeba and since then Morcheeba has been back on my brain. I am in the process of packing for a trip to the beach and this song has been sort of hanging around my consciousness so I thought I’d dust it off and play it.
Happy Wednesday! Enjoy.
Morcheeba “The Sea”
It is a bit overcast this am, which generally sends me into Dream pop/Trip hop territory. I just love a dreamy atmospheric sound when the weather suits. MS MR (pronounced Miss Mister) has been on my radar lately. I really like Lizzy Plapinger’s voice.
Happy Tuesday! Enjoy.
I was blown away by all the amazing things I saw on my trip to Santa Fe. I had the good fortune to attend (with kids in tow) a performance of the Juan Siddi Flamenco Company. Packed into a small theatre; sipping Sangria with my mom, I watched one of the most beautiful art forms I have ever seen. The stage was lined with Classical guitarists, an amazing Cellist, a guitarist, percussion, and a piano. Added to that were the gypsy (for real) singers. I would’ve come for the music alone, but the dancers…they took my breath away. Flamenco is so intense. There is a power, a passion, a sadness and a joy that Flamenco inhabits. There is a word in Spanish, Duende, that is generally associated with Flamenco, but also with the transcendental nature of art and its ability to move both the artist and the audience. Duende is deep emotion; the power to attract through magnetism and charm. It has been described as the most difficult word to translate from Spanish into other languages.
I told my mom that if reincarnation is real, I want to come back as a Flamenco dancer. She laughed. She thought I was joking.
Anyway, I realize that my description falls far short of actually seeing the performance, so I will wrap it up except to say that I was reinvigorated to steep myself in whatever art and culture I can find.
I will be back to my indie-loving self tomorrow, but for today enjoy, “Dark Eyes” from For Musicians Only
Today I set out for my very favorite place, Santa Fe, and I am hopeful that my long weekend away will leave me refreshed and renewed. There is something magical about the crisp, clean, high desert air there and I’ve been away too long. Packing for this trip, I couldn’t help but think of one of my very favorite Paul Simon songs, “Hearts and Bones.” It is such an amazing song with delicate percussion and really masterful but understated guitar. It begins in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of Santa Fe, which I will be getting magnificent views of very shortly (I really can’t wait), but mostly it is a song about relationships.
It is heartbreaking, it is really gorgeous and I think it is Paul Simon at his best. This song was written about his relationship with Carrie Fisher. I chose a live version which has “Mystery Train” added at the end, at about 5:50. Skip it if you must, but I suggest you don’t.
I’m not even going to pretend to be blasé about the little Prince born yesterday. I know there are other things going on in the world and this is not the first baby ever born etc., but I find the British Monarchy fascinating and it was actually rather refreshing to have good news overtake the media outlets for a bit.
Today’s song is by a New Zealand artist who is only 16 years old. She goes by the stage name, Lorde, and from what I’ve read on her she has a iron-clad grip on her image; she only allows for very few images of her to be out there. I bought her EP, Love Club, which is only 5 songs, after falling in love with today’s selection. It is a wry look at the conspicuous consumption and materialism sung about in Rap/Hip Hop. Mostly, it’s just a great song though. Check it out.
Lorde “Royals”
We are heading into the throes of adolescence with our eldest. Each day I am hopeful that she is feeling confident and happy. As this phase goes, it varies from day to day (or minute by minute). This song from U2, with its life-affirming message always reminds me what I need to constantly tell my girls: “I want the lot of what you’ve got and I want nothing that you’re not…”
I love it. Be brazen and bold girls. Own it.
U2-“Original of the Species”
I sort of can’t believe that I haven’t posted about Andrew Bird yet. Besides the serious whistle envy I have when I watch him (I can’t whistle) I am just blown away by the musicality that just seeps from his pores. Some musicians seem like they might be normal people who just took up music and gained a decent amount of proficiency and then through luck and serendipity managed to secure a foothold in the music world. And then there is someone like this, who I think would be a musician regardless of whether anyone listened; it is just who he is.
I am beyond thrilled that is it is Friday at last.
Andrew Bird “Orpheo Looks Back”
Every electronic device in my house is manhandled and left depleted of batteries by my kids. They love to create songs in Garage Band and to listen to music and play games. We are working on limits for these activities, as it is definitely in need of moderation. Setting and sticking to these limits has proven challenging.
I still run with an Ipod because I get too sweaty when I work out to take my phone… I would have to bubble wrap it. So today when I set out on my morning run, I noticed that they had been listening to an old playlist. My battery life was juuuuuust enough to get me through my run and actually I was sort of enjoying a blast from the past playlist that I had on my Ipod. I have been thinking about posting songs that are great for workouts. I realize that the BPM that works for one person might not cut it for another, but I will just suggest.
This song is from the Noisettes and I have no idea when or why I happened to download it, but I love its sort of retro-late-seventies vibe. Perfect mid-run song.
“Don’t Upset the Rhythm”
We moved here 2 years ago in June. In many ways that time has flown by, but somehow it seems longer as well. I am beginning to feel at home here and it is ironically kind of foreign to feel at home. Since my 11-year-old was born we have lived in 5 states. 6 if you count the state she was born in, which we lived in briefly during my husband’s first deployment. I have been by necessity and by choice a bit of a gypsy.
So it is with different eyes that I see this latest move. For the first time our hope and our intention is to stay and that brings all kinds of possibilities. I think I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.
Today’s pick is from Michael Kiwanuka. He is a phenomenal singer from England. Such a soulful voice.
Enjoy!
“Home Again”
The sun is peeking out after some much needed rain and I am glad to see its return.(Although I will most likely be whining about the heat in 3…2…1)
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ new self-titled album comes out July 23rd. Interesting statement, I think, when a band chooses to self-title. Does that mean they feel it is their defining piece? I don’t know. I love the first single that they dropped a while back, “Better Days.” I haven’t had time to listen to the rest of the album, mostly because save for one other single it hasn’t been available, but NPR just reviewed it with a first listen, so if you are inclined check it out.
Have a happy Tuesday.
ESMZ “Better Days”
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