Thuper Thong Thurthday #19: Foreign Language Bingo!

Ok. So I am fully prepared to lose a couple of you on this one.  However, seeing as how this blog has been read in 10 different countries (seriously, that's a real stat) I have decided to do a foreign language music playlist.

I also decided that in a move that is completely tasteless (and tactless) we are gonna make a guessing game out of it.  See if you can guess the language.  Yeah I know, it's dumb, but it entertains me.  So click the link to see the language...I'll keep it secret til then...So on here it goes.

I will say this before I get to the list.  I truly like all of these songs and I think you should give everyone of them a chance.  On with it...


TTT #19 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist


Brooding Eyes

Cancion Del Mariachi - Los Lobos & Antonio Banderas

Nasonex Bee.  Yeah that's right.  This is a track of the Nasonex bee dropping some mean rhymes in Oh know what could it be, could it be ____?



I Love This Picture

Ca Plane Pour Moi - Plastic Bertrand

That's his 80's smoulder.  I am a straight man and even I am having trouble looking directly at it.  If you don't know what language this is, open a book, or watch Eurotrip.  I just realized I told you to open a book if you don't know what language this is.

Seeing as how you don't know the language you can't read the book...so it's ____.  You're welcome...


Do You Remember?

Du Gråter Så Store Tåra - Ane Brun

Don't cheat.  I know that text is very telling BUT which country is it? I don't know...I do know the language though it's _____.  Oddly enough the country is pretty easy to deduce from there, you don't need Benedict Cumberbatch to solve that one for you. (You should watch that show.)

I also would recommend looking up the English version of this song, unless you speak _____, it's a beautiful song.


Pure Moods

Makambo - Geoffery Oryema

This is on my top five Sit In A Dark Room And Contemplate Life songs.  Let it wash over you and just take it in...even if you don't speak _____.

OK that one was hard...that's all I could find.  Deal.


Gent And A Piano

O Mio Babbino Caro - Giacomo Puccini

I couldn't do this playlist and not include at least ONE aria.  Had to be done.  Now what language is she speaking?  Not that it's hard to tell, even if you don't speak the language, but this song is really, really sad.  I think probably one of the saddest songs ever.  Truly.

Puccini was a genius.


Incantation

Dina Lam - Richard Bona

I first learned of this guy from a video of him playing with Bobby McFerrin.  It was transcendent.  I really love the melody of this song.  That mixed with soothing solo bass work is just fantastic.  Like Oryema this is all you get.  I apologize.

He IS from Cameroon though.  So I found that out...


Some People Get All The Luck

Quequ'un M'a Dit - Carla Bruni

Seriously.  Look at her.  A model.  Married the leader of France AND writes and sings beautifully.  It's almost too much to take.  The language should be pretty easy (read that book again...*hinthint*).  This is another song that is really beautiful if you find out what it means.

 I wonder if all of these songs are nice...huh...


This Might Be Where I Lose You

Alive - Sa Dingding

This song has a nice little groove to it.  Her voice and the Eastern voicings may not be to your liking.  _______ is actually a very flowy language when sung.  I really like this song and I like the feel of it.  Sometimes that's more important than any other aspect for me.

 I think that is why I really like music in languages I don't speak.  It allows me to see if I can feel what they are singing about.  I like to see if I can interpret the meaning.  At the very least the meaning as it pertains to me.


SOV UK

Love Me Or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign

What?  It applies.  It's foreign to me.  Why you ask? ______. Also because that accent is really thick (again, to me) and say 'fank youuuu' instead of 'thank you'.  That is just great.  Plus she's adorable.  Look at that face...


That's it for this week.  I was in a weird mood musically this week so this is what happens when the usual doesn't click with me.  Hope you enjoyed the list.  Feel free (please...) to leave comments down below.  Guesses.  Riddles.  Ridicules.  Whatever.

KKNY signing off...

Is Apple The Enemy?

I know, I know Apple may not be the enemy.  I do actually like some of their products.  I don't buy into the 'Apple is better than PC because it can't get viruses and is just better...' line of thinking.  I do own an iPhone 4.  I really enjoy it.

But I also agree with most of the things in this article.  I, fortunately, am not an early adopter and if what I am using is working just fine for me, then I will continue to use it.  I will say this though, before my girlfriend upgraded to the iPhone 4S she had a iPhone 3G.  When the 4 came out she updated her phone and then it became next to impossible to use.  The new update was way too much for the phone to handle with the hardware it came with.

I think Apple intentionally sent the update out to older phones knowing it would be impossible to rollback to an earlier version without jailbreaking the phone.  Thus they rendered her phone inoperable due to just being so damn slow.  Apple's plan, I believe, was to get her to get a new phone.  They succeeded.  With her tax refund she got a new phone because the 3G was just too slow.

People of this generation are having trouble remembering when it took 15 minutes to download a song.  Hell even 28.8k modems weren't but 15-20 years ago.  My dad remembers thinking a 300 baud modem was lightning.  That was in the 80's.  Tech moves fast but Apple seems ok with you just buying a new phone every year.  Changing their ports so you have to buy all new equipment and accessories and just proprietary everything in general.

If you take care of your PC or your MAC and have sense on the internet, the computer WILL treat you right.  I don't get viruses.  I don't get hacked.  I also run a PC and have an Apple phone. 

Check this article out posted by Mike at SilveroakCasino.com he speaks the truth.

Thuper Thong Thurthday #18: Bluegrass!

BLUEGRASS!!! I love Bluegrass.  I really do.  And as SOME people seem to think I play too much Indie I am going to be doing non indie stuff for the next couple of weeks.  So we'll see how that goes.

When I was younger, probably 12 or so, my dad took me to a thing called the Longville Camp N' Jam.  It is essentially what it sounds like.  RV's, RV-ers, banjos, guitar, picking, grinning and campfires.  I didn't play guitar back then but I sure wish we could go back now.  I'd love to sit it and be a part of some of those late night jam sessions.  Just musicians sitting under the stars playing til late in the morning.  Heaven.

I miss it.  Since I miss it, and the Smoky Mountains, I have made this week's list in honor of that longing.  I hope you enjoy it.  It is a fair mix of old time-y stuff and new old time-y stuff and maybe one song of new time-y (if that's such a thing).  So most of these songs remind me of hanging with my Dad.  So I hope he gives the list a listen (Sherry...make him...).

Enough jabber, on with it...

TTT #18 Playlist
TTT Mega Mix Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


Trains are very prevalent in American Roots Music

Wabash Cannonball - Benny Martin

I decided to start with an old bluegrass standard.  This is an old song that has its roots stuck right in 1882.  I think the fiddler Benny Martin did my favorite version.  Plus look at that picture!  If he wasn't singing bluegrass he'd be a Mafia don.  Eating pasta, leaving the gun and taking the canoli.


Sometimes This Feels All Too True

Good Times Are Past & Gone - Lester Flatt

Usually you see Mr. Flatt there teamed up with Earl Scruggs.  Nothing to scoff at.  You should look them up if have never done so.  This is probably my favorite song by Lester Flatt, at least one of.  I like the way it moves rhythmically and the lyrics just resonate with me.


Godfather of Bluegrass

Blue Moon of Kentucky - Bill Monroe

This man.  This man right here... That's Bill Monroe.  He is the father of bluegrass music.  He made it what it is.  You need to listen to him.  Now.  I mean it...


Pigeon Forge, TN

I Want To Go Back To The Mountains - Bill Harrell

I honestly don't know much about Bill Harrell.  I do know however that my Dad showed me this song.  I also really do want to go back to the mountains.  So does my Dad.  I think my whole family belongs in the mountains.  We aren't made for heat 10 months out of the year.  Mountains are nice.  Colorado Springs could work...


The Most Ridiculous Lyrics Ever

Big Rock Candy Mountains - Harry McClintock

My nephew knows all of the words to this song.  By heart.  We play Diablo III online and chat with skype.  He sings this as we kill ghouls.  The fact that he can remember the nonsensical lyrics astounds me.  I know I have listen to this song more than he has.  I remember listening to it before he was even a thing that was around listening to things.  Really let the lyrics sink in and then you will know why playing PC games with my nephew is a uniquely, hilariously, wonderful good time.


O, Brother...

Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss has one of the best female singing voices I have ever heard.  It's sooo damn soothing.  Absolutely one of the best singer in bluegrass.  Now I must say I didn't put it up there but I wanna give credit to the rest of the folks on the track.  That's not just AK overdubbed a bunch of times.  That's Alison Krauss, Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, Pat Enright, Sam Phillips, Gillian Welch and The First Baptist Church of White House, TN.  Yeah.  All acapella, all harmonious, all wonderful...


Not The Drug

Ecstasy - Crooked Still

This is most definitely one of the most interesting bands I've ever seen.  Mostly due to the antics of cello player Rashad Eggleston.  He wears crazy hats and bounces all over the places.  Definitely a unique way of approaching cello music.  Sadly he left Crooked Still and went out on his own.  This pic of the old band was difficult to find.  Enjoy it.


Don't Worry, Be Happy

Keep On The Sunny Side - The Whites

I chose this song for the closing track because I don't know about you, but I can get caught up in how horrible things seem sometimes.  Shootings.  War.  Gun control.  Hatefulness.  Just general grumpiness.  I think it is important to truly think about the people in the world that are ACTUALLY less fortunate.  If you have money to pay the bills, a roof over your head and food in your belly you are doing better than a good portion of the population of the planet.  Just remember to try and focus on the good stuff, at least as much as the bad stuff.  It's better than not at all.  *steps off soapbox*


That is all for the playlist.  You'll notice there are no videos this week.  That is because most of these songs don't have decent videos attached to them.  So I am not going to post any sub par nonsense here, at least not when I don't mean to.  I am, however, going to add a couple of videos here of a little group called the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys.  Just a couple of under 15 kids (banjo player is 8) that I thought you should hear.  This should more than make up for it.

Dueling Banjos
Pretty Polly Practice
Flint Hill Special

This is a picture of what I miss...while you listen to 8 year-olds.

If you haven't already seen those kids I bet you didn't expect that did ya?  That blew my mind the first time I saw it.  Whew...anyway...

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this week's list.  Until next week...KKNY signing off...

Thuper Thong Thurthday #17: I Do What I Want!

I was told by my girlfriend today, in so many words, I play too much indie on this playlist blog of mine.  This statement has spawned two events.  One: this playlist.  I do what I want.  Because I do.  This music is proof.  Two:  She (and hopefully some others) will be doing guest playlists.  So look forward to that.  I usually hang out with people with good musical taste so we'll see what they cook up.  On with it!!

I should also say that this week's list has some explicit language in it.  So if that offends you I'd skip this one...Not a lot...but it's there...

TTT #17 Playlist
TTT Mega Mix Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist


Slow Jam-esque

So Many Details - Toro Y Moi

I do what I want.  This week I wanted to start off with this slow jam by Toro Y Moi.  You can tell it's a slow jam because slow jams hide behind ferns.  That's fact.  If you saw all of his face at once you wouldn't be able to emotionally, or physically, handle it.  You die of slow jam.  Speaking of which...


Yeah...I played that...

 

Bump N' Grind - R. Kelly

Ya know what's more slow jam than a fern?  Sunglasses, Dracula collars and black & white photography.  Awwww yeah.  Just let the sweet thought of that scene where Shaggy, Scott Evil and that guy from Punk'd cuddle up in Without A Puddle.  Mmmmm...


Can't Let Em Get Cocky...

Roses - Outkast

Gotta keep em in check sometimes.  By "em" I mean those significant others.  Sometimes you gots to make em bounce and smell the roses.  But not the good roses, Outkast roses.  Go on, get close...smell em...


Why?  Because I do what I want.

Your Woman - White Town

What? Why?  This isn't even remotely related to the three previous songs, you say.  You'd be right.  I don't give a damn.  I do what I want.  Right now I want slightly forgotten 90's quasi club rock songs.  Yeah.  That's what I do.


21

I Found A Boy - Adele

Because I wanted to bring it down.  Set the mood for the next couple of songs.  I thought Adele did that perfectly.  Hot picture right?  I thought so.  She's got some pipes on her.  This is just a guitar and her voice.  Mmmmm...nice...


Where ARE We Gonna Go?

Where We Gonna Go From Here - Mat Kearney

I know what you're thinking.  I like Mat Keer-Knee.  You'd be wrong if you thought that.  You, in fact, like Mat Car-Knee.  Just blew your mind didn't I?  It's cool.  Where ARE we gonna go from here you ask?  Apparently a party with the rat pack with that thing tie and a hat...


I LOVE YOU DAMMIT!

Stubborn Love - The Lumineers

This is just my favorite song off that damn album.  That's a great picture too.  They really look like depression era folks.  If you haven't been listening to The Lumineers you are missing out on music (and previous blog posts).  That's right I featured their single Ho Hey way back in TTT #4.  But this song.  This song right here.  THIS song...is my shit...


Really Doesn't Belong On This List

Daughter - Loudon Wainwright III

Yep that's the LB/GYN from Knocked Up.  Yes, he HAS fathered a bunch of Wainwright children that sing.  Indeed he too sings.  This song I like.  I included it because I like it.  So deal.


Know Why?

I'm On A Boat - The Lonely Island

I. Do. What. I. Want.


That's it this week folks.  I am not sure if next week will be the guest play list.  I'll let ya know.  Call me sometime...I have slow jams...you never call...=(

Anyway that's it this week. KKNY signing off...

Thuper Thong Thurthday #16: Apartment Dancing!

See Thursday is the first day of my weekend.  So on Thursdays, more often than not, I will put on some music and just release some energy.  Bouncing.  Dancing.  Whatever.  This week's list is a direct reflection of that need.  Sometimes you just need to get down, ya know?

Anyway this list is crafted (yes, crafted) to get you up, up, up!  These are songs that I like to move around to!

TTT#16 Playlist
TTT Mega Mix Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


BEAT!

Lucky Today - Cloud Cult

Dammit if this isn't just the perfect song to start off with.  You might be a little skeptical in the first few seconds but once the drums come in it's a jumpy jaunt.  Yeah that sounds lame but I don't like erasing stuff so the review stands. *dances*


It Means Tired of Being Sexy

Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex - Cansei de Ser Sexy

Now I know the title may be a little off putting.   The beat may seem a little too mainstream poppy for some.  But that chorus.  Music is my boyfriend... I dare you not to bounce your head to that going down the road, or doing taxes, or scoring studies... There is even a bunch of Portuguese at the end.

Stay For The Bonus (There's Nudity (sort of))

Good 'Ol Fashioned Nightmare - Matt & Kim

Two things, one:  How do you like that double parenthetical going on in that title?, two I realize that is another slightly off putting song title.  However, if you have never heard of Matt & Kim you, my friend, are in for a treat.  They are a catchy little duo.  Great music.  Great hooks.  Just good clean all American fun.  

I'm not sure if they are American.  I assume they are, but that is also a very American thing to do.  I am not opening up a new tab to find out...do your own searching...  

Casper Meets The Fonze?

Schizophrenia - Jukebox The Ghost

I decided to put this after Matt & Kim because they both feature the piano prominently and I thought it was a nice flow.  See what thought and care goes into these playlists for you?  I once thought of doing a playlist of songs where there was a direct yes/no contradiction in the song lyrics.  I could only think of a couple.  This was one of my favorites for that list.  It may still happen in the future just because I think it is a wonderfully ridiculous theme for a playlist, that speaks to me on a deep level...like...really deep...

500 Days...

Sweet Disposition - Temper Trap

I know this one is a little over played in certain circles but dammit if I don't still love it.  I think it is a wonderfully poppy tune that has just the right amount of drums and delay.  I love a good guitar delay riff.  Welcome to the Jungle.  Everything Angels & Airwaves does.  It's good stuff...

...Of Summer

She's Got You High - Mumm-Ra

Now there are a couple of obvious things we need to get out of the way.  First, I do realize both of the last songs were on a popular movie soundtrack, I like them both and here they are.  So deal.  B.  The bands name is Mumm-Ra.  As I am sure you  know, Mumm-Ra was the villain in Thundercats.  Giant mummy man, afraid of cats, wants em dead, typical 80's fare.  When you hear a band name like MUUUUUMMMM-RRRRAAAAA.  You think metal.  At least I do.  Like Atreyu (Still crying for you Artex).  Not metal.  Mellow, but dancy.  You'll like it.  British too, which is always nice.  Doctor Who!

Male Specimen

Boy - Ra Ra Riot

Don't they look they are having a ra-ra-riot? Huh?  Eh?  Alright fine.  Another song that just comes in right out of the gate with the drums.  Drums starting off a song always gets me going, but once that bass comes in, awww yeah, then it's on. Get the shoulders into that typing...head bobbin... He almost sounds like a higher pitched voice Ben Gibbard...almost...

Marsupial Judiciary Hearing

Kangaroo Court - Capital Cities

I have no earthly idea what the hell this song is really about.  But that picture is awesome as hell.  Giant glasses.  Fog.  A beard.  I'm sure there is some sort of slang I am not getting here though.  I'm gonna UrbanDictionary it.  I may be showing my ignorance but I had never heard the term.  Now I know.  If you followed the link you know as well.  Now we know together. Also, if you haven't played around on the aforementioned website, you are missing out bro...  

That's it for this week folks.  I do however want to see if people generally listen or watch the videos.  I am going to post a video down here for the Eldest.  You should reenact this video, You and the hubby.  Y'all are in the right city already...halfway there Bonus!

KKNY Signing off...till next week...

Thuper Thong Thurthday #15: Covers Down?

Part 2 of our little jaunt into some of my favorite covers.  This week it is mellow stuff.  Really mellow, sometimes the song is strange but we're gonna go with it.

I will also suggest you open Rainymood.com or play this in a separate window while you play the playlist.  It is rain sounds.  Sets the mood.  Brew some tea.  Lay back and listen with your eyes closed...

TTT #15 Playlist
TTT Mega Mix Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist


Down...doooown...

Love Song - 311

I think this is just a good opener.  Gets people listening.  Let's people know what we are in for.  This is mellow at its best.  This is 311 covering The Cure.  Sad, I know...but here we go...




Female Dog

Bitch - Room Eleven


This is a Meredith Brooks cover.  Bet ya didn't think you'd ever read those particular words did ya?  Yeah Room Eleven, a little jazz group, cover Bitch by Meredith Brooks.  I know, I know, I don't understand it either...but it worked out...

Ravi Shankar...really?

Cold Cold Heart - Norah Jones

Hank Williams meets the sultry singing of the newly bobbed, bobs are the hottest haircuts ever, Norah Jones.  She may not be newly bobbed but it's new to me. Cold Cold Heart.  Love...or lack thereof...well...just...*waves hand*


And the last know survivor...

Eye of the Tiger - Kiernan McMullan

I thought about putting the LSU tiger up there just to lampoon the hardcore LSU fans that are in this here state of Louisiana.  I thought better of it though because I bet they wouldn't get the joke.  No LSU.  Just Kiernan McMullan (heh...Sherry, know em?)  and Survivor meeting in acoustic glory...



Who ya gonna Call?

Higher Love - James Vincent McMorrow

I had a very hard time finding a picture I liked for Higher Love.  I'm not sure I even like that picture there.  It's just a high up heart...



Liam Need Not Apply

Wonderwall - Ryan Adams

I think Ryan Adams' version of Wonderwall by Oasis is a fantastic cover.  The way he sings the chorus is haunting and almost creepy.



1 down...3 to go...

The Freshman - Jay Brannan

A little remembered 90's band named Verve Pipe released this little gem originally.  Jay Brannan did a very mellow version that adds a little more weight to the words.  I like the chess kid.  He seems like the epitome of freshman senior fodder.



360?

With or Without You - Keane

I would like to thank my grillfriend Erin for showing me that pic.  I think it is perfect for this version.  Plus she is some who it is impossible to live with and impossible to live without...dilemma...first world problems...oh yeah.  This is Keane covering U2.



Not Leo 

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

There isn't much I can say for this song.  It is one of those covers that is more popular, and in my opinion, just better, than the original.  It has more soul and more feeling than Leonard Cohen's version.




Gone Too Soon

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Eva Cassidy

I think this is the most beautiful version of this song in existence.  Yes, more than the original.  Yes, more than the ukulele Hawaiian guy (his name is Israel 'Bruddah Iz' Kamakawiwo'ole btw).  I just think the fact that Eva Cassidy is no longer with us adds something to this.  Just the simple guitar and her voice, mmmph.  Just does it for me.  Love her...



Big list this week.  I couldn't whittle it down any more than that.  10 it had to be.  Tell me what you thought.  See you guys next week with...well I don't know yet...gimme some suggestions...have a good one =)

KKNY signing off...