TTT #75: Traditional World

My nose is running, my head hurts, I may be hungry, but I am not certain, my face itches like crazy and my hands are dry as hell.  I think I may be dying.  So, as my death inches closer and the icy cold hands of the reaper close around my neck, I will be shuffling of this mortal coil to the sounds of music from around the world.



It only seems appropriate, on the eve of my eventual death from Living-in-The-South-and-The-Weather-is-trying-to-kill-me-itis, I leave you with these songs.  I don't know the names of the musicians for most of them, to them I apologize.  It doesn't lessen the beautiful music they have created.  No over abundance of gratitude is necessary for bringing these songs into your life, your patronage is thanks enough.  Of course I don't get paid, so you aren't patrons.  Just...thanks for reading...weep for me upon my demise.




TTT #75 Playlist



Not Frozen

Daniel's Jojk - Jon Henrik Fjellgren

A Colombian born, Swedish adopted Sami reindeer herder.  Yeah.  He sang this on Sweden's Got Talent.  If I am being honest I really just wanted to share this song and made a playlist around it.  Jon Henrik said he that one of the worst things that ever happened to him was his best friend Daniel dying.  He then went to Daniel's cabin and sat on his porch and prayed.  The jojk just came to him and when he sang it he felt better.  He believes the song was a gift from Daniel.

You can definitely feel the lamentation in the melody of this song.  I think it is an absolutely beautiful song.

Bonus Remixed Version



Pffft

The Song of The Four Seasons

I live in Louisiana.  There are two seasons.  Cold and my shoes are melting.  They have no particular time of year, either of these extremes could happen at any moment.



Japan

Tsuki no Shizuku

This is a song on Koto and Shakuhachi.  The shakuhachi is a flute made from the root of the bamboo tree.  The koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument resembling absolutely nothing we have in American folk music so a comparison would be silly.  If we are going to be silly, which we are, I'd have to compare to if someone laid an upright bass on its back, added 20 strings and plucked it. 


It's really nothing like that at all, but we are doing our best.



Unclear

Raah Pahari

I have no idea if Raag Pahari is the name of the song or the style of music.  I am leaning towards style of music but I really have no clue.  I have a couple of friends that speak Hindi, I should ask. 


I am going to be honest I will probably forget.  This song is really nice a soothing though.  Sitar and tablas.  I see how people are able to meditate to stuff like this.



Michael Flatley

McGivney's Favourite & The Bird's Hornpipe - June McCormick & Michael Rooney

I know the artist for this one!  Any time I think of traditional Irish music, which is frequently believe it or not, I picture teenage girls step dancing.  When I was a younger lad I was in a show choir.  Every Christmas we would play the Lighting Ceremony downtown.  There was a troupe of Irish step dancers.  Ornately decorated colorful dresses, excessively curly hair.  I don't understand why the curly hair was always a thing, but there is a big part of my soul that is Irish and loves me some step dancing.

Wanna go to a real party?



Lament

Song of The Burial of Flowers

I don't know what this song is about but dammit  I just love listening to it.  It has that really mellow Chinese Restaurant thing going.  I think I am hungry.




Oi!

Troika

I am dedicating this one to my Moldovan brother from another mother Illya.  Moldova sits right next to Romania where my way back ancestors come from.  I'd like to think in an alternate universe Illya and I are sitting somewhere drinking Vodka dancing to this song, or playing Tetris, whichever is easier.




PAN FLUTES!!!

El Inca - El Condor Pasa

My girlfriend hates pan flutes, with a passion.  Especially when they play unchained melody, it's kind of cute actually.  She gets, like a twitch when she hears it and then storms away with an uggggggh.  She used to work in the mall and the Peruvian guys would always set up outside her store.  She would listen to them play the same songs over and over again. 

Then she moved to The Chuck.  Damned if they didn't set up right outside her store here.  I think that is the universe trying to tell her that she needs to get into Peruvian flute music.  IMO.

Yes, I know that isn't a pan flute in his hands.



End on an Upnote

Diablo Rojo - Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Flamenco is another style of music that absolutely gets me going.  Is this flamenco?  I don't know...

But Gabriela's rasguedos make me hot...



That's it for this week.  I'm off now.  Enjoy me. Literally.


KKNY signing off.

TTT #74: Songs With Whoa Oh Ohs

This will be another playlist inspired by a Howard Jones song.  I was listening to 'Things Will Only Get Better' and thought what about a playlist of just whoa oh ohs.  Here is that playlist.  If you see, or know, Howard Jones, thank him for me.

On with it.


TTT #74 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



1:02

Things Will Only Get Better - Howard Jones

Even if you don't know this song already, you should by the way, but if you don't, you will be singing it by the end.  If you don't sing along with most of the songs on this list you may not be happy.  Just sayin...



0:19

Tarzan Boy - Baltimora

There are so many things I could say about that head shot up there.  I won't.  Instead, I have decided to talk about Chris Farley.  This song always reminds me of Beverly Hills Ninja.  I really miss Chris Farley he was a really funny guy and he seemed like he would be a nice guy to hang out with.  It is a shame that he felt so self conscious and needed to self medicate to that level.  He is one celebrity I think the world is truly dimmer for having lost him. R.I.P.  Chris Farley.  =(




0:36

Some Nights - Fun.

This song has been on a couple of my playlist, I think.  Either way it is a really catchy song.  Again, if you don't sing along you have no joy in your heart.  Just sing.  Laugh.

Laugh.

0:21

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

This is a great song from a great band.


Daryl you Dooog.  Laugh!



0:31

Whoa Oh Oh Oh Oh - The Ascetic Junkies

Too apropos to skip it.  Plus it is right in my acoustic-y mellow band wheel house.  Great band.  Listen to more if you get the chance.  They are consistently awesome.




0:22

Livin On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

Hey Sherry, Jon Bon Jovi is point at you.  The guy all the way to the left doesn't think you are good enough for him.  The others don't really care.



2:43

Blood Red Summer - Coheed & Cambria

I would like to apologize to Travis for cutting him out of the title picture.  It was a complete oversight and was entirely unintended.  Travis, if you are reading this you are one of my favorite people to watch when y'all play live.  I would never cut you out.  Don't hate me.  Also, why are you reading this?



0:41

Single Ladies - Beyonce

Because Erin is on a huge Beyonce kick.  Huge.



1:57

Kernkraft 400 - Zombie Nation

I am not sorry for cutting this picture in the title pic.  It made me laugh.  He was being sneaky and/or creepy.  You decided.



That's it for this week kids.  I hope you had fun singing along to all the whoa oh ohs.

KKNY signing off.

TTT #73: 80's Movie Anthems

I heard this today which got me to listening to other 80's stuff.  Some days are just 80's days.  So I decided today I would some of my favorite songs from 80's movies.  I am extremely glad that I did this list because it brought back a song I haven't heard in a very long time.  It's first.


On with it...


TTT #73 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



The Language of Love

Arrested By You - Rupert Hine

I don't care how well this playlist does, I am glad I did it.  I have rediscovered this song.  It is such a beautiful song.   I have found that this movie is not nearly as prevalent in everyone Else's childhood as it was mine.   I absolutely love this movie.  This scene is where Lane finally decides to leave the cheating crazy popular girl behind and go for French exchange student next door.

Right choice.  So glad I found this song again.  I could just end the blog here...




It Puts The Lotion On Its Skin

Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus


That's Captain Stottlemeyer from Monk.  That is all.   NSFW Risky Click



Cusack Numero Dos

In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel

How could I not?  I mean seriously...




Tiny Pickles

Number One - Chaz Jankel

Another movie I don't feel nearly enough people recognize as one of the absolute best to come out of the 80's.  The only person I have heard drop this movie title as a favorite, other than my own family of course, is Chris Hardwick.  The Nerdist himself.  I think I need to invite Chris Hardwick to just sit and watch esoteric 80's movies with me. 

Do you think he'd come?



What Babe?

Magic Dance - David Bowie

Just your regular movie about a girl who's little brother is kidnapped by the Goblin King, who wears a cod piece, has to form a group with a dog riding thing and a big smelly ogre thing.  At least we got contact juggling out of this movie.  Plus it's just an all around great movie, parts of it still creep me out and I am 31 years old.



No Disassemble

Who's Johnny - El DeBarge

Los Locos kick your ass
Los Locos kick your face
Los Locos kick your balls
Into outer space!!!



Rugrats

One Way Love - E.G. Daily

The singer of this song is the girl in the school dance scene singing for the band.  She also played Dottie in PeeWee's Big Adventure and is the voice of Tommy Pickles in Rugrats.

Last season she also sang on The Voice.  You wouldn't think she would need to do that, I guess that is the music business for you.  One of the true great raspy voices.



Had To...

Weird Science - Oingo Boingo

I may, or may not, have included this song just so I could use that picture of Kelly LeBrock.  I regret nothing.



As Per Erin's Request

Purple Rain - Prince

I will keep this song up here as long as I don't receive a cease-and-desist notice from Prince.  He doesn't actually like people to listen to his music.  He just wants them to buy it repeatedly and store it in a box buried in the ground, never to played.  He doesn't want you to play it and then, perchance, have someone walk by and hear the song having not paid for it.  Prince indeed.



That is all this week.  I just realized that I never told you guys what movies these are from.  I just assumed everyone has the same taste as I do.  Well it was Better Off Dead, Silence Of The Lambs, Say Anything, Real Genius, The Labyrinth, Short Circuit, Better Off Dead (Again, no regrets), Weird Science (If you needed to know that, I weep for you) and Purple Rain (again, weep).  That is all.  If you need more info, google it.



KKNY signing off...

TTT #72: One You Know/One You Don't: Billboard Top 20 Edition

Every once and a while I like to see if I can get people to listen to songs by popular artists that aren't their Top 40 hit.  I have listened to these 4 albums and these are my favorite 2 songs off of these particular albums.  We've got one song that is, at this very moment, chugging along in the Top 20 spots on the Billboard Top 100 chart.   In addition to that I have also included a song from the album that may not be as well know, but deserves just as much attention.

Enjoy, or die.  Seriously.


TTT #72 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



Encased in Concrete

OYK: Pompeii - Bastille
OYD: Flaws - Bastille


I still am not completely sure how this song pertains to the fated Roman city that was buried beneath Mt. Vesuvius' angry rant, but I still like it.  Plus if that Lion King-esque choral sequence at the beginning doesn't immediately grab you, you have no soul. 

Once Bastille has to pick a new single I think it will be Flaws.  It just has a really nice groove and it is catchy as hell.  Doodleedoodleedoodleedoodleedoo




A Fatty?  Really?

OYK:  Drunk In Love - Beyonce Feat.  Jay-Z
OYD:  Heaven Beyonce

Now, most everyone I know is listening to this album.  You may or may not "know" the One You Don't.  If you know it already, congrats, you're a hipster, you win life.  If not, I'm glad you came to listen, don't feed the hipsters.  It makes them loiter.

Also, I am still amazed that women, well some women, have accepted that a new slang term for their posterior is their "fatty".  I honestly would never have thought a woman would willingly describe a part of her body as a "fatty".  Are we evolving or devolving?


Surf bort.  Surf bort.  Surf bort.  Grainin on dat wouht...Granin, grainin on dat wouht




*Pulls out soapbox*

OYK:  Say Something - A Great Big World Feat.  Christina Aguilera

OYD:  Rockstar - A Great Big World


*clears throat*  Christina Aguilera doesn't belong in this song.  At all.  She was added to it for marketing purposes.  She was added as a back up singer, X-Tina, a backup singer, as an afterthought to this already beautiful song.  I think the song stood just fine on its own.  I understand that she liked the song and wanted to help.  Still doesn't need to be on the recording.  All she did was essentially celebrity endorse this song. 

It wouldn't be in the Top 40 without her name there.   I think this is a fantastic song and it deserves that spot on the chart AND all the attention & air play it has been getting.  I just think it is sad that we can't appreciate this song for how great it actually is without injecting a pop star into it so it will sell better.  I have nothing against Christina Aguilera, I like some of her music for sure, I have nothing against pure pop music.  However, you don't call Christina Aguilera, one of the most powerful diva-level voices of our generation, to do back up on a song like this.  For that it completely irritates me.

 *steps off soapbox*

Rockstar is proof that they are a great group without needed endorsement deals.




DRAGONS!!!!

OYK:  Demons - Imagine Dragons
OYD:  Round & Round - Imagine Dragons



I think Imagine Dragons is a bad that is extremely consistent across all of its song writing.  All of their songs are equally lyrically beautiful, musically melodic and relateable.  I don't think there is an Imagine Dragons song that I have heard that I don't get mildly, unhealthily, obsessed with for a little while. 

Great band. 



That's it for this week folks.  Leave me comments.  Makes me feel good about myself. 

Now.


KKNY signing off...for now...

TTT #71: Valentine's For The Cheesy Couple

Love.  Love is a many-splendored thing.  Love lifts us up where we belong.  All you need is love.

Right?

I don't know, but this list is for those that don't feel like listening to mellow acoustic love songs this Valentine's Day.  This list is for the cheesy only.  You have been warned.



TTT #71 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



NOTHING!

Nothing's Going To Stop Us Now - Starship

If you don't understand why that picture was chosen for this song, you are either young or we shouldn't be friends.

That's it.



Gin

Two of Hearts - Stacey Q

I don't know what I was expecting when I Googled a picture of Stacey Q but that wasn't it.  I didn't expect to find a girl that embodies the 80's so perfectly.  I think every major 80's fashion fad is covered in that picture.  Don't act like you don't like this song.  You know you do...




Bill, Mike & Sam

Crush - Jennifer Paige

While not a love song per se, it just fit too well on this list so I had to keep it here.  That Jennifer Paige was kind of a looker too.  She is not an ugly lady. 

The first time I ever heard this song was one of the first times I went to a bar after turning 18.  I was playing pool and a band with the ingenious name of Bill, Mike & Sam, yes they were a three piece, played this song.  It was a fantastic cover and every time I hear it I am reminded of just how much I suck at pool.



Asked and Answered

Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tenille

I told Erin that I wouldn't get out of my chair unless she gave me a cheesy love song for this playlist.  She immediately came up with The Captain & Tenille.

I'll give you 3 guesses as to which one is the Captain.



Erin Made Me Think Of This One

You've Got It (The Right Stuff) - The New Kids on The Block

I was thinking to my self, what would a song that Erin loves be that is completely cheesy.  This is what instantly came to mind.

I love you dear, I truly do, but maybe not as much as you will always love Joey McIntyre.



*Fist*

We Belong - Pat Benetar

Again, not super love-y at first.  But the overall message stands.  I think this is the song that John Cusack should have played at the end of Say Anything.  It would have been interesting.




No, Really, I do...

 

Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B. Hawkins

I'd like to think that picture was taken on the word 'daaaaamn', that would just be phenomenal.




Heh

Be My Lover - La Bouche

I love 90's dance music.  Why?  I'm honestly not sure.  It's all pretty much the same.  I think there is just enough of that 90's awkward fat kid left in there for me to still appreciate stuff like this and Rhythm is a Dancer.

It is by the way.  A Dancer, I mean.  Rhythm?  Ya know, he dances, just sayin'.





Sorry for the shortness of this week's blog.  I am tired and technically speaking it is now Friday.  I had a bunch of stuff to do today and I almost got some of it done. 

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day! 

KKNY signing off.

TTT #70: Covers That Give Me Hope For The Future Of Music

It's been a nice week.  Not working has afforded me the opportunity to see, and actually hang out with, people I haven't seen in years, which is nice.  I also got to play some board games with new friends and old this week.  I also, randomly, got asked to join a band.  Things are looking up.  Moving on.

I have recently become aware of a British and Australian radio channel on YouTube, BBC 1 and TripleJTV respectively, they have artists that come on their stations cover songs.

This is a playlist of my favorite across the two channels.  They have tons and you should go subscribe, listen and watch.  Great stuff.

On with it.

TTT # 70 Playlist



Daaaaaaaaamn

Wrecking Ball - James Arthur

James Arthur was the 2012 X-Factor UK winner.  I can understand why they chose him to win because he sings the shit out of this Miley Cyrus song.  No matter your opinion of Ms. Cyrus, this song is amazing.



Speaking of Different Style

Little Lion Man - Chance Waters

Little Lion Man was the first song I ever heard by Mumford & Sons.  It was in the wee hours of the night when it came on as I was falling asleep.  I am thankful for finding Mumford & Sons.  This cover is quite far removed from the original.  There is an original rap instead of the verse.  Very worth it though.  If you are going to cover a song, change it.  These guys perfected that.



Δ

Tessellate - Mumford & Sons

If you haven't heard of the band Δ (Alt-J), two things:

1.  You don't read this blog enough.
2.  You are really doing a disservice to your musical ear holes.

This cover of an amazing Alt-J song by a band you probably know should cure that.  After this listen to Breezeblocks by Alt-J.  You'll thank me.



HupHup

Rhiannon - Sticky Fingers

This classic Fleetwood Mac song is giving an amazing face lift from these Aussie guys.  You wouldn't think this would come out of that group, but it is amazing none the less.



Not Enya

Ready or Not - Rudimental

A head bouncing cover of The Fugees quintessential 90's classic.  I don't even think Wyclef himself could do it as good.



This One Tricked Me

We Can't Stop - Bastille

At first, for obvious reasons, I thought this was going to be an Eminem cover.  It starts off as an interesting mash up.  This is the second Miley Cyrus song on this list.  Completely unintentional.  It shows me that pop music isn't so bad, when executed properly.

Truth.



Just Because

Rhythm of The Night - Elizabeth Rose

Yeah the one by Corona.  It is that song.  You know you love it.  Just turn it up and enjoy it.  I won't tell anyone.



I Am Ready For Friday

Friday On My Mind - The Rubens

It seems that not many people around my age know this song by The Easybeats, which is a shame.  I think these guys did a great job of slowing it down and giving it a groovy little feel.  People need to dive deeper into the British invasion.

I am very ready for Friday, also.  Seriously.


That's it for this week folks, hope you liked it.

KKNY signing off.