After a couple of weeks off, I’ll take the time to use this
#MusicMonday as a tribute to Al Jarreau, who passed away just over two weeks
ago. His lasting mark is probably “We’re in This Love Together” or the theme to
the 80’s TV series Moonlighting, but this man was a masterclass of vocal jazz.
I didn’t even know what to pick here. He has such a wonderful library. Here in “Roof
Garden” we party with some good friends as Al invites us to what is sure to be
a rockin’ celebration. With some wonderful scat as we near the end, it is
absolutely uncontrollable to not at least want to tap a foot.
Name To Be Determined
Should I give it another shot? Why not!
Monday, February 27, 2017
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Hump Day Hit 2/8/17
As the Grammy’s draw closer, we take today’s #HumpDayHit to
look at a Record of the Year winner. As a drummer and lead singer following
Peter Gabriel’s departure, Phil Collins lead Genesis to some great hits in the 80’s
such as “Invisible Touch” and “Land of Confusion.” During all of this however,
he also had a wildly successful solo career as well, with such classics as “In
the Air Tonight” and “Against Al Odds.” Here we look at his final US #1 hit, “Another
Day in Paradise.” A song that touches upon the heartbreaking issue of
homelessness, an issue that still persists to this day, it’s rather touching
whether you’ve stopped for someone or not. The song had some rather tough
competition in 1991 to win RotY, beating out “Vision of Love” and “U Can’t
Touch This”, and “Nothing Compares 2 U”; all former #1’s as well and all
monster hits. While Phil hasn’t had another #1 since, he did a bit more,
including the soundtrack to Disney’s “Tarzan”, and remained relatively silent in
the music world. One hopes his live shows in London in June are a smashing
success.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Hump Day Hit 2/1/17
I
liked #HumpDayHit so much, I decided to do it again this week. In these tumultuous
days we’re living in, I know you don’t get a chance to take a break this often.
Daft Punk feels your pain too. Two Frenchmen with a penchant for electronic music
teamed up 24 years ago, and have made an everlasting relationship that has
birthed an amazing array of pioneering music. Their music is one I’d call transcendent;
with many of their songs providing an escape to another world. While “Discovery”
is probably their most critically acclaimed album, and for good reason, “Random
Access Memories” is their most commercially successful, their first #1 album
and winner of the Album of the Year Grammy in 2014. Teaming up Pharrell,
pioneer for his work with The Neptunes, and Nile Rodgers, pioneer from his work
with Chic, for two songs on the latter, this song, “Lose Yourself to Dance”,
feels like a precursor to the other collaboration, “Get Lucky”. Both going hand
in hand for what I’d consider an unforgettable night. One where there are no
worries. Where friends and I just click, and build those random access memories
as we lose ourselves to dance.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Hump Day Hit 1/25/17
I
bet you think I forgot about Music Monday this week, and you’d be half right in
that I practically slept through Monday after an early start to the day. So
this week, let’s have a #HumpDayHit! The week can be long and arduous, so as we
head downhill to the weekend we look at a song lamenting how hard it can be out
there. The Spinners are an outstanding group who found a way to capture that
wonderful Philly sound after they moved to Atlantic Records following a six
year run with Motown. They had an array of hits with Atlantic. A wonderful time
period where the songs were on point and Philippé Wynne was at his peak as one
of the primary leads. In “Games People Play” however, he only provides
background as Bobby Smith and Pervis Jackson give us that tired feeling of the
daily grind the world throws at us. Evette Benton joins in to segue us into the
chorus. All of it, including a wonderful piano break, adds up to another million
seller for the group, and a top 5 hit on the pop charts.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Music Monday Follow-Up 1/17/17
Follow up to yesterday's #MusicMonday. I love me a good
crossover, and so did Motown, having quite a few acts team up for various
albums. The Four Tops teamed up with The Supremes—post Diana at this point—for
three different albums in two years, with the super-pairing (and 1st album)
being referred to as "The Magnificent Seven". Quite fitting as they
did some pretty good work covering "River Deep, Mountain High" and
yesterday's selection, "Without the One You Love"; with "Without
the One You Love" seeing a more typical funk production of the label at
the time. Glad they kept the strings. It allows the lifting feeling of the
original to remain here.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Music Monday 1/16/17
Monday, January 9, 2017
Music Monday 1/9/17
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