« In Which There's Something About This Performance That Touches Me »

the iTunes playlist: David Bowie

The odds of David Bowie being alive now were not great. He's like the turtle in the race, coming back in fashion every decade or so, ageless as Mick Jagger's scrotum. Enjoy his favorite songs:

"Stay With Me" - Lorraine Ellison (mp3)  

Ellison only got to record this goosebump-making classic because of a Sinatra cancellation at the recording studio. The vocal build and release on this track is galvanizing. Writer Jerry Ragovoy also wrote ‘Time Is On My Side.’ 

"El Niño: For With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible" - Deutsches Symphonieorchester Berling & Kent Nagano (mp3)

Just over a minute long and propulsive like a storm. I want to crush furniture. The emotional in search of the divine.

by geoff mccormack "Junker's Blues" - Champion Jack Dupree (mp3)

Simple, beautiful New Orleans piano. This 1941 song was the blueprint for Fats Domino’s 1949 hit ‘The Fat Man’ and probably played a part in the making of Professor Longhair’s ‘Tipitina.’    

"Nixon in China – Act I, Scene 1: Soldiers of Heaven Hold the Sky" - Edo de Waart & Orchestra of St. Luke's

Adams’ minimalism disguises the rich romanticism of his melodies. Ever ascending, rising through the clouds. You’re still cool with me, John.    

"Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)"- Scritti Politti (mp3)

Who could dislike this glistening 1984 beauty? The upside of the ’80s.

"Embroidering Pouch"- Peng Liyuan (mp3)

Hugely huge in China. Peng holds the rank of major general in the People’s Liberation Army. I have a thing about Chinese folk music, okay?

"Different Trains: I. America-Before the War" - Steve Reich (mp3)

One of the late 20th century’s most affecting works. I love the use of speech as a source for melody. But it’s so much more than a concept; it’s also impossibly moving.

"Blue Skies" - Josephine Baker (mp3)

I’m not a big Baker fan, but there’s something about this performance that touches me. I think it’s the break in her voice among all this gaiety and optimism.

"Dinner at Eight" - Rufus Wainwright (mp3)

There aren’t that many son/father songs, but is the best of them as far as I know. Rufus is just simply one of the great writers.

"Gathering Storm" - Godspeed You Black Emperor! (mp3)

GYBE is among my, erm, two favorite Montreal bands, Arcade Fire being the other. All Montreal bands have around nine members, I believe.

"Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)" - Linton Kwesi Johnson (mp3)

The great Kwesi Johnson at his saddest. This forceful slice of narrative is part of the continuing evolvement from griot through the Last Poets to Mos Def.

"Get Around to It" - Arthur Russell (mp3)

Quite strange but atmospheric, is what I think. The late Arthur Russell was supplying all the background effects on his electric cello.”    

"Sénégal Fast-food" - Amadou & Mariam (mp3)

Let’s dance. Saw this on Africa Channel or maybe Link last year, and I play it at least once a week. What time is it in Paradise, indeed?

You can find more iTunes playlists here.

"Starman" - Dar Williams (mp3)

"Space Oddity" - Natalie Merchant (mp3)

"Under Pressure" - The Used & My Chemical Romance (mp3)

Comments

[k k]

david bowie is actually an idiom working in america and canada.