Paolo Conte

Check out this song, "Sotto Le Stelle di jazz" by one of my favorite performers, Paolo Conte. In addition to being a jazz musician, he is a poet, painter, and lawyer and penned a number of classic Italian songs in the late '60s and early '70s as the creative force behind musicians like Adriano Celentano. His raspy voice is one of my favorites.

the Arcade Fire

In my opinion too many current indie rock bands simply try too hard. The lyrics and music have become forced. It’s like comparing the good Bruce Springsteen to the bad. The good sings- and you believe him. The bad forces un-poetic emotionally driven Americana that barely fills the gaps. I applaud the bands, and singers for that matter, who know how to explore musically- yet stay within themselves. One of these bands is the arcade fire. Before their stint on SNL and postponed celebrity – this band was great. My point- this band is still great. They still push like many indie rock bands, and they do it genuinely and artistically. Lets rewind and go back to their “Funeral” album. This album is pure from start to finish. Listen to the whole thing through, and you’ll feel like you just left a funeral. It is a rollercoaster of sounds and emotions that allows you to transcend your 8 by 8 room for a while. Pick up the cd or check them out on KCRW- they are worth listening to.

Celebrate Easter with Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band

Nothing makes a better Easter season soundtrack than "Sing Lustily With Good Courage," a collection of 18th & early 19th century Wesleyan hyms and other traditional English folk songs performed by Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band.

Maddy's voice is timeless. The instrumentation is modern-folk with plenty of deference given to the original arrangements. This is a rare jewel and captures the joy of the Easter season perfectly.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here's a tune to celebrate St. Patrick's day.

Tomorrow make sure that you listen to The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, The Pogues, or whichever Irish folk band you might prefer.



Here are a couple other songs to look for that I think are great to sing, drink, and dance to tomorrow and always at your favorite Irish pub:

1. Isn't it Grand, Boys? - The Clancy Brothers

2. Water is Alright in Tea - The Clancy Brothers

3. Seven Drunken Nights - The Dubliners

A Not So Serious Video

I know Nick just sent everyone to YouTube to check out some serious videos . . . BUT I thought this was hilarious and hey, it does have the Beatles as a soundtrack. I am just amazed that these are real fotos posted on Google.

a few songs worth listening to/watching

play...

bright eyes- at the bottom of everything
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2GHyLhbdzN0

magnetic fields- born on a train
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rge73q7j4NI

arcade fire- intervention (rumble fish)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rbGb3kLJYR8

A Song That Never Gets Old: "Obsesion" By Aventura

I first heard this song years ago while hanging out on the white beaches of Panama. The original version, with the reggaeton beat, smooth rhymes, and sultry female voice that comes in during the chorus is simply off-the-chain. When I got back to the U.S. that year, I learned that the song was a big hit here as well, and it seems like ten million DJ's haved mixed it, so every time you go to a club or a Latin bar you hear a different version.

And they're all good.

I don't know what it is about this song, but I never get tired of hearing it. I am not familiar with any other Aventura songs, so I can't endorse the band, but if you don't have it already, download this track, or buy the album it is on, "Bachata Tipico." Any group that can write a song like this is bound to have something else decent to listen to. If you are already a full fledged fan of this group let me know more about them. In the meantime, grab your favorite dance partner and rock out to "Obsesion."