Thursday, February 10, 2011: De La Soul - The Magic Number

On yesterdays post I referred to the late 1980's a dark time for music.

That's not entirely true.

De La Soul released 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989.

I've said a couple of times the word Masterpiece is overused, or misused. But, here again, there is no other, lesser, word that would do to describe this album.  Is this Hip Hops Sgt. Pepper?  Discuss.

Most music lovers have a "must have" album list, usually containing discs like Dylan's Blonde On Blonde.

But, friends, if you come across any "must have" list that doesn't include 3 Feet High and Rising from De La Soul, then run screaming from them, they are surely insane, and not responsible for their actions.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011: CSOTD is SIX MONTHS OLD! HOORAY!

HAPPY SIX MONTH BIRTHDAY!

Yes, started officially six months ago (and, can I just say, Games Without Frontiers by Peter Gabriel is still one of the coolest songs ever played on this blog), CSOTD was just something to bring me out of the doldrums, soon became an obsession and now has kind of dominated my life in a weird way. I just can't stop thinking about cool songs to blog.

I said at the outset that I would keep this up for a year, then we'll see what happens.  At this halfway point, I am still torn if I want to continue this beyond August 9, 2011 or not.  I guess we'll see.  But, gentle reader, be confident that whatever happens, I will continue to bring you cool songs right up until that point.  Rest assured.

And, of course, any feedback you want to give me, encouraging me to continue, would go a long ways in helping my decision.

Anyway, enough of that, on to todays selection: The Indigo Girls.



I'm going to celebrate CSOTD's Six Month Birthday by sharing selections from my single favourite musical act ever. Number one. The Greatest in my not so humble opinion, The Indigo Girls.



This duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, have been going since 1988, and I've been a fan ever since I first heard Closer To Fine, still one of their most popular songs.

But, by no means, their best. It's a fine song, no question, but they have come so much farther since those dark days of the late 80's.



See, here's the deal; I love them so much because they manage to pack more into one song than most people fit into a dozen albums. First and foremost, however, is their songwriting. They are poets, they write poetry. They are as good as Simon and Garfunkel ever was.

Yes, I just said that.

Google the lyrics to that last song, Mystery, and tell me I'm wrong. Or this song, Language And The Kiss, probably my favourite lyrics they've ever written.



I could do this all day. Suffice it to say the Indigo Girls speak to me in ways that most other music doesn't.

They write about politics, religion, gender, love, hate, war, historical figures, God, money, drinking and just hanging out with friends. And lovers. Their music has made me think far more about what I believe and what my place is in this world. I cannot name one other musical act who has caused as much introspection as this duo. And caused as much joy as well.

It is wonderful to know that there are still artists out there continuing to hone their craft and not looking at the current musical landscape for some reactionary direction to their music, but instead allowing the natural (and sometimes unnatural) ebbs and flows of life to shape and grow their art.



Every single time I listen to an Indigo Girls song I am encouraged. On many different levels.

And, just if you think that all they do is that syrupy folk style music, I'll leave you with a more upbeat number.

With a banjo.  I know, right?  Wicked cool!

Now, go, and buy every single Indigo Girls album you can get your hands on. Sell your furniture if you need to, you don't need chairs and tables when you have such great, great music.

The floor is fine.  Well, closer to fine at least.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011: Joe Satriani - Light Years Away

Of his album Black Swans & Wormhole Wizards, here is one of the greatest shredders ever.

When I was in high school, I remember a Swedish guitarist called Yngwie Malmsteen, who was all the rage.

If you wanted to play fast, he was one of the great inspirations of the time.  But I remember just listening to his stuff and being bored out of my mind.  Sure, he was fast, but there was no melody, no space, no breathing room for anything other than a thousand notes strung together and played at a breakneck speed.

Joe Satriani was accused, by some, of being that kind of guitarist as well, but I always thought that he rose above those narrow classifications.  I thought he brought a bit of thought and spirit into his shredding.

Here's more proof that I was right.  Enjoy.

CSOTD Bonus Edition: RIP Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011)

RIP Gary Moore, probably one of the greatest, certainly one of the most under-appreciated rock and blues guitar players in the world.

Another 6 strings stand silent.

And the world continues to be a darker, less cool place to be.

This one is a drag. A huge drag.

You will be missed, Mr Moore, you will be missed.

Monday, February 7, 2011: Nelly Furtado - Powerless (Say What You Want)

When I started this blog, I felt like I had a million things to say.

Now that I've been at this for about six months, I have a greater understanding of just how difficult it is to write daily and try to maintain a consistent level of quality. Or, of at least interesting material.

Writing, at the very beginning, was very easy. It was the song choices which were difficult.

Now, it is the polar opposite. Writing something worthwhile, meaningful, humourous and insightful on a regular basis has become extremely difficult.

Choosing songs, however, has become a breeze.

Here's todays cool breeze. Before she was Timbaland's maneater, Nelly Furtado was actually cool.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, February 5, 2011: Phantogram - Mouth Full Of Diamonds

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, 

and his punishment is that he sees the dawn 
before the rest of the world.” - Oscar Wilde