Thursday, February 17, 2011: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra - In The Mood

Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller

I blog about cool music.

These names ARE cool music. They are part of the essence, the fabric of what makes music cool

If you do not know who these people are, then stop what you are doing and go find recording from each and every one and listen to them. Right Now.

I guarantee you, it will be your Acts 9:18 moment, when the scales fall off your eyes (and ears) and you will hear clearly what this blog is truly about. And what cool music really is.

I hesitate to blog just one song from this time, and I chide myself for waiting even this to do it. But, you know, the floodgates of doubt and hesitation are already opening.

Was this the right song to choose? If I die tomorrow, would I regret not blogging another big band leader, another swing song?

Possibly.

But what I'm doing here is trying to reclaim this song. It kills me that this music is only played as a connection to World War II. They are always trotting out this song, or "String of Pearls", for the soundtrack to some war story, or as background fodder for yet another documentary about the last great war, when in fact In The Mood is as fresh, exciting and cool as any other song around today. Even more so, to be honest.

So just get up, clear some space on the floor, grab your best girl (or guy) and dance like there is no tomorrow to one of the great dance classics from yesterday. For all time.

Enjoy

Wednesday, February 16, 2011: Adam & The Ants - Prince Charming

When was the last time you took a chance?

When was the last time you risked something? Anything?

What was the last time you weren't afraid to actually be yourself

Remember, gentle reader, ridicule is nothing to be scared of

It's Wednesday, let's try to do something more for this week than just survive.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011: Jeremy Messersmith - Organ Donor

I've always felt that how we talk about relationships is wrong.

It's not just the words we get wrong, but the very timeline itself.

We speak about how one relationship lasted from this date until this date, then there is a pause, or a long time, and another relationship starts again.

Sometimes those relationships overlap sure (don't hate the player, hate the game), but more often than not, there is a very linear aspect to how we think about our relationships.

And, again, I think it is all wrong.

Relationships aren't linear in a horizontal sense, they are vertical. Each one builds on the previous one. One doesn't stop merely for another one to start up. I believe some relationships hardly ever end, even though we haven't been with that person for months, maybe years.

Relationships build on one another. My very first girlfriend still affects me, in certain ways, to this very day.

I didn't give my heart to her in the school library, but I can relate.

I know what it is to wonder if I'll ever be whole again.

God, I love this song.

Monday, February 14, 2011: Happy Valentines Day!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, February 12, 2011: Adele - Make You Feel My Love

I love it when an artist covers a song and so totally makes it their own that you'll never guess it started life as someone else's song.

Aretha Franklin's cover version of Otis Redding's Respect is obviously the best example of this

Adele's cover of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love is another.

I don't care of your are a hard as nails Marine, a sweaty and rough builder, or in a devil worshiping motorcycle gang, this song will get to you.

Believe it.

Friday, February 11, 2011: Cake - Short Skirt, Long Jacket

Here's to all the girls with fingernails that shine like justice
And a voice that is dark like tinted glass

It's Friday, boys, so let get dressed up and out there and find her and make her yours

Go!