Monday, January 30, 2012: David Bowie - Modern Love

It's Guest Presenter Week on Cool Song Of The Day!

This is a new feature where people other than me get to decide what's cool.

For our inaugural Guest Presenter Week, we have Nick Littrell. Nick actually works in the IT department at my "day job", and he told me he was a huge fan of music. And he owes me a favor.

CSOTD: Good morning and welcome to Cool Song Of The Day!

Nick: Great to be here.

CSOTD: The first song you've chosen Modern Love by David Bowie. Tell us why.

Nick: Well, because I'm a modern guy, I'm here with my modern cell phone, I have a job in IT. And, I like songs about having sex with robots.

CSOTD: Wait, what?

Nick: Modern Love - it's about having sex with robots, right?

CSOTD: Uh, no. Have you even listened to the lyrics? Pretty sure it's more about struggling with the fears and anxieties accompanying a failed relationship, but also on a deeper level what it means to exist without love in life, and how some search for meaning through organized religion but that only leads to empty satisfaction.

Nick: Whatever.

CSOTD: Anyway....We're huge fan's of Bowie here on CSOTD, so whatever you read into it, it's definitely a cool song, and a great way to start the week. Enjoy.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

No blogging on a Sunday.

See you Monday!

Saturday, January 28, 2012: Boz Scaggs - Lowdown

I was working at a music store in 1992 when drummer Jeff Porcaro (April 1, 1954 – August 5, 1992) died.

That was a bad day at work.

Jeff Porcaro was one of the most solid cats ever recorded, a drummer's drummer. A musician's musician.  And we all still feel his absence.

Here's some of his best known work, a silky solid vibe to guide you through this cold and cozy Saturday in January.

Have a good one.

Friday, January 27, 2012: Living Colour - Type (Live)

Muso's are funny people. They are usually very snobby and condescending about most music. Well, obviously, that's what makes them muso's. (That's pronounces meu-zos, btw.)

Think Jack Black in High Fidelity, and you're pretty close.

But what's really interesting about muso's is that they almost universally have the same reaction when someone mentions certain bands. Their eyes light up, sometimes they will even tilt their head back and do something with their arms at a mere mention of a very highly technically proficient but criminally underrated band that most people do not bring up in general conversation.

Living Colour is one of those bands.

The mere mention of Living Colour to a muso will put the biggest smile on their face since they last put King Crimson's “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” on their turntable.

Record aficiondaos Wilson and Alroy give a pretty succinct into: "Living Colour happened when avant-garde guitar virtuoso Vernon Reid decided to make some popular music, and while he was at it, to break down the color barrier that had reasserted itself in rock and roll shortly after the death of Jimi Hendrix. He put together an excellent band, scrambled around trying to get a record contract, got one, shot to fame, then broke up the band six years later."

Living Colour brought the rock like very, very few bands have done before or since. Yes, Vernon Reid is a guitar god, no question - but he also knows how to groove. And party. And inject some powerful social commentary into a genre that is, sadly, pretty barren of it.

Living Colour is one of those bands that can be listened to on all levels - from muso's obessing over complicated rhythms and riffs to party people in the house who just want to crank up a rockin', funky groove.

Here's to both of you this Friday

Enjoy.

Thursday, January 26, 2012: Noise By Numbers - Over Leavitt

From the old to the new - here's Chicago's own Noise By Numbers, with the title track from their August 2011 release Over Leavitt.

Their website claims the band finds its influence from classic punk/alternative bands like Hüsker Dü, Naked Raygun, Sugar, and The Replacements.

I say, that sounds like a beautiful mix.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012: Sammy Davis Jr. - The Lady is a Tramp

I got such a positive response from my posting of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrew Sisters, that it seems I have struck a chord with

I don't want to necessarily turn Wayback Wednesday into a permanent feature, but I am more than happy to continue to visit the archives now and again.

Up today, is cool personified.

When he was around, he was known as The Greatest Living Entertainer In The World.  Here was someone who could do it all--sing, dance, play instruments, act, do stand-up - and all as good as anyone else ever had. Or has since.

And as much as he was known for his talent, he was also as influential as any in confronting racism in the entertainment world - especially in tightly closed markets like Las Vegas.

And all that while smoking 4 packs of cigarettes a day.

Here's to you, Mr Davis. You jumped so high.

And I'm pretty sure no one has danced and sang like that since.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012: Natalie Holmes - Goodmorning Sleepyhead

Good morning, Sleepyhead.

You've got some work to do.

Hope this song helps with getting you ready for your day.


I found this on Bandcamp, which I again highly recommend browsing around if you want some really quality music that not that many people know about.

I still don't know much about Natalie Holmes, except she's from ENGLAAAAND, and I could hear her sing me a song every morning.