Frank Sinatra

Keeping It Old School

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I decided to favor you with an update of what I’m listening to these days. As usual, I’m keeping it old-school.

These days, when I say old-school, I really mean old-school, as in music going back as far as the 1920’s.

Here is a sampling of the artists I’ve listened to lately: Gene Autry (1929-1931), Frank Sinatra, Kris Kristopherson, Marty Robbins, Curtis Mayfield, Miles Davis, Prince, and Bill Withers.

I’m not opposed to new music. I really like a lot of what I’m hearing (though most of what I like that’s modern is probably not in the top 40).

I’m drawn to old music because I feel like it’s a kind of a time machine to a past that mystifies and fascinates me, a simpler (though not always better) time that for the most part no longer exists.

Plus, I feel like that the music from bygone days that has survived and thrived this long is considered classic for a reason. It has a timeless appeal and message that still speaks to these ears, even after many of the artists have passed away.

You can make the same argument for movies and books. Sometimes, it pays to go to an old-school that’s older than you.

 

 

More Bob Dylan on the Brain

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“Oh, the tree of life is growing
Where the spirit never dies
And the bright light of salvation shines
In dark and empty skies

When the cities are on fire
With the burning flesh of men
Just remember that death is not the end
And you search in vain to find
Just one law-abiding citizen
Just remember that death is not the end
Not the end, not the end
Just remember that death is not the end” (Bob Dylan)

I’m still on my Bob Dylan kick. By now, I’ve listened to all my Dylan CDs up to Oh Mercy, the Daniel Lanois-produced 1989 album that marked a sort of artistic comeback for him in the eyes of many.

I also know most people consider this a low point in Dylan’s career. If you go to amazon.com or any other music site, you’ll find that most people revile such albums of his as Empire Burlesque, Knocked Out Loaded, and Down in the Groove.

I don’t think they’re bad albums. I have to admit the songs aren’t quite up to the standards of his amazing output in the 60’s, but I think that if these albums had anybody else’s name on them, they might be looked at differently. I also think that part of the problem is that the CDs are poorly mixed (in this writer’s opinion) and Bob’s vocals get buried in the accompaniments sometimes. I definitely think remastering these albums would help immensely.

But I also think that many of these songs, although they are good, aren’t just that memorable. They don’t linger in my mind like “Blowin’ in the Wind” or “My Back Pages” do.

I’d say that there is still a fair amount of spirituality in these albums. It’s not so overtly stated as in his Christian albums, but it’s there for those who know what to listen for.

Oh Mercy is probably my favorite album he did in the 80’s, largely in part to one Mr. Lanois who knew what he was doing when he produced this album.

I still have eight albums to go. I also must confess that I don’t own every single album of his (gasp!) I’m actually missing albums entitled Self-Portrait, Dylan (not the one with the red cover), one or two live albums, and the newest release– Strangers in the Night, an album of standards made famous by Frank Sinatra and others.

More to come later. Stay tuned.

 

 

Music, Music, Music

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If you haven’t already figured it out by now,  I love music. As in I have songs playing in my head non-stop all the time. Usually, I have random songs that I find myself inadvertently singing out loud or whistling without even realizing it. That can be embarrassing sometimes.

Whenever I find good music, I like to let people know. I always assume that people will feel the same way when they hear the music I love as I do. Usually not. Not everyone shares my taste in music. Actually, it’s a rare few that like all the same music I do.

But I still like to share what I like.

I absolutely love a group called the Court Yard Hounds. It’s basically the Dixie Chicks minus Natalie Maines. But I really like their sound.

I also love, love, love a group called The Thorns. This group consisted of Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, and Pete Droge. Their one album is probably in my top 10 favorite albums ever. They have a very Crosby, Stills and Nash vibe.

I really like Jacob Dylan’s solo stuff. As much as I like The Wallflowers, I prefer the solo albums. They are very much reminiscent of his dad’s music. You may have heard of Jacob’s dad. He goes by the name Bob.

Anyway, there’s nothing like the perfect song at the perfect moment to evoke a good feeling and a good mood. It’s like watching a movie where the song really enhances the scene and brings out all the emotion in it.

I’m becoming more and more of a fan of old school music as I get older. By old school, I mean artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Billie Holiday. That music has a staying power than the newer stuff just doesn’t have. In my opinion.

 

 

Desert Island Christmas Music Part Two

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I’ve been thinking about this mysterious desert island with electricity and I think it’s should be more like the island on the TV show Lost. That way, there’s at least a semi-plausible reason to have electricity. But on to the list.

I’ve thought of some more essential Christmas music that I have to hear every Christmas season.

16) Christmas- Michael W. Smith. Some brilliant arrangements on this one.

17) The Dawn of Grace- Sixpence None the Richer. How can you not like Leigh Nash’s voice?

18) White Christmas- Martina McBride. Her version of “O Holy Night” is probably my second favorite behind Michael Crawford’s.

19) A Very She & Him Christmas. This is the band featuring Zooey Deschanel, my #1 celebrity crush. Very festive and fun music for the holidays.

20) Christmas Caravan- Squirrel Nut Zippers. For the nonconformist and nontraditionalist.

21) A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra. ‘Nuff said.

22) Christmas Songs- Diana Krall. She’s one of my favorites and this one was an instant classic from day one.

23) Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails. “Garishly retro and naughtily nostalgic, this kind of slinky Christmas gift should probably be illegal in many prudish states”, says the review on amazon.com

24) Yule B’ Swingin’/Yule B’ Swingin’ Too!. Some great vintage holiday music that you can swing dance to.

25) Hipsters’ Holiday. Another great compilation for when you get tired of hearing “White Christmas” for the 500th time.

26) The Revels- A Victorian Christmas Revels. Like stepping back onto a crowded street in 19th century London on Christmas Eve.

27) Songs from White Christmas and Other Yuletide Favorites- Rosemary Clooney. If you’re a fan of the movie musical White Christmas, you’ll love this.

28) Boogie Woogie Christmas/Dig That Crazy Christmas- The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Big Band meets Rockabilly meets Christmas music. It’s great!

29) Any Christmas album by Mannheim Steamroller. Ok, so I cheated a bit, but how can you pick just one?

30) The Christmas Album- Manhattan Transfer. If you’re a fan of tight harmonies and fantastic arrangements, check this one out.

If you have additional favorites that I didn’t include in this list, let me know. I plan to keep adding to my collection and there are probably a few gems out there that I have sadly overlooked.

This concludes my two-part list of my favorite Christmas music (subject to change as I continue to add to my collection).

Or as Sean Connery’s character from The Untouchables said, “Here endeth the lesson.”

Vintage Music Picks

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As I’ve probably mentioned before, I have extremely eclectic musical tastes, with everything from Glenn Miller to Metallica in my collection. Lately, my music has taken an indie/alternative turn, but I still like my sappy 80’s power ballads from time to time (and I am not ashamed of that, either).

That said, I have some recommendations if you’re into vintage, i.e. pre-1950’s music.

http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Recordings-Glenn-Miller/dp/B000002WDC/ref=sr_1_12?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1348971870&sr=1-12&keywords=glenn+miller

If you love circa-World War II big band music, this is the holy grail. I wish they had a more recent and remastered version of this music, but the songs are fantastic.

http://www.amazon.com/Blanton-Webster-Band-Duke-Ellington/dp/B000003EO4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1348971992&sr=1-1&keywords=duke+ellington+blanton+webster

Another fantastic collection of big band music from one of the all-time legends of jazz music in Duke Ellington. You really can’t go wrong here.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Columbia-Years-1943-52-4-CD/dp/B000007QCN/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1348972098&sr=1-2&keywords=frank+sinatra+box+set+columbia

This represents one of the greatest crooners of all time, Frank Sinatra, in what I consider to be his best period, musically speaking. His voice is velvety-smooth and the songs really stand the test of time.

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Andrews-Sisters-Greatest/dp/B00005UL6B/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1348972172&sr=1-4&keywords=the+andrews+sisters

This is an import collection of The Andrews Sisters, and in my humble opinion, sounds amazing for songs that were recorded primarily in the 40’s.

http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Johnson-Complete-Recordings/dp/B000002757/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1348972246&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+johnson+the+complete+recordings

This collection of bluesman Robert Johnson’s recordings is essential if you are even remotely interested in blues music at all. Just incredible musicianship and very soulful and moving songs.

That’s all I have for now, but there will probably be more recommendations to come in the future. I welcome your picks, as I am always looking to add to the variety of my vast musical collection.