Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
10 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: edie brickell, take a walk
Edie Brickell: “Take a Walk” (2003)
Edie Brickell evokes early 70’s Aretha or Roberta Flack on this track from 2003’s solo Volcano album.
A lilting invitation to get out of the house and numbing routine.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/04/07/songs-you-may-have-missed-689/
06 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Video of the Week Tags: natalia lafourcade
06 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: amor profundo, charanga cakewalk
Charanga Cakewalk: “Amor Profundo” (2006)
Classic Rock: I like it. I love it. I want less of it.
If you grew up embracing what typical American radio offered and find yourself beginning to succumb to taste lock as you reach a certain age, give Michael Ramos and his cumbia lounge project Charanga Cakewalk a try.
Austin-based Ramos, has worked and/or performed with Paul Simon, John Mellencamp, the Rembrandts, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He knows his way around the rock scene.
But Chicano Zen, like Ramos’ other Charanga Cakewalk albums, is an engaging blend and juxtaposition of Tex Mex, tejano, flamenco, cumbia, salsa, merengue, ska and reggaeton with electronica and lounge elements.
It’s a calculated blend of modern cool and retro cool, and a truly a unique amalgam of sounds.
06 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Video of the Week Tags: ai, songwriting
04 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: melodie grand prix 63, the last hurrah!!
The Last Hurrah!!: “Melodie Grand Prix 63” (2011)
This catchy, enigmatic tune I found in my special little drawer of Norwegian pop mp3’s sent me searching the usual sources to hear more of the band’s music.
It was a frustrating experience as all I could find was a straightforward, steel guitar-based country band with the same name.
Then more scrolling revealed the fact that the “country” band was a more recent incarnation of this Bergen, Norway-formed H.P. Gundersen project. The later lineup featured a combination of Norwegian and American musicians.
Apparently exploring lavish arrangements melding West Coast psychedelia, Nordic pop and Asian folk and employing drone guitar with open tunings, tambura and bouzouki wasn’t interesting enough.
The sound of steel guitar and fiddle was calling.
Anyway, even the country-influenced material sounds interesting in the hands of Gunderson. But this song, with Heidi Torsvik on vocals, is from the earlier incarnation of this ever-evolving band.
02 Jan 2026 Leave a comment
in Video of the Week Tags: the carpenters
Every Moment Has A Song 