Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
07 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: cigarettes and chocolate milk, rufus wainwright
Rufus Wainwright: “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” (2002)
Rufus Wainwright is the son of Canadien folk singer Kate McGarrigle and Loudon (“Dead Skunk”) Wainwright III and an interesting songwriter with an interesting history in his own right. Even if your cravings are not his, you’ll probably relate to the song.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/05/01/songs-you-may-have-missed-587/
04 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: call girl blues, diamond rugs
Diamond Rugs: “Call Girl Blues” (2012)
A little like early 70’s Van Morrison meets early J. Geils. This is the most fun I’ve had over a four-minute span since…well, nevermind.
When were the fun horn charts banned from rock and roll? I didn’t see it on the news or I’d have surely been in the streets protesting, along with several unemployed Squirrel Nut Zippers.
01 May 2012 Leave a comment
ABBA: “My Love, My Life” (1977)
One of the great album tracks from ABBA’s strongest record, 1977’s Arrival. Never before or since ABBA has the sadness of marital disintegration been related in such bittersweet pop music. The lyric aches, the melody is pure resignation.
“Pop” music can, at its best, be fine art.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2020/10/28/songs-you-may-have-missed-670/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/11/12/songs-you-may-have-missed-717/
01 May 2012 1 Comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: not enough, wes cunningham
Wes Cunningham: “Not Enough” (1998)
Singer-songwriter Wes Cunningham, born in the Philipines and raised in Texas, makes music that is simultaneously left-of-center and accessible, straddling the border of “alternative” (whatever that is) and power pop. His kitchen sink approach keeps it interesting: he raps in Spanish in one song, goes on a cheesy elevator muzak bossa nova detour on another. “Not Enough”, typically, includes a pseudo-salsa piano break and mariachi horns. It should be a mess, but somehow it works–the song’s unconventional arrangement only lends it greater immediacy.
“Not Enough” is from Wes’ first album, 12 Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking. With 2001’s Pollyanna, the angst of the first record was replaced by a newfound blissed-out romantic vibe–clearly the album was inspired by a blossoming love affair. The pop songwriting instincts, though, remained.
I’d love to hear more from Wes, who no longer seems to have major label distribution.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/07/10/songs-you-may-have-missed-445/
28 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: air, cherry blossom girl
Air: “Cherry Blossom Girl” (2004)
The French duo known as Air (JB Dunckel and Nicolas Godin) create atmospheric, ethereal and slightly psychedelic sounds. This is music to bring the nervous system back to base line after a hard day at work, or to set the mood for a chilled-out evening.
28 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: dave edmunds, warmed over kisses
Dave Edmunds: “Warmed Over Kisses (Left Over Love)” (1982)
While never known for his songwriting–and never prolific in that regard–Dave Edmunds is a preeminent and extremely reverential cover artist.
His stomping bluegrass take on Brian Hyland’s 1962 hit “Warmed Over Kisses (Left Over Love)” is a gem from a guy whose musical career path is littered with them.
Every Moment Has A Song 