Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
09 Jul 2020 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: lighthouse spaceship, the lickerish quartet
The Lickerish Quartet: “Lighthouse Spaceship” (2020)
The Lickerish Quartet are a power pop trio (yes, a trio) made up of former members of legendary power pop band Jellyfish.
And if that means anything to you, you’ll expect a touch of Queen, a sprinkle of ELO and a bit of psychedelia from this release.
And you won’t be disappointed.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/04/21/songs-you-may-have-missed-86/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/06/07/songs-you-may-have-missed-535/
08 Jul 2020 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: bells of st. augustine, burt bacharach, daniel tashian
Burt Bacharach & Daniel Tashian: “Bells of St. Augustine” (2020)
The gently seductive music of Daniel Tashian’s band Silver Seas evokes 60’s pop with a combination of sunny harmonies and cloudy, melancholy melodies.
Thus a collaboration with venerable composer Burt Bacharach, whose head would be on a pop Mount Rushmore and whose tunes helped make legends of Dionne Warwick, B.J. Thomas, Jackie DeShannon, The Carpenters, Herb Alpert and Dusty Springfield to mention a few, is not an unnatural pairing.
“Bells of St. Augustine”, like the best work of both men, hits the bittersweet spot.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/12/01/songs-you-may-have-missed-603/
See also: Recommended Albums #83 | Every Moment Has A Song (edcyphers.com)
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/12/18/songs-you-may-have-missed-719/
08 Jul 2020 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: never give you up, raphael saadiq
Raphael Saadiq: “Never Give You Up” (2008)
Instant Vintage is the title of the 2002 solo debut from Tony! Toni! Toné! alumn Raphael Saadiq. And the description fits this cut from his third album perfectly.
The essence of the song–the soul of the song–is sewn from strands of 70’s-80’s masters of the genre. A perfect homage, and a sweet slice of R&B in its own right.
15 May 2020 2 Comments
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: clannad, theme from harry's game
Clannad: “Theme from Harry’s Game” (1982)
“Everything that is and was will cease to be” is the message of a song that the Irish family band was commissioned to write for an English TV miniseries that touched on the futility of political violence.
It became the first Irish-language song to chart in the UK (#5) won an Igor Novello award and featured in several Hollywood movies, including Patriot Games.
At the peak of the global success the song brought them, singer Moya Brennan related, they were asked what it was like to write a hit song. Their answer: “Oh come on, be serious, if you were trying to write a hit song would you have written it in Gaelic?”
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/04/27/songs-you-may-have-missed-585/
04 Apr 2020 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: pet puma, spaceship
Pet Puma: “Spaceship” (2020)
A bouncy, infectious bit of funk pop from a five-piece out of London. As they work on a debut album, it’s tough times to try to book gigs to promote themselves.
But here’s hoping their happy sound finds a place on American radio.
04 Apr 2020 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: pepe & the bottle blondes, rumba de 5 kilos
Pepe & The Bottle Blondes: “Rumba de 5 Kilos” (2000)
Whatever your expectations here, Portland’s Pepe Raphael and company will probably confound them.
Mixing Latin dance, opera, cabaret and comedic delivery, they may come across as a campy, over-the-top version of Pink Martini.
Hopefully, they’ll put a smile on your face and shake your booty!
Every Moment Has A Song 