Happy Happy Fun Time!

“Videos you should see…….and not get depressed about….” Week 6– Aug 17, 2010

Last week was depressin!  Without an ING!  This week should be a bit better….I am committed to providing uplifting music this week.  Lets see how the Morrissey Lover does this time around, and don’t hold your breath.

1)      Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros- “Home (Live)”-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRA5S59KjwY Comment by JH= I don’t usually like this hippie flowers and love stuff.   In this case, the tune is VERY catchy, the performance is fun, and the message is clear.  Sing on Hippies!

2)      Violent Femmes- “Blister in the sun”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aljlKYesT4Comment by JH= Classic song, fun video, and cat themed to boot!

3)      Dead Prez- “Be Healthy”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9mpu0n7BFY&feature=related Comment by JH= My wife and I can recite this anthem verbatim.  The first militant call to young black males that I have heard to be healthy and respect animals.  Dead Prez is my FAVORITE hip hop group by far, and this tune is upbeat too so enjoy J

4)      The Khan Brothers- “Lord lord Lord”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiNluJ58Pr0- Comment by JH= If the Beatles wrote something today it would sound vaguely like this song.  I am pretty sad this song didn’t hit it as big as I thought it would.  Probably a function of no promotion or real video, but still, it IS catchy!

5)      Paolo Nutini- “New Shoes”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GAgm8sZ5mo Comment by JH= I fought against liking Paolo at first.  His soulful voice and catchy songs convinced me quickly.

“Videos you should see”

“Videos you should see” Week 4– Aug 09, 2010

All right folks.  To enjoy this week’s music you need to sit down and WATCH every inch of it.  This is not a “put the video on the background while I do dishes type of week, you feel me?  So set the playback to 720, wait for the download and enjoy… (If applicable).  Be sure are ready for watching this, it is pretty heavy stuff.

1)      Modest Mouse- “Little Hotel”-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqQTODR3kR8&feature=PlayList&p=4D80FF57D09D6E55&playnext=1&index=3 Comment by JH= This is not the best song by modest mouse, but it is their best video.  And for a band known to make awesome videos, that is saying a lot.  I am touched by this even though I am not a parent.  When I do have kids I am sure it will touch me even more.

2)      Johnny Cash- “Hurt (Nine inch Nails cover)”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go Comment by JH= J. Cash past his prime doing the best cover of his career in the ashes of his greatness.  This is a masterpiece beyond words so I will stop here, but thank you Mr. Cash!

3)      Brett Dennen- “There aint no reason”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amwVyRH2B8A Comment by JH= I love this video, but it doesn’t get good until half way through so stick with it.  The imagery is pretty true if you ask me.

4)      The Mountain Goats- “This Year”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYCzDhaRV60

      Comment by JH= Imagine your love life was captured by the Taliban….that is all I will    say about this one.

5)      The Avett Brothers- “Murder in the city”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7rkSELM3I Comment by JH= This video by the Avett brothers is the best comment on family values that I have heard in a long time.  Eat that Sarah Palin!

These days......
A lot of people dont like the affect, but to me this is a treasure of our times:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E08FifRfi6A&feature=related

“Love Songs” Week 3– Aug 02, 2010

1)      Paolo Nutini- “Last Request (Live on Jools Holland)”-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffJ8xcfqOX0 Comment by JH= Paolo is in his prime right now, and this sweet version of his original song recalls the soul of Wilson Pickett or even Barry White…

2)      Hall & Oates- “Sara Smile”-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Red3R17FlUQ Comment by JH- One of my Favorite “blue eyed soul” songs of the 1970s.

3)      Amos Lee- “Arms of a Woman” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5hPVqPMywc&feature=fvst Comment by JH-This song was my introduction to Amos Lee and I still think it is one of the most beautiful songs of all time.

4)      Laura Marling- “New Romantic (Live on Jools Holland)” -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLn3d0MChOQ&feature=related

      Comment By JH- Marling is fairly new to the music scene and when I gheard this song I was floored by her lyrics.

5)      Damien Rice- “Rootless Tree (Live at Abbey Road)” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlnpedLeGbo Comment By JH- Damien is an all time favorite of mine.  I was lucky enough to see him in Los Angeles before he and Lisa Hannigan (The beautiful female singer in the video) broke up.

What this blog is about

So this is my 2nd attempt at a blog.  The first was when I went to China 2 years ago, and I never followed through with it.  My best friend Rush said I needed to stop doing individual posts on facebook and start doing top 5 lists, so I guess the blog is dedicated to him.  maybe some of my other friends will begin commenting on my posts so I know what they want on their Christmas Cds.  Rush wasn't the first one to tell me to start a music blog, but he was the only one to get me motivated to do it.

This time my blog will mainly be a vehicle for me to post 5 songs a week that I think you should hear, usually with a video.  These songs will usually be songs I am currently listening to, and will most likely be songs I have recently found through the "interwebs."  These songs could also be classics, covers, or just something cool.  Consequently, I may have "theme weeks" where I do something like "Top 5 female acoustic singer songwriters of all time", or "you should know this artist, these are the top 5 reasons".

Rarely, I might also use this blog to post thoughts, concerns, or even reviews of concerts, movies, stand up comedy (another passion of mine lately) or TV shows. Mainly it will be about music, but sometimes there are some other things I think you should know about.

If at all possible, I will include a video with each post so you can see what I am talking about.

I look forward to sharing with you, even if I don't have as many readers as Viktor.

Top 5 List for Week 2 July 25th, 2010

Week 2 July 25^th, 2010

Hey all, I tried to mix it up a bit this week since I always gravitate toward a voice and an acoustic guitar.  Welcome to week two!  I seemed to focus on religion a bit this week.  I also went back to my roots.  Are you pleased?

1)      Aloe Blacc- “I need a dollar”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6oYX1D-0w Comment by JH= This throwback soul song blows me away everytime I hear it and always gets stuck in my head.

2)      Bon Iver- “For Emma” (live)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6S__IpVpSQ Comment by JH= Simply stunning.  A beautiful song, I just wish the lyrics were a bit easier to understand.

3)      Brett Dennen- “Heaven” (with Natalie Merchant)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKbLR3MEjAg&feature=related Comment by JH= Catchy song with powerful lyrics.  He also did a duet on this with Natalie Merchant in another mix, but I prefer this one.

4)      Matisyahu- “One Day” (live)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUBjFeWxfU Comment by JH= Eloquent and powerful, if a bit idealistic.  I don't believe in fundamental Judaism like Matisyahu, but I am a fan of his talent. 

5)      The Strokes- “Reptillia”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8-tXG8KrWs&feature=avmsc2 Comment by JH=Yeah, I know you are cool and you don’t like The Strokes.  I mean, who would with all that trendy dressing and daddy money?  I am going to ask you to shut those eyes and listen.  Listen.  When I did, I was reminded of the first time I heard “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by GNR.  The chord changes at 1:15 are awesome, regardless of how trendy they are right now.  I will leave you with the lyrics of “He seemed impressed by the way she came in….tell us a story, I know your not boring”

Top 5 Music Picks of the Week July 18th

Requested by Rush…he said you people would look forward to it after awhile.  These will be a mix of old and new.  Let me know how I am doing with my “Top 5 Music Picks of the Week”!

1) City and Color- “The Girl”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy_7gNnbFUQ – Comment by JH= Simply the most beautiful song I have heard in awhile.  Talent at an absurd level.

2)  Grizzly Bear- “Two Weeks” -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjecYugTbIQ – Comment by JH= Too very catchy for its own good.  Great video too!

3) Colin Hay- “Maggie”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQTNWPQGqSc -Comment by JH= Just saw him live and this is his best song, regardless of his work with Men at Work.

4) First Aid Kit- “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMrqBldlqzA - Comment by JH= This cover of an amazing Fleet Foxes song improves on the original.

5)  Daniel Merriweather- “Impossible”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Eil62-UOE - Comment by JH= Imagine if Morrissey and Boyz to Men had a Baby.  Then imagine that the baby was Australian.  That baby grew up to be D. Merriweather and he can pull it off live.