Our artist of the month takes on the Carly Simon hit “You Belong To Me” written by Carly and Michael McDonald. A classic tune that contains lots of fire and a storyline that many can relate to…
One great groove, two eras of west coast music… RIP Nate Dogg.
Yeah, we know it’s “Valentine’s Day” but who said we gotta pay Cupid some damn tribute!!!! If you’re one of those lovesick puppies and hopeless romantics looking for your fix on V-Day, we got your fix but it sure as hell ain’t what you think!!! On this day of love, we wanted to send Cupid a special mixtape! A list of songs that really express our deep passion in the subject of amour. So if love has kicked you in the ass, made a complete fool of you, had you crying like Lenny Williams and broadcasted your shame all over Facebook and Twitter, then welcome my friends to our official “F!ck, Cupid,!!” mixtape!! A Valentine’s mix that is sure to have you burning down someone’s car and lighting a cigarette afterward!!!
And Cupid, in case you missed our sentiments, let us say it again……….”F**K YOU!!!” (in my Cee-Lo voice) (more…)
Two classic performances of a classic tune. This song represents a spirit that is really missing in music today: Blues. Do you hear it? It is undeniable in both arrangements. That’s what makes you move, that’s what makes you want to literally “Take it to the streets”. This is not manufactured, this spirit has to be in you in order for it to come out. Maybe that’s the problem, maybe too many “creators” of music have been on a steady diet of garbage and you know what they say garbage in…
There’s nothing like listening to this track with it’s rhythm box blues influenced intro. (more…)
This week we have a double-shot from fantastic writer, singer, keyboardist Michael McDonald. Two timeless pieces of music created by some great collaborative efforts with Kenny Loggins and Carly Simon respectively. Plain and simple this is what great songwriting is all about and when a song is great, artists love to sing them.
I remember when I was a kid listening to Michael McDonald talk about the process of recording “What A Fool Believes” (this was before the days of MIDI sequencing) there are 20 keyboard tracks in the final production of the song. There are various reasons for that number (monophonic synths etc.) but that’s some serious arranging and orchestration and that’s why he’s Michael McDonald and others aren’t. Enjoy!
Intro: A generation can be defined as: “A group of persons living contemporaneously”. In this state of contemporary living there are many factors that serve as “Signs O’ The Times” (pun intended). Economics, politics, religion, the media etc., all play an integral part in influencing the music of every generation. Often, there is a disconnect between the music and the messengers of different generations which often pits members of different generations on opposing sides of the musical landscape. Interestingly enough, if we delve deeply enough into the subject matter of songs from purportedly opposing generations, often there is more that unites us on a human level than divides us.
In the spirit of the season we would encourage members of different generations to get together to discover and discuss the music of a different generation. This should be a time to put away the bias divides us and create an environment whereby each generation might learn from the other. As different as 1979 is from 2009 there are many similarities in how we relate to one another that should unite us.
Over the next few weeks we will compare and contrast songs from different eras that fall under a similar subject matter heading. We will examine topics ranging from relationships to materialism to simply having a good time. This is not a best of list or a popularity contest list but really it is a tool to spark some meaningful conversations, full of constructive debate that should lead to some “teachable moments”.
The Message
With declarations like “Cause she walk like a boss talk like a boss manicured nails to set the pedicure off” from Ne-Yo to “Silky, milky her smile is like sunshine that’s why I had to dedicate at least one rhyme” from LL Cool J, these songs reside in the infatuation aisle at “I’d like to get to know you better” Mart. Yet, at the same time these songs serve as an ode to the independent woman.
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This weeks edition features a bonus cut. We get one obvious sample & one slightly more obscure. First up, Michael McDonald’s “I keep forgettin (Every Time You’re Near)” (1982) b/w Warren G’s “Regulate”. Then we’ve got the Main Ingredient’s “Let Me Prove My Love to You” (1975) b/w Alicia Key’s, “You Don’t Know My Name”(2003).
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