DEDICATED POST

Hello...it has only been two months since my last post. Did I miss anything? What...there was ANOTHER tsunami? You're kidding. The NFL is on a lockout? No way...that's a $9 billion a year business, there's no way either side would let that happen. HBO has this new series called GAME OF THRONES. Apparently, everyone knows about the George R.R. Martin novel (just like everyone knew about the TRUE BLOOD books...hmmm, I have to meet "everyone"). Based on the 98 promos I've seen for it, it looks like "The Lord of the Rings" meets Cinemax After Dark. I guess I should check it out or something. Oh, and there was a budget crisis where the federal government almost shut down. Question is, would anyone have noticed the difference?

I am going to make an effort to get back into the blogging game on a more regular basis. After this, one more "real" blog per week I promise. But this post is a Special Edition. My friend Dave and I have been exchanging mix tapes and now mix CDs for years. For this latest installment of shared music, I have decided to share a few quick notes about the songs and artists on the current CD as a kind of "bonus material" to go with the CD. I thought it would be something fun to do and I hope no one minds the indulgence.

So Dave, this playlist is for you! Enjoy! Peace everyone...
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This playlist is organized as a series of rough "suites" organized by musical genre. I start with indie or alternative rock, progress to four offbeat pop songs from different eras, then some offbeat hip-hop (although one song should be immediately recognizable), a soul classic and finally two Indian dance classics.

TV On The Radio/Second Song - this is the leadoff song from their new album "Nine Types of Light". I've given you plenty of their stuff before. I think you'll like this one. It is typical TVOTR...literate, polyrhythmic and funky.

St. Vincent - two songs from her album "Actor". I like her a lot. Feist meets Beck with a predeliction for the dark side. She plays most of her own instruments and writes all of her own lyrics and music, so you know I like that.

Led Zeppelin/Fool in the Rain - of course you've heard this song...who hasn't? Great piano playing and kick-ass drumming from John Bonham. When I hear it I think of the early 80s.

Amber/311 - great mellow groove from these mid-90's So Cal rockers. Makes me think of love...and living in Los Angeles. :-)

The New Pornographers/The Laws Have Changed - pop with a twist from this Canadian alt-rock supergroup, featuring the vocals of Neko Case. I think you'll like it.

Aloe Blacc/I Need A Dollar - Occasionally, you actually get a good free song from Starbucks! It's rare though. But I liked this one immediately. It reminds of Bill Withers in his prime. And this song is perfect for our times.

Kanye West - the first song, "Through the Wire", is the one we talked about in the car on the way to Twist & Shout...he recorded most (not all) of the vocals while his jaw was wired shut after a car accident that nearly took his life. Amazing. The second song, "Power" is from his last album, the brilliant "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". You will recognize it immediately because it was only used in like three commercials for different movies over the past year. It is "Power" that has the wonderful King Crimson sample we talked about.

Black Sheep/The Choice is Yours - Ever wonder who did the song with the rapping hamsters from the Kia Soul commercials? Of course you didn't...but here's the answer anyway!

Mos Def/Quiet Dog - I don't know what this song is about, but it makes me want to move every time I hear it. Mos Def is a great, socially conscious rapper and a pretty good actor too. This song was also featured in a popular commercial. At least commercials are good for something!

Q-Tip & D'Angelo/Believe - I think this song is beautiful. It was from Q-Tip's last album. He remains one of the most verbally gifted and distinctive rappers.

Flobots/Airplane Mode - This is the Denver-based Flobots at their best. Too bad they lost their record deal...UGH! The music business, good at neither music, nor business.

Curtis Mayfield/Pusherman - You probably know more about this song than I do. But I always love it and I think it was Mayfield at his greatest.

Panjabi MC - I discovered the first song, "Beware of the Boys" while eating at the lunch buffet at Little India. I immediately recognized the "Knight Rider" sample and became obsessed with tracking it down because the song was so full of life and so danceable. That led me to other Panjabi MC tracks, of whic "Stop What You're Doing..." has actually become my favorite. Both of these songs always lift my mood.

I sure hope you like the CD Dave. I think all of these songs could actually be heard by Nora without risk of teaching her any bad habits, but I made it for you, so feel free to drive around town, laying down the funk like you do! You da man Dave!

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