Ballad of the Golden Hour
This was the first Widowspeak song I heard and I'm not sure where it came from. I do know that the tones and instrumentation caught my attention immediately. There's something to say about a simple drum beat that drives a song like this with the perfect tempo as dreamy guitars and vocals lay over the top. Everything about this track entranced me and sent me flying as the coda came in with heightened percussion, even more reverb, and a crescendo of sounds that would give any shoegazer chills.
On a solo cross country road trip I stopped in to visit a friend's music and book shop. As I entered I said my hellos and waited, patiently browsing the selections, as he spoke to some customers. After they left he asked me if I ever listened to the band Widowspeak. I told him I had and to my surprise he informed me that they just left the building. I had missed speaking to members of a band I followed for years. I wasn't so heartbroken at the time seeing as I hadn't listened to them for quite some time and wasn't up to date on their current material. What would I have had to say anyways? Some gibberish I'm sure.
Walkin' After Midnight
One of my favorite bands is the Philadelphia group known as Dr. Dog. I remember hearing the bass player and singer Toby Leaman answer questions in an interview saying that one of the band's main influences was Patsy Cline. At the time I had no idea who Patsy Cline was and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that now.
With the name now in my lexicon I found an offering of Patsy's music in my local used record shop. A greatest hits album caught my attention, I brought it home, and I dropped the needle down. "Walkin' After Midnight" was the first track on the album and quickly became the stand out number for me.
This album's version is slightly different than others I have heard. I find it funny how some artists, particularly closer to Patsy's day, had different takes and versions of songs floating around on various releases. I'd throw this track on on Spotify and quickly do a refined search to find the version I prefer best. Whichever you may find yourself playing I think It's a fine song. But Patsy in a yellow dress on a green album cover is the way to go. Thank you Patsy and thank you Dr. Dog.
Ridin' in My Car
There are many ways that I find myself connected to She & Him. One of my high school friends introduced me to M. Ward with his album Transfiguration of Vincent that gave me a new perspective of indie music and style. I challenge you to find another great guitar player as mysterious as M. Ward.
As for Zooey Deschanel I'm sure most can relate on their fixation as soon as they saw her on screen and heard her sing. She is a breathtaking figure filled with immense talent that captivates anyone in earshot. The combination of these two into a dreampop duo gave me everything I was silently looking for.
This song first stood out to me because of its composition and unmistakable bittersweet happiness. Before I found out that this was a cover I fell in love and never looked back. After I learned of the original writers I gained perspective and a new obsession.
While I played She & Him around the house as a teenager my parents took notice. Why was I listening to such old style music? They already knew the answer I'm just adding artistic flare. But one song did stand out to them and that was "Ridin' In My Car" as it made them immediately inquire and mistakenly ask "NRBQ?".
The next seed planted in my head was new knowledge of a cool rock band my parents couldn't stop talking about. Their version is less dreamy but only slightly and it evokes a different feeling and vibe as the instrumentation leans more to the rock and r&b styles. I speak about the original song as if it came second only because most times it's hard to get the first version of a track out of your head as the ultimate offering. That being said, I think both these tracks hold their own and serve different purposes. They are almost identical in composition and feeling, but they have their differences.
Either way, I love both versions and knew I had to include both If I was going to showcase one. Have a listen to these tracks and compare them anyway you'd like.
The Story In Your Eyes
Quite possibly one of the coolest riffs I've ever heard, "The Story In Your Eyes" layers great instrumentation in all the right places with solos appropriately pushed to the surface when needed most. Learning this song on guitar only helped to grow my appreciation and learn the complexities of writing a great song.
With so much about this track that I love I'm finding it hard to gather the words to properly give it justice. As I write these blurbs I play the songs on my stereo in conjunction. They seem to fly by in seconds while my thoughts flare up and down. Good music captivates me and turns my brain off, my feelings on, and takes me on a journey I want to keep repeating.
Find yourself a good stereo system, preferably an analog offering, and crank this tune up. Lose yourself in the harmonies and rhythm.
Gentle On My Mind
Another artist that always gets a comment from the likes of my parents. Glen Cambell was a mainstay in my mother's household growing up and he's found his way into mine as his storytelling and guitar playing intrigued and lured me in.
I'd have to say that "Gentle On My Mind" stands way out there as my favorite Glen Cambell track not because of the subject matter or because my mother likes it too, but because of the way it makes me feel. I'm still trying to figure out better ways to get my feelings out and onto the page in a cohesive and understandable manner. Until then I will just have to tell instead of show. I know my faults and my shortcomings, but I'm not going to let those get me down on my quest to better myself.
That's just what good music is for though. Making me forget what my problems are and putting me exactly where I want to be. I don't know who or what they are (could be me,) but until I found out they will forever be gentle on my mind.
Desde Que O Samba E Samba
I first fell in love with bossa nova through "The Girl from Ipanema" and all the subsequent Getz, Gilberto, and Jobim offerings. What a lovely introduction I'd say. Now, with the door open wide for other influences to squeak their way in, Spotify started to give me little presents in like minded music I'd soon sink into.
I was recently gifted with this gem and was pleasantly surprised to hear such a lovely track filled with unimaginable tenderness, feeling, and style. Brazilian music has come to hold a top spot in my catalog and finds itself being played when I get my hands on the holiday party playlist just in time for dinner. Such perfect dinner table music I can't help but put it on in times gratitude and grace.
Bossa nova and Samba included with many other Latin American genres run through my veins. I simply can't get enough of them.
Watermelon In Easter Hay
Whenever I get to talk music I jump on the occasion. Being met with another self proclaimed music guru has been both challenging and fun. A friend of a friend who is now my friend... has provided me with a heightened conversation about music that I haven't been able to engage in for what seems like my entire music appreciation career.
In their latest recommendation, my counterpart blessed me with a fine Zappa track that I had previously never heard of. While I'm aware of Zappa and his eccentricities, I have never dove down into his music and lost myself in his wacky ways. Instead, I've dove down the adjacent Captain Beefheart wormhole that has now led me, through friendly and competitive conversation, to a new-to-me Zappa tune.
"Watermelon In Easter Hay" was the perfect accompaniment to my post softball drive home. With my windows down and the air rushing by, Zappa's guitar work filled my body and lifted it up into the stars for nine blissful minutes. This stood out as the perfect ending to this week's playlist and a dreamy finish to what has been a low gear Sunday. Have a relaxing right and start your week off right as you float around searching for the perfect spot to sow your seed.
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