Così Fan Tutte

For the New Year, two selections from Mozart's opera. We'll start with wit and wisdom about human folly and the wounds it causes:



And we'll close (or rather, open a new year) with the hope and the potential for something beautiful nonetheless:

Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson - "Winter Song"

Concha Buika and Chucho Valdés – "Se me hizo fácil"

Vanessa da Mata - "Boa Sorte/Good Luck"

With Ben Harper.

Dido - "Thank You"

A repeat, because it works so well for Thanksgiving.

The Heavy - "How You Like Me Now?"

"Sixteen," borrowing from Screamin' Jay Hawkins, is also worth checking out.

Eric Bogle - "And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda"

In the spirit of Armistice Day.

Amadou & Mariam - "Sabali"

The very last "bye-bye" is clipped here, and I wish the song was longer, but it's memorable.

Sufjan Stevens - "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."

"Music Video using educational films from the 50s and anonymous family footage. Dir: Claire Carré." In honor of the upcoming Halloween, here's a haunting song. It's from Sufjan Stevens' 2005 album Illinois, which is extremely varied and creative (and the rest isn't as dark as this song).

VV Brown - "Crying Blood"

She'll be doing a live session at KCRW next week.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - "Buster Voodoo"

This is from their new album. They're fantastic live.

Baaba Maal - "Television"

Here's his recent live session at KCRW.

David Gray - "Fugitive"

It's slightly out of synch, but this is the official version from David Gray's channel. What I've heard so far of the new album is quite good.

Mew - "Beach" and "Comforting Sounds"

The Wiki entry on Danish band Mew has more about them. "Beach" is from their new album. The video is a fan-made piece using clips from the French film Rumba, which I haven't seen, but it seems to work really well. (Driouxcipher passes on the official video for "Repeaterbeater" from the same album). "Comforting Sounds" was released in 2003, although the performance appears to be in the past few years. It has a good build.

Peter, Paul and Mary - "500 Miles"

I saw Peter, Paul and Mary perform a few times, and my mom and one of my brothers saw Peter and Paul perform just last month. Mary was not doing well.

As late as the early 90s, they would still join in demonstrations and get arrested, too.

Years back, I remember listening to their version of this song over and over to figure out their harmonies. It's a very pretty rendition, even haunting, expressing great yearning. They popularized some very good and important songs over the years.

Their website has statements and photos. RIP, Mary Travers.

Bonnie Raitt - "Angel from Montgomery"

Written by John Prine.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - "What Sin Replaces Love?"

Lisa Gerrard -" Sanvean (I Am Your Shadow)"

This appears to be the official video, but the fan video above is pretty remarkable. I think this is one of Lisa Gerrard's most memorable tunes. A few years back, I saw her do it live on a Dead Can Dance reunion tour. More aging goths than you could shake a stick at...

Ten Years After - "I'm Going Home"

Live at Woodstock, in honor of its anniversary.

Les Paul and Chet Atkins

RIP. Chicher posted this video for Les Paul's 94th birthday, and also quoted a nice tribute to Les by Gibson guitars. I own a Epiphone Les Paul, and while there are some legendary guitars out there, for electrics the two biggest are probably the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. It'd be difficult to list how much great music's been made on that style of guitar, and hard to overestimate how influential Les Paul was. Les was still playing away at an advanced age, having fun and entertaining audiences, and that's probably what kept him going. Thanks for the music, and rest in peace, Les.

Neko Case – "This Tornado Loves You (Live)"

Here's an interview with her, and her session at the Newport Folk Festival this past weekend. You can hear more of the festival here.

Candi Staton/One EskimO

Candi Staton – "He Called Me Baby"



One EskimO – "Kandi" (Live)

Purcell/Baker - "When I Am Laid in Earth"

Also known as "Dido's Lament," this aria comes from English composer Henry Purcell's short opera Dido and Aeneas (1689). Unfortunately, Purcell died when only 36 (so, as some have observed, the English had to keep importing Germans). This is Janet Baker in a 1966 performance – she was known for this song. I greatly appreciate her commitment to the role as an actress as well as a singer. This comes near the end of the opera. Dido's true love Aeneas is leaving, and though he vows to return, Dido knows it shall never be. Naturally, there's nothing to do but to sing a heart-wrenching song, and die.

Camera Obscura – "French Navy"

Here's their most recent KCRW appearance.

Diane Birch – "Sweet River Tree"

Doves – "Kingdom of Rust"

Cast of Glee – "Don't Stop Believin'"

Cheeseball 80s power ballad? Glorious excess? Both? It's almost impossible to go too "big" with this song. But after years of playing rhythm police, diva wrangler and coaxing shy kids out of their shells, I found that the pilot episode of Glee provoked both warm memories and cringe-inducing moments approaching PTSD. I'm hoping the series turns out well – and like some other viewers, hope it goes the Freaks and Geeks route for feel. Here's an interesting Fresh Air interview with show creator Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck).

"There's nothing ironic about show choir!" – Rachel Berry

Theresa Andersson – "Na Na Na"

Here's the ridiculously talented and creative Ms. Andersson at KCRW.

The Noisettes – "Never Forget You"

Koko Taylor – "Ernestine (Live)"

RIP. Check this one out, too.

Philip Glass – "Knee 1" from Einstein on the Beach

Just the music, but if you're a Glass fan, who needs more?

Metric - "Sick Muse"

Just the music, although I hear there's an official video coming out at some point.

Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

Vampire Weekend name-checks Peter Gabriel in this song, and he responded by recording a great cover with Hot Chip. Now that's one helluva compliment:

Ennio Morricone - Music from The Mission

As the YouTube poster relates, this is Morricone conducting the Roma Sinfonietta in 2007 at the United Nations. Carlo Romano is on oboe. The music is adapted from three pieces from The Mission score: Gabriel's Oboe, The Falls, and On Earth as It is in Heaven. I'll just add that Morricone is one of my favorite film composers, and "Gabriel's Oboe" is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard.

Sarah Vaughan - "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Live)

This is one of my favorite tracks from "Sassy" Sarah Vaughan, but odds are you haven't heard it. It's an audience request number from a Live in Tokyo album that seems to be out of print, but luckily, iTunes has it. Enjoy.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - "Around the Bend"

Here's their March 2009 session at KCRW.

Great Northern - "Low is a Height"

Emiliana Torrini - "Me and Armini" and "Jungle Drum"

She recently recorded a live session at KCRW here in L.A.

Maurice Jarre - Overtures from Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago

R.I.P.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - "Black Dog" (Live)

Not on their album, unfortunately - maybe the next one. Via skippy.

Bitter:Sweet – "The Bomb"

An interview and live performance can be seen here.

Matisyahu – "Message in a Bottle"

Al Green – "Let's Stay Together"

Apollo Hall of Fame Concert, 1993. Now that's how ya rock the house.

Lay Low – "I Forget It's There"

Concha Buika – "Volver, volver"

Gabriella Cilmi - "Sweet About Me"

Gipsy Kings –"Viento del Arena"

Bajofondo y Julieta Venegas – "Pa' bailar"

There are crisper versions of the video out there featuring the instrumental version, but I like Julieta Venegas' vocal. Bajofondo member Gustavo A. Santaolalla has also put together some great film soundtracks and scores, winning Osars for his fine work on Brokeback Mountain and Babel. (Thanks to Buck for the video assist.)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"

This week called out for some upbeat Marvin.

Zero 7 - "Destiny"

Brett Dennen - "Make You Crazy"

Featuring Femi Kuti. And yup, that's Mandy Moore in this rather incongruous video.

Flight of the Conchords – "Business Time"

Kick off the new year the right way.