Eclectic Jukebox

Etta James – "At Last"

2012-01-26T22:30:00.000-08:00

RIP. This is the obvious pick, but there's a reason this is her most famous song. Then there's her duet with Mike Finnigan, "You Gonna Make Me Cry."

The Peach Kings – "Thieves and Kings"

2012-01-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

"Boogah Man" – The Phantom Blues Band

2012-01-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

"Phantom Blues Band in the first music video from their new record, Inside Out. Group members are Tony Braunagel, Mike Finnegan, Larry Fulcher, Darrell Leonard, Johnny Lee Schell, and Joe Sublett."

Fela Kuti – "Roforofo Fight"

2011-12-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

"Pinball Wizard"

2011-12-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

This version comes from Tommy, directed by Ken Russell, who died this week. Roy Edroso has more. Russell made some seriously weird films, but he came by it honestly, which made for some interesting and memorable moments in a long career. (Lair of the White Worm is bizarre and unforgettable; I haven't seen most of Russell's many and highly-regarded artist biopics.)

I also have to include this clip, since it features (as the YouTube poster puts it) "crazy dance and hair slapping" and the great mirror bit.

Blind Pilot – "Keep You Right"

2011-11-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

First Aid Kit - "The Lion's Roar"

2011-11-18T23:45:00.000-08:00

Ximena Sariñana - "Mediocre"

2011-11-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Mariachi El Bronx - "48 Roses"

2011-10-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

Mariachi El Bronx is the mariachi version of punk band The Bronx, based out of... Los Angeles. Here's their full KCRW set.

Coldplay - "The Scientist"

2011-10-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

I know it's fashionable in some circles to slag off on Coldplay, but I like some of their songs, including this one.

Julie Fowlis - "Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach"

2011-10-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

A wealth of great music has come from the British Isles, including some stunning tunes in Gaelic. I caught this tune on The World. Julie Fowlis' website is here. The lyrics are:

Bothan Àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach (A sheiling on the Braes of Rannoch)

Gur e m' anam is m' eudail
chaidh an-dè do Ghleann Garadh:
fear na gruaig' mar an t-òr
is na pòig air bhlas meala.

O hi ò o hu ò, o hi ò o hu ò,
Hi rì ri ò hu eile
O hì ri ri ri ò gheallaibh ò

Is tu as fheàrr don tig deise
de na sheasadh air thalamh;
is tu as fheàrr don tig culaidh
de na chunna mi dh' fhearaibh.
Is tu as fheàrr don tig osan
is bròg shocrach nam barrall:
còta Lunnainneach dubh-ghorm,
is bidh na crùintean ga cheannach.

An uair a ruigeadh tu 'n fhèill
is e mo ghèar-sa a thig dhachaigh;
mo chriosan is mo chìre
is mo stìomag chaol cheangail.

Thig mo chrios à Dùn Eideann
is mo bhrèid à Dùn Chailleann,
gheibh sinn crodh as a' Mhaorainn
agus caoraich à Gallaibh.

Is ann a bhios sinn 'gan àrach
air àirigh am Bràigh Raithneach.
ann am bòthan an t-sùgraidh
is gur e bu dùnadh dha barrach.

Bhiodh a' chuthag 's an smùdan
a' gabhail ciùil duinn air chrannaibh;
bhiodh an damh donn 's a bhùireadh
gar dùsgadh sa mhadainn.

It was my love and my treasure
who went yesterday to Glengarry,
the man with hair like gold
and kisses that taste of honey.

You suit your clothes
better than any man on earth;
you look better in your garments
than any man I've ever seen.

You look better in stockings
and comfortable laced shoes,
a dark blue London coat
that cost many crowns to buy.

When you arrive at the fair,
you'll bring home my gear,
my small belt and my comb
and my little narrow fastening
head-band.

My belt will come from Edinburgh
and my marriage head-dress from
Dunkeld,
we'll get cattle from the Mearns
and sheep from Caithness.

And we'll rear them in a sheiling
in Bràigh Raithneach,
in the brush-wood enclosed hut of
dalliance.

The cuckoo will sing
its song to us from the trees,
the brown stag and its roaring
will wake us in the morning.

Gotye (feat. Kimbra) - "Somebody That I Used To Know"

2011-09-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Low - "Nightingale"

2011-09-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

I saw Low perform live ages ago. Their full KCRW set (audio) is here.

Gerardo Frisina - "Cubana"

2011-09-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - "You're All I Need To Get By"

2011-08-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

RIP Nick Ashford.

Sachal Studios - "Take Five"

2011-08-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

A fantastic cover of a classic. Via via.

Lady Danville - "Kids"

2011-07-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

I like this cover better than the MGMT original.

Zee Avi - "The Book Of Morris Johnson"

2011-07-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Beatles - "Mother Nature's Son"

2011-07-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

"Silver Rider"

2011-06-30T23:15:00.001-07:00

I like both Low's original...

...and this cover by Robert Plant and the Band of Joy.

Nikki & Rich - "Cat & Mouse"

2011-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - "Home"

2011-06-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Ludovico Einaudi - "Lady Labyrinth"

2011-06-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

k.d. lang – "Habit of Mind"

2011-05-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the entire set.

Marvin Gaye - "Yesterday"

2011-05-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

PBS' American Masters recently re-broadcasted a good 2008 installment on the amazing, tragic Marvin Gaye. The show ended with this cover, which I don't remember hearing before. Marvin Gaye has extraordinary vocal range and remarkably supple technique, but it's the sheer soul he brings to some tracks that's so transfixing.

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

2011-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Angélique Kidjo - Summertime

2011-04-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

Angélique Kidjo gives a killer live show.

Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal"

2011-04-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

Rilo Kiley - "Silver Lining"

2011-04-15T00:45:00.000-07:00

Rilo kiley - silver lining by epb21

Katie Herzig – "How The West Was Won"

2011-04-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Andreya Triana - "Draw The Stars"

2011-03-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

Teddy Thompson - "Take Care of Yourself"

2011-03-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Makem and Clancy - "Ar Eirinn Ni Neosainn Ce Hi"

2011-03-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

There's no shortage of great Celtic music, but this song in Irish Gaelic is one of the prettiest I know. I did a more extensive post on it two years ago. (The poem at the start is called "The Planter.")

Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"

2011-03-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

Roy Buchanan – "Sweet Dreams"

2011-03-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

NPR ran a great story by Robert Goldstein about the 60th anniversary of the Fender Telecaster earlier this week. Among other tunes, the story included this one, which also features prominently in Martin Scorsese's film The Departed. Sweet, indeed.

Patricia Barber - "Winter"

2011-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

A Fine Frenzy - "Last of Days"

2011-02-17T22:45:00.000-08:00

Massive Attack - "Paradise Circus"

2011-02-11T08:42:00.001-08:00

Featuring Hope Sandoval. This is a fan video using scenes from The Fall (2006), directed by Tarsem Singh. The band has a video on their site, the song mixed with an interview, but it's definitely NSFW.

Stars - "Fixed"

2011-02-04T00:14:00.001-08:00

The official video is here, but can't be embedded.

Iron and Wine - "Tree By the River"

2011-01-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

The video takes a while to load, but it's a good version of one of the tunes from the new album. I caught Sam's show last night at the Wiltern here in L.A., with The Low Anthem opening. His KCRW session was also good

Great Northern - "Fingers"

2011-01-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an acoustic version.

The Low Anthem - "Ghost Woman Blues"

2011-01-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

Science Fiction Double Feature

2011-01-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

The first version apparently reflects Richard O'Brien's original idea for the opening credits of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The second is O'Brien performing a cool acoustic version.

This has probably always been my favorite song from Rocky Horror, for its geek bait lyrics and the wistful yearning of its chorus. I was introduced to the soundtrack as a teenager by a friend who was absolutely obsessed with the film, and mined it for profundities about life the way others might meditate on a favorite play or novel. (I've never felt as strongly, but it's entertaining.) II saw a live stage version in Edinburgh years ago (an official re-release), which meant the actors could interact with the audience and heckle them back. It was pretty fun. The usherette/candy girl who sang this (and also played Magenta) absolutely nailed it.

RIP Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen.

The Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize?"

2010-12-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hallelujah Chorus 2010

2010-12-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

This post is mostly a repeat, but for the season, it's hard to beat the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. First up, a neat flash mob version:

Next up, Cantillation with the Orchestra of the Antipodes, conducted by Antony Walker:

The Robert Shaw version is also quite nice, and then there's this one from the Roches (h/t Steve Audio):

Belle & Sebastian - "I Want The World To Stop"

2010-12-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

KT Tunstall - "Uummannaq Song"

2010-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here's her KCRW session.

Glasser - "Apply"

2010-12-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

"If I Rise" - A. R. Rahman and Dido

2010-11-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

I've often run Dido's "Thank You" for Thanksgiving, so this pick is kind of appropriate. As the graphic shows, this is from Danny Boyle's new film 127 Hours, starring James Franco. I imagine most people know the story of Aron Ralston going in. The film's vibrant and very good, but a few scenes are not the squeamish.

Henryk Górecki

2010-11-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

Polish composer Henryk Górecki died last week. He wrote one of my favorite pieces of music, the moving, powerful Symphony #3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs). I've introduced it to a few dozen people over the years. I'd recommend the Zinman/Upshaw recording that's excerpted here. (I featured this clip before in a post about music connected in some way to the Holocaust.) RIP.

This Mortal Coil - "Song to the Siren"

2010-11-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is a cover of a Tim Buckley song. For this song, the side project This Mortal Coil was essentially the band Cocteau Twins, produced by Ivo Watts-Russell.

The Secret Sisters - "Tennessee Me"

2010-11-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for good vocal harmony, and the Secret Sisters delivered a great KCRW session recently. This one's an original, but they also do fantastic covers.

Ralph Stanley – "O Death"

2010-10-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

In honor of Halloween. I prefer this version, but it can't be embedded.

Joan Sutherland – "Spargi d'amaro pianto"

2010-10-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Coloratura soprano Joan Sutherland, one of the great bel canto singers, died last week. The New York Times has an excellent obituary. Her most famous role was probably Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, which has a famous, showcase mad scene. (As we've covered before, mad scenes were all the rage in 19th Century opera.). As the video's narrator explains, this is the final section of that scene. This 1972 performance has better audio than most of the other clips available. This Who's Afraid of Opera? version has low audio, but is more complete. Meanwhile, this 1988 version has slightly muddy audio, but does feature the lengthy ovation she received at the end, which was likely not only for that performance, but for her entire career - she was in her early 60s at the time and retired shortly thereafter. The Wikipedia entry linked above lists and/or links her extensive discography, and her pairings with Luciano Pavarotti are especially worthwhile. RIP.

John Lennon

2010-10-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

It would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday this past Saturday, 10/9/10. Here's two of my favorite Lennon songs, "Across the Universe" and "Watching the Wheels," although it would be easy to post a few dozen more. Fresh Air compiled some good Lennon-related interviews, and Weekend Edition Saturday had a great segment with David Sheff, who interviewed and hung out with Lennon over the course of three weeks shortly before Lennon was tragically murdered:

"When I arrived, it was a time when he just had so much to say," Sheff says. "He would talk and he would stand up; at one point, he was almost climbing on the refrigerator talking about something."

Lennon would have turned 70 on Oct. 9. Sheff says he can't imagine the singer at such an age. But Lennon, he adds, lived for the future. The singer told him that while he liked The Beatles' song "Yesterday," he was glad he had never written it.

" 'I don't believe in yesterday,' " Sheff says, quoting Lennon. "Life begins at 40, or so they promise. And I believe in what's going to come.' That's one of the last things he had said to me."

Brandi Carlile - "That Year"

2010-10-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning

2010-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here's three takes on an old folk/blues song, "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning." First up, Blind Willie Johnson:

Next, Reverend Pearly Brown and Mrs. Christine Brown:

Lastly, Red Molly:

Rocky Dawuni – "Download this Revolution"

2010-09-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here's his KCRW session from earlier this month.

Black Prairie - "Red Rocking Chair"

2010-09-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here's their recent KCRW session.

Fistful of Mercy - "Fistful of Mercy"

2010-09-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here's their KCRW session.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "If 6 Was 9"

2010-09-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is still one of my favorite Jimi tunes.

Billy Stewart - "Summertime"

2010-08-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here's some footage of him performing it on

"Strange Condition"

2010-08-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here's Pete Yorn's original, "Strange Condition"...

...And here's Morgan Page featuring Lissie, covering it.

School of Seven Bells - "I L U"

2010-08-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

John Mayall with Coco Montoya - "I Could Cry"

2010-08-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

It always makes me happy to see a left-handed guitarist, although Coco Montoya plays "upside-down right-handed." But the results speak for themselves.

Jenny and Johnny - "Scissor Runner"

2010-07-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Marvin Gaye - 'What's Happening Brother"

2010-07-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

I was listening to What's Going On the other night - it's still one of my all-time favorite albums. As the Wiki entry explains, "The album is told from the point of view of a Vietnam War veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing nothing but injustice, suffering and hatred." (Marvin's brother served in Vietnam.) The YouTube description for this video says, "A visual montage taken from photos in the SOUL SOLDIERS exhibit and the film directed by Chris Ivey at the Heinz History Center."

Gotan Project - "Peligro"

2010-07-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

The Righteous Brothers - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"

2010-07-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

In memory of MD, who took my suggestion to sing this song (with slightly altered lyrics) for a fund-raiser. He had a fine, powerful baritone and a great sense of humor, and sang it with shameless gusto, infectious glee and his characteristic wide grin.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"

2010-07-01T22:15:00.001-07:00

Here's their third live session at KCRW.

Broken Bells - "The High Road"

2010-06-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Karen Elson - "The Ghost Who Walks"

2010-06-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

The Living Sisters - "Starman"

2010-06-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

For more, check out "How Are You Doing?" - just an audio track, since it doesn't yet have a live or official video with good audio, alas.

Nikki & Rich - "Next Best Thing"

2010-06-01T00:02:00.001-07:00

Marina and the Diamonds - "I am Not a Robot"

2010-05-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of Dr. Sheldon Cooper. And here's a little more Marina.

Modest Mouse - "Little Motel"

2010-05-21T00:30:00.001-07:00

The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

2010-05-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Beatles - "Two of Us"

2010-05-07T03:12:00.001-07:00

The Low Anthem - "To Ohio"

2010-04-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

Miranda Lee Richards - "Lifeboat"

2010-04-22T22:35:00.001-07:00

This other live performance isn't bad and has a better camera angle, but the version above has better sound quality.

Bomba Estéreo

2010-04-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Here are three "electro-tropical" songs from Columbian band Bomba Estéreo's KCRW session.

Townes Van Zandt - "If I Needed You"

2010-04-08T23:57:00.000-07:00

Such a lovely song. Townes explained the story behind it here.

Tom Lehrer - "The Elements"

2010-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

A little fun foolishness for the First of April...

She and Him - "Thieves"

2010-03-25T22:03:00.001-07:00

Here's their recent KCRW session.

U2 - "One"

2010-03-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our Irish theme...

Lissie - "Wedding Bells"

2010-03-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is a cover of a Hank Williams tune. I've liked pretty much everything I've heard from Lissie, and this is a good performance. (Still, ya gotta check out the flannel and giant specs version, too.)

Boito's Mefistofele

2010-03-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

"Dio di pietà! son essi!"

"Lontano, lontano, lontano"

Here are two selections from Arrigo Boito's opera Mefistofele. It's a pretty faithful rendering of Goethe's Faust (far more so than Gounod's opera). The singers are Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti. Margarita is in prison, and has just sung her madwoman aria (apparently all the rage in the 19th Century). Mefistofele has secreted Faust in to see her. In the first selection, the lovers are seeing each other for the first time since her imprisonment. I'm mainly including it because it leads into their wonderful love duet, "Lontano, lontano, lonato." The lyrics are:

Lontano, lontano, lontano
sui flutti d'un ampio oceano,
fra i roridi effluvi del mar,
fra l'alghe, fra i fior, fra le palme,
il porto dell'intime calme,
l'azzurra isoletta m'appar.
M'appare sul cielo sereno
ricinta d'un arcobaleno,
specchiante il sorriso del sol.
La fuga dei liberi amanti,
speranti, migranti, raggianti,
dirige a quell'isola il vol,
a quell'isola il vol.
La fuga dei liberi amanti, ecc.
Lontano, lontano, lontano, ecc.

Far away, far away, far away
beyond the broad billowing wave,
where the dew-laden sea breeze
plays on sea-weed and flowers and palm trees,
as a haven where two hearts can share
love and peace, a blue island appears.
Under clear skies I see it, a halo
around it of shimmering rainbow
reflecting the sun's happy smile.
As free as two love-birds migrating,
radiant, with sweet hope vibrating,
we wing our swift way to this isle, to this isle.
As free as two love birds, etc.
Far away, far away, far away, etc.

This opera is a personal favorite for a number of reasons. I like the Faust story, and this is the most faithful version in opera (although Berlioz' version is also worthwhile). It's the first opera I really researched before I went to see it, back when I was first checking out opera. Meanwhile, Boito is generally considered one of the three great librettists, and I have to root for writers that make it good as directors, composers, etc. Some of the passages are quite lovely and/or memorable, particularly "Lontano, lontano, lonato." I've listened to it countless times, which has spoiled other versions for me. But Freni and Pavarotti sing well together, and Pavarotti hits those swells passionately and beautifully.

Incidentally, Mefistofele premiered tomorrow, March 5th, in 1868. (Boito revised it serveral times, though, most of all for a 1875 version which chopped the overall length but added "Lontano.")

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Beat the Devil's Tattoo"

2010-02-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Two Door Cinema Club – "Undercover Martyn"

2010-02-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

Melody Gardot - "Your Heart Is As Black As Night"

2010-02-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

Ryan Bingham – "The Weary Kind"

2010-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

This song is the theme from the film Crazy Heart, and just got nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.

I saw the film this past weekend. If it feels like you've seen it before, it's probably because you have. Down on his luck, aging, self-destructive musician is nothing new – but an old standard can be great if it's well done. I love Jeff Bridges, and most of the cast, but unfortunately, the plot and the major emotional beats feel more and more predictable (even rote) as the film progresses. I was just hoping for a bit more. Still, the acting's strong, and the music's pretty good. It's a decent rental.

Badly Drawn Boy - "Is There Nothing We Can Do?"

2010-01-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

Kate & Anna McGarrigle - "Hard Times Come Again No More"

2010-01-21T23:20:00.000-08:00

RIP Kate McGarrigle. Hat tip TBogg.

Fanfarlo - "Comets"

2010-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another version.

Cat Power - "Werewolf"

2010-01-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Featured in Pedro Almodóvar's good new film, Broken Embraces.

Così Fan Tutte

2009-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

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"

2009-12-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

Vanessa da Mata - "Boa Sorte/Good Luck"

2009-12-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

With Ben Harper.

Dido - "Thank You"

2009-11-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

A repeat, because it works so well for Thanksgiving.