How about a couple of jazz Christmas tunes today? First up is my favorite jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell doing "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" from his 1966 album. Gosh, 1966 was such a great year for music and this entire album does not disappoint.
Next up we have the Vince Guaraldi Trio with the original song, "Christmastime is Here" from the 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas special. Just three instruments yet this song is filled to the brim with good sound. More to come from the VGT!
Showing posts with label songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label songs. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Music for the Thanksgiving Season 3
First up today we have Brenda Lee thanking someone for breaking her heart, sarcastically of course.
Next we have Vince Guaraldi's contribution to the tiny world of actual Thanksgiving Day music. This is his "Thanksgiving Theme" from The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cartoon.
Next we have Vince Guaraldi's contribution to the tiny world of actual Thanksgiving Day music. This is his "Thanksgiving Theme" from The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cartoon.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Songs for the Thanksgiving Season 2
So I sidetracked a bit and didn't get to my daily postings of 'thankful' songs. So here are a few a couple days before Thanksgiving.
First up we have John Denver thanking God he's a country boy (which I don't think he really was. Mountain man maybe. Oh well, it's all just semantics).
And next we have Neil Diamond being thankful for the night.
First up we have John Denver thanking God he's a country boy (which I don't think he really was. Mountain man maybe. Oh well, it's all just semantics).
And next we have Neil Diamond being thankful for the night.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 11
How about a couple of soundtrack songs today? Soundtracks can be known for being very spine-tingling and here are a few that could be considered more obscure. First up is Alain Goraguer's "Deshominisation." Perhaps most would not find this song particularly creepy but for me it certainly conjures an atmosphere of suspense and mystery. Must be that wah guitar, clavinet and dark strings.
Next up is one from the Charles Bronson movie, "Citta Violenta." It's a song by Ennio Morricone and again many might not find it to be scary but it does have unsettling elements, especially that intro and the snake-like guitar permeating throughout the song.
Next up is one from the Charles Bronson movie, "Citta Violenta." It's a song by Ennio Morricone and again many might not find it to be scary but it does have unsettling elements, especially that intro and the snake-like guitar permeating throughout the song.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 8
How about some more recent tracks? Like from the 90's? I say 'tracks' because the second selection for today might receive some scoffs if I referred to it as a song. But I am reserving the right to pick tracks which may not fit the traditional definition of what a song is. But no doubt that today's first pick is a real, actual song. Portishead is a band that has many creepy-sounding songs but I think this one is their creepiest. "Half Day Closing" is a song that makes your hairs stand on end. Everything about this song is just not right.
Here's another from the 90's. This is the one that is not exactly musical but it is great for Halloween. Boards of Canada is considered an 'electronica' band and a lot of their music incorporates lo-fi and/or creepy elements. Much of what you hear in "Color of the Fire" is taken from a Sesame Street segment which has been slowed down and modified just enough to freak many people out. In fact, I have even used this song played backwards on a little scary video I made!
Here's another from the 90's. This is the one that is not exactly musical but it is great for Halloween. Boards of Canada is considered an 'electronica' band and a lot of their music incorporates lo-fi and/or creepy elements. Much of what you hear in "Color of the Fire" is taken from a Sesame Street segment which has been slowed down and modified just enough to freak many people out. In fact, I have even used this song played backwards on a little scary video I made!
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 7
Selection #1 today is "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Cream. Not a particularly scary song or any creepy elements even. It's all in the title and lyrics.
Next up is Fairport Convention's "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft." Again, not a scary song or any scary elements. It's in the title and lyrics.
Next up is Fairport Convention's "It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft." Again, not a scary song or any scary elements. It's in the title and lyrics.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 6
Today's first selection is "Time of the Season" by The Zombies. I don't know why but I've always associated this song with autumn and Halloween. Probably because of it's minor key, the heavily reverbed clapping and gasping sounds, the delayed subdued vocal and the crazy double-tracked organ playing. A classic! Too bad the band did not enjoy the success of this song as a band.
There are not too many country songs that I would consider great for Halloween but Porter Wagoner's "Rubber Room" is about as psychedelic as country ever got. The song may start off rather tame but even at the end of the intro you can tell something is awry. Progressively we start to hear an odd organ and then heavily-echoed vocals and a great buildup at the end.
There are not too many country songs that I would consider great for Halloween but Porter Wagoner's "Rubber Room" is about as psychedelic as country ever got. The song may start off rather tame but even at the end of the intro you can tell something is awry. Progressively we start to hear an odd organ and then heavily-echoed vocals and a great buildup at the end.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 5
First up today is Them's version of "I Put a Spell on You". This is clearly a great Halloween song just based on the title and there are so many great versions to choose from, including Creedence Clearwater Revival's from their debut album. But there is just something about this version that sounds bone-chilling. Maybe it's Van's vocal delivery. Or perhaps the vibes in the background or that sax that sounds as though it's being played in a dark, empty alley. Whatever it is it sure works for me.
How about some Pink Floyd for selection #2? Almost anything from their first couple of albums could qualify. Even though some of the early tracks had an air of silliness to them there was still an underlying sinister air or sound to them. The track I picked here is called "Pow R. Toc H." is very strange indeed. Starting off with some weird animal calls it then progresses into a jazzy piano and drum driven piece followed by a return to animal sounds and a hodge-podge of minor guitar and organ sounds.
How about some Pink Floyd for selection #2? Almost anything from their first couple of albums could qualify. Even though some of the early tracks had an air of silliness to them there was still an underlying sinister air or sound to them. The track I picked here is called "Pow R. Toc H." is very strange indeed. Starting off with some weird animal calls it then progresses into a jazzy piano and drum driven piece followed by a return to animal sounds and a hodge-podge of minor guitar and organ sounds.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 4
First up today is Tiny Tim's "Stay Down Here Where You Belong". I had just recently discovered Tiny and I am really impressed with his art. This song is perfect for Halloween. The subject matter, the creepy organ and his quivering echoed vocals give this song all the right elements.
How about another Tim for the second pick? Here is Tim Buckley with "Song Slowly Song" from his debut album of 1966. That is my favorite album of his and the next one was up there as well. Beyond those two, things starting getting a bit avant garde for my liking. I can only imagine what sort of album he could have continued to put together in the late 60's and early 70's if he had stayed on course of the first two. Regardless, this song here is quite minimalist and yet unsettling. The minor key, tremolo guitar and heavily reverbed percussion instruments all excel in creating the effect.
How about another Tim for the second pick? Here is Tim Buckley with "Song Slowly Song" from his debut album of 1966. That is my favorite album of his and the next one was up there as well. Beyond those two, things starting getting a bit avant garde for my liking. I can only imagine what sort of album he could have continued to put together in the late 60's and early 70's if he had stayed on course of the first two. Regardless, this song here is quite minimalist and yet unsettling. The minor key, tremolo guitar and heavily reverbed percussion instruments all excel in creating the effect.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 3
Today's first selection is "Take the Devil" by The Eagles. Very dark song with some menacing electric guitars and that piercing, elongated "from your mind" vocal line delivered by Randy Meisner in the middle which is utterly bone-chilling.
My second selection is "Hypnotized" by Fleetwood Mac. Superb song by the pre-Buckingham/Nicks version of the band. The lyrics are surreal in nature and deal with some strange occurrences indeed. This song gets its eeriness from the electric and acoustic guitar lines throughout and Bob Welch's subdued vocal.
Come back tomorrow for 2 more selections!
My second selection is "Hypnotized" by Fleetwood Mac. Superb song by the pre-Buckingham/Nicks version of the band. The lyrics are surreal in nature and deal with some strange occurrences indeed. This song gets its eeriness from the electric and acoustic guitar lines throughout and Bob Welch's subdued vocal.
Come back tomorrow for 2 more selections!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 2
One of my all-time favorite tunes all year round is "Spooky" by the Classics IV & Dennis Yost. This song even mentions Halloween in the lyrics. I have never heard a better version of this song ever. The eerie sound of the background singers, that howling wind type sound during the breaks and that non-stop rhythm guitar gave this song all the perfect ingredients for a spooky song! Here is a hard-to-find mono single mix of the song:
Next up is another track from the same era, Donovan's "Season of the Witch." Loved this song the first time I heard it. Those electric guitar lines throughout the song and that organ in the middle are so perfectly chilling! Not to mention that witch is mentioned so many times. Here is the mono mix:
Next up is another track from the same era, Donovan's "Season of the Witch." Loved this song the first time I heard it. Those electric guitar lines throughout the song and that organ in the middle are so perfectly chilling! Not to mention that witch is mentioned so many times. Here is the mono mix:
Friday, October 14, 2016
Songs for the Halloween Season 1
There are very few songs that are considered Halloween songs but plenty that revolve around the general overall themes of the holiday. Some songs are just plain creepy or unsettling and those are great for the day as well. I will post two of my favorite Halloween-ish songs here per day--as though we were back in the days of 45s--through November 2 which is the Day of the Dead.
First up is "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard. The ambiance of this song is so perfect for the subject matter. Very simple arrangement yet it draws the desired feelings. The whispered "look out" warning adds to the air of fright.
The second selection for today is "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath. I'm not a hug fan of metal but this song became my favorite Black Sabbath song as soon as I first heard it. The dark, minor key and the creepy Leslie-speakered vocal create the entire eerie atmosphere of the song. I also like the video someone made to go along with this song. It looks like the English countryside in late fall or early winter. Very bleak-looking and reminiscent of the countryside scenes in the "Straw Dogs" film.
Those are my selections for today. Come back tomorrow for two more!
First up is "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard. The ambiance of this song is so perfect for the subject matter. Very simple arrangement yet it draws the desired feelings. The whispered "look out" warning adds to the air of fright.
The second selection for today is "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath. I'm not a hug fan of metal but this song became my favorite Black Sabbath song as soon as I first heard it. The dark, minor key and the creepy Leslie-speakered vocal create the entire eerie atmosphere of the song. I also like the video someone made to go along with this song. It looks like the English countryside in late fall or early winter. Very bleak-looking and reminiscent of the countryside scenes in the "Straw Dogs" film.
Those are my selections for today. Come back tomorrow for two more!
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