4 posts tagged “earthy”

Continuing with the top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Six here):

We Are Alone In This Together – Graham Lindsey

Senator Lindsey Graham is a complete dick. Graham Lindsey, on the other hand is a complete revelation. The fact that my man Mars produces all his records is besides the point, he sings with an unsettling honesty, squeezing the pain so hard it becomes beautiful. If he can survive in the brutal music industry we’re going to be the lucky ones. Kind of like fruit that grows in the torturous rocky soil found on the slopes of steep mountain terrain. If it survives, it thrives. 

I’d be curious to hear what you've been listening to so drop me a comment and let me know what made your top 10!

I’m adding wine tasting descriptor tags to these songs in order to create music set lists that pair well with wines. As this is entirely subjective, I’d enjoy hearing how you might describe this song. Post it right there, in the little box below.

Tags: Tightly structured, vivid, toasty, chewy, rugged, lean soil, edgy, earthy, woodsy, dense, tannic, single vineyard, terroir, mountain fruit.  I’d pair this with a Cabernet from any of the Spring Mountain wineries like Behrens & Hitchcock, Sherwin Family or Terra Valentine.

Day One: Wilco (The Song) - http://bit.ly/Day1WilcoTheSong

Day Two: Mary Ann - http://bit.ly/Day2MaryAnn

Day Three: World on a String- http://bit.ly/Day3WorldOnAString

Day Four: Just Like Heaven - http://bit.ly/Day4JustLikeHeaven

Day Five: When She’s Near - http://bit.ly/Day5FictionFamily

Day Six: Adventures in Solitude - http://bit.ly/NewPornographers

Continuing with the Top 10 tracks from the first half of 2009 (see Day Two here):

I love cover songs for two reasons. First they let you experience a familiar song in a new light, which serves to reveal the essence of the material. Second they give the cover artist an opportunity to exhibit their own unique style. In a way, it’s similar to what different winemakers can do when working with the same sourced fruit. So far this year I’ve fallen in love with two fine covers - here's the first one.

Cover Songs – Part One: Nils Lofgren, World On A String

Nils Lofgren has had a legendary career as a sideman working with the likes of Springsteen, Ringo, and Neil Young.

As a teen phenom in the early 70’s, he formed the group Grin and released 3 albums to indifferent sales. Throughout that decade he toured as an “energetic” solo artist. But as he mellows with age, it’s becoming quite apparent that he’s a world class bluesman in his own right with a voice that maps out a life well lived. Listen here as he imbues new meaning to Neil Young’s World on a String.

I caught Woody Allen’s latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona and I’m pleased to announce he’s in top form again; brilliantly funny and insightful, stunning locales - Well, I never been to Spain - (but I sure want to go after seeing this), top production values and the acting is sharp especially Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz.

What I found most fascinating, however, was the emotional response I had when the credits began to roll. Who could image simple white type over a black background (the font treatment is EF Windsor Light Condensed and there is a great blog post about it here) could inspire such warm feelings. I felt in the company of an old friend, our relationship forged by an emotional connection that stretched back some 30+ years. That familiar credit sequence was a personal guarantee of what was to unfold over the ensuing 90 minutes. And isn’t that essentially what a great brand does. Establishes a unique promise, creates an emotional connection with the consumer, and then keeps its word and delivers on all aspects of that promise. GM are you listening?

I was so engaged that I felt compelled to go watch a number of his older films; Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes & Misdemeanors and Annie Hall.

In all of them his musical choices are sensational, acting as a Greek chorus, commenting on and foretelling plot developments. Here are the opening credit songs from both Vicky Cristina and the aforementioned Hannah and Her Sisters.

This jaunty opening number titled Barcelona not only introduces the two main characters of Vicky and Cristina, it also promises intrigue, sensuality, a bit of danger, and the foreign locale of the city itself. 

Listen carefully and you'll even hear a Theremin near the end of the track, which indicates a certain level of eccentricity will be added to the film's frothy mix. Earthy and vibrant, I’d add it and the rest of the soundtrack to the set list at your next Wine Tasting, which would also benefit greatly from the purchase of a few bottles of Tres Picos, a wonderful Garnacha.

Recorded in 1941, Harry James’ version of You Made Me Love You opens Hannah and Her Sisters. Note the way it instantly sets a romantic and nostalgic mood.  For me it captures the war years. While James’ trumpet finds a strand of sweetness, there’s still something very sad and gray about this song.

Perhaps it’s the lyric, “You made me love you. I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t want to do it.” Hmmm, maybe it’s me but that line leaves something less than a ringing, romantic endorsement to my ears. In any case, this one is ripe for cocktails or a birthday/anniversary mix for a family member over 75.

Finally, here’s a song that celebrates the finding of a few cherished friends who will walk side by side with us on this long, wacky road trip. From Simon and Garfunkel’s brilliant 1968 release Bookends, Old Friends caresses the listener with gentle, carmelized colors. Bittersweet strings counterpoint Paul and Art’s gorgeous harmonies, and the lyrics evoke memories of future day’s past from the perspective of a young man.  “How terribly strange to be seventy.”  Folks, I’m here to tell you this is good stuff. Call your oldest and dearest friends and let 'em know how you feel because it's getting late.

We had a little “shaker” the other day, a visceral reminder that in spite of all the tangled little plans we weave out here on the left coast, we are really at the mercy of the very ground we so take for granted. So I selfishly offer these two songs to the earth mother in the hopes that she will forestall “the big one” for an epoch far beyond this one.

Along with After the Gold Rush and Sweet Baby James, Carole King’s landmark album Tapestry from 1971 remains one of the most important singer-songwriter albums of the era.

Backed by 2^nd husband, Charles Larkey on bass, Danny Kortchmar on guitar and Russ Kunkel on drums, I Feel the Earth Move is the one upbeat rocker of sorts on an album of intimate and introspective songs. 

I just love her vocal on this song; a little vulnerable, earthy, and sexy as hell. To me it feels so east coast; I always picture a gray autumn day, leaves falling, a chill in the air, lying in front of a fire after a long walk in the woods.

And then there’s Earthquake Weather off of Beck’s 2005 effort Guero.

Crazy ass production by the Dust Brothers, which threatens to spiral down into some really dark places until it suddenly breaks into bright rays of sugary sunshine, kind of like living in LA. With its herky-jerky Brazilian rhythms, I’d pair this with a Malbec from Argentina and hope that tomorrow doesn’t bring one of those 50 degree changes in weather that always seem to precipitate Kate Hutton’s next appearance on KTLA.