My Favourite Songs of 2012

These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year.  It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning it’s move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs.  About time I’d say.  I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc.  The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.

I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1.  In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012.  I hope you enjoy.

Emm Gryner – Ciao Monday

I see great things from this Canadian singer-songwriter.  Love this version, recorded live at CBC.

Graffiti6 – Free

This song reached and grabbed me by the ears and shook me to a musical high.  Phenomenally written song, reaching one crescendo after another.

The Lumineers – Ho Hey

Another tune that grabbed me.  The more I listened, the more I liked.  This song will be around for years, in movies, on TV, in commercials.  Instant classic.

Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

Iceland’s contribution to music this year, and a great video as well.

Alabama Shakes – Hold On

What a voice.

Caro Emerald – Back It Up

My favourite find of the year.  I am really digging this act.  Great voice, and different in a great way.

That’s a start, still have some more to pass on and will do so tomorrow.  Don’t want to destroy your attention span.

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My Favourite Songs of 2012

These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year.  It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning it’s move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs.  About time I’d say.  I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc.  The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.

I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1.  In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012.  I hope you enjoy.

Emm Gryner – Ciao Monday

I see great things from this Canadian singer-songwriter.  Love this version, recorded live at CBC.

Graffiti6 – Free

This song reached and grabbed me by the ears and shook me to a musical high.  Phenomenally written song, reaching one crescendo after another.

The Lumineers – Ho Hey

Another tune that grabbed me.  The more I listened, the more I liked.  This song will be around for years, in movies, on TV, in commercials.  Instant classic.

Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

Iceland’s contribution to music this year, and a great video as well.

Alabama Shakes – Hold On

What a voice.

Caro Emerald – Back It Up

My favourite find of the year.  I am really digging this act.  Great voice, and different in a great way.

That’s a start, still have some more to pass on and will do so tomorrow.  Don’t want to destroy your attention span.

 

Remembering Pete Cosey

Miles Davis
Miles Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012.  He was 68.  He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others.  In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975.  When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record.  He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta.  Check out the clips I have included.  The guy was amazing.

Pete Cosey Jamming

Calypso Frelimo

Remembering Doc Watson

 

English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old...
English: From Flickr: Doc Watson, 86 years old, plays to the crowd at another fantastic Sugar Grove Music Fest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

May 29 was a very sad day for me.  Doc Watson passed away.  What a player!!  Nothing to say, just listen.

 

Deep River Blues

 

 

 

Windy and Warm

 

 

 

Sitting On Top Of The World

 

 

 

What a talent, and a connection to the old blues and folk singers of the 20’s, 30’s and beyond.  Greatly missed.

 

Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

Am I Blue

A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

 

Song Of The Day – Remembering Carrie Smith

 

 

English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Fr...
English: Jazz Singer Carrie Smith in France Français : La chanteuse de Jazz Carrie Smith à Bagneux (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Carrie Smith, a terrific jazz and blues singer was taken from the world of music on May 20.  She was 86.  Her career spanned 50 years and she was still recording as recently as 2002.  In this period she recorded at least 13 albums and appeared with many contemporaries.  Here is a terrific example of her style.

 

Am I Blue

 

 

 

A second song.  This one shows the depth of her classic blues voice.  A terrific band as well.  And check out the tap dancing.

 

 

Song Of The Day – Remembering Donald “Duck” Dunn

 

Photo of musician Donald "Duck" Dunn
Photo of musician Donald “Duck” Dunn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just a quick note to acknowledge the passing of a great one, Donald “Duck” Dunn, on May 13.  A member of Booker T & the MG’s, he replaced the original bassist, he is forever connected to Green Onions, even though he was not on the original recording.

He was also notable as a session player for Stax Records, which means he is on about 50 zillion songs recorded there.  He also performed with a multitude of bands, such as CCR, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Levon Helm, Bob Dylan and the list goes on and on.    He was also the pipe smoking, wild hair bass player in the Blues Brothers.

Let’s Explore The Blues – Georgia Tom

Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Son...
Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Georgia Tom, (Thomas Dorsey) is considered by many to be the father of black gospel music.  He was born in Villa Rica, Georgia in 1899, living to the ripe old age of 93, passing away in 1993.  His early career was spent with such famous blues men as Tampa Red.  Later in his career, he turned to gospel, writing many current standards.  These include “Peace In The Valley” (recorded by Mahalia Jackson) and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand“.  His songs have  been recorded by a veritable who’s who of the music world.  think, Elvis Presley, think Aretha Franklin, even Roy Rogers.  Now to some music.

First up is a blues number sung by the man himself.

Maybe It’s The Blues

This next one is a recording of Mahalia Jackson.

Peace In The Valley

Here is Elvis singing Precious Lord

As a final treat, we have Thomas Dorsey discussing gospel music  and the story behind Precious Lord.  Great stuff.

Song Of The Day – Remembering Michael Burks

Cover of "Iron Man"
Cover of Iron Man

Blues-man Michael Burks passed away on May 6, after having a heart attack. He was 54. If you love the blues (like I do), then you will really like what Michael had to offer. He recorded 4 albums between 1999 and 2008, with “Iron Man” reaching number 4 on the Billboard Blues Chart. I have attached a couple of videos in memorial.

Michael Burks – Home

Michael Burks – Last FM

“Empty Promises”

Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue – Michael Burks – Cadillac Assembly Line

Trivia Question of the Day

Who did (and wrote) the first recording of Aretha Franklin’s classic “Respect”?

The last Question answered

Q: What was the first album released on CD?

A: ABBA – The Visitors in 1981

Song Of The Day – Sly and The Family Stone – “If You Want Me To Stay”

The Original Family Stone live, 2006. Jerry Ma...
The Original Family Stone live, 2006. Jerry Martini, Rose Stone, and Cynthia Robinson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cleaning out my tags on Shazam and came across this one. Sly and The Family Stone is one great band with a super bass player.

If You Want Me To Stay

Trivia Question of the Day

Who was the first British musician to have a #1 single in the USA.

The last Question answered

Q. Who was the first African-American recording artist?

A: Willie “The Lion” Smith. He played piano on Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” in 1920