Music – Page 6 – Is It Possible To See It All

Random Songs From My Phone – Duffy – “Serious”

I had a serious infatuation with Duffy’s voice back about 4 or 5 years ago. Her debut album “Rockferry” is one of those stunning debut records that show incredible potential. She came on the scene with an entire bevy of English female singer songwriters that quickly took over the airwaves. Think Amy Winehouse and Adele. In many ways, Duffy was the Animals to the others Beatles and Stones. Very good, but not at the top of the heap. Unfortunately, she lost me with the release of her second album in 2010 called “Endlessly”. Still, Rockferry will be an enduring classic and should be in your collection. songs such as this “Serious” will likely be timeless and enduring.

Song Of The Day – Dido – No Freedom

Dido has carved out a very nice career since breaking into the scene in the mid 90’s. Since 1999, she has released 4 albums, 19 singles and an EP. The one song that I always remember is “Thank You”. The song here, No Freedom, released off her March 4, 2103 album, “Girl Who Got Away” is reminiscent in places of Thank You. Personally, I was surprised that 4 albums is all she has given us, seems like more. Her style is soothing and eclectic all at once, veering from pop to electronica. Good singer and a pretty good song.

Dido Home Page

Dido on iTunes

Dido on Amazon

Song Of The Day – Joel Plaskett – Deny Deny Deny

Three (Joel Plaskett album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today we have another tune from a regular contributor to the series, Joel Plaskett Emergency. The song is a great sing along called Deny Deny Deny. Joel is a great good time music maker in the great Maritime Canadian tradition. You can hear the Celtic undertones and almost expect a fiddle and an accordion to pop in any second. The tune is performed live somewhere in Halifax.

Song Of The Day – The Wilderness of Manitoba – A Year In Its Passing

Break is over, and boy, do I have a lot of tunes to share. Shazam has been really busy with me lately, and there is one h e double hockey sticks worth of good stuff out now.

Wilderness of Manitoba WFUV Concert (Photo credit: wfuv)

Today’s tune is by a band (whose name is almost impossible to figure out if it is the song name or the band name) called The Wilderness of Manitoba. Strangely enough, they are not from Manitoba, but are actually from Toronto. They are described as a chamber-folk group, which is apt as you listen to the song. They have some very rich harmonies, accented by pretty much every string instrument known to man. All in, very complex and quite pleasing to the ear. Some will like this, some will not.

The Wilderness of Manitoba Home Page

The Wilderness of Manitoba on iTunes

The Wilderness of Manitoba on Amazon

The Wilderness of Manitoba on CBC

Random Songs From My Phone – Comin’ Home Baby – Michael Buble

As if to prove I truly use the shuffle function, up comes a Michael Buble tune that, although nice, is not anywhere near the top of my musical food chain. Typically, I’ll hit next when one of his songs comes up in the queue. Not this time though. Michael Buble is a huge world-wide superstar, a Canadian crooner at the top of his craft. He sells out anything and anywhere. His style is a throwback, a scotch drinking smoker with a crazy sense of humour, and, of course, a great singing voice. This tune, “Comin’ Home Baby, is from his “Call Me Irresponsible” album and is a duet with Boyz II Men. The song is a jazz tune from 1961, originally done by the Donald Bailey Quartet, later recorded and turned into a hit by Mel Torme. Many artists have covered it, including Herbie Mann, David Sanborn and Quincy Jones.

Enjoy, and let’s hope the shuffle God is kinder next time.

Song Of The Day – Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up

Today’s song of the day is a nice tune from Ben Howard, an English singer-songwriter. The song, “Keep Your Head Up” was released as a single in 2011, but was on his 2008 début album, “Games In The Dark”, and on his 2011 record “Every Kingdom”. The song starts out fairly slowly but picks up power as it continues, then moves into a great chorus. Good tune.

Ben Howard Home

Ben Howard on iTunes

Ben Howard on Amazon

Interesting Covers – “I’m A Believer”

I’m A Believer is a song penned by Neil Diamond and made a forever signature classic by The Monkees way back in 1966. The song went gold in 2 days, hitting number 1 in December 1966 and was the biggest selling single of 1967. It is also one of only 40 songs to sell 10 million physical copies (source:Wikipedia). Amazing numbers for so long ago. Needless to say that success bred many attempts at duplication, of which I will note four. Don’t forget to vote for the one you like best.

First we have British singer Robert Wyatt who made it a UK hit in 1974. The band he was with had some power with Andy Summers (Police) on guitar and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) on drums. The video is a live performance on Tops Of The Pops and was his first appearance after an accident left him a paraplegic.

Robert Wyatt

Next up we have my favourite version by Smash Mouth. Why you say? Simple, Shrek is one of my all time favourite movies. Eddie Murphy is also featured on the tune, recorded in 2001.

Smash Mouth

Third, we have the man, Neil Diamond. he sings his song live in 2008. Nicely done Neil.

Neil Diamond

And last, the original.

The Monkees

Song Of The Day – John Mayer – Wildfire

The oft maligned John Mayer enters my Song of the Day series, yet again. I say maligned as more often than not he is dismissed as nothing more than a pop artists. I tend to disagree. I find him a superior writer of songs, some pop, some a lot more than that, such as this tune, “Wildfire”. In this tune he once again proves that he can write and do a great catchy song and showcase something else that people tend to miss. As a guitar player, there are few performing today that are as good as he is. He is a terrific player, up there with many of the recognized greats. In the video, he really cuts loose at the 3:20 mark. All in all, this song rates an A+ in my books. Hope you enjoy.

Song Of The Day – Serena Ryder – For You

Heard this on CBC2 today during an interview she was doing and had to post it. Serena Ryder is the next big thing. The vocals on this are amazing, almost Adele, yet different, kind of like Aretha, yet different, and a dash of Amy Winehouse. This is the exact performance I heard. Sit back and enjoy “For You”. Oh, and get the album “Harmony”, you will not regret it.

Serena Ryder on iTunes

Serena Ryder on Amazon

Serena Ryder on CBC Music

Song Of The Day – Eric Clapton – Gotta Get Over

New Music from Eric Clapton, with a bonus, Chaka Khan. Slowhand has a new album out, “Old Sock” and this tune, “Gotta Get Over” is off it. Best song I’ve heard from him in a while, and nice to see some new music as well.

Old Sock on iTunes

Old Sock on Amazon

Tag: Music

Random Songs From My Phone – Duffy – “Serious”

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Song Of The Day – Dido – No Freedom

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Song Of The Day – Joel Plaskett – Deny Deny Deny

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Song Of The Day – The Wilderness of Manitoba – A Year In Its Passing

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Random Songs From My Phone – Comin’ Home Baby – Michael Buble

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Song Of The Day – Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up

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