Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Give us some dance Rules!
Happy, happy, happy are the three words that pop up when I listen to this album.
It's taking over underground clubs, punkrock venues, record stores and your living room. We can't ignore it any longer: Disco is back and you might wanna ..1,2,3,4. 1,2,3, clap, clap. After Daft Punk, Hot Chip and Hercules and the Love Affair last years' hits, we have some 2009 skinny Berlin white boys telling us to dance. Clap, clap.
Listen to the newest The Whitest Boy Alive album Rules!
And go to one of their concerts if you happen to be in Europe in April!
Some rays in dark times.
Even though I've been enjoying the cozy feeling of the South American summer, I keep thinking of my friends and family who start getting annoyed by months of snow, rain and extreme low temperatures.
This is to cheer you up!
Originally from Cameroon Blink Bassy has a touch of South American due to his choice of instruments, his amazing voice and soft bossa nova rythms.
His first solo album, which was partially produced in Salif Keita’s studio in Bamako (Mali), was released recently. Léman can be heard on the Luisterpaal this week.
Léman.
On his myspace Blick Bassy explains: “Léman means ‘mirror’. For me a mirror is a reflection of what we are. You cannot lie in front of the mirror. You can also see behind you in a mirror. Léman is about my past, really, and about being African. I see the problems that Africa suffers from and cannot do anything. It’s one of the reasons why I sing in my own language, Bassa*, which is one of the 260 Cameroonian languages that fewer and fewer children know how to speak. With that, cultures and traditions are lost forever. The song ‘Africa’ talks about these issues and is maybe the key song of the album. The same song also talks about the richness of Africa. You can only see all that when you take a little distance. Now that I live in Europe, I see clearly where I’m coming from.”
* The word ‘bassa’ means ‘people from the earth'.
This is to cheer you up!
Originally from Cameroon Blink Bassy has a touch of South American due to his choice of instruments, his amazing voice and soft bossa nova rythms.
His first solo album, which was partially produced in Salif Keita’s studio in Bamako (Mali), was released recently. Léman can be heard on the Luisterpaal this week.
Léman.
On his myspace Blick Bassy explains: “Léman means ‘mirror’. For me a mirror is a reflection of what we are. You cannot lie in front of the mirror. You can also see behind you in a mirror. Léman is about my past, really, and about being African. I see the problems that Africa suffers from and cannot do anything. It’s one of the reasons why I sing in my own language, Bassa*, which is one of the 260 Cameroonian languages that fewer and fewer children know how to speak. With that, cultures and traditions are lost forever. The song ‘Africa’ talks about these issues and is maybe the key song of the album. The same song also talks about the richness of Africa. You can only see all that when you take a little distance. Now that I live in Europe, I see clearly where I’m coming from.”* The word ‘bassa’ means ‘people from the earth'.
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Beautiful Mine
I was just listening to RJD2's theme song of the award winning drama series Mad Men
(written by Matthew Weiner of The Sopranes) and now I'm addicted.
Shame on you, Ramble John Krohn!
(written by Matthew Weiner of The Sopranes) and now I'm addicted.
Shame on you, Ramble John Krohn!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Italian Love
This turns out to be an Italian themed week. Quarterlife crisis seems provoke constant talking about emotions, character features and the past. Who am I? Why am I like this? Why do I react like this? Etc. After chatting with my friend Steve, who was my first sweetheart, I realized that Italian love apparently is a different kind of caring. This population seems to have some devious definitions with regard to loving. Devious to other people maybe, because in my humble opinion feeding is the most powerful and logical way to show someone you love him or her. What's weird about that?
According to Steve however, if you've ever been in a relationship or had a fling with an Italian woman, this should sound familiar to you...
Italian Girls by John Gorka
I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
If I had moved less awkwardly
They might have had their way with me
The longer names, the darker hair
They made me weak, they made me stare
I couldn't say a word to them
Their figures so full of vitamins
I wasn't cool, I wasn't bad
I was the only one I ever had
And they posessed the world's delights
Espresso mornings, lasagna nights
(Chorus)
Oh, the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world
They were strong and they were proud
Some were sweet and some were loud
They'd fill me up with what they'd cook
And put me down with just one look
I followed them through summertime
I made them laugh, I made them rhymes
But they left me there for other ones
Who had the dough when day was done
Just one thing keep me free
They were not in love with me
Now they've married and gained some weight
But that weight I appreciate
For it's the work of all those meals
And what you eat is what you feel
(Chorus)
For the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world
I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
But passion dies and fades away
Or lives to fight another day
According to Steve however, if you've ever been in a relationship or had a fling with an Italian woman, this should sound familiar to you...
Italian Girls by John Gorka
I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
If I had moved less awkwardly
They might have had their way with me
The longer names, the darker hair
They made me weak, they made me stare
I couldn't say a word to them
Their figures so full of vitamins
I wasn't cool, I wasn't bad
I was the only one I ever had
And they posessed the world's delights
Espresso mornings, lasagna nights
(Chorus)
Oh, the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world
They were strong and they were proud
Some were sweet and some were loud
They'd fill me up with what they'd cook
And put me down with just one look
I followed them through summertime
I made them laugh, I made them rhymes
But they left me there for other ones
Who had the dough when day was done
Just one thing keep me free
They were not in love with me
Now they've married and gained some weight
But that weight I appreciate
For it's the work of all those meals
And what you eat is what you feel
(Chorus)
For the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world
I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
But passion dies and fades away
Or lives to fight another day
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mini Mal My Ass: Dance is Back!
Photographer: Ryota MoriIt took a while, but it's good to have them back! No less than 12 years after their last aggregate release, my all-time dance favorite The Prodigy produced an album full of new songs, which was released 3 days ago.
As promised by the three West-Londoners, Invaders Must Die stays faithful to their original sound and fans, but adds some extra noise features to please contemporary expectations. As for the titeltrack, it's obviously a product of the old masters, but in a positive, psychedelic way. While emphasizing their former qualities, The Prodigy introduces some gained introspective views in the song. With genres mingling like f.i. the Ed Bangers have shown us, some tracks wouldn't suit ill between a large amount of techno-ish productions. The up tempo Run with Wolves, a collaboration with FF's Dave Grohl, could have easily been the product of a younger rave generation. A live version of Warriors Dance brought back some memories of old skool drum 'n bass/jungle parties, due to the beats and the high pitched female voice samples. Video's until now have been a bit disappointing, but the Omen girl has opened the gate to some appropriate freakishness.
After having set my eyes on the energy on stage as well as the crowds enthusiasm, I can only conclude that they did a swell job. Listing to the record made me feel like being temporary back in High School again, but the changes in style gratify my needs to keep the tracks fresh, sharp and interesting. We wouldn't want the band to change too much, would we? They're the Prodigy and they're back!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Italian Music for Dummies Part 1: Female Singers
After having spends tons of words on international, contemporary music, I'd like to represent my roots by introducing some of my all-time favorite, Italian female singers. Just remember that the words are of secondary importance. They're minor details in this musical journey. So just follow the links, sit back and enjoy some old as well as new Italian tunes.....
The new generation of powerful, female singers kicked off just before the sixties, when Mina came in the picture. Being the first Italian female rocker her performance caused a lot of consternation. The genre was new and so were the women that belonged to it. This was enforced my her attitude, outfits and last, but not least, her pregnancy with a famous married actor, which caused a ban on public television. While one part of Italy was trying to keep the singer from performing, the other half loved her controversial behavior and lyrics. After releasing ambiguous songs with a hidden meaning like the groovy Sacumdì Sacumdà, where the Devil himself tries to woo her (listen to the second part for the Italian version of a famous Burt Bacharach song) and the naughty Ta-ra-ta-ta ('With you can smoke you pipe, whenever you want"), when smoking men were still sexy and even pasta commercials were sensual, she conquered the next generation. Sono come tu mi vuoi reminds me of the first James Bond movies and is one of the best representations of her amazing voice. Just before she stopped performing in the seventies and started focusing on producing albums, she introduced the nuevo tango in Italy with Astor Piazzolas Balada para mi Muerte.
Beautiful Mina was the introduction to a whole new genre, but it was sparkling, slightly boyish Rita Pavone (promoting before Paradis did), who drove the
really young Italians crazy.
The teenager, who became a star straight away after winning a television-talent show in 1962, shaking her tiny ass and flexible legs with childish enthusiasm. Even though many might not have heard of her, she was a internationally known due to her collaborations with famous American singers and composers like Mister Sinatra, Diana 'Supreme' Ross, Paul Anka, Duke Ellington and princess of jazz Ella Fitzgerald. A year after her breakthrough she released my all time favorite Il Ballo del Mattone. In this song the now 18 year old comforted her boyfriend by telling him that he shouldn't be jealous when seeing her dance the Twist or Rock 'n Roll with other men, she promised to keep this dance especially for him. Though I must admit that Che m'importa del Mondo makes me feel 13 and madly in love again....
Nobody would have guessed that Patty Pravo, when she was still Nicoletta Strambelli, a 15-year old run-away, would turn out to be one of Italy's most famous singers and host of her own show Bravo-Pravo!. During her success in Rome night club 'Piper', she made her first single Ragazzo Triste, the Italian version of a Sonny & Cher song. The star made 26 records between 1968 and 2007, participated seven times in the San Remo Music Festival and had numerous no. 1 hits, but my favorite will always be La Bambola.
The seventies brought the Italians Mia Martini. Her Minuetto tells
the story of a young woman,a chainless slave of love, that desperately waits for the man she loves, who in his turn is an egoist and doesn't care about her at all. A song that became internationally famous was the sing-a-long track Piccolo uomo, due to its translation in seven languages. One of most romantic nineties songs, well beyond the border of cheesiness, is Almeno tu nell'universo, which was covered by several well-known singers like Mina, Elisa and Emma Bunton. After having released almost 20 albums, she was found dead in her apartment in 1995.
Except for Martini, all of these women are still producing and singing..... and being good Italians, they look exactly like they did 40 years ago. A good example is Pavone's E dimmi che non vuoi morire (2001).
Finally I'd like introduce Carmen Consoli to all of you English-lyrics-focussed-fake-music-freaks who missed out her songs that have been released since the nineties. The Sicilian singer-songwriter, lovingly nicknamed 'Cantantessa' ( a combination between the Italian word for 'singer' and '-essa', which is normally added to create a female of a word), stole the hearts of millions' of viewers of the famous San Remo. Although she didn't win the first prize, every album, 10 until now, has had a major success not only within the country, but over the borders as well. Amongst my favorite songs are the powerful and sad La dolce attesa, sweet Parole di Burro and emotional Tutto su Eva (or the original video).
The new generation of powerful, female singers kicked off just before the sixties, when Mina came in the picture. Being the first Italian female rocker her performance caused a lot of consternation. The genre was new and so were the women that belonged to it. This was enforced my her attitude, outfits and last, but not least, her pregnancy with a famous married actor, which caused a ban on public television. While one part of Italy was trying to keep the singer from performing, the other half loved her controversial behavior and lyrics. After releasing ambiguous songs with a hidden meaning like the groovy Sacumdì Sacumdà, where the Devil himself tries to woo her (listen to the second part for the Italian version of a famous Burt Bacharach song) and the naughty Ta-ra-ta-ta ('With you can smoke you pipe, whenever you want"), when smoking men were still sexy and even pasta commercials were sensual, she conquered the next generation. Sono come tu mi vuoi reminds me of the first James Bond movies and is one of the best representations of her amazing voice. Just before she stopped performing in the seventies and started focusing on producing albums, she introduced the nuevo tango in Italy with Astor Piazzolas Balada para mi Muerte.Beautiful Mina was the introduction to a whole new genre, but it was sparkling, slightly boyish Rita Pavone (promoting before Paradis did), who drove the
really young Italians crazy.The teenager, who became a star straight away after winning a television-talent show in 1962, shaking her tiny ass and flexible legs with childish enthusiasm. Even though many might not have heard of her, she was a internationally known due to her collaborations with famous American singers and composers like Mister Sinatra, Diana 'Supreme' Ross, Paul Anka, Duke Ellington and princess of jazz Ella Fitzgerald. A year after her breakthrough she released my all time favorite Il Ballo del Mattone. In this song the now 18 year old comforted her boyfriend by telling him that he shouldn't be jealous when seeing her dance the Twist or Rock 'n Roll with other men, she promised to keep this dance especially for him. Though I must admit that Che m'importa del Mondo makes me feel 13 and madly in love again....
Nobody would have guessed that Patty Pravo, when she was still Nicoletta Strambelli, a 15-year old run-away, would turn out to be one of Italy's most famous singers and host of her own show Bravo-Pravo!. During her success in Rome night club 'Piper', she made her first single Ragazzo Triste, the Italian version of a Sonny & Cher song. The star made 26 records between 1968 and 2007, participated seven times in the San Remo Music Festival and had numerous no. 1 hits, but my favorite will always be La Bambola.The seventies brought the Italians Mia Martini. Her Minuetto tells
the story of a young woman,a chainless slave of love, that desperately waits for the man she loves, who in his turn is an egoist and doesn't care about her at all. A song that became internationally famous was the sing-a-long track Piccolo uomo, due to its translation in seven languages. One of most romantic nineties songs, well beyond the border of cheesiness, is Almeno tu nell'universo, which was covered by several well-known singers like Mina, Elisa and Emma Bunton. After having released almost 20 albums, she was found dead in her apartment in 1995.
Except for Martini, all of these women are still producing and singing..... and being good Italians, they look exactly like they did 40 years ago. A good example is Pavone's E dimmi che non vuoi morire (2001).
Finally I'd like introduce Carmen Consoli to all of you English-lyrics-focussed-fake-music-freaks who missed out her songs that have been released since the nineties. The Sicilian singer-songwriter, lovingly nicknamed 'Cantantessa' ( a combination between the Italian word for 'singer' and '-essa', which is normally added to create a female of a word), stole the hearts of millions' of viewers of the famous San Remo. Although she didn't win the first prize, every album, 10 until now, has had a major success not only within the country, but over the borders as well. Amongst my favorite songs are the powerful and sad La dolce attesa, sweet Parole di Burro and emotional Tutto su Eva (or the original video).
Grazie, papa!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
