‘Music’ Archives
Worship Songs
Great post over on the First Things blog by Jeremy Pierce, in which he examines the elements of a bad worship song. It's tongue-in-cheek, of course, as his point relates to how these songs are often biblically based. For my part, I loathe just about every single praise and worship tune I hear. It's all saccharine: sweet and tasty, but the [...]
Some Tom Jones I Can Stand Behind
What Good Am I by Tom Jones by seaninsound "What Good Am I?" is from Dylan's 1989 release Oh Mercy. Jones recorded the song for his upcoming album Praise and Blame. What really impresses me here: Jones seems to understand that the song requires a certain voice, and he nails the phrasing. Dylan's songs -- and everything composed with the [...]
Why Christmas in the Heart Works
Add my name to the list of those initially skeptical about a Bob Dylan Christmas album. Dylan's work over the past decade is masterful because of how it showcases his skill for lyricism in such a way that his trademark sandpaper-and-glue voice becomes an asset rather than a hindrance. The listener can identify with the aging bard as he looks back [...]
The Problem with Susan Boyle’s New Cover (and “Singers” in General)
Susan Boyle has released a new cover of the Rolling Stones classic "Wild Horses." See this link for the audio. Boyle certainly brings her beautiful voice to the song, and there is no denying her innate talent. She has one of the best voices I've ever heard, in terms of overall quality. That having been said, however, this song fails Susan [...]
The Closer I Get to the Big Day…
...the more this song runs through my head. And yes: this particular version, which stands as the beginning and end of my Japanese language ability. More later.
Posting More Soon…
...but to hold you over in the meantime, I bring you my favorite track off the new Dylan album, Together Through Life. Something about the accordion line on "If You Ever Go to Houston" that I can't get enough of. It was my constant inner-theme song last week. Enjoy. (And be sure to click on the "HQ" button.)
TTL: The First Major Review
A perfect 4 of 4. I've long considered Britain's Mojo to be the authoratative source for music reviews, and it's encouraging to see the experts give Together Through Life a thumbs-up. Read the review here. As for me, this only makes waiting for the 28th more difficult. In the meantime, be sure to head on over to bobdylan.com and listen to [...]
One Day Only…
...free download of "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" from bobdylan.com. What's absolutely amazing about this track? Not Dylan or the lyrics, as much as I like them, but the band. I'm not used to hearing bands cook like this on a studio track, where everything nowadays is so manufactured and overproduced. Great stuff, Bobby. Can't wait for the new [...]
Battlestar Galactica‘s Weird, Dylan Referencing Ending (No Spoilers)
Just before Starbuck commits to the action leading to the ultimate climax of the series, Starbuck mutters aloud, "There must be some kind of way out of here." I blinked. Nobody phrases it like that, except for Dylan. But why would Dylan appear so blatantly in a science fiction plot? I shrugged and kept watching. And sure enough, as the scene [...]
St. Patrick’s Day Spirit!
My favorite of all the Irish protest songs, "Come Out Ye Black and Tans": And then there's the brilliant "Arthur McBride" (1840), which I like to bring up in conversation when people get their panties in a bunch about how violent modern music is. The point is a valid one, but it's not like all ballads of old were about unicorns [...]
Coolest T-Shirt Ever? Indeed. Mad I Never Wear T-Shirts Anymore? You Bet.
Dylan riding next to Hendrix, as the wildcat did growl... For a biblical/spiritual explanation of "All Along the Watchtower" (posted previously), from one of our many great teachers around here:
This Guy? My Kinda Guy.
Not, of course, because he showboats. I strongly dislike showboaters. Nope. This guy has a solid sense of humor. Watch 'till the end to see what I mean.
IT’S CONFIRMED!
New Dylan album drops in April! Oh man. I haven't been this excited over something entertainment wise in a long, long while.
Two Judeo-Christian Songs Actually Entitled “Hallelujah,” Without Becoming Trite Pieces of Garbage
The first is a Jeff Buckley cover of the Leonard Cohen classic. Do forgive the scenes from The OC: this was the best I could do, and the song is too good not to post. Push play, open a new tab, and browse: The second selection is a cover of a Ryan Adams tune. Ryan is one of the best songwriters alive today, and just about [...]
And Now, Some John Hiatt…
"Ethylene" is one of those songs I've been listening to for the better part of ten years now, and it never gets old. Then again, the good tunes never do.
