"Chicago (Acoustic Version)," Sufjan Stevens

Song: "Chicago (Acoustic Version)"
Album: The Avalanche - Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album
Artist: Sufjan Stevens

I was first introduced to Sufjan Stevens on the PBS show Austin City Limits. I was captivated by the sheer number of musicians on stage (15), their elaborate costumes, and the immensely creative song writing. I was not surprised to find that there are five versions of this song: Original, Acoustic, To String Remix, Adult Contemporary, Multiple Personality Disorder.

Watch Sufjan Stevens on Austin City Limits

"Blissfully Up," Bauer

Song: "Blissfully Up"
Album: The Bauer Melody of 2006
Artist: Bauer

I was introduced to Bauer on Fabchannel. I was mesmerized by their amazing concert in Amsterdam with the Metropole Orchestra. What a beautiful, creative event.



This group is the Dutch duo Bauer, easily confused with the Myspace Bauer which has an EP and a song called Connected. Sadly, U.S. iTunes doesn't carry "Blissfully Up," but the Dutch iTunes does. I can recommend Bouillabaise of Brilliance though.

"How Lucky We Are," Meiko

Song: "How Lucky We Are"
Album: Meiko
Artist: meiko

I'm a fan of this down-to-earth, girl-next-door style. When a song can stand on it's melody alone, it's a winner. She could do a Suzanne Vega style a capella version of this and it would sound great. Meiko has mastered the inflections of hotness, but this does not obscure the underlying beauty of her voice. This song conjures a vision of coffee in the kitchen and a voice so beautiful that I don't want to speak, just listen to her talk about how lucky we are.

"One day we'll turn on the TV and we won't see nothing 'bout war."

Amen.

"I've Got My Mojo Working," Muddy Waters

Song: "I've Got My Mojo Working"
Album: Muddy Waters At Newport 1960
Artist: Muddy Waters

There's nothing like Muddy Waters live. The man had wicked mojo on stage that comes through in this classic recording. There are two versions of this song on the album. I like the second one (song 8, 2:56). The band did two takes of the song back to back because the crowd loved it. Check out the scream at around 1:50 into the song. In the clip you can see what produced the scream-- Muddy starts dancing with a man on stage (5:43). This take is looser-- more the way I imagine Muddy would have done it on Maxwell Street in Chicago or in a delta juke joint.

Both takes are included in this priceless youtube clip. Check out how much fun the crowd is having, and how much fun Muddy is having performing.

Otis Span on piano, James Cotton on harmonica, Pat Hare on guitar, Francis Clay on drums, Andrew Stevenson on Bass.

The Real First Post

I've been back dating posts on this blog so that there's something to read when it launches. As of this post, I've recommended 8 songs. To accomplish the back dating, I sort my songs in iTunes according to "Date Added" and look for what I was into on a given date. It's been a very enjoyable experience going back and re-living my initial excitement for new music. The date and time of this post, and those after it, are real.

I've become an iTunes Affiliate, so many of the links to songs, artists and albums at the top of posts will open iTunes. I earn something like $.05 for each song you buy from linking through here. Woo Hoo, I'm going to be rich! Nah, if this pays for my coffee I'll be happy.

RIP Ray McGinnis

I like to keep this blog on the subject of music and so I'm noting the passing of one of my most profound musical influences, Ray McGinnis. Ray was a Breckenridge fixture for nearly 50 years and surveyed most of Summit County, including the ski areas in the area. But, he was also a Jazz drummer. He traveled with a band called the Eric Lawrence Trio in the 1960's, which brought him to Aspen and later to Breckenridge. Being around Ray as a young kid gave me an early exposure to Jazz and helped form my musical life. Ray will be missed.