Back in May, I asked you what sort of music you’d recommend to me. (I wasn’t picky about style or era, just not wanting bigoted lyrics – still would like to hear your recs!) Several of you kindly put forward your suggestions. Thusly, I am launching Music Monday, which will not run every Monday, and wherein one and all can groove away happily!
Or moodily and gloriously, as the case may be with our inaugural artist, Fiona Apple. I am not sure how I managed to not hear of her earlier, because she is particularly talented, but apparently I did not. Let’s kick things off with “Criminal”, one of her biggest hits and an clip that will have you asking what the pancake? (If you click on it it’ll take you through, because they don’t allow embedding on her vids.)
The lyrics are through there. If you can’t access the video, it goes something like this: Camera. Fluffy toy. Bathtub. Closet. Floor. Television. Car. Fruit. … that’s about it. And she’s a talented lyricist. ‘And I’m bettin’ high so I’m begging you’ really struck me for some reason.
Here’s “Paper Bag”, which is probably my favourite of hers. There’s a red dress, and some nice dancing, and although the resolution isn’t great quality, I find this absorbing.
Lyrics here. Aren’t you utterly charmed?
And here’s one for the Beatles fans, a cover of “Across the Universe”. In which people trash a diner and Ms Apple defies gravity.
Lyrics here. I feel all smiley whenever I watch that.
I’m not very good at music recommendations, but if you don’t already know it, Man Overboard by Do Re Mi is one of my long time favourites. Warnings Moving Clockwise is disturbingly still relevant 25yrs later too.
Yeah, Fiona Apple has always been my favorite female singer and it was pretty weird to have to hold on to that position of ‘favorite’ given how long it was between her lastest album and her second. What was it, like 5 years or something?
Meanwhile, if I were to put out another great female singer, it would be Madeleine Peyroux, who is noted for sounding a lot like Billie Holiday. Heckuva nice range, and great jazz interpretations. A nice, modern touch for those classic jazzy moments.
I shall check ‘em out, Ariane; thank you.
Oh, I’m a great fan of Billie Holiday, so I’ll have to give Madeleine Peyroux a try. Cheers.
I reckon you might like Sarah Blasko – I haven’t heard much of her latest album but I assume it’s good. Amy Mann is also well worth checking out. And I’ve been having a little Suzanne Vega revival here, she’s great.
Thanks, Spilt Milk!
Spilt Milk, guess what, guess what?! I have FRONT ROW TIX to praise the nostril hairs of the divine goddess Aimee!! Next month! I am so so happy! Also Liz Phair still makes me smile, even after all this time. And for kinda cutesome but, well, kinda cutesome & SWEDISH, Miss Li! And did I mention Camille? For the Frenchy a capella amazingness. (I saw her live earlier this year, and was bllloooown away). :-)