“Beautiful Day” by U2 (2000)

It’s been about a month since my last post. I’ve been busy with a major career change, a pretty spectacular (but stressful) tremor, but I’m so sorry I’ve stopped talking to you here for so long. I’m hoping this new job will add years to my life, so maybe it’s a net gain overall.

I couldn’t possibly tell you how awesome I think U2 is in one day, let alone one brief internet fart. Maybe over time, as you grow older, I can share their music with you, and you can make up your own mind.

But in case that doesn’t happen, just know that I think U2 rocks. And they speak the truth. And I believe that they will be the first band to “win” the Nobel Peace Prize.

I’ve decided I’m going to focus on the positive for a while. For a change.

So here we go: I love the joy and the power of this track. The magnificent hope of a bright future for all of us. ALL OF US. This is an ideal that many of us (including your daddy) are willing to fight for.

It’s absolutely irresistible.

(Thanks to LazloLozlaenQro for the upload. Damn U2’s corporate suits for making their music so fucking difficult to share with the people!)

And don’t swear in public!

“I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash (1972)

If I were forced—say, at gunpoint—to name my top ten favorite songs of all time, this might be one of them. I absolutely adore the sound, the nimble reggae beat, and the Atlantic Records-esque soul vibe. But most of all, I dig the pure, unadulterated joy of this track. If this song doesn’t make you happy—at least for a moment—it’s time to see a professional.

Every once in a while you have some good fortune. Maybe it comes after a long period of drudgery, or regret, or poor health. Sometimes you get some great news that turns everything around. Or maybe it’s more subtle: one morning, you wake up and you feel a little bit better. And you want to celebrate.

It’s time for this track by Mr. Nash.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright
Sunshiny day!

(Thanks MicroNik95 for the YouTube upload with the great pics)

“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers (1972)

I’m not particularly religious. We’ll have that discussion later. But there’s nothing like a fantastic gospel act, like The Staple Singers. You can’t beat the energy, the power, and the promise of hope and glory that explodes forth from really good gospel music.

This track takes gospel and frames it with a terrific soul/funk/R&B vibe. Everything else is still there. Along with some sharp social commentary, if you can hear it (investigate “smilin’ faces” and “lying to the races,” for a start).

Whatever your religious inclinations, you can still benefit from the wonderful, positive beauty and groove of gospel music.

“Start Wearing Purple” by Gogol Bordello (1999)

Gogol Bordello’s music is energizing, fun, and always a pleasure to hear. Formed in New York by folks with roots in Eastern Europe, they play a rowdy blend of gypsy rock and roll. And they play it very, very enthusiastically, which is terrific. This is the kind of band you want to see live, at least once in your life.

Listen to this a few times and see if you don’t want to “Start Wearing Purple” yourself.

Beethoven performed by The Muppets

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is one of the greatest musical works ever created. I’m not even going to try to describe it to you, nor am I going to post some video fraction of dubious quality audio for you here. You simply have to make some time to sit back and really HEAR the Ninth. On a good quality sound system. Or, better yet, a live symphony. Maybe you and I will go someday to see the SF Symphony do it.

The final movement of the Ninth is the one most people recognize, and it’s usually referred to as the “Ode to Joy” (which actually comes from the “lyrics,” a poem written years before by Friedrich Schiller). It is extraordinary. Again, you have to hear it in the right context.

Or a seriously wrong context. Like this version from Jim Henson’s Muppets. Seriously wrong, but seriously funny. And seriously good, too!

“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder (1976)

Just because it’s time for more Stevie.

He wrote this song when his daughter was born. I’m wondering if every parent who has ever heard this song has, at one point, sang the words or hummed the melody to his/her new daughter.

I remember singing it to you, quietly, when you were tiny and bundled in a blanket that seemed to outweigh you.

Does the melody sound awfully familiar to you? It should.

“Singin’ in the Rain” performed by Gene Kelly (1952)

What’s not to like about this song? It’s got a great melody with a jaunty, swingin’ rhythm, and it’s all about being happy. And Mr. Kelly’s performance is just stellar. Watching this performance never fails to lift my spirits, no small feat considering the tonnage of said spirits at times.

I have deep respect and admiration for Gene Kelly. A dancer, singer, actor, writer, director, choreographer, labor leader (with the Writer’s Guild of America), and political activist, he was a giant in Hollywood. But most of all he gave a lot of joy to a lot of people on this planet through his works.

I hope you get a chance to see and appreciate his movies, such as this one and, definitely, “An American in Paris.”

And don’t forget to go play out in the rain once in a while!

“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (1966)

Many people identify The Beach Boys with the “California sound” of the 1960’s.  But to many musicians and fans, The Beach Boys, helmed by the great Brian Wilson, were much more than that.  Brian Wilson wrote extraordinary songs and used really inventive and cutting edge techniques in the recording studio to get his vision down.  The album “Pet Sounds,” from which this track comes, is considered one of the first “concept albums,” inspiring bands like The Who and The Beatles to do their own such records.

But even if one cannot recognize the genius of Brian Wilson, almost everyone can enjoy and appreciate the beautiful songs The Beach Boys gave to us.  This song is a perfect example.  The melody soars, the performance is earnest and pure, and you just can’t help humming along by the second verse.

“God only knows what I’d be without you.”

“Garota de Ipanema” performed by Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz, and Joao Gilberto (1963)

Better known as “The Girl From Ipanema” in the U.S., this music by Antonio Carlos Jobim has almost become the archetype of smooth bossa nova jazz pop.  This is probably the music my parents were listening to when courting each other, hanging out at cocktail parties and subtly swaying to the gentle groove.

Sweet, buttery goodness.  And very, very fattening.

Flight of the Conchords

Flight of the Conchords is basically two guys from New Zealand, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, who create and perform absolutely hilarious parodies of popular music.  Actually, I think their songs are more like tributes.  They have a show on HBO, and I’m guessing we will have the DVD’s in our library soon.  Their show has some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever seen on TV, but I may be biased since I like music so much.

They can nail just about any style of music, and their lyrics are clever, silly, and/or outrageous.  But they’re always funny.  And that is not easy to do.  A lot of musical comedy falls flat.  Flight of the Conchords (and their writers/musicians/arrangers/film crew) are incredibly talented.  Here are a few examples:

“Bowie’s in Space.”  Hopefully you’ve come to know David Bowie’s music.  If you have, you my dig this as much as I do:

“Sugalumps.”  A campy R&B romp, funnier still if you know how normally reserved the guys are in character:

“Foux de Fa Fa.”  Ah, oui, French pop c’est magnifique!

“Bret’s Angry Dance.”  The ’80’s were a simpler time, a time when people danced away their rage.  Cracks me up every time.