“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)

“Orinoco Flow” by Enya (1988)

They say music soothes the savage breast (and it is “breast,” not “beast”). And I agree, that’s one of my few convictions. And I walk that talk. I use music to soothe my savage breast all the time.

There is a LOT of music out there to help you get centered. For a brief but intense time, Enya’s music really helped me out. During the “first” Gulf “War,” Enya’s music gave me some respite. Surrounded by patriotic anthems and pounding rock/country/metal incitements to violence and mindless jingoism, I could retreat to my little compact disc player, and spin some Enya.

Enya’s Celtic and classical pop is truly beautiful. Layers and layers of vocals and strings surround terrific melodies.

If you ever need to soothe something savage, check out Enya.

“Evangeline” by Los Lobos (1984)

Sometimes narrowly defined as a “Chicano rock” band, Los Lobos was amazingly diverse, merging many different styles of music into their own wonderful sound. I hope you get to hear their records in their entirety, including the record from which this track comes, “Will the Wolf Survive?” These gents are fine musicians, and obviously very passionate about their music.

We’re lucky in California to have so many vibrant cultures, and to have people who are so receptive to other ways of life and of expression. It’s a shame that some people close their minds to so-called “ethnic” things, whether it’s music or food or languages or whatever seems different.

As far as I’m concerned, Los Lobos is one kick-ass American band.

With “Evangeline” you can hear how Los Lobos can rock with the best of ‘em. Now check out how well they play traditional instruments and folk tunes from Mexico, courtesy of an appearance on Sesame Street:

“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.

“The Foggy Dew” performed by The Chieftains and Sinead O’Connor

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I told you about your Irish blood, right?  Besides the great music and literature, and the knack for telling a good yarn, you have to respect the Irish for their tenacity and independent spirit.  Ireland has suffered many invasions and occupations in history, but always they survive.

“Ah, back through the glen I rode again and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I’d kneel and pray for you,
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, When you fell in the foggy dew.”

Never ever underestimate an Irishman (or woman).

“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.

“Scatterlings of Africa” by Juluka (1982)

Juluka was one of the first “world music” bands that I listened to.  I absolutely love how they incorporate south African music and rhythms into a western pop framework.  The music is great, and the lyrics will teach you a lot about what it was like to live in South Africa.

The two main members of Juluka, Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu, were good friends who started the band in South Africa during apartheid.  Mchunu is Zulu, Clegg is white, and the band was quite controversial in South Africa.  Reportedly, band members were jailed and beaten by South African authorities for their diversity, as well as for their lyrics, which were often critical of apartheid and their government.

But their music got out, and they had a decent hit with this track, especially in Europe.  Their music certainly opened my eyes to a region I didn’t know much about, and for that I’m eternally grateful to them.

Music can be a big window to the world, if you look in the right places.

“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues (with Kirsty MacColl) (1988)

Merry Christmas 2008, sweetheart.  You are six, you are excited, and I’m feeling a little guilty about lying to you about Santa Claus all these years.  Forgive me?

Remember me telling you about your wee bit of Irish blood?  The Pogues were a terrific Irish-punk band back in the day.  Maybe you’ll find some of their music resonates with you, as I have.

I hope all of your Christmases are full of joy and love and compassion.  But I also understand that most people have had rough holidays.  Some people have had nothing BUT rough holidays, or rough days in general.  I’ve been lucky, but still I remember many Christmas days alone and deployed overseas, or working the night shift to earn some extra money, or just being pretty damned depressed about something in my life.

We all have them.  Don’t let the marketing folks convince you that you aren’t “normal” if your holiday isn’t as fabulous as their advertising images.  If you find yourself in a funk, just get through it, and move into the next year resolved to shake things up, to move your life forward.

If you need a buddy to help you through it, to remind you that most of the world is feeling just as crappy as you?  Well, invite The Pogues and their “Fairytale of New York” into your home for a visit.

“It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank…”

“Under African Skies” by Paul Simon (with Linda Ronstadt) (1986)

Paul Simon was pretty much a living legend as a singer/songwriter when he laid the album “Graceland” on the world.  He took a big chance, flying to South Africa to play with black musicians in a place where there was still a policy of racial segregation, called apartheid.

He also took a big chance musically, because while much of our popular music is heavily influenced by WEST Africa, music from southern Africa was another story.  The musical phrasing is different, as well as the structure of their songs, along, probably, with many other things that I’m not savvy enough to recognize.  So Mr. Simon had to really adapt this project to the needs of the music, which he did splendidly.

What emerged was a near-perfect record, in my opinion.  There is energy, joy, understanding, and compassion in every track.  I particularly like this one, with Linda Ronstadt lending her buttercreme voice on the harmony.

Man.  That’s good music!