2012 BEST ROCK & POP JUKEBOX

 

‘Telstar’ by the Tornados topped Elvis on my 1962 list (as diplomacy trumped doom & gloom in the Cuban Missile Crisis): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuA-fqKCiAE

 

ROCK SINGLE

*Rolling Stones ‘Doom & Gloom.’ WARNING! Adult images. Stones have not got prettier in 50 years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DWiB7ZuLvI&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1DWiB7ZuLvI&has_verified=1

 

ROCK ALBUMS

* Killers ‘Battle Born.’ Mormons make music that matters: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/reviews/88868/The-Killers-Return-With-New-Album-Battle-Born-

* Joe Walsh ‘Analog Man. Uncle Barnstorm is back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEoWaP4skv8

 

REVENGE & MAKEUP SONGS

* Leonard Cohen ‘The Darkness.’ Cohen says: ‘Journalists were cruel…They accused me of playing just 3 chords, when I knew 5’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3qc2kEg-g

* Marcus Collins ‘7 Nation Army’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXqhHdFSn4Y

* Prince ‘Rock and Roll Love Affair’ [ala fLoyd’s ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Fun’]: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-prince-stays-slinky-in-rock-and-roll-love-affair-video-20121127,0,6489491.story

* Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa ‘I´ll Take Care of You’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bw1r0IbGaQ

 

LOVE SONGS MALE

* Paul McCartney ‘My Valentine.’ Instant classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4dzzv81X9w

* Gotye ‘Somebody I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)’: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrdipt_gotye-somebody-that-i-used-to-know-feat-kimbra-download-mp3-lyrics_music

* George Michael ‘White Light’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fsOTPyjjPM

* Bruno Mars ‘Locked Out of Heaven’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-fA-gBCkj0

 

LOVE SONGS FEMALE

* Emeli Sande 'Heaven': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlsDLdsS7OQ
* Paloma Faith ‘30 Minute Love Affair’: http://musicallyinclinedfool.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/paloma-faith-unveils-30-minute-love.html

* Paloma Faith ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ with a nod to INXS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mVLqLvPKLc

* Ren Harvieu ‘Through the Night’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjE4AuEwZzQ

* Dionne Warwick ‘Is there Anybody Out There?’ Thanks to Bacharach, David & Ramone:

http://soundcloud.com/charmfactory/dionne-warwick-is-there

* Beth Hart ‘(Love is the) Baddest Blue’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzL_aQSTf68

 

RADIO SONGS

* Elton John vs. Pnau ‘Sad’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=froqs4giHBg

* Beach Boys ‘Why God made the Radio’ & ‘Let’s do it Again’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg8QqwWb3RI

 

FOLK

* Mary Chapin Carpenter & James Taylor ‘Soul Companion’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEioYcbGI5Q.

 

COUNTRY

* Merle Haggard ‘Are the good times really over for good’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv61zBZacpo&feature=share

 

MUSIC TIPS

* Sleepy John on KSER north of Seattle: http://www.kser.org/category/dj/john-cuthbertson

* BBC Radio 2. Best pop & funny jocks: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/on-air

* Gourmet Beats/ Tyler Schmith: http://www.gourmetbeats.com/

* The Loss /Jake Bevan & Seattle punk: http://laescalerarecords.com/the-loss/

 

Be like Chomsky - Gangnam style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8-UfLQ7jXc

Happy2013!!! -

Bruce Scholten

P.S.
Now try Radio Hits of 1962: http://upchucky.org/JukeCity/1962/OldJukes/player.htm

XMAS COOKIE PARTY 2012

 Skyfall Santa is coming on fast,

with family & friendly cheer.

Just like in all holidays past,

it’s the time to recap the year:

UK Olympics & Jubilee o’ Good Queen Bess

- in this 50^th year of the Rolling Stones -

 lightened Doom & Gloom in our usual mess
of wars, storms and recessions.

America just spent a mint

picking Obama for a 2^nd shift,

ignoring climate while Sandy hit.

Now we gonna dodge a fiscal cliff.

If you stop by us on December 8,

& hear stuff falling from above.

It’s cow cookies that you’ll rate –

Santa’s bombing us with Xmas love.

 Bruce & Martha

2011 TOP ROCK & POP JUKEBOX

When Elvis became GI Joe & Buddy Holly died, some said rock was dead. But there’s always great music around. Ray Charles and Dylan kept us alive till the Beatles set the world on fire & Elvis resumed form with ‘Return to Sender.’ In the depths of bubblegum we had Fleetwood Mac – and still do.

- Bruce bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com

SONG OF THE YEAR
* Narina Pallot ‘Turn Me on Again’: http://www.kovideo.net/turn-me-on-again-video-nerina-pallot-1242925.html

* Glen Campbell ‘Ghost on the Canvas.’ Alzheimer’s ain’t no joke, but music eases exit from the stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldpCBSNC2AY
- http://tasteofcountry.com/glen-campbell-honored-2011-cma-awards/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED6upzp3reo
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldpCBSNC2AY
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcykofWTCgY

* Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa ‘I’ll Take Care of You’ written by Gil Scott-Heron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7_0YVrj9LI

* Snow Patrol ‘This isn’t Everything You Are - Don’t Keel Over Now.’ Good advice, if a little late: http://www.directlyrics.com/snow-patrol-this-isnt-everything-you-are-lyrics.html
* Noah & the Whale ‘Life Goes On ’ (even after ‘5 Years Time’). For rock ‘n’ roll survivors:
- http://lyricsbond.com/Life_Goes_On/lyrics/Noah_And_The_Whale

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2011
* Dust Bowl – Joe Bonamassa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCzjz6zkH4
* '50 Words for Snow’ Kate Bush with Andy Fairweather-Low on ‘Wild Man’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3BzjfAjug4
* Noel Gallagher’s High-flying Birds with an album of great songs like ‘What a Life’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwHpLDgWonM

* Cold Play Mylo Xyloto. Paradisical noise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wjfjkJ84f8

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* Cee Lo Green – C-r-a-z-y Lady Killer in the Bigger City: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhdIcb84Hw

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* Adele ‘Someone Like You’ and ‘Light Fire to the Rain.’ How can someone so young write such strong songs & act so jolly? Pray her voice holds in 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemWRToNYJY&feature=related

METRO VOCALS
* Blue October ‘Feel Again (Stay)’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncmI65aYFzM
* Will Young ‘Runaways’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL06mqlbbNE

TORCHY SONGS
* Amy Winehouse ‘Our Day Will Come’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxYRbzGi8Rg
* Lana Del Rey 'Video Games': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vocQcRscAbI

REGGAE
* SuperHeavy ‘Miracle Worker.’ Mick Jagger, A.R. Rahman, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart and Damian Marley. Stones’ Emotional Rescue (1980) vibe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtXvUiaBd6c

SOUL
* Johnny Gill ‘In the Mood’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdLH9vTU04U
* Seal album Soul 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4sLyLgGjao

TRAD RAP
*Aloe Blacc ‘I Need a Dollar! Dollar! That’s what I need.’ Soundtrack to the recession: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6oYX1D-0w

COMEBACK
* Tony Bennett for cradling Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p83F2aBxgFc

* Doris Day ‘We’ll be in Heaven Tonight’. Album My Heart: http://www.dorisdaytribute.com/blog/2011/09/02/my-heart-album

* Barb Streisand What Matters Most: http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/home
* Julian Lennon ‘Looking for Love’, intro’d by BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAHxKQmvDig

ROCK
* Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds ‘The Death of You and Me’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFx_IniNjfE.

* Stevie Nicks ‘Secret Love - We’re Already Paying the Price’ [old demo]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OltUuI0kv38
* Manic Street Preachers ‘This is the Day’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xyWAAGT84g

JAZZ
* Caro Emerald ‘That Man.’ A keeper artist from... Holland?! Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFA6dEwWOb4
* Jamie Collum. Best on BBC Radio 2. ‘I’m all over It’: Jamie Collum.youtube

INSTRUMENTAL
* Duane Eddy ‘Twango’, tribute to Django, produced by Richard Hawley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC604OTHVHI

COUNTRY
* Teddy Thompson ‘Looking for a Girl’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etqfJ7fCyaY

‘Delilah’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYArOv3xAyQ

* Gwyneth Paltrow & Tim McGraw ‘Me and Tennessee’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYdaF-vl130
* Alison Krause & Union Station, making CD Paper Airplane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAxuKH6P-9E
* Poison & Wine, The Civil Wars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfzRlcnq_c0

CLUB-DANCE
* Christina Aguilera with Maroon 5 ‘Moves Like Jagger’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEPTlhBmwRg
* Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music ‘One Night in Alphaville’. Vampiric glee for you & me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EosId-4FL0I
* Michael Jackson ‘She’s Going Hollywood.’ ‘Thriller’ class single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z75qX5XNfZ4

* Roxette ‘She’s Got Nothing On (But the Radio)’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1N-Gf0Fbcg
* JLS: http://www.youtube.com/artist/JLS
* Maverick Sabre ‘Let Me Go.’ Sounds worthy of Cee Lo Green: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVMWgmQA4Ig

* Feist ‘Commotion’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7dKcEvtl50

XMAS SONGS
* Rev. Mary Ede & groups' 'Hallelujah Corporations!’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0WSNRpy3g
* Shane & Kirsty McColl ‘Christmas in New York.’ In drunk tank or stable our fave Xmas fable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFvm40F7-Xk

ALL TIME FAVES
* Tornadoes ‘Telstar’: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=11
* Zombies ‘She’s Not There’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=f5IRI4oHKNU

HOT TIPS
* Matthew Cook: http://www.matthewcook.com/
* The Loss. Seattle band with Jake Bevan. Pay the cost & live with The Loss: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Loss/168830986513898
* Tyler Schmith Gourmet Beats. Excellent ambience: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id401790680
* Re-release of Stones' (1978) Some Girls.

RADIO SONGS
* The Pierces ‘You’ll Be Mine (1-2-3)’ Heart for today’s teens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlMrCYAuNtg
* Stevie Nicks ‘Secret Love’. With Dave Stewart: http://nickslive.blogspot.com/p/stevie-nicks-new-album-details.html

RADIO DJ
* Chris Evans is filling Terry Wogan’s shoes. Wow: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/chris-evans/

BOOKS
* Julian Dawson (2011) And on Piano… Nicky Hopkins. London: Desert Hearts/ Bennett & Bloom, 334 pp. Forwards by Bob Harris and Klaas Voorman.
Nicky could quickly arrange music for any style, got famous with Mick Jagger’s call to add a few ‘diamond tiaras’ to Rolling Stones songs. Nicky fell in love with California and refused to join the Rolling Stones in 1971. Just one facet of a diamond book.

* Vivian Cash with Ann Sharpston.(2007) I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny. UK: Simon and Schuster, 326pp.
This honourable memoir ends as well as this stuff can. JC wrote ‘I Walk the Line’ for Vivian... ‘Ring of Fire’ for June, explains Vivian.

OBITS
* Amy Winehouse. Gr8 with Tony Bennett. Entrancing as Ruby & The Romantics on ‘Our Day will Come.’
* Jerry Lieber (wrote ‘Hound Dog’).
* Mick Ashford (songs for Drifters, Ashford & Simpson).

DO NOT GO SOFTLY INTO THAT DARK NIGHT. PLAY SOME MUSIC!

- Bruce 30.Dec.11
Long list: http://milkandmotorcycles.blogspot.com/ , bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com

XMAS COOKIE PARTY TIPS 2011

Daylight breaks in cries of seagulls.
What morning brings ain’t just a sea squall.
A perfect storm for you & me
on northern rocks & northern seas

Occupying thoughts is a Robin Hood tax -
a new Glass-Steagall for Goldman Sachs
Greek tragedy? Contagion for all!
Economic prospects do seem… dismal.

Handel* gloom in your own way.
Grab the calendar and mark a day.
Tell the kids they’ll want to remember
to visit us in snowy December.

Christmas cookies, coffee and tea,
will cheer us up, eventually.
Stop by friends – and one thing more:
Please leave your troubles at the door.

- Bruce & Martha

Xmas parties? Bring kids, no gifts & re-gift yer kids!

* Hallelujah Corporations from folks we'll see Xmas Eve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws0WSNRpy3g

P.S. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1383532/Knuffingen-Airport-German-builds-worlds-largest-model-airport.html

Xmas Cookie Party 2010

Health & Safety could’ve made a fuss:

Fix your chimney or deal with us.

But, County Durham’s best chimney crew

rebricked our stack like it’s brand new.

Now that Santa’s set to return,

here’s a date you’ll be glad to learn.

Visit us December 11,

for a bit of Yuletide heaven.

Cow cookies & coffee can’t be bad –

better than Health & Safety gone mad!

Bruce & Martha

BEST ROCK & POP CULTURE 2010. Feedback: bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com

SONGS MALE
* Leon Russell taking the lead with Elton John on 'If It Wasn't for Bad (You'd be Good)’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36uen9zeTsk
* Owl City & ‘Fireflies’. Really nifty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuRGfAaju4

SONGS FEMALE
* Lady Antebellum, ‘It’s 1am, I’m Drunk & Need You Now.'
* Katie Tunstall ‘Still a Weirdo (after all these years).’
* Lissie ‘In Dreams (only time I get to love him).’ ‘When I'm Alone.’

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
* SONG: Lucie Jones: ‘All I want for Christmas is New Year’s Eve.’
* ALBUM: Annie Lennox: A Christmas Cornucopia.

ARTISTS OF THE YEAR – TIE
* Cee Lo Green 'Forget You.' The artist who as Gnarls Barley brought us ‘Crazy’ is bringing back albums with themes.
* Brandon Flowers'album FLAMINGO (2010c: http://www.tampabay.com/features/music/brandon-flowers-first-solo-album-flamingo-a-good-bet/1124513
* Rumer. sings like Karen Carpenter on her best day.
* Tom Jones ‘Strange Things Happening Everyday!’ In church, to boot.

BLUES
* Joe Bonnemassa. Try John Henry: http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/index.php/2010/03/27/youtube-joe-bonamassa-2/
* Eric Clapton, song ‘Diamonds made from Rain’ with Sheryl Crow.

AMBIENT
GourmetBeats by Tyler Schmith: http://www.gourmetbeats.com/archives/828

DANCE
* Ting Tings ‘Hand’. Clap if you’re working too hard.
* LP: Doobie Brothers Back to the Chateau

PROG ROCK
* Paul Cusick: http://www.paulcusick.co.uk/ Look also for David Gilmour’s work with The Orb.

POP
* Owl City & ‘Fireflies’. Brilliant!
* Fife Dangerfield. Wonderfully poppy songs.
* Pixie Lott ‘Broken Arrow.’

SOUL
Alesha Keyes ‘Ever tied to Sleep with a Broken Heart.’

COUNTRY Elizabeth Cook ‘Heroin Addict Sister’ from the album Welder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFArKWnFWIg

JAZZ ROCK

Jamiroquai ‘Blue Skies’. Nifty song despite Betty Ford lyrics.

BIG BAND – JAZZ - STANDARDS – TORCH (waxing)
Jamie Collum’s interviews w/ Clint Eastwood = tops. Michael Buble, Jamie Collum, and a few more.

COMEBACKS
* Robert Plant ‘Band of Joy’ album.
* Corrine Bailey Ray. Deep second album.

FILM
Street Dance (2009) Fun ballet & hip-hop battles. Charlotte Rampling as sly ex-ballerina.

DISK JOCKEYS OF THE YEAR
* Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Chris does what radio does best (something Steve K, Kirk W & I miss from the golden era of KPUG Bellingham). Chris Evans makes community out of thin ether: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/chris-evans/
* Danny Holiday decided late in 2010 to hang it up, at least for now at public radio KSER in Everett, WA. Get well & return with the Rock & Roll Time Machine, Danny!

BEST SONGS OF ALL TIME
* The Tornadoes [& Joe Meek] Telstar
* Tina Turner ‘Missing You.’ Written by John Waite, formerly of the Babys (Swear I saw ‘em in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1974. Spectacular!).
* K.D. Laing ‘Constant Craving.’

OBITUARIES & BENCHMARKS
* Solomon Burke (RIP: 10.10.10). * Tony Clarke (produced Moody Blues). * Bobby Hebb (Sunny). * Gerry Rafferty ‘Baker Street’, had been ill. * Mitch Miller (no rocker but a 1950s popper). * Rest in Peace.
* Actors Fess Parker (Davy Crockett); Jill Clayburgh (Luna); and Lori Martin (National Velvet).

BEST SONGS OF ALL TIME
* The Tornadoes [& Joe Meek] 'Telstar.'
* Tina Turner ‘Missing You.’ Written by John Waite, formerly of the Babys (Swear I saw ‘em in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1974. Spectacular!).
* K.D. Laing ‘Constant Craving.’

Find fun with friends in 2011!
{;-) bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com www.durham.ac.uk/b.a.scholten

BEST ROCK & POP CULTURE 2009

Howdy - There was just enough good music to get by this year.
Roll on 2010! bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com
(Thanks to Gaye Hinchliff for shooting our cow cookies in 2007!)

BEST STORY 2009
TV programmers winced when a web campaign derailed Simon Cowell's X-Factor plans for a 5th consecutive Xmas #1 single in Britain. How? Half a million folks bought Rage Against the Machine: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/dec/20/rage-against-machine-christmas-number-1

SONG OF 2009
#1 Susan Boyle 'Wild Horses.’ Unlikeliest rock chick makes us ache with a Rolling Stones song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb3XAP0c8WU
* http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/16/a-herd-of-wild-horses-susan-boyle-and-more-cover-the-classic/
* Chris Rea 'Come so far, yet got so far to go': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbhViHlcBZ4
* The Noisettes 'Never Forget Me.' 'What you drinking? Rum or whiskey? Have a double on me. Always Remember Me': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSOnfhyov-w
* Aha 'Nothing is Keeping You Here'. High notes from Norweg..
* Chris Isaac 'We Let Her Down.' At his wicked best, Isaac chills the spine.

XMAS SONGS
* George Michael 'Christmas.'
* Bob Dylan Christmas in the Heart album. My fave is 'Must be Santa.' Uncle Bob's getting more like Lawrence Welk - the scary part is we like it.

PROG ROCK
Paul Cusick Focal Point. Next best thing to a Pink Floyd album: http://www.paulcusick.co.uk/about.php

POP
* Paloma Faith 'New York, New York' from debut album Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? As listenable as Dionne Warwick.
* Mika – 'We are Golden!' Polyamorous pop from Michael Penniman, heir apparent to Freddie Mercury: http://www.mikasounds.com/
* Unexpected Mention: Peter Andrae 'Behind Closed Doors.' Singing down mammary lane after splitting from Jungle celeb Jordan (aka Katie Price). Surprisingly good.

SOUL
* 5 Degrees' cover of Dusty's 'Mercy.' Can't beat a good song if it sounds like a Smokey- Pickett cross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-V0K7BHDt4
* Raphael Saadiq with Stevie Wonder & CJ 'Never Give You Up'.
* Paloma Faith 'New York' – coffee coloured anthem for the Big Apple? Faith's earlier release is tuff too: '119 mph and Stone Cold Sober.'
* Leona Lewis 'Happy.’ What a voice!
* Michael Bolton 'You Murder my Heart.' Don't laugh. He got a haircut & at its best his voice rivals Michael McDonald's.
* Beyonce. Serious lyrics.
* Ruby Turner with Jools Holland's Orchestra 'The Informer': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkJqC1Elg
* Rod Stewart's American Soulbook is passable, but he oughta rock more & venerate less!

HIP-HOP & RAP
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys [HQ] -- Empire State of Mind (In New York):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

DISCO
* Sheila B. Devotion 'Ladies Man'. Shameless rip-off of Nile Rodgers' timeless 1970s' Chic. It's the rhythm!
* Pet Shop Boys ‘All over the World’ sampling Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
* Madonna 'Celebration: Let's Get It Started'. Infectious disco, 'a la Studio 54.

COUNTRY FEMALE
* Allison Krause 'A Simple Love.' Krause is so good Robert Plant put his Led Zep tour on hold.
* Taylor Swift, Fearless & cuter than Kanye West's Granny.

ROCK, BLUES, R & B (waning genre)
* Chris Rea 'Come so far, yet got so far to go'. Satisfies parts new blues songs seldom touch.
* J.J. Cale 'Carry On' and others make it one of his best albums… since singing 'My Magnolia.'
* Jason Everett 'I Want to do Bad Things with You.' One for the weekend, then.
* Lady Gaga 'Bad Romance.' Don't tell me ya wouldn't.
* James Morrison 'Nothing Ever Hurt Like You.' Perfect song.
* Mama's Gun 'Let’s Find A Way.' Sounds like Robert Palmer doing Marvin Gaye. Great rhythm. * Timothy B. Schmitt ‘Parachute’ with Graham Nash: http://eaglesfans.typepad.com/latest_news/timothy_b_schmit/

ETHEREAL & ELEKTRONIKA
* Bat For Lashes Pearl's Dream.
* Florence & the Machine 'Rabbit Heart'. Bit like Captain from 2007. Excellent singer & guitarist who laughs & entertains.
* Polarkreis 'Alein, Alein' von Dresden: http://www.b2g.lt/2009/music/polarkreis-18/en/

JAZZ ROCK
* Paulo Nutini 'Candy' contains the loving line 'I'll even wash your clothes'. Best wedding song we've heard out of Paisley, Scotland. Paulo's got 'a license for his telly & food in his belly': http://music.videosift.com/video/Paolo-Nutini-Candy
* Mama's Gun 'Find a Way'. Fresh, until it sounds derivative.

FOLK
* Monsters of Folk 'Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)'. Supergroup's ethereal debut album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wpGHGFV8Xk
* Yusef (aka Cat Stevens) 'Roadsinger': http://www.yusufislam.com/
* James Taylor 'Seminole Wind' (lyrics by John Anderson): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seminole-Wind/dp/B001SRDE9I
* Fleet Foxes. Excellent CSNY sounding Seattle group, even if overplayed in the UK.

BIG BAND - STANDARDS – TORCH (waxing)
* Jamie Collum 'I'm Over it Now'. His whole CD is good!
* Michael Buble 'I just haven't Met You Yet'. Brings his love for AC/DC to the big band crowd.
* Harry Connick Jr. No wonder he sang at Sinatra’s 75th birthday.
* Benny Anderson Band album 'Story of a Heart' (with vocalist Helen Sjoholm). Remember Willie Nelson's 1978 Stardust album of America standards? Benny makes us listen to 'old' music with new ears. Try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHz9fFpi5gc. My friend Kirk W believes Abba should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but is sceptical of Benny's new album saying, 'I'll buy it on your recommendation. You must buy Nicole Atkins' "Neptune City" on my recommendation.'

VOCAL DUET
* Roseanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen 'Sea of Heartbreak'. Beautiful remake of Don Gibson's 1961 song: http://www.songlyrics.com/don-gibson/sea-of-heartbreak-lyrics/

VOCAL MALE
* Rufus Wainwright. Interesting in his first opera Prima Donna.

VOCAL FEMALE - 2009 superb for women singers
* Susan Boyle 'Wild Horses'. Mick & Keith must be jealous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb3XAP0c8WU
* http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/16/a-herd-of-wild-horses-susan-boyle-and-more-cover-the-classic/
* *www.youtube.com/index?ytsession=2tmraoyfyEkCTx_PRqr0CDoSv0x8a0Jh7LE034tcjAK2BHanpxnzkoYLdwi-gWG8Gc2t8QHIUG2gBUxDH0VuorK0cp5vecun0Byavt1w3sCrLt8fm3SDzhlalaVoK_9e27r_hPed-yBz-vU2hE1Jt-WCZK6a3kiUNVO-NnE0tsRS-wR9w27QIrRea-SIUxs_MM4mct_HeKynkMYjeQbk82RWlyTJYl-EC9YKpus2H81pACzeDSbrXao9QIK7gEirdpwjKYmkwkp0w5XaKrW3WXXAGQ5aZH1saU4kn3885wghZDoH2dp5ZQ* Nora Jones 'Chasing Pirates'. Ravi Shankar's daughter finds more exciting intros.
* Lady Gaga. Love the circus act.
* Regina Spektor. Strong Russian woman vill sing for you: http://www.myspace.com/reginaspektor
* Little Boots. Not to be overlooked.

COMEBACKS
* Shirley Bassey 'The Girl from Tiger Bay.'
* Sade Soldier of Love album.
* Cliff Richard & The Shadows, featuring the radio hit 'Singing the Blues' – as good as Guy Mitchell's 1956 version.
* John Fogerty 'Garden Party' (with Timothy B. Smith & Don Henley of Eagles. Joe Walsh's guitar too?!). Worthy tribute to Rick Nelson. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLm9KX-LvMM
* Spandau Ballet 'Once More' is too good to be True: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeTix5pTEYY
* Whitney Houston 'Million Dollar Bill'. She's cut overhead since Bobbie Brown.
* Barbra Streisand, a bit precious, interviewed by BBC's Jon Ross. But we forgive Babs for the way she sings Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KoNWTMiquA

BANDS TO WATCH
* Kasabian - from New York (Eclectic electronica with a dab of blues).
* Settlers - from Seattle (formerly Jacob Bevan & Mirror the Ghost): http://blogs.myspace.com/settlers
* Tribe0 – from So-Cal (reggae with Matt Scholten).

BEST FILMS
* Gran Torino directed by Clint Eastwood. Sticks and stones will break yer bones, but words can hardly hurt ya.
* Pirate Radio, niftiest Brit rock film I’ve seen, directed by Richard Curtis, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bill Nighy.
* Moon by Duncan Jones (nee Bowie), starring Kevin Spacey & Sam Rockwell as a lonely lithium miner on the dark side.

BOOK

Joan Baez: And A Voice to Sing With: A Memoir. Autobiography. Bob Dylan told her: The difference between you and me is, you think things can change. I don't.

OBITUARIES & BENCHMARKS
* Michael Jackson wore his heart on his sleeve & paid for it in June 2009, before the launch of 50 shows in London. Confusion over his death. But, Off the Wall was to MJ what Revolver was to the Beatles. 'Billie Jean' is timeless on Thriller (thanks to Quincy Jones). Even a few of the WW II generation saw MJ was a world guy – for some folks as liberating as Elvis.
* Ronnettes singer Estelle Bennett passes, age 67.
* Willie DeVille. Died August 2009. Remembered for 'Spanish Stroll.' Things are picking up: http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2007b.html
* Phil Spector jailed for murder. Sad, this legend mistreated associates, e.g. deceased members of the Ronnettes. On the other hand, John Lennon pal Klaas Voorman says Specter was good to work with
* BBC Radio 2 presenter Terry Wogan announced retirement from the morning show on September 8, 2009. Terry'll return with a Sunday show in 2010, but Terry's Old Geezers (TOGs) pulled threads loose on their terrycloth gowns & rattled zimmer frames at the bad news. Geeky Chris Evans is a smart broadcaster, but can he fill Wogan's hogan?

* Danny Holiday's Rock & Roll Time Machine near Seattle shifts to Saturdays 10am: http://www.kser.org/category/dj/danny-holiday

Find fun with friends in 2010 {;-) bruce.scholten@btopenworld.com
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