Dean's all-time favourite albums - #25 - About a Boy - Badly Drawn Boy

To start off my list, I turn to the low-fi indie pop of UK singer/songwriter Badly Drawn Boy. This album was composed as the soundtrack to the film version of  Nick Hornby penned novel “About a Boy”. Full of pleasant melodies this is a joy to listen to. Even the little (dare I call them filler) tracks that were needed for the movie are not at all grating. My highlight though is “A Minor Incident”, which is essentially a suicide letter. Heartbreaking.

 

For each entry I will also try and include a youtube link in case you are unfamiliar with the artist or album. This is a link to the track “A Minor Incident.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEE5LeUYOBI

 

Looking ahead – for each entry I will give you a little hint for the next upcoming album. For album #24, its time to head to the seventies for some swamp rock!

Dean's Top 25 favourite albums of all time

Hi All

 

I have been a bit slack on the music output on facebook/blog recently, so to make up for it, I have decided to tackle a challenging topic – my favourite albums of all time. I love reading these sorts of lists, but to now have always resisted doing my own, quite simply because it is hard. Tastes evolve and change over time, and even the mood you are in at a particular moment can have a huge impact on the order that the albums are ranked it. So, I am going to open up my collection and music tastes for ridicule, and present a countdown of my top 25 favourite albums.

 

Here are my ground rules:

·         I must own the albums on the list (probably a no brainer – why would one of your favourite albums be something you don’t own?)

·         The list is a list of my favourites – not of “best albums” or “most influential” or “most groundbreaking”. Therefore, you will see a mixture of popular albums, critically acclaimed albums, more obscure albums and albums that might not be technically brilliant but I like. In some cases, I haven’t even chosen the best album by a particular artist.

·         As it is a list of albums – greatest hits, best of’s and the like are not eligible, although interestingly, I do have quite a lot of these sorts of albums in my collection.

·         Live albums can be considered eligible, although, without revealing too much, it is rare that a live album would be good enough to make it to the list (but just wait and see, you never know)

·         I haven’t necessarily invoked the rule that only one album per artist is allowed, but I must admit, I probably did have some thought for this in formulating the list. It would be a bit boring if the list contained the entire back catalogue of a prolific artist.

·         No set rules on number of albums per era – from my perspective, the release date of an album is irrelevant. The music is either good or it isn’t good!

·         All genres are eligible and indeed, I hope you consider the final list to be quite diverse.

·         I will reveal the list over time, when I get to it. Might list several albums in one go, or might keep you waiting ages for the next instalment. I have twins that keep me busy – I will get to it when I get to it.

·         Please feel free to share your views on the albums I list – positive or negative – I am interested in your views, but be gentle with my music tastes.

 

So sit back and enjoy the ride!

Top ten "Strangers" songs

This week’s theme is strangers, but by this, I am using stranger as a noun, not really as an adjective (eg. “Stranger than Fiction” doesn’t count).

Its interesting that songs in this category often fall into two types – one is about strangers meeting and falling in love, the other type is songs where a couple are having relationship problems and feel like strangers.

10 - Stranger – Presidents of the USA

So we head to the 90’s and the Presidents, who always have an interesting take on things. In this song, they are trying to pick up a stripper:

“Carla the stripper,
straight from L.A.
You seem cool for a naked chick in a booth
Let's be pals some day
In other words,
Put some clothes on and call me”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpgP62fInAw

 

9 - I Never Talk to Strangers – Tom Waits

Continuing the theme of trying to pick up strangers, in this song, we get Tom’s usual sleazy dirty bar type feel to his music, as he attempts to pick up Bette Midler in a bar. In some respects, the structure of the song reminds me a bit of “Baby, Its Cold Outside”.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lu51WVRfmE

 

8 - Rank Stranger – Paul Kelly and Stormwater Boys

Its bluegrass time – and off to Paul Kelly’s bluegrass collaboration The Stormwater Boys who covered an old Stanley Brothers song. I didn't know the original to start with but its a bluegrass standard.
 

This is the Stanley Brothers original version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I16YOPmmZbs

 

7 - Talking to a Stranger – Hunters and Collectors

I am not even going to try and analyse this song, as I am sure there are lots of meanings in it that have gone completely over my head, but it’s a good track, with that solid beat, almost tribal sound to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyiYBajrefY

 

6- Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra

Ah Frank. In someone else’s hands, this tale of love at first sight would be way too syrupy for my tastes, but your vocals really give it some credibility.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSbSKNk9f0

 

5 - Stranger – Joe Henry

I was recommended Joe Henry by a former work colleague-  they gave me a mix tape which featured this song. It’s a really enjoyable listen, and I keep meaning to explore more of his work.

https://myspace.com/joehenrymusic/music/song/stranger-30322-39108

 

4 - Strangers on a Train – The Sports

The Sports are always good for a bit of pop rock from the 80’s and this is a great example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7hXozx-BVc

 

3- The Stranger – Billy Joel
Very few people can whistle very well, and recording whistling can be a disaster, but the whistling interludes in this song are amazing. The story goes that they were planning on using a clarinet and Joel just whistled the rough tune he wanted, but the producer decided it was good enough to stay.  If you google this song, you will soon realise that many of hypothesised about the lyrics meaning, and many theories abound. I think the short synopsis from my perspective is that it makes you question how well we really know ourselves and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnlvPoDU5LY

 

2-    Brave Strangers – Bob Seger
Bob Seger’s “Stranger in Town” album would have to be up there as one of the great rock albums, and so many great tracks on this album, Brave Strangers being one of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-QKfNsLUp4

 

1- Blue Stranger – Paul Kelly

So my top spot today goes to Paul Kelly’s Blue Stranger. From the “Comedy” album, it’s a really enjoyable listen. Although not as complex as some of the other songs I have listed above, its simple tale of two lonely strangers meeting (“all lovers were strangers once”) set to a catchy, largely acoustic tune just resonates well with me.  Keith Urban has also covered this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CG07B5X3uY


So there you have it, my top ten "stranger" songs. Were any of these a stranger to you? Do you have any stranger to introduce me to? Don't be  a stranger, leave a comment!

top ten "kick/kicking" songs

Its AFL grand final weekend, and of course one of the key skills of Australian Rules football is kicking the ball – indeed kicking goals is the aim of the game. So in honour of this, my theme this week is kick/kicking songs.

Enjoy the list!

 

10 – Dropkick me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life – Bobby Bare

Ok, I know, its actually a pretty lame song, but you have to give points for the title alone, and I will be honest with you, I only had nine songs for the list and needed an extra one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsWg0bt9kp4

 

9 – Kick out the Jams – Presidents of the USA

Based on the MC5 track, this I think was the only cover version on the Presidents debut album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iblg5G3NTjo

 

8 – Kicking Stones – Tim Rogers

Tim features fairly prominently in this list, so apologies in advance for those that are not fans of his work. This is a real bluesy number from his Dirty Ron album.

http://timrogersmusic.bandcamp.com/track/kickin-stones

 

7– Ain’t that a Kick in the Head – Dean Martin

From blues to swing now – I couldn’t quite find room for this in my top ain’t songs, but it has been able to make this list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huKSm0tAvhs

 

6- Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People

A more recent track now, for a while it felt like this song was everywhere – on the radio, on TV commercials, being played in stores etc. It has a pretty catchy chorus though. I haven’t taken the time to study the lyrics in detail, but I think they are actually quite dark – its about the homicidal thoughts of a troubled youth. Makes you think about that catchy jingle a bit differently now doesn’t it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ

 

5 – Kick a Hole in the Sky – You Am I

Tim is back, this time with his band You Am I. I think I may have written before that I will always have a soft spot for their “Dress Me Slowly” album. It may not be their best, but it’s the album I turn to when I am down and need a bit of a pick up. The songs are great, and I associate it with good times with my friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVWfn9uwluo

 

4- I Get a Kick Out of You – Frank Sinatra

Back to swing now, from that other great exponent of the genre, Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. This has been covered by many artists over the years (in fact, Sinatra’s version is a cover too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueIRPDAbPNY

 

3- (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 – Nat King Cole

Perhaps I am being a bit cheeky including his, as the song is often listed without the parenthesis, but it is often listed with them, so I think I can get away with it. Nat King Cole had the original version, but as with some of the other songs on this list, this is an often covered classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYApJtsyd0

 

If you don’t like Nat’s version, perhaps you would prefer Chuck Berry’s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg2EbJy-9dc

The Rolling Stones version is also excellent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyhkBg8wOBo

 

2- Kick – INXS

So I had a bit of difficulty in working out the order of the top two, and I very nearly gave this one the top spot (it probably also should get points for being off an album of the same name). There is something simplistically brilliant about the chorus – “sometimes you kick, sometimes you get kicked.” Many would have been able sum up life as well as that line does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyk9PPBMTQ

 

1- Arse Kickin Lady from the Northwest – Tim Rogers

I gave the top spot to Tim Rogers, with this brilliant track from his debut solo album. Not really much to say about this song, its great. Love the banjo work on it too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaPxh54v-8

 

So there is my list. Did I kick a goal with this one, or should some of my selections be kicked out?

top ten "help" songs

We all need a little help sometimes – here is my top ten help songs!

10 - Help Me Rhonda – Beach Boys

We start off with the Beach Boys, and one of their big hits. The story of a man who is attracted a woman that ran off with another man, so he begs Rhonda to help him – and no mention of Ketut at all (sorry for the non Australian readers, you probably won’t understand that reference)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPnBrK6D26g

 

9 - Help is Coming – Crowded House

A moody B-side from Crowded House, this song comes from the Afterglow album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsT-rJ4Jzos

 

8 - Can’t Help Myself – The Flowers

Icehouse were originally known as the Flowers, and this great piece of 80’s music is from their Flowers days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7_BtSCNig4

 

7 - Can’t Help You Now – Paul Kelly

Ways and Means is an extremely underrated album from Paul Kelly, and this is such a good track from that album.

http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+Kelly/_/Can't+Help+You+Now

 

6 - Help is On its Way – Little River Band

Its middle of the road rock time, and off to the radio friendly Little River Band with Help is On its Way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq2WJ2r0NkM

 

5- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

Its ballad time, and Elvis’ distinctive voice comes to the fore here as he guides the listener through these sweet lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V430M59Yn8

 

4 - I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops

Another song that you could file under “catchy”, this Motown track is a lot of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXavZYeXEc0

 

3 - Helping Hand – Screaming Jets

Off to the 90’s for some rock from the Screaming Jets, but this time it has a bit of a jazzy feel to it rather than the raw rock sound they are often associated with. One of their best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqbooR9o0LY

 

2- Help – The Beatles
What a song – and its only at number two. Post Beatles, John Lennon often didn’t rate his Beatles era songs, but this was one of the few he was still proud of. And its not hard to see why, a great track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ApstMKNEMI

 

1-      With a Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
If I had to choose the best cover version of all time (a list I am resisting making because its too hard), I think this would probably be my choice. The way Cocker takes one of Ringo’s almost novelty songs and turns it in to an amazing piece of rock and roll is just fantastic. But credit where its due, he is only able to do this on the strength of the lyrics. An amazing track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRzKUVjHkGk

 

So there it is, my top ten help songs. Does my list need some help?

top ten "ain't" songs

This week’s theme is “ain’t” songs – and we are going to move between a range of genres and eras, so sit back and enjoy!

10 - Ain’t that a Shame  - Fats Domino

We start with a rock and roll classic, often covered. I have chosen the Fats Domino version, but you could have had Pat Boone, John Lennon or a host of others…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6JZW7zMDfY

 

9 - Ain’t Gonna Get – Baby Animals

From early rock and roll, to early 90’s rock that is just a tad harder, it’s the Aussie band Baby Animals. Always liked this track, one of the harder ones on their debut album, it didn’t get the success of some of the more radio friendly hits, but it’s a great track nonetheless. And if you are a fan of early 90’s Aussie rock, keep reading, there is more for you later on in the list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgKbL0MEmyw

 

8 - You Ain’t Going Nowhere – The Byrds

From rock, to a more country twang, this is from the Byrds “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” album -  a pioneer of the country rock genre. This is actually a cover, and like “Ain’t that a Shame”, I could have chosen the Bob Dylan and the band version, or the Bob Dylan version, all great, but I think I slightly prefer this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q21BF38W3Gs

 

7 - Ain’t no mountain high enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrel

Continuing our jump around the genres, we now move to some Motown soul for “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Another often covered version, probably most famously in Australia by Jimmy Barnes for his Soul Deep album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg

 

6 - It Ain’t Me Babe – Johnny Cash & June Carter

The Bob Dylan influence is back again – this one was written by Dylan and originally recorded by him. He sometimes dueted this track with Joan Baez, but I have gone with the Cash’s duet instead, a lovely piece of country music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBHXUOogpOg

5 - Ain’t Got No Money – Bob Seeger

Back to rock, and this album track from Seeger’s “Stranger in Town” album is a really great piece of 70’s rock. Pity about the album cover though – not sure how a simple head shot of Seeger could have dated so badly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1o6OI4IgLY

 

4 - Two out of Three Ain’t Bad – Meatloaf

Forget about Meatloaf’s embarrassing recent live performances (cough..AFL grand final), he was actually a rare talent at his prime.  Another one from his big “Bat out of Hell” album, it’s a bit of a sarcastic look at a relationship breakup, delivered in Meat’s dramatic singing style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s

 

3 - That Ain’t Bad – Ratcat

Well, I did promise more early nineties Aussie rock, and here it is, in the form of Indie band Ratcat. I found this album very cheap in a second hand shop earlier this year, its been good rediscovering the hits like this, and hearing some of the album tracks for the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IAQPKds034

 

2 - It Ain’t Over til its over – Lenny Kravitz

If I had to describe this song in a word, the word would be catchy.  Released in 1991, it has a retro almost Motwon type feel to it, and is a great track to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmENMZFUU_0

 

1- He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother – The Hollies

My number one this week goes to the Hollies for this great sentimental ballad. I know I keep harping on about my twin boys, but I think following their arrival, the song has taken on an even more special meaning to me. And for a useless piece of trivia for you, Elton John plays piano on the Hollies recording.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g

 

So there you have it, that is my top ten “ain’t” songs. Tell me what you like…I ain’t going to be offended if its not on my list.

top ten "magic" songs

This week’s music theme is “magic”, and this time around I have gone for a rule that the magic must be mentioned in the song title – so songs like Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band don’t qualify. So let’s see if I can cast a spell on you with this listing…

 

10 - Magic Woman Touch – The Hollies

We begin this week’s magical journey in the early 70’s, with the Hollies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er8w99waRhY

 

9 - Magic – Dragon

Off to the 80’s now for one of those songs where the quality of the chorus far exceeds the quality of the verses!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etVrSRffK4U

 

8 - Black Magic Woman – Santana

I was going to be a music snob and put Fleetwood Mac down, as they first recorded this (and I have their version in my music collection, but don’t actually own any Santana), but the reality is Santana’s version is superior. Indeed, there would be some people that would rate this song a lot higher than I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10gH-bC3iXo

 

7 - Don’t You Know Its Magic – John Farnham

A Brian Cadd penned track, this is a solid track without being a masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPXd124UWv0

 

6 - Do You Believe in Magic – Lovin’ Spoonful

Go on, you know you want to rock your head from side to side and tap your toes for this one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDYNuD4CwlI

 

5 - Magic Bus – The Who

Ah, the song the Homer requested the Who to perform when they appeared on the Simpsons. And for good reason, it’s an enjoyable listen, making use of the Bo Diddley beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9bvuAV-Ao

 

4 - Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf

I would rate this song higher, as it’s a great one, but the overly long instrumental bit gets on my nerves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEEzbFxEbB8

 

3 - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic – The Police

I still don’t own any Police albums, another fact that I should do something about at some stage – but these are the sorts of song get heaps of play on the radio, and this is a particularly memorable track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ

 

2 - This Magic Moment – Jay and the Americans

This track is getting a bit more prominence at the moment as it is being featured on a commercial on Australian TV. It is a stunning track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dS0Tl33Uc

 

1 - Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles

Crap movie, but great song, which is why I have put it at number one. There is a lot to love about this track – the fanfare at the start, which then leads into the “roll up, roll up” fairground style call before it jumps into the catchiness of the song proper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjW8Rv5bp7Q

So there you have it, my magic list - share some of your magic and make some comments below....