Crazy Ass Planet

I seem to have music on the brain these days. I felt the urge to make a list of other music I’m listening to and gave into it. Apparently, I don’t seem to be listening to much from newer artists these days, with the exception Neko Case. I assume it’s just not finding it’s way to my ears. (I avoid radio stations and other music vehicles because the marketing and “buzz” is so, so annoying.)

Apart from just being good music, I think what attracts me to a lot of what I listen to is the songwriting. I think this when I see some of the names below – Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Richard Thompson … Anyway, here’s the list:

Lucinda Williams: Essence
If you’re drinking alone when you listen to this expect to end up shit faced and weepy. Wistful, melancholy and with raw, bluesy vocals. The bright, cheerful cover art is a bit misleading – perhaps intended to be ironic.

Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Personally, I prefer this to Twin Cinemas by the New Pornographers.

Willie Nelson: The Essential Willie Nelson
What? You don’t like Willie? Then shame on you. (”Listen to what the blues are sayin’ …“)

Van Morrison: Hard Nose the Highway
I could pick any of a dozen Van Morrison discs. But this one has Snow In San Anselmo, Wild Children and Purple Heather. And I can’t hear those often enough.

Madeleine Peyroux: Careless Love
I’ve been playing this almost constantly since getting it about a year ago. Jazzy.

Joni Mitchell: Hejira
Moody, but musically marvelous and the lyrics are remarkable. Very austere sound. For some reason it makes me think of Sibelius. Maybe it’s the mood.

Duke Ellington: Piano in the Background
Almost any Ellington disc is great but for some reason this is the one I play the most. A very upbeat, jazzy disc.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Live Rust
Maybe my favourite Neil Young disc. The first half acoustic, the second electric. Originally released on vinyl as a two record set. Over the years, I’ve played this over and over (I’m on my second copy). The electric part especially (like Cortez the Killer) is remarkable.

Elvis Costello: King of America
I love Costello and this is one of my favourties of his – probably because it’s one of his best.

Richard Thompson: Action Packed: Best of the Capitol Years
If you haven’t heard Richard Thompson, you’ve missed one of the best songwriters and best guitarists around. This is a pretty good place to start. And like every good disc, each time you listen you seem to discover some new song that is astonishing.

And that’s that. Ten of them. (Seems to me it has a bit of a retro feel to it.) For what it’s worth. If I made this list tomorrow, it would probably be completely different.

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