2.11.07

Rare & Required

I want comments on this one. What are some recordings that, when you listen to them, you just can't get over how incredible they make you feel? I'm talking musical genius--to your ears, anyway. Not necessarily musical perfection, because I haven't a lick of technical knowledge to back that up. I mean those awe-inspiring recordings that you would play for anyone as proof of what music can be, how deeply it can reach. Or how about some obscure gem that you think might blow my mind, some underappreciated classic? Post about it, and here are a few of mine to start things off:

1. The Beatles' I Am The Walrus as performed by Oasis at the Glasgow Cathouse in June 1994, a recording which was included as a b-side on the Wonderwall cd single (the import version, anyway). It's just insane.

2. The song Some Devil by Dave Matthews, off the album of the same name. Minimalistic and haunted, just an incredible recording all around.

3. California Dreamin' by The Mamas & The Papas. No one could ever re-record that song and capture that atmosphere, it's just absolutely tight from start to finish.

4. Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone. I first heard a portion of this on YouTube, playing over an innocuous scene taken from the film Scarlet Diva. I picked up the track at the first opportunity--her voice just floors me, and the song itself is fantastic.

5. Country Feedback by R.E.M. Another one of those songs where it just feels like so many factors collided so perfectly that they could never be repeated or improved upon. There's such heat and loneliness and aching in this track.

7 comments:

Rachel said...

The Hallelujah Chorus sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...part of Handel's Messiah.

Guilty...Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb...such a wonderful coming-together of his signature sound and her gorgeous voice.

Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers...absolutely beautiful.

Amazing Grace has always been a favorite of mine, no matter who sings it...just beautiful in its simplicity.

I also dig "Turn Me On" by Norah Jones and Diana Krall.

Carole King's "Tapestry" album was good all the way through.

And, finally, of course, Etta James' "At Last" and Aretha Franklin's whole greatest hits album.

a lost narf... said...

#41, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds (off the 'Live at Luther College' album)- this is the version of #41 that i always sing, no matter what album i am listening to. tim's solo too, amazing.

Transatlanticism, Death Cab For Cutie- there are so many songs that i want to list by this band, but this is it.

The Moment I Said It, Imogen Heap- her voice and the ability to manipulate her recordings is amazing, she reaches etheral heights with her vocal range. the layers on this track can take days to decipher.

Amsterdam, Coldplay- simply an amazing song.

Do What Yo Have To Do, Sarah McLachlan (off the 'Mirrorball' album)- the recorded version is good, but the live version off 'Mirrorball' is heartbreaking. if you have ever longed for someone you should not, this is the song to listen to.

Mark said...

Rachel - I've never heard "Guilty", have to take a listen. I do dig that Norah Jones track, though I had no idea it was Diana Krall on the piano.

Lady in the Water - I'm glad you came! Took me a minute to get the reference. #41 may be his best song, period. Any version is great. And the song Transatlanticism definitely puts me in mind of you every time.

Rachel said...

OH MY GOD I totally forgot about Transatlanticism. Also reminds me of another one:

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

AND I can't believe I left out my favorite bitchy female angsty singer:

Fiona Apple - Limp, Criminal, If We Kissed, Extraordinary Machine, I love her.

Gorgeous eyes, too.

Mark said...

Fiona is hands-down my favorite female vocalist. I could listen to her sing anything.

Rachel said...

Yep, she's amazing all right. And of course I love her because of her angry, bitter side. But on her new CD she has some surprisingly light numbers.

Will said...

"O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen never, ever fails to move me to tears.