Today's iTunes Purchases: 11/8/05


iTunes does not have the new Kate Bush album, and I'm pretty bummed. I may have to go to an actual store. Nonetheless, I managed to find things to buy.

ARGH. how can they not have the new Kate Bush album exactly when I want it? It' so unfair.

But it didn't stop me from buying, oh no! I cannot be thwarted so easily.

First, the free Single of the week: A Pimp's Dream by Dwele. Now normally I wouldn't be attracted to a single with this name, so having it be the free single of the week was about the only way I was going to give it a listen. It's a nice, sexy R&B groove, though, so definitely worth the price ;)

Here are my album purchases:

Cyndi Lauper, The Body Acoustic:

If you only think of Cyndi as the wacky chick who sag Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and had wrestlers in her videos, think again. She is a tremendous talent. I may be one of the few who has continued to buy her albums throughout her career, even before she enjoyed her current renaissance. I saw her live for the first time only last summer and was blown away by her performance. I love that she is willing to play with her tunes, even her most famous one, changing them up, spinning them into different styles and genres. The Body Acoustic is a terrific album. Not because of the various guest artists, although they certainly bring their own talents to the tables in ways I appreciated. It's terrific because it captures some of that free spirit and flexibility that her live performance displayed. It's not just these are acoustic-flavored renditions, but often have very different feels altogether from their original versions. Look no further than the first track, a simple, rootsy guitar and fiddle version of Money Changes Everything, or her sly and sexy Concrete Blonde-ish version of She-Bop to see what I mean. And her version of the Jules Shear classic All Through the Night with Shaggy is another completely different, but equally compelling, take on her original cover version. Cyndi's voice is a huge instrument, one that can smoothly move from wailing to crooning up and down an impressive range.And yes, her vocal cords are just as iron-clad live. This one is highly recommended.

Jars of Clay: iTunes Original

Now before you raise your eyebrows, no, I am not even a Christian, let alone into the"christian music scene." But I have always liked Jars of Clay a lot. They remind me of bands like Toad the Wet Sprocket and Dave Matthews band. Heavy on acoustic guitars, slightly alternative feel, really good vocals...and a sort of morose undertone to everything. Which my S.O. will tell you is a common factor that the vast majority of music that I like shares! Like all iTunes Original albums, songs are interspersed with interview clips with the band. The reason to buy these albums is the original acoustic versions of songs that are included. This album features of bunch of such versions, including versions of their biggest hit, Flood, Frail and My Heavenly. OK, if you still can't believe I listen to a Christian band, try either one of these two songs:

River Constantine:

11 River Constantine.m4a

or Liquid:

01 Liquid.m4a

My last purchase was Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley's Opposite You

Literally 20 years ago I did a season of summer stock with Marin, and although she was only about 5 years older than I, I looked up to her. I've written about this before, so I won't bore you with my fandom. Here's a link to my review of her cabaret act, complete with picture of us together (looking exactly as we did 20 years ago, I swear.) Anyway, this album is recorded with her also-very-talented husband Jason Danieley, a Broadway star too. These songs are duets that they've honed through several years of performing together around the country. There's not much to say. These are two exquisite Broadway talents recording some great music by people like Harold Arlen and Stephen Sondheim. If you like great vocals you will like this album. I'm particularly glad that the material lets Marin show off her versatility. One of her strongest points, and the think that will give her a long, long career is that she can sing it all. Soprano leading lady? Check. Strong belt? Check. A mix between the two with no discernible break that will make any woman singer jealous? Check. It's also fun that they've recorded a couple of songs by another guy that was at the same summer stock theatre with us, Scott Burkell. Actually my first listen was at pretty low level while I was working. One of Scott's contributions, The Natural Order of Things, was the first song that made me look up and think, "huh...what song is this? Sounds cool." Don't hate them because they're beautiful, talented and madly in love. Just buy their album and enjoy it.

Posted: Wed - November 9, 2005 at 03:29 PM       EmailFeedback

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