At the risk of losing more ground to Annie Barrett in our battle over who’s cooler (just go ahead and crown her Queen S— of Turd Island already, I can’t compete), I’m admitting that I went to a doo-wop concert Saturday night. My mother thinks I accompanied her because she begged me to, and while it’s true that I wouldn’t have instigated the purchasing of tickets, I knew I’d have fun. Oldies relax me. They’re more than an escape; they’re a time-out. It’s like because they’re from another era, time has to stand still in this one until the music stops.
While I liked Terry Johnson’s Flamingos ("I Only Have Eyes For You") and Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners ("Since I Don’t Have You"), I loved headliners Little Anthony and the Imperials (below, a medley of their hits including "Tears On My Pillow"). They’re celebrating their 50th year in the business and they still sound amazing. Their a cappella version of "Two Kinds of People in the World," which Ernest Wright wrote after seeing Ava Gardner on a late night show, brought tears to my eyes. I felt so lucky to get a chance to hear them sing it. Apparently, I’m not the only young admirer they’ve got: Little Anthony said Fergie and Alicia Keys are fans. He also said they’re doing Letterman in August to perform a new song.
What’s your musical time-out?
Pretty much anything that’s defined as “ambient” or “chill-out” the following 3 cds are among my faves.
Enigma – The Screen Behind the Mirror
Robin Guthrie – Imperial
Delerium – Karma
Old school jazz vocals do it for me. I love Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, and Frank Sinatra, but my ultimate chill-out guy is Joe Williams. I used to stay up late to watch Carson back in the day when I knew Joe was going to be on. Smooth supple voice and timeless styling–I’ll always be a fan of his.
Everybody rags on her, but I like listening to Enya. Very relaxing (which Margaret Cho hilariously used in her bit about going to get an enema).
Mandi, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about! That sounds like a great concert.
Oh, Mandi, you’re very cool. I love your posts. My chillax music is Eva Cassidy, Lyle Lovett, Norah Jones, or some country music.
Let’s see, anything by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Nat King Cole. Very soothing….
Jack Johnson will do the trick, too.
I love show tunes. Can’t help it. I have an addiction. I can sing every word to Phantom of the Opera, although no one actually wants to hear me sing.
BrankdonK – I love Enya too, even if definitely not cool – but James Galway’s Japanese Flute Melodies will get me in a zen mood every time – as will Bob James/Earl Klugh cd Cool – best ever.
Cocteau Twins
Nickel Creek
Carpenters
Cocteau Twins – lush, techno-infused, nonsensical lyrics. What’s more relaxing than that?
Nickel Creek – especially their first album. Achingly lovely lyrics and instrumentation.
Carpenters – should not need an explanation.
Enya, Enigma, Delerium, Clannad, The Medieval Baebes, various Classical music and various movie/anime/videogame soundtracks
Weirdly enough, “soft Latin.” Stuff like Santana’s “Europa” or “Samba pa Ti” mellow me right out. Soft blues rock sometimes does the trick too–”Sweet Melissa” and the like.
Sigur Ros always does the trick for me.
I listen to the NPR program “Echoes” in the evenings for my chill-out music. Even though I had to turn it off the other night when they played a guitar version of “Tubular Bells,” and all I could think of is Regan spinning her head completely around in the Exorcist. Of course, this came directly after I finished watching “Zodiac.” Alone. At night. Okay, I’m getting off subject here.