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?
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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.
Julee Cruise does it for me. And this one Canadian acapella group called The Nylons makes me happy, because it reminds me of my mom.
When I’m seriously stressed and need some relaxation time, nothing does it better than Metallica, preferably “Until it Sleeps” or “Mama Said”
The severely underrated “SCHIZOPHRENIC” by JC Chasez (the not-Justin Timberlake, not-gay NSYNCer with the huge voice).
The entire album is a rare combination of “What the f— was he smoking when he wrote that song?” and musical genius. His talent and creativity takes you away from the weight of reality, save for a few songs that are instant tearjerkers. The man can sing everything and on this album he does…from the ultimate break-up song (“Dear Goodbye) to the ultimate man anthem (“All Day Long I Dream About Sex) to the BEST. SONG. IN. THE. HISTORY. OF. SONGS. (“100 Ways”). I sound like an infomercial because it’s THAT good!
LISTEN TO IT!
Michael Buble kind of puts me in a trance. Its so smooth, like chocolate for the ears. Jack Johnson makes me sleepy too.
Rasha – I agree. ‘Schizophrenic’ by JC Chasez was a heavily underrated album.
Anyhoo, I like to listen to Norah Jones (Come Away With Me), Jewel (Pieces of You) or Sarah McLachlan (Surfacing) when I relax. Especially when I take a bath. I could use one right now!
Oh yeah, and Michael Buble too. He rocks. And JT is NOT gay. Don’t hate on him because he’s fabulous, Rasha.
Natalie Merchant
Hey, whenever they’ve got Doo-Wop on PBS I watch- it’s great! But my ultimate chill-out music is Sigur Ros, Simon and Garfunkel,and Sufjan Stevens.
Jim Brickman
Josh Groban, he talks me off the proverbial ledge on stressful days. The first few notes and my stress floats away…
Mandi, I adore doo-wop. American Graffiti is one of my favorite movies, and I just saw a production of All Shook Up (a jukebox musical of Elvis songs) this past weekend.
My relaxing music is Rufus Wainwright’s quieter stuff (like “11:11″ off Want One), Joe Purdy, A Fine Frenzy (LOVE their album One Cell in the Sea, and they’re amazing live), and the Across the Universe soundtrack. Also I love Mates of States’ cover of “California,” the OC theme song.
And “Swimming Pool” by Freezepop!
Smooth Jazz. It’s all I can stand. I make my newborn fall asleep to Paul Hardcastle every night. I hope he feels like he’s swinging in a hammock surrounded by palm trees while drifting off to dreamland.
For me right now, it’s Damien Rice, Cary Brothers, Snow Patrol, the Once soundtrack…I think that’s it.
Mandalay.