For Sentimental Reasons

I've not written in awhile. So I thought I'd share a song I have been listening to quite a lot lately.



I remember when I first heard of this song. I was sitting in my dad's room while he was getting ready for something in the bathroom. He had the radio on and I remember listening to these two old men with their banter about the good ol' days and such in music history. And then...they played this song.

I heard it and knew who it was immediately. But didn't know the song. I'm very good at recognizing artists. Even if I haven't heard the song before. And I had always loved Nat King Cole ever since I first heard him sing L-O-V-E. I quickly looked up what lyrics I could pick up from the song...and fell in love. I cried when I read the lyrics.

I distinctly remember looking up the song and this being the first picture of Nat King Cole I saw. I have this thing where a certain song will remind me of a particular thing, person, movie, picture, etc. This is what pops in my mind when I think of Nat singing the song.



I have heard many renditions of the song. But none of them, absolutely none of them compare to the beauty and strength and love that Nat King Cole puts into this one. He has two versions. This is the better one I think. I love most of the versions I've heard but again...this one beats them all.

What is a huge joy and surprise to me to this day, is the fact that I have this particular version on vinyl. Whenever I start up my turntable, this vinyl is one of the first ones I'll put on. It's incredibly peaceful and comforting. and most of all, sentimental and lovely.

This is by far the most romantic song I have ever heard in my entire life. Probably my favorite love song of all time. I don't think anyone understands the connection I have with this song. I still cry when I listen to it.

Top 20 Songs I Learned About During the year 2011

*note: Most of these songs were NOT written or produced during the year 2011, I am merely talking about the songs I finally heard for the first time and began liking during the year 2011.

My Sweet Lord

So I almost came when I found out Kevin Max did a cover of My Sweet Lord by George Harrison.



I miss the guitar solo. It's not in Kevin's version

But my goodness...I fall in love with the original song every time. That guitar solo = Love in general.
I get chills. every. time.

Here's the original:

Mykonos

I cannot, for the life of me get this out of my head.



Lately I've been kind of out of it. I don't know the real reason why. But during this weird phase I've been going through, I've been listening to more Fleet Foxes. I don't mean to reblog about them but I could not get something out of my mind about this band.

I think I feel some sort of connection with them. Kind of like I did with Copeland but a bit different so far. I love their way with words, their harmonies, their choice of instruments...the vocals. I found something really interesting that I wanted to share and cannot get out of my mind about the band.

*

This guy. Skyler Skjelset. I know him. Or I've seen him before. Met him in a dream. Met him in real life. Or met someone who looks like him. So far the only person I can say he reminds me of is Bo Rinehart of Needtobreathe. But he's more...wild. Skyler has this...innocence I've not seen in awhile. It's odd. But I know somehow, some way, I've seen him before. and whenever I get this song in my head...I think about this very picture. It's almost kind of creepy. But it's here in my mind, lingering, and I can't seem to manage to figure out why. There is something strikingly odd about this guy. (no i don't think he looks like a pedophile or anything of that nature)

As for some other songs I've come to love by Fleet Foxes, I recommend these: He Doesn't Know Why and Isles. Those are two I've come to love so far.


*this is not my photo, I do not claim it, whatever I need to say so I don't go to jail over copyright crap, there you go.
P.S. Screw you SOPA if you ever get passed.

This Coming End of the Year

So while I was browsing through some tweets and listening to Fleet Fox interviews, I noticed someone mention they were coming up with their "Top Albums of 2011." I thought, "holy crap, I need to do this myself." Then I realized...I've not listened to that many albums that have come out this particular year. now...I can do a "Top Songs I've learned about in 2011" but I don't think I'll be doing an "album" list. I'll try again next year. But if anyone is interested in that, let me know.

Blue Ridge Mountains

So it turns out, there must be some special reason why I need to listen to and check out more of Neil Young.

As sometimes my friends will do, they will share with me songs they like. I was given this link and told I might not like it. How wrong that was. The harmonies... they are perfection. The music is sublime. What I love most is that it reminds me of where I used to grow up. Not sure if it is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but a place in Tennessee. A country side. With lots of mountains and hills and plains. Honestly, probably my real favorite place on earth. Because it is perfection because that is how I saw it growing up. and of course...the song reminds me of a story I knew. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. It talks a lot about mountains.

In any case, today I did a little bit of reading on Fleet Foxes. I go to wikipedia often when I want to study a band. (don't judge me, I know it's not the most accurate of sources, but it's the simplest thing to go to for research) One of their major influences happens to be...Neil Young. and from my previous blog about Foster The People, I mentioned that if someone was into older music, such as Neil Young, they've got taste. and with these guys it's obvious because their music sound like it's from the 60's or 70's. It's that good. While reading in wikipedia, I read of when someone had first listened to them and said they could tell "that talent was coming out of their ass." This made me laugh. But clever. And honestly, these dudes sound like their gonna make some sort of history, just like Neil Young perhaps. NOT, however, like the Beatles. :)

Also...I noticed something...Robin Pecknold, the lead vocalist, his voice reminds me most of Joel T. Hamilton's from The Working Title. I wouldn't be surprised if one got influence from the other. Or if their distantly related...who knows. In any case, they remind me of each other quite a bit. Except joel T. Hamilton's voice is a bit different of course...and makes me wanna jizz my pants. :D

I'm gonna get on the road with Neil Young sometime or another. I'm scared though...because I have a strong feeling I may like his stuff. and then I'll want all his music...we'll see.

Heart of Gold

I am one for new music every once in awhile. And sometimes I'll come across it by mistake. By listening to covers.

I've been in a romantic mood so Foster The People was one band I definitely was craving. I got curious and started watching some interviews. I wasn't looking for it but I came across a cover they did of Neil Young (or so it says in the description) I have not actually sat down and listened to Neil Young. But I already knew I liked this band for different reasons, other than the fact they appreciate good, old music like myself. In one of the interviews I came across, Mark Foster is asked who he would collaborate with if he was given the choice or chance. The first thing that comes out of Foster's mouth is "Damon Albarn...or Thom Yorke." I jizzed my pants a little bit.

That was completely different than what I had in mind to say but I did want to mention, I am really glad he appreciates good music and talent. Mark Foster that is. And even after listening to this song which I have never listened to and an artist I have never really took interest in though heard of, I know he's got taste and knows what he listens to and isn't one of these other mainstream artists who become famous because other people are writing for them. They write their own songs. I see the influence.

I would never, however...say that Foster The People has come out as The "New" Beatles. I saw another interview not too long ago where the interviewer said something along those lines and I about wanted to reach into the screen and pull her hair off her head or slap the hoe. Yes, they have become popular, almost over night but that does not mean that they are anything like The Beatles. They are creative, they are unique, they do have their own style but no. They are not The Beatles.

Beside the point, I'm glad these guys have come into the music industry, even if they have gone mainstream. I am glad that they (so far) they keep to their morals of staying creative and keeping it real. and...listening to good music. Indie artists, for the win.