Jaime Cullum: "Blame It On My Youth," "What A Difference a Day Made"

For whatever reason, whenever I drive my little Mazda (which is currently and tragically lacking a radio) I get Jamie Cullum's version of the song "Blame It On My Youth" in my head. I don't know where or why it comes from, but it is always there. I have sung it many shameless times to myself, especially the part were he sings, "If only just for you I did exist, blame it on my youth..."  I just can't shake it.  I haven't even listened to the song recently.  In fact, this is the first time in months that I have actually played the track.  Kinda weird.  There are worse songs to get stuck in your head for years.  It has to count for something if you can't get it out of your head when you haven't even listened to the actual recording in months. 

The track originally appeared on his amazing debut album entitled "Twentysomething."  While I found his second album disappointing, I have high hopes that he will once again come out with such a classic album.  Also, I should tell you that seeing his show at the Roxy here in Atlanta was just perhaps the best show I have ever seen.  The sound quality was amazing.  It was mixed to absolute perfection and the tickets where only 15 bucks.  

I also really love his version of the song "What A Difference A Day Made."  So I posted a video of this song as well.  It's great for the holidays. 

The "Blame It On My Youth" Youtube video may be a candidate for the worst video ever posted on Youtube, except for the fact that it has the best version of the song I could find.  Just try not to watch the video.  It is super cheesy and honestly I can't watch it.  The second video is cool though. 

Jaime Cullum - "Blame It On My Youth" (listen and try not to watch!)

Jaime Cullum - "What A Difference A Day Makes"

Building Bridges: Gnarles Barkely, Radiohead and Christopher O'Riley

As many of  you know, I absolutely love the band Radiohead.   Perhaps even more of you wonder why.  To explain my love I could try to show you the pervasive operatic themes the permeate their melodies, or the deep electronic rhythms and organic beats that create the foundation for their music, the catchy guitar riffs, or even the significance of their experimental music that influences other musicians today - but none of that would really matter to many of you, would it.  Nope, didn't think so.  So I am going to try a different approach.  

When introducing your ear to new music, I am a firm believer in building bridges.  Mostly because that is how I have come to love certain types of music I once hated.

In this case, I am attempting to build a bridge to the band Radiohead - whom many just simply find "scary" or "weird."  I have selected the song "Reckoner" as a starting point off of their near perfect album "In Rainbows" from 2007.   Reckoner is a simple and powerful song that has very operatic vocal harmonies and lots of soul.  I am posting two versions of this song for your listening enjoyment.  The first is a cover by the band Gnarls Barkley - you remember, they did that absolutely amazing song, "Crazy," a few summers back; and secondly, the original version by Radiohead.  Both versions of this song are awesome.  Gnarles Barkey opens up the music of Radiohead to their audience and in turn introduces Radiohead fans to the alternative soul scene.  It is a two way street.  Not only has Gnarls Barkley covered songs by Radiohead, but so has the classical pianist and host of "From the Top" on NPR, Christopher O'Riley.  There is also his version of "Exit Music for a Film" written  by Radiohead after both versions of "Reckoner."  It is one of the ways I was first introduced to classical music, along with films I have mentioned in previous posts.  I hope you enjoy all of them. 

With all of that said.  I just want to leave you with one thought about building bridges.  In music, as I just illustrated , different types of listeners can be introduced into new types of music.  I truly believe that music is not the only medium that this phenomena occurs.  It happens with cultures, it happens with ethnicities, or at least has the ability to.  So I encourage all of you to not only stretch your musical pallet and explore the many different forms and genres that music takes around the world, but to also to get out there and met someone different than you.  Whether it be culturally, economically, or even politically explore someone else point of view and see what makes them tick.  In the end you may learn more about yourself than the other person.  Celebrate the diversity and the freedom we have to express it, especially here in the good ol' US of A!  Don't hate what you don't understand or even what you may disagree with - in the end the hate and demonization of those with whom you disagree accomplishes little.  However, what does accomplish something is reaching across aisle because it builds bridges.  

Gnarles Barkely - "Reckoner"

Radiohead - "Reckoner"

Christopher O'Riley - "Exit Music for a Film"

Radiohead - "Exit Music for a Film"

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy: "The World's Greatest"

I love covers that cross genres.  One of my favorites is this track by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, an American Folk singer covering the R. Kelly song, "I am the Greatest." I was honestly surprised to hear this was an R. Kelly song.  This song really grows on you in spite of  the overwhelming sense of narcissism that permeates the lyrics. 

"The World's Greatest"

Fleet Foxes: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Cover)

I know that I've already blogged about how super awesome Fleet Foxes are, but this is totally different...well at least a little different.  This is a cover of their song "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" by these two gals.  Wish I could tell you who they are - but I cant, so there.  What I can tell you is that they have some really amazing harmonies.  They have to be sisters.  

I also threw in the original Fleet Foxes version for you to enjoy them both.  I keep going back and forth between them.  I can't decide which one I like more. 

Tiger Mountain Pleasant Song (Cover)

Tiger Mountain Pleasant Song

Seu Jorge: Covering David Bowie - "Life on Mars", "Changes"

Cover songs often just get a bad wrap. Cover bands, for example, are often considered to be the Diet Pepsi version of the real thing. Often they fall short of expectations. However, from time to time, someone comes along and covers another's music and something magical happens. 

Case in point, Seu Jorge, a Brazlian musician, covered a number of David Bowie songs for the film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" (which just happens to be an amazing picture). The outcome - some amazing songs. The cool thing about these songs is that everyone - fans, embarrassed closet David Bowie fans like myself, and those who simply can't stand his music can find something special in these songs. 

Here are some of my favorites. By the way, if you are interested, click on the titles above the videos to go to the David Bowie versions of these songs on YouTube - just as awesome in my opinion. 

"Life on Mars"

"Changes"