Gypsy Kings: "Trista Pena" (or "Sad Pain")

This song is almost in a league of it's own.  It takes you somewhere else, somewhere sad and far away.  The first time I heard this song I almost cried.  It is one of my favorites from the Gypsy Kings. It is simply a classic.  Yo tengo gusto de los reyes de Gypse mucho.  Son muy buena. 

"Trista Pena" 

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"

Salif Keita: 'Folon'

For those of you who are skeptical about "world music," listen to Salif Keita. Ketia was born as an albino and was forced out of his village at a young age because he was thought to be bad luck. Since then he has become a world renowned musician. His music is entrancing. I have to remind myself that this clip is just one guy with one guitar. He is my favorite African singer. He totally blows my mind.  I get chills everytime.