Happy New Year to all of you who stop by my blog. I hope your year is filled with joy, peace, prosperity and digital awesomeness.
Speaking of which, it’s been a while since I’ve posted my Shazams, spreading the gospel of great music to the world. As usual it’s a mish-mash, but I’m going to come hot with my first opinion: Taylor Swift’s “Lover” is one of the best things I heard all last year. It’s got an under-produced 1960s kind of vibe.
This next group is a Canadian indie pop band called Alvvays, and their song “Dream Tonite” is set to a bunch of footage from Montreal’s Expo 67. Book me there! You had me at Montreal.
Let’s stay back in yesteryear for a tune I heard on Sirius XM’s ‘Soul Town’ channel. This is Betty Wright from 1974 with “Secretary.” Dig the groove. We need more Betty Wrights in music these days! Also, big H/T for the ordinary-secretary rhyme.
My ongoing, random-selection fanship of Indigo Girls continues after 30 years. Here’s a thought: What if they merged with the Dave Matthews Band? I think it would be incredible.
Here’s another good’n I heard on ‘Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’ Apparently, Lindsey Stirling is a thing, and it started with her talents on violin. As a fellow, former junior high violinist, good on her. The hit show on Amazon Prime has been the best TV conduit for random music finds all year.
Another show that is introducing me these days to a lot of great music is Apple TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup and Mark Duplass. I’ll write about the show soon enough, but only after I watch the season finale with my wife.
Editor’s note: We watched it. And it was gripping.
The show’s opening theme is brilliant, although I’d suggest that its intro is really the best part of the song. It’s a song called “Nemesis” by Benjamin Clementine.
And this song is from ‘The Morning Show’ as well, although it was only used in one episode. This is a song from singer-songwriter Bill Dess, who goes by the stage name Two Feet. The chorus has a mammoth hook.
One more TV-related song selection, the opening theme from Amazon Prime’s delicious “Modern Love,” a series of extraordinarily told romance stories set in Manhattan and based on the New York Times column of the same name. The song is called “Setting Sail” by Gary Clark and John Carney.
If you don’t recognize the name Gary Clark, you should at least recognize his voice. He was the lead singer for the 80s band Danny Wilson and took lead vocals on “Mary’s Prayer.”
I won’t spoil anything for you, but the first episode of this series is phenomenal. If you have an ounce of heart in your cold bones, you’re likely to love this. It all feels like “Love Actually” TBH.
One more track for you, this one from a band that gave us one of the best songs of the 2000s: “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked.” Cage The Elephant has released another fantastic offering with “Social Cues.”
Until next time, keep your Shazam app open and ready! It’s the best way to discover great new music on the run.
