In the predawn gloom of a warmish wintery morning. Backed by choirs of angels or at least by the steady thum of the engine and the slightly muted songs on the radio… driving the newly familiar route passing the same buildings and noticing anything that looks out of place. Past the way too many car lots along my way, filled with cars that never sell and contemplating the meaning of all existence and trying to stay awake. A meaningless, yet invigorating conversation with one of the many interesting characters that fate has brought into my life. Today, the discussion was about letters we would banish, alternate spellings we would outlaw. Keep it simple… I suppose.
Then my shuffle begins with a song that holds memories – don’t they all in one way or another?
1. Lost Horizon by The Movement from City Without a Subway (vinyl rip) (1986)
Nowadays Richie Owens heads up The Farm Bureau and runs The Old Time Pickin’ Parlor, but back in those heady days of the mid 80s, he was the go to producer for new music in Nashville, and he headed up a nifty little band called The Movement who made some sweet neo-pop music. I was fortunate to have seen The Movement live when they lead off an amazing evening of music in the Cat’s Records parking lot on West End Avenue. We got Lost Horizon from a vinyl copy of City Without a Subway which we mentioned the other day, I also own a cassette copy of The Movement’s eponymous EP. Up in the Amazon widget, the song is included from an excellent compilation of Nashville’s new music scene from the 80s called Return to Elliston Square 1979-1989.
2. Etoile Polaire by Phillip Glass from Analog (2006)
Composition dates from the late 70s to 1980. Analog marked a rare instance of Glass using recording as a means to aid in composition. We got this off a Glass compilation released on Amazon which does not appear to be available any more.
Originally on the band’s 2005 album Z. A previous live version was released on the 2006 double live album Okonokos. This download was part of a series of free downloads put out by the band a couple of years ago.
Joseph Mooradian is a singer/songwriter currently in college in Sewanee, Tennessee. I’ve been a fan since I first heard him sing at a coffeehouse at our church – a few years ago. Like me, he is a big fan of Damien Jurado, and his music features the dense sound, echo-like vocals and deep, thoughtful lyrics that mark Mr. Jurado. Joseph Mooradian had found his voice, and I hope to hear more from him as the years go by.
5. The Mermaid Parade by Phosphorescent from Here’s to Taking it Easy (2010)
Alabama born Matthew Houck got his musical start as Phosphorescent in 2001 in Athens, Georgia. More recently, he has called Brooklyn home. The Mermaid Parade is really cool, country-flavored song that I really like.
From U2’s second album.
“I was talking
I was talking to myself
Somebody else
Talk, talk, talking
I couldn’t hear a word
A word you said”
From the third album by k.d. and the Reclines. A Goodwill find from this weekend. Fun stuff.
Some pretty awesome rock music from this Cincinnati based band that was toured with the Black Crowes and been produced by a Black Keys member. Black is the new Black…. I guess.
Long Player Late Bloomer is Sexsmith’s 12th studio album. Love Shines features a gorgeous melody and beautiful vocals wrapped up in a near perfect pop song package.
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E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 