Birthday CD 2009

Every year I create a mix-disc for my Birthday. I do it to share music that came out since my last birthday, or music that has inspired or meant something to me in the previous year. The biggest reason for this is that I have a HUGE love of music. I have over 3000 cd's. There are a lot of bands and music that I listen to that many of my friends don't know. I want to share the amazing music I listen to and introduce my friends to these great bands so...This is what was on my Birthday disc for 2009. I'll be posting links to the bands websites, or their Wiki page. PLEASE PLEASE search these bands out and support them - either by purchasing their music directly from their websites, or local music stores.  

 Birthday 2009 (songs from july 2008 - June 2009)  

 1) The Bones of You - Elbow www.elbow.co.uk 

 Elbow is a band that I discovered about two years ago. They were on my disc last year, and again this year. Some people have called them a new version of prog-rock. I would disagree. I think prog-rock and I think YES, while this is just good tunes. Guy Garvey has a great voice - it reminds me a bit of Damien Rice, but more throaty - more Irish if that makes sense. Alright - There is something about the chorus of this song that works for me - lyrically and musically. This version is from their "The Seldom Seen Kid Live at Abbey Road." The original ends the same way - with the trumpet sounding "Summertime" but the live version makes it more clear. And considering that my birthday is July - Summertime is good.  

 2) >Aquarius - Hair movie soundtrack Hair, the Musical  

 The trumpet continues from Summertime to a musical that reflects some of the thoughts and hopes that were around the year I was born. I love that brass from the opening of this track - and Melba Moore sounds amazing. On top of that, I can't hear this song without thinking of the Twyla Tharp choreography And there is a great sense of hope to this song - and I live my life hopefully. If you haven't seen the movie - go check it out.  

 3) Masterswarm - Andrew Bird www.andrewbird.net 

 After his last album was played over and over at Barnes & Noble, I fell for Andrew Bird. There is something about his music, something about his lyric, something about his voice, his look - It intrigues, it mystifies. I like this new album quite a bit. It has been played far far too many times at BN, and it is not something I would play - however if it does get put on, I still enjoy it. I like the way he has brought violin into pop music, the way he layers. soo cool. and the best thing - the alliteration. My fav part of the song starts with the bridge "so they took me to the hospital."  

 4) Wilderness Wheel - Issa www.issalight.com 

 Issa. She used to known as Jane Siberry. I won't say that I was in love the first time I heard her - I wasn't. I thought her music was interesting but it really didn't do much for me until "When I was a boy" and the album "Maria" - then I started understanding her art. And her live 2-disc Christmas album is an amazing album. So - she has changed her name to Issa. Her first album came out this year, and there are a lot of really good songs on there - but Wilderness Wheel - there is something - the interplay of the nature sounds, her voice. The line "You/ You've come from so far/ To be here right now" Isn't that true? Think of your journey to be not only where you are, but who you are right at this moment. Even if you think that you haven't had an interesting life, your life is different from everybody else's life. I look forward to her next album, while still enjoying the work and art of Jane Siberry.  

 5) bleeding all over you - Martha Wainwright www.marthawainwright.com 

 I don't think this song needs an introduction. Since Rufus didn't come out with an album of his own this year (hopefully the Opera will be out next year) I turn to his very talented sister Martha. I love her voice, I love her writing, and this song is good - "I know you're married but I've got feelings too." Haven't we all been in places like that? Someone you are interested in, a onesided relationship, or otherwise involved too much in work to return the affection.  

 6) I'm throwing my arms around Paris - Morrissey www.morrissey-solo.com 

I've been a fan of The Smiths and Morrissey for a number of years. I saw Morrissey perform at The Quest many years ago, and when I heard he was coming back to town - I was excited. I was talking to a friend of mine who asked if I was going to go to the show, and (since I was only working one part-time job I said probably not) next thing I knew he told me he had two tickets and was wondering if I wanted to go. I didn't hesitate to say yes. It was a great show and from this song until the next Smiths song - the songs are about a budding friendship/relationship. And while I've never been to Paris, there have been times that I have wanted to throw my arms around Mpls, or Tokyo because no one wanted my love. Like I've stated previously, I live hopefully so - hopefully things will change.  

 7) Falling in Love At a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg Landon Pigg 

 I like Coffee Shops, I like Coffee, I like workers in coffee shops, and I really like this song. Simple, sweet, and so true about new relationships...the excitement when you realize that there may be deeper feelings involved...all taking place in a coffee shop. Could you ask for more?  

 8) F.N.T. - Semisonic www.semisonic.com 

 Yeah - the album came out in 1996. Fascinating New Thing. I've met a lot of great people this past year. This is for all of them, and a specific person in mind. As the lyric states "I'm surprised that you've never been told before that you're lovely and you're perfect and that somebody wants you." I want every one I meet to know that somewhere, somehow they are loved and they are perfect and that somebody does want them. ok...maybe not perfect...but loved and wanted. I have to remember this myself as well. I am loved, and while I may not know it - I am wanted...and perhaps someone does think that I'm perfect.  

 9) Hey Ya - The New Standards www.thenewstandards.com 

 Produced by Dan Wilson (of Semisonic) the album "Rock and Roll" came out this year. It is nothing but fun and good jazz. Covering everything from Peggy Lee to Lou Reed to Britney Spears? Nothing but fun. And they are a local MN group so you really can't go wrong in my book.  

 10) La Llorona - Beirut www.beirutband.com 

 Another one of my fave bands. I have no idea why but there is something about this band that I dig. Yeah - there is the whole ethnic sound to it, but there is also something about Zach Condon's voice. I think I have put his music on almost every mix-disc I've done. I can't get enough. Like Devotchka, or Issa, or Elbow - when a new album comes out, I start looking forward to the next one right away...only because I want to know where they are headed, I want to be on the adventure and journey with them. It is comforting and new - if that is possible. This year Beirut came out with a double album - "Beirut March of the Zapotec" and "realpeople Holland." yes, they are the same band with a very different sound. But so so good...  

 11) Time Will - Hercules and Love Affair https://www.herculesandloveaffair.net/  

 I don't know where to start with this band. Great music, fun, and Antony doing guest vocals. What a great idea and a great sound. I love Antony's voice - lyrically I'm not sure what the lyric means but a great tune, and a good intro to Kylie Minogue.  

 12) Can't Get Blue Monday Out of my Head - Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue  

 Two great songs being mashed into one really great song. At least in my mind ;-) And Kylie is coming to the US for the first time ever? Sadly she is not coming to the Twin Cities, and I can't afford to see her in Chicago but - hopefully it will sell well and she'll be back. Like every one else, I first heard her version of "Locomotion" and thought it was cute. However, it was a dance remix version of "Spinning Around" that caught my ear, and hooked me on her. I believe that she and I are the same age...but what a great voice, great body, and i dig her alot - no excuses.  

 13) This Love won't Fail - Oleta Adams www.oletaadams.com 

 This goes back a number of years. The album "Come Walk with me" came out in 1997. I was a fan of Oleta Adam's first album, but this album slipped by me until the show RENT came to town for the first time. I'm a huge fan of RENT and that first year the cast took a Monday night and performed a cabaret. The final song of the evening was this song - and it was like the opening of Act II of RENT - the whole cast coming on, singing "Seasons of Love." Well - this year, RENT made its return to the Twin Cities. I wasn't going to go but then they said that most of the closing Broadway Cast would be touring, along with Anthony Rapp, and Adam Pascal. When I first saw RENT in NYC, I believe I saw Anthony Rapp perform, but Norbert Leo Butz was playing Roger instead of Adam Pascal. I couldn't give up a chance to see these two great actors play the show. And what a surprise to see my favorite crush Sean Earl in the cast. So - this is for them.  

 14) There is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Divine Comedy www.thedivinecomedy.com 

 I will never miss a chance to share one of my all time favorite bands - The Divine Comedy. Sure, this isn't one of their songs, but The Divine Comedy covering one of my all time favorite Smiths song...I can't go wrong. I love it, I love the voice and the lyrics. It is near perfect...and a good ending to my little musical love fest.  

 15) Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead www.michaelfranti.com 

 Great song, Great rhythm, great band. Michael is an amazing lyricist and has a great political mind, showing such care for the world, and the people. And he is very attractive in my book.  

 16) The Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine in) - Hair (original cast recording) 

 A brand new production of HAIR just started treading the boards on Broadway, won Tony awards, and critical acclaim. Why this show and why now? I have no idea - but I look forward to seeing it when it tours (if it tours). I just think that this song is such a great ending to a great show - full of hope and desire and to some extent demands. Demands to look on the lighter side, to look on the good side of people, to let the sunshine in, to open up your mind to new ideas, to listen to others with an open heart, to care for others, to look out for others. I also have this desire to do this show just so I can be on stage, singing full voice these lyrics. I long for that day. I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to do it, but i can...(what is that word again?) everyone together... HOPE!  

 17. One Day Like This - Elbow 

 If you know me at all, you know that I like themes to my mix-discs and I like bookends. This one has a double bookend - two songs from Hair, and two songs from Elbow. I think both songs make a good opening thematically and musically. I think they make the same sense when it comes to closing. Yes - it is from the same Live at the BBC recording. And again, a perfect ending. After the song "Let the sunshine in" how can you NOT put a song that rings "throw those curtains wide."?

So - there you are.

ciao,

krl