Music that makes me happy...
in no particular order *All images are shamelessly taken from the linked sites
Kate Bush katebush.co.uk I wasn't really exposed to Kate Bush until just a few years ago. I'd heard of her and seen her on just about every list of 'important musical women' but I hadn't really listened to her work. It's a shame that I managed to miss out on her music for so long, I image that the teenage me would have been bound and determined to emulate her in every way. I could listen to Wuthering Heights over and over again. I did in fact do this at work one day but it drove everyone mad... so now I only do it at home :)
Tom Waits tomwaits.com (there's nothing there at the mo') His lyrics are so very sad and funny at the same time. He's a quirky fella too, which is always a bonus in my books. Bestest voice ever!
Pet Shop Boys petshopboys.co.uk I bet I actually have some Pet Shop Boys vinyl hiding somewhere. Can you believe it's been 20 years since West End Girls? Christ I feel old.
ABBA abbasite.com What the hell is ABBA doing on this list? When I'm having a really rough day at work, one thing that is sure to cheer me up is ABBA. It's just so damned happy and catchy that I can't help myself. So bugger off Paul! Don't judge me! Go team ABBA!
The Smiths & Morrissey no official site *Sigh* To this day, whenever I hear "How Soon Is Now?" I think of the boy I was smitten with when I was a lusty teen. Sweet Jesus, I can remember dancing around like a ninny, singing his name "Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim." I also remember making moon eyes at him when I saw him at a Morrissey show. Of corse I was such an idiot back then that I daren't show my feelings towards him... just every single other human being. "So you go, and you stand on your own, and you leave on your own and you go home, and you cry, and you want to die..." Yep, that just about sums it up..
Queen queenonline.com Probably my first musical memory was sitting in the back of a car listening to Queen and pondering the cheekiness of "Fat Bottom Girls." These fellas were probably the first group that I liked (after the Mini-pops and Chipmunks).
Loreena McKennitt quinlanroad.com Loreena has a most beautiful voice. Her music is dreamy, sort of smokey, with a strong Celtic sound.. but It's not just Celtic music. Her lyrics explore various mythologies, folklore and history and there is a wonderful blend and variety of folk music influences in her work.
Peggy Lee peggylee.com Hands down THE best version of Fever ever.
Nina Simone ninasimone.com Another fantastic female that I wish that I had listened to years and years before. A wonderfully powerful, emotional voice. She's such a pleasure to listen to.
Chet Baker no official site When I was about 15 I saw a documentary about Chet Baker. I remember thinking how incredibly sad his story was but I wasn't moved enough to spend my allowance on an album. Years later, Paul and I were in a restaurant and this lovely music came on. I asked the server who was playing and it was Chet. I do believe Chet is the perfect music for dining and coddling a broken heart.
The image to the left was taken by Francesco "Cecco" Maino and can be found along with many other beautiful images of Mr. Baker at chetbakertribute.com
More nifty stuff...
Blur blur.co.uk Perhaps the reason Paul and I have lasted so long is that we rooted for the same team in the Blur vs Oasis battle...
Fleetwood Mac fleetwoodmac.com I heart the earliest incarnations of Fleetwood Mac. What witchy woman hasn't, at one point or other, wanted to be Stevie Nicks?
Pink Martini's pinkmartini.com They are fabulous! It's hard to pin point thier sound. Jazz, lounge, mambo, french cafe... whatever, it's lovely.
Cake cakemusic.com I never, ever think to list CAKE as one of my favourite bands but they are on my playlist at work and I love listenin' to 'em.
The White Stripes whitestripes.com It may not be as fashionable to fawn over the White Stripes as it was a few years ago but I'll do it anyway. I adore their honest to goodness rockin' music. Besides, look at them! How can you not love those two weirdos?
Me First and the Gimme Gimmies gimmegimmes.com This is what happens when a punk band covers showtunes and Neil Diamond.
The Stray Cats straycats.com
Brian Setzer briansetzer.com I was fortunate enough to see Brian Setzer a few years ago in Toronto and he was amazing. I was in awe watching, listening to what he did with that guitar. There is a reason that he has maintained such a devout following for so long... he's the best at what he does!
Hank III hank3.com Paul's contribution to this list is the grandson of Hank Williams Sr., Hank III.
Ella Fitzgerald ellafitzgerald.com I love to sing to Ella when I'm dancing around in my underware, slapping my face on while getting dressed in the mornin'.
