Medley of the Day: This was actually a medley in the first place

Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows of my not-so secret love of Sting. It's not because I love and adore everything he's ever written/performed (at least 30% of it is too bizarre to really enjoy listening to), but when Sting's good, he's good. And if I can look at him while he's being good at playing music, even better. Here he is performing "Why Should I Cry for You" (1991) and "Be Still My Beating Heart" (1987) in a sweet yellow vest.

Check out Dominic Miller's hair: what part of the 90s is this?

Everyone covers Dylan: "I Shall Be Released"

So Bob Dylan, right? Great songwriter, terrible singer. More often than not, I enjoy covers of his songs rather than his versions, since his voice tends to kill a song for me. Lucky for you, I'm willing to scour the YouTubes to find you 5 of these great covers of a Dylan song each week. This is an impossible task, especially since the 60s were a time when people unabashedly covered songs and released them as singles or performed them on all those variety shows. All I can guarantee are a variety of versions that are good.

First up, "I Shall Be Released." This song was written by our man Bob in 1967.

Bob Dylan's version was recorded in in 1971 for Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II:



Although the first recording of it (according to the 'pedia) was in 1968 by the Band, Dylan's band for a time.

1. Here's the Band at the Express Festival of 1970:




2. Nina Simone's version (1969) gives it some soul:




3. Sting at The Secret Policeman's Other Ball in 1981 reggae-ing it up. You know I love it:




4. The Jerry Garcia Band in 1990 giving a solid version of the song with good solos (organ especially) and mellow soul:




5. Jeff Buckley gets spare on his version on the 1993 album, Live at Sin-é.

100 Favorite Songs: 61-65

Dear Past Kelsy,

What a great selection of songs. You have great taste!

Love,
Future Kelsy

61. “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” by Billy Joel (1977)

ack ACK ACK ACK!!!! Right?


This just looks fun.

62. “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins (1995)

The drums and bassline on this song--great.


Is there anything cooler than a female bassist?

63. “We Work the Black Seam” by Sting (1985)

This song is strangely addictive with its blend of social consciousness and inaccurate science.


A fun practice/live version.

64. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 (1983)

Also known as the only U2 song I like. It's pretty powerful stuff, helped by the fact that Bono hadn't become the pretentious message-bearer he's become today.


The black and white style makes this even more timeless.

65. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (1966)

The Beach Boys not singing about surfing is my favorite. When they use their powers of sweet harmonies for a gorgeous singles like this, perfection.


Mmmm, lip synching.

100 Favorite Songs: 36-40

Huh.

36. “Lyin’ Eyes” – Eagles (1975)

If only for the phrase "the cheatin' side of town."


Although I always forget how long this song is...


37. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd (1979)

Mostly written by David Gilmour, "Comfortably Numb" is definitely one of the less pompous moments of The Wall. Also, David kills his guitar solos.


Would have loved to see this live.


38. “Toxicity” – System of a Down (2002)

System of a Down had some of the hardest core music I can withstand, mostly because they still managed to have melody and avoid a lot of screaming. "Toxicity" is one of their most fun to sing along with.


Speaking of Pink Floyd's The Wall.


39. “Fields of Gold” – Sting (1993)

Probably his least weird song, Sting managed to write a song in the early '90s that sounds timeless.


I also associate it with this so-cheesy-it's-great book called They Loved to Laugh, in which Quakers, orphans, and brothers vying for the heart of one woman all happen in one book.


40. “Plush” – Stone Temple Pilots (1993)

Sounds just as good acoustic as it does electric.


Singing in a throne. Impressive.

25 Days of Christmas Music: Gabriel's Message

I love the melody of "Gabriel's Message"--I just have a thing for minor key, mystical sounding religious music. Now imagine a rendition done by 80s-era Sting. Mind. Blown. It's a fairly sparse arrangement, with light instrumental accompaniment drowned out by layered harmonies of Sting's uniquely bombastic, almost out-of-range vocals.

This version of "Gabriel's Message" appeared on 1987's A Very Special Christmas. Here's by my favorite find for this series so far, the surreal video to this song directed by the prolific Matt Mahurin:

A gentler(?) version of this song appears on Sting's If on a Winter's Night... (2009).

Medley of the Day: Quirky love edition

1. "Ana Ng" by They Might Be Giants -- I find this song completely endearing and lovely. I really hope they find each other some day.

2. "Seven Days" by Sting -- Leave it to Sting to write yet another pathetic sort of love song. At least he's honest?

3. "Cynical Girl" by Marshall Crenshaw -- Sorry, I like TV. We'll never be together, Marshall.

4. "Little Moments" by Brad Paisley -- This is when Mr. Paisley's funny lyrics are kind of sexy.