Listening to Back to Black, I was first struck by how Amy Winehouse doesn’t asks for us to sympathize with her. Instead, she documents her emotional experiences with raw honesty. Nearly twenty years after its release, the album still feels contemporary because its emotional truths are timeless. It isn’t simply a collection of songs about heartbreak, it is a portrait of someone trying to understand herself.
When Duke Ellington first composed Mood Indigo in 1930, he described the piece as “a musical statement of depression without words.” It is a song that drifts and soothes all at once. The muted horn lines hang in the air like a lingering fog, a reminder that emotions often come in shades. https://youtu.be/O9jHgGDKDkU?si=3J2HDLO5Pf2BIqIN That same... Continue Reading →
A virtuoso trumpeter, composer, and educator, Wynton Marsalis has carved an indelible mark on the annals of Jazz history. For me, SophieRoseRosalee embodies an abstract journey of musical expression. With its hauntingly beautiful harmonies and intricate rhythms, this composition embodies the soul of jazz. As you listen to it, scroll downwards and enjoy some of... Continue Reading →
Kent Bausman, a college professor, finds common ground with his daughter through music. His daughter introduces him to "LoveJoy" and Steve Lacy, whose lyrics resonate with Bausman's past struggles with confidence and social class. This newfound connection with young artists is a blessing, bridging generational gaps through shared musical interests.
In 2007, I discovered Amy Winehouse's soulful voice on YouTube. Her live performances of "You Sent Me Flying," "Take the Box," and "Stronger Than Me" showcased her raw talent and authenticity. I was captivated by her gender role exploration in "Stronger Than Me" and her reimagining of jazz classic "There is No Greater Love." Her poignant lyrics and emotional delivery deeply resonated with me, leaving a lasting impression.
https://youtu.be/3vSPxWp-7SU?si=GneFJzUhK9IATv9N This song has been stuck in my head the past two weeks. I picked up the CD at a used record store a couple months ago and have just been letting it play. For whatever reason this one track just sticks with me “Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" paints the picture of a passionate,... Continue Reading →
My introduction to "Into My Arms" came through the movie "About Time” by Richard Curtis. Within the film's artfully crafted scenes “Into My Arms" finds its rightful place, adding an additional layer of meaning and encapsulating the power of love. https://youtu.be/HZY3gfcSNqU As a non-religious person, I perceive the song through the prism of finding solace.... Continue Reading →
Save Ferris, is an overlooked kick-ass 90s ska band. They beautifully blend ska, punk, and pop. Monique Powell, the powerhouse frontwoman, brings the heat with her dynamic vocals, and an oozing charisma that'll make your heart beat a bit faster. https://youtu.be/1GDZp0bPRcU But it ain't just about Powell. The whole crew knows their way around their... Continue Reading →
With every word he utters, each phrase he sings, he captures the essence of longing that truth often brings. The song's vulnerability finds a new dimension in Jamie Cullum's hands. https://youtu.be/DuRjNDubdvU His interpretation, a blend of jazz and soul, takes a journey where pain and passion stroll. He breathes new life into this classic tune,... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/JNIK18PKrqY I stumbled on to this brilliant mashup of the Arctic Monkeys’ “Do I Wanna Know” and Dua Lipa’s cover of the same song. I have seen both of these videos separately, but never together. Whomever is responsible did a brilliant job. What makes Arctic Monkeys so special for me is their ability to write... Continue Reading →
For whatever reason, and I haven’t the slightest idea why, Bonnie Raitt’s music has been in my head.. It has been on constant rotation for at a least 2 weeks. I am one of those individuals that always has a tune in their head. Brushing my teeth in the morning, taking out the trash, or... Continue Reading →
I think this is one of the most beautiful songs. It has been in my head for a while since we had a string of thunderstorms. https://youtu.be/87Z2CdbHpZQ The prettiest thingI ever did seeWas lightning from the top of a cloudMoving through the dark a million miles an hourWith somewhere to be So why does it... Continue Reading →
My daughter and I had our first true shared musical exchange. What I mean is that as she’s grown up, I have exposed her to my musical interests in hopes of cultivating an eclectic musical palate in her. The development of her own tastes has to this point been influenced by her preoccupation with a... Continue Reading →
“They were making all these kinds of psychological arguments that this music was having incredibly damaging effects to our generation," Bausman said.
I stumbled upon this artist originally watching the tail end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. @genesisowusu was performing Gold Chains. I was intrigued by the performance, but the song only felt secondary in my head. Next morning, the chorus of Gold Chains was stuck in my head. I went to YouTube to search... Continue Reading →
