Top 5 from December 30, 2013, plus an aside

Heart of Glass by the Bad Plus from These are the Vistas

A rollicking treatment of the Blondie classic played with Lisztian left hand counterpoint from pianist Ethan Iverson (my audience-mate at the Jazz Standard in October) and a florid contribution from drummer Dave King. Points for taking the chorus in seven each time around, rather than just in the bridge as on the original.


The Real Me by the Who from Quadrophenia
Always wanted to be in a band that could play this song. It's a bit frightening how much I still feel this album at 43 as I did at 15. This is one of Moon's best performances (although the whole band if face-ripping good on this), but sadly approaching the time where his mind and body started to fall out of sync.

Top 5+ for October 31, 2013

Mercy Street – Peter Gabriel from New Blood

Doesn't quite match the vocal arrangement performed on the “growing up” tour, but a lovely arrangement all the same. One of the better entries on this somewhat dubious orchestral project.

Bubbles in My Beer – Willie Nelson from You Don't Know Me: the Songs of Cindy Walker

A song whose lyrics seem to call for music more like Gloomy Sunday, but is instead a lively, bouncy song from an album which manages the rare feat of being nostalgic but also completely in the the present tense.

Top 4 for October 30, 2013

Big River – Johnny Cash from Johnny Cash at San Quentin

Middle Cyclone – Neko Case from Middle Cyclone

If only for “Can't scrape together quite enough to ride the bus to the outskirts of the fact that I need love”

Theme de Yoyo – Art Ensemble of Chicago from Les Stances a Sophie

From their French sojourn, the first recording, I believe, with Don Moye. [Well, no it isn't. But they did meet Don in France] Someone named Noreen Beasley claims on the internet to have written the lyrics, but I wouldn't protest too loudly. I was of course sold by the form of 8 measures of funky soul / 4 measures of free jazz / return to four measures of funky soul.