A dash of SALT

I LOVE the song SALT from jazz/folk/soul artist Lizz Wright.  This is one of those songs that you can crank up the volume and feel it in every pore of your body.  To me, her voice is a cross between Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone.

Here's a live version the wonderful SALT.

SALT is the title track on her debut cd.  The song is a must download.  

My favorite overall cd of Ms. Wright is DREAMING WIDE AWAKE.  She does great versions of A TASTE OF HONEY, GET TOGETHER and my fav I'M CONFESSIN'.  When I listen to this cd, I think of a late summer night... sitting on a porch after a long hot day.  In the air is a light breeze... and for the moment all is right in the world.  

Have a listen...

Hoop of Flames

Last night American Idol featured songs originally done by members of the Grand Ole Opry.  In other words... "Country Night!"

There were some really nice moments.  I loved Kris, Anoop, and Adam's middle eastern take on "Ring of Fire" (which I think was a "love-it-or-hate-it" rendition.)  I was reminded of another AWESOME cover of RING OF FIRE by folk/Americana artist Allison Moorer.  This track is from her cover album MOCKINGBIRD with all music written by women.  (Yes RING OF FIRE was actually written by June Carter Cash.)  

Have a listen...

My other favorite song on the album is I WANT A LITTLE SUGAR IN MY BOWL originally by Nina Simone.

Friday the 13th...V Day approaches!

Some people freak out a little on Friday the 13th... and some people freak out a little on Valentine's Day. Having one lead into the other makes an interesting start to the weekend.. 

AND I have come up with the perfect song to commemorate today... 

...I PUT A SPELL ON YOU.

Here is the original artist "Screamin" Jay Hawkins with a "Friday the 13th" Version!

The wikipedia article on this song states...

Hawkins had originally intended to record "I Put a Spell on You" as a refined love song, a blues ballad. He reported, however, that the producer "brought in ribs and chicken and got everybody drunk, and we came out with this weird version. I don't even remember making the record.

Now for the non-spooky versions...

I wouldn't say this is the most romantic song ever... let's call it, the "Get-Your-Act-Together-Or-We're-Through" Valentine's Day Song.

First of all, here's a link to the great Nina Simone version.

I love the music of She & Him (She... the amazing Zooey Deschanel, Him... M. Ward).  Zooey is best known for her quirky independent film work (and a lovely duet with Will Ferrell in ELF.) Last year she collaborated with M. Ward on a wonderful album entitled SHE & HIM Volume One.  Their version of I PUT A SPELL ON YOU can be found on a new Starbucks cover compilation called SWEETHEART.

 

Here's another soulful take by vocalist Mica Paris, guitarist David Gilmour, and bandleader Jools Holland.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to the Sanderson Sisters camping it up.

I know this is a long post, but I have one final Friday the 13th song... 

...here is a link to an AWESOME cover of Mel Torme' having a swingin' good time with the Stevie Wonder classic SUPERSTITION.

I Feel Good...

I think I'm finally almost over a lingering cold!!

So to celebrate, here are 4 very different versions of the "FEELING GOOD."  The song was originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint - the Smell of the Crowd."

The most famous is probably the one by MICHAEL BUBLE featured on his sophomore album "It's Time."

The concert version you just saw is available on dvd!

Here is a very soulful one by NINA SIMONE.

The rock group MUSE did a very nice take on it.

Finally it was featured on Season 1 finale of ELI STONE featuring vocals by Victor Garber, Loretta Devine, and George Michael.  This is basically the Buble arrangement, but fits so wonderfully in the show.

Stay healthy!  See ya tomorrow!

American Idol premiers tonight.  There goes half of my primetime week!