cooltunes

The list gets longer and longer. He died at 30 while swimming in Memphis. The Wikipedia entry details his classical influences (Bartok, Britten, Ravel) and contemporary (Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Bob Dylan, among many others).

Near the time of his death, he confided to his girlfriend that he thought his mood swings were caused by bipolar disorder.

Here he sings Hallelejah, written by Cohen.

Back in its heyday, KSFO’s night guy was Bobby Dale. When he was depressed, which was often the case, he would put on some Mickey Newbury. Especially if it was raining, because Mickey had those rain songs. Even now, I can’t think of Bobby without remembering Mickey.

For a short time, I worked at the station, and while I met the other DJs, I never saw Bobby since he only came in when most of the staff had gone home.

Back then, I didn’t know Bobby’s DJ history, nor was I aware of Mickey’s prolific songwriting abilities. Kris Kristofferson said that he could never have written Bobbie McGee had it not been for Newbury’s influence.

You won’t find Mickey Newbury at iTunes, but he’s at Amazon.

Here is An American Trilogy, which Newbury didn’t write, but arranged. He put three diverse, classic, Southern-flavored songs together in a stunning whole. Elvis and Tom Jones both had hits with their versions, but it’s this one I like the most:

Many singers have covered the song, which is featured on Herbie Hancock’s latest album, ‘River: The Joni Letters’

So far, I only have the Linda Ronstadt version, which is on the morning playlist. It’s a working Saturday, and not too early for Christmas-related music.

Certainly not the most politically correct song, but such fun to listen to.

Across the pond, he gets down and jivey.

I’m still on All the Roadrunning from yesterday, but at some point I wanted to hear Arvo Part’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. Now I’m listening to Put it in the Crockpot by Sista Monica.

Like I said, it’s that kind of a day, and the Sista is going on about red beans and rice, neckbones and things you usually don’t hear about in a song. I see that she has a song called Cookin’ With Grease over at iTunes. Hmmm.

Etta James sings Born to Be Wild, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Love & Happiness, Take Me to the River and My Funny Valentine on this live album.

She underwent gastric bypass surgery, and dropped 200 lbs, but the voice remains intact, according to this report on a recent performance.

Usually, I can only take Etta James in small doses, but seeing as how I’ve got a ton of stuff to do that requires that I stay chained to the desk, I’ve put on Mystery Lady, Songs of Billie Holiday. Includes You’ve Changed, Body and Soul, The Very Thought of You and I’ll Be Seeing You.