It's that time of year again! Here's the annual Year in Pictures video. Thanks to everyone who was part of this year's festivities, and I'm looking forward to more good times in 2015!
Friday, December 26, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Brant's Christmas 2014 Playlist
I like the holidays! I really do!!! But I insist on taking them in order. Christmas will not be acknowledged until the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers has been eaten. As I see Facebook friends putting up Christmas trees immediately after Halloween and have even heard Christmas music in October, I suspect I may be in the minority regarding this. But whatevs. Here's December's Holiday/Christmas playlist - right on schedule. To listen on Spotify click HERE.
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Ella Fitzgerald) - If one could wear out a CD, I would have worn out "Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas". One of my personal faves. I was shocked it hasn't shown up on previous playlists.
2. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season (Manhattan Transfer) - Jazzy vocal quartet tackles the Andy Williams classic with their usual expertise.
3. All My Bells Are Ringing (Lenka) - Speaking of previous playlists, this was on my 2010 holiday playlist, but I never get tired of it. A playful, innocent holiday love song.
4. Sleet and Snow (My First Tooth) - Charming winter folk-pop.
5. The Christmas Waltz (She & Him) - I love how this duo can strip a song down to its basics and let it shine. Sometimes all you need is a great voice and a great song.
6. I Don't Wanna Spend One More Christmas Without You (N-Sync) - And sometimes all you need is five great voices in a boy band!
7. The Christmas Song (Whitney Houston) - The holidays are always about reconnecting with old friends. Hearing Whitney's crystal-clear voice again feels like a reunion. Gone but not forgotten.
8. Christmas in L.A. (the Killers with Dawes) - Every year the Killers serve up a holiday tune for charity. This is last year's offering - a wistful rock song with West Coast band Dawes.
9. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee) - A classic holiday song that needs no introduction!
10. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Jimmy Ray) - This is the Debbie Downer of the playlist! I had the Vera Lynn version on my 2011 holiday playlist, but here we get a male vocal telling the hilariously pitiful tale.
11. Only You Can Bring Me Cheer (Alison Krauss) - Bluegrass queen serves up a surprisingly groovy holiday ditty!
12. Please Come Home for Christmas (Anita Cochran) - Countrified version of the Charles Brown/Eagles' song.
13. That Special Time of Year (Gladys Knight & the Pips) - I always wondered why there were no disco Christmas songs! Should have known Gladys had it covered.
14. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day (Leona Lewis) - The British Mariah Carey singing Wizzard's glam-rock extravaganza.
15. Christmas/Baby Please Come Home (Slow Club) - Faithful alt-rock cover of the Darlene Love anthem.
16. OMG It's Christmas (Family of the Year) - Feel-good folk rock that feels very true to this band's existing catalog of music.
17. Let It Snow (Glee Cast) - Okay, I haven't watched "Glee" in years, but where else are we going to find two guys (Kurt and Blaine!) singing this as a duet???
18. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Billie Holiday) - Another single that has been in heavy rotation on my iPod, but never made it onto a playlist.
19. Silent Night (Pentatonix) - These folks are amazeballs with their vocals and acapella performances!!!
20. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Ledisi) - Closing out 2014 with one of my favorite songs, performed by one of my favorite R&B divas.
So that's December's playlist. Hope everyone has a great holiday season! Take lots of pics, eat lots of yummy food, and I will see you in 2015!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Brant's November 2014 Playlist
Late. Again. Oh well, such is life. Halloween deserves my undivided attention. But better late than never, and I do have some new tunes to share. So let's put Halloween away and turn our attention to the new month! Apologies in advance - Spotify didn't have a few of these, but to listen to what they DO have, click HERE.
1. Fade Out Lines (the Avener) - Okay, why doesn't Spotify have this? Anyway, it's a super cool vocal over mid-tempo funk. Stylistically this kind of reminds me of Cock Robin's "When Your Heart Is Weak" or Everything But the Girl's "Missing". To hear it on YouTube click HERE.
2. Out on the Street (Spanish Gold) - When I first heard this I thought it was the Black Keys - but it's a side project of My Morning Jacket's drummer Patrick Hallahan!
3. Reflections (MisterWives) - Lead singer Mandy Lee cites the Spice Girls and Gwen Stefani as influences, but when I listen to it all I can hear is "Best of My Love" by the Emotions. And I'm more than good with that!
4. All This Way for Love (Syleena Johnson) - Grammy nominated R&B singer is back and sounding as good as ever.
5. You Belong to Me (Annie Lennox) - We had "I Put A Spell on You" last month, but Annie's new CD is too good to just list one tune. This is what I was hoping Aretha's new CD would be, but sadly it didn't pan out that way. I give Annie Lennox credit for selecting material that suits her voice and her maturity. Maybe we should pair Aretha up with Annie's producer (or even better - with Jack White! I'd love to see JW do for Aretha what he did for Loretta Lynn!).
6. Coulda Been My Love (Foxygen) - I love these guys!!! A lot of their stuff is psychedelic rock, but this sounds like a lost Todd Rundgren track.
7. Love's On Fire (Nikki Lane) - Retro-country sounds with the Black Key's Dan Auerbach.
8. Archie, Marry Me (Alvvays) - Canadian Indie band treats us to some peppy garage rock!
9. Never Been In Love (Cobra Starship with Icona Pop) - Dance pop band teams with Swedish duo for this exuberant single.
10. Number 1 (Mystery Skulls featuring Nile Rodgers and Brandy) - Okay, with a line up like this you know it's going to be awesome. Thanks, Gary, for calling this to my attention!
11. Miss Downtown Sugar Girl (Chris Standring) - This was just randomly playing one day when I was surfing the radio. It's from 2003 but its jazzy guitar and disco beat are timeless, IMHO. Clearly Spotify does not agree, since this tune is missing from their inventory. To hear it on YouTube, click HERE. The video is a hoot!
12. Still Waiting (Rainy Davis) - Found this on the Isle of Deserted Pop Stars blog. I thought I had heard every Prince cover out there, but somehow missed this one. Spotify doesn't have this either, so I just subbed Prince's version in the meantime. Again, I refer you to YouTube. Grrrrrrr
13. Afraid of Ghosts (Butch Walker) - Jill sent me "Chrissy Hynde", one of the other singles from Butch's new CD. I wasn't sure if she was going to put it on her November playlist, so I went for this other tune. Love its mellow, Jackson Browne vibe.
14. End of the Line (Boy and Bear) - Australian folk rock as comforting as a vegemite sandwich (or whatever Australian's eat for comfort!).
15. Left Hand Free (Alt-J) - The latest single from British band's sophomore album. It sounds like one of those early-70s classic rock bands that I can never remember (but always liked)!
16. Say My Name (Odesza featuring Zyra) - Trippy but appealing electronica with a World Music vibe, from group named after a sunken ship (thanks, Wikipedia!).
17. Green Poison (the Ting Tings) - The Ting Tings are baaaaaaack!!! From the sounds of this track, I'd say they've been listening to a lot of George Clinton and Parliament in their down time.
So that's November! Hope everyone has a great month. Don't overeat on Thanksgiving, but also don't undereat. It IS the holidays, for pete's sake! See you next month!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Brant's October 2014 Playlist
1. I Put a Spell on You (Annie Lennox) - It wouldn't be Halloween without some witchcraft, and who better to serve as Supreme Witch than Annie Lennox? Her new album is a collection of standards, and her singing is anything but standard. A great performance.
2. Dearly Departed (Shakey Graves featuring Esme Patterson) - We'll keep the Halloween theme going, this time with a haunted house. Raw acoustic rock from Austin, Texas singer and sometime "Friday Night Lights" actor.
3. Still Crazy After All These Years (Robert Ellis) - The Americana vibe is working for me. Next is a heartfelt Paul Simon cover by Nashville-based Robert Ellis.
4. Nature's Call (Shaun Escoffery) - Toe-tappin' soul from British stage and studio performer. Reminds me of Earth Wind and Fire at their best.
5. i (Kendrick Lamar) - The latest from hip-hop star who got snubbed at last year's Grammy Awards. Even winners Macklemore felt like Lamar should have received more recognition! I have a feeling he'll have his day soon. Groovy Isley Brothers sample over a self-affirming rap.
6. Computer Games (Mi-Sex) - It's been a while since I posted a used record store find, but this one is fun! Australian New Wave from 1979!
7. Beggin' for Thread (Banks) - Smooth chill sounds from California singer-songwriter.
8. Repeat Pleasure (How to Dress Well) - Glossy R&B that would make Babyface proud!
9. Super Love (Charli XCX) - Just caught her live last night with Elyse, Gary and some friends!!! She puts on a great show, so catch her if you can! This isn't off her latest album, which comes out later in October - but IMHO it best captured the energy of her stage performance. Looking forward to more from this lady!
10. I Won't Dance (Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga) - I have to admit, I was a tad worried when I heard Gaga was doing a jazz album. I stand corrected. Gaga and Tony Bennett sound like they were made to sing together! I think Mama Monster is going to be getting some Grammys for this album.
11. Sonsick (San Fermin) - Anthony turned me on to this one. Quirky baroque pop with impressive vocals.
12. Still Can't Forget You (Jane Ellen Bryant) - Did somebody say impressive vocals??? JEB has them in spades. Great country/blues performance that brings to mind a young Bonnie Raitt.
13. We Were Young (Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert) - The second mega-star duet! Two country legends make beautiful music together.
14. I Can't Stand Mirrors and I'm Scared of Heights (Suzi Chunk) - Retro-rock vibes from artist who was also featured on last month's playlist.
15. Long Live (Devan DuBois) - Funky psychedelic rock flavors, this time from Louisiana native.
16. Lay Me Down (Avicii featuring Adam Lambert) - Straight up disco, complete with Chic legend Nile Rodgers on guitar. Perfect for getting your Halloween party guests out on the dance floor.
17. Lil' Red Riding Hood (Laura Gibson) - Why not throw one more Halloween tune into the mix? This one is a cover of the Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs classic by folk singer Laura Gibson. You may remember it from a Volvo commercial.
So that's October! I guess I'm off to get to work on my Halloween costume. Hope everyone has a great month and I'll see ya in November.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Brant's September 2014 Playlist
1. Long Hot Summer (Keith Urban) - Not gonna lie. I didn't really pay much attention to Keith. I wrote him off as the pretty boy singer who married Nicole Kidman. After seeing him in concert with Julie and Gary, I must say he's pretty good. The man knows his way around a guitar and a catchy melody. He landed in the Country Music genre but I think he could have easily been a rocker.
2. The Joker (Ace Frehley) - Speaking of rockers, a 1970s rock legend pays tribute to another 1970s rock legend here. I imagine some of the purists will hate this glam rock treatment of Steve Miller's signature song, but I'm kinda diggin' it!
3. Born Under a Good Sign (the Suburbs) - I wondered if this was the same punk band from the 80s, and it is! The guys are back with an awesome album of new jams. This one kind of spoke to me since (as you remember, no doubt) September is birthday month. And Virgo is a very good sign.
4. Uptight Downtown (La Roux) - Still loving their new album! This one has some David Bowie flavors mixed in with Elly Jackson's delicious vocals.
5. Step Back in Time /Original 12" Mix/ (Kylie Minogue) - My friend Jeff texted me in ecstasy over the new Kylie Minogue song, which is a throwback to the sounds of the great 1990s club music. Upon further examination, we realized that the song actually WAS from the 1990s. We both had just missed it and were hearing it for the first time. It's still a fun song, so I'm including it. Not on Spotify but the video is HERE.
6. #ThisCouldBeUs (Doug Locke) - Saw the video for this floating around on social media and liked it. It's a heartbreaking depiction of lost love and what might have been. Pop/R&B from Houston actor/singer.
7. Oh Babe, What Would You Say (Cass Elliot) - I'd heard the Hurricane Smith version of this song, but had NO idea Mama Cass (who recorded under her Mama Cass name as well as her given name) sang this! Gotta say the arrangement suits her well. A great talent that was taken from us too soon.
8. Beat of the Music (Brett Eldredge) - This guy opened for Keith Urban at the concert we attended! I think we all were swooning when he serenaded us with his deep baritone. He's definitely one to watch.
9. Get On Home (U.S. Royalty) - Indie band from Washington, DC delivers some stunning folk-rock.
10. Right Now (SR-71) - Another one that I missed the first time around. Heard this on the internet radio and immediately went to download it. This was originally released in 2000.
11. Make Me Smile (Duran Duran) - Janique turned me on to this! I had never heard it, but a consummate Duran Duran fan like Janique was more than happy to school me. A tasty cover of the Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel classic from 1975 (which I HAD heard, and have on my iPod!).
12. There She Goes (Michelle Phillips) - We couldn't have one Mama without the other! After Mamas and Papas split up, Mama Cass immediately went solo. Michelle dabbled in acting and then eventually came back to the recording studio. Her first recordings were with Papa John Phillips (her ex-husband), but she scrapped those and started over with producer Jack Nitsche. Happily a new CD has been released that houses ALL of her recordings. Personally I like the stuff she did with Papa John better, but maybe that's just me. Not on Spotify (or YouTube) either, unfortunately.
13. Tripwire (Suzi Chunk) - Missed this one the first time around too (it's from 2012), but luckily Spotify recommended her to me. Very 1960s garage band style, which of course I totally love!
14. Endless Summer (the Jezabels) - I had them on my May 2014 playlist, but also went through their back catalogue and found some other tunes, such as this one, that I enjoyed. Hope we continue to hear more from them!
15. Ghost (Ella Henderson) - British "X-Factor" singer debuts here in the US of A! It seems like the U.K. is overflowing with great female vocalists, while the Americans are just shaking their butts. Hmmmmm...
16. I Can't Describe (Jennifer Hudson feat. T.I.) - Okay, here is one exception to the previous statement. Sultry soul that would make Evelyn "Champagne" King proud!
17. Romeo's Tune (Keith Urban) - I figured I'd close with another great song from Keith. File this under songs I NEVER thought anyone would cover, but I'm glad they did!
So that's September! Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend and month. I'll see you for more spook-tacular tunes in October!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Brant's August 2014 Playlist
Well, it's pouring rain as I write this - but I still approached August with Summer and sunny days in mind. This month is loaded up with lots of islandy beats and driving-with-the-windows-open-and-the-stereo-blasting selections. Hopefully the weather will catch up with the music. Enjoy! To listen on Spotify click HERE.
1. Mr. Tembo (Damon Albarn) - In my head, this is the love-child of Paul Simon's "Graceland" album and Arrested Development's "Mr. Wendall". From the latest solo outing of Blur/Gorillaz' lead singer.
2. My Diamond (Timothy Bloom) - Songwriter for Ne-You and Chris Brown strikes out on his own with all-new material. Sounds like Lenny Kravitz jamming with Santana!
3. Budapest (George Ezra) - British songwriter has a folksy 1970s vibe.
4. Call (Francesco Yates) - Plucked from my friend Robert's Facebook wall. Young Canadian looks like Leo Sayer and sounds like Chris Isaak! And Pharrell is a fan!
5. Sexotheque (La Roux) - Elly Jackson is baaaaaack!!! 5 years after La Roux's debut, new material is finally here - and worth the wait. So are "Sexotheques" a thing, and why haven't I heard of them before now? SPOILER ALERT: Expect more La Roux on future playlists!
6. Lovers on the Run (Echo and the Bunnymen) - Another unexpected comeback! Ian McCullough's voice sounds EXACTLY the same!!! So true to their original sound that I had to double-check to make sure this wasn't unreleased material from the 1980s.
7. Loves Me Not (Cris Cab) - Speaking of double-checking, I was sure this was Sting or the Police when I heard it on the internet radio. Turns out it's Miami native Cris Cab!
8. Skinny Love (Birdy) - This was a no-brainer. With a combination of Birdy's angelic vocals, and a song by Bon Iver - how could it not be fantastic??? J'adore it.
9. Stay High /Hippie Sabotage Remix/ (Tove Lo) - One of our chillin'-on-the-porch jams that my neighbor Dave turned me on to.
10. Killer on the Streets (the Raveonettes) - Jangly guitars and tons of feedback make for a dancing-in-my-chair tune about loving the wrong person (and savoring every minute of it).
11. Rather Be (Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne) - This has been around for a few months, but I still love its feel-good vibe and great vocal performance.
12. Rainy Day Woman (Kat Edmonson) - Okay, this song suits today's rainy weather! Great mix of old school jazz (does anyone else hear Billie Holiday?) and 1960s soul.
13. Can't Say Goodbye (Cary Ann Hearst) - Jill had this on her last playlist and I loved it. Sassy country that would make Wanda Jackson proud.
14. High (Young Rising Sons) - Are these the new Jersey Boys??? Great falsetto vocals and catchy chorus, and they're actually from New Jersey!
15. Let Your Hair Down (Magic!) - Josh sent me this and I immediately downloaded it. Easy reggae that makes me think of sunsets by the sea and sipping Red Stripe beer.
16. After All This (Jay Brannan) - Confessional songwriting in the style of Ani DiFranco or Jewel. Going to see his show later this month - can't wait! (And he "liked" when I responded that I was attending his show on Facebook - that's class.)
17. Call Me (St. Paul and the Broken Bones) - Fantastic soul from Alabama band!
18. True Love /Soledrifter Remix/ (Corduroy Mavericks feat. EmTre) - Groovy poolside beats prove that there's more than just bluegrass coming out of Kentucky.
So that's August! Next month is birthday month - so not exactly sure what I'm going to put together. I always allow myself a little more creative license as a birthday indulgence. See you then! Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Brant's July 2014 Playlist
I'm not gonna lie - there's a lot going on in Brantworld right about now. World Cup, 4th of July, "Devious Maids", "Orange Is the New Black", and other distractions. But that's no reason not to share some great new music. I'm a day late, so let's get started! To listen on Spotify click HERE.
1. Rollercoaster (Bleachers) - Side project of Jack Antonoff, who is currently in the group Fun ("Some Nights"). Every bit as fun (pun intended!) as his original band!
2. Fancy (Iggy Azalea vs. Reba McEntire) - Chambaland's delicious mash-up of Australian hip-hop star's recent hit with Reba's classic of the same name. Free download at his blog.
3. Paper Girl (July Talk) - Ever wonder who will be the new millennium's Wolfman Jack? I think this band could be the answer!
4. No Angel (Birdy) - The latest amazeball talent to come out of England, following Adele and Sam Smith. America, you got some catching up to do!
5. Chocolate Strawberries (Cherub) - Tasty mid-tempo electronica from Nashville.
6. Living In a Box (Bobby Womack) - The R&B legend passed away last month, so I began digging through his songbook. This song is certainly not representative of his best work, but it was a surprise to find him covering the 1980s band of the same name. Sometimes it's just fun to see what an artist is into!
7. What I Am I Am (Pete Molinari) - I already was in love with this singer/songwriter, but I'd swear he is channeling George Harrison on this folk spiritual!
8. Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene (Hozier) - More rock spirituals, from Irish musician's aptly titled "Take Me to Church" EP.
9. Dark Sunglasses (Chrissie Hynde) - This was an unexpected find!!! Longtime lead singer of the Pretenders goes solo and sounds as great as ever!
10. Hey Sailor (the Detroit Cobras) - The first of two songs I discovered through television! This one was on the soundtrack of "Angel". Fantastic adrenaline-charged garage rock.
11. All of Me /Tiesto's Birthday Treatment Mix/ (John Legend) - R&B crooner is dragged onto the dancefloor courtesy of Dutch DJ Tiesto!
12. Feel It (Bright Light Bright Light) - Jeff turned me on to this guy. He's got a new album coming out, but I love the 90s retro sounds of this tune from his 2012 album "Make Me Believe in Hope".
13. Apples and Cigarettes (Kitten) - Speaking of the 90s, this one reminds me of early Sinead O'Connor! Crazy-strong vocals from lead singer Chloe Chaidez.
14. Zigzagging Toward the Light (Conor Oberst) - We had Conor on last month's playlist, but there was way too much choice material on his latest album not to include him again.
15. Crazy Eyes for You (Bobby Hamilton) - Lost 1950's tune gets a revival courtesy of "Orange Is the New Black", which features a delightfully wacky character named Crazy Eyes.
16. My Silver Lining (First Aid Kit) - Grand cowgirl country that would make Kitty Wells smile!
17. Hey Boy (Goapele) - Easy poolside lounging music from Oakland, California soul singer.
18. Pink Houses (John Cougar Mellencamp) - Not specifically a 4th of July song, but I wanted to include something patriotic. This is one of my personal faves from the 1980s - a love song to Middle America.
So that's July! Everyone stay safe and happy. See you in August!
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