Brant's April 2017 Playlist

Infamous crime duo Bunny and Clyde:  hoppin' dirty.  

Easter is two weeks away, and we've got a basket full of tunes for ya!  I guess the theme for this month could be collaborations.  Many of these songs are the product of artists coming together to make music.  And much like infamous Easter crime duo Bunny and Clyde - the results are outrageous and memorable.  Let's hop on in.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Babygirl (Charli XCX feat. Uffie) - I've definitely been keeping my eye on rising pop star Charli XCX.  She seems to have a clear vision of where she's going, and I love her sound - which takes the best of 80's and 90's pop and repackages it to feel fresh and contemporary.  And what a treat to hear Uffie return from a hiatus to lay down some rhymes!

2.  Friends (Francis and the Lights feat. Bon Iver) - Cinematic electronica backed by a choir of Auto-tuned angels to soothe your tax season nerves.

3.  Never My Love (Knox Hamilton) - Inspired New Wave take on the Association's groovy classic.

4.  San Francisco Dues (Chuck Berry) - This rock pioneer passed away last month, but his body of work will live on forever.  He's best known for early songs like "Johnnie B. Goode" and "Maybellene", but this 1971 recording shows that he was still going strong in his later years.  RIP

5.  There 4 U (Leela James) - Another artist I've followed for a while now.  I'm totally digging the 1970s vibe she's got going on here!

6.  Songbird (Freedom Fry) - Usually I get my freedom fries with a burger, but nothing wrong with some fowl every now and then!  Especially when it's sung so deliciously.

7.  Crazy Love (Irma Thomas) - I stumbled across this on NPR.  Apparently Instant Records is releasing a series of recordings of women singing love songs traditionally sung by men.  If the rest of the offerings are as great as this one - we've got a lot to look forward to.  Here - New Orleans soul legend Irma Thomas covers Van Morrison.

8.  Empty Hotel by the Sea (Conor Oberst) - Okay, I guess the theme for this month could also be Artists that I Love.  Here's the latest from prolific songwriter Conor Oberst.  I was a little puzzled why he went back and re-recorded songs from his last acoustic album, this time with a full band behind him.  But luckily he threw in some new stuff as well, such as this tune.

9.  Slide (Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean and Migos) - Whether it's K-Pop artists or Bruno Mars, it seems that the 80s R&B sound is making a comeback.  Calvin Harris jumps on the bandwagon with this funky mid-tempo collaboration featuring Frank Ocean and hip hop group Migos.

10.  Just a Feeling (Phantoms feat. Vérité) - LA electronic duo teams up with Brooklyn singer to serve some icy cool dance beats.

11.  Lost in Music (Sister Sledge) - We also lost Joni Sledge, of Sister Sledge, in March.  Best known for their hit "We Are Family", here is Joni singing lead on this selection from the same album.  RIP Sister!

12.  All My People /Boogie Back Remix/ (Kindred the Family Soul) - Neo-Soul husband and wife act deliver some feel-good vibes that would make Ashford and Simpson smile!

13.  I Feel It Coming (the Weeknd feat. Daft Punk) - Grammy winner shows no signs of a slump on his third album, which concludes with this Daft Punk collaboration that could easily have been an outtake from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album.

14.  Get on Up (DJ Bobo) - Sometimes a song can be doing everything wrong (hokey raps, Chipmunk-style background vocals) and it totally works!!!  This song gets my toes tappin' every time.  I guess that's why DJ Bobo has sold 14 million records throughout Europe - clearly he knows what he's doing!

15.  (Nothing But) Flowers (Talking Heads) - Hard to believe the Talking Heads released this 29 years ago this month!  The lyrics still seem relevant with President Trump recently signing an Executive Order to undermine Obama's efforts to curb climate change.

16.  Answer My Text (PWR BTTM) - I used to love Pansy Division back in the day, so what a treat to find this new Queer Punk band!

17.  She's Like a Star (Soul System) - Heard this online and never would have guessed it was an Italian band!  Great contemporary soul vibes!

18.  Good as Hell (Lizzo) - Crystal turned me on to this artist.  Up-and-Coming hip hop star with sassy attitude for days!

So that's April's list!  I guess that means now I've gotta get back to my taxes.  Somehow that doesn't seem as much fun as discovering new music.  See you in May!

Brant's March 2017 Playlist

Nothing like a little music when times are trough!  

Welp, February flew by and despite the groundhog's predictions - it looks like Spring is here.  The Zyrtec is helping, but I am still feeling the first pangs of hay fever.  So before I completely succumb - here's March's playlist!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  The Love We Almost Had (Rhiannon Giddens) - Rhi is back and I'd follow this woman anywhere!!!  Sexy, jazzy song about missed opportunity.

2.  Call On Me (Starley) - Appealing folk-tinged pop from Australian singer.

3.  Gun Clap Hero (Hanni El Khatib) - Sounds like the long-lost theme song from a 1970s action flick!

4.  Glitter (Charly Bliss) - Loved this song from the first minute I heard it.  Reminds me of 1990s female-led alt rock groups like Veruca Salt!

5.  Love On the Brain (Rihanna) - I have a love/hate relationship with Rihanna.  I love some of her songs like "Pon de Replay" and "Only Girl in the World" but can't bear to suffer through other stuff like "Bitch Better Have My Money".  Luckily this  old school ballad falls in the "Love It" category.

6.  Alibi (Bear Mountain) - Wistful New Wave from Canadian band.

7.  We're In This Love Together (Al Jarreau) - No middle school slow jam playlist was complete without one of Al Jarreau's  tunes on it.  I was sorry to hear that he passed away last month.  #GoneButNotForgotten

8.  White Fields (Montmartre) - Icy beats and slinky vocals, courtesy of French duo.

9.  The Story (Dolly Parton) - Country legend covers one of Brandi Carlile's signature songs, with glorious results.

10.  Hollywood Forever (K. Flay) - Funky electronica that reminds me of Röyksopp.

11.  Love From the Sun (Theo Croker feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater) - Up and coming jazz trumpeter teams with Grammy winner for some glorious, soaring acid jazz.

12.  I Know a Place (MUNA) - Uplifting anthem that pays tribute to the victims of the Orlando shooting and imagines a world where LGBT people are safe and part of a unified America.   From their lips to God's ears.

13.  They Don't Own Me (Richard Ashcroft) - Former lead singer of the Verve ("Bittersweet Symphony") goes solo for this easy-going country-tinged ditty.

14.  Tip My Heart (Sally and George) - Nashville duo delivers some catchy old-school vibes that would make Buddy Holly smile.

15.  Windy City (Alison Krauss) - Alison pays tribute to classic country on her newest album, and this cover of the Osborne Brothers standard was a highlight.

16.  Olive (Denitia and Sene) - My friend Gary turned me on to these guys and their new album "love and noir", but once I started digging through their catalog - I found myself favoring this perky single from a few months ago.

17.  By Your Side (Hoody feat. Jinbo) - A sugary slice of Korean/English disco dessert!

So that's March!  Hope everyone has a safe and festive month, and I'll see you in April if the pollen doesn't kill me first!

Brant's February 2017 Playlist

You don't always get the Valentine you want, but at least in Brantworld you can get some new music.  February is here, along with a new batch of songs.  This one leans towards the mellow side, but hopefully still excites.  It's nice to see so many of this month's songs involve new artists turning to established names for collaboration.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Black Tears (Imelda May feat. Jeff Beck) - Lawdy, this woman can sing - and a 1950s-style ballad like this is perfectly suited to her pipes.

2.  Shine (Mondo Cozmo) - This sounds like the love child of early Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan!  Totally dig when the choir kicks in.  Why aren't more people making rock music like this???

3.  Let Me Get There (Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions feat. Kurt Vile) - Mazzy Star lead singer teams up with Kurt Vile for this easy-going groove (although the video is freaky!).

4.  To Her Door (Empire of the Sun feat. Lindsay Buckingham) - The Australian duo tapped several veterans to work on their new album.  They got a Fleetwood Mac legend to collaborate on this track!  Wendy Melvoin (from Prince's band The Revolution) pitched in for another track: "Ride".

5.  Grow Up (Olly Murs) - I'll never understand why this guy isn't more popular in the US.  Great mid-tempo pop.

6.  Here I Am (Tom Odell) - The UK is clearly overflowing with gifted musicians!  This talented pianist from West Sussex is showing no signs of sophomore slump on his latest album!

7.  The Girl with Better Clothes (Crooked Man) - I picture this tune being on the soundtrack from some 80s teen movie!  Love its bitchy New Wave vibes.

8.  Sick Love (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - The feel is a little more mellow, but you can still recognize the band's characteristic funk.  Elton John provides a nice assist on keyboards.

9.  Oh My God (Gibbz) - Anthony brought this artist to my attention.  The use of horns reminds me of classic tunes by Chicago.

10.  Human /The Age of L.U.N.A. Remix/ (Rag'n'Bone Man) - The original version of this is getting a lot of play on Sirius/XM radio, but I kind of love this remix.  It removes a lot of the bombastic elements of the original and lets the focus remain on Rory Graham's bluesy vocals.

11.  Waiting for the Stars (Vitalic feat. David Shaw) - I loved their 2009 hit "Poison Lips", but Vitalic had slipped off my radar until Gary mentioned they had a new album out!  They can still rock some Euro-Disco like nobody's business, though.

12.  Kiss the Sky (Jason Derulo) - Top-selling singer/songwriter treats us to a new tune, from his Platinum Hits compilation.

13.  Come With Us /F9 Extended Disco Mix/ (Sophie Ellis-Bextor) - "Murder on the Dance Floor" songstress comes storming back onto the dance floor with this glitterrific disco ditty!

14.  Flowers (Bibi Bourelly) - German singer/songwriter seems poised to become the next big thing in the Hip Hop and R&B world!  She's already toured with Rihanna and collaborated with Lil Wayne!  Here she gives an expletive-laden tutorial on what NOT to do for Valentine's Day!

15.  All Night (Crystal Fighters) - Upbeat world music vibes from British band.

16.  Make Some Room (the Suffers) - Move over, Betty Wright!  There's a new Clean Up Woman in town.  My friend Page profiled the Suffers for South Park magazine, and I was digging their old-school soul sound.

17.  A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Blossom Dearie) - I've been on a Blossom Dearie kick lately, rummaging through her catalog and lamenting the fact that so much of her music is now out of print.  Here she covers the Vera Lynn standard with a simple jazz band accompanying.  This seemed like the perfect Valentine's Day song to end our playlist.  Sadly not on Spotify or YouTube, but you can find it on her 1991 album "Tweedledum and Tweedledee".

So that's February!  Hope everyone has a great month and I'll see ya in March with some new music!

Brant's January 2017 Playlist

I opted for something simple and homemade to wear for New Year's Eve

Well, the craptastic year that took Prince, David Bowie, George Michael, and countless others from us is finally over.  Here's hoping 2017 is much kinder to us and the musicians we love.  Speaking of music, we've got some new songs!  I saw an article posted online the other day that says after age 33, the majority of people don't listen to new music anymore.  I'm happy to be bucking this trend, and hope some of you are too.  Life is too short to simply rehash your old playlists, no matter how great they are.  To listen to this month's list on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Tell My Heart (Nora En Pure) - We had the instrumental of this song, called "Lake Arrowhead", on last September's playlist!  Looks like somebody wrote some lyrics and added vocals by Dani Senior.  Seemed like a fun, upbeat way to start the year off.

2.  Indecision (Shura) - English singer/songwriter keeps the party going with some 80s flavored dance pop.

3.  Heavydirtysoul (Twenty One Pilots feat. Mutemath) - Mutemath takes Twenty One Pilots from the lounge and into the arena, expanding the sound of the original and making it even more epic!

4.  Gold (the Shelters) - Breezy, 60s style rock from LA band.

5.  Bullets (Kaytranada feat. Little Dragon) - Trippy beats and Yukimi Nagano's airy vocals combine to create the most blissed out anti-gun anthem ever!

6.  Radiate (Rockets) - Not sure where I stumbled across this, but it's the 80s version of trippy beats and bliss.  From the French band's 1981 album Pi Greco, 3,14.

7.  Sexual (Neiked feat. Dyo) - Gary turned me on to this one.  Perky Euro-Pop to get your body moving, both vertically and horizontally!

8.  I Knew You Were Waiting for Me (George Michael and Aretha Franklin) - The latest artist to be taken from us too soon.  D@mn you, 2016!  George Michael has a huge catalog of songs from which to choose, but ultimately I landed on this one - a duet with the Queen of Soul from 1987 which went on to chart at Number One in multiple countries, and win a Grammy!  RIP

9.  Redbone (Childish Gambino) - Some people are so talented it makes me feel like an invertebrate.  Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, started out as a comedy writer for 30 Rock before moving into music.  Two Grammy nominations later, he's back with this slinky slow jam clearly influenced by Prince.

10.  I Always Knew/Hotline Bling (the Struts) - I love hearing bands cover tunes that they love.  Here, the always engaging band The Struts covers the Vaccines and Drake in an unexpected mashup.  Not on Spotify, but you can watch the video HERE.

11.  Name on a Matchbook (Springtime Carnivore) - I heard this on the soundtrack to Crazyhead and immediately had to download it!  It has a great retro feel to it, like Nancy Sinatra meets the "Monster Mash".

12.  Not Easy (Alex da Kid with Wiz Khalifa, X Ambassadors, and Elle King) - With a lineup like this, it's no surprise this song is so awesome!  A glorious conglomeration of cowboy folk, hip hop, and electronica.

13.  Shakedown Street (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) - Another hybrid that perhaps shouldn't work, but does.  UMO provides a funky cover of the Grateful Dead's classic tune from the album of the same name.

14.  To Be Without You (Ryan Adams) - Fresh off his album of Taylor Swift covers, the prolific North Carolina-born artist returns with this gorgeous ballad.

15.  Blue Moon (Pink Martini feat. Rufus Wainwright) - After a great collaboration on "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" (featured on my October 2013 playlist!), the Oregon band partners with Wainwright once more to make magic.

16.   It's Over (Julaiah feat. Brothers Nalbandyan) - Taken from Hed Kandi's Serve Chilled 2016 compilation.  Sophisticated club beats and silky vocals that will go perfectly with whatever you're drinking to toast the New Year.

17.  United State of Pop 2016 (DJ Earworm) - An end-of-year mashup of some of 2016's hottest pop music, courtesy of DJ Earworm.  Also not on Spotify, but you can find it on Soundcloud.

So that's our first list of 2017.  Hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve, and that 2017 brings health and happiness for all!  See ya next month!

Brant's Best Pics of 2016

Overall, 2016 was NOT a great year - for me or any of us.  So more than ever, it was important to remind myself that there were good times too.  Below is this year's Best Pics video.  I can only hope 2017 is kinder to us than 2016 was.  But even if it's not, I feel lucky to be surrounded by some great people in my life!

Brant's Christmas 2016 Playlist

2016 has kicked my butt so far, but I'mma get through these holidays if it kills me!  

Y'know, last year I didn't do a Christmas playlist.  I wasn't exactly in the holiday spirit for whatever reason.  This year, I think I'm actually looking forward to the holidays.  2016 has been a bear of a year, so I'm ready for the fun, goodwill, and fellowship that I'm hoping will come with the holidays.  And now that Thanksgiving has been given its due - I see no reason not to jump right in!  So here's a smooth mix of old faves, new releases, and a couple of lost gems.  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Please Come Home for Christmas (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) - This year has been one devastating loss after another (Prince, David Bowie, etc), and the loss of Sharon Jones is no exception.  She did a great job with this holiday standard.  RIP.

2.  Someday at Christmas (Andra Day and Stevie Wonder) - I love seeing new artists pay tribute to the legends.  Here, Grammy nominated Andra Day teams up with Stevie Wonder for a re-recording of his 1967 holiday classic.

3.  It Must Have Been the Mistletoe (Barbara Mandrell) - Growing up in the 70s/80s, I was no stranger to variety shows, and the holidays were always chock full of them.  I remember Barbara and her sisters doing a variety show back in the day, and this tune seems like a great example of the kinda sappy, kinda catchy stuff you'd hear.  Isn't it time for Barbara to make a comeback???

4.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Cecile McLorin Salvant with the Jean-Francois Bonnel Paris Quintet) - A modern take on the holiday jazz standard.  Not on Spotify, but you can hear it on YouTube.

5.  Winter Wonderland (the Andrews Sisters) - I've always loved these ladies, ever since the days when I was little and my grandparents would listen to them.  Hearing them always brings back great memories for me.

6.  Christmas Island (the Brian Setzer Orchestra) - This was another Andrews Sisters tune, and Brian Setzer does a jolly good job covering it!

7.  2000 Miles (Train) - One of my fave Christmas songs, as sung by one of my fave bands!  It's currently an Amazon exclusive, but hopefully will be more widely available as we move into the holidays.  You can hear it on YouTube.

8.  Chilly Winds Don't Blow (Maxine Weldon) - A bluesy rendition of Nina Simone's winter classic.

9.  What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? (the Emotions) - I had to triple check this, because I couldn't believe I hadn't used it on previous playlists!  This one is still in heavy rotation on the airwaves almost 50 years after its 1973 release.

10.  My Favorite Things (Leslie Odom Jr) - Meanwhile, in NEW releases - this is from the Hamilton singer's brand spankin' new Christmas album.

11.  Baby It's Cold Outside (Blossom Dearie with Bob Dorough) - I was researching holiday albums by old jazz/cabaret singers, and wondered if one of my personal favorites had ever done one.  Turns out, she did a few seasonal recordings - but everything's out of print!  You can hear this duet on YouTube, however.

12.  The Christmas Waltz (Frank Sinatra) - Ol' Blue Eyes imbues this Christmas standard with his characteristic croon.

13.  What the World Needs Now Is Love (Rumer) - I've put this on a few of my holiday playlists, mainly because it seems to embody the spirit of the Christmas season.  What a treat to hear Rumer sing it on her new album!

14.  White Christmas (the Drifters) - Another song that is still in heavy rotation decades after its release, for good reason!

15.  Christmas Blues (Dean Martin) - You can almost envision Dino drowning his sorrows in a chilled martini glass as he sings this!

16.  Glad Tidings (Merry Clayton) - Is this a Christmas song???  They mention Christmas.  The woman singing it is named Merry.  I say, why not?!  Great, soulful version of one of Van Morrison's signature tunes.

17.  Christmas Time Is Here (Nancy Wilson) - Icy and cool delivery from the jazz legend.

18.  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (the Carpenters) - Karen Carpenter's voice is still as warm and inviting as fresh-baked gingerbread.  Gone but not forgotten.

19.  What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?  (Rufus Wainwright) - Closing out the holiday playlist with an eye towards the New Year.  Here's hoping 2017 is better than 2016.

So that's it.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.  I'm off to my first holiday party of the season.  I'll see ya in the New Year!

Brant's November 2016 Playlist

The Funnel of Luft wasn't as romantic as the Tunnel of Love, but at least your insurance covered it.

11 days late.  That's got to be a record.  I'll spare you the details, but let's just say November has been a rough month so far - and not just because of the election craziness.  The tunes this month skew towards the mellow and soothing side, which is probably by design.  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Anything for You (the Wind and the Wave) - I love this band!!!  Patricia Lynn's voice takes me to my happy place.  What a great surprise to see they had a new album out.

2.  Anywhere (Passenger) - I had his duet with Birdy on last month's playlist, but this toe-tappin' tune was too good not to include for November's list.

3.  Be Thankful for What You Got (Rumer) - Another female vocalist that instantly soothes me.  She's working on a new album of Bacharach songs, but until that comes out - here's her tasty cover of William DeVaughn's 1974 soul standard.

4.  Indian Summer (Jai Wolf) - New York artist serves up some otherworldly beats and trippy vocals that sound like a Yodeler from outer space.

5.  In Too Deep (Dead or Alive) - Lead singer Pete Burns died last month, so I wanted to include something of his.  Dead or Alive was seriously one of the bands that provided the soundtrack to my teen years.  RIP.

6.  Midnight Serenade /Kungs Remix/ (Omi feat. Erik Hassle) - I was a little shocked to learn this was Swedish singer Erik Hassle providing the vocals on this dance track!  I would have sworn it was a reggae singer.

7.  I Love You Always Forever /Viceroy Remix/ (Betty Who) - Delicious cover of Donna Lewis' 1996 hit.

8.  Say You Won't Let Go (James Arthur) - British singer/songwriter begs a loved one to hang in there.  After some of the controversies he's been through, that may be a tough request!

9.  How Deep Is the Ocean?  (Miss Toni Fisher) - Mitch turned me on to this 1959 tune.  Bold female vocals that are slightly reminiscent of Judy Garland.

10.  Talkin' All That Jazz /Dim's Radio Edit/ (Stetsasonic) - This one popped up on my iPod, and I forgot how much I liked it.  Dimitri from Paris takes Stetsasonic's 1988 hip hop banger and turbocharges it with a disco backbeat.

11.  Sweet Addiction (Yuksek feat. H.E.R.) - Funky French electronica

12.  Million Reasons (Lady Gaga) - When I heard she was doing a country-influenced album, I was concerned - but gotta say Mama Monster makes it work!

13.  The World's Smiling Now (Jim James) - My Morning Jacket vocalist/guitarist goes solo with this 1960s-styled contemplative ballad.

14.  Daddy Lessons (Beyonce' with the Dixie Chicks) - Is everybody going country???  Taken from Beyonce's "Lemonade" album, Bey honors her Houston roots with fellow Texan band at the 2016 CMAs.  Not on Spotify, but you can hear it on Soundcloud.

15. A Little Uncanny (Conor Oberst) - There are solo albums and there are SOLO albums.  Prolific singer/songwriter recorded his new album over a 48 hour period during a winter in Nebraska - just him with a guitar, piano, and harmonica.  But with great songwriting, you don't need bells and whistles.

16.  Move (Saint Motel) - Sexy swagger from Los Angeles band that I've featured on other playlists.

17.  Up & Up (Coldplay) - I've always appreciated Coldplay, but gotta say this new album of theirs is really resonating with me.  Here they partner with Noel Gallagher for this gorgeous hymn.  Seemed like a great way to end the playlist and gear us up (and up!) for the holidays.

So that's November's list.  Sorry it was late.  Hopefully I can get December's music posted on schedule.  Happy Holidays!!!