Jennifer Castle – Nature

Everything about this is good: the way the piano is set against the rush of white noise, the long, linear melody with its subtle lifts, and how everything evokes the McGarrigles without feeling like imitation.

Star(e)

We don’t get many opportunities to just watch singers. Video and film editing manages to chop them to pieces. Shots are short, and you can’t ever really study the singer’s face or how they move. You get a sense of the person, but you never get the chance to just stare at them. And isn’t that part of what we want to do with the musicians we love? There’s something to be said for the opportunity to just look without interruption.

In the clip of Dionne Warwick, there’s not a cut in the film until 1:40. You can just watch her walk and sing.

And sometimes, you forget entirely that the camera hasn’t moved at all.

And then there’s this magnificent moment from Sinead O’Connor.  

worthwhile distractions

I’ve been cranking on a deadline at work, so it’s been a good time to discover some new and recent podcasts as well as some new music.

And in the meantime, I’m making my way through Rick Bragg’s Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. Bragg’s writing seems like too much poetry and myth-making, but if there’s anyone who can live-up to the tall tales, it’s the Killer. He’s a giant.

Ray Charles – Hit the Road Jack

Perfection all around, but particularly at the moment when the close harmonies of “That’s Right!” strike a chord that’s both Raelettes and Andrews Sisters at the same time. Given how little the song changes – the bass and drum count a steady 1-2-3-4 throughout the entire tune – it seems to pivot on those two words.

Listen at 0:38 and 1:17 in the video below.