Springsteen has recorded a lot of great music over the years, but he's also written tons of songs for other artists (usually friends; often helping produce the albums, as well) and/or given them away because he wasn't going to use them ("Because the Night" going to Patti Smith, for instance). Here are a few of my favorites. This is a beautiful song, but while the second video is the official recording... there's a bit of magic in watching her sing her way through the streets of Paris. Just lovely. I can't post this to my Eargasms playlist because it's not available on Spotify, but I love this Techno House track. Killer. Great to work out to. House is a hugely popular genre of EDM (Electronic Dance Music). This is club music, folks. Meant to free your body (and mind). Born in Chicago (back in the 80s), but since found everywhere from South Beach to Ibiza. There are tons of styles, from Afro to Disco to Tropical (all good). I listen to it when I work out (along with Techno). She's Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven... and she's incredible. I'll post a couple of my favorite tracks, but here's my Spotify playlist devoted to her. Love how this guy remixes old classics (he's done a lot of Disney stuff). Careful, though. You're going to spend all day listening to his YouTube channel. Yes... I'm a Springsteen fanatic, but I think for good reason. As I've rambled on about before... he's "other level" when it comes to artists. Look, I think Bob Dylan is a brilliant songwriter (probably the best). I also realize Bruce (like Bob) doesn't have the best singing voice (he's more of a songwriter and live performer than singer). That said, more so than anyone else... he's a genius at interpreting and re-inventing songs, including his own. Whether it's "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees... or this. "Open All Night" is a track from his acoustic masterpiece, Nebraska. I'll give you the original track (recorded in his bedroom on crude equipment, meant for demos to play to the band for what would become Born in the USA; he ended up releasing the raw demos as is)... and then the version he re-imagined for a concert in Dublin. It's no secret that I'm a Springsteen fanatic. While I love his music (and his live performances), this is one of my favorite covers he's done. Some context, though. Johnny Cash was a huge Springsteen fan (his daughter, as well). Johnny covered several Bruce songs. It was a mutual admiration society. Johnny was a big influence on Bruce. To me, this is how powerful Bruce can be... solo (just his guitar). While I like me some Johnny Cash, Bruce's cover is infinitely better than the original. One of my favorite bands. Their sound is described as "Experimental Pop" and it's certainly a blend of genres. There's a definite Pet Sounds influence. In fact, someone once described it as a "drunken, coked-out Brian Wilson"... and I'd agree. I would have posted this to Music, but... the video is pure art. Inspired by dementia (the gradual descent into nothingness), as well as the ballroom music in The Shining. James Leyland Kirby (aka The Caretaker) takes vintage music and deconstructs it. The result... it's some haunting (but beautiful) music. If you like this, check out the following:
Adding "Stardust" as a bonus. |
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