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Michelle Featherstone
“Coffee & Cigarettes”

Warning: This is an intense break-up song about quitting.

I don’t see this current musical path changing anytime soon. I’m suffering from a small bout of melancholy. Does the song make us melancholy or do we pick the song because we are melancholy? Whatever it is, I’ll make the most of it. I appreciate music more lately if it has a prominent rhythm piano part, gospel influences and an acoustic feel. There’s something very poignant and penetrating about this sort of musical style. It also helps if it is very lyrically bewitching–like this one.

Feist
“Now At Last”

I have had this song on standby from day one. Andy Baio (of waxy.org) turned me on to Feist originally. I love most of her work. She has an amazing range of talent up her musical sleeve. This song, “Now At Last”, reminds me New York City at Christmas time. It is a beautiful piece — enjoy.

Rufus Wainwright
“The Art Teacher”

Amazing.

I saw a video of this song being performed by Rufus and had to post the song. Rufus has an ornate piano styling all his own, and his melodic phrasing is intriguing too. When I heard this song for the first time, I was immediately reminded of another artist’s work. The work of Phillip Glass’ piano textures. It took me a few minutes to figure it out. Tomorrow’s piece will feature work from Glass to show you the similarities. I’ve also read that is Phillip Glass’ favorite song by Rufus–go figure.

Lijie
“Roam”

This is the kind of song you listen to after your dog dies. Or gets lost.
I know if My dog were lost, I’d roam the open roads. Maybe he’s the one roaming the open roads in search for home.
Well, that’s what the lyrics say anyway.

I have been such a sucker lately for music with a strong piano part and a female vocal lead. Tomorrow I’ll try to mix it up.

Ingrid Michaelson
“Breakable”

Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts? Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts.
This is a cute song, from a really cute girl. I didn’t pick the song because she was cute — I learned she was cute only after I was in like with this song. I like it a lot.

I’ve noticed a recurring theme in my musical tastes lately — Repetitive notes. It started with Rufus Wainwright the other day. A lot of music I like a highly repetitive motif, I can’t help it. I hope you like this song.

Stay tuned. Tomorrow is Sunday, and that means I’ll be mixing things up a bit.

Chris Martin
“Yellow”

Sorry for such a late post today. As you know, Sundays are special ‘days off’ for me musically. Today I’m posting a song near and dear to my heart. This was the first Coldplay song I had ever heard, and at the time I had written them off. I wasn’t crazy about this song at first. In fact, it was a bit of an annoyance to me. However, after their second and third singles released, i realized this band was no one-hit-wonder. Now, I love this song.

This particular version is from Sounds Eclectic Too — an amazing radio program. So many great bands have been featured on ‘sounds eclectic’ albums. Go out and buy this album. It’s worth it.

Nichole Nordeman
“River God”

I listened to this song last night for the first time in about 2 years and knew I had to post it today.

When I first heard this song many years ago, I was struck by the lyrical skills of Nicole as well as her mastership tickling the ivory. The words she chose here fit perfectly with the high piano notes. The piano part is so affecting and stirring because she counters these high piano parts with really deep root chords at the end of her phrases — It will touch you.

A.J. Croce
“All About You”

Today I feature A.J. (Adrian James) Croce. Yes, A.J. is Jim Croce’s son.

When I was a kid I idolized everything about my dad — especially his music. I wouldn’t know who Jim Croce is without his influence on my musical tastes. That’s why when I saw AJ was making music, I needed to check it out. Some of AJ’s music reminds me of Tom Waits. He has a way-older-than-his-years voice that I really like. It’s not terribly evident in this song, but check out “Trouble in Mind”. You’ll really get a taste of his Waits-like scratchiness. Most of his songs include either a guitar or a piano.

Regina Spektor
“Apres Moi”

This isn’t the first time I’ve featured a Regina Spektor song. I had a talk with a buddy of mine yesterday who mentioned Regina. It served as inspiration for today’s posting of this song, “Apres Moi”. Her classical training really burns through this song. I can’t get enough.

Andy Davis
“Black Keys”

I really do play on the Black Keys. C# major is my favorite key in which to play on the piano. That’s all I really have to say. If you like this tune, check out “Chinatown” and “Laugh so you don’t cry”. This whole album deserves a listen. Go buy it.

I hope you enjoy. Cheers, mate.