Tunesday: Sampling vs. Remaking; PLUS: A GIVEAWAY!

There's a difference between an artist remaking a song (think Tribute Albums) and an artist sampling a song. For me, a remake is really great if it's as good as the original. (Mary J. Blige's remake of Chaka Khan's Sweet Thing is an example.) Sometimes, a remake can actually exceed the original in listening pleasure. (Beyonce and Luther remade The Closer I Get To You, which for me completely tops Roberta Flack's version). Are you catching on? Sampling, however, is different from remaking a song.

One of my favorite things to do is find a sample from an old song in the background of a newer song. I'm talking a little LESS obvious than Vanilla Ice's infamous "Under Pressure, Pressure, Baby". There is so much music out there that has snippets of classic old tunes. It's a never-ending adventure.

Anyway. I love me some LL. I saw him once in concert, and while he doesn't hold a candle to the phenomenally sexy man I'm married to, he is still a piece of art. One of my favorite songs by him is "Hey Lover." This song is classic; it's only made better by the fact that Boys II Men throw their smooth harmony all over the place. Love them too. I wanted to post the video, but in true LL style, it's... shall we say... a bit racy? Yes. We shall say that. So below you will find only the audio clip.

CHALLENGE: If you can tell me the name of the song he sampled here, to include the artist, I will burn you a cd with all of the Tunesday hits up to this point. As you know, I use comment moderation. So I will simply store all the comments this week instead of publishing them, so no one can see anyone else's replies. Comments will be posted when the winner is announced at the end of the week. AND NO CHEATING. You can't google the answer. Where's the fun in that??

Tunesday: Wish You Were Here

I don't care who you are, what you listen to... you HAVE to like Pink Floyd. You just have to. It's in my rules.

Really though. When I think of "classic;" of groups that have been around since before I was, and whose music will be around even after I'm gone... it's not the Black Eyed Peas or Miley Cyrus or Rascal Flatts. They have their time, but their time is limited. Pink Floyd, up there with the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Eagles, just made music that made people feel stuff. And given that the feeling came for most through a ridiculously thick haze of drug-induced numbness, that's pretty impressive.

This is my all-time favorite Floyd tune. I love it. It's haunting yet it makes such a statement. It screamed against politics and war with such a quiet fortitude, that people listened. It has an almost confusing symbolism, but I am convinced you can read it without chemical assistance. You just want to lay in a hammock and soak it in.

One of the biggest disappointments of my life was being a week early in Berlin. You may or may not recall that Roger Waters did a benefit concert in 1989 titled... what else... "The Wall." The Berlin wall had just come down and it was crazy. We were in Europe on vacation for the summer, only we hit Berlin one week before the concert. I couldn't quite convince my dad to reschedule the entire trip so I could catch the show. If you have some time, check out that album. It's fun. I had the cassettes from it but my brother stole them from me while I was on my mission. Jerk. But I forgive. Anyway, Sinead O'Connor's rendition of "Mother" is absolutely unique.

Tunesday: You and Me

When I fell in love with my husband, this song was huge. He was in Iraq. I was extra emotional and sensitive for about a million reasons. This song, even though it was ridiculously overplayed and a tad bit bubblegummy, sort of snatched us both up in the whirlwind of newfound romance.

Sometimes on the blog, I write about what a super guy he is. I think he was starting to become concerned that people think he's just about perfect. I offered to write a post detailing his flaws and annoying habits, and list the things about him that really bug me. Instead, he sent me this email:

Can I have Tunesday tomorrow? If so the song is "You and Me" and here's my post:
This may come as a shock to some but I am not Mr. Perfect. As a matter of fact, I am far from it, but I am trying. I would love to say that I am trying because I will be a better person for it, but the truth of the matter is that my lovely wife deserves more. The closer I get to being perfect, the happier she is and that is all that matters. This is our unofficial song and I share it with all of you as a glimpse of what a blessing she is in my life and the love I have for her.

We're a normal couple. We enjoy each other. We do fun stuff. We talk. But we're not always the cheese and mush you see on the blog. We argue. Sometimes we even fight, and it ain't pretty. But in the end, it's me and him. We love each other, and we make it work. Thank goodness there are so many songs to help us express that. This one may not be a must-have for EVERYONE'S library, but it is in ours.

Tunesday: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

This is our family anthem. One night a few years ago we happened to be in Utah. Bountiful, specifically. Up on the east side in the mountain, driving around at sunset. This song came on our ipod, and we cranked it at full volume, rolled the windows down, and drove around with five kids and two adults singing at the top of their lungs. It is one of my absolute favorite memories.

I miss my stepkids this week. It's really hard to love someone very much, and have to be mostly removed from their lives. I know they feel the same way. We are always hopeful that time will improve the situation, and that as they get older, they will become more independent in their abilities to communicate with us. Until then, there's hope and faith in the ability to see over high mountains.

Tunesday: Hey Mr. DJ

Zhane. Remember them? I wanted to name my first daughter Zhane. (Pronounced Jah-nay) Noe was probably a better choice. This song came out I think around 1993. Weekend nights, college parties, nothing but good times and great dancing.

I realized I've had very few female artists featured in my Tunesdays, so I tried to think of my favorites. These ladies haven't put out too much, but what they have is fantastic. Their upbeat stuff will make you feel like no one on earth can dance better than you, and their slow jams will make you cry. Plus, anyone who can rock the nearly-shaved head like they can is absolutely cool in my book.

If you listen to this song, you will want to let go of your stress and have yourself a little fun. Isn't that what music is all about anyway? Taking you somewhere you can't quite go on your own? Thank goodness for it.

Tunesday: Everything

The first time I heard of Michael Buble I was working in the back room stocking shelves at Bath and Body Works. There was this uber-Baptist chick who worked there, and while the rest of the crew was bringing in slammin hip hop and velvety RnB tracks to pass the time, she was constantly throwing on "inspriational" music. I thought she was a bit of a zealot, and she was totally obsessed with Michael Buble. So due to her need to save my soul, and the weirdness of the name "BOOBLAY", I have always avoided listening to him.
I have no idea how old or new this song is, but I recently heard it and fell in love with it. I didn't even know it was Michael BOOBLAY until I was already hooked. So he has now managed to sneak his way into my music library. Darn.
Anyway, do you ever sometimes listen to a love song from the perspective of a parent? I mean, it doesn't work for all of them, for example anything that makes reference to dimming the lights and lighting the candles wouldn't work. But this one, for the most part, makes a cool love song for your kids. We've been listening to it every morning getting ready for school, and I always make a silly point to dedicate it to my kids, and tell them that they are my everything. It's fun. Try it at your house.
PS Good luck getting past his cheezy variety-show mannerisms. You may want to leave the video playing and navigate away to a new tab, so you only listen to him. He is so Osmondesque, it's creepy.

Tunesday: Lemonade

I can't remember exactly when this song found its way into my library, but I do remember it was a summertime... probably about five years ago? I loved it the first time I heard it. The name of the song is Lemonade, and the guy who sings it (Jeremy Manongdo) goes by the name Passion.
We had an event occur in our family yesterday that rocked us. It was disappointing and frustrating and sad. But by the end of the day, I didn't think there was any way I could love my husband more than I did. He was by my side, on my team, and I knew he felt what I was feeling.
My favorite line in this song is "You're soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand." I love the beach, and that line just makes sense to me.
Anyway... I love my husband and I feel like with him, I can do hard things. Thanks for being exactly what I need, baby.

*This version gets a little silly. Download the original track, without the college kids laughing in the background. You will love it.

Tunesday: Retro Uh-Oh.

Last night, Skip and I were playing cards before we turned in for the night. This song was on the playlist, and when it came on, I started laughing. One eyebrow raised, the man says, "Yes??"
I say, "One day, my Dad and I were strolling around a KOA campground in Nephi, Utah. This was about my late teens/early twenties. We pass a small cabin and he says to me, 'Andrea. Do you see that cabin right there?' And I reply, 'Yes.' He then says to me, 'That's the cabin where you were conceived.'"

It was perhaps the most traumatic moment of my life. No child should ever be forced to learn that they were not actually dropped off by the stork. However, in honor of my parents and as a way of saying, "Hey, thanks for good times at the KOA." i offer this little number.

I love Marvin Gaye, and am convinced he was put on earth simply to improve the love lives of the human race. God bless you, MG.

ps I kinda wish this is still the way people danced. It would make chaperoning so much easier.

Tunesday: Eggplant

or click here

Pardon the boring nature of this "video" clip. Obscure songs are limited in availability.

You may or may not have noticed my URL before. This song is a great song, but quickly became a joke between Skip and I. He has an aversion to vegetables. Corn, uncooked carrots, and green beans are the only ones he'll eat. Oh, and salad. As most of you know, I'm a little different. My life mantra is "Bring on the Produce!"

Anyway. In the early days, I was convinced Skip would come to love veggies as I do if he just had someone to cook them for him in a remarkably appetizing way. So I made this sandwich for him... grilled eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, red peppers and onions. I brushed them with olive oil and minced garlic. Threw them on his grill (GASP! THE CONTAMINATION OF MANHOOD!) and then whipped up an herbed mayonnaise while they cooked. Spread the mayo on a crusty, thick hoagie roll. Added the veggies. Topped with grated parm. I was seriously almost at the height of ecstacy over this sandwich. He took one bite, chewed without actually letting the food touch his tongue, smiled at me with tight lips, and put the sandwich down.

I was shocked and dismayed. A few days later, he played me the song to soothe my broken heart. It's since become a favorite in our house, and instead of forcing him to eat eggplant, we listen to it together and call it good.

The best version is not a live one. Dowload the album cut. It's by Michael Franks. Then go eat your vegetables while you listen. It's a double treat.

Tunesday: There Goes My Baby

Remember the Gap Band? Oops upside ya head, I said oops upside ya head...Yeah. Good times.

Well Charlie Wilson, aka Uncle Charlie, has been doing quite a bit on his own since those days. Mostly songwriting for other artists, but producing a bit of his own stuff here and there as well. This is his latest, and frankly, I am obsessed with it. I listen to it multiple times every day. It is a smooth, upbeat love song, and it makes me want to snatch my husband right up and dance with him.

The official video has no embed code, so I had to post this clip from the Jimmy Kimmel show. The official video is so awesome though. Click here to see it. Uncle Charlie is good friends with Snoop Dogg. It's a really heartwarming version with Snoop and his true love, I think her name is Shante. I know "heartwarming" and "Snoop" are sort of contradictory terms, but really, check out his softer side. You'll feel the love, I promise. I get a little misty every time I watch it.

Click here if you can't see the video.

Tunesday: A Hint of Country

If you know me at all, you know I am not a country music fan. There are a few solitary songs that can stand on their own in my music library, but generally, this is not my genre.
HOWEVER...
take this little gem. It is even more enjoyable because Mr. Kenny Chesney invited one Dave Matthews to sing it with him. Talk about a couple of slick voices!
I like to listen to mellow music. It helps me stay calm, because sometimes I am not so calm. This song is called "I'm Alive" and it gets a lot of air time in my house. It's a nice reminder to count my blessings, even when my "blessings" are driving me up the wall.

Tunesday: Forget the Love At Home

Just in case you are Mormon, and had to endure a Mother's Day service at your local meetinghouse, I am dedicating this Tunesday to you. It's a safe bet that your service consisted of a completely exaggerated talk about how someone's mom was an angel on earth; a saint who baked fresh bread daily and never raised her voice. Or perhaps you heard from a mother about her perfect children who all served missions and married in the temple. Whatever the case, odds are there was perfection aplenty from the pulpit while you sat feeling less-than-perfect in your pew. The meeting closed with the song "Love at Home" in which you were reminded that "hate and envy never annoy" whilst you sat feeling annoyed with your irreverent children.

I will pay some good money to anyone willing to volunteer for the special musical number next year, and sing this version of the song:

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all.

and if the embed doesn't work, CLAIR, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz-I_KRWnhk&feature=player_embedded

Tunesday: Stop This Train

If you were one of those unfortunate enough to be tortured by our way-too-long Christmas DVD this year, you will perhaps recognize this song. That is assuming that you sat through the entire barrage of music and photos.

John Mayer has this fabulous voice. It's seductive and compelling, and he has a way of making you want to experience everything he's singing about. This one hit me particularly hard, at least the way I interpreted it.
*Disclaimer: I can only offer my own interpretation of songs. Who knows if I understand them to mean what the artist actually intended. If nothing more, you at least get my twist on it.

To me, this song is a journey. I feel like he starts off complaining about life, and wanting to get off his proverbial train. Been there, felt that. Like those days of "Please God, not one more poopy diaper; no more late night wakings... I MUST have sleep..." Following me? When life has felt like it's hurtling out of control and I wanted nothing more than to get off that ride. How many times have I ever felt "This is NOT what I signed up for"? Be it parenting, marriage, career... my train ride has at times been one I have wanted to stop.

But the song takes an interesting twist. Suddenly, he can't take the speed. The train is going so fast, and he's missing things along the way. A wise man gives him this advice: "Turn 68, you'll renegotiate. Don't stop this train; don't for a minute change the place you're in."

And that's where I am right now. Parenting has ceased to be overwhelming to me, and has become a challenging journey that I want to enjoy. Marriage is a blessing; every moment I can manage to savor is worth the effort. So whatever your situation is right now, take a minute to renegotiate and find out how you can either enjoy the ride, or make the ride enjoyable.

Download the cut off the album "Continuum".

Tunesday: Goapele

This week's tune is Closer by Goapele. She has only been on the music scene since the start of the new millenium, and has released three albums. Her voice reminds me a little of the smooth, rich vocals of Sade. Here's a little write-up I found on her:

"Goapele (born Goapele Mohlabane on 11th July 1977 in Oakland, California) is a U.S. soul and R&B singer-songwriter. Her name means “to go forward” in the South African language Sesotho. She was born to a Jewish mother, Noa, and an African father, Douglas Mohlabane, who was a South African political exile. They married in Nairobi, Kenya." (www.last.fm/music/Goapele) (note my keen ability to reference copyrighted material.)

This isn't really a love song; it's more like a song about moving on. I don't really know why she wrote it, or what she was writing about. But when I listen to it, the melody is almost hypnotic, and her vocals are so soothing, that it makes me feel like she's coming out of something ugly and finding her way towards something better. I think everyone can relate to that. Check her out, she has lots of other great songs.

Tunesday: Landslide

Dave will 'splain you some facts:


I chose this song for so many reasons. First of all, I love classic music; stuff that has been around forever and that people still love listening to. There's a lot of Fleetwood Mac that qualifies there. Landslide is such a reflective song. Stevie Nicks once said it's a song about making choices. Sometimes life throws you huge choices and you question your abilities to make those choices...and sometimes it just feels good to listen to a song that lets you know someone else has felt the same way. In my opinion, the best line of the whole song is "Can I handle the seasons of my life?" Really, sometimes my days feel like entire seasons in and of themselves.

Anyway.

This song plays for about 4:40, and then another one starts. I couldn't find a shorter clip with the same intro from Dave, so only feel obligated to listen to the first 4:40. I like the cut from this album (The Dance) better than any others I've heard, so when you download, be sure to look for this version.

Tunesday: Saving The World, One Track at a Time

I have decided to start a new feature over here. If you know me at all, you know how much I love music. We have something like 6500 songs on our iTunes. Music is almost always on in our house.

My tastes are ridiculously eclectic. But if you stay tuned, I promise every once in awhile there will be a Tunesday for you. I will try to include some info with each song, so that you can broaden your horizons in the process. I know, pretty big of me, right? And I insist that if you don't have the song in your personal library, then download it. (mp3panda.com is only 20 cents a track) There will always be an occasion when you should be listening to it. I'll be sure to point that out as well.

The kick-off tune for this series is "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire. It's a little tribute to the man I love. I love EWF, and one of the first things I found attractive about him was that he knew more about them than I did. These guys are great on the horns, with some funky vocals to match. Maurice White has performed with lots of greats, including Muddy Waters and Etta James. And you'll instantly recognize Phillip Bailey's crazy falsetto voice. Their hits began in the 70's, and in 2004 they were still going strong, blowing it up with Outkast performing "I Like The Way You Move". They also performed in '07 on American Idol's "Idol Gives Back." And I read something recently that said they performed at the White House for the first dinner hosted by the Obamas. Not sure if that's true, but you can look it up.

I chose this song as a must have in your music library because it is so fun. Everyone knows it, and no matter where you are (excluding church or a formal business meeting) people get up and move when they hear it. Don't feel like doing housework? Turn on "September" and your vaccuum will practically move itself. I promise.