things are better with a parrott

First Dance

 
{Image via Snippet & Ink by John Dolan}

The first time Rich & I danced together was in the parking lot of a convenience store on the campus of a local college.  I met him for a drink one evening in the first few weeks of dating.  We were driving home {in separate cars} & he suddenly pulled into said parking lot, opened his door, & turned up his radio to blast LL Cool J's Loungin' {Who Do You Love Remix}...sing it: "Who do you love...are you for sure."  Anyways!  He began to dance & got me out of my car to dance.  Ridiculously random & insanely sweet, it is a dance I will always remember. 

We continue to have impromptu dance parties in our living room, but it is a rare occasion when Rich & I have the opportunity for a nice, close, slow dance.  Our love for dancing & music {me the listener/occasional singer, Rich the actual musician} plays a vital role in our relationship so naturally the first dance & song are important.  Surprisingly, we do not "a song."  You know, the one that every time it comes on the radio I sigh "Ooh it's our song, baby!"  Yeah...no.   So, here are my current choices for our first dance, in no particular order:

1.  Sky to Blue - Phillip Roebuck {I cannot find the lyrics}
2.  Stay With You - John Legend
3.  Your Smiling Face - James Taylor

Real Simple has some ideas for unusual first dance songs.  Perhaps I will check some of those out.  Of course, they will not be so unusual anymore if everyone starts using them.  Just sayin'.  Of course, I have James Taylor on my list, so who am I to talk?

Inspired by an Album

   
{image via Snippet & Ink by Melissa Schollaert}   

Do you know Phillip Roebuck?  Rich played me his first album, Under the Matchlight, a couple years ago.  Roebuck recorded it by himself in a barn in Virginia where you can hear the crickets in the background of some of the songs.  It is a magical album that reminds me of late summer nights spent under the stars next to a camp fire.  Each song fills my heart with happiness, & just a touch of sadness.  But a good sadness...the type you should feel every so often.  I want to start the album & hit repeat so it plays in a continuous loop throughout our entire wedding.  Okay.  I am {partially} kidding.  But I want our wedding to make me feel the way Under the Matchlight makes me feel...& I am pretty sure it will.

Music Love {3}

Toots & the Maytals - The Best of Toots & the Maytals: Toots & the Maytals are legends of reggae.  They are a unique combination of ska, gospel, soul, reggae & rock.  Toots makes me so happy.  The upbeat vibes just make you smile & dance.  And dance we did when we saw them this summer!  Song choice:  Pomp & Pride

Zap Mama - Ancestry in Progress: Zap Mama, a Belgian group lead by Marie Dauline, has a super unique sound heavily infused with African instruments, R&B & Hip-hop all while utilizing Dauline's A-mazing voice as an instrument.   She sings in both English & French.  Zap Mama put on a rockin' show when we saw them in the fall - they did no stop for hours!  Song Choice: Yelling Away {which features Talib Kweli, Common, & Questlove}

Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs: Ben Folds is ridiculous on the piano & he puts on a rockin', completely entertaining live show.  I actually saw him twice this year - once on the Providence College campus {I was an even huger BF fan in college so of course he came to campus after I am gone - good thing I live next door still!} & opening for John Mayer in Boston.  Song Choice: The Luckiest

Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un M'a Dit: Carla Bruni is an Italian-Born supermodel who is dating the king of France with fabulous bangs & long hair {love!} This album is soft, sweet, but it also makes me feel a little sad.  It is entirely in French.  Her latest album, No Promises, is in English though.  Song Choice: Tout le monde

Jolie Holland - Escondida: One of the founding members of The Be Good Tanyas {a must-listen as well}, Jolie Holland combines jazz, folk, country, & blues.  There is real nostalgic feeling to her voice, which I love.  Song Choice: Amen

Keren Ann - Keren Ann: Singing in both English & French, Keren Ann is mesmerizing & sensual.  She has a breathless vocal style that is minimalist & beautiful.  I love her previous albums, Nolita & Not Going Anywhere.  Song Choice: Not Going Anywhere

Thus my music love comes to a close.  For now at least!

Music Love {2}

Continuing my favorite albums of the past year, today's picks include a few bands I was lucky enough to see live this year as well!

7.  Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature: Jose Gonzalez is a Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter from Argentina.  His first album, Veneer came out in 2005 in the US & I was mesmerized by it.  His soft voice is perfectly paired with his solo guitar.  He has also collaborated with Zero 7 on their album The Garden {also great}.  Both of his albums are favorites for relaxing moments.  Song choices: Crosses {Veneer} & Killing for Love. 

8.  Hotel Costes 3 - Stephane Pompougnac:  The Hotel Costes series is up to 10 albums & this one of my favorites, or at least the one I listen to the most.  Stephane Pompougnac is a French House DJ from Paris, most famous for mixing the Hotel Costes series of downtempo lounge tracks.  It is a pretty sexy album, if I do say so.  Song choices: Ambrosia & Cleopatra in New York {which is by Nickodemus, another favorite worth listening to}. 

9.  Regina Spektor - Songs: Regina is all over the place now, which is bittersweet to me because I wanted to keep her to myself & those few others who loved her - but I got over it.  I randomly saw her video for Us when it came out in 2005 & could not stop listening to her.  I love her storytelling ability & the characters she creates in her songs.  Songs is actually her second album where Sampson first appears - I prefer this version, it is less produced.  Songs is more raw than Begin to Hope as it is just her & her piano.  It is quirkier with more character.  I was actually sad she had a whole band in Begin to Hope, but I still love it.  I saw her live in 2006 & she was absolutely amazing & truly special.  I just love Regina.  The End.  If you love her too, but did not know Songs existed listen to it.  And listen to Soviet Kitsch.  Song Choice:  Sampson

10.  The Cat Empire - Two Shoes: This band is so much fun!  Rich & I saw them live & just danced & danced.  They are funky, jazzy, & have a trombone, trumpet, & sax.  Horns = amazing {at least in the minds of Rich & myself}.  Their lyrics are completely cool & witty & all with an Australian accent.  Song choices: The Car Song & Saltwater.

11.  Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank:  Modest Mouse is such an original band with a unique sound - the lead singer Isaac Brock screams in a lot of the songs & sometimes you are not sure what he is saying, but it rocks.  I get so caught up in the singing & the driving rhythm of the songs.  Rich & I saw them this summer at the Tweeter Center {which is outdoors} & it was my favorite concert we saw. It was a perfect summer night & we were some of the only people sitting on the lawn, watching the stars, & listening to some tunes.  Song Choices: Education & Steam Engenius.

12.  Ratatat - Ratatat: Rich & I saw them at the Paradise because we dig their music, but also wanted to see how they do it.  They are entirely instrumental.  The album begins with the real danceable Seventeen Years {it is on countless mixes Rich creates} & becomes mellow throughout the rest of the album.  I can see how some say it is video game music, but I really like the album.  Song Choices: Seventeen Years & El Pico.

Music Love {1}

I have been away from this space for a week now slowly recovering from my surgery, but I have been quietly working in the background on a few custom orders.  I am enjoying the restful time by myself this week, though I miss the company of parents who spent the week caring for me in my weak and really not-quite-with-it state.  By the time Rich comes home I am practically bouncing off the walls waiting for his company. 

Today I found myself listening to some of my favorite albums of the past year & downloading new ones.  Though I do not usually talk music, I thought I would since I have been away from printing & do not have much to show {yet}.  I spent the day making a playlist of all the songs that remind me of 2007 & will include my picks.

1.  Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers: I love Laura Veirs.  So.  Much.  I loved Year of the Meteors & Saltbreakers is just as amazing.  I cannot even pick which one I like best.  Song choice: Saltbreakers & To the Country {a perfect song for me}.

2.  Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender:  A pianist, harpsichordist, singer & songwriter who does not acknowledge being part of any scene, Joanna Newsom is part of the psych {or freak} folk scene.  I am addicted to her, but she is not for everyone {Rich is giving her another try...}.  One of my co-workers, who has the most amazing music collection, introduced me to her.  She brought the album to work, we closed my office door, & she tried to "warn me."  I dig a lot of stranger music, particularly women who can do crazy things with their voices & do not sound necessarily "trained" a la Regina Spektor so when I heard Joanna Newsom, I knew I had to keep listening.  The more I listened, the more I loved her.  Her voice is wild & her lyrics are amazing.  I spent over an hour on youtube today {a very rare thing} watching a short interview with her along with any other video about her.  She is so sweet!  The video for Sprout & the Bean is so well done.  Song choice: This Side of Blue.

3.  Amel Larrieux - Bravebird:  Amel Larrieux's voice is magic.  Rich introduced me to her, but infact he was re-introducing her.  She was in Groove Theory & had one popular song Tell Me.  I forgot about her, & it seems like a lot of other people did, but she of course kept making music.  Bravebird is a beautiful album.  She has had two more since, but this one is my favorite.  All of her songs have such powerful messages, aside from being beautiful.  Song choice:  All I got & Dear to Me.

4.  The Rapture - Pieces of the People we Love:  Rich got to see this band live at Coachella last year & gave me their album.  They would be so great to see live - all I want to do is dance when I listen to them, but I am usually in the car.  They are a great mix of dance-punk-disco-electronica-rock that just makes you want to move.  Song choice: Get Myself Into It.

5.  Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight:  I came late to the Rilo Kiley scene & did not discover them until a couple years ago.  I love Jenny Lewis - for her voice & her fabulos red hair & bangs.  Her album Rabbit Fur Coat was pretty amazing & was in constant rotation so I was psyched when this new album came out.  Rilo Kiley is your classic indie-rock band but this new album has some edge to it I really like {it also has less of the guy singing - not a big fan of his wimpy voice}.  Song choice:  The Moneymaker {I really like Breakin' Up even though it is the ultimate break up song, ha}

6.  Madeleine Peyroux - Careless Love:  Perhaps it is because she is an American jazz singer who moved to Paris, or perhaps it is because she has a gorgeously smooth voice, or perhaps her songs make me happy to be in love, but Madeleine Peyroux stirs all these emotions within me whenever I listen to her.  It makes me long for lazy Sunday mornings that stretch into the night.  Song choice: Don't Wait to Long.   

I looks like this music post will indeed be a three-part series.  More of my favorite albums tomorrow.