Music thread: how do they do it?

[Bigboote]

I heard an interview probably 20 years ago in which a kid (from the Vermont band Popcorn Behavior) said, "Tom Waits makes beautiful music from ugly parts." I thought that was an incredibly insightful and pithy remark. I've often been brought to tears by Waits's music, and I still don't understand what makes some of his songs so beautiful. Some are just sad (Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis), but some just strike a chord in me. I'll start it off with something from Waits, but feel free to post a song from an act that you just thought they couldn't do.

This is a song I first heard done by Paul Young; of course his version was very different. Didn't sound like Tom Waits at all till I listened to the lyrics. This one usually brings my wife to tears.

 

[Littlemin]

Gorgeous piece of music from one of my favorite bands; known more for Irish punk music, outrageous drinking, and wild stage shows.

 

[Aluminny69]

Not really sure what you are going for here, but this is probably the most unique singer that I have heard and liked. I will steal a comment from Youtube comments: "I dig this guy. I first saw him perform on Saturday Night Live and was mesmerized without really knowing why. The voice, the hat, the glasses, the pose... way too cool."

Here he is, singing a song from early 1900s Vaudeville.

 

[Aluminny69]

Here's Leon Redbone with some good advice

 

[Bama fan]

Here is another classic from the amazing Leon Redbone

 

[Hoops66]

I hope that this qualifies, but it always amazes me (still) how the Mills Brothers handle this classic Duke Ellington instrumental using only their vocal genius.

 

[Bama fan]

I heard an interview probably 20 years ago in which a kid (from the Vermont band Popcorn Behavior) said, "Tom Waits makes beautiful music from ugly parts." I thought that was an incredibly insightful and pithy remark. I've often been brought to tears by Waits's music, and I still don't understand what makes some of his songs so beautiful. Some are just sad (Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis), but some just strike a chord in me. I'll start it off with something from Waits, but feel free to post a song from an act that you just thought they couldn't do.

This is a song I first heard done by Paul Young; of course his version was very different. Didn't sound like Tom Waits at all till I listened to the lyrics. This one usually brings my wife to tears.

Beautiful muscially, And Tom's unique vocal style. I love that the first word of the lyrics is "davenports', the "Kleenex" of sofas.

 

[rvwsleep]

This video has shown up on this forum previously, but i thought it applied especially well to this topic.

 

[Littlemin]

One of THE great songwriters wrote one of the most “rings true” love songs and turned it into one of my favorite duets, John Prine and Iris DeMent.

 

[Scud49]

One song that always enchanted me was this one from Latin singer Flora Purim. I always marveled at the way they created a sense of moodiness, both dark and beautiful, with a perception of floating wistfulness.

 

[Bigboote]

This is a song about the end of the world that's mostly in 19 time. I don't know how someone writes a song in 19 time.

 

[Littlemin]

Mike Ness from Social Distortion covers the Marty Robbins 1960 hit “Big Iron” about a western gun duel between a Texas Ranger and Texas Red

 

[64Zcode]

 

[Bigboote]

This video has shown up on this forum previously, but i thought it applied especially well to this topic.

Cool, a recorder and an ocarina!

 

[meyers7]

Not exactly sure what you're going for. But I'm going with how did she take this classic, change it up and make it like it always should have been. And did it live.

Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy

 

[Aluminny69]

In no way do I intend to diminish Eve Cassidy's beautiful rendition, but it reminded me of another totally unique version of the song, which I'm sure you are familiar with.

BTW, is there some relationship between this song, and people who sing it dying early?

 

[Woof 101]

Ever had rodents in the attic?
This gal can sing the blues. Janis Joplin type with even more stage presence.

 

[Littlemin]

Neko Case covering one of Mr. Waits‘ absolute best

 

[Littlemin]

The also very unique Dan Hicks with his take on another Waits’ classic

 

[Hoops66]

Eva and Iz are two of the all time (oh yes, and Judy) best at singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I, also, really like this version by Sissel Kyrkjebo. Just a beautiful singer from Norway, she lights up so many songs...Shenandoah.

 

[Bama fan]

Not certain this one fits here, but the perfect storytelling, the hardened voice, and the certainty that most of us have been there too prompts me to offer this gem.

 

[Boreifs]

This is a song about the end of the world that's mostly in 19 time. I don't know how someone writes a song in 19 time.

The short answer; one doesn’t. It’s just a three-beat pattern with a four-beat pattern every sixth measure or a four-beat pattern with a three-beat pattern every fifth measure. All rhythm is either duple or triple.

 

[Scud49]

More of Morricone's brilliance - the distinctive "twang twang" in the opening moments was accomplished by using a mouth harp:

 

[Aluminny69]

Not certain this one fits here, but the perfect storytelling, the hardened voice, and the certainty that most of us have been there too prompts me to offer this gem.

Johnny Cash's last song, very poignant. To steal a comment, "I know I’m not the only one, but “everyone I know goes away in the end” hits harder and harder the older I get."

 

[Littlemin]

I could not resist dating myself, this is early Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks from 1972 on the Flip Wilson Show. Those old enough will recognize Flip’s homage to Laugh-In’s Arte Johnson.