The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: My 25 Most Played on iTunes

I wasn't going to share another playlist this week, but as I was going through iTunes last week, I thought, "Why not share with everyone?"

So here are the top 25 most-played songs in my personal iTunes library. We're gonna do this countdown style:

25. "Kodachrome," Paul Simon
"When I think about the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I learned anything at all." I absolutely LOVE that opening lyric. It's one of the best opening lyrics in all music.
Ironic, though, that the last lyric to the chorus goes, "But mama don't take my Kodachrome away." Well, they are! Kodak recently announced that they're no longer going to produce it, making this song more meaningful, in my opinion.

24. "Summer, Highland Falls," Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic
I like this live version better than the original one, which was originally on the Turnstiles album. This includes another one of my favorite opening lyrics:

"They say that these are not the best of times, but they're the only times I've ever known."

The last line of the chorus is great, too:

"We are only what our situations hand us, it's either sadness or euphoria."

23. "Laughter in the Rain," Neil Sedaka
I have a thing for singer-songwriters from the 70s. I first heard this on a road trip to Long Island about ten years ago. I always listened to WCBS 101 FM whenever I traveled to Long Island. One of my best friends from college lived there, and we'd listen to this station whenever we were in the car together. I always think of her whenever I listen to CBS FM online.

22. "Kids in America," Kim Wilde
I heard this song on one of the Music Choice stations one day and liked it so much I downloaded it. There's no other cool story to it other than that.

21. "Our Lives," The Calling
I first heard this song on the radio about five years ago. It's just such a positive little tune. I just love the chorus; it's so optimistic and upbeat:

"These are the days worth livin',
These are the years we're given,
And these are moments, these are the times,
Let's make the best out of our lives."

20. "Gimme Little Sign," Brenton Wood
See #23. Again, it's another song that we heard consistently on CBS FM.

19. "Even the Nights Are Better," Air Supply
I remember when this song came out. I was in kindergarten. It played on the radio all the time.

18. "Groovin'," The Young Rascals
See #20 and #23. I also heard this a lot in the car growing up. My parents loved listening to WDRC, the local oldies station.

17. "Pleasant Valley Sunday," The Monkees
Sister Kitten and I watched reruns of The Monkees obsessively when we were growing up. Anyone else remember when they were on Nickelodeon?

16. "Goin' Out of My Head," Little Anthony and the Imperials
See #20 and #23.

15. "Out of the Blue," Debbie Gibson
I was a huge Debbie--ahem, DEBORAH--Gibson fan in middle school and am not ashamed to admit it.

14. "Invisible," Clay Aiken
The only song of Clay's I really like.

13. "Where You Lead I Will Follow," Carole King and Louise Goffin
This was the version that served as the theme to Gilmore Girls. It reminds me of my mentor, who passed away in 2005. She was a huge Carole King fan and would often play her CDs at work.

12. "Starry Eyed Surprise," Paul Oakenfold
This played on the radio quite a bit about four or five years ago, during a very sweet time in my life. Nothing major or earth-shattering happened, but it was one of those times in life where everything just seems to click.

11. "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls
A couple of friends of mine sang this at a pops concert in college. I've loved it--and the Indigo Girls--ever since.

10. "Bittersweet Symphony," The Verve
This played on the radio during my senior year of college--specifically, second semester senior year. This was an appropriate song to hear then: bittersweet feelings about graduating and moving on to the "real world." It's my coming-of-age song, I guess.

9. "LDN," Lily Allen
I first heard Lily Allen on an episode of Saturday Night Live. She performed this song, and I've loved it since then.

8. "Least Complicated," Indigo Girls
See #11.

7. "Up Around the Bend," Creedence Clearwater Revival
I've loved this song since I first heard it in Remember the Titans.

6. "Home," Michael Buble
I always think of BFF when I hear this song. Not only does he adore Michael Buble, but he sings a wonderful version of this tune.

5. "Smile," Lily Allen
I love how Lily Allen marries bitter lyrics with cheerful chords.

4. "Celebrate Me Home," Kenny Loggins
There's no other reason that this is on the playlist other than I just really dig the tune.

3. "Old Town," The Corrs
See #4.

2. "When the Stars Go Blue," Tim McGraw
See #3 and #4.

1. "Hello It's Me," Todd Rundgren
See #20, #23, and any other tune referencing CBS FM.

As you can see, most of these songs invoke very specific memories for me. That just shows you how powerful music can be. I don't know what I'd do without my iPod or my tunes. They are so very important to me.

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Week of August 9, 2009

Once again, I've got an eclectic playlist goin' here. Lately I've been into novelty songs, Britpop, and one-hit wonders from 1970s AM radio. Oh yeah, and I've thrown in some teen pop for good measure:

1. "Here We Go Again," Demi Lovato
Now kittens, I know what you're thinking. Yes, I have ranted about teen pop from this decade. But this is a good song, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Y'all know I have rawther diverse tastes.

2. "No Surprise," Daughtry
One of the few songs on the radio lately that I haven't got sick of hearing.

3. "Be OK," Ingrid Michaelson
Thanks to Yaya for introducing me to this one.

4. "Playground in My Mind," Clint Holmes
Told ya there'd be 1970s AM radio one-hit wonders.

5. "Moonlight Feels Right," Starbuck
Once again!

6. "Beach Baby," First Class
OK, so I went a little crazy in the iTunes store one day!

7. "Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)," Joey Levine, Norman Dolph, and Reunion
I also told you there'd be novelty songs on this one.

8. "I Don't Like Mondays," the Boomtown Rats
I should come up with a Monday playlist that has this and "Manic Monday" on it.

9. "Domino," Van Morrison
I heard this song driving down to BFF's the last time I was at his house, and it got stuck in my head.

10. "I Saw the Light," Todd Rundgren
I heard this song in a Borders one afternoon. It was one of those songs where I went, "Who sings it? What's it called?" I was in the iTunes store for about an hour, listening to samples, before I finally solved the mystery.

11. "Listen to What the Man Said," Paul McCartney and Wings
You can never go wrong with the cute Beatle. Ever. Too bad the Beatles aren't on iTunes.

12. "Jump," Kris Kross
True story: I was reading an article about a pep rally in my high school's alumni magazine when I remembered that the freshman class used this song as their class theme at one particular celebration. I had to listen to it. Then I downloaded it.

13. "La La Land," Demi Lovato
Not all teen pop from this decade is bad. This is a good song. John Mayer even likes it.
That having been said, shoot me if I EVER include a Jonas Brothers song on the playlist. I will let you all take turns holding the gun.

14. "It Never Rains in Southern California," Albert Hammond
Another song I heard on the last drive to BFF's. This one, however, stayed in my head longer than Sir Paul's. Je ne sais pas pourquoi.

15. "Mercedes Benz," Janis Joplin
I recently heard a rendition of this song at a local pops concert.

16. "Brand New Key," Melanie
Once more, with feeling, on the novelty songs.

17. "Leaving on a Jet Plane," Peter, Paul, and Mary
This got stuck in my head when a friend of mine wrote the first line of this song on her Facebook status, shortly before departing for Italy.

18. "If I Had a Hammer," Peter, Paul, and Mary
I heard this song on the radio as a kid and used to sing it around the house. Mama Cat kept correcting the lyrics for me.

19. "Laughing With," Regina Spektor
Love, love, LOVE Regina Spektor. She sang this song on Conan last week and I had to download it--along with several other tunes from her new CD.

20. "The Clapping Song," Shirley Ellis
This played during a Zumba class I took earlier in the week. Would not leave my head. (Anyone sense a theme here?)

21. "The Clapping Song," The Belle Stars
A 1980s remake of the above song. Couldn't decide which one to put on the playlist, so I included them both.

22. "Iko Iko," The Belle Stars
This was the version that was in Rain Man. It played ad nauseum on the radio when the movie came out.

23. "Another Latin Love Song," The Belle Stars
Never heard of this group aside from the two previous songs on the playlist, but they had some catchy tunes. They were an 80s Britpop group that never quite caught on stateside.

24. "Sign of the Times," The Belle Stars
This is what happens when I take a listen to other songs that obscure artists have recorded. I download as many as I can afford.

25. "Venus," Bananarama
I fondly remember this from my childhood.

26. "Cruel Summer," Bananarama
See #25.

27. "Goodnight Sweetheart," The Alley Cats
A spectacular a capella version of the song that Sha Na Na sang at the end of their show. I saw that Bowzer was coming to Connecticut, and that reminded me of this song. I actually saw Bowzer on a cruise ship a couple of years back. He's getting too old for the greaser routine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!

What's the 4th without a little Bruce as part of the soundtrack?



Happy 4th everyone! Have fun and stay safe!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: June 23, 2009

It's a lazy summer evening here at Bookkitten HQ. So lazy that I've taken to abbreviating...and y'all know I don't do too much of that.

Anyhoo, I put the iTunes on shuffle tonight and came up with this playlist...eclectic, but it works.

1. "Dancing in the Moonlight," Toploader
2. "Everything's Just Wonderful," Lily Allen
3. "Girlfriend," Avril Lavigne
4. "I've Got a Thing About a 5-String," Bill Anderson
5. "New York Minute," Don Henley
6. "1979," Smashing Pumpkins
7. "Circle in the Sand," Belinda Carlisle
8. "Vision of Love," Mariah Carey (haven't heard this one in a LONG time...I know Bikini Girl sang it on the last American Idol, but I don't watch AI)
9. "I Can Do That," A Chorus Line, Original Broadway Cast
10. "Starry Eyed Surprise," Paul Oakenfold
11. "Heaven is a Disco," Patti LuPone
12. "Hips Don't Lie," Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean
13. "Cool Night," Paul Davis
14. "Pieces of Me," Ashlee Simpson

The songs in my head

Lately I've been rotating a lot of Springsteen on my iPod. One song that's been figuring heavily into the playlist is "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out":



Then there's "Glory Days":



And then there's my all-time favorite, "Hungry Heart":



And that's just a few of the songs from The Boss on my playlist. There are many more, far more to mention in this small space.

I've also had Lily Allen on the rotation. She's a singer from Britain who made her American debut on Saturday Night Live two years ago, when Drew Barrymore hosted. I really love her because she incorporates really cheerful melodies with some dark, bitter lyrics. And her delivery is so perky, it only adds to the irony of the text.

Here's one of her newest tunes, which she wrote about our 43rd President. It is a rawther catchy tune, in spite of its very free usage of the F-word:



And finally, there's "Poker Face", that Lady GaGa concoction that none of us can get away from:



So kittens, let me ask you: What songs are currently in your heads?

Name that tune!

Found this over at Don't Forget to Flush, who stole it from Moomin Light.

This is an interesting little meme. Here are the instructions:

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line from the 1st 25 songs no matter how embarrassing
Step 3: Strike through once someone guesses both the artist and the track correctly.
Step 4: For those who are guessing, looking up the lyrics is CHEATING.
Step 5: If you like the game post your own.

And awaaaaaayyyyyyyyy we go!!

1. "Sitting in the movie show thinkin' nasty thoughts." Shelley, Mel
2. "The road is long, with a-many a winding turn that leads us to who knows where, who knows where." Mel
3. "There go the street lights, the night's officially on, I got the green light to do whatever I want."
4. "I just can't get you out of my head, boy your lovin' is all I think about." That.Girl, Steph Su
5. "If I could turn the page, the time that I'd rearrange just a day or two, close my, close my, close my eyes." CDB
6. "And it's all right, and it's comin' on, we gotta get right back to where we started from." Jodi, Mel
7. "Superstar, where ya from, how's it goin'?" Mel
8. "Here's a groove, slightly transformed, just a bit of a break from the norm."
9. "One toke over the line, sweet Jesus, one toke over the line, sittin' downtown in a railway station, one toke over the line." That.Girl
10. "Who is this man, what sort of devil is he to have me caught in a trap and choose to let me go free?" Steph Su
11. "When this old world starts a gettin' me down, and people are just too much for me to face I'll climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my cares just drift right into space." Jodi, Mel
12. "When I was a little boy, the devil called my name, say now who do, who do you think you're fooling?" CDB
13. "Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?"
14. "You always said you liked my style, you say I'm tough and kind of wild."
15. "As long as he needs me, oh yes he does need me, in spite of what you see, I'm sure that he needs me."
16. "People point and fingerpainting the world, even me the silhouette of my life, and I'm filling in the negative space with positively everything."
17. "The local rock group down the street is trying hard to learn its song."
18. "Hey girl, in your eyes, I see your picture of me all the time."
19. "Some dreams are in the nighttime, and some seem like yesterday but leaves turn brown and fade, ships sail away."
20. "I met a gin-soaked bar-room queen in Memphis, she tried to take me upstairs for a ride." CDB
21. "Come on-a my house, I'm gonna give you candy."
22. "The flame is burning deep in my soul, saying I was half now I'm whole."
23. "When I come to the clubs, step aside, pop the seats don't be hating me in the line."
24. "I don't remember what day it was, I didn't notice what time it was."
25. "Every day when the work is behind you and the shop and the store, put the lock on the door, just get away where your worries won't find you, if you'd like then I'll tell you more."

Good luck!

The Bookkitten's iPod playlist: February 28, 2009

I rediscovered this last night as I was looking for tunes to listen to as I blog-hopped during the Virtual Girls Night Out. It turns out it's the second part of a playlist I created two years ago, when school started again. The first part of the playlist was the one I played last night.

Enjoy!

1. "Bubbly," Colbie Caillat
2. "Sunday Morning," Maroon 5
3. "Kodachrome," Paul Simon
4. "Holding Back the Years," Simply Red
5. "Groovin'," the Young Rascals
6. "It's My Life," No Doubt
7. "Welcome Back," John Sebastian
8. "Extraordinary Machine," Fiona Apple
9. "Bittersweet Symphony," the Verve
10. "Living in the U.S.A.," Steve Miller Band
11. "Cecilia," Simon and Garfunkel
12. "Back Here," BB Mak
13. "Keep It Comin' Love," KC and the Sunshine Band
14. "Move Your Feet," Junior Senior
15. "This Love," Maroon 5
16. "Glory Days," Bruce Springsteen
17. "Working on the Highway," Bruce Springsteen

The Bookkitten's iPod playlist: soundtrack for a VGNO

This was the playlist I listened to during the VGNO tonight:

1. "Jerk It Out," the Caesars
2. "Are You Gonna Be My Girl," Jet
3. "A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix)," Elvis Presley
4. "Superstar," Sheryl Crow
5. "Swingtown," Steve Miller Band
6. "Born to Be My Baby," Bon Jovi
7. "Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen
8. "California," Phantom Planet
9. "Candy Everybody Wants," 10,000 Maniacs
10. "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," Urge Overkill
11. "Hungry Heart," Bruce Springsteen
12. "Human Touch," Bruce Springsteen
13. "If I Had $1,000,000," Barenaked Ladies
14. "Like the Weather," 10,000 Maniacs
15. "Paranoid," Garbage
16. "Scattered Pieces," Domestic Problems
17. "Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond
18. "Sweet Home Alabama," Lynryd Skynryd
19. "We Didn't Start the Fire," Billy Joel
20. "The Rising," Bruce Springsteen
21. "You Shook Me All Night Long," AC/DC
22. "Voices Carry," Til Tuesday

Funny...there was a lot of Jersey in this playlist. In addition to the obvious Springsteen and Bon Jovi, the Barenaked Ladies tune reminded me of when I saw them in concert. It was the summer of 2001, and my best friend and I, along with another mutual friend, went to the PNC Bank Arena--ahem, the Garden State Arts Center--to see them. Vertical Horizon opened.

That was a great summer. I'll have to blog about that someday...

The iPod Shuffle Meme: courtesy of Jenners

Jenners posted this meme in response to "Make Your Own Meme Monday", hosted by The Secret Life of a Tattooed Minivan Mom.


Here are the rules, taken directly from Jenners' blog:

• Using the shuffle feature on your iPod (or other MP3 player), write down the first 5 or 10 songs that play.
• Justify, defend or explain why those songs are on your iPod.
• Tag someone else to complete the meme.
• Include these rules--and the phrase "The iPod Shuffle Meme was created by Jenners at Life with A Little One and More -- the greatest blog on the Planet Earth and perhaps the Universe" when you post your meme answers. ***

Before I start, let me just say that I have a verrrrrry wide range of musical tastes. (If you've seen any of my iPod playlists, you're already aware of that). I love Bruce Springsteen, but I also love Broadway. I love Amy Grant, and I love ABBA too. And you may also find a few surprises that may make you go, "Why'd she choose that?"

For me, music can evoke a memory in a way that no smell, photograph, or story can. One tune can take me back to the exact place I was where I heard that song. I hope you enjoy my stories.

And awaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy we go!!!

1. "It's My Life," No Doubt: I just love the chorus to this song. It came out at a time when I was experiencing a huge period of self-confidence: I had just bought my first condo, I was up for tenure in my job, and I just felt like I was rockin' the world. I love the beat to this song, too; it reminds me of the 80s, the decade when I started coming of age. I especially love how No Doubt took this song--which was originally done in the 80s, but I don't remember who the original artist was--and totally made it into their own.

2. "Montage: Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love," Original Broadway Cast of A Chorus Line: I told you there'd be Broadway on this meme! I discovered the soundtrack of A Chorus Line when I was a freshman in college. I borrowed the CD from a girl who lived on my floor, dubbed it onto a tape (this was pre iPod, Kittens), and listened to it over and over again. This was what started my love of Broadway musicals. I love the lyrics; they're so campy, but describe adolescence so well.

3. "No More Rhyme," Debbie Gibson: I was a huge--I mean, huge--Debbie Gibson fan when I was in middle school. I was a charter member of her fan club! Electric Youth was one of my favorite tapes. I played it on my pink walkman till it almost wore out. This just brings back memories of middle school--only the good ones, thank God! Even as an adult, I still like this music! I don't think "Ewww, bubblegum" like I do with so many teenybopper artists of today. To her credit, Debbie did write and produce her own music!

4. "Tell Me On a Sunday," Bernadette Peters: A girl who was in Glee Club with me sang this song during her last Pops Concert her senior year. It helped contribute to my love of Broadway, and was what helped me discover Andrew Lloyd Webber. When Bernadette sings this song, you can really hear the pain in her voice as she sings about a lover who is giving her grief. A lovely performance by a lovely lady. P.S. This is the song that officially introduced me to Bernadette Peters as a Broadway performer; I had previously known her through her acting. (Pink Cadillac, anyone?)

5. "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," Kristin Chenowith: I adore Kristin Chenowith. She was absolutely amazing in Wicked. She released an album of inspirational songs a few years back, and this was one of the tracks on it. This is such a powerful song, and I love the way that Kristin sings it. There are no high sopranos in it, as is her signature, but in this case, less is definitely more. This is an excellent arrangement; it is one of my favorite tracks in my iTunes library.

6. "Hawaiiannette," Annette Funicello: This is one of those tracks that's making you go, "Huh?" When I was a kid, when the Disney Channel used to run decent programming, the original version of the Mickey Mouse Club aired before school, and I used to watch it while I got ready for school. Annette became my favorite; she was a fellow Italian girl with curly hair, how could I not dislike her? So when I found this on iTunes several months back, I downloaded it. Yeah, I know this probably could be classified as "bubblegum", but you know what--I DON'T CARE! Bubblegum of the 1960s and 1980s is far superior to 21st century bubblegum!!

7. "The Boy in the Bubble," Paul Simon: This is a track off of the Graceland album. I don't remember hearing this song on the radio as much as I remember the video for it. It was one of the first computer-animated videos, if I recall. I just remember hearing this when Graceland came out, back when I was in 5th grade, and feeling all important because it seemed like such a serious song. It is a powerful song, and with Paul Simon, you really can't go wrong. (Which reminds me, did I ever download "You Can Call Me Al?")

8. "Voulez-Vous," ABBA: Ha! Told you there'd be ABBA here! I didn't learn about ABBA till I was in college and I first heard their music. One of my friends freshman year had the "ABBA Gold" CD and loaned it to me. I then dubbed it onto tape, and my musical tastes haven't been the same since. Now if you think I grew up never listening to music, you're wrong. I listened to whatever was on the radio either in my parents' car or when I was getting ready for school. It wasn't till college when I discovered a lot of the classic acts that I now adore, such as ABBA.

9. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," the Righteous Brothers: How could you not like this song? This played on WDRC all the time when I was growing up. Mama Cat and Sister Kitten loved listening to this station. Me, not so much when I was younger, but I like to listen to it now. At my last middle school dance, when I was in 8th grade, this song played, and I remember my history teacher and her husband slow dancing to this song. My friends and I just kept staring at them going, "I can't believe they're dancing like that--at a middle school dance!"

10. "Welcome Back," John Sebastian: I loved watching Welcome Back, Kotter as a kid. It was one of my favorite TV shows, and it's one of the all-time great TV themes. I kept thinking of this song when I first started teaching. Whenever I stepped into my classroom that first year, there were times that I couldn't believe that I was standing in front of the room as opposed to sitting in one of those little desks. There was a Welcome Back, Kotter marathon on TV Land when I got cable in my first apartment, two weeks after I moved in. I took it as a sign.

Well, that's my iPod meme! Jenners, thanks for such a clever meme! I liked it so much, I have decided to add a bonus track:

11. "One," Original Broadway Cast of A Chorus Line: This popped up on the shuffle just as I was concluding this meme. I felt it was appropriate to end with this; see #2 for why. After all, it's the finale to the musical, as well as this meme!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Holiday Edition

I didn't think I'd come up with a playlist, but I am for three reasons:

1. I'm still procrastinating on the wrapping;
2. "Another Christmas Song" is just too good to be left off of a playlist;
3. I love Patti LuPone's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

Sooo...here we go:

1. "Another Christmas Song," Stephen Colbert
2. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Andy Williams
3. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Brenda Lee
4. "Jingle Bell Rock," Bobby Helms
5. "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town," Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
6. "Christmas Time Is Here," A Charlie Brown Christmas
7. "Sleigh Ride," Debbie Gibson
8. "Feliz Navidad," Jose Feliciano
9. "Christmas Wrapping," the Waitresses
10. "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," Michael Buble
11. "White Christmas," Bing Crosby
12. "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Burl Ives
13. "Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday," Brad Paisley with Bill Anderson, George Jones, and Little Jimmy Dickens
14. "The Chipmunk Song," the Chipmunks
15. "Skating," A Charlie Brown Christmas
16. "Sleigh Ride," Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra
17. "Linus and Lucy," A Charlile Brown Christmas
18. "The Christmas Waltz," Harry Connick, Jr.
19. "Gloria," Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra
20. "Carol of the Bells," Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra
21. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Patti LuPone
22. "My Dear Acquaintance," Peggy Lee

Okay, NOW I'm off to wrap gifts!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: December 13, 2008

I put the iTunes on shuffle to come up with these goodies, which I listened to as I blogged and responded to e-mail tonight. Enjoy!

1. "Superman (I Wish I Could Fly)", Patti LuPone
2. "You Never Can Tell," Chuck Berry
3. "Born to Be My Baby," Bon Jovi
4. "Eensy Weensy Spider," Carole and Paula
5. "Downtown Train," Rod Stewart
6. "La Valse Brune," Eric Amado
7. "El Shaddai," Amy Grant
8. "Shatner Says Goodbye," Brad Paisley and William Shatner
9. "52nd Street," Billy Joel
10. "Outtake #2," Brad Paisley and Little Jimmy Dickens
11. "True," Spandau Ballet

It Goes Like It Goes...

There's one track on Patti LuPone's new CD that just seems appropriate for these times. I've posted the lyrics below.

The chorus gets to me the most.

"It Goes Like It Goes" (theme from Norma Rae)

Ain't no miracle being born
People doin' it everyday
It ain't no miracle growing up, ah
People just grow that way

So it goes like it goes
Like the river flows
And time it rolls right on
And maybe what's good gets a little bit better
And maybe what's bad gets gone

Ah, bless the child of a working man
She knows too soon who she is
And bless the hands of a working man
Oh, he knows his soul is his

So it goes like it goes
Like the river flows
And time it rolls right on
And maybe what's good gets a little bit better
And maybe what's bad gets gone

So it goes like it goes
Like the river flows
And time keeps rolling right on, oh
And maybe what's good gets a little bit better
And maybe what's bad gets gone

CD Review: Patti LuPone at Les Mouches

I was up late last night, since I had today off. Well, that was only one of the reasons why I was up late. I really wanted to see how quickly after midnight iTunes unloaded its latest releases. It turned out to be pretty quickly, since, when I logged on at 12:45 AM, the CD that I had been coveting for a while was available for purchase.

That CD? Patti LuPone at Les Mouches.

I was in college when I became fascinated by Patti. A good friend of mine introduced me to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Patti's version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was on the disc I borrowed. That was enough to make me fall in love with her voice ten times over.

That, and the fact that she was a fellow Sicilian-American girl, sealed the deal for me.

Anyhoo, that compilation CD led me to purchase a couple of Patti's solo CDs. I also have some songs from Evita on my iPod (not the whole soundtrack...yet), and her soundtrack to Gypsy (which, if I'm lucky, I'll see on Broadway if I can get a good price on tickets) is on my most-wanted list. I saw her perform "Everything's Coming Up Roses" on the Tonys this year and was absolutely blown away. I felt that if she didn't win this year, there was something wrong with democracy. Fortunately, our Patti won.

So last week, I found myself over at SarahB's blog, where she had uploaded a WNYC interview between Patti and Leonard Lopate. I took a listen, and it was an excellent conversation. Patti is a diva, and one who takes a great deal of pride in her craft. This is where I found out about her new CD. There was a sample of a track from the Les Mouches CD at the end of the interview, "Latin from Manhattan," and it sounded so good I knew I had to have it--and it's very rare that I really want to buy a whole CD.

So what's the big deal about Patti LuPone at Les Mouches? Well, back in her Evita days, Patti moonlighted in a Chelsea nightclub, Les Mouches (now closed), Saturday nights at midnight. This gig lasted 27 weeks. She'd come out of doing her 8 PM performance of Evita, get to Chelsea somehow, and perform her cabaret act.

The gig was filmed, the tracks recorded on audio, and the tapes were seemingly lost to the ages.

Until now.

So how did Patti's legendary performance at Les Mouches once again see the light of day?

Patti related the story to Leonard Lopate. A couple of years ago, Patti asked a friend to put all of her tapes from her performances on DVDs "before the tape disintegrates." Her friend found the video from Les Mouches, decided it should be a show, and then, as Patti was starting rehearsals for Gypsy, Joe's Pub had a show called Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches, where Leslie Kritzer sang the exact same songs and said the exact same dialogue that Patti did in the original gig. This led to renewed interest in Patti's nightclub performance.

According to Patti, they were about to release a recording of Leslie Kritzer's rendition of Patti's set from Les Mouches, when Patti stepped in and said, "Wait a minute here."

The result? The original tracks from the Les Mouches gig were digitally remastered and recently released onto CD.

And it's incredible.

You really feel as if you've traveled back to 1980, traveled back in time, to a nightclub in Chelsea, where a young Broadway ingenue is singing her little heart out. Patti's patter is so incredibly endearing in this set; she is so incredibly in awe of everything that's going on in her life, of everyone who has come to see her perform.

It's an interesting, wide-ranging set, and Patti really demonstrates her versatility well. In addition to "Rainbow High" and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," she sings some 60s standards like "Downtown" and "Mr. Tambourine Man," as well as a Bruce Springsteen tune, "Because the Night." (I think another Patti, Ms. Smith, also sang that one. I need to do a fact check).

My favorite track, however, is "Meadowlark." I've heard Patti sing this on a couple of her solo CDs, but this one is my absolute favorite rendition. It will send chills down your spine. It's unbelievable.

It's really neat to listen to this gem of a CD, and see how far our Patti has come.

Now to get the Gypsy soundtrack!

This has been a week of reviewing some favorites of mine from the entertainment industry: Patti, Carole and Paula, and Carol without an E. Which reminds me, I promised to review the other Carol Burnett Show DVD I received a couple of weeks ago.

That will have to wait, Kittens, since I have to go to bed.

After all, I have work tomorrow!

Toodles!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist, Week of September 7, 2008

This is a little long to be a playlist, but rather, these are the tunes I listened to last night during a rather loooong session of Mah Jong Quest. (WARNING: do not download that game! It's way too addictive!)

This was the result, in case you're wondering, of just putting my library on shuffle. I get some of the best playlists that way.

1. "Closer to Free," the BoDeans
2. "Hey Baby," No Doubt & Bounty Killer
3. "Valerie," Steve Winwood
4. "Good Lovin'," the Rascals
5. "Everybody Has a Dream," Billy Joel
6. "Goodbye Earl," Dixie Chicks
7. "Over the Wall," Debbie Gibson
8. "Allegria," Gypsy Kings
9. "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
10. "It's a Shame," the Spinners
11. "Lollipop," Mika
12. "Do You Believe in Magic?", Lovin' Spoonful
13. "Fidelity," Regina Spektor
14. "Run, Baby, Run," Sheryl Crow
15. "A Beautiful Morning," the Rascals
16. "This Used to Be My Playground," Madonna
17. "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," John Lloyd Young (from "Jersey Boys")
18. "You Get What You Give," New Radicals
19. "Come and Get Your Love," Redbone
20. "Red Hot," Debbie Gibson
21. "Take a Chance on Me," ABBA
22. "Amazing Grace," Bill Anderson
23. "Hawaii Five-O," the Ventures
24. "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett
25. "Give it Away," Bill Anderson
26. "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," Billy Joel
27. "I'm the Only One," Melissa Etheridge
28. "Nothing," Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
29. "No Rain," Blind Melon
30. "Cool," Gwen Stefani
31. "Bandstand Boogie," Barry Manilow
32. "Made in England," Elton John
33. "West Side Story Overture," Leonard Bernstein
34. "Should've Been the One," Debbie Gibson
35. "Harper Valley P.T.A.," Jeannie C. Riley
36. "Montage Part 3: Gimme the Ball," Original Broadway Cast, "A Chorus Line"
37. "For Good," Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenowith (from "Wicked")
38. "I'm Only Me When I'm With You," Taylor Swift
39. "Wide Open Spaces," Dixie Chicks
40. "Drink With Me," Anthony Crivello (Highlights from "Les Miserables)
41. "Peaceful World," John Mellencamp & India.Arie
42. "Sign Your Name," Terence Trent D'Arby
43. "Bambeleo," Gypsy Kings
44. "Let's Get Together," Annette Funicello & Tommy Sands
45. "Bittersweet Symphony," the Verve
46. "Oh Sherrie," Steve Perry
47. "Back in the High Life Again," Steve Winwood
48. "Long Cool Woman," the Hollies
49. "Nobody Knows," the Tony Rich Project
50. "I Think We're Alone Now," Tiffany
51. "Everything's Just Wonderful," Lily Allen
52. "Have a Little Faith in Me," Joe Cocker
53. "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You," Glenn Medeiros

Again...it was a lllloooooonnnnnnngggg game of Mah Jong Quest!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Week of September 1st, 2008

I had just composed a playlist for Labor Day, but the following songs are ones that just didn't seem to fit it. They were too good to be left off a playlist, so I decided to include them in a new one.

Hope you like this one as much as the last one.

1. "Knowing Me, Knowing You," ABBA
2. "Take a Chance on Me," ABBA
3. "SOS," ABBA
4. "Thank You for the Music," ABBA
5. "Waterloo," ABBA
6. "California," Phantom Planet (You didn't think this was going to be ABBA's greatest hits, did you?)
7. "Come and Get Your Love," Redbone
8. "Stuck in the Middle With You," Stealers Wheel
9. "Build Me Up Buttercup," The Foundations
10. "Mambo No. 5," Lou Bega
11. "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Kylie Minogue
12. "I Should Be So Lucky," Kylie Minogue

Now that I look at it again, I realize it's not one of my best efforts, but it still has some pretty good tunes.

Still, I'm not about to become a DJ any time soon...

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Labor Day Weekend, 2008

It's been a while since I've posted, nay, created, a playlist. Tonight I just clicked on a song I downloaded, but never played, and let it go from there.

I'm loading it on my iPod tomorrow.

Enjoy.

1. "The Best of Times," Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording
2. "I'm In a Philly Mood," Daryl Hall
3. "L.O.V.E.," Ashlee Simpson
4. "Barbie Girl," Aqua
5. "Devil With the Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly," Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
6. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," the Righteous Brothers
7. "Gimme Some Lovin'," Spencer Davis Group
8. "Black Velvet," Alannah Myles
9. "Back in My Arms Again," the Supremes
10. "I Think We're Alone Now," Tiffany
11. "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls
12. "Least Complicated," Indigo Girls
13. "Power of Two," Indigo Girls
14. "Cherish," the Association
15. "Toy Soldiers," Martika
16. "Sara," Starship
17. "Cool," Gwen Stefani
18. "I'm the Only One," Melissa Etheridge
19. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," Green Day
20. "I Alone," Live
21. "Zombie," the Cranberries
22. "Theme from 'A Summer Place,'" Percy Sledge and His Orchestra

Summer Music

In lieu of an iPod playlist this week, I'd share some of my live music experiences this summer with you.

This evening I had the pleasure of attending one of the Wadsworth Mansion's free July concerts. Tonight was a get-up-and-dance kind of night with the music of Motown, and the fabulous band Souled Out. They opened with an energetic version of "Get Ready," sang an awesome cover of "My Girl," had the crowd on its feet with "Love Train," and finished with a cover of "Hearts Afire" that made you think that you were listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire. Check out their website when you get a chance; if you live on the East Coast, they may be playing somewhere near you soon.

If you're into a more mellow groove, head on over to Acts of Hope and Jane Redmont's recommendations for a soothing summer evening. She's got a couple of YouTube clips to some catchy Brazilian tunes, one of which will pleasantly stay in your head for a while.

Finally, when I was in DC, I went to a party one night that had this awesome band: Sound Connection. They're a really tight, funky party band that had everyone out on the floor. If you're ever in the DC area, check them out!

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Week of June 30th

As I was cleaning out my living room the other day, I found a box of old mix tapes from college. Since cassette players are quickly going the way of the eight-track, I have been using iTunes to recreate some of my favorite mixes. This one dates from February 1995, when I was a Fairfield University freshman.

1. "The Joker," Steve Miller Band
2. "Run, Baby, Run," Sheryl Crow
3. "Lay Down Sally," Eric Clapton
4. "With or Without You," U2
5. "I'm the Only One," Melissa Etheridge
6. "Margaritaville," Jimmy Buffett
7. "What's the Matter Here?" 10,000 Maniacs
8. "Revolution," the Beatles
9. "Tennessee," Arrested Development
10. "Can't Cry Anymore," Sheryl Crow
11. "Hooked on a Feeling," Blue Suede
12. "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Jimmy Buffett
13. "Jungle Love," Steve Miller Band
14. "Candy Everybody Wants," 10,000 Maniacs
15. "Brown-Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
16. "Mickey," Toni Basil
17. "I Dreamed a Dream," Les Miserables
18. "Dancing Queen," ABBA
19. "Copacabana," Barry Manilow
20. "On My Own," Les Miserables
21. "Baby," Brandy
22. "Take a Chance on Me," ABBA
23. "With a Little Help From My Friends," The Beatles

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist: Tony Awards Edition

I am a theatre geek, so I thought I'd pay tribute to tonight's Tony Awards with a Broadway-inspired playlist. It's not a comprehensive show tune playlist, by any means, but all of the music comes from Broadway shows.

Also, I'd like to dedicate this post to Broadway fan and my fellow blogger, SarahB, over at Adventures in the Endless Pursuit of Entertainment. Sarah lives in NYC and she's had MANY adventures on Broadway. Get a peek at her blog when you get the chance!

And Sarah, if Patti LuPone doesn't win the Tony tonight, I will lose my faith in ALL forms of democracy. (Well, maybe I won't be quite that dramatic, but it WILL be TRES upsetting).

And now for the playlist:

1. "Adelaide's Lament," Guys and Dolls
2. "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)," Evita
3. "Beauty School Dropout," Grease
4. "Buenos Aires," Evita
5. "Dancing Through Life," Wicked
6. "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," Evita
7. "Dreamgirls," Dreamgirls
8. "For Good," Wicked
9. "Dance Ten, Looks Three," A Chorus Line
10. "On My Own," Les Miserables
11. "One More Day," Les Miserables
12. "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," Evita
13. "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen," A Chorus Line
14. "One," A Chorus Line
15. "Finale," Les Miserables

The Bookkitten's iPod Playlist, Week of June 1st

We approach the half-way point of 2008 with this playlist:

1. "Hooked on a Feeling," Blue Swede
2. "California," Phantom Planet
3. "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen
4. "It's My Life," No Doubt
5. "Celebrate Me Home," Kenny Loggins
6. "Superstar," Sheryl Crow
7. "These Are Days," 10,000 Maniacs
8. "Over the Wall," Debbie Gibson
9. "Summer in the City," The Lovin' Spoonful
10. "Cornography," Brad Paisley
11. "Can't Fight the Moonlight," LeAnn Rimes
12. "This is My Life," Phil Vassar
13. "Brick," Ben Folds Five
14. "Get Down Tonight," KC and the Sunshine Band