web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Category: People

all-about-musicians-and-the-people-who-help-them-make-music

  • Infatueighties #61: Who Can it Be Now?

    It makes perfect sense to have a song by Men at Work follow one of The Police (although, if you really wanna get technical, it’s actually in FRONT of a song by The Police, but let’s not talk semantics now). Colin Hay and his band of merry Aussies were often accused of biting Sting, Stewart and Andy, but even if they were a carbon copy, at least they were a good carbon copy. “Who Can it Be Now?” is one of the best debut singles of the decade-from that signature sax part to it’s insistent drumbeat to Colin Hay’s deadpan vocal, which makes him sound even nuttier than if he’d screamed the song’s lyrics.

    Men at Work burned bright and fast. Their debut, Business as Usual (which contained “Who Can it Be Now?”), hung around at #1 for the latter part of ’82 and the first part of ’83, and the band won the Best New Artist Grammy Award before anyone knew that winning that was the beginning of the end. A follow-up, Cargo, sold well off the fumes from the previous album, and by the time the band’s third album, Two Hearts, was released in ’85, no one cared anymore. Lead singer Colin Hay has gone on to a mildly successful solo career and is a particular favorite of Zach Braff, who put him on the Platinum-selling Garden State soundtrack and has featured him in several episodes of “Scrubs”.

    I wonder if Rockwell was inspired to watch “Somebody’s Watching Me” after hearing this song.

  • Still Got That “Somethin’”: Nikka Costa

    A few weeks ago I found myself sitting at a crowded bar, arms resting on the well worn bar, drink in hand getting lost in the music (as usual).  I’m one of those guys that taps along to the beat or nods his head to whatever is playing–whether I know the song or not.  I’d had a rough day at work and needed to escape my reality for a bit with music.  As the songs cross-faded I’d heard something I’d often only heard play in my headphones from my iPod–but never out loud at a bar before.  Immediately my face turned from a somber, “I just had the longest day of work ever” to a “Am I really hearing this?” face.  I can’t keep the smile down as I find myself nodding along and mouthing the words to Nikka Costa’s “Everybody Got Their Something” from the album of the same name.  After listening to her sing for a bit I found myself singing along with Nikka on the chorus and look around to see if it’s quite possible that anyone else is feeling it like I am–and one person is:  the DJ. 
    My love for Nikka Costa dates back to when “Like A Feather” appeared in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial.  I couldn’t escape the commercial and I desperately searched to find out who was singing and where I could get this song–I had to have it…and I wanted more.  I should give her some credit for my interest in soul (that has truly expanded since Costa’s 2001 debut). For me, there was nothing wrong with her debut–“Everybody Got Their Something”.  I wouldn’t say perfect, but a damn good introduction to this girl who was such a fusion of funk, soul, blues, rock…and so much more.  It was all over the place–funky jams and slow jams–but it made you think, “Who is this girl and where’d she come from?”
    Four years later after some delay, “can’tneverdidnothin’” landed in stores.  I was happy to know she hadn’t disappeared into oblivion, though it’s hard to live up to a great debut–although here in the U.S. she had never really receieved the love and praise she’d deserved.  Album opener “Til I Get To You” was a nice romp through the alphabet, though I was more partial to the ballads “Fooled Ya Baby” and “I Gotta Know”.  Overall, the album was ok and satisfied my need for some more Nikka Costa.  The following year she popped up on “Mean Sleep” a duet with R&B singer Van Hunt.  
    Finally this year after a three year absence she re-emerged this year signed to classic soul record label, Stax.  Maybe she picked the right time to put this album out–as the “old soul” sound has become insanely popular in the last few years.  This album “feels” old to me–definitely worthy of the Stax imprint on the record.  “Stuck To You” the album opener had been floating around a bit online for quite a while and gave me the impression that the album would have that classic sound.  Maybe I’m just a sappy guy, but for me the most impressive tracks are the slow jams, “Without Love” and “Loving You”–which is not a Minnie Ripperton cover.  I find myself in a smoky jazz club when listening to “Loving You”.  Crowd snapping, nodding along, shouthing, “Uh-huh” and “Yeah” to agree with Costa while she sings.
    Will she ever recieve the priase she deserves?  In my opinion, probably not–though it happens. She’ll always kind of be a “best kept secret” I share with friends on mixes and playlists.  She’ll always be out of this world–but in a good way.
    As “Everybody Got Their Something” began to crossfade into the next song I got up from my seat and finished my drink.  I walked over to the DJ, put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Thanks…that was just what I needed…some soul to take me back and end this day on a good note.”

  • There’s Something About Melody Gardot

    It was a magical moment.  I was urged to “..give this CD a chance…it’s pretty good…”.  I put it in the CD player and had that funny feeling in my stomach. Upon closing my eyes I felt transported to a jazz club–granted I’ve never been to one–and felt the room had gotten dark and smokey.  All of a sudden I hear the sultry vocals of Melody Gardot and I was in love.  As I made my way through the ten tracks on her first full length album, “Worrisome Heart” I couldn’t move. I wanted to take it all in without any interruptions.  I’d never experienced 30 minutes pass by so effortlessly as I nodded along, tapped my foot and hummed along to songs I’d never heard before.  
    The journey to get to WORRISOME HEART is quite a story.  People (myself included) often find it hard to believe that this woman was once disabled after being struck by a jeep while riding her bike.  Gardot was only 19 at the time and spent months in bed unable to do much.  You could say one of the attending physicians is to thank for Melody’s career in music.  This doctor believed music would help her brain injury improve as in the past music had been known to produce great results in improving one’s cognitive skills and ability after a great trauma like Melody’s.
    She followed his advice, and this led to her first EP, “SOME LESSONS – THE BEDROOM SESSIONS” that were recorded while she still couldn’t walk.  One thing led to another and the EP started to receive some play on local Philadelphia station WXPN (where Norah Jones had received some early airplay).  People were talking–about how great the music was, but also about what had happened to her and how amazing it was that this record came from a woman who was practically bed ridden.
    Hearing the record is one thing–a mix of jazz and pop with some bits of folk and blues as well, it can’t really be pigeonholed into one thing.  I like to think it’s a great anytime record–put it on if you’re having a cocktail party, if you’re having a cup of coffee and reading the Sunday paper, when you’re happy, when you’re suffering from heartbreak…doesn’t matter.  If you’re fortunate enough to have a chance to see her live, I’d take advantage of it.  Earlier this year I had a chance to see her, in an intimate setting (the best way in my opinion…I’m not sure she’d translate as well in a huge venue like Madison Square Garden…) being mere feet away from the stage.  It was one of those nights where I was sitting in my seat and kind of misty eyed the entire show.
    So this album isn’t exactly new (it came out in March), BUT it has a place in my favorite albums of 2008.  I just feel bad for not sharing her with you earlier.  I’ve played this record countless times and friends have asked if I was listening to Norah Jones or Fiona Apple–while I can say I hear bits and pieces of these women in Melody, she has a sound like no one else. There seems to not be one type of person that likes this record—it truly is a record for everyone I’d like to think.  Maybe it’s that last minute holiday present for a friend–or a last minute treat for yourself.  Trust me on this one–it’s worth every penny of your money and every second of your time to listen (over and over again.)