So, this is the space where we normally have music in the form of a Random Ten, and we are going to do that in a minute, but first, indulge me for a second. Most of you know me as a writer on all topics related to the fight for LGBT equality. What you probably don’t know is that that’s not the only writer hat I wear. I’m a pianist and singer, and I’m also a composer, and tomorrow night I’m going into the famous Ardent Studios to lay down the first demos for my first record, which will be released somewhere in the neighborhood of late winter/early spring of 2012. I’m in the latter days of writing the album, coming to the end of a process that, in some ways, started a year and a half ago, and in some ways has been building for twelve years. So, I’m terrified and nervous and excited and jittery and everything else, and I’m trying to get as much done as I can between now and tomorrow night so that I can be as “ready” as I possibly can be. So wish me luck and send some thoughts my way this weekend, that my voice doesn’t go or my fingers fall off or something like that.
So, since I’m recording at Ardent, I figure we should should start the Random Ten with somebody that recorded there long, long ago, a band from Memphis that, even though you may not be that familiar with them, has had more influence on the music you listen to than you’ll ever know. That band is Big Star. If you’ve never heard them, welcome to some of the greatest pop songs ever written. The picture above is what one of the studios at Ardent looked like in the 70’s when Big Star was recording there.
Anyway, after these songs, you know the drill. We hit shuffle on the iTunes, post the first ten songs that come up and then I go back to cramming for my session tomorrow night. More videos after the jump!
1. Pete Yorn – “Sense”
2. Rage Against The Machine – “People of the Sun”
3. Lee Ann Womack – “Why They Call It Falling”
4. The Black Angels – “True Believers”
5. Sondre Lerche – “Heartbeat Radio”
6. The Rolling Stones – “You Got the Silver”
7. The Seldom Scene – “If That’s The Way You Feel”
8. HEALTH – “Death +”
9. Daniel Johnston – “Freedom”
10. Los Campesinos! – “We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed”
Didn’t “Sense” come up a few weeks ago? Let’s listen to it again, as it is that good.
