Music Monday

My Music - A to Z

The Singles 1969-1973 - The Carpenters (1973)
You don't get much more 70's than The Carpenters. The lyrics and arrangements are pure cheese, but every musical diet needs a little dairy and Karen had an amazing voice. I never got to see them live, but am curious about what it would have sounded like. They couldn't have done all the production, so it would rely on Karen's pipes and Richard's musicianship. I think they could have pulled it off, and it probably would have been really good. The album begins with We've Only Just Begun (clever, no?) and ends with Close to You. Both songs have the same beginning, so they are nice bookends to these greatest hits.

Faves - Top of the World, Rainy Days and Mondays, Sing, Close to You

Fox Confessor Brings the Flood - Neko Case (2005)
I saw Neko Case at my first ACL Festival and was smitten. She has a very unique voice and songwriting style. This album showcases both. It's short (unfortunately), but sounds very intentional. It seems to tell a story, but even after multiple listens I can't tell you what it is. Each song has a similar style and theme, but not so identical that it gets boring. I hear something new every time I listen. I'm also intrigued by the cover art and illustrations on the (limited) liner notes.

Faves - Hold On, Hold On; John Saw That Number; Maybe Sparrow

American III: Solitary Man - Johnny Cash (2000)
This is a great album. I don't have the first two (or any other Johnny Cash albums for that matter), but don't really feel like I need them. This mix of originals and covers showcase Cash at his best. He says in the liner notes he worked the covers until they felt like his own, and that comes through. He's near the end of his life and you can hear that experience. He's also in amazingly good voice. Many guest musicians back him up, but this is Cash's show. I wish I had seen him live.

Faves - I Won't Back Down, That Lucky Old Sun, One

Songbird - Eva Cassidy (1992)
Eva Cassidy died too soon. She had a beautiful voice and a way with the guitar. This album is all covers, but, like Johnny Cash on the above album, she made them all her own. She was equally adept at bittersweet ballads and rockin' gospel, and this album is a nice mix of both. I prefer the "cleanness" of the ballads. I also wish I had seen her live.

Faves - Fields of Gold, I Know You By Heart, Over the Rainbow