You know fall is really here with the arrival of the fog bank. Now is the time when we will go for days at a time without a glimpse of the sky. But under the mist, the fall colors seem brighter - the remaining leaves surge with reds and deep oranges and sharp yellows, as if to make up for the lack of blue sky and sunshine. Spring is my favorite season, but fall has its charms.
Another year older and a fun and laid-back celebration with good friends. If you need a really good laugh, go see Role Models, the funniest movie we've seen in ages. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a theater since seeing 40-year Old Virgin. Absolutely not for kids, but we 6 adults enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Also, I give the burgers and onion rings at Fast Eddy's Drive In my highest rating for fast food in southeastern Washington.
Another month, another mix of songs with which I am obsessed. Sources include Paste Magazine Sampler, iTunes iMixes, a Target commercial, a few movie soundtracks, and other random delights.
Some are Sinners, Some are Saints
1. OK, It's Alright With Me, Eric Hutchinson - the first I heard of this young artist was on Live from Daryl's House (which I highly recommend); I listened to a few songs on his MySpace page and was sold on his 'acoustic green-eyed soul' and 'intelligent pop.' 2. Move You, Anya Marina - a little whispery vocal with a beat you can dance to...very seductive.
3. Little Romance, Ingrid Michaelson - featured on the 2nd soundtrack from the Sex and the City movie, and I am incapable of resisting a new song by this woman. However, if she keeps this approach of contributing new songs to a tv soundtrack here and a movie soundtrack there, when will she ever have time to record a new album of originals?
4. All Would Envy, Shawn Colvin & Chris Botti - my sister called, listening to big-city radio during a road trip, as soon as this song was over to tell me about it. A sweet little ditty about a somewhat creepy May-December romance written by Sting. What's not to love?
5. Lose You, Sandra McCracken - her vocals remind me of early Sheryl Crow, and I really like the plink of banjo standing in for the bass line.
6. Mockingbird, Allison Moorer - this was on a Paste sampler a few months ago, then turned up on SATC 2nd soundtrack. The pain in her voice when she's really wailing - I get chills every time.
7. I Am So Ordinary, Paula Cole - this is the first Paula Cole song I heard years ago, with clever lyrics (She is your holy Mary, I am so ordinary) and unique phrasing. Still really good.
8. We Got Love, Ryan Shaw - listening to this, you simply must smile and do a little dance.
9. Lover, Devendra Banhart - from the soundtrack to Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, also a movie I highly recommend...the New York City scene depicted within could almost make me wish I was 18 again, not that I was ever that adventurous at 18. Maybe 18 with my 41 year old brain.
10. Hallelujah, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors - this could so easily be a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers song, about going to a concert (the drummer smiles and shouts out, 'Hallelujah!') This month's title comes from the verse - 'Some are sinners, some are saints/Singing songs out loud/They all come for different reasons/And are strangers in this crowd'
11. Honey Let Me Sing You A Song, Matt Hires - I love any song about a man singing his love to a woman, and this one is a keeper.
12. Fallen, Lauren Wood - there is an '80s homage on nearly every playlist I've ever created. I was channel surfing one Sunday afternoon, and there was the deeply twisted fairy tale that is 'Pretty Woman.' So wrong on so many levels, but this is the song playing on their way to see the opera, and I've always loved it. Just can't help myself.
13. Little Tornado, Aimee Mann - I admit that I don't whole-heartedly love Aimee Mann, but this song speaks to me. And it was featured on Grey's Anatomy during a touching scene. Sucked in, just like that.
14. Baby You're My Light, Richard Hawley - Just a sweet song, very heartfelt.
15. (I'm A) Road Runner, James Taylor - the best concert I've ever been to, JT at the Gorge, sun setting behind the band on a perfect July day. And I am enjoying this new album of covers.
16. Imperfect, Keri Noble - If I was the girl they all wanted to be/I wonder would I still be me? An affirmation in lilting melody.
17. Brand New Day, Tim Meyers f/Lindsey Ray - the current Target commercial, and even better than the 30-second snippet. If you need a wake up song, this is the one.
18. Everything I've Got, Blossom Dearie - it's a thin line between love and hate...
In case you missed it this week, here's a link to Garrison Keillor's post-election advice to Barack Obama. Sweet and sound.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/11/05/happy_couple/
