Here are MATTHEW'S TOP TEN ALBUMS!!!!:
The top six or seven have always been in my top ten. The last handful will
change from time to time.
* The Smiths "SINGLES"
How can one band have so many great songs?
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is a contender for my favourite song of
all time.
So many of these songs can bring instant joy. Panic, and Ask, and
Girlfriend in a Coma.
They can be sweet and sad. They can make you want to slam your bedroom door
on the outside world. And you'll either have a dance or cry in your pillow.
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, How Soon Is Now?, The Boy With A Thorn In
His Side...
Just the names of these songs remind me why I have faith in music.
* Bjork VESPERTINE
This is the one album Bjork has made that is best listened to from beginning
to end in one sitting. It's not a collection of disjointed marvels. It's
an hour of bliss.
The songs all fit beautifully. They're domestic and quiet and just as
strange as anything else Bjork has done.
This is the cd to put on while you are making stir-fry in your kitchen on a
sunny lazy Sunday. It's Not Up To You is a perfect song.
* The Divine Comedy A SHORT ALBUM ABOUT LOVE
Just 7 songs on this cd. All on the various emotional results of love.
Powerful, emotional songs with clever lyrics. This is a cd that can really
move me. It's a cd that can make people cry.
I am now on my third copy of this cd. The first two copies I gave away to
friends. It's that kind of cd.
* Ella Fitzgerald THE BEST OF THE SONG BOOKS
You know I love Ella, and this is a great boppy collection.
And it's got the best Ella ever - Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.
* Michelle Shocked ARKANSAS TRAVELER
The cheeriest cd Michelle has made. It was the first Michelle cd I'd ever
heard.
Just a great listen with plenty of twang.
* Fred Astaire STEPPIN' OUT: ASTAIRE SINGS
Fred recorded these songs in 1952. The familiar songs are mostly from his
old films with Ginger Rogers. But on this cd he is just singing with a
small jazz group. Classy and casual. I can never get bored of this.
* Marvin Gaye WHAT'S GOING ON
Only 9 songs. Far too short a cd.
Marvin's songs here have consistent themes. Marvin wants to spread the
message. And the top songs include What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me, and
Inner City Blues.
* Dimitri From Paris A NIGHT AT THE PLAYBOY MANSION
I thought I should pick one disco/dance cd, and this would be my pick. Very
groovy. The 70's and the Nougties mixed in together.
* Luka Bloom SALTY HEAVEN
My fave Luka cd. As usual Luka sings about issues that are important to
him.
This has Ciara (such a pretty pretty song) and The Shape Of Love To Come.
And the sound is a little more worked through than in some of his other cds.
* Angie Stone MAHOGANY SOUL
This has got Wish I Didn't Miss You, wich kills me. But I just love
everything on this groovy late-nite album. She's a smooth lady that Angie.
Very Important Also Rans:
* R.E.M. NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI. This is their most understated little
album. A beauty. And importantly it has Electrolite.
* Diana Krall ALL FOR YOU. Diana sings Nat King Cole songs and doesn't
bland them to death.
* Cake COMFORT EAGLE. - Though all of Cake's albums are good
listens from start to finish. This one just happens to have Short
Skirt/Long Jacket, and Opera Singer, and Meanwhile, Rick James... hell, it's
all good.
* Soundtrack from the film CURDLED. Quirky flop of a film, but it gave us
this cd, and yay for that. Only some of the songs are in English, and they
tend to be about being obsessed with someone to the point of murderous
psychosis - "I cannot live without you, or should I say, without me you're
not going to live". Yes sir, let's party in the town square and get drunk
on margaritas!
* THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA: THE ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM SONGBOOK.
Super cool and sophisticated versions of these songs. Not for elevators.
* Madonna RAY OF LIGHT and AMERICAN LIFE.
Great cds. Always worth a re-listen.
* MORE ABBA GOLD.
Why not?
Will stop now.