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Middle Aged Dummies - Artist - Round 3 - #1's have been posted! (2 Viewers)

The big question is, did I do that right? If my list is in, please let me know. That took forever. A couple of my songs weren't available on Spotify, or only in a recording I didn't care for. At least I had alternates ready to go.

If I'm next to Black Sabbath in the playlist, someone's head will explode.
 
Blue October-OZ-
FannyPip's Invitation
The Tea PartyScoresman
SweetJohn Maddens ****ing Lunchbox
Oingo BoingoKarmaPolice
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1
Mitski Ilov80s
The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambag
The Moody BluesCharlie Steiner
Stone Temple PilotsYo Mama
Brian SetzerMrs. Rannous
 

Chvrches

An introduction

The two male members of the group Iain Cook and Martin Doherty, met at University in Glasgow. Cook was 29 at the time, whereas Doherty was much more uni friendly age of 21. Various projects, together and separate proved fruitless. After “regular” music attempts failed, Cook discovered Electronic band Emeralds. While producing a Scottish start up band called Blue Sky Archives he asked the young drummer and vocalist Lauren Mayberry if she would mind doing some backing vocals for a band he was developing with Doherty.

Doherty was the intended singer for the band. Mayberry wrote the lyrics for songs, while Doherty the music and Cook produced. Despite the massive age differences between all 3. Cook was born in 1973, Doherty in 1982 and Mayberry in 1987.
Mayberry belied her youth by being a Journalism major with a strong mind. Particularly in womens issues. Her journalism focused on the music industry in particular and she guided the elder two on pitfalls and issues they may face. She resisted calls by those in the industry developing the band to place her front and center, insisting on being interviewed and photographed together.

After Mayberry provided guide vocals for a few tracks it became obvious that her vocal style suited the songs much better than that of Doherty. After working on material for 7 or 8 months the vibe was great and the band name Chvrches was chosen with an emphasis of the v for easier google searches. In 2012 they posted their most ready song, “Lies” on a record company blog to gauge if there was any interest. The song reached number one on an aggregate mp3 blog and received immediate radio airplay on BBC1. A band was born.

Intended as a studio only outfit, 8 songs had been recorded before The Mother We Share was chosen as their debut single in November 2012. Immediate success followed and its been followed up by successful follow ups. 10 years into their career, they are currently on hiatus while Mayberry does a solo tour. All are confident Chvrches are not finished as they have just signed a new record deal.

Musically, Chvrches are clearly electronic. Booming synths, power pop vocals, with a decided indie bent.
I will be including several varied covers, styled in the Chvrches format, as they regularly do unexpected and strange songs as part of their live sets and sometimes record them. Some of the ones I wont be including are RATMs Killing in the Name of…., I will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, The Game of Thrones theme song and the Arctic Monkeys “Do I Wanna Know”

Structuring this list will be difficult as too much sameness will be off putting. Some good songs will miss the list as a result in favor of ones that tell a good story. I have compared my list to several on the internet and 10 songs do not appear on other lists, but will appear on mine. My top 10 will include several songs not listed elsewhere. Still finalising my list.
 
Iron and Wine
Sam Beam is an American singer-songwriter and musician who is best known by his stage name, Iron & Wine. He was born on July 26, 1974, in South Carolina, USA. Beam's music blends elements of folk, indie folk, and Americana, characterized by his soft vocals, intricate guitar picking, and introspective lyrics.

He gained prominence in the early 2000s with his distinctive style and has released several critically acclaimed albums under the Iron & Wine moniker. Beam's music is often noted for its intimate and atmospheric quality, drawing inspiration from a wide range of influences while maintaining a unique and recognizable sound.

He has achieved a notable level of fame and recognition, particularly within the indie folk and alternative music scenes. Since the early 2000s, Iron & Wine has garnered a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim for their music. Their albums have been well-received both commercially and critically, with several achieving significant chart success and earning praise for their artistic merit. While perhaps not achieving mainstream pop-level fame, Iron & Wine's influence and reputation in the indie folk genre are considerable, making them a respected and admired presence in contemporary music.

The name "Iron & Wine" originally referred to Beam's work in a studio that had a significant amount of iron dust and also to a dietary supplement called "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found as a child.

Most of my list will be comprised from the first 3 studio albums with a sprinkling of other tunes. Not sure what versions of some of his tunes will be on Spotify, but a few of the songs on my list will be from albums that have a more experimental sound. Although I still like those versions, I prefer the more stripped down acoustic sounds of his live versions and will be linking those versions on my top 31 list.
 
If you visit the RIP thread, you saw that actor-comedian Martin Mull recently passed away. He had a tangential connection to Fanny. He was married to keyboardist and composer Wendy Haas, who spent some time with the Millington sisters in their pre-Fanny band the Svelts, and who toured with the Millington sisters in 1975 when they were playing under the name LA All-Stars.
 
There is an AI driven Dave Matthews Band Musicologist site powered by ChatGPT. From that source (answers edited for brevity and to avoid spoilers):

Q. Tell me about Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews, full name David John Matthews, is best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the Dave Matthews Band (DMB). Born on January 9, 1967, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Matthews moved to the United States in the early 1980s. He eventually settled in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he formed DMB in 1991.

Matthews' distinctive voice and innovative guitar playing are central to the band's sound, which blends rock, jazz, folk, and world music influences. His songwriting often explores themes of love, politics, and social issues, characterized by his poetic lyrics and complex musical arrangements.

Matthews is also known for his activism and philanthropy. He has been involved in numerous charitable efforts, including environmental causes and disaster relief. He co-founded the Bama Works Fund, which supports a variety of community and humanitarian initiatives.

Throughout his career, Dave Matthews has earned a reputation as a dynamic performer, both as a solo artist and with DMB. His engaging stage presence and improvisational style have made him a favorite among fans and a respected figure in the music industry.

Q. Tell me about Dave Matthews' musical style

Dave Matthews' musical style is a unique blend of various genres, including rock, jazz, folk, and world music. This eclectic mix contributes to the distinctive sound of the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) and has been a significant factor in the band's widespread appeal. Here are some key elements of his musical style:

1. **Guitar Techniques**: Matthews is known for his innovative guitar playing. He often uses complex chord voicings and rhythmic strumming patterns that draw from jazz and folk traditions. His fingerstyle technique and use of alternate tunings add to his signature sound.

2. **Vocal Delivery**: Matthews' voice is instantly recognizable, characterized by its rich, raspy tone and wide dynamic range. He can seamlessly shift from soulful, intimate passages to powerful, emotive outbursts. His vocal improvisations and scatting often add a spontaneous feel to live performances.

3. **Songwriting**: His songwriting is marked by intricate melodies and unconventional song structures. Matthews' lyrics are poetic and often introspective, exploring themes such as love, mortality, social issues, and personal experiences. He frequently employs vivid imagery and metaphor.

4. **Improvisation**: A hallmark of Matthews' style, especially in live performances, is improvisation. Both he and the band members are known for their ability to extend songs with impromptu solos and jam sessions, making each concert a unique experience.

5. **Collaborative Musicianship**: Matthews' music benefits from the diverse talents of his bandmates. The interplay between his guitar work and the contributions of other band members, such as violinist Boyd Tinsley, saxophonist LeRoi Moore (and later Jeff Coffin), and drummer Carter Beauford, creates a rich, layered sound.

6. **World Music Influences**: Matthews' background and exposure to different cultures, especially his early years in South Africa, have infused his music with world music elements. These influences can be heard in the rhythmic complexity and use of non-traditional instruments in some of DMB's songs.

Overall, Dave Matthews' musical style is a dynamic and evolving blend of genres, marked by technical proficiency, emotional depth, and a commitment to musical exploration. This versatility and originality have played a crucial role in the enduring success and popularity of his music.

I subscribed to the service because of the obvious depth of useful information made so easily accessible, so I'll be using it to describe the songs I have chosen.

As with all of the artists I have chosen in these countdowns, I could easily have chosen many different songs and a different order for my list. I'm going to post my first 10 out at some point, and every one of those songs could easily have been in my top 31. I just had to stop tinkering with it.

Though I will include some live tracks, I haven't figured out which ones yet, so that is my final step. But here is the breakdown of songs I chose from based on studio/EP albums:
  • Remember Two Things (1993) - 5
  • Under the Table and Dreaming (1994) - 6
  • Recently (1994) - 1
  • Crash (1996) - 5
  • Before These Crowded Streets (1998) - 5
  • Everyday (2001) - 1
  • Busted Stuff (2002) - 2
  • Some Devil (2003) - 4
  • Big Whiskey and the Groogux King (2009) - 2
I have no songs in my top 31 from 4 of the last 5 studio albums (Stand Up, Away from the World, Come Tomorrow, Walk Around the Moon). I admittedly have not listened to those nearly as much, and I do generally like them, so I'm probably giving them short shrift here... but they just don't contain any of my top 31 Dave songs.
 
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Well, I was supposed to fly back from vacation back to the US today, but flight got cancelled about 20 minutes before boarding. Airline put me up in some crummy hotel near Heathrow where there is nothing nearby and the TV does not even work properly. And they could not even get me a flight tomorrow, so here until Monday.

But decided I’d use it as a reason to break out my iPad and submit my list. So, Curtis Mayfield now submitted. It is consistent with my broad album breakdown posted earlier (won’t name names as some title tracks that could spoil song titles).

I left one off because I included in the MAD 31 cover countdown recently, and decided I’d mix it up. Thought I’d post here there for any who did not take part or listen through those. It is more of a technical cover. It was written by Curtis Mayfield, but he let one of the bands that he had on his Curtom Records label record it first: The Five Stairsteps (best known for O-o-h Child). Mayfield’s The Impressions then recorded it shortly thereafter. So, a cover song, but really a Curtis Mayfield original. (Curtis’s songwriting output was such that he was primary songwriter for both his own band, as well as other musicians on his label.)

One interesting tidbit that I learned in reading the book written by Curtis Mayfield’s son was that the Jackson Five auditioned for Curtom Records, but Curtom decided to pass on them because they already a had a “family” band in The Five Stairsteps. Not Curtis Mayfield’s best business decision.

 
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13 in..

Blue October-OZ-
FannyPip's Invitation
The Tea PartyScoresman
SweetJohn Maddens ****ing Lunchbox
Oingo BoingoKarmaPolice
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1
Mitski Ilov80s
The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambag
The Moody BluesCharlie Steiner
Stone Temple PilotsYo Mama
Brian SetzerMrs. Rannous
Curtis MayfieldDon Quixote
Bryan Ferry/Roxy MusicBinkytheDoormat
 
15 IN..

Blue October-OZ-
FannyPip's Invitation
The Tea PartyScoresman
SweetJohn Maddens ****ing Lunchbox
Oingo BoingoKarmaPolice
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1
Mitski Ilov80s
The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambag
The Moody BluesCharlie Steiner
Stone Temple PilotsYo Mama
Brian SetzerMrs. Rannous
Curtis MayfieldDon Quixote
Bryan Ferry/Roxy MusicBinkytheDoormat
Strand of OaksEephus
Dave MatthewsTau837
 
Blue October-OZ-
FannyPip's Invitation
The Tea PartyScoresman
SweetJohn Maddens ****ing Lunchbox
Oingo BoingoKarmaPolice
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1
Mitski Ilov80s
The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambag
The Moody BluesCharlie Steiner
Stone Temple PilotsYo Mama
Brian SetzerMrs. Rannous
Curtis MayfieldDon Quixote
Bryan Ferry/Roxy MusicBinkytheDoormat
Strand of OaksEephus
Dave MatthewsTau837
Mazzy Starlandrys hat
Kenny ChesneyMAC
The Beach Boyszamboni
Susanna HoffsZegras11
 

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