You have done what no one thought could be

Stevie always happens just when you need him. Always. This wasn't even a shuffle event. This was my finger blindly opening Songs in the Key of Life as I clickwheeled my ipod in the blinding, second-day-of-summer sun.

This is really happening.

A Playlist for this week, in no particular order. But obvious? Yup.





Life in a glass house by Radiohead from Sebastián Jinete on Vimeo.

You're the poet in my heart.

I've always said, "Stevie always, always helps," but I didn't include this Stevie.

Stevie Nicks recalled the first time she stood on the painted floor of the Velvet Underground, a clothing store in San Francisco where Janis Joplin was known to shop for her stage looks. She talked about seeing her future as a musician there and urged everyone present to stick to their dreams — a platitude, maybe, but one that took flight coming from your hippie aunt Stevie Nicks.

I haven't been able to stop listening to Tusk lately. This isn't the only reason why, as it is, collectively, quite a balm to the spirits and mind lately--but it's a big reason why Tusk feels like the hug of a warm summer night for me. (Except, maybe, this)

I'm so glad that I found someone to believe in again

Happy birthday. We need you, always.

Less than one minute old

Going back to Saturn

Contusion

Turntable: Though the world's full of problems they couldn't touch us even if they tried

Today's Shuffle (Shopping Edition): I'm gonna walk by myself to prove that my love is true

Clever Shuffle! You found two versions of the same song and almost bookended my pelted tromp around the Loop. Which actually was lovely--downtown was deserted due to an impending storm that, like an indifferent friend, never showed up, and lights were lit, and store clerks were warm friendly despite being tired, and, even though I was steaming like frozen vegetables in a bag in my down coat (thanks, forecast) and was shopping (thanks, Christmas), I was happy.

I love the Loop. I have the lake literally in my face every workday now, and god, I need that, but I do miss the Loop.





I think Stevie's version (recorded 1967 but not release until a decade or so later) edges out Aretha's, in which there's a bit too much going on--strings, synths, back-up voices. I wish it'd stick with the piano that starts the song. Stevie's is pure heart.

Stevie Wonder, Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), Anthology
Led Zeppelin, Black Dog Led Zeppelin IV
My Morning Jacket, Touch Me I'm Going To Scream, Evil Urges
Kraak & Smaak, Danse Macabre Music for Cocktails: The Silver Edition
The Lonely Island, Dick In A Box Incredibad
XTC, Don't Lose Your Temper Black Sea 
Ike & Tina Turner, Sexy Ida Part 1 Proud Mary: The Best of Ike & Tina Turner
Sarah Vaughn, Sometimes I'm Happy The Very Best of Sarah Vaughn
Bomb the Bass, Bug Powder Dust (Kruder and Dorfmeister Dub) Chill Lounge 1
Sade, Feel No Pain Love Deluxe
Rockpile, Now and Always Seconds of Pleasure
English Beat, End of the Party Special Beat Service
Beastie Boys, Say It Hot Sauce Committee Part Two 
Beastie Boys, Right Right Now Now To The 5 Boroughs 
Radiohead, Planet Telex The Bends
Jimmy Cliff, Hard Road to Travel This Is Crucial Reggae
David Bowie, All The Madmen The Man Who Sold The World
Aretha Franklin, Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) Let Me In Your Life
Billy Joel, Travelin' Prayer Piano Man
Lady Gaga, Paparazzi The Fame
Beck, Lost Cause Sea Change 

p.s. Thanks for the holiday tunez!

 

Love's in need of love today.

We all must take precautionary measures / If love and peace you treasure

We need Stevie today.

But I would love to spill the beans with you till dawn

I acquired these today so that I will go get a turntable already.

Or could it be I sleep alone in my fantasy

Backed by the incomparable Minnie Riperton.



This song, one of my favorites by Stevie, is off of the underrated Fullingness' First Finale. Everyone is all about Innervisions, but this follow-up is my jam.

On the beach we're sitting...

The brothers and sisters here together.

Don Cornelius and the "eighth wonder of the world." Chicago. 1971. At the 9:00 mark there's a special song for the Soul Train gang.

It's no secret around this territory that I one of my recent and characteristic fascinations has been with Soul Train. This news, however it would have transpired, is shocking, as it is when any influential cultural figure passes on, and especially when you've been touched by what they do, either in the course of your life, or even simply when you're sitting in front of the TV (or streaming screen) and that person has created a window for you into another world, big and joyful and thoughtful one, a "ride" that will be back next week. And the next week, and the next week. And you know he's right when he says, "you can bet your last money it's all going to be a stone jam, sonny."




It's beyond troubling when the end is sudden like this. There's not an answer..

Peace, love and Soul.

OKAY, ADDENDUM:

I just read this in-the-moment remembrance from Questlove.

"to say with a straight, dignified face that BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL was the RISKIEST radical life-changing move that america has seen. and amazingly enough for one hour for one saturday out the week, if you were watching soul train….it became contagious. next thing you know you are actually believing you have some sort of worth.

"the whole idea of Afrocentrism in my opinion manifested and spread with Soul Train in its first 6 years."