Music Mondays: Duets

It’s been some time since I’ve had a Music Monday so I thought I’d treat y’all to a duet edition of your music fix. This week’s theme of duets is something I’ve been meaning to do for some time now.

It’s been only until recently that I’ve truly started enjoying some guy-girl duets. When I was very young, I used to listen to a lot of country music and all of the duets in that genre were just awful. It wasn’t nearly as bad, however, as the R&B duets that I heard on late ’90s/early 2000s Top 40 radio. Now, they are a staple on my Zune playlist. I was going to include a cover of Hank Williams’ “Ramblin’ Man” by Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell but the only video I could find was very NSFW and disturbing. (Youtube it if you dare).

She and Him, “Lonesome Town,” Los Angeles, Calif., January 6, 2008

As mentioned on an earlier post, She and Him is a composite of Zooey Deschanel, Will Ferrell’s love attraction in “Elf,” and singer-songwriter M. Ward. Their debut album, Volume One, comes out on March 18 and I’m excited for it.

Although M. Ward’s singing is very limited in She and Him, this still qualifies as a great duet. Zooey and M. cover Ricky Nelson’s “Lonesome Town” in this live set that taken away by Zooey’s powerful voice. The way she sings reminds me of a Janice Joplin you could take home to your mother. Regardless, it creates a great atmosphere. Check out some of their original work at the Playlist.

Dean & Britta, “Knives of Bavaria,” New York City/Paris Subway Station

I first was introduced to Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips through one of my favorite movies, “The Squid and the Whale.” Dean and Britta performed the entire soundtrack to that film, and it was lovely.

This video comes from one of my favorite Web sites these days, La Blogotheque. The La Blog stages live impromptu concerts around France with a single handheld camera, and they are great to watch. (In the Shins video, the cameraman nearly gets hit by a bus during the filming.)

This video to “Knives…” takes place in a subway. Before they could even begin playing, the intercom yells that there’s no video photography. Dean snaps back and they film the rest of the song through Britta’s legs.

Dean & Britta, “You Turn My Head Around”

I never know whether to spell Dean and Britta with an ampersand or not. Likewise, fans of Dean and Britta didn’t know where to find their first album in record stores since they were called Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips. Is it under D, W, B or P?

This is the official video to “You Turn My Head Around.” I post it for two reasons. One because I like the way it was filmed using Le Mond newspaper as a reoccurring theme. And two because I like seeing Britta wearing a skirt.

Emmylou Harris & The Band, “Evangeline” (from “The Last Waltz”)

Technically, this one may not exactly be a duet but I’m going to post it anyways. Most because it’s from a great movie starring one of my favorite bands, The Band, and my favorite female vocalist, Emmylou Harris. This bad boy was directed by Martin Scorsese in what I consider his best work. If I remember correctly, Emmylou Harris couldn’t attend The Last Waltz so this was filmed later in the studios. It’s remarkable how much Emmylou has changed physically since she collaborated with The Band. (Wait until the 2:30 mark for the actual song to begin in the video). If you’ve never seen The Last Waltz, you’re missing out on an amazing musical experience.

Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan, “Cold Water” (from BBC4) & “Volcanoes”

Damien Rice is an artist I oftentimes forget about because I burnt myself out listening to “O.” I must’ve listened to that and the Arcade Fire’s “Funeral” every day in the winter of 2004-05. I was originally going to put up the more poppy “Volcanoes” but after seeing this seven-minute long version, I couldn’t resist putting both up. “Cold Water” starts off very softly, almost like it’s being taken from a religious service. Unexpectedly, a sudden burst of drums comes out of nowhere and short-lived, intense vocals dies out to a single violin string. Although Damien Rice gets the billing, the real star in this song in the under-appreciated Lisa Hannigan, whose soprano voice carries the song.

“Volcanoes” shows how differently a duet Rice and Hannigan are compared to the others. Rice and Hannigan’s voices contrast well, to the point where neither one overtakes the other. There’s less passion in their songs than a duet like Dean & Britta.

Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová, “Fallin’ Slowly,” Sept. 10, 2007, N.Y.C.

After raving about the music in “Once” and giving it a 9.5/10 rating, I had to include it on this list; whereas it actually inspired me to make his the theme of Music Monday. This song is fantastic, and it deservingly received the Best Song award at the Grammys for it. “Fallin’ Slowly” composed the affliction both characters had for each other in “Once.” Of the many videos of this song on Youtube, I chose this one because it seems to have moved David Letterman at the end of their set. It seems he choked up a little bit. Who would have known him for a sentimentalist?

Mr. President, it’s evident: Nobody really cares

Happy Presidents Day. As we honor our country’s greatest leaders, let’s show some appreciation through use of song in this week’s Music Monday. (Do yourself a favor and watch the Truman video. It’s glorious.)

First, the greatest Presidential song about every president of the U.S.A. (And also great for learnin’ ‘em). From the cartoon “Animaniacs”:

“Always remember that others may hate you but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself. ” – President Richard M. Nixon

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” – President Harry S. Truman

“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” – President John F. Kennedy

““Let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely.” – Sen. Barack Obama

Tom Petty, for the win

I’ll be the first to say that yesterday’s Super Bowl was a half-bore. Until the fourth quarter, it was no more exciting than the Australian Open. The only thing it had working for it — because tackling puppies beats flying pigskins every time — was Tom Petty’s halftime show. I’m so glad they finally booked a classic rock artist who still possesses actual talent. (See Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney.*)

In honor of the great halftime show, here’s an all-Petty Music Monday:

Here’s a pretty great rendition of “Breakdown.” Not sure where or when this was filmed but I like this version. I especially like “Hit the Road Jack” and his flip out around the five-minute mark.

Tom Petty, “Breakdown/Hit the Road Jack,” Live Aid 2006

This video is definitely a homage to Alice in Wonderland (something I’ve never actually seen). It’s as creepy as it is great.

Tom Petty, “Don’t Come Around Here No More”

Tom Petty doesn’t cover many songs. I could only find two covers he’s done and neither are on the tube. So I found this great video of Tom Petty playing “Refugee” in Germany. There’s a lot of energy in this set, even for an international crowd.

Tom Petty, “Refugee,” 1982, Germany

* – Aerosmith left off this list, solely because it never possessed talent.

This post is SFW

Music Mondays II

I’m not in a very good mood right now, so I’ll save up my hostilities for tomorrow.

Here’s a great session with a band I’ve been getting into lately, Wilco. Wait for the dueling guitar action later in the song.

Wilco, “Impossible Germany,” A Basement

Today’s music video is LCD Soundsystem’s “Someone Great.” I think the video is really cool but wish they hadn’t chopped half of the song to make it MTV playable. Like they show music videos anyways.

LCD Soundsystem, “Someone Great”

I found a cover worthy of posting. It’s country singer (???) Charlotte Martin’s cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.” Fast forward a minute or so through the boring interview, but make sure to hear how high her voice gets during those choruses. Is it just me or does she look ridiculously awkward when she sings?

Charlotte Martin, “Wild Horses” (Rolling Stones Cover), Good Morning Arizona, 2006

Je t’aime Ottawa?

Because I can’t sleep at a reasonable hour, I’ve decided its Music Monday! We’ll see how well I do at keeping up with this or what the response is to my distinct taste of music. (Who am I kidding? I have no visitors). Anyways, I plan on posting a YouTube video of a music video, a live performance and, on rare occasions, a cover song.

Today, you get lucky because I’ve got two live performances. Actually, they are from the same concert. My favorite current band, the Arcade Fire, cameoed at a Bruce Springsteen, my all-time favorite musician, concert in Ottawa. I don’t have remorse for those Canadians who decided to skip the seven-song encore to beat traffic.

Bruce Springsteen & the Arcade Fire, State Trooper, Ottawa, Ont., Oct. 14, 2007. This is the first time The Boss played State Trooper live since the Born in the U.S.A. tour in 1985.

Bruce Springsteen & the Arcade Fire, Keep the Car Runnin’, Ottawa, Ont., Oct. 14, 2007. The shaky camera and holy shits are all I could find.

In honor of my insomnia, here’s the Shins’ video of “Sleeping Lessons.” I like the cinematography, color choice and the girl in it who looks like someone I once made out with at a party. Not too shabby on my behalf.