Sunday 27 May 2012

Sunday Morning Blue: 'Nilsson Schmilsson' & '24 Years of Hunger'

We were bouncing around the house to the frivolity of this music when the relative peace was shattered by a phone call and the news that a friend had just taken her life...
The glorious weather and incessant chuckling of the blackbirds makes the sad news somehow sadder. Mental health is a fragile thing; we're blessed if we are stable.
If you have a sad friend, ring them now...
I replaced the clatter with silence but that seemed a little sonorous; so put on Max Richter's 'Memory House'; mournful yet uplifting and oddly life affirming.
Music's a balm; music can save your life...

Here's my post as was:

Sunday morning is not for sonic adventure; it's a time to cozy up with old favourites, sure things to soundtrack recovery from the ructions of the previous night. Last eve' was spent with the Bholla family, celebrating the birth of Priya's first born; Eashan; Ches's grandson. The baby's head was not so much 'whetted' as sodden, waterlogged even...

First up is a classic soothy: Harry Nilsson's 'Nilsson Schmilsson'.
'Without You' was the first 45 rpm that I ever bought; most of you will know it well, so try this neglected gem instead; 'The Moonbeam Song' and marvel at Harry's voice; he did the backing vocals too; Brian Wilson would be proud of them...
It does get a bit raucous in places; I had to turn it down during a drum solo (Ringo?); a sure sign that it's not a totally perfect 'Sunday Morning Blue' choice, it was a pleasant reminder of college days though and had me reaching for The Beatles Blue album which is classic Sunday fodder but doesn't make the SMB grade, being a compilation.
For later in the day see also 'A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night' which is a collection of covers lovingly orchestrated by Gordon Jenkins (who also worked closely with Frank Sinatra).
It features standards like 'As Time Goes By' and 'What'll I Do' which I'll be listening to tonight...


Next I played '24 Years of Hunger' by Eg and Alice.
This is another classic pop album that you can currently buy new on Amazon for £51.96. I guess that means it's deleted which is a shame as it's cracking; loaded with emotionally vibrant songs. 
Eg White is still a jobbing songwriter who writes for Will Young, amongst others. His solo albums are worth checking out; but I don't think that he's ever bettered this 1991 album. It hasn't dated; at least not to these old ears...
Have a listen to the gorgeous 'Indians'.

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