Day 30: Regina Spektor

Welcome to to the final day of the 30 day period, I hope that you have enjoyed the journey and that I have helped expand your musical horizons. Although I may take a day or two respite, Mulatto Music will continue, possibly in a slightly different format. In celebration of day 30 I decided to do an Artist Feature today rather than just a song.

Regina Spektor is quirky, curious, silly, serious, and just plain adorable. She is a splendid and inventive songwriter whose songs often require a lot of thought to interpret. Some of her songs come from dreams, making them appear at first listen to make no worldly sense. She is a classically trained pianist born in Moscow and raised in New York. Her voice is hauntingly brilliant and her childlike personality is priceless. She is occasionally known for breaking into random beatboxing. Regina is a True Artist, and one that certainly dances to the beat of her own drum.

Song: Human Of The Year
Album: Far (2009)

Forget the TIME Man Of The Year Award, in this wonderful song average joe Karl Projectorinski has been named Human Of The Year. In what seems to be a critique of our society's idolization of arbitrary figures, or possibly a critique on religion (or both), Regina delivers with sardonically beautiful lyrics and haunting vocalization. Check out these lyrics:

"Why are you so scared?
You stand there shaking in the pew.
The icons are whispering to you,
they're just old men,
like on the benches in the park,
except their balding.. spots are glistening with gold".

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

Song: Samson
Album: Songs (2002)

In this reference to the long haired biblical strong man Regina puts forth a bone-chilling vocal performance. Her work on piano is the perfect complement to her angelic voice.

Listen Here!

Song: Folding Chair
Album: Far (2009)

The playful side of Regina is out in full force for Folding Chair and you just can't help but smile. She gives a wonderful perspective on feminine insecurity and celebrates the beauty in functionality rather than aesthetics with an instantly classic line:

"I've got a perfect body, but sometimes I forget
I've got a perfect body, 'cause my eyelashes catch my sweat".

This upbeat song is nostalgic and sounds lighthearted, but there seems to be heavier subject matter beneath the surface. See if you can decipher.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

And one for good luck...

Song: Laughing With
Album: Far (2009)

In this song Regina showcases her incredible songwriting. She travels back and forth from somber to serious to funny and contemplative all within a matter of about 3 and a half minutes.

"No one's laughing at God...(but..)
God can be funny
When told he'll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus"

Surely you recognize what a wonderful songstress Regina is, yes?

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

For more Regina start off with her first breakthrough album Begin To Hope, next get Far, Soviet Kitsch, and Songs. If you fall in love with Regina, don't be surprised, and be sure to also get 11:11 and keep in mind that she has many, many live songs yet to be released.

Thank You all for the support, comments, feedback, and motivation to keep going for these past 30 days, I couldn't have done it without you. It, obviously, would have meant nothing without you.

Thank You

Signing off (for now). -Sir Gabriel

"I don't wanna say goodbye to you, so I'll just say goodnight to you..."

Day 29: Champion

This is for ALL the haters, and who's got more than Kanye West? A recent comment someone made about Kanye in my presence made me realize that some people will hold a grudge against an artist simply because he is popular, talented, or cocky, and no matter how good his music is some people's ears will always be deaf to it. It has been strange, and eye opening during these past almost 30 days to see how narrow some minds and ears are to such a wide range of really good music. I've been guilty of it myself, but I pledge to be open to music of all kinds, the same way I try to withhold judgment when meeting a new person for the first time. A big mistake people tend to make is thinking they've figure someone out based on a few interactions. My request is that you listen today as if you've never heard of Kanye West. I guarantee if you do you are bound to like his music. To set the record straight, sampling is not stealing, you must get permission from the original artist. Sampling in of itself is an art form, it is not simply rapping over the original song. And sampling has been used in hip-hop since the beginning. Kanye West is much more than a pop star, he is an Artist.

Song: Champion
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Graduation (2008)

As motivational as a speech from Tony Robbins,

"When it feel like livin's harder than dyin'
For me givin' up's way harder than tryin',"

Champion is for the hero inside you, it celebrates who you are and all that you have done for so many people. "Did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes?" Many people fail to see that they are someone's hero, this song is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the world who have lifted up the fallen and helped them to see their true worth.

"They used to feel invisible, now they know they invincible!"

It's time you face the facts, Kanye West is an essential artist for any true music fans' collection. Stop hatin' and start appreciatin'.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

For more Kanye West listen to Flashing Lights, Street Lights, As I Am, Gone, and Through The Wire.

Still want more? Pick up The College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, and 808's & Heartbreak.

Hey man, don't be blind to a shining star.

Who's gonna be featured in the last of the 30 days? Find out tomorrow!

Day 28: What Can I Say (For Millicent)

If Prince is 12 o'clock and Lenny Kravitz is 6 o'clock, right now it's about 2:30. Neo soulster Van Hunt is an artist who, quite simply, should be more well known. Hunt, writer of Dionne Farris' Hopeless, released his self titled debut album in 2004 followed by On The Jungle Floor in '06, and in '07 he completed work for his third album, Popular, but sadly his now former record company refused to release it. Undeterred, Hunt is currently working on his fourth album slated for an early 2010 release, which will be done independently. Van Hunt is an incredible songwriter whom I was first introduced to by my Beautiful girlfriend, Shiba, and I am glad to have made his acquaintance.

Song: What Can I Say (For Millicent)
Artist: Van Hunt
Album: Van Hunt (2004)

I will narrate the meaning of this song as understood by Shiba. What Can I Say is a heartrending song about a mother figure who has passed away and visits Hunt in his dreams. She's been there through thick and thin, and he can no longer remember the once familiar song she used to sing to him. Though he is crushed to see her go as he wakes, he lives to see her in his dreams and wonders how he can make her stay

"'Cause I love to hate the feeling
Don't want to deal with the morning after
What can I say to keep you down
What can I say to keep you down
What can I say to keep your love around me."

What Can I Say features beautiful piano and expressive instrumentation. While I have heard other interpretations of the lyrics, the preceding is the one that makes the sense, but I invite you to interpret what it means to you.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

For more Van Hunt hear these: Seconds Of Pleasure, Anything, Mean Sleep, Precious, and Down Here In Hell (With You).

Day 27: Day Too Soon

We've only got a few days left, but I promise to go out with a BANG. I'll most likely continue Mulatto Music, but probably in a slightly different format.
Day Too Soon is a song by Australian Singer Sia Furler, better known simply as Sia. Sia resembles something like a mash-up of Jewel, Adele, Norah Jones, and Regina Spektor. She has released 4 solo albums, previously she sang with indie band Crisp, and she regularly lends her vocals to UK group Zero 7. Sia has the spirit of a child, and brings a magical feeling to her music.

Song: Day Too Soon
Artist: Sia
Album: Some People Have Real Problems (2008)

In this track Prince Charming arrives to Sia's open arms. A beautiful array of instruments, including wonderful piano work and a nicely accenting violin, provide the music to this downtempo song. Well thought lyrics pave the way for unbelievable vocalization

"Now I've been running all my life
I ran away, I ran away from good
Yeah, I've been waiting all my life
You're not a day, you're not a day too soon"

Sia's voice is wonderfully haunting, like a jolly ghost, and her voice is truly irreplicable, even though that's not "really" a word. Sia is a unique artist, who you get the feeling could sing the alphabet song and make it her own. A Youtube comment on an acoustic version of Day Too Soon sums her sound up perfectly: "she is so amazing, i want to have a baking day with her at my house when i watch her and listen to her it's like being in neverland". Like being in Neverland indeed.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

For more Sia listen to her single Breathe Me and get her album Some People Have Real Problems.

Day 26: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder. He is, clearly, far and away, the greatest musical artist of at least the 20th and 21st century, if not the greatest ever. Yes, greater than the Beatles, greater than Aretha, and yes, greater than Michael Jackson. If you asked most musicians who is the greatest, most would probably tell you Stevie. He has a vocal range and control that allows him to go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a matter of seconds. Although he is most noted for playing piano and harmonica there are few instruments that Stevie can not play, and when I say he can play I mean he can PLAY. His musical tenure is long, longer than the Rolling Stones, he released his first single at age 11 in 1961, that's 48 years strong. His creativity and songwriting is simply unmatched, whether the topic is love, spirituality, politics, activism, etc. He has a classic string of 5 albums released in a span of 5 years that no one before or after has even come close to. He played a pivotal role in making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by hosting a Rally for Peace Press Conference and with his song Happy Birthday. He has won 22 Grammy Awards, the most ever for a solo artist. So yes, he is the greatest, but words futile to express the talent of Stevie Wonder, listen below and see for yourself.
Song: Boogie on Reggae Woman
Album: Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)

Stevie Wonder shares his naughty intentions with a "reggae woman" over a funky synthesizer and drums, and a bright sounding piano. He adds a harmonica solo to seal the deal.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

Song: Overjoyed
Album: In Square Circle (1985)

No one can come close to Stevie Wonder at writing a love song. No one. Don't believe me? Then..

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

Song: Sugar
Album: Signed, Sealed, and Delivered (1970)

Funky Funky Drums, Bass, and Piano, PLUS Stevie Wonder singing over the track. What more could you ask for? What's most unbelievable? This song wasn't even a single for Stevie.

Listen Here!

Lyrics Here¡

For more Stevie the best way to go is At The Close Of A Century a 4 disc-set spanning over 30 years that includes 70 + Stevie hits. If you still want more, which I certainly do, than you'll be best advised to purchase each of his individual albums.

Day 25: The Blossom Of Parting

Jazz, maybe more than any other kind of music, is very take-it-or-leave-it. It either hits you real hard, or goes right over your head. The Branford Marsalis Quartet is likely to do the former. I actually had the pleasure of seeing them live, and walking out on stage they looked cooler than the underside of the pillow. The foursome is made up of Joey Calderazzo, on keys, Eric Revis, on bass, Justin Faulkner (who replaced Jeff "Tain Watts), on drums, and (you guessed it) Branford Marsalis, on saxophones. Their music is featured in the Spike Lee joint Mo' Better Blues which shares it name with a classic Quartet tune. Branford Marsalis has acted in Throw Momma From The Train and School Daze, he asked out Hillary Banks on The Fresh Prince, and was the predecessor to Kevin Eubanks as band leader of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The Marsalis name is royalty in the jazz world, his father as well as 3 of his 5 brothers are all jazz musicians. Here's the song for the day.

Song: The Blossom of Parting
Artist: Branford Marsalis Quartet
Album: Metamorphosen

The Blossom of Parting is that instantaneous feeling of missing the one you love the second they close the door, realizing the irrationality of your feeling as they'll be returning soon, but missing them all the same. That beautiful Blossom of a variety of feelings ranging from melancholy to joyfulness. Branford lets his Saxophone tell the story, which it does splendidly, singing a frantic yet mellow song. The Drums of Faulkner whisper in the background, keeping things chronologically accurate, and Calderazzo's Keys contribute a different perspective into this wonderful reminiscence. The Blossom of Parting, the name practically tells the entire tale all by itself.

Listen here!

Be sure to also listen to Mo' Better Blues.

Day 24: Use Somebody

King of Leon. 3 brothers and 1 cousin who all go by their middle name. They're kind of a big deal, or at least so I hear. They are, at the very least, worthy of researching to find out the depth of their artistry. I know for a fact that they have one very good song, and perhaps many more. I plan to find out and I invite you to as well. For now chew on this.

Song: Use Somebody
Artist: King of Leon
Album: Only By The Night (2008)

Kings of Leon has been making quite a stir in recent years, and while I had heard OF them I didn't actually hear them until their recent appearance on Conan. I was a bit skeptical, thinking they would be something like The White Stripes (for whom I harbor much indifference towards). But from the first strum of the guitar I was intrigued. When they began singing "whoa-ohhhh", like something from a dream state, my ears were on end. Use Somebody feels like something I could hear Dave Grohl belting out with the Foo Fighters, and that's not a bad thing.

Listen here!

Lyrics here¡