Day 11: Good Lives

What do you get when you cross Chuck Norris with Richard Simmons? Well I assure you it is not the band we're covering today. Recently reunited rock trio Eve 6 is back on tour and gearing up for a comeback album. Their last album's sales were so unimpressive that their label decided to drop them, causing Eve 6 to disband. Known for their witty and vivid lyrics Eve 6's biggest hits are Inside Out, Promise, and the graduation song du jour Here's To The Night. We'll be listening to a song from the album that caused their demise.

Song: Good Lives
Artist: Eve 6
Album: It's All In Your Head (2003)

Good Lives will make you wonder why this album failed. Imaginitive lyrics

"There is no floor 13 there's not even a second story, you've got one to tell and it's sad as hell,"
..."This kid came over and I let him crash, but he went into my wallet and he grabbed my cash,"
..."Set the clocks back we're not growing old,"
..."Promise that forever we will never get better at growing up and learning to lie",

tasty guitar licks, and salty vocalization by Max Collins combine to make a savory dish. A side of driving bass and drums complete the meal. Allow your ears to feast as this trio serves up a well rounded fare.

Listen to Good Lives here

Lyrics here

For a second helping of Eve 6 listen to Friend of Mine, Anytime, and Nightmare.
Want leftovers? Get their albums Eve 6, Horrorscope, and It's All In Your Head.

Day 10: Wash Away

When Folk singer Joe Purdy stepped out of bed this morning he never would have dreamt that one of his songs would be featured on Mulatto Music today, but lo and behold here it is. Purdy has independently released an astounding 10 albums in a span of just 8 years. He has had many songs featured on TV and film such as Grey's Anatomy and The Secret Life of Bees. You've probably heard a great song on a commercial and said "Wow! I love that song, who is that singing?" It's Joe.

Song: Wash Away
Artist: Joe Purdy
Album: Julie Blue (2004)

This song was made semi-famous from an appearance in season 1 of Lost, and is currently being featured in the Dawn Wildlife commercial. In Wash Away, Joe sits down on the porch with you and says "Hey, I know you're goin' through it right now my friend, but you're gonna survive the whole horrible mess." All the while he strums his guitar, and plays a hopeful little tune. After that he loans you bit of money and gives you a hug, uh, metaphorically speaking. Well, lyrically speaking he actually says

"I've got troubles oh, but not today, 'cause they're gonna wash away, they're gonna wash away."

But he really does play a hopeful tune on his guitar, see for yourself.

Listen here

Lyrics here

Don't wanna see Joe go so soon? Then check out Worn Out Shoes, Can't Get It Right Today, and You Can Tell Georgia.

Or visit his website at http://joepurdy.com/

Day 9: Shepherd Moons

Namaste. Come in, sit down, close your eyes, and relax. Today we are visiting with vocalist, instrumentalist, and composer Enya. Hailing from Ireland, Enya is an artist who creates music in the New Age genre, she is probably most famous for Boadicea which has been sampled by The Fugees (Ready or Not), and Mario Winans (I Don't Wanna Know). Her music has probably made you cry at some point, as well as sent you into a deep state of relaxation - This is doubly true if you have partaken in transformational work. So, assume the lotus position and allow Enya to sweep you away with her magical voice layering.

Song: Shepherd Moons
Artist: Enya
Album: Shepherd Moons (1991)

The title track opens with Enya's ethereal voice, accompanied by the sound of piano keys being caressed ever-so-lightly. The whisper soft piano chords twinkle along, dancing on clouds to the sound of Enya's angelic murmuring. The most soothing, peaceful, relaxing song I know of, Shepherd Moons will make you feel like you're back in the womb.

Listen to Shepherd Moons here

For more Enya I highly recommend purchasing Paint The Sky With Stars: The Best of Enya

Until we meet again, peace.

Day 8: Long As I Can See The Light

Hello hello, we're just gonna jump right into things today. I'd like to introduce you to rock/swamp rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. CCR reached the peak of their success around 1969-70, even performing as one of the headline acts at Woodstock '69. At the top of their success, lead man John Fogerty's controlling ways created a divide in the group causing them to disband. John Fogerty has the distinction of writing Proud Mary which CCR performed and notched at #2 on the Billboard charts, of course Tina Turner later recorded the song making many forget the original artist. CCR also has the distinction of having the most #2 hits without ever reaching #1 on the Billboard charts. Creedence also contributed their hit Fortunate Son to the stellar Forest Gump Soundtrack.

Song: Long As I Can See The Light
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Album: Cosmo's Factory (1970)

Cosmo's Factory was a rare gem, reaching #11 on the Billboard Soul Charts, quite an accomplishment for a popular white rock band. With a nicely done cover of a song made popular by Marvin Gaye (Heard It Through The Grapevine) and today's title track the presence of soul is easily felt and heard. Few vocalists could stand in for John Fogerty on Long As I Can See The Light and do the song any justice whatsoever. Fogerty sings from the toes, delivering just the type of screeching, soulful, gritty performance that he is known for. Just listen as he fights to keep each line of the song alive as long as possible, adding numerous stirring syllables to the ends. Creedence strays from their typical instrumentation with beautiful results adding the saxaphone, which acts as backup vocalist for John at times. Bassist Stu Cook moseys along adding a biting one-two punch when paired with the slow but sure drumming of Doug Clifford. Tom Fogerty, who normally drives the band with his infectious riffs, takes a back seat adding fleeting, complimentary, sentiments on guitar. All in all, this soulful effort from the normally rockin' Creedence Clearwater, is sure to infiltrate your ears and penetrate your heart.

Listen to it here

Lyrics can be viewed here

If you liked Long As I Can See The Light be sure to listen to Have You Ever Seen The Rain?, Fortunate Son, Up Around The Bend, and Down On The Corner.

Still want more? Get Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits

Well, that's it for now. See ya on the flip side!

Day 7: Beautiful

Well heidi hey, heidi ho! And how are you on this fine Tuesday morn? Hope you don't mind, we'll be taking the subway today. We'll be heading to Brooklyn circa 1998 to listen to 2 of New York, and Hip Hop's, finest emcees: Black Star. Scientifically speaking, Black Star is comprised of one part Mos Def, one part Talib Kweli, two of Hip Hop's foremost conscious emcees. After their album Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star dropped in 98, the pair went their separate ways, occasionally reuniting for a song here or there. Kweli has become a well respected lyricist, critically acclaimed artist, and at times garnered some commercial success. Mos Def, the much more commercially successful of the duo, has, besides releasing numerous albums, also appeared in countless films and TV shows, proving to be a superb actor. Joining them on this particular track is, the internationally known "Queen of Hip Hop Soul", Mary J. Blige.


Song: Beautiful
Artist: Black Star Ft. Mary J. Blige
Album: Unreleased (leaked via bootleg around 1998)

The track opens to find Mary J. Blige harmonizing while Mos Def and Talib Kweli chant rhythmically in the background. Mos rattles off the first verse in poetic fashion:

"I dream that I could paint you with words, but there were no colors bright enough, black or white enough, blue or green enough, it didn't mean enough"
..."I tried to practice my war like tactics, but in the clutch of your touch my armor just collapses"
... "My prayer is this: God protect my beloved and keep her covered, from the valley to the summer like the land undiscovered, like the stars are numbered you are so beautiful".

Kweli keeps it rolling with lyrics like:

"The breath for my life, my sister and my lover, used to have cold feet now you the warmth under my covers, I can't ignore your aura 'cause it grabbed me by the hand, like the moon pulled the tide and the tide pulled the sand".

In the third verse the duo continues to spit fire with unfettering fluidity, this time seamlessly switching back and forth like a crossfader. Pay close attention as Mos Def's voice fades out, Kweli's merges in and vice versa. From the start to the finish Beautiful is Real Hip Hop.

Listen to Beautiful here

View the lyrics here

If you liked Beautiful check out these albums: Train of Thought by Reflection Eternal, Black on Both Sides by Mos Def, and The Beautiful Struggle by Talib Kweli.

Well thanks for coming to visit Brooklyn circa 1998, be sure to catch a Yankee game before you leave town 'cause this is their year!
I added a poll up on the left side so you can let me know how I'm doing so far on the diversity front. Alright my friends, see ya next time!

Day 6: Quimbombo

Hello and welcome to our 6th day here at Mulatto Music. Today I'd like to take you on a trip into the heart of Miami to listen to a local band. PALO!, who epitomizes the Miami nightlife, is an afro-cuban funk band lead by the Grammy Award winning Steve Roitstein. They make an infectious brand of music, and on many nights you can watch them play at various Miami nightclubs, sometimes free of charge! PALO! is fortunate to have the lovely and spirited Leslie Cartaya on lead vocals blessing the mic in a wonderful way. Their aptly titled album This is Afro-Cuban Funk is chock full of funkified songs sure to lift your spirits, but to get the full PALO! experience you simply must see and hear them live. So if you like to dance and be surrounded by a crowd of happy people with the sound of something funky in your ear, come on down to Miami and check out PALO!


SONG: Quimbombo
ARTIST: PALO!
ALBUM: This is Afro-Cuban Funk (2009)

A standout on the album, Quimbombo is a relentlessly carefree, lighthearted, and happy song about a cuban dish made with okra, or so I'm told. Translated, the chorus goes roughly something like, "Quimbombo, Quimbombo, give me everything except the Quimbombo." Steve Roitstein, the man who makes PALO! go, is the main reason why heads nod and hips move whenever PALO! plays. The saxophone of Ed Calle hits real hard, but real smooth. But the star of the show is Leslie Cartaya, an absolute joy to watch perform. When Mz. Cartaya turns in her vocals, she turns your ears on end, and turns the place out. Go PALO! go!

You can hear Quimbombo (track #4), as well as other PALO! hits here: http://gopalo.com/

If you want more PALO! listen to Lengua Larga, La Habana Buena, and Crescencio.
Still want more? Pick up their album This is Afro-Cuban Funk and if you're in the Miami area be sure to catch a live performance (Psst! You may even win a free PALO! CD).

Hope you enjoyed the detour into Dade County! There's no telling where we'll stop next time on the Mulatto Music Train, so grab your friends and hop aboard.
If you enjoy what you've been reading, and more importantly what you've been hearing, don't forget to link up to the caboose and follow along!

Day 5: Sam Cooke

On the fifth day he told of an artist, and it was good. Sam Cooke, "The Man Who Invented Soul", is an artist much too significant to introduce just one song, so today I will introduce you to three Cooke Classics. Please know that even three songs by Sam paints such a limited picture of the incredible talent that he was, I strongly urge you to do your research on him and his music. Sam Cooke is, in a word, Soul. Sam, who crossed over from gospel to r&b/soul, was one of the greatest singer-songwriters ever, as well as a groundbreaking businessman. He became the first black artist to be paid an advance and retain ownership of his recordings, this in an era where even the most talented black artists seldom received more than a Cadillac and a pat on the back. He also started his own record label and publishing company. On top of all this, he played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement with his song A Change is Gonna Come, and through his friendships with Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Jim Brown. But sadly, Sam was taken from us much too soon. On December 11th, 1964 at the age of 33 Sam Cooke was shot and killed in what was controversially ruled a "justifiable homicide". So, without further ado I introduce you to the music of Sam Cooke.


Song: Having A Party (1962)
Having a Party truly, truly soothes my soul. I find myself at a loss for words as to how to explain the beauty that lies in this soulful and pure composition. You simply must listen. But listen with care. Listen to every instrument. The strings. The bass, oh dear God the bass! Listen to the harmony of Sam's sweet, sweet voice. You're in good hands with Sam, just lean back and drift away.

Listen here: http://www.last.fm/music/Sam+Cooke/_/Having+A+Party

View the lyrics here: http://artists.letssingit.com/sam-cooke-lyrics-having-a-party-9rmq1fb

Song: That's Where It's At (1964)
In the first 3 seconds That's Where It's At transports you to heaven with eleven (count 'em) simple plucks on the bass, all before the song is even graced by Cooke's irresistible voice. In quite possibly the coolest, smoothest, grittiest song ever made Sam paints the most accurate and beautiful portrayal of a young romance, making sure not to leave out even the slightest of details. Thank God for Sam Cooke, and his incredible bass player (forgive me father for I know not his name).

Listen here: http://www.last.fm/music/Sam+Cooke/_/That%27s+Where+It%27s+At

Lyrics are here: http://www.lyricsdownload.com/sam-cooke-thats-where-its-at-lyrics.html

Song: A Change is Gonna Come (1965)
A Change is Gonna Come tells of the heartaches and struggles facing a man of color living in America in the mid 20th century, and proclaims with absolute faith, even in the face of direct denial, the hope of a people that change would soon come. The words of Cooke still rang loud and clear 44 years after the song's release as Barack Obama, upon being elected the first black President of the United States, announced "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-NH5gA4JP8

View the lyrics: http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/s/samcooke5349/changegoncome223417.html

The three songs featured today may all be found on the compilation album Portrait of a Legend. Also take note that Sam had a flourishing gospel career before crossing over, so there is also treasury of golden gospel tunes. A good album to pick up is Jesus Gave Me Water by the Soul Stirrers - a gospel group Sam sang in before turning solo.


To know me, you must first get to know Sam Cooke. We must not let the music of Mr. Cooke fade away, go and tell tale of his wondrous compositions of soul. "Sam Cooke's yours, he'll never grow old"