Literary iPod: Jay Gatsby

 
It's no longer news that Baz Luhrmann is adapting The Great Gatsby into a Hollywood production early next year. I was excited at this prospect, before it was revealed that this 'Gatsby' remake will be backed by modern music (although it will still be set in the 1920's... what's the logic?). Although, to me, doing it like that made as much sense as a chocolate teapot, I thought I'd do some research and try to discover what music will be blaring at Gatsby's parties. Surely something big band - something jazz influenced with grand, expensive sounds?

Unfortunately, no. Instead of the warm, rich brass sounds we instead get synthetic beats. Artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Jack White (albeit covering U2) all grace Gatsby's playlist, and it just doesn't sit right with me. So, I decided to make my own version of Gatsby's personal playlist as part of my Literary iPod posts.

1. Big Spender - Shirley Bassey

This is everything Gatsby thinks he needs to be for Daisy. His whole identity is constructed to be this 'big spender'. He would probably listen to this and imagine himself surrounded by wealth, being pursued by that one woman he wants. When he eventually does become that, he would listen to his song as a way to celebrate.

2. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations

This mirrors his obsession, his frantic need to be with Daisy. No matter what feats he has accomplished, Daisy is still as far away as ever. This version suits his more passionate, frustrated moments, whereas I couldn't resist thinking of him floating on his pool listening to the Al Green version (below) and thinking of that green light.

3. The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra

An absolute classic, I think Gatsby would lie on his bed, lonely, going over his times with Daisy in his head. The lyrics 'you'd be hers if only she would call' are chillingly beautiful, especially if seen in relation to his plight. On a personal note, this is one of my absolute favorite songs - a timeless classic that will always remain untouchable, no matter what the latest trend in music is.

4. Dream a Little Dream - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

After his reunion with Daisy, Gatsby would probably listen to this song as a reminder of their love. He would probably imagine Daisy thinking of him while lying in bed next to her husband, listening to this as a reminder that he owns her heart. He wants her to be obsessed with him as much as he is with her, which brings another layer into this already gorgeous song.

5. Money - Pink Floyd

Although different to everything else I put on this list, I can't listen to this song without thinking of, arguably, the greatest materialist in literature. Although more contemporary than other songs on his playlist, this song will remain forever timeless with its simple backing. Oh, and of course Gatsby would just love to hear the sound of the cash register on repeat. An obsession with money would probably make that one of his favorite sounds in the universe.

Due to the great reception these posts are receiving, I will be sure to do more :) So stay tuned!

 

Songs Without Singers

People don't seem to understand that music is a lot more than just the lyrics. As I have said in my last post, music begins where words end, so music can stand alone from the poetry behind them.
Now, lyrics can be out of this world - and I will soon do a post about what I think are some of the greatest lyrics I have ever come across - but I find instrumental music (of any kind) is often looked over when it comes to discovering new tunes. Since this is a recommendations blog, I thought it would be good to show you what music on its own can actually be, compiling a short playlist to get you all started.

So, here are my top 5 singer-less songs.

1. Dayvan Cowboy - Boards of Canada

It takes a while to set up, so stick with this one. This is probably one of my absolute favorites, especially when the guitar and drums kick in to gear. It's absolutely transcendent, and if I had an epic movie made of my life - this would back some sort of montage in there. Great to use when you need to do some work - typing to this makes it seem you are on the brink of a creative discovery.

2. Space Walk - Lemon Jelly

This is a bit of a cheat. There are words in here, but they come from a sample of an astronaut in space, looking at the wonders around him. The music is what makes this, and the repeated 'beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....just beautiful' running through the track seems more like another instrument than it does any type of words. Worth a listen, especially if you need to hear something uplifting.

3. Arieth's Theme - FFVII

The closest to classical orchestral music on this list, Arieth's theme is just an absolutely beautiful piece of work. Now, I could take kudos for this find, but to be honest the beauty of the music from Final Fantasy VII was shown to me by my partner. I have not played more than a level of this game, however, when I heard this song for the first time it took me somewhere not many pieces of music have managed. It hits right at your heart strings, and is worth a listen regardless of whether you like the game it hails from.

4. Singing Under the Rainbow - World's End Girlfriend

 

This is what I imagine landing on a different, beautiful planet will sound like. Once you get past the initial strangeness, it is amazing to listen to. My advice, lie on your bed with your eyes closed and listen to this. You wont be disappointed.

5. Farewell - Apocalyptica

 

 

I love cello music, and I find this song darkly uplifting. I went through a phase where I liked a lot of darker, grungier music, and this is the only thing I haven't as of yet grown out of. This is a great song to relax to, and is great if you're in a more sombre mood.

 

Literary Notes: Music and Books

Music seems to begin where words end, expressing things we cannot express with mere syllables. I know from experience - as a blogger, trying to describe a song you want to recommend to everyone is just an absolute nightmare! From the beginning, I have said this blog is all about the emotion music gives you, and how it can spark imagination.

I love to read. The happiest place I could ever be found in is surrounded by books with a vinyl on. Since I have been busy lately with my Literature course, I realized I didn't have a chance to read my OWN books, the ones I always buy when out. So, with the terrible side effect of abandoning this blog for a short while, I found that I had spent a lot of my time with my head buried in a book.

One of these books was 'A Visit From the Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan, and it gave me this idea. Apart from recommending the book to you all (you should read it though, it's great), the one thing that interested me about this book was its musical feel. It was then to my delight that the author herself had compiled a playlist of songs to listen to while reading her novel. It reminded me of the time my favorite teacher asked us all to make a playlist for Hamlet as homework, and although fun I found it rather pointless.

When thinking about these things now, I began to muse on what music can add to a novel. What would other classic characters listen to if they had the music of today? What music will provide a background for certain books? Where can I find out? So, I decided to do this little feature. I will compile a small playlist of about 3 songs for one classic character, and recommend an album to listen to alongside some kind of book. It will be a regular thing, so if you want to recommend anyone to me - go right ahead.

Atticus Finch

After a lot of thought, this is probably my favorite classic literary character ever, so I couldn't resist. Since he is an inward, thoughtful type, I can't help but imagine him listening to dark, poetic blues. Soulful words with distinctive voices.

The first artist I thought he would adore is Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. With deep, haunting vocals and simple guitar in the background, it seems to reflect the darker side of small town life. Since he is a lawyer, I don't think he would be able to resist 'Henry Lee'. I also MAY have chose this particular song because the author of To Kill a Mockingbird is Harper Lee, and it sounds similar. Either way, I think this will be a good choice.

Next, I thought he would have something to remind him of Tom Robinson. Something to reflect the plight of what he and Tom went through. Something melancholic, yet soulful at the same time. Also, it would be a song of mourning, and that reflects unity (something Atticus seemed to strive for). This is why I chose 'Down tn the River to Pray' by Alison Krauss. This song means the same to anyone, Christian or not, and the beautiful, goosebump-inducing moment when she calls the 'sinners' is something very special.

Finally, something of hope and wisdom. Atticus's kids would have had a huge impact on him, and I think the simple wisdom of 'Imagine' would resonate with him. I don't think this song needs any more introduction.

And now for the album spotlight...

 

Aryeh Frankfurter & Lisa Lynne - Weaving Worlds

This music literally makes you feel as if you are in the middle of an enchanted forest surrounded by fairies. It is very, very mystical - with beautiful harps and strings that seem to transport you to another world. This is fantastic to listen to in relation to traditional fantasy books - whether it be Lord of the Rings or similar. Something with magic and deep forests will come to life with this as its soundtrack. Here is a quick sample to have a listen:

The Classic Mixtape - What to Do?

Ok, so I realized that the mixtape is fading away fast. It might be because of the rise in digital media, it could be because people just don't take the time out anymore - but it is still a sure fire way to A) share music and B) do something for someone (relatively cheaply). So, since this blog is called the magic mixtape - here is a few idea's to get you started.

Now, a mixtape is very similar to a playlist, the only difference is - you need to put thought into the order of the songs. So, I am going to take a leaf out of Rob Gordon's book (yes, he is a fictional character from High Fidelity - but this works, trust me!) and lay down some track-by-track rules.

1. You have to start off with a bang. Don't start with your best song, but you need to make sure it kicks off to a great beginning.
2. Step it up a notch. You have to get whoever is listening to it to want to continue on, and you do this by making the second song one of (if not THE) best songs on the mix.
3. Cool it down a bit, maybe but something on a little more atmospheric. You don't want to overwhelm your listener with ultimate drums.
4. Go back to a higher tempo song that you know they'll love. By this point, they should be already hooked on the mix.

This will work because people form their opinions on a mix within the first few songs. They need to be able to know the style of music they will be listening to, and what they are to expect in the next 13 tracks or so.

Another important rule: if you are using a disc, fill the CD as much as it feels right. DO NOT feel the need to  fill it up with 19 songs that you are clutching at straws for in the end.

So, in honor of these rules - I have personally made a mixtape for you all to freely enjoy. Just download, unzip and add it to your iTunes. This one focuses on generic indie themed songs, but I'm hoping to do more specific mixes (with specific purposes) in the coming months.

Now That's What I Call A Mixtape - Volume 1

Click to Download 

Classic Album Spotlight: Billy Bragg - Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy

Words Lee Tyrrell

Probably the shortest fantastic album ever recorded, Bragg’s first outing of political cat-scratch sonnets and warped but somehow real love songs is simply too raw to ignore.  Indeed, the acclaimed and revered British D.J. John Peel couldn’t ignore it himself when it arrived strangely on his doorstep along with a Mushroom Biryani (a curry that upon analysis appears wholly undesirable).     Since, Bragg has made a name for himself as one of England’s foremost songwriters and musically minded political thinkers.  And yet, after a string of well-regarded albums (albeit fading a little more into obscurity with each release) Bragg’s debut effort still manages to explode in your ears with punk sensibilities and sonic assault like no other.  In short, Life’s a Riot is more hard-hitting and extreme than the majority of Rock and Metal’s limited spectrum.
 
Despite being more of an E.P it was marketed as an album for chart reasons.  This doesn’t seem to matter upon listening to it.  During its mere sixteen minutes Life’s a Riot purposefully grips and pulls you into a world of working class dissatisfaction (“To Have and to Have Not”) and devoted but somehow woeful romance (“Milkman of Human Kindness”).  Billy does it all with a guitar sound and playing style quite simply like no other.  Whilst successfully applying the noisy and abrasive tenants from his long days of punk, he still manages to play with an almost Motown inspired rhythm filled with one-time-only musical inflections.
 
To a certain extent this record has become shadowed since its niche disappeared in the early nineties, but the truth he speaks lyrically and with his extremely subtle musicianship still endures today.  It’s an album overlooked by most and yet deeply appreciated by those aware of it.  Indeed, these short recordings were enough to stop John Peel himself from eating his free meal to play Bragg’s music on his radio show.  If this short collection was stellar enough to instantly cause Britain’s most respected D.J. to help propel Bragg’s career then there are no reasons, anachronisms or otherwise, for this colourful record to fade.

Here are a few sample tracks:

A New England

 

The Man in the Iron Mask

 

Lover's Town Revisited

 

New Bond Theme: Skyfall

So, it's leaked!
When a new Bond movie comes out, two questions are usually asked - Who is going to be this film's token girlfriend, and who is going to sing the song? This time, Adele was chosen — and for the first time I got excited about something Bond related.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Bond - nor do I ever profess to know much about them, but I do usually enjoy the themes. The films themselves leave a little to be desired, I for one do not enjoy watching a serious spy drama focusing on womanising borderline alcoholic run around as explosions follow him, while villains stroke their cats. Austin Powers is a comedy — that's why they get away with it. But, as a film and music junkie it seems there must be something in these themes to get people excited about them every two years. I mean, Duran Duran, Lulu, Jack White, Dame Shirley and even Sir Paul McCartney have been involved in these things. So, why the appeal?

I think its because it seems to be a genre of music all on its own. These big strings, sultry voices - they all seem to be linked by something that removes them slightly from other songs. You don't get excited about the new 'rock' song coming out, because there is a constant stream. Here, there are two years between every song - so people who like the genre do get excited.

So, I thought instead of just spouting my opinions, I would look at the charts. I wondered what exactly the most popular Bond themes were, when, and how long they charted for. Since I am a geek with mountains of data regarding charts, I decided to look at what the public seemed to think the best Bond theme was.

Out of the huge list of Bond themes, these are the ones that charted. The top two are Nobody Does it Better and For Your Eyes Only, charting for 25 weeks each. My personal favourite is Live and Let Die, but from this you can see what people want. The majority of the high players are your typical, big orchestra - soulful voice melody. The people have spoken, and apparently Adele had listened.
I heard the new Bond theme 'Skyfall', and, I have to say, it is one of the best. If you are a fan of Bond tunes or Adele, I think you would love this. She took the sultry route, following Shirley Bassey's of big, booming voices in front of large string arrangements. Much better than the awful theme (and film) that Quantum of Solace brought. I won't be watching Skyfall when it comes out, but I sure as hell will be listening to its theme tune.

Kingfisha Review - Live @ Jet Black Cat Records

So, last night I found myself back at Jet Black Cat records for another one of their in-stores. This time was rather different from the usual singer-songwriters that grace the tiny venue - there was a full reggae influenced set going on. It provided a very interesting vibe, to say the least.

Let's start by introducing the band. Their name is Kingfisha, and they describe themselves as a 'reggae electro band'. They have recently won the Triple J Unearthed Roots competition, and were celebrating the new release of their 7-inch vinyl at the cat.

Their sound is quite unique. It does have a very reggae style, but to me they sound very influenced by The Police. The members of the band were very good, the bassist and guitarist very tight - and the drummer also acting as the lead singer (a feat that any musician will tell you is very hard to achieve!). The beats were solid, and got you in the groove for a good hour or so.

The only issue was the similarity of most of their songs. They seemed to meld in the middle, and I think listening to too many of their songs in one go might prove a little wearing. Their style seems to overwhelm their substance, the set not changing up much at all.

They did, however, put on a good show. Just when the music started to lull, a trombonist was added to the mix to spice things up a bit. It worked well, and I have to congratulate the trombonist on A) playing soft enough for a tiny record store and B) not hitting anyone in the face with his instrument. It was a good night, which even got the crowd dancing at the end of it.

Despite what was said about the variety of their songs, they are a very good band who deserve a little notice - as their sound is very different to the typical acoustic stuff that's circulating at the moment.

Here is a song from their new album: