PROTEST SONGS OF A NEW GENERATION

I really try to avoid making my political views public but the election of that vile man to the highest office in the country has made me realize I cannot and must not remain silent. I think he's completely unfit for President, I do not support most of his outrageous agenda and I strongly believe he is not concerned about the best interests of a majority of the people he's supposed to be representing. I know I am not alone in this point of view just from the incredible number of people out in the streets protesting the day after the inauguration. Many artists have been inspired to create music to peacefully protest this new administration and to inform them we will not be ignored or pushed around.

I am sharing a few of my favorite songs from a variety of different musicians who are all very concerned about not only the future of this nation but of the entire planet.







"I Give You Power" - Arcade Fire featuring Mavis Staples mp3

Also be sure to check out the Our First 100 Days Campaign which will release a protest song every day over the first one hundred of this presidency. Click below to make a donation to get a subscription with proceeds going to a variety of charities to aide in their fight against the sure-to-be damaging policies of this administration.

Our First 100 Days

MAVIS!

Over the last few years, there have been many fascinating documentaries made about some of our finest musical artists. The most recent subjects have ranged from Glen Campbell, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, The Wrecking Crew and Any Winehouse, who was the focus of this year's Best Documentary Oscar winner. There are more on the horizon and the latest to hit the screen is on one of the most recognizable voices in music history, Mavis Staples.

The doc, "Mavis!" tells how the Chicago-born singer began as a nine year old performing with her family (which included siblings, Cleotha, Yvonne, Purvis and father, Roebuck "Pops" Staples) in their church. After scoring a national hit with "Uncloudy Day" in 1956, the Staples Singers became a major gospel act. They worked with Martin Luther King, Jr during the civil rights movement to deliver spiritual songs of encouragement. The group received some criticism for their move in to secular music but the Staples found their greatest commercial success with songs like  "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again" with both reaching the top spot on the soul and pop charts in the '70s.

At the age of seventy-six, Mavis continues to perform and just released her latest album, "Livin' on a High Note" in February. In celebration of this glorious performer, here are just a few of my favorite songs she recorded over her long career:

"For What It's Worth" - The Staple Singers (1967) mp3

"A House Is Not a Home" - Mavis Staples (1969) mp3

"I'll Take You There" - The Staple Singers (1972) mp3

"Livin' On a High Note" - Mavis Staples (2016) mp3

Don't miss "Mavis!" which is currently being shown right now on HBO. Check out the trailer for this spectacular film:

MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN MUSIC OF 2010

I was planning on rambling on about what a great year 2010 was in music but I have decided to simply just let the songs speak for themselves (although I can't resist making a comment or two here and there).

So, let's go back and hear (and see) just a few of my favorite songs from the past twelve months:

Mavis Staples - "Wrote A Song For Everyone" from "You Are Not Alone"

Miami Horror - "Holidays" from "Illumination"

Katy Perry - "California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)" from "Teenage Dream [Explicit]"

Kanye West - "Lost In The World [Explicit]" from "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy [Explicit]"

Hot Chip - "One Life Stand" from "One Life Stand"

Cee-Lo Green - "Fuck You" from "The Lady Killer [Explicit]"

Erykah Badu - "Get MuNNY" from " New Amerykah Part Two: Return Of The Ankh"

Here is the controversial music video for the first single off of the album, "Window Seat" that worked up a lot of people. It is a great art piece which was shot in Dallas in the location where President Kennedy was assassinated but is caused Ms Badu to be charged with disorderly conduct and fined $500 dollars. It just shows how people are more freaked out about the human body than by violence:



Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now" from "Need You Now [+digital booklet]"


Sade - "Soldier of Love" from "Soldier of Love"

Broken Bells - "The Ghost Inside" from "Broken Bells"

Goldfrapp - "Believer" from "Head First [+Digital Booklet]"

Nikki Minaj - "Your Love" from "Pink Friday [Explicit]"

Gorillaz - "Rhinestone Eyes" from "Plastic Beach"

Bruno Mars - "Just The Way You Are" from "Doo-Wops & Hooligans"

Janelle Monae - "Wondaland" from "The ArchAndroid"

Florence + The Machine - "Dog Days Are Over" from "Lungs"

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - "You Gave Me Nothing" from "Record Collection [Explicit]"

Corinne Bailey Rae - "Closer" from "The Sea"

The Knocks - "Dancing With The DJ"

Karen Elson - "The Ghost Who Walks" from "The Ghost Who Walks"

Cut Copy - "Take Me Over" from "Zonoscope"

Robyn - "Body Talk" trilogy

This project was, for the most part, criminally ignore on the pop charts in the U.S and these songs should have been played on the radio. Shame on U.S radio programmers!

Robyn - "Dancing On My Own" from "Body Talk Pt 1"

Robyn - "Hang With Me" from "Body Talk Pt. 2 [Explicit]"

Robyn - "Stars 4-Ever" from "Body Talk Pt. 3"

Rihanna had a very good year with four singles hitting the top ten, with three of those going all the way to number one. I really like all of the songs but I love the music video for the song, "Rude Boy". It's got a great wild and colorful look plus it pays a brief homage to the outrageous Miss Grace Jones and artist Keith Haring:

HOT & FRESH OUT THE KITCHEN

Here are some recent releases I think you ought to check out:

CHROMEO - "BUSINESS CASUAL"

"Business Casual" is the third studio album from this Canadian-based band, Chromeo. This duo is made up of P-thugg on keyboards and synthesizers and Dave 1 on guitar and vocals. Their sound mashes together classic pop styling with electronica and funky rock guitar.

Sample this track off of the new album:

The Right Type - Chromeo

I also love this music video for their sensational first single, "Don't Turn The Lights On":




MAVIS STAPLES - "YOU ARE NOT ALONE"

Mavis Staples, the powerful lead voice behind her family's gospel/R&B group, The Staple Singers has returned with her latest album, "You Are Not Alone". With the help of Jeff Tweedy of the rock band, Wilco, this terrific record is a collection of classic gospel, reinterpreted rock songs and two original songs, including the title track written by Mr. Tweedy. This is a very welcome return by a great talent.

Enjoy the title song off of this disc:

You Are Not Alone - Mavis Staples


ROBYN - "BODY TALK PT. 2"

The second chapter of Robyn's planned trilogy, appropriately entitled, "Body Talk Pt. 2 [Explicit]" is now out and it continues with more electric power pop from this blonde sprite from Sweden. Snoop Dogg even makes an appearance on a track.

This is my favorite song off of the album:

Criminal Intent - Robyn


MARK RONSON - "RECORD COLLECTION"

Mark Ronson, the Grammy Award winning producer and DJ, has just released his third CD, entitled, "Record Collection [Explicit]" which features his latest band called, The Business Int'l. Like his previous 2008 album, "Version [Explicit]", he has a wide assortment of guest musicians that include Boy George, Ghostface Killah, Duran Duran's Simon LeBon, the M.I.A., R&B singer, D'Angelo and the London Gay Men's Chorus but this time instead of a album of remakes, his new record features all new material.

Check out this tune that features vocals by Boy George and Andrew Wyatt of the band, Miike Snow:

Somebody to Love Me - Mark Ronson(ft. Boy George and Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow)