Your DailyCrack

Ahn Trio & Susie Suh - All I Want

Have you ever had someone that you just couldn’t get from under your skin? No matter how hard you try…no matter how bad for you they are…you can’t for the life of you get them out of your system. It be that way sometimes.

This song is all about the struggle of being addicted to a person. Beautifully performed by the Ahn Trio with Susie Suh on vocals it is just a breathtaking song. The Ahn Trio is made of sisters Angella, Lucia and Maria in a classical piano trio while Susie Suh is a contemporary folk/adult/rock singer. All three gorgeous women are Korean American (just in case you were curious) and the Ahn sisters have actually been featured in several ad campaigns and People Magazine’s 2003 “50 Most Beautiful People” issue. Both have new CDs out right now so check em out if you like what you hear.

Enjoy!

-Calidre

Ahn Trio & Susie Suh - All I Want

Too many times, I have wondered
What all the tryin’ is for.
You come around, I feel so down
I’m gonna drown
‘Cause I know that you’ve fallen short

But do you know?
It doesn’t change
The way I feel ‘bout you, at the end of the day
‘cause I know, that I all I want is what you got.
All I want, is what you got.

Too many times, I have wanted
To turn around and walk away
Knowing deep inside, you can’t provide
What I need from you, anyway

Do you know?
It doesn’t change
The way I feel ‘bout you, at the end of the day
‘Cause I know
That all I want is what you got
All I want is what you got

Tell you that I wanna go
But I wanna stay
I Tell you that I wanna go
But I wanna stay
I Tell you that I wanna go
But I wanna stay
I wanna stay
I wanna stay
I wanna stay

But I know I’m gonna lose myself this way

I wanna stay
I wanna stay
I wanna stay

But I know I’m gonna lose myself this way

Do you know?
It doesn’t change
The way I feel ‘bout you, at the end of the day
‘Cause I know
All I want is, what you got
All I want is what you got

But this
moment
is all
I’ve got
its all I’ve got

Lewis & Clarke - Dead and Gone

I’ve been deeply into folk music lately, but the soothing kind that calms everything inside of you. Rhapsody describes this kind of music as “Baroque Pop.” I’ve never heard of it before, so when I looked it up, on Wikipedia of course ;) it was described as “a style of pop music originated in the mid 1960s that brought elements of classical music into the writing and recording of rock ‘n’ roll songs. Much of the instrumentation of baroque pop is more akin to that of the Classical period, chronologically defined as the period of European music from 1750 to 1820 (after Baroque music and before Romantic music) and stylistically defined by balanced phrases, clarity and beauty, using similar instrumentation to modern orchestras.”

I really love how gentle and unalarming it sounds and I’ve been searching for similar sounding music lately. In case you’re wondering, my song of choice comes from Lewis & Clarke. According to their website: Lewis & Clarke is the nom de plume of Lou Rogai and collaborators. The moniker has been described as metaphor for journey on many levels; musical, spiritual, and physical … The most recent musical styling of Lewis & Clarke can be described as new-folk, avant chamber folk, or neo-baroque. Enjoy.

- moises

Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason

I wish I could say I was a Tracy Chapman diehard but I would be fronting if I did. I like Tracy Chapman. A lot. But she always seems to be one of those artists that I want to hear more of, intend to research, and somehow never do so efficiently. I think I need to just hit the record store and snatch every one of her 8 albums I can find and have a Tracy-fest. Just immerse myself in the genius that I believe is waiting to be discovered and figure out my TC passions and grievances.

Tracy Chapman is socially concious, smoothe, jazzy and original. She has won four grammys, rocked out for Nelson Mandela, composed music for the stage and pretty much done her thizzle for since the late 80s. I love the sound of her voice - it washes over you and lets you bask in its sultry glory. Whenever I hear her the I instantly wish I were soaking in a hot tub, reclining by a fire, or kicked back on a deck with a glass of wine.

Even with the mellow inducing nature of this song the words are simply poignent. Gimme a reason to stay here and I’ll turn right back around. I’m saying! Thats the realness if you ask me - if you can’t even verbalize why you should be with someone, what the hell are they sticking around for? Hmph.

Anyone that can speak the truth - my truth anyways - while letting me unwind has my vote. So kick back, grab a glass of wine (or sparkling grape juice) and enjoy!

-CaliDre

Tracy Chapman - Give Me One Reason

Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Because I dont want leave you lonely
But you got to make me change my mind

Baby I got your number and I know that you got mine
But you know that I called you, I called too many times
You can call me baby, you can call me anytime
But you got to call me

Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Because I dont want leave you lonely
But you got to make me change my mind

I dont want no one to squeeze me - they might take away my life
I dont want no one to squeeze me - they might take away my life
I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night

This youthful heart can love you and give you what you need
This youthful heart can love you and give you what you need
But Im too old to go chasing you around
Wasting my precious energy

Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and Ill turn right back around
Because I dont want leave you lonely
But you got to make me change my mind

Baby just give me one reason - give me just one reason why
Baby just give me one reason - give me just one reason why I should stay
Because I told you that I loved you
And there aint no more to say

Marissa Nadler - Ghost And Lovers


I started listening to Marissa Nadler when someone posted a song by her on tumblr (I don’t remember who). Her music immediately caught my attention, but not entirely; she just came off as one of those music artists you hear, think you like, but for some reason still unsure of. I read reviews of her albums, which were all well received, and decided to download some tracks by her, which I liked. I’m still listening to her, and it seems the more I do the more I like her music. In fact, Marissa has become one of my top favorite people to listen to.

Marissa’s music is a mixture of folk and ambient. It’s not angsty, but often her songs has a sad, nostalgic, dream-like quality to it. Her voice flows easily and never hits a high note. It sort of reminds me of a shawl on a clothesline, blown by a gentle wind. It’ll mesmerize you, but in a way you won’t entirely understand. One of my favorite songs by Marissa is Ghost And Lovers. Enjoy. Sorry, lyrics are unavailable.

-moises

Leon Russell - A Song For You

Since this is my first post, please excuse excuse if it goes astray. Second if I’m gonna join in confessing my love of music, I have write about the greatest song of all time.  First time I heard it i was about 8 years old in the back of my parent’s car.  That was the first time i remember listening to the radio, because this was a song like nothing i had ever heard before.  Now I have to clarify this was the Donny Hathaway 1971 version, not the original featured here.  But the words hit me about as deep a song can hit a person, at any age.  This simplicity of the piano, the sincerity in his voice, the honesty of the song as whole. That was the first time I understood the term “tears of joy”.  On the original, however, Russell “distinctive voice” on the track might make you question where the song came from.  My favorite quote i heard writing this:

this dude sounds drunk as hell

comment on that shit
lol
wrote this shit, got drunk as shit, and sang some real shit

Leon Russell has probably written and/or sung one of your favorite song, however you probably know it covered by an other prominent artist.  He’s career has spanned over 40 years but it’s the fascination by other artist has kept him crossing over to different generations.  ”Superstar” (made famous by The Carpenters and Luthor Vandross) and “This Masquerade” (another recorded by The Carpenters and Grammy “Record of the Year” in 1977 for George Benson) are just 2 of the songs he’s given this world and they’ve kept coming back over and over.  The man is prolific in the art of songwriting, a diverse as great session musician, and i’ve rambled on enough.  Just listen to the melody and read the lyrics.

- happy mushroom

I’ve been so many places in my life and time
I’ve sung a lot of songs I’ve made some bad rhyme
I’ve acted out my love in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we’re alone now and I’m singing this song for you

I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I’ve treated you unkindly but darlin’ can’t you see
There’s no one more important to me
Darlin’ can’t you please see through me
Cause we’re alone now and I’m singing this song for you

You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I’m so much better and if my words don’t come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding

I love you in a place where there’s no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you

You taught me precious secrets of the truth witholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I’m so much better and if my words don’t come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding

I love you in a place where there’s no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We were alone and I was singing this song for you

Cat Stevens - Don’t Be Shy

I first heard this song while watching Harold & Maude.  I actually have no clue what made me rent this film (likely the intelligent netflix recommendations), but I am grateful because it’s now a favorite.  The soundtrack for the whole film is done by Cat Stevens and is literally one of the greatest OST that i ever heard and unfortunately only 2500 copies of the soundtrack were released 36 years after the film came out.

The songs take you on a journey of self-reflection as the film takes on the traditional coming of age theme in the most untraditional way possible.  The songs also discuss finding the type of love that pushes you forward in your life and on your journey to becoming the person inside of you.  I almost broke my own theme by posting this whole album and not digging in to one song, because they are all excellent.

The song “Don’t Be Shy” sets the whole film up perfectly as we watch Harold go through the act of committing “suicide”.  At first it seems contradictory and morbid as in saying that shyness will lead to suicide.  The song speaks to Harold and tells him to let out his true personal feelings and forget about fear.  Many people do not take the first step when it comes to love whether of a person or for a dream out of fear.  A very simple song with a very poignant message.

Don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
Just lift your head
and let your feelings out instead
And don’t be shy
just let your feeling roll on by
On by

You know love is better than a song
Love is where all of us belong
So don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
You’re there

Don’t be shy
just let your feelings roll on by
Don’t wear fear
or nobody will know you’re there
Just lift your head
and let your feelings out instead
And don’t be shy
just let your feeling roll on by
On by
on by