Songs We Wish We’d Written – Fitzcarraldo
Fitzcarraldo by The Frames (video is The Swell Season) - In one recording, Glen introduces the song by saying "This song was written after watching a movie about a man who pulled a ship over a mountain. I think we've all got a lot of ships we're trying to pull over mountains." In another he describes it as though you're moving forward and sometimes you hit this invisible wall and so you try to go around it, but you end up go all the way around the world and just end up right back where you started rather than just going through it to begin with.
[Note: Glen Hansard is the leader of both The Frames and The Swell Season. The song was originally released on the The Frames' 1996 album Fitzcarraldo.]
Music Spotlight: End of Year
Ok, so I struggled with how to approach music at the end of the year.
It's hard for me to highlight the best albums of the year because all I have to work with is what I have on iTunes and to be honest I probably came across more older stuff that I liked than new stuff that I liked.
So, I've put together a list of music that I discovered this year and heard for the first time, though some of it is as old as 1996.
Here are my best song discoveries of 2008.
12. Fortunate Son by Donavon Frankenreiter from the EP Recycled Recipes, 2007
11. Hanging Tree by Counting Crows from the album Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings,2008
10. Seattle by The Classic Crime from the EP Seattle Sessions, 2007
9. Does Me No Good by William Elliott Whitmore from the online exclusive Daytrotter Sessions, 2006
8. Leave by The Swell Season from the album The Swell Season, 2006
7. Black Lungs by The New Frontiers from the album, Mending, 2008
6. Shine Your Light (Acoustic) by Robbie Seay Band from the album Give Yourself Away, 2007
5. Glory of it All by David Crowder Band from the album Remedy, 2007
4. Fitzcarraldo by The Frames from the album Fitzcarraldo, 1996
3. Watching Airplanes by Gary Allan from the album Living Hard, 2007
2. Good Arms vs. Bad Arms by Frightened Rabbit from the album Midnight Organ Fight, 2008
1. Welcome to Schubas Medley by Jason Mraz from the live album Selections for Friends, 2007
And my top 3 artist discoveries: The Frames, The New Frontiers, and Missy Higgins
Great Albums
I'm still going to do a "Music Spotlight" tomorrow. This is more for you to give feedback on.
I'm sure that I've ranted about it before, but the one huge downside to iTunes (and digital music in general) is that we've gotten away from listening to full albums straight through in one sitting. I would almost compare this to looking at a painting in a poorly lit room with one eye closed.
So, I'm curious. What are the most recent albums that have really impacted you?
Here are mine from the year:
The New Frontiers: Mending
The Frames: The Cost
Caleb Carruth: Darkness Falls
Coldplay: Viva la Vida
10 Albums: For a Road Trip
How do you follow up a day when a corporate CEO emails you to thank you for your blog post?
Well, I thought I would resurrect the 10 albums thread.
I'm going out of town today and then again in a couple of weeks, so I've been burning some CDs since my new car is not set up to play my iPod. So here are 10 must have CDs for a Road Trip.
Bebo Norman: Myself When I am Real - After traveling back and forth across Texas promoting this album, the sound of it just calls me back to the road.
Rolling Stones: Forty Licks - There's something about real, true rock-n-roll that makes you have to get moving.
The Frames: The Cost - It's The Cost by The Frames. Do I need any more reason to include it?
Graham Colton Band: Drive - Ok, forgive the horrible pun of the album title given this list. I have to roll down the windows and drive a little faster when I'm playing it.
Hootie and the Blowfish: Cracked Rear View - Hootie is road music.
Matt Wertz: Somedays - This is what we were listening when we were driving all over for the Bebo Norman shows.
Counting Crows: August and Everything After - The ultimate in timeless albums will get you where you're going in no time.
Randy Rogers Band: Rollercoaster - The ultimate audio tour guide for your travels throughout Texas.
Edwin McCain: Messenger - Edwin was a must have for any trip home during college.
Lifehouse: Stanley Climbfall - Another staple from the Bebo Norman trips.
What do you need for a good road trip?
Related Posts:
Going Overboard
So, I went a little bit overboard at eMusic. I cashed in on their free download offer and paid for 1 month of service to get the following.
Caitlin Cary: I'm Staying Out
Caleb Carruth: Darkness Falls
Coldplay: Brothers and Sisters EP
Glen and Marketa: The Swell Season
Heath Brandon: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Jason Mraz: Live and Acoustic
Justin Barnard: Fight Songs
The Frames: For the Birds
The Frames: The Roads Outgrown
The New Frontiers: Mending
The only album that I've listened to thus far is Justin B, so if any of these turn out to be inappropriate I'm claiming ignorance.
Do you know any of the albums? Any opinions?
Did I mention that all this only cost me about $15?
Personal Update
First off, let me say “thanks” for reading. I hope that you’ve enjoyed the topics over the past few weeks.
A few days ago when I was at a loss for something to write about, my friend Greg suggested that I just write about what is going on. When he suggested it, I was a little bit opposed to it, but I’ve had a lot happen in the last week or two, so I’m going to take up his challenge topic-by-topic.
BLOG:
I’ve written two series recently: Communicating with Integrity and The Influence Factor. From a purely selfish perspective, these have definitely helped to boost readership. But, beyond that, they’ve really challenged me to think more deeply about both of the topics. I’m finding myself giving much more thought and taking more responsibility for both my communication and my influential encounters.
BOOKS:
A lot of what I’ve written has been influenced by what I’ve been reading. Some of those, I’ve referenced along the way. Several that I’ve just finished include,
- Church Marketing 101 by Richard Reising
- The Dip by Seth Godin (reflections post here)
- The Sky is Falling by Alan Roxburgh
- Customer Satisfaction is Worthless by Jeffrey Gittomer
- The Emergence of the Relationship Economy by Scott Allen et. al.
I’m also working on two books that are really challenging me
- The Revolutionary Communicator by Medefind and Lokkesemo (Found this right after finishing Communicating with Integrity and they have many similar concepts)
- Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus (sparked the ideas for The Influence Factor)
WORK:
I’ve been in my “new” job for 3.5 months now (time flies). I’m still loving it. We’re planning a big event in about 6 weeks and shooting a promotional commercial next week. My own communication, influence, and relational acumen have really been challenged and (I think) have risen to a new level.
PERSONAL:
Even though our big event is in 6 weeks, 4 weeks from now I will be in Antigua, Guatemala with my wife for vacation. We’re going with another couple to language school for five days and then a couple of sightseeing days. It should be an exciting and interesting new experience.
Also, I wrote and recorded my first song in nearly two years this month. I want to put it online, but I’m just not satisfied with it yet (though, I probably never will be).
MUSIC:
I’m listening to Jason Mraz: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. as I write.
You can find my thoughts on what I’m listening to here, but in the meantime here’s a list of new albums I picked up this month.
- Gavin DeGraw: self-titled
- The Frames: Fitzcarraldo
- Maroon 5 w/ Rhianna: If I Never See Your Face Again (single)
- Jaymay: Autumn Fallin’
- Sara Bareilles: Little Voice
So there’s the month of June in a nutshell. Hope yours has been good as well.
Thank You… iTunes
So, my very first post was a list of the great music I discovered thanks to Starbucks. Now, for the greatest I've been introduced to via iTunes. I love to click through the section of albums that "people also purchased." Always find some interesting stuff.
Augustana - I love these guys. Hope that I can see them in September with Maroon 5 and Counting Crows
Bell X1 - Apparently this is the remains of a band that Damien Rice was once in.
Ben Taylor - Son of James Taylor (and you can tell)
The Frames - For my money, it just doesn't get any better than The Frames right now.
Heath Brandon - This guy is cool. Very chill, laid back music.
Mickey Harte - I can't find any of his original work, but there is an awesome cover of Running to Stand Still by U2 that he recorded. A must have
Priscilla Ahn - I don't even remember how I stumbled across her, but I'm glad I did.
Rob Blackledge - Like Priscilla, I just stumbled across him. Says he toured with Matt Wertz. Can't argue with that.
Even Better than the Real Thing - These are albums of covers from an Irish radio station featuring Bell X1, The Frames, Mickey Harte, Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and others.
The Wreckers - I knew of the Wreckers, but picked up a lot of their stuff from iTunes. I hear they've disbanded. Sad.
Amazing Song
Ok, you need to go here and download the track Fitzacarraldo by the Frames. It is an unbelievable song complete with a violin jam that would make Caitlin Evanson blush. Yeah, that may not sound so cool, but it really is, just check it out.
Monday Morning List
Let's see. Busy weekend, but very good.
- Watched Lions for Lambs. Pretty good. Made me think. Only downside, I was confused when I rented it and was really excited because I thought it was an Aaron Sorkin film. It was Redford.
- Played some football with my friend Brian.
- Helped prep a friend's new house for painting.
- Downloaded a Frames concert (that I'm listening to now).
- Had one of my best days so far since starting my new job.
