Vanity Fair, November 2002: Difference between revisions
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The perfect music for five A.M. jitters, nine A.M. bustle, two P.M. contemplation, eight P.M. assignations? The author presents a 24-hour soundtrack | {{Bibliography article header}} | ||
The perfect music for five A.M. jitters, nine A.M. bustle, two P.M. contemplation, eight P.M. assignations? The author presents a 24-hour soundtrack — Mary J. Blige, Haydn, Björk, Van Morrison, Hank Williams Sr. — that can only improve your day. | |||
<center><h3>ROCKING AROUND THE CLOCK</h3></center> | |||
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<center>Elvis Costello</center> | |||
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What wakes you up at 5 A.M.? Toothache? Heartbreak? Or the nervous rush that comes from too much wine the previous evening? You can tell yourself it is still "night" in the hour after four. Once five strikes it is indisputably "morning". | What wakes you up at 5 A.M.? Toothache? Heartbreak? Or the nervous rush that comes from too much wine the previous evening? You can tell yourself it is still "night" in the hour after four. Once five strikes it is indisputably "morning". | ||
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'''9 A.M.''' The guitar and tender falsetto of Curtis Mayfield lead The Impressions in "I'm So Proud" and "Keep On Pushing". If you can't find Big 16 (HMV) or 28 Originals (ABC) on vinyl, then The Ultimate Collection (Hip-O) will spin you out of doors or across tiled floors. | '''9 A.M.''' The guitar and tender falsetto of Curtis Mayfield lead The Impressions in "I'm So Proud" and "Keep On Pushing". If you can't find Big 16 (HMV) or 28 Originals (ABC) on vinyl, then The Ultimate Collection (Hip-O) will spin you out of doors or across tiled floors. | ||
Men of leisure and Victorian-minded are inclined to answer their mail at this hour. The distraction of Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (Atlantic) will save on postage. Mighty singers still walk among us. Solomon Burke's mid-2002 release, Don't Give Up On Me (Fat Possum), is all the proof you need. I must declare an interest in this one, having co-written one track, "The Judgement", with my wife, Cait. Songs from Dan Penn, Tom Waits, Nick Lowe, Bob Dylan, and the album's producer, Joe Henry, recrown the King Of Rock And Soul. Now it is time to do some housework. | Men of leisure and Victorian-minded are inclined to answer their mail at this hour. The distraction of [[Aretha Franklin]]'s I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (Atlantic) will save on postage. Mighty singers still walk among us. Solomon Burke's mid-2002 release, [[Don't Give Up On Me]] (Fat Possum), is all the proof you need. I must declare an interest in this one, having co-written one track, "[[The Judgement]]", with my wife, Cait. Songs from Dan Penn, Tom Waits, Nick Lowe, Bob Dylan, and the album's producer, [[Joe Henry]], recrown the King Of Rock And Soul. Now it is time to do some housework. | ||
'''10 A.M.''' Turn up Madonna's "Rays Of Light", or even that "Into The Groove" 12-inch single (Warner Bros.) | '''10 A.M.''' Turn up Madonna's "Rays Of Light", or even that "Into The Groove" 12-inch single (Warner Bros.) until the neighbours complain. Dance around the furniture with the Hoover like Fred Astaire and his hatstand. The Pet Shop Boys' Please (Capitol) will assist with the dusting. Elgar's "Enigma" Variations conducted by Sir Adrian Boult (EMI Classics) may bring a little nobility to the washing up. Gentlemen, beware, that novelty apron will rob you of your dignity. | ||
'''11 A.M.''' Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit after all that hard work. Select a record from the dressing-up box - David Bowie's Hunky Dory (Virgin) or Elton John's excellent Tumbleweed Connection (Rocket), from his Annie Oakley period. This is also the occasion when you may seek out a lost gem like Judee Sill's "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" (Asylum) or "The Bells" from Gonna Take A Miracle (Columbia), performed by Laura Nyro and Labelle. | '''11 A.M.''' Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit after all that hard work. Select a record from the dressing-up box - [[David Bowie]]'s Hunky Dory (Virgin) or [[Elton John]]'s excellent Tumbleweed Connection (Rocket), from his Annie Oakley period. This is also the occasion when you may seek out a lost gem like Judee Sill's "Jesus Was A Cross Maker" (Asylum) or "The Bells" from Gonna Take A Miracle (Columbia), performed by Laura Nyro and Labelle. | ||
'''NOON.''' If you are just waking up now, then you have missed a wonderful morning. Try playing the title song from Oklahoma! (Angel Classics) at full blast until you repent. For those of you just returning from your morning appointments, there is time enough for an act or two of a Mozart opera. Try the first act of Le Nozze di Figaro conducted by Karl Böhm (Deutsche Grammophon), all temptation and intrigue, or the finale conducted by John Eliot Gardiner (Archiv), for some sublime forgiveness. It depends on how that meeting went. Those leftovers in the refrigerator start to look like lunch. | '''NOON.''' If you are just waking up now, then you have missed a wonderful morning. Try playing the title song from Oklahoma! (Angel Classics) at full blast until you repent. For those of you just returning from your morning appointments, there is time enough for an act or two of a Mozart opera. Try the first act of Le Nozze di Figaro conducted by Karl Böhm (Deutsche Grammophon), all temptation and intrigue, or the finale conducted by John Eliot Gardiner (Archiv), for some sublime forgiveness. It depends on how that meeting went. Those leftovers in the refrigerator start to look like lunch. | ||
'''1 P.M.''' Coffee is on the stove, if that is your poison. Duke Ellington and His Orchestra fill the air - it's Ellington At Newport (Columbia). Follow up with selections from Porgy & Bess (Verve) performed by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. This may be just the time to play Louis Armstrong's "Wild Man Blues" from The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings (Columbia/Legacy). That cut contains everything you need to know. | '''1 P.M.''' Coffee is on the stove, if that is your poison. [[Duke Ellington]] and His Orchestra fill the air - it's Ellington At Newport (Columbia). Follow up with selections from Porgy & Bess (Verve) performed by [[Louis Armstrong]] and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]. This may be just the time to play Louis Armstrong's "Wild Man Blues" from The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings (Columbia/Legacy). That cut contains everything you need to know. | ||
'''2 P.M.''' Switch off the television, disconnect the phone, and pull down the shutters. Abandon clock time for one hour in a cool, low-lit room. Everything can wait. Two works from the end of the catalogue occupy you now: Schubert's "Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat Major, D. 960", played by Alfred Brendel (Philips), followed by Beethoven's "String Quartet in F Major, Opus 135", performed by the Budapest Quartet (Sony). They sing of ideas beyond words. Tell whoever was waiting on your arrival that you had to see your priest. | '''2 P.M.''' Switch off the television, disconnect the phone, and pull down the shutters. Abandon clock time for one hour in a cool, low-lit room. Everything can wait. Two works from the end of the catalogue occupy you now: Schubert's "Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat Major, D. 960", played by Alfred Brendel (Philips), followed by Beethoven's "String Quartet in F Major, Opus 135", performed by the Budapest Quartet (Sony). They sing of ideas beyond words. Tell whoever was waiting on your arrival that you had to see your priest. | ||
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[[George Jones]] sings of a man who did little to heed such warnings. As "[[The Last Town I Painted]]" concludes, "I painted it blue". Then check out "Mr. Fool" from Cup Of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years (Mercury). | [[George Jones]] sings of a man who did little to heed such warnings. As "[[The Last Town I Painted]]" concludes, "I painted it blue". Then check out "Mr. Fool" from Cup Of Loneliness: The Classic Mercury Years (Mercury). | ||
Switching over to Merle Haggard, you can take some comfort in the recklessness of "No Reason To Quit" (Capitol). Get back in the mood with some of Muddy Waters's ferocious Chess sides; "Just To Be With You", "Too Young To Know", and "I'm Ready" should do it. Then take it up to the top of the hour with Sonny Boy Williamson's "One Way Out " and "[[Commit A Crime]]" by Howlin' Wolf (various Chess compilations). | Switching over to Merle Haggard, you can take some comfort in the recklessness of "No Reason To Quit" (Capitol). Get back in the mood with some of Muddy Waters's ferocious Chess sides; "Just To Be With You", "Too Young To Know", and "I'm Ready" should do it. Then take it up to the top of the hour with [[Sonny Boy Williamson]]'s "[[One Way Out]]" and "[[Commit A Crime]]" by [[Howlin' Wolf]] (various Chess compilations). | ||
'''7 P.M.''' You're in a car now, destination unknown. "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" from The Temptations' Psychedelic Soul (Spectrum) compilation is rattling the bodywork. It alternates with Mary J. Blige's No More Drama (MCA) and El-P's Fantastic Damage or El-P Presents Cannibal Oxtrumentals (both Definitive Jux). | '''7 P.M.''' You're in a car now, destination unknown. "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" from The Temptations' Psychedelic Soul (Spectrum) compilation is rattling the bodywork. It alternates with Mary J. Blige's No More Drama (MCA) and El-P's Fantastic Damage or El-P Presents Cannibal Oxtrumentals (both Definitive Jux). | ||
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'''9 P.M.''' Face it, you are settling in for the night. Let Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece (Polydor) wash over you: | '''9 P.M.''' Face it, you are settling in for the night. Let Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece (Polydor) wash over you: | ||
:''Fair play to you | |||
:''Killarney's lakes are so blue. | |||
These songs are beautiful and unfathomable: | These songs are beautiful and unfathomable: | ||
:''Linden Arden stole the highlights | |||
:''And he put his finger through the glass | |||
For still more mischievous moods, dive straight into Bob Dylan's Love And Theft (Columbia). One song, "Floater (Too Much To Ask)", states: | For still more mischievous moods, dive straight into Bob Dylan's Love And Theft (Columbia). One song, "Floater (Too Much To Ask)", states: | ||
:''I left all my dreams and hopes | |||
:''Buried under tobacco leaves. | |||
The very next, "High Water (For Charlie Patton)", advises you: | The very next, "High Water (For Charlie Patton)", advises you: | ||
:''Throw your panties overboard. | |||
There is lots of life in lots of old dogs. | :''There is lots of life in lots of old dogs. | ||
'''10 P.M.''' You've run out of explanations and tall tales. Miles Davis's In A Silent Way (Columbia/Legacy) rides on a Tony Williams cymbal all the way to the immaculate puzzle of Radiohead's Amnesiac (Capitol). "Morning Bell" at evening time. Something leads you to Surf's Up (Capitol), the Beach Boys' very own archaeological dig, you dig? The Brian Wilson title song is so beautiful and bold. The lovely track that Cameron Crowe used at the end of Almost Famous can also be found here. It's the work of brother Carl and is called "Feel Flows". Keep that remote control close at hand. Here comes Mike Love's "Student Demonstration Time". Will the madness never end? | '''10 P.M.''' You've run out of explanations and tall tales. [[Miles Davis]]'s In A Silent Way (Columbia/Legacy) rides on a Tony Williams cymbal all the way to the immaculate puzzle of [[Radiohead]]'s Amnesiac (Capitol). "Morning Bell" at evening time. Something leads you to Surf's Up (Capitol), [[the Beach Boys]]' very own archaeological dig, you dig? The Brian Wilson title song is so beautiful and bold. The lovely track that Cameron Crowe used at the end of Almost Famous can also be found here. It's the work of brother Carl and is called "Feel Flows". Keep that remote control close at hand. Here comes Mike Love's "Student Demonstration Time". Will the madness never end? | ||
'''11 P.M.''' The day is almost done. Now there is a choice between words and another form of eloquence. Joni Mitchell's Blue (Reprise) sounds better than ever at this hour. All of today's confessional writers need to spend a year of pre-midnight hours with this record before sharing their pain with us. | '''11 P.M.''' The day is almost done. Now there is a choice between words and another form of eloquence. [[Joni Mitchell]]'s Blue (Reprise) sounds better than ever at this hour. All of today's confessional writers need to spend a year of pre-midnight hours with this record before sharing their pain with us. | ||
Something still darker and stronger can be found in the tormented imagination of Gesualdo: Madrigals, directed by William Christie (Harmonia Mundi). It is hard to imagine the world from which these compositions came. Carlo Gesualdo was the heir to a prince and was said to have been a murderous cuckold who displayed the slain bodies of his first wife, her lover, and a child of doubtful paternity. It can make you uneasy about even listening to this music. | Something still darker and stronger can be found in the tormented imagination of Gesualdo: Madrigals, directed by William Christie (Harmonia Mundi). It is hard to imagine the world from which these compositions came. Carlo Gesualdo was the heir to a prince and was said to have been a murderous cuckold who displayed the slain bodies of his first wife, her lover, and a child of doubtful paternity. It can make you uneasy about even listening to this music. | ||
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'''MIDNIGHT.''' | '''MIDNIGHT.''' | ||
:''Can I cry a little bit? | |||
:''There's nobody to notice it | |||
:''Can't I cry if I want to | |||
:''No one cares... | |||
[[Randy Newman]]'s magnificent "Just One Smile" comes from [[Dusty Springfield]]'s Dusty In Memphis (Rhino). It's the record you selected just ahead of that pile of Peggy Lee albums you keep for this very occasion. | [[Randy Newman]]'s magnificent "Just One Smile" comes from [[Dusty Springfield]]'s Dusty In Memphis (Rhino). It's the record you selected just ahead of that pile of Peggy Lee albums you keep for this very occasion. | ||
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The blue mood is irresistible now. The hi-fi plays "You Don't Know Me" from Ray Charles's Modern Sounds In Country And Western (Rhino): | The blue mood is irresistible now. The hi-fi plays "You Don't Know Me" from Ray Charles's Modern Sounds In Country And Western (Rhino): | ||
:''You give your hand to me | |||
:''And then you say hello | |||
:''And I can hardly speak | |||
:''My heart is beating so... | |||
'''1 A.M.''' Surrendering to melancholy... Lucinda Williams's Essence (Lost Highay) plays as loud as the hour allows. Her tales of "Lonely Girls" and reasons to cry use only the essential words. This is a deeper shade of "Blue", her lovely ballad. She will inquire, "Are you down?" | '''1 A.M.''' Surrendering to melancholy... [[Lucinda Williams]]'s Essence (Lost Highay) plays as loud as the hour allows. Her tales of "Lonely Girls" and reasons to cry use only the essential words. This is a deeper shade of "Blue", her lovely ballad. She will inquire, "Are you down?" | ||
If this is not the way to go for you, then put on John Prine's Great Days (Rhino), a collection of his finest moments, or his album of duets, In Spite Of Ourselves (Oh Boy). Finally, play Sam Phillips's Fan Dance (Nonesuch). It is in a world (and class) of its own and you can visit it. | If this is not the way to go for you, then put on [[John Prine]]'s Great Days (Rhino), a collection of his finest moments, or his album of duets, In Spite Of Ourselves (Oh Boy). Finally, play [[Sam Phillips]]'s Fan Dance (Nonesuch). It is in a world (and class) of its own and you can visit it. | ||
'''2 A.M.''' Jimmy Reed will put a little motor in the mood with the woozy groove of "Take Out Some Insurance" and "My Bitter Seed" from Rockin' With Reed (Vee-Jay). The lights are low - there would be cigarette smoke, but you know that is a filthy habit ... and your heart can't stand another drink. This record does all the hurting for you. The world is winding down. Hounddog (Columbia/Legacy) is the perfect accompaniment. Mike Halby and David Hidalgo's impossibly slow blue pulse never sound better than on "I'll Change My Style". | '''2 A.M.''' [[Jimmy Reed]] will put a little motor in the mood with the woozy groove of "Take Out Some Insurance" and "My Bitter Seed" from Rockin' With Reed (Vee-Jay). The lights are low - there would be cigarette smoke, but you know that is a filthy habit ... and your heart can't stand another drink. This record does all the hurting for you. The world is winding down. Hounddog (Columbia/Legacy) is the perfect accompaniment. Mike Halby and [[David Hidalgo]]'s impossibly slow blue pulse never sound better than on "I'll Change My Style". | ||
'''3 A.M.''' Quarter to three has come and gone, but that won't stop Only The Lonely (Capitol) from being the ultimate Frank Sinatra album for this time of night - weary, confidential, and completely self-obsessed. You could ask for no more than "Angel Eyes", "Good-Bye", or "One For My Baby". The only record that I know of that is more drained of expectation is Chet Baker's early vocal masterpiece "The Thrill Is Gone". Indeed. You can find it on Chet Baker Sings (Pacific Jazz), and he does. There is a James van Heusen song that both men share. Sinatra's version can be found on In The Wee Small Hours (Capitol). It is both noble and knowing. Chet's narcotic rendition could once be found on Chet Baker With Fifty Italian Strings and has now been reissued as the title track of Deep In A Dream: The Ultimate Chet Baker Collection (Pacific Jazz). It is altogether more troubling. | '''3 A.M.''' Quarter to three has come and gone, but that won't stop Only The Lonely (Capitol) from being the ultimate [[Frank Sinatra]] album for this time of night - weary, confidential, and completely self-obsessed. You could ask for no more than "Angel Eyes", "Good-Bye", or "One For My Baby". The only record that I know of that is more drained of expectation is [[Chet Baker]]'s early vocal masterpiece "The Thrill Is Gone". Indeed. You can find it on Chet Baker Sings (Pacific Jazz), and he does. There is a James van Heusen song that both men share. Sinatra's version can be found on In The Wee Small Hours (Capitol). It is both noble and knowing. Chet's narcotic rendition could once be found on Chet Baker With Fifty Italian Strings and has now been reissued as the title track of Deep In A Dream: The Ultimate Chet Baker Collection (Pacific Jazz). It is altogether more troubling. | ||
:''My cigarette burns me | |||
:''I wake with a start | |||
:''My hand isn't hurt | |||
:''But there's pain in my heart | |||
:''But we'll love anew | |||
:''Just as we used to do | |||
:''When I'm deep in a dream of you. | |||
Now as you edge closer to the darkest hour, play "Ghost Of Yesterday" or "Laughing At Life" (with Lester Young) from Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday On Columbia (1933-1944). | Now as you edge closer to the darkest hour, play "Ghost Of Yesterday" or "Laughing At Life" (with Lester Young) from Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday On Columbia (1933-1944). | ||
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As you drift between the conscious and unconscious worlds, you may glance at a mute television to find that Oliver Postgate's Clangers is being aired. If you can't find a channel showing these stop-frame animated parables of the wonderful armadillo-like creatures and their planet, you can always use Vernon Elliot's lovely score (Trunk) to dream your own version. | As you drift between the conscious and unconscious worlds, you may glance at a mute television to find that Oliver Postgate's Clangers is being aired. If you can't find a channel showing these stop-frame animated parables of the wonderful armadillo-like creatures and their planet, you can always use Vernon Elliot's lovely score (Trunk) to dream your own version. | ||
{{ | {{Bibliography notes header}} | ||
{{Bibliography notes}} | |||
'''Vanity Fair, November 2002''' | |||
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Elvis Costello pens another piece for [[:Category:Vanity Fair|Vanity Fair]]'s annual music issue. | |||
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{{Bibliography notes footer}} | |||
{{Bibliography footer}} | |||
==External links== | |||
*[http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine VanityFair.com] | |||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_(magazine) Wikipedia: Vanity Fair] | |||
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[[Category:Bibliography 2002]] | |||
[[Category:Vanity Fair]] | |||
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[[Category:Magazine articles]] | [[Category:Magazine articles]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Elvis writes]] |
Revision as of 03:09, 8 January 2013
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