Music can be an incredible form of self-expression. Be it about love lost or grief experienced, music is an unspoken reminder of life’s fragility that can help people express themselves.
Nostalgic vocal hook and muted Booker T organ make this timeless classic truly unforgettable.
Otis Redding – I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Soul music fans will likely have heard this tune at one time or another. The emotive track captures the transformational power of love as well as its difficulty of living without its recipient, making this song ideal to listen to when experiencing relationship difficulties.
Redding’s rendition of this song is sure to get everyone moving and grooving, initially popular with Motown group The Temptations but reinvented here for his version by his raw yet soulful vocals that convey emotion and desperation. Soulful horns and an infectiously catchy rhythm section also contribute to making this an intoxicatingly catchy tune that will get audiences moving!
This song’s title is a clever play on words that refers both to an Otis Redding album title and San Francisco’s iconic dock, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” Redding’s iconic recording has become part of American culture despite having been recorded before his death and remains relevant today, inspiring listeners from all walks of life all over the globe.
Redding’s musical talents transcended genres and generations; as this song by Redding and Stax guitarist Steve Cropper shows. Written quickly between them in just minutes, this tune demonstrates their dynamic partnership while featuring an upbeat melody – offering a welcome contrast from some of his more melancholic ballads.
Redding’s final album, released posthumously in spring 1966, is an unrivalled masterpiece of soul music. Beginning with a James Brown-style funk groove provided by Booker T Jones’ piano riff and Duck Dunn’s percussive horns and bass, “Pickin’ On Zelma” quickly builds to an emotional crescendo with Redding’s heartfelt vocals conveying unrequited love for Zelma — it quickly builds to one of the great soul songs ever recorded! It has since become known as one of the greatest soul songs ever.
Basildon’s – Enjoy The Silence
Depeche Mode were one of the enduring acts to emerge from the electronic music revolution of the 1980s, with their dark pop being timeless and their songs such as Enjoy The Silence being one of their biggest hits and disproving critics who said they lacked emotion or melody in their writing. Enjoy The Silence was especially successful at disproving these allegations against Depeche Mode.
Violator was released as their fifth album in February 1990 and soon after reached number 10 worldwide, becoming an enormous global hit. Written by guitarist/singer Andy Fletcher and bassist Martin Gore about love lost, its dark synthpop sound and emotional piano backing gave this single worldwide resonance that cemented its success as a global hit.
Anton Corbijn of Netherlands director was hired to produce an accompanying music video for Violator by the band, using themes and storyline from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s children’s novel The Little Prince as inspiration. Shots of Dave Gahan in stereotypical king attire navigating his way around Scotland’s Highlands, Portugal’s Algarve coast, and Switzerland Alps interspersed with black-and-white footage featuring all members posing and flashes of rose petals which also appeared on album cover artwork from Violator were seen.
Remixes 81-04 released in 2004 featured an extended remix version, produced by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, with an electric guitar-driven arrangement featuring distortion effects and linking into their signature nu metal sound.
Gore and Fletcher attended St. Nicholas Comprehensive School in Laindon; at this school were met Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte as well as Alison Moyet (later of Yazoo with Vince Clarke) and Alison Moyet who later formed Yazoo with Vince Clarke. Even though they no longer reside there, Depeche Mode still hold Basildon dear in their hearts; having performed numerous times there. And this week they’re returning for two sold out shows at London’s O2 Arena – best wishes from us all!
Etta James – Stormy Weather
Etta James was an artist spanning many genres who could deliver any song with power and grace – particularly her rendition of “Stormy Weather,” which earned her induction into both the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003 and Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry four years later.
Stormy Weather stands as a solid collection of jazz standards featuring one of the most influential voices in popular music: Lennie Horne. Of course, his incredible range is also key here and his ability to reach audiences emotionally is something few artists can match; indeed his version of Stormy Weather remains one of her signature performances and an iconoclastic highlight from her career.
Lennie Hayton provides her with assistance through his acoustic orchestration, which successfully adds bite without detracting from the overall sound of the recording. Furthermore, it helps that Lennie opts for an approach reminiscent of New York School orchestration rather than its more dated style of orchestration worn by some of her contemporaries.
The weakest track here is an overly dramatic rendition of ‘Summertime, which does not fit well with the rest of the album. She employs similar strategies on her signature piece ‘Stormy Weather’ that works much better.
This album stands out for its powerful interpretations of several jazz standards, as well as being released just prior to the three-day Detroit race riots. This was an appropriate way for her to say farewell after breaking down racial barriers within Hollywood musicals in the 1940s and ’50s; although she continued recording albums post retirement this one remains powerful and moving for anyone interested in jazz – the book included with it also provides a detailed profile of an icon figure like her.