Grum’s Music Page

This page will contain my current top 10 favourite songs to listen to. Some songs may come and go frequently while others may stay for a long time. Some songs may even re-appear! I also intend to write a short shpeel about each entry and include it at the bottom of the page. I won’t necessarily update this page every week but if my top 10 ever change, you will read about it here first. Hope you enjoy!

23rd June 2008

I know it’s been a long time since I last updated this page but I did say that I would only update it as and when I feel like it. At no point did I make any time commitments in relation to updating. Anyway, here is my latest top 10.

1. Minotaur Shock - Vigo Bay
2. Mike Oldfield - Secrets/Far above the clouds
3. Those dancing days - Those dancing days
4. Amy Winehouse - Valerie
5. Pink Floyd - Pigs
6. The Clash - Rock the Casbah
7. Velvet Underground - Who loves the sun?
8. Robbie Robertson - Somewhere down the crazy river
9. Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere
10. The Proclaimers - Then I met you

Minotaur Shock - Vigo Bay
Thanks to Danny for getting me into Minotaur Shock. They have a fairly different style of music but it’s reassuring to see some good modern music out there as opposed to most of the sh*te they play on the radio. This track is from their album Maritime, all of which is fantastic. I love the way it breaks down at the end so that the end of the song is completely different from the beginning and paves the way for the next track Six Foolish Fishermen.

Mike Oldfield - Secrets/Far above the clouds
Great stuff! For those of you who don’t know, Mike Oldfield is the composer behind the famous album Tubular Bells (it was used as the theme music for The Exorcist). My favorite album of his is Tubular Bells II but these two tracks come from Tubular Bells III. Tubular Bells III is quite different from the first two. Before recording it, Mike spent some time in Ibiza and you can tell from listening to the album as it’s more dancy than his previous stuff. These are the last two tracks on the album and work especially well if you’ve just listened to the rest of the album. The reason I’ve put the two tracks together is because they flow into each other and really you can’t have one without the other. In the song(s) you hear the same theme that was introduced in the first track of the album but it is modified a bit. Suspense builds and the song climaxes with none other than the sound of the tubular bells introduced by a small boy. Great work Mike!

Those dancing days - Those dancing days
I went to see this band a couple of weeks ago and they were very entertaining! Those Dancing Days are an all-girl Swedish electro-pop group - a very niche market. I’m not the biggest fan of them but the gig was great fun and I love this song.

Amy Winehouse - Valerie
I think this is a good song but I’m specifically talking about an acoustic version that I managed to source from the net. Amy Winehouse is one of these people that you hear about and wonder what all the fuss is about but when you hear her singing you realize immediately. It makes me wonder - are drug or alcohol problems a pre-requisite for being an exceptionally talented musician? Anyway, her voice on this song is superb and there’s some lovely guitar to go with it in the background.

Pink Floyd - Pigs
I went to see Australian Pink Floyd back at the end of May and they were terrific. This was the best song of the night in my opinion and in the break down the lights dimmed and when they came back on there was a massive inflatable pig hanging over the balcony with lights shining out of its eyes! Brilliant. They really pulled out all the stops. The guitar on this track is great and Gilmour even makes use of the quirky talk-box. If you listen carefully during the fade out solo you will hear some nice bass octaves from Roger Waters.

The Clash - Rock the Casbah
One of those un-coverable songs - believe me, I’ve tried! This song was so topical at the time and the emotion in Joe Strummer’s singing really drives home. I also love one of the last lines of the song, as the music fades out: “This is not kosher!” This song is back in the top 10 because it’s just so good.

Velvet Underground - Who loves the sun?
I first heard this song in the film Hi-Fidelity starring John Cusack (great film). The more I listened to it, the more I was taken with it. Initially, it sounds like a happy, up-beat love song, but if you listen to the lyrics, you’ll find it’s more cynical than it seems.

Robbie Robertson - Somewhere down the crazy river
This is a song I remember from my childhood and I’ve just been getting back into it now. Robbie Robertson was a guitarist with The Band who’s music I never really got into. I’m not even especially into Robbie himself; I just really like this song. It’s easy to hear why when you listen to it. My favourite lyric has to be:
‘I turned around and she said
“Why do you always end up down at Nick’s Cafe?”
I said “I don’t know, the wind just kind of pushed me this way.”‘

Talking Heads - Road to nowhere
Here it is. Talking Heads song of the month. I was reluctant to put this song in because it’s one of their songs that everyone knows even if they don’t know who Talking Heads are. However, it is a great tune that kicks off with some nice vocal harmonies so you know what you’re in for already. The tune builds up towards the end with David Byrne singing four lines fairly quietly before going all out and singing them again but an octave higher and with much more force. It ends with him literally shrieking between lines!

The Proclaimers - Then I met you
This is a song I always associate with doing chores on a Sunday. Most people will know the Proclaimers for their hit “I’m gonna be (500 miles)” however I think that song has been ridiculously over-played and is now more synonymous with the last song of the night in a club. “Then I met you” on the other hand is one that is more likely to stand the test of time. It’s simple enough and the two Scottish brothers sound great on it. I also love the country-style electric guitar.

17th April 2008

Ok. The keen observer will first notice that Steely Dan songs are in abundance this week. This is no doubt due to the fact that I attended the gig of a Steely Dan tribute band last night in JJ Smyth’s on Aungier St. The band were called Aja and consisted of about 4 of the original players from The Naked Lunch (great Steely Dan tribute band from days gone by) including the excellent Mark Wilde on saxophone. The gig opened with the entire Aja album which was a treat to listen to. The band were missing one sax though which was slightly disappointing and you could tell it was only their 3rd gig. During My Old School, the enthusiasm of the singers caused the band to accidentally leave out a whole section. Oops! But nonetheless it was a great gig and it has sparked something of a Steely Dan revival in me. Here are my current top 10:

1. Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
2. Steely Dan - Dr. Wu
3. Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne
4. Steely Dan - Deacon Blues
5. Talking Heads - This must be the place (Live)
6. Steely Dan - Haitian Divorce
7. Steely Dan - Peg
8. Steely Dan - Rikki don’t lose that number
9. Steely Dan - Bad Sneakers
10. Tay Zonday - Chocolate Rain

Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
Still my all time favourite Dan song. This was in the list previously so here is what I said about it the first time: Ah. My old favourite - Steely Dan. This is one of the first songs I ever remember listening to. Where do I start?! The lyrics, in my opinion, are top class. A1. Perfect. “Turn that jungle music down, just until we’re out of town”. “This is no one night stand, it’s a real occasion”. I could go on all day! There are some fabulous backing vocals towards the end where the girls sing that classic line “You got to shake it baby, you got to shake it baby, you got to shake it!” Those backing singers were my first crush. I had no idea what they looked like but from their singing I presumed they were the most beautiful women in the world.

Steely Dan - Dr. Wu
Great stuff! This song is the bee’s knees. Having become quite a lyrics fanatic of late, this song captivates me lyrically as much as Babylon Sisters. Just who is this mysterious Dr. Wu? Who is Katy and why is she so prone to lying? I love the line “Just when I’d spent the last piastre I could borrow”. Also contains my favourite sax solo.

Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne
Larry Carlton’s finest hour. Larry did the guitar on this track and how delighted messrs Fagen and Becker must have been with the outcome. The actual guitar sound is apparently very difficult to recreate and Steely Dan aficianados all over the world have spent hours trying to obtain that great solid guitar voice. I also have it on good authority from Mark DuBerry that the solo is crazy difficult to play. Always great ones for lyrics, Steely Dan didn’t skimp on this song either: “Clean this mess up ‘else we’ll all end up in jail. Those test tubes and the scale - just get it all outta here! Is there gas in the car? Yes there’s gas in the car! I think the people down the hall know who you are.”

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues
Deacon Blues is quite a sad song. This is another one that I remember hooking me on Steely Dan from a very early age. The chord progressions in the verse are fabulous and are really brought home by the electric piano and acoustic guitar. Another great sax solo and, again, more fantastic lyrics: “They got a name for the winners in the world, I want a name when I lose”

Talking Heads - This must be the place (Live)
True to my word, I will always include a Talking Heads song. According to frontman David Byrne, this is the only love song he’s ever written - and on stage he sings it to a lamp! Anyone who’s seen Stop Making Sense will know what I’m talking about. There’s a great little riff that keeps going in the background the whole way through. Amazing how interesting you can make a song out of one chord! Some lovely vocal harmonizing towards the end of the live version.

Steely Dan - Haitian Divorce
Always ones to try and incorporate different genres into their own music, this time Steely Dan went for a slight reggae feel and also incorporated the fascinating talk box. This is a good one to sing along to. The beauty of this song, for me, lies in the outro. After the last chorus, the guitar begins soloing over a major chord progression. You assume the song will fade with the guitar crying out over this progression but after a few rounds, the chord progression changes to a much more lamenting, minor mood and the guitar solo changes with it. Genius! Excellent off beat cymbal hits on the fade out too…

Steely Dan - Peg
Where do I start with this one? I guess the drumming. Rick Marotta plays this quite complex drum riff for the verses where he opens his hi-hat very slightly at certain points. It’s very difficult to do however Rick makes it look effortless. Then there’s the guitar solo. Apparently Don and Walt went through a massive amount of session guys, guys who were highly regarded musicians, before they found the right guitar solo they were looking for. But the real winner in this song is Michael McDonald’s backing vocals. I remember reading that they asked McDonald down to do some backing vocals and he layed down one or two lines but didn’t feel like stopping there! He kept on laying down harmony after harmony and some of the lines are even just shouts and whoops! By the time the song fades out there are about 8 or 10 vocal lines going on!

Steely Dan - Rikki don’t lose that number
As legend has it, guitarist Rick Derringer auditioned to play on a previous Steely Dan track. As with many a musician who turns up at their studio, Rick didn’t quite make Becker and Fagen’s ludicrously high standards. They were, however, very impressed and were keen to let him know that he was almost what they were looking for. They apparently gave him their number and told him to call them in future if he wanted to work with them, hence the title of this song was born. It’s a great sing-a-long and another fine guitar solo.

Steely Dan - Bad Sneakers
Funnily enough, I used to dislike this song. I think it’s because I never thought it worked well live when I was in The Fez but the others made me do it. I love it now though because I don’t have to play it live anymore! Once again, the guitar solo makes you want to weep and Michael McDonald’s backing vocals send shivers down your spine. Also, some more great lyrics from the masters: “You fella! You tearin’ up the street. You wear that white tuxedo how you gonna beat the heat?”

Tay Zonday - Chocolate Rain
This song is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. But soooo addictive! Don’t really know what’s going on with it. The guy who sings it is several sandwiches short of a picnic and the song is just the same piano riff again and again but we can’t stop listening to it in gaffbhala! Maybe it’s crazy lyrics such as: “Chocolate Rain, Raised your neighborhood insurance rates, Chocolate Rain, Makes us happy ‘livin in a gate”. Anyone who’s interested can watch the video on youtube by clicking here. I love the way he moves away from the mic to take a breath and then explains to you that this is what he is doing! Brilliant!

29th March 2008

1. The Beatles - Don’t Let Me Down
2. The Clash - Rock the Casbah
3. The Beatles - Savoy Truffle
4. Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly
5. Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
6. Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
7. Gaffbhala - Bender Swapsies
8. Jack of Speed - Fallout
9. The Coral - Dreaming of You
10. Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke

The Beatles - Don’t let me down
I’ve been on a major Beatles buzz recently and I guess this is the product of it. I just love this song right now. There’s something about the passion in John Lennon’s voice when he sings the chorus. Also there’s some beautiful electric piano going on. The lyrics even relate to me a little bit.

The Clash - Rock the Casbah
One of those un-coverable songs - believe me, I’ve tried! This song was so topical at the time and again, the emotion in Joe Strummer’s singing really drives home. I also love one of the last lines of the song, as the music fades out: “This is not kosher!”

The Beatles - Savoy Truffle
I don’t know why but I get a real kick out of this song. It’s just great fun to listen to. I’m normally more of a Paul McCartney guy but this is another good Lennon track. I’ve no idea what the songs is about, I suspect messrs Lennon and McCartney don’t know either! I also like the way they quote one of the previous songs on the album - Ob-la-di Ob-la-da.

Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly
The Fugees’ version isn’t a patch on the original. Her voice is just incredible and when it builds up to the end and she lets loose with a barrage of oooohs, it sends shivers down my spine. Again, some smooth electric piano features as the main instrument.

Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life
There will probably always be a Talking Heads song in my top 10. I love this band. I think they’re completely unique and original. David Byrne is a classic example of someone who doesn’t have a particularly great voice but he’s used what he has to his advantage. His singing really suits Talking Heads songs but wouldn’t necessarily work with other bands. I also struggle to think of a better front man. Why do I love this song in particular? No reason really. I suppose it’s just Talking Heads flavour of the week for me.

Steely Dan - Babylon Sisters
Ah. My old favourite - Steely Dan. This is one of the first songs I ever remember listening to. Where do I start?! The lyrics, in my opinion, are top class. A1. Perfect. “Turn that jungle music down, just until we’re out of town”. “This is no one night stand, it’s a real occasion”. I could go on all day! There are some fabulous backing vocals towards the end where the girls sing that classic line “You got to shake it baby, you got to shake it baby, you got to shake it!” Those backing singers were my first crush. I had no idea what they looked like but from their singing I presumed they were the most beautiful women in the world.

Gaffbhala - Bender Swapsies
My favourite out of a host of new songs we have recorded here in the Gaff. It came out of a pretty successful jam session a couple of weeks ago. We intended to record another Sonic the Hedgehog tune however due to technical difficulties we were forced to abandon that idea. Instead, we just began jamming. At one stage, Dan just launched into this frantic jungle drum beat and I started mixing in a bit of Ricky Gervais’ podcast on the fly and hence, Bender Swapsies was born. This song could also be called “A baby laughing”. To listen to this song, click here.

Jack of Speed - Fallout
My favourit JoS song. The lads did a great job of recording this track at a studio session they won. I think it’s a great all-rounder. Nice solid bass line, great off-beat drumming, lovely lead guitar and Mike’s vocals really suit the style of the song. I suppose I have a bit of a bias towards JoS since I live with half of their members. Still, the song wouldn’t be in here if I didn’t love it!

The Coral - Dreaming of You
This song may not be in the list long. I’ve been into it for a while now and it’s at risk of being edged out of the top 10. It’s short and sweet. I love the feel of it and also the backing vocals. A nice bit of cheeky glockenspiel is always good. Almost too short, when the song finishes, you wish it went on. However, it’s probably best that it leaves you wanting more rather than continuing on and making the listener bored.

Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
I got into Stevie Wonder while travelling the world in 2007. Steveo gave me a mix cd of some Stevie Wonder, Beatles and Doobie Brothers. I like a lot of Stevie’s later, funkier stuff and this song would be my favourite. I’ve been listening to it recently thanks to a recent session down in the 40ft. A group of us were boozing in the main bar and towards closing time, we attempted to sneak upstairs to the club area without paying. I managed to get up but couldn’t stay long as everyone else was stopped from coming up. However I did stay long enough to hear Sir Duke which the DJ had just started playing. Since then, it’s made a regular appearance in my playlists.

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