The Quite Continental Mix I
May 9th, 2012 § 6 Comments
- Dinah Washington – Blue Skies
- Ella Fitzgerald – Whatever Lola Wants
- Sammy Davis Jr. – Something’s Gotta Give
- Sarah Vaughn – Ain’t Misbehavin’
- Dean Martin – Volare/An Evening in Roma
- Dinah Washington – Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby
- Doris Day – Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
- Rosemary Clooney – Sway
- Sarah Vaughn – Misty
- Dinah Washington – I Wanna Be Loved
- Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Summertime
- Lena Horne – Someone To Watch Over Me
- Dinah Washington – Since I Fell For You
- Chet Baker – I Fall In Love Too Easily
- Doris Day – Fly Me To The Moon
- Dean Martin – Besame Mucho
- Dinah Washington – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
For my first-ever playlist, you get jazzy songs for a smoky midtown bar, or for shoes-off slowdances on the rug after the dinner party’s all gone home. It’s a little heavy on the strings and Dinah Washington, but I didn’t mind that all too much — so I hope you don’t either. Click play to enjoy!
Experimenting this evening with 8tracks, which I found via the Rugby Style Blog. The songs may not play in the exact order above, but they’re all in there.
Photo of Ella Fitzgerald, performing at Mr. Kelly’s Nightclub in Chicago, 1958. Taken by Yael Joel for Life Magazine, via the Life Archive.
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Throwback Thursday || Bert Stern’s Jazz on a Summer’s Day
May 2nd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
In gorgeous color, photographer Bert Stern captured the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in his lovely film, “Jazz on a Summer’s Day.” An amazing cocktail of pop culture, jazz, sailboats and summer in New England, it is definitely worth your time. I can’t wait for summer, by the by. Sidenote: I personally feel Anita O’Day’s hat almost steals the show — would be perfect for the Derby this weekend, no?
If you’d like to have it in your own library, head here to purchase.
Ben Carroll ~ A Change Is Gonna Come
April 26th, 2012 § 2 Comments
Allow me to toot the family horn a bit…
Ben Carroll is an amazing singer and songwriter. He also happens to be my cousin. Ben’s currently hard at work on a soon-to-be-released third album, but he recently took some time out to make this clip of one of my most favorite songs, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” When we were all kids, my siblings and I used to force Ben to sing to us — totally understandable, once you’ve heard his voice. Enjoy.
Ben Carroll on Facebook || Twitter || Website
And if you happen to be in LA, Ben has a show on May 4 at WitZend in Venice.
Find details and ticket information here.
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Throwback Thursday ||The Smiths ~ This Charming Man
April 12th, 2012 § 4 Comments
I’m not sure you appreciate how often I sing to myself:
“I would go out tonight, but I haven’t got a stitch to wear”
Goapele ~ Tears On My Pillow
April 2nd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
A little soul music for your Monday morning…
I’ve been a fan of Bay Area-native chanteuse Goapele since 2002, but she’s never quite made the commercial breakthrough I always thought she deserved. In this post-Adele world, armed with her new single “Tears On My Pillow” from her recent album “Break of Dawn,” I’m wondering if she just might.
Sidenotes: How ridiculously gorgeous is she? Do we think those are her own lashes? And I’m officially and completely obsessed with her makeup; that cool red on her lips must. be. mine.
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Happy Hols!
December 24th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Some of my very favorites:
I am wishing you a wonderful holiday season,
wherever you might find yourself.
And if you’d like to try your hand at my family sugar cookie recipe,
you can find it here.
Happy Hols!
The Gymnopédies: Aldo Ciccolini x Erik Satie
December 22nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Erik Satie‘s Gymnopédies are among my favorite pieces of music.
Perfect for cold and quiet winter days.
Even if New York is rather unseasonably warm, as of late.
“These short, atmospheric pieces are written in 3/4 time, with each sharing a common theme and structure. Collectively, the Gymnopédies are regarded as the precursors to modern ambient music — gentle yet somewhat eccentric pieces which, when composed, defied the classical tradition.“
Celebrated Italian pianist Aldo Ciccolini playing Gymnopédie No. 1 in 1956…
…and at his 85th birthday concert in 2010.
If you are new to Ciccolini and Satie, this album is great.
Relentlessly restless. Restless relentlessly.
December 16th, 2011 § 1 Comment
Wanderlust ~ Björk x Ratatat
QC Loves: Summer Camp
November 7th, 2011 § 1 Comment
I just discovered the amazing British band Summer Camp via Charlie and Caroline’s Blog (they are the delightful couple behind the lovely British homewares store Pedlars, which I discovered on my last trip to London — do check out both the blog and the shop!), and I’m completely obsessed. Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey have put together a great set of 80s-infused, synth-y pop tracks for their debut album Welcome to Condale, which is out today.
Better Off Without You
Round The Moon
Down
It’s about to be on constant repeat on ye old iPod. Sorry, neighbors. Or maybe I mean you’re welcome…
Sidenote: Definitely do stop by the Summer Camp site if you have a moment. It’s great.
I Left My Heart…
October 15th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Dear San Francisco,
I know I’ve said in the past that I never really liked you.
But I think — maybe — that this trip I’m on is changing my mind.
(Los Angeles, please don’t be jealous.)
Love,
Mariah
