DAY 12: SABU "PALO CONGO" (1957)

When I finally decided to do this, I said to myself "I just need my ears!". Man, was I wrong! It never occurred to me that I'll have to listen to albums made outside, in countries with languages that I don't know. I never felt so ignorant in my life.

Sure, I like Louis Prima's Che La Luna a lot but that's just one song and it's Italian but can I really listen to a whole record in Latin? I suddenly felt sweat at the back of my neck and I was feeling my glucose going down. What am I going to do?!

I have a confession to make: I dislike no I HATE subtitles in non-English movies. I rarely like films made in other languages. You can pretty much tell what I'm about to say next. 

But I have a plan of attack. My goal is to appreciate and not discriminate. Never judge a record by the album title alone. It says Congo so I thought I'll be hearing some lion-king-god must be crazy kind of songs in Latin. Weird huh? But don't listen to me, I'm an idiot. I know nothing. NIL.

I remember laughing my ass off when I heard the English version of Rammstein's "Du Hast". I was so used to the original German version (which is already funny btw) that hearing it in English made me laugh hysterically. It was my brother who asked me to come to his room to listen to his funny discovery. I want to take this opportunity to give you the gift of laughter so please listen to the English version. You are not going to regret it. I promise.

I guess that's normal right? We tend to laugh first when we hear something that we don't understand, not necessarily to the language but to ourselves because we don't get it. No Comprendo! 

And that's what happened to me when I started listening to the record.I laughed. I smiled, Hell, I even started dancing and I don't understand a thing! I was a buffoon! Every word sang is pure comedy to me. I was high in laughter.

I thought of  Google-ing  the lyrics in English but I didn't need to. I was happy with my ignorance of the language and I chose to let it be that way because of what I felt. With the amount of positive energy this album gave me, what are the chances that they are actually saying something bad? thought so. Ignorance is bliss, man. 

All fun and laughter aside, the reason why this album is a part of this book is because Sabu Martinez paved way to Afro-Latin music which I personally think is not a bad fusion.

DAY 11: THELONIOUS MONK "BRILLIANT CORNERS" (1957)

Let me bring you back to Day 01. I was listening to the previous podcast of Everyday Saturday and Sam Crowley (please google and subscribe ) talked about the inspiration behind his show. He said and this is not verbatim, that if people take vitamins daily to get additional nutrition to get strong then why can't people get a daily dose of motivation to lead better lives. That's when I got the light bulb. Why can't I have a daily activity, something light and not heavy to do, won't get in the way with my everyday spectacle but will provide the right, if not loads of inspiration to me? And Viola! I don't need to tell what happened next.

So here I am, Day 11. My mood has changed. I'm not cranky at all and I don't feel like a zombie. With the kind of job that I have, trust me, it's got it's own way of robbing me of the simple pleasures in life. Music is one of my saving graces and because of this daily routine, I am just one album away to a stress free lifestyle.

And by the way, You can do this too! It doesn't have to be this exact activity but it needs to be something that you really love to do. This is a very busy and crazy world and whether you admit it or not, we find little time now a days to do something that we "personally" love.

By now you should have guessed that I have another jazz record. YES! I normally talk about the songs right away if it's with words but if it's a full instrumental jazz album, I'd talk about something else before I talk about the music. For this specific record, I had to close my eyes just to have that deep appreciation. The sound felt modern to me compared to the other jazz albums in this book. It felt modern to me because I can imagine "rap" with it. I think about Kanye West or Jay Z rapping on "Brilliant Corners" which got that meaty saxophone sound and heavy bass.

The rest of the songs all sound the same to me and for this, I ask for your forgiveness. You have to be patient with me. This still remains to be a challenge. But again, just because it's difficult, it does not mean I have no room for appreciation. I am glad I heard a lot of saxophone in this album. I have a copy of 311 Day New Orleans and guess what? Nick Hexum's (vocals) brother plays saxophone and I enjoyed watching the dude play. Listen to the song "Outside" and you'll know what I mean.

So as you can see, I'm not a hopeless case here. 

DAY 10: COUNT BASIE "THE ATOMIC MR. BASIE" (1957)

Imagine Jessica Rabbit walking down the stairs in Las Vegas with her super red lips and super tight red dress. Her perky gigantic boobs bouncing as she makes her way to the crowd. That's what this album is like. It's that sexy! Especially when it's really slow, it's like a foreplay soundtrack! 

This was made in the 50's so you automatically get that Great Gatsby-Dick Tracy-Bonnie and Clyde. Las Vegas vibe; bright, energetic, sensual and dangerous. I can name a dozen of movies that reminds me of this album.

I'm a big piano fan and one of my frustrations in life is that I don't know how to play one. People like Ben Folds and Tori Amos made me realize how bad ass a piano can be. But this is mostly because of the combination of the piano and the lyrics of their songs. This would be my second "instrumental" jazz album and I'm still getting the hang of it. 

I want to call this album a "free for all". It's free for all because it's all up to you! There are no words that tells you the meaning of the songs so it's pretty much based on what you feel when you hear it. I would love to hear this live though. Some songs are just better to hear in person. If it's all about the instruments then I'd rather see it played.

I remember watching my first orchestra ever. I was in college and was into "NU METAL". You can just imagine the horror in my face when my professor told me that we need to watch an orchestra for a school project. I thought I was going to die! For one, I thought I was going to see super old people playing music but I was wrong. What a dumbass! Majority of them happened to be very young. 

To my surprise, I enjoyed it. I had fun because of the passion and the intensity I saw from the musicians faces. Listening to this album makes me wish that I know how to play an instrument. Preferably, a piano. Unfortunately, I don't have the talent.

...And just like that we now traverse to the other part of music, the performance part. I look forward to talking about this on the next albums.

Nine records down, 992 more!
I'm all fired up! Let's go!

DAY 09: THE CRICKETS "THE CHIRPING CRICKETS" (1957)

It's Monday, Ladies and Gents! Some of us fear even hate this day but I don't because I have a new set of records to play with. Mind you, this is my 8th album to listen to and I'm still within the realms of 50's music and it get's better.

I've only heard of Buddy Holly from Weezer and just like how the song goes, Rivers Cuomo really do look a lot like him.

When I played this record, I instantly recognize the voice. I've heard of it before from the Stand By Me soundtrack song Everyday..

I'm not quite sure if it's a talent or just plain good memory but I have it! When it comes to music, I can easily remember voices and pin point the artists who made it, provided of course that I've heard of any of their work before. I can sometimes be bad at names but I do remember voices.

When I did my reading for this album, I found out that Buddy Holly is the pioneer of rock and roll and because of this, I am currently downloading a documentary about the dude.

I felt "FUSION" when I dig in to the album. It sounded like a punk mixture. The first song Oh Boy! is a perfect example of that. It's like Joey Ramones jamming with  Elvis and The Beach Boys.

Songs like That'll be the day and Looking For Someone To Love can easily be an Elvis song.

By the the time the last song is finished, I wondered..

How many people did Buddy Holly inspired and influenced?

As for me, I like his voice. I can listen to it all the time.

DAY 08: FRANK SINATRA "SONGS FOR SWINGIN' LOVERS!" (1956)

You know that scene from the movie 500 Days of Summer when Gordon-Levitt finally slept with Zooey Deschanel's character and he started dancing and it turned into this humongous dance number?!

Yes that!!!! That's exactly how I feel right now.

Since I started this whole thing, I always find myself in a good mood. It does not matter how crappy the day is or how terrible that traffic was this morning or how hot it is right now here in my kitchen. I don't care! I'm just on my 8th day and I feel different. I caught myself in a hurry to go home so I can listen to a new album and write about it. I have found a new way to get excited again.

This would be my second Sinatra album and I'm spooked. Not only am I glad to hear a happier Sinatra this time but I actually feel like he's talking to me through his lyrics. He's on my side on this musical journey!

On You Make Me Feel So Young he said, 

You make me feel so young
You make me feel like spring has sprung

I want to go and bounce the moon
Just like a toy balloon

You make me feel so young
You make me feel there are songs to be sung
Bells to be rung, and a wonderful fling to be flung

And then I heard You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me, the title alone gives me the chills. Are you spooked already? Here's more.

Oh, I can't break away 
I must have you everyday
As regularly as coffee or tea
You've got me in your clutches and I can't break free
You're getting to be a habit with me

Remember when I said that I'm always excited to go home? Here's Sinatra's take on You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me. 

I would work and slave the whole day through
If I could hurry home to you
You brought a new kind of love to me

This album pretty much outlined what I'm trying to achieve in this journey. I want to continue and hear more. 

Sinatra replied on Love is Here To Stay.

It's very clear, our love is here to stay.
Ahhh, not for a year. But, ever and a day

Touché

DAY 07: DUKE ELLINGTON "ELLINGTON AT NEWPORT" (1956)

I can still recall telling my mother that I was bored out of my skull when I saw Disney's Fantasia when I was just a little girl. Songs without words? Mickey Mouse moving but not talking? My 7 years old mind can't believe it!

I waited and waited. Nothing. I figured that out when I reached the second song "Blues To Be There." No one sang. Will this be my next "Fantasia" moment? Great!

First off, I wanted to say that there is a room for appreciation here. Forget my Fantasia days when I was 7. I am mucho positive for this next activity.  I'm up for a challenge. 

I am a big "Ocean's 11 ( 12 and 13) fan therefore, I am well aware of the existence of David Holmes. His music is not far off with the Duke's. Sure, It's not jazz but electronic music but they both have something similar, they let their instruments do the talking. 

Here's what I did. I got two browsers opened. One was playing Ellington at Newport and the other browser's got David Holmes on it. I played one song from the Duke and then I played one song from Holmes after. I was in Vegas all of a sudden, baby! If the Ocean's 11 series was made back in the 50's, Duke Ellington's music can easily be it's soundtrack. 

The whole album is a mood changer. I went from being tired to energetic in just a few minutes. I felt alive. I thought  a live album is refreshing. I like hearing the crowd clapping and cheering.

When I heard Jeep's Blues, I started to do some research. If I heard it right, there is a rhythm there with the trumpet and the piano that sounded so familiar to me. I thought I heard it from one of the Ocean's series but it appeared that it was not used at all. The only song in the soundtrack that got a connection with Duke Ellington is a song called "Caravan." It was played in the background when George Clooney's and Brad Pitt's character first met the Chinese guy in the circus. Ellington wrote it for a man called Arthur Lyman.

I have yet to learn how to appreciate music without words. This is a skill that I still have to master. I look forward to more Duke Ellington music in the future. For now, let me download Jeep's Blues to my iphone because I really really like it. This is promising.

DAY 06: FATS DOMINO "THIS IS FATS" (1956)

I once saw a documentary about The Doors. There was a comment there by the band's producer on one of his interviews that I'll never forget. The reason why I remember it is because it's straight forward and honest. He said that he was not impressed by the band's performance when he first saw them play their first set in a place called The Whiskey. He could have left right away but he stayed. When he heard their second set, he was blown away. I guess some things are really worth the second look.

This album right here required that second look. My first attempt last night was a no go. I failed. I blame the lack of sleep, and the fact that I was hungry and could not find anything decent in my fridge. I felt ungrateful and could not appreciate anything.

And then there's the I-might-still-be-under-the-spell- of Louis Prima that's why my ears could not entertain another person's brilliance so I went for a little sleep.

When I woke up, I had a decent meal and started all over again. With an open mind and a happy stomach, I played the record for the second time.

Before I did that, I took some time and did a couple of reading first. Sometimes you need  to find out how songs are made so you can appreciate them more. I remember having more respect to Hip-Hop or Rap after I saw a Tupac documentary. I thought a little research will help me and it did.

According to the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, Fats Domino is "most responsible for bridging the gap between R&B and rock." And that is why I gave it another chance.

The song Blueberry Hill became my favorite in the album. Bear in mind that I quit listening to this song after 10 seconds during my first attempt but it grew on me very quickly. I even listened to Sir Elton John's version and I liked it even more and when I heard of Louis Armstrong's version, I died in an instant and went to heaven! I later found out that the song was recorded by a lot of artists back in the day.

The more I listened to the album, the more I came to like his voice. By the third song "What's The Reason? (I'm Not Pleasing You?) I was hooked. I wanted to hear more. My second favorite song in the album would be "La-La". It's a very short song with just a few words in it but is beyond brilliant.

La la
La la la la
I know why I'm in love with you, woo
I haven't found another woman to treat me like you do
You're so fine, I'm glad you're mine, woo

So take it from me when you come across a piece of music that you heard and did not like for the first time. Give it a second chance. It's worth it!