Songs That Move Me, 30-21

30. Sixty Years On- Elton John
Just great use of strings. Too bad Elton's vocal's mixed too low, but the instrumentation is a fair representation of the recording.
Feeling: old.


29. The Mercy Seat- Johnny Cash
This is a nice little Nick Cave song about an upcoming execution of the protagonist, for a crime he did not commit (maybe). It is the Benmont Tench keyboards on this song, like his keyboards on Johnny's version of Hurt, that really stand out for me. I particularly appreciates how it builds sonically. From the third American Recordings CD.
Feeling: a-feared.


28. How Cruel - Joan Armatrading.
"I heard somebody say once I was way too black
And someone answers she's not black enough for me"
Just for that couplet there. And the piano.
Feeling: a tad ticked off.


27. A Salty Dog - Procol Harum
The sound effects, the building of the sound.
Feeling: adrift.


26. Tempted-Squeeze
Near-perfect pop song, with great background singing and that classic Paul Carrack groan.
Feeling: inappropriate.
HERE.

25. I Saw Her Again- Mamas and the Papas
This is enhanced by an accident of technology. On a greatest hits LP I had growing up, the lead vocal all but drops out, revealing the intricacy of the harmonies.
Feeling: inappropriate.


24. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Carole King
It's the Mitchell-Taylor Boy and Girl Chorus that really makes this. This arrangement practically begs for a cappella singing. From Tapestry, which I played so much, I wore out the LP.


23. Rain - the Beatles.
Not sure i really liked this song on first listen. It was, "What the heck is THAT?" But later, the tape loops and steady beat won me over.
Feeling: wet.


22. Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
Not only great guitar playing, but the Merry Clayton vocal really shreds it.
Feeling: alone.


21. Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Melanie
I had a friend inn the music business mock me when a mutual acquaintance, a radio DJ, let her know I had requested a Melanie song from him. I protested, "But it's Lay Down!" the clash between her sometimes homely voice and the Edwin Hawkins Singers creates such wonderful music tension.
Feeling: too tired to sleep.
or HERE.
ROG