La Dolce Vita

Summer is officially upon us and I am thrilled to be heading overseas for the first time since the pandemic began. I am counting down the days until we depart for Italy so la dolce vita is my playlist inspiration this month. Setting the tone is "La dolce vita," an instrumental by Nino Rota from the movie soundtrack. I had planned to include Madonna's "Holiday" on this playlist before the news of her hospitalization. All I have to say is GET WELL SOON MADGE! xx Next up is the title track from electronic music pioneer Giorgio Moroder's 1977 album From Here To Eternity to prep you for those hot Italian disco nights. Nata di marzo is a late 1950s Italian comedy movie from which Japanese pop band Pizzicato Five took inspiration for their song by the same name. It just happened to be released on the soundtrack for sketch comedy troupe Kids in the Hall's movie Brain Candy. Italian composer, Daniele Luppi worked with indie band Parquet Courts on the 2017 concept album Milano, which is about 1980s-era Milan. Karen O handles lead vocals on the song “Talisa.” Mina is a legendary Italian pop star and actress. “Città quota” was recorded in 1963 and is an Italian version of Gene McDaniels’ song “It’s A Lonely Town.” Sticking with '50s/'60s Italian pop, the next track is Fred Buscaglione’s charming “Boccuccia di rosa.” While I was researching Fred Buscagilone, I read that hours before the pop star and actor’s tragic death after a car accident, he had met Mina for the first time where they discussed a possible collaboration. Oh, what could have been. While we are in Italy, we will be seeing the final night of Harry Styles wildly popular Love On tour in Reggio Emilia. My favorites, Wet Leg, are the opener. Of course I had to include a Harry track here and I chose “Satellite.” “Ciao!” is a song by the English band Lush featuring guest vocals from Jarvis Cocker. Speaking of Jarvis, I am giving you double the fun with his band, Pulp, and their song “Bar Italia”. You are welcome! Finally, the closer of all closers… the original version of “Gloria” by Umberto Tozzi and it rules. I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful summer!

Fin.

Nino Rota - La dolce vita

Madonna - Holiday

Giorgio Moroder - From Here To Eternity

Pizzicato Five - Nata Di Marzo

Daniele Luppi, Parquet Courts, Karen Oh - Talisa

Mina - Città vuota

Fred Buscaglione - Boccuccia di rosa

Harry Styles - Satellite

Lush - Ciao!

Pulp - Bar Italia

Umberto Tozzi - Gloria

Queen of Blossoms

How is it that May is almost behind us and Memorial Day is staring us in the face? Before the month completely gets away from me, I thought it might be nice to have a new playlist to soundtrack the long weekend? The best news is that Blur has released a new song and I am thrilled to report that “The Narcissist” is pretty fantastic. Next on the list is the Sparks classic “Wonder Girl.” Speaking of classixx, I follow that up with YACHT’s

“Psychic City - Classixx Remix” and Tears for Fears “Pale Shelter”. Chloe x Halle fit nicely here and I have loved them since I saw them open for Beyoncé several years ago. How great is it that Halle is the new Little Mermaid? That rules. Speaking of Beyoncé and concerts which killed and continue to kill my bank account.. I now need to try and find money to see Grace Jones, Chic and Duran Duran too? I added Grace’s “Pull Up To The Bumper” as inspiration. You can’t go wrong with a little English soul from Jamie Lidell. Sadly, Brazilian singer Rita Lee passed away this month. I was really only familiar with her work in the brilliant Os Mutantes. My co-worker (who is also from Brazil) inspired me to check out her solo work which I can’t believe I had missed. Do yourself a favor and listen beyond “Agora Só Falta Você”. London pop band The Clientele have a new album coming and the first single “Blue Over Blue” is aces. I thought it paired nicely with the Pernice Brothers “Dumb It Down” and my favorite track from Eleanor Friedberger “Make Me A Song.” Let me know what you think and enjoy the holiday weekend! xx

Blur - The Narcissist

Sparks - Wonder Girl

YACHT - Psychic City - Classixx Remix

Tears For Fears - Pale Shelter

Chloe x Halle - Ungodly Hour

Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper

Jamie Lidell - Multiply

Rita Lee - Agora Só Falta Você

The Clientele - Blue Over Blue

Pernice Brothers - Dumb It Down

Eleanor Friedberger - Make Me A Song

Motor Away

I am writing this from the car as we make our way from Brooklyn to the Florida Keys. I used to love road trips but in the past five years, my fondness has started to wane. I mean, REALLY wane. Partly because my body basically goes on strike having to sit for that long and partly because of the state of our country and not knowing what unprovoked hostility you might encounter for doing something as benign as choosing to wear a mask.

Anyway, to psych myself for this trip, I decided to focus on one of the things I do enjoy about a road trip… the music.

Musically, this playlist has a little bit of everything but the common thread is travel and, in most cases, driving. A couple of new wave bangers from Depeche Mode and Missing Persons kick off the playlist. Rihanna’s pop anthem “Shut Up And Drive” is a no-brainer. I couldn’t help including another Boygenius song off their just released killer debut album. It is definitely my pick for best release (so far) of 2023. Taking things to the more emotive side of the playlist are tracks from indie favorites: Cass McCombs, Built To Spill and Death Cab for Cutie. Sir Roderick David Stewart’s “Young Turks” pairs nicely with the gorgeous country-inflected harmonies of First Aid Kit. Also, representing team modern country is a brand new song from Jess Williamson fresh off the release and tour of the wonderful Plains album. Classics are well represented here with a post-punk one from The Modern Lovers, a soul one from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and a rock one from Wings. Shout out to my pal Dawn who reminded me of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s homage to the New Jersey Turnpike complete with shoutouts its legendary rest stops. Where do you stand on Eddie Rabbitt? This was a controversial one. The driver of our car is not a fan, where it reminds me of my childhood. I decided that Eddie stays. My chauffeur then suggested that Duran Duran close out the playlist. This time, I agree with him. Happy driving!

Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again

Missing Persons - Destination Unknown

Rihanna - Shut Up And Drive

Boygenius - $20

Cass McCombs - County Line

Built to Spill - Car

Rod Stewart - Young Turks

First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining

The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Motoring

Wings - Helen Wheels

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Big Road

Eddie Rabbitt - Drivin’ My Life Away

Death Cab for Cutie - Title and Registration

Jess Williamson - Hunter

Duran Duran - The Chauffeur