Pickles and Persimmons

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK!

Trends in music come and go, but song titles inspired by special ladies have been, and will always be a part of music, as long as love plays a role in the creative process.

So, in honor of the many women (both real and imagined) who have impacted musical artists, I give you a playlist showing the pervasiveness of this phenomenon.

1. Santa Maria de la Feira — Devendra Banhart         

I love this song, especially the combination of Devendra’s completely unique voice, and the wonderful background guitar. Also the chorus starting with “ladidadidadidadi” is great. Gracias Santa Maria!  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqpHtGevRqw )

2. Visions of Johanna — Bob Dylan 

Bob Dylan provides us with a wealth of songs about women (Girl from the North Country, Lay Lady Lay, etc) but Visions of Johanna is a classic. Give it a listen. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azot-L3rEu4)

3. Maria —Blondie              

I’ve never really listened to Blondie, but since hearing this tune a long time ago, I’ve always highly enjoyed it. It’s intense, and got a great beat and wonderful drums. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoOG7LEyUJ0)

4. Pretty Mary Kay—Elliott Smith                 

I’m a huge Elliott Smith fan, and this is an absolute favorite. He has such a beautiful voice and this song is hauntingly gorgeous. And yes, I just used that phrase. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfo2ifhO1zE (live version))

5. Sexy Sadie—The Beatles      

Few playlists would be complete without a song from the Beatles, especially if the tunes are inspired by love or ladiez. So I included two, and Sexy Sadie is a lesser known but wonderful song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSDFkjwMwes)

6. Bonita Applebum— Tribe Called Quest   

I don’t think Bonita Applebum is a real person (unfortunately) but this song is sii-iick. Bonita Applebum’s got it goin on. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46c8AqzjLCg )

7. Jesse’s Girl — Rick Springfield     

Although a specific girl’s name isn’t in the title of this song, this is such a fun song. And it makes me think of two things: 1. Rick Springfield in Californication 2. The Cornell Cayuga’s Waiters rendition of this song. Which I adore…              (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2T7wKdQsTo)                          (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBzMkKZ0x_k   (Cayuga’s Waiters Version) 

8. Roxanne-The Police      

This was an obvious choice for any playlist based on women’s first names. As I child, I was told (by my brothers) that the song was about “the woman who changes the traffic lights”. Gives new meaning to putting on the red light…hmmm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Qad-gaHMg)

9. Ms Jackson — Outkast           

 I love Outkast, and they are, in my opinion, highly underrated. However, this song received enormous attention, and remains a classic. So….listen to it again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCwHfGdt4Ig)

10. Michelle— The Beatles            

Although I already did another Beatles song, this is such a beautiful song. And its in French! (well some of it…) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWVKQoRXhk)

Enjoy!                                                                                                                           Leah

I recently watched the “roc-doc” It Might Get Loud with my family. The movie individually chronicles the life stories and careers of three incredible yet different guitarists, The Edge from U2, Jimmy Page from Led Zepplin, and Jack White from the White stripes. I realize after reading that statement that you may stop and say, ‘well why are you writing about music with big drums?’ Good question. As is often true, great guitar solos exist in conjunction with great drum pieces. In one of my favorite scenes, Jimmy Page recounts the story of recording with Zepplin at Headley Grange when the band placed the drums in the stairwell of the three floor atrium to record “When the Levee Breaks.” This story, and this song got me thinking about all the other songs I love that make you want to playing the drums on your steering-wheel or walk with particular rhythm down the street in your own private musical.

1. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zepplin: Obviously my number one choice for this list. Every song listed below has undoubtedly been effected by this first choice.

2. No Reply at All - Genesis: As with almost all other Genesis songs, this song always puts me in a good mood.

3. In My Place - Coldplay: I’ve had the opportunity to go to a couple live Coldplay shows and the sheer volume of noise their drums produce always amazes me.

4. Smells like Teen Spirit - Nirvana: I went through an odd Nirvana phase for about a month last year. I think I may have been too young at the actual time of Nirvana to appreciate it. Anyways, the guitar + drum combination in this song is about as 90’s grunge as it gets for me.

5. Lasso - Phoenix: Okay, I know Leah and I are always talking-up Phoenix. However, the drums in this song are really just that good.

6. Suzanne - Weezer: Throwback…still so good.

7. Message in a Bottle - The Police: I suppose The Police are traditionally known for Sting and their use of the electric base. But, I love this song for the drums.

8. 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zero’s: I realize the percussion in this song is a mixture of drums, clapping, stomping feet, and more. However, it’s still a great organic beat that I just love.

9. The Girl You Lost to Cocaine - Sia: Unexpected use of intense drums from Sia but I like it nonetheless.

10. Everlasting Light - The Black Keys: This entire album has great drums on it but this song catches you right away with them.

Best, Lauren

Whenever I watch Antiques Roadshow I can never believe how lucky some people are. This is another one of those one in a million garage sale stories. Best, Lauren http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/529222/Treasure-in-the-Attic—Local-connection-to-Ansel-Adams-negatives.html?nav=5149

A few nights ago I saw on Nightly News with Brian Williams a featured story on a man who has a family of owls living in his backyard which have now become an internet sensation (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619). The story kindly referred to these avid watchers as “Owl-caholics.” However, the story then went on to suggets that distractions such as these are just what American’s, and to honest, the world needs right now. A little distraction.

My life at this moment can be possibly described as a quarter-life crisis. I find myself without direction (which I never am) and with infinite options (which I never have). No one can tell me which is better than the other because there is frankly, no right answer. As many recent college graduate can attest to, a desire to begin the road to financial independence from ones parents becomes apparent after school. Yet, in my opinion, there i so much more to life and enjoyment than that. I for one have always been a believer in trying to marry your interests and your responsibilities into your everyday activities. I refuse to let go of this belief when it comes to a job. So, I will continue doing what I love (this) while applying for anything and everything I think I may love at the same time and hopefully someone….anyone…will want me when the time and the fit are right.

Until that moment arrives, I will distract myself with furry animal videos. This post, while much more touchy-feely in nature than any of my others, is dedicated to a little distraction. I for one am in need of it and I’m assuming many of you out there may as well. Traditionally I look to celebrity gossip or fashion sites to cheer me up (don’t ask) but this will be a compilation of happiness-packed sites.

Welsh Corgi video (http://www.wimp.com/cutepuppy)

Molly the Owl (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8859848)

Pandacam (http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam)

Cute Puppy Falling Asleep in water…and yes this is an entire site devoted to sleeping baby animals (http://www.cutethingsfallingasleep.org/2008/12/sleepy-puppy-15.html)

I love shopping and art and this combines the two! (http://www.eyestorm.com) (not furry I know but still equally enjoyable)

Best, Lauren