Tag Archives: calm

Jazz, magical, pop, soundtrack

Julee Cruise – Floating into the Night

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A great album for David Lynch fans, Julee Cruise in her greatest moment. Dream pop, calm, and sombre magical are the words for this album which created the mood for the must watch TV series Twin Peaks.

This album was created of the back of the Blue Velvet film, and used extensively for the soundtrack of Twin Peaks the television series. Angelo Badalamenti and Director David Lynch composed the music and Julee Cruise was brought in to perform the hauntingly beautiful album. Twin Peaks was a revolutionary television series with touches of the surreal based around the brutal murder of a high school girl, Laura Palmer, in a rural community.

Badlamenti was tasked by David Lynch to create ethereal music for the earlier Lynch film Blue Velvet. Cruise was selected on the basis of her participation in a Theatre Workshop that Badalamenti had produced. When Badalamenti was commissioned to create the soundtrack for Twin Peaks Crusie was the perfect choice.

 

The single was called falling and it made the Billboard charts while the album sold half a million copies.

Released
1990

Lyrics
Yes this album is a breathy showpiece. All lyrics were written by David Lynch and all music was composed by Angelo Badamamenti.

Mood
Calm and relaxed is what this album is all about.

Good to work to
Great album to relax to.

Like
Like a jazzy mood album of the past, mixed in with a dose of dark magic.

The Artist/s
Julee Cruise who sings the tracks is an actress and singer.

David Lynch the lyricist is an acclaimed film director

Angelo Badalamenti is a composer who has worked on a host of soundtracks and other musical projects

Other works
Julee Cruise did release other albums after this but it would be fair to say there is no way it could be compared to this.

What I would recommend is the Blue Velvet soundtrack. This was another Lynch Badalamenti collaboration and the first where they brought in Julee Cruise on the track Mysteries of Love. The success of this collaboration gave the impetus for the latter album. It is different as it is a more traditional soundtrack featuring the music of other artists such as Roy Obison with In Dreams and Bobby Vinton on the title track Blue Velvet.

Angelo Badalamenti was a continued collaborator with David Lynch so you might want to check out some of the other soundtracks they worked on such as the darker follow up Twin Peaks movie Fire Walk with Me, likewise other movies such as Mullholland Drive. I wasn’t able to find much of this on itunes, although I’m sure it’s there if you search hard enough. Below is a link to the official Twin Peaks soundtrack.

 

You may also like Dark night of the soul, a musical/visual project of Sparklehorse and David Lynch with a range of musicians and featuring Lynch singing on a few of the tracks. A different style to the featured album, but interesting

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
A bit pricier on vinyl these days, but fairly cheap on iTunes and a winner from start to finish.

The Verdict
A great album, just what you need to send yo on to another world. This album definitely has a presence that may work for you.

instrumental, Jazz, magical, Music to write to, soundtrack

Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas

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Existential cartoon kids and their dog Snoopy make TV Christmas special, bring on the piano jazzman with music tailormade to chilling by the fire. One of the best selling Christmas albums of all times, it’s made up of a mix of standards and remakes with a jazz tinge.

The Vince Guaraldi Trio don’t rock, but definitely swing A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Charlie Brown and his friends were very popular from the fourties through to the nineties. There were movies, the regular cartoon strips, and merchandising, Charlie Brown and Snoopy were everywhere. The characters in Charlie Brown were flawed, sweet, selfish and funny. They had human stories that touched on simple truths. Guaraldi with his jazz roots was a natural to do the soundtrack

I’m a sucker for the little drummer boy and the version that’s here is a killer. Have a listen I can’t really do it justice with words. It puts me in a happy place.

Released
1965, re-released 2006

Lyrics
Instrumental mainly piano, bass and drums, but on a few of the tracks there is a sweet little children’s choir.

Mood
Happy and festive you can’t go wrong with this little number. It’s a really sweet piano album that makes me feel calm and happy. It’s also better than your average Christmas album.

Good to work to
Definitely great for work, but maybe ideal for more contemplative tasks. Very calming, at least for me.

Like
A cross between a Christmas album and a soft jazz album.

The Artist/s
Vince Guaraldi was a jazz groover putting out a steady number of jazz recordings and soundtracks from the 50s to 70s. It’s all chilled music. He reported chest discomfort to his doctor who advise him he had nothing to worry about. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack.

Jerry Granelli – drums
Vince Guaraldi – piano, Hammond organ, arrangement
Fred Marshall – double bass
Additional musicians
Colin Bailey – drums on “Greensleeves”
Monty Budwig– double bass on “Greensleeves”
Children’s choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael California.

Other works
Although of a totally different genre, this is a commercial album commisioned by the Coca Cola company, just like LCD Soundsystem‘s cracker album  45:33 was commisioned for Nike. Maybe they both paradoxically felt free of commercial constraints when they made their album.

Guaraldi has stacks of other albums like this one below, but I’m not enough of a connossieur to recommend anything in particular. Much as I don’t like to do it, but how about you listen to his best of and see what tickles your fancy.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
You can get this album most places. It was such a popular album that it has ensured it stayed in print. Of course you can also get it digitally on iTunes. I really like this album, but maybe I’m just sentimental.

The Verdict
Thumbs up, buy it.

Folk, World

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul

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Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul

There is a depth and gentleness to this album that will put you into a good place to write. But, unless you are one of the handul of people who can speak Yolgnu or one of the other aboriginal languages the lyrics aren’t going to distract you.

There is a deep beauty and emotion put into the delivery of the lyrics and songs on this album that goes beyond words. You can get lost this set of songs, gentle lullabies with depth.

Released
2008

Lyrics
Yes but in a mixture of languages spoken by very few people that will not distract you.

Mood
Calming and perfect for meditative works.

Good to work to
Great to work when you need to be calmed.

Like
I can’t imagine what I could compare this to aside from indigenous lullabies.

If you like the idea of exploring Australian Indigenous music I can point you in a few directions. There is in my favourite aboriginal band, a black and white collaboration called the Warumpi Band from the early eighties, although it’s definitely not music to write to.

If you like that but want something less raw Christine Anu did a beautiful cover of one of their most famous songs my Island home.

MIA is a Sri Lankan Tamil Englishwoman, and she collaborated with some aboriginal kids in this great track “Mango Pickle Down River” from her earliest album

The Artist/s
Geoffrey “Gurrumul” Yunupingu a blind Yolgnu guy who plays a right hand strung guitar left handed, didgeridoo, drums and organ. He is a very shy bloke who can’t read braille, and speaks little English. He sings in Galpu, Gumatj, or Djanbarrpuyna languages. He was born and grew up in Arnhem land, and a remote area aborigin’d knocked around in bands such as Yothu Yindi. Despite the success of his youth he was plucked from obscurity in the remote Northern Territory of Australia, to release a breakout album in a mixture of English, Yolgnu, and other aboriginal dialects.

Other works
Gurrumul has released later albums but this is my favourite so far.

Before his breakout album Gurrumul, Geoffrey “Gurrumul” Yunupingu had already had a career in one of the biggest Australian aboriginal rock bands Yothu Yindi many years before. Yothu Yindi was the first band Gurrumul was in and a hugely successful one of the nineties with their song treaty, after the hoped for treaty between the aboriginal nations of Australia and the Australian government. This treaty has still not eventuated.

In Latter days Gurrumul has been a member of the Saltwater band.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
It has been re-released on vinyl as well. An absolute cracker of an album, and of course on itunes

The Verdict
Yes get it as soon as possible. It is calming, and will work for you.

Folk

Fleet Foxes – debut

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Fleet Foxes self titled debut, and Sun Giant EP
The Fleet Foxes self titled album and the Sun Giant EP that is often packaged with it,  are ultra-relaxing and take you to that different place you need to go to get those keys a tapping. If you’re like me I’m guessing sometimes when you write you need to calm down from the events of the day. This album is like a valium suppository to a burns victim. If you think I understand how that metaphor works you’ve got another thing coming.

The whole vibe of the album is folksy seventies american male vocals with multiple harmonies. They are probably more in the Crosby Stills and Nash tradition more than anything else, although they also remind me of church music. Matching beards back when this released completed the folksy hippie look of this band. I think of them as looking like well groomed old english sheepdogs in flannel shirts.

They won oodles of prizes and the music industry fawned over them for the moment in time when this album was released. The music is timeless and could have been written forty years ago as easily as in 2008, but for all that it was quite fresh when it came out.

The album has really cool cover art being a close up of the Pieter Bruegel’s, Netherlandish Proverbs, from 1559. If you buy this album on Vinyl you can check out all the cool details scattered throughout the painting. It really is a great painting with all these people wandering around this village with all these little stories. It one an award for best cover art, but as it is an old masters painting that’s really cheating I think. With that said I think it’s cool that they recycled what is a great painting lots of people would never have seen otherwise. What’s music for if not turning people on to great ideas, inspiring them. Right on Fleet Foxes, bravo, bravo.

Released
2008

Lyrics
Yes full of folksy melodic harmony soaked lyrics. However, they are not the dominant kid of lyrics.

Mood
This is an extremely calm album. The album soothes and relaxes and allows you to get a little mental massage as you tap away.

Good to work to
This is a very chilled album, the issue is whether it relaxes you too much. I find I can get into things and (not sure whether this is a bad thing) completely blank out the music.

Like
It is a mixture of two styles late seventies easy listening and folk. Kind of like back woods church music with a little bit of sympathetic instrumentation thrown in occasionally. If you like this you might like Bon Iver.

The Artist/s
These guys are from Seattle, they started out small selling Eps at show until they were ‘discovered’ by uber indie label Sub Pop and soon became the album everyone was talking about. Pecknold the writer for the band is one of Seattle’s foremost authorities on philately of the pre civil war period and regularly sets up philately stands at his shows for eager stamp collectors to show and trade in what have been termed high philately roadshows.

The Fleet Foxes are made up of
Robin Pecknold, songwriter, lead vocals, guitar
Skyler Skjelset, lead guitar
Nicholas Peterson, drums vocals
Casey Wecott, keyboards, vocals
Craig Curran, bass, vocals
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Phil Elk
Mastered by Ed Brooks

Other works
They have released some later albums, and in most releases the Sun Giant EP comes with the album. The Sun Giant EP and the album have the same vibe regardless.

To be honest (because I usually lie) I hadn’t heard great things so I haven’t listened to it. They are coming off a pretty good bass, but I can’t really imagine them evolving from in some meaningful way that I think I’ll find  as good or different. I really like this album though and think that most bands would be doing well to ever produce something of its quality.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
This you should be able to find everywhere on any format.

The Verdict
Cruisey fun time listening. This is a great chill out and immerse yourself in the sound album.

bluegrass, country

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Will the circle be unbroken

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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Will the circle be unbroken

One day the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a rag tag bunch of talented hippies, had an idea that some of the most talented musicians in America who had been overlooked were slipping into obscurity. They thought the best way to bridge the gap between these musical superstars who were overlooked outside of the Nashville sound and scene was to make an album celebrating that heritage with them. Not all of the greats agreed to participate but they certainly got most of them. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band get their name on the cover and deserve a big slap on the back if for nothing else than gathering together the greats while they were still alive and making this fantastic album happen.

Country may not be your thing, but this is high quality country and I find it mellow and relaxing, the perfect thing to have in the background when I’m writing. I have friends who think it’s sacrilege to have things in the background that are paid no attention. I on the contrary like having the right kind of music with the right kind of feel washing away any thoughts other than what I am focussing on.

The songs are generally classics of the country era although perhaps not so well known these days. Stars of the era like the Mother Maybelle Carter, Roy Acuff, and Earl Scruggs sing and play a mixture of guitars and banjos with a skill built up over a lifetime. At times the bluegrass rags and traditional songs he ark back to a celtic folk heritage, but the accents are unmistakably American. All of the tracks are first or second takes, these were experienced musicians.

Track list is full of classics like keep on the sunny side, like a rolling stone, honkytonkin and a stack of other tracks that will probably vibrate in the back of your head as you’ve heard them used on various films used as the sound of rural America.

Part of the joy of this album is the dialogue between the songs where the musicians are working out who will play what and how. As well as recording the tracks they let the tape record throughout the entire sessions so you can get an idea of what kind of person that these musicians were.

Released
1972

Lyrics
Yes, straight-forward songs with lyrics

Mood
This album has a down home yes haw feeling. It goes from ballads to hoedown finger picking frenzy songs. There is some real emotion and genuine feeling in these songs that will not disappoint.

Good to work to
I find this a comforting album to work to. I like albums that occasionally go into some high tempo music, this can lift my typing tempo and flip me into a different type of thinking, but one I can’t keep up forever. For that erason I like a diverse album like this.

Like
I can’t say I listen to a lot of bluegrass music, but I guess anything else that is labelled as bluegrass. I don’t know enough other stuff to reccomend.

The Artist/s
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with many legends of the bluegrass and country and western scene including…

Roy Acuff – Renowned singer and fiddler who popularised the more commercial singer style that popularised the music

“Mother” Maybelle Carter – Original member of the Carter family singing group, that popularised the Carter Family picking style. A mother figure on the country circuit, and Johnny Cash’s grandmother.

Doc Watson – Singer and master of guitar flat picking

Earl Scrugges – Acknowledged as the inventor of the scruggs three finger style banjo picking style, and performd the ballad of Jed Clampett for the cult sixties TV show the Beverly Hillbillies

Merle Travis – popular singer songwriter who often wrote about the hardships of coal-miners

Pete “Oswald” Kirby aka Bashful Brother Oswald popularised the resonator guitar and Dobro

Jimmy Martin – Known as the King of Bluegrass

Vassar Clements – dubbed the father of hillbilly jazz, who taught himself to play fiddle at the age of seven

Other works
The incredible string band and all of the fantastic musicians that play along on this album……… have hundreds of albums between them.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
This is one of those albums that will always remain in print. You should even be able to find a second hand copy on vinyl without to much trouble.

The Verdict
This is a great laid back album to listen to while you’re typing away. It’s country but straight up bluegrass country. So know big steel guitars and nashville production just straight ahead backwoods musicianship.

electronic, Folk

Best music to write to… Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree

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Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
There is a gentle beauty to this album that makes my toes tingle with pleasure from the opening acoustic guitar riff.  Alison Goldfrapp’s sings with a mixture of exquisite high harmonies and the best sexy breathy James Bond theme chanteuse style. She had me from about 15 seconds into the first track, ‘Clowns. The simplicity of this album, combined with the orchestration, tight arrangements, and deep warmth combine to create a beautifully soothing listening experience. How does folk electronica sound?

This album is a complete departure from Goldfrapp’s previous albums. This album was inspired by an acoustic radio set the two played. They were enchanted by the warmth of the sound and decided to incorporate it into their next album. They haven’t completely abandoned the studio wizardry, but any cool sounds have been okayed down so they don’t distract from the soaring harmonies.

Goldfrapp tested a new look to take away from the overtly sexy look that was distracting from the music. I don’t know how successful that tactic was. The music is a beautiful mixture of acoustic, organic and the traditional percussive elements that are signature to the Goldfrapp sound.

They have said the album was inspired by paganism and surreal English children’s books. I really like the way how the whole artwork package and accompanying mini films that go along with the album work. A mixture of clown and owl imagery is going to grab me every time. If you buy it on vinyl you also get a really cool poster, I might be a sucker for the merchandising, but it’s pretty cool

Below is a brief collage of tracks on the album to some film put together by the artists. It gives you an idea of some of the treats.

Below is a short film with some clips from the album and the artists explaining how they made it. Warning – it may come as somewhat of a shock hearing the breathy beautiful voice of Alison Goldfrapp out of context with her native accent.

Released
2008

Lyrics
Yes all over the album, throaty breathy beautiful lyrics.

Mood
Warm, meditative music that would suit a warm bath and a glass of red wine as well as anything else. The vocals and instrumentation have a real depth that I really like.

Good to work to  
This album calms me down and lets me relax. Maybe that’s not good for every kind of writing but it is certainly the kind of album that can relax me. It is a melodic album, one that vibrates with joy, sombre thoughts, and self-reflection. Although there are lyrics I don’t find them distracting at all and I find listening to this album quite soothing all of which makes it easier for me to write to it.

Like
This album is a combination of styles, variously called folktronica, dream pop and various other meaningless words made up by music journalists.

The Artist/s  
Goldfrapp are an english duo, Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory. They were introduced in 1999, who had heard one of her demos. Gregory was a composer while Alison Goldfrapp had been a backing/guest vocalist on tracks by Orbital and Tricky. Their first album together was 2000’s Felt Mountain. This was followed by Black Cherry in 2003, and Supernature in 2005. They received acclaim and some success with their earlier albums most notably with Supernature, before the change of direction that was heralded by the release of Seventh Tree. There latest album Tales of Us was released in 2013, but I haven’t heard it.

Below is a short film with some clips from the album and the artists explaining how they made it.

Other works
I have heard most of Goldrapp’s albums but I am pretty sure this is the only one they have in this style. All of the others are gorgeous electro pop and atmospheric jewels. Not that you couldn’t work to their other albums, but they aren’t of the same style. The rest of their output is distinctly more electro ambient albums.

Where Can I buy it, and in what formats
You should be able to get this everywhere. My vinyl version is one of my favourite albums. It has this lovely artwork and posters.

The Verdict
This is a big winner. It has a calming effect that is sure to make you happy while you are productive.

Jazz, World

Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda

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Alice Coltrane’s Journey in Satchidananda has a feel unlike any other album I know. Deep bass jazz grooves are infused with world music-flavoured harp and percussion.  A touch of India  is combined with the smell of jazz cigarettes in clubs across Europe and the US.

Alice Coltrane spent years studying mysticism, and it’s a fair bet that this was influenced her choice to make this album. The title track inspiration was the name of her guru, Swami Satchidananda. The different tracks tell stories about Coltrane’s life and spiritual journey.

Whether it is the diverse cultural references this music triggers, or something else entirely, this album is other-worldly. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t think this is completely different from anything they’ve ever heard before. I saw this album years before I made the choice to buy it. The album with the crazy-looking name was a hard sell but, once I bought it, I never regretted it.

No-one knows where your mind goes when you’re tapping on a keyboard, the rare occasions when you can suspend endless thoughts about the past and the future; the worries of work, study, and your love life. This is an album that can send you to that other place, one you won’t want to miss.

Released    
1970

Lyrics
No lyrics to distract you. Not a word. This is a full body immersive experience record.

Mood
The same mix of sounds that makes this album unique is what makes it so immersive and effective to work to. Alice Coltrane has created a sonic world that takes me somewhere other than the present and my workaday worries, and is excellent for study. Depending on the day I’ve had, it can be hard to switch off. Music like this is like an instant drug that allows me to focus.

You will find that this record is an effective tool to create mood. My mood changes just seeing the front cover of this album showcasing Alice with her frizzy hair and kaftan. You need this album if you’re a writer – whether it’s to work through an essay or other academic projects, fiction, technical, or non-fiction.

Good to work to 
Anything demanding deep focus is a fantastic record to work to.  This is great when you need to think, but not necessarily the best thing for speed work.

Like
It has the jazz vibe, with classic sax and bass grooves, but the harp and percussive style give it a world music ethereal style that is unlike most other music (that I know of).  Despite these differences in style it contains enough familiar parts to be accessible, and within a short time the eclectic mix feels familiar.

The Artist(s)
Alice Coltrane’s music haunts the space between the mystical and the eclectic in a way unknown to any other works. She was the great-aunt of electronic musician, Flying Lotus, and second wife of jazz legend, John Coltrane.

Alice Coltrane studied classical music and jazz, soon becoming a professional. She eventually had children to, and married John Coltrane and played in his acclaimed groups. The list of musicians she played with before and after Coltrane died, shows you the esteem she was held in. This album is always one of the top albums in jazz and world music retailers’ lists.

 Featuring
Alice Coltrane on harp and piano
Phaoroah Sanders on soprano saxophone and percussion
Vishnu Wook on oud
Charlie Haden on bass
Cecil McBee on bass
Tulsi on tambura
Rashied Ali on drums
Majid Shabazz on bells and tambourine

Other works
I have dabbled in her back catalogue of albums and there are some gems, but don’t expect to find another journey exactly like this one. There are contemplative albums featuring different instruments, but I can’t tell you which one you’ll like. A few good ones you might want to try are Astral Meditations and Transcendence. Needless to say there are ones I loved and ones I didn’t, but Journey in Satchidananda is the only one I would say is a stone cold classic.

Where can I buy it, and in what formats?
This album is always in print, whether in vinyl, CD or MP3. If you’re looking for this album you’ll find it under jazz, although you could equally find it in the world music section. It’s always in print because it’s a classic.

The Verdict
Buy it now. If you can, get it on vinyl, so you can fully appreciate the crazy cover art.

Folk

Beck – Morning Phase

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Beck – Morning Phase – Best Music to Write to
When work is stressing me out I need music that not only allows me to work, but will also give me an extra push. An album that I can fully immerse myself in, that can change my mental state, is worth an extra thousand words to me. The words come out, and I don’t feel the passage of time. Beck’s voice, harmonies, warm guitar, bass, and acoustic arrangements succeed calming and taking me to that place. This album is a companion piece to Sea Change released in 2002, and written after the breakup of a long term relationship. Some of the same musicians appear in the line up, as although Sea Change wasn’t released until 2014, recording began in 2005.

Although there are a few standout tracks on Morning Phase, it retains an even feeling throughout – like most music I like to work to. There is no doubt Beck is an outstanding performer and musician, but his performance does not dominate my workspace. There is plenty of room  for me to overlay it with whatever I am working on. More importantly, this feeling persists when played at louder volumes.

Released
2014

Lyrics
Yes, but not abrasive lyrics. Beck has a warm, soothing voice that is complemented by smooth arrangements. I find it easy to listen to his voice – another instrument in his mood ensemble. My only concern is that I may be biased as I have listened to a lot of Beck over time.

Mood
Beck is a specialist in the mood album and has progressed through an eclectic range of styles. It’s a folk album at heart. Morning Phase is no exception, but this is the kind of Beck album for the writer-of-any-style. While I do not recommend all Beck albums, this one puts me into a relaxed mood – ideal for immersing myself in whatever I’m working on. There is a sad quality to this music which makes me feel sombre but focussed. Likewise, this an ideal album for an intimate dinner or curling up on the couch with a nice glass of wine or three.

Best music to write to
I could write anything while I listen to this. It might be difficult to write a fight or chase scene, but it’s well-suited to writing fiction or non-fiction. I’m finding it hard to describe exactly what writing mood it’s most compatible with but, more than anything, it puts me in a contemplative, internal space that makes it easy to block out the troubles of the world, and to be present in the moment.

Like
I hesitate to compare this to Nick Drake because it has a far more polished, American feel. This is the album of a performer who is confident in his musicality, a performer who has still has the ability to surprise.

The Artist(s)
Beck has been lauded as a musical wunderkind, specialising in genre-hopping sonic collages of beats, soul, country, and everything in between. His earliest hit was his 1994 track, I’m a loser baby so why don’t you kill me. Other performers such as Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne have branded him a d**k – a label Beck has refuted as something of a misunderstanding and that was due to an illness that kept him subdued during their tour. What is certain is that Beck is a virtuoso, but what is not so sure is that someone who can make such fine music is a d**k. His musically eclectic style is no doubt influenced by his visual artist mother, Bibbe Hansen (one of Andy Warhol’s moviestars), and by prolific composer and arranger David Campbell.

Other works
I recommend only Sea Change to write to. Some say it is a superior album but, for me, both Morning Phase and Sea Change fit the ‘best music to write to’ mould.

Where can I buy it, and in what formats?
You can buy Morning Phase pretty much everywhere at the moment. For audiophiles who prefer vinyl, you had better get in quick. Most Beck albums don’t get re-released on vinyl after the initial pressings. I was sadly disappointed when I tried to get the earlier album Sea Change in this format.

The Verdict
For me, a winner. I rarely like lyrics in a writing album, but these ones are soothing rather than demanding.