This morning I started to listen to this:

When John asked “are you listening to The Breeders?”, which of course made me listen to this:

Which in turn made me realize how good this song is (and how the opening of the Charlotte Gainsbourg song is a total copy of this Breeders song). And also how much fun the 90′s were – not that I want them back or anything. I’m perfectly happy with the present but boy did we drink a lot of beer, stay out super late and pretty much do whatever we want. Memories.

Fell in love with this song many moons ago and could listen to it for days,  Antony’s voice is like magic to me.

And, then there’s his take on “Crazy In Love”. Wow.

Reminds me of driving around listening to music really loud in the car with John. This video is weird (nothing happens) but the song by Bonnie Prince Billy is fantastic, especially crazy loud. Enjoy.

12 songs  for 2012 that have been on constant repeat this last year, maybe more.
What are some songs that you’ve been listening to non-stop this past year?

Terrible Angels by Charlotte Gainsbourg

Any Time You Like by Robyn

On Tour by Kurt Vile

Fearless by Pink Floyd

In The Grace of Your Love by The Rapture

Tiny Dancer by Fleetwood Mac

Kim & Jessie by M83

Sara Smile by Hall & Oates (have you called the Hall & Oates hotline yet? If not, do it now. 719-26-OATES)

In The Mood by Robert Plant

Get Me Home by Foxy Brown

Silver Platter by I-Roy

You da One by the one and only Rihanna

I can’t take my eyes off this video– her crazy face, the Charger, her rose headpiece. We all made wish lists from it–Shino wants her red sneakers, Julie wants the tattoos, I want the tigers and Laura wants her bed. This is an old school video from the days when there was excitement surrounding a new music video, over the top and heavily produced, just like they should be. Enjoy!

Some of my favorite Christmas songs:

Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song” makes me crave chestnuts and a fireplace!

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” for before there was Justin Bieber.

James Brown ” Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto” is a little known favorite of mine.

I checked in with my ladies here at Castor & Pollux and they added their favorites too! Shino is especially partial to Mr. Lennon’s “Happy Christmas, War is Over”. Who can blame her? This song brings the strongest man to tears.

Kash feels right at home in Kentucky with Ernest Tubb’s ole timey “Blue Christmas”

Julie Henriette gets sentimental over “Christmas Time is Here” by Vince Guaraldi for Charlie Brown’s Christmas

What’s you favorite song/carol/hymn/chant??? Happy Holidays!

One of the best things about living in New York is the quality of its street musicians. Today’s “Listen” Segment is dedicated to street/subway concerts. We will be uploading some videos over the course of the day.

This first one is a lovely little duo named Bird Courage singing “Willow Tree”. Isn’t it strange that some of the best acoustics are found in the subway halls?

This second one is Joshua Bell (who happens to be the best violinist in the world) playing on his Strad at a subway station pretending to be a street musician…

Notice the only ones who stop to listen – a little boy and a lone music geek!

This next one is Beirut – slightly staged – but still!

This one is in L.A., but the singer in the video (Lykke Li) could have been found in Washington Square park playing for pennies just a couple of years ago.

Who is your favorite street musician??

A quickie today. Seems like there are many Saras popping up in my life lately, here’s a tribute to them. And, also one of my favorite songs ever.

I’ve always been fascinated with Japanese culture. When I was a kid I even went through a phase where I insisted that I be addresed as Tomoko, ate only with chopsticks, wore wooden clogs and was always trying to get my hands on a proper kimono.  Anyways, when John suggested this video for the Listen post I fell madly in love and haven’t stopped listening (except for when Rihanna is playing, but that’s another story. Or possibly another post). Enjoy this enchanting song as you get ready for Thanksgiving. It’s perfect cooking music, hanging out music, traveling music. Any way you listen, it’s sure to make you happy.

Have a beautiful holiday with friends and family and let us know about your favorite songs for this time of year.

For today’s “Listen” segment in Loving’s Five Senses, we want to share our Rainy Day playlist with you.

The theme here is Genius. We pay a moment’s tribute to the musical magicians that make us sway and swoon.

Leonard Cohen‘s “So Long Marianne”

Kanye West‘s “Runaway”

Jacqueline du Pre playing Max Bruch’s Kol nidrei

What’s on your rainy day playlist? Stay Dry and Enjoy!