I generally don’t have much patience for Sufjan Stevens, one of the indie-ist of indie artists. But today’s Random SOTD, the first track from his 2010 album The Age of Adz, is lovely.
Song of the Day #2,847: ‘Half a Heart’ – Barenaked Ladies
Here’s an example of Random Weekends at their best. This track from Barenaked Ladies Are Men, the band’s final album before the departure of Steven Page, is a lovely find — one I’ve probably heard before but I sure can’t remember when.
Released in 2007 as a companion piece to the previous year’s Barenaked Ladies Are Me, this album received generally strong reviews. But for some reason, though I’m a big fan of most of the band’s catalog, I just never took to it. And when Page left a couple of years later, so did I.
Song of the Day #2,846: ‘Life On Mars (Live)’ – Sinead O’Connor
I’m leaping ahead nearly 25 years to wrap up my week of live Sinead O’Connor performances. This one was recorded just weeks ago, during a concert by David Bowie cover band Sons of the Silent Age.
As a tribute to the late icon, O’Connor sang my favorite Bowie song, ‘Life On Mars.’ At 49, she’s a lot more tattooed but still bald and beautiful, and she still (mostly) has that voice.
Song of the Day #2,845: ‘War (Live)’ – Sinead O’Connor
In late ’92, Sinead O’Connor performed her most controversial act, performing an a capella version of Bob Marley’s ‘War’ on Saturday Night Live, tying the lyrics to sex abuse in the Catholic Church, and finishing by tearing up a picture of the Pope.
That didn’t go over very well.
SNL was caught by surprise, as O’Connor has shown another picture (of a refugee child) during rehearsals. The network fielded hundreds of complaints and O’Connor became a target for politicians, religious figures and celebrities alike.
Song of the Day #2,844: ‘Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina (Live)’ – Sinead O’Connor
I’ve featured two very raw and angry Sinead O’Connor performances this week, so I’m changing pace with today’s cut. It’s hard to imagine a more delicate or gentle reading of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s classic Evita standout, ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.’
I’m not sure when this live orchestral performance was recorded. O’Connor included this song on her third album, 1992’s Am I Not Your Girl?, so I’m guessing it’s around then.
Meet Me In Montauk 