Relax, Dim the Light, Grab That Scotch, Turn on the Night ...

Of late, it has been long hours at the desk and the only solace is the 10pm-midnight music session that helps lay the day down gently. This post aims to build this very mood and at the least, it would provide me with a ready link to go through my list when you or I so choose to!

So relax, dim the light, grab that scotch and turn on the night.

1. Circa 1930s, this song by Charles King featuring Anita Page is called "you were mean't for me" - great if you are a romantic and sometimes secretly wish you lived in a simpler time.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSlxBu-43gY

2. BVSC or the Buena Vista Social Club introduced me to a music as soulful as any! Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez and his cubano friends weave a web of magic with words and the rhythm is so latin. Here Irahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo sing a ditty called "Silencio" ....
it sounds like a lullaby and is also quite romantic if you can step.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE1ijoIxMo0

3. "Out of my mind" was such a youtube find! John Mayer has recently been working on some great stuff and you can find them under "John Mayer Trio" in youtube.

With the addition of drummer and a bass player it seems like John's getter a whole lot bluesy ... and sounds good too!

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qla13aWrNP4

4. Hey! Remember that car ad you loved and wished what tune it was???? I know what it is! Its called "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful world" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ...and that tune you love is played on none other than the Ukulele ....

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0TQ8lM5tdE

[If you know how to play the uke then the chords are real simple, check them out there http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/uke/tabs/020811.html ]

5. Loreena McKennitt had a beautiful version of "Green Sleeves" which I miss. This is a traditional English Folk Song ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves ) that is a popular theme in many Irish/English themed TV shows - once again you might recognize the tune ....

I do have to warn you - Loreena's version, with the full bass on, and a wee bit o' rain outside will give you the goose-bumps!

Here is a short clip from Amazon.com: GreenSleeves Audio

6. Emiliana Torrini in Gollum's song ... how can I miss that?

"we are lost, we can never go home" echo the bitter thoughts of the charecter Gollum. I sometimes hum these lyrics with similar emotion when I am at work knowing that the sun has set and I have lost another evening ....funny ain't it?

Gollum's Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70kgBzO31Ac

Here another song by the love Emiliana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-hqsVREyxI

7. ...and finally, nothing beats listening to Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits before you call it a night. I believe I have been listening to "Brothers in Arms" and "Romeo and Juliet" and other favs from the "On the night" CD for about ....ummm ...10 years or more every other night - if not more.

...why don't you try it once? Trust me, that guitar soothes the soul.

Brothers in Arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77HC9BeC0E
Romeo and Juliet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3n2wXEFeLI
(This is the live - "On the Night" version, don't miss the Sax in this)

Thanks again to the miracle of Broadband and youtube ! What a time to be in.