Best Video, Best Song, Best Album, Best Band Ever?

Hello Friends,

With a mere 4 albums under their belts they decided to call it a day. Drugs, band squabbles, or creative differences - whatever the case may be - The Verve created some amazing music since they formed in 1990.

I was backpacking around Europe in 1997 when the album 'Urban Hymns' was released. Radiohead also released 'Ok Computer' that same year...so being in and around the UK at that time was electric indeed. It was a time when you relied on radio, word of mouth and HMV charts in the store to determine what was hot. They were all on these 2 albums - it's all you heard throughout Europe. Seems like a lifetime ago really.

The thing that doesn't seem like a lifetime ago is the music that was on these 2 albums. While Radiohead's 'Ok Computer' is definitely one of my favourite albums of all time The Verve's 'Urban Hymns' is in fact the #1 album of all time on my albums list. I don't care how many times I've heard 'Bittersweet Symphony' - it always sounds brand new. The video for this song is also my favourite video of all time. It is the most perfect mix of pop, rock and classical music out there (IMHO).

Because this album was released in a time before MP3s - it really gave you the chance, want and need to listen to a full album. I know that sounds like an old dinosaur thing to say - but you youngster need to listen and appreciate full albums. The artists you love don't create one amazing song and then record 10 more tracks to make up the rest of an album. They spend months, years and sometimes longer to ensure that the album sequencing is perfect. They want you to hear the album the way they designed it. I digress - but please do yourself a favour and listen to 'Urban Hymns' from start to finish.

This album opens with 'Bittersweet Symphony' and closes with 'Come on'.

It's a shame that the band's come back was brief a few year's back- but the album entitled 'Forth' (Forth album they released) was not without its own hits. You've likely heard 'Love is Noise' but check out 'Appalachian Springs'.

Anyway - here's links to each individual track. All you have to do now is click and listen...

1. Bittersweet Symphony
2. Sonnet
3. The Rolling People
4. The Drugs Don't Work
5. Catching the Butterfly
6. Neon Wilderness
7. Space and Time
8. Weeping Willow
9. Lucky Man
10. One Day
11. This Time
12. Velvet Morning
13. Come On

So on my checklist these guys have garnered 3 out of 4 best evers. Sorry lads - Oasis is the best band ever...you can't have that one.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

Some Songs and Some Reasons

Hey Friends,

I gotta say - right now is yet another amazing time in music. There's so many great things happening and so many genres crossing over one another. The best part is being able to listen to them on the same playlist - knowing that they somehow all work.



I'll keep this one quick to let you check out the tunes instead of me talk too much about them. Please do at least try one out if you've come this far.

The first one is a massive chart topper in the UK right now - currently sitting at #2 on their National charts between Gaga and Bieber. It's a bloody banger...and I'm lovin it.
Tinie Tempah - 'Pass Out'

The next one is the current theme song to HBO's 'How to Make it in America'. It embodies the feel of the 70's yet fits perfect for NYC today.Aloe Blacc - 'I Need A Dollar'

This next track is a bit older now - but I recently heard it in the background of a scene from the TV series 'Parenthood'. Mike Snow - 'Animal' What a track.

'Nothin On You' is just a beautiful track and feel good hit for the season. It came on as I walked into a sneaker shop (said in an American accent) on Canal Street last Monday in New York. It's just a perfect pop song. B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars - 'Nothin' On You'

April came fast this year. Months ago I marked Friday April 2nd on my calendar as the date to see Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas' Toronto show. Well it's almost here and what better way to prepare that crank this bad boy on headphones. Julian Casablancas - '11th Dimension'

Those who know me will know that I can't write a list without the inclusion of at least one Oasis track. This is true - and so here's a beauty for you. I was given a stunning live recording entitled 'The Dreams We Have As Children' and it's a flawless Noel solo gig. I couldn't find the exact recording online to do it justice - but here's a version of 'Listen Up'.
Noel Gallahager - 'Listen Up' Thanks Rob


Thanks for reading and hopefully listening.

Gregg Stewart

St. Paddy's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day,


I've never been to this green land they call Ireland - but do have some blood ties from way back. The one thing I know is that the people are friendly and hard as nails. This toughness comes from a deeply routed will to survive from way back in the day. They are very much like the Scottish (or is it that the Scottish are like the Irish:)

Today is the patron Saint of Ireland's day - St. Patrick's Day. This means green is worn and Guinness is drank. The origins of this date are best left explained by wikipedia (I'm lazy today).

To mark the occasion - here's a quick 10 tunes to get you in the mood (some not actually Irish - but in that direction).

1. U2 -'The Sweetest Thing'
2. The Cranberries - 'Ode to My Family'
3. Snow Patrol - 'Chocolate'
4. The Pogues - 'Fiesta'
5. Thin Lizzy - 'The Boys are Back in Town'
6. Sinead O'Connor - 'The Emperor's New Clothes'
7. House of Pain - 'Who's the Man'
8. Ash -'There's a Star'
9. Ronan Keating - 'Rollercoaster'
10. Damian Rice - 'Cannonball'

Honorary Irish for today

1. Mighty Mighty Bosstones - 'The Impression That I Get'
2. Spirit of the West - 'Venice is Sinking'
   

Have a safe night!

Gregg

Running Requires Music

Hello Friends,


Not only does running require music - it needs to be carefully selected for each individual run you do. I personally cannot run without it.

I'm honoured, excited and nervous to be running in next week's New York City 1/2 marathon. It's going to be a special day for me as I get to run through the streets of Manhattan alongside 16,000 other runners.

This one's going to require some amazing music - and I've been carefully crafting a play list for the past couple of weeks. I'm almost there but will need to fine tune it this week.

As most of you are aware - NYC is one hell of a place to walk through on a normal day - so to have the streets to run on I may very well take my time to soak it in.

I'm clearly not going for gold. The play list needs some monster jams, bangers, anthems and some New York flavour. It's gotta have some rock, pop, hip hop and perhaps some cheese for the occasion.

Anyway - here's what I got so far. I'm hoping to come in under 1:50 - but you need some buffers and of course some additional options for bangers:)

1. Paid in Full - Eric B & Rakim
2. Forever - Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne and Eminem
3. Daytona 500 - Ghostface Killah
4. Empire State of Mind 1 - Jay Z feat Alicia Keys *has to be on there
5. Stay Too Long - Plan B
6. Bonified Lovin - Chromeo
7. Closer - Kings of Leon
8. Flowers and Football Tops - Glasvegas
9. Fire - Kasabian
10. D'You Know What I Mean - Oasis
11. Everlong - Foo Fighters
12. Supersonic - Oasis
13. Columbia - Oasis
14. Santa Monica - Jay Malinowski
15. Heavy Cross - Gossip
16. Tomorrow - Silverchair
17. The Next Episode - Dr. Dre
18. Bitch Please II - Eminem
19. Ana's Song (Open Fire) - Silverchair
20. Time to Pretend - MGMT
21. Wavin Flag - Young Artists for Haiti *goosebumps (even when Bieber sings)
22. 1901 - Phoenix
23. Rude Boy - Rihanna
24. Dragon Queen - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
25. Starlight - Muse
26. The Masterplan - Oasis
27. The Lightening Strike - Snow Patrol
28. Empire State of Mind II - Alicia Keys *need a little bit of momentum at this point
29. Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) - U2, Jay Z + Rihanna
30. Live your Life - T.I. feat Rihanna
31. Geraldine - Glasvegas
32. Pass the Mic - Beastie Boys

Fingers crossed that this works. I can't wait.

Thanks for reading.

Gregg

*formatting is messed - sorry.

Coupla Great Tracks to Get You Through

Hey Friends,

It's been a little while since I posted something on here - but not to worry - the time lapse has given us some beauty new tracks to talk about.

I don't know what has happened but in recent weeks I find myself listening to so really chill tracks and loving them. It reminds me of a few year's ago when I was hooked on the likes of Zero 7, Sia, Res, The Avalanches and Beck. Yes, I find beck to be very chill especially my favourite album of his entitled 'Sea Change'.

Whatever the case may be - this time around I've got a few beauties to share with you including...

• Broken Bells - 'High Road'
• Gorillaz - 'Stylo'
• Ellie Goulding - 'Starry Eyed'
• Jay Milinowski - 'There's a Light'
• Athlete - 'Superhuman Touch'

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Take care.

Gregg Stewart

Billy Talent + The Olympics

Hello Friends,

Up here in the Great White North it's been all Olympics all the time. It's been a long time coming but the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics have truly taken over this fair land.

British Columbia is truly the most amazing place I've ever been (I've only covered 4% of the earth according to FB) and the top of Whistler is what I imagine the Moon to be like - when you're coming off that final chairlift at 7:30 am.

I spent some time out that way a few years back and always brought my running shoes to see more of it. Stanley park's seawall is something one must see first hand with headphones and good tunes. I heard MGMT's 'Time to Pretend' for the first time on this route. I digress.

The Olympics has it all including music galore. Muchmusic has been covering a concert series put on each night starting at 11 pm et live from both Whistler and Vancouver proper. The bands have varied in age, genre and relevance. None-the-less it's music, it's live and it's on Muchmusic.

Tonight's blog is inspired by one of Canada's finest as they are on stage right now in Vancouver to celebrate. I am talking about none-other-than Billy Talent. The boys are pure energy and rock n roll. They encompass Canadiana and know how lucky they are to be where they are. I am very proud watching this band and will forever hold a place in my heart for their music.

If you missed it - then you may not remember all the hits that this band have created over the years. Well that's what I'm here for - to remind you of a few...

1. Try Honesty


2. Surrender


3. Nothing to Lose


4. Red Flag


5. Fallin Leaves *Live at Rock AM Ring

Another beauty from this concert series was that of The Stereophonics. The band played live on Saturday night and killed it. They covered the span of their career in their set and it was magical. They also paid homage to The Tragically Hip with some riffs to 'New Orleans is Sinking'. These boys from Wales knew they were in the land of their idols The Tragically Hip and I hope people caught that.

Hats off to Billy Talent and the Olympics for bringing some great music to Canada in this monumental time.

Thanks for reading.



Gregg

6 Songs You Need For THIS weekend!

Hello Friends,

I can't even explain to you the music week I've had. From listening to new music in closed quarters for 2 days - to a legendary concert with 2 great song-writers. It's been sureal to say the least.

I'm going to keep this one quick - but need for you to hear these 6 tracks this weekend. Something old, something new, something borrowed...

• Jay Malinkowski - 'There's a Light'
• Paul McCartney and Wings - 'Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five'
• Mumford & Sons - 'The Cave'
• Birds of Wales - 'Uninteresting'
• Catherine MacLellen - 'Too Easy'
• Temper Trap - 'Sweet Disposition'

Have a great weekend!

Gregg