Matt Gerovac (Babylon Saints) What's In Your Playlist?
Matt Gerovac - singer/guitarist of Babylon Saints here. Just wanted to give you the 5 or 6 albums I've been listening to lately and why. These aren't really in any specific order. They're all just pretty amazing!
Marvin Gaye - “What's Going On”
This album is pure soul. It's baby-making music with a message. It was released in the early 70's when there was a bunch of social and economic strife going on. The Vietnam War was happening and Gaye didn't shy away from the issues. You can listen to this song by candlelight with your lady or you can get seriously contemplative over the lyrics. If you don't feel the funk when the bassline of the last track, "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," starts thumping, you may want to check your pulse because you might be dead! CLASSIC!
Paul Simon “Graceland”
Graceland was probably the best music Paul Simon made as a solo artist. Plus, it must be nice to be able to just call up the best musicians in the world on their respective instruments and have them appear on your album. I LOVE "Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes" which features the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. This album has it all...great grooves and the lyrics will really get you thinking.
The Police - “Message In A Box”
This is a seriously amazing box set. It has about 20 tracks on each of the 4 discs and it includes a bunch of wierd live stuff that you don't normally hear. Everyone knows how amazing Sting is, both as a musician and vocalist, but this disc helped remind me how truly RIDICULOUS Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers are. The Police had that Reggae backbeat, but weren't afraid to get their hands dirty. The playing is NASTY and the lyrics had a lot of maniacal soul-searching and social commentary. SPECIAL STUFF!
Bob Marley - "Exodus"
Have you ever walked into a party where there is no music playing? There may be a few quiet and awkward conversations going on, but it's pretty much a lame gathering until the right music starts playing. The way "Natural Mystic" fades in on this album is just perfect for getting the party started. Then "So Much Things to Say" comes on and you'll notice that people start smiling uncontrolably.
Buena Vista Social Club
There's something refreshingly authentic about a bunch of 80 or 90 year-old Cuban dudes getting together and playing a style of music they've been playing for longer than my parents have been alive. This music is completely effortless. These guys breathe and they play this music. I like to picture them sitting there smoking their cigars, with wisdom in their eyes, each of them probably harkening back to shows they did 50 or 60 years ago. The groove goes from dancible to slow and sensual and, no matter the tempo, these guys are bringing it.
Third World - "Rock The World"
My parents listened to a lot of Reggae when I was growing up in St. Thomas and this was ALWAYS my favorite. So, this one is sort of a nostalgic album for me. Much like Steel Pulse, Third World seems to do a great job of finding that delicate balance between Reggae and Rock. Then you add the soul/funk/R&B element and it gives you plenty to listen to.
Babylon Saints Links
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