A summers playlist

As my most regular readers will know I write a music inspired post each month. Usually this is my own critique of a new album I've recently bought or it is simply me just writing about the music I've enjoyed listening to in my car on my commutes to work, if you've never read any before here is one.

Any who the other day as I was writing the latest music inspired post I noticed a trend. It was that all the songs I was writing about made me think about summer, as soon as I hear the first bit of the song, for some unbeknown reason I can't explain I instantly associate and think of summer. So this inspired me to write another post, the one you are reading now, dedicated to a great summer playlist.

Now we all have playlists on our iPhone, iPods, laptops, heck some of us still use mix CDs or mix tapes, so here is what I would have on my summer playlist...

1/ The Old Crow Medicine Show; Wagon Wheel,

This song always makes me feel like summer, Firstly it's a simple song, not too complex with loads of different instruments and is quite easy listening. But the main reason why this to me is a great summer song is the memories I have linked with it. I first heard this song in the summer of 2007 when I was working in America. It became the sound of that summer for me, working in Minnesota I would hear it most days and so hearing this songs instantly takes me back there. The lyrics tie in very nicely and makes me think of my time travelling around as this song is about exactly that travelling around. It may sound very country, but I love it and that's why its on my summer playlist and makes me think of nice hot weather and the perfect song to listen to in the garden enjoying a beer....

2/ Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff; Summertime,

Again another very chilled relaxed song, this song obviously is associated with summer as it's all bout summer, hence the title. The lyrics describe summer time in the US of A and is a great song, again another favourite of mine to have playing as I am busy cooking over the BBQ with a nice ice cold beer in hand waiting to serve the perfect burgers....

3/ Dizzie Rascal; Holiday,

This song naturally makes you feel of the summer. Again another song that is about the summertime and the holiday season. I remember this song when I was working in Texas. The summer is undoubtedly hot there and I remember this song playing on the radio as I;d be driving round in my rental car and the sun is scorching hot. The weather is so humid that once you've cooled down and taken a shower and step out of the shower you start sweating again. This song is different than the last 2 on this list as its more upbeat, not as chilled out and relaxed and is of course a song that would have been played time and time again in clubs in Ibiza and ayia napa and the UK no doubt one its release...

4/  Sean Paul; Get Busy,

Not a song I particularly like but that's why Ive included. Huh? You may say why have I put it in my playlist but it's a song I don't like? Purely because it's a song that reminds of of Summer 2003. My and 9 Friends went to Falaraki on our first lads holiday. It was great but what I learnt that every bar pretty much owned the same CD  and played the  same song so for the 2 weeks I was there I remember this song being played around 100 times (probably more but I was quite drunk most of the time) So although it's not a song I particularly like it reminds me of that fantastic  holiday.It reminds me of my mate Disco Dave 'rubbing' sun cream on my back but not actually doing do so I ended up sun burnt. I remember my mates getting annoyed at me as I would wake up at 4pm in the afternoon and stay out til 6am as I couldn't be bothered with the heat and just wanted to drink. It was my send off to Uni and was so much fun, so this song earns its place on the list as it's the best of a  bad bunch of songs being played on holiday....

5/ The Streets; Fit but you know it,

Ahh The Streets, they were a great band. Mike Skinner was great at what he did telling a story. I saw the Streets in 2004 at Leeds Festival, when this song was released. It was my first time at a festival and so this song is not just connected to memories off that, but also memories of Magaluf in 2004 with my mate Disco Dave, and also memories of University. I  remember walking to and from uni listening to the Streets albums. Whenever I hear the Streets songs I usually picture the streets of Liverpool and my journey home. As I also said I saw them live in 2004 and I remember dancing to Van Halen 'Jump' as the Streets were running late so Colin Murray played some essential songs to keep spirits high. I then remember Mike Skinner coming on stage ad being fantastic and getting everyone to do a sun dance as it looked like it was going to rain, he was successful, it didn't ran all weekend and I ended up sunburned and then going to Magaluf and being sun burnt already!...

I'd love for other people to get involved and I am quite freely opening up my blog to everyone. I've never had guest posts or anything before so I wold love people to write to me and write about what songs they associate with summer and what songs they would have on there playlists. Even if you don't have a blog I'd love you to join in, just contact me and I'll put your words up on this screen. If you want to write about 5 songs that make you feel the summer buzz that would be great, similarly if you want to write how to make the perfect summer playlist or just want to write about memories of one particular summer I;d love to have loads of different peoples views and posts, so please feel free to get involved.

You can email me any questions at shastagr81@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me @Daley_84

A musical journey; February

After recently reading a blog post by musodad which you can read here, I was inspired to do something similar. Music is a big part of my life, I often go to gigs and festivals with my friends and subsequently have many memories linked to music.
I always listen to music before or after work it helps me focus and helps me de-stress. So after moving 30 minutes away from work I find myself listening a lot more to my CD's and occasionally the Radio. ( I know one day I'll upgrade my car stereo so I can play my I-Pod)

So each month I will be writing about the 3 artists I've been listening to the most, the albums that I have listen to and do forth. Maybe not the most compelling of writing but I'll try. So this month here goes;

1: Van Halen
A great Glam band. I've been listening recently to there new album, a different kind of truth. Truth be told its not that great, not when you compare it to there old songs. In all honesty I'm not the kind of fan that has all their old albums and can make clever intrigue comments on song on song. I purely have their greatest hits; best of both worlds which is a fantastic collection of their songs. After a few listens of their new album I reverted back to listening to the greatest hits collection. I'm sure if you're a die hard fan you'll love to new album and love that David Lee Roth ( their original singer) is back with them. But if you're looking for the songs like jump and can't stop loving you you'll not find them hear. I hope you don't think I'm not a Van Halen fan, I am, just I'll admit I;m not a hardcore fan and like the old songs you could sing a-long to, the power ballads etc. Still if they come to the UK this year to your ill don my leather jacket for a good rock out, might even put some spandex on and a mullet!

2: REM
I was given for a birthday present REM's recent greatest hits. And due to not being in the mind frame have I really sat down and listened to it. Again REM isn't a band I have liked enough previously to go out and buy their albums, so having their greatest hits is enough for me. My favourite song of there's has to be end of the world (as we know it). I think it s a brilliant song, very fast paced and when in your car trying to sing along it shows the gulf in difference from your voice to Michael stipes. Obviously there are other songs of theirs that I like such as everybody hurts, pop song 2000 etc, but I suppose it's end of the world that always gets me singing a-long kind of bouncing in my car.

3: Gaslight Anthem
Ahhhh now this is one of my favourite ever bands. If you've never heard of them I'd strongly suggest doing so. They hail from New Jersey and if, like me you are a big Bruce Springsteen fan then you'll love them. They have the sound and essence of the Boss himself and, very much so like the Boss, have a story to tell in their songs. Of their 3 albums I can not say I have a distinct favourite song, although 59 sound (which is probably their most recognisable song) is a song that always gets me smiling. Red Sky at Night from their first album Sink or Swim is another song I'd recommend that makes me think of my time travelling around America as it resembles southern USA music. Listening to this song makes me want to learn the Harmonica, I love the sound it makes on the track and the Gaslight Anthem, as does Bruce Springsteen makes me want to pick up my Guitar that I've got and learn how to use properly.

The Gaslight Anthem I've been lucky to see twice, both in Leeds, Once at the festival and once at the 02 academy and I have to admit they are fantastic live. I love seeing bands who talk to the crowd and try explain things about their songs and connect with their fans. They are currently writing their 4th album and I'll be seeing them hen they next head over hear and I am desperately hoping they are supporting Bruce Springsteen when he tours this summer.

Anyway, thank you for reading my first Musical post, I will try working on it and get better. next month promises to be good as I am already aware of what artists I will be listening to due to some great releases from some of my favourite bands.

Thank you to Musodad who inspired this post, please visit his post it's a lot better, again check out his blog here.