1000 Recordings Project: Promise by Sade
You probably know Sade from her 1985 hit “Smooth Operator”. Her breathy, creamy vocals are the hallmark of the whole CD. A quote from the book - “vaguely exotic rhythmic undulations are balanced against catchy, wistfully sung hooks designed for radio… An oasis of calm, one of few genuinely subtle records to emerge from the mostly shrill ’80s.”
Genre: R&B, released 1985.
(Source: Spotify)
1000 Recordings Project: Live at The Old Quarter - Townes Van Zandt
This cowboy is a true Texan, in poetry and guitar playing. His music was best heard in a small club. He had a hard life, and toured only when he needed money. His songs were picked up by the likes of Willie Nelson and others. I picked this particular song for the humor, beware: many of his other songs are tinged with sadness. Good listen, though. Recorded in 1973.
(Source: Spotify)
The only way I can get my husband to eat fruit… and it’s gone fast!
1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die Project: The Comedian Harmonists
I’m not going to lie, it got a little old to listen to the German through this whole album, but, I can imagine, they were quite an entertaining group in the early 1930’s… if you understood German. Even if you don’t - it is amusing to listen to the American barbershop style in German. What sets them apart is their change of harmony from line to line, a departure from the traditional barbershop sound which maintains the same tight harmony throughout an entire song. 3 of them were Jewish, and sadly had to leave Austria when wartime came. I picked this song because I love the opening - unfortunately I could not find a translation. For further listening (in English), search for “Tea for Two” or “Creole Love Call”.
(Source: Spotify)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put chicken breasts in pot to boil. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. After the chicken is done boiling, rub the spices on them. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.
Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed—-add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.
Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)
Original Post: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/chicken-tortilla-soup/
1000 Recordings Project: Why Can’t We Be Friends? by War
This album is on Spotify, but I couldn’t seem to link it to the blog, so here it is on Youtube. I picked the track Leroy’s Latin Lament Medley: A) Lonnie Dreams; B) The Way We Feel; C) La Fiesta; D) Lament because it is INTENSE. Most people are familiar with the song Why Can’t We Be Friends and at least the horn part from Low Rider. I think for these listening experiments I will try to pick a song that isn’t the biggest hit from the album. Unless of course, the biggest hit is my favorite. :)
War: R&B, 1975. Fun Fact: in the music video for Low Rider, the album cover sings part of the song.
1000 Recordings Listening: ABBA Gold
Almost everyone is familiar with ABBA, particularly Dancing Queen and other feel-goood, slightly cheesy to the modern listener hits. But, after listening to the whole album, I was most struck by the pianist, who clearly has mastered the art of pulling back vs. really embellishing.
ABBA: classic 1970s post-Beatles pop, empire has grown up around the music - Mamma Mia! Broadway show, books, museums.
(Source: Spotify)
Listen to me… you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. To whom will you compare me or count me equal? …. I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
— Isaiah 46: 3b-5a, 9b-11
I swear this song is about me. 7 years ago I was in Peru, when Britt Nicole’s song “Set the World on Fire” came out. I lost myself in college, was trying to pretend to be a shadow of who I really am. Now I’m on the other side, and there have been so many days that I’ve wondered if I’ve changed. But I haven’t… I’m still that girl.
(Source: Spotify)
