MR. BUNGLE

Mr. Bungle's self titled debut album released in 1991 is a mind and genre bending masterpiece. Mr. Bungle is Faith No more vocalist Mike Patton's other band, where his creativity is allowed to run wild. While Faith No More had their adventurous and frightening moments, their material was more focused and targeted towards the mainstream. Mr. Bungle did not worry about the mainstream, they just did what they wanted to do, and this is where they truly shine.

Their self titled debut is my all time favorite Mr. Bungle disc. The music blazes through ska, funk, soul, jazz, metal, death metal, carnival music, psychedelia, and noise art, switching styles at the drop of a hat, often in the same song. The sense of melody and song writing is incredible and tightly focused. Mike Patton's vocal delivery is smooth, snotty, serene, frightening, humorous and impeccable. The musicianship is top notch, with a horn section that really adds a punch to the proceedings. Experimental jazz master and composer John Zorn's production is so full it is difficult to comprehend in one sitting. There are so many sounds on this album, that even after a couple of hundred listens, you still always hear something new. The lyrics are a bit of a challenge...surrealistic yet brash, loaded with an obsession with porn, juvenile humor, violence, alienation, and loneliness.

It is hard to name a favorite track. All of the songs bleed into each other with amusing, and disturbing transitions. "Mr. Bungle" is one of those discs that has to be listened to as a whole to fully appreciate. Here's "Stubb A Dub" and "Quote Unquote" . Highly recommended, easy to find, and cheap at Amazon (8.99 US ).

BILLIE HOLIDAY

Ok. Crazy weather here. Was in the high 70's yesterday and now it's about to snow. Cold and windy out. Here's a little music to warm you for the night. Billie Holiday, doing what she does best, singing sophisticated, sultry, jazz music with her darkly beautiful voice that warms your soul to no end, filling you with sorrow and joy. Here's a few from "Billie's Best", one of my all time favorite albums.

Come Rain Or Come Shine - Billie Holiday

Comes Love - Billie Holiday

ASTRUD GILBERTO

I don't know what is. I guess I'm just sick of the gloomy cold days of winter and I'm longing for brighter, sunnier days and the opportunity to head down to the beach the first chance I get. I've been listening to a lot of Astrud Gilberto lately. Hers is the perfect music to fit my longing for the warmer, brighter days ahead. Her voice is sultry, soothing, and sexy. Her music is perfect, laid back, and sophisticated Brazilian bossanova and jazz. I cannot recommend her music enough. It transports you to a different world, puts you in a better mood, and whisks you away from your day to day troubles. There is a lingering sadness in her work, but that just adds to the sophistication and appeal of her music. The song she is best known for is "The Girl from Ipanema", a masterpiece, one of the best songs ever written. The best and really only CD you need by her is the compilation "Compact Jazz: Astrud Giberto" released by Verve in 1990. I can't get enough of this CD.

Here's "The Girl from Ipanema", a duet sang with her husband. His vocals are in Portuguese, hers are in English.

The Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto

And here's "Once I Loved". Enjoy!

Once I Loved - Astrud Gilberto

MOSE ALLISON

Mose Allison was a highly innovative jazz singer/piano player from the Mississippi Delta in Tallahatchie County. He started recording music in the late 1950's. His music, an ultra-modern fusion of jazz and blues, was way ahead of it's time. The lyrics are very cynical and pessimistic, in stark contrast to the mid-to fast paced jazz/blues. The music does convey a certain sense of helplessness though. It is in a minor key, and conveys the feeling of being caught in a world spinning out of control. Mose Allison's vocals are highly detached, almost spoken, and are a desperate cry for help in a world that is too fast paced for people to notice what is going on around them. His dry style is somewhat similar to the vocal delivery of Tom Waits. He has influenced a huge range of artists, from Blue Cheer to The Rolling Stones.

A great place to start if you're curious is the 20 track CD "The Best of Mose Allison". Every track is great. You can't go wrong with this one.

Here's "Stop This World" and "I Don't Worry About a Thing", two of my all time favorite songs. Hope you like 'em.

Stop This World - Mose Allison

I Dont Worry About A Thing - Mose Allison