Amy Winehouse «Lioness: Hidden Treasures» [2011]

Amy Winehouse will probably be remembered as the best singer of the 21st century. Yet she was a frail woman, and died untimely, consumed by fame, drugs (mmmmh drugs), and the music industry.

Yeah the music industry. Those filthy bastards would like to exploit Amy even now that she rests in peace, making millions with this posthumous album. I say fuck them, and fuck money.

Unless she's actually having fun with the music heroes who pretend to be dead only to chill out and enjoy the good life, as explained by the best Italian band EVER.

I wish it was true. In the meantime, I listen to Amy's unique, unforgettable voice and - - - > cry.

Sade «Diamond Life» [1984]

According to bonghits4christ the music of Sade is ideal for dads in the company of their lady. The initiator of that unfortunate thread was instead suggesting the band is actually best enjoyed when stoned. But that applies to any kind of music, let me add.

Helen Folasade Adu aka Sade was, and probably still is, a premium pothead who used weed to fuel her creativity. Even though she claimed she had quit the habit in 1995 when pregnant of her daughter, 2 years later she was arrested in Jamaica. She had refused to bribe the local police, who caught her speeding in her car, which was packed with a few weed buds. She was officially charged, but no jail though, phew.

Back to Diamond Life, the band's debut album. Unbelievably it wasn't an immediate success. But today it sounds as fresh as a new release, and with a 2-hit combo like that straight at the beginning, you can be sure its now established fame will never fade away. And that sax, oh that sax!

Light up the blunt, summon your lady and - - - > enjoy.

Regina Spektor «Soviet Kitsch» [2005]

1921. War Communism. Deep in winter.


In a small soviet city an announcement is made: at dawn the party will donate some oranges to all the population, from a storehouse just outside the train station. At 06:00 a small crowd is already queuing. Two hours later a party official lifts the shutter and cries: "Comrades, I'm sorry to announce that the oranges are less than expected, and hence they wan't be distributed to the ethnic and linguistic minorities, who have their own channels of sustainment."

A group of old orthodox Jews leaves, sadly chanting their resignation prayers: "Ov vey, oy oy". Only soviet citizens remain in the queue, in the increasing cold. Two hours later the official comes out again to say: "Comrades the oranges are even less than what we previously told, we can donate only to party members."

The simple citizens leave in silence, cursing the official's mother in their minds. Only the party members remain in the queue. Hard, tough people well used to suffering in patience. They endure 2 more hours of queuing in the cold with revolutionary fervour. Then the official comes out again in evident embarrassment, to explain only senior party members will receive any oranges.

After 2 more incredibly long and cold hours the official comes out for the last time to say to the small group of remaining senior party members: "Comrades, we can count in your allegiance to the party, only to admit there are no oranges at all. Please go back to your houses." With proletarian discipline and obedience, the elder party members leave the place in silence. Just one of them whispers to the ears of his next-in-line comrade: "Vasilij, have you seen? the Jews, always lucky!".


After being told the nth joke mocking his people, Regina Spektor's father decided his family would quit the paradise of socialism, where his girl was born and had first learnt to play the piano, to reach the land of freedom in the US of A. Call it lack of humour, but if he hadn't done so back in 1989, today we would probably not have such a gifted, experimental, and provocative pop artist, as Regina undoubtedly is. Or maybe she would simply sing in Russian.


This is not a  - - - > joke.

Sinead O' Connor «Throw Down Your Arms» [2005]

Having made the cheesiest video in the history of image in motion, good ole Sinead is condemned to be quoted forever for that song. Add that she tore the picture of Pope John Paul II, just after singing Bob Marley's War a cappella in a live interview, and you get an idea of  the sort of troubled artist she is.

In 2005 Sinead was back with a reggae cover album, full of classics and recorded at the Tuff Gong studios of Kingston Jamaica, nonetheless. The comparison between the Emerald Isle and the most famous Caribbean island holds quite well. Both are famous for being green, if you allow me explaining the joke.

Throw down your arms and - - - > come.

Via http://sanityisafulltimejob.blogspot.com

Feist «The Reminder» [2007]

Anyone who is asked to sing along with the puppets of Sesame Street must be a cool, relaxed person. In addition to that, Feist has an impressive voice, a classic gusto in the choice of her sounds, and is herself.a skilled guitarist you'd love to have at a bonfire.   

If that's important to you, she's pretty but not glamorous. And she's got irony, which makes her even more attractive.

Need a further reminder? Get it - - - > here.