Before her return to Madison tomorrow night at High Noon Saloon, Caroline Smith put together a playlist for us. Check it out below, and also note some old goodies from August when they were last here.
1. Mary J. Blige – “Just Fine”
“How can you not feel good listening to this song? I think that’s all I have to say about that.”
2. Elle Varner – “I Don’t Care”
“This woman’s voice just absolutely kills me and I don’t think anyone is using their vocals like that in modern music. I would swallow my words if Lauryn Hill would just put out another record (hint hint, Lauryn). I love her tambour and the boldness of her voice; I totally look up to her. Not to mention she is absolutely beautiful.”
3. Juvenile – “Slow Motion”
“My best friend just went through a huge nasty break-up and she called me crying, asking me how I get over break-ups so seamlessly. I asked her what music she is listening to. She sniffled and replied, ‘Oh you know, Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello, Adele, you know all of the usual break-up shit.’ And I pointed out that that was her problem. The homework I gave her was to listen to only ghetto rap until she couldn’t take it any more, starting with ‘Slow Motion.’ I told her to just put that on repeat and to call me tomorrow. She called me in much higher spirits and said I should publish that advice somewhere. And here I am, from me to you, girlfriend. Drop the Cohen, pick up Juvenile. You’ll be over him in roughly 17 plays.”
4. Shirley Brown – “Woman to Woman”
“Quite possibly my favorite song of all-time. Sometimes it is fun to discard the views of modern feminism and listen to what strong women can also sound like.”
5. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – “Be Easy“
“While recording a new record, stress is very, very high. This song chills me out, and I put my sunglasses on and slink around town like it’s all good. Be easy, baby.”
6. Erykah Badu – “Certainly (Flipped It)”
“I love everything she does, says, wears, everything. I just chose the last Badu song I listened to on my iPhone. And oh man, when she says ‘mighty cool’ in the beginning…kills me.”
7. Little Dragon – “Recommendation”
“My idea of a perfect balance of throw-back and modernism. I love, love this band and I love, love, love this song.”