Sunday, April 1, 2012

Music of A: U2, Martina, and Amos

Welcome, boys and girls, to this year's A to Z Challenge!

I was still working on my theme late into March, but in the end I decided to stick with my original plan of MUSIC. It's been a trying few weeks for me and I've found myself going back to some good standby albums to get me through some of the ups and downs. I hope to share this with you and maybe get some great recommendations in the comments of new artists to check out.

This month, you'll get a series of blogs highlighting some of my favorite tunes, tracks from favorite albums, special memories tied to tunes, or my favorite artists. My plan is to link to YouTube videos of a song whenever possible, and if I'm really good, I'll even link to the artist's home page. No promises though. I'm not exactly on the ball with this year's A-Z...

Without further ado, I bring you the letter A.

1. "All I Want Is You" and "Angel of Harlem", U2
The first one is easily one of my all-time favorite heart breaking tunes. As I look over the list of songs I plan to share this month, I think you should prepare for a lot of heartache tunes. My apologies in advance.

"Angel of Harlem" from the Rattle and Hum album has been an instant mood-lifter since I was a little girl. I don't know if it's the horn section or the enthusiasm in Bono's voice, but I just love it. I try to strategically place this toward the end of my running play list, usually when I need the extra pick me up for the last few miles.

If you ever get a chance to see U2 live, do yourself a favor and get a ticket. Best. Show. Ever.


2. "Anyway", Martina McBride
If asked, I'd say I'm not much of a country music fan. But then I hear someone like Martina McBride and I have to admit--I'm a fan. Guys, this lady can sing. I remember hearing once that Martina participated in the VH1 "Divas" special but had to have her mic turned down compared to the other singers because her voice is just that powerful. I believe it. She can sing AND has mastered the smokey eye make up look. Ergo, she's a superhero. And she makes me feel like it's okay to chase this crazy writer dream.

"I sing, I dream, I love anyway."



3. Amos Lee
Everything this man has done (with the exception of "Flower", just not doing it for me, Amos!) is amazing. And lucky for Minnesotans, he likes to play here. Consider this an Amos teaser; I'll have some Amos tunes come up this month. But if you're really interested in checking him out, I recommend his latest album, Mission Bell. An extra ten bonus points if you can wait patiently to the final track for a duet with Willie Nelson.

You tell me:  Any favorite artists, albums, or track with the letter A?

18 comments:

  1. I was totally expecting Tori Amos when I saw the title. But I'll have to check Amos Lee out. :)

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  2. I like U2 as well-I saw them last summer in concert and they are stellar! As far as a band starting with A, I have always had a soft spot for Aerosmith. I'm over from A to Z, # 672, Catherine Stine's Idea City

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  3. LOVE U2. oh this is going to be a great month, everyone has such great ideas for the challenge

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  4. My favorite "A" song is easily Across the Universe. Such amazing lyrics.

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  5. I'm going to ditto Sarah. I love Across the Universe.

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  6. Ooh, I'm a big Martina fan! I love "Anyway" because she totally rocks the vocals and it's got a great "keep dreaming" message.

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  7. I love U2, especially the popular song, One.

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  8. I'm not a die-hard fan of U2, but I enjoy their music. My sister and husband loved them, though.

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  9. Music is a great theme!
    Always wanted to see U2, as they put on a great show, but high ticket prices have always deterred me.

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  10. I'm sure music will pop up in my posts somewhere! Off the top of my head (and my iPod):

    Alice in Chains
    "All Cried Out" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
    Adele
    "Alcohol" by Brad Paisley
    "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Tami Terrell & Marvin Gaye
    Aqualung

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  11. Saw U2 last May. So good. Love ALL I WANT IS YOU.

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  12. Great theme! I love both those U2 songs. Angel of Harlem is one of those songs that pops into my head at odd times and always makes me smile.

    I'd have to put a word in for Another Brick in the Wall, Part II (Pink Floyd). Can't resist a bit of grammatically incorrect chanting ;-)

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  13. I think this is an excellent idea!!!! - esp. since you started with U2, one of my favs!!!! I love love DESIRE (that's a mood lifter for me) and With or Without You and my favorite U2 of all, So Cruel. That song just does something to me - don't know what!!! - words fail!

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  14. The day "Rattle and Hum" came out, I sat with some friends and listened to it, and at the very end, when "All I Want is You" was fading out in that magnificent way it does, I said, "That's it - that's the best song on the album."

    Though "Angel of Harlem" kicks butt, too. :-)

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  15. I haven't listened to U2 in a while. Thanks for putting them back in my mind.

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  16. Can't help but immediately think of Adele - the current IT girl...and for once in a million years she TRULY deserves the "It Girl" title!!! And as someone else mentioned, I can't have A and Music without Tori Amos! Seriously, one of my favorite artists ever! I may not like all her music, but the tunes that I do far outweigh the ones that I don't and the ones that I do, I absolutely LOVE.

    And I know she's cheesy - but I also like me some Avril Lavigne when I'm in the mood! LOL (guilty pleasure I can't believe I'm admitting to in print! hahahaha)

    Can't wait for B!

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  17. Hmm, i don't think i've heard any of these songs. Crazy. I thought your Amos would refer to Tori Amos, though, and then i got excited.

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  18. I am such a big fan of U2 :-) I love your A-to-Z idea. :-)

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