Music Break

It's time again to take a break from relaying news, and listening to some music.  First up is Beautiful Stanger by Madonna, which she wrote with English musician William Orbit.  The song is an homage to the sixties, much like the movie in which it appears, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.  The video starts with a conversation between the title character (Mike Myers) and his boss Basil (Michael York), who warns him against falling in love with Madonna.  By the end of the video, it's obvious that he has failed dismally, but at least Madonna seems to return some affection.


To continue with something really from the sixties, here's She's A Rainbow by the Rolling Stones, from their 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request.  The song features classically inspired piano by Nicky Hopkins and strings arranged by future Led Zeppelin member John Paul Jones.


So far, we've heard a female singer and a piano.  This next song has both.  For Head Over Heels by the Go-Go's, lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey plays piano, including a solo that might be simple while still being catchy.  Kathy Valentine later plays a bass solo while an airplane takes off behind her.  The other band members are lead vocalist Belinda Carlisle, guitarist Jane Wiedin, and drummer Gina Schock.


In 1996, the Spin Doctors released their third album You've Got To Believe In Something, which includes the song She Used To Be Mine.  In the video, the band performs most of the song in an empty pool.  At this time, the band consisted of Chris Barron (lead vocals), Anthony Krizan (guitar), Mark White (bass) and Aaron Comess (drums).  Krizan had replaced original guitarist Eric Schenkman.  On this track, Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic plays keyboards.


To finish, this is It's What You Value by George Harrison from his 1976 album Thirty-Three and 1/3.  The song was allegedly inspired by drummer Jim Keltner's request that Harrison pay him for his work on Harrison's 1974 tour with a Mercedes instead of money.  Harrison is joined in the studio by Richard Tee (piano), Alvin Taylor (drums), Willie Weeks (bass), Emil Richards (marimba) and Tom Scott (saxes).  Harrison plays guitar, tambourine and cowbell, so this song might be appropriate for a "needs more cowbell!" exclamation.