I’ve been a bit glum today – doesn’t matter why – but I wanted to share my absolute 100% guaranteed music for getting me out of the dumps & grinning widely again….
…and it’s Jethro Tull – almost any toon will do the trick, today it was the Warchild album…
I listen to a wide variety of music: progressive, jazz, classical….nothing cheers me up quicker than Jethro Tull!
Anyone else have a sure fire musical Prozac, guaranteed to work for you?
Admirable choice Fitter. Anything by the Tull or the Feat will do me. But oddly when I read the OP this beauty sprang to mind, which always brings a bit of sunshine into my world. It’s the harmony vocals, harmony lead guitars and the fact that they sound happy which does it. Mark Ellen used to swear by a spot of Louis Armstrong didn’t he?
I can understand it….am I right in saying Potatohead Blues did it for Woody Allen?
Good choice above, by the way….
Bon Scott era AC/DC usually lifts the blues.
Brian Johnson era don’t have the same effect – they just don’t seem to have the same unhinged demonic humour that High Voltage, Dirty Deeds etc convey.
Couldn’t agree more….Bon Scott all the way….
For me there is one song guaranteed to lift the spirits – The Lovin’ Spoonful and Do You Believe In Magic?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+lovin+spoonful+do+you+believe+in+magic
Why that doesn’t show the actual YouTube video link, I don’t know.
Yes Yes Yes
WONDERFUL soul uplifter
(second is “Love Train” by the O’Jays, BTW)
Pretty much anything by Louis Jordan.
(Five Guys Named Moe)
Or anything from The Complete Stax-Volt singles 1959-1968 Box,
Aretha’s hits compilation “Aretha’s Gold”,
Horace Silver’s “Song For My Father”,
Little Feat’s “Waiting For Columbus”,
Fela Kuti – “Zombie”.
The Intro and The Outro by the Bonzos. ‘and looking very relaxed, Adolf Hitler on vibes’.
This:
Edwin Starr – Soul Master (album). Never fails. Fond memories of driving with the future Mrs F, belting it out as we cruised the west of Scotland countryside.
Rock ‘n’ roll, surf or ska.
Picked up the first (2-cd) volume of “The Story of Blue Beat” last year and, following inspiration via the excellent ska compilation in this month’s Mojo, I’m definitely getting, or (given an upcoming birthday) my wife is definitely getting, volumes 2 to 6.
Cheap as chips, I’m seriously tempted to listen to nothing else.
Used copies of this brilliant album are currently ridiculously cheap at the dodgers.
Skatalites – Ska Boo Da Ba
Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield. You all know what it sounds like but it’s nearly ten minutes of joy plus my son used to dance to it when he was a toddler. Ace!
This one cheers me up from the first note, the swing is incredible.
Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz – Richie’s Jala Jala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ddWYFgdjKk
This works pretty well for me… https://youtu.be/wH3ZizotsRw
This – and the connected silly bit of escapist movie magic – did it for me yesterday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPMLG8mnCRM
Had to think quite hard about this, the reality being it is often a good dirge that I go scurrying to when the black dog barks. But an uplift is guaranteed with the Boys.
I get that….back in the day, my first choices would have been Sibelius’ fourth symphony & Hammill’s “Over” album….
Good point, Retro. Strange but true how a dirge can be uplifting.
But I’m going for the magnificent Vinicius de Moraes and A Felicidade. (To Happiness).
You have to be willing to be uplifted in the first place,which is always good of course. There’s a War album that when I’m in the mood to be always gets me outta one funk and into the other but for the life of me I can’t remember the title!
This should do the trick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRpiw6W0JSY
When the fog is lifting it is Van’s Healing Has Begun
This one always works for me.
…or this.
That’ll do it!!
Madness – possibly the last pop band that made sense to Dennis Norden and Tommy Cockles.
_/\_
Yep, Rob….can’t deny that a bit of the free jazzzzzzz makes the soul soar and drives out the bad head…..
this, every time
In fact the whole album is pretty life affirming.
This works as a good pick me up.
It reminds me of the long hot summer of 76.
I just did some research and found out the song is a true story.
The lady in the song became his wife and they’re still married.
Oh my god I’m beginning to sound like Simon Bates.
A jaunty little number that will embed itself in your lugholes.
Rah Band – The Crunch