Buddy is an L.A.-based musician from Portland, Ore., who shares his name with the moniker of his band, Buddy. The outfit has been writing and recording music since 2002, and through the years it has evolved from the early years as an acoustic rock band to today’s incarnation of the group, which is more in proximity to a indie pop/rock sound. The band is set to release Last Call For The Quiet Life in August. Check out the mix tape Buddy (the musician, not the band) made for MAGNET below.
King Curtis & The Kingpins “Memphis Soul Stew”
Do you ever wish you could take a musical cooking class? Well, then, I have great news: King Curtis offers an excellent instruction course. I always put this song on when I’m doing little tasks like cleaning my place. King Curtis gives me that extra pep to ensure it gets the royal treatment. Video
The Replacements “Swingin’ Party”
I was 12 the first time I heard this song, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was refreshingly free of polish, unlike most songs I had heard. I felt like I was eavesdropping on someone’s aching confession and I could hear all the cracks in the singer’s voice, but he didn’t seem to mind. I’ve always been drawn to more lyric-based songs and wordplay, and this was my first love: “If being afraid is a crime, we’ll hang side-by-side, at the swingin’ party.” Video
The Faces “Ooh La La”
You know those rare songs you love the first time you hear them, but you somehow never tire of them and love even more as time passes? This is one of those songs for me. I had always assumed Rod Stewart sung this song, but it was recently pointed out to me that it was actually sung by Ron Wood. According to the song’s Wikipedia page, Rod refused to sing it as he felt it was “beneath his standards.” I’m assuming those standards called in sick to work the day he recorded “Sometimes When We Touch.” Snap! Video
Cat Power “I Found A Reason”
This is probably my favorite cover song ever. I’ve always loved the original Velvet Underground version, but this version just entirely remakes it and takes it to a completely new place. A sadder, more plaintive, hauntingly beautiful place. Video
Olivia Newton John “A Little More Love”
I saw that. You totally rolled your eyes. Oh sure, Olivia’s songs were often cloaked in her time period’s trends, but she had a surprising number of nuggets hiding beneath the layer of cheesy production. This is my favorite. I like the chorus lyrics, and I love how her voice seems to effortlessly slide and hit the crazy high notes toward the end. I recently found out this was written by my friend’s father. I freaked out. Video
Elliott Smith “Stupidity Tries”
Trying to pick a favorite Elliott Smith song is an impossible task for me, so I won’t even try. I chose this one because I love songs that successfully juxtapose heavy lyrics but with an “up” melody, or vice versa. This one isn’t exactly “up,” but musically it’s not a downer. And the lyrics in this song kill me. “The enemy is within/Don’t confuse me with him” is one of my favorite lines ever. Video
Frank Sinatra “All The Way”
Growing up, my parents didn’t really play a ton of music in the house, but they both loved to play Frank. I don’t recall many days when I didn’t hear my father singing or whistling a Sinatra song, and eventually my dad won me over and made me a fan. This is one my favorites. And his. Video
Blake Mills “History Of My Life”
If I made a top-10 of my favorite records of the last few years, Blake Mills’ Break Mirrors would certainly be on it. I originally was drawn to the production, which is so simple and warm sounding, like it was all done in an afternoon in his living room with a few friends. Then the songs started to grow on me like a fungus, but a lovely one that I’d rather not be removed. This is my favorite du jour. Video
A Tribe Called Quest “Electric Relaxation”
Smoove, sexy rhymes, with both playful and poignant lyrics is what the Tribe does best. I love this one. It will sneak up and remind you that you have a bootay that occasionally needs shakin’. Get to it! Video
Melanie “Citiest People”
A friend of mine turned me on to this song a couple of years ago, and since then I have gone down a bit of a Melanie rabbit hole. She has a lot of great songs (her biggest hit being the gem “Brand New Key”), but this sparse, lonely song is just beautiful. The next time you’re enjoying a quiet evening alone, I suggest you pour a glass of wine, invite this Melanie song over, and turn her up to 11. : ) Video
