Orgullecida is gem that you may not have heard from the album, Buena Vista Social Club.

“Up the Hill Backwards” was released on David Bowie’s album, “Scary Monsters,” in 1980 and as a single in March of 1981. “Up The Hill Backwards” reached #32 on the UK Singles Chart but I’m not sure how well it did in the USA. I really like the song and I think it’s time to bring it back via Your Daily Song Fix.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a musician from Pakistan, mainly known for singing Qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music popular in the Muslim countries of South Asia. Although I could not find a direct translation for it, “My Comfort Remains” is one such example of Qawwali music. Despite some of the eerie harmonies in this music, Qawwali is very spiritual in music and can be classified by which Sufi religious figure is praised throughout the song. Shout out to Michal for introducing me to this style of music!

Check out this unknown singer/songwriter from Europe. Mark Kelly has a unique sound and has something going on that would definitely go over well in the USA. What do you think?

@wtmd I never thought I would post an Indigo Girls song on Daily Song Fix, but I was listening to WTMD yesterday and “Least Complicated” came on. I really dig the harmonies and colors. I think you will too.

A little secret about Your Daily Song Fix – We don’t turn down Prince requests! Shout out to Jon Cylus for the selection.

Aloha, this is Taylor here. Angel From Montgomery has been in my head for the past week or so, although the song maybe well known it is honest and touches the soul. It feels somewhere in the middle of the spectrum set by the recent amazing posts from Marcus and Danny, expressive female vocals with lots of range and strong roots in folk and country music.

Covered by many artist including Bonnie Raitt, Ben Harper, Carly Simon and Dave Mathews Band, the song was originally written by John Prine a key artist in the Chicago Folk Revival of the late 60’s and early 70’s. The song first appeared on Prine’s self titled debut album that was released in 1971. The version here is a duet with Bonnie Raitt from John Prine Live, also released on a Tribute to Steve Goodman.

Serving in the Army and working for the United States Postal Service for five years, Prine developed a fan base and gained positive reviews once he began playing open mic nights in the Chicago area. At one of his early appearances in New York City, Bob Dylan showed up unannounced and anonymously provided backing harmonica. Prine has released 19 albums over his career; the latest Standard Songs for Average People was released in 2007. He is touring in 2010.

What do Bruce Springsteen, The Fresh Price of Bel Air, Elton John and Boyz II Men all have in common?  All of them have written songs about Philadelphia.  From cheese steaks to malfunctioning bells, Philly’s allure has inspired artists since the dawn of route 95.  Although the aforementioned artists have been canonized in the book of pop, the Dead Milkmen, unfortunately, got high during the induction ceremony.  Punk Rock Girl rides a rollercoaster of catchiness while articulating the pangs of youthful love.  Meeting the parents, going out for ice cream, first locking eyes at a punk shop turned sex boutique.  This gem was played on MTV in 1988 for about the same amount of time as the mad cow disease scare.

Bill Withers was the last of six children born on July 4, 1938, in Slab Fork, West Virginia. He was the only man in his family who did not end up working in the coal mines of West Virginia.  Instead, he enlisted in the US Navy and became interested in writing and singing songs while stationed in Guam.  In 1967, after being discharged, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. As a self-proclaimed untrained musician, he became known for his story-telling ability and most of his early recordings did not feature a traditional song structure.  “Harlem” does not have a chorus; instead, each verse escalates in a crescendo as the song progresses. Withers uses this structure to build tension and compliment the story he’s telling in his lyrics.

Lavoe blingin'

This is the first time audiences were introduced to Hector Lavoe on wax. Lavoe is a singing legend in Salsa music and he’s probably at his most ferocious throughout 1969’s Cosa Nuestra.  Lavoe’s voice pierces through Willie Colon’s busy arrangement and in doing so proves himself to be, El Sonero Mayor (loosely: the best singer).  Lavoe’s persona is an amalgam of Mick Jagger and Notorious B.I.G.  He had swagger to spare and proved it with technical prowess.  Enjoy.

SPN