By EspressoBongo
As relaxing as Louis Armstrong’s We Have All the Time in the World is; it’s incorrect. We don’t.
We have so much to fill our days, our minds are permanently switched on; work, work, work, our social lives are equally stressful, constantly checking status updates, up votes and donds! This has led to a new phenomenon: “FOMO” – fear of missing out.
That’s why it’s so important to take time to relax and in the words of Louis – “leave the cares of the world far behind us”.
“It's a new dawn, it's a new day,” and my time as this week’s guru draws to an end but the music I’ve listened to over the last four days or so has left me Feeling Good. Whilst Nina Simone’s is considered the ‘standard’ there’s something about the Nicolas Jaar edit that’s sublime.
So, relax awhile, take a stroll with John Williams and I pass through the gardens of the Palacio Real de Aranjuez. Smell the magnolias, hear the bird song and see the sparkling fountains. Perhaps enjoy a glass of sangria. Blissed out!
It’s early evening, come with me and meet some friends, “bring a nickel; tap your feet” and listen to Willy and the Poorboys cover CCR Down on the Corner.
That not your thing? We could always see Dobie Gray and put some vinyl on and get “lost in the beat of rock’n’roll”.
When it comes to music choices Hat Fitz & Cara have some good advice to help you relax, don’t play those old blues Play Me Something New.
I’ve heard lots of new music this week but it’s late in the evening and I’d prefer to turn to some mellow classic jazz to put me in the mood for sleep. On the turntable is Stanley Turrentine’s Easy Walker.
It’s getting dark and that big Creole Moon continues the jazz theme from Dr. John. It must be time for bed.
Blackalicious recommend that after: “A day of work completed a night of rest is needed, Almost done read a book but eyelids too heavy to read it.” I guess that Sleep is the ultimate relaxation; time to rest and recharge and to dream perchance? In to the arms of Morpheus we slip And Dream of Sheep with Kate Bush.
“Sunday morning sunrise, yes it's creeping down on me, Glaring through the windows, shining all over me.” Waking up can be a shock to the system but Kevin Coyne’s wake up is extremely mellow; I’ll just lie here a while and let Lorna Bennett bring me Breakfast in Bed.
From waking up on Saturday to Sunday morning that’s 24 hours of relaxation, I’m glad I spent it with you; a pretty much Perfect Day.
A-list playlist:
Louis Armstrong – We have All the Time in the World
Nina Simone / Nicolas Jaar – Feeling Good
John Williams – Palacio Real de Aranjuez (1st Movement)
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Down On the Corner
Dobie Gray – Drift Away
Hat Fitz & Cara – Play Me Something New
Stanley Turrentine - Easy Walker
Dr. John – Creole Moon
Blackalicious – Sleep
Kate Bush – And Dream of Sheep
Kevin Coyne – Sunday Morning Sunrise
Lorna Bennett – Breakfast In Bed
Lou Reed – Perfect Day
B-list playlist:
Howard Jones – Life in One Day
JJ Cale – Days Go By
The Lovin’ Spoonful – Daydream
Wilco – Muzzle of Bees
Sheryl Crow – Easy
Spike – Have a Drink with Me
John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain & Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – Lotus Feet
Marva Whitney – Unwind Yourself
Little Walter – Mellow Down Easy
The Kinks – I Go To Sleep
Newton Faulkner – Dream Catch Me
Blind Melon – No Rain
HY – A.M. 11:00
Guru's wildcard pick:
The Drifters - Up on the Roof
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