Mooooorning! ;) Jeez Louise, it is HURLING it down this morning with rain!! I have never seen anything like it! Might have to rethinking our weekend camping glamping activities!
Last Friday, I ran a personal piece as part of my 'Being Self Employed' journals. I spoke about the need to try to focus on the positive, and I asked readers to share up to 5 things in their lives that made them smile. The response was wonderful, so heartwarming. Go here to read all the comments and feel just a little bit uplifted 🙂
This got me thinking. This is primarily a wedding/lifestyle blog with a focus on all that is glamorous, chic and elegant. But it is so much more than that too. It's a tool for connecting human beings together, for introducing different opinions, thoughts and ideas, for inspiring readers in a variety of different aspects of their lives. I love that my blog can be a conduit for connecting people together in this way and I loved the response I got last week from my readers. It has encouraged me to write more blog posts that stray a little bit away from weddings and invite you to engage with the community that is building over here at Love My Dress. Weddings are my passion, always will be, but sometimes, it's good to throw something a little different in to the mix 🙂
So, on that {musical} note, I'm going to shift my attention over to tunes this morning…
I have been so busy of late that I've forgotten all about music. I've been sat here hunched over my desk {I really MUST work on that posture} working flat out and getting a bit stressed if I'm honest, mostly in silence, or with the distant sounds of children outside playing on the street. Having fun.
Well bum to that!!! This week, I bought music back in to my life and I haven't looked back. I swear to goodness if I work with music on, I work better. I can actually feel my productivity levels raising.
For a conversation piece today, I thought I'd list ten albums {in no particular order} that are currently {and pretty much always} on my playlist right now. I have actually compiled this list with the help of my Husband. Take a peek through, and if you will, leave up to 5 or so of your own recommendations in the comments section. I'd like to make a couple of new album purchases so look forward to receiving your recommendations 😉
♥ ♥ ♥
(1) 'She Said' by Ursula Rucker – I was first introduced to this poet/activist and lyrical artist about 12 years ago now when she collaborated with another of my favorite bands, 4Hero, on one of my favourite albums of all time, 2 Pages. I love everything she does. No b.s. here people. No subject matter is too uncomfortable for her to discuss and she says it how it is. I love how she makes me stop and think about rubbish stuff in a constructive way but also uplifts me too. Ursula inspires me every time I listen to her.
(2) 'Coltrane For Lovers', by John Coltrane – My Husband introduced me to all the jazz greats and I am so grateful. This is simply beautiful listening for a lazy sunday morning lie-in….
(3) 'Aerial', by Kate Bush – I LOVE Kate Bush and all her weirdly quirkiness and I'm proud of it. I mean, who else could get away with writing a song about an autistic boy who has an obsession with the mathematical calculation of Pi or collaborate on one track with Rolf Harris? One of my all time favourite albums ever ever ever…
(4) 'Let England Shake' by PJ Harvey – Our latest album purchase. I love it. I first listened to this album on the first evening of the London riots. It was incredibly poignant.
(5) 'Till I Reach The Sea', by Martha Tilston – I love the 'Firefly' track on here – what a beautifully romantic love song…
(6) 'Fleetfoxes', by the Fleetfoxes … this E.P. introduced the world to the wonderful Simon and Garfunkle and Dylan inspired harmonies that are The Fleetfoxes, a folk band from Seattle Washington. We LOVE the Fleetfoxes in our house.
(7) 'Love Is What Stays', by Mark Murphy …this man's voice sends quivers down my spine. We had his songs played during our wedding reception. He is a master of romance…
(8) 'I'm New Here', by Gill Scott Heron – described by my Husband as 'true human honesty' this is an emotional heart-wrench of reflective journey, an introspective account of the life of this incredibly talented American soul and jazz poet, who sadly passed away earlier this year. R.I.P. Gill Scott Heron.
(9) 'Abba Gold' by Abba…..we don't ever really get away from Abba in our house. My little girl Eska, 5, adores them! And in the same way I never, ever seem to tire of listening to the likes of Michael Jackson, I never, ever tire of listening to Abba. Classic pop songs at their finest. Me love 😉
(10) 'Masterpiece' by Gilles Peterson – the latest iTunes download in our house. We have just about every compilation album Gilles Peterson has put out there. I love his choice of jazz, hip hop, dance and Brazillian tunes… perfect for friends round for late Summer BBQ' {just mebbes not today!}
Of course, I could literally sit here for a year and write down all the many albums that I love, and I will be blogging soon about 'The Albums That Made Me'. But for today, these are 10 albums that I've had on my playlist of late 😉
I would LOVE to hear what you are listening to right now, or any album recommendations you'd like to make. Why not leave up to 5 below. Or maybe just 1, or 2 if that suits you better 🙂 What are you loving right now? What's uplififting you right now? What music is making you look forward to getting home and blasting it out on the stero? Let's get some musical love flowing through these wedding blog pages! 😉
Much love,
Annabel xXx
♥
PS = Just a thought, but for inspiration on pulling together your wedding day play list, go check out 'We Plan, You Play'…
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
Ah Kate Bush how I love thee. I rather want our first dance to be Wuthering Heights but he’s having none of it as apparently me waving my arms around in the air, screeching like a banshee is only fun for me.
Boo!
Greatest hits of Queen. I grew up with 2 guitarists in the house so Queen were Gods. Great for productivity…once you stop playing air guitar!
Jessie – hahahaha!! Perhaps could have the dance, then an ‘alternative dance’. Do it!!!! ;)))
SamPommells – hehehe! My Daughter is at the age where it’s all air guitar or jumping around like a loon at the mo. Things are never quiet, or still in our house! ;))
xXx
oooh I’ll check them out later! MUST go pick up my camera from the repair shop!!
If you have a mo then I LOVE the mellowness of this artist – William Fitzsimmons – xx
How strange, this week is the week I’ve given myself the boot up the bottom to stop working in silence too! However, I have to say it depends what I’m doing – some tasks I just can’t concentrate unless I have peace and quiet, which is easier said than done….
However, when editing weddings, music can really make a difference. This week I’ve been revisiting the album ‘These Streets’ by Paolo Nutini. Putting aside the fact that he’s cute as a button, this album has some huge significance to me as I was listening to it during a very emotional period of my life. And, emotion is good for a wedding photographer, as that’s what we set out to capture and portray.
Other good ‘wediting’ songs I’ve been listening to this week are ‘Bell Bottom Blues’ by Derek & The Dominoes, ‘Waiting for a Girl Like You’ by Foreignor, ‘Fire and Rain’ by James Taylor and ‘She’s Always a Woman to Me’ by Red Sauce.
Yes, some of these are break-up songs, but in the context of getting your internal emotions to flow, it doesn’t really matter…. although a tissue might be handy if I’m feeling particularly sensitive that day!
When I’m working past my bedtime (again!), I find music makes things less lonely. But I’m a fusspot! It has to be mainly instrumental, otherwise I get too distracted. So, for late night atmosphere I would recommend:
Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care
Sigur Ros -Heim/Hvarf
For songs that will get me dancing in the kitchen and shaking off a bit of stress, nothing can beat a bit of scuzzy summer pop:
The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?
Artic Monkeys – Suck It and See
The rest of the time I seem to be listening to the same five songs, trying to decide which one I’ll pick to walk up the aisle. When music is a big part of your relationship, it makes things very difficult 🙂 Hx
Annabel, you are so right, I always mean to switch on the itunes on my Mac and then forget so I’m doing it right now and first up is Keith Urban’s Greatest Hits – such an amazing voice and really uplifting, Ms Kidman is one lucky lady!! This album reminds me of the two fantastic weeks Mr H and I spend working (I use this term loosely, it mostly involved shovelling a little manure, drinking and laughing) on a Rodeo Farm in Tasmania as part of our year’s travels a couple of years back.
From there I’m going on to Morcheeba – saw them at V last weekend and I defy anyone not to love them!!
From there a little Bic Runga – Sway – fantastic song and to get me in the mood for the weekend I’ll finish with Basement Jaxx.
Can I have fries with all that? it is the weekend after all.
Thanks for making me switch on and I hope you all have a fantastic weekend
xxxxx
Oooh! I love having new music to discover. Great post idea, Annabel!
For me, currently keeping me sane during my late night editing sessions are:
City and Colour
Tyler Burkum
Joshua Radin
The Civil Wars
Bon Iver
xx
I’m going to see Pulp at Brixton Academy on Wednesday, so ‘His ‘n’ Hers’ is definitely on my playlist at the moment! xx
Thanks for the feedback guys!
Pen, LOVE Bon Iver, my kind of music 😉
I definitely have some great tips here for album purchases/iTunes downloads – keep them coming peeps 😉
xXxXx
Annabel I am loving Marc Cohn at the moment, silver thunderbird is my favourite. Also love a bit of Damien rice. XxX
Love me some Gilles Peterson. Always!
One I always go back to is the soundtrack from Gladiator, I never tire of hearing it all. When I’m doing the housework, yuk, I like Lady Gaga to inspire me to carry on. x
I LOVE the Fleetfoxes too! I am currently listening to Florence and the machine I just love her voice, it up lifts me every time. Lenny Kravitz has been played quite a lot of late too x
Ahhh… Fleet Foxes…. I love Fleet Foxes…
I always used to have my iPod on when I was commuting from Brighton to London… about 2 – 3 hours of music a day… bliss…
But now having the shop I don’t really take my time to listen to music anymore. Although we always have the radio on, playing my favorites at random might scare some customers out of the shop…. Although we did have a grunge-morning last Saturday….
To give you an idea of my playlist:
– Fleetwood Mac… I love Fleetwood Mac… You can never go wrong with a bit of Fleetwood Mac!
– Neon Ballroom by Silverchair… One of the best albums ever made. Just love the raw emotion on this album, is even better if you listen it from start to finish….
– Pearl Jam…. obviously!
– Elbow… everything really, but especially A Day Like This (more or less our themesong on our wedding day)
– Wende Snijders.. Dutch singer/songwriter.. Sings in Dutch, English, French… Sings songs of i.e. Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf and songs she’s written herself..
– Johnny Cash… my favorite..
And lots, lots more…. Viva la Fete, Zita Swoon, The Submarines, Josh Ritter, BB King, etcetera, etcetera…
Sudden realisation of how much I’ve missed my music… Ok, quest for the weekend: Dig up iPod…
How interesting that you write a blog today about music, when I had decided that I really must write in and ask if there was anyway you could add a selection to the most popular wedding topics pull down list for first dance tunes/music at weddings. I have been spending rather alot of time listening to options for all stages of the day with my sister who marries in Oct.Choices for the walk down the aisle, wedding for the video, first dance etc etc and I think it says loads about the kind of couple you are and the emotion of the day but maybe thats because i see music as a soundtrack to my life….Just an idea……
Oh and right now my soundtracks are….Natalie Merchant, Laura Marling – I speak because I can, Tom Baxter – Skybound, Mumford and sons and loads loads more.
Love the we plan you play website link….thank you
Wow some really great recommendations here, I have a list of several already and am going to spend a moment sampling some tunes later on! Thanks everyone!
Dawn – I think you’ve just created a new blog post there – what was your/is your planned first dance tune, and why? Coming up soon! Thank you! ;))
Much love,
Annabel xXx
Right now I am listening to DJ Fresh – Louder it’s a great one to motivate, listen to it loud and let your feet dance…
Lindsay – have added to the music I need to sample later! Thank you! 😉 xXx
Aerial is one of Mark’s most played albums of recent years. This weekend we will be playing ‘Closing Time’ by Tom Waits, Micah Hinson and the Gospel of Progress, ‘Bombshell’ by King Creosote, ‘Master and Everyone’ by Bonnie Prince Billy (listen to how little there is to the track ‘Even if Love’), ‘Yoshimi’ by The Flaming Lips and ‘Transnormal Skiperoo’ by Jim White. It’s gonna be a great weekend… xx
Over the years my music tastes have varied through everything from ‘death metal’ to opera.
That said, there have been a fee constant bands (I don’t think I can pin it down to individual albums) that always creep up every now and then.
The two bands that helped me through my GCSEs and A-levels are ‘Explosions in the Sky’ and ‘Godspeed you! Black emperor’. Their songs are very long and have to be listened to almost like an orchestral piece from start to finish. They’re fantastic at occupying that other side of your brain and I find them great to help me concentrate and crack on with work.
A little heavier is 65 Days of Static (they’re almost drum and bass). Great driving music or music to get your blood pumping.
An album I will always love is Queen – Greatest Hits. My mum was the one who first played Queen to me and I’ve been in love ever since. No matter what mood I’m in, they always lift me up.
Same goes for Mamas and the Papas.
Other very noteworty bands are The Cure, The Cult, Frankie Goes to Hollywood an Depeche Mode.
On a side note, I’ve just discovered a Hungarian band called Jeffo’s Dream and their song Sunday Morning is fantastic. The whole album is available as a free download from their website (not on iTunes).
At the moment – Serge Gainsbourg. I’m obsessed!
Ooooh Libby, GREAT choice!!!
xXx
Will – thanks for your input! I love to hear what other people are listening too! You get to find out things you’d probably have never found out about! 😉
xXx
Hi Annabel. (BTW my sister has the same name).
I like the comment you made, “blog can be a conduit for connecting people together.” You do this really well.
In terms of the music, you could try Melody Gardot and litmus test with a track called Les Etoiles. I stumbled on her music by accident and was addicted.
Also, if you email me I will send you an MP3 with our version of One Love.
Hi bigsands!!
GREAT taste in music! Melody Gardot was the soundtrack to the morning of my wedding day! She played on my laptop whilst us girls got read in the bridal suite…. I can hear ‘baby i’m a fool’ in my head now thinking about it 🙂
Never heard of Litmus test – off to test now!
Going to email you right now for that MP3 😉
Many thanks,
xXx
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