Music Monday #1: Julia’s Top Ten

Who’s old enough to remember making mix-tapes for the boy or girl you have a crush on? There’s a delicate art to it. You don’t want to be too obvious in your choices, but also not overly pretentious. You want the mix to be cool, yet sensitive. On Mondays, we’re going to relive those days by giving you a load of our favorite songs to start your week with. And we’re not doing it alone. We’re asking some of our regulars and people we admire to send in their lists.

When Julia walked into the Mezrab a few years ago to write an article about us for a local paper we knew we wanted her to stay. She had short hair, great tattoos and told us her Masters degree was in feminism in cult vampire films. Ever since she’s been a member of the team, making sure the website is updated, information is sent out and coming up with plans for new events. Currently she’s planning her second trip to the Philippines, where she will help exploited workers in the garment industry to tell their own stories.

JULIA SAYS:

This is my top 10 of youtube songs at the moment.

If youtube was even more expanded it might have looked a little different with for example Shirley Collin’s ‘Hares on the mountain’ or Elizabeth Cotton’s ‘Jesus lifted me’. All strong women making beautiful songs with a bite. Of course you’d have to place them in time since wearing worker’s pants as a woman in the 50’s was already quite daring and progressive.

Peggy Seeger – Gonna Be An Engineer

So let’s start with this song then. Peggy Seeger ( sister of Pete Seeger) was a American folk singer and activist from the 50’s. She was married to folk singer, activist and songwriter Ewan MacColl. She identifies as bisexual and written an essay about it (Voices of Bisexuals Around the World).Great, feminist song of a very special lady.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCRRe72mwwY&w=560&h=315]

Elizabeth Cotten – Freight Train

She was an American blues and folk musician, singer and songwriter Her self-taught left-handed guitar style (holding a right-handed guitar upside down) become known as “Cotten picking”. Amazing woman played the guitar till she died..

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6PA3_xeDI8&w=560&h=315]

Daniel Johnston – The Story Of An Artist

Very special person with a sad song, also a little funny at the same time and recognizable and cliché and…. If you have time watch this documentary about him: ‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_RbSAwMa3U&w=560&h=315]

Diamanda Galas – Let My People Go

American musician, AIDS activist and philosopher. Listen to this amazing dark song based on and old American Negro Spiritual called ‘Go down Moses’. Now, Diamanda made it into something different:  “ the eight legs of the devil now, are crawling up my spine”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6NOeHm0ru8&w=560&h=315]

Current 93 – A Gothic Love Song

To follow up the sudden darkness in this list; a gothic, sad and actually quite depressing song by the fanstastic Storytellers of Current 93.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln5A1o-0x4A&w=560&h=315]

Low – La La La Song

Now we’re into love songs anyway, so here’s another one. I think it’s the most intimate and daring lovesong I know to open to the world. Don’t think I could ever do that but happy to be able to listen to this one from Low.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvYFZfnKWg&w=560&h=315]

Amanda Palmer –  Vegemite (The Black Death)

Strong woman, good performer and so so funny!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVKPrQv1H8I&w=560&h=315]

The Secret Sisters – Why Dont You Love Me

These sisters are so cute and lovely. I missed them playing in Paradiso this year, such a shame

I love to sing this song and overdo it 😉

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Ew-GN8HS0&w=560&h=315]

Yarah Bravo – Bluebird

This little lady started as a surprise act of underground hiphop master DJ Vadim but soon enough left her tracks in hiphop-land and blows you away from stage. Look at her! http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/features/articles/yarah_bravo_-_biography.html

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gBBKxdMMhI&w=560&h=315]

Wanda Jackson – Fujiama Mama

Last year I went to see this woman playing at Patronaat in Haarlem. She’s74(!) years old and I was blown away! She told the audience about her first tour after highschool together with Elvis. They were both ‘spoiled brats’ as she said and went on their first date together. Isn’t that great?! Listen to this very very cool song of this rockin momma:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVs3iwkAP0k&w=560&h=315]