Rosie Thomas (w. Sufjan Stevens): The One I Love
[purchase]
So I saw the new theme, and I corralled all of my “One” songs, and I put this one on the back burner. But then I remembered that is sort of a duet, and my brain said “transition!” So, here it is.
Rosie Thomas delivers a beautiful reading of the old REM song. Is it truly a duet? Well, Sufjan Stevens sings background harmonies, his and her voice intertwining beautifully on the chorus. But she clearly sings lead throughout. So, I will ask for opinions on this one.
Thomas has chosen to cover The One I Love in a spare arrangement which tends to focus the listener’s attention on the lyrics. Michael Stipe’s lyrics are often enigmatic, but this is one of the most direct songs he has written, so this treatment really works.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
One: The One I Love
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Fifty States: Michigan
Your host at Star Maker Machine is a lifelong resident of The Great Lake State. Despite Michigan's impressive musical tradition (Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, The Stooges, Eminem, The White Stripes, The Temptations, Smoky Robinson, The Supremes, Iggy Pop, Sufjan Stevens, The Four Tops, MC5, Jackie Wilson, Del Shannon, Bob Seger, Marshall Crenshaw, Kid Rock, Commander Cody) there aren't many popular songs about my home state or its people.
I have only two in my collection (both from this century).
Sufjan Stevens: Say Yes! to M!ch!gan! [purchase]
Califone: Michigan Girls [purchase]
The title of Sufjan Stevens’ song, Say Yes! to M!ch!gan!, comes from an emphatic tourist slogan we tried here awhile back.
If you have any more Michigan songs, please include them in the comments or send them to me. Thanks!
Michigan trivia: Michigan’s two peninsulas have more miles of Great Lakes shoreline (3,288 miles/5,292 kilometers) than the distance from Maine to Florida.
Here’s one of my favorite places in Michigan, The Legs Inn located in Cross Village:
