Okay, not really random, nor for that matter ten. Nor even Friday, as the big event is tomorrow. Here's the first twenty songs of the playlist:
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington, I'm Just a Lucky So and So
Lyle Lovett, Good Intentions
Al Green, I'm Glad You're Mine
Patricia Barber, Lost In This Love
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, So Far to Fall
Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Never Can Say Goodbye
Loving Paris, Loco
Parliament, Mothership Connection
Yannick Noah, December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)
Gary Moore, Eyesight to the Blind
Maria Papadopoulou, Maskaremeni
Gipsyland, Salaam
Esther Phillips, Cry Me a River Blues
Either/Orchestra, No Me Molesta
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros, Mondo Bongo
Alihan Samedov, Sen Gelmez Oldun
Cesaria Evora, Nho Antone Escaraderode
Billie Holiday, Comes Love
Madeliene Peyroux, Don't Wait Too Long
Living Colour, Love Rears It's Ugly Head
We hit 'em heavy right at the beginning; once Satchmo and Duke are finished, there won't be a dry eye in the house. A few more lovey-dovey songs to set the mood, and then the tempo ratchets up and stays there. Never Can Say Goodbye is the first of many lesser-known covers of well-known songs; it's a nice way to mix in some familiarity without stooping to cliche. And Yannick (not Noah -- see comments) has a version of December 1963 that is really too catchy to be believed. Joe Strummer tops the list with three entries in the total of eighty songs; Mondo Bongo because it's romantic and we're rocking the Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibe; All In a Day because there's a line in there about "East of Chavez Ravine," where the actual wedding is being held; and the Clash's Death or Glory because Death or Glory is awesome. A keen eye will detect that we haven't limited ourselves to conventionally romantic tunes, but have allowed the occasional foray into ironic detachment; that's okay, the relationship is like that too. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get married.
