John saw this track recommended by Keith Skowron Skowron over at the Team Spinning Facebook page. He knew instantly that I would love it… and he was right!
A 64 rpm climb with a mellow piano opening, (but adequate drums) and this Scottish singer-song writer’s fabulous raspy voice is today’s Friday Favorite. 1:27 in, the song breaks open and a driving drumbeat takes over giving great energy. Perhaps try an out of the saddle lift here until 3:00 where the music backs off and have them go back to the saddle for 20 seconds until 3:20 where you could cue to lift out of the saddle and climb strong until the end of the road at 4:07. Listen for the great “ethereal” female vocals in the background of Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close” single from his yet to be released CD (due out in 2012).
Enjoy!
Beyond her role as the Senior Group Fitness Instructor here and at the other clubs where she teaches, Amy is a very accomplished Makeup Artist … where she finds herself today. So I get to give my suggestion for a track you might want to consider for an upcoming class. I've used it (them) for years but this past Monday I received a response unlike any before; Women near the back of the room yells “THIS SONG IS SO AWESOME! It actually shocked me with how loud she was. She had only heard the first few bars from Rods and Cones from the Blue Man Group and that was all it took:)
What I enjoy most about many Blue Man Group tracks is how they build – perfectly suited to use for a “Big Finish” if that's your style. ~ 63 RPM, I use Rods and Cones as the platform for a series of Sprints over it's 5:58 length – starting with heavy pedals and using the rise and fall of the intensity to cue each new effort. Let me know if it works for you. Here it is in Spotify
In my play list Rods and Cones followed this remix of Twilight Zone. It's an interesting mix, you're 4 minutes into a song most everyone knows before there's any vocals. It may have caused the reaction that followed. BileeEdits-Twilight Zone by bileebob
Today I bring you something a bit different. A very intense, fully orchestrated 65 bpm climb that starts out very strong and then backs off at 1:59 for a quick quiet segment (which you know I love for queuing opportunities). We never lose intensity though, even in the short quiet segment. And then…bam!!! 3:30 comes along and the beautiful build starts and really hits at 3:45 to the finish at 4:27. I am so looking forward to using this X-Men First Class Soundtrack #11 (X-training) in my Thanksgiving class. I am co-teaching a 90 minute class with someone you might know…his name is John Macgowan. I gotta put together a good class for that morning! I don’t want everyone thinking he is the only one that can work them hard.
I never imagined I would love a song that started out with a piano and Conn electronic organ, but I do. The instrumental layers and vocal harmonies of this AMERICAN (finally!) soul/indie pop band from LA are so interesting. I could suggest most of the songs off the CD, Pickin Up the Pieces by Fitz and the Tantrums, but I picked out “Tighter” for today’s Friday Favorite. It is a 60 rpm, 4:56 climb that I use as my last profile climb before heading into our final flat and recovery. The song builds nicely and at 3:05 breaks open with beautiful vocals and supporting strings for a great final push.
I hope you like it as much as I do. Here is Fitz and the Tantrums and “Tighter”:
What the heck happened to September and October?
Oh well..
Another British band makes the list for today’s Friday Favorite. Their sound and versatility is so interesting. I first heard them on “Grey’s Anatomy” and I tracked down the season’s soundtrack to get this particular song. It is the perfect length (5:27 ) and rpm’s (69) for a moderate effort climb. The title track from the “How We Operate” CD by Gomez is today’s tune. I like the musical layers…especially the banjo. Give it a listen and see what you think. I’m going to explore more by this band.
