SPACE STATION 5 – CELEBRITY PLAYLIST – Lee Aaron

Darryl Spreen
February 17, 2016

This week’s Space Station 5 comes to us from Lee Aaron.

“I have to admit, I always hate getting asked to narrow it down to my top 5, or even 10 favorite albums to be stuck with during the post-apocalypse – or in this case – a visit to the International Space Station! I love so much music and have rather eclectic taste, but here goes…

For launch I would be needing a courage pill in the form of hard driving power rock, so I choose U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Having the Edge’s intro riff to “Vertigo” blasting in my headset would be the perfect companion to zooming into the thermosphere at 20 times the speed of sound. “Turn it up loud, Captain!”

One song that kept creeping into my mind when I thought about leaving earth was Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”. Physical Graffiti did, and still does push the musical limits of otherworldliness. This double LP (Ha, I know that’s cheating!) showcases the immense versatility of Zeppelin as a musical unit: from hard rock to Eastern, to blues and acoustic, it resonates with any mood I happen to be in.

For playing air guitar in zero gravity I would want something trashy, catchy and uniquely sublime like Ike Reilly’s Salesmen and Racists. Ike Reilly is simply one of the best kept secrets I know. This 2001 debut has earned a spot on my favorites list because it has all the things I love…hooks, attitude, insight and unbridled passion. I love you Ike!

And for those glorious sunsets and sunrises (every 90 minutes!) I choose Illiniose by Sufjan Stevens. He teleports the listener with lush, sonic landscapes and pushes your heart to the breaking point with his poignant and deeply personal lyrics. I’ve been lucky to have seen him perform live several times and his shows are nothing short of awe inspiring.

Finally, as I stare into the abyss at our beautiful green-blue home dangling in space and ponder the complexities of humankind (or maybe just my own stupid problems) I am craving some Nina Simone. Little Girl Blue is always on my top 10 list. Her glorious, almost spiritual, piano intro to “Mood Indigo” and those vocals – that incredible, un-pitch corrected, smoky voice…heaven.”

My 5 Space Station albums, in no particular order:

U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti

Ike Reilly – Salesmen and Racists

Sufjan Stevens – Illinoise

Nina Simone – Little Girl Blue

About Lee Aaron:
Lee Aaron is looking forward to taking her new rock show to the stage, to creating new music, to watching her children grow. Fire and Gasoline (available March 25, 2016) sees a resurgent, revitalized and energized Lee Aaron re-emerging into the rock ‘n’ roll world with an album that is sophisticated, thought-provoking, sublimely entertaining and a whole lot of rockin’ fun.

It leaves no doubt that Canada’s rock queen is back – better, and with more mettle than ever!

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