Psychedelic folk singer Arthur Ahbez shares his perfect weekend playlist.
Arthur Ahbez will likely wake up this weekend with breathing exercises informed by Dutch motivational speaker Wim Hof, and perhaps a bit of yoga. That’s an ideal Saturday, but if he can’t get to it, it’s because life’s responsibilities have come calling first. “These days, I have two kids under three, so free time is scarce,” Ahbez says. “Now, the perfect weekend is simply hanging out with the family, avoiding chores, going to the park or the beach, and slow-cooking something on the barbecue.”
Inspired by the jam sessions with his band The Flaming Ahbez at his Mt Eden cottage, the psychedelic cowboy recently released his latest album Arthur Ahbez & The Flaming Ahbez, a collection meant to embody the raw intensity and personality in the ensemble’s musical chemistry. “Sometimes, a whole song would manifest without a word between us, and if we tried to recreate it, it just wasn’t the same. I recorded a lot of it on my iPhone and would listen back thinking, ‘how did we do that?’ Or ‘how did I play that?!'”, he says. “Seven of the 10 songs on the album were tracked live with all of us playing together, allowing each member’s musical personality to shine through.”
With Arthur Ahbez & The Flaming Ahbez already out in the world, the singer reckons the best way to listen to the album is “in the late afternoon, when the sun is golden and streaming through your living room window. Invite some friends over, or enjoy it in solitude. Slide the record out of its vinyl jacket, gently place it on your turntable, and lower the arm to hear that distinct first pop of the stylus on the LP. Crack a cold one or roll a number, then settle yourself in cozy chair and relax.”
And when you’re done with that, you can visit the playlist below to hear the 10 tunes – from “southern fried” classics to a 70s sitcom theme song – that make Ahbez’s weekend perfect.
Terry Durham – ‘Sunday Morning’
Writer, poet and painter Terry Durham recorded this one-off, strangely beautiful album in 1969. Most of the tracks on the album feature him reciting his poetry with music attempting to match his lyrical style or jive it up a bit. ‘Sunday Morning’ is a lovely track to start your weekend; relaxed, happy but also introspective.
Tony Joe White – ‘Polk Salad Annie’
Some people call Tony Joe White the king of swamp guitar. I can dig that. Polk Salad Annie is classy and mucky, like it was composed in a shack. There is a lot of grunts and manly noises. Put a little whiskey in your coffee this morning. “Polk salad Annie, gators got you granny.”
Sir Douglas Quintet – ‘Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day’
This track is also southern fried. Sir Douglas Quintet are dubbed a “Tex Mex” rock and roll band. I can dig that. It’s the kind of song you want to sing along to, really loudly, by your self when you’ve had a solo brew or two, or maybe you are just feeling really happy. The lawns are mowed, everything is beautiful. Afternoon delight. You’re the King! You’re The Queen! Love yourself.
Elvis Presley – ‘Gentle On My Mind’
OK, so this is the last southern fried song, I swear. It’s a little more downbeat than the last one. You are on the come down a bit, but you still feel good. Everything in this track is 100% class. But it isn’t overdone. That is what makes it good. By the end the intensity has ramped up a bit, and the harmonica is speaking directly to your soul. Did I mention my middle name is Aaron?
Christie Laume – ‘Rouge Rouge’
What is Rouge, rouge? I don’t know, I don’t speak French. Is it wine? The song is so raw and punk. Seeing the album art for this EP you would think it is rather tame. But don’t misjudge French chicks! Christie will send you packing, she takes no shit.
The Caravelles – ‘Don’t Blow Your Cool’
Everyone planning to have kids should memorise the lyrics in this song. It would make a good mantra. I wish my toddler would memorise it too. It would do him a world of good. He always seems to lose his cool when I pick up my guitar.
Johanna Svensson, Madminton – ‘Don’t Kill Me Baby’
While I was living in Prague I made friends with Slovakian artist. He put me on to this band he was friends with: Madminton. These guys have some great song writing and I wanted to give them a plug as they deserve more attention. This track they are doing a duet with Johanna Svensson. Enjoy.
Neal Hefti – ‘The Odd Couple Theme Instrumental’
This track is constantly popping up on my Spotify radio algorithm. I think it knew I was making this playlist and wanted in … Imagine yourself skipping barefoot through a park while wearing a suit or a fancy dress. You are smelling flowers and laughing at other people. That’s the vibe I get.
Alberto Baldan Bembo – ‘Peddro Come’
Do people still play music like this in Italy? Probably not. It seems like every Italian movie soundtrack I get is from some sort of sexual exploitation film. The movies might not have aged too well, but hot damn the music still burns like the fire in the loins of their protagonists.
Ananda Shankar – ‘Raghupati’
Welcome to the end of the playlist. For those that made it thus far, I salute you. Ananda Shankar was the nephew of Ravi Shankar. This song is some sort of religious ballad. I don’t know what the chant in the second half of this song means, but by golly it slaps hard and feels good!