Musicasaurus.com digs into the art of the music mix…

A new mix will be posted every two weeks on Sunday.....If you are a dinosaur, you’ll probably be searching out these tunes to create a mix copy on CD; if you have evolved, you may instead be pulling from iTunes or another downloading source to create a playlist for your mobile device.  Either way, ultimately allow yourself this time to shut out the world (and the physical and mental multi-tasking that we are heir to).  Sink into these sonic revelations...Let the songs insinuate themselves. 

Highly recommended:  Playback of these playlists should be through a home stereo system, cranked up mightily.

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/21/24....

(Next post: Sunday, May 5, 2024)

I GIVE YOU THE SUN, MOON & STARS....

1. Look into The Sun - Jethro Tull https://youtu.be/A6VXRSVZHIY?si=AB_NHx4Wm0-uFokY    

2. Surface of the Moon - Del Amitri https://youtu.be/eYDbaiX8i18?si=HOT0UoQvRgMFtZ77

3. So You Want to Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star - The Byrds https://youtu.be/ukGXwLlUCo0?si=9s7d4dH3MukkjspS        

4. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore - Jules Shear https://youtu.be/Ri-mMuQNmnM?si=h5KFgG5w8w2Q8NuU

5. Moonshadow - Cat Stevens https://youtu.be/C9v8fStNnhk?si=GJDXLjAHlYGtjuGJ     

6. Star Bright, Star Light - Curtis Salgado & The Stilettos https://youtu.be/pEPRHPEOPPw?si=J6RPHk3uonScoQIS           

7. Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers https://youtu.be/YuKfiH0Scao?si=kFJVY9O8ep1LL6cz

8. Moonlight Mile - Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/qpB8XyFSY5E?si=eu1d5JZyBQSjcZ_b

9. When the Stars Go Blue - Ryan Adams https://youtu.be/rT0cndgd1kM?si=E4UXjCmEQq8ogtKd

10. Sunshine - Juliana Hatfield https://youtu.be/v_TU57JQjBM?si=97rxWEezxuxKHf1f

11. Shame on the Moon - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band https://youtu.be/AOcDyBS7T1U?si=MvOTDXI3q23Lyj1n

12. Sea of Stars - Valerie Carter https://youtu.be/3XYPINclCZI?si=zntHlLutOkilGBKO

13.The Sun Hasn't Set On This Boy Yet - Nils Lofgren https://youtu.be/AGWLPvJl6H0?si=eAWiFA1onjMvsB9_

14. Blue Moon - Mark Isham (with Tanita Takirim) https://youtu.be/IpvAJ6cnnbQ?si=QEynkCWlp6WuZ5ae

15. Star of the County Down - Van Morrison & The Chieftains https://youtu.be/6sMZ2bUv9Q4?si=jYobg3qcdS2JSFov

16. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles https://youtu.be/GKdl-GCsNJ0?si=Gv3Lm6aeL8Z9JKcv          

17. Shoot the Moon - Norah Jones https://youtu.be/jlJX_9FMbp8?si=WA-A8XnxO5qbWr5l        

18. When You Wish Upon a Star – Brian Wilson https://youtu.be/c6HJaNpP2xs?si=hlo6qTlmn2Krx7Nf

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/7/24....

The “A Day in the Life” tab of this website currently has capsule reviews (with photos) of some key concerts I attended between the summer of 2016 and the fall of 2017.  This trip back in time prompted me to take another look at the musicians/singer-songwriters who left us and went to Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven that year.  In 2017 we lost a wealth of talent.  May they rest in peace...

 TOM PETTY (10/20/50 – 10/2/17) – Sample Tune: “Dreamville”

Petty had always been on the battle lines with regard to artists’ rights, starting over four decades ago when his record company at the time (circa 1981) wanted to raise the price of his upcoming new album from the industry’s standard $8.98 list price to $9.98.  He threatened not to release the record at all, and then vowed to make the title of the album Eight Ninety-Eight if it was released at the higher price.  The record company capitulated and the album eventually hit the stores with the name Hard Promises instead...Flash forward a couple of decades, and Petty was at it again in 2002, releasing a themed album entitled The Last DJ.  With songs like “Money Becomes King” and the title track “The Last DJ,” Petty was pondering modern life where corporate avarice was running rampant, radio stations were further restricting playlists, and musical expression was increasingly stifled, gagged & bound.  This track “Dreamville” (also from The Last DJ) is a pretty and contemplative piece, though; a mid-tempo ballad about being young in the 1950s and 1960s, living the small-town life, buying guitar strings at the local music store, and listening to the radio where, as the song says, “there was rock ‘n’ roll across the dial.”  https://youtu.be/ViczcWEHgaY?si=5M75o5QlzzgKjhXd   

 CHARLES BRADLEY (11/5/48 – 9/23/17) – Sample tune: “Changes”

Bradley’s success was not overnight; for him, it came late in the evening.  His debut album No Time for Dreaming was released in 2011 when Bradley turned 62.  He had slogged through some tough times but soul music was always in his head and heart, starting with his life-changing concert experience as a 14-year-old when he saw James Brown at the Apollo Theater in 1962.  Some friends and I were first exposed to Bradley live at the 2016 Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh, where Bradley was testifyin’ to the power of music and the power of The Lord; an incredible mix of passion and gratitude leapt out of that man’s throat at every turn.  The song listed here is Bradley’s cover of a Black Sabbath song.  It was the title tune of Bradley’s third album Changes which was released in 2016.  Bradley passed away on September 23, 2017 from a battle with stomach cancer.  https://youtu.be/JuFAwcoG8VI?si=Tz7YHgOC1pqWU1t1   

 GLEN CAMPBELL (4/22/36 – 8/8/17) – Sample tune: “Wichita Lineman”

Campbell was incredibly popular in the ‘60s-into-the-‘70s with TV appearances and chart-topping radio hits like “Gentle On My Mind,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and later on, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”  But Musicasaurus.com’s pick of the litter is the Jimmy Webb-composed tune “Wichita Lineman.”  Campbell was quite the picker as well, an underrated guitarist who, as a session player, helped propel hits for Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Phil Spector and many others.  He also was a member of The Wrecking Crew, L.A.s’ renowned group of studio musicians who in the 1960s churned out an amazing amount of songs for stars like Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, The Mamas & The Papas, The Beach Boys, and more.  The song listed here comes from Campbell’s 1968 album of the same name.  https://youtu.be/Q8P_xTBpAcY?si=Hoi4JY7qciRrv-rw

 CHRIS CORNELL (7/20/64 – 5/18/17) – Sample tune: “Fell on Black Days” 

Superunknown, from which this track was taken, was this Seattle band’s blistering and bludgeoning yet quite tuneful fourth album, the one that brought them widespread acclaim critically and commercially in 1994.  It was dense and delicious, sounding a little like the crew of Zeppelin had decided to steer toward sky’s-the-limit alternative rock.  Cornell was the vocal front man who led the charge here, and then later on, as vocalist with Audioslave which featured three remnants of Rage Against The Machine—guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and dummer Brad Wilk.  Cornell was hugely respected within the industry by peers and fans but spent periods of his life chased by the internal demons of drugs and depression.  His lyrics in “Fell on Black Days” are indicative of his struggles: “Whatsoever I've feared has come to life / And whatsoever I've fought off became my life / Just when everyday seemed to greet me with a smile.”  Cornell took his own life one evening after a Soundgarden performance in Detroit, on May 18, 2017.  https://youtu.be/aqW-VF49Sok?si=gZxqoSZDvaJ1f6mG

 CHESTER BENNINGTON (3/20/76 – 7/20/17) – Sample tune: “What I’ve Done”

Bennington first broke through to the masses as the lead singer on Linkin Park’s 2000 debut album Hybrid Theory and was renowned for his vocal prowess which could go from anguished whisper to cathartic scream in a heartbeat.  “What I’ve Done” is from the band’s third album Minutes To Midnight which was produced by Rick Rubin and which spotlighted Bennington’s towering vocals alongside the raps and rhymes of Linkin Park’s other vocalist, Mike Shinoda.  Bennington’s suicide on July 20, 2017 came just two months after Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell’s death by similar means.  Bennington had sung Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” at Cornell’s funeral and was also the godfather of Cornell’s son Christopher.  https://youtu.be/Jrprk5dNboI?si=dSGatK6DOr3QglNw  

 GREGG ALLMAN (12/8/47 – 5/27/17) and BUTCH TRUCKS (5/11/47 – 1/24/17) – Sample tune: “Statesboro Blues”

For Musicasaurus readers of a certain age, this leadoff track is the first song we soaked in as our turntables spun the brand new Allman Brothers Band album At Fillmore East in July of 1971.  All these years later, the effect is the same: there’s sizzlin’ slide from Duane Allman and—speaking of the whole album here—it is one of the tightest rock-band workouts ever captured in a live setting.  It brims over with energy, road experience, discipline and intuitive playing; the musical boundaries blend into a stirring amalgam of blues and rock, and even touches of jazz.  The band members, all in their twenties, were at the absolute peak of their powers.  Duane Allman died at the age of 24 in a motorcycle accident just three months after this double-live album was released, and Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks passed away in 2017, both at the age of 69.  https://youtu.be/dWy3Q30Cn2A?si=hbOo1ct-NI0eCRqr

 WALTER BECKER (2/20/50 – 9/3/17) – Sample tune: “Book of Liars”

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan were not quite Siamese twins but were certainly joined at the hip in one respect: they shared an obsession for the painstaking work involved in creating sonic masterpieces in the recording studio.  Washington Post pop music critic Richard Harrington interviewed the two musicians in 1993 and he eloquently explained the undiminished appeal of Steely Dan songs.  These tunes, wrote Harrington, are “smart and stylish, with a jazz-wise pulse, sketched skintight in the studio by partners with a reputation for mordant wit and obsessive perfectionism.”  Becker, though 50% of Dan’s songwriting success, didn’t shine as brightly as lead singer Fagen in terms of overall visibility, but he did manage to release two solo albums in his lifetime, one in 1994 (Eleven Tracks of Whack) and another in 2008 (Circus Money).  Neither climbed the charts anywhere near the level of Steely Dan recordings or even Fagen’s solo works but the music does hew a bit toward the Dan, and some of it certainly could be considered quirky yet captivating.  https://youtu.be/cm5xyA6keFY?si=OwRrVxnlkAxZ3hf4  

 CHUCK BERRY (10/18/26 – 3/18/17) – Sample tune: “Nadine”

One of Rock’s true forefathers, Berry had a string of hits in the late 1950s that titillated teens here at home and also perked up the ears of English musicians abroad—like the Beatles and the Stones—who then covered these tunes on their earliest recordings.  Berry’s landmark rock records include “Johnny B. Goode,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Music,” “You Never Can Tell” and the track listed here that was released as a single in 1964 and subsequently included on Berry’s first greatest hits album released that same year.  He was one of the first inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 1986) and Rolling Stone magazine in 2004 created a tantalizing list and put a Berry on top; he was crowned # 5 in this magazine’s tribute issue entitled “The Hundred Greatest Artists of All Time.”  https://youtu.be/1M9XdkUk298?si=4YPAr9axR31bZE6k  

 LARRY CORYELL (4/2/43 – 2/19/17) – Sample tune: “She’s Leaving Home”

Coryell was a jazz-rock rabblerouser who blew minds and blew right past boundaries in the 1960s.  Through the decades he bounced between electric spazzed-out jazz and intimate, more accessible acoustic exercises.  And in his career he released a list of albums a mile long—over seventy records dating back to his 1968 debut album Lady Coryell.  The original version of the Beatles’ classic listed here of course comes from their 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, and in Coryell’s talented hands it is truly a thing of beauty.  The song hails from his 2004 release Tricycles, a trio effort which also features ex-Pat Metheny Band collaborators Paul Wertico on drums and Mark Egan on bass.  https://youtu.be/S9zqogKA9E0?si=0BIPFQPIcIZ3IRlt   

 AL JARREAU (3/12/40 – 2/12/17) – Sample tune: “Thinkin’ About It Too”

Jarreau’s Milwaukee childhood was all church and song, with his father a singer and minister, and a mom who played piano in that house of worship.  In the late 1960s he hit L.A. with his hellacious vocal style which playfully braided together pop and jazz in a winning combination, and which established him as a draw in venues like the Troubadour and the Bitter End West.  Television appearances on Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas and Johnny Carson brought him mainstream fame, and in 1975 Jarreau released his first major-label album on Warner Brothers’ Reprise Records entitled We Got By.  The track listed here, “Thinkin’ About It Too,” was the album opener for Jarreau’s third major-label exercise, 1977’s All Fly Home.  This is the best track on the album, a funky fast-paced jazz-pop pleasure that has Jarreau sailing all around the syncopation and percolation.  https://youtu.be/T3P2lr19Mzk?si=DSr0DB3si9B5XX3m

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/24/24....

....when “WORLD” is in every tune in the mix!

1. Vicious World - Rufus Wainwright  https://youtu.be/5eDe2okxnUg

2. World Turning - Fleetwood Mac  https://youtu.be/eKw2h_ZFFfY             

3. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies  https://youtu.be/7RWgjy9CAeQ            

4. This is the World Calling - Bob Geldof  https://youtu.be/6uaEmjt-2rI                             

5. (What A) Wonderful World - Sam Cooke  https://youtu.be/VzlLi5jX_C4

6. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer  https://youtu.be/pquX7Ya4-wE

7. Singing Joy to the World - Fruit Bats  https://youtu.be/-lnrkscsJPg        

8. Troubles of the World – Ollabelle  https://youtu.be/ZCSyzMg_NoM

9. Wander This World - Jonny Lang  https://youtu.be/rH5bDW3bnQg        

10. Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Patti Smith  https://youtu.be/CZYFt0Zwmnk

11. Harvest For The World - The Isley Brothers  https://youtu.be/dUxiKQXxGR8             

12. Back into Your World - Son Volt  https://youtu.be/salUViy2uoA

13. Sweet Old World - Lucinda Williams  https://youtu.be/BwGMJYszLMY

14. Sitting On Top of the World - The Pogues  https://youtu.be/0V5F8xpjI4w      

15. It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World - James Brown  https://youtu.be/hK97cdbbsQw

16. So Much Trouble in the World - Bob Marley  https://youtu.be/Az11r3EKmbg            

17. Out Of This World - Boo Hewerdine & Darden Smith  (this track starts at the 19:27 mark of this full album video)  https://youtu.be/VWalbDxGAEk

18. No World Like the World - Kelley Stoltz  https://youtu.be/4CIocnNpTL4

19. It's A Big Ol' Goofy World - John Prine  https://youtu.be/pAfFnB7Yxn8                                  

20. The World We Live In - The Killers  https://youtu.be/8EqBVO0eYOI

21. You’re The World To Me - David Gray  https://youtu.be/rA7_o2r-1LU

22. What a Wonderful World - Kenny Werner & Toots Thielemans  https://youtu.be/sHdITynB1iU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/10/24....

THE BEAT GOES ON...a representative sampling of songs based on the “favorite drummer” survey responses that were submitted to Musicasaurus for posting in the A DAY IN THE LIFE section of this site.                       

1.) I Can’t Turn You Loose – Otis Redding (drummer: Al Jackson, Jr.) https://youtu.be/bfT3_MJDTu8?si=stA6tDJA9HDPE3tn

2.) Get Off My Cloud – The Rolling Stones (drummer: Charlie Watts) https://youtu.be/1sWqmMAvmdU?si=EV1Lnb_RIdDG9ACe

3.) Seven Days – Sting (drummer: Vinnie Colaiuta) https://youtu.be/pG7_gceIFL4?si=zGkWkDNE4CUV7oHF

4.) Leaving Here – The High Numbers (before the band changed its name to The Who) (drummer: Keith Moon) https://youtu.be/o0lz7doiM0c?si=g0soOHJH2ZqiVJ4W

5.) Mean Street – Van Halen (drummer: Alex Van Halen) https://youtu.be/FYVMTEtYqi8?si=LkY8g9TFaK_bCBfL

6.) Running on Empty – Jackson Browne (drummer: Russ Kunkel) https://youtu.be/LNmIbSre7Tw?si=xYqUn_C7-3WxowKp

7.) Cover of a ZZ Top song by a band featuring Steve Moore, The Mad Drummer...The video is called “This Drummer is at the Wrong Gig” and has racked up over 53 million views—so far: https://youtu.be/ItZyaOlrb7E?si=vKk-sjTqrMu6VTYp

8.) Toad – Cream (drummer: Ginger Baker) https://youtu.be/z9ey8dFqM98?si=uStvwh8BETrBzHlM

9.) Stone’s Throw/Killers/Wondering Why/Don’t Care – The Red Clay Strays (drummer: John Hall) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZL7rPowq2w  

10.) Rush - La Villa Strangiato (drummer: Neil Peart)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3zlRdksakI

11.) Ain’t That a Shame (Live at Budokan) – Cheap Trick (drummer: Bun E. Carlos) https://youtu.be/8tD1oHVPXVg?si=ndsq52U2aY8Fpl3c

12.) One More Red Nightmare – King Crimson (drummer: Bill Bruford) https://youtu.be/cLoQADJnGr4?si=o10WQexSXEL_wRNt

13.) I Can’t Quit You Baby – Led Zeppelin (drummer: John Bonham) https://youtu.be/6d_wxEz1Cbg?si=qrQtPMSyexJ3kv-T

14.) This I Dig of You – The Roger Humphries Quintet (drummer: Roger Humphries) https://youtu.be/ghYjNYmWufI?si=rQN2iFbZmgIy2jgW

15.) Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Karn Evil 9 (drummer: Carl Palmer) https://youtu.be/l_0VoikhMtY?si=H3nykknlRxwfVFFH

16.) Aja – Steely Dan (drummer: Steve Gadd) https://youtu.be/CYZwVf07tHA?si=U8-zhHdabvaugV5_

17.) Oliloqui Valley – Herbie Hancock (drummer: Tony Williams) https://youtu.be/AY5-YRc_nMI?si=st8H9PPBlkBz7OEZ

18.) A Night in Tunisia – Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers (drummer: Art Blakey) https://youtu.be/S4ylZmsR8AM?si=Y0qpLJ_G0eJSZDOx

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/24/24....

Now THIS is a mix to pore over...

1.) Rain - The Beatles https://youtu.be/cK5G8fPmWeA?si=ICvCmYzk8mie24yv   

2.) Early Morning Rain - Eva Cassidy https://youtu.be/P9U_g7ftEyk?si=6ofhuWPLihD_GKwl     

3.) Box of Rain - Grateful Dead https://youtu.be/nxjvo4BRf-Y?si=lcBezr-UWddh9TUK     

4.) Heavy Cloud No Rain (live) - Sting https://youtu.be/C_xek3p0ya0?si=EbUyaDw528h3o2dO

5.) Save It for A Rainy Day - The Jayhawks https://youtu.be/QpUw0nCm_oQ?si=-i1DjShSGDOLpdhQ           

6.) Mandolin Rain - Bruce Hornsby & The Range https://youtu.be/bDgOwX72fLI?si=ib07xdX7D2eww_Ua                 

7.) Here's That Rainy Day - Kenny Rankin https://youtu.be/bId_H6eQSlo?si=gglY6wmjr2lFP054

8.) Sit & Listen to The Rain – Whiskeytown https://youtu.be/L0HUuGZakgM?si=unhV-0Wvu7EAN6aY                       

9.) Fire and Rain - James Taylor https://youtu.be/N4E9MKbOFAY?si=MRuf4ivckW1htztK  

10.) Rainy Night in Georgia - Sam Moore & Conway Twitty https://youtu.be/hIDxIYYxKjo?si=yVvgcQDEwpk3qaBR             

11.) It's Raining - Lou Ann Barton https://youtu.be/2MFwYaC01sc?si=gMLKXwH1JULdJgKV   

12.) I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations https://youtu.be/keDpxp892Og?si=KuPv9z-cRdy4d1nb   

13.) Come Rain or Come Shine - Toots Thielemans featuring Lizz Wright https://youtu.be/49LyfmdqBtc?si=rSFFr1cVynDZAsfE   

14.) Right As Rain - Daryl Hall https://youtu.be/3cPCk2es19M?si=IygPIja8y7ZGKoVH    

15.) Four Days of Rain - The Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/aLIBwCXbrvA?si=tpJXnh0wtqRGdv-6   

16.) Here Comes the Rain Again - Miles to Dayton https://youtu.be/ru4BOquTrqU?si=-KH6RxUH1uz58rBV              

17.) Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival https://youtu.be/obv6wkMBXt0?si=xhe8K6x_VyiNIUn4                

18.) Ringing Doorbells in The Rain - Valerie Carter https://youtu.be/1CdW4J3U-WM?si=RZ_BWZB8YSM5c_cC

19.) My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains - Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band https://youtu.be/XJ2kSmbxEUw?si=L6FpZay2sQvkTrxR                   

20.) Buckets Of Rain - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/jGsOmKZXDvo?si=bcr7QZKbLnJT7amD

21.) I Think It's Going to Rain Today - Joe Cocker https://youtu.be/gJDnK8t-Bp8?si=ax6RuIVr8N4txS8L

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/11/24....

IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HERE ARE SOME OF MUSICASAURUS’ FAVORITE RECORDINGS BY BLACK ARTISTS...

1.) What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong https://youtu.be/oVv5P_eie4o?si=8ZNFnG1EvnA2D6ha

2.) I Remember - Dianne Reeves https://youtu.be/ZkoneNquuSM?si=TvYmwo5-glyxxvi0

3.) The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King https://youtu.be/oica5jG7FpU?si=WMzRhbT5GG3CIhcj

4.) Hellhound on my Trail - Cassandra Wilson https://youtu.be/nmf43jZeodA?si=EBz5OXQ79pebpyt7

5.) Three Little Birds - Bob Marley & The Wailers https://youtu.be/NOyRsPDPfMM?si=798UfqC8ULhW9Ngs

6.) Rio De Janeiro Blue - Randy Crawford https://youtu.be/A7r3yHoYTXQ?si=S9yYI7DddYVcHIw4

7.) Walkin’ My Baby Back Home - Nat King Cole https://youtu.be/AIBg7pgrBXo?si=HefiuYH2AaWxdtkd

8.) Never Know (live) - Angélique Kidjo https://youtu.be/q0QAOxfgtXE?si=yIQtlZfloAOlqW2r

9.) Baby - Bobby McFerrin https://youtu.be/El-UenEtIfw?si=IOTubkC6xU7I1DB7

10.) Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix Experience https://youtu.be/JCyKBI7rkYc?si=VQC6fygqUq_Pw0AB

11.) Stranger to Love - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan https://youtu.be/Z5ZsYqx_hLo?si=fdHNKlqUSnfOmO4I  

12.) Sign Your Name - Terence Trent D’Arby https://youtu.be/iLVLfL3QVQQ?si=2MNSG1Efs_imvm08

13.) Seven Whole Days - Toni Braxton https://youtu.be/AjBCAWKzZWA?si=tvk2PRuEKj6dq0Qr

14.) Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis https://youtu.be/sbhIZe3smr0?si=umdP4TUMqYQhPgMV

15.) I Pity the Fool (live) - Robert Cray & Shemekia Copeland https://youtu.be/m80A9GPsbLQ?si=_Xs1qEs7x1viH4AH

16.) Obsession - Sarah Vaughan https://youtu.be/PXDU0ertETA?si=8X61g7-OLK_5xBPH

17.) I Want You - Wilson Pickett https://youtu.be/1iGTZjBUER4?si=6hccRZvl1OglIpei

18.) Do Something - Macy Gray https://youtu.be/PHs-h7aMBO4?si=-ESFaM2IgMUwM1ME

19.) Wonder Wonder - Femi Kuti https://youtu.be/OLkYg1TLLTY?si=JL6Qpz77OTjW15T2

20.) Up Above My Head (live) - Rhiannon Giddens https://youtu.be/IAEaNqRq-ZU?si=kr9AYhmap_gR1NTF

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/28/24....

A MIX OF SONGS FROM SOME OF THE ARTISTS WHO PERFORMED AT STAR LAKE AMPHITHEATRE IN THE DECADE OF THE 1990s ... HEADLINERS, CO-HEADLINERS AND OPENING ACTS.

1. Jimmy Buffett (headliner) - Pre-You  https://youtu.be/ph1-eBG-Rp0?si=RhoeiWgmsk1-kFjG

2. Evangeline (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Jimmy Buffett) - Bayou Boy  https://youtu.be/a1LU9H5nNrs?si=C5M1PTB1JsGzrs1H

3. Alabama (headliner) - Mountain Music  https://youtu.be/9GGQ2zId8JA?si=aWIS_NuwM-dnPNAr  

4. Clint Black (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Alabama) - The Hard Way  https://youtu.be/PhBArvy990U?si=uHI2RM5o9bsTjL7E

5. Chicago (headliner) - Beginnings  https://youtu.be/lI-BMDnti4c?si=5k15H_9g5cQD2N1h

6. B.E. Taylor (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Chicago) - Vitamin L  https://youtu.be/9Kugfl0F1Yg?si=HeCiICi-VkcMQ7bx

7. Steve Miller Band (headliner) - Space Cowboy  https://youtu.be/9Kugfl0F1Yg?si=HeCiICi-VkcMQ7bx

8. Curtis Salgado & The Stilettos (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Steve Miller Band) - Star Light Star Bright  https://youtu.be/pEPRHPEOPPw?si=Jt48MhcKStPycyV4

9. Michael Bolton (headliner) - When a Man Loves a Woman  https://youtu.be/fHr4d2KzBzU?si=JNo90-adMGBGxxzH

10. Celine Dion (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Michael Bolton) - The Power of Love  https://youtu.be/W4KGlD6S7gA?si=PW9ce0ZcM0O_Nxbm

11. Stevie Ray Vaughan (headliner) - Texas Flood  https://youtu.be/OQuY7dHfWrM?si=IslW-CaJgmTkkQh8

12. Joe Cocker (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Stevie Ray Vaughan) - Pardon Me Sir  https://youtu.be/CWvVfZN5i7k?si=UbDggVm0h5jOmIJA

13. Crosby, Stills & Nash (headliner) - You Don’t Have to Cry  https://youtu.be/PmduVX7_-kE?si=Ftjl7ORDsbcJVaDC

14. Michael Hedges (opening act for Crosby, Stills & Nash) - Aerial Boundaries  https://youtu.be/v6pbzD4sRos?si=sCjv-K6sIUMwU-sL

15. Santana (co-headliner with Jeff Beck) - Incident at Neshabur  https://youtu.be/338TDhTN7HQ?si=TQjNZuU2nYKDHpNn

16. Jeff Beck (co-headliner with Santana) - Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers  https://youtu.be/VC02wGj5gPw?si=VB8O2DM1QBCbCBY4

17. Rusted Root (co-headliner with Santana) - Send Me on my Way  https://youtu.be/IGMabBGydC0?si=N3BxoPCx0iLKbzi4

18. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (headliner) - American Girl  https://youtu.be/SIhb-kNvL6M?si=5-3yGcusO8X3Y0_t

19. Lucinda Williams (one appearance this decade as an opening act for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) - Passionate Kisses  https://youtu.be/dEqXV9hGk-I?si=qoE5Jv9TxVDt0XzD

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/14/24....

VARIOUS ARTISTS MIX.....This mix recently put together by Musicasaurus is a “DIY” project for you.  There are nineteen songs and appropriate links; sequence them as below, or have a go at it on your own.  The 75-80 minutes you’ll invest in time spent listening will bring you ample rewards...​

1. The Ghost – Efterklang https://youtu.be/i6XX8bU-wfQ?si=OopKHjp1eLrHjesX

2. Life In The Air Age – Be-Bop Deluxe https://youtu.be/eNx7wmmE5Zo?si=MQ8O7hU4M6zTH6Ox  

3. Where’s Home – Richard Thompson https://youtu.be/Spplly1cHYs?si=sr0l4y_aK_BUog7V    

4. Once I Ran Away – Flora Purim https://youtu.be/AFI12vEjRX8?si=kUBjhYrqiuqypCox    

5. Stranger In A Strange Land – Leon Russell  https://youtu.be/0iL5aOJ7LR8?si=pu8ndaG-9CMHxMQh  

6. Don’t Let Go The Coat – The Who https://youtu.be/Knlpz60gz0A?si=FJClWCrY2RWxs3MF    

7. Deborah – Dave Edmunds https://youtu.be/i46Pxa8TOhU?si=Sqk2s3Zv5g9GrQ0H

8. Northern Lights – Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel https://youtu.be/SKb1oh_Fa6w?si=10DT31J1Bvz5oBjP   

9. Washing Of The Water – Zia Hassan https://youtu.be/yyJK4tPSKko?si=3uEfmDM5wOATCqpc   

10. Thirteen – Big Star https://youtu.be/DWk0r8L29z0?si=X3zQdr7HCoQMMkp8    

11. Beautiful Girl – INXS https://youtu.be/nQ8IU2kZn9U?si=QE_7tfbcCp8WHlps       

12. Galloping Ghosts – The Kingsbury Manx https://youtu.be/vEgvJxl8zKA?si=3LqOB39qGfeopioU    

13. No Inbetween – Supertramp https://youtu.be/L-4hU43Wowk?si=EluYo7BWLiDGwUi3    

14. My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) – Neil Young https://youtu.be/i6RZY4Ar3fw?si=XquRz_oVGP7tCVNh   

15. I Don’t Care Anymore – Andy Pratt https://youtu.be/JmIDMFaTMl0?si=S4inXSY_dGoB_anv   

16. I Ride At Dawn – Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite https://youtu.be/T_PyUZlFsas?si=YQwIt-VBez3aHTxQ    

17. Julie’s House – Leo Kottke https://youtu.be/BnhzyRVzfrw?si=IfEvCXsqqbGflg1h    

18. I Didn’t See It Coming – Belle and Sebastian https://youtu.be/au2RFNdi2YM?si=fhF51Tlw_jZggBDO   

19. When The Time Comes – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers https://youtu.be/ykCmB_ZlI68?si=wWP0CoM8FPFK2Urd      

____________________________________________________________

Posted 12/31/23....

Another year has ended...and so once again have the lives of a number of prominent musicians/singer-songwriters.  Musicasaurus has rounded up some of their signature songs for your listening pleasure, and who knows whether you’ll see them in heaven--but you can hear them right here on Earth.

1. Robbie Bachman (February 18, 1953 - January 12, 2023) and Tim Bachman (August 1, 2023 - April 28, 2023) of Bachman-Turner Overdrive - You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet  https://youtu.be/w3fRBzRngdc?si=NsrhUU7NwBAgpMSV

2. Burt Bacharach (May 12, 1928 - February 8, 2023) - The Look of Love  https://youtu.be/ck57LnYScNQ?si=GqT9QOSYiq2bQiFR

3. Huey “Piano” Smith (January 26, 1934 - February 13, 2023) - Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu  https://youtu.be/euy9lUbhJ04?si=s7R9jLkpLbtS7nDP

4. Jerrold Laurence Samuels aka Napoleon XIV (May 3, 1938 – March 10, 2023) - They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha​-​Haaa!  https://youtu.be/eQNI1KfGXBA?si=0f_FPqmU6vcLSerN

5. Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones; July 2, 1930 – April 16, 2023) - Poinciana  https://youtu.be/Z0e2G32f3IU?si=p49sqWY9elrWcFt8

6. Harry Belafonte (March 1, 1927 – April 25, 2023) - Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)  https://youtu.be/YO7M0Hx_1D8?si=OqhQ2trfnH1h0nHc

7. Gordon Lightfoot (November 17, 1938 – May 1, 2023) - If You Could Read My Mind  https://youtu.be/jiU2lrGnT7U?si=olg-RTx62alA1biR

8. Astrud Gilberto (March 29, 1940 – June 5, 2023) - The Girl from Ipanema  https://youtu.be/EKEmQooklDw?si=Wusll0_57YisxiD_

9. Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023) - I Left My Heart in San Francisco  https://youtu.be/Ysw4svDmcxc?si=YmfH7LxYocUexKo5

10. Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles (March 8, 1946 – July 26, 2023) - Take it to the Limit (the studio version from the band’s album One of These Nights is currently not available on YouTube; this is a live version from a 1977 concert)  https://youtu.be/YR37H6TQauw?si=aJxHxUSCLwGYnvEA

11. David LaFlamme of It’s a Beautiful Day (May 4, 1941 – August 6, 2023) - White Bird  https://youtu.be/Nc5sbbAphoU?si=LvkpPyYDKhIvI8Ry

12. Robbie Robertson (July 5, 1943 – August 9, 2023) - Somewhere Down the Crazy River  https://youtu.be/4KP9PNSUME4?si=kj7UbFmrTE32DdLR

13. Jimmy Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) - Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes  https://youtu.be/cmnLLkJfurg?si=eNxvhrFet0cmQvPp

14. Mylon LeFevre, American Christian rock singer (October 6, 1944 – September 8, 2023) - Crack the Sky  https://youtu.be/bALse_TYn8U?si=rdJjAGrpBxncfs7T

15. Rudolph Isley of the Isley Brothers (April 1, 1939 - October 11, 2023) - It’s Your Thing  https://youtu.be/vajsXO3Ub-4?si=Nke15-0kaZECfjTL

16. Dwight Twilley (June 6, 1951 – October 18, 2023) - I’m On Fire  https://youtu.be/rfRi7Jrk36k?si=8msGDw6kPiMrAwG8

17. Jean Knight (January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023) - Mr. Big Stuff  https://youtu.be/EJ-4cKFVC34?si=M9eL-SLFYnVkt6GE

18. Shane MacGowan of The Pogues (December 25, 1957 – November 30, 2023) - Fairytale of New York  https://youtu.be/j9jbdgZidu8?si=Lr2yX5XZvR_HosQF

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/17/23....

Each year in the spirit of the holiday season I think fondly of that old saying “Love Makes The World Go Round”--but just in case it’s actually “Money” that does that, I have put together a mix on that subject.  This COULD BE a rewarding experience; you be the judge... 

1. A Fistful of Dollars theme - Ennio Morricone https://youtu.be/HjjDOdaFZg0?si=vLiCv5NUV1qIocNF

2. Money - Pink Floyd https://youtu.be/cpbbuaIA3Ds?si=rZMgqolmRRsUNGzK

3. Money (That’s What I Want) - The Flying Lizards https://youtu.be/tTo9K2UD-mA?si=h1OdmLLQAhBUEJ_4

4. Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash - Steve Miller Band https://youtu.be/CYwh9VYNNFU?si=7bWaKrPkUhBK71ft

5. Money Changes Everything - Cyndi Lauper https://youtu.be/oI0UQ8lOgJM?si=DyGaxRiJhtXCB3z0

6. Money Talks - Rick James https://youtu.be/atVeeUXq1Kc?si=wnpevH9b_ULOmJv9

7. Money For Nothing - Dire Straits https://youtu.be/JRDgihVDEko?si=YV5L7coBkkeEAT50

8. Rich Girl - Hall & Oates https://youtu.be/AmHE65RAkSY?si=TCDDPJaea3eZmEkt

9. She Works Hard for the Money - Donna Summer https://youtu.be/1GlJ1lFvkK4?si=KabeKRlkNPCdOYyl

10. For the Love of Money - The O’Jays https://youtu.be/qxW789jHXII?si=2rHrvTOae1Pb0ICi

11. Money (That’s What I Want) - Barrett Strong https://youtu.be/bNND0AvhnyQ?si=nNj_qfLNeRiuxL1h

12. The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (Makes Me Poor) - Ry Cooder https://youtu.be/OTJ3RQSa1PU?si=q0OOfslAkJ7xF7Ob

13. It’s Money That Matters - Randy Newman https://youtu.be/LXv4L656gvw?si=gtIz6Ks2LBKpBMVc

14. Easy Money - Lowell George https://youtu.be/jcXfemmhMqw?si=QpumQT52etodoR2M

15. Penny Lane - The Beatles https://youtu.be/GEIeHaxcv9M?si=XCmUxPPQKn6A_Il4

16. A Nickel and a Nail - Billy Price & The Keystone Rhythm Band https://youtu.be/OI73OAQdv2k?si=qeHasrQIPH1t3JMk

17. Loan Me a Dime - Boz Scaggs https://youtu.be/WGGvlTXGERA?si=1bW3yoG70yAkn0wI

18. No Quarter - Led Zeppelin https://youtu.be/_BZLM2j8p5E?si=XCWHijzvM3SrY0FE

19. If I Had $1,000,000 - Barenaked Ladies https://youtu.be/V8zdNe_l3M8?si=ZIAmkskRFcQpEwXj

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/3/23....

LISTENING INSTRUCTIONS: DISENTANGLE FROM ALL TECHNOLOGICAL DISTRACTIONS TO FULLY BENEFIT FROM THIS QUITE CONTEMPLATIVE MELLOW MIX.

1. Crossing - Oregon https://youtu.be/fXhC8ddL938?si=U5G-fhmN9wXDs_OE

2. The Beginning of the Partnership - Music by Stephen Warbeck from the Miramax Motion Picture Shakespeare in Love https://youtu.be/cO1lUY6fbpw?si=GyXjM8TpUFUEkE5F

3. Anthem for a New America - Jeff Lorber https://youtu.be/PWdOsn7Sw-Y?si=fApwVRI-t3XPnuZ2            

4. Blue In Green - Eliane Elias https://youtu.be/eJIF3pRKJNU?si=H4SaB5SXiYA1WK8q                     

5. Bygone Days - Eileen Ivers https://youtu.be/vr8047f0rDk?si=SB9HFSz0mvvV9wsO

6. Campanas de Invierno (Bells of Winter) - Seawind https://youtu.be/mRF2QTvhCnQ?si=ve0wQIRbrUifT9et

7. Country - Keith Jarrett https://youtu.be/OIjWevJPvYU?si=2UhhEyuyftZpA9in

8. De Usuahia a la Quiaca - Gustavo Santaolalla - from Motorcycle Diaries / Original Motion Picture Soundtrack https://youtu.be/mMSwgG4UOWo?si=zYYkjZUAKlw6-31v                 

9. First Winter at Plymouth Colony - Sumner McKane https://youtu.be/xndJHH7WAv4?si=rZZVzXJ1lcrIXxBc

10. Fragile Forest (live) - Phil Keaggy https://youtu.be/Ayc7oBR1ZGA?si=CKydfpi--EFbYNva

11. Oriental Shuffle - Stephane Grappelli, Philip Cathérine, Larry Coryell & Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen https://youtu.be/BLEVbX8cDSM?si=t2jbBojlMnduXf0x

12. For Eamonn - Nightnoise https://youtu.be/x5yC2EuP_8M?si=odxD8CvOITQ7CGyr                        

13. Hallelujah - Jazz Mandolin Project https://youtu.be/1yHL5oGKj34?si=zU7U-ackyDWiS0Fk

14. Listen - Bill Frisell https://youtu.be/73UTaKBTtOU?si=eNb2qhR7ToC_bRpd

15. The Hermit's Horse - Oystein Sevag https://youtu.be/fn0O9pz2r7A?si=XiRT91sFqqjXZX1O

16. Seven Sisters - Schonerz and Scott https://youtu.be/Oz7trWie53k?si=N0CnYTNd9nQYOX3W   

17. A House Is Not a Home - Stan Getz https://youtu.be/TjkPD3xQ7Ic?si=J_ZGaBVks2xbJVZp

18. A River Runs Through It - Mark Isham - from A River Runs Through It / Original Motion Picture Soundtrack https://youtu.be/j8jxGQJHQvg?si=0fWcfrDkBvX5IHs8

19. Praise - Aaron Parks https://youtu.be/Td2ptRuVA18?si=8ZJxda6hWUn4Trzi

20. Shennandoa - Checkfield https://youtu.be/qJfCuXaOKqc?si=j-sU_fPf_6ypUdBV

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/19/23....

A MIX ABOUT DOIN’ THE WORK...

1. We Can Work it Out - Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/KHnIvw7CCKk?si=yetCBPD8ZTh27v9C

2. Work to Do - The Isley Brothers https://youtu.be/qDSP9ygSGuw?si=umQhVMu10Yx0SBkX

3. I’ve Been Working (live) - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/D3hkAWqmICI?si=G7D6zcit3-_fMSII

4. Let’s Work Together - Canned Heat https://youtu.be/YavThhrC1ik?si=udMwNyrTEy5GCZPo

5. Got My Mojo Workin’ (live) - Muddy Waters https://youtu.be/8hEYwk0bypY?si=mlY7nE-14zuhF7Q3

6. Dirty Work - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/kR5Ki6jjPaY?si=DYCiH4qPjnVzRod0  

7. Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out - Mayer Hawthorne https://youtu.be/pBKx8PyE5qQ?si=bAgkvBKsJXvmv8cR

8. Working in the Coal Mine - Lee Dorsey https://youtu.be/H7ND17Zf68s?si=UmxYs7mRXtCwsR-I

9. We Work the Black Seam (live) - Sting https://youtu.be/9OYfvnR2RsA?si=g6otZu8F-rKny0Rb

10. Senses Working Overtime - XTC https://youtu.be/kjt7AdLYT2w?si=JqkIpYrjvENxIQrb

11. Working Class Hero - Marianne Faithful https://youtu.be/rYQpFbZxmyw?si=T4FqCakEe8k-APzS

12. She Works Hard for the Money (club mix) - Donna Summer https://youtu.be/16MVX3jPc-8?si=MpK_GHpEPyxTUyCD

13. Working My Way Back to You - The Spinners https://youtu.be/gfn2YNU-ybA?si=3slveGC301-yz-_N

14. Work to Make it Work - Robert Palmer https://youtu.be/_WuPItK647g?si=3zCv9NNwgNjdEABo

15. You’re Gonna Work it Out - B.E. Taylor https://youtu.be/VRmj4nxIOMk?si=KB4RDANg_ZVomVos

16. Jah Work - Ben Harper https://youtu.be/WoEdS-HBgBw?si=1jyGEH-IXjQf3PW8

17. I Think It’s Going to Work Out Fine - Ry Cooder https://youtu.be/MVEMQ_SCc6w?si=bpEVeWKw6Iem_x5M

18. We Can Work it Out - The Beatles https://youtu.be/IgRrWPdzkao?si=Djzn1yqxe7fXWNU-

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/5/23....

JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE AND RINGO

1. Watching the Wheels https://youtu.be/pTvbB4br1pA?si=kKpcSpBl5WToVtpU

2. Every Night https://youtu.be/aSHkH_uMmtY?si=7IurIqtbV3HsVdy5

3. All Things Must Pass https://youtu.be/QWV4pFV5nX4?si=1Cn2urPapArwgWKc

4. Photograph https://youtu.be/nevdSt_2PIM?si=az2Iu29VSZWZZ4LK

5. Imagine https://youtu.be/rAn-AWXtHv0?si=Bsf8fxOmmCwZ9a13

6. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey https://youtu.be/8Y8fDsU0hX8?si=BC2Gh8dm0tzOwsrm

7. My Sweet Lord https://youtu.be/6wHBsMoHFWs?si=0wPoZ1RoHAAnFPLl

8. It Don’t Come Easy https://youtu.be/uCD0fPSsdBA?si=PtBtU86c5zUFg0t6

9. Mind Games https://youtu.be/QLeObvcUii4?si=Tmy8-w4hajDICYua

10. My Brave Face https://youtu.be/O4J_M_hClEg?si=Z8vkHD1jL5cA_ats

11. What is Life https://youtu.be/sKzvEThmqxE?si=s2EdYYUkczxgORxT

12. The No No Song https://youtu.be/FIzgJyhxbKY?si=EJaUVC1GGzpaY6P6

13. Happy Xmas (War is Over) https://youtu.be/flA5ndOyZbI?si=yZgJk6lbO0SO8afd

14. Maybe I’m Amazed https://youtu.be/cdDPR8GzXy8?si=TCvHIFGlph4PVRGb

15. Got My Mind Set On You https://youtu.be/_71w4UA2Oxo?si=1i0ZgTEvP7NPyXM_

16. You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine) https://youtu.be/p_LtUZCXepo?si=xyIt8Fzfc82dUb73

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/22/23....

JAZZ ROCK FUSION MIX..... If you’ve shied away from delving into jazz fusion in the past, musicasaurus.com now advises you to throw off those shackles of preconception.  You’re bound (I think) to like this heady batch of jazz-meets-rock excursions through ten artists who have blazed trails while blending genres. 

1. Dark Eye Tango – Al Di Meola......This American-born jazz fusion and Latin music guitarist attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and then at the age of twenty joined Chick Corea’s band Return to Forever for their high-water mark period of 1974-1976.  Known for his technical mastery and speed, Di Meola rips into this tune with sultry-then-searing guitar work.  “Dark Eye Tango” is from Di Meola’s third solo album Casino which was released in 1978.  https://youtu.be/fu-YeftSqWE?si=7A7y5-ppMU8COSBR  

2. Ready For Take-Off – Passport.....Saxophonist Klaus Doldinger is the creative, collaborative auteur who helmed this German jazz-infused progressive rock band through the years, as various members passed on to other ports of call.  Active through the decades but most notably in the 1970s, Passport produced a full-bodied stew of jazz improvisation and relentless rock rhythms.  This track is from the band’s 1974 release Looking Thru.  https://youtu.be/UuI5nqPoLD4?si=FRRpGrU7KHvaQs6Y

3. Expresso – Gong.....The band Gong formed in the late 1960s and pursued a sound early on that mixed prog rock, psychedelic music, jazz and assorted trippy touches.  Some players came and went, and ahead of their 1976 release entitled Gazeuse! Gong brought on board guitar player Allan Holdsworth.  Gong on this album morphed into a juggernaut of percussion, vibraphone, saxophone, glockenspiel and cosmically wailing guitar.  “Expresso” is a percussive dream with Holdsworth’s celestial, cerebral guitar work leading the charge and floating in and out of the fray.  https://youtu.be/Ganyw-jP2ZU?si=Gu6d0PJbDQfCI9rw

4. The Art of Happiness – Jean-Luc Ponty.....French violin virtuoso Ponty started on his instrument at the age of five and stayed true to straight jazz until the late 1960s.  By that point he had ventured to America and stinted with Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, the George Duke Trio, and from 1974-1975, the Mahavishnu Orchestra.  Ponty was the pioneer of the electric violin in the 1970s jazz-rock explosion, and was the first to borrow and bring over to his instrument some of the effects more commonly applied to electric guitars—Echoplex, distortion bars, wah-wah pedals, etc.  This fusion-laced-with-funk track is taken from Ponty’s 1978 album Cosmic Messenger.  https://youtu.be/VGEDgsSXRBM?si=9Emm9hLzcT8dT425

5. Golden Rainbows – Alphonse Mouzon.....Along with fellow jazz drummer Billy Cobham, Mouzon was instrumental in putting jazz fusion on the map in the early-mid 1970s.  Cobham produced a well-regarded jazz fusion record called Spectrum in 1973, and Mouzon followed in 1975 with arguably his best solo record Mind Transplant (from which this tune is taken).  The two albums share a common thread: guitarist Tommy Bolin.  To my ears rocker Bolin is more riveting on the Mouzon release, especially on this track.  Here he employs his usual economy of style and there is not a wasted note, whether he’s lightly accenting or full-on soloing.  His guitar work effortlessly carries the song to several emotional climaxes.  Sadly, Bolin overdosed on heroin at the age of 25 just a year after this record was released.  https://youtu.be/Kg381P4jCEI?si=WNj9Ut8BwR3CW5yw

6. Black Market – Weather Report.....This band is the enduring giant of jazz fusion based on the skill of the players and the caliber of the recorded performances.  The band formed in 1970 and in addition to progressive shifts in style, the group weathered some personnel changes over the course of their first five albums which came annually 1971 through 1975.  In 1976 founding members keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter welcomed in drummers Narada Michael Walden and Chester Thompson, percussionists Alex Acuna and Don Alias, and bassist Jaco Pastorius.  Pastorius at that juncture was just edging in to replace Alphonso Johnson who had announced his departure midway through recording the band’s soon-to-be-released album Black Market.  Pastorius played on two tracks out of the seven on this record and Johnson played on all the rest, including the compelling title tune that was a powerhouse of jazz fusion and world music.  https://youtu.be/cd7S6V5IaBg?si=YC4_E2mUKYX4au3I

7. Silver Sword – Flora Purim.....Brazilian jazz singer Purim was influenced heavily by Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and her six-octave voice is a marvelous instrument that is showcased to great effect on the first two early ‘70s Chick Corea and Return to Forever albums (Return to Forever and Light as a Feather).  The track listed here is from Purim’s second solo release from 1974 entitled Stories to Tell, and it is a breathtaking piece that features Purim’s wordless vocal soaring amid the frenzied fireworks of guitarist Carlos Santana.  A piece of advice: the marvel truly deepens over time, so be sure to hit “play” on this one with a bit of regularity.  https://youtu.be/_oCno8bGvjI?si=c1qlqq8bjYM4Nooc

8. San Lorenzo – Pat Metheny Group.....Missouri-born Metheny started playing guitar at the age of thirteen and then taught the instrument at both the University of Miami and Berklee while still in his teens.  His style is a mix of jazz, rock, and folk but that doesn’t quite capture the idiosyncrasy and the appeal of his approach to this instrument.  Aligned through his early years with European jazz label ECM, Metheny played on albums by vibraphonist Gary Burton and released solo records on the label as well.  In 1978 he formed the Pat Metheny Group and released a self-titled band record that year that featured musicians Lyle Mays (keyboards), Mark Egan (bass) and Dan Gottlieb (drums).  The track “San Lorenzo” opens that album; it is cinematic in nature, and achingly beautiful in the interplay between all four musicians.  In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I caught the Pat Metheny Group live in concert several times and thought to myself, “I’ve stumbled into the Church of the Truly Transported.”  https://youtu.be/O9mEoXfN91I?si=7azknUh9LdIMqzYj

9. Butterfly – Herbie Hancock.....Born in Chicago in 1940, Hancock started on piano at the age of seven and his career path thus far has been a dotted landscape of acoustic and electric jazz, and forays into funk and rhythm & blues.  From 1963 through 1968, Hancock spent formative years with Miles Davis, all the while also issuing classic Blue Note label recordings as a solo artist.  Early in the 1970s Hancock entered his jazz fusion period with the release of Head Hunters in 1973 and Thrust in 1974.  “Butterfly” is from the latter album, and it is a funked-up, mid-tempo masterpiece in which Hancock’s clavinet and synthesizers jell quite well with Bernie Maupin’s sophisticated, snaking sax and bass clarinet.  https://youtu.be/-_mSzscIhyg?si=269aP8rq0oY1wy6a  

10. Crossed Wires – Mike Mainieri.....This track is from Mainieri’s 1981 album Wanderlust which, across a number of tunes, sports different players (a who’s who of jazz greats) including Michael Brecker on sax, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Steve Khan on guitar, Marcus Miller and Tony Levin on bass, and Peter Erskine on drums.  Vibraphonist Mainieri goes electric on this Weather Report-ish tune, and his solo in the latter half of this propulsive number is not just good, it’s great vibrations.  https://youtu.be/FsaVCcz2G2A?si=O952bOA-g6g7zU6Q

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/8/23....

Nick Hornby is a multi-talented Brit who I first became aware of when the film High Fidelity with John Cusack--and Jack Black as one of his record store buddies--debuted in theaters in 2000.  Hornby had written the 1995 book upon which that film was based (the original London locale was moved to Chicago for the movie).  A couple of other Hornby novels that leapt off the pages to hit the silver screen include his 1998 novel About a Boy which led to the critically acclaimed 2002 movie starring Hugh Grant, and 2009’s Juliet, Naked which ended up onscreen in 2018 with Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke.

As evidenced by two of the above novels-into-films, High Fidelity and Juliet, Naked, Hornby is also into music BIG time.  He’s collaborated with rock band Marah and singer-songwriter Ben Folds, delved into writing lyrics, and dived into music criticism.  In 2002 he published Songbook, a collection of 26 essays about songs that deeply affect him, and below I have listed the total 31 tunes that he put under his microscope.  It’s an interesting assortment!

1. Teenage Fanclub – "Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From" https://youtu.be/Q3UEdWcoVCQ?si=TLvQq3K6cBN8c3-z

2. Bruce Springsteen – "Thunder Road" https://youtu.be/JGBXnw86Mgc?si=ddM8RurdrZyMzZ1G

3. Nelly Furtado – "I'm Like a Bird" https://youtu.be/roPQ_M3yJTA?si=MmH4tbK3BQxIQlYG

4. Led Zeppelin – "Heartbreaker" https://youtu.be/FZp2I3rntWw?si=PbdmCrpnPMZkYjF9  

5. Rufus Wainwright – "One Man Guy" https://youtu.be/60pGwTyOe1c?si=j4InwUN9FdIrjK9u

6. Santana – "Samba Pa Ti" https://youtu.be/timZoOs9ozo?si=gAk_HjBMT40B4Gzf

7. Rod Stewart – "Mama, You Been on My Mind" https://youtu.be/g5lsaUM4klw?si=QE5ogCSZEoLYyx-A

8. Bob Dylan – "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" https://youtu.be/3EF1mDgfKKM?si=FNoJ8Xdf8nCe8fHU

9. The Beatles – "Rain" https://youtu.be/FkY9BEuLJk4?si=5YU8GUwVewwEHjbn

10. Ani DiFranco – "You Had Time" https://youtu.be/I2XPTXbNmkc?si=LAU8gYnegv9jnuUj

11. Aimee Mann – "I've Had It" https://youtu.be/lekB4EjrFDE?si=8JMWu0EPxc_7rT80

12. Paul Westerberg – "Born for Me" https://youtu.be/HBgF2ZJKZKg?si=6uDqEDGwnxj2Pn5l

13. Suicide – "Frankie Teardrop" https://youtu.be/Ugyp4CZF8rU?si=3Ky3ojeqiXGlt2Rk

14.Teenage Fanclub – "Ain't That Enough" https://youtu.be/3r1jbUquVFo?si=kZVc_LL0EKT4maGH

15. The J. Geils Band – "First I Look at the Purse" https://youtu.be/jqIwPQs6qW4?si=fhiCru4GaJrikG8v

16. Ben Folds Five – "Smoke" https://youtu.be/9T173caw7a4?si=GCfEHHK55KHHWHs5

17. Badly Drawn Boy – "A Minor Incident" https://youtu.be/KoZFV1nK2aU?si=1wFxr2I5pj1HFuXh

18. The Bible – "Glorybound" https://youtu.be/DhKHORfmRo4?si=i0hDY29xFrvc8yVK

19. Van Morrison – "Caravan" https://youtu.be/mVWwgf2F9L4?si=1lpmU8Mx5T-rJKYA

20. Butch Hancock and Marce LaCouture – "So I'll Run" https://youtu.be/KM9RQNe6LZ0?si=31tA4qL7tSFT-6Ao

21. Gregory Isaacs – "Puff, the Magic Dragon" https://youtu.be/CEXarKU7VMo?si=oEVIfRv5lWLAgN-y

22. Ian Dury and the Blockheads – "Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3" https://youtu.be/MoWV9g5gsdA?si=3nicUhBU_Rgdp7g9

23. Richard and Linda Thompson – "Calvary Cross" https://youtu.be/HoCkonFcwew?si=koRD8txlzEnKfS59

24. Jackson Browne – "Late for the Sky" https://youtu.be/n3SJz9jujEA?si=GQIEOVtI0vXcowh8

25. Mark Mulcahy – "Hey Self-Defeater" https://youtu.be/qydv_7dVD7s?si=DlVRqBCERiMBAEBu

26. The Velvelettes – "Needle in a Haystack" https://youtu.be/w0OFTebIuUY?si=h1xQyy0cBG6wWcQf

27. O.V. Wright – "Let's Straighten It Out" https://youtu.be/7V6DcU8dHZI?si=fI9SPUctR_uJiy2y

28. Röyksopp – "Röyksopp's Night Out" https://youtu.be/YP5PrUKpQxI?si=51jsQHKA7fqW5J4w

29. The Avalanches – "Frontier Psychiatrist" https://youtu.be/qLrnkK2YEcE?si=HwZK3-IKdtYJUjiW

30. Soulwax – "No Fun / Push It" https://youtu.be/2H4_7DF70_w?si=yy7yRiUjcJGOECvA

31. Patti Smith Group – "Pissing in a River" https://youtu.be/vuVgjvG2hgU?si=JR7hR972tGkbnrWR

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/24/23....

HERE IS A MIX OF SONGS FROM 1986...BUT FIRST HERE’S A LOOK AT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAY BACK WHEN:

Reagan was president...“Hands Across America” happened...Smoking was banned in all modes of public transportation (planes, trains and busses)...The space shuttle Challenger disintegrated after launch...Internet Mail Access Protocol is defined which paves the way for e-mail...Top Gun, Crocodile Dundee, and Platoon were on top at the box office...Dynasty, Hill Street Blues, and Cheers reigned on the small screen...And if you are of a certain age, where were YOU in terms of the music you listened to?  Here are ten tunes from albums released that year, which will put you firmly on the path toward creating your own perfect mix from ’86:

1. Mandolin Rain - Bruce Hornsby.....Hornsby’s a Williamsburg, VA born and raised multiple-threat musician--singer-songwriter, pianist and accordionist--and he first burst into fame with his band The Range via their 1986 debut album The Way It Is.  In addition to fashioning his own accessible yet compelling mix of rock, bluegrass and jazz, Hornsby has guested on many peers’ records as well as dabbled with The Dead in the Jerry Garcia days, principally between 1988 and 1995.  https://youtu.be/PUWZB5Uoi90?si=AQVZjUA6AUmky8fZ   

2. Smoking Gun - The Robert Cray Band.....This first-person tale of a jealous lover was Cray’s breakthrough-to-radio song and he never again pierced through to such a level.  Instead he built a solid career in the blues-rock arena playing and recording with artists such as John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton and others.  The song “Smoking Gun” hails from Cray’s fifth studio album entitled Strong Persuader, a consistently fine effort anchored by his emotive, stinging fret work and his soulful, supple voice.  (One note of trivia here: Cray can be spotted in the Belushi film National Lampoon’s Animal House; he was the bass player in the house party scene that features Otis Day & The Knights.)  https://youtu.be/xM00qR6rhZc?si=NWleT7dsBJL7gutn

3. Back In The High Life Again - Steve Winwood.....Back in the 1980s I leapt into righteous indignation when I heard Winwood sold the use of some of his songs to beer companies for TV commercials.  But like the rest of humanity, I got over it (we all need to get back to indiscriminate and voluminous consumption, and not let petty issues like “artistic expression versus commercialization” consume us).  And now that my head’s on straight again, I can safely say that “Back In The Highlife Again” stands on its own as a great pop-rock ballad displaying an uplifting message, fine harmony vocals from James Taylor, and one of Winwood’s finest hours at the microphone.  The song hails from the album of almost the same name--Back In The High Life.  https://youtu.be/ojcSy6kXciI?si=fcFjHzVQo7-Lo1ax

4. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel.....Britain’s Gabriel reached his critical and commercial peak with the release of the album So in ’86, and “In Your Eyes” stems from that release.  The mid-80s must have been “his time”--MTV was four years old at that point and Gabriel was doing tremendously innovative song videos which then had incessant play on the channel.  Musically, Gabriel was creating albums that sacrificed nothing to commercial considerations yet the public widely embraced them on their own terms.  “In Your Eyes” features South African vocalist Youssou N’Dour on the choruses, and longtime Gabriel musicians David Rhodes, Tony Levin and Manu Katche on (respectively) guitar, standup bass and drums.  This song from So was later famously featured in the 1989 Cameron Crowe film Say Anything; it was when John Cusack’s character Lloyd Dobson stands defiantly outside of his lost love’s bedroom window...hoisting up a boom box over his head and blaring this tune...seeking strength, and another chance, determined to win her back.  https://youtu.be/ugdYgq-y7Vc?si=61xAJTflZ7I70Vxi

5. When I Think Of You - Janet Jackson.....The album Control from which this track is taken is the one that sent Jackson’s career into the stratosphere in 1986.  It ended up yielding five Top Five singles on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart, and the recording process for this album was like her emancipation proclamation.  She had severed ties with husband James DeBarge and father-and-manager Joseph Jackson, and had immediately teamed up with new producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and a new business manager.  On a personal level, when I think of Ms. Jackson, it is not her music that first comes to mind.  I always hearken back to her September 22, 1998 date at Star Lake Amphitheatre, and how her artist rider--the part of the contract that spells out the artist’s wants & needs--had a stipulation in it that was somewhat out of the ordinary.  In the rider, we were instructed to provide a brand new toilet seat for the bathroom in her dressing room--and it had to have the factory seal still wrapped around it.  I’m guessing that this germ consciousness is something that may have run in the family.  https://youtu.be/gIgeh8PEQXI?si=D-TdYz3d4kCRkdcK

6. Welcome To The Boomtown - David & David.....David Baerwald and David Ricketts were L.A. musicians who came together for just one album--1986’s Boomtown--which featured this electrifying rock song, a real breath of fresh air to FM station listeners across the country.  It sounded like little else on the radio back then: sonically, the song’s a churner with rich, atmospheric layers of guitars and keyboards; lyrically, it spins a tale of the monied malcontents of Los Angeles who were perhaps once well-heeled but were now soul-deprived and artificially-fueled.  The chorus: “I say welcome, welcome to the boomtown / pick a habit, we got plenty to go around / welcome, welcome to the boomtown / all that money makes such a succulent sound / welcome to the boomtown.”  https://youtu.be/c3st4AD69-0?si=3hXfh5IOq2r_TxTp

7. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths.....English alternative rock band The Smiths were an exciting and refreshing additive to the overall 1980s music scene, with muscular, jangly alt-pop instrumentation beneath the melancholic wordplay of lead singer Morrissey.  The lyrics by wordsmith Morrissey always seemed to skew toward gloom and doom, but were often at the same time amusing because of their audacity; evidence these lyrics from the track listed here: “And if a double-decker bus / crashes into us / To die by your side / Is such a heavenly way to die / And if a ten-ton truck / Kills the both of us / To die by your side / Well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine.”  The beauty of The Smiths was that these lyrics sailed above a shimmering sound-bed of excellent guitar work and savvy pop constructs provided by group co-founder Johnny Marr.  “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” comes from the band’s third album The Queen Is Dead.  https://youtu.be/3r-qDvD3F3c?si=tq4Q7-4LO3JSFelJ

8. Something So Strong - Crowded House.....New Zealander Neil Finn and Aussies Paul Hester and Nick Seymour formed a band in Melbourne in 1985, and after picking up a record deal from Capitol they moved temporarily to L.A. to cut their debut album.  At that time they were known as The Mullanes but Capitol insisted on a name change before recording began.  So Crowded House was born, named for the cramped apartment quarters they were asked to lodge in while recording their first record.  “Something So Strong” comes from that self-titled debut album from 1986 and one year later it became a Top Ten hit in America along with one other from the album, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”.  Crowded House’s music is top-o’-the-line pop; strong on melody and boasting smart arrangements that place it miles above most of the glop that now passes for pop on American hit-radio stations.  https://youtu.be/ugZrMr7lnfI?si=9fTK9RiN-ZdMEABC

9. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes - Paul Simon.....Simon’s seventh studio album Graceland, from which I’ve plucked “Diamonds,” was largely recorded in South Africa during the cultural boycott that was in place due to apartheid.  Though Simon’s efforts to recruit local musicians and ultimately record there stoked some controversy, the end result brought a heightened awareness of world music and nudged a few South African artists like Ladysmith Black Mambazo toward worldwide fame.  In America, Graceland picked up Record and Album of the Year at the 1986 Grammies and is to this day a highly-regarded milestone of pop music.  Famed former Village Voice critic Robert Christgau--not one usually to gush--called Simon’s album "so strange, so sweet, so willful, so radically incongruous and plainly beautiful.”  https://youtu.be/FAb2Mu0CRk4?si=BHN9b3jCA1pmfCuL

10. Living In America - James Brown.....The Godfather of Soul, so famous and aflame with talent in the 1950s and 1960s, really hit a dry patch in the decade leading up to 1985.  Then came the film Rocky IV--Sly Stallone’s most commercially successful entry in that beaten-but-not-broken boxer series--and this catapulted Brown back in the limelight with “Living In America.”  Brown appears in the film performing a bit of this song, and the tune was released as a single as well.  The song appeared both on the Rocky IV soundtrack and on Brown’s 1986 album Gravity, and it was a Top Ten hit for this artist, his first in that pop-music category since 1968.  [editorial aside: local readers of musicasaurus.com can take pride in the local shout-out from Brown, when he’s rattling off cities near the tune’s climax and includes “Pittsburgh, P-A.’]  https://youtu.be/6_Lu-__2TdY?si=UICVSEF4xbovYugd

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/10/23....

Instead of the now usual 18 or 20 songs listed for your surfing, this time on Building A Mixtery we are focusing on ten tunes.  The ten were long ago housed on one of the many cassette tape mixes I cobbled together during the 1980s.  Call this an “Eighties Obscurity” mix; it predominantly features less-than-mainstream artists whose moments in the spotlight primarily came only during that ‘80s wave.  Here are the ten, with a bit of background on each band.

1. Painted Moon -- The Silencers.....from the band’s debut album in 1987 entitled A Letter From St. Paul.....Hailing from Scotland, this pop-rock band with Celtic and folk leanings had a stateside radio cult hit with the track listed here, and it made a bit of a splash on MTV as well.  They have been compared to their fellow nationals of the time Big Country and The Proclaimers.  https://youtu.be/FJC_cuAL1us?si=NWPhvjquSq2RuVTq   

2. Gettysburg -- The Brandos.....from Honor Among Thieves, the group’s first album (1987).....The band formed in New York City in 1985, and the subsequent MTV adoption and Radio embrace of the tune “Gettysburg” propelled them onto critic’s lists--and on to cassette mix tapes like mine.  The song was one of those rock-anthem types that sounded refreshing--at the time, at least--and it served as a nice break from the dominant synth and new wave-ish stuff pumped out by a lot of other ‘80s outfits.  https://youtu.be/gBrUU-DfihY?si=oM8D1wrA046l7VBJ   

3. We Are What We Are -- The Other Ones.....from their self-titled 1986 debut.....The Other Ones were another band helped immeasurably by MTV’s influence, though the video was pretty pedestrian.  But the song was kinda cool; it had an eeriness coupled with an Eighties sheen, like a few other new wavers from that era (Eurythmics, Missing Persons, etc.).  The band consisted of a 50/50 split of Aussies and Germans, and were originally based in Berlin--but der furor never arose in terms of wild success and they went kaput.  https://youtu.be/e0iLZvm0DxQ?si=A_qoHfQjDQdNBJeY

4. Too Much Ain’t Enough Love -- Jimmy Barnes.....from the album Freight Train Heart released in 1987 in native Australia, and in 1988 in the USA.....Singer-songwriter Barnes left the dissolving but immensely popular Australian band Cold Chisel for a solo go in late 1983.  Freight Train Heart was his third solo effort after leaving the band, and it was #1 in Australia but also once again aimed at perking up more ears in the States (to little avail).  Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain from Journey were involved in this record as well.  Barnes’ strong suit?  He’s a blackbelt belter, for sure.  https://youtu.be/InlyO2Q0sIA?si=T85bLoJqEn4aE2GR    

5. Don’t Fear Me Now (Kiss You Once More) -- In Tua Nua.....from The Long Acre (1988).....This Irish ensemble, sounding a bit like an Emerald Isle 10,000 Maniacs, got their first break in the early ‘80s by signing on with U2’s record label Mother for a radio single.  Nothing much gelled commercially though, until a few years later after personnel shifts and a signing with Virgin Records.  Yet the band never really made any kind of dent in the United States.  In the mid-to-late 1980s I was working at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena and In Tua Nua was an opening act on a major tour coming through town, which led me to their album The Long Acre.  The particular track listed here, and one called “Innocent And The Honest Ones,” are the picks of the litter.  https://youtu.be/DLBJOS2BOYc?si=IE7Xo6jGqRkm81Yn  

6. The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades -- Timbuk3.....from the duo’s debut album Greetings From Timbuk3 (1986).....If you HAVE to become a one-hit wonder, then may you be renowned for it in an eternally good light.  Timbuk3--at the time a Madison, Wisconsin husband and wife who had teamed up as a musical duo--came up with this lyrical, satirical pop culture nugget that has appeared in CD compilations aplenty, and has also popped up in various films and television programs over the years...Sample lyrics: “I study nuclear science, I love my classes / I got a crazy teacher who wears dark glasses / Things are going great, and they’re only getting better / I’m doing all right, getting good grades / The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades”.....and.....“I gotta job waiting for my graduation / Fifty thou a year will buy a lotta beer / Things are going great, and they’re only getting better / I’m doing all right, getting good grades / The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades”.  https://youtu.be/OEH4jaQpOt4?si=-g7UPHPfSEUN-7SS

7. Charlotte Anne -- Julian Cope.....from the artist’s fourth solo album released in 1988, My Nation Underground...Cope could be called a citizen of the world [would that make him the original citizen Cope?] because of his many interests and slants.  He is a musician, an author, a political activist, an antiquarian, a counter-culturalist and much more.   Interestingly, the album from which “Charlotte Anne” stems is one that Cope labels a wrongheaded move or a misstep by him.  Cope’s albums before and after were more experimental he reportedly proclaimed, and they were certainly more to his liking.  “Charlotte Anne” though, helped get him solid exposure in America for the first time as the more progressive rock stations across the U.S. added the song and ran with it.  The tune delighted seekers like myself that were glued to the alt-airwaves looking for fresh off-kilter sounds to feed upon.  https://youtu.be/9KNL9tA1Qac?si=C0FsNuijxDLrf2nz    

8. Soviet Snow -- Shona Laing.....from the 1988 album South, the artist’s fifth.....Laing is an alternative-pop New Zealander who made significant headway in America (for the first time in her career) with a song that became a heavy favorite on college campuses back in the late ‘80s, “Glad I’m Not A Kennedy.”  Another song from South, the one featured here on the playlist, is “Soviet Snow” which illustrates Laing’s knack for sometimes writing melodic, powerful, and politically relevant alt-rock songs that have anthem choruses and intelligent spins of lyric: “Are we wide awake? Is the world aware? / Radiation over Red Square / Creeping on to cross Roman roads / Fear of freezing in the Soviet snow / One eye on the winter / Oh there's just a hint of Soviet snow”.....and.....“We need something to keep the chill / From freezing our own free will / We're teasing at war like children / Love is the one solution / Seeing ourselves inside / Our enemies' need for shelter / Same winter wind that's blowing / Deep down inside we know / We’ve got one eye on the winter...”  https://youtu.be/M5Te_yWiHBs?si=0o-7gyItIEcprVxK

9. No Other Girl -- Semi-Twang.....from the band’s debut album Salty Tears, released in March 1988.....A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, singer-songwriter John Sieger eventually moved to Milwaukee and ended up with a Warner Brothers recording contract for his newest band Semi-Twang in 1988.  The record had a lot going for it: long-established top-tier producers including Mitchell Froom, Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, and Chris Thomas (who had labored on The Beatles’ White Album and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon), and also some stellar musicians including two of Elvis Presley’s band, guitarist James Burton and bassist Jerry Schef.  But the Semi-Twang album was released and did nada.  It is out of print today, but the band reunited in 2009 (twenty years after their tanking debut) and these days they’re reportedly issuing new material via private-label endeavors.  “No Other Girl” from Salty Tears really captures the band’s late-‘80s alt-country sweetness and sophistication.  https://youtu.be/LAoIzkxX9R8?si=teIoJwn9ZM1NGsfL

10. All Touch -- Rough Trade.....from the band’s 1981 release For Those That Think Young.....Toronto-based vocalist Carol Pope and keyboard player/guitarist Kevan Staples formed a band in 1968, shifted personnel and redubbed themselves Rough Trade in 1974, and then achieved cross-Canada success starting in 1980 with the release of the song “High School Confidential.”  This tune from their 1980 album Avoid Freud was in its day quite controversial with its overt references to lesbian love.  The album For Those That Think Young followed that next year, containing another somewhat explicit song in “All Touch,” which became a top radio hit outside of Canada after a long-delayed international release of the album finally happened.  The song hit modern rock stations in the States in late 1982/early 1983 and, aided by an MTV video, picked up much wider recognition.  Singer Pope was clearly the centerpiece of the band, looking like Grace Slick’s younger, bondage-garbed sister (judging from her concert getup), and “All Touch” was their forever frozen-in-time moment in the sun.  https://youtu.be/Hj8ByGkotBI?si=CbtopAAr4kAv3n4i    

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/27/23....

“There’s no mix like home...There’s no mix like home...There’s no mix like home...”

1. Home - Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros https://youtu.be/DHEOF_rcND8?si=4jzDj85YpGCPkzkw

2. Home - Joe Satriani https://youtu.be/MMMqwIgNhjI?si=td4Hc_wr-guKAiRE

3. Home - Barenaked Ladies https://youtu.be/8IK23JE8KFg?si=WDnzjXNfLiZ6FebO

4. Home - Jack Johnson https://youtu.be/6vL0LTlG3H0?si=WXkdmyTkdUBGF4mG

5. Home - Zero 7 https://youtu.be/cZctp4faoqA?si=VxR9Rl-YRJyjBSkD

6. About to Make Me Leave Home - Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/AsYcmYpfsvE?si=PVDLeHQpgHE9Kaaq

7. Bring it on Home - Little Big Town https://youtu.be/eOae5HflxhI?si=Rkhp5etbLBCwPYhB

8. I’ll Be Home - Randy Newman https://youtu.be/xXDxYVuLNm4?si=TrZs3Kqk1mzSCGhm

9. Can’t Find My Way Home - Ellen McIlwaine https://youtu.be/wHVCXKjZ-BY?si=q57Z6Wt5iT0oW3qt

10. Anybody Wanna Take Me Home - Ryan Adams https://youtu.be/voxTOYBbx9A?si=BNFlrjp0YkQVyCdQ

11. Calling My Children Home (live) - Emmylou Harris & Spyboy https://youtu.be/ggwPUsaBmOk?si=WOqQawUl9TGklair

12. Go Home, Girl - Ry Cooder https://youtu.be/k63zFZn2JRE?si=IGyk6FW6gYc7I_Ks

13. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home - Etta James https://youtu.be/-YdRcdxfNjE?si=h44RtPPUNrGepnqC

14. Home is Where the Hatred Is - Gil Scott-Heron https://youtu.be/DuaugaX8N2U?si=ax-QmWo2sRo_YkcR

15. A House is Not a Home - Stan Getz https://youtu.be/TjkPD3xQ7Ic?si=RY6Qft5GaH_eHwGi

16. Home Again - Carole King https://youtu.be/xgnEXa1PizU?si=FK7w_nOeQnKMT3Wz

17. Just to Walk that Little Girl Home - Mink DeVille https://youtu.be/GD7KV9r5r3c?si=PfU8OR-Cpwc3VFuf

18. Night Ride Home - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/qf3Mjlkj8uk?si=enxyMq7SY84c1lnl

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/13/23....

(Next post: Sunday, August 27, 2023)

If I delayed any longer to post this particular mix, I just could not bear it.  It is comprised of some recognizable artists and songs, sandwiched in with doses of the more obscure.

These are fully fleshed-out songs, and not just the bits of ‘em that pop up at key points in the intriguing, well-scripted and beautifully acted Hulu series The Bear.  The songs below represent a sampling all across Season One. 

1. Have You Seen Me Lately - Counting Crows https://youtu.be/NF1SR2recG4

2. Rocco and His Brothers - Mi Loco Tango https://youtu.be/zbaTahAzWbI

3. Saints - The Breeders https://youtu.be/mPuNkAQo1lI

4. Animal - Pearl Jam https://youtu.be/vR7OWzvf5uM

5. Old Engine Oil - The Budos Band https://youtu.be/cHWQ88ODtLQ

6. Help Me, Rhonda - The Beach Boys https://youtu.be/j1THDLgL_bs  

7. Sisyphus - Andrew Bird https://youtu.be/zug1B8DSkWw

8. St. Dominic’s Preview - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/AZNQM1GUfp0

9. Call the Police - LCD Soundsystem https://youtu.be/zWKIWNJnlzI

10. Oh My Heart - R.E.M. https://youtu.be/ilM9ywvobS0

11. Peace Blossom Boogy - Babe Rainbow https://youtu.be/p875E_kk50o

12. Impossible Germany - Wilco https://youtu.be/eY-7q42UZR0

13. Beat City - The Flowerpot Men https://youtu.be/c1S5isFLRgI

14. In Too Deep - Genesis https://youtu.be/3WkzMvw0b8E

15. Loved by You - Kirby https://youtu.be/PoEnPmjfl0A

16. One Fine Day - David Byrne & Brian Eno https://youtu.be/d7fG9ddmgts  

17. Don’t Give a Damn - Serengeti https://youtu.be/8ECsMlswGaI

18. Chicago - Sufjan Stevens https://youtu.be/c_-cUdmdWgU

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/30/23....

A THEMED MIX: LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION...

1. What is Life - George Harrison  https://youtu.be/5Y5olEjNjAw

2. Where Are You Going - Dave Matthews Band  https://youtu.be/qjykrjAS5bQ  

3. Some Journey - Suzanne Vega  https://youtu.be/gX5mJc73KCs             

4. The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles  https://youtu.be/fR4HjTH_fTM

5. Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) - Kate Bush https://youtu.be/HYwNM1t9ltI            

6. Mystic Mile - Robben Ford & The Blue Line https://youtu.be/Row83ujjXkc      

7. Take A Giant Step - Taj Mahal  https://youtu.be/zafN8DFPJbI

8. Running to Stand Still - U2  https://youtu.be/orfhLLo7XDs          

9. Can't Find My Way Home (live) - Rachael Price with Chris Thile  https://youtu.be/1xZxxVlu7BM    

10. Long Way Back - Gene Parsons  https://youtu.be/eFIyMuEidHM         

11. Follow You Follow Me - Genesis  https://youtu.be/vt2HSAfa2rQ          

12. Home By Another Way - James Taylor  https://youtu.be/nX6aPdx9btY          

13. Long May You Run - The Stills Young Band  https://youtu.be/dVM8_jAL86w

14. If I Should Fall Behind (live) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band  https://youtu.be/-nCpv6D8uFc

15. Why Walk When You Can Fly - Mary Chapin Carpenter  https://youtu.be/cChsyweLDos   

16. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot - Sting  https://youtu.be/4lYkfqaLOfM     

17. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) - Paul Young  https://youtu.be/_iFnBRcHJw4

18. The Search - Pat Metheny Group  https://youtu.be/cKfbBNOCHM0

19. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison  https://youtu.be/MLFpKrFmwrA

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/16/23....

A MIX CONSISTING OF SOUND ADVICE FOR ANYONE HAVING A BIRTHDAY: RELAX--IT’S JUST A NUMBER!

She's The 1 - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band  https://youtu.be/blbFaatKszE      

It Takes 2 - Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston https://youtu.be/EB1AnAPfGn4

Soul Dance Number 3 - Wilson Pickett  https://youtu.be/RhD6JUpsT-w      

4 Days of Rain - Flying Burrito Brothers  https://youtu.be/aLIBwCXbrvA     

5 O' Clock World - Hal Ketchum  https://youtu.be/k-Dv_xwtcuw        

6 Blocks Away - Lucinda Williams  https://youtu.be/81gOkVG9NbM  

7 Chinese Brothers - R.E.M.  https://youtu.be/7hGe2ao0yms                        

8 Miles High - The Byrds  https://youtu.be/V_51PAR23sY     

Cloud 9 - The Temptations  https://youtu.be/cEOgTGlCw7Q

10 Years Gone - Led Zeppelin  https://youtu.be/DBzuYNK95sM

13 Questions - Seatrain  https://youtu.be/RrYm_Hju_RA

Edge Of 17 - Stevie Nicks  https://youtu.be/3oZunnY-Cbs

I'm 18 - Alice Cooper  https://youtu.be/m5ZL94cdiuU

Hey 19 - Steely Dan  https://youtu.be/oJ11Vq6N7rk    

Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis  https://youtu.be/sbhIZe3smr0

25 Miles - Edwin Starr  https://youtu.be/elS2-rFe_Vc                           

30 Days - Chuck Berry  https://youtu.be/sRT8HlmptQI                                                

40 Days and 40 Nights - Muddy Waters  https://youtu.be/LMFKZ9UhNzE

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon  https://youtu.be/ABXtWqmArUU 

60 Minute Man - The Dominoes  https://youtu.be/09EarjR-UPU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/2/23....

COUPLINGS...

COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN MUSICIANS AND/OR SINGER-SONGWRITERS

1. Michael Stipe and Coldplay - In the Sun https://youtu.be/n02zq2wyfdo           

2. Leo Kottke and Iris DeMent - Banks of Marble https://youtu.be/ncEKYPNtiJc

3. Snow Patrol and Martha Wainwright - Set the Fire to the Third Bar https://youtu.be/tCYSeRL9YXM        

4. Aimee Mann with Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook(formerly of Squeeze) - That's Just What You Are https://youtu.be/uTK_L3qgwSc 

5. Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around https://youtu.be/H5i7j0VhEHw

6. Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris - Return of the Grievous Angel https://youtu.be/h_Iz0iVvhEc            

7. Mindy Smith and Buddy Miller - What If the World Stops Turning https://youtu.be/6ik2IRmv5lY

8. Nanci Griffith and Adam Duritz (of the Counting Crows) - Back to Georgia https://youtu.be/4-fM2tiFnys

9. Kid Rock with Sheryl Crow - Collide https://youtu.be/WoFHIhAW4W0

10. The Vaughan Brothers (Jimmy and Stevie Ray) - Tick Tock  https://youtu.be/N8uUTW9zPbM

11. Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash - Girl from the North Country https://youtu.be/Je4Eg77YSSA

12. Patti LaBelle and Travis Tritt - When Something is Wrong with my Baby https://youtu.be/IWaP6H_n0qw

13. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough https://youtu.be/ABfQuZqq8wg                                                                                                                                  

14. David Bowie & Queen - Under Pressure https://youtu.be/nbwn21TU4ec     

15. Eminem and Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie https://youtu.be/acMtKzTbAAU

16. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York https://youtu.be/j9jbdgZidu8        

17. Clannad and Paul Young - Both Sides Now https://youtu.be/ynLGeQ22d3k

18. Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood - Jackson https://youtu.be/D36P3nNsD34

19. Luciano Pavarotti and James Brown - It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World https://youtu.be/GaB9F3R9cIY

20. Toots Thielemans and Beth Hart - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea https://youtu.be/RVjifqmCZHg

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/18/23....

That is the theme that WQED documentarian and producer Rick Sebak and I hewed to on the evening of Wednesday, May 31 when he and I deejayed the twin turntables at Independent Brewing in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh from 6:00-8:30pm.  We played songs all evening by artists who are no longer with us and who now reside in Rock and Roll Heaven.  [p.s. Thanks to Haley Joel Osment for popularizing “I see dead people” so that we could riff off of that famous phrase.]

1. Rick played JOSEPH SPENCE - “Out On The Rollin’ Sea” https://youtu.be/9QfxBbBnm9w

2. Rick played DAKOTA STATON - “Broadway” https://youtu.be/9hczka__jjY

3. Rick played TINA TURNER - “Better Be Good To Me” (extended 12” single) https://youtu.be/bT2MxLvOfUE

4. Lance played GORDON LIGHTFOOT - “Sundown” https://youtu.be/1IBdZ645S-o

5. Rick played TINA TURNER - “When I Was Young” https://youtu.be/gZ1tpHyMvQo

6. Lance played DAVID LINDLEY - “Bye Bye Love” https://youtu.be/6uqZLXcLX4I

7. Rick played JOY DIVISION - “She’s Lost Control” https://youtu.be/CYA-KtCfN6Q

8. Lance played CROSBY, STILLS & NASH - “Long Time Gone” https://youtu.be/nS3l_TwPNRY

9. Rick played BING CROSBY with BUDDY COLE & HIS TRIO - “Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?” https://youtu.be/u767MU9U9kA

10. Lance played JEFF BECK - “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” https://youtu.be/xiOPvOBd8IA

11. Rick played PRINCE - “Let’s Work” https://youtu.be/vFmJqdksL80

12. Lance played B.J. THOMAS - “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” https://youtu.be/sySlY1XKlhM

13. Lance played JOHN PRINE - “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” https://youtu.be/sRCLHBhZPQ4

14. Rick played OS MUTANTES - “Ritta Lee” https://youtu.be/LsyYdnW7c98 / “Mágica” https://youtu.be/W-IDaWwF1yk

15. Lance played TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS - “Something In The Air” https://youtu.be/8J7yTze4Xbs

16. Rick played AMY WINEHOUSE - “Rehab” (Hot Chip Remix) https://youtu.be/FJbq3NJVXFk

17. Lance played AL JARREAU - “We Got By” https://youtu.be/ComvXGgjkwM

18. Rick played DINAH WASHINGTON - “What A Difference A Day Makes” https://youtu.be/upJ3OgMRiUA / “Nothing In The World” https://youtu.be/O-D8xTZXhjg

19. Lance played DAN HICKS - “Cloud My Sunny Mood” https://youtu.be/YuhHIGsGh_4

20. Rick played TINY TIM - “New York, New York” https://youtu.be/mQYlshEkmFY / “Stairway To Heaven” https://youtu.be/AYMHiAYFM20

21. Lance played DAVID BOWIE - “Let’s Dance” https://youtu.be/coD5jw-OCe8

22. Rick played FRANK SINATRA - “Some Enchanted Evening” https://youtu.be/To4uLt9jEBI

23. Lance played CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & THE MAGIC BAND - “Her Eyes Are A Million Blue Miles” https://youtu.be/WiMJPFfsEQk

24. Rick played ELLA FITZGERALD - “You’re Laughing At Me” https://youtu.be/9FaxTuzymOA / “Let Yourself Go” https://youtu.be/3kAbDGd9Veg

25. Lance played ROBERT PALMER - “Can We Still Be Friends?” https://youtu.be/QfH27fYKbZ4

26. Lance played HERBIE MANN - “Push Push” https://youtu.be/y9EMVd1773A

27. Rick played a whole side of songs by RICK DANKO - “What a Town” https://youtu.be/lgmzeWQg028 / “Brainwash” https://youtu.be/xlwNfKUAgDw / “New Mexico” https://youtu.be/4kRkQbeSN20 / “Tired of Waiting” https://youtu.be/BpPPRfiQuVY / “Sip the Wine” https://youtu.be/LbZkf4LGiNg

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/4/23....

A 50-year Flashback to 1 9 7 3...

Fifty years back, these were the best songs from a variety of new records that were released in 1973.  When I, again and again, placed these particular albums on my turntable, these are the songs that cried out for frequent needle drops...ENJOY.

1. Martha - Tom Waits https://youtu.be/VXQwDb7AUmo

2. Had I Known You Better Then - Daryl Hall and John Oates https://youtu.be/YOHIe5fRKhc

3. You've Been In Love Too Long - Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/Q43Je3ay2xY            

4. Come Get to This - Marvin Gaye https://youtu.be/pvkG_kjBS-o

5. Learn How to Fall - Paul Simon https://youtu.be/VqlaLXAoJN0                          

6. On Your Way Down - Little Feat https://youtu.be/dwk79zJFIGQ

7. Please Send Me Someone to Love - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/EP9q-jkV7O4            

8. Mind Games - John Lennon https://youtu.be/QLeObvcUii4                                  

9. If You Want Me to Stay - Sly & The Family Stone https://youtu.be/gZFabOuF4Ps

10. What Is Hip - Tower of Power https://youtu.be/o1KCoX_dDBE                         

11. Ooh La La - Faces https://youtu.be/bRukNU3jkIM                                                

12. Panama Red - New Riders of the Purple Sage https://youtu.be/O9G0emfp87E

13. Full Circle - The Byrds https://youtu.be/79oGn6-7wL4                                        

14. Spirit in the Night - Bruce Springsteen https://youtu.be/hFEeqfqoTSY

15. Right Place, Wrong Time - Dr. John https://youtu.be/W4PjWgiH-LQ

16. Avenging Annie - Andy Pratt https://youtu.be/DZI-DraC0o4                              

17. All the Way from Memphis - Mott the Hoople https://youtu.be/7BXvZSApms8  

18. Sufficiently Breathless - Captain Beyond https://youtu.be/fIQWu5YbCAA

19. Sail On, Sailor - The Beach Boys https://youtu.be/Zx6dgEgbMNU

20. Happiness Is Just Around the Bend - Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express https://youtu.be/qfxFxqa_K60

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/21/23....

People...People who listen to “People”...are the luckiest people in the world.

Enjoy this mix of songs with people’s names in the titles.

1. Jolene - Mindy Smith https://youtu.be/IaJn5IMf-Ww

2. Daniel - Elton John https://youtu.be/-9xib-hCm6c

3. Amelia - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/BsWVRN8DDjs

4. Suzanne - Judy Collins https://youtu.be/F3WOAqtRRvQ

5. Amie – Damien Rice https://youtu.be/ibUpX-mZayQ

6. Angie - Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/aVLBF-UKevY

7. Arthur McBride - Andy Irvine & Paul Brady https://youtu.be/KMgovNHwtqc

8. To Ramona - Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/n7zijSFW0Ok 

9. Abraham, Martin and John - Dion https://youtu.be/rwn8hIyiHvI

10. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond https://youtu.be/5JfU4PKgmJc

11. Ophelia (live) - The Band https://youtu.be/cRap5ta6k9k

12. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson https://youtu.be/OZGtRvYF-A4

13. Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner https://youtu.be/2RF7Ya9YHEI

14. Brian Wilson - Barenaked Ladies https://youtu.be/fIZyqx83mso

15. Jack & Diane - John Mellencamp https://youtu.be/l7gG5KyHbEc

16. Juliet - Little Feat https://youtu.be/3xhrGzj1qT4

17. Luka - Suzanne Vega https://youtu.be/-06n1iy4Ey4

18. Bobby Jean - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band https://youtu.be/iGR_Rk74tOk

19. Peg - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/8pk90bIPVs4

20. Lucille - Little Richard https://youtu.be/yjZtZye7aeI

21. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry https://youtu.be/Uf4rxCB4lys

22. Roxanne - The Police https://youtu.be/CMjUyI8_G2Y

23. Aurora – Foo Fighters https://youtu.be/2Psg8CaJkUQ

24. Francesca - Richard Thompson https://youtu.be/w1AYP5TzOCk

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/7/23....

  A ROYAL TREAT...A MIX IN HONOR OF THE CORONATION OF A KING...ENJOY!

1. Kings - Steely Dan  https://youtu.be/mNBTUJbnN1o

2. When You Became King - Alana Davis  https://youtu.be/fMfmZ3bLmfk

3. Homecoming King - Guster  https://youtu.be/MUbSVGrdD_I

4. I’m a King Bee - Rolling Stones  https://youtu.be/X3IUPW2Yoj0

5. King for a Day - XTC  https://youtu.be/EVASP83kjT0

6. Your Love is King - Sade  https://youtu.be/c_lgse6-JKo

7. Sun King - The Beatles  https://youtu.be/6bNMxWGHlTI

8. Rain King - Counting Crows  https://youtu.be/FEL48-0xRAA

9. Rain King (not the same song as immediately above) - Terence Boylan  https://youtu.be/JKykV2kDN5g

10. King Harvest - The Band  https://youtu.be/yeKY5PUMgvQ

11. King Grand - Sea Level  https://youtu.be/5Z_fTcC1XHQ

12. King of America - The I Don’t Cares  https://youtu.be/BWb-BcSkq9A

13. King of Pain - The Police  https://youtu.be/SZlRX03BzeA

14. King of Hearts - Lucinda Williams  https://youtu.be/xosuLI583ps

15. King of Nothing - Seals & Crofts  https://youtu.be/FhiCCcHkBVE  

16. King of the Road - Roger Miller  https://youtu.be/F8njusCInWo

17. King of the World - Steely Dan  https://youtu.be/Q7kA5qDOUHE

18. King of the World (not the same song as immediately above) - Angelfish  https://youtu.be/vsEmgZIT3xw

19. All the King’s Horses - Joss Stone  https://youtu.be/7fzg5JNUEDo

20. Riding with the King - John Hiatt  https://youtu.be/GNVkiOR6exs

21. Kings Highway - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers  https://youtu.be/-h3gXKArWyw

22. The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson  https://youtu.be/ukgraQ-xkp4

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/23/23....

I am commemorating Women’s History Month a bit late here--annually, it’s March!--however there’s no time like the present to dig into the sonic achievements of the fairer sex.

1. Abra Moore - Your Faithful Friend  https://youtu.be/cwDBydukoL4

2. Joni Mitchell - My Secret Place  https://youtu.be/50tn9Es5ORU

3. Nanci Griffith - Going Back to Georgia  https://youtu.be/4-fM2tiFnys

4. Angelique Kidjo - Never Know (live)  https://youtu.be/q0QAOxfgtXE

5. Sam Phillips - What Do I Do  https://youtu.be/P96om77z9hI  

6. Shona Laing - Glad I’m Not a Kennedy  https://youtu.be/vuJ2-i2_d2I

7. Flora Purim - Silver Sword  https://youtu.be/_oCno8bGvjI

8. Shelby Lynne - Thought It Would Be Easier  https://youtu.be/OKE4VjfwdGc

9. Rickie Lee Jones - Night Train  https://youtu.be/XQpO_kl_6S0

10. Bjork - Human Behaviour  https://youtu.be/RaiXND_JFNA

11. Tracy Chapman - Telling Stories  https://youtu.be/EScNALt7IFM

12. Valerie Carter - Ooh Child  https://youtu.be/4H32jFWceWI   

13. Marsha Ball, Lou Ann Barton, and Angela Strehli - Good Rockin’ Daddy  https://youtu.be/iFbQPHjgKzg

14. Katell Keineg - Franklin  https://youtu.be/H9mR4Tc9Agc   

15. Shawn Colvin - Round of Blues  https://youtu.be/-1_RbxuRvVA

16. Macy Gray - Do Something  https://youtu.be/PHs-h7aMBO4

17. Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger & The Trinity - All Blues  https://youtu.be/9BKG28owM2g

18. Enya - Ebudae  https://youtu.be/apEy8Ky1PpM

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/9/23....

On the website bigthink.com, there is an article dated May 23, 2019 about a study on links between levels of intelligence and a love of instrumental music.  “From deejays to Debussy,” the subheading says, “it's all brain food.”  Listed key takeaways are: “A new study supports earlier suspicions of a link between intelligence and non-vocal music.  This may have to do with a taste for novel experiences way back on the savannah.  Purely instrumental music may simply be more fresh for brainiacs.”

So, have a listen.  Apparently that would be a smart move.

1. Theme From The Last Waltz - The Band https://youtu.be/8UkmFdMvnTI         

2. Roscoe - Bill Frisell  https://youtu.be/PE_t5iZHFXg

3. Didjital Vibrations - Jamiroquai https://youtu.be/ywTFQ6hbfFM                         

4. The Pink Panther Theme - Bobby McFerrin  https://youtu.be/HbQDjAx0n3I

5. Flying - The Beatles  https://youtu.be/Z1ONJQLdZrk                                             

6. Goodbye - Larry Carlton  https://youtu.be/4UiwMdbUerg

7. Lionheart - Angels of Venice  https://youtu.be/ZG7bP8CaKY0

8. Crossed Wires - Mike Mainieri  https://youtu.be/FsaVCcz2G2A

9. A Taste Of Honey - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass  https://youtu.be/gRGOm071sE0        

10. Jumpin´ At The Woodside - Jay McShann  https://youtu.be/WLe7vtFGxrk      

11. Cool # 9 - Joe Satriani  https://youtu.be/dMKRoWTKJ5Y

12. Take Time - Rufus  https://youtu.be/sCYvHiZk0hM                                              

13. Bone Chaos In The Castle - Kaki King  https://youtu.be/xfEy7p6_eiM

14. Beat 70 - Pat Metheny Group  https://youtu.be/oGU98hNw41c                        

15. She's A Woman - Jeff Beck  https://youtu.be/rkxqb33lAAM                                

16. Rhum 'n' Zouk - Jean-Luc Ponty  https://youtu.be/ZFbOZaLHwqs                   

17. Peter Gunn - Henry Mancini  https://youtu.be/glemICLcSyU                             

18. Say What! - Stevie Ray Vaughan  https://youtu.be/DG_4foWpcvE

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/26/23....

The year 1962 predated the Beatles music reaching American shores, and our radio stations, and our television sets...So what was popular music like in the USA pre-John/Paul/George/ Ringo?  What styles of music?  Which artists were the chart climbers?  Here is a sampling of some of the best music before The Beatles arrived on the scene: Songs from 1962.

1. Love Me Do - The Beatles (note: this was the band’s debut single releasedin the U.K. in October 1962.  The very first single by the group to air on radio stations in the USA was “Please Please Me” in February 1963, and the first two albums by the band released in our country were Introducing...The Beatles and Meet the Beatles!  Both of these were released in January 1964, one month before the Fab Four came to America for the first time and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.) https://youtu.be/7uQuX1sOYk4

2. Shuffle Twist - Gene Ammons, Jack McDuff & Sonny Stitt https://youtu.be/OmwjQ4pxM0g

3. I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Tony Bennett https://youtu.be/YSIF3KtwGUA

4. Something's Got a Hold on Me - Etta James https://youtu.be/BPjQ7iK5GVI   

5. Puff, the Magic Dragon - Peter, Paul & Mary https://youtu.be/_1G9wO9-54c  

6. You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles https://youtu.be/hGA0HnBjnDs 

7. Twist and Shout - The Isley Brothers https://youtu.be/fuNCwPBm3fw               

8. I Hear Music - Ella Fitzgerald with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra https://youtu.be/dxomUp9of6g       

9. Cry to Me - Solomon Burke https://youtu.be/h1U2GfCGIEs                                  - 

10. Up on the Roof - The Drifters https://youtu.be/s0gmweTGosg                          

11. Green Onions - Booker T. & The MG's https://youtu.be/0oox9bJaGJ8            

12. You've Really Got a Hold on Me - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles https://youtu.be/Hw27U6act7I       

13. Stormy Monday Blues - Bobby "Blue" Bland https://youtu.be/Y4x_REN5XBk

14. Night Train - James Brown https://youtu.be/l0hcjUkXUmQ                                

15. Soul Twist - King Curtis https://youtu.be/VSB-WfgnTG8                                     

16. Song to Woody - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/lOWfCVQBixs                              

17. Sealed with a Kiss - Brian Hyland https://youtu.be/qsvTtp-n_a0                       

18. Do You Love Me - Contours https://youtu.be/uRsoWlYMO-4

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/12/23....

A   P S Y C H E D E L I C   S I X T I E S   M I X

1. Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles  https://youtu.be/naoknj1ebqI

2. (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet - The Blues Magoos  https://youtu.be/fNEIh21Nn6o

3. Shapes of Things - The Yardbirds  https://youtu.be/-OjcB-D5Yy4          

4. Eight Miles High - The Byrds  https://youtu.be/V_51PAR23sY

5. Legend of a Mind - The Moody Blues  https://youtu.be/2WMA3LVi6Zg

6. Journey to the Center of the Mind - The Amboy Dukes (with Ted Nugent)  https://youtu.be/a_J-sNBnaaY     

7. I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) - The Electric Prunes  https://youtu.be/bjaHU8iuhmI          

8. Did You See Her Eyes - The Illusion  https://youtu.be/TRd4lUj0Olo       

9. Plastic Fantastic Lover (live) - Jefferson Airplane  https://youtu.be/Gs-6nsyart0  

10. Omaha - Moby Grape  https://youtu.be/Ig0Px1nSb6M     

11. I Got A Line on You - Spirit  https://youtu.be/faEtYEP2vUs       

12. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly https://youtu.be/Tfpn3wHoNGA  

13. Strange Brew - Cream  https://youtu.be/GLdz6zfJMDI    

14. Hot Smoke and Sassafras - Bubble Puppy  https://youtu.be/c0JLHwoPu44  

15. I Can See for Miles - The Who  https://youtu.be/KEUOsVEzSMg         

16. Piece of My Heart - Big Brother & The Holding Company  https://youtu.be/SCngPse1iiI

17. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix  https://youtu.be/WGoDaYjdfSg        

18. Summertime Blues - Blue Cheer  https://youtu.be/o4vIlg4alz8                          

19. Break on Through (To the Other Side) - The Doors  https://youtu.be/NFeUko-lQHg          

20. Psychotic Reaction - Count Five  https://youtu.be/lrsGz6mQuN4        

21. Incense and Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock  https://youtu.be/idJzMSKaHaw         

22. She's a Rainbow - Rolling Stones  https://youtu.be/Va87qt0VZ2M

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/26/23....

IT’S A SUNDAY KIND OF MIX...Eighteen songs with the word “Sunday” in the title.

1. Gloomy Sunday - Billie Holiday https://youtu.be/XQ2AuLaClmk

2. Sunday Morning - Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs https://youtu.be/HQEalEU6FJw

3. A Sunday kind of love - Diane Schuur https://youtu.be/ktjIkGGjMdI

4. I Met Him on a Sunday - Laura Nyro and LaBelle https://youtu.be/lx5rP2vQFxA

5. A Month of Sundays - Don Henley https://youtu.be/0FeT6zJ47RA(note: The video is just a black screen, but the entire audio track is there)

6. Sunday - k.d. lang https://youtu.be/4Wkl-EYg4zM

7. Sunday - The Cranberries https://youtu.be/_jvJQjLZCiM

8. Another Park Another Sunday - The Doobie Brothershttps://youtu.be/EI-QAGGi1ng

9. Sunday Clothes - Charlie Sexton Sextet https://youtu.be/bIEjQWizSfk

10. Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash https://youtu.be/8_xd5jG3JTA

11. Sunday Morning - Julie London https://youtu.be/KWkgdYMDimo

12. One Sunday morning - Wilco https://youtu.be/awNMkagYJ_w

13. Sunday Will Never Be The Same - Spanky and Our Gang https://youtu.be/07nK9CXZvAI

14. Sunday Girl - Blondie https://youtu.be/7VWalYqwKIA

15. Sunday Bloody Sunday (live at Red Rocks, 1983) - U2 https://youtu.be/EM4vblG6BVQ

16. Every Day is Like Sunday - Morrissey https://youtu.be/h8j2-nBkeL8

17. My Sunday Feeling - Jethro Tull https://youtu.be/nzjp-cFkNoE

18. Sunday Papers - Joe Jackson https://youtu.be/BgTcsdltfec

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/12/23....

THE NEXT TIME YOU TAKE A WALK, TAKE A LISTEN...IT’S THE “WALK” MIX.  Enjoy.

 1. New Walkin’ Blues - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/SV-aqZXlhDI

2. Walk On By - Dionne Warwick https://youtu.be/vsGsCvJWEo8

3. Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn https://youtu.be/PgRafRp-P-o

4. Walk On - U2 https://youtu.be/gwKEdFoUB0o

5. Walkin’ On The Sun - Smash Mouth https://youtu.be/p8LZhGUu7C8

6. Walking After Midnight - Patsy Cline https://youtu.be/WPVPjte-2EY

7. Why Walk When You Can Fly - Mary Chapin Carpenter https://youtu.be/cChsyweLDos

8. Walk On - John Hiatt https://youtu.be/YVdMyeTQCkw

9. Walk Like An Egyptian - The Bangles https://youtu.be/cFGCu5hnLyA

10. Walking On the Moon - The Police https://youtu.be/kmJce02JHWM

11. Walking The Dog - Rufus Thomas https://youtu.be/GOHofU8CQYs

12. Walking On Broken Glass - Annie Lennox https://youtu.be/y25stK5ymlA

13. Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers https://youtu.be/-bqYI1MOs2E

14. Walkaway Joe - Trisha Yearwood https://youtu.be/XYfkX6IHh7Y

15. A Long Walk - Jill Scott https://youtu.be/B6nVV-ibpWk

16. Walk Of Life - Dire Straits https://youtu.be/nUW6G5QdyYU

17. Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves https://youtu.be/8TiRI7_QgVI

18. Walk This Way - Run DMC featuring Aerosmith https://youtu.be/4B_UYYPb-Gk

19. I Want To Walk With You - Toni Childs https://youtu.be/r6jqNOlogRw

20. You Gotta Walk And Don’t Look Back - Peter Tosh https://youtu.be/M6wRUDrfPX0

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/29/23....

Life is a series of highs and lows...and Music is Life.

1. High, Low and In Between - Townes Van Zandt https://youtu.be/O6SC5HCIlnU

2. High & Dry - Jamie Cullum https://youtu.be/JU9BDf5z1G4

3. Moanin’ Low - Billie Holiday https://youtu.be/uPOmtF91Wz0

4. Natural High - Joan Osborne https://youtu.be/LjM3tQhTHQo

5. Sweet and Low - Darlingside and Caitlin Canty https://youtu.be/xr5Adx54SxQ

6. Too High - Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/UvtYEdYjkJM

7. After the Lights Go Down Low - Freda Payne https://youtu.be/HJGXi2R6aDk

8. High on a Mountain - Ollabelle https://youtu.be/9p2LkexKUMA

9. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys - Traffic https://youtu.be/vDGorIWYz-A

10. Back in the High Life Again - Steve Winwood https://youtu.be/ojcSy6kXciI

11. Low Rider - War https://youtu.be/qMkwuz0iXQg

12. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell https://youtu.be/Gq-Ufl_dNwk

13. Too Low for Zero - Elton John https://youtu.be/RELnfzeehcU

14. High Speed - Coldplay https://youtu.be/JXmyDJpZhAw

15. Low Yo Yo Stuff - Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band https://youtu.be/I4XDRb20UVw

16. High Time We Went - Lou Ann Barton https://youtu.be/RdVPayBkHYM

17. Low Down and Dirty - Luther Allison - https://youtu.be/16LmLzFto0w

18. Eight Miles High - The Byrds https://youtu.be/V_51PAR23sY

19. Shimmy Low - The Clarks https://youtu.be/lFWOnqHZIlQ

20. High on a Mountain - Seals & Crofts https://youtu.be/MCcKjyhBCm8

21. The Lowlands - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Jaime Hanna & Jonathan McEuen https://youtu.be/5nmmBV340jM

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/15/23....

Heavenly and Hellacious: the GOD AND THE DEVIL Mix

1. Whenever God Shines His Light - Van Morrison with Cliff Richard https://youtu.be/ueNmxh781rI

2. Devil’s Nine Questions - Bonnie Koloc https://youtu.be/Rikei7TGlFQ

3. God Only Knows - Beach Boys https://youtu.be/u90beUXTKwo

4. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Toots Thielemans with Madeleine Peyroux https://youtu.be/TurN1Ok7B0o

5. Lying in the Hands of God - Dave Matthews Band https://youtu.be/Gcc82caQnZI

6. Blue Devil Jump - Jay McShann https://youtu.be/xLs4kngzHps

7. God Bless the Child - Blood, Sweat & Tears https://youtu.be/3qS9JMJ0aaE

8. Devil in her Heart - The Beatles https://youtu.be/IGe-jfFrxCk

9. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) - Monsters of Folk https://youtu.be/NJz4-WHtqWI

10. Friend of the Devil - Lyle Lovett https://youtu.be/mNUEiOufg00

11. The Absence of God - Rilo Kiley https://youtu.be/yO8JLXIH-Ig

12. Shake the Devil - Tommy Bolin https://youtu.be/IB4gWLHsMo8

13. God on my Side - World Party https://youtu.be/I3dLgwbYHqw

14. Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/HOYLkf3lZQo

15. Dear God - XTC https://youtu.be/xf58TEMm8Rw

16. Devil Inside - INXS https://youtu.be/w7TB2ZrBYAs

17. God - Tori Amos https://youtu.be/5-MmyopVWog

18. Devil’s Haircut - Beck https://youtu.be/aa3rBVb3v4g

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/1/23....

NIGHT AND DAY MIX

1. Night and Day - Ella Fitzgerald https://youtu.be/yGdUohOPGt8 

2. Southern Nights - Glen Campbell https://youtu.be/5_Pu4C9bDlk

3. The Days of the Dancing - Maire Brennan https://youtu.be/SJZJoO6GVho

4. Here Comes the Night - Dwight Yoakam https://youtu.be/4Ry0LEZFsaE3

5. Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins Singers https://youtu.be/KJohGa66FJM

6. Long Hot Summer Nights - Wendy Waldman https://youtu.be/fqRzWItKJi0

7. Our Day Will Come - Amy Winehouse https://youtu.be/CxYRbzGi8Rg

8. Night Train - James Brown https://youtu.be/l0hcjUkXUmQ

9. Seven Whole Days - Toni Braxton https://youtu.be/itjZzYplQSI

10. Stay While the Night is Young - Savoy Brown https://youtu.be/ksyMKBr4w-I

11. Better Days - Rufus https://youtu.be/r6x60yAzpGw

12. Such a Night - Dr. John https://youtu.be/fj9lG30WzcA

13. One April Day - Stephin Merritt https://youtu.be/-kRMTtqiJAI

14. One More Night - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/HJbfDbFZn8s

15. Six Days on the Road - Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/_j2Ha44wJ44

16. Seven Nights to Rock - Moon Mullican https://youtu.be/jGW-NQsMJeM

17. Rainy Day, Dream Away - Jimi Hendrix Experience https://youtu.be/ipxBQcci0X0

18. Wild Night - Martha Reeves https://youtu.be/qxziDdrsD14

19. Dancing Days - Wang Chung https://youtu.be/Jm6S9niyKbA

20. Night in my Veins - Pretenders https://youtu.be/n31l4jdN0Ks

21. King for a Day - XTC https://youtu.be/n31l4jdN0Ks

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/18/22....

I ALONE CAN DRAIN THE SWAMP.  So of course I put together a mix, a roundup of “swamp music” which is in some ways hard to summarize.  It is Southern music...sometimes a mix of country, funk and R&B but pretty much always with a real groove--one that is soulful, sometimes even satisfyingly sinister-sounding.  The songs are listed chronologically by release date.  And at the end of the list I’ve added two contemporary female singer-songwriters who have, through these particular tracks of theirs, put their own stamp on swampy & seductive.  ENJOY.

1. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1952) - Lloyd Price https://youtu.be/O1OX0kA0zA0

2. Suzy Q (1957) - Dale Hawkins https://youtu.be/8AtV7NTIt9g

3. Sea of Love (1959) - Phil Phillips https://youtu.be/L0DTHA3HVj8

4. Walking to New Orleans (1960) - Fats Domino https://youtu.be/GrZrueIMoww

5. Big Boss Man (1960) - Jimmy Reed https://youtu.be/OgwXQgjEwWo

6. A Certain Girl (1961) - Ernie K-Doe https://youtu.be/2q6MtlinkEQ

7. Time Is On My Side (1964) - Irma Thomas https://youtu.be/cn0ZofphEzE

8. I Walk on Gilded Splinters (1968) - Dr. John https://youtu.be/lekQoT485aA

9. Hush (1968) - Joe South https://youtu.be/9l0N9fLxD6A

10. Born on the Bayou (1969) - Creedence Clearwater Revival https://youtu.be/NRF1e82MVCA

11. Polk Salad Annie (1969) - Tony Joe White https://youtu.be/n8thsU52dfw

12. Amos Moses (1970) - Jerry Reed https://youtu.be/PbXFHSa4YmQ

13. Promised Land (1971) - Johnnie Allan https://youtu.be/PbXFHSa4YmQ

14. On Your Way Down (1973) - Little Feat https://youtu.be/dwk79zJFIGQ

15. Small Town Talk (1973) - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/_QCpsPok6GU

16. Spiders & Snakes (1974) - Jim Stafford https://youtu.be/fOs1w3zzWCQ

17. Swamp Music (1974) - Lynyrd Skynyrd https://youtu.be/_MyM6JgHWfY

18. Struttin’ my Stuff (1975) - Elvin Bishop https://youtu.be/J0nrl3-HZs0

19. Spit of Love (1998) - Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/vGlfN-GZ1gI

20. Your Husband’s Cheating on Us (2011) - Matraca Berg https://youtu.be/cG27frUoooU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/4/22....

A MIX FOR FLUTE LOVERS...SONGS WITH WORDS AND MUSIC THAT INCLUDE THE FLUTE, AND INSTRUMENTAL SONGS WITH FLUTE.

A.) SONGS WITH WORDS AND MUSIC THAT INCLUDE THE FLUTE

1. Van Morrison - Moondance https://youtu.be/7kfYOGndVfU

2. War - Spill the Wine https://youtu.be/MYCRIykylOc

3. Guess Who - Undun https://youtu.be/zHKqPSAchcU

4. Donovan - There Is A Mountain https://youtu.be/zil3-EDye1g

5. Chicago - Colour My World https://youtu.be/cWkXmx-0phc

6. Men at Work - Down Under https://youtu.be/dbqfdC8xCRg

7. The Association - Along Comes Mary https://youtu.be/URUd5RUAz1I

8. Beach Boys - Feel Flows https://youtu.be/bp_8GKcNvdQ

9. Loggins & Messina - Angry Eyes https://youtu.be/6U7FFE_c1Ds

10. Moody Blues - Legend of a Mind https://youtu.be/2WMA3LVi6Zg

11. Canned Heat - Going Up the Country https://youtu.be/4eQMA_noRYQ

12. Marshall Tucker - Heard It in A Love Song https://youtu.be/ZkOsccnyFWs

13. Traffic - Hidden Treasure https://youtu.be/PUntEk2wuLo

B.) INSTRUMENTAL SONGS WITH FLUTE

1. Zamfir - The Lonely Shepherd https://youtu.be/blkhko_4T8s

2. Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Serenade to a Cuckoo https://youtu.be/UJOk8G5w6Yg

3. Jethro Tull - Bourée https://youtu.be/z6ZJGaT30wk

4. Hubert Laws - Pavane https://youtu.be/OrKq6_wpBHA

5. Osibisa - The Dawn https://youtu.be/mPr-1j5eaCo

6. Tim Weisberg - Street Party https://youtu.be/CI3VxmCGNto

7. Blues Project - Flute Thing https://youtu.be/uZLzsg2Bu7E

8. Jean-Pierre Rampal - Baroque and Blue https://youtu.be/pcNEh0_-_g4

9. Jeremy Steig - Howlin’ for Judy https://youtu.be/Psd-ANb6fwk

10. Herbie Mann - Push Push https://youtu.be/y9EMVd1773A

11. Nightnoise - Busker on the Bridge https://youtu.be/Cnnu9W33Gjw

12. Chick Corea/Return to Forever - Spain https://youtu.be/sEhQTjgoTdU

13. Lonnie Liston Smith - Voodoo Woman https://youtu.be/X7EL9C2WE5Y

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/20/22....

A MIX THAT WILL TRANSPORT YOU...
 

1. Trains and Boats and Planes (1966) - Dionne Warwick https://youtu.be/0KAEJv0C6iQ

2. Midnight Train to Georgia (1973) - Gladys Knight & The Pips https://youtu.be/A0F9lh8TiSM

3. Longer Boats (1970) - Cat Stevens https://youtu.be/yq3HS2LdjZ4 

4. Leaving on a Jet Plane (1967) - Peter, Paul & Mary https://youtu.be/F2m--R3J6f4 

5. Night Train (1979) - Rickie Lee Jones https://youtu.be/XIZIAmzC_nk

6. Boat on the Charles (1971) - Todd Rundgren https://youtu.be/ONnjNCjkxKg

7. Plane (2005) - Jason Mraz https://youtu.be/Kcug6E1QWqw 

8. Downbound Train (1977) - The Smithereens https://youtu.be/i5WJowjLhmc

9. Come on Down to My Boat (1967) - Every Mother’s Son (1967) https://youtu.be/t8dU4RKNNBo

10. When I Get My Plane (1968) - Nazz (Todd Rundgren’s first group) https://youtu.be/bDwu-oatnbM

11. Night Train (1962) - James Brown & The Famous Flames https://youtu.be/l0hcjUkXUmQ

12. Rock the Boat (1974) - The Hues Corporation https://youtu.be/gSP_Jqn5eUM

13. Hold That Plane (1972) - Buddy Guy https://youtu.be/z7X37HSUhgE

14. Two Trains (1973) - Little Feat https://youtu.be/b1pQ7UhgH3A

15. If I Had a Boat (1987) - Lyle Lovett https://youtu.be/TKKcNjvxhns

16. Big Jet Plane (1994) - Primal Scream https://youtu.be/T1Ss1Z_ZadI

17. Train in Vain (1979) - The Clash https://youtu.be/zqZSONJYNGI

18. Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) (1956) - Harry Belafonte https://youtu.be/YO7M0Hx_1D8

19. Paper Planes (2007) - M.I.A. https://youtu.be/s9M2JQTDjiA

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/23/22....

A MIX OF SONGS WITH SITARS AND/OR ELECTRIC SITARS...

1. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - The Beatles https://youtu.be/Y_V6y1ZCg_8

2. Last Train Home - Pat Metheny Group https://youtu.be/908kjmbjABI

3. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - Delfonics https://youtu.be/hUwYAA03MQI

4. Charlie Don’t Surf - The Clash https://youtu.be/fFYLCj-hCsc

5. Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young https://youtu.be/s_-QRNVbNM8   

6. Cry Like a Baby - The Box Tops https://youtu.be/dmhtxLSUhYU

7. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) - Scott McKenzie https://youtu.be/LAX5GgvS-8s

8. Turn-Down Day - The Cyrkle https://youtu.be/SNf4T7W5dE8

9. The Rain, the Park & Other Things - The Cowsills https://youtu.be/uC9tALmALh0

10. Come and Get Your Love - Redbone https://youtu.be/bc0KhhjJP98

11. Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy Band https://youtu.be/I0bLoaVFpTQ

12. Don’t Come Around Here No More - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers https://youtu.be/h0JvF9vpqx8

13. Games People Play - Joe South https://youtu.be/vDeVonv3kY0

14. Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) - First Edition https://youtu.be/NJAs7-i3H8o

15. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) - Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/DdLvpi9OhP4

16. Band of Gold - Freda Payne https://youtu.be/DdLvpi9OhP4

17. Heart Full of Soul - The Yardbirds https://youtu.be/bTbJ_oFfGTc

18. Do It Again - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/LrwCj6sL2pk

19. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/8-AK67iz3gI

20. Within You Without You - The Beatles https://youtu.be/HsffxGyY4ck

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/23/22....

This mix consists of 18 songs that are all under three minutes in length.

1. Silhouettes - Herman’s Hermits (1965) https://youtu.be/RtbOyf73qjA

2. What’s New Pussycat? - Tom Jones (1965) https://youtu.be/qQvIAs-nPSo

3. 59^thStreet Bridge Song - Simon & Garfunkel (1966) https://youtu.be/-xhJcQEfD5s

4. Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) - The Hombres (1967) https://youtu.be/nesjujh62X0

5. The Letter - The Box Tops (1967) https://youtu.be/lk4DJIss1Oc

6. Let’s Make The Water Turn Black - The Mothers of Invention (1968) https://youtu.be/s_x2O50MefU

7. Volunteers - Jefferson Airplane (1969) https://youtu.be/Xaw--HWHecg

8. Why Can’t I Be Free - Spirit (1970) https://youtu.be/y44-kc5KI8o

9. Mercedes Benz - Janis Joplin (1970) https://youtu.be/-H7YULkiLIA

10. Find The Cost of Freedom - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970) https://youtu.be/GMfvYxK9Zoo

11. Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers (1971) https://youtu.be/YuKfiH0Scao

12. Road - Nick Drake (1972) https://youtu.be/jpk32L8Bb4c

13. We Will Rock You - Queen (1977) https://youtu.be/UvEmwYg6aFw

14. White Riot - The Clash (1977) https://youtu.be/2wC4UsFsa3A

15. Don’t Bogart That Joint - Little Feat (1978) https://youtu.be/5anAokwZsFI

16. Girlfriend In A Coma - The Smiths (1987) https://youtu.be/wy8mEOhSk0s

17. Ebudæ - Enya (1991) https://youtu.be/wy8mEOhSk0s

18. The Cactus Where Your Heart Should Be - Magnetic Fields (1999) https://youtu.be/VoM9igpTSiU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/9/22....

A bit of a headscratcher for you...This is an Earth, Wind & Fire mix that has no performances by the group Earth, Wind & Fire.

1. Earth Song - Rufus https://youtu.be/xQoqvaqy9fw

2. Catch the Wind - Donovan https://youtu.be/Iuc9_46wf7I

3. This Wheel’s on Fire - Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity https://youtu.be/yLOiYiKWcUY

4. Ends of the Earth - Lord Huron https://youtu.be/m9kxjzsCHUQ

5. Four Winds - Bright Eyes https://youtu.be/ETdDMHx7oGU

6. Fire - Pointer Sisters https://youtu.be/yZEiiI7FAcY

7. I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King https://youtu.be/6913KnbMpHM

8. The Wind Cries Mary (live) - Gary Moore https://youtu.be/CDMheJqjzgs

9. Fire in the Hole - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/9PwkU4nsJM8

10. Holding On To The Earth - Sam Phillips https://youtu.be/jKxWQntd_VU

11. Blow Wind Blow - Muddy Waters https://youtu.be/qxXabAeCL4c

12. Hands on Fire - The Stills https://youtu.be/oh909Vzklh4

13. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) - George Harrison https://youtu.be/LYW9cjcO_SY

14. Ride the Wind to Me - Julie Miller https://youtu.be/bhfzpiySZW8

15. Hearts on Fire - Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris https://youtu.be/GhjlY0R_0Ts

16. Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) - Gato Barbieri https://youtu.be/YfyCrpUOAJw

17. Hickory Wind - The Byrds https://youtu.be/4D8-5w1gQHA

18. Fire on the Mountain - Marshall Tucker Band https://youtu.be/0uMWbZj-gWg

______________________________________________________________________________

POSTED SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

THE RE$ULT$ ARE IN!  

MUSICASAURUS' ANNUAL FUNDRAISER TO HELP THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK RAISED A GRAND TOTAL OF $37,315.50!

The “Tunes for Tables 2022” fundraiser benefiting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank concluded last night (Sunday, September 25, 2022) just before midnight, and the re$ult$ are in: In this one-week campaign we raised a grand total of $37,315.50 inclusive of the generous gift from the William Talbott Hillman Foundation (in honor of Margot Gloninger Jones (1952-2007), and also--notably--through many donations from people like you.

One hundred and four individuals, in donations large and small, helped us reach that astounding grand total--astounding because of how far this amount of money will go in helping our neighbors in need throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.  This $37,315.50 will enable the Pittsburgh Food Bank to provide up to 186,577 meals. 

And the demand “out there” in the community is undiminished.  For the first time in two years, the need for food assistance has spiked back to pandemic highs.  The reasons are clear: Inflation, the rise in gas prices, and percentage changes in the price of food from last year to this year--meat, poultry, fish & eggs, up 14.2%...dairy, up 11.8%...fruits & vegetables, up 8.5%...and on and on.  And at this point in time, 1 in 7 southwestern Pennsylvanians face hunger and 1 in 5 children are in similar dire circumstances.

I give those of you who donated my sincere thanks, AND those of President & CEO Lisa Scales and her entire team at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/4/22.....

Royal treatment, this time out: Musicasaurus has made you a mix of Kings & Queens.

1.) Raoul and the Kings of Spain - Tears for Fears https://youtu.be/w1WO-jkbcrY        

2.) Bring Me My Queen - Abigail Washburn https://youtu.be/O316-4khIWE

3.) Homecoming King - Guster https://youtu.be/FQ14pg-MKR0     

4.) Queen of Hearts - The Hillbilly Moon Explosion https://youtu.be/jSR9CLcVBMM       

5.) Sun King - The Beatles https://youtu.be/6bNMxWGHlTI  

6.) Queen of Hearts - Gregg Allman https://youtu.be/WvMVyeq6GF0        

7.) King for a Day - XTC https://youtu.be/EVASP83kjT0       

8.) The Pirate Queen - Alison Brown https://youtu.be/6MBtJGBhAMY

9.) When You Became King - Alana Davis https://youtu.be/fMfmZ3bLmfk            

10.) Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run) - Billy Ocean https://youtu.be/uxX2gA18grk

11.) King of Nothing - Seals & Crofts https://youtu.be/FhiCCcHkBVE        

12.) Queen of the Silver Dollar - Sarah Jarosz https://youtu.be/1oPQHoTJ8v0

13.) Kings Highway - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers https://youtu.be/-h3gXKArWyw   

14.) Casino Queen - Wilco https://youtu.be/LY8uYzdSPPw

15.) I'm a King Bee - Muddy Waters https://youtu.be/vD0gk4pcUvY           

16.) Queen Bee - Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate https://youtu.be/eExZfMD0YCA

17.) Kings - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/mNBTUJbnN1o

18.) Queen of the Slipstream - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/0bDEzE_NpVU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/21/22.....

To dovetail with the current story in the A DAY IN THE LIFE section of this website--the one about major stadium shows in Pittsburgh in 1972--this edition of BUILDING A MIXTERY takes you back to 1972.  Here are the twenty most popular songs in the USA from that year, according to the music industry’s bible of that era, Billboard Magazine.  Enjoy your flashback!

1.) The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack https://youtu.be/VqW-eO3jTVU

2.) Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O’Sullivan https://youtu.be/7Z2hmz2NlYQ

3.) American Pie - Don McLean https://youtu.be/y5ecvBaqHBk

4.) Without You - Nilsson https://youtu.be/OpdFmZFge5g

5.) Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr. https://youtu.be/fq7WX5oINAQ

6.) Gotcha - Joe Tex https://youtu.be/jEhFKSa674E

7.) Lean on Me - Bill Withers https://youtu.be/gOZgo8gMIoM

8.) Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me - Mac Davis https://youtu.be/vtamk3rcShc

9.) Brand New Key - Melanie https://youtu.be/-mXlW9LytYo

10.) Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast - Wayne Newton https://youtu.be/U5EESSLuzqA

11.) Let’s Stay Together - Al Green https://youtu.be/XXx6RDzR6eM

12.) Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) - Looking Glass https://youtu.be/DVx8L7a3MuE

13.) Oh Girl - Chi-Lites https://youtu.be/OCLxVG2E7mo

14.) Nice to Be with You - Gallery https://youtu.be/4uvI2DSCgU0

15.) My Ding-A-Ling - Chuck Berry https://youtu.be/wiCSSIEUukk

16.) If Loving You Is Wrong I Don’t Want to Be Right - Luther Ingram https://youtu.be/FvJj7SN9EWI

17.) Heart of Gold - Neil Young https://youtu.be/A8t2cXYLuag

18.) Betcha By Golly, Wow - Stylistics https://youtu.be/HxZ83WxhMnU

19.) I’ll Take You There - Staple Singers https://youtu.be/qXvirzznSn4

20.) Ben - Michael Jackson https://youtu.be/i7TTSzfs2kw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/7/22.....

This mix ain’t just climactic...it’s climatic.  Yet another direct result of climate change.

1. Here Comes The Flood - Peter Gabriel https://youtu.be/3C23LikPhWs

2. Louisiana Flood - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/X_SrBHDAA8c

3. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan https://youtu.be/OQuY7dHfWrM

4. Hot ‘Lanta - Allman Brothers Band https://youtu.be/UrMBNZ0RiJY

5. Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter and His Banshees of Blues https://youtu.be/bKP18BpvX_o

6. Heat Wave - Joan Osborne & The Funk Brothers https://youtu.be/PTKFR3ra2ts

7. Wildfire - Michael Martin Murphy https://youtu.be/HU-qoSAATfA

8. Fire - Etta James https://youtu.be/ayE1buH-h9k

9. Fire and Rain - James Taylor https://youtu.be/N4E9MKbOFAY

10. Buckets of Rain - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/jGsOmKZXDvo

11. Four Days of Rain - The Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/aLIBwCXbrvA

12. Stormy Sky - The Kinks https://youtu.be/EgIRDWI16kk

13. Stormy Weather - Echo & The Bunnymen https://youtu.be/CcejW7XcVo8

14. Mighty Storm - The Duhks https://youtu.be/Wd313wmCB_U

15. Chain Lightning - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/m3_9MuEMwAs

16. Lightning Crashes - Live https://youtu.be/qlbW9mlm7io

17. Waiting for the Wind - Spooky Tooth https://youtu.be/pvYBaYcrMG0

18. Into the Wind - Freddie Jones Band https://youtu.be/TYBJsn4OPYk

19. Four Strong Winds - Conor Oberst, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings Machine https://youtu.be/_ZSm2jSvVh0

20. Blow The House Down - Darlingside https://youtu.be/r8qCxyiItnE

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/24/22.....

In a July 12, 2022 article on Axios.com, writer Emily Peck reported on the current popularity of music in terms of the decades between 1950 and 2020.  A survey was conducted this past February with 3,006 music listeners in America who are age thirteen and older.  The findings?  Music from the 1990s is more popular than music from any other decade right now--even current tunes.

So that Musicasaurus can keep in step with current trends such as this, I have created a playlist of twenty songs from the 1990s.  The songs have been plucked from the debut albums of singer-songwriters and bands who began their recording careers in that particular decade.  Enjoy...

1. Black Crowes - “She Talks to Angels” from the 1990 album Shake Your Money Maker https://youtu.be/B_8fDDIxbgs

2. Pearl Jam - “Black” from the 1991 album Ten https://youtu.be/qgaRVvAKoqQ

3. Spin Doctors - “Two Princes” from the 1991 album Pocket Full of Kryptonite https://youtu.be/QF7GYyfmtGs

4. Tori Amos - “Silent All These Years” from the 1992 album Little Earthquakes https://youtu.be/qt9IkhdRK30

5. PJ Harvey - “Sheela-Na-Gig” from the 1992 album Dry https://youtu.be/FgoC15Lom-M

6. Rage Against the Machine - “Wake Up” from the 1992 album Rage Against the Machine https://youtu.be/4lzqUe1Qfec

7. Björk - “Human Behaviour” from the 1993 album Debut https://youtu.be/S-avr1pAbJU

8. Porno for Pyros - “Pets” from the 1993 album Porno for Pyros https://youtu.be/mFkRvF8MeYM

9. Liz Phair - “Never Said” from the 1993 album Exile in Guyville https://youtu.be/m1tMfKl5b8M

10. Counting Crows - “Mr. Jones” from the 1993 album August and Everything After https://youtu.be/-oqAU5VxFWs

11. Toni Braxton - “Seven Whole Days” from the 1993 album Toni Braxton https://youtu.be/oKtWdgx_Yq0

12. Sheryl Crow - “Leaving Las Vegas” from the 1993 album Tuesday Night Music Club https://youtu.be/91lXPuhj7T8

13. Jeff Buckley - “Last Goodbye” from the 1994 album Grace https://youtu.be/IpA4C38D0p8

14. Dave Matthews Band - “Ants Marching” from the 1994 album Under the Table and Dreaming https://youtu.be/GhswH1bLMy8

15. Garbage - “Stupid Girl” from the 1995 album Garbage https://youtu.be/A-_sRoCab2M

16. Jewel - “Who Will Save Your Soul” from the 1995 album Pieces of You https://youtu.be/Y5bIc3MvPvA

17. Fiona Apple - “Criminal” from the 1996 album Tidal https://youtu.be/yPEkzupLMMg

18. Third Eye Blind - “Semi-Charmed Life” from the 1997 album Third Eye Blind https://youtu.be/jILAu6pftT8

19. Lauryn Hill - “Doo Wop (That Thing)” from the 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill https://youtu.be/KVldr2dk9_E

20. Dido - “Thank You” from the 1999 album No Angel https://youtu.be/HB7XnlvUtko

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/10/22.....

From Billboard Magazine, the once-upon-a-time leader in the music business’ tabulation and publication of the most popular songs in the USA, here are the #1 and #2 songs for each year of the decade 1960-1969.  

This ten-year period in particular marked a historic shift in popular music, and a few factors jet-fueling these changes included the emergence of The Beatles and the tidal wave of creativity that followed in their musical wake, and the fact that growing numbers of the younger generation were engaging in and championing political, societal and cultural causes including equal rights, civil rights and the anti-war movement.  Still, the latter didn’t prevent The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” from reaching Number One in 1969, the year of the Manson murders, Woodstock, Altamont, the Stonewall Riot, Chappaquiddick, and the trial of the Chicago Seven.  Go figure…now go listen. 

1960 = The year’s Top Two hits 

Theme from a Summer Place - Percy Faith https://youtu.be/zV0SuwqOTY4

He’ll Have to Go - Jim Reeves https://youtu.be/FPBtqvljEFw

1961 = The year’s Top Two hits

Tossin’ and Turnin’ - Bobby Lewis https://youtu.be/zK4Yg-737So

I Fall to Pieces - Patsy Cline https://youtu.be/xLEuq2spx5o

1962 = The year’s Top Two hits

Stranger on the Shore - Acker Bilk https://youtu.be/h2xvKqaZI_w

I Can’t Stop Loving You - Ray Charles https://youtu.be/eZNgVW0lD_k

1963 = The year’s Top Two hits

Surfin’ U.S.A. - The Beach Boys https://youtu.be/ibHLTH2icVw

The End of the World - Skeeter Davis https://youtu.be/IqvEIlINDwY

1964 = The year’s Top Two hits

I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles https://youtu.be/KjSy6hNwFno

She Loves You - The Beatles https://youtu.be/nGbWU8S3vzs

1965 = The year’s Top Two hits

Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs https://youtu.be/3UttAR8DnFY

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) - Four Tops https://youtu.be/4ZShJG5N050

1966 = The year’s Top Two hits

California Dreamin’ - The Mamas & the Papas https://youtu.be/XJIAvpqwJJU

96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians https://youtu.be/im6dMLdXI28

1967 = The year’s Top Two hits

To Sir with Love - Lulu https://youtu.be/EV1qmmMwc9M

The Letter - The Box Tops https://youtu.be/lk4DJIss1Oc

1968 = The year’s Top Two hits

Hey Jude - The Beatles https://youtu.be/RhfHed14cNc

Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat https://youtu.be/Y_tPE3o5NWk

1969 = The year’s Top Two hits

Sugar, Sugar - The Archies https://youtu.be/Lk-GJz7D1mo

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In - The 5^thDimension https://youtu.be/6c7Q4hjcBjA

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/26/22.....

A “CITIES AND TOWNS” MIX…populated with songs with the word “city” or the word “town” in them.  Duh.

1. As You Watch the City Fall (part two) - Robin Trower https://youtu.be/WevFsWW_-Fw

2. Her Town Too - James Taylor with J.D. Souther https://youtu.be/nYHgv4e1KJo

3. Angel City - Rhiannon Giddens https://youtu.be/XjMsLLEkt2E

4. I’m Going to Move to the Outskirts of Town - Ray Charles https://youtu.be/FWgD2lyVyQ0

5. Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City - Bobby “Blue” Bland https://youtu.be/38OOUDTsqM0

6. Streets of Your Town - Ivy https://youtu.be/uEPRH8-36S4

7. City of New Orleans - Chet Akins https://youtu.be/SQJ9RAm3CZw

8. This Old Town - Nanci Griffith https://youtu.be/yZun1eC_dQY

9. Make This City Ours Tonight - Sarah Vaughan https://youtu.be/ksO-I1qId7Y

10. The Whole Town’s Laughing at Me - Teddy Pendergrass https://youtu.be/1_Ewm2tx0qs

11. The City - Mark-Almond (Jon Mark & Johnny Almond) https://youtu.be/7xkoiODV1ZE

12. New Town Velocity - Johnny Marr https://youtu.be/SXEc9WZ1bkY

13. Goodnight My City - The Dunwells https://youtu.be/lQvdoUCIH08

14. Welcome to the Boomtown - David & David https://youtu.be/c3st4AD69-0

15. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/ghLWjyOOLno

16. Talk of the Town - Pretenders https://youtu.be/aX-NNhBWNdc

17. Sidewalks of the City - Lucinda Williams https://youtu.be/-2iHKxTCqXE

18. Out of Town - Zero 7 https://youtu.be/1ScwFbQT9Wk

19. Kansas City - Jay McShann https://youtu.be/wpl5PVKCzdQ

20. Home Town - Joe Jackson https://youtu.be/ZAe0zatt4hY

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/12/22.....

Okay, I don’t know how many of you will like this mix, but let’s look at the numbers…

  For No One - Emmylou Harris https://youtu.be/_xFIGlMFEhE​​

  Two of Us - Aimee Mann and Michael Penn https://youtu.be/QOsiX1cHNRc

  Three Little Birds - Bob Marley & The Wailers https://youtu.be/NOyRsPDPfMM

  Game of All Fours - Kate Rusby https://youtu.be/5LKCy1UQCXc

  Take Five - Dave Brubeck https://youtu.be/ryA6eHZNnXY

  Six Blocks Away - Lucinda Williams https://youtu.be/81gOkVG9NbM

  The Magnificent Seven - The Clash https://youtu.be/dj1Nf850Lys

  Figure of Eight - Paul McCartney https://youtu.be/aVik87zUZEc

  Cloud Nine (live) - Meshell Ndegeocello & The Funk Brothers https://youtu.be/356dEAVdBPs

  My Big Ten-Inch - Bull Moose Jackson https://youtu.be/j06DQAkBUQc

  Thirteen - Big Star https://youtu.be/DWk0r8L29z0

   Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford https://youtu.be/B7ru6PV3-xI

  At Seventeen - Janis Ian https://youtu.be/ESS0eKJpEZQ

  Eighteen - Alice Cooper https://youtu.be/m5ZL94cdiuU

  Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/oJ11Vq6N7rk

  Twenty Miles - Deer Tick https://youtu.be/mXEFs4K3fnU

  Twenty One - The Cranberries https://youtu.be/fcKbIQQIkAo

  Twenty Four Hours - Athlete https://youtu.be/X0DNkn4SIpA

  Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr https://youtu.be/82YC-p9ko6s

  30 Days in the Hole - Humble Pie https://youtu.be/cLTZavs4WAo

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/29/22.....

Here’s a themed mix that makes sense because sometimes we just need a good cry--or at least a good cry mix.

1. Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles https://youtu.be/8Zeyej5bfZE

2. Big Girls Don’t Cry - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons https://youtu.be/zRZpaxBMJRU

3. No Woman No Cry (live) - Bob Marley & The Wailers https://youtu.be/r8RoUOW8ma0

4. Please Don’t Make Me Cry - UB40 https://youtu.be/Q8wRWxBeED8

5. Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy - Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/6bzAkFK5gY8

6. Might Have to Cry - Boz Scaggs https://youtu.be/kcNNo1s6BpI

7. You Don’t Have to Cry - Crosby, Stills & Nash https://youtu.be/PmduVX7_-kE

8. Why Are You Crying - Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/iDi77nET3Bk

9. (I’m Gonna) Cry Myself Blind - Primal Scream https://youtu.be/urdEB42ryGU

10. It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/SN1ACh8lzHg

11. It’s All Over But The Crying - Garbage https://youtu.be/hV5Y_ZNdAW8

12. Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) - Gato Barbieri https://youtu.be/TjYvw3hzDNE

13. Fool To Cry - Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/tX-g65P9vZo

14. I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying - Sting https://youtu.be/LI8khooPyJk

15. Cry Tough - Nils Lofgren https://youtu.be/1ZDhPTJ8ao0

16. Cry Freedom - Dave Matthews Band https://youtu.be/C9BFYmDtc_E

17. The Sky is Crying - Albert King https://youtu.be/4l5IdDb2Xxs

18. I’m Crying - Savoy Brown https://youtu.be/7mfNUeb_7JM

19. Cry To Me - Solomon Burke https://youtu.be/h1U2GfCGIEs

20. Cry Baby - Janis Joplin https://youtu.be/VfGSd-tikH4

21. When Doves Cry - Prince https://youtu.be/zp200BFqyBc

22. To Cry You A Song - Jethro Tull https://youtu.be/S5vto70Q23E

23. Had to Cry Today - Blind Faith https://youtu.be/Z4Yo_VbGdMg

24. Cry Me A River (live) - Joe Cocker / Mad Dogs & Englishmen https://youtu.be/GH10FN2RETU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/15/22.....

SUMMERTIIIIIIME, AND THE LIVIN’ (should be) EASYYYYYY…

Here is the perfect outdoor party mix for the month of May.  Musicasaurus.com just recently beta-tested this--so rest assured, there WILL be much movin’ and groovin’.

(You’ll note that for this particular mix there are none of the usual YouTube links provided per song…but on the plus side, there ARE one hundred and sixteen songs here for you to harvest!)

1. I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie Honeybunch) (cover of The Four Tops’ original) - Taj Mahal 
2. Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops 
3. Like A Rolling Stone (live cover of Dylan’s original) - Rolling Stones 
4. All Along The Watchtower - Bob Dylan 
5. Smiling Faces Sometimes (the original was done by The Temptations but popularized by the Undisputed Truth) - Joan Osborne with Isaac Hayes 
6. Love Plus One - Haircut 100 
7. Wonderful World, Beautiful People - Jimmy Cliff 
8. You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
9. Little Sister - Ry Cooder 
10.  We Gotta Get Out of This Place - The Animals 
11.  The Reaper (cover of Blue Oyster Cult’s original) - Alana Davis 
12.  Fisherman's Blues - The Waterboys 
13.  Beat 70 (instrumental) - Pat Metheny Group 
14.  Born to Run (cover of Bruce Springsteen’s original) - Big Daddy 
15.  Spirit in the Night - Bruce Springsteen 
16.  What a Man - Linda Lyndell 
17.  Baby I Love You (cover of Aretha Franklin’s original) - B.B. King featuring Bonnie Raitt 
18.  Take It Easy (co-written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey) - Jackson Browne & David Lindley 
19.  Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (music written by Joe Zawinul and first recorded by Cannonball Adderley; lyrics subsequently added by The Buckinghams) - The Buckinghams 
20.  Mercy - Duffy 
21.  Tired of Waiting for You - The Kinks 
22.  Tired Of Waiting For You (cover of The Kinks’ original) - Dwight Yoakam 
23.  I Knew the Bride (When She Use to Rock and Roll) - Nick Lowe 
24.  Runaway (cover of the Del Shannon original) - Bonnie Raitt 
25.  Drive My Car (cover of The Beatle’s original) - Bobby McFerrin 
26.  Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles 
27.  A Hard Way to Go (instrumental cover of the Savoy Brown original) - Tim Weisberg 
28.  Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell 
29.  Smoking Gun - The Robert Cray Band 
30.  Funky Broadway - Wilson Pickett 
31.  When You Were Mine - Prince 
32.  Cantaloop (includes a sample of Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island”) - Us3 
33.  Peaches En Regalia (instrumental) - Frank Zappa 
34.  Can't Help Falling In Love (cover of Elvis Presley’s original) - Lick the Tins 
35.  I'll Be Around - The Spinners 
36.  New Coat of Paint - Tom Waits 
37.  The Weight (with The Staple Singers) - The Band 
38.  Once In a Lifetime (cover of Talking Heads’ original) - Big Daddy 
39.  Psycho Killer - Talking Heads 
40.  Out of Sight - James Brown 
41.  My Back Pages (live cover of Dylan’s original) - Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton & George Harrison 
42.  Wild Night (cover of Van Morrison’s original) - Martha Reeves 
43.  Wakafrika (instrumental) - Manu Dibango 
44.  Memphis (live cover of Chuck Berry’s original) - Johnny Rivers 
45.  Hey Jack Kerouac - 10,000 Maniacs 
46.  I Know You Rider (live version of a traditional blues tune) - Grateful Dead 
47.  I Don't Need No Doctor (cover of the Ashford & Simpson-penned song that was originally popularized by Ray Charles) - New Riders of the Purple Sage 
48.  The Wonderful Sea Voyage (of Holy St. Brendan) (instrumental) - Alison Brown Quartet 
49.  Your Good Thing (Is About to End) (cover of Mable John’s original) - Lou Rawls 
50.  King of the Road - Roger Miller 
51.  Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright 
52.  Shiny Happy People - R.E.M. 
53.  Because the Night (co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith) - Patti Smith 
54.  I Got a Line On You - Spirit 
55.  Send Me On My Way - Rusted Root 
56.  Eldorado Cafe - Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band 
57.  Omaha - Counting Crows 
58.  That Old Black Magic (co-written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 film Star Spangled Rhythm) - Frank Sinatra 
59.  Having A Party - Sam Cooke 
60.  Natural Thing - Poi Dog Pondering 
61.  Burning Down the House (cover of Talking Heads’ original) - Tom Jones & The Cardigans 
62.  This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) (live) - Talking Heads 
63.  Take Me to the River (live cover of Al Green’s original) - Eva Cassidy 
64.  Spill the Wine - Eric Burdon 
65.  Fat Man In the Bathtub - Little Feat 
66.  Good Rockin' Daddy (cover of Etta James’ original) - Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli & Lou Ann Barton 
67.  Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More - Steely Dan 
68.  Memphis In the Meantime - John Hiatt 
69.  Rock & Roll Woman - Buffalo Springfield 
70.  Super Freak (cover of Rick James’ original) - Big Daddy 
71.  Daydream Believer (written by John Stewart of The Kingston Trio; first recorded by The Monkees) - The Monkees 
72.  You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) - Joe Jackson 
73.  Purple Haze (cover of Jimi Hendrix’s original) - The Cure 
74.  Back In the U.S.A. - Chuck Berry 
75.  Back In the U.S.S.R. - The Beatles 
76.  The Ballad of Jed Clampett - Flatt & Scruggs 
77.  Ooh Las Vegas (live) - Gram Parsons with Emmylou Harris 
78.  Dead Flowers - The Rolling Stones 
79.  Spooky (original version was an instrumental; popularized the Classics IV) - Dusty Springfield 
80.  Bye Bye Love (cover of the Everly Brothers’ original) - David Lindley 
81.  Love Train - The O'Jays 
82.  Cajun Moon (cover of the J.J. Cale original) - Herbie Mann featuring Cissy Houston 
83.  Feeling Good (originally written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd) - Nina Simone 
84.  Train In Vain (cover of The Clash’s original) - Dwight Yoakam 
85.  Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash 
86.  Young Americans - David Bowie 
87.  The Beat Goes On - Sonny & Cher 
88.  Tramp (co-written by Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin; popularized by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas) - Steve Miller Band 
89.  Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes - Paul Simon 
90.  Feel Like Breaking up Somebody's Home (cover of Ann Peebles’ original) - Etta James 
91.  Tainted Love (cover of Gloria Jones’ original) - Soft Cell 
92.  End of the Line - The Traveling Wilburys 
93.  Something In the Air (cover of Thunderclap Newman’s original) - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 
94.  Stand By Me (cover of Ben E. King’s original) - John Lennon 
95.  My Babe - Little Walter 
96.  Legend In My Living Room - Annie Lennox 
97.  I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers 
98.  City of New Orleans - Steve Goodman and John Prine 
99.  After the Gold Rush (cover of Neil Young’s original) - Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris
100. Get a Groove - Thomas East 
101. Lies - J.J. Cale 
102. Mustang Sally (original version by Mack Rice; popularized by Wilson Pickett) - The Commitments 
103. I Got a Woman (cover of Ray Charles’ original) - The Honeydrippers 
104. Ain't That a Shame - Fats Domino 
105. Rich Girl (cover of Hall & Oates’ original) - Lake Street Dive 
106. You Got Me Hummin' - Cold Blood
107. Danny's All-Star Joint - Rickie Lee Jones 
108. My Old School - Steely Dan 
109. Ooh Child (cover of the Five Stairsteps’ original) - Valerie Carter 
110. People Gonna Talk - James Hunter 
111. Angels - Flora Purim 
112. Peter Gunn (instrumental) - Henry Mancini and His Orchestra 
113. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) (live) - Roy Orbison & friends 
114. Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn 
115. Baby's In Black - The Beatles 
116. The Last Time - Rolling Stones

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/1/22.....

THE "SAN FRANCISCO SOUND" MIX: ROCK GROUPS FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CIRCA THE MID-LATE 1960s THROUGH THE EARLY-MID 1970s.

1. Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air https://youtu.be/7ejj81Y2ZlM

2. Grateful Dead - Jack Straw (live) https://youtu.be/9NqggeXq6ms

3. Santana - Black Magic Woman https://youtu.be/9wT1s96JIb0

4. Big Brother & The Holding Company (with Janis Joplin) - Piece of My Heart https://youtu.be/SCngPse1iiI

5. Janis Joplin (solo) - Me and Bobby McGee https://youtu.be/8LaHPmD8nuc

6. Steve Miller Band - Living in the USA https://youtu.be/BfD7y9t-mx4

7. It’s A Beautiful Day - White Bird https://youtu.be/zqGl_Di8ucE  

8. Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit https://youtu.be/pnJM_jC7j_4

9. Country Joe & The Fish - The “Fish” Cheer / I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag https://youtu.be/KqeLZ-oDc8g

10. Moby Grape - Omaha https://youtu.be/MVhJ7cIriyk

11. Sly & The Family Stone - Dance to the Music https://youtu.be/Jn2PNlhvy8E

12. Sons of Champlin - Rooftop https://youtu.be/19R3RKiOMrg

13. Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues https://youtu.be/o4vIlg4alz8

14. Cold Blood (from the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area) - You Got Me Hummin’ https://youtu.be/_quMD61F43I

15. Tower of Power (from the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area) - What is Hip https://youtu.be/Pfim3SKTNkw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/17/22.....

ORIGINALS VERSUS COVERS: There are a dozen songs below to explore.  In each case, which version do you find more satisfying to your musical tastes?  The original OR the cover?

1. We Can Work It Out:

The Beatles https://youtu.be/Qyclqo_AV2M

Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/ELzBzerPE1k

2. Burning Down the House:

Talking Heads https://youtu.be/bgJ-hyzl6jg

Tom Jones and the Cardigans https://youtu.be/bWhotBO4l4Y

3. Papa Was A Rolling Stone:

The Temptations https://youtu.be/dKutL4yTrEk

David Lindley https://youtu.be/Dnbav8hd3jQ

4. Wild Night:

Van Morrison https://youtu.be/PkYTW23BVPk

John Mellencamp & Meshell Ndegeocello https://youtu.be/1aoywIHLqbs

5. Roxanne:

The Police https://youtu.be/3T1c7GkzRQQ

George Michael https://youtu.be/QnhNwcfZPpg

6. I Don’t Need No Doctor:

Humble Pie https://youtu.be/mSyrf-FYKVE

The New Riders of the Purple Sage https://youtu.be/7DCSHkh1rHo

7. Born to Run:

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band https://youtu.be/Wu4_zVxmufY

Big Daddy https://youtu.be/IXPnz6cFAVM

8. (What’s So Funny Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding:

Elvis Costello and The Attractions https://youtu.be/QwN2fG4wcqU

Lucy Kaplansky https://youtu.be/bKmfquw-iM4

9. Little Wing:

Jimi Hendrix Experience https://youtu.be/KzmLdI_VC9s

The Coors (live, unplugged) https://youtu.be/_dQgBz3WGKs

10. Train in Vain:

The Clash https://youtu.be/zqZSONJYNGI

Annie Lennox https://youtu.be/LGI0SyrBaZw

11. After the Gold Rush:

Neil Young https://youtu.be/gGEhbRvfNS4

Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris https://youtu.be/gGEhbRvfNS4

12. Drive My Car:

The Beatles https://youtu.be/kfSQkZuIx84

Bobby McFerrin https://youtu.be/e4Vw4i7Y10w

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/3/22.....

This mix brings you signature tunes from the following artists who are explored in this website’s other section, A DAY IN THE LIFE: Funkadelic, Yes, Was (Not Was), Meat Loaf and Linda Ronstadt.

1. Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove https://youtu.be/nmjUvgdzimo

2. Funkadelic - Who Says a Funk Band Can’t Play Rock? https://youtu.be/9KkGkr6N0rk

3. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain https://youtu.be/JOKn33-q4Ao

4. Yes - I've Seen All Good People (consisting of two parts: I. Your Move / II. All Good People) https://youtu.be/WfgPEh2J9aI

5. Yes - Roundabout https://youtu.be/cPCLFtxpadE

6. Yes - And You and I (consisting of four parts: I. Cord of Life / II. Eclipse / III. The Preacher, the Teacher / IV. The Apocalypse) https://youtu.be/IwpB6b6mhUM

7. Was (Not Was) - Walk the Dinosaur https://youtu.be/zYKupOsaJmk

8. Was (Not Was) - Spy in the House of Love https://youtu.be/k8PjjxJ7v78

9. Was (Not Was) - Zaz Turned Blue…guest vocalist: Mel Tormé https://youtu.be/FwAmHWaHdLI

10. Was (Not Was) - Shake Your Head (Let’s Go to Bed)…guest vocalist Ozzy Osbourne https://youtu.be/4AEVzWXkedE

11. Was (Not Was) - Wedding Vows in Vegas…guest vocalist: Frank Sinatra, Jr. https://youtu.be/RtDBfLwbH-w

12. Meat Loaf - You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) https://youtu.be/2t11CwlG444

13. Meat Loaf - Two Out of Three Ain't Bad https://youtu.be/HVvXWUAKtus

14. Meat Loaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light (consisting of three parts: I. Paradise / II. Let Me Sleep on It / III. Praying for the End of Time) https://youtu.be/a136H5K3OKw

15. Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) https://youtu.be/8mDWI84FlEg

16. Linda Ronstadt - You’re No Good https://youtu.be/e0vJNp5asqc

17. Linda Ronstadt - Tracks of My Tears https://youtu.be/GwjUekr9vQY

18. Linda Ronstadt - That’ll Be the Day https://youtu.be/E4O_iA-nR1U

19. Linda Ronstadt - Poor Poor Pitiful Me https://youtu.be/9No14pP_IKY

20. Linda Ronstadt - Back in the USA https://youtu.be/ZrtMQ3N4OyI

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/20/22.....

IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, HERE IS A MIX OF MUSICASAURUS’ FAVORITE SELECTIONS FROM TWENTY DIFFERENT ARTISTS!

1. Jewel - Hands https://youtu.be/1rGlqV79xFA

2. Si*Se - Slip Away https://youtu.be/_PwHJQtRm_A

3. Badi Assad - Waves https://youtu.be/RYf0m-8-Plo

4. Carly Simon - You’re So Vain https://youtu.be/cleCtBP0o5Y

5. Jane Siberry - Bound By The Beauty https://youtu.be/QoXL_JEXGKc

6. Dianne Reeves - I Remember https://youtu.be/ZkoneNquuSM

7. Mary Chapin Carpenter - Stones In The Road https://youtu.be/C6VpuEzgMDY

8. Shannon McNally - Now That I Know https://youtu.be/FW02KtsakoU

9. Toni Braxton - Seven Whole Days https://youtu.be/3MM5Jfjt0DE

10. Laura Nyro & LaBelle - Spanish Harlem https://youtu.be/xb6db0UM0nY

11. Juliana Hatfield - Until Tomorrow https://youtu.be/fF3WjFTaoro

12. Lou Ann Barton - You Can Have My Husband https://youtu.be/qYGE4XYUc-U

13. Macy Gray - Do Something https://youtu.be/wCIBYk870BQ

14. Julie Driscoll (with Brian Auger & the Trinity) - All Blues https://youtu.be/gGjS9nJ2Y80

15. Sarah Vaughan - Obsession https://youtu.be/PXDU0ertETA

16. Tina Turner - What’s Love Got To Do With It https://youtu.be/1avX1lX7gSs

17. Alana Davis - Murder https://youtu.be/8dS-7kOnqj0

18. Bonnie Raitt - Spit of Love https://youtu.be/vGlfN-GZ1gI

19. Randy Crawford - Rio De Janeiro Blue https://youtu.be/xWOlPYIvaKw

20. Angelique Kidjo - Voodoo Child (Slight Return) https://youtu.be/GV1qoJLcrOk

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/6/22.....

The CLIMATE CHANGE mix…severe weather patterns, etc....What a fun mix to play at a party where you are casting all cares to the winds, right?!!

1. Louisiana Flood - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/X_SrBHDAA8c

2. A Hard Rain’s a-gonna Fall - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/T5al0HmR4to

3. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel https://youtu.be/4G-YQA_bsOU

4. Drowning in the Sea of Love - Joe Simon https://youtu.be/08t_uHnm_nc

5. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac https://youtu.be/k4M53xndqiU

6. Swept Away - Steve Hunter https://youtu.be/F4snY-UBIKQ

7. Black Muddy River - Grateful Dead https://youtu.be/beooZL0V9vM

8. Turning of the Tide - Richard Thompson https://youtu.be/oLv8wwTy26s

9. Nature’s Way - Spirit https://youtu.be/qvQa04JP73o

10. The New Pollution - Beck https://youtu.be/uxugaMpt1vU

11. Something in the Air - Thunderclap Newman https://youtu.be/T59hsln7nlc

12. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye https://youtu.be/ocYRCOUtz00

13. Save the Country - Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity https://youtu.be/cJjtVbWAAHI

14. Smoke from a Distant Fire - Sanford-Townsend Band https://youtu.be/QlczHHBqRFI

15. Burning Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash https://youtu.be/1WaV2x8GXj0

16. Eruption - Van Halen https://youtu.be/M4Czx8EWXb0

17. Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter https://youtu.be/bKP18BpvX_o

18. I Melt with You - Modern English https://youtu.be/f95RSHIlTYw

19. Waitin’ for the Wind - Spooky Tooth https://youtu.be/pvYBaYcrMG0

20. Mighty Storm - The Duhks https://youtu.be/Wd313wmCB_U

21. Full Force Gale - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/mTCrVydBAqo

22. Stormy Weather - Etta James https://youtu.be/9jDpI5-NzXI

23. Like a Hurricane - Neil Young https://youtu.be/Z6qzeHSq7bk

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/20/22.....

(Next post: Sunday, March 6, 2022)

“THAT’S LIFE”…That’s what all the people say…and here is a mix that is full of it.

1. Life During Wartime - Talking Heads https://youtu.be/jLwZvg46jms

2. Life is Better with You - Michael Franti & Spearhead https://youtu.be/1XEOVl875d0

3. Life Goes On - The Kinks https://youtu.be/-CBRYqsUn54

4. In My Life - The Beatles https://youtu.be/YBcdt6DsLQA

5. Life, Love and You - Phil Keaggy https://youtu.be/xd9gvnM1T60

6. Life in a Northern Town - Dream Academy https://youtu.be/TrlSMkxn0c8

7. Escalator of Life - Robert Hazard and The Heroes https://youtu.be/o-DVPl69y7I

8. Dream of Life - Patti Smith https://youtu.be/Bl93aKyDGZo

9. Back in the High Life Again - Steve Winwood https://youtu.be/ojcSy6kXciI

10. Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind https://youtu.be/jILAu6pftT8

11. Private Life - The Pretenders https://youtu.be/SOEq5JeWDnQ

12. Isn’t Life Strange? - The Clientele https://youtu.be/mAox1h5Bajs

13. A Day in the Life (live) - Jeff Beck https://youtu.be/6XLl-ZG-i3U

14. Life on Mars - David Bowie https://youtu.be/E7taBfKJjUw

15. Life is a Carnival - The Band https://youtu.be/PT1k4W0mQYM

16. It’s My Life - The Animals https://youtu.be/fx_ccpYv6Bc

17. It’s My Life - Talk Talk https://youtu.be/QTQAoqxEYuA

18. Trying to Live My Life Without You (live) - Alex Chilton https://youtu.be/0jW3kKsdeTo

19. Life’s Greatest Fool - Gene Clark https://youtu.be/P_XOAxrutqw

20. The Glamourous Life - Sheila E. https://youtu.be/1Whgun28BYg

21. Life is a Rubber Rope - Horse Flies https://youtu.be/-oOF0wzk4-Y

22. South Side Life - Minus the Bear https://youtu.be/xfV8HFJn_YQ

23. I Love the Life I Live (I Live the Life I Love) - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/p8WlNhGpU4o  

24. For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/l3qi3E40aWE

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/6/22.....

AS EMILY LITELLA ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE LIKELY WOULD HAVE ASKED, “WHAT’S ALL THIS FUSS I KEEP HEARING ABOUT SEX AND VIOLENCE?!!!!” 

Calm down, Em.  It’s sax and violins.  Musicasaurus.com presents an alternating mix of songs that feature a sax, then a violin, then a sax--and on down the line.

1. Passport - Bahia Do Sol https://youtu.be/gnn4PaqybLE

2. Solas (live) - On a Sea of Fleur De Lis https://youtu.be/WyQ87Oaww9w

3. Charles Lloyd - Days of Wine and Roses https://youtu.be/x-9Yk2Q6Xb0

4. Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà (live) - Einaudi: I Giorni https://youtu.be/kTWCfD0jpJQ

5. Femi Kuti - Wonder Wonder https://youtu.be/OLkYg1TLLTY

6. The Waterboys - Fisherman’s Blues https://youtu.be/UmnPerZBSsY

7. Gato Barbieri - Milonga Triste https://youtu.be/M5D9nZQoue4

8. Stephane Grappelli with Philip Catherine, Larry Coryell & Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Oriental Shuffle https://youtu.be/BLEVbX8cDSM

9. David Sanborn - Señor Blues https://youtu.be/U1smV94q4Pg

10. Lili Haydn (featuring DaKah Hip Hop Orchestra) - Maggot Brain https://youtu.be/oVM9YoOAPoU

11. Bruce Springsteen - Jungleland https://youtu.be/l6IwxpL-ZDk

12. It’s A Beautiful Day - White Bird https://youtu.be/C93KTq26Y7U

13. Kenny Garrett - Song For DiFang https://youtu.be/a0TedavXExE

14. Dexy’s Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen https://youtu.be/GbpnAGajyMc

15. Ronnie Laws - Always There https://youtu.be/TDZeimhYdEI

16. Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention - Directly from my Heart to You https://youtu.be/KB3HdC-Iums

17. Joni Mitchell (live) - Black Crow https://youtu.be/W4a7qZCXTOs

18. Jean-Luc Ponty - New Country https://youtu.be/d_7yblIEq3A

19. Manu Dibango - Wakafrika https://youtu.be/lc7AbWdxKIo

20. Black Violin - Dreamer https://youtu.be/jol1da3hjxg

21. Tom Scott - Cruisin’ Bayou https://youtu.be/qmfPJk2NMhA

22. Tristan des Prés (with Jerry Goodman) - Angelique https://youtu.be/BW8h8UQXNK8

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/23/22.....

SINCE THE CURRENT “A DAY IN THE LIFE” SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE COVERS SOME LEGENDARY PITTSBURGH CIVIC ARENA CONCERTS FROM THE YEAR 1972, “BUILDING A MIXTERY” IS LISTING TWENTY OF MUSICASAURUS’ FAVORITE SONGS FROM THAT YEAR…ENJOY…

1. Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed (from Transformer )https://youtu.be/MxixFZZUBwE

2. I’ll Play the Blues for You, Pts. 1-2 - Albert King (from I’ll Play the Blues for You) https://youtu.be/RznyMS6lYFw

3. You Got to Know How - Bonnie Raitt (from Give It Up) https://youtu.be/TDE-eYE121k

4. My Head is my Only House Unless it Rains - Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band (from Clear Spot) https://youtu.be/I4om-_xkrxg

5. Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile) - Van Morrison (from St. Dominic’s Preview) https://youtu.be/TY0_1VN7h8c

6. Sail Away - Randy Newman (from Sail Away) https://youtu.be/HCRGrnhdNQE

7. Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin (from the album Young, Gifted and Black) https://youtu.be/0NOlKiGuFfg

8. All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople (from All The Young Dudes) https://youtu.be/2jqyWI9Au-M

9. Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango (released as a single in the U.S. in 1972) https://youtu.be/R6YQcbx5jDU

10. Blonde in the Bleachers - Joni Mitchell (from For the Roses) https://youtu.be/I3sHVM0rX40

11. Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues - Danny O’Keefe (fromO’Keefe) https://youtu.be/ROXtgjasUQo

12. Willin’ - Little Feat (from Sailin’ Shoes) https://youtu.be/zcrEWRLk3CE

13. You Can’t Judge a Book - Long John Baldry (from Everything Stops for Tea) https://youtu.be/exANll1Mk7o

14. Big Brother - Stevie Wonder (from Talking Book) https://youtu.be/17JjYrBqrho

15. Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright (from I Love the Way You Love) https://youtu.be/XFQXMc60kc0

16. Road - Nick Drake (from Pink Moon) https://youtu.be/jpk32L8Bb4c

17. It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference - Todd Rundgren (from Something/Anything?) https://youtu.be/YvO4_2QXjFo

18. Pure and Easy - Pete Townshend (from Who Came First) https://youtu.be/J9-IyAqsn9k

19. You’re So Vain - Carly Simon (from No Secrets) https://youtu.be/cleCtBP0o5Y

20. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff (from The Harder They Come (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)) https://youtu.be/HwzJeB9OawA

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/9/22.....

 (MAKE THIS MIX AND GIVE IT TO A FRIEND, PASSING IT OFF AS AN “EARTH, WIND AND FIRE” MIX---WHICH IT IS, BUT IT AIN’T WHAT YOU THINK!)

1. Ends of the Earth - Lord Huron https://youtu.be/-MH-UmYkXiM

2. Hickory Wind - The Byrds https://youtu.be/4D8-5w1gQHA

3. Light my Fire - Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger & The Trinity https://youtu.be/JBij9_ar6uM

4. Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) - Gato Barbieri https://youtu.be/TjYvw3hzDNE

5. Candle in the Wind - Elton John https://youtu.be/MYU3F8uUGiw

6. Set the Fire to the Third Bar - Snow Patrol with Martha Wainwright https://youtu.be/bfa9yxCpWoA

7. Earth Song - Rufus https://youtu.be/xQoqvaqy9fw

8. Midnight Wind - John Stewart https://youtu.be/f-PKdDLhIi0

9. Fire in the Hole - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/sB966py-nfQ

10. Earth Jam - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones https://youtu.be/0RSBxddO2pg

11. Walking in the Wind - Traffic https://youtu.be/KRXkapzf7fQ

12. Love -> Building On Fire - Talking Heads https://youtu.be/KRXkapzf7fQ

13. The Earth Is in the Sky - Tom Verlaine https://youtu.be/_p_9hHpUhKo

14. Into the Wind - Freddie Jones Band https://youtu.be/TYBJsn4OPYk

15. Hands on Fire - The Stills https://youtu.be/kMroNZmQFPc

16. Holding on to the Earth - Sam Phillips https://youtu.be/jKxWQntd_VU

17. Four Winds - Bright Eyes https://youtu.be/ETdDMHx7oGU

18. Get Started, Start a Fire - Graham Parker https://youtu.be/HUb_1rFWZag

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/26/21.....

BUTTON UP…IT’S A COLD ONE (a mix of songs with the word “cold” in the titles).

1. Cold, Cold Heart - Charlie McCoy https://youtu.be/5p_Nh6HP7nU

2. A Cold, Rainy Morning in London in June - Matraca Berg https://youtu.be/UX_hA25qy5s

3. Out of the Cold - Amos Lee https://youtu.be/O3AEDcbFkoY

4. Cold Wind Across My Heart - Night https://youtu.be/fMyJNM4FNa0

5. Don’t Let the Cold - Tanita Tikaram https://youtu.be/Ea0X1rgzFRA

6. A Long, Cold Night in Minneapolis - Dead Man Winter https://youtu.be/j1wtY2j0BpA

7. Ten Degrees and Getting Colder - Nanci Griffith https://youtu.be/pmkzDVSwqYY

8. Cold Nights - The Subdudes https://youtu.be/64-H0al9WY0

9. Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/JH_G5cog134

10. Cold - Post Malone https://youtu.be/oT1QGzb96y4

11. Cold - Annie Lennox https://youtu.be/S5S8kH5OxM4

12. Cold Girl - Phil Keaggy Trio https://youtu.be/eDWhFPGxrJ0

13. Cold Roses - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals https://youtu.be/4v-MPOLlMGw

14. Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble https://youtu.be/cuYDKUz9gjY

15. Cold, Cold, Cold - Little Feat https://youtu.be/H29UNZCYQbg

16. Out in the Cold - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers https://youtu.be/19Z06genVX8

16. She’s So Cold - Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/oBaRvt777Qw

17. Cold Sweat - James Brown https://youtu.be/zOl4icFiI14

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/12/21.....

THE MIX FOR DECEMBER 12, 2021: FROM MORNING TO NIGHT

1. Good Morning, Good Morning - The Beatles https://youtu.be/sjb9AxDkwAQ

2. Morning - Beck https://youtu.be/z_j25z5zwT4

3. From the Morning - Nick Drake https://youtu.be/xPe5ZQx0OpQ

4. When the Morning Comes - Daryl Hall & John Oates https://youtu.be/V1hkCoZcmB4

5. Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens https://youtu.be/jwI1j2DyRJc

6. Cold Morning Light - Todd Rundgren https://youtu.be/AzVoZXopGdQ

7. Morning Rain - Fleetwood Mac https://youtu.be/O1HoLcWkU98

8. Beautiful Morning Light - Fruit Bats https://youtu.be/07F_0HF6eLs                  

9. Chelsea Morning - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/mw6BjAYDmCQ

10. Silver Morning - Kenny Rankin https://youtu.be/7jqqLgZ-Qgk   

11. Holy Night - *NSYNC https://youtu.be/XXCJAWUWS-s

12. (Night Time Is) The Right Time - Ray Charles https://youtu.be/x21B-TqOk7I

13. It's the Nighttime - Josh Rouse https://youtu.be/ghEYoiLbnzI

14. Night Train - James Brown https://youtu.be/l0hcjUkXUmQ

15. Night Train - Rickie Lee Jones https://youtu.be/XIZIAmzC_nk   

16. Such A Night - Dr. John https://youtu.be/fj9lG30WzcA   

17. Stay While the Night Is Young - Savoy Brown https://youtu.be/mC0fOJ7BxK4

18. Night Ride Home - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/qf3Mjlkj8uk     

19. Night by Night - Steely Dan https://youtu.be/0cxFzHO9lfI                      

20. Good Night - The Beatles https://youtu.be/Qp_djIuQ2Cw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/28/21.....

A mix with an allegiance to certain colors: THE OL’ RED, WHITE & BLUE…

1. Red Red Wine - UB40 https://youtu.be/UidFA-dP8GQ

2. White Winter Hymnal - Sonos https://youtu.be/DrQRS40OKNE

3. Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/WJ8GUwNaboo                       

4. Red Streamliner - Little Feat https://youtu.be/mqiaVAQIFSU        

5, White Line Fever - The Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/t0ER5H0VYts  

6. Bluebird - Buffalo Springfield https://youtu.be/yKHY8MXgiz0

7. Deep Red Bells - Neko Case https://youtu.be/QK2LfWAzDIY       

8. White Boots Marching In a Yellow Land - Phil Ochs https://youtu.be/VLLLsbAPNIQ

9. Baby Blue - Badfinger https://youtu.be/STEFxSPO5L0      

10. Redwood Tree - Van Morrison https://youtu.be/32wqK06GtF4   

11. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane https://youtu.be/pnJM_jC7j_4           

12. Blue Telescope - John Hiatt https://youtu.be/slevJq0FM3w        

13. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Elvis Costello https://youtu.be/pS8oaMFsBEk            

14. White Honey - Graham Parker & The Rumour https://youtu.be/3Cerr6jI_1o    

15. Come and Go Blues - Gregg Allman https://youtu.be/2t4EOp22W8c

16. Little Red Corvette - Prince https://youtu.be/D_2a_a2j5jc            

17. Weasel and The White Boys Cool - Rickie Lee Jones https://youtu.be/8XFqDhxr7MI           

18. Big Blue Ball - Peter Gabriel, Karl Wallinger and Manu Katche https://youtu.be/8XFqDhxr7MI      

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/14/21.....

SONGS THAT PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL…A MIX OF CAR SONGS

1. Drive My Car - Bobby McFerrin https://youtu.be/e4Vw4i7Y10w

2. God Made the Automobile - Iron & Wine https://youtu.be/99yUdF-f55s

3. Mercedes Benz - Janis Joplin https://youtu.be/-H7YULkiLIA

4. From a Buick 6 - Johnny Winter https://youtu.be/DZes9-dadVg

5. Stolen Car - Beth Orton https://youtu.be/cR4k4bxnhaE

6. Christian’s Automobile - The Dixie Hummingbirds https://youtu.be/meKv47cMrDE

7. Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett https://youtu.be/OLSgNhce4VY

8. Chevrolet - Robben Ford & The Blue Line https://youtu.be/JS-56WH5qFk

9. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman https://youtu.be/IJ8i49EqgYI

10. Crazy ‘Bout an Automobile (Every Woman I Know) - Ry Cooder https://youtu.be/SS1NBJd670c

11. Pink Cadillac - Bruce Springsteen https://youtu.be/Wk5cIUI6Zac

12. Jaguar and Thunderbird - Chuck Berry https://youtu.be/gGx4cWDQD5U

13. Keep the Car Running - Arcade Fire https://youtu.be/Jvrp2bM4FpE

14. She Loves My Automobile - ZZ Top https://youtu.be/q_J4wZ-ldN4

15. Little Red Corvette - Prince https://youtu.be/OUZyb7YeEYA

16. ’92 Subaru - Fountains of Wayne https://youtu.be/Vj41MVB1DvU

17. Car on a Hill - Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/P6sFSDpp7IU

18. Automobile - John Prine https://youtu.be/hnT5Vr08_So

19. Brand New Cadillac - The Clash https://youtu.be/xsL_8Oyx_So

20. Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen https://youtu.be/868DSi85odQ

21. Drive My Car - The Beatles https://youtu.be/kfSQkZuIx84

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/31/21.....

On this mix, WE GO HIGH…

1. Rocky Mountain High – John Denver https://youtu.be/eOB4VdlkzO4

2. High & Dry – Jamie Cullum https://youtu.be/wnZQfE6oFkM

3. High Temperature – The Nighthawks https://youtu.be/s5fXRdLIbUQ

4. Ridin’ High – Robert Palmer https://youtu.be/S-bKO4Sut6I

5. High Hopes – Frank Sinatra https://youtu.be/A_HvBDorpzE

6. Back in the High Life Again – Steve Winwood https://youtu.be/jq40GsxIDBI

7. Natural High – Joan Osborne https://youtu.be/LjM3tQhTHQo

8. Too High – Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/UvtYEdYjkJM

9. High on a Mountain – Seals & Crofts https://youtu.be/MCcKjyhBCm8

10. High – The Cure https://youtu.be/dbF0yyP7XpQ

11. Because I Got High – Afroman https://youtu.be/WeYsTmIzjkw

12. Eight Miles High – The Byrds https://youtu.be/J74ttSR8lEg

13. 500 Miles High – Chick Corea & Return to Forever https://youtu.be/PPkznRvpHwg

14. The High Road – Broken Bells https://youtu.be/gWBG1j_flrg

15. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell https://youtu.be/ABfQuZqq8wg

16. High – Sir Sly https://youtu.be/Zrck6SV6T4M

17. I Must Be High – Wilco https://youtu.be/ciSOoQTp0bM

18. High Time We Went – Lou Ann Barton https://youtu.be/RdVPayBkHYM

19. I Want to Take You Higher – Sly & The Family Stone https://youtu.be/6fjZaSRoWG0

20. (You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson https://youtu.be/Gn6SNbTD0_Q

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/17/21.....

Songs with “rock” in the title followed by those with the word “roll” in ‘em.  “It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time” since I rocked and then rolled.

1. Elijah Rock – Ollabelle https://youtu.be/strEND2xQ3c

2. Belly Roll – Count Basie https://youtu.be/R4Ux9vRmFVE

3. Rock Me on the Water – Jackson Browne https://youtu.be/J2wnzm8LoJY

4. Roll Um Easy – Little Feat https://youtu.be/v-x-YQN3yBY

5. Rock This Town – Stray Cats https://youtu.be/4xmLyPZVaXQ

6. Roll to Me – Del Amitri https://youtu.be/BSEnw-WZ_jA

7. Rock On – David Essex https://youtu.be/vV_Wqomv8QU

8. Let Me Roll It (live) – Paul McCartney & Wings https://youtu.be/QMcOsziFRds

9. Cool Rock Boy – Juliana Hatfield https://youtu.be/9Tr9hWHodYg

10. Roll Away Your Stone – Mumford & Sons https://youtu.be/TFUoyz5l4aM

11. Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and his Comets https://youtu.be/hzYBEJgKjv0

12. Let the Good Times Roll (live) – B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland https://youtu.be/79GTeeJjjKU

13. Rock Steady – Aretha Franklin https://youtu.be/0NOlKiGuFfg

14. Good Times Roll – The Cars https://youtu.be/Ki6xHnDAwHw

15. Seven Nights to Rock – Moon Mullican https://youtu.be/blJ9mWwISXc

16. Roll Your Own – Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen https://youtu.be/FHhpa_XqOcE

17. Rock the Casbah – The Clash https://youtu.be/0pCFVX6lzHU

18. Roll Over Beethoven – The Beatles https://youtu.be/Hz5jXwOXgKQ

19. Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley https://youtu.be/A99sV18J0mk

20. Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) – Jimi Hendrix Experience https://youtu.be/0npz_OYWZXI

21. I Was Born to Rock – Joe Grushecky https://youtu.be/GNbJlqlWVCI

22. Roll Away the Stone – Leon Russell https://youtu.be/-k8HCUexXUs

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/3/21.....

A mix of songs—some vastly underappreciated album tracks; others really hammered home on radio—from the year 1984…

1. Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung https://youtu.be/Jm6S9niyKbA

2. Sunset Grill – Don Henley https://youtu.be/JRIKNINTFls

3. 7 Chinese Brothers – R.E.M. https://youtu.be/XXXQA31GBO8

4. Bobby Jean – Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band https://youtu.be/iGR_Rk74tOk

5. I Got Loaded – Los Lobos https://youtu.be/hHrRhZAPI9k

6. You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) – Joe Jackson https://youtu.be/qjUwoALt2qI

7. Show Me – The Pretenders https://youtu.be/-ZeRy-r7Hzc

8. On My Mind Tonight – Difford & Tilbrook https://youtu.be/oQyvqu7QQYo

9. Each and Every One – Everything But The Girl https://youtu.be/gJ4mSmfF0nM

10. Purple Rain – Prince https://youtu.be/S6Y1gohk5-A

11. Foolish Heart – Steve Perry https://youtu.be/JT0-iTFLqYw

12. What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner https://youtu.be/1avX1lX7gSs

13. It’s My Life – Talk Talk https://youtu.be/yWQezjGjiqs

14. Bad – U2 https://youtu.be/LCdltGg4EzM

15. Why Can’t We Live Together – Sade https://youtu.be/iQI2-BJPA3I

16. Heartbeat City – The Cars https://youtu.be/vfAgfSBmi9k

17. Sister of Mercy – Thompson Twins https://youtu.be/FvzDsotfaFA

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/19/21.....

INTO EACH LISTENER’S LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL…The Rain Mix, compiled 9-13-21.

1. If the Rain Comes - Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr with Lars Danielsson and Wolfgang Haffner https://youtu.be/vEfN88RCdx8

2. Here's That Rainy Day - Kenny Rankin https://youtu.be/bId_H6eQSlo            

3. Comin' Down In The Rain - Nanci Griffith https://youtu.be/kNBVGrOwlCU     

4. Here Comes the Rain Again - Miles to Dayton https://youtu.be/ru4BOquTrqU                       

5. My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains - Captain Beefhart and the Magic Band https://youtu.be/jM7A2B8BJhA              

6. Early Morning Rain - Eva Cassidy https://youtu.be/s840rbHSwOQ                  

7. Singin' In The Rain - Jamie Cullum https://youtu.be/aCS3P1Ayqio      

8. It's Raining - Lou Ann Barton https://youtu.be/2MFwYaC01sc               

9. Four Days Of Rain - The Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/aLIBwCXbrvA        

10. Buckets Of Rain - Bob Dylanhttps://youtu.be/jGsOmKZXDvo   

11. Mandolin Rain - Bruce Hornsby https://youtu.be/PUWZB5Uoi90                       

12. Sit & Listen To The Rain - Whiskeytown https://youtu.be/L0HUuGZakgM      

13. Surrender The Rain - Lindsey Buckinghamhttps://youtu.be/KZjbWSq9_UY   

14. Ringing Doorbells In The Rain - Valerie Carter https://youtu.be/1CdW4J3U-WM     

15. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival https://youtu.be/obv6wkMBXt0         

16. Save It For A Rainy Day - The Jayhawks https://youtu.be/QpUw0nCm_oQ    

17. Rain Street - The Pogues https://youtu.be/rlwVcIla1VE               

18. Rain - The Beatles https://youtu.be/cK5G8fPmWeA                     

19. Heavy Cloud No Rain - Sting https://youtu.be/WLDlIw2J9EQ                

20. Red Rain - Peter Gabriel https://youtu.be/WVnsXwBtD78                       

21. Rain King - Counting Crows https://youtu.be/FEL48-0xRAA

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/5/21.....

LISTEN TO THESE SONGS OF SUMMER…

AND KEEP ON CELEBRATIN’ THIS SEASON THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, BECAUSE WE’RE SET UP FOR A FALL COME SEPTEMBER 22!

1. Summertime - Aaron Neville  https://youtu.be/OwRs0MvF-D8

2. Indian Summer - Chris Botti https://youtu.be/y8nTYNcrh4I

3. Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels  https://youtu.be/u3lalyrPzS0

4. Hot Summer Nights - Walter Egan https://youtu.be/7oZyT9z9Fmc

5. Hot Fun In The Summer Time - Sly & The Family Stone  https://youtu.be/ATHEDskhI84

6. Summer Wine - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood https://youtu.be/791z7Nb985Y

7. The Sound of Summer Running - Alison Brown https://youtu.be/uRazPLpvA34

8. Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer - Nat "King" Cole  https://youtu.be/MRmEZMAfD3Y   

9. Summertime (Live) - Miles Davis & Quincy Jones  https://youtu.be/mzWJFKye-Ns

10. Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts https://youtu.be/ywL6tMQdG4c

11. Summer In The City - Lovin' Spoonful https://youtu.be/U7ofnHmxE-I

12. So Nice (Summer Samba) - Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley Trio  https://youtu.be/K-QHu0qIyzw

13. In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry https://youtu.be/vW79f3efFnU

14. Long Hot Summer Nights - Wendy Waldman https://youtu.be/fqRzWItKJi0

15. Summer Wind - Lyle Lovett  https://youtu.be/5QoXToQjbNs

16. Summer Nights - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (from Grease) https://youtu.be/A_J2bcNx3Gw

17. Cruel Summer - Bananarama  https://youtu.be/bO5mu4xLJbk                          

18. Heart of the Summertime - Charlie Mars https://youtu.be/efhcOG00LQQ

19. Summertime - Sam Cooke  https://youtu.be/dXrf83Qyc3w

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/22/21.....

In the A DAY IN THE LIFE section of this website, Musicasaurus.com digs into the beginnings of MTV and its eventual, very significant impact on our culture…Here in BUILDING A MIXTERY, we provide you links to sample some of the most compelling songs from the early days of MTV (1981-1986)…Enjoy!

1. Pittsburgh rock band The Silencers (1981…in fact, on August 1, 1981—the first day that MTV started broadcasting) - “Peter Gunn Theme / Remote Control / Illegal”  https://youtu.be/5jwT4SllZzg

2. David Bowie (1981) - “Ashes To Ashes”  https://youtu.be/HyMm4rJemtI   

3. The Clash (1982) - “Rock The Casbah”  https://youtu.be/bJ9r8LMU9bQ    

4. Duran Duran (1982) - “Hungry Like The Wolf”  https://youtu.be/oJL-lCzEXgI

5. Billy Idol (1982) - “White Wedding”  https://youtu.be/AAZQaYKZMTI

6. Eurythmics (1983) - “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”  https://youtu.be/qeMFqkcPYcg    

7. Michael Jackson (1983) - “Beat It”  https://youtu.be/oRdxUFDoQe0     

8. Talking Heads (1983) - “Burning Down The House”  https://youtu.be/_3eC35LoF4U  

9. Cyndi Lauper (1983) - “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”  https://youtu.be/PIb6AZdTr-A    

10. The Police (1983) - “Every Breath You Take”  https://youtu.be/OMOGaugKpzs

11. Van Halen (1983) - “Jump”  https://youtu.be/nJfYX6yItXA

12. ZZ Top (1983) - “Sharp Dressed Man”  https://youtu.be/7wRHBLwpASw

13. Prince (1983) - “Little Red Corvette”  https://youtu.be/v0KpfrJE4zw

14. Bruce Springsteen (1984) - “Dancing in the Dark”  https://youtu.be/129kuDCQtHs

15. Tina Turner (1984) - “What’s Love Got To Do With It”  https://youtu.be/oGpFcHTxjZs

16. The Cars (1984) - “You Might Think”  https://youtu.be/3dOx510kyOs

17. Herbie Hancock (1984) - “Rockit” https://youtu.be/GHhD4PD75zY

18. Madonna (1984) - “Borderline” https://youtu.be/rSaC-YbSDpo

19. Tom Petty (1985) - “Don’t Come Around Here No More”  https://youtu.be/h0JvF9vpqx8     

20. Dire Straits (1985) - “Money For Nothing”  https://youtu.be/wTP2RUD_cL0    

21. Whitney Houston (1985) - “How Will I Know”  https://youtu.be/m3-hY-hlhBg

22. A-Ha (1985) - “Take On Me”  https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914

23. Peter Gabriel (1986) - “Sledgehammer”  https://youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q     

24. Robert Palmer (1986) - “Addicted To Love”  https://youtu.be/XcATvu5f9vE    

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/8/21.....

A mix of 1970s Southern California musicians and singer-songwriters…originally recorded 7-29-09.

1. Late for the Sky – Jackson Browne https://youtu.be/n3SJz9jujEA

2. Ooh Child – Valerie Carter https://youtu.be/4H32jFWceWI

3. Tequila Sunrise – Eagles https://youtu.be/1K0N7UaZpz8

4. Tell Me – Terence Boylan https://youtu.be/RkhkjjERQE4

5. Long Time Gone – Crosby, Stills & Nash https://youtu.be/nS3l_TwPNRY

6. Tenderness on the Block – Warren Zevon https://youtu.be/KPyotCPHZu0

7. Mexico – The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band https://youtu.be/RBNKKori7Oc

8. You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt https://youtu.be/e0vJNp5asqc

9. Bye Bye Love – David Lindley https://youtu.be/6uqZLXcLX4I

10. 5D (Fifth Dimension) – The Byrds https://youtu.be/dKAc9MRq28w

11. The End of the Innocence – Don Henley https://youtu.be/ICfWt1bMBgU

12. Help Me – Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/edUhlRxyGOY

13. Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold https://youtu.be/OsSNdNuRbRA

14. Lotta Love – Nicolette Larson https://youtu.be/lHLr5dT4XHc

15. For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield https://youtu.be/80_39eAx3z8

16. Return of the Grievous Angel – Gram Parsons with Emmylou Harris https://youtu.be/h_Iz0iVvhEc

17. You’re Only Lonely – J.D. Souther https://youtu.be/quglprlSQ8k

18. Someone to Lay Down Beside Me – Karla Bonoff https://youtu.be/LzafPUvfwQ0

19. Only Love Can Break Your Heart – Neil Young https://youtu.be/364qY0Oz-xs

20. Nothing Seems to Matter – Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/nlzFMVdBE0c

21. Hot Summer Nights – Walter Egan https://youtu.be/7oZyT9z9Fmc

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/25/21.....

A mix of some of Musicasaurus.com’s favorite female artists, and a choice cut from each…This mix was originally recorded in August of 2002.

1. My Songbird (live) – Emmylou Harris & Spyboy https://youtu.be/yQ5q7ODwhHo

2. Hands – Jewel https://youtu.be/_jRMg3mTgDk

3. Am I Worthy – Sue Foley https://youtu.be/EbojzktxivE

4. Working Late – Kris Wiley https://youtu.be/W_JP0ah9Z7c

5. Nick of Time – Bonnie Raitt https://youtu.be/odJEsYjcHbg

6. Slip Away – Si*Se https://youtu.be/_PwHJQtRm_A

7. Waves – Badi Assad https://youtu.be/RYf0m-8-Plo

8. You’re So Vain – Carly Simon https://youtu.be/cleCtBP0o5Y

9. Bound by the Beauty – Jane Siberry https://youtu.be/QoXL_JEXGKc

10. I Remember – Dianne Reeves https://youtu.be/ZkoneNquuSM

11. Stones in the Road – Mary Chapin Carpenter https://youtu.be/C6VpuEzgMDY

12. Now That I Know – Shannon McNally https://youtu.be/FW02KtsakoU

13. When You Became King – Alana Davis https://youtu.be/fMfmZ3bLmfk

14. Seven Whole Days – Toni Braxton https://youtu.be/dKGioHEfirU

15. Spanish Harlem – Laura Nyro & LaBelle https://youtu.be/xb6db0UM0nY

16. Until Tomorrow – Juliana Hatfield https://youtu.be/fF3WjFTaoro

17. Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor https://youtu.be/UZKDs4AEhU4

18. Yellow House – Susan Werner https://youtu.be/S7SiVCLoHig

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/11/21.....

TEN TUNES FOR YOUR EXPLORATION…Dreamy, spacey, luscious, lush, folky, funky—lil bit of everything…

1.) Lose You – Pete Yorn.....Not too long out of Syracuse University, Yorn headed to L.A. in 2000 where he began to write music for film & television.  One of his compositions from the Farrelly Brothers film soundtrack Me, Myself & Irene filtered into some modern rock radio playlists, which led to his signing with Columbia Records.  The downbeat yet very appealing “Lose You” is from Yorn’s 2011 debut Musicforthemorningafter, an album showcasing his blend of alternative-skewed pop songwriting, nicely brought to form through a combination of guitar-bass-drums and occasional piano & strings.  https://youtu.be/OdLPePKLx4E

2.) Beauxsong – The Mandrake Project.....This is a tune you might imagine hipsters of all ages playing some Sunday morning over their lattes and New York Times…Like a lot of the material produced by this band, “Beauxsong” is an instrumental exploration, a soothing swarm of lush textures and varied instruments (in this particular case, violin and electric piano) that take off on short solos that puzzle-fit perfectly rather than detract from the enveloping, hypnotic wash.  The Mandrake Project is a musical collective first formed by ringleader Kirk Salopek in Pittsburgh in 2002.  They pull inspiration and ideas from prog-rock, jam, jazz, and electronic & ambient works as well.  A year-and-a-half or so after the release of their 2007 album A Miraculous Container they got on the radar of John Diliberto, host of the nationally syndicated radio show Echoes, and snagged a live performance slot of this song on Echoe’s Livingroom Concert Series.  Here is the studio version of “Beauxsong” … https://youtu.be/16wjSKu8b-0  

3.) Poison & Wine – The Civil Wars.....Folk-rock-and-pop duo John Paul White and Joy Williams comprise The Civil Wars, who first pricked up ears and picked up fans via a digital album entitled Live at Eddie’s Attic in 2009.  Two years afterward, their first full-length studio album Barton Hollow was released.  If you like amazing harmonies woven into the purest of tapestries—and you like your relationships on the rocks—you’ll love this particular track from that album. Some critics dubbed this duo America’s own Swell Season because of the music’s beautiful restraint and hushed, mesmerizing vocal blends, but things didn’t go so swell for them as the end of 2012 rolled around.  Those damn “irreconcilable differences” led to an official split of White and Williams in 2014.  https://youtu.be/uz6-SKGCrnQ

4.) Work To Make It Work – Robert Palmer.....Crank this one up.  The opening to this tune is like some kind of funky chain gang chant, with vocalist Palmer layering his own harmonies over top of his lead.  The song kicks in with Palmer’s always passionate blue-eyed-soul testifyin’, and crisp horns nip at the chorus.  “Work To Make It Work” is a song from British-born Palmer’s second album called Pressure Drop (1975),and the album is quite a feat overall; Lowell George and the rest of Little Feat provide solid backing the whole album through.  https://youtu.be/L1Uqq0QE7mA

5.) The Man In Love – Nick Lowe.....Lowe is a singer-songwriter and producer who’s travelled the musical miles as solo driver, carpool coordinator, and shotgun-seat producer.  He’s been in formative bands such as the rockabilly-leanin’ Rockpile (with Dave Edmunds) and in gloriously-regarded one-offs like the sole album from the cult superstar concoction Little Village (with Ry Cooder and John Hiatt).  Lowe also helmed as producer some pivotal releases across genres including Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True and Armed Forces, Graham Parker & The Rumour’s Howlin’ Wind, UK punk band The Damned’s Damned Damned Damned (my circuitry didn’t stick there, don’t worry), step father-in-law Johnny Cash’s Rockabilly Blue, and John Hiatt’s Riding With the King.  The song included here, “The Man In Love,” is from Lowe’s 2007 solo album At My Age.  https://youtu.be/DdjPfGGxMSQ

6.) Miles Away – Fleetwood Mac.....This track is from the Bob Welch-era Fleetwood Mac (1971 through 1974) when this American guitarist contributed mightily to the band’s repertoire prior to the general public feeding frenzy that began with the Big Mac (the Buckingham & Nicks era, beginning in 1975).  At its best, the Welch incarnation of the band adds driving rock and wily, weaving lead-guitar lines over the band’s longstanding solid rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.  “Miles Away” is from the 1973 album Mystery To Me, and it is a perfect “deep cut” (like that album’s other highlight, “Hypnotized”) that is a sheer pleasure to hear on any self-respecting terrestrial or extraterrestrial radio station. https://youtu.be/Hjlu3K-VnGM

7.) World Of Two – Cake.....The recipe for Cake: Take alternative rock and sprinkle it liberally with bits of other genres; add in lyrics that are laden with sarcasm, non sequiturs and pop-culture nuggets; and then top it off with the sometimes spoken, sometimes sung vocalizations of frontman John McCrea.  The band formed in 1992 in Sacramento and by 1995-1996 were topping college and commercial alternative station charts with songs from two of their most recent albums, Motorcade of Generosity and Fashion Nugget.  The song “World of Two” from 2001’s Comfort Eagle release is a clever and catchy alt-ballad with a slight circus feel; something akin to sleigh bells show up amidst the usual guitar-bass-keyboards combination, and there’s a chorus that repeats “You...There’s only room for you...in your world of two…”  https://youtu.be/ErcKR1zKiGM

8.) Chalkhills and Children – XTC.....This British band formed in the mid-late 1970s and early on had that herky-jerky edge of new wave.  That wave gave way to more ambitious explorations into pure pop, rendered on record through superior arrangements and production.  Chief songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding channel bands like The Beatles (circa their most adventurous periods), The Kinks and The Beach Boys to produce sonic concoctions that are almost CDC-level infectious.  The track “Chalkhills and Children” comes from the double album Oranges and Lemons released in 1989, and it is crystalline and layered with harmonies—intelligent, quirky, lush and luscious.  https://youtu.be/OYU4CE2WQmA

9.) Bring Me My Queen – Abigail Washburn.....What a gem.  Singer-songwriter and banjo player Washburn has produced in this one lone tune a beautiful alt-folk classic, crafted with intelligence and performed with quiet assurance.  This is a small triumph of composition, arrangement, execution, and production. Washburn’s vocals are occasionally gravelly and hushed, but always “spot on” to serve the song.  Through her instrument and in her song arrangements, she is bold in her steps to artfully incorporate a wide range of influences—folk, rock, jazz, bluegrass and blues, and also mixing into this melting pot some touches from the British Isles, the Far East, and beyond.  “Bring Me My Queen” hails from Washburn’s 2011 release City of Refuge.  https://youtu.be/F44LtKJ_O5c

10.) The Kingdom – Icehouse.....Australia’s Icehouse never really “broke big” in the United States.  They were most prominent and active in the 1980s, yet listening to this particular track today doesn’t necessarily evoke ‘80s excesses; it still sounds fairly fresh and not locked into that decade.  “The Kingdom” is a nice little slice from Icehouse’s 1987 release Man of Colours, and features the warm Paul Carrack-like voice of lead singer Iva Davies; the electric guitar accents are quite appealing as well.  Caveat: I’m only recommending this particular track, mind you; the rest of the band’s output may not settle in with you nearly as well.  https://youtu.be/P_n5CoTQQ0U

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/27/21.....

The “Hey! Give ME Some of the Covers!” Mix…originally recorded on August 17, 2002.

1. Flying Burrito Brothers do Dylan (To Ramona) https://youtu.be/n7zijSFW0Ok

2. Hendrix does Dylan (All Along the Watchtower) https://youtu.be/TLV4_xaYynY

3. The Cure does Hendrix (Purple Haze) https://youtu.be/KS89YojeFoM

4. Sinead O’Connor does Prince (Nothing Compares to U) https://youtu.be/UZKDs4AEhU4

5. Gregg Allman does The Allman Brothers (Whippin’ Post) https://youtu.be/Mqp05ay370o

6. Lick the Tins does Elvis Presley (Can’t Help Falling in Love) https://youtu.be/Of-8o4WPt24

7. Julie Driscoll/Brian Auger & the Trinity do The Doors (Light My Fire) https://youtu.be/JBij9_ar6uM

8. Gene Parsons does Little Feat (Willin’) https://youtu.be/t2mbXSku7Gw

9. Emmylou Harris does Chuck Berry (You Never Can Tell) C’est La Vie https://youtu.be/-7S6XVoIVDI

10. Taj Mahal does Bob Marley (Slave Driver) https://youtu.be/AQM31tyUCsc

11. Grateful Dead does Merle Haggard (Mama Tried) https://youtu.be/PWKwTkL-gvY

12. Buddy Guy does Marvin Gaye (Trouble Man) https://youtu.be/a1-HqFoAfUI

13. Dianne Reeves does Joni Mitchell (River) https://youtu.be/37VLxFM66ic

14. Dwight Yoakam does The Rolling Stones (The Last Time) https://youtu.be/8cdWL5n4zWc

15. Alana Davis does Third Eye Blind (I Want You) https://youtu.be/BvMc9IstWpM

16. Aaron Neville does Randy Newman (Louisiana 1927) https://youtu.be/zEqiKpQte4c

17. Gato Barbieri does Santana (Europa/Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) https://youtu.be/2ZY9oSRKCA8

18. Angelique Kidjo does Hendrix (Voodoo Chile/Slight Return) https://youtu.be/36bGFi1U_vw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/13/21.....

The Stoner Mix…or, just a mix of songs with the word “stone” in the title...originally recorded on September 17, 2010.

1. A Stone’s Throw Away – Valerie Carter https://youtu.be/JdP1vjQRduY

2. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Ray Charles https://youtu.be/qqW-UkejKAs

3. Stone – Cibo Matto https://youtu.be/BLYVSkrJCv8

4. Heart of Stone – Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/VTiYp85yK0o

5. Stone Love – Ruthie Foster https://youtu.be/IPYW9znbr3Y

6. Like A Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/XOtw_GVEcOU

7. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro https://youtu.be/2Nfc_J7qlhQ

8. Stoned Out of My Mind – The Chi-Lites https://youtu.be/4WVZPMgrD3c

9. Stone – Stereophonics https://youtu.be/ckLF8RiABMc

10. Papa Was A Rolling Stone – David Lindley & El Rayo-X https://youtu.be/Dnbav8hd3jQ

11. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Sublime https://youtu.be/cRKve-cdjxE

12. Stoned – Blackie and The Rodeo Kings https://youtu.be/as4I-A-H7vQ

13. Throwing Stones – Grateful Dead https://youtu.be/rbiqeqYk_V4

14. Stoned Love – The Supremes https://youtu.be/KXGabuGle1A

15. Stoned – Duke Robillard https://youtu.be/sbis51wsDuo

16. Heart of Stone – Joan Osborne https://youtu.be/IcJ69tPZw8U

17. And It Stoned Me – Van Morrison https://youtu.be/AYqJtqyeilE

18. Roll Away Your Stone – Mumford & Sons https://youtu.be/TFUoyz5l4aM

19. Stoned At The Jukebox – Hank Williams Jr. https://youtu.be/Hrri09Vo44o

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/30/21.....

A COLOR FULL MIX…originally recorded on October 19, 2005.

1. White Line Fever – The Flying Burrito Brothers https://youtu.be/t0ER5H0VYts

2. Pink Bullets – The Shins https://youtu.be/3XBabozrPGA

3. Raspberry Beret – Prince https://youtu.be/l7vRSu_wsNc

4. Sweet Burgundy –Tommy Bolin https://youtu.be/qako94KrCV0

5. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes – Elvis Costello https://youtu.be/pS8oaMFsBEk

6. Orange Crush – R.E.M. https://youtu.be/j12kusJqDQs

7. Yellow – Coldplay https://youtu.be/9qnqYL0eNNI

8. Heart of Gold – Neil Young https://youtu.be/X3IA6pIVank

9. Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders https://youtu.be/KiGyk4B7-jA

10. Green Earrings – Steely Dan https://youtu.be/iHSnt9BTJbM

11. The Blue Train – Emmylou Harris/Linda Ronstadt/Dolly Parton https://youtu.be/987iPhplnO0

12. Touch of Grey – Grateful Dead https://youtu.be/aEKmbDbFMI8

13. Mood Indigo – Jimmy Smith https://youtu.be/BwX9XVLZBqg

14.Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix https://youtu.be/WGoDaYjdfSg

15. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/Jusuz5IHxKs

16. Baby’s in Black – The Beatles https://youtu.be/TJFpUb7JGYo

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/16/21.....

I AM ONE WILD & CRAZY MIX…originally recorded 12-21-09.

1. Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones https://youtu.be/OPfG2aU1MpI

2. Crazy – Pat Green https://youtu.be/XJvnuDuc3QQ

3. We Can Get Wild – Mark Knopfler https://youtu.be/TyhelMyQXwU

4. Somewhere Down the Crazy River – Robbie Robertson https://youtu.be/4KP9PNSUME4

5. Wild Mountain Honey – Steve Miller Band https://youtu.be/Qc47OScSW3M

6. The Crazy Cries of Love – Joni Mitchell https://youtu.be/8b_7OqRx1b8

7. Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed https://youtu.be/MxixFZZUBwE

8. Still Crazy After All These Years – Paul Simon https://youtu.be/JrzmW-zmPl0

9. Wildflowers – Tom Petty https://youtu.be/AldoDm2bV04

10. Crazy Love – Poco https://youtu.be/7Ki7f4g9X9g

11. Wild World – Cat Stevens https://youtu.be/rBA1jocMvnc

12. Crazy About You – Whiskeytown https://youtu.be/anZCedQS2Tg

13. Wild – Stroke 9 https://youtu.be/qDZTcXVZwMA

14. Crazy – Alana Davis https://youtu.be/nVfJUDSuvkE

15. Something Wild – John Hiatt https://youtu.be/r6JvzYmeFbY

16. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley https://youtu.be/4awyKrjzCg0

17. Wild Wild Life – Talking Heads https://youtu.be/kKdOEwy_tLY

18. Crazy – Seal https://youtu.be/JK7MBGjgGTg

19. Wild Night – Van Morrison https://youtu.be/bXoBnmJtqhY

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 5/2/21.....

Head out on the highway, lookin’ for adventure—or, couch potato yourself with earbuds in…Either way, you’ll enjoy the ride.  It’s THE HIGHWAY MIX…

1. Highways and Cigarettes - Son Volt  https://youtu.be/JocvNFihE44

2. Kings Highway - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers https://youtu.be/-h3gXKArWyw        

3. Highway Warriors - Shona Laing https://youtu.be/xX1ejXxoYCI  

4.Going Down This Highway - William Clarke  https://youtu.be/w3FYiHyW5zg     

5. Key to the Highway - Eric Clapton with B.B. King https://youtu.be/zDCXXSasyoo

6. Take the Highway - Marshall Tucker Band https://youtu.be/dJoON2SEk5w                             

7. Highway - Eliza Gilkyson https://youtu.be/UqM7AgLMeT8

8. Strolling Down The Highway - Bert Jansch https://youtu.be/kfCawPPlgYA       

9. Highway In the Wind - Arlo Guthrie https://youtu.be/QovY2HTWijs          

10. The Newry Highwayman - Solas https://youtu.be/AFldXbABFBw          

11. Human Highway - Neil Young https://youtu.be/FY4an-1GqwU   

12. Highway 28 - Paul Butterfield’s Better Days https://youtu.be/3X0bOCFS7ao  

13. Highway Patrol - Junior Brown https://youtu.be/PR9ViPdGEaU

14. Ghost Towns Along the Highway - John Mellencamp https://youtu.be/f-i_QMUkKc8           

15. Freedom Highway - Brian Auger & Julie Tippetts https://youtu.be/96MsubjygXo       

16. Ventura Highway - America https://youtu.be/tnV7dTXlXxs          

17. Highway Song - James Taylor https://youtu.be/Mv4pYbRK9tg

18. Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/i9IX_o4Xa4M         

19.Hillbilly Highway - Steve Earle https://youtu.be/0BxFfAxJYvw      

20. Highway Patrolman (live) - Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band https://youtu.be/2jRRixWzhiM

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/18/21.....

A very worldly mix…Songs with the word “WORLD” in the title! (originally compiled 3-19-10)​.

1. Vicious World - Rufus Wainwright  https://youtu.be/5eDe2okxnUg

2. World Turning - Fleetwood Mac  https://youtu.be/eKw2h_ZFFfY  

3. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies  https://youtu.be/7RWgjy9CAeQ            

4. This is the World Calling - Bob Geldof  https://youtu.be/6uaEmjt-2rI                              

5. (What A) Wonderful World - Sam Cooke  https://youtu.be/VzlLi5jX_C4

6. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer  https://youtu.be/pquX7Ya4-wE

7. Singing Joy to the World - Fruit Bats  https://youtu.be/-lnrkscsJPg        

8. Troubles of the World – Ollabelle  https://youtu.be/ZCSyzMg_NoM

9. Wander This World - Jonny Lang  https://youtu.be/rH5bDW3bnQg        

10. Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Patti Smith  https://youtu.be/CZYFt0Zwmnk

11. Harvest For The World - The Isley Brothers  https://youtu.be/dUxiKQXxGR8  

12. Back Into Your World - Son Volt  https://youtu.be/salUViy2uoA

13. Sweet Old World - Lucinda Williams  https://youtu.be/BwGMJYszLMY

14. Sitting On Top of the World - The Pogues  https://youtu.be/0V5F8xpjI4w       

15. It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World - James Brown  https://youtu.be/hK97cdbbsQw

16. So Much Trouble in the World - Bob Marley  https://youtu.be/Az11r3EKmbg

17. Out Of This World - Boo Hewerdine & Darden Smith (this track starts at the 19:27 mark of this full album video)  https://youtu.be/VWalbDxGAEk

18. No World Like the World - Kelley Stoltz  https://youtu.be/4CIocnNpTL4

19. It's A Big Ol' Goofy World - John Prine  https://youtu.be/pAfFnB7Yxn8                         

20. The World We Live In - The Killers  https://youtu.be/8EqBVO0eYOI

21. You’re The World To Me - David Gray  https://youtu.be/rA7_o2r-1LU

22. What a Wonderful World - Kenny Werner & Toots Thielemans  https://youtu.be/sHdITynB1iU

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 4/4/21.....

Ten songs that are intriguing covers—the Cure does Jimi Hendrix, Sinead O’ Connor does Prince, Lick The Tins does Elvis Presley, and on down the line…

1. Purple Haze – The Cure does Jimi Hendrix.....This haunting rearrangement is from a 1993 multi-artist tribute album entitled Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.  The original song was on Jimi’s 1967 release Are You Experienced, and Jimi maintained that his composition wasn’t drug-related, but rather a love song inspired by a dream of his that he was walking under the sea.  The track also generated one of the most frequently misheard lines in rock history—“Excuse me while I kiss the sky” is often instead audibly ingested as “Excuse me while I kiss this guy.”  https://youtu.be/KS89YojeFoM

2. Nothing Compares To U – Sinead O’ Connor does Prince.....This Prince cover from Sinead’s 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got was an MTV hit and a worldwide success.  The first version of Prince’s composition appeared not on his own album, but on one by Prince protégé The Family (with Prince appearing all over the track, of course).  When Sinead’s version hit the heights, Prince began performing the song live on his tours and the song finally surfaced officially by Prince on a 1993 compilation of his entitled The Hits / The B-Sides.  https://youtu.be/UZKDs4AEhU4

3. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Lick The Tins does Elvis Presley.....This Celtic folk-rock band turned this Elvis Presley song upside down on their album Blind Man on a Flying Horse (1986), armed with plenty o’ tin whistles, a suitably accented female lead vocal and a sprightly jig at the end.  The London-based quartet wasn’t well known at all prior to this song piercing the UK song charts in 1986 and they then settled back into the bog of musical unknowns shortly thereafter.  The band’s version did perk up a few ears again, however, when American film director John Hughes chose it for the soundtrack album of his 1987 teen drama Some Kind of Wonderful.  The original version of the song was crooned by Elvis Presley and released on his Blue Hawaii album in 1961, and it went to #3 nationally in the U.S. and #1 in the UK in January of that year.  https://youtu.be/y-__OdJ5b6A

4. Light My Fire – Julie Driscoll / Brian Auger & The Trinity do The Doors.....In the mid-late 1960s before he launched his Oblivion Express, British keyboardist Brian Auger was teamed up with a dynamic front-woman who had a set of pipes like no other.  On a number of songs with Auger and his Trinity, singer Julie Driscoll alternately rumbled, growled, and soared often within the space of a few seconds—amazing stuff.  Driscoll toured and recorded with Auger and his Trinity for the three-year period 1967-1969 and then departed for more eclectic musical pursuits.  The track listed here is from the group’s 1969 double album Streetnoise.  The original song of course is by The Doors, and it hails from the group’s eponymous debut album released in 1967.  https://youtu.be/I7cNeaVByOw

5. Slave Driver – Taj Mahal does Bob Marley.....Born in Harlem and raised in Springfield, MA, Taj Mahal (real name: Henry St. Clair Fredericks) is a blues and world music purveyor who covered this Bob Marley tune on his reggae-based album entitled Mo’ Roots.  This 1974 album from Taj was my first real exposure to reggae music; somehow a few of my nineteen-year-old peers and I missed the initial wave of Jamaican music coming our way beginning with 1970’s Soul Rebels, Marley and the Wailer’s second album but their first to be released outside of their native country.  Marley, the widely recognized ambassador of Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement, wrote and recorded “Slave Driver” for the Wailers’ fifth album Catch A Fire which hit record stores in the U.S. in 1973.  https://youtu.be/AQM31tyUCsc

6. River – Dianne Reeves does Joni Mitchell.....This song appeared on Reeves’ Bridges album from 1999.  Born in Detroit into a musical family (her cousin is keyboardist George Duke), Reeves is a jazz vocalist who has worked mainly in that realm with musicians like Clark Terry (an early mentor), Kenny Barron and Toots Thielemans.  The singer signed with the primarily jazz artists’ label Blue Note in 1987 and spent a little over two decades there.  Her cover of “River” on her Bridges album is beautifully executed by her intuitive band of musicians but it is Reeves’ reverent slow pacing and tone control that are the real ear caresses here.  It helps of course that the original is such a well-known and beloved classic; it is a masterful bit of “confessional” singing and songwriting from Joni Mitchell, a tune from her 1971 album Blue written after her relationship breakup with Graham Nash.  https://youtu.be/37VLxFM66ic

7. Tired of Waiting for You – Dwight Yoakam does The Kinks.....On his 1997 release Under the Covers, country music upstart Dwight Yoakam does a finger-snapping, horn punctuated big band version of this early Kinks classic.  It may be too jarring for early 1960s rock fans who revere the original British Invasion bands, but Musicasaurus.com likes the Vegas nightclub/Bill Murray lounge singer feel of it—especially at high volume.  On this his first album of cover songs, Yoakam also tears into The Clash, The Stones, The Beatles and Roy Orbison with, respectively, “Train in Vain,” “The Last Time,” “Things We Said Today” and “Claudette.”  One has got to give a tip of the cowboy hat to Yoakam for his bravado here.  https://youtu.be/F0I__ecdUiQ

8. Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) – Gato Barbieri does Santana.....Argentinian Barbieri, a tenor sax player, started out with off-the-mainstream free jazz in the 1960s but then moved more into accessible Latin rhythms and pop influences by the mid-late 1970s.  His style on the latter records was hailed by critics as both warm & sensual (note that he did the 1972 film score for Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris) and hot & gritty (on mid-tempo-to-faster tracks like “Milonga Triste” from 1974’s Chapter Three: Viva Emiliano Zapata).  On “Europa,” from 1976’s Caliente produced by Herb Alpert, the artist infuses this mid-tempo excursion with his trademark finesse; as critic Jon Pareles of The New York Times once wrote, “Even in ballads, he works up to a hefty, throbbing tone that sounds like it could burst at any moment.”  The original version of the song, co-written by Carlos Santana and Tom Coster, is on Santana’s seventh studio album Amigos which was released in 1976.  https://youtu.be/2ZY9oSRKCA8

9. Goldfinger (main title) – Petra Haden does Shirley Bassey…..Bassey did the brassy original, which was a bombastic John Barry song that played during the opening credits to the 1964 James Bond film of the same name.  Haden grabbed a hold of this tune for her 2013 release Petra Goes To The Movies, where she wraps her golden, overdubbing throat around such eclectic material as the main title songs from the films Psycho, Cool Hand Luke, Cinema Paradiso, and A Fistful Of Dollars.  The setting is usually Haden without instrumentation, multi-tracking her marvelous voice on these audacious pop experiments that get to the essence of the material but subvert it as well.  Nice reinventions one and all, especially “Goldfinger” which is sonorously slinky—and a lot less cheesy, of course, than the original.  https://youtu.be/y5wTxp66ojA

10. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home) – Paul Young does Marvin Gaye.....I hadn’t heard the Motown-produced original back in late 1962 by Marvin Gaye; the song finally reached my ears twenty-one years later when English singer Paul Young included it on his debut album No Parlez (1983).  Young had been gifted with a powerful voice and a knack for song selection; part of his success in the UK and across the pond throughout the 1980s—beyond his good looks—was his choice of cover material.  Two of his record label’s priority singles initially pushed to “hit radio” stations from No Parlez were received lukewarmly by listeners, but that changed when third single “Whenever I Lay My Hat” hit the airwaves.  In a September 18, 2018 interview with London’s The Guardian, Young reflected on his decision to seek out Gaye’s original that he had heard back when he was fourteen years old: “Because that version of ‘Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)’ hadn’t been a hit, I effectively had a blank canvas.  When we slowed it down, I saw there was more to the song.  Marvin was singing from the perspective of a singer on the road, a love ’em and leave ’em, Jack-the-lad type.  But, while this started off as fun, he realised there was an emptiness to what the character was doing.  I tapped into that and put more melancholy into the vocal.”  Give a listen to Young’s stellar reinterpretation here:  https://youtu.be/_iFnBRcHJw4

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/21/21.....

Recently I found this Maxell UDXLII C90 cassette mix in a search through basement keepsakes—things that a handful of years ago I had deemed essential to still have in my possession.  Now that I can stream a bajillion songs anytime day or night, I thought it might be high time to just…let…go.  The cassette’s going into the trash heap of history—but first I wanted to share it to let you know where my musical head was at, in that spring of 1982…

SIDE ONE

1.   U2 - Into the Heart  https://youtu.be/vLlllKuuVrQ

2.  U2 - Out of Control  https://youtu.be/n_4GDE_38So

3.  The Tazmanian Devils - Dirty Bop Party  https://youtu.be/C91vizv6VqM

4.  Wreckless Eric - Broken Doll  https://youtu.be/PwjKyI_oDS8

5.  Larry Carlton - Rio Samba  https://youtu.be/gFIQjWtd2A4  

6.  Mott the Hoople - All The Way From Memphis https://youtu.be/UFw69zmIkL4

7.  Robert Palmer - Work to Make it Work  https://youtu.be/_WuPItK647g

8.  Pretenders - Talk of the Town  https://youtu.be/Mqq0LEsNTSk

9.   Gong - Expresso  https://youtu.be/2NEH3UCXklg

10.Gong - Night Illusion  https://youtu.be/lGzux6VyIpk

11.The Clash - Somebody Got Murdered  https://youtu.be/_do6miBfrm8  

SIDE TWO

1.   Supertramp - Easy Does It  https://youtu.be/jPSX4D5DH6s 

2.   Neil Young - Human Highway  https://youtu.be/FY4an-1GqwU

3.   Gene Parsons - Willin’  https://youtu.be/t2mbXSku7Gw

4.   Gram Parsons - Return of the Grievous Angel  https://youtu.be/h_Iz0iVvhEc

5.   Al Jarreau - Thinkin’ About It Too https://youtu.be/NgKk_dg9vOU

6.   Bruce Cockburn - Creation Dream https://youtu.be/2jRj8LrjlAo

7.   The Kinks - Stormy Sky  https://youtu.be/6FDzcb0O0G0

8.   Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair  https://youtu.be/xag5RKD0VHk

9.   Valerie Carter - Da Doo Rendezvous https://youtu.be/woNQNmEqISk

10. Keith Jarrett - Country (amazingly, this particular performance of the song from my 3/4/82 cassette mixtape—which was recorded off the 1978 Keith Jarrett album Your Song—is not available on YouTube.  This is one worth seeking out elsewhere, so go merrily down the streaming until you find it).

11. Tom Petty - The Wild One, Forever  https://youtu.be/US-pEqevjvc

12. Steve Hunter - Sea Sonata  https://youtu.be/uwZQFHNk2X4 

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 3/7/21.....

TEN SONGS INCLUDING SOME ALTERNATIVE/POP…SOME DELICIOUS DARKNESS FROM DYLAN…SOPHISTOCATED JAZZ/POP FROM AN ENGLISHWOMAN…SOME RAUCOUS ‘N’ ROLL FROM RAITT…AND MORE.

1. Is It For Me – Toad The Wet Sprocket.....This band from Santa Barbara, California took their name from a Monty Python skit, and their style is largely alt-pop and mostly unpredictable.  The track listed here comes from Toad’s third album entitled Fear that was released in 1991.  Also, you might want to hop on this Toad tidbit: Lead singer Glen Phillips is blessed with one of the smoothest voices in rock, so do check out other Toad tunes but also ones from his solo albums; 2005’s Winter Pays For Summer, for instance, contains the voluptuously voiced gems “Courage” and “Cleareyed.”  https://youtu.be/3zvnQ28aE8w

2. Not Dark Yet – Bob Dylan.....For my money, this song from Dylan’s 1997 release Time Out Of Mind is one of his very best works.  It is a confluence of powerful forces including Daniel Lanois’ production, Dylan’s world-weary vocals, and the song’s thematic punch.  Dylan has (but of course) an undisputed place in history as one of the leading voices of the Sixties Generation, and at age 79 now has way less years in front of him than behind: “I was born here and I’ll die here, against my will / I know it looks like I’m moving, but I’m standing still / Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb / I can’t even remember what it was I came here to get away from / Don’t even hear a murmur of a prayer / It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there.”  Producer Lanois’ keen ear for serving the song adds incredible weight to Dylan’s meditation.  https://youtu.be/RZgBhyU4IvQ

3. Foolish Thing – Julia Fordham.....Fordham is a British singer-songwriter who gained the most press and prominence in the very late 1980s and early 1990s.  Her full-bodied, smoky-jazz-club vocals sound a bit like Alison Moyet, in song settings that are similar to the slightly jazzier works of Joni Mitchell.  “Foolish Thing” is from Fordham’s seventh album overall, 2002’s Concrete Love, but rather than send you there to hear the song as recorded in the studio, musicasaurus.com instead points you to a truly hypnotic, enveloping version that is on Fordham’s 2005 live-in-concert CD/DVD entitled That’s Live.  Fordham in this setting is backed up by a truly stellar band of players including Dean Parks on guitar, Larry Klein on bass, and Mark Isham on trumpet.  https://youtu.be/mjS4THZNUsQ

4. Spit of Love – Bonnie Raitt.....This track is from Raitt’s Fundamental album released in 1998.  The song has a sonic atmosphere of suspicion and dread, and my Bonnie flies over the motion with slithering slide-guitar work that perpetuates the spell. The song is a sinuous pleasure, with lyrics addressing the temptations of passionate yet misguided love; hard not to rate this slice of Raitt as simply great.  https://youtu.be/vGlfN-GZ1gI

5. Yalla Yalla – Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.....Post-Clash, Joe Strummer banded together his Mescaleros in 1999 and produced three albums of fiery yet fanciful free-associative lyrics and fetching world beats.  “Yalla Yalla” hails from Strummer’s 1999 release Rock Art and The X-Ray Style.  The album contains a number of mid-tempo excursions that are uniquely late-era Strummer—characteristically passionate vocals set amid world music that is less punk and more funk.  https://youtu.be/DECYCThvMWU

6. Jealous – Sinead O’Connor.....This talented Irish lass burst on the scene in 1987 with a groundbreaking feminist alternative rock record called The Lion and The Cobra.  She is an artist who fearlessly pursued her own muse and also courted controversy along that path; check out her 1992 Saturday Night Live appearance where she rips into the Pope!  Whether O’Connor is pushing boundaries or just settling back into Celtic songs and covers, she is always compelling; her voice is a thing of beauty—witness this track from her Faith and Courage album, her fifth studio record, released in 2000.  https://youtu.be/DTmyTzJEoCE

7. Christmas in Washington – Steve Earle.....By its title this tune may seem seasonal but it’s evergreen, really, as Congress remains perpetually and stubbornly mired in partisanship.  The song was actually written years ago, however, and was the leadoff track on Earle’s 1997 album El Corazon.  It is an acoustic protest song featuring Earle’s inviting drawl, and the lyrics are a poignant appeal for a return to values: “So come back Woody Guthrie / Come back to us now / Tear your eyes from paradise / And rise again somehow...”  https://youtu.be/3Jk4JmIuFes

8. Dreams Today – Efterklang.....Beckye Levin Gross, a music-biz friend from Houston, Texas, turned me on to a fascinating NPR piece some years back about a certain alternative/electronica band from Copenhagen, Denmark.  Efterklang had just released a new album at the time, and the background story was captivating—the songs were the product of an initial nine-day stay on a deserted Arctic island where the enterprising trio sampled, collected, and coaxed out a myriad of sounds from the industrial fragments and leftovers of an abandoned Russian coal mining settlement.  The soundscape tidbits were then subtly integrated into the band’s album Piramida,released here in the States in September 2012.  The song “Dreams Today” lends the listener clues to the larger canvas; it’s an album awash in elegance and imagination.  https://youtu.be/KNpr9XdbRx0

9. Every Ship Must Sail Away – Blue Merle.....Blue Merle is a Nashville-bred rock band whose time together spanned only three years, yet they managed a fine debut album and cool opening slots on some mid-level tours (Guster, J.J. Cale and Badly Drawn Boy, among others).  The aforementioned album, released in 2005 and entitled Burning In The Sun, contains this mid-tempo ballad that calls to mind Chris Martin and Coldplay without the keyboards.  The group also has been compared to Counting Crows, and to complete this round of rock connections, it could also be noted that the band’s name comes from a line in Led Zeppelin’s “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp”: “Tell your friends all around the world / Ain’t no companion like a blue eyed merle” (the latter a reference to a border collie dog).  https://youtu.be/BHZJ0mVDZ34

10. Lucy Was In Trouble – Wet Willie.....Musicasaurus.com first encountered Wet Willie in the early 1970s when the band was touring small venues throughout the Northeast, including a Pittsburgh-area stop in a club whose name is lost in my own personal haze.  Frontman Jimmy Hall killed with his soulful vocals and harmonica riding overtop the Southern Rock-flavored core of the band’s best material, and I continued for a long stretch to keep tabs on Wet Willie’s periodic album releases.  In later years I spotted Hall in supporting roles, including his stint in the early/mid ‘90s with Hank Williams Jr.’s touring band that played amphitheaters, and then again in 2015 at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA when he provided the vocals for select songs as part of Jeff Beck’s band.  The song listed here, “Lucy Was In Trouble,” comes from Wet Willie’s 1974 album entitled Keep On Smilin’.  It is soul-drippin’ and satisfyin’ all the way through, including the back-up singers’ very fine flourishes at the song’s conclusion.  https://youtu.be/ULuWsif-d2E

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/21/21.....

A BLUES MIX.....The following is my current Top Ten of blues tunes with a twist: The single criterion was that they needed to have the word “blues” in the title; I wasn’t hell-bent on the tune itself being pure blues.

Use these ten selections to springboard into your own lovingly crafted mix of the blues and related hues.  And with these that I’ve dealt you, you’ll find a couple of kings…

1. I’ve Got The Same Old Blues – Freddie King.....Part of the appeal of digging into bluesmen like Freddie King—who spun out a mix of Texas-style and Chicago blues in the late 1950s through the early 1970s—is to find out who their mentors and eventual disciples were.  King early on revered the likes of Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf and T-Bone Walker; his own recorded works subsequently inspired—among others—Stevie Ray Vaughan and guitar-slinging sibling Jimmie Vaughan, Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton, and formative Brit guitarist and Fleetwood Mac-founder Peter Green.  “I’ve Got The Same Old Blues,” written by JJ Cale, comes from King’s release Burglar which came out in 1974, two years before his death at the age of 42.  https://youtu.be/1nBdMJp2hj4

2. Fishin’ Blues – Taj Mahal.....The original version of this song comes from Taj Mahal’s 1969 studio release Giant Step/De Ole Folks At Home, but actually the version listed here I’ve plucked from a killer live album entitled The Real Thing which came out in 1971.  This latter album also contained a joyous nine-minute instrumental called "Ain't Gwine to Whistle Dixie (Any Mo')" which like the rest of the record featured the swinging, organic, and beautifully loose playing of supporting musicians including John Hall (later of the band Orleans) on guitar and accomplished jazz player Howard Johnson on tuba and baritone sax.  Taj is a multi-instrumentalist (blues harp, harmonica, National steel-bodied guitar) and in his songwriting and cover-song selections he successfully melds the blues with African and Caribbean influences.  https://youtu.be/JPF485guOH0

3. New Walkin’ Blues – Paul Butterfield’s Better Days.....One of the formative Chicago Caucasian blues masters from the 1960s, harmonica wielding Butterfield first fronted The Butterfield Blues Band (’65-’71) before departing to create two masterpiece recordings with his Better Days ensemble—Paul Butterfield’s Better Days and its follow-up It All Comes Back, both released in 1973.  This group somehow plumbed the depths of authentic blues and managed to create powerful songs that are timeless because of the level of musicianship, the material, and the track engineering/production.  True gems.  “New Walkin’ Blues”—a Robert Johnson composition—is the leadoff track from the album Paul Butterfield’s Better Days. https://youtu.be/SV-aqZXlhDI

4. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues – Toots Thielemans with Beth Hart.....This one is more blues inflected than straight blues, with jazz and swing as part of the thing.  Belgium-born Thielemans is a harmonica virtuoso.  Born in 1922, he played with the top legends of jazz over the many decades and veered a bit into jazz tributaries as well.  “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” is from his 2006 release One More From The Road which features the songs of Harold Arlen and guest vocalists on key tracks.  Los Angeles blues rocker Beth Hart lends her pipes to a pleasing treatment of this classic which has also been covered by Billie Holiday, Sinatra, Lena Horne, Satchmo and many more.  https://youtu.be/RVjifqmCZHg

5. Statesboro Blues – Allman Brothers Band.....For musicasaurus.com readers of a certain age, this leadoff track is the first song we soaked in as our turntables spun the brand new Allman Brothers Band album At Fillmore East in July of 1971.  All these years later, the effect is the same—there’s sizzlin’ slide from Duane Allman and, speaking of the whole album here, it is one of the tightest rock band workouts ever captured in a live setting.  It brims over with energy, road experience, discipline, and intuitive playing; often the musical boundaries blend into a hypnotizing amalgam of blues and rock, and even some adventurous jazz.  This crew, all in their twenties, were at the absolute peak of their prowess.  Duane Allman, however, died in a motorcycle accident just three months after this double-live album was released.  He was twenty-four years old.  https://youtu.be/UovEQyL-csA

6. She Left Me With These Blues – Billy Price.....New Jersey born Billy Price (real name William Pollak) settled in Pittsburgh in the mid 1970s and fronted a band called the Rhythm Kings, later becoming very well known on a national level as the lead singer for guitarist Roy Buchanan’s band from 1972-1976.  Price provided vocals on one studio release and one live album in the Buchanan canon, 1974’s That’s What I Am Here For and 1975’s Live Stock.  For decades to follow, Price used Pittsburgh as his musical home base as first he fronted Billy Price & the Keystone Rhythm Band and then the Billy Price Band.  Two years after retiring from his day job as manager of communications for Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute, Price moved to Baltimore in the spring of 2018 out of his and partner Mary’s desire to get closer to family members and to East Coast connections.  “She Left Me With These Blues” hails from his 2006 East End Avenue release. https://youtu.be/s0MznE8GU5o

7. Señor Blues – Judy Roberts.....Looks like musicasaurus.com definitely hopped the boundary on this one.  It’s more cool jazz in the vein of a tamed Return To Forever than really representative of the blues.  But this Horace Silver composition in the hands of Roberts is a pleasant flashback to the “Quiet Storm” radio format that was born in the mid-70s—“adult contemporary” music that found its source points in a slow and soulful blend of rhythm & blues and jazz.  Chicago-based keyboard player and singer Roberts hits a groove here that is very well sustained by sensuous sonic touches and a cool, crisp execution; the tune comes from the artist’s 1980 release The Other World.  https://youtu.be/rFlIle1DMqI

8. Runnin’ Blue – Boz Scaggs & Band.....Out of the chute this Scaggs tune is brassy and bold, and sets the tone for this rollicking & rolling bit of the blues.  Scaggs’ first blip on our radar screen was as an early member of the Steve Miller Band, but he always had a penchant for the blues and especially blue-eyed soul.  On his first solo record in 1969 Scaggs covered the Chicago blues artist Fenton Robinson via an extended jam called “Loan Me A Dime;” this song famously featured 22-year-old guest guitarist Duane Allman.  On this his third solo outing, the artist stretched out a bit in song styles but it is clearly this tune on which Boz hews to the blues; it really swings, with great rhythm and high-class brass.  https://youtu.be/F03_r6sjzz4

9. All Blues – Julie Driscoll / Brian Auger & The Trinity…..This British band covered Miles Davis’ 1959 composition “All Blues” on their 1969 double-album Streetnoise, and it is a marvel on several levels—the musicianship of the quartet featuring Auger on piano, but especially in the startling range of vocalist Driscoll.  She takes pure possession of this bluesy vamp, alternately purring, growling and soaring.  And she infuses this tune with way more than a feeling; it is an incredible vocal tour de force.  https://youtu.be/fT5kStOBH1U

10. I’ll Play The Blues For You – Albert King.....Mississippi-born guitarist King came to prominence in the mid-Sixties with a move to Memphis, Tennessee and some groundbreaking releases on the Stax record label (the song included here is the title track of a 1972 Stax release by King).  His weapon of choice was a Gibson Flying V and a stinging, soulful tone that he peeled off always in service to the song.  His work along the way influenced an incredible number of musicians including Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Walsh, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, and more.  Although King popularized for the masses the tune “Born Under A Bad Sign” via an album he released in 1967, it’s this seven-minute-plus “I’ll Play The Blues For You” that stands head and shoulders above the rest.  King on guitar is alternately smooth and slicing, and the icing on the cake is his backing support from members of the Bar-Kays and the Memphis Horns.  https://youtu.be/RznyMS6lYFw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 2/7/21.....

A GRAB BAG OF SORTS…Some instrumental jazz, a jazz vocalist covering Simply Red, a sultry soul song, a classic rock classic about free love, a ubiquitous-on-radio 1998 ballad that at the time wore out its welcome, and some songs riding the new wave including ones by The Motels, Style Council and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.

1. In A Silent Way – Mark Isham.....Isham is a talented musician/composer who has scored mightily with his film scores, and in the past he’s also produced solo recordings as well cropped up on tours of adventurous musical explorers like Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell.  His work is majestic and straddles boundaries; he first gained notice as a trumpeter and synth player on early 1980s solo releases on the Windham Hill record label, and began his film scoring success with the 1983 Disney film Never Cry Wolf.  “In A Silent Way” is a Miles Davis composition and is taken from Isham’s 1999 tribute album Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project.  https://youtu.be/o7OwEwJeLdQ

2. Holding Back The Years – Gretchen Parlato.....California-born Parlato is a jazz vocalist who is sensual in her self-restraint; she softly sails through jazz covers and self-penned compositions, usually weaving in and around a stellar batch of backup musicians.  The song listed here was originally a huge radio hit by the band Simply Red hailing from their 1985 debut album Picture Book.  Other artists have covered this tune—among them, the Isley Brothers and Randy Crawford—but Parlato really gets to the essence and masters the flow.  The performance is gentle, and rippling, and multiple listens reveal deeper pleasures stemming also from the intuitive work of her band of jazz journeymen.  “Holding Back The Years” comes from Parlato’s 2011 release The Lost And Found.  https://youtu.be/HccPfkdgR0s

3. Voyage to Atlantis – The Isley Brothers.....Some might rather hastily confine this tune to the category of “stellar make-out music.”  I look at it—or listen to it, rather—as a sonic achievement, blending silken lead vocals with soulful instrumentation.  The Isley Brothers are best known for their 1969 pop hit “It’s Your Thing,” but in the mid-late 1970s they fluidly embraced rock music and weaved it throughout their soul and funk.  Guitarist Ernie Isley is a key component of this successful meld; his style is reminiscent of a somewhat tamed Jimi Hendrix in terms of atmospheric accents and tones.  The ballad included here, “Voyage to Atlantis,” comes from the band’s 1977 release Go For Your Guns.  https://youtu.be/BQ4jWVon4iE

4. Telling Stories – Tracy Chapman.....Cleveland, Ohio folk-rocker Chapman steered a “Fast Car” to fame in 1988 through the release of a self-titled debut album that was hailed for its stripped down and passionate approach to pure and powerful political folk music.  The track “Telling Stories” is from Chapman’s 2000 release of the same name, and in the on-going style of this accomplished singer-songwriter, it deals with the truth—both the seeking and the telling: “There is fiction in the space between / the lines on your page of memories / Write it down but it doesn’t mean / you’re not just telling stories / There is fiction in the space between / you and me.”  https://youtu.be/ruZjjXGCKC0

5. Love The One You’re With – Stephen Stills.....Some early Seventies message songs such as 1970’s “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young stirred the conscience, but Stills on his own produced one that stirred loins.  “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with” was reportedly often uttered by musician Billy Preston, and his friend Stephen Stills borrowed the line for a song on his 1970 self-titled solo album debut.  The tune is a rollicking sing-along with percussion, organ swells and energetic back-up vocals from Stills’ compadres Crosby and Nash alongside singers John Sebastian and Rita Coolidge.  The song has been covered through the years by everyone from the Isley Brothers and Aretha Franklin to Luther Vandross and Bobby Goldsboro (hmmmm…maybe I’ll save that Goldsboro version for a special edition mix to be entitled “Blown Covers”—stay tuned).  https://youtu.be/cZyj6GECjZ0

6. Lullaby – Shawn Mullins.....Time to revisit this tune, even though it was ubiquitous on radio playlists in the late 1990s and thus you might have burned out on it back then—or worse yet, you might have somehow skipped right by it.  “Lullaby” is a nicely sketched piece about a girl’s disenchantment with her Hollywood upbringing, and Mullins’ delivery—spoken-word verses and sung choruses—stands out from the crowded pack of other singer-songwriters’ efforts from that particular era.  The tune comes from Mullins’ 1998 major-label debut Soul’s Core which was released after ten years of musical dues payin’ by this talented storyteller.  https://youtu.be/NUNk386EArw

7. I’ve Turned You To Stone – George Jones.....Country music star George Jones passed away in 2013, and musicasaurus.com has been late in diving into his catalogue overall, but now has managed to pull up one of his memorable duet efforts from the artist’s 1979 album My Very Special Guests.  “I’ve Turned You To Stone” features Linda Ronstadt, who at the time was absolute Queen of the Heap in terms of rampant solo album success on an international level. The blend of the two singers’ voices is mesmerizing, and you get such a nice taste here of the buttery baritone flutter of Mr. Jones.  https://youtu.be/9ZxSS7oW-Og

8. Suddenly Last Summer – The Motels.....Maybe it was the game-changing impact of the then fledgling MTV, but some of the predominant memories of ‘80s music that persists to this day include bad haircuts and yelping song sirens (for example, A Flock Of Seagulls and Missing Persons).  True, the ‘80s sometimes seemed to sail along on breezy, cheesy synthesizers, but to give that all a rest you should check into the Motels.  This L.A. new wave and pop unit first bubbled up in 1979 and, aided by a mix of strong songwriting, crisp production and seductive lead vocals by Martha Davis, the band scored at least a couple of songs with pure staying power.  One of ‘em is right here—“Suddenly Last Summer” is from the group’s fourth album Little Robbers which was released in 1983.  The track briefly broke into a number of radio stations’ Top Ten playlists, one of only two Motels’ songs to do so during the band’s eight-year career.  https://youtu.be/B4Hfh6Fi4hE

9. The Story Of Someone’s Shoe – The Style Council.....In the 1970s I was a bit into The Jam, not wildly collecting all of their LPs and EPs but certainly aware of songs including “Town Called Malice” and “That’s Entertainment.”  Their music was at first in the general realm of The Clash but towards the end The Jam delved, still with attitude, into some R & B and Motown-inspired rockers.  The driving force behind The Jam was vocalist/guitarist Paul Weller.  After the group disbanded he formed The Style Council in which he then unapologetically pushed ahead with his inner R & B/soul instincts.  “The Story Of Someone’s Shoe” from The Style Council’s 1988 release Confessions Of A Pop Group is almost a cappella, save for a few sprinklings of vibes in the midsection.  Largely this is Weller’s show with an impassioned lead vocal and a Manhattan Transfer-type backing chorus piping in to propel the song along.  https://youtu.be/nRavD6Egnjg

10. New Town Velocity – Johnny Marr.....Guitarist Marr was the chiming, ringing, propulsive musical heart of The Smiths.  Though lead singer Morrissey was front and center with biting wit and unrepressed confessionals, Marr was the lynchpin of the band’s rhythmic thrust.  Since the dissolution of The Smiths in 1987 Marr has released only occasional solo efforts and the guitarist rarely reaches Smiths-level pinnacles of power and pomp.  “New Town Velocity,” though, from the artist’s 2013 release The Messenger comes close.  It rides his previous band’s melodious new wave, his vocals (not a strong suit) don’t mar the proceedings, and his guitar work is full and rich in accents throughout.  https://youtu.be/gOHJAaUK6_M

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/24/21.....

A MIX OF TEN TUNES THAT WILL TAKE YOU PLACES…

1. First Winter At Plymouth Colony – Sumner McKane.....Atmospheric beyond belief, this is mind-on-vacation music; lovely, evocative and—best of all—unpredictable.  McKane is Maine-based and describes himself as a “composer, multi-instrumentalist and filmmaker.”  Indeed, this cinematic track from 2008’s What A Great Place To Be helped bring that CD to # 2 in the annual “Top Twenty Essential CDs” list as ranked by NPR’s ambient music program Echoes.  John Diliberto, that program’s longtime host, said that “McKane's landscapes are tinged in ambient atmospheres and pulled by an undertow of psychedelia that makes them some of the most unassumingly mind-bending music of the decade.”  https://youtu.be/xndJHH7WAv4

2. Dreamville – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.....Petty had always been on the battle lines with regard to artists’ rights, starting over three decades ago when his record company at the time wanted to raise the list price of his upcoming album Hard Promises from the standard $8.98 to $9.98.  Petty threatened not to release the record at all, and then vowed to make the title $8.98 if it was released at the higher price.  The record company capitulated, and the album eventually hit the stores with the name Hard Promises instead.  Flash forward a couple of decades, and Petty was at it again in 2002, releasing a themed album entitled The Last DJ.  With songs like “Money Becomes King” and the title track, Petty seemed to be pondering modern life where corporate avarice was running rampant, radio stations were further restricting playlists, and musical expression was increasingly stifled, gagged & bound.  “Dreamville” from that record, though, is a pretty and contemplative piece, a mid-tempo ballad about being young during the 1950s and 1960s—living the small town life, buying guitar strings at the local music store, and listening to the radio where, as the song says, “there was rock ‘n’ roll across the dial.”  https://youtu.be/ViczcWEHgaY

3. A Long Cold Night In Minneapolis – Dead Man Winter.....from the 2011 album Bright Lights.....Dave Simonett is Old Man Winter here.  He is a singer-songwriter and guitarist for an alt-bluegrass assemblage called Trampled by Turtles, and Dead Man Winter is an offshoot enterprise of his, a sidebar project, and it’s a fine blend of folk and rock.  The tune listed here is a mid-tempo affair with some lazy fiddle, a bit of harmonica, and a “Neil feel” (as in Mr. Young)--not in the vocal department, really, but in the country-folk flavor of the songwriting.  https://youtu.be/j1wtY2j0BpA

4. Hollywood – Kasey Chambers.....At the time of her third album’s release in 2004—Wayward Angel, from which this track is taken—Chambers was 28 years old and already a major star Down Under.  She’d grown up literally on the land with parents who were hunters and trappers and country music lovers, who picked & sang ‘round the campfires under Australian night skies.  Wayward Angel furthered her inroads with American audiences courtesy of Adult Album Alternative (triple A) stations across the country, as well as occasional touring (at one point opening up for Lucinda Williams).  “Hollywood” is a soft and enveloping little gem; Chambers’ little-girl voice evidences big passion, and the acoustic accompaniment (with lightly chiming guitar work) is simple yet sublime.  https://youtu.be/1of2aWId2lc

5. Funky Broadway – Wilson Pickett…..This African American soul artist was nicknamed “Wicked” Pickett for a reason—his hellacious growl and howl of a vocal style was accompanied by a fantastic bed of funk in songs that skittered across the top of the pop and R&B charts for a lot of the mid-late 1960s and early 1970s.  Even today I can’t sit still, listening to some of his limb-twitchin’ masterpieces like the one listed here, and earlier gems like “Midnight Hour” and “Land of 1,000 Dances.”  https://youtu.be/U9BGGrfkTQg 

6. Spanish Moon – Little Feat ... "I heard about this place they call the Spanish Moon" ... So sings principal vocalist Lowell George, who along with keyboardist Bill Payne started up this Los Angeles-based band in 1969.  George was long the master and commander, contributing the best songwriting in Little Feat’s most revered period of 1972-1977—songs like “Willin’” and “Dixie Chicken”—and in August of 1977 the band recorded their first live album, Waiting For Columbus.  Recorded that month, with songs culled from performances at London’s Rainbow Theatre and George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in D.C., Waiting For Columbus captured the band in full-throttle funk, backed up by the sizzlin’ horns of Oakland, California’s legendary band Tower Of Power.  Feat fans were sated; finally they had on record—actually on TWO records, as this was a double-album release—the preserved magic of a band that expertly weaved together rock, rhythm & blues, boogie, gospel, funk and even jazz into a captivating stew.  “Spanish Moon” was originally recorded in the studio for the band’s 1974 album Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, but here in the live setting, it’s explosive…propulsive…spine-tingling. https://youtu.be/RhmNK-ANKIw

7. Hacienda Motel -- Pickwick…..On Halloween night 2016 a small “war party” of my family members, all in Seattle because of an October 29^thwedding, dressed up in costume as various Snapchat options and then Ubered downtown to a club for some music.  The band that evening was named Pickwick, who daughter Moira had earlier picked up on from an NPR station back home.  According to Wikipedia, reviews of their next-to-recent album Can’t Talk Medicine (2013) said that the band sounds similar to, or could be a brew of, The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes and Sam Cooke.  And Allmusic.com describes them as “a blue-eyed soul troupe for a new millennium.”  https://youtu.be/yULM3MMe1mo

8. Gettysburg – The Brandos.....The band formed in New York City in 1985 and the subsequent MTV adoption and radio embrace of the tune “Gettysburg” propelled them onto critic’s lists—and onto cassette mix tapes like mine!  The song, from the band’s debut album Honor Among Thieves (1987), was one of those power-chord rock anthems that sounded refreshing—at the time, at least—as it served as a nice break from the dominant synth and new wave-ish stuff that was being pumped out by a lot of other ‘80s outfits.  https://youtu.be/72SPIVTphtk

9. Welcome To The Boomtown – David & David.....David Baerwald and David Ricketts were L.A. musicians who came together for just one album, 1986’s Boomtown, which featured this electrifying rock song that brought a bit of fresh air to FM stations across the country.  It sounded like little else on the radio back then; sonically the song’s a churner with rich, atmospheric layers of guitars and keyboards, and lyrically, it spins a tale of the moneyed malcontents of 1980s Los Angeles—perhaps once well-heeled, now soul deprived and artificially fueled.  The chorus: “I say welcome, welcome to the boomtown / Pick a habit, we got plenty to go around / Welcome, welcome to the boomtown / All that money makes such a succulent sound / Welcome to the boomtown.”  https://youtu.be/c3st4AD69-0

10. Representing Memphis – Booker T. Jones (with Sharon Jones and Matt Berninger).....Booker T & The M.G.’s were the house band in Memphis for all of the Stax Records’ studio recordings—a ton of pivotal pop hits, mostly soul and rhythm & blues—from the beginning of the 1960s into the early 1970s.  On this particular track from keyboardist Jones’ 2011 solo album The Road From Memphis, the late Sharon Jones (of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings) and Matt Berninger (lead singer of The National) dish out a soulful duet, aided by Booker T’s characteristically rich and sweet sounding Hammond organ.  https://youtu.be/doDeHol_m2s

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 1/10/21.....

Ten tunes, all from talented women (solo artists or front women) who were recording some of their best works in the first decade of the 2000s…

1.) From 2001.....When You Became King – Alana Davis.....This Greenwich Village singer-songwriter was born in 1974 and I first caught wind of her through 1997’s Blame It On Me, which sported an Ani DiFranco cover (“32 Flavors”) and a couple of killer, far-from-filler tunes in “Murder” and “Crazy.”  In the summer of 1998 I was the general manager of Pittsburgh’s Star Lake Amphitheater (now S&T Bank Music Park) and I ran into Davis backstage at the H.O.R.D.E. Festival, a Blues Traveler-led event that toured the amphitheater circuit through most of the 1990s.  We stood in the dressing room hallway and there I confessed my love of her debut album from the year before.  I told her I also liked the keenly placed piano touches in her song “Murder” and she volunteered later in the exchange that her songwriting leads her to view her voice more as a horn than any other key instrument.  Davis’ second album Fortune Cookies from which this track is taken was released in 2001, and when this record didn’t commercially catch fire the way she had anticipated, the artist then ditched her lame-at-the-game record label Elektra and formed her own label Tigress to issue her future releases.  https://youtu.be/fMfmZ3bLmfk

2.) From 2002.....Stinging Velvet – Neko Case.....Alt-country queen Case released her third album Blacklisted in 2002 and it was an ever-so-slight departure from the country-influenced records that preceded it.  “Stinging Velvet” is a great intro to her talents if you have never stumbled across her before; if you are already on the case, however, you know that she’s also renowned for her contributions to the recorded works of Vancouver-based indie band The New Pornographers.  https://youtu.be/F8ZRqGpdwLw. 

3.) From 2003…..Night After Sidewalk – Kaki King…..King is an American guitarist and composer who from the age of four was musically inclined, and she first tackled guitar but then drums in high school, returning to guitar as she entered New York University in the late 1990s.  At the age of 24 King was signed by the record label Velour and in 2003 released her debut all-instrumental album that featured her all-acoustic guitar compositions.  The track listed here is a meditative representation of her acoustic fingerpicking style that in some ways hearkens back to artists like John Fahey and Leo Kottke. Since her debut, the questing King has explored more fleshed-out band settings and has branched out in terms of the potential soundscapes that the guitar (both acoustic and electric) is capable of producing in the right hands.  In 2014 King even stretched into performance art, and created a music-centered multimedia show which featured innovative screen projections on and around her instrument as an intriguing storyline unfolded.  This show, dubbed The Neck is a Bridge to the Body, debuted in a Brooklyn venue and then toured theaters in cultural districts across the country over the next handful of years; she appeared at Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center in August 2017.  Here is a link to “Night After Sidewalk”  https://youtu.be/JK40ENsCVa4… and a link to one of King’s performances from her multimedia show The Neck is a Bridge to the Body  https://youtu.be/ziPD16xCBBg

4.) From 2004.....Jolene – Mindy Smith…..I first heard Smith on a local Pittsburgh indie station doing a hellacious tune called “Come To Jesus” that forced me to the curb to crank it up and soak it in with 100% focus—the song was that powerful.  This was 2004, and as it turned out, this Nashville resident had just released a debut album entitled One Moment More from which this heavenly track hails.  I bought the CD soon thereafter, and as I made my way through the songs I came to “Jolene,” another track of significance—it turned out to be a song that, one year earlier, Smith had recorded as a one-off for an upcoming Dolly Parton tribute album. Parton was impressed—and Smith soon moved on to clinch her own record deal.  https://youtu.be/fhBECqryY1c

5.) From 2005.....Don’t Let The Cold – Tanita Tikaram.....German-born Tikaram, now solidly a Brit, is a folk-and-pop singer-songwriter with a fascinating tone.  I first ran across her via a largely instrumental album from new-agey electronica artist Mark Isham, who in 1990 had reached out to Tikaram to sing on his warm, jazz-tinged cover of the classic 1934 Rodgers & Hart song “Blue Moon.”  Tikaram may best be known for her 1988 song “Twist In My Sobriety” from her debut album Ancient Heart, though the latter seemed to be a hit everywhere except, it seems, in the good ol’ USA.  On “Don’t Let The Cold” Takiram is joined on the chorus by Nick Lowe, and here they’ve churned out a breezy, quirky pop song that is quite infectious (in a non-CDC way, of course).  The track hails from the artist's 2005 release Sentimental.  https://youtu.be/Ea0X1rgzFRA

6.) From 2006.....I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight – Maria Muldaur.....The original version of this tune was written and performed by Dylan and appeared on his eighth studio album John Wesley Harding (1967).  Muldaur’s cover here is actually from an album that is full of ‘em: In 2006 the singer released Heart Of Mine: Maria Muldaur Sings Loves Songs Of Bob Dylan, and throughout this album you can feel Muldaur’s jazz and blues passions percolate as she plies the songs of Bob.  Other songs on the record include “Buckets Of Rain,” “You’re Going To Make Me Lonesome When I Go,” and “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” … This is a YouTube clip of the entire album, so for “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” go on over to the 36:54 mark and begin there.  https://youtu.be/aosYU_aWJ4A

7.) From 2007.....Into The Sunset – Abra Moore.....“Into The Sunset” is a shimmering reflection of smart pop sensibility and a bold, full, layered sound.  I have glommed on to certain songs by this artist over her spotty recording career, always fascinated with the songwriting and the obvious care, and creativity, that she injects into the production end of things. Moore was born into a musical household in Hawaii in 1969 and her first real foray was joining Hawaiian rock band Poi Dog Pondering at that band’s formation, but she eventually ended up in Austin, Texas to earnestly pursue a solo career.  Moore had one quick brush in 1997 with airplay success, a song called “Four Leaf Clover” that was adopted by public radio and/or adult-alternative stations in a number of cities across the U.S.  The song listed here comes from the singer-songwriter’s 2007 album On The Way.  It is the opening track of the record, and pulls you right into her world of lush intelligence.  https://youtu.be/e5qxYwfgwL0

8.) From 2008.....Bruises – Chairlift.....Tech titan Apple had used a number of new artists’ songs in the first decade of the 2000s to promote their products in television ads, and in most cases this linkage led to a subsequent and most immediate $pike in the particular artist’s career (Feist with “1234” from 2007, for example, but also the Ting Tings, Jet, The Vines, and other fortunate souls).  The track listed here is a zippy, altogether infectious slice of synth-pop fueled bewitchingly by lead singer Caroline Polachek, and it stems from the group Chairlift’s 2008 debut entitled Does You Inspire You.  Each song on the album is a rich stew of the past (1980s), present (contemporary flavors), and future (spacey spicings).  Originally from Boulder, Colorado, the trio comprising Chairlift then moved to New York City where the big Apple took note of their debut album in the fall of 2008, serendipitously plucking “Bruises” for the company’s upcoming iPod nano television ad.  https://youtu.be/w8HRCacAQ-4

9.) From 2009.....Lights Out – Santigold.....Philadelphia-bred Santi White is an African American singer-songwriter who recorded her first album in 2008 in a duo setting with musician/producer John Hill entitled Santogold, the name of the duo and the debut.  Singer White has been likened to M.I.A., but largely in the sense of approach rather than musical style, as the two women are both multicultural females who blend almost disparate genres of music to create exciting new sounds.  To gain more exposure for their initial release in 2008, Santogold hopped on dates as the show opener for artists including Coldplay, Jay-Z, Bjork, M.I.A. and the Beastie Boys.  In early 2009, Santogold changed their name by a single letter—Santogold to Santigold—to avoid a potential lawsuit from a producer plying a sci-fi/wrestling film entitled Santo Gold’s Blood Circus.  The track included here, “Lights Out,” is from the duo’s self-titled debut.  It is a perfect pop pastiche of dub, rock, hip-hop and ‘80s new wave, guaranteed to get under your skin and travel down to your tappin’ toes.  https://youtu.be/-RA_M33fQxo

10.) From 2010.....Tulip – Jesca Hoop.....The scoop on Hoop: This Northern Californian is the offspring of folk-singing Mormons; she reportedly nanny’ed at one point for Tom Waits; and she toured between 2007-2011 with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Polyphonic Spree, Andrew Bird, Matt Pond PA, British alternative band Elbow, and Mark Knopfler.  My daughter first alerted me to Hoop in 2011 when she happened to catch the artist warming up a local Pittsburgh club audience in front of headliners The Punch Brothers (mandolin player Chris Thile’s post-Nickel Creek band).  That night in the club, Hoop and The Punch Brothers tackled “Tulip” together.  Here in Hoop’s studio version of the song from her 2010 release Hunting My Dress she comes charging out of the gate, her slightly Celtic-sounding voice floating confidently above a wonderfully arranged, sonically rich tapestry that is reminiscent of Kate Bush’s or Bjork’s more pop-centric stuff.  https://youtu.be/yvr8K9Jclpw

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/27/20.....

TEN TUNES FROM 1971…This mix dovetails nicely with the current posting in the A DAY IN THE LIFE section of this website, which centers on a culture-clash tale from the late 1960s/very early 1970s…

1. Sometimes – Fleetwood Mac.....This isn’t the “Big Mac” with Lindsey and Stevie; Mr. Buckingham and Ms. Nicks didn’t join the band until 1975’s self-titled commercial blockbuster Fleetwood Mac.  Back in 1971 the band was anchored by founders Mick Fleetwood (drummer) and John McVie (bassist), and also consisted of guitarist Danny Kirwan and new full-time members keyboardist Christine McVie and guitarist Bob Welch.  Future Games, from which this track is taken,was the final step away from the band’s original blues leanings and the start of a sound that soon settled into more of a rock and pop vein.  https://youtu.be/07ZVC4rgSpg

2. Sam Stone – John Prine....Illinois-born Prine was a wry singer-songwriter who straddled folk and country, and his self-titled debut record came out in 1971 (Prine passed away in April 2020).  The album includes the track listed here, a tale of a returning vet caught up in drugs and addiction.  The most memorable line: “There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes / Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.”  Two other notable songs are on this album as well: “Angel From Montgomery” (since covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to the Dave Matthews Band), and a tune with a title to treasure, “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore.”  https://youtu.be/Yxgrl1yx8tg

3. You’ve Got To Earn It – The Staple Singers.....The southern-styled spiritual-singin’ Staples had been around since 1951 as a family affair with Pops leading the band, and daughters Cleotha and Mavis and son Pervis all on board.  In the late 1960s the band gravitated to Stax Records in Memphis and there started a wave of solid R & B hits for the label including “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There,” both of which hail from the group’s 1972 album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself.  The song listed here is from 1971’s The Staple Swingers, the first of their albums produced in the Muscle Shoals recording studio and the one that welcomed in sister Yvonne in place of the departing Pervis.  “You’ve Got To Earn It” is a funky treat, with Mavis’ lead vocals, crisp horns and a nice skittering harmonica—not a breakout hit for the band, but a harbinger of the success to come.  https://youtu.be/o04aQX6Mr8U

4. After Midnight – J.J. Cale.....This Oklahoma singer/songwriter has a wealth of laidback, slow-movin’ tunes dotting his catalogue that ooze out blues nicely blended with touches of country music and rockabilly.  The track listed here appears on J.J. Cale’s debut album Naturally that was released in late 1971.  Cale actually wrote the tune in 1966 but it was Eric Clapton who kick-started its popularity by borrowing the song—still unrecorded by Cale at this point—for his eponymous solo album debut in 1970.  Cale then finally committed the song to wax for Naturally, which is on the whole a low-key, underappreciated masterwork.  This album also includes “Call Me The Breeze” and “Crazy Mama,” songs that were eventually covered by Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Band, respectively.  https://youtu.be/2x0JK8vhmcc

5. Your Move– Yes.....This 3-minute sliver from The Yes Album is “Part A” of the longer composition “I’ve Seen All Good People,” and it was originally released on a 45-rpm single by the band back in 1971.  The band at this third-album juncture consisted of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye, and newcomer Steve Howe.  Writer Bruce Eder noted in an incisive review on Allmusic.com that with this release, Yes became more cohesive as a band and coalesced around a sound that then carried forward into future releases.  “Suddenly,” wrote Eder, “between new member Steve Howe’s odd mix of country- and folk-based progressive guitar and the suddenly liberated bass work and drumming of Chris Squire and Bill Buford respectively, the group's music became extremely busy.  And lead singer Jon Anderson, supported by Squire and Howe, filled whatever was left almost to overflowing.  Anderson’s soaring falsetto and the accompanying harmonies, attached to haunting melodies drawn from folk tunes as often as rock, applied to words seemingly derived from science fiction, and all delivered with the bravura of an operatic performance—by the band as well as the singer—proved a compelling mix.”  https://youtu.be/QlEH63m7HQI

6. Feel Flows – Beach Boys.....By the latter half of the 1960s, the Beach Boys had shifted gears and surrendered their sand pails—no more preoccupation with cars, sun, surf and sand.  Experimentation then ruled the day, in the band’s music and—unfortunately—in Brian’s bloodstream as well.  As Brian went on trips without ever leaving his house, brother Carl emerged as a strong bandleader and producer.  The lead-off song on the album Surf’s Up from 1971, “Feel Flows,” has crystalline harmonies, lush production, and a reverse echo utilized in the recording of Carl’s lead vocal.  The song has a strong Sixties hypnotic “wash” to it and provides the listener with a pleasant aural rush, making me not so sure that Carl didn’t perhaps dip into Brian’s chest of drawers for a little bit of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.  https://youtu.be/OzFQV5rhrb0

7. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) – The Temptations.....Tempting to say that Motown was a 1960s phenomenon, but some great works by Berry Gordy’s stable of soul stars came from the early 1970s as well.  This song was featured on the Temptations’ 1971 release Sky’s The Limit and was written by Motown’s producer/songwriter Norman Whitfield with lyricist Barrett Strong.  The aforementioned duo had written the tune in 1969 but shelved it due to the Temps’ sudden success with more “psychedelic” singles like “Cloud Nine” and “Ball of Confusion.”  When “Just My Imagination” was delivered to Hit Radio in 1971 as the second single off the new album, it quickly became a #1 hit (the band’s career-third).  FYI, the Stones memorably covered this song on their 1978 album Some Girls.  https://youtu.be/1g3e3cgktZU

8. I’ll Be The One – Badfinger.....Badfinger is a Beatlesque band who were actually signed to the Beatle’s Apple Records label in 1968.  Better known for their hits “Come And Get It,” “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” and “Baby Blue,” Badfinger originally intended the tune listed here to be included on their 1971 album Straight Up, however it didn’t make the final cut and only just appeared via the 2010 remastered CD version.  “I’ll Be The One” doesn’t help them shed the Beatles comparisons, but that’s not a slam—the band produced some infectious power pop songs along their own path.  Sad footnote: Beginning in 1972 troubles assailed the band members over the next handful of years—deepening personal debts, lawsuits because of an untrustworthy business manager, and wrangles with record labels—and two out of the four musicians committed suicide as a result of this unending turmoil.  Pete Ham took his own life in 1975 and Tom Evans followed suit in 1983.  https://youtu.be/D4S9b9r6cGk

9. I’m Eighteen – Alice Cooper..... “Eighteen” is from Love It To Death, the third album from Cooper and the one that brought him a much wider teen fan base based on this anthemic tune.  1971 was also the year that Cooper’s shock-rock concert performances started to gain significant traction which also then fueled album sales.  I remember seeing the band live in concert at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theatre in March of that year, and my friends and I were filled with anticipation as word had already spread about the band’s live shows (no internet, no duh; this was gleaned largely from some of the rock magazines of that era).  The son of a preacher man, the theatrical-minded Cooper incorporated props like guillotines, straitjackets, and live boa constrictors into his riff-crunchin’ sets.  https://youtu.be/AZ1MdRgU7Hw

10. Just Like A Woman (live performance) – Bob Dylan.....Dylan’s first live appearance since 1969 took place at George Harrison’s August 1971 Concert For Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden.  He had been sporadic at best in terms of onstage appearances/performances since his 1966 motorcycle accident which at the time had cut short his own Blonde On Blonde tour.  According to a 12/14/12 flashback piece in Rolling Stone magazine by Andy Greene, legend has it that Harrison had asked Dylan to perform as one of his numbers “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and feisty Bob shot back, “Are you going to play ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand?’”  On the track listed here as part of this 1971 ten-tune mix, Dylan is joined by Harrison and Leon Russell on backing vocals, and there are two paths to pleasure should you wish to partake—the soundtrack CD, or the concert film on DVD which was released via a two-disc special edition in 2005.  https://youtu.be/kIBxQ1SAXe0

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 12/13/20.....

Southern California Mix…Most of the following tracks are from the fertile wellspring that was the Southern California music scene of the 1970s—singer-songwriters who were often backed up by fellow SoCal musicians who revolved around each other’s album releases, and who en masse delivered to us all a lasting library of recorded achievements.

1. Late For The Sky – Jackson Browne (from Browne’s 3rd album of the same name, released in 1974).....This wasn’t the album that put Browne on top of the heap and on the tip of all tongues; that was still to come with his commercial breakthrough record The Pretender, released two years later.  On Late For The Sky, Browne dealt with love, fragility, and the striving for hope and balance, and he did so through beautifully honed lyrics that have resonated with listeners of all ages, through the ages.  Another fine track on this album, “For A Dancer,” is a near-perfect meditation on mortality.  https://youtu.be/n3SJz9jujEA 

2. Ooh Child – Valerie Carter (from her 1977 solo debut, Just A Stone’s Throw Away).....Carter had an avid supporter in the form of Feat founder Lowell George, who first heard of the young woman while she sang with the L.A. country-folk outfit Howdy Moon in the early-mid 1970s.  George not only produced her debut, but also squired her into other meaningful orbits including those of James Taylor and Jackson Browne (with whom she later toured as a key back-up singer).  “Ooh Child” is a song from 1970 first recorded by Windy City soul band The Five Stairsteps.  The song’s since been covered by Laura Nyro, Beth Orton, Nina Simone and many more, but in musicasaurus.com’s book, the definitive version is Carter’s—your spine and the back of your neck are in for pleasure ripples as Carter wails and wraps her essence completely around this tune.  https://youtu.be/4H32jFWceWI

3. Tenderness On The Block – Warren Zevon (from the artist’s 2nd album, 1978’s Excitable Boy).....Zevon had a real gift for leavened lyrics of wit and dark humor, set in solid-rock song format and executed by his musically muscular band of brothers—Southern California’s Jackson Browne, Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and many others.  Critics generally seem to go gaga over his first album—his 1976 self-titled debut—but Excitable Boy also contains some masterpieces of the Zevon canon, especially “Lawyers, Guns and Money.”  https://youtu.be/KPyotCPHZu0

4. Mexico – Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (from the trio’s Trouble In Paradise, released in 1975).....The song is a John David (J.D.) Souther composition, and your ears may hear Eagles—it’s got that easy-goin’ country-tinged flow with similar-sounding and soothing harmonies behind Souther’s lead vocals.  The three principals in this band—Souther, Chris Hillman, and Richie Furay—were urged into their musical partnership by record mogul David Geffen, but the band crumbled after this second album (trouble in paradise, indeed).  The three did have amazing credentials, though.  Souther had written songs adopted by The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt; Hillman had just come out of The Flying Burrito Brothers after playing with The Byrds; and Furay had previously played with The Buffalo Springfield and then Poco.  This was a great convergence of SoCal talent, but this particular triumvirate was not meant to be.  https://youtu.be/RBNKKori7Oc

5. You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt (from 1974’s Heart Like A Wheel).....This song is a cover of a tune first recorded by Betty Everett in 1964, though this particular artist was a lot better known for her performance of “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss).”  Heart Like A Wheel turned out to be a great commercial and artistic success for Ronstadt, as she was expertly aided by the song arrangements of producer Peter Asher who coaxed passionate and forceful vocals out of the artist and also surrounded her with stellar support (including the multi-instrumentalist Andrew Gold).  The track listed here has an extended, minute-plus instrumental ending with atmospheric strings over a moderately paced, majestic fadeout.  https://youtu.be/e0vJNp5asqc

6. Bye Bye Love – David Lindley (from Lindley’s 1981 album El Rayo-X).....This talented slide guitarist is best known as “prime side man” to Jackson Browne, on tours and in the studio, and thus he’s an essential ingredient of some of Browne’s finest efforts including Late For The Sky, The Pretender, and Running On Empty.  Lindley’s solo efforts are quirky wonders that feature a blend of rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, blues, Cajun, zydeco and more.  Here, he covers the Boudleaux & Felice Bryant composition “Bye Bye Love” in a genre-busting version of the 1958 Everly Brothers hit.  https://youtu.be/6uqZLXcLX4I

7. The End Of The Innocence – Don Henley (from Henley’s 3rd solo album of the same name, released in 1989).....Eagle Henley wasn’t nesting on his laurels on this album; he’d already soared to solo success but this is arguably his finest effort, exemplified by the title tune that is a beautiful evocation of moving on from childhood into middle age and thus into the complex, confounding realities of the larger world.  As an added shot at 1980s Reaganism, Henley included the lyrics “O’ beautiful for spacious skies / but now those skies are threatening / They’re beating plowshares into swords / for this tired old man that we elected king.”  https://youtu.be/giZ2tSSojxo 

8. Lonely Boy – Andrew Gold (from the album What’s Wrong With This Picture from 1976).....For whatever reason, Gold wasn’t on my radar very much back in the mid-1970s when he hit it big with this one particular chart-topping song.  I’ve since learned that this multi-instrumentalist was instrumental in a few of Linda Ronstadt’s pivotal records like Heart Like A Wheel and Prisoner In Disguise, and he also contributed to works by James Taylor, J.D. Souther, Carly Simon and Loudon Wainwright III.  Though “Lonely Boy” was played to death by soft-rock radio back in the 1970s, some distance between the years gives it a freshness to these ears (p.s.  Gold was the perpetrator of the song “Thank You For Being A Friend,” a snippet of which eternally adorned the opening of the successful television program Golden Girls).  https://youtu.be/OsSNdNuRbRA 

9. For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield (from their self-titled debut album from 1966).....This band is one that holds a special place on rock genealogy charts, as three key members spun out of the band’s total two-year existence into other pursuits and projects: Richie Furay, who went on to form Poco, and Stephen Stills and Neil Young, who both went on to forge CSNY and established solo careers as well.  “For What It’s Worth” deals with the Sunset Strip youth riots in L.A., which bubbled up through the early-to-mid ‘60s because of local curfew and loitering laws that inhibited the club-goers flocking to that scene in greater and greater numbers.  https://youtu.be/1eD-8NTwP9I

10. You’re Only Lonely – J.D. Souther (from the solo album of the same name, released in 1979).....This song was crafted and crooned in the ‘70s, but it would sound right at home on a Roy Orbison record from the late-50s/early-60s.  As mentioned in the Track #4 listing above, Souther was a SoCal singer-songwriter who had tunes scooped up by The Eagles—“Best Of My Love,” “New Kid In Town” and “Heartache Tonight” among them--but “You’re Only Lonely” was the only hit record he had on his own.  (Postscript: Souther turned to some acting opportunities in the late ‘80s and had a small recurring role in the television program thirtysomething.)  https://youtu.be/quglprlSQ8k

Posted 12/13/20.....

______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/29/20.....

A MELLOW MIX…

1. The Pipes Are Calling – Glenn Phillips.....New Englander Phillips and his family moved to Atlanta in the early 1960s when he was twelve, and by the age of seventeen the young guitarist had already co-founded a regional group there called the Hampton Grease Band.  The latter’s 1971 recording debut on Columbia Records didn’t make enough noise for the label’s taste, and the band went asunder in 1973.  Phillips embarked two years later on a solo path, and with D.I.Y. projects and small labels along the way he has continued his indie efforts to this day.  He has always been an artists’ artist (meaning, in this instance, having tremendous talent but never cracking through to commercial success).  He’s electric and eclectic, and has a solo catalogue worth surfing through…“The Pipes Are Calling,” from Phillips’ 1996 album Walking Through Walls, opens gently with a pipe organ and a minute-plus later is joined by an electric guitar seemingly possessed by bagpipes.  From there the song majestically builds to a pipe-and-drum-style mighty march that seems quite cinematic; see what this song brings to your mind’s eye.  https://youtu.be/U8aM2fUwiIs

2. The Clash – Charlie Don’t Surf.....If you only know this British band through the radio-exposed “Rockin’ The Casbah” or “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” you should also know that the Clash were a foursome that fiercely and consistently pushed musical boundaries.  Their third album London Calling (1979) is generally regarded as their best, most consistent offering, but Musicasaurus.com loves their next release Sandinista! (1980) which is a triple-album set and a smorgasbord of styles.  It is delightfully all over the map, incorporating punk, funk, blues, reggae, dub, rockabilly, folk and more.  The track on Sandinista! that soothes my rock ‘n’ roll soul the most is one that is softer-edged, an insinuating little beauty entitled “Charlie Don’t Surf.”  The song was named after a phrase uttered in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now by Robert Duvall’s war-happy, wave-riding American army general that reminds his troops that “Charlie don’t surf.”  https://youtu.be/3ZXOnkgZR00 

3. Elton John – Come Down in Time.....From the album Tumbleweed Connection released in 1970, this song is still a pinnacle of Elton John’s songwriting and arranging.  Other songs throughout his career stand the test of time but “Come Down In Time” is Elton’s masterpiece mix; it has evocative lyrical depth courtesy of Bernie Taupin and a sensitive, sweeping orchestral accompaniment that stays so well away from excess.  The track is also aided by musician Skalia Kanga’s stringed harp which she had previously employed to subtle, sweet effect on the song “Sixty Years On” from Elton’s 1970 eponymous album.  Rolling Stone magazine’s David Fricke wrote at the time of Tumbleweed’s release that the album “needs no improvement; it is one of the best country-rock albums ever written by London cowboys.”  Indeed the album was originally designed by Elton and Bernie to reflect Americana themes and most songs do, but “Come Down in Time” seems to inhabit its own unique world irrespective of time and place.  It’s a beautiful thing.  https://youtu.be/ZdkvZhsrtM8

4. Tim Buckley – Buzzin’ Fly.....Buckley was a 1960s era folkie who spun out a total of nine studio releases in his tragically short lifetime; he died of a heroin overdose at the age of 28 in 1975.  Along the way, his recorded output reflected a restless creative spirit who strayed from his initial folk leanings toward jazzier, semi-psychedelic longer-form pieces.  “Buzzin’ Fly” is a six-minute dream piece from 1969’s Happy Sad that features Buckley’s fetching falsetto and flutter, aided by band member David Friedman’s entrancing vibraphone that lends this tune a timeless and tantalizing effect.  Thus even readers in their 20s or 30s can freely plunge in here, though if they want much of the same kind of spark from a more contemporary artist, there is of course Buckley’s son Jeff.  He certainly shares his father’s incomparable gifts as evidenced by his own recorded compositions as well as covers like Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”  Son followed Father, however, in too early of a passing.  While on tour in 1997 Jeff died by accidental drowning in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 30.  https://youtu.be/yUmK7rgiMM4 

5. Marvin Gaye – Distant Lover.....Musicasaurus.com has his college roommate Gene to thank for this one: In 1973 I entered my junior year at PSU’s main campus in State College, having just transferred from a smaller liberal arts/teacher’s college in Clarion, PA.  I had elected to go into the dorms as a way to transition to the new and larger student pool, and Gene and I were a good fit—I had brought along my Acoustic Research turntable and speakers, and he brought out his cool CTI-label jazz albums and R&B records to place on my platter, including Gaye’s Let’s Get It On album which I grew to love.  “Distant Lover” from this particular record shows the genius of Gaye—swirling, practically trance-inducing multi-tracked vocals, a sophisticated song arrangement and, above it all, Gaye’s pleading, pleasing and impassioned tenor.  Let’s Get It On, which also contained the radio hit “Sexual Healing,” hit radio and record stores about two years after Gaye’s career-defining What’s Going On album.  https://youtu.be/KJoeTh00gjk 

6. Frank Sinatra – Witchcraft.....“Those fingers in my hair / That sly come hither stare / That strips my conscience bare / It’s witchcraft.”  Croon led to swoon in 1957 when Sinatra first released this Nelson Riddle-arranged composition as a single; it then appeared on a compilation album of Sinatra’s singles and B-sides from his years with Capitol Records entitled All The Way (1961).  The Chairman of the Board dawned on me early in life; he was a big deal around my parents’ house in the late 1950s along with Ella Fitzgerald and Stan Getz.  Like any self-respecting pre-teen though, my musical compass pointed me toward peers not parents, and it wasn’t until much later on that I found, and subsequently gave in to, The Voice.  “Witchcraft” is just one of Musicasaurus.com’s favorites from Sinatra; it showcases like most of his catalogue the amazing phrasing and vocal command of this gifted interpreter of modern pop music.  https://youtu.be/_RCtDnfYPGo  

7. Weather Report – A Remark You Made.....Weather Report’s most commercially successful album was Heavy Weather (1977) which housed the tune listed here as well as the snappy jazz classic “Birdland.”  Heavy Weather was also the first of the band’s albums to fully employ the talents of new bassist Jaco Pastorius, who had played on just a few of the songs on the band’s previous release Black Market.  “A Remark You Made” is almost seven minutes in length but do not let that deter you from diving right in.  But do yourself an immense favor and crank this up on a decent sound system to uncover its full delights.  At this stage of its career arc, Weather Report was a quintet consisting of Joe Zawinul on synthesizers and electric & grand piano; Wayne Shorter on tenor and soprano saxes; Jaco Pastorius on electric bass; Alex Acuna on drums and percussion; and Manolo Badrena on percussion (the latter sitting out on this particular tune).  The sum total effect of “A Remark You Made” is not quite jazz, not really fusion, and not really grounded in any one style.  But clearly it will feather-dust your pleasure centers and all the corners of your creative mind.  https://youtu.be/2wN8x2atefg 

8. Todd Rundgren – Wailing Wall.....Philadelphia-born rock artist, multi-instrumentalist and album producer Rundgren started out in the 1960s as a member of the Nazz who had a one-hit wonder called “Open My Eyes” in 1968 (the song appears on a great compilation from 1972 called Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968).  Rundgren then went on to a solo career of quirky, captivating and sometimes commercially successful albums, especially through the 1970s.  On his second solo album from 1971 entitled Runt / The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren, the artist put forth some beautiful mid-tempo pop songs including the wondrous “Wailing Wall.”  This tune features Rundgren on piano, lead vocal and all background vocals, and there is more than a hint of a Beach Boys’ approach to the layered harmony choruses therein.  https://youtu.be/o7ZMA_aIBf4

9. Third Eye Blind – I Want You.....This San Franciscan alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s and by 1996, its songwriting duo of Stefan Jenkins (vocalist) and Kevin Cadogan (guitarist) secured a label deal with Elektra Records.  The band’s 1997 self-titled debut was full of swagger, hooks, alternative music flourishes and great pop instincts, and terrestrial radio glommed onto the track “Semi-Charmed Life” which became a rip-snorting success (as much as any song about crystal meth could, I imagine).  The track from this debut record that really mesmerizes, however, is “I Want You,” which is not one of the three or four songs that entered various rock radio playlists upon this album’s release.  This tune is more of an album “deep cut” that has to be sought out and savored; it is awash in ear caressing production touches and atmosphere, and Jenkins’ vocals are his characteristic slightly sped-up mix of rock and hip-hop.  The lyrics are somewhat inscrutable and dark, and somehow this all adds up to a bewitching listening experience...Enjoy.  https://youtu.be/4O94icUAfgM 

10. Finley Quaye – It’s Great When We’re Together.....This song is a mid-tempo amalgam of funk, smooth jazz, reggae, indie-pop, trip-hop, and soul—or something like that.  For certain, it is a hypnotic stew with string backing and Quaye’s pleasing tenor anchoring it all.  The artist was born in Scotland but grew up in London immersed in jazz through blood relations and musical apprenticeships, and in 1997 Quaye released his debut album entitled Maverick A Strike (from which this track is taken).  The album sped up the British charts and garnered a lot of U.K. awards but for whatever reason Quaye’s initial shot of fame didn’t cross the pond to find the same rampant success over here in the States.  Quaye in the years since has only sporadically released new material and the only other song that has reached Musicasaurus.com’s ears thus far is “Dice” from the artist’s 2004 album Much More Than Much Love.  “Dice,” a collaboration with Beth Orton and William Orbit, was a bit of a hit in the U.K.and in the USA, especially on college and public-supported radio stations.  But back to “It’s Great When We’re Together:”  https://youtu.be/R3-sLfRkH8Y

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/15/20.....

A THEMED MIX…With things in the shape they’re in right now—disease and disruption seeming to prevail—it’s time to concentrate on our world.  Here are ten songs with “world” in the titles... 

1. What a Wonderful World – Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner…..As a young man I first heard this song in 1967 on one of my parents’ 45 rpm singles as performed by the incomparable Louis Armstrong.  This version from a 2001 album entitled Toots Thielemans / Kenny Werner is an all-instrumental soul soother, meditative and quite gorgeous.  Harmonica master Thielemans, almost 80 years old at this juncture, skitters and floats with ease above the synthesizer strings and occasional piano of Kenny Werner and this is, notably, a live performance captured from one of a handful of onstage duo concerts that the pair collaborated on in 2001.  The album is chockfull of standards, and beyond “What a Wonderful World” you’ll find songs borrowed from Sinatra, Michel Legrand, Bach, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock—and even a Disney mini-medley.  https://youtu.be/sHdITynB1iU

2. What If The World Stops Turning – Mindy Smith....This is a country rock gem that veers toward pop music, delivered with poise and purity by Long Island-born singer-songwriter Mindy Smith.  She shares the track with longtime Nashville music-man-about-town Buddy Miller who guests on guitar and co-lead vocals.  Miller’s impressive resume includes lead guitar stints with Emmylou Harris’ Spyboy band and with Robert Plant on some of the latter’s outings (a record and tour with Alison Krauss in 2008 and with Band of Joy in 2010/2011).  Mindy Smith had first perked up the ears of musicasaurus.com with the stunning gospel-rock song “Come To Jesus” from her 2004 debut album One Moment More.  The track listed here is no less compelling, just a bit breezier in style and execution; it hails from Smith’s second album, 2006’s Long Island Shores.  https://youtu.be/6ik2IRmv5lY

3. It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World – James Brown.....The Godfather Of Soul really shines on this string-laden funk ballad from 1965; it’s full of Papa James Screech and high drama, and the song became a # 1 Rhythm & Blues hit and a Top Ten success in the Pops realm.  Brown’s albums from around that stretch of time usually consisted of an anchoring, currently charting tune with a backfill of singles—individual songs released on 45 rpms—that were shoehorned in before each compilation album’s release.  That was the case with this tune as well which ended up on Brown’s identically titled compilation album released in 1966.  The song itself has been covered live by a world of artists through the years including Christina Aguilera, Joss Stone and the Grateful Dead, and on record by Tom Jones, The Residents, Seal, Concrete Blonde and many more.  Also, Brown teamed up with Luciano Pavarotti in a sizzling live performance of the tune in 2002 which has over 26 million views on YouTube since its posting in April 2019.  https://youtu.be/hK97cdbbsQw

4. Peaceful World – John Mellencamp…..Indiana native Mellencamp headed to NYC at the age of 24 in an effort to break into the music business.  From an early age he was a real scrapper and spent years in the somewhat torturous trenches of the music business with forced-upon-him “identity crises.”  His first manager insisted that Mellencamp go on record only as Johnny Cougar (1976).  The artist then jettisoned “Johnny” to become John Cougar (1979-1982).  Then with growing success and the release of his 1983 album Uh-huh, Mellencamp felt confident enough to tack his real last name on the back of that Cougar (becoming John Cougar Mellencamp) and finally four years later dropped the catty stance altogether to become simply John Mellencamp.  AND…enough of the name game.  In 2001 Mellencamp released his seventeenth album Cuttin’ Heads which bears this infectious mid-tempo rocker that examines race and prejudice.  It is a duet with R&B singer-songwriter India Arie and also features a cameo on the bridge of the song from Public Enemy’s founder Chuck D.  https://youtu.be/mPy50aadwGc

5. The New World – X.....This American punk rock band formed in L.A. in 1977, the year punk exploded here and abroad with debut releases in the USA by Talking Heads, Television, the Dead Boys, Johnny Thunder and the Heartbreakers and Richard Hell and the Voidoids, while across the pond hitting record store bins were the first albums from Elvis Costello, the Clash, the Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols, the Damned, the Stranglers, the Jam and more.  X was punky from the git-go but by their fourth album, 1983’s More Fun in the New World, the band was already mixing their usual explosives with folk and rockabilly influences.  Doors founding member Ray Manzarek produced this album as well as its three predecessors, and feisty, right-on rock critic Robert Christgau from the famous alternative newsweekly The Village Voice had this to say about the record and the two vocalists/songwriters who propelled the band, bassist John Doe and Exene Cervenka: “Aimed at the no-future generation, X's passionate reconstruction of musical (and marital) tradition is salutary, and this is their most accomplished album.”  https://youtu.be/450snxo-32g

6. In World – Television.....Television, like the band X mentioned immediately above, was one of the bands that first formed back in the punk explosion days of the mid-to-late 1970s.  But unlike X who was born in L.A., Television was a product of NYC.  They were part of the fabric of legendary Manhattan club CBGB, where on various nights of the week one might walk in and find bands on stage such as Talking Heads, the Ramones, Blondie or Patti Smith Group, or lesser known but equally intriguing punkers like Richard Hell & The Voidoids or the Cramps.  Television’s distinction was their two-guitar attack and the made-for-punk vocal style of lead singer-songwriter Tom Verlaine.  The ace second guitarist in the band was the incendiary Richard Lloyd and the two were interweaving specialists.  None of this really translated into much commercial success for the band back in the punk heyday, but in 1992 the group reformed (some say because of the early ‘90s Seattle scene with Nirvana and the like) and issued this self-titled, admirable outing.  “In World” is leavened with the spunk of punk, a good example of how deliciously this band could float along on intertwining guitars and Verlaine’s genre-appropriate vocals.  Infectious stuff.  https://youtu.be/ZJdLwcJrXCk

7. Back into Your World – Son Volt.....In 1994 famed alternative-country band Uncle Tupelo split up, and two of the principals veered off in different directions to form their own units—guitarist Jeff Tweedy went on to hatch Wilco and guitarist Jay Farrar formed Son Volt.  The latter band’s debut album Trace came out in 1995 and proved to be a reliably intoxicating mix of roots rock, country & folk.  Their second release, Straightaways (1997), followed suit and according to Allmusic.com reviewer Jack Leaver, there are “plenty of threads to connect Straightaways to Trace, such as the expressive playing of multi-instrumentalist Dave Boquist on guitars, fiddle, banjo, and lap steel, and Farrar’s forlorn vocal delivery, which could give even the weakest song emotional power.”  The tune listed here, “Back into Your World,” is straightaway one of the best in the band’s catalogue.  https://youtu.be/salUViy2uoA

8. One World – Dire Straits.....Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is another of the esteemed group of British rock guitarists like Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page that were weaned on American black musician elders like B.B. King while awakening their own talents.  Knopfler, though, was also a fan of Duane Eddy, the Everly Brothers (who had Chet Atkins playing guitar on some of their songs) and Elvis Presley, and so he crafted quite a unique lead guitar style that in 1978 propelled Dire Straits’ self-titled debut album onto American radio stations through its lead-off single “Sultans Of Swing.”  It was the band’s 1985 release Brothers in Arms, though, that really sent this unit into the stratosphere aided by MTV and the hit song “Money For Nothing.”  The song “One World” comes from this particular album.  https://youtu.be/nlL_ORdbMpY

9. When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around – The Police…..Late in 1978 Ihad a lightning bolt moment in the old National Record Mart flagship store in Market Square, downtown Pittsburgh.  I was about eight months into my new record company job of fashioning displays in music stores throughout Western PA, and I was up on a ladder stapling some priority Warner Brothers artist posters along the ceiling line.  Suddenly I heard over the store’s stereo system some muscular, incredibly rhythmic, and reggae-tinged power pop that had me spinning around immediately to see what the store manager had slapped on the turntable.  “It’s The Police” Maurice the store manager informed me, and he handed me the Outlandos d'Amour album while “Roxanne” and then “Hole in My Life” spilled out from the speakers above.  Something about this Police album really resonated, and I became a dedicated follower through their unfortunately somewhat abbreviated six-year career.  Among my favorites is the track “When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around” from the group’s third album Zenyatta Mondatta, released in 1980.  https://youtu.be/YC8vxXC0UMc

10. World Of Two – Cake.....The recipe for Cake: Take alternative rock and sprinkle it liberally with bits of other genres; add in lyrics that are laden with sarcasm, non sequiturs and pop-culture nuggets; and then top it off with the sometimes spoken, sometimes sung vocalizations of frontman John McCrea.  The band formed in 1992 in Sacramento and by 1995 were beginning to top the college and commercial alternative radio station charts with songs from two of their most recent albums, Motorcade of Generosity and Fashion Nugget.  The song “World of Two” from 2001’s Comfort Eagle release is a clever and catchy alt-ballad with a slight circus feel; something akin to sleigh bells show up amidst the usual guitar-bass-keyboards combination, and there’s a chorus that repeats “You...There’s only room for you...in your world of two…”  https://youtu.be/ErcKR1zKiGM

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 11/1/20.....

A VARIETY OF ARTISTS’ MIX…Some classic rock, Icelandic ethereal pop, and jam-based blues…some light on the ears funk-fusion…some scintillating soul, and more…

1. Of Angels and Angles – The Decemberists.....To state the obvious, pretty much everything’s gone niche and everyone’s the better for it (meaning the end-user music consumer).  We used to be more in that mass consumption mode, led and fed by mass media.  Now with years under our belt on the net we get our satiation from a million musical directions, and skittering about out there in the musical maw are the Decemberists.  This Portland, Oregon band formed in the year 2000 and proved to be fetchingly peculiar; they ably wield the accordion, guitar and Hammond organ, and blend their alternative flourishes with British folk, often spinning tales that reveal a deep appreciation of world history obscurities.  “Of Angels and Angles” comes from the group’s 2005 release Picaresque.  https://youtu.be/B02QfNV-66g

2. Poison Whiskey – Lynyrd Skynyrd.....The seeds of Skynyrd started in Jacksonville, Florida as early as 1964, but by 1973 they had their line-up solidified and a new band name courtesy of their disciplinarian high-school Phys-Ed teacher Leonard Skinner.  “Poison Whiskey” is a little over three minutes of Southern-style rock ‘n’ roll with lovely layers of guitar, and organ courtesy of musician/producer Al Kooper.  The latter had signed the band and literally put them on the road to success—and on the heels of this debut album, Pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd, the group garnered the opening-act slot on The Who’s Quadrophenia tour of the U.S.  This is also the album that foisted “Free Bird” upon the land.  It is likely sacrilegious to say this, but musicasaurus.com has long been burned out on that tune and part of it is guilt by association; there were just way too many stoners clinging to classic rock and orbiting my social circles in the 1970s, most of them ineloquent and unconvincing champions of the song who merely threw it up on the pedestal while ignoring Skynyrd’s finer, tighter tunes—like “Poison Whiskey.”  https://youtu.be/pVkZo4ytM_E  

3. Boy Lilikoi – Jónsi.....Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi) is the vocalist/guitarist for Iceland’s ambient export Sigur Rós, who at this point have been a band for over twenty-five years.  There oughtta be a picture of the group under “ethereal” in dictionary.com—the music is full of space, savagery and beauty.  Lead singer Jónsi rose up out of Rós to debut his first sans-Sigur album Go in 2010, and “Boy Lilikoi” (from that record) traverses much the same terrain—fetching falsetto, strings, muscle and majesty.  Musicasaurus.com caught the full band at a Byham Theatre/Pittsburgh concert-tour stop in March 2003, and posted a while back in this website that the band was “cool and elegant…mixing fury and finesse” and that the concert itself was a “devastatingly beautiful evening of crushing volume and captivating soundscapes” (Musicasaurus.com isn’t above a self-referential quote; it balloons my importance but sadly, only to me).  https://youtu.be/hZi42PqmcL8

4. Reasons For Waiting – Jethro Tull.....Tull’s album Stand Up stood out to me.  When it hit record stores in 1969 I was a sixteen-year-old music sponge devouring the new sounds that were cascading their way across the pond from England.  That year of 1969 brought a lot to our shores including Abbey Road from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin’s first and second albums, Cream’s Goodbye and Blind Faith’s one and only, The Who’s Tommy, Jeff Beck Group’s Beck-Ola and many more.  The Tull album was decidedly different from much else out there; wild-eyed, high-stepping lead singer & flautist Ian Anderson and his mates were unafraid to venture forth from their previous blues-based rock to more tantalizing turf, leavening their still firmly-rooted rock sound with a mix of classical, Celtic, and English folk.  “Reasons For Waiting” is a mid-tempo, string-enhanced ballad with Anderson’s pleasing baritone and gentle acoustic guitar and flute.  Other highlights from the album include the hard-charging “Nothing Is Easy” and the fine instrumental “Bourée" which is based on a work by Johann Sebastian Bach.  https://youtu.be/exXKfGPgW00

5. Regarding Steven – Blues Traveler.....This band is a tight blues-jam unit that I’ve seen at a few festivals through the years, and it is fronted by showstopper John Popper, a towering force as harmonica wielder and lead vocalist.  Blues Traveler breached pop radio playlists a few times in the 1990s with songs “But Anyway” and “Run-Around,” and they are largely revered by the jam-band crowd for none-too-chintzy set lengths and improvisational lift-offs during song performances.  “Regarding Steven” is a mid-tempo slice with a slinky, sweet harmonica solo; this studio track is taken from the 2002 compilation Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics though the song first appeared as one of five tunes on a CD single release coinciding with the arrival of the band’s 1994 album Four.  Two quick trivia notes: 1) Popper and his band were the genesis of the live music festival called H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons Of Rock Developing Everywhere) which hit U.S.A. amphitheaters to solid success from 1992-1998.  2) He and the group also dressed up as an Amish band, playing their hit song “But Anyway” as the closing credits rolled on the destined-not-to-be-a-classic Farrelly Brothers film Kingpin (though the film did sport some amazing stand-up by bowler Bill Murray’s hair). https://youtu.be/Kv9BaW5tMeg

6. Voodoo Woman – Lonnie Liston Smith.....By the mid-1970s, a number of jazz musicians who had schooled with trumpeter Miles Davis in the late 1960s/early 1970s were branching out and taking wing, like Joe Zawinul forming Weather Report and Chick Corea launching Return To Forever.  One of the other musicians who also took the cues from Davis in his turn toward electric jazz and fusion was Lonnie Liston Smith, an accomplished jazz pianist and electric keyboardist who went the post-Davis route with his ensemble Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes.  “Voodoo Woman” from this group’s third album Expansions (1974) is prettily parked midway between innocuous smooth jazz and sophisticated fusion.  It is a spacey, dreamy four-and-a-half minutes of soft fusion with funk underpinnings, and sprightly flute and electronic keyboards that will lull you with its loveliness.  https://youtu.be/JjflHF1oGgM

7. A Long Walk – Jill Scott.....Vocalist Scott is a Philadelphian who turned from plans to teach toward a life in music.  Her full recording career blossomed with 2000’s Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 though she had been a local spoken-word artist prior to that, as well as had contributed to an album by the Roots and toured Canada in the cast of Rent.  What strikes musicasaurus.com is the suppleness of her voice, as evidenced by this track from the then 28-year-old’s debut album.  Two other points of interest: 1) Scott appears on a Chris Botti DVD entitled Chris Botti Live With Orchestra & Special Guests and she performs just one number with Botti and his band—but it’s Billie Holiday’s “Good Morning Heartache” and Scott just pulverizes any semblance of a doubt about her passion and vocal prowess; and 2) Scott dips a bit into acting as well.  She appeared as Mma Ramotswe in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, the BBC-produced series based on the Alexander McCall Smith novels.  The pilot episode debuted on HBO in the States in 2009 and ran for six more episodes before falling to the ax due to low ratings.  https://youtu.be/pO4zzgFAsxQ

8. The Long Road – Eddie Vedder and Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn.....This is a rapturous tune from the 1996 album entitled Dead Man Walking: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture.  “The Long Road” is a hypnotic aural experience, with famous Pakistani singer Kahn—international “poster boy” for Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis—joining Vedder on vocals.  The song is buoyed by an enticing weave of harmonium and tabla, two instruments that are popular throughout certain regions in Pakistan and India.  “Dead Man Walking: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture” contains only four songs from the 1995 Tim Robbins-directed film and “The Long Road” is one of them.  The other eight tunes were coaxed into contribution by the director, who actively solicited a number of socially conscious artists for song donations to this particular album.  The artists who came through for Robbins included Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, Patti Smith and Tom Waits.  https://youtu.be/FmzT_wb6Dlo

9. Joy – The Sundays.....This four-piece unit from England developed sizeable cult followings on both sides of the Atlantic in the early-mid 1990s.  Their alternative-style songs featured pristine lead female vocals and instrumentation that was ringing and chiming—quite the effective blend, as it turned out, for some serious chart climbing (especially in the UK).  “Joy” is taken from the band’s 1990 debut album Reading, Writing And Arithmetic.  The track floats and flutters with vocalist Harriet Wheeler and guitarist David Gavurin playing off each other quite well.  Chicago Sun-Times writer Don McLeese reviewed their debut album in May 1990 and tried to peg the band’s unique sound this way: “On initial exposure, Britain's latest musical rage sounds like a preposterous hybrid, as if Rickie Lee Jones somehow found herself fronting the Smiths or the Sugarcubes.  Repeated listenings render comparisons and categories less appropriate, as the music reveals an internal logic that is all the band's own, and the insidiously seductive songcraft of ‘Reading, Writing and Arithmetic’ practically re-invents the ABC's of rock.”  https://youtu.be/mwEakHWFiSU

10. Where Does The Good Go – Tegan & Sara.....Canadian twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin (born in Calgary in September 1980) had talent and timing on their side, first winning a hometown music competition in 1998 and subsequently being scooped up for Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair tour that same year.  Their music alternately straddles and blends folk and alternative and the tune listed here is, from its very opening, a compelling example of their magical mix of girlish twin-vocal leads and harmonies, and musical heft.  The song, from 2004’s So Jealous, sounds a little similar to something that Tom Petty might have written.  It is an intriguing, purposefully “loping” type of opening that draws you in, followed by an explosion of anthemic hooks and chorus.  A great tune to be played loud, so turn these twins all the way up to eleven.  https://youtu.be/VFLzZY3w3vg

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/18/20.....

A THEMED MIX…KINGS & QUEENS…

1. Raoul and the Kings of Spain – Tears for Fears…..Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith formed Tears for Fears in Bath, England in 1981, the same year MTV burst into being in living rooms and dorm rooms across the USA, and the two were simpatico in the bands’ evolution into smart-pop superstars.  The group’s second album in 1985, Songs from the Big Chair, was the one to gain solid footing in America with tunes like “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”  The duo then parted ways in the early 1990s and Orzabal gained custody of the Tears for Fears name, producing a couple of elaborate solo albums including 1995’s Raoul and the Kings of Spain.  The title track is dense and delicious; a power surge so melodious and forceful that it practically laps at and leaps over the brain wall to settle right into the pleasure centers—whoa!  https://youtu.be/WJ4VHlluYnw

2. Queen Bee – Taj Mahal…..Singer-songwriter/musician Taj Mahal was born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in NYC in 1942 of musically-oriented parents, one with Jamaican roots (his father) and the other a South Carolinian teacher into gospel music.  Taj Mahal has championed blues and all of its hues and origins throughout the past almost six decades.  High school musical mentors of mine in Butler, PA, David and Gary Kleemann, turned me on to him through 1969’s Giant Step album, but it was the freewheelin’ double-live album from 1972 The Real Thing and 1974’s reggae-filled Mo’ Roots that cemented my reverence.  The song included here for this Kings & Queens mix, “Queen Bee,” actually shows up on two Taj releases—1977’s Evolution (The Most Recent) and 1997’s Señor Blues.  It’s the kind of mid-tempo Calypso-tinged tune that cries out for an umbrella drink (or two or three) in some kind of ocean-side open-air café.  https://youtu.be/QCN4_dDysQ4

3. Kings Highway – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers…..Into the Great Wide Open from which this track is taken was released in 1991 and was the band’s eighth studio record, chronologically coming on the heels of Petty’s first solo venture Full Moon Fever (1989).  Petty had worked with musician/producer Jeff Lynne (formerly of Electric Light Orchestra) on that earlier release, and continued on with that partnership for Great Wide Open.  “Kings Highway” is yet another of Petty’s riveting, rocking and fan-revered songs that he had seemingly effortlessly churned out since his band’s eponymous debut album in 1976.  I remember seeing a Petty & Heartbreakers concert at Star Lake Amphitheater in 1991, the first of his several visits to the venue over the next couple of decades, and I had at least two tingling revelations while soaking it all in—1) the band was truly a non-rock-cliché powerhouse, and 2) the songs, one after the other, were familiar hits and recognizable cherished deep tracks.  I was simply amazed at how many songs I knew and how many classics this band of brothers had produced over the first sixteen years of its existence.  https://youtu.be/-h3gXKArWyw

4. Bring Me My Queen – Abigail Washburn.....What a gem this singer-songwriter and banjo player has produced in this beautiful alt-folk song from 2011’s City of Refuge—but the whole record is really a boundary stretcher thanks in part, says AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek, to album producer Tucker Martine.  “In Martine,” says Jurek, “Washburn found the perfect collaborator: he understands implicitly how far-reaching her songs are; he assists her in cracking wide the conventions of traditions while showcasing their influence with reverence and grace.”  Through her instrument and her song arrangements, Washburn here always proves bold in her steps to artfully incorporate a wide range of influences—folk, rock, country, jazz, bluegrass and blues, even mixing in some touches from Asia, the British Isles and beyond.  https://youtu.be/O316-4khIWE

5. King For A Day – XTC.....This British band formed in the mid-late 1970s and early on keyed in on the herky-jerky edge of New Wave.  That soon gave way to more ambitious explorations into pure pop, rendered on record through superior arrangements and production.  Chief songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding channel bands like The Beatles (circa their most adventurous periods), the Kinks and the Beach Boys to produce sonic concoctions of their own that are almost CDC-level infectious.  The track “King For A Day” comes from the double album Oranges and Lemons (1989), and it is a fetching slice of intelligent pop, lushly produced.  https://youtu.be/EVASP83kjT0

6. Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) – Billy Ocean…..Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Leslie Sebastian Charles had moved to England in 1960 with his family at the age of ten and by his early twenties was singing, recording and releasing singles that melded R&B and soul with a nice shot of calypso.  He “became” Billy Ocean at twenty-five, a bona fide hit machine in the U.K. with chart-topping songs and album sales beginning in the mid-1970s.  But this didn’t ripple across the pond to America right away.  When Ocean released his fifth album Suddenly in 1984, his lead-off single “Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” penetrated radio stations across the USA and the infection spread.  The singer had two subsequent Top Ten hits roll out of this particular album, and radio listeners and record buyers across the country flocked to this Ocean in staggering numbers through the rest of the decade.  Also of note: A smart marketing tool was employed by Ocean’s record label with “Caribbean Queen” upon its initial release; the song was re-recorded by Ocean for certain markets around the globe, so in Europe, for example, the radio waves carried a tune now called “European Queen” and a similar appropriate tweak was made for the African continent.  https://youtu.be/uxX2gA18grk

7. When You Became King – Alana Davis.....This Greenwich Village singer-songwriter was born in 1974 and I first caught wind of her through 1997’s Blame It On Me, which sported an Ani DiFranco cover (“32 Flavors”) and a couple of killer, far-from-filler tunes in “Murder” and “Crazy.”  In the summer of 1998 I was the general manager of Pittsburgh’s Star Lake Amphitheater (now S&T Bank Music Park) and I ran into Davis backstage at the H.O.R.D.E. Festival, a Blues Traveler-led event that toured the amphitheater circuit through most of the 1990s.  We stood in the dressing room hallway and there I confessed my love of her debut album from the year before.  I told her I also liked the keenly placed piano touches in her song “Murder” and she volunteered later in the exchange that her songwriting leads her to view her voice more as a horn than any other key instrument.  Davis’ second album Fortune Cookies from which this track is taken was released in 2001, and when this record didn’t commercially catch fire the way she had anticipated, the artist then ditched her lame-at-the-game record label Elektra and formed her own label Tigress to issue her future releases.  https://youtu.be/fMfmZ3bLmfk

8. Queen of the Silver Dollar – Emmylou Harris…..Music lovers can sometimes recall the first time they heard one very special album and so yeah, I couldn’t help but fall deeply in love with country artist Emmylou Harris’ Pieces of the Sky one night back in 1975.  I was glued to a small clock radio in a D.C. apartment where I was lodging with a friend of my parents’ for a few days, hunting for my first job out of college.  The deejay apparently played a brand new album at midnight on this particular night of the week, each week, and though the sound quality was tinny and nuthin’ but treble, the voice of Emmylou swept me away as only a true angel can do.  “Queen of the Silver Dollar” was just one of the treasures on this album and what I did not realize at the time was that this song was penned by Shel Silverstein.  I became aware of Silverstein in the mid-1980s by virtue of his children’s books but he was also an accomplished songwriter, illustrator, playwright, musician and so much more.  “Queen of the Silver Dollar” was first recorded by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show (perpetrators of the 1972 novelty hits “Sylvia’s Mother” and “The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone’”).  Emmylou’s 1975 version is straight-ahead country with sweet pedal steel, piano, and fiddle, and harmony vocals provided by Linda Ronstadt.  https://youtu.be/zEzx3Fcrh_Q

9. King Of The World – Angelfish.....Scottish band Angelfish formed in 1991 out of an earlier incarnation called Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, and both bands had as an active member the sultry redheaded singer Shirley Manson.  In Mackenzie, Manson was not significantly in the limelight with her keyboard playing and background vocals, but in Angelfish she wriggled into the spotlight as front woman and lead vocalist.  “King Of The World” is an up-tempo alt-rock tune from Angelfish’s one and only album (their eponymous debut) which hit record stores in 1994.  One of the band’s videos was then featured on MTV’s alternative music preview show called 120 Minutes and Manson was spotted there by American studio musician/record producer Steve Marker.  Marker and fellow musician/producers Butch Vig and Duke Erikson were coincidentally in the process of forming a band, and they all were smitten by Manson’s style.  The call went out to her and the four then formed the alt-rock band Garbage in 1995.  https://youtu.be/vsEmgZIT3xw  

10. Queen of Hearts – Gregg Allman…..The Allman Brothers Band released their fourth studio record Brothers and Sisters in August 1973, the first ABB album that was Duane-less.  Two months later organist/singer Gregg Allman released his debut solo album Laid Back, which yielded up that very soulful-beyond-his-years voice in a number of song settings that didn’t hew to the usual ABB formula.  Most of the tunes were indeed more laid back than what the Brothers had usually churned out; some gospel touches here, a swamp-music feel there, some mid-tempo R&B, honky-tonk and more.  Upon the album’s release most ABB fans and music critics embraced the effort, though Robert Christgau of the Village Voice demurred.  “Gregg still doesn't know the difference between drawling slowly and singing soulfully,” wrote Christgau in one of his Consumer Guide reviews, “and it isn't tragedy that makes him sound so doleful, it's a limited formal imagination.”  I disagree; this man’s voice at age twenty-six was a mighty fine thing to behold.  https://youtu.be/2jiInCL6dMo

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 10/4/20.....

A THEMED MIX…I GIVE YOU THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE STARS…

1. The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore – Jules Shear.....Born in Pittsburgh in 1952, pop rocker Shear moved to L.A. in the mid-1970s and has had a career characterized by blips of success within various areas of the music business.  Although some of his solo releases from the early 1990s were critically acclaimed, they never engendered widespread fame; some of Shear’s songs, though, did strike a chord with the public through other artists—Cyndi Lauper had a hit with Shear’s “All Through The Night” and the Bangles covered his tune “If She Knew What She Wants.”  Shear also waded into MTV back in 1989, becoming the host of the first 13 episodes of the music channel’s program MTV Unplugged.  The track listed here—a cover of The Walker Brothers’ 1966 chart-topper—is from Shear’s 1994 release Healing Bones.  This album and 1992’s The Great Puzzle both have some gems to be mined by pop-rock fans who want to dig past the usual pop pablum.  https://youtu.be/Ri-mMuQNmnM

2. Moonlight Mile – The Rolling Stones…..This is a plain gorgeous six minutes from the Stones from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers.  One of its most famous lines is at the song’s outset when Jagger sings “When the wind blows and the rain feels cold / with a head full of snow / with a head full of snow”—and I believe Mick now disputes that those lyrics carry the meaning that things go better with you-know-what.  The song is just plain beauteous.  A major contributor to its overall impact is British composer/conductor/arranger Paul Buckmaster who orchestrates the song’s midsection and close, a buildup of stirring, sweeping strings.  Buckmaster was renowned at the time for a few other orchestral arrangements he had concocted for singer-songwriters David Bowie (“Space Oddity”) and Elton John (“Border Song” and “Levon”).  https://youtu.be/Bq4Q69_mdZw

3. Stars All Seem To Weep – Beth Orton.....Born in England in 1970, singer-songwriter Orton first notably teamed up at various points with electro-pop purveyors such as William Orbit and The Chemical Brothers.  Her first works as a solo artist came in 1996 with an EP and then a full album entitled Trailer Park.  The song listed here is from her Central Reservation record which came out in 1999.  “Stars All Seem To Weep” retains a bit of electro-pop though overall this particular album drifted away from such influences and served to reignite her original folk-leaning instincts.  Blessed with a clear and strong voice, Orton is a savvy songwriter and arranger as well. https://youtu.be/eMM9qhabMds

4. Tequila Sunrise – Eagles…..“Tequila Sunrise” is a sweet tonic of a tune any way you slice it, with the group’s trademark country lope, harmonies, and pedal steel.  Written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, the song is on the Eagles’ second album Desperado (1973) which generally isn’t regarded as one of the band’s best efforts.  “Tequila Sunrise” and the title track were the only true standouts and yet the band was still methodically building a fan base, which of course reached just plain ol’ preposterous proportions when they checked in with Hotel California just three years later.  https://youtu.be/1K0N7UaZpz8 

5. Painted Moon – The Silencers.....Hailing from Scotland, the Silencers had Celtic and folk leanings and punkish beginnings—two former members were with a late-‘70s/early ‘80s doomed-to-obscurity group called Fingerprintz.  The Silencers' “Painted Moon,” from the group’s 1987 debut album A Letter From St. Paul, was hit in the UK and spread well beyond those borders to several other countries including the USA.  In The States it became a cult audience favorite on some alternative-leaning radio stations and made a bit of a splash on MTV as well.  Stylistically the band has been compared to their fellow nationals of that era, groups such as Big Country, The Proclaimers and Simple Minds.  https://youtu.be/FJC_cuAL1us 

6. Sea of Stars – Valerie Carter…..The first time I heard Carter’s self-titled debut album was when I was a part-time record store clerk in 1977 in Butler, PA and my boss’ girlfriend Karen ripped off the cellophane and gingerly laid the platter down on the store’s turntable.  The opening track “Ooh Child”—a tantalizing cover of The Five Stairsteps’ 1970 soul original—took my breath away.  Carter’s voice was angelic but the real power & glory rested in the moments when her uncorked soul took flight—the woman could wail!  Carter’s recorded output was spotty through the years, with solo album releases in 1977 and 1978, and then nothing until 1996’s The Way It Is, from which this track is taken.  This album was Carter’s last full-fledged release and featured guest appearances from some of her longtime music business buds including James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett and Phoebe Snow.  https://youtu.be/N1FojEMolXk

7. In The Sun – Michael Stipe with Coldplay.....This track is from a 2005 Austin City Limits performance of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe joining Chris Martin and Coldplay.  It is taken from a six-song EP (“extended play” record) entitled In The Sun.  The EP was released in 2006 exclusively through the iTunes Store, and its sales benefited the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  All six songs on the EP are versions of “In The Sun” with Stipe in collaboration with a) just Chris Martin, b) all of Coldplay, or c)the song’s originator, singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur.  The version listed here is the best of the six; it’s live and lyrically quite moving.  https://youtu.be/ffD6TP16ZFQ

8. The Girl Who Fell In Love With The Moon – Boo Hewerdine.....Folk-pop singer-songwriter Hewerdine is a Brit who’s been flying well below the radar of widespread fame since the late 1980s.  Critics lined up to praise Hewerdine’s 1989 teaming with Texas native Darden Smith on an album called Evidence, and the track “All I Want Is Everything” was a great tune that got passed around amongst the critics and the more perceptive members of the public.  “The Girl Who Fell in Love With the Moon” is a pleasing mid-tempo ballad from Hewerdine’s 2006 release Harmonograph, one of various solo albums that began surfacing only sporadically during the time period between 1992 and 2017.  https://youtu.be/3pfra46d1Rw

9. Stars – Dan Fogelberg.....I can’t explain why I’ve now come to actually like a couple of numbers by Fogelberg.  Older?  And maybe mellower?  It’s not nostalgia, because I was never really into this particular singer-songwriter’s music.  When I co-managed a record store in Wexford, PA in my relative youth, I pushed across the counter a good number of the artist’s Netherlands album plus a few others from his catalogue.  But his music never really made a dent each time my co-managing compadre Gary grabbed it from our set-aside stack of records and played it over the in-store stereo system.  These days, this track from the artist’s 1972 debut album Home Free and one other—“The Last Nail” from Captured Angel—are quite easy on the ears and even mesmerizing in a soft ‘70s kind of way.  “Stars” picks up mellow steam about a minute into the track, and at that point really kind of converts you.  https://youtu.be/Xjc15i_T8mI

10. Baobab Sunset – Manu Dibango.....Cameroon-born Manu Dibango is a talented multi-instrumentalist and arranger, which really shines through on this seven-minute odyssey taken from the artist’s 1976 album Afrovision.  “Baobab Sunset” is a simmering stew, understated yet majestic and buoyed by Dibango’s various turns on soprano sax, marimba and synthesizer.  I can personally attest that this song unfolds like an open road, as I once placed it on a road-trip cassette mix back in 1981 for a solo journey to Toronto, and the tune unfurled just as the sun came up on I-79 N headed toward I-90 E.  The track was perfect for the occasion; no jarring musical speed bumps, just grooves both sinuous and slinky, while my eyes took in a wide, beautiful vista that stretched out ahead.  https://youtu.be/NA51_h6kZwc

11. Jupiter or the Moon – Los Lobos.....Though musically tight and often thrilling in a live setting, Los Lobos can also surprise with their sophistication when churning out their blues-infused works on an album.  Tin Can Trust, their fourteenth studio record released in 2010, is a prime example of this.  Allmusic.com reviewer Mark Deming explained it this way: “Tin Can Trust captures this exceptional band in truly great form—the guitar interplay between David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas shows both men are playing at the top of their game, bassist Conrad Lozano and drummer Cougar Estrada are a strong and soulful rhythm section, and Steve Berlin’s keys and sax add just the right coloring.  These performances are low on ego-driven flash but high on exciting, emotionally compelling music.”  https://youtu.be/zW56SAQlbMo

12. Northern Star – Ollabelle.....Musicasaurus.com has touted this under-appreciated band before.  The group’s roots are in NYC, and they had an organic birth around 2001-2002 in bar jam sessions that drew upon influences including gospel, very old soul, traditional folk and dusted-off blues.  Their live performances and recorded efforts are both revelatory—the band’s five members are all adept at lead vocal turns, and the depth of musical talent brought forth to bear on their original songs and older roots material is wayyy impressive and soul satisfyin’.  One of the band’s two female founders is Levon Helm’s daughter Amy, though all are skilled players and their usual song-to-song arsenal includes acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, mandolin, accordion, dobro and mandola (ancestor to the mandolin).  “Northern Star” (voiced by Amy) comes from the band’s second studio album from 2006 entitled Riverside Battle Songs.  https://youtu.be/TJuBNOo26ts

_______________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020:  THE MUSICASAURUS.COM CAMPAIGN (ENTITLED "TUNES FOR TABLES") THAT WAS CONDUCTED SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2020 TO RAISE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS FOR THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK RESULTED IN A GRAND TOTAL OF $9,102.75 BEING RAISED!  ....  THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED!

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 9/6/20.....

Ten tunes including one from an obscure late-‘70s Southern California singer-songwriter…and a massively popular female artist whose debut album hit stores and public consciousness twenty-five years ago…and a sax player that really Getz to you…and more…

1. Tell Me – Terence Boylan.....At Bard, Buffalo-born Boylan ran into fellow students Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and the two soon-to-be Steely Dan chiefs produced Boylan’s first solo album Alias Boona, released in 1969.  After Boylan moved to California he was picked up by Asylum Records (label home of Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and others), and he pushed out his second album—this one self-titled—in 1977.  “Tell Me,” though, is a pretty ballad from Boylan’s third record Suzy which was also on Asylum and released in 1980.  Like Boylan’s second, this one featured a number of Southern California musicians including three of the Eagles, Steely-then-Doobie guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and session guitar ace Larry Carlton.  https://youtu.be/RkhkjjERQE4

2. Hand In My Pocket – Alanis Morissette.....Canadian Morissette stormed into our consciousness back in 1995.  She’d been a bit of a Britney at first, becoming a dance-pop phenomenon in the Great White North before she had turned 18.  Then in a fortuitous move she left Ottawa and met up with producer-songwriter Glen Ballard in Toronto to collaborate on her third album, Jagged Little Pill.  The song “You Oughta Know” from that album was the first single released and the first song that caught fire in the USA, but the loose and shufflin’ “Hand In My Pocket” is Musicasaurus' favorite track on the album.  In 1996 Alanis set out on an 18-month tour that brought her to Pittsburgh’s Star Lake Amphitheater where she sold out the venue and played to a crowd of 23,000.  She never hit those heavenly heights again with subsequent album releases, but she did at least get to play God in Kevin Smith’s 1999 film Dogma; she was featured in a scene filmed on Star Lake’s little lake, which is nestled nearby on the right-hand side as you drive down the four-lane roadway entrance toward the parking lots.  https://youtu.be/CUjIY_XxF1g

3. California – Low.....Husband-and-wife Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker are the core of this “slowcore” band that formed in Duluth, Minnesota in 1993.  Their longstanding minimalist approach to songwriting and hushed harmonies—in the alternative pop vein—helped them cobble together a following through almost annual releases beginning in 1994.  Ten years down the road they turned toward a new producer that steered them toward more sonic depth, and this resulted in an album—2005’s The Great Destroyer—that captured their essence yet fleshed out the sound via this more full-bodied approach.  “California” is from that album, and it is a great textured piece with the Sparkhawk-Parker vocal blend and a commanding grunge-lite approach to the guitars and overall production.  https://youtu.be/FNI3tnnu2IM

4. The Girl From Ipanema – Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz.....This very early version of the song is synonymous with bossa nova, samba and the Sixties, and it comes from the one of the most famous and bestselling jazz albums of all time, 1963’s Getz/Gilberto.  Over the past almost-five decades the tune has almost been cocktail-hour’ed to death in cafes and clubs around the globe, trod on by myriad musical lounge lizards and various sultans of schmaltz.  Hearkening back to this definitive 1963 version brings a new appreciation for the cool sophistication of this worldwide classic...The players: Stan Getz on tenor sax, Joao Gilberto on acoustic guitar and vocals, Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano and Astrud Gilberto on vocals.  The latter is the wife of singer-guitarist Joao, and before the recording session for this song, reportedly she had never sung outside of her home.  https://youtu.be/Nim7Xs41UJo

5. Carry Me Ohio – Sun Kil Moon.....You need to just give in to this long flow-of-a-song.  It is six-and-a-half minutes of chiming guitar, a melodic alt-drone that features guitarist/singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek and his distinctive vocal style and world view.  The latter two are on excellent display in this tune from Sun Kil Moon’s first release, 2003’s Ghosts Of The Great Highway.  Kozelek formed this Bay Area band in 2002 after disbanding Red House Painters, another group who managed to cultivate cult worship instead of mass embrace.  No matter the setting, Kozelek’s always trafficked in deep confessional outpourings, largely set within his own atmospheric ballads.  But occasionally he crafts an unorthodox cover of another artist’s material as well, as he has done with the Cars’ “All Mixed Up” and some Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs, Yes tunes, and John Denver selections.  https://youtu.be/2bFCNJx-BpM

6. Summer Song – Yellowjackets.....“Summer Song” is a collaboration between this crisp and tuneful jazz-fusion band and guest star Bobby McFerrin (oft recognized in jazz circles as the El Supremo of wordless vocals).  The track “Summer Song” hails from the 1995 release Dreamland which is the Yellowjackets’ twelfth album.  Interesting to note: The criminally underappreciated guitarist Robben Ford was an original member of this group when it issued its R&B-oriented debut in 1981, but he departed the band two years afterward.  Over the span of their currently 39-year career the Yellowjackets have had only a few personnel shifts, and gradually moved from R&B more into jazz.  They are not for all tastes but within their expansive catalogue these Yellowjackets do have some buzzworthy tunes.  https://youtu.be/dB-C3LrAodk 

7. Win Or Lose – Paul Butterfield’s Better Days…..Butterfield is a blueblood—a member of the aristocracy of “blues greats”—who worshipped Muddy Waters and the genre’s other forefathers while pushing out some really passionate blues recordings of his own in a variety of settings throughout the 1960s and 1970s.  Although I treasure Butterfield’s late ‘60s blues material, I tend to gravitate to the two recordings he did with his assembled band Better Days in 1972-1973; here, the music is a bit more expansive to include folk and roots music influences.  The track “Win Or Lose”—from the Better Days’ unit’s second album It All Comes Back (1973)—still has the man’s trademark harmonica at the forefront, and he peels off some mighty powerful licks as he barrels through this blues-rock gem.  https://youtu.be/zWBTCV6bBGA

8. Missing – Beck.....This persistent indie artist is such a wonderful sonic adventurer.  He is perpetually hard to pigeonhole and each release has gems in store for the curious traveler who stays on course with him.  “Missing” starts out with a sinewy beat (with nice wood block percussion and acoustic guitar) that for an instant seems like the start of an alternative spin on “The Girl from Ipanema”(!).  Sitar-like strings soon slide into play, though, and above it all is a very warm and occasionally layered Beck vocal.  Atmosphere abounds...great stuff.  This song hails from the artist’s Guero album which saw the light of day in March of 2005.  https://youtu.be/Z-mUIWqIn6o

9. Roxanne – George Michael.....Michael has redefined this tune by stripping the reggae-pop feel of the Police and slowing it to a sensual, jazz-cushioned excursion into Coolsville.  His vocals perfectly suit the sweet and polished jazz accompaniment, and it is all the more remarkable because an approach such as this could have easily veered into schmaltz or parody.  It is a fine line that Michael has walked here and he has done it with ease.  “Roxanne” comes from the artist’s 1999 release Songs From The Last Century.  https://youtu.be/QnhNwcfZPpg

10. Rock Steady – No Doubt.....If you’re dismissive or just plain disinterested in this band, you should park your ‘tude and give this song a chance.  It is a bewitching number from their 2001 album of the same name, and it is also unlike a lot of their other material.  The band ended up with a number of outside producer-collaborators on this record, and electronic keyboard sound effects reigned (reportedly described by the band’s bass player as a lot of “Devo-y bleeps and Star Wars noises”).  That sonic approach is really what adds to the appeal of this mid-tempo dub-style tune, and lead singer Gwen Stefani’s intuitive vocals polish it all off–it is simply mesmerizing.  https://youtu.be/Ac2YHgLSDio 

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/23/20.....

Ten tunes including a slow funk jam…one of the first horn-fueled ‘60s rock hits on the radio…electronica meets trip-hop…a Motown classic song covered by an ex-Motown classic singer…Bewitching European jazz from a recording studio in Norway…and more.

1. Didjital Vibrations – Jamiroquai.....Though this band sports a dazzling soul singer in the form of frontman Jayson Kay (a.k.a. J.K.), Jamiroquai also occasionally cuts some fetching instrumentals such as this one.  The band formed in London in 1992 and their style is a mix of house music and classic soul.  “Didjital Vibrations”—a slow, stewing bit of funk with slinky bass, synthesizers, and the Australian instrument didgeridoo (a.k.a. didjeridu)—comes from their third album, 1996’s Traveling Without Moving.  This is the album that also contained the band’s worldwide smash “Virtual Insanity” and reportedly it received a Guiness World Record for becoming the best-selling funk album in history.  https://youtu.be/TXah7y6XVxg

2. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is – Chicago Transit Authority.....This song dates back to the late ‘60s when this brand new band emerged with a sound considered cutting-edge.  They broke new ground in combining electric guitar and solid rock rhythms with a powerful brass section and jazz-laced horn arrangements—quite a breakthrough back in 1969.  “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is” hails from the band’s self-titled debut album Chicago Transit Authority; they subsequently dropped the “Transit Authority” portion of the band’s name from all albums that followed due to protests from the city of Chicago’s real transit authority.  https://youtu.be/9FzCWLOHUes

3. Everybody Loves A Loser – Morcheeba.....This British trio that came together in 1995 was originally comprised of musician-producers and brothers Paul and Russ Godfrey and female lead vocalist Skye Edwards.  Their music was a melding of electronica, pop, psychedelia and trip-hop for their first four forays into recording, but 2005’s The Antidote—the band’s fifth studio record—featured front-woman Daisy Martey in what turned out to be a one-time shot.  Allmusic.com reviewer David Jeffries summed up this bit-of-a-departure album this way: “Conjuring the spirits of Bill Withers, Shirley Bassey and Grace Slick while retaining that Morcheeba cleverness, The Antidote is both a total curveball and pleasant surprise.”  Future recordings featured other vocalists and eventually the wayfaring Edwards returned to vocally helm the band’s seventh release in 2010.  https://youtu.be/OsMAr_aNhNc

4. Ain’t That Peculiar – Martha Reeves.....This 1965 Motown classic originally performed by Marvin Gaye was covered by Reeves on her first solo album in 1974.  This eponymous release came out on the MCA label because Reeves had decided to leave Motown after founder Berry Gordy announced all label operations were moving from Detroit to L.A.  Reeves then aligned with in-demand music producer Richard Perry, who labored for more than a year on the album while balancing other current recording commitments to Carly Simon and Ringo Starr.  Perry’s high-gloss production never overpowers the intensity of Reeves’ sweet and soulful performance.  https://youtu.be/vNOLvDsGINs 

5. This Old Dark Machine – James Vincent McMorrow.....Irish balladeer McMorrow is a contemporary singer-songwriter who holed up in 2010 in a cottage on the coast of his native land to produce his debut album Early In The Morning.  The record is replete with sweet, layered vocals and acoustic guitar, all the more tantalizing as the artist basically used one microphone and no other professional recording equipment to craft the entire album.  Sounding at times a bit like Fleet Foxes and/or Bon Iver, McMurrow reportedly was influenced by the 1970s output of artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Donny Hathaway.  https://youtu.be/JJmN1cxWRt0

6. Witchi-Tai-To – Jan Garbarek-Bobo Stenson Quartet.....This thing of beauty hails from Norway, from inside a recording studio nestled in Oslo where through the years a lot of similar soundscapes were recorded for the European jazz label ECM.  The tune is from the 1974 album of the same name, and it is in my Top Ten for Eternity (should I live that long).  It is a superbly played and masterfully recorded composition, and the four musicians (on sax, piano, bass & drums) are exquisitely in sync in eliciting from the listener a flood of emotions.  It may not be for every taste, but give it a few attentive listens and you’ll be better (and broadened) by the experience.  https://youtu.be/6XVvOcyHDI8

7. Use To Be A Cop – Drive-By Truckers.....This song is a groove from start to finish—and what flows through it is the heart of rock ‘n’ roll, Southern-style.  The Drive-By Truckers first largely lassoed in fans and critics with 2001’s Southern Rock Opera, a concept double album set below the Mason-Dixon that explored Southern Rock history via a young musician’s odyssey, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legacy, and more.  The Drive-By Truckers formed in Athens, Georgia in 1996 and since that time band members have come and gone except for mainstays Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood.  “Used To Be A Cop” from the band’s 2011 release Go-Go Boots is a first-person narrative of a former police officer who’s had bad luck and is bad luck; the song’s driven by multiple guitars in sinister parallel patterns and has drumming that’s pure whack-attack.  This is one great propulsive pleasure.  https://youtu.be/bsACioUPrgw

8. Brand New Cadillac – The Clash.....This fearless punk-rock foursome formed in London in 1976 and was comprised of a lead guitarist, a bass player, a drummer, and a Strummer.  The latter was a joe who was a vocalist from the “spit and snarl” school of rock, and the band itself was dynamic, irrepressible, and musically quite venturesome.  They blended political messaging with punk, ska, rock, reggae, rap and third world beats to produce an inspirational stew that ended up inspiring a number of questing alternative bands, both peers and progeny.  “Brand New Cadillac” is from The Clash’s landmark double-album London Calling which hit record stores on both sides of the Atlantic in late 1979/early 1980.  https://youtu.be/uqTpZXcTc_s

9. My Own Face Inside The Trees – The Clientele.....I first came upon these indie-pop purveyors with 2005’s Strange Geometry, the album from which this track is taken.  The band formed in London in 1999 and released a number of singles that were eventually spun into an album compilation in 2000, followed by their first full-fledged album The Violet Hour in 2003.  Strong reviews and critical buzz followed these efforts but mass acceptance never materialized, which is a shame; the music sounds a little like mid-tempo R.E.M. filtered through 1960s American pop.  There’s a literate approach to the lyrics, a chiming-guitar production sheen, and lead vocals that aurally caress.  https://youtu.be/aiUXvEnJ2dc

10. Lotta Love – Nicolette Larson.....I fell in love with Larson when her 1978 debut album Nicolette was released, mostly because I had 25 life-sized cardboard figures of her at my apartment.  Lest you think me some kind of perv, I shall explain: At that time I was a Warner Brothers Records’ field merchandiser and my job was to cover a ton of Western PA record stores with new-album display materials—including the aforementioned Larson cardboard stand-ups.  “Lotta Love” from Larson was a solid radio hit upon release, and the song’s composer Neil Young had already employed Larson on his own album released that very same year, Comes A Time.  In addition to good looks and a youthful exuberance, Larson had a strong set of pipes and she shines on this great little pop gem.  Tragically she passed away in 1997 at the age of forty-five.  https://youtu.be/aMpUMBfrkeE

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 8/9/20.....

Ten tunes including pop-rock from Todd Rundgren, a dialed-down cover of a classic Elvis Costello song, a compelling British jazz-pop cover of Miles Davis’ classic “All Blues”—and more.

1. Can We Still Be Friends? – Todd Rundgren.....Pop music auteur Rundgren’s first foray of any consequence was in The Nazz, a late-1960s American group who followed the musical paths of the British Invasion.  In 1972 he released his third solo album, a double-record set entitled Something/Anything, ¾ of which was ALL Rundgren; he had sung every vocal part, played every instrument, and produced the entire album.  This record also contained his most significant hits “I Saw The Light” and “Hello, It’s Me” (the latter a do-over by Rundgren from his Nazz days).  In 1978 Rundgren released the album from which this track is taken, Hermit of Mink Hollow.  Like Something/Anything, Hermit was entirely Rundgren on vocals, instruments, and studio production, and song-wise it nicely blended his idiosyncratic exercises with his pure pop instincts.  “Can We Still Be Friends” was covered by British singer Robert Palmer one year later after he palmed the piece for his upcoming album Secrets.  https://youtu.be/YtmrHm6Yxv0

2. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes – Hem.....Ahem, what is THIS?  A lounge version of an Elvis Costello classic?  Actually it’s a quite respectable cover of this tune from Hem, a folk assemblage from the New York area who traffics in traditional American music—meaning, traditional sounding songs played with traditional instruments (no studio tricks, no sampling, etc.).  On this track, lead songstress Sally Ellyson laments and lazes her way through, while banjo, slide guitar, and cymbals & brushes lilt alongside.  The track is from a 2002 tribute album entitled Almost You: The Songs of Elvis Costello, and in addition to Hem this album features Okkervil River, Mendoza Line, Matt Pond PA, and others of the indie ilk.  https://youtu.be/RUZ68eQLaT8 

3. All Blues – Julie Driscoll / Brian Auger & The Trinity…..In its original form this song was an instrumental and appeared on one of jazz’s best known classics Kind of Blue (1959) by trumpeter/composer Miles Davis.  Soon after the tune’s debut the singer, songwriter, poet and black activist Oscar Brown Jr. added lyrics, and about a decade down the road a British jazz-inflected pop-rock band led by keyboardist Brian Auger and singer Julie Driscoll covered the song on their 1969 double-album Streetnoise.  This version of “All Blues” is a marvel on several levels, chief among them Auger’s work on the ivories and vocalist Driscoll’s truly startling range.  The latter takes pure possession of this bluesy vamp—alternately purring, growling and soaring—and she infuses this tune with way more than a feeling; it is an incredible vocal tour de force.  https://youtu.be/Kx2YxTk_i-g 

4. Louisiana 1927 – Aaron Neville.....This tune is on Neville’s second major label solo release entitled Warm Your Heart which came out in 1991.  He is most famous for his 1966 chart topper “Tell It Like It Is” which became an oldies staple, and apart from solo projects and collaborative efforts with artists such as Linda Ronstadt he often musically resides within his family band the Neville Brothers.  Here, his cover version of a Randy Newman song is remarkably poignant, with full orchestra in beautiful restraint atop Neville’s fluttering vocal style.  Like some other Newman compositions it is a lovely evocation of time and place; in this case, the tune tells the tale of the Great Mississippi Flood which in 1927 left over 700,000 homeless in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.  The song also became strongly identified with Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, after Neville performed it during NBC’s televised Concert for Hurricane Relief.  https://youtu.be/zEqiKpQte4c

5. Sun Touch – Herbie Hancock.....Master keyboardist Hancock has for decades immersed himself in jazz and fusion, and in collaborative projects that have helped obliterate the boundaries between set genres of music (the aforementioned jazz and fusion, but also rock, hip-hop, and classical).  He is primarily known for his time spent with jazz legend Miles Davis, and also for his subsequent 1970s fusion period with landmark releases such as Head Hunters from 1973.  “Sun Touch” is a tune taken from his 1975 release entitled Man-Child and it is a spacey, synth-driven piece with deeper currents of sophistication and precision that belie the surface noodlings.  Good cobweb-clearing music for ears open to aural exploration.  https://youtu.be/i79YGW9Ihz0 

6. On My Mind Tonight – Difford & Tilbrook.....Steely Dan has their Becker and Fagen; Squeeze has Difford & Tilbrook, the driving creative forces behind this UK band that first formed in 1975.  The song listed here is from the one and only album that they ever produced together outside of Squeeze—the self-titled Difford & Tilbrook, released in the middle of a three-year band hiatus (1982-1985).  “On My Mind Tonight” is a song that deepens the listener’s appreciation with each subsequent visit; there’s simply so much there in the songwriting and execution that it is really worth the search when scouring for non-formulaic power-pop bliss.  https://youtu.be/oQyvqu7QQYo

7. My Girl – Otis Redding.....This song is a triple threat—co-written by Smokey Robinson, forever branded as a chart-topping hit by the Temptations, and then exquisitely covered by the incomparable Otis Redding.  This version of “My Girl” comes from an extremely solid collection of Redding powerhouse covers that also includes “Wonderful World” (written by Sam Cooke and popularized by Herman’s Hermits), “A Change Is Gonna Come” (another song by Cooke), and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (from The Rolling Stones).  The latter three songs along with “My Girl” reside on Redding’s 1966 album Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul.  This was also the album that sported the Redding-penned composition “Respect” which later gained stratospheric recognition through a sizzling ’67 cover by Otis admirer Aretha Franklin.  https://youtu.be/tjDwzDyULvI

8. The Gardens Of Babylon – Jean-Luc Ponty.....Classically trained violinist Ponty was initially inspired by idols Miles Davis and John Coltrane, but veered into actual musical team-ups with Frank Zappa and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, then ending up a cult favorite of jazz-rock enthusiasts especially through his recorded solo works from the mid-late 1970s and early 1980s.  In concert back then—always with a commanding group of musicians in tow—he was one of the few performers who drew not only the jazz crowd but the in-the-know rock ‘n’ rollers as well, the ones who prided themselves on stretching their musical boundaries.  Some of the shows I saw from that time period—in Pittsburgh venues like the Stanley Theatre and the Syria Mosque—were transcendent.  “The Gardens Of Babylon” hails from Ponty’s 1976 album Imaginary Voyage.  https://youtu.be/R2ENEnxZQL0

9. Giving Me A Chance – Gotye.....This tune is the handiwork of Belgian-Australian multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Gotye.  His real name is Wally De Backer, notable in some circles as a member of the Australian indie trio The Basics.  Beginning in the early 2000s the artist latched onto his Gotye moniker in order to have a public platform outside of the band to produce smart and appealing electronic pop music.  The sound of Gotye is reminiscent of the lush layering sometimes employed by Peter Gabriel and Sting on their solo releases, and the track itself comes from this artist’s 2011 album Making Mirrors.  https://youtu.be/KkoDyRJCeRg

10. Angels Walk – Paul Westerberg.....Westerberg led the influential Minneapolis punk band The Replacements from 1979 until their disbandment in 1991.  He released his first solo album in 1993 and his next one, Eventually, followed three years afterward.  The latter album from which this track is taken doesn’t proffer punk; Westerberg left that largely behind with The Replacements and instead crafted a path toward solid, still slightly-skewed songs that are a mix of Rolling Stones-style rockers (with an alternative edge and attitude) and non-cloying ballads.  Other notable tracks on Eventually include “Good Day,” “Love Untold,” and “Time Flies Tomorrow”.  The link to “Angels Walk:”  https://youtu.be/7TdWt0CaoLs

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/26/20.....

Six days on from this July 26^th post will be the thirty-ninth anniversary of the debut of MTV Music Television.  On August 1^st, 1981 MTV videos began airing on cable stations across the country, and this upstart music channel on television—revolutionary at the time—regalvanized the music business.

Which singer/songwriters and musicians had videos back then that were plugged into that historic first day’s broadcast?  There were 116 total videos that aired on MTV during its first 24 hours of life, some of which received multiple airings due to their perceived popularity.

Musicasaurus.com pored over the whole list of 116 and came up with its own Top Twenty from that riveting first-day peek at the future…For some this may constitute a genuine flashback; for others it may be simply a sound history lesson.  Either way, delights are in store—enjoy!

 Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles – This was the first video ever played on MTV, and a shot across the bow!  https://youtu.be/W8r-tXRLazs

 Peter Gunn Theme/Remote Control – The Silencers – This new wave/power pop Pittsburgh band featured the talents of Frank Czuri on vocals and Warren King on guitar.  https://youtu.be/fgO9MlgZoKY

 Turning Japanese – The Vapors – There was widespread scuttlebutt that this song was about orgasm after masturbation, but the band won this one hands down—they insisted it was simply about teen angst in general.  https://youtu.be/dx3HA-F8iVE

 Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders – This ¾ British, ¼ American band’s debut album was released in the U.S. in December of 1979; the song is also known as “Brass in Pocket (I’m Special).”  https://youtu.be/-7Hy7uAb_eU

 In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins – This tune was Collins’ first ever radio single, from his 1981 debut solo album Face Value; the song was also utilized in the debut episode of NBC’s 1984-1989 television series Miami Vice, accompanying detectives Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs on their drive through a Florida evening looking for criminals and more pastel colors.  https://youtu.be/YXa_mPXE9Vk

 Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around – Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Written by Petty and guitarist Mike Campbell, this song was originally intended for the Heartbreakers but given to Nicks instead for her 1981 debut album Bella Donna.  https://youtu.be/H5i7j0VhEHw

 (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding – Elvis Costello and The Attractions – Costello nicked this Nick Lowe composition for his third studio album Armed Forces.  https://youtu.be/Ssd3U_zicAI

 Little Sister – Rockpile with Robert Plant – This December 29, 1979 performance is from the Concerts for the People of Kampuchea (aka Cambodia), which spanned December 26-29, 1979 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon; this superstar run of shows benefited the victims of the Khmer Rouge communist regime.  https://youtu.be/Q5XJX8sjYDE                        

 Rapture – Blondie – Deborah Harry and her band with special guest sax player Tom Scott churned out this dance-floor delight, a mix of pop, disco, funk and hip-hop.  In the video, there’s a cameo by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat as a night hotspot deejay.  https://youtu.be/pHCdS7O248g

 Looking for Clues – Robert Palmer – This song from the artist’s sixth album Clues sported more new wave-ish material than preceding Palmer albums (it had guest musicians including Chris Frantz from Talking Heads and early electronica pioneer Gary Numan).  https://youtu.be/92wCPfqyVbg

 Too Late – Shoes – Two brothers from Zion, Illinois John and Jeff Murphy formed a pair in Shoes along with friend Gary Klebe.  The song is from their major-label debut album Present Tense which was released in September 1979.  https://youtu.be/1Opz_drg1O8

 Rough Boys – Pete Townshend – This tune hails from Townshend’s second solo album Empty Glass (1980).  The song is Who-like in its power and swagger, and in interviews at the time Townshend tap-danced around the sexual ambiguity that critics had picked up on.  https://youtu.be/dkT8W6u81Ks

 Fashion – David Bowie – Although Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes” video had already been created in support of the artist’s 1980 album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), it was the video for “Fashion” (the album’s second single released to radio) that got the nod for airing on MTV’s first day.  https://youtu.be/F-z6u5hFgPk

 Once in a Lifetime – Talking Heads – This song from the band’s fourth album Remain in Light (1980) is about being pretty much on autopilot throughout your Life and then waking up to that fact: “And you may find yourself in a beautiful house / With a beautiful wife / And you may ask yourself, well / How did I get here?”  https://youtu.be/5IsSpAOD6K8

 Cruel To Be Kind – Nick Lowe – This was British singer-songwriter Lowe’s one and only “hit single” in America from his 1979 album Labour of Lust.  The video centered on the wedding ceremony of Lowe and new bride Carlene Carter (daughter of June Carter Cash and her not-Johnny first husband), and it contained actual footage as well as reenactment scenes taped the same day.  https://youtu.be/b0l3QWUXVho

 Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush – All the rage in the UK especially back in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, singer-songwriter-soprano Bush was only nineteen when this song rocketed to #1 on the English song sales charts.  In America this alluring and eclectic artist unfortunately has always had to settle for a fervent cult instead of mass recognition.  https://youtu.be/Fk-4lXLM34g

 A Message to You, Rudy – The Specials – This interracial British band trafficked largely in 2 Tone music (Jamaican reggae melded with new wave and punk music).  Part of their appeal besides the riveting, rhythmic drive of their songs was their onstage attire which included pork pie hats and mohair suits.  https://youtu.be/cntvEDbagAw

 Prime Time – The Tubes – Fee Waybill was the lead singer and provocateur of The Tubes, an early purveyor of music blended with satire and outrageous stage antics.  They were a must-see rock extravaganza with Waybill the onstage ringleader of song skits that skewered everything from rampant consumerism, game shows, beach movies, S&M, and more.  “Prime Time” was from the band’s fifth release Remote Control.  https://youtu.be/Jm6HQDKzImQ

 Let’s Go – The Cars – MTV really helped rev up this Boston band’s success through airings of “Let’s Go,” a song from the band’s second album Candy-O.  The New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine critic Robert Palmer described their sound as an appealing blend of “punk minimalism, the labyrinthine synthesizer and guitar textures of art rock, the ‘50s rockabilly revival and the melodious terseness of power pop."  https://youtu.be/-gr4QhKt8XY

 Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? – The Ramones – These punk legends met up with gun-toting, wall-of-sound producer Phil Spector for their fifth album End of the Century (1980) in a bid for more mainstream acceptance—or at least that was Spector’s goal, and the band begrudgingly went along with the plan.  This song name-checked musical icons including deejays Murray the K and Alan Freed, John Lennon and T. Rex, and TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, Hullabaloo and Shindig!  https://youtu.be/Gi9a7IdRiBI

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 7/12/20.....

Songs from ’79….These were on my cassette mixes that year, and ran the gamut of power pop to R&B, country to classic rock…Enjoy.

1. You Can’t Be Too Strong – Graham Parker & The Rumour..... English pub rocker Parker carved out a nice niche for himself in the New Wavy 1970s, forming his band The Rumour in 1975 and releasing two albums in quick succession the following year (Howlin’ Wind and Heat Treatment).  He beat by a year or two the emergence of somewhat similar British New Wave artists like Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson yet the latter two pretty much eclipsed Parker over the long haul with regard to popularity, name recognition and press coverage—a shame.  Parker’s songwriting is strong, never more in evidence than on his 1979 release Squeezing Out Sparks which featured tunes like“Passion is no Ordinary Word” and the track selected here for the mix, “You Can’t Be Too Strong.”  The latter song deals very frankly with the realities of abortion, and is well articulated in poetic yet disturbing lyrical imagery.  https://youtu.be/B1wQGsKblPQ

2. It’s Different For Girls – Joe Jackson…..Jackson’s second album I’m The Man (from which this track is taken) was released in 1979 hot on the heels of, and in the same year as, the artist’s debut album Look Sharp!  According to Billboard Magazine, Jackson’s latter album spawned an almost Top 20 hit in the USA with “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” but “It’s Different For Girls” from the follow-up didn’t quite crack the magazine’s Top 100 at the time of its release.  Jackson was interviewed back in June 1979 by CMJ College Media Journal’s Madeline Bocaro, who asked how he felt about a rising tide of comparisons to fellow Brit musicians Elvis Costello and Graham Parker.  “When people first started comparing me to Elvis Costello, I thought it was fair enough—they’ve got to compare me to someone,” replied Jackson.  “But then it continued a bit too long and I got really pissed off.  Then I got bored with it, and now I’m getting annoyed with it again.  It’s just that there’s no one else they can compare me to.  It’s a very superficial comparison, I think.  If you’ve ever met Costello, you’d see that we’re two totally different people.  I find him pretty offensive.  Graham Parker I really like.  I think he’s very genuine.  I don’t think Costello is.”  https://youtu.be/hSJpM_YQwro

3. Rock With You – Michael Jackson.....This song from Jackson’s fifth solo release Off The Wall (1979) entered and then clung tenaciously to the airwaves of pop rock radio all across the country.  For those of us who may have heard it 1,000 times too many over the years—in the background in retail stores or in passing on car radios, etc.—it seriously bears revisiting.  It is a gorgeous, gloriously produced song with sweet strings, layered harmonies and handclaps.  Songwriter Rod Temperton had offered it to Jackson only after Karen Carpenter had passed on it for her own solo album that was in the works at the time.  Producer Quincy Jones came on to helm Off The Wall and then kept up his journey with Jackson through Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987).  Off The Wall was Jackson moving beyond Motown; here he was venturing very confidently into a mix of pop, rhythm & blues, rock, and post-disco, proving he really had a nose for this stuff.  https://youtu.be/QtHRyy5LODE

4. The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (Makes Me Poor) – Ry Cooder.....Ry Cooder has always kind of lived outside the boundaries of conventional music making, and always has championed roots music above all else.  He started out as a session player and his slide guitar appears on a variety of late 60s/early 70s records by Captain Beefheart, Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Randy Newman, and even the Stones (on Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers).  Cooder has a cauldron that he pulls from, and he covers a number of styles—rock, folk, blues, R & B, Tex Mex, Hawaiian, gospel and soul.  This particular track is from Cooder’s 1979 album Bop Till You Drop, which was the very first major-label rock album to be recorded digitally.  The sound of it, just like Cooder’s soulfulness, is clear and captivating.  https://youtu.be/OTJ3RQSa1PU

5. Girls Talk – Dave Edmunds.....This track is from Edmunds’ 1979 album Repeat When Necessary, cut at the exact same time as Nick Lowe’s album Labour of Lust.  Both Edmunds and Lowe were members of the UK band Rockpile along with Billy Bremner and Terry Williams, and these four musicians populated both albums.  The song “Girls Talk” was actually given to Edmunds by Elvis Costello, who was part of that late ‘70s West London artist scene with Rockpile, Squeeze and others.  Costello had not even recorded the song yet, and handed over a cassette of it to Edmunds to record for Repeat When Necessary.  The lyrics were reworked slightly beforehand, according to Edmunds in a June 24, 2015 interview with writer Carl Wiser of songfacts.com.  But the thing that grabbed Edmunds’ attention initially was the song’s opening.  “What I did like about it,” Edmunds said, “I've always thought that a really good song has a really great first line.  And that one does.  ‘There are some things you can't cover up with lipstick and powder.’  I went, ‘Wow.  Now there's an opening line for you.' ”  https://youtu.be/sa3l3Ei0tdg

6. Bartender’s Blues – George Jones (with James Taylor).....Country music legend Jones released an album 1979 that featured a number of other musicians helping out in duet pairings and harmonies.  My Very Special Guests featured, among others, Waylon, Willie, Emmylou Harris, Mavis & Pop Staples, Linda Ronstadt, Elvis Costello and James Taylor.  “Bartender’s Blues,” a James Taylor song originally on his 1977 JT album, is a nice enough stab at country music with Taylor on lead vocals and Linda Ronstadt supplying harmony on the chorus.  But in the hands of Jones, the song becomes a must-hear classic.  On My Very Special Guests, “Bartender’s Blues” is exquisite with Jones taking the lead with his velvet pipes and signature phrasing intact while Taylor provides the background harmonies.  This version could not be sweeter.  https://youtu.be/qPeufdxNm80

7. A Fool For Your Stockings – ZZ Top.....Musicasaurus.com was never a full-tilt fan of this little ol’ band from Texas, but a few select songs through the years have made it onto various cassette, CD and Spotify mixes of mine because of the sheer power behind the performances and the keen production touches achieved in the recording studio.  From a somewhat undervalued album released in 1979 entitled Degüello, “A Fool For Your Stockings” is a deep-bottomed, deliciously doled-out track that oozes the blues.  The usually caustic music critic Robert Christgau (most famous for his “Consumer Guide” album reviews in The Village Voice) said about this album “I’ve hear a shitload of white blues albums in the wake of Belushi & Aykroyd.  This is the best by miles.”  https://youtu.be/xbhUK9Loi1E

8. Driver’s Seat – Sniff ‘n’ the Tears…..A whiff of success never led Sniff to success.  The song “Driver’s Seat” from 1979’s Fickle Heart was a catchy late-‘70s hit for this six-man British band in the UK, the USA, Canada and a few other hot spots around the globe.  On the heels of the album’s release, though, half the original band quit and went on to musical pursuits elsewhere.  With shifting personnel Sniff ‘n’ the Tears soldiered on but any and all subsequent releases failed to register with the record-buying public.  While looking up their output, however, I noted that their record company issued a compilation album in 1991 entitled A Best of Sniff ‘n’ the Tears (really?  How many alternate versions of “Driver’s Seat” can be crammed onto one record?!!)…Also noteworthy: The song was used in the 1997 film Boogie Nights as background music for a party scene.  https://youtu.be/9SCzVEUlqqA 

9. I Wanna Be Your Lover – Prince.....This track is from Prince’s self-titled second album from 1979, and his falsetto here is funkin’ fantastic.  Essentially a dance tune, the song gives little hint that this Artist Then Known As Prince would a) produce something as groundbreaking as Purple Rain in 1984 and b) in 1993 become a symbol of....of....well, just become a symbol, period.  Of course he started takin’ names again (i.e., reverting back to being called Prince) by the year 2000.  In May of 2013 the Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Star Tribune printed an interview by the publication’s writer Jon Bream with internationally known music man Dick Clark.  Clark was asked about his own interview with Prince on American Bandstand, which took place in January 1980 (around three months after the release of the aforementioned second album).  Bream writes, “Clark asked the musician how many instruments he played.  Prince answered, ‘Thousands.’  Asked how long he'd been playing, Prince merely raised four fingers.  Clark remembered it vividly.  ‘He didn't talk to me,’ the Bandstand host said 15 years after the fact.  ‘I've always said that was one of the most difficult interviews I've ever conducted, and I've done 10,000 musician interviews.’ "  https://youtu.be/MtFnAbgd2lU

 10. Life During Wartime –Talking Heads.....Follow this recipe: Take spunk...add a dash of punk...and leaven with funk.  You’ll then have “Life During Wartime,” a tune from Talking Heads’ third album Fear of Music (1979).  This track is dense and driving, and its lyrics reflect the unease that exists in facing some of the threats of this modern age: “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco / This ain’t no fooling around / No time for dancing, or lovey-dovey / I ain’t got time for that now.”  We’ll wrap up this 6/12/20 post of songs from 1979 by providing you with TWO YouTube links: The first one takes you to the studio version from the Fear of Music release, and the second one is a live version—and not just any live version.  It is from the Jonathan Demme-helmed 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense, which was shot over several nights in 1983 at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater.  The film upon release was lauded by rock critics and film critics alike, and is widely acknowledged by critics and music fans as one of the best concert films ever made. (studio version from Fear of Music)  https://youtu.be/_NywTcGOUkE  (live version from Stop Making Sense)  https://youtu.be/jShMQw2H2cM

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/28/20.....

Ten songs including one from the duo who transported Fleetwood Mac to new levels of success…a pop music classic from collaborators Cee-lo Green and Danger Mouse…a New Age instrumental featuring one of jazz-rock’s finest violinists…a Sixties pop classic with mighty horns…and more.

1. Frozen Love – Buckingham Nicks…..Those who love Rock and don’t live under one know all about Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, the two talented Californians who joined a reconstituted Fleetwood Mac in 1974.  The Mac then released their eponymous 11^th album one year later and snagged major radio play and dizzying in-store sales success for the first time in its eight-year history.  Prior to joining Fleetwood Mac, though, Buckingham and Nicks produced an album—and only one album—as a duo.  For those who haunted the new-release sections of record stores back then, flicking their fingers through bin after bin in search of new discoveries, this album was a real find.  Buckingham and Nicks were formidable talents even before they were plucked into instant fame by Mac’s founder/drummer Mick Fleetwood—and the song he first stumbled upon which prompted his invitation to the duo was “Frozen Love.”  (this YouTube clip contains the full album; proceed directly to the 28:42 mark of this total 36:03 video)   https://youtu.be/E1kHeix-55c

2. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley.....This song seized the collective consciousness of music lovers circa the mid 2000s, especially fans of savvy pop, sampling, and vocals with a whole lotta soul.  “Crazy” came out of a collaboration of artist/producer Danger Mouse and soul singer Cee-Lo Green, and it hails from Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere album that was released in 2006.  Producer Danger Mouse was also the mastermind behind the internet-sprung Grey Album, the 2004 bootleg mash-up of The Beatles’ White Album and Jay-Z’s Black Album.  https://youtu.be/-N4jf6rtyuw

3. Wake Up – Arcade Fire.....In 2004 Montreal unit Arcade Fire sparked instant devotion with their first full-length release Funeral which featured the rousing-as-hell anthem “Wake Up.”  It was that particular song that smacked me in the breastbone the first time I encountered it, which was at U2’s October 22, 2005 Vertigo Tour show in Pittsburgh.  The tune was part of a pre-recorded music mix that the band had playing over their mammoth sound system prior to the start of their performance, and the song—at top volume, and crystal clear—nearly overwhelmed me.  I sought out Arcade’s album soon thereafter, and found it to be a stirring blend of styles including (but certainly not limited to) post-punk, pop and baroque.  https://youtu.be/z6R4DDuno5o

4. When We Were Children – Tristan Des Pres (with special guest Jerry Goodman).....This instrumental bobs right along in a kind of new-agey stream, but thankfully is quite spirited as well.  “When We Were Children” comes from Tristan Des Pres’ 2000 album Altered States.  Des Pres is a French multi-instrumentalist (on keyboards, guitar, bass and drums) and in addition to recording albums he’s spent well over twenty years composing and producing music and sound effects for major players in the videogame industry.  The star of “When We Were Children,” however, is Jerry Goodman.  His violin zips through the tune with great tone and a lyric sweetness, and near the end, the song ramps up to a breakaway stretch that features excellent speedster bow-work from this former Mahavishnu Orchestra band member.  https://youtu.be/yR8SkEejGCA

5. Down In Hollywood – Ry Cooder.....On “Down In Hollywood” we get to hear both the Pro and the Khan.  Singer/songwriter and guitarist Ry Cooder, already a 16-year music veteran when starting work on his 1979 album Bop Till You Drop, brought in R&B songstress Chaka Khan to help deliver this slinky, funk-fueled treat.  The song never abandons its steamy, slow sizzle and interestingly features a half-spoken/half-sung approach by Cooder as well as a couple of “downtown street character interludes” (as Stevie Wonder had done five years previously with his song “Living For The City” from the album Innervisions).  Here is “Down In Hollywood” ... https://youtu.be/d4lmMBHlAS4 

6. Long Way Home – Enter the Haggis.....This tune is from Enter the Haggis’ third album Soapbox Heroes released in 2006.  This five-piece Toronto unit blends Celtic influences with rock and world fusion, and above the swirl the lead vocals sound a bit like the Gin Blossom’s Robin Wilson.  “Long Way Home” is a straightforward ballad with bookending bagpipes, though other material on the album (like “The Apothecary” with its nicely wielded tin whistle) picks up the pace yet doesn’t abandon the Celtic thrust.  The band is named after the traditional Scottish dish haggis, which is a pudding made of sheep’s organs—the heart, liver and lungs.  Bon appétit!  https://youtu.be/QYqUMliOJIA 

7. Serenade To A Cuckoo – Jethro Tull.....This song was originally written and recorded by American jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, ending up on his 1964 album I Talk With The Spirits.  For rock fans, though, this is really a Tull tale.  “Serenade To A Cuckoo” was reportedly the first song that Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson learned to play on flute, and the band recorded the track for their 1968 debut album This Was.  Anderson also adopted a bit of Kirk’s distinctive flute-playing style—the practice of humming, and even a bit of mild muttering, while playing the instrument.  https://youtu.be/bq4bponfj2E

8. One Fine Morning – Lighthouse…..Lighthouse was a late ‘60s/early ‘70s Canadian band whose success was dwarfed by their similar-sounding and more successful mates to the south, the USA’s Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago Transit Authority.  Lighthouse formed in Toronto in 1968 with the idea of melding rock, jazz and classical music, and initially sported thirteen members—eight of ‘em on horns or strings, and the remaining five holding down the more traditional slots of guitarist, bassist, keyboard player, drummer and vocalist.  The band played a few festivals back then including Newport and Monterey, and even pulled a bit of a coup in 1970 at Isle Of Wight: They were the only other artist besides the electrifying Hendrix who were asked to perform a second night, an honor not accorded to other more prominent bands at the festival like Miles Davis, The Who or The Doors.  “One Fine Morning” is the title track of the band’s fourth album that was released in 1971.  https://youtu.be/RLdqe8idpFw

9. King Of The World – Angelfish.....The Scottish band Angelfish evolved from an earlier incarnation called Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, and both bands had as an active member the sultry redheaded singer Shirley Manson.  In the former, Manson was not as much in the limelight with her keyboards and background vocals, but in Angelfish she wriggled into the spotlight as front woman and lead vocalist.  “King Of The World” is an up-tempo alt-rock tune from Angelfish’s one and only album (their eponymous debut) which hit record stores in 1994.  One of the band’s videos was soon featured on MTV’s alternative music preview show called 120 Minutes, and Manson was spotted there by American musician/producer Butch Vig and a couple of his peer producers who were all at the time contemplating forming a band.  The call went out to Manson and she eventually teamed up with the three to form the alt-rock band Garbage in 1995.  https://youtu.be/vsEmgZIT3xw

10. Fences – Phoenix.....This band from Paris, France formed in 1995 and after a bit of “feeling their way” arrived at a fetching formula of rock and pop laced with electronica and dance music.  Their fourth album, from which this track is taken, was entitled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009).  It pushed the band onto many more fan playlists in France and well beyond its borders (p.s. If you have a slavish desire to tie your daily satisfactions to celebrity news updates, then here you go: In case you hadn’t heard, Phoenix’s lead singer Thomas Mars is husband to filmmaker Sophia Coppola, and they’ve collaborated to produce offspring as well as film scores).  https://youtu.be/0vqQYC0jqdc

_______________________________________________________________________________

Posted 6/14/20.....

Ten tunes that hew to the blues, and/or to rhythm & blues…

1.Everytime I Roll The Dice – Delbert McClinton…..McClinton’s a Lubbock, Texas native with a bit of a raspy Southern twang to his voice, and he always surrounds himself on record and on tours with crackerjack musicians that deliver punched-up and provocative blues numbers, most of which are—as one would hope—toe tappers and head bobbers.  This particular song hails from McClinton’s 1992 album Never Been Rocked Enough.  If you have heard of this artist before, it may be due to his 1980 crossover hit “Giving It Up For Your Love” which back then ultimately climbed to #8 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot One Hundred chart.  https://youtu.be/p8Pia-wz7ts

2. Hold On, I’m Comin’ – Sam & Dave.....This duo delivered gospel-fired soul music and did so through the famous Stax studio and Stax record label which was Atlantic Records’ subsidiary based in Memphis, TN.  House musicians Booker T. & The M.G.’s and the Mar-Key Horns gave their soul support, and producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter were the songwriting team who fed the duo hit after eventual hit including “Soul Man,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,” and “I Thank You.”  The track listed here is from a Sam & Dave album of the same name which was released in 1966.  https://youtu.be/6JElrEbAcwY

3. Bad Luck Situation – Johnny Winter…..It took until his fifth album—1973’s Still Alive And Well—for this Texas-born blues singer/guitar slinger to really dent the collective rock consciousness.  The follow-up to that popular album was 1974’s Saints & Sinners—from which this track is taken—and critics seemed to like it but the public a bit less so.  In addition to “Bad Luck Situation” (an energizing rocker flaunting the artist’s yowl and his git-tar’s growl), the album also features Winterized covers of the Rolling Stones (“Stray Cat Blues”) and 1950s rocker Larry Williams (“Bony Moronie”).  https://youtu.be/RCUjVA7vN4k

4. Fire – Etta James.....The song listed here comes from an incendiary collection of soul scorchers and blues tunes all performed by James in the mid-to-late 1960s.  At the time, she was sort of a “blues queen in residence” at the famed Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording studio where her powerful vocal performances were always backed by an amazing core band of house musicians.  The compilation, entitled Tell Mama - The Complete Muscle Shoals Collection, was released in 2001 and contains twenty-two classic performances from James during this particularly fertile and unfettered period of her largely troubled life.  On this song in particular, the brass and background singer sass both add a nice dimension, but every song on the album is rooted by that deep and passionate wellspring of a voice that courageously cried the blues.  https://youtu.be/ayE1buH-h9k

5. Devil With A Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels.....Ryder is a truly soulful, rasp ‘n’ roll white singer from Detroit who sounds, in retrospect, like the love child of Bob Seger and James Brown.  Ryder and his Wheels rolled out some passionate, live-sounding classics over a couple-year period in the Sixties, including the song listed here (from his 1966 release Breakout…!!!) and others pulled from his soulful kitbag like “Jenny Take A Ride” and “Sock It To Me Baby.”  https://youtu.be/RAClxmXqX0M