Saturday, November 28, 2015

On the Right Side of Christmas 2015


   Yes, it's time for another Christmas compilation. I've also reupped all the previous Xmas compilations for the new visitors to the website.  


Christmas Day Detroit Junior
Christmas On Riverside Drive August Darnell
Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
I Love The Holidays Office Romance
Blue Christmas Tristen
Thank You For Christmas The Bee Gees
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Belle & Sebastian
Christmas In Jail - Ain't That A Pain Leroy Carr
White Christmas Makes Me Blue Randy Travis
Blue Christmas Lights Chris Hillman & Herb Pederson
The Sound of Christmas Ramsey Lewis Trio
Louisiana Christmas Day Aaron Neville
Mary Xmess Sun 60
White Christmas Allen Toussaint
Christmas Time and a Half Paul Burch
Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
Eggnog Luna
Purple Snowflakes Jessie Baylin
The Mistletoe And Me Isaac Hayes
Silent Night Odessa
I Believe in Father Christmas Mark Kozelek
Rebel Jesus The McGarrigle Family
Christmas Is For Mugs Graham Parker
Auld Lang Syne  Jimi Hendrix

Saturday, October 31, 2015

I Heart Heartland Rock

    I realize that when most Americans think of the American "heartland", they're likely to think of the midwest,  But when it comes to heartland rock, at least to my East Coast mind, it's more about a heart on the sleeve emotionalism associated with the Midwest and East Coast, most notably Bruce Springsteen.  Now I was going to write something else about the music' venerability, but it's late and my old brain just isn't up to the task so you'll just have to make up your own mind.

Download
Bastards of Young The Replacements
Stay Lucky The Gaslight Anthem
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live? The Del-Lords
Big Tornado Hadacol
Mad Old Lady The Skeletons
Still Sober (After All These Beers) Banditos
Firecracker Marah
Indian Motorcycles Fred Eaglesmith
Rain On The Scarecrow John Mellencamp
St Claire Of Cedar Rapids The Hangdogs
Song for the Walls Eric Ambel & Roscoe's Gang
They Will Bury You Tim Easton
She's A Runaway BoDeans
Don't Run Wild The Del Fuegos
Teddy Got Rolled Go to Blazes
Good Ol' Boy (Gettin' Tough) Steve Earle & the Dukes
I Wanna Come Home The Bottle Rockets
Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen

Thursday, September 24, 2015

50,000 Obsessive Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong (i.e. more Elvis Costello obscurities)

      I put together a compilation of Elvis Costello obscurities almost three years ago (you can download it here.)  At the time, I said there was a lot of other good stuff that wasn't on the compilation so there might be another volume in the future.  Well, I finally got my nondescript ass in gear and the future is here!  And because Elvis has put out a seemingly endless amount of worthwhile rarities, there's a second and third volume.   


Disc 2

A Drunken Man's Praise of Sobriety
That's How You Got Killed Before (w The Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
You Gotta Lose (Live at CBGB's)
Baby's Got A Brand New Hairdo
I Don't Wanna Go Home
We Oughta Be Ashamed (w/Johnny Cash)
Wave A White Flag
World's Greatest Optimist (Demo)
Love That Burns (live)
Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) (with Madness)
Mischievous Ghost (with Mary Coughlan)
My Resistance is Low
Party Party
Night Time
Almost Ideal Eyes
Monsters of the Id (feat. Elvis Costello)
A Town Called Big Nothing
Baby It's You (with Nick Lowe)

Disc 3
Whole Wide World
The Great Unknown (Demo)
God Only Knows (Live)
Danger Zone (BBC Session)
Lonely Blue Boy
Poisoned Letter
Sticks And Stones
Really Mystified
The End Of The Rainbow
My Dark Life (With Brian Eno)
Everybody's Crying Mercy
Cheap Reward (Honky Tonk Demo)
Poor Borrowed Dress
The People's Limousine
Honky Tonk Girl
Out Of Time
She Loves The Jerk (Demo)
Medley - Alison/Living a Little, Laughing a Little/Tracks of My Tears/Tears of a Clown/No More Tear Stained Make-Up/Clowntime is Over



Thursday, August 27, 2015

Saluting 70's Singer Songwriters - Volume 2

  I know I promised that I wouldn't do any more Sucking in the 70's comps, but I never promised not do another 70s singer songwriter comp.  And it's just too hard to resist the many great singer songwriters from that wild decade.  I've also re-upped the first 70's singer songwriter comp I made
several years back.


Download

Which Will Nick Drake
River Man Nick Drake
I'll Be Your Lover, Too Van Morrison
Into The Mystic  Van Morrison
Águas De Março Antonio Carlos Jobim
Children's Games Antonio Carlos Jobim
Lullaby Loudon Wainwright III
Dead Skunk Loudon Wainwright III
Any Old Wind Jim Ringer
Waitin' for the Hard Times to Go Jim Ringer
Simply Beautiful Al Green
Take Me to the River Al Green
I Still Can't Believe You're Gone Willie Nelson
You Left A Long, Long Time Ago Willie Nelson
Don't You Take it Too Bad Townes Van Zandt
To Live Is To Fly Townes Van Zandt
Like an Old Fashioned Waltz Sandy Denny
It'll Take a Long Time Sandy Denny

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Let's Flat Get On It: West Coast Roots Revivalists

      It's around that time of year when I seem to feel compelled to put together a West Coast themed compilation (or two).  This time, it's a mix of rockabilly and western swing acts from the last 20-25 years.  Deke Dickerson is the central act on the two comps and if you're looking for more Deke (as you should be), this greatest hits is a good start.  And if you live on the West Coast, I'm pretty sure he still holds a pretty big Guitar Geek concert every year.

Download Both Discs

Disc One

Let's Flat Get On It The Dave & Deke Combo
Red Rose Josie Kreuzer/Hot Rod Lincoln
Mercy The Paladins
Dancin' With Leela The Paladins
Don't Push Me Too Far Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics
Chisel to My Heart The Lucky Stars
Delaware Drive Jeremy Wakefield
I've Got My Pride Susanna & The Golden West Playboys
The Swing Kim Lenz & the Jaguars
Asphalt Aisle Deke Dickerson
I'm a Wreck Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics
(You've Got Me) Dreaming Again Jeff Bright & The Sunshine Boys
No More Nuthin' The Lucky Stars
Can't See the Forest for the Trees Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics
Juiced Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys


Disc Two

You Drive Me Wild Russell Scott & His Red Hots
Little Innocent Deke Dickerson
Girlie Jennifer Quinn
Stay Out Late Lucky Stars
Someone Used to Love Me Deke Dickerson
Laurie Ann Dave & Deke Combo
If You Don't Like My Peaches (Don't Shake My Tree) Kim Lenz & Her Jaguars
He's All Mine Kim Lenz and the Jaguars
Torture Deke Dickerson and the Trashmen
Blue And Lonesome The Loved Ones
Lil' Irene The Paladins
Ball That Jack Josie Kreuzer
Hog Tied Over You Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs.
Whose Honey Are You? Dave Stuckey & The Rhythm Gang
Where Am I Goin'? Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Austin-tatious in the 90s: Damon Bramblett, The Hollisters and Travis County Pickin'

                           

     I posted several Carol Pierce related cds around this time last year.  My choice of 1990s Austin-centric alt-country cds doesn't have a unifying theme this year, but they'r all out of print (and shouldn't be.)  I'd also add that it's really a shame that Damon Bramblett never made another record, though I'm pretty sure he still plays fairly regularly around Austin. (And he's a dynamite live act.)


Damon Bramblett: Damon Bramblett:

Tear Him Down
Heaven Bound
Falling Apart
Nobody Wants To Go To The Moon Anymore
Waiting For The Mail
1000 Hearts
Today I Started Drinking Again
When I Was Blind
Champaign, IL.
Devil On Your Side
Wouldn´t Have It Any Other Way

The Hollisters: The Land of Rhythm and Pleasure 

East Texas Pines
Good For The Blues
Tyler
Better Slow Down
Sun Will Shine
Goldbrick Wheeler
Pike County Blues
Deacon Brown
Heart
Without Love
I Don't Need No Woman
Pink Adobe Hacienda


Various Artists: Travis County Pickin'

Austin-Tatious Dave Biller
April In Paris, Texas Jim Stringer
White Corn Rick "Casper" Rawls
The Creeper Brian Hofeldt
House of Cards Sean Mencher
Oreo Swing Joel Hamilton
Travis County Pickin' Jim Stringer
Stranger Pickin' Dave Biller
Danny's Boogie Joel Hamilton
Liar's Poker Jim Stringer
Your New Flame (Is Burnin' Me) Sean Mencher
Ellen Brian Hofeldt
Special K Dave Biller
Buckaroo 2002 Rick "Casper" Rawls
The Fifth Set Scott Wall

Thursday, May 28, 2015

I Never Go Out Without My Morning Jacket


     I don't know why, but it took me an overly long time to discover My Morning Jacket.  And I doubt I'll ever see them live - where they really shine - as I don't really go to arena shows any more.  But, as they say, better late than never. And you don't need to see Jim James live to appreciate what a great singer he is.  With that in mind, here's two comps featuring the usual mix of obscurities, live tracks, as well as several cuts from Jim James' various side projects.  




Volume One

You're A Big Girl Now My Morning Jacket
Across 110th Street My Morning Jacket
Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) Monsters Of Folk
The Day Is Coming My Morning Jacket
Thank You Too! My Morning Jacket
Chills (demo) My Morning Jacket
Hot Burrito #1 (Flying Burrito Brothers Cover) My Morning Jacket
Wear Your Love Like Heaven My Morning Jacket
True Love Ways My Morning Jacket
Dream A Lil Dream O' Me My Morning Jacket
Carnival Time (feat. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band) My Morning Jacket
State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.) Jim James
Evelyn Is Not Real My Morning Jacket
Down On the Bottom Jim James
Volume Two
My Sweet Lord Yim Yames
Lowdown My Morning Jacket
It Makes No Difference My Morning Jacket 
Golden My Morning Jacket
Almost Was Good Enough Jim James, Bro Stephen
My Revolutionary Mind New Multitudes
Lullabys, Legends & Lies My Morning Jacket
Leaving on a Jet Plane My Morning Jacket
Like a River My Morning Jacket
Knot Comes Loose My Morning Jacket
Come Closer My Morning Jacket
Sooner My Morning Jacket
Behind That Locked Door My Morning Jacket
Oh! Sweet Nuthin' [6.14.08] My Morning Jacket

Thursday, April 30, 2015

It's Time for Monkeyshines

  As I've mentioned previously, I'm not big on themed mixtapes.   And yet I just couldn't resist
putting together a compilation of songs about monkeys even if some of them really aren't about monkeys.  Nor do I think I have to explain this predilection as all humans (save the villains in Planet of the Apes movies) seem to love apes, gorillas, chimps, etc.  Plus, the theme of monkeys does seem to inspire a lot of songwriters.


Download

One Monkey Don't Stop No Show Honey Cone
Can Your Monkey Do The Dog Rufus Thomas
Monkey To Man Elvis Costello
Monkey Man Amy Winehouse
Monkey See, Monkey Do The New Swing Sextet
Monkey Murders The English Beat
Ape Woman Jimmy Smith
What Makes the Monkey Dance Chuck Prophet
Monkeys Echo & The Bunnymen
Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey's Head Gorillaz
Monkey See, Monkey Do Cliff Crofford
New Monkey Elliott Smith
Space Monkey John Prine
Monkey & Cork The Sadies
Shock The Monkey Peter Gabriel
Monkey Rag Asylum Street Spankers
You're Bound To Look Like A Monkey Hank Penny
Mickey's Monkey Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Green Monkeys Graham Parker
Monkey Time Shine L. Hollis & the Mackadoos
Apeman The Kinks
Don't Monkey With Another Monkey's Monkey Johnny Paycheck

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Covered in Beatles


        I fully realize that a compilation of Beatles covers is more than a bit obvious, but I just happened to listen to two truly inspired covers within days of each others a couple of months back: Wendell Stuart and the Downbeaters' "Hey Jude" and Bill Withers "Let it Be".   Hence, I just had to do Brazilian/Reggae and Soul Beatles covers compilations.  There's not quite as many obscurities - especially with respect to the soul covers- as I usually like to include in my cover comps (and I do know that Let 'Em In was not a Beatles song), but, hopefully, folks will like them.



Brazilian and Reggae Covers

Help Caetano Veloso
Minha Vida (In My Life) Rita Lee
And I Love Her Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
Here Comes The Sun Peter Tosh
With A Little Help From My Friends Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Ob La Di Ob La Da Ken Lazarus
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (feat. Junior Jazz) Easy Star All-Stars
Lady Madonna Rogrio Duprat
You Won't See Me Ernie Smith
The Fool On The Hill Gal Costa
Come Together The Israelites
Isn't It A Pity Nicky Thomas
Blackbird Singing Rosalyn Sweat & The Paragons
Norwegian wood Milton Nascimento
Don't Let Me Down Charlotte Dada
Jude Wendell Stuart & The Downbeaters



I Want To Hold Your HandAl Green
We Can Work It OutStevie Wonder
Let 'Em InBilly Paul
Good Day SunshineRoy Redmond
Eleanor RigbyAretha Franklin
Why Don't We Do It In The Road?Lowell Fulsom
A Hard Day's NightThe Bar-Kays
I Want YouEddie Hazel
Drive My CarBlack Heat
Got To Get You Into My LifeChris Clark
Day TripperOtis Redding
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My MonkeyFats Domino
SomethingIsaac Hayes
My Sweet LordEdwin Starr
YesterdaySmokey Robinson & The Miracles
Let It BeBill Withers

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Let's Fall in Love All Over Again With Johnny Hartman and Billy Paul

      I was listening to Billy Paul's great album Ebony Woman and thinking how overlooked he is today (save, of course, Me and Mrs. Jones).  He's 79 and may even still perform once in a while so I'd much rather give him an homage while he's still around.  Naturally, I decided to pair him up with another overlooked balladeer, albeit of the jazz variety, Johnny Hartman.

Download

I See The Light Billy Paul
These Foolish Things Johnny Hartman
Let's Stay Together Billy Paul
When Your Lover Has Gone Johnny Hartman
Sleepin' Bee Johnny Hartman
Love Buddies Billy Paul
Funny World Johnny Hartman
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again Billy Paul
If I'm Lucky Johnny Hartman
Without You Billy Paul
How Sweet It Is To Be In Love Johnny Hartman
Missing You Billy Paul
Everybody's Breakin' Up Billy Paul
Lush Life Johnny Hartman

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Still a Patsy for Patsy



      I've never read anything on the phenomenon, but I've always believed that the release of the Patsy Cline biopic Sweet Dreams in 1985 was the driving force behind her late 80's posthumous revival that lasted at least until the mid to late 1990's.  And as with Johnny Cash, legions of folks still say "I don't like country music, but I like Patsy Cline".  I don't hear nearly as much about Patsy these days, but I thought I'd put together a 1) mix of her rarities and also a 2) tribute album of sorts - i.e. artists who would definitely be classified as Patsy followers on allmusic.com.



Still a Patsy for Patsy

Stop The World (And Let Me Off)
Hidin' Out
That's A How Heartache Begins
Love Letters In The Sand
Fingerprints
A Church, A Courtroom, And Then Goodbye
There He Goes
Side By Side
Crazy Dreams
You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling In Love)
I Don't Wanta
He Called Me Baby
You Belong to Me
I Can't Forget
Life's Railway To Heaven


If You're So Inclined

I've Got A Right To Cry Mandy Barnett
Once a Day Connie Smith
I'm Beginning To Forget Elizabeth Cook
Blue LeAnn Rimes
Three Chords And The Truth Sara Evans
You Got Another Drive-By Truckers
I Wish I Didn't Love You So k.d. lang
My Second Hand Heart Lay Low
Sad Girl Amy Allison
Lead Me On Lindi Ortega
In Time Kelly Hogan
We Met By The Love Lies Bleeding Paula Frazer
I Wonder Brenda Lee
Look for Me (I'll Be Around) Neko Case
Cry Tammy Wynette