On the Right Side of A Good Thing

The Only One and Only Gillian Welch

2012-02-17T00:22:00.000-05:00

Well, it's that time of year when I tend to feature a a female alt-country star (Neko Case), Kelly Willis, Lucinda Williams, Iris DeMent), so this year I thought it was high time for a Gillian Welch compilation. There's one cut from each of her formal releases, but the rest is contributions to tribute albums and soundtracks, duets, and a lot of live tracks. Disc Two arrives next week.

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Beulah Land

Pocahontas

Pretty Flowers

Summer Evening

Lua

Silver Dagger

I've Been Down Before

Gold Watch And Chain

I'll Fly Away

Wind And Rain

Barstow

One Monkey

Black Star

Tonight I'll Be Stayin' Here with You

White Rabbit

I Just Don't Know What to do With Myself - Volume 4

2012-02-09T22:12:00.009-05:00

Yes, it's time again for my annual anti-Valentine's day compilation. However, this year, I decided to make the compiling a little harder by restricting it only to duets. Actually, it was a lot harder than I thought which is why I had to include some artists I'd already featured in the series and why there's more country music than usual (there just don't seem to be that many truly sad soul duets). Btw, I've also re-upped Vol 1, Vol 2, and Vol 3 in case folks are really in need of more sad stuff.

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You Wrecked Up My Heart	Buddy Miller & Lucinda Williams
Portland Oregon	Loretta Lynn & Jack White
Burning House of Love	X
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around	Stevie Nicks w/ Tom Petty
No Memories Hangin' 'round	Rosanne Cash & Bobby Bare
Let's Invite Them Over	John Prine & Iris DeMent
Those Lonely, Lonely Nights	Katie Webster & Lonnie Brooks
We'll Burn Together	Robbie Fulks & Ora Jones
Sad Wedding	Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Two Different Things	Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell
We Get Along Just Fine (When We're Apart)	Crazy Heart
The Last Thing On My Mind	Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner
No Longer A Sweetheart Of Mine	Suzanne Cox and Ronnie Reno
We'll Never Love Again	Wynn Stewart & Jan Howard
Waltzing On The Titanic	Lonesome Bob & Alison Moorer
Love Hurts	Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris
Crying	Roy Orbison & k.d. Lang
Two Story House	George Jones and Tammy Wynette
You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)	Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
What Do You Do / The Glory Of Love	Lyle Lovett and Francine Reed

Return of the 90s Indie Goddesses

2012-02-02T23:28:00.000-05:00

Since Mazzy Star just put out a couple of singles (one of them leads off the compilation), I decided that I needed to do another 90s Indie Goddess mix, albeit one with more emphasis on the mellow stuff (and with some of the bands folks recommended in the comments section when I posted Volumes 1&2 - which I'm re-upping as I type.) And once again, feel free to indulge in as much cultural nostalgia for the 90s as you wish. :)

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Lay Myself Down	Mazzy Star
Tuesday Night	Kristin Hersh
Untogether	Belly
Full Moon, Empty Heart	Belly
For No One Else	The Spinanes
Uncle June And Aunt Kiyoti	Kristin Hersh
Divorce Song	Liz Phair
The Lights	Juliana Hatfield
Shining Road	Cranes
When I Die	Lush
Into Dust	Mazzy Star
Screaming Angels Dancing In Your Garden	Lisa Germano
Judas My Heart	Belly
Dylan	Throwing Muses
Give You My Lovin'	Mazzy Star
Chopsticks	Liz Phair

Gene Clark: The High Priest of Alternative Country

2012-01-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

Awright, I feel silly for not having anything even remotely interesting to say about Gene Clark, so I'll just say that if you're a newbie to Gene Clark and this compilation inspires you to check out more of his music, I'd recommend the live album Flowers on My Grave, his Dillard and Clark album, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark, and his last formal cd, So Rebellious a Lover (with Carla Olson).

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Tried So Hard

100 Years From Now

Keep On Pushin'

No Longer a Sweetheart of Mine

Hear The Wind

Lover's Turnaround

Silver Raven

Day For Night

In The Pines

Lyin' Down The Middle

Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe

Dark Hollow

One In A Hundred

I Really Don't Want To Know

Young Love

Because Of You

Dark Of My Moon

Don't It Make You Want To Go Home

The Gift Soundtrack

2012-01-19T21:57:00.001-05:00

I've never seen the movie (but I've heard it's very good), but I'm posting the out of print 2001 soundtrack to The Gift anyway tonight. It's a really nice mixture of 1960s country acts such as George Jones and Lee Hazelwood and newer (for 2001) alt-country acts like The Souvenirs, Neko Case, and Amy Nelson. Just the thing for those long winter nights. :)

p.s. If you're having trouble downloading previous mixes, it's because megaupload.com has been shut down. I'll try to post them, albeit gradually, to another site over the next couple of weeks.

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The Gift	Christopher Young
Furnace Room Lullaby	Neko Case
Great Divide	Willie Nelson
Wastin' Time	Waylon Jennings
Mama Why	Loretta Lynn
Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven	Loretta Lynn
All Alone	Christopher Young
Beautiful Hills	Hasil Adkins
Trouble Is A Lonesome Town	Lee Hazelwood
Heart On A Chain	The Souvenirs
In Case We Die	Amy Nelson
I'm Alright	The Souvenirs
If I Could Only Fly	Merle Haggard
Pretty Girls	Neko Case
A Picture Of Me (Without You)	George Jones

Crazy Baby: Bobby Hebb and Alex Chilton

2012-01-12T23:23:00.001-05:00

For at least the last couple of years, the New York Times has devoted the second to last magazine section of the year to all different individuals who have passed away during the year. In the 2010 edition, the music writer Rob Hoerburger did a nice tribute to Bobby Hebb and Alex Chilton - since they were both Tennessee songwriters who briefly hit it big in the mid 1960s. I was only familiar with Hebb because he wrote Sunny, so I decided to check out more of his stuff and was not disappointed - especially his early 60s stuff, a lot of which can be found on the Rich Records story compilation. (He also co-wrote A Natural Man with, of all people, the comic Sandy Baron - best known now for playing Jack Klompus on Seinfeld). So the more I listened to Hebb's music, the more I thought he and Chilton would make for a nice mixtape. See what you think.

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Thank You John	Alex Chilton
I Love Mary	Bobby Hebb
Make a Little Love	Alex Chilton
Crazy Baby	Bobby Hebb
Atlanta, GA	Bobby Hebb
Bangkok	Alex Chilton
We're Gonna Make It	Bobby Hebb
Hook Me Up	Alex Chilton
Let's get lost	Alex Chilton
For You	Bobby Hebb
I Must Be The Devil	Box Tops
Got You On My Mind	Bobby Hebb
You Don't Know What You Got Until You Lose It	Bobby Hebb
Stuff	Alex Chilton
This Bird Has Flown	Bobby Hebb
Funky National	Alex Chilton
Tee Ne Mee Ni Noo / Tip On In	Alex Chilton
I Feel So Good	Bobby Hebb

Bedazzled by Dexter Romweber

2012-01-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

I really don't like to harp on how underappreciated certain musicians are, but....., well, it does seem unfair that Dex Romweber has never achieved greater fame - whether it be with the Flat Duo Jets, as a solo act, or now with his sister Sara in the Dex Romweber Duo (who have put out two really good albums on Bloodshot, btw). So what better way to start the new year than with an homage to dear Dex?

p.s. He's still got it live, too. :)

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Theme	Flat Duo Jets
Outta Sight	Dexter Romweber
Tura Satana	Flat Duo Jets
Cobra (Theme 2 Revisited)	Flat Duo Jets
Lover's Gold	Dexter Romweber & The New Romans
Midnight	Dexter Romweber
Crow's Feet	Flat Duo Jets
Tombstone Boogie	Dexter Romweber
Wild Wild Lover	Flat Duo Jets
People, Places, and Things	Dex Romweber Duo
Homicide	Dex Romweber Duo
Mexicali Baby	Flat Duo Jets
Caravan	Flat Duo Jets
Brazil	Dex Romweber Duo
It Doesn't Matter Anymore	Flat Duo Jets
Blues That Defy My Soul	Dexter Romweber
Harlem Nocturne	Flat Duo Jets
Love Letters	Dex Romweber Duo
Tidalwave	Flat Duo Jets
Lucky Eye	Flat Duo Jets
Last Kind Word Blues	Dex Romweber Duo

On the Right Side of 2011

2011-12-29T00:50:00.002-05:00

As usual, I don't have too much to say about the year that's passed. I do think that there were a lot of good albums, but there weren't too many that thrilled me from beginning to end. Perhaps I'm just a harder boy to thrill these days. :) Still, there was no dearth of songs to put on my year end mixtape - in fact, I had to leave off some cuts that would have made it in previous years. (And as in 2009 and 2010, all the mp3s are tagged with the album they came from.)

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Video Games	Lana Del Rey
Escape	Richard Buckner
Montezuma	Fleet Foxes
The Reason Why	Ron Sexsmith
Gone, Gone, Gone	Nikki Lane
Always Looking	Dum Dum Girls
Get Some	Lykke Li
Relax	Das Racist
Tropical Affair	Money Mark/Thalma de Freitas/Joao Parahyba
Paraty	Mia Doi Todd
Progress	Booker T Jones
Stone Rollin'	Raphael Saadiq
Checkout Time	Nick Lowe
Between The Cheats	Amy Winehouse
A Commotion	Feist
She Stole The Blush	Tom Waits
Born To Be Loved	Lucinda Williams
Calgary	Bon Iver
Heartaches and Pain	Charles Bradley
The Way The Whole Thing Ends	Gillian Welch

More Selections from the Harlan Howard Songbook

2011-12-22T23:16:00.003-05:00

It's been a real long time (probably about 15 years ago), but I remember reading an interview with Harlan Howard where he said that when he first started writing country songs, he didn't know anything about love (or maybe he said women). I thought of that quote a couple of weeks back when I listened to Charley Pride's version of "Image of Me". While the psychological realism is a tad lacking, the male melodrama in the song is undeniably appealing. I'd try to find a quote to give a better description of Harlan Howard's songwriting genius, but I have some other stuff I have to get to, so the second volume of my tribute to HH will have to do.

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Heartaches By The Number	Dwight Yoakam
I've Got A Tiger By The Tail	Ray Charles
Busted	Duane Eddy
Sally Was a Good Old Girl	Waylon Jennings
Why Not Me ?	The Judds
Don't Call Me From A Honky Tonk	Johnny & Jonie Mosby
The Sound Of Laughter	Johnny Cash
The One You Slip Around With	Skeeter Davis
Your Heart Turned Left (And I Was on the Right)	George Jones
The Keys In the Mailbox	Tony Booth
Odds and Ends	Justin Trevino
Heartbreak U.S.A.	Kitty Wells
The Image Of Me	Charley Pride
I Fall To Pieces	Carla Thomas
A Thief in the Night	Jean Shepard
He Called Me Baby	Ella Washington
I'll Catch You When You Fall	Buck Owens
Above & Beyond (The Call Of Love)	Wynn Stewart

The Heartache Headmaster - A Harlan Howard Tribute

2011-12-15T21:59:00.004-05:00

Just to be clear, I'm not a proponent of "great man" theories of history. Still.....it's kind of hard to imagine what country music would be like without the songs of Harlan Howard. His own recordings may leave a little something be to desired (though they're not terrible), but damn, the guy was a gifted and prolific songwriter. As with Townes Van Zandt last year and Tom Waits in 2009, I've put together a two volume compilation of Harlan Howard covers (with Volume 2 to follow next week).

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Streets of Baltimore Gram Parsons

The Hurtin's All Over Connie Smith

Pick Me Up On Your Way Down Charlie Walker

Excuse Me, I Think I've Got a Heartache Cake

The Chokin' Kind Joe Simon

Evil on Your Mind Jan Howard

I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today Derailers

It Takes One to Know One Skip Heller

You Took Him off My Hands Patsy Cline

Too Many Rivers Brenda Lee

It's All Over The Everly Brothers

Life Turned Her That Way James Carr

Ain't Found Nobody The Mavericks

I've Seen That Look On Me (A Thousand Times) Willie Nelson

I'm Down to My Last Cigarette k.d. lang

Baby Me Baby Gene Watson

Don't Our Love Look Natural Keith Whitley

She's Gone, Gone, Gone Lefty Frizzell

More Billie Holiday and Elis Regina

2011-12-08T23:41:00.004-05:00

I was listening to the Billie Holiday - Elis Regina comp I made last year (which you can still download) a while ago and, well, I thought it'd be nice to have another volume. Score one for niceness. :)

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20 Anos Blue Elis Regina

I Love My Man Billie Holiday

I Don't Want To Cry Anymore Billie Holiday

O Que Foi Feito De Vera with Milton Nascimento Elis Regina

All Of Me Billie Holiday

Madalena Elis Regina

Bicho Do Mato Elis Regina

Swing, Brother, Swing Billie Holiday

Canto de Ossanha Elis Regina & Toots Thielemans

Jeepers Creepers Billie Holiday

Alo Saudade Elis Regina

Who Wants Love? Billie Holiday

East Of The Sun Billie Holiday

O Que Tinha De Ser Elis Regina

These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) Billie Holiday

Gracias a la Vida Elis Regina

Them There Eyes Billie Holiday

E Com Esse Que Eu Vou Elis Regina

Confissao Elis Regina

What A Little Moonlight Can Do Billie Holiday

Baby, I'm A Charlie Rich Fan

2011-12-01T20:58:00.003-05:00

In addition to his eclecticism (and his rather unique career arc), one of the things I find most intriguing about Charlie Rich is that his wife Margaret Rich wrote (or co-wrote) some of his material. Offhand, I can't really think of another male singer (or even that many female singers) with that dynamic. One of her compositions, in fact, leads off this compilation - Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs. I tried to stay away from any songs on his great 2 two cd best of collection: Feel Like Going Home, but Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs was just too perfect as the opening track. I did however, have enough willpower not to put his great demo version of Feel Like Going Home from that collection as the closer. :)

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Life Has It's Little Ups And Downs

Down On The River

Philadelphia Baby

You Win Again

Just Like Old Times

Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast

Blowin' Town

A Sunday Kind Of Woman

Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

Am I Blue?

Almost Persuaded

Now Everybody Knows

That's How Much I Love You

You Can Have Her

Don't Come Knocking On My Door

Just a Little Bit Sweet

Very Much Alone

I Take It On Home

On the Right Side of Christmas 2011

2011-11-26T00:29:00.003-05:00

It's a little late coming (hey, I was travelling for Thanksgiving), but here's my annual Christmas music compilation (you can still download 2010 and 2009, btw).

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Merry Christmas Baby Otis Redding

No More Pretty Presents Rod Piazza And The Mighty Flyers

Don't Believe In Christmas The Sonics

Come All Ye Faithful Surfer Girls The Chevelles

Rudolph The Manic Reindeer Los Lobos

Xmas Curtain My Morning Jacket

Maybe this Christmas Ron Sexsmith

Old Toy Trains Roger Miller

Gonna Wrap My Heart In Ribbons Hank Thompson

The Christmas Song Jose Feliciano

Perfect Gift Natalie Hemby

Got Something for You Best Coast and Wavves

What Christmas Means To Me Stevie Wonder

Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers The Crystals

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Eddie Dunstedter

All I Want For Christmas Is You Mandy Barnett

I Wish You A Merry Christmas Big Dee Irwin

The Holy Babe Mahalia Jackson

Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) Miles Davis

Carol of the Bells The Bird and the Bee

Christmasey Brian Wilson

Christmas Means Love Sam Cooke

Christmas In Harlem (ft. CyHi Da Prynce) Kanye West

Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday The Sweet Inspirations

More Mark Eitzel and George Jones

2011-11-17T23:12:00.003-05:00

Hopefully, the first Mark Eitzel-George Jones comp didn't make folks too morose, because here's Volume Two.

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I'm Just Blue Enough George Jones

The Boy With the Hammer in the Paper Bag Mark Eitzel

Cleopatra Jones Mark Eitzel

4033 George Jones

Hello Amsterdam American Music Club

The King Is Gone George Jones

I Broke My Promise American Music Club

Who Will I Be Loving Now George Jones

Diary of My Mind George Jones

Take Courage Mark Eitzel

We Loved It Away George Jones

The Decibels and the Little Pills American Music Club

Then It Really Happens Mark Eitzel

Tomorrow Never Comes George Jones

Everything Is Beautiful Mark Eitzel

Mark Eitzel and George Jones: The Kings of Broken Hearts

2011-11-10T20:51:00.004-05:00

When I saw Jim Lauderdale open up for Lucinda Williams back in 1998 (he was also singing backup vocals for Lu), he played the song King of Broken Hearts (from his very fine debut Planet of Love). I can't remember if he said it wrote it as an homage to George Jones or if he wrote it with the intention of George Jones covering it. Either way, I thought of the song when I was putting tonight's Mark Eitzel - George Jones comp. Now Mr. Eitzel may not be quite the king of broken hearts that Mr. Jones is, but I think he'd put up a pretty good fight. :) I'll post Volume two next week.

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How Many Six Packs Does it Take to Screw in a Light Bulb American Music Club

I Just Don't Like This Kind Of Livin' George Jones

You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave) George Jones

Queen Of No One Mark Eitzel

Big Fool Of The Year George Jones

Sleeping Beauty Mark Eitzel

She Knows What She's Crying About George Jones

What Holds the World Together American Music Club

I've Been A Mess American Music Club

I'm A Fool For Loving Her George Jones

Live Or Die Mark Eitzel

Wine (You've Used Me Long Enough) George Jones

I'm All She's Got George Jones

What The Pillar Of Salt Held Up American Music Club

Things Have Gone to Pieces George Jones

Gladys Knight and the Pips: Everybody Needs Love/ If I Was Your Woman

2011-11-03T21:16:00.003-04:00

Back in 1977, Richard Pryor hosted his own comedy-variety show on NBC. It only lasted for four episodes, in large part because it was up against Happy Days (or maybe it was Laverne and Shirley). And it even if it hadn't been, it's kind of doubtful Pryor would have wanted to do it for much longer since he wasn't too crazy about NBC's censors. Anyway, on one of the shows, the skit has the Pips singing backup sans Gladys Knight - i.e., the joke is that you have this silence in between brief bits of harmonizing by the Pips. And no, the execution wasn't much funnier than it sounds. :)

I invoke this brief moment of popular culture only because I think that Gladys Knight probably would be remembered more fondly if her backing band hadn't been named the Pips. No offense to any of the Pips (who were good backup singers), but the name, well, I just think it ultimately diminished her status as a soul singer. Which is too bad, because as you can hear from the two out of print albums posted (it was a twofer cd put out by Motown in the early years of cds before they realized they could sell their old stuff as single albums), she has a darn fine emotive style.

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Everybody Needs Love

I'll Be Standing By

Since I've Lost You

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

You Don't Love Me No More

Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone

Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me

He's My Kind Of Fellow

Yes, I'm Ready

My Bed Of Thorns

Do You Love Me Just A Little Honey

Just Walk In My Shoes

If I Were Your Woman

Feeling Alright

One Less Bell To Answer

Let It Be

I Don't Want To Do Wrong

One Step Away

Here I Am Again

How Can You Say That Ain't Love

Is There A Place (In His Heart For Me)

Everybody Is A Star

Signed Gladys

Your Love's Been Good For Me

Good Morning Mr. Trucker

2011-10-27T21:07:00.004-04:00

Around this time last year, I put together a road songs compilation. I decided to continue the tradition this year, but focus solely on truck driving songs (though a few of them, like Ravishing Ruby, aren't really about truck driving). And if you're dying for more truck driving songs, the excellent 1996 Rig Rock Deluxe comp put out by Diesel Only Records is still in print. (there's a temporary problem uploading pix, so I'll put it up tomorrow.)

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Good Morning Mr. Trucker World Famous Blue Jays

Just A Few More Miles Dave Dudley

Truck Driving Joe Ken Clark

Miss Marie & The Bedford Blaze Marty Stuart

Nitro Express Bill Kirchen

Good Luck 'N' Truckin' Tonite Dale Watson

Truck Driver's Queen Moore & Napier

Truck Driver's Ride Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant

Truck Driver's Blues Rosie Flores

Roll On Big Mama Joe Stampley

Drag 'Em Off The Interstate, Sock It To 'Em J. P. Blues Dick Curless

Truck Drivin' Man (Live) Uncle Tupelo

Roll Truck Roll Terry Allen & The Panhandle Mystery Band

King Of The Open Road Red Sovine

Looking At The World Through A Windshield Del Reeves

Little Pink Mack Kay Adams

Semi-Crazy Junior Brown

Ravishing Ruby Tom T. Hall

Trucker's Rag Moon Mullican

Roll, Truck, Roll Red Simpson

Chrissy Hynde and Emmylou Harris redux

2011-10-20T22:12:00.004-04:00

As I mentioned when I posted a Chrissie Hynde and Emmylou Harris mixtape last year, for those of a certain age, Emmy and Chrissy really were the it girls of rock and country, respectively. In the ensuing years, Chrissy has gotten more country (okay, twangy) and Emmylou has gotten more rock and...... well, a volume 2 seemed like a good idea. (If you missed it the first time around, you can download Volume 1 here.)

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Drivin' Wheel Emmylou Harris

Message Of Love The Pretenders

Born To Run. Emmylou Harris

(You Never Can Tell) C'est La Vie Emmylou Harris

Love's A Mystery The Pretenders

They'll Never Take His Love from Me Emmylou Harris

Show Me The Pretenders

My City Was Gone The Pretenders

High Powered Love Emmylou Harris

Talk Of The Town The Pretenders

Sweetheart Of The Pines Emmylou Harris

Never Do That The Pretenders

Spanish Johnny Emmylou Harris

Tulsa Queen Emmylou Harris

Rabo De Nube The Pretenders

Boulder to Birmingham Emmylou Harris

Stop Your Sobbing Pretenders

Mann Up: An Aimee Mann Collection

2011-10-13T20:52:00.004-04:00

About a month ago, a friend of mine got us tickets to see Aimee Mann in January. I also just happened to listening to Lost in Space and Bachelor No. 2 (her two best albums, imo) back to back, so I thought it was time to put together an Aimee Mann compilation. In addition to single cuts from her formal releases (including two of her 'Til Tuesday albums, but not from her Christmas album) there's a bunch of stuff from soundtracks, tribute albums, etc.

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Coming Up Close

Fifty Years After The Fair

Sign Of Love

Two of Us

Little Bombs

Phoenix

You're With Stupid Now

Jimmy Hoffa Jokes

Reason To Believe

Momentum

The Great Beyond

High On Sunday 51

Nightmare Girl

At The Edge Of The World

The Other End (Of The Telescope)

You Do

Saluting 70's Singer Songwriters

2011-10-06T22:24:00.002-04:00

The term "singer songwriter" often invokes a certain amount of derision today - especially when you mention the 1970s in the same breath. And while there may be certain groups/artists (who shall remain nameless) in that category that haven't aged well or weren't so great to begin with, there were really a lot of great 70's singer songwriters, even if they weren't necessarily labeled as such. For your listening pleasure, then, here's 9 of my singer songwriter favorites.

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Close My Eyes Arthur Russell

Oh Fernanda Why Arthur Russell

Here Tonight Gene Clark

With Tomorrow Gene Clark

So Far Away Carole King

Brother, Brother Carole King

Speed Of Sound Chris Bell

Look Up Chris Bell

Future Song Curtis Mayfield

Keep On Keeping On Curtis Mayfield

Inner City Blues Rodriguez

To Whom It May Concern Rodriguez

Campo De Encino Harry Nilsson

Gotta Get Up Harry Nilsson

Brother Jorge Ben

Oba, LÃ¡ Vem Ela Jorge Ben

Half Past France John Cale

Big White Cloud John Cale

More Kinks, Jam, and Holly Golightly

2011-09-28T13:45:00.004-04:00

As promised, here's disc two of The Kinks, The Jam and Holly Golightly. And if you're just discovering Holly Golightly and want more (and really, who wouldn't), I'd suggest starting here.

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No Big Thing Holly Golightly

Did You See His Name? The Kinks

In The Crowd The Jam

Anyotherway Holly Golightly

Nothing In This World Can Stop Me Worryin' Bout That Girl The Kinks

Holloway Jail The Kinks

Time To Go Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs

Thick as Thieves The Jam

Picture Book The Kinks

And Your Bird Can Sing The Jam

Stoned Out of My Mind The Jam

Mellow Down Easy Holly Golightly

David Watts The Jam

Look For Me Baby Holly Golightly

Lola The Kinks

Absolutely Mod Out There: The Kinks, The Jam, and Holly Golightly

2011-09-23T00:16:00.005-04:00

While it's still sticky and humid out here in the northeast, fall is upon us which means (at least to me) that it's time for some Kinks, Jam and Holly Golightly. I'll post disc two next week.

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Party Line The Kinks

Girl on the Phone The Jam

Mary-Ann Holly Golightly

Sally Go Round the Roses Holly Golightly

Monday The Jam

Gotta Get The First Plane Home The Kinks

Through Sun and Wine Holly Golightly

Who'll Be The Next In Line The Kinks

Town Called Malice The Jam

Trans-Global Express The Jam

She Said Holly Golightly

Big Black Smoke The Kinks

Time Will Tell Holly Golightly

Yo-Yo The Kinks

That's Entertainment The Jam

Ray Price: Night Life

2011-09-16T00:15:00.005-04:00

I know I've been over indulging a bit in music from the early 1960s, but when I found out that Ray Price's superb 1963 release Night Life was out of print, I thought I owed it to folks to post it. Great selection of songs, Price's voice never sounded better, and a who's who of top studio musicians (Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Day on steel guitar, Pig Robbins on piano, Grady Martin on guitar, etc.)

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Introduction and Theme/The Night Life

Lonely Street

The Wild Side Of Life

Sittin' And Thinkin'

The Twenty-Fourth Hour

A Girl In The Night

Pride

There's No Fool Like A Young Fool

If She Could See Me Now

Bright Lights And Blonde Haired Women

Are You Sure

Let Me Talk To You

Nobody's Baby Now: 60s Pop and Soul Nuggets

2011-09-08T23:23:00.003-04:00

I do realize that a lot more music is made (or at least formally released) today than 40-50 years ago, but it still surprises me how much good music from the 1960s (and 1970s) remained largely in obscurity. In that spirit, here's 22 1960s female soul and pop nuggets - a bunch of them made at least a little dent on the soul and pop charts of that time (it's mostly stuff from 1965-1968), but I tried to stay away from the big hits and really popular performers.

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Broken Hearted Fool Inez Foxx

Please Don`t Wake Me The Cinderellas

Thank Goodness For The Rain Peanut

They Say Big Girls Don't Cry Beverly Williams

It's My Time Drew-Vels

There's Something the Matter Cynthia & The Imaginations

Don't Cry Irma & The Larks

My Lover Barbara & The Browns

Tainted Love Gloria Jones

Ev'ry Day Billie Davis

Putty in Your Hands Jean & the Statesides

What am I doing here with you Twinkle

Thrills and Chills Helene Smith

Mixed Up, Shook-Up Val McKenna

High flying bird Maggie Hammond

No One Else June Conquest

Talking About My Baby Gloria Walker

Selfish One Jackie Ross

Hurting Over You Boy Janet & The Jays

See If I Care Ria Bartok

Close Your Eyes Bonnie

I'm Nobody's Baby Now Reparata And The Delrons

Triple Bill: Neko Case, Rachel Flotard, and Kelly Hogan

2011-09-01T22:28:00.004-04:00

I keep hoping that the next time Neko Case tours, the opening acts will be her backup singers: Kelly Hogan and Rachel Flotard (of Visqueen). For a variety of reasons, that's unlikely to happen, so here's a mixtape of the three (and if you're just discovering Kelly Hogan and Rachel Flotard, I recommend both of Hogan's solo releases and Visqueen's King Me.

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I'll Go To My Grave Loving You Kelly Hogan

Beautiful Amnesia Visqueen

Soulful Shade Of Blue Neko Case

Dreaming Man Neko Case

Papa Was A Rodeo Kelly Hogan & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts

Witchcraft Rachel Flotard (w/Jon Rauhouse)

Harbor Lights Kelly Hogan (w/Jon Rauhouse)

The Next Time You Say Forever Neko Case

Look Alive Visqueen

Last To Know Visqueen

(It's A Mighty Thin Line) Between Love And Hate Kelly Hogan & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts Timber Neko Case & Her Boyfriends

Right Or Wrong Kelly Hogan

So Long Visqueen

Thrice All American Neko Case & Her Boyfriends

More Dwight Yoakam

2011-08-25T20:42:00.004-04:00

As promised, here's the second part of my Dwight Yoakam mixtape.

Download

Pocket Of A Clown

I'll Go Back To Her

Playboy

Mystery Train

Truckin'

The Distance Between You And Me

Blame the Vain

The Sad Side Of Town

Cattle Call

It's Better This Way

Today I Started Loving You Again

Somewhere

Bury Me

I Just Got Wise

Things Change

DWIGHT ON!

2011-08-18T22:28:00.005-04:00

It's kind of easy to forget now, but Dwight Yoakam may have been the act most responsible for legitimating country music in the eyes of a lot 20somethings back in the mid 80s (there were other "new traditionalists" like Lyle Lovett, KD Lang, Steve Earle, etc, but I still think Dwight had the biggest impact). He's been lying low for the last couple of years, but he is back on Warner Brothers Records with a new cd slated for early 2012. So I figured it's a good time to remind people of Mr. Yoakam's music - the compilation is a mix of album tracks, rarities, and of course, a couple of duets. Side B (hey, my first encounter with Dwight was a Hillbilly Deluxe cassette my friend made me in 1987) is next week.

Download

Sorry You Asked?

I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)

My Bucket's Got a Hole In It

New San Antonio Rose

I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide

Streets of Bakersfield

The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn

If You Were Me

Holding Things Together

Carmelita

If Teardrops Were Diamonds

Oh Lonesome Me

That's Okay

Some Dark Holler

Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23

Do It The Soundway - Volume 2

2011-08-11T23:38:00.005-04:00

As promised here's Volume 2 of the Soundway label mixtape. I should also point out that almost all of their releases are on emusic.com if you want to explore further (see my faves in last week's post).

Download

Onwu Ama Dike St. Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band

Up Tight Los Silvertones

Acid Rock The Funkees

Noble Kings (yako Aba) Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings

Jazzy Los Papacitos

Me Voy PaLa Costa Rosendo Y Su Banda

Hedzoleh! Hedzoleh Soundz

El Lobo Wganda Kenya

West African Safari Sir Victor Uwaifo

Mampam Sukuruwe The Sweet Talks

Whore You? (Original 45 Version) Fela Ransome Kuti & The Africa 70

Do It The Soundway

2011-08-04T23:43:00.004-04:00

Given tonight's post of a Soundway Records label mix, I was going to talk about labels and their reputation and such, but I've got pretty much nothin' to say. But I do love the Soundway Records label - rare stuff, mostly Latin-American and African music from the 60s and 70s. My personal faves are the Ghana Special, Nigeria Rock Special, Nigeria Special, Afrobeat Special, and the Panama Vol 3, but for tonight's (and next week's Volume 2), I've chosen one track from each of the releases.

Download

Panty Monsieur Dolor Et Les Guitar Boys

Elyoyo Wganda Kenya

Omelebele Dr Victor Olayas International All Stars

Lagos City Asiko

Exciters Theme The Exciters

Gendamou Na Wili We Gnannin T.p. Orchestre Poly-rythmo Soul

Lam Plearn The Petch Phin Thong Band

Suena Ahora Michi Sarmiento

Nite Safarie The Black Star Sound

Agboyabakpa James Etamobe & His All Weather Band

Egwu Aja Ofo The Black Company

Dig That Bap: A Bap Kennedy Sampler

2011-07-22T00:58:00.003-04:00

I still remember getting the Irish singer Bap Kennedy's cd Lonely Street in 2000. I really liked his first two releases (Domestic Blues and Hillbilly Shakespeare), but I must confess to a bit skepticism in reading the liner notes as it seemed like a not so great concept album about Hank Williams and Elvis Presley. Well, let's just say it's a good thing I'm a skeptic rather than a cynic since Lonely Street soon became one of my all time favorite cds (if the term desert island discs still meant anything, I'd say it was one of mine). Really, it's hard to imagine a more perfect album from start to finish - every song is a gem, the sequencing is spot-on, and he makes the not quite a concept album concept work brilliantly.

Now his two albums (The Big Picture and Howl On) since then haven't quite matched up, but there are several splendid tracks and really, how could they compare? All of his releases are still available with the exception of Hillbilly Shakespeare (you can also get his solo releases as well as a lot of his stuff with 90s band Energy Orchard - at emusic.com)

According to his website, he's just completing a new cd, so to hold you over, here's a little sampler including several Energy Orchard tracks.

Download

Lost Highway Bap Kennedy

My Money Bap Kennedy

Wasted Energy Orchard

Fireworks Bap Kennedy

Elvis Hank and Me Bap Kennedy

Dirty Old Town Bap Kennedy

Tell Your Mother Energy Orchard

Irish Moon Bap Kennedy

Hey Joe Bap Kennedy

Born To Lose Bap Kennedy

I'm No Angel Energy Orchard

Sailortown Energy Orchard

My Sweet Love Aint Around Bap Kennedy

The Beautiful Country Bap Kennedy

Hanks Last Waltz Bap Kennedy

Nightcaps at David Lynch's - Side B

2011-07-15T01:08:00.005-04:00

As promised here's Side B (well, you could fit them both on a 90 minute cassette ;) of Nightcaps at David Lynch's.

Download

Love Letters Carol Hadley

You Can Depend On Me Brenda Lee

Oh What I Wouldn't Give Jimmy Scott

Black Night Johnnie Morisette

Bring It On Home Sonny Boy Williamson

Midnight Blues The Detroit Cobras

White Trees Flat Duo Jets

Red Bats With Teeth Angelo Badalamenti

Trouble Is A Lonesome Town Lee Hazelwood

The Cold Hard Facts Of Life Porter Wagoner

Farewell Good Night's Sleep Lay Low

Funeral In The Rain Chris Isaak

The Comedians Roy Orbison

Anything To Say You're Mine Etta James

Town Without Pity Gene Pitney

Nightcaps at David Lynch's

2011-07-08T01:19:00.004-04:00

I was a big fan of the movie Blue Velvet when it came out back in the late 1980s. But it'd been almost twenty years since I'd seen it when I happened to come across it while channel surfing a while back. I'd always loved the use of Roy Orbison music in the movie, but when I watched it again, I remembered how much I liked the music of the late 1950s and early 1960s. For a long time, the period was dismissed as a wasteland - i.e. the period between Elvis' heyday and the Beatles. I think the period has since been redeemed in a lot of folks' eyes - sometimes we need a little revisionist history, right. :) I mean, there's just something about the weirdly understated melancholy and the lugubrious (in the very best sense of the term) piano in so many songs from that time period that I love - perfect for drinking (or drunk slow dancing) late at night at a bar straight off the set of a David Lynch movie. So here's a bunch of cuts from that time period as well as other songs that really should have been written in 1960. :) I'll post Side B next week.

Download

Blue Velvet Bobby Vinton

But Not For Me Ketty Lester

Smoke Rings Sam Cooke

The Beast Milt Buckner

Reconsider Baby Lowell Fulson

Tired Of Being Shoved Around Gay Crosse

Since I Fell For You Nina Simone

Blue Moon Elvis Presley

I've Lost My Heart to You Charlie Rich

Cry On Irma Thomas

Rockin' Back Inside My Heart Julee Cruise

A Girl I Used To Know George Jones

When You Need a Laugh Patsy Cline

Porchlight Neko Case & Her Boyfriends

The Little White Cloud That Cried Johnnie Ray

Nova Bossa: Red Hot on Verve

2011-06-30T22:06:00.002-04:00

The Red Hot Organization just put out Red Hot and Rio 2 on Tuesday - it's a mix of newer and older artists (Brazilian and non-Brazilian) covering 60s and 70s Tropicalia tunes. I just downloaded it today, so I've only had the chance to listen to a few songs (which were quite good, btw). The first Red Hot and Rio is still available as a download, but the companion cd Nova Bossa: Red Hot on Verve, which is pretty much a Brazilian super-hits (in the best sense of the term) of the 60s and 70s is completely out of print. Now, I'm sure, even if you're not a Brazilian music fan, you've heard some of the cuts (yes, The Girl from Ipanema is on there), but, well, ....... I'll put it this way - it's a great introduction to Brazilian music even if you don't need an introduction.

Download

A Felicidade Agostinho Dos Santos

Agua De Beber Astrud Gilberto & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Interlude #1 Various Artists

The Girl From Ipanema Stan Getz & João Gilberto

Bim Bom João Gilberto

Insensatez Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfá

Bicho Do Mato Walter Wanderly

Mas Que Nada Tamba Trio

Interlude #2 Various Artists

Surfboard Roberto Menescal E Seu Conjunto

Interlude #3 Various Artists

Desafinado Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd

Interlude #4 Various Artists

After Sunrise Sergio Mendes

Consolacao Baden Powell

Upa Neguinho Edu Lobo

Interlude #5 Various Artists

Superbacana Caetano Veloso

Interlude #6 Various Artists

Aquele Abraco Gilberto Gil

Interlude #7 Various Artists

Agua de Marco Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Corcovado Stan Getz & João Gilberto

'Bout Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys

2011-06-23T21:23:00.005-04:00

Don't get me wrong. I dig Big Sandy's rockabilly, western swing and country stuff. And they're still a great live band even without a pedal steel player (just saw 'em a couple of weeks ago). But, man, it's Big Sandy's crooning that I like the most (just check out The Night is for Dreamers and Dedicated to You on this comp). Well, I can always hope that he'll put out his crooner album when he gets a little older. Speaking of albums, if you're new to Big Sandy, I'd definitely start with It's Time. After that, you can't really go wrong with any of his stuff (or the mostly instrumental album the Fly-Rite Boys put out).

Download

Power of the 45 (Pt. 1) Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys

Draggen-It Boogie Big Sandy And The Fly-Rite Trio

Backdoor Dan Big Sandy & the Fly Rite Boys

Steel Crazy Biller & Wakefield

46-24-46 Big Sandy w/ The Martini Kings

The Night Is For Dreamers Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys

Catalina Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys

Silent Partner Big Sandy and Los Straitjackets

Honky Tonk Queen Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Chica Alborotada Los Straitjackets (w/Big Sandy)

Hot Water Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Jake's Barber Shop Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Playgirl Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

D. of L. Boogie Fly Rite Boys

Dedicated to You Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

My Sinful Days Are Over Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Let Her Know Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

All That Funky Stuff - Volume 2

2011-06-16T22:21:00.004-04:00

As promised, here's volume 2 of my pop/funk/disco/punk compilation.

Download

That's Not My Name The Ting Tings

Don't Give Up Noisettes

Good Beat Deee-Lite

Funky Stuff Lizzy Mercier Descloux

Dance or Die Janelle Monáe

Sugar Ladytron

The Man with the 4-Way Hips Tom Tom Club

Walking In The Rain Grace Jones

Shove It (Feat. Spankrock) Santogold

Stuck to You Nikka Costa

Listen Up! Gossip

Don't Bring Me Down Labelle

Space Children Labelle

Call Me Blondie

All That Funky Stuff

2011-06-09T21:07:00.005-04:00

When working out at my gym this past winter, I frequently became a tad anguished by the music they would blast. Part of my annoyance was the choice of songs as well as the fact that I'd hear the same ones (Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" was probably the main culprit) over and over. I realize the radio station (and the gym) aren't targeting my age demographic, but, well, .... I still wish they'd play some different music. In the spirit of being constructive, here's my alternative - a female artists pop, funk, punk, disco mashup of sorts. I'll put up volume 2 next week.

(P.S. I apologize for the name - I couldn't think of anything else. :)

Download

On The Line Again Tom Tom Club

I Sweat (Going Through the Motions) Nona Hendryx

Say Aha Santogold

Hanging on the Telephone Blondie

Rapture Blondie

The Count Of Monte Christo Noisettes

Shut Up And Let Me Go The Ting Tings

How Do You Say...Love Deee-lite

Hard-Boiled Babe Lizzy Mercier Descloux

Dimestore Diamond Gossip

Everybody Got Their Something Nikka Costa

L' Éléphant Tom Tom Club

Get You Somebody New - Labelle

Faster Janelle Monáe

In the Winner's Circle With Paul Burch

2011-06-02T22:03:00.003-04:00

I do realize the blog's been a little heavy on the alternative country lately, but I couldn't resist posting a Paul Burch mixtape tonight. Maybe it's just because his stuff is just made for sitting on a porch in the summer (not that I've lived in a place with a porch since college). And if you're a newbie to Mr. Burch, all his records are still available for purchase. (I recommend, in particular, Pan-American Flash, Wire to Wire, and Fool For Love.)

Download

Winner's Circle

Life of a Fool

Can't Go Back To Baton Rouge

The Pilgrim (Chapter 33)

Waiting for My Ship

Mama Shoo'd the Blackbirds

Daddy Rhythm Guitar

Little Glass Of Wine

Carter Cain

Saturday Night Jamboree

Drifting Texas Sand

Baby I Ain't Gotta Do That No More

Living, Forgiving

Lovesick Blues Boy

How Do I Know?

A Town South of Bakersfield - Volumes 1 & 2

2011-05-26T22:40:00.005-04:00

As promised last week, here's the out of print Town South of Bakersfield - Volumes 1 & 2. As you can see, it featured a lot of folks who would go onto much bigger things (which includes Pete Anderson of Pete and Big Shots). Volume 3, btw, is still available for purchase (it's not quite as good as Vol 1, but there's several standout track including the Coal Porters' Cracking at the Seams.) Anyway, here's some prime alternative country - before the term even existed. :)

Download

What Am I Waiting For Jim Lauderdale

We Get Along Just Fine (When We're Apart) Crazy Heart

Mister Love Re Winkler, Anne Harvey & Ree Van Vleck

Tell Me A Lie Candye Kane

Driftin' Man Jeffrey Steele

Louisville Jann Browne

Let There Be Love Dave Durham

Dark Side Of Life Lucinda Williams

Venice Skyline Rag Pete & The Bigshots

Somewhere Down The Road James Intveld

Heartbreak Train Rosie Flores & Albert Lee

Baby, I'll Show You Billy Swan

Lonesome Pine The Lonesome Strangers

Love And Only Love Katy Moffatt

Big Big Love The Eddys

I'll Be Gone Dwight Yoakam

Happy Hour Tin Star

Waitin' Up George Highfill

I'm Not Over You Kathy Robertson

Same Old Fool Reach For The Sky

Rig Rock Jukebox (and Truck Stop)

2011-05-19T21:05:00.008-04:00

When doing my alternative country show in the 90s, I always had a fondness for compilation cds from a particular region/scene. One of my faves from this period was Rig Rock Jukebox - a collection from the Diesel Only label of primarily New York City based alt-country acts (actually, the cd came out several years before that term was coined. It's been out of print for some time now, as is the follow-up collection from Diesel Only (which featured bands from all over). The latter isn't quite as consistently good, but I still think they both hold up pretty well. (Oh, and the third Diesel Only collection, Rig Rock Deluxe, an all trucking songs collection, is still in print and the best of them all.)

Rig Rock Jukebox

Good Morning Mr. Trucker World Famous Blue Jays

Punk Rockin' Honky Tonk Girl The Blue Chieftains

Miss Fabulous Mumbo Gumbo

Leaving Angel Dean & The Zephyrs

Why I Drink Go To Blazes

Hands Off Courtney & Western

Baltimore Five Chinese Brothers

Two Hearts The Twanglers

Messed Up Thing Gwil Owen

Do It For Hank World Famous Blue Jays

I Think Hank Woulda Done It This Way The Blue Chieftains

New Blue Yodel (Blue Yodel #14) Mark Brine

Good Morning Mr. Afternoon Mumbo Gumbo

97 Miles Go To Blazes

Diplomat Courtney & Western

Diesel Only Theme (Inst.) World Famous Blue Jays

Rig Rock Truckstop

UFOs, Big Rigs & BBQ Mojo Nixon And The World Famous Blue Jays

Diesel Dazey Killbilly

Hot Black Coffee Gwil Owen

Life Preserver Angel Dean & The Zephyrs

She's A Waitress (And I'm In Love) Five Chinese Brothers

Cheeseburger Deluxe World Famous Blue Jays

Lovin' You Is Killin' Me Courtney & Western

After The Hurricane The Blue Chieftains

Messed Up Again Go To Blazes

Cheater's World Amy Allison and the Maudlins

Woke Up Surreal McCoys

Out Of The Frying Pan (Into Desire) Wheelers And Dealers

Chug-A-Lug Mojo Nixon And The World Famous Blue Jays

Too Much Coffee Gwil Owen

Hoedown In The Sky Jean Caffeine's All Night Truckstop

Ricky Skaggs Tonite Will Rigby

Second Best Angel Dean & The Zephyrs

Hotel Albert Joe Flood

Am I In Love Courtney & Western

Cookin' With Jay (Instr.) World Famous Blue Jays

Bobby, Bill, and William

2011-05-13T14:36:00.005-04:00

Just as it was hard finding an image for this week's mixtape, it's equally difficult coming up with something meaningful to say about Bobby Womack, Bill Withers, and William Bell collectively. They're different kinds of performers with different career trajectories. But, like the compilation subheading says, they all seem to be under-appreciated in contemporary discussions of 60s and 70s soul. So here's a little reminder of their greatness.

Download

Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday William Bell

The Same Love That Made Me Laugh Bill Withers

When Love Begins Friendship Ends Bobby Womack

Love Ain't Something You Can Get for Free Bobby Womack

Boy Meets Girl William Bell and Mavis Staples

I Can't Write Left-Handed Bill Withers

Nothing Takes The Place Of You William Bell

If You Don't Want My Love Bobby Womack And J.J. Johnson

Heartbreak Road Bill Withers

I Wish You Well Bill Withers

American Dream Bobby Womack

Lovin' On Borrowed Time William Bell

Liza Bill Withers

Baby! You Oughta Think It Over Bobby Womack

Let Me In Your Life Bill Withers

Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye William Bell

Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) William Bell

California Dreamin' Bobby Womack

A Touch of Caetano Veloso

2011-05-05T23:51:00.008-04:00

This post is a little later than usual because I've been having some computer issues (the hard drive from my old computer won't spin in its new enclosure) and, as you can see, some issues coming up with a decent name for tonight's Caetano Veloso mixtape - I tried to look up some stuff in Portuguese, but I didn't want to mangle the language. But the picture is pretty cool, right? :)

Download

Chora Tua Tristeza

Gua

Tropicalia

Um Tom

Blues

Eleanor Rigby

Get Out Of Town

Wait Until Tomorrow

Quando Eu Penso Na Bahia

Chuvas De VerÃ£o

Baiao da Penha

Body And Soul

Pecado

Nine Out Of Ten

Enquanto Seu Lobo NÃ£o Vem

Samba Em Paz

Carolina

Charles, Anjo 45

Sucking in the '70s - Volume 3

2011-04-28T23:29:00.005-04:00

As I've mentioned when I posted my previous 70s comps (you can find Vol 1 here and Vol 2 here), I don't really believe in the notion of guilty pleasures. Still, I do feel compelled to defend my inclusion of Afternoon Delight in Volume 3. See, I still can't quite believe that a song about afternoon sex ever became a big hit. I know it was that particular moment in the 70s and it's got that weird wholesome quality, but still its ineffable weirdness always makes me oddly happy..... The other thing that fascinates me about the Starland Vocal Band is the fact that they actually got their own television variety show in 1977 - granted, it was a summer replacement series and variety shows were big at the time (Captain and Tenille got a variety show, but hey they had two hits :), but I'd really love to know the reasoning of the network exec that approved the show (and did they have to sing Afternoon Delight on every episode?). Adding to my fascination with the SVB show is that a young David Letterman was one of the writers.

Oh well, I guess that's enough rationalizing. Here's the songlist.

Download

You Took The Word Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) Meat Loaf

I Wanna Get Next To You Rose Royce

Love Will Find A Way Pablo Cruise

Funk #49 Joe Walsh

Garden Party Rick Nelson And The Stone Canyon Band

Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) Aretha Franklin

You and Me Alice Cooper

Horse With No Name America

Fire On The Mountain Marshall Tucker Band

Dream Weaver Gary Wright

Could It Be I'm Falling In Love The Spinners

Afternoon Delight Starland Vocal Band

Drift Away Dobie Gray

Angel In Your Arms Hot

What Is Life George Harrison

Pure Love Ronnie Milsap

Sweet Emotion Aerosmith

Midnight Train to Georgia Gladys Knight & The Pips

The Most Beautiful Girl Charlie Rich

Heroes David Bowie

Shelby and Allison

2011-04-21T23:22:00.003-04:00

If, in the mid 90s, you had to bet on which Moorer sister (Shelby Lynne or Allison) would have made it big, who would you have bet on? I think I would have bet on Shelby since Allison's voice is a tad idiosyncratic (she does sound a bit like Cher, which is fine if you're Cher, but I think's it's a little problematic in terms of a mainstream country audience). Alas, neither has sold a lot of records, though they've both put out some dandies (The Hardest Part and The Duel for Allison and I am Shelby Lynne and Just a Little Lovin' for Shelby are my faves). They also have performed together (see the pix to the right) so here's a sisterly comp for folks to enjoy.

Download

Leavin' Shelby Lynne

Alabama Song Allison Moorer

Home Sweet Home Shelby Lynne

One on the House Allison Moorer

Goodbye To The Ground Allison Moorer

10 Rocks Shelby Lynne

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? Allison Moorer

Don't Think Twice It's Alright Shelby Lynne

Bring Me All Your Lovin' Allison Moorer

Johnny Met June Shelby Lynne

Tumbling Down Allison Moorer

Don't Get Around Much Anymore Shelby Lynne

The One That Got Away (Got Away With My Heart) Allison Moorer

Willie And Laura Mae Jones Shelby Lynne

I Only Want To Be With You Shelby Lynne

I'm Looking For Blue Eyes Allison Moorer

Tarpoleon Napoleon Shelby Lynne

Feeling That Feeling Again Allison Moorer

More Graham Parker

2011-04-14T23:20:00.003-04:00

As promised, here's Disc Two of my Graham Parker collection.

Download

Paralyzed

They Murdered The Clown

Maneuvers

Behind The Wall Of Sleep

Comfortably Numb

Stick To Me

No More Excuses

Little Miss Understanding

The Rest is History

Haunted Episodes

Just Like Joe Meek's Blues

2000 Funerals

Break Them Down

Passion Is No Ordinary Word

Get Started: 27 Selections from the Graham Parker Songbook (Disc One)

2011-04-07T22:10:00.004-04:00

I may be a little addled lately (I think it's something I got on the plane last weekend sitting next to sneezing guy), but I do realize that not all of the songs on this Graham Parker collection were written by GP. But regular readers of the blog know I'm a sucker for obscurities and cuts from tribute albums, so how could I leave off Graham's cover of Richard Thompson's The Madness of Love?? Anyway, along with said obscurities, I've included one track from just about every GP studio release. (I'll post disc two next week.)

Download

Get Started, Start A Fire

Get over It and Move On

The Madness of Love

Museum Of Stupidity

Blue Horizon

Natalie

Bring Me A Heart Again

Howlin' Wind

Devil's Sidewalk

Impenetrable

You Hit the Spot

Sounds Like Chains

I Discovered America

I'm Living in the 80's! (Again)

2011-03-31T23:11:00.005-04:00

Something about dreary March weather brings out my fondness for 80s post-punk. Discs one and two are still available here and now here's disc three.

Download

The Killing Moon Echo And The Bunnymen

Transmission Joy Division

The Hanging Garden The Cure

Madam Butterfly Malcolm McLaren

La Femme Accident Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Love Letters Alison Moyet

Pink Frost The Chills

I'm Not Losing Sleep Julian Cope

My Perfect Cousin The Undertones

I Can't Hold On Squeeze

Big Sister's Clothes Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Otis Duritti Column

Street Hassle Simple Minds

Hong Kong Garden Siouxsie & The Banshees

Ultraviolence New Order

Haunted When The Minutes Drag Love & Rockets

She Doesn't Exist Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians

How Soon Is Now The Smiths

Fine and Malo

2011-03-17T23:55:00.003-04:00

Listening to Music for All Occasions and What a Crying Shame recently, I really think The Mavericks were one of the few bands to straddle the mainstream country and alternative country worlds successfully. Raul Malo's solo career has been a little inconsistent, but I'd rank his 2010 release Sinners and Saints right up there with the best of his Mavericks stuff. Anyway, I tried to include a song from each of his Mavericks and solo releases along with a bunch of obscurities.

Download

Matter Much To You Raul Malo

Are You Lonesome Tonight The Mavericks

Call Me The Breeze The Mavericks

Malo Bailare (El Merecumbe) Raul Malo

Here Comes My Baby The Mavericks

San Jose The Mavericks

Blue Moon The Mavericks

True Love Ways The Mavericks

World Without Love The Mavericks

Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache) The Mavericks

Love Me The Mavericks

Siboney Los Super Seven

All That Heaven Will Allow The Mavericks

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go Raul Malo

Keep Moving On The Mavericks

Black Is Black Raul Malo (w/Los Straitjackets)

Haunting Me Raul Malo

Dolores The Mavericks

My Secret Flame The Mavericks

Since When Raul Malo

Rubáiyát

2011-03-10T22:42:00.008-05:00

Since Jac Holzman is being inducted in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on Monday, I thought it would be apropos to post the out of print 1990 Rubaiyat collection from Holzman's Elektra label. The set features Elektra artists at the time covering Elektra artists from (mostly) the 60s and 70s. While it's not a perfect collection, the choice cuts, interesting oddities and guilty pleasures outweigh the dross (I'll let the listeners decide which is which. :) It's a two disc collection, but just one (large) download.

Late update: http://try-to-be-amused.blogspot.com has Rubaiyat: The Originals which is the versions by the original Elektra artists. Nice!

(yet another late update: per the request in the comments, here's the link if you want to download the file at megaupload.com)

Download

Hello I Love You The Cure

House Of The Rising Sun Tracy Chapman

Seven & Seven Is Billy Bragg

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing Jevetta Steele

Hotel California Gipsy Kings

Werewolves Of London The Black Velvet Band

Motorcycle Mama Sugarcubes

One Meatball Shinehead

Bottle Of Wine The Havalinas

Born In Chicago Pixies

You're So Vain Faster Pussycat

Marquee Moon Kronos Quartet

Get Ourselves Together Phoebe Snow

Tokoloshe Man Happy Mondays

Let's Go Ernie Isley

Going Down Lynch Mob

A Little Bit Of Rain Ambitious Lovers

You Belong To Me Anita Baker

Road To Cairo Howard Jones

Kick Out the Jams The Big F

Almost Saturday Night / Rockin' All Over the World The Georgia Satellites

Hello, I Am Your Heart Sara Hickman

Make it With You Teddy Pendergrass

The Blacksmith Linda Ronstadt

Going Going Gone Robin Holcomb, Wayne Horvitz & Bill Frisell

First Girl I Loved Jackson Browne

These Days 10,000 Maniacs

Stone Cold Crazy Metallica

Apricot Brandy Danny Gatton

Union Man Shaking Family

One More Parade They Might Be Giants

I Can't Tell You Why Howard Hewett

Mt. Airy Groove Leaders Of The New School

You Brought The Sunshine Shirley Murdock

Inbetween Days John Eddie

Love Wars The Beautiful South

Both Sides Now Michael Feinstein

T.V. Eye John Zorn

Hello, I Love You [Slight Return] The Cure

Morrissey and Bobby Bare Jr.

2011-03-03T22:43:00.005-05:00

Even if Bobby Bare Jr. hadn't covered The Smiths' What Differences Does it Make, putting Morrissey and Bobby Bare Jr. together is kind of an obvious choice (given that Bobby's song Monk at the Disco immediately conjures up, at least in my mind, The Smith's Vicar in a Tutu). And while obviousness may destroy comedy, sometimes obvious choices are the best ones.

Download

Borrow Your Girl Bobby Bare Jr

Rusholme Ruffians The Smiths

Snuggling World Championships Bobby Bare Jr.

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish The Smiths

What Difference Does It Make Bobby Bare Jr.

Certain People I Know Morrissey

You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side Morrissey

Motel Time Again Bobby Bare Jr.

Suedehead Morrissey

I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing Bobby Bare, Jr.

Vicar In A Tutu The Smiths

The Monk At The Disco Bobby Bare Jr.

I Don't Mind If You Forget Me Morrissey

Rock And Roll Halloween Bobby Bare Jr.

Sad Smile Bobby Bare Jr.

Pretty Girls Make Graves The Smiths

Ocean Size Bobby Bare Jr.

Sheila Take A Bow The Smiths

More Lucinda Williams!!

2011-02-24T22:45:00.006-05:00

As promised, here's another batch of Lucinda rarities, duets, contributions to tribute albums, etc. (Listening to Lucinda's contributions to various tribute albums, I gotta say I'm glad that's become a bigger trend over the last 20 years, even if there have been a bunch of subpar ones.)

(Late update - I forgot to mention that all the songs are tagged with the albums they initially came from in the comments section.)

Download

Hard Times Killing Floor Blues

Very Road

Honey Chile

Bonnie Portmore

Nothin'

A Song For You

Door #1

Room To Room

Pancakes

Down The Big Road Blues

Cold, Cold Heart

Farther Along

Angels Laid Him Away

Reunion

Lu's Blues: Obscurities, Duets, Etc. - Volume One

2011-02-17T23:11:00.006-05:00

Geez, I really don't what to say to introduce my collection of Lucinda Williams' obscurities, duets, tribute album contributions, etc (what can I say - it's been a long week). So how 'bout just enjoy it (with Volume 2 to follow next week) and let it serve as a reminder that her new album Blessed comes out on Tuesday, March 1.

Download

Precious Memories (w/Hayseed)

Pyramid of Tears

Main Road

The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan

Somebody Somewhere (Don't Know What He's Missin' Tonight)

Still I Long For Your Kiss

Lately

Two Of Us (w/Doug Pettibone)

Sleepless Nights

Here in California

Cowboys To Girls (w/Chris Gaffney)

You Don't Have Very Far To Go

Dark Side Of Life

Come To Me Baby

I Just Don't Know What to do With Myself - Volume 3

2011-02-10T23:33:00.005-05:00

Yes, it's time once again for songs of remorse, recriminations, revenge and regret. So here's Volume 3 of anti-Valentine's day songs. (If you're feeling so inclined, you can also download Vol 1 and Vol 2.)

Download

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself The White Stripes

The Hurting Business Chuck Prophet

White Lies Jason & the Scorchers

Valentine Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals' Starvation League

992 arguments The O'Jays

You Left the Water Running Otis Redding

Rock Bottom, Pop. 1 Robbie Fulks

Christine's Tune The Flying Burrito Brothers

I'm Not Bitter The Minus 5

The Love I Lost, Pt. 1 Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

Rip Off Laura Lee

Heart Of Stone The Raveonettes

He Was Gone Shannon McArdle

I Could Hurt You Now Aimee Mann

Your Lies Shelby Lynne

Your Good Thing (Is About To End) Mable John

You're No Good Betty Everett

I Don't Want You Toni Price

Can't Let Go Lucinda Williams

The Needle Has Landed Neko Case

The Kings of Rock 'n' Roll: A Prefab Sprout Collection

2011-02-03T23:29:00.002-05:00

For the uninitiated, Prefab Sprout had a pretty big cult following in the 80s (and at least 1 top ten single in England). When they first came out, some likened them to an English Steely Dan, but that description really didn't do justice to frontman/songwriter Paddy McAloon's pop genius. Tonight's mixtapes feature a lot of obscurities as well as cuts from all of their albums (including their most recent Let's Change the World With Music) except for Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good (okay, there is an acoustic version of Faron Young from the deluxe edition cd) and Jordan: The Comeback. I left them out because they are such perfect albums from start to finish. I really like Protest Songs as well, but it's a collection of great songs whereas Steve McQueen and Jordan are albums that I can't imagine listening to on shuffle.

Side A

The King Of Rock 'N' Roll

Vendetta

Walk On

Wicked Things

Dublin

Dragons

I Remember That

He'll Have To Go

Wild Card In The Pack

Sweet Gospel Music

Girl I'm Here

Nero The Zero

Real Life (Just Around The Corner)

Electric Guitars

Cruel

Side B

God Watch Over You

The Sound Of Crying

A Prisoner Of The Past

Faron Young

Cowboy Dreams

Wichita Lineman

Love Will Find Someone For You

Radio Love

Tin Can Pot

Spinning Belinda

Life Of Surprises

Wigs

Andromeda Heights

Donna Summer

The Golden Calf

Married to the Mob and Something Wild Soundtracks

2011-01-27T22:31:00.009-05:00

So, tonight I decided to post some out of print 80s soundtracks from Jonathan Demme films - Something Wild and Married to the Mob. The former is the better movie, but I think the latter has a slightly better soundtrack (if perhaps only by virtue of its inclusion of Brian Eno's version of You Don't Miss Your Water.) Also, since I burned Married to the Mob from my vinyl version, there may be a few pops and crackles.

Something Wild

Loco De Amor (Crazy For Love) David Byrne & Celia Cruz

Ever Fallen In Love Fine Young Cannibals

Zero, Zero Seven Charlie UB40

With Or Without You Steve Jones

High Life Sonny Okossum

Not My Slave Oingo Boingo

You Don't Have To Cry Jimmy Cliff

Man With A Gun Jerry Harrison

Temptation New Order

Wild Thing Sister Carol

Married to the Mob

Liar Liar Deborah Harry

Queen Of Voudou The Voodooist Corporation

Jump In The River Sinead O'Connor

Bizarre Love Triangle New Order

Suspicion Of Love Chris Isaak

Time Bums Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers

Devil Does Your Dog Bite? Tom Tom Club

Goodbye Horses Q Lazzarus

Too Far Gone The Feelies

You Don't Miss Your Water Brian Eno

Wild and Blue - Part 2

2011-01-21T00:21:00.003-05:00

As promised, here's more Marianne Faithfull and Sally Timms. And if this your first significant exposure to Ms. Timms, I highly recommend, in addition to her work with the Mekons, her solo releases Cowboy Sally's Twilight Laments for Lost Buckaroos and Land of Milk and Honey (and the ep Cowboy Sally is pretty nice too).

Download

The Sha La La Song Marianne Faithfull

Millionaire Mekons

Witches' Song Marianne Faithfull

The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan Marianne Faithfull

It Says Here Sally Timms

Corrine Corrina Marianne Faithfull

Heart of Stone Mekons

A Lean and Hungry Look Marianne Faithfull

In Bristol Town One Bright Day Sally Timms

Sweetheart Waltz Sally Timms

Wilder Shores Of Love Marianne Faithfull

Randwick Bells Sally Timms & John Langford

Come And Stay With Me Marianne Faithfull

Heaven's Gates Sally Timms

Love Life And Money Marianne Faithfull

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams Marianne Faithfull

Wild and Blue The Mekons

Wild and Blue - Marianne Faithfull and Sally Timms

2011-01-13T23:36:00.005-05:00

You know, the word chanteuse is really kind of under utilized - perhaps it has something to do with over-utilization of diva. :) At any rate, here's a mixtape of two of my favorite chanteuses - Marianne Faithfull and Sally Timms. (For those unfamiliar with Sally Timms, she's a longtime member of The Mekons and has put out a bunch of solo records.) I'll post the second volume next week.

Download

Tennessee Waltz Sally Timms

They Never Will Leave You Marianne Faithfull

Oblivion Mekons

Ghosts of American Astronauts Mekons

The Crane Wife 3 Marianne Faithfull

Glue Sally Timms (w/Andre Williams)

It's All Over Now Baby Blue Marianne Faithfull

High Dosage Sally Timms

Sunny Goodge street Marianne Faithful

Sister Morphine Marianne Faithfull

Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You) Sally Timms

Penthouse Serenade Marianne Faithfull

Nice Julie (Waltz) Mekons

There Is A Ghost Marianne Faithfull

King Ludwig Sally Timms

Longing, Madness & Lust Sally Timms

Lullaby Marianne Faithful

Vested in the Volebeats

2011-01-06T22:50:00.005-05:00

I could write a lament about how criminally under-appreciated The Volebeats are, but since it's a bright, shiny new year, I think it's better to focus on their terrific songwriting, gorgeous melodies, and hypnotic mix of country twang and psychedelic 60s pop. (Plus, they have a dandy new self-titled cd.) So here's 16 super "should have been hits" from Detroit's finest.

And for those of you new to The Volebeats and wanting more, I'd start with The Sky and the Ocean, Like Her, or their new one.

(Update Dec 2011: Due to a problem with the song I Had to Tell You, I re-upped the entire comp.)

Download

I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby

Back In Your Heart

Feel The Same

This Girl

World's Looking Lonely

Hamtramck Mama

I Had To Tell You

Moon Beams

One I Love

It's Alright

Standing Next to You

Maggot Brain

Not Here Not Gone

What You've Been Saying

Empty Streets

Sky and the Ocean

On the Right Side of 2010

2010-12-29T11:54:00.006-05:00

I haven't come up with any new year's resolutions yet, but I am proud of myself for putting together my best of 2010 compilation before year's end. :) (And like last year, all the mp3s are tagged with the name of the album they come from.) Happy 2011 to everyone!

Download

The Game Gets Old Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Iwo Ko La Dami Tunji Oyelana and The Benders

When The Sun Don't Shine Best Coast

Everyone But You The Young Veins

Barstool Night Driving in Small Towns

Radio Gal Paul Burch

El Dorado Jim Lauderdale

Bring It On The Gaslight Anthem

The Lady And The Rose Los Lobos

Cirandar Seu Jorge and Almaz

Chicas Kamikaze Matorralman

Bang Bang Bang Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

Come Alive [War Of The Roses] Janelle Monae

Unbroken, Unshaven The Budos Band

Zebra Beach House

Small Craft On A Milk Sea Brian Eno

The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart) Ryan Bingham

The Reason Why My Heart's in Misery Lay Low

See You Tonight Volebeats

Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly) Phosphorescent

The Talk of the Townes - Disc Two

2010-12-23T23:03:00.004-05:00

As promised, here's a second batch of Townes Van Zandt cover tunes.

Download

If I Needed You Christina Kulukundis

Delta Momma Blues Steve Earle

Heavenly Houseboat Blues Christian Kjellvander

Flyin' Shoes Lyle Lovett

Pancho and Lefty Gillian Welch

Sanitarium Blues Garry Heffern & The Walkabouts

Cowboy Junkies Lament Cowboy Junkies

Tecumseh Valley Nanci Griffith

Loretta John Prine

White Freight Liner Blues J.D. Crowe

Buckskin Stallion Blues Mudhoney/Jimmy Dale Gilmore

To Live Is to Fly Thomas Denver Jonsson

Why She's Acting This Way Phosphorescent

Catfish Song Richard Buckner

The Talk of the Townes

2010-12-16T22:28:00.004-05:00

Since I did a Tom Waits tribute last year (here and here), I figured I'd spotlight another great songwriter this year. This time, it's the Texas troubador, Townes Van Zandt. Now, Townes songs may not lend themselves to quite the stylistic variations that Waits' do, but they're still some pretty dandy songs. I should point out that there are some pretty good Townes compilations already out there (There's a Hole in Heaven Where Some Sin Gets Through, Introducing the Townes Van Zandt via The Great Unknown, Poet, as well a nice homemade mixtape at the website whenyouawake.com, all of which I took a couple of tracks from.) So it's hardly an original idea, but I hope folks still like it. I'll post Disc Two next week.

Download

Snake Song Emmylou Harris

Our Mother the Mountain Great Lake Swimmers

For the Sake of the Song Azure Ray

Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold Robert Earl Keen

Rex's Blues Carrie Rodriguez

I'll Be Here In The Morning Jerry Jeff Walker

Que Te Vaya Bien, Miss Carrusel Nacho Vegas

Snowing on Raton Rosalie Sorrels

No Place To Fall Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan

Rake Rhonda Harris

Colorado Girl Devendra Banhart

Snake Mountain Blues Hero Horns

Waiting Around To Die The Be Good Tanyas

My Proud Mountains John T. Van Zandt

Billie Holiday and Elis Regina - Diva a Deux

2010-12-09T22:55:00.005-05:00

While I don't necessarily worship at the altar of Billie Holiday and Elis Regina, I do like 'em both quite a bit. And I was inspired to put 'em together by Arthur Phillips novel The Song is You where there are fairly lengthy disquisitions on both of them (and a particular version of Billie Holiday's I Cover the Waterfront is of particular importance to the novel's protagonist). Of course, then, I had to start the mix with I Cover the Waterfront.

Download

I Cover The Waterfront Billie Holiday

Nova Estação Elis Regina

Aviso aos Navegantes Elis Regina

Too Marvelous For Words Billie Holiday

Vida de Bailarina Elis Regina

You Go To My Head Billie Holiday

Me, Myself And I Billie Holiday

Triste Elis Regina

Speak Low Billie Holiday

Aquarela do Brasil Elis Regina

I Wished On The Moon Billie Holiday

Atrás Da Porta Elis Regina

Pois E Elis Regina

Tenderly Billie Holiday

Tatuagem (Tattoo) Elis Regina

You've Changed Billie Holiday

Alô, Alô, Marciano, Marciano Elis Regina

They Can't Take That Away From Me Billie Holiday

I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm Billie Holiday

Ã�guas De Marco Elis Regina

Lonesome Bob - Things Fall Apart

2010-12-02T22:52:00.004-05:00

Looking back, it's a little hard to believe there was such a thing as an alt-country bandwagon in the mid to late 90s. And it's even harder to believe that certain artists and bands were criticized for jumping on said bandwagon. :) Now, to be sure, there was some alt-country dross back in those salad days, as there is with any genre. But I do hope that folks appreciate that there was a lot of good stuff. Prominent among the really "good stuff" is Lonesome Bob's 1997 debut album, Things Fall Apart. (His second album, Things Change, is almost as good.) Unconscionably, it's now out of print, so I thought I'd post it tonight.

Download

Love Is Not Blind

Do You Think About Me?

Point Of No Return

Waltzing On The Titanic

Different Shades Of Gray

What Went Wrong

My Mother's Husband

Heaven's Gate

Too Much Time

Someone Watching Over Me

The Plans We Made

Call My Name

Sleepless Nites

On the Right Side of Christmas 2010

2010-11-24T22:45:00.006-05:00

Well, I decided to make it an annual thing, so here's another Christmas music comp. (You can also still download last year's comp, btw.)

Download

A Christmas Duel Cyndi Lauper & The Hives

Jingle Bells Johnny Paycheck

Christmas (The Buzz Of Delight) Matthew Sweet

Up On A Housetop The Jackson 5

Mele Kalikimaka Arthur Lyman

The Christmas Song Alex Chilton

Silent Night Temptations

In the Bleak Midwinter The Pipettes

Christmas in Hollis Run DMC

The Little Wiped-out Drummer Boy The Spongetones

Frosty The Snowman The Ronettes

Cold, Cold Winter The Pixies Three

Purple Snowflakes Marvin Gaye

Calling on Mary Aimee Mann

Merry Christmas From A Bar Mike Ireland And Holler

Christmas Must be Tonight The Band

Everything Is Cool John Prine

Please Come Home For Christmas Little Johnny Taylor

The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot A Girl Called Eddy

Las Mananitas Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass

Jingle Bell Jamboree Keb' Mo'

Xmas Shelby Lynne

What Are You Doing New Years Eve Nancy Wilson

Hello Mr. New Year The Coolbreezers

Aretha and Dusty

2010-11-18T22:07:00.005-05:00

There's a scene in Woody Allen's Manhattan where he discusses the things that make life worth living. Now the scene may be a tad overwrought, but I have to confess to sometimes thinking along the same lines. Specifically, I would definitely put a lot of Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield songs on my list. Now, I'll confess, the idea to put the two together in a mixtape didn't occur to me until I saw a post on the great blog http://soul-sides.com comparing their versions of I Can't Wait to See My Baby's Face (Yes, I also used the same pix from the post.) As with my previous Dusty mixtapes, I tried to limit my use of tracks from the albums Dusty in Memphis and A Brand New Me (since they're so perfect on their own), but I weakened and started the mix with Breakfast in Bed.

Download

Breakfast in Bed Dusty Springfield

Groovin' Aretha Franklin

Try Matty's Aretha Franklin

Your Hurtin' Kind of Love Dusty Springfield

Crazy He Calls Me Aretha Franklin

Every Ounce of Strength Dusty Springfield

I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face Aretha Franklin

All the King's Horses Dusty Springfield

O-o-h Child Dusty Springfield

Ramblin' Aretha Franklin

Bring It On Home To Me Aretha Franklin

Sunny Dusty Springfield

Can You Love Again (Hey Now Hey) Aretha Franklin

Easy Evil Dusty Springfield

Master Of Eyes Aretha Franklin

Mamas Little Girl Dusty Springfield

Love Letters Aretha Franklin

Sweetest Smile And The Funkiest Style Aretha Franklin

I've Got A Good Thing Dusty Springfield

To Love Somebody Dusty Springfield

That's The Way I Feel About Cha Aretha Franklin

Heat Takes a Walk: The Stan Ridgway Collection

2010-11-11T23:44:00.003-05:00

I've always liked those albums that begin with an instrumental track that leads into the rest of the album - in addition to Fun Boy Three's Waiting, Lyle Lovett's Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, another favorite from the 80s is Stan Ridgway's Mosquitos. While it's been a long time since Stan's band Wall of Voodoo hit it big, he's still putting out good solo album, most recently Neon Mirage, as well as projects with Pietra Wexstun and Drywall. My faves are still Wall of Voodoo's Call of the West and Mosquitos, as well as his greatest hits collection, Songs That Made This Country Great (which seems to only be available as a download through emusic). So here's some of Stan's classic noir stylings.

Side One

Heat Takes A Walk

Lonely Town

The Overlords

Mexican Radio

Afghan Forklift

Good, Bad and Ugly

Triangle Head

Don't Box Me In

Monsters of the Id

Rose

High On a Mountain

Mouthful of Sand/Roadblock

Turn A Blind Eye

Camouflage

Side Two

Mission Bell

Back Towards Diamond Bar

Longarm

Bing Can't Walk

Talkin' Wall of Voodoo Blues

This Town Called Fate

Luther Played Guitar

Mr. Moon Man

Lost Weekend

Watch Your Step/Jack Talked (Like a Man on Fire)

Cannon Song

Twisted Classic Hollywood Ending

The Last Honest Man

A Long Way Home

2010-11-04T23:34:00.004-04:00

Last year, I put together a comp of stuff with a late 60s/70s country vibe that I thought was a good driving mixtape. In a similar vein, here's a collection of road songs or, a tad more accurately, songs about travelling.

Download

Windfall Son Volt

555 X 2 Bo Ramsey

Nowhere Road Steve Earle & The Dukes

East Bound and Down Dave Dudley

Graceland Paul Simon

El Paso The Gourds

East Of Houston, West Of Baton Rouge Chris Gaffney

Ramblin' Fever Billy Joe Shaver

To Her Door Paul Kelly & the Messengers

40, 80 or 10 Tanya Savory

Come a Long Way Michelle Shocked

I've Been Everywhere Hank Snow

To The Homeland Malcolm Holcombe

Interstate Bill Kirchen

Long Time Gone Jann Browne

Good to Be on the Road Back Home Cornershop

Shangri-La M. Ward

A Long Way Home Dwight Yoakam

Roadworn And Weary Supersuckers

Can't Hardly Wait The Replacements

Dear Heartbroken in Glasgow

2010-10-28T23:11:00.004-04:00

It's hard to imagine that any Gen Xer who loved Lloyd Cole and the Commotions back in the 80s wouldn't also love Camera Obscura - even if they hadn't recorded their endearing homage Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken (which was the highlight, at least for me, of their live show this past summer). Long live lush indie pop!!

Disc One

Come Back Margaret Camera Obscura

Sweetness Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

Shine Like A New Pin Camera Obscura

Jennifer She Said Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

These Days Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

Pen And Notebook Camera Obscura

Cut Me Down Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Tougher Than The Rest Camera Obscura

Everybody's Complaining Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

Keep It Clean Camera Obscura

Teenager Camera Obscura

Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken? Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

Disc Two

Rich Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

My Maudlin Career Camera Obscura

French Navy Camera Obscura

Sean Penn Blues Lloyd Cole And The Commotions

Let's Get Out of This Country Camera Obscura

Jesus Said Lloyd Cole & the Commotions

The Last Song Camera Obscura

Rattlesnakes Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

Perfect Skin Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

Marathon Not A Sprint Camera Obscura

Mystery Train (Live) Lloyd Cole

Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken Camera Obscura

The Inimitable and Incandescent Iris DeMent

2010-10-21T23:15:00.005-04:00

I don't really know how to describe Iris DeMent's voice, and I can't quite explain why her singing "sticks to my ribs" like it does, but damn, when she sings, her voice just insinuates its way into you. If you need any proof, here's an 18 song collection - there's one track from each of her formal releases (Infamous Angel, My Life, Way I Should Be, and Lifeline) plus live tracks, soundtrack and tribute contributions, duets, etc.

Download

(We're Not) The Jet Set

There's A Whole Lot Of Heaven

Big City

I'm Still In Love With You

I Don't Want To Get Adjusted

I Miss A Lot Of Trains

The Way I Should

Hobo Bill's Last Ride

God May Forgive You

Banks of Marble

Wildwood Flower

Trust Each Other

Whispering Pines

You've Done Nothing Wrong

The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home

Mexican Home

Acres of Corn

Mama's Opry

Atlantic Sisters of Soul

2010-10-14T21:09:00.005-04:00

In some ways it's understandable that Aretha Franklin overshadowed other female soul singers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. On the other hand,.... damn, there were a lot of great female soul singers from that time period who didn't get the recognition they should have. In that spirit, here's Atlantic Sisters of Soul, a really good out of print compilation from the fine folks at Rhino. (And if you find yourself wanting more female soul, the Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters comp Rhino put out in 2006 is also pretty good, though a tad inconsistent.)

Download

Dear Lover Mary Wells

I Don't Know Baby Washington

A Woman Will Do Wrong Dee Dee Sharp

Why (Am I Treated So Bad) The Sweet Inspirations

(Until Then) I'll Suffer Barbara Lynn

Sister Pitiful Judy Clay

Shake A Hand Toby Lark

Mojo Hannah Tammi Lynn

Wish Someone Would Care Mary Lou

Can I Be Your Main Thing Margie Alexander

Wonderful, Marvelous Jackie Moore With The Dixie Flyers

What A Man Laura Lee

Can I Hold You To It Lorraine Johnson

She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) Dee Dee Warwick

Who Are You Gonna Love Rozetta Johnson

Unsatisfied Woman Jean Battle

Set Me Free Esther Phillips With The Dixie Flyers

Full Time Woman Irma Thomas

Your Turn To Cry Bettye LaVette

Don't Try To Take The Fifth The Pointer Sisters

Victim Of A Foolish Heart Bettye Swann

I Do Believe That I'm Losing You Ones'y Mack

Sweet Surrender Margie Joseph

Chrissy and Emmy - Not Your Average It Girls

2010-10-07T22:11:00.005-04:00

For those of you above the age of 40, it's probably not that hard to remember when Chrissie Hynde and Emmylou Harris were the "it girls" of rock and country, respectively. So here's a little tribute to them (including my all-time favorite Emmylou song - her version of Butch Hancock's Bluebird).

Download

Brass in Pocket Pretenders

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Emmylou Harris

I Still Miss Someone Emmylou Harris

I Go To Sleep The Pretenders

Rough and Rocky Emmylou Harris

Kid Pretenders

Back On The Chain Gang The Pretenders

Making Believe Emmylou Harris

When Will I See You? The Pretenders

Red Dirt Girl Emmylou Harris

Birds Of Paradise The Pretenders

Satan's Jewel Crown Emmylou Harris

When He Calls Emmylou Harris

She The Pretenders & Emmylou Harris

Thanks to You Emmylou Harris

The Losing The Pretenders

If You Were a Bluebird Emmylou Harris

My Favorite Crowded House

2010-09-30T21:56:00.005-04:00

Is it just me or are overcast fall afternoons practically made for listening to Crowded House's exquisite pop? Whatever your feelings on the subject, here's a Crowded House mixtape, including a couple from their new release Intriguer.

Download

World Where You Live

Sister Madly

Sacred Cow

Private Universe

Kare Kare

Four Seasons In One Day

Love This Life

Walked Her Way Down

Tombstone

Weather With You

She Goes On

Don't Dream It's Over

You Are The One To Make Me Cry

Fingers of Love

Either Side Of The World

Saturday Sun

I Walk Away

Better Be Home Soon

A Different Kind of Southern Rock

2010-09-23T21:01:00.005-04:00

In case you've forgotten, there was a period in the 70s when southern rock (sometimes labeled southern boogie) was quite the rage - at least on fm rock radio. Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band (and a couple of others I'm forgetting) were staples of the playlists on all the New York City rock stations I listened to as a teen. Fast forward 7-8 years and a different kind of southern rock emerged - the great jangle pop revolution of the mid 80s spearheaded, of course, by R.E.M. Now, I would bet there's still a lot of folks who still listen to those 80s R.E.M. albums, but just in case folks have forgotten Let's Active, Pylon, Guadalcanal Diary, Love Tractor, etc., here's a couple of southern rock compilations.

Download Disc One

Hyena R.E.M.

Easy Does Let's Active

Colorblind the Windbreakers

Satan Love Tractor

Watusi Rodeo Guadalcanal Diary

Stop It Pylon

Oddfellows Local 151 R.E.M.

Laredo Radio The Swimming Pool Q's

Wheel of Pleasure Love Tractor

Plus 7 Fetchin' Bones

Make Up With Me Let's Active

Ten Layers Down Let's Active

Just Fine The Windbreakers

Trail of Tears Guadalcanal Diary

Driver 8 R.E.M.
Crazy Pylon

Download Disc Two

Every Word Means No Let's Active

Blue Tomorrow The Swimming Pool Q's

7 Chinese Brothers R.E.M.

So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) R.E.M.

Catch the Wind Drivin' N' Cryin'

Gilbert Takes the Wheel Guadalcanal Diary

Run The Windbreakers

Changeless The Windbreakers

Torn Apart The Spongetones

Crystal World Love Tractor

Danger Pylon

Auctioneer (Another Engine) R.E.M.

Volume Pylon

Venice Love Tractor

Reflecting Pool Let's Active

Why Do the Heathen Rage? Guadalcanal Diary

Soy Un Perdedor: Beck's Bestest

2010-09-16T22:59:00.005-04:00

Was it really 16 years ago that we all shed our grungy clothing and sang along to Beck's slacker ode "Loser"? While we all ponder the 90s and the passage of time, here's a sampling of Beck's finest.

Download

Que Onda Guero

Bonfire Blondes

Think I'm In Love

Tropicalia

Stagolee

Clock

Replica

Fresh Hex

The Golden Age

Black Angel's Death Song

Your Cheatin' Heart

Jack-Ass

Nobody's Fault But My Own

Last Night I Traded My Souls Innermost For Some Pickled Fish

Peaches & Cream

Tender Beasts Of The Spangled Night

Bad Blood

Loser

More 70s Blaxploitation Music

2010-09-09T21:20:00.008-04:00

Around this time last year, I put together a mixtape of music from 70s blaxploitation films. Now, I must confess to cheating a little bit on Volume 2 - several of the songs are from the early 70s, but not from any particular film (and the cut from The Budos Band came out only a month ago.) I'll try to be a better boy next week. :)

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Easin' In Edwin Starr
The World We Live In McKinley Jackson
Shaft In Africa Johnny Pate
Truck Turner (Main Title) Isaac Hayes
Ain't no Such Thing As Superman Gil Scott-Heron
Cleveland Now Booker T. Jones
Rite of the Ancients The Budos Band
Different Strokes Syl Johnson

Aragon

Roy Ayers
Tippi Toes The Meters
People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul James Brown
Brothers on the Slide Cymande
Harlem Bass Tony Barthele
Woman of the Ghetto Marlena Shaw
Nappy Head (Theme from "Ghetto Man") War
Expansions Lonnie Liston Smith
Theme From Cleopatra Jones Joe Simon

Variations on the Folkie: Bragg, Prine, and Sexsmith

2010-09-02T22:28:00.006-04:00

Folk music often gets maligned in certain quarters for a variety of perceived flaws. Heck, even I have often made jokes about folk music (and musicians). :) So, in defense of folk music and all its variations, I offer you a mixtape of Billy Bragg (folk-punk, well sorta), John Prine (folk-country), and Ron Sexsmith (folk-pop/rock).

Update: Something messed up the last third of the cd when I initially burned it, so I got rid of the whole thing and replaced it. So if you downloaded it the first couple of days it was up, you should probably just delete it and download it again.

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Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian [Live] John Prine

Tell Me Again Ron Sexsmith

Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key Billy Bragg & Wilco

Love Has No Pride Billy Bragg

Ring Them Bells Ron Sexsmith

Souvenirs John Prine

The Only One Billy Bragg

If You Don't Want My Love John Prine

Almost Always Ron Sexsmith

Summer Blowin' Town Ron Sexsmith

The Warmest Room Billy Bragg

All The Best John Prine

Strawberry Blonde Ron Sexsmith

Glory Of True Love John Prine

A Good Time John Prine

The Milkman Of Human Kindness Billy Bragg

Gold In Them Hills Ron Sexsmith

Beautiful World [Live] John Prine

When the Ship Comes In Billy Bragg

Dolphins Billy Bragg

Seem To Recall Ron Sexsmith

Charley Pride - In Person at Panther Hall

2010-08-26T22:18:00.004-04:00

Ah, live albums. There's a bunch of great ones (Townes Van Zandt Live at the Old Quarter and Robert Earl Keen's Live Album (the first one) immediately come to mind) and a lot of stinky ones. Charley Pride's "In Person" is definitely in the first category. Nice choice of covers and his own hits, some funny banter, and the amazing Lloyd Green on steel guitar. Just a really great country album!

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Intro By Bo Powell

The Last Thing On My Mind

Just Between You And Me

I Know One

Dialogue

Lovesick Blues

The Image Of Me

Kaw-Liga

Shutters And Boards

Six Days On The Road

Streets Of Baltimore

Got Leavin' On Her Mind

Crystal Chandeliers

Cotton Fields

More Girl Group Music

2010-08-19T21:02:00.011-04:00

As promised last week, here's another compilation of girl group music. Btw, my only rule was that it had to be at least two women singers - after all you can't really have girl's talk without, well....two girls. :)

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Baby That`s Me The Cake

He Did It The Ronettes

Girl Of 100 Lists The Go-Go's

Stop Pretending The Pandoras

My One And Only, Jimmy Boy The Girlfriends

Chapel of Love The Chicks

Iko Iko The Dixie Cups

There's No Right Way to Do Me Wrong The Miller Sisters

Growing Upside Down The Ditty Bops

I'm Blue The Ikettes

Nothing But a Heartache The Flirtations

I`ll Keep Holding On The Marvelettes

Leave My Kitten Alone The Detroit Cobras

High School Yum Yum The Donnas

Such A Joke Vivian Girls

This is a Foxy World Tom Tom Club

Then He Kissed Me The Crystals

Whatta Man Salt-N-Pepa

The Party Betty & The Werewolves

Silent Treatment The Bangles

It Happens Every Day Persianettes

Since You've Been Gone The Dreamers

So Young The Veronicas

Da-Di-Da-Da The Satin Bells

Maybe The Three Degrees

I Just Want to Hear Girl's Talk - Volume 1

2010-08-12T22:46:00.005-04:00

I can't claim that I've got anything particularly interesting or insightful to say about girl groups. Therefore, I'll just let the music speak for itself. I will, however, say that several of the tracks come from Rhino's (fill in superlative) 60s girl group box set, One Kiss Can Lead to Another. (The sampler on emusic is also pretty dandy.) I'll post Volume 2 next week.

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He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' Bananarama

Chains The Cookies

Needle In A Haystack The Velvelettes

Bhang, Bhang, I'm a Burnout Dum Dum Girls

You're No Rock N' Roll Fun Sleater-Kinney

Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind But Me) The Chiffons

You Won't Forget Me Jean & the Statesides

Crying In The Rain The Sweet Inspirations

Teardrop Sea Tonettes [1-2-3-4-5-6-7]

Count The Days Patti Labelle and The Bluebelles

Satellite Luscious Jackson

Your Time Is My Time Tralala

He Doesn't Love Me The Breakways

Tell Me What You Want The Pipettes

He's Not That Kind Of Guy The Tangeers

Cherry Bomb The Runaways

Swallow My Pride Thee Headcoatees

Those Memories of You Dolly Parton/Emmylou Harris/Linda Ronstadt

Double Knots The Living Sisters

Sweet Sweet Love Durettes

Come See About Me The Supremes

And My Heart Sang Tra La La Brenda & The Tabulations

Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Bouzoukee Version) Petty Booka

All Grown Up Gore Gore Girls

The Train From Kansas City The Shangri-Las

Richard Buckner and Elliott Smith - The Bards of Gen X

2010-08-05T23:04:00.004-04:00

For reasons I won't go into here, I've always been suspicious of the term "voice of a generation". On the other hand, I've always kind of thought of Richard Buckner and Elliott Smith as well, ..... the voice of Gen X - or better yet, the voice of a small, but not insignificant subset of Gen X. (The social scientist in me always comes out.) Whatever you want to call them, they are two of my favorite artists and I think their stuff still holds up remarkably well. So here's two mixtapes (combined into one download) featuring album cuts, obscurities, live tracks, etc.

Download Both Discs

Disc One

Pull Richard Buckner

Tomorrow Tomorrow Elliott Smith

Pretty (Ugly Before) Elliott Smith

Lucky Buzz Richard Buckner

Angel In The Snow Elliott Smith

Sister Richard Buckner

When Love Is Gone Richard Buckner

kiwi maddog 20/20 Elliott Smith

Her Richard Buckner

Stickman Elliott Smith

Place Pigalle Elliott Smith

Hard Ground Richard Buckner

Wouldn't Mama Be Proud? Elliott Smith

Disc Two

Because Elliott Smith

Gauzy Dress in the Sun Richard Buckner

Oscar Hummel Richard Buckner

Needle In The Hay Elliott Smith

Do You Want To Go Somewhere? Richard Buckner

New Disaster Elliott Smith

Rose Parade Elliott Smith

Dusty from the Talk, Richard Buckner

A Living Will Elliott Smith

Mile Richard Buckner

Poor Old Tom Richard Buckner

A Passing Feeling Elliott Smith

Boys, The Night Will Bury You Richard Buckner

The True Ways of Tim Easton

2010-07-29T23:30:00.005-04:00

At the Sadies show I went to last week, I was talking with someone about their lack of commercial success. I reasoned then that if they had been around 30-40 years ago, they probably would have had a hit single at some point. I still think that's partly true, but I also think that it's pretty much impossible for any band (i.e. most of what's called alternative country) to straddle the rock and country genres today whereas that wasn't the case in the 70s.* Case in point is tonight's featured artist - Mr. Tim Easton. He's put out five great solo albums (Okay, Ammunition isn't that great, but Porcupine is a real nice return to form), but I think the fact that his songs are "kinda" twangy has unfortunately limited his commercial success. On that note, if you're new to Tim Easton and like what you hear, I'd start with either Special 20 or Break Your Mother's Heart. (All of his stuff is also available on e-music, with the exception of his Haynes Boys album).

* Yes, there's Wilco, but only their first two albums can really be called alternative country.

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Just Like Home

Baltimore

Burgundy Red

Get Some Lonesome

Jackie

Amor Azul

Hummingbird

Before The Revolution

Stormy

I Wish You Well

Bitters Past

All the Pretty Girls Leave Town

Troublesome Kind

I Would Have Married You

True Ways

Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha

2010-07-23T02:18:00.006-04:00

Just in case you need more early 60s music after last week's post, here's another homage to that period. Of course, not all of the songs are from that era, but all (or just about all) have that vibe. In particular, there's a lot of Latin flavored stuff given the significant Latin influence on popular music during the 50s and early 60s. Fix yourself a caipirinha and enjoy.

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Thirteen Men Miss Ann-Margret

Mood Tattooed Les Baxter's Drums

Caravan The John Buzon Trio

Come Di 8 & ½ Souvenirs

Miami Beach Rhumba Xavier Cugat And His Orchestra

Pizziricco The Mavericks

Here Comes That Man Again Kirsty MacColl

Latin Golightly Henry Mancini & His Orchestra

El Nino Prodigio Orquestra Melodias Del 40

Cool Lou Busch & His Orchestra

If You're Goin' To The City Mose Allison

Twisted Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

Complicacion Tito Puente & His Orchestra

Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha Sam Cooke

Fascinating Rhythm Don Ralke & His Orchestra

Just You, Just Me Katharine Whalen

Big Foot Baby Carl Sonny Leyland

Pretty As A Moonbeam Irving Fields Trio

Deus Brasiliero Marcos Valle

Soul Sauce (Guacha Guaro) Cal Tjader

I'm Hip Blossom Dearie

Blue Rumba Rolley Polley

Moanin' Ray Charles

Bright Lights And Blonde Haired Women Ray Price

Ain't That A Kick In The Head Dean Martin

Dreaming With Jimmy and Roy

2010-07-15T23:14:00.008-04:00

Like a lot of other folks, I’m really looking forward to the 4^th season of Mad Men starting next Sunday. In addition to the writing, acting, clothing, etc., I like the fact that it’s set in the early 60s (though I imagine the 4^th season will begin at some point in 1964). One of the things I find interesting about the time period is that you saw relatively little nostalgia for the era up until the mid/late 90s (the pretty brief Rat Pack/Swingers infatuation). See, my pop culture theory is that nostalgia for a time period is that it usually takes about 20 years – since the people who were 15-16 at the time are now 35-36 and capable of writing about it.

Now, I don’t really have any good explanations for why the early 60s defies this theory. Perhaps part of it may be attributed to the old canard that rock music died during this period (until the Beatles and Stones brought it back to life). Just to be clear, I cancelled my subscription to that canard a long time ago as I like a lot of the popular music from that time period. In particular, I’ve always liked the operatic quality a lot of that music had, exemplified by Roy Orbison and, on the jazz side, Jimmy Scott. It’s that operatic quality they both share, as well as the fact that they have so many so songs about dreams that I thought they’d go together well in a mixtape. (P.S. I cheated a little and used some of their material that wasn’t recorded in the early 1960s. Remember, I don’t have to be as historically accurate as Mad Men.)

Disc One

In Dreams Roy Orbison

Street Of Dreams Jimmy Scott

My Prayer Roy Orbison

Stay With Me Jimmy Scott

Things That Are Love Jimmy Scott

The Actress Roy Orbison

Imagination Jimmy Scott

Shahdaroba Roy Orbison

The Crowd Roy Orbison

If I Should Lose You Jimmy Scott

Sweet Dreams Roy Orbison

I Have Dreamed Jimmy Scott

I Had A Love Once Jimmy Scott

Leah Roy Orbison

Dream Jimmy Scott

Disc Two

If You Are But A Dream Jimmy Scott

Lonely Wine Roy Orbison

Distant Dreams Roy Orbison

I Wish I Knew Jimmy Scott

Love Hurts Roy Orbison

There Is No Greater Love Jimmy Scott

Why Try to Change Me Now Jimmy Scott

The Great Pretender Roy Orbison

Don't Take Your Love From Me Jimmy Scott

Blue Angel Roy Orbison

What Good Would It Be Jimmy Scott

She Wears My Ring Roy Orbison

Beautiful Dreamer Roy Orbison

Unchained Melody Jimmy Scott

Dream Roy Orbison

Still Tripping on The Sadies - Volume 2

2010-07-08T21:14:00.006-04:00

Since I'm hoping to go see The Sadies in a couple of weeks (and because they've just put out a great new cd Darker Circles), I thought it was time put together another Sadies mixtape (the first one is here). This one includes tracks from a couple of cds (Jon Langford's Mayors of the Moon and John Doe's Country Club) where The Sadies are basically the backing band.

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Ten More Songs

One Million Songs

Snow Squadron

Cheat

Tiger Tiger

Rat Creek

Strange Birds

I Tried Not To

Anna Leigh

The Bug Jar

The Starlight

Yours To Discover

Why Be So Curious (Part 3)

Whispering Circles

The Horseshoe

Stinking Creek

Glass Of Wine

Solitaire Song

Stop The World And Let Me Off

Lay Down Your Arms

Another Wave of Old School Reggae

2010-07-01T22:48:00.005-04:00

As I noted last year when I put together an old school reggae mixtape, reggae seems to have acquired a bad reputation at some point in the 90s. I'm not sure exactly why, but perhaps it was people angry with their roommates playing Bob Marley's Legend (the huge selling greatest hits collection that inexplicably featured some pretty wretched versions of his songs). At any rate, I hope this doesn't deter anyone from enjoying this mixtape (or any other non-Legend Bob Marley) :)

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Coming in Hot Peter Tosh

Peace Love and Understanding The Gaylads

Things & Time Wailing Soul

Leggo Beast Steel Pulse

Keep On Moving UB40

True True True Ken Parker

I Fell In Love The Conquerors

Show Me That You Love Me Sugar Minott

On and On Aswad

Police & Thieves Junior Murvin

Come on Home Joe Higgs

Me And You Carlton And The Shoes

Chatty Chatty People Ranking

Natty Kung Fu Dillinger

Sooner or Later Jimmy Cliff

Samala Toure Kunda

Love the One You're With Phillis Dillon

Coming In From The Cold Bob Marley & The Wailers

A Good Ride with Lyle and Robert Earl

2010-06-24T23:46:00.008-04:00

Back when I had an alternate country radio show in the 90s, I'd often do a Texas themed show around July 4. Since I put together an all Texas alt-country 90s mixtape back in November, I thought I'd focus this week on everyone's favorite Aggies - Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. It's a little light on the obscure tracks, but heavy on the Texas themed songs.

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Cowboy Man Lyle Lovett

Amarillo Highway Robert Earl Keen

Nothing But A Good Ride Lyle Lovett

Hall Of Fame Robert Earl Keen

Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas Robert Earl Keen

That's Right (You're Not From Texas) Lyle Lovett

Corpus Christi Bay Robert Earl Keen

L.A. County Lyle Lovett

The Coming Home Of The Son And Brother Robert Earl Keen

Which Way Does That Old Pony Run Lyle Lovett

Sonora's Death Row Robert Earl Keen

Rollin' By Lyle Lovett

Just The Morning Lyle Lovett

Gringo Honeymoon Robert Earl Keen

Sold American Lyle Lovett

Levelland Robert Earl Keen

Up In Indiana [Acoustic] Lyle Lovett & His Large Band

The Front Porch Song Robert Earl Keen

Up on the Lowedown (Again)

2010-06-17T22:19:00.007-04:00

Last year, I put together two Nick Lowe mixtapes. And since you can never go wrong with Mr. Lowe, here's Volumes 3 and 4. Now you may wonder why I've only included 2-3 tracks from his Brentford Trilogy (The Impossible Bird, Dig My Mood, The Convincer). My reasoning is that those albums are so perfect (even the sequencing of the songs is magnificent), they should be heard as such. And besides, it might have meant getting rid of Shake That Rat. :)

Volume 3

You Got The Look I Like

Without Love

Skin Deep

Shake That Rat

Cool Reaction

Little Hitler

So Heavy

(Hope To God) I'm Right

Lovers Jamboree

(Hey Big Mouth) Stand up and Say That

Ba Doom

Burning

Gai-Gin Man

Saint Beneath The Paint

Feel Again

Volume 4

What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding? (Acoustic)

Now And Always

Couldn't Love You (Any More Than I Do)

Mama Said

When I Write The Book

I Can Be The One You Love

Basing Street

A Better Man

I Trained Her To Love Me

Dream Girl

Indoor Fireworks

What Lack of Love Has Done

Different Kind Of Blue

There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At the Conference Table)

Endless Grey Ribbon

Sweet Soul Music - Voices from the Shadows

2010-06-10T22:30:00.005-04:00

If you have any interest in soul music, I highly recommend Peter Guralnick's book Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom. When it came out, Warner Brothers also put out a really great companion cd, Sweet Soul Music: Voices from the Shadow. It's been out of print for some time now, so I thought I'd post it tonight. Enjoy!

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True Love Travels On A Gravel Road Percy Sledge

Nickel And A Nail O.V. Wright

My Song Aretha Franklin

Crying In The Streets George Perkins & The Silver Stars

Separation Line Laura Lee

Some Kind Of Wonderful Soul Brothers Six

Rainbow Road Arthur Alexander

She's About A Mover Otis Clay

Heart Full Of Love The Invincibles

Hold On (To What We've Got) James Carr

Losing Boy Eddie Giles

I Paid For The Party The Enchanters

I Stayed Away Too Long Solomon Burke

Greatest Love Judy Clay

It's In The Wind Don Covay

Tabu Ley Rochereau and Franco

2010-06-04T00:18:00.006-04:00

One of the things I've always loved about The Simpsons is the way that the show's storyline is never apparent until about 6-7 minutes in. It's also one of the things I really like about the songs of the legendary Congolese musicians Tabu Ley Rochereau and, especially, Franco. Of course, I like Franco's amazing guitar playing and Tabu Ley's voice even more. From what little I've read, there seems to have been a rivalry between the two, but they did do an album together (Omana Wapi). Continuing on in that spirit, I give you a Tabu Ley/Franco mixtape. (And if you're new to Tabu Ley and Franco, I'd highly recommend the 2 cd comps of each put out by Stern's Music.)

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Keyla Tabu Ley Rochereau

Bolingo ya bougie Franco

Ibeba Tabu Ley Rochereau

Ekoti Ya Neube Franco

Na Bosani Yo Te Franco

Londende Tabu Ley Rochereau

Lisanga Ya Ba Nganga Franco And Rochereau

Bazonzele Mama Ana Franco

DJeke Tabu Ley Rochereau

AZDA Franco

Mireille Mwana Tabu Ley Rochereau

Nalembi Nalembi Tabu Ley Rochereau

Sandoka Franco

A Rosanne By Any Other Name

2010-05-27T23:16:00.006-04:00

Yes, I know the name of the comp is pretty lame, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the great Rosanne Cash (whose also got a memoir coming out in August).

Download

Seven Year Ache

The Summer I Read Collette

Miss The Mississippi And You

I Count the Tears

I Don't Have To Crawl

Fair And Tender Ladies

The Winding Stream

I Still Miss Someone

I Don't Want to Spoil the Party

Pink Bedroom

One Step Over The Line

Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'em Down

Our Little Angel

Seventh Avenue

What We Really Want

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

The World Unseen

Somewhere in the Stars

Besotted With Brazil Classics

2010-05-20T22:32:00.006-04:00

While waiting in line to go see Caetano Veloso last month, I spotted David Byrne. I was really tempted to go up and ask him why there is no Brazil Classics 6 on Luaka Bop (his label) - there’s Volume 1 (Beleza Tropical), Volume 2 (O Samba), Volume 3 (Forro, Etc.), Volume 4 (The Best of Tom Ze – Massive Hits), Volume 5 (Tom Ze – The Hips of Tradition) , and Volume 7 (What’s Happening in Pernambuco). Because I’m a wee bit obsessive, I was curious. Plus, I think it would have been funny to see him look at me like I’m bonkers. But discretion (or cowardice) prevented me from acting on this impulse. Since I still wanted to make a Brazil Classics compilation, I just decided to include some tracks from Beleza Tropical 2 Novo! Mais! Melhor! – think of it as an honorary Brazil Classics cd, especially since it is on the Luaka Bop label.

Download

A Felicidade Tom Ze

Balanca Pema Marisa Monte

O Fole Roncou Luiz Gonzaga

Carimbo Nacio Zumbi

San Vicente Milton Nascimento

Sarau Para Ramades Paulinho da Viola

Our Monthly Bread Tom Ze

Multiply into One Tom Ze

O Leaozinho Caetano Veloso

Ela Nao Gosta De Mim Agepe

Se Vacilar O Jacare Abraca Wado E Realismo Fantastico

Chiclete Com Banana Jackson Do Pandeiro

Bog La Bog Carlinhos Brown

Acho Carlos Careqa

Querubim Dominguinhos

Vale Do Juca Siba

Doi Tom Ze

Batuco No Chao Martinho Da Silva

Quilombo, O El Dorado Negro Gilberto Gil

Succumbing to Cat and Nina

2010-05-13T22:29:00.010-04:00

I'll confess I was trying to think of a cute name for the mixtape - you know, one that incorporated Cat Power and Nina Simone's brilliant eccentricities and Southern backgrounds. But I suppose that's something best let to someone with a better knowledge of Southern literature (and brilliant eccentricities :).

(Update: The initial mixtape had two (albeit different) versions of Werewolf, so I redid the comp and replaced the first one with Willie. And yes, my lazy ass editor apologizes for this mix-up. :)

Download

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Cat Power

Central Park Blues Nina Simone

Willie Cat Power

Nobody's Fault But Mine Nina Simone

You Don't Know What Love Is Nina Simone

Dark End Of The Street Cat Power

Solitude Nina Simone

Don't Explain Cat Power

Aretha, Sing One For Me Cat Power

Tell Me More Nina Simone

Free Cat Power

Be My Husband Nina Simone

House of the Rising Sun Nina Simone

Wild Is The Wind Cat Power

Feeling Good Nina Simone

The Werewolf Cat Power

Come On In My Kitchen Cat Power

Who Knows Where The Time Goes Nina Simone

Summoning John Doe

2010-05-06T21:13:00.005-04:00

It took him a long time, but John Doe finally put out a full length country album with The Sadies last year. Even though I love The Sadies, I confess to being a tad skeptic about the pairing for reasons I don't quite remember now that it's my favorite solo album of his (with Forever Hasn't Happened Yet a close second). I put a couple of his early solo albums on my Rooting Around in the 80s comps last year, but this week's mixtape covers his solo albums, soundtrack cuts, live tracks, and other non-album releases (as well as one cut from the 2005 Knitters album) from the last 15-20 years. And yes, I included Take #52 again - I just couldn't help myself. :)

Download

7 Holes

Let's Be Mad (Acoustic)

Hwy 5 with Neko Case

There She Goes Again

Hot Burrito No. 2

Someday / No Day

Long Chain On

The Unhappy Song

A Little More Time

Speed Of Love

I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine

It Just Dawned On Me

The Cold Hard Facts of Life

Baby's In Black

Quiet Desperation

Meanest Man In The World (Live)

Big Moon

I Will Always Love You

I Can't Hold Myself in Line

I'm in Love With a Girl

Take # 52

Sucking in the 70s - Volume 2

2010-04-29T23:34:00.008-04:00

It's a pretty commonplace notion that popular music has been targeted at teens ever since the 1950s. But when I listen to 70s pop, it's sometimes hard to believe that 12-16 year olds listened to this stuff. Then again, maybe the music explains why Gen X was so screwed up. Nah, it's best to blame that on the parents. :) Anyway, here's another 70s mixtape (you can find the first volume here).

Download

Rose Garden Lynn Anderson

It Never Rains In Southern California Albert Hammond

(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher Rita Coolidge

My Baby Loves Lovin' White Plains

Tell Her She's Lovely El Chicano

I'd Love You to Want Me Lobo

All By Myself Eric Carmen

It's Too Late Carole King

Tighter, Tighter Alive 'N Kickin'

I'm On Fire Dwight Twilley Band

I Wonder Rodriguez

Right Back Where We Started From Maxine Nightingale

Let Your Love Flow Bellamy Brothers

Dreams Fleetwood Mac

Love Hurts Nazareth

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia Vicki Lawrence

Low Rider War

I saw the light Todd Rundgren

You've Got a Friend Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

Ooh La La The Faces

The Soul of Staton and Swann

2010-04-23T02:16:00.008-04:00

I’m a little out of it tonight (okay, pretty much this whole) week, so I don’t really have too much interesting to say about the subjects of this week’s mixtapes – Candi Staton and Bettye Swann. Instead, I’ll just let everyone draw their own opinions on just how freaking awesome Candi Staton’s “To Hear You Say You’re Mine” or Bettye Swann’s take on “Little Things Mean a Lot” are. J Oh, and if you like the comp and this is your first exposure to Staton and Swann, you should really get the compilations of Candi Staton and Bettye Swann put out by the Honest Jon’s record label in 2004.

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Here I Am Again Candi Staton
Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me) Bettye Swann
I'm Lonely For You Bettye Swann
Before The Next Teardop Falls Candi Staton
Victim Of A Foolish Heart
Bettye Swann
I'm Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Love) Candi Staton
Don't Take My Mind Bettye Swann
In Name Only Candi Staton
You Don't Have Far to Go Candi Staton
Today I Started Loving You Again Bettye Swann
He Called Me Baby Candi Staton
I Can't Let You Break My Heart Bettye Swann
Stand By Your Man Bettye Swann
Honest I Do Love You Candi Staton
Don't Wait Too Long Bettye Swann
Another Man's Woman, Another Woman's Man Candi Staton
You Gave Me Love Bettye Swann
You Don't Love Me No More Candi Staton
To Hear You Say You're Mine Candi Staton
Little Things Mean A Lot Bettye Swann

Jean Shepard - Honky Tonk Heroine

2010-04-15T21:55:00.005-04:00

While Jean Shepard may not have had Patsy's voice or Loretta Lynn's scrappy persona and backstory, it's still a darn shame that she's not more well known (and on the jukebox in more hipster dive bars). In order to rectify that at least a little bit, I'm posting an 1995 out of print Jean Shepard cd put out by the Country Music Foundation. Enjoy some great country music.

Download

Twice the Lovin' (In Half the Time)

Crying Steel Guitar Waltz

A Dear John Letter

My Wedding Ring

Two Whoops and a Holler

Don't Fall in Love with a Married Man

A Satisfied Mind

Beautiful Lies

Sad Singin' and Slow Ridin'

Under Suspicion

I Want to Go Where No One Knows Me

The Other Woman

Act Like a Married Man

A Thief in the Night

He's My Baby

How Do I Tell It to a Child

Color Song (I Lost My Love)

The Root of all Evil (Is a Man)

Under Your Spell Again

One White Rose

I've Learned to Live With You (And Be Alone)

That's What Lonesome Is

Cigarettes and Coffee Blues

Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)

Powering Up With 90s Power Pop

2010-04-09T01:06:00.005-04:00

I do love me some good power pop - especially on those sunny days when I'm waiting outside for the train after work with (almost) nary a care in my (semi) pretty little head. :) In that spirit, here's two mixtapes of 4 of my favorite power pop artists from the 90s (okay, I included some stuff from the late 80s - sue me): Tommy Keene, Material Issue, Kevin Salem, and Matthew Sweet.

Download Disc One

Very First Lie Material Issue

Wind and the Sun Matthew Sweet

If You're Getting Married Tonight Tommy Keene

Will Kevin Salem

Forever Gone Kevin Salem

Come To Love Matthew Sweet

Highwire Days Tommy Keene

Next Big Thing Material Issue

Kindness Kevin Salem

Thought I Knew You Matthew Sweet

Whole Lotta You Material Issue

Hey Man Tommy Keene

Love Is The Only Thing That Matters Tommy Keene

Diane [Acoustic] Material Issue

Remain Kevin Salem

Love Matthew Sweet

Download Disc Two

Back To Zero Now Tommy Keene

Lighthouse Keeper Kevin Salem

Sick Of Myself Matthew Sweet

Crazy Material Issue

Bus Stop Material Issue

Magnetic Kevin Salem

Evangeline Matthew Sweet

Turning On Blue Tommy Keene

When I Get This Way (Over You) Material Issue

Nothing Can Change You Tommy Keene

Deep Dark Love Kevin Salem

Into Your Drug Matthew Sweet

Devil With The Green Eyes Matthew Sweet

Valerie Loves Me [Live] Material Issue

If We Run Away Tommy Keene

In A Whisper Kevin Salem

All the Red in China - The Sam Phillips Collection

2010-03-26T00:23:00.009-04:00

I’ve always really liked what Sam Phillips said about her decision to switch from Christian music to secular stuff. I can’t quite remember the exact quote, but the essence was “I’m writing about what’s in the light, rather than writing about ‘the light’”. Secular or not, Sam is an incredibly affecting singer – her singing River of Love (from The Turning, her last Christian music album) in 1989 at CBGB’s is one of my all time concert highlights. For this week's post, I've put together two 15 song mixtapes spanning Sam’s career. (And if you’re just discovering the wonder that is Sam Phillips and want to buy her music, I’d start with either The Indescribable Wow or Cruel Inventions – they’re both gems that hold up incredibly well 20 years after they were released.) Oh, and she’s no relation to the legendary Sun Records producer Sam Phillips – I think Sam was her nickname as a child.

Download Disc One

The Fan Dance
Disappearing Act
Flame
Remorse
Love Is Not Lost
Baby I Can't Please You
I Wanna Be Your Man
Plastic Is Forever
Red Silk Five
You Fascinate Me So
Black Sky
Little Plastic Life
Zero Zero Zero!
Cruel Inventions
Out of Time

Download Disc Two

Love & Kisses
She Can't Tell Time
You Lost My Mind
These Boots are Made for Walking
Entertainmen
Infiltration
If I Could Write
What Do I Do
Flowers Up
Tell Her What She Wants To Know
Hole In Time
Private Storm
Slapstick Heart
Soul Eclipse
River of Love

I'm Living in the 80's!

2010-03-18T22:40:00.013-04:00

Around this time last year, I posted a bunch of rootsy 80's mixtapes. Well, it's back to the 80s once again, but this time it's the more synthy, post-punk stuff.

Also, here's the best tribute to Alex Chilton I've read yet (a blog post from Chuck Prophet written in 2007)

Download Disc One

The Tunnel Of Love The Fun Boy Three

Love Vigilantes New Order

Voodoo Ray A Guy Called Gerald

Going Up Echo & The Bunnymen

A Forest The Cure

Atmosphere Joy Division

Reptile The Church

Airwaves Thomas Dolby

Virgins And Philistines Colourfield

Talking Loud and Clear Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

This Is the Day The The

King Is White And In The Crowd Simple Minds

A Globe of Frogs Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians

'Til The Cows Come Home Prefab Sprout

I Want Your Hands On Me Sinead O'Connor

Not Raving But Drowning Julian Cope

Shoplifters Of The World Unite The Smiths

Down The Dip Aztec Camera

Download Disc Two

I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow (All of My Life) The The

Hairdresser On Fire Morrissey

The Love Cats The Cure

Do You Dream In Colour Bill Nelson

Age Of Consent New Order

Pacific State 808 State

Crush Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Windpower Thomas Dolby

Book Of Brilliant Things Simple Minds

You Little Thief Feargal Sharkey

Tinseltown in the Rain The Blue Nile

I Am A Rock The Church

Vibrating Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians

Things Could Be Beautiful Colourfield

Crystal Days Echo & The Bunnymen

Love Comes Tumbling U2

Bonny Prefab Sprout

This Woman's Work Kate Bush

Whiskey, Lies, and Tears at Joy Lynn and Jann's

2010-03-12T00:43:00.005-05:00

Back in the salad days of the 90s, there was a debate about whether or not alternative country was just bands like Wilco, Old 97s, and Whiskeytown or if it also included country acts that were "too country" for country radio. Personally, I was kind of a "big tent" guy. Hence, this week's mixtape features Joy Lynn White and Jann Browne - a couple of great country female singers whose major label releases in the 90s never quite caught on with a mass audience even though they certainly deserved to. They're both still making music (Jann's 2007 Buck Owens tribute album is dandy) and doing the occasional live dates (Joy Lynn in Nashville and Jann in Los Angeles) but it's a shame neither of them ever made it big.

Download

Love's Gonna Live Here Jann Browne

Try Not To Be So Lonely Joy Lynn White

It Only Hurts When I Laugh Jann Browne

Wild Love Joy Lynn White

Tell Me Why Jann Browne

The One You Slip Around With Jann Browne

Little Tears Joy Lynn White

Playgirl (playboy) Jann Browne

Looking For You Looking For Me Joy Lynn White

Heart You Can't Ignore Jann Browne

I Doubt If It Does To You Joy Lynn White

Life's Just Too Short Joy Lynn White

One Tired Man Jann Browne

Girls With Apartments In Nashville Joy Lynn White

Where The Sidewalk Ends Jann Browne

Let`s Talk About Love Again Joy Lynn White

Blue Heart In Memphis Jann Browne

Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache) Jann Browne

Whiskey, Lies And Tears Joy Lynn White

'Til A Tear Becomes A Rose Jann Browne

I Lost It Joy Lynn White

A Rendezvous With The dB's

2010-03-04T22:56:00.007-05:00

As I was making this dB's comp, I started to kick myself for not going to see them when they did a reunion show a couple of years back. I think I had something to do that night, but still....Anyway, if this your first introduction to the great jangle rock (is that term still used?), all the dB's releases (except Paris Avenue) are available to buy as downloads at Amazon. Now, I know the power pop aficionados tend to prefer Stands for Decibels and Repercussion, but I’m personally partial to their third release Like This.

Download

Neverland

Not Cool

Tell Me Two Times

Tearjerkin'

Never Say When

Working For Somebody Else

She Got Soul

From a Window to a Screen

Barometers, Thermometers

Molly Says

Bad Reputation

Soul Kiss (Part One)

Black and White

A Spy in the House of Love

Lonely Is (As Lonely Does)

Ride The Roller Coaster

Cycles Per Seconds

Rendezvous

Sharon

Modern Boys & Girls

Amplifier