Gimme a Bowl of Atlantic R&B

I can't remember which volume of the Atlantic R&B series I got first back in the late 80s, but I doubt it took me more than a year to collect all seven. They're all great (though I think I'm just a tiny bit partial to Volume 4) and even though there's more than 25 years between Volume 1 and Volume 7, there's a seamless quality when you listen to all of them on shuffle. So here are 21 of favorite songs from the Atlantic R&B series (3 from each volume).

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You Don't Miss Your Water William Bell

Just One Look Doris Troy

Teardrops From My Eyes Ruth Brown

Sweet Soul Music Arthur Conley

Love, Love, Love The Clovers

Mess Around Ray Charles

Compared to What Les McCann & Eddie Harris

Spanish Harlem Ben E. King

A Beggar For Your Kisses The Diamonds

Fools Fall In Love The Drifters

See-Saw Don Covay

Midnight Special Tiny Grimes

Rainy Night in Georgia Brook Benton

Where is the Love? Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

I'm in Love Wilson Pickett

Tee Nah Nah Harry Van Walls

Soul On Fire Lavern Baker

Cool Jerk The Capitols

A Lover's Question Clyde McPhatter

Gee Whiz Carla Thomas

Love Won't Let Me Wait Major Harris

Don't Start Him Talking - The Songs of Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly and the Messengers' 1992 album Comedy is one of those classic under-appreciated gems - just about a perfect hour of music. While Kelly's records since then have been a little inconsistent, his body of work over the last 25 year is pretty impressive. He put out a greatest hits (Songs of the South) collection in 2008, but it's only available as an import in the United States so here's 30 of my favorite Paul Kelly songs.

Download Both Discs

Disc One

Don't Start Me Talking

From St Kilda To Kings Cross

Before Too Long

Dumb Things

She's Rare

Shane Warne Song

Somebody's Forgetting Somebody (Somebody's Letting Somebody Down)

Khe Sanh

Luck

Little Kings

Let's Fall Again

The Foggy Fields Of France

Moon In The Bed

I Had Forgotten You

Big Heart

Disc Two

Last Train to Heaven

Your Little Sister (Is a Big Girl Now)

Special Treatment

Difficult Woman

Young Lovers

Careless

Little Decisions

Same Old Walk

Ball And Chain

You're So Fine

The Ballad Of Queenie & Rover

Yil Lull

Ghost Town

Adelaide

Pidgeon/Jundamurra

I Just Don't Know What to do With Myself - Volume 2

As I mentioned last year, I used to do an anti-Valentine Day show every year when I had my alternative country radio show. While those days may be an increasingly a distant memory, it's still, um.....I don't know if "fun" is the right word, but I still like doing them. In that spirit, I present this year's batch of songs of recrimination, remorse, revenge, and regret.

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I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself Isaac Hayes

Streets Of Baltimore Charley Pride

The World Of Broken Hearts Elvis Costello

The Grand Tour George Jones

Patch My Heart The Mad Lads

Cry Me A River Caetano Veloso

I Wake Up Crying Chuck Jackson

Drown in My Own Tears Percy Sledge

How Can I Go On Without You Jimmy Scott

No Easy Way Down Mark Eitzel

Love Is A Losing Game Amy Winehouse

Woman Left Lonely Cat Power

That Other Woman Got My Man And Gone Margie Joseph

Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them k.d. lang

All Blue Cheri Knight

About the Blues Julie London

Cry On The Detroit Cobras

Don't Forget To Cry Mandy Barnett

It's All Over Now Holly Golightly

Tracks of My Tears Aretha Franklin

A Cavalcade of Kelly Willis

It's kinda hard to believe that it's been 20 years since Kelly Willis' first album came out. I always thought she'd become a bigger star, but maybe that cliche "too country for rock, too rock for country" really did hinder her career. But I'd rather not dwell, so here's a great little homage to Ms. Willis put together by blog readers Al (the A sides) and Jerald (the B sides). Though I did pick out the picture. :)

Download The A Sides

Bang Bang

Reason to Believe

The More That I'm Around You

Sincerely (Too Late to Turn Back Now)

Take Me Down

Heaven's Just a Sin Away

Easy (As Falling Apart)

Cradle of Love

I Don't Want To Love You (But I Do)

River of Love

Wrapped

Hidden Things

Not What I Had in Mind

What World Are You Living in?

Get Real

If I Left You

Whatever Way the Wind Blows

Drive South

Teddy Boys

Success

Download The B Sides

It's A Cheatin' Situation

Little Honey

Your Cheatin' Heart

Parallel Bars

Ride Me Down Easy

That's How I Got To Memphis

Rex's Blues

The Only One

When My Baby's Beside Me

Golden Ring

Shine

Lady Yesterday

When I Loved You

Absentee Rag

Truckstop Girl

The Circle

Friendless Marriage

We Always Fight When We Drink Gin

Take Me

Me And Mr. Jones

Empty Bed Blues

Well, it's getting cold again in the northeast, so what better time to post some bawdy old blues? In that spirit, here's "Empty Bed Blues" - a compilation of 1920s females blues singers. It came out in 1996, but it's been out of print for a while.

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1. If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It) - Barrell House Annie

2. Ice Man (Come on Up) - Memphis Minnie

3. Take Me for a Buggy Ride - Bessie Smith

4. Sam-The Hot Dog Man - Lil Johnson

5. He's Just My Size - Lillie Mae Kirkman

6. My Castle's Rockin' - Alberta Hunter

7. My Butcher Man - Georgia White

8. My Handy Man - Ethel Waters

9. Keep on Eatin' - Memphis Minnie

10. Shave 'Em Dry, No. 2 - Lucille Bogan

11. Send Me a Man - Alberta Hunter

12. Walking the Street - Georgia White

13. In the Racket - Billie Pierce

14. Empty Bed Blues, Pts. 1-2 - Bessie Smith

15. I've Got What It Takes - Virginia Liston

16. Or Leave Me Alone - Lil Armstrong

17. Furniture Man Blues, Pt. 2 - Lonnie Johnson, Victoria Spivey

18. Get 'Em from the Peanut Man (The New Hot Nuts) - Lil Johnson

19. Blues Ain't Nothin' But...? - Georgia White

20. Can't Be Bothered With No Sheik - Rosa Henderson

21. Kitchen Man - Bessie Smith

22. One Hour Mama - Ida Cox

23. Good Time Mama Blues - Martha Copeland

24. For Sale (Hannah Johnson's Big Jack Ass) - Clara Smith

25. You've Been a Good Ole Wagon - Bessie Smith

The Birdman of Chicago

In addition to twang, I've found myself listening to Andrew Bird a lot on my morning commute the last couple of years - especially The Mysterious Production of Eggs and Armchair Apocrypha. I also like his earlier releases, but I don't think they hang together quite as cohesively as TMPOE or AA. So here's a couple of Andrew Bird mixtapes featuring his earlier material.

Volume One

Two Way Action

Action / Adventure

Dora Goes To Town

Wishing For Contentment

Something Sinister

Sectionate City

Case in Point

Lull

First Song

Swedish Folk Tune

The Trees Were Mistaken

Sloe-eyed Seasons

--

Volume Two

Dance of Death

Self-Torture

I

Way Out West

And So...

Beware

Sic of Elephants

The Door

Too Long

Weather Systems

Theme 1 (restated)

(What's Your) Angle?

Satisfied

On the Right Side of 2009

Well, it's a little late for this sort of thing, but when you're doing you're doing a year-end compilation, you should be sure that you don't omit anything - like stuff you didn't buy until late December. In that spirit, here's 20 of my favorite tracks from 2009 (and all the mp3s are tagged with the albums they come from in case you want to explore further.)

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Break Up Girls! The Raveonettes

This Tornado Loves You Neko Case

Blackberry Song Kurt Vile

Cella's Walk Jimi Tenor / Tony Allen

Akampanye The Sweet Talks

Front Door Eleni Mandell

Ain't A Goin' James Hand

You Always Win Raul Malo

A Country Of My Own Thad Cockrell

What Is This Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens

Fitz & Dizzyspells Andrew Bird

No One Will Ever Love You Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles

Inspiration Information Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Ruins of Berlin Dex Romweber Duo

Detroit City John Doe and The Sadies

BR Samba Super Som Lord

The Sweetest Thing Camera Obscura

I Hear Them All Dave Rawlings Machine

Stars of Leo M. Ward

Waiting on These New Things to Go Robbie Fulks

The Marvelous Marvin Gaye

I've been listening to a bunch of Marvin Gaye lately and I was struck by how many duet albums he did and by how many duet partners he had - Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross. I mean, is there any other major (or even minor artist) that's done so many duet albums? So while we're pondering that question, here's two Marvin mixtapes - one a collection of duets and the second a collection of (mostly) rarities and album tracks.

Disc One

Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

Baby I'm Glad That Things Worked Out so Well

Hope I Don't Get My Heart Broke

One More Heartache

Baby Don't You Do It

When I Had Your Love

Sparrow

Since I Had You

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

It's Not Unusual

Sunny

This Love Starved Heart Of Mine

Soldier's Plea

Wherever I Lay My Hat

Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By

This Will Make You Laugh

Everybody Needs Love

Forever

Disc Two

Once Upon a Time Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Steadies Marvin Gaye & Oma Page

You Can Dance Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

Until I Met You (Corner Pocket) Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

Rilleh Marvin Gaye & Oma Page

Let's Do It Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

Exactly Like You Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

Teach me Tonight Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston

How You Gonna Keep It (After You Get It) Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Deed I Do Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

The Late Late Show Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

You Are Everything Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross

You're a Special Part of Me Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross

Ain't No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

California Soul Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Everyone Waits For Tom

Well Xmas is now about 3 minutes old on the East Coast, so here's a little tribute to Mr. Tom Waits to well, I guess it doesn't fit too well into a stocking. Special thanks for the inspiration to put this together go to the website carnivalsaloon.blogspot.com.

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Whistlin' Past The Graveyard Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Jersey Girl Holly Cole

Innocent When You Dream Great Lake Swimmers

Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again Nora O'Connor

Bronx Lullaby Vamosbabe & Pascal Fricke

Temptation Diana Krall

You Can't Unring a Bell These Immortal Souls

Going Out West Gomez

I Don't Want To Grow Up Petra Haden and Bill Frisell

Foreign Affairs Eleni Mandell

New Coat Of Paint Lee Rocker

Broken Bicycles Botanica

Green Grass Cibelle

Pony Sara Watkins

Walking Spanish The Silver Hearts

Blind Love Sarah Borges & Broken Singles

Come On Up To The House Sarah Jarosz

I Think I Hear Some Echo

Okay, it's 80s music again this week. But I bet it's been a while since you listened to Echo and the Bunnymen and probably haven't heard any of their newer stuff. In that spirit, I give you 18 tracks from the pride of Liverpool including a few cuts from their 2009 release The Fountain.

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Silver

Think I Need It Too

Happy Death Men

All That Jazz

Heaven Up Here

Scissors In The Sand

All I Want

Ripeness

History Chimes

Bring On The Dancing Horses

Drivetime

My Kingdom

Stormy Weather

Sideways Eight

Way Out And Up We Go

A Promise

Gods Will Be Gods

Villiers Terrace

Unconsolably Cat, Cline, and Cohen

Now I didn't just choose to put together Cat Power, Patsy Cline and Leonard Cohen in a mixtape because of their alliterative last names, but, well, it didn't hurt. :) So here's a couple of comps featuring those late night bards designed to keep you company in the winter nights ahead.

Both Discs

Disc One

You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) Patsy Cline

Master Song Leonard Cohen

Song To Bobby Cat Power

Lord, Help The Poor & Needy Cat Power

Morning Glory Leonard Cohen

Your Kinda Love Patsy Cline

Half Of You Cat Power

Came So Far for Beauty Leonard Cohen

Why Can't He Be You Patsy Cline

Leavin' On Your Mind Patsy Cline

It Ain't Fair Cat Power

Winter Lady Leonard Cohen

If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) Patsy Cline

Paths Of Victory Cat Power

Tower of Song Leonard Cohen

Disc Two

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Cat Power

Does Your Heart Beat for Me? Patsy Cline

Then You'll Know Patsy Cline

Story Of Isaac Leonard Cohen

He Was A Friend Of Mine Cat Power

Tacoma Trailer Leonard Cohen

If I Could Only Stay Asleep Patsy Cline

The Greatest (Solo Version) Cat Power

Who By Fire Leonard Cohen

One of Us Cannot Be Wrong Leonard Cohen

Baby Doll Cat Power

Strange Patsy Cline

I Can't Forget Leonard Cohen

Silver Stallion Cat Power

The Wayward Wind Patsy Cline

Pretty and High: A Roches Collection

I've never been very good at predicting what people will like and I'm especially bad at predicting which bands are due for a revival. That said, I do think those lovable quasi-folkies The Roches are about due for a comeback. Granted, they could be a tad precious occasionally....but their great harmonies, wry and inventive songwriting, not to mention Robert Fripp's guitar on their early works will always endear them to me. So here's a compilation to start the Roches revival train on its way. :)

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We

Down The Dream

Face Down at Folk City

My Sick Mind

Losing True

Steady with the Maestro

Pretty and High

I Love My Mom

Louis

Come Softly to Me

I Fell in Love

The Train

Mr. Sellack

The Scorpion Lament

Older Girls

This Feminine Position

The Married Men

The Angry Angry Man

Hammond Song

Keep on Doing What You Do/Jerks on the Loose

On the Right Side of Christmas

Is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more Christmas albums than there used to be? And if so, why is that? (Not that I'm complaining, mind you.) Anyway, enough with the questions without a real answer - here's an Xmas music compilation for everybody.

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Cool Yule Louis Armstrong

To Heck With Ole Santa Claus Loretta Lynn

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Darlene Love

The Christmas Song The Raveonettes

I'd Like You For Christmas Julie London

World of Love Binky Griptite & the Dee-Kay's

Merry Christmas Baby James Brown

Christmas Lullaby Shane MacGowan & The Popes

Dashing Through the Snow Duke Ellington

Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas The Staple Singers

Christmas Tree On Fire Holly Golightly

What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swinging) Louis Prima

Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) Elvis Presley

Spotlight on Christmas Rufus Wainwright

Christmas Is Lou Rawls

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Ella Fitzgerald

Santa Will Find You Mindy Smith

Dark Christmas Dex Romweber Duo

We Wish You A Merry Christmas Kim Weston

Thanks For Christmas The Three Wise Men (aka XTC)

Just Like Christmas Low

All I Want For Christmas Is You Carla Thomas

Lonely Christmas Call George Jones

Make It Home Juliana Hatfield

Another Trip Back to Alternative Country

Well, you didn't think I would just make two 90s alt-country compilations, did ya? I mean, there was a LOT of good alt-country music in the 90s. So I give you Volume 3 (late night driving music) and Volume 4 (Texas artists).

Download Volume 3

Dreaming Cowboy Sally Timms

I'm So Lonesome Without You Hazeldine

Safe Within Your Arms Greg Garing

Heart, I Wish You Were Here Robbie Fulks

Holy Ghost Scud MountainBoys

Broke Down One Fell Swoop

All God's Children Simon Bonney

Halfway To Madness Tarnation

The Best I Can Do Dirtball

Withered and Died Caitlin Cary

The Man Of Somebody's Dream Chris Gaffney

Two Seconds The Volebeats

Halogen D. Braxton Harris

Thief Blood Oranges

Leaving Angel Dean & The Zephyrs

If I Were You Tom Leach

Cheater's World Amy Allison

Burning Memories Katy Moffatt

Sudden Stop Kelly Hogan & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts

Cry Mike Ireland And Holler

Download Volume 4

Clay Pigeons Blaze Foley

Horseshoe Lounge Slaid Cleaves

Wild Things Gurf Morlix

Forget Thinkin' Beaver Nelson

Cowboy Ramsey Don Walser

White Corn Casper Rawls

Shadows Where The Magic Was James Hand

Tucumcari, Here I Come Dale Watson

Bandera Highway Ray Campi & Rosie Flores

West Texas Heaven Kimmie Rhodes

$100 Bill Jon Dee Graham

Polkadots And Moonbeams The Hot Club Of Cowtown

The Lay of the Land Lisa Mednick

Rear View Mirror Bobby Earl Smith

Heaven Bound Damon Bramblett

All Right I'll Sign The Papers Justin Trevino

Blue Tatoo Marti Brom

Spit and Tears The Damnations TX

One by One Michael Fracasso

Loose Diamond David Halley & Rich & Katy Brotherton

A Trip Back to Alternative Country

I realize the 2010s are almost upon us and at some point I may make a best of 2009 compilation, but tonight's post is devoted to alternative country from the 1990s - specifically, the alt-country artists and bands from the 90s that didn't receive the attention of Wilco, Whiskeytown, Old 97s, etc.

Disc One

Long Time A Comin' Bap Kennedy

The Calm Comes After Kate Jacobs

A Little Bluer Than That Irene Kelley

On The Streets Rico Bell

Monterey Paul Burch & the WPA Ballclub

Blue Stranger Paul Kelly & the Messengers

Love Is Not Blind Lonesome Bob

Lie, Memory, Lie Dallas Wayne

Pictures Of China Tandy

Cycle Of Days The Schramms

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Dale Ann Bradley

Weight Of The World Christy McWilson

Big Time Broken Heart Terry Anderson

Jealous of the River Pat Haney

Songs Bottles Are Broken To Forever Goldrush

Link Of Chain Chris Smither

Try It Again Royann Calvin

Hands Off Courtney & Western

Highway Junkie Chris Knight

Can't Let Go Randy Weeks

Disc Two

County Fair Phil Alvin
Red, Red Wine And Cheatin' Songs Marty Stuart

Red Headed Woman Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics

It's a Mystery to Me Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys

Kansas City Kitty Dave Stuckey & The Rhythm Gang

Oh Lonesome Me Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel

Wake Up Screaming Jim Lauderdale

Must've Been High Supersuckers

George's Bad Day Biller & Wakefield

Big Black Cadillac Sonny Burgess

Fool on a Stool Bill Kirchen

King of the Blues Dick Curless

Gastonia The Starroom Boys

Bustin' Up Jim Campilongo and the 10 Gallon Cats

She's A Nail In My Heart Jeff Bright & The Sunshine Boys

Lester Leaps In Ray Condo & His Ricochets

Blue Moon Blue Neil Mooney

Little M Flat Duo Jets

I Don't Do Floors Jann Browne

Your Old Used To Be Souvenirs

More Kirsty Kronikles

Since Kirsty Maccoll put out so much good stuff that wasn't on her formal releases (I mean, how could I make a Kirsty comp without There's a Guy Works Down the Cornershop or her covers of Train in Vain, Walk Right Back, etc) , here's Volume III of The Kirsty Kronikles. Oh Kirsty, we really miss you.

Download

A New England

Train in Vain

Teenager In Love

Miss Otis Regrets/Just One Of Those Things [feat. The Pogues]

King Kong

They Don't Know

Sail Away [Ghostland & Kirsty]

Other People's Hearts

There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis

Closer To God

Hard To Believe

Terry

The Butcher Boy

Walk Right Back

Manhattan Moon

The Kirsty Kronikles

In addition to her impeccable pop sensibilities and eclectic tastes, Kirsty Maccoll was a great singer, a witty and incisive lyricist, and despite her stage fright, a terrific live act (I saw her at Tramps in New York City in 1995). And from all accounts I've read, she was a caring and charming person. She was killed in a tragic boating accident in Mexico almost 9 years ago at the age of 41 only a few months before her last (and maybe best) album Tropical Brainstorm was released. Had she lived, she would have turned 50 this month. So to honor, the late great Ms. Maccoll, here's 30 songs not found on any of her major formal releases (Kite, Electric Landlady, Titanic Days, or Tropical Brainstorm) all of which you should get if you don't have them already (especially Kite and Tropical Brainstorm).

Disc One

Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
Darling, Let's Have Another Baby
Irish Cousin
Perfect Day [feat. Evan Dando]
The Real Ripper
Mexican Sofa
Turn My Motor On
Queen Of The High Teas
Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Don't Run Away from Me Now
See That Girl
Quietly Alone
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Caroline
As Long As You Hold Me

Disc Two

El Paso

Patrick

Clubland

All The Tears That I Cried

Libertango

Dear John

Fairytale Of New York

He Thinks I Still Care

I Want Out

Sun On The Water

Please Go to Sleep

I Am Afraid

You Caught Me Out

He's on the Beach

Still Life

The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals: Vol. 4 - "More Power to Ya!"

Well, I finally my grubby little mitts on a copy of the 4th volume of The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals!!!! It's a vinyl copy which means the songs are slightly different than the cd version. Also, since I'm still burning my vinyl to a cd recorder connected to my stereo, there's a few little noise on some of the tracks.

Now I gotta say I don't think Volume 4 is quite good as the previous three, but there's still a lot of good stuff - my faves are Bill Brandon's "All I Need is You" and Tony Borders "Gentle on My Mind".

(Btw, as someone informed me in the comments section when I posted the previous three volumes, there is a Volume 5, but that one seems really rare.)

Download

More Power to Ya Don Varner

Heaven Help Me (I'm Falling In Love With You) June Edwards

Please Don't Break My Heart (Like You Did Jerry's) Tony Borders

All I Need Is You Bill Brandon

It's A Man's World Buddy Causey

Gentle On My Mind Tony Borders

The Sweetest Story Don Varner

It Sure Was Fun Eddie Bradford

I Met Her In Church Tony Borders

A Mighty Long Way Eddie Bradford

What The World Needs Now Bill Brandon

Headman Tony Borders

My Man (My Sweet Man) June Edwards

Home For The Summer Don Varner

Don't Let Go Tony Borders

To Make My Life Beautiful Bill Brandon

This Way to the Velvet Underground

It'd be nice if I had something bold and insightful to say about the Velvet Underground, but it's not like kegs of ink haven't already been spilled on the subject. However, since there really isn't a comprehensive best of collection for the band, here ya go..... And like last week's post, you can download both discs as one download.

Download

Disc One

White Light, White Heat

I'm Waiting for the Man

Foggy Notion

I Found A Reason

Stephanie Says

What Goes On

Venus in Furs

Sunday Morning

Some Kinda Love

Temptation Inside Your Heart

Oh! Sweet Nuthin'

The Black Angel's Death Song

Disc Two

I Can't Stand It

Run Run Run

There She Goes Again

The Gift

That's the Story of My Life

One of These Days

Femme Fatale

Andy's Chest

Beginning to See the Light

Pale Blue Eyes

I'll Be Your Mirror

Who Loves The Sun

At the No Hope Bar with Bobby and Holly

Ever since I heard Holly Golightly sing Further On Up the Road, I thought I should put her and Bobby "Blue" Bland together on a mixtape (and yes I know Bobby didn't write the song, but well, he does make it his.) So here's a couple of short mixtapes (combined into one download) for you.

Download Both Sides

Side One

Stormy Monday Bobby "Blue" Bland

Further On Up The Road Holly Golightly

Won't Go Out Holly Golightly

I Take It On Home Bobby "Blue" Bland

Tell Me Now So I Know Holly Golightly

That Did It Bobby "Blue" Bland

Wherever You Were Holly Golightly

Cry, Cry, Cry Bobby "Blue" Bland

You Ought To Be Ashamed Bobby Blue Bland

Your Love Is Mine Holly Golightly

I've Been Wrong So Long Bobby "Blue" Bland

Here Beside You Holly Golightly

Blind Man Bobby "Blue" Bland

Slowly But Surely Holly Golightly

Side Two

Run Cold Holly Golightly

I Woke Up Screaming Bobby "Blue" Bland

An Eye for an Empty Heart Holly Golightly

That Did It (Single Version) Bobby "Blue" Bland

Cold Day in Hell Bobby "Blue" Bland

If I Could Just Be Loved by You Holly Golightly

I'll Take Care Of You Bobby "Blue" Bland

There's An End Holly Golightly

Ain't Nothing You Can Do Bobby "Blue" Bland

Serial Girlfriend Holly Golightly

Here Beside You Holly Golightly

I'm On My Way Bobby Blue Bland

No Hope Bar Holly Golightly

Two Steps From The Blues Bobby "Blue" Bland

Still Causing a Commotion

Well, it's time for another guest contribution to the blog. The copy is on its way, but in the meantime, here's my friend Julian's mixtape of Lloyd Cole's solo (mostly) work after he parted ways with the Commotions.

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Morning Is Broken

So You'd Like To Save The World

Woman in a Bar

Another Lover

Antidepressant

Pay For It

No More Love Songs

She's a Girl and I'm a Man

Downtown

Unhappy Song

Alright People

A Long Way Down

People Ain't No Good

Brazil

Happy For You

Margo's Waltz

I Hate To See You Baby Doing That Stuff

Fool You Are (Demo)

Funny How the Circle is a Wheel

Back in the late 90s when I was doing my alt-country radio show, I acquired a tape of someone else's radio show (I kinda forget exactly how). Anyway, it became a mainstay in the box of cassettes I kept in my car. Due to the 60s-70s country vibe of many of the songs, I especially found myself listening to it anytime I found myself driving around on back roads on fall afternoons. So since the cassette got kinda worn out, I thought I'd take some of my faves from the tape and add some like-minded songs.

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I'll Be Around Bobby Bare Jr.

Pack Up Your Sorrows Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison

I Turned a Corner Paul Burch & the WPA Ballclub

I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am Merle Haggard

Mountain Girl Blue Mountain

Me And Paul Willie Nelson

Warmth & Beauty Thad Cockrell

Where Have All The Average People Gone Roger Miller

We Go Together Tammy Wynette & George Jones

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues Emmylou Harris

It's Alright Bobby Bare

Take Me Home, Country Roads Lynn Anderson

1970 #1 Song Cadillac Terry Radigan

Two Angels The Jayhawks

Full Circle Song Gene Clark

Sneaky Snake Tom T. Hall

Jennifer Johnson and Me Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

Forever and Ever, Amen Randy Travis

No Depression Uncle Tupelo

Blanket on the Ground Billie Jo Spears

Well Fancy That: The Terry Hall Collection

I was just a bit too young to go see The Specials, but I'm proud to say that I altered my drivers permit so I could see what turned out to be (I think) the final show of Fun Boy Three at the Ritz in New York in 1983. Though I don't remember too much about the show and I think I went primarily because of their connection to The Specials. I didn't really keep up with Terry Hall's 90s and 00s output, but I've always loved Waiting and the first Colourfield album (and ep) and never sound dated (at least to these ears.) So here's a couple mixtapes featuring The Fun Boy Three and Colourfield as well as some of Terry's later work.

Download

Disc One

Murder She Said The Fun Boy Three

The More I See (The Less I Believe) The Fun Boy Three

Castles In The Air The Colourfield

Grief Disguised As Joy Terry Hall

Sanctuary The Fun Boy Three

The Colourfield The Colourfield

Alone The Fun Boy Three

Ballad of a Landlord (Acoustic) Terry Hall

Fishbones and Scaredy Cats Terry, Blair & Anouchka

Badlands Colourfield

Frosty Morning The Colourfield

T'aint What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It) The Fun Boy Three

Forever J Terry Hall

Things We Do The Fun Boy Three

Hammond Song Colourfield

Disc Two

I Can't Get Enough Of You Baby Colourfield

Going Home The Fun Boy Three

We're Having All The Fun The Fun Boy Three

Tip Of My Tongue Vegas

Pushing Up Daisies The Colourfield

Way On Down The Fun Boy Three

Music to Watch Girls By Terry Hall

Problem Is Dub Pistols (featuring Terry Hall)

Miss Texas 1967 Colourfield

Yours Sincerely The Colourfield

Summertime (Extended 12'' Mix) Fun Boy Three

This Guy's In Love With You Terry Hall

The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum The Fun Boy

Three Armchair Theater The Colourfield

Well Fancy That! The Fun Boy Three

Emmy and Nancy

Commuting to work by train as I do, I seem to gravitate to the twangy stuff for my morning ride in the fall. So here's a mixtape featuring Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith - with an emphasis on their albums from the 80s. (Oh, and if you hear a few crackles - well, some of the mp3s were burned from vinyl and I'm too lazy to do all that high-falutin' digital editing.)

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Ooh Las Vegas Emmylou Harris

I Wish It Would Rain Nanci Griffith

It's Only Rock & Roll Emmylou Harris

In My Dreams Emmylou Harris

If I Were The Woman You Wanted Nanci Griffith

You're Supposed To Be Feeling Good Emmylou Harris

Spin On A Red Brick Floor Nanci Griffith

Feelin' Single - Seein' Double Emmylou Harris

Mary & Omie Nanci Griffith

Ashes By Now Emmylou Harris

Love Wore a Halo (Back Before the War) Nanci Griffith

I Would Change My Life Nanci Griffith

Mystery Train Emmylou Harris

Ballad Of Robin Winter-Smith Nanci Griffith

Amarillo Emmylou Harris

One of These Days Nanci Griffith

Love Is A Hard Waltz Nanci Griffith

Sin City Emmylou Harris

White Line Emmylou Harris

Sweet Dreams Will Come Nanci Griffith

I'm Committed to Elvis

I'm pretty sure I got my first Elvis Costello record back in 1982 - I think it was Armed Forces. I can't say I haven't been a bit disappointed, or sometimes just felt a little blah, with some of the releases over the last 20 years. Still the guy is prolific. And some of the latter day Elvis albums really do hold up to his earlier work. So tonight I give you an Elvis career retrospective - proceeding chronologically, there's one cut from each of his albums (including compilations like Taking Liberties and Out of Our Idiot).

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I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

Less Than Zero

The Beat

Oliver's Army

Posession

Clowntime Is Over

Too Far Gone

From A Whisper To A Scream

Shabby Doll

Everyday I Write The Book

Room With No Number

Tokyo Storm Warning

Brilliant Mistake

The Flirting Kind

Pads, Paws and Claws

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Georgie And Her Rival

I Almost Had A Weakness

Smack 'im!

13 Steps Lead Down

Payday

Weird Nightmare

Shallow Grave

God Give Me Strength

Dust

I'm In The Mood Again

Bedlam

That's How You Got Killed Before

Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?

Go Away

My All Time Doll

All the Bad Cats in the Bad Hats: The Sounds of Blaxploitation

I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of 70s blaxploitation films, but I’ve been a fan of the music from those movies ever since I heard the soundtrack to Superfly (still my favorite soundtrack album, fwiw). So here’s 17 cuts from different blaxploitation films – admittedly, some of the movies aren't quite blaxploitation flicks, at least in the narrowest sense of the genre, but all of the songs are from movie soundtracks. (Btw, the comments section for each mp3 notes the movie the song came from.)

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Down And Out In New York City James Brown
Make A Resolution The Impressions
Getting It On Leroy Hutson
Love Doctor Millie Jackson
Blowin' Your Mind Smith & Co.
Harlem By Day (Instr.) Galt MacDermot
Coffy Is the Color Roy Ayers
Sweetback's Theme Earth Wind & Fire
T Plays It Cool Marvin Gaye
Give Me Your Love (Love Song) Curtis Mayfield
They Call Me Mister Tibbs Quincy Jones
What The World Knows [Vocal by The Hues Corporation) Gene Page
One Gun Salute Donald Byrd
Are You Man Enough? The Four Tops
I Choose You Willie Hutch
Blue Crib Isaac Hayes
Across 110th Street Bobby Womack & Peace

America is Waiting for Byrne and Eno

Okay, I know David Byrne toured this summer performing "the songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno". But I promise - scout's honor(*) - that I actually came up with the idea of putting together a mixtape featuring stuff from Eno's three albums with the Talking Heads, their collaboration album, Byrne's Catherine Wheel, and Eno's mid 70s solo stuff even before Everything That Happens Will Happen Today came out last year. I just didn't get around to actually making the comps til recently. So, believe me or not, here are a couple of Byrne and Eno mixtapes.

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Disc One

America Is Waiting Brian Eno & David Byrne

Air Talking Heads

Heaven Talking Heads

Eggs In A Briar Patch David Byrne

Mea Culpa Brian Eno & David Byrne

Double Groove (Unfinished Outtake) Talking Heads

Strange Overtones David Byrne & Brian Eno

Two Soldiers David Byrne

Through Hollow Lands Brian Eno

Two Against Three Brian Eno & David Byrne

Defiant Brian Eno & David Byrne

The Good Thing Talking Heads

I Feel My Stuff David Byrne & Brian Eno

Adé David Byrne

Listening Wind Talking Heads

Disc Two

I Zimbra Talking Heads

His Wife Refused David Byrne

Pitch To Voltage Brian Eno & David Byrne

Mountain Of Needles Brian Eno & David Byrne

The Big Ship Brian Eno

My Big Nurse David Byrne & Brian Eno

I'm Not In Love Talking Heads

Number 8 Mix Brian Eno & David Byrne

Combat David Byrne

Right Start (Unfinished Outtake) Talking Heads

Light Bath David Byrne

Moonlight In Glory Brian Eno & David Byrne

Stay Hungry Talking Heads

Words With The Shaman Brian Eno & David Byrne

The River David Byrne & Brian Eno

Blame It On The Bossa Nova

In the movie “Next Stop Wonderland” (which has a great soundtrack, btw), a Brazilian man tells the main character (played by Hope Davis) that there is “a little of Brazil in you” – “See, you are sad and happy. You don't smile but you are content. You are sad and happy at the same time. In Brazil we have a term for that - it's 'Saudade'. It's like ... melancholic, nostalgic; it's very Bossanova.” I always kinda liked that idea, even if I have no clue whether it’s accurate (and I really don’t want to find out. :) Anyway, just in time to enjoy one last summer caipirinha (or two or three), here’s a compilation of Brazilian music.

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O Telefone Tocou Novamente Jorge Ben
Use Your Head Money Mark
The Carimbæo Nação Zumbi
Pais Tropical Gal Costa
Que Negra e Essa Trio Mocoto
Numbers Smoke City
Mama Africa Chico Cesar
O Pato (The Duck) Coleman Hawkins
Once I Loved Shirley Horn
Baião Atemporal Gilberto Gil & Caetano Veloso
Sunshine Barato The Mosquitos
This Is Not A Tango The Juju Orchestra
Caçada Chico Buarque
Samba Sem Nenhum Problema Marcio Local
Una Mujer Seu Jorge
Bicho Do Mato Walter Wanderly
Claustrofobia Martinho Da Silva
Água De Beber Antônio Carlos Jobim

Me and Maria McKee

Ah, remember the 1980s when people thought rootsy bands could take over the world. Well, at least sell a bunch of records. I still remember how much hype Lone Justice got, in part because of their great live shows. Their two albums didn't quite live up to the hype, though (imho) Maria McKee's first two solo albums certainly did. They still didn't sell too many copies, but at least the Dixie Chicks made her some money by covering "Am I The Only One". So here's a comp of McKee's early solo work and her days with Lone Justice. (And yes, I know the title of the comp is kinda lame, but oh well. :)

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East of Eden

Drugstore Cowboy

Show Me Heaven

Precious Time

I've Forgotten What it Was in You (That Put The Need in Me)

Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)

This World Is Not My Home

Can't Pull the Wool Down Over the Little Lamb's Eyes

Soap, Soup, and Salvation

Why Wasn't I More Grateful (When Life Was Sweet)

Panic Beach

Only Once

After The Flood

I Found Love

My Girlhood Among the Outlaws

Rattlesnake Mama

You Are the Light

To Miss Someone

Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way?)

Shelter

Has He Got a Friend For Me?

I Was a 90s Indie Goddess

Last week the NY Times published a piece about overly nostalgic 20somethings - with an emphasis on their undying love for Harry Potter. The author also cited as proof the success of Britney Spears last tour, as well as the recent reunions of Blink 182, Limp Bizkit, and Creed. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that nostalgic 20somethings have been around for quite a while. More importantly- couldn't the author have found someone nostalgic for 90s indie rock???

So, in that spirit, I give to you "I Was a 90s Indie Goddess- Volumes 1 and 2" featuring Liz Phair, Juliana Hatfield, Belly, Kristin Hersh, The Breeders, and Mazzy Star. And feel free to engage in as much (or as little) nostalgia as you please.

Volume 1

Supermodel The Juliana HatfieldThree

X-Ray Man Liz Phair

Slow Dog Belly

Angel Belly

Ride It On Mazzy Star

Cannonball The Breeders

No Outlet Juliana Hatfield

Super-Connected Belly

Glory Liz Phair

Velvet Days Kristin Hersh

Seal My Fate Belly

Nirvana Juliana Hatfield

Whip-Smart Liz Phair

Cinco de Mayo Liz Phair

Spin The Bottle The Juliana Hatfield Three

Divine Hammer The Breeders

Volume 2

6'1" Liz Phair

My Sister The Juliana Hatfield Three

This Is The Sound The Juliana Hatfield Three

Sad Dress Belly

Cuckoo Kristin Hersh

Supernova Liz Phair

Get Off Your Knees Juliana Hatfield

Flipside The Breeders

A Dame With A Rod The Juliana Hatfield Three

Unreflected Mazzy Star

Dusted Belly

Now They'll Sleep Belly

Fuck and Run Liz Phair

I See You Juliana Hatfield

S.O.S. The Breeders

Feed the Tree Belly