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.

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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.)

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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.

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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).

Download Disc One

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

Download Disc Two

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

Still Tripping On The Sadies

Like most fans of The Sadies (and like most fans of indie bands), I wonder why they haven't become popular. But I'm even more puzzled by something else. Given their surf/country/spaghetti western sound - why hasn't Quentin Tarantino cast them in one of his movies as the house bar band? And has he even put their music in one of his films??? (I don't think he has, but I'm not sure.) At any rate, here's a nice (I think) 20 track sampler of the scintillating sounds of The Sadies.

Download

Pass the Chutney

The Corktown

1000 Cities Falling (Part 1)

Red Cloth

A#1

A Simple Aspiration

What's Left Behind

The Curdled Journey

Tell Her Lies & Feed Her Candy

Walking Boss

The Beach Land

16 Mile Creek Breakdown

Oak Ridges

Wolf Tones

The Pyramid

The Hide Out

Empty the Chamber

Talkin' Down

Northumberland West

Dying Is Easy

Up on the Lowedown

So what's the most impressive aspect of Nick Lowe's career - the songs, the consistent track record, his late career "Brentsford Trilogy" albums (The Impossible Bird, Dig My Mood, and The Convincer), or his work as a producer (Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, The Damned, Graham Parker, Carlene Carter, etc)? While you ponder the question, here's a couple of Nick Lowe mixtapes to enjoy.

Volume 1

(You're My) Wildest Dream

Stick It Where The Sun Don't Shine

7 Nights To Rock

Love Like a Glove

Tanque-Rae

Queen of Sheba

Long Limbed Girl

One's Too Many (And A Hundred Ain't Enough)

You Stabbed Me In The Front

Rocket Coast

You'll Never Get Me Up in One of Those

Born Fighter

Cracking Up

Raging Eyes

Awesome

Volume 2

We Want Action

Shting-Shtang

Big Hair

American Squirm

The Rose Of England

Lonely Just Like Me

Tonight

Half A Boy & Half A Man

The Club

Heart Of The City

Breakaway

My Heart Hurts

Zulu Kiss

Cruel To Be Kind

Bobo Ska Diddle Daddle

A Wave of Old School Reggae

Reggae seems to have acquired a bad name in recent years (cue scene from Ghost World). Now, I never got much into dub, but I still have a fondness for old school reggae – especially those great falsetto voices. So, uh, here’s a reggae compilation.

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Sweet Sensation The Melodians

Open Up The Gate The Congos

Undying Love Ernest Wilson

Young Lover The Heptones

Sitting And Watching Dennis Brown

Wonderful Tonight Kotch

Quit Trying Bunny Wailer

On Verra Ca Toure Kunda

Ba Ba Boom The Jamaicans

Puff She Puff Black Uhuru

I Love to Truck Eddy Grant

Mix Up, Mix Up Bob Marley & The Wailers

Gave You My Love Delroy Wilson

I Wish it Would Rain Jimmy Riley

Pure Ranking Horace Andy

Dry Up Your Tears Bruce Ruffin

54-46 That's My Number Toots And The Maytals

The Israelites Desmond Dekker

A Fistful of Fulks

Back in the fall of 1996, I got Robbie Fulks’ very first cd (Country Love Songs) at the radio station. I think there had been a bunch of mediocre releases that summer because I remember looking at the case and insert and figgerin’ this was probably some derivative alt-country cd. But being the dutiful dj, I brought it home and listened. I was immediately impressed by the first song – a cover of Tim Carroll’s “Every Kind of Music But Country” – and about halfway through the next song “Rock Bottom, Pop 1”, I knew I had seriously underestimated the man. 13 years later, I’m still a big fan of Robbie and still puzzled that none of his songs have ever been hits for some big country or rock performer. (To any country producers or singers reading this blog and looking for a hit, I’d go with “Lie, Memory, Lie” – it’s on Dallas Wayne’s album “Big Thinking” that Robbie produced). He’s also one of the best live acts around and since I’m going to see Monday at the Mercury Lounge in NYC, I thought I’d put together an odds and sods collection for the occasion.

Download

In Bristol Town One Bright Day
Tupelo County Jail
Cigarette State
Bloodshot's Turning 5
Tears At The Grand Ol' Opry
Fountains of Wayne Hotline
I'm Just A Girl
The Call Of The Wreckin' Ball
Cry, Cry, Cry
I Like Being Left Alone
Browns Ferry Blues
When I See an Elephant Fly
King Of The Blues
That's Heaven To Me
Wedding Of The Bugs
Goodbye Virginia
Let's Kill Saturday Night

Greetings from L.A.

This week, I decided to put together a little homage to some LA based performers - Eleni Mandell, Aimee Mann, Stan Ridgway, and Tom Waits. Yeah, I'm an East Coast boy, but like, whatever.....

Disc One

Closer To Him: Eleni Mandell

Looking for Nothing: Aimee Mann

As I Went Out One Morning: Stan Ridgway

Snaketrain: Stan Ridgway

Hold On: Tom Waits

Man in the Paper Hat: Eleni Mandell

Straight To The Top (Rhumba): Tom Waits

Gone the Distance: Stan Ridgway

Little Tornado: Aimee Mann

Beautiful: Aimee Mann

Tristeza: Eleni Mandell

On A Foggy Night: Tom Waits

In Shades: Tom Waits

One: Aimee Mann

Maybe, Yes: Eleni Mandell

A Mission In Life: Stan Ridgway

Disc Two

Foreign Affair: Tom Waits

Nightmare Song: Eleni Mandell

He Thinks He's In Love: Eleni Mandell

The Moth: Aimee Mann

End Of The Line: Stan Ridgway

Mr. Siegal: Tom Waits

I'm Thru With Love: Eleni Mandell

Picture In A Frame: Tom Waits

Medicine Wheel: Aimee Mann

Man of Stone: Stan Ridgway

Calling Out To Carol: Stan Ridgway

Lord I've Been Changed: Tom Waits

Silverlake Babies: Eleni Mandell

Video: Aimee Mann

Whistle For Louise: Stan Ridgway

Wise Up: Aimee Mann

The Splendid Stylings of Syd Straw

It was the summer of 1993. I was living in Albany and I had just worked a Sunday double shift waiting tables. It wasn't the best of jobs (though I must confess that working the Sunday buffet shift was pretty easy) so when I found out Syd Straw was playing at QE2 that night, I was happy to go get to see some live music. I think I also had to stay late at work, but the concert must have started late because I got there about halfway through Vic Chesnutt's set. It was probably about midnight, then, by the time Syd came on. I wasn't really that a big fan at the time, but she converted me that night. The stuff from her 1989 album Surprise was great and she did killer covers of Wreckless Eric's Whole Wide World and Robyn Hitchcock's She Doesnt' Exist Anymore. Plus, she must have played til like 3 am - I admit to leaving at around 2:30 because I was exhausted (and I probably had to do another double shift the next day)

So here's a 'lil Syd compilation for you - and this time, I remembered to put the information about the albums the songs came from in the comments for each mp3.

Download

The Toughest Girl In The World
The T.B. Is Whipping Me
Heart of Darkness
I've Been The One
Blue Shadows on the Trail
(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear
CBGB's
Love, And The Lack Of It
Chasing Vapor Trails (His Turn to Cry)
Buenos Aires
Almost As Blue
For Shame of Doing Wrong
Almost Magic
The Train That Takes You Away...
Think Too Hard
Harper Valley P.T.A.
What Am I Worth
Love is a Friend of Mine
The Unanswered Question?
Never Before and Never Again

Wanna Do My Thing

Well, I was going to talk about discovering African music back in the early 80s via Peter Gabriel and Talking Heads, but.....nah. Anyway, here's a couple of compilations of African music I put together. I forgot to put the info about the albums the cuts came from, but that's why there's allmusic, right? :) (Note: I know the Daktaris aren't from Africa - but I thought it was a funny little music stunt.)

Disc One

Adena Ike King Sunny Ade

Megaton Vecchio

Dancing Time Funkees

Iumumba Miriam Makeba

Just A Moment George Danquah

Home Sweet Home Orlando Julius

Daktari Walk Daktaris

Okwukwe Na Nchekwube Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National

Gbagada Gbagada Gbogodo Gbogod Fela Kuti & Africa 70

Allah Wakbarr Ofo The Black Company

Ererimbot Ayafung Oko Rex Williams

Qhude Manikiniki / Fair Fight Umahlathini Nabo
Minuit eleki Lezi Franco

Disc Two

Wanna Do My Thing Matata

Afro-Disco Beat Tony Allen

When Am I Going To Reach There? Metche Dershe

Sini Lindile / We Are Waiting For You Nganeziyamfisa No Khamba Lomvaleliso

N'daya paradis Tabu Ley Rochereau

Umbaqanga Music Juluka

Kita Kita Gaspar Lawal

Weya Manu Dibango

Boulmamine Orchestra Baobab

Talking Drum Africa Messengers/Ginger Johnson

Minsato Le, Mi Dayihome Orchestra Poly

Fatoumata Bembeya Jazz National

By Your Side (Cottonbelly's Folly) Sade

The Secret Life of Neko Case

I still remember getting Neko Case's very first album "The Virginian" back in 1997 and being completely wowed. She hasn't disappointed since (though if I REALLY wanted to nitpick, I'd say her last album isn't quite as strong as its predecessors) and her live shows are always great. Plus, she finds time to sing (and sometimes tour) with The New Pornographers and has also appeared on numerous collections and other people's albums. So in that spirit, I give you The Secret Life of Neko - 32 songs you won't find on her formal releases. I didn't include stuff where's she only singing background, though there's a couple of tracks where she only takes 1-2 verses. Special thanks in this pursuit go to the ultra comprehensive discography at http://helge.kinks.de/neko/neko_discography.pdf

Lastly, I should mention that information on the original album the songs came can be found in the comments section for each mp3.

The Secret Life of Neko - Side A

If I'm Gonna Sink, I Might As Well Go to the Bottom

The Laws Have Changed

Jason Fleming

Rolling Stone

Long Black Veil

East of the Sun (And West of the Moon)

Stay A Little Longer

These Are The Fables

Star Bodies

Mean Mean Man

Brown-Eyed Handsome Man

She's Leaving Town

Still Around

Failsafe

Getting It Made

Yon Ferrets Return

The Secret Life of Neko - Side B

Challengers

Buckets of Rain

Home

Your Control

All For Swinging You Around

How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?

The World Is Waiting For A Sunrise

River Of No Return

My '63

Howling at Midnight

Rated X

Taught to Look Away

Cowhand

Behind The House

The Bones Of An Idol

Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis

Songs for the Front Porch

Before there was alternative country.... well, there was a lot of good "alternative country" that just wasn't called alternative country. :) Three of my favorite alt-country albums back in the early 1990s were Robert Earl Keen's No Kinda Dancer (originally came out in 1984, but then reissued in 1989), Junior Brown's "12 Shades of Brown", and Walter Hyatt's "King Tears". I don't know why I put those three together on a mixtape back in 1990, but I think they still sound good together. While No Kinda Dancer isn't Keen's best (his singing got a lot better for No Kinda Dancer), there's still a bunch of strong songs and I think 12 Shades of Brown and King Tears are, respectively, Brown and Hyatt's best work. In particular, King Tears is one of the truly underappreciated gems of the 1990s.

Side One

My Baby Don't Dance To Nothin' But Earnest Tubb Junior Brown

Swervin' In My Lane Robert Earl Keen

Ruby Walter Hyatt

Willie Robert Earl Keen

Moan All Night Long Junior Brown

Outside Looking Out Walter Hyatt

Que Reste-T-Il de Nos Amours? Walter Hyatt

Broke Down South Of Dallas Junior Brown

Freeborn Man Junior Brown

Situé Walter Hyatt

No Kinda Dancer Robert Earl Keen

Coconut Island Junior Brown

Aloha Walter Hyatt

Song For Kathy Robert Earl Keen

Side Two

Tell Me Baby Walter Hyatt

The Front Porch Song Robert Earl Keen

This Time, Lucille Walter Hyatt

What's Left Just Won't Go Right Junior Brown

Too Many Nights In A Roadhouse Junior Brown

Young Lovers Waltz Robert Earl Keen

Blind Love Blues Walter Hyatt

A Way To Survive Junior Brown

In November Walter Hyatt

Rolling By Robert Earl Keen

Death Of Tail Fitzsimmons Robert Earl Keen

Baby Let The Bad Times Be Junior Brown

King Tears Walter Hyatt

Hillbilly Hula Gal Junior Brown

Sucking in the 70s

I don't really believe in the concept of guilty pleasures - life's too short for those kind of worries. On the other hand......well, I'll just use the defense that the music you listened to as a10-15 year old is the stuff you'll like the rest of your life. In that spirit, I give you my 70s mixtape. Indulge!!!

Download

Mama Told Me (Not To Come) Three Dog Night

Kung Fu Fighting Carl Douglas

Stuck In The Middle With You Stealers Wheel

Before The Next Teardrop Falls Freddy Fender

Fooled Around And Fell In Love Elvin Bishop

Come And Get Your Love Redbone

Jackie Blue The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Lonely Boy Andrew Gold

At Seventeen Janis Ian

Haitian Divorce Steely Dan

Driver's Seat Sniff 'n' Tears

Here Comes The Sun Richie Havens

Angie The Rolling Stones

I Can Help Billy Swan

Alone Again (Naturally) Gilbert O'Sullivan

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again The Fortunes

Magnet And Steel Walter Egan

You Sexy Thing Hot Chocolate

Seasons In The Sun Terry Jacks

I'm Not In Love 10cc

Introducing the Golden Smog

For those of you too young to remember, there was a band called Asia in the early 1980s made up of musicians from YES, ELP, King Crimson (and one of the guys from the Buggles). Their first album had a bunch of hits. Well, I think they were top 20 hits - I just know I heard them a lot on rock radio at the time. I also recall that deejays frequently referred to them as a supergroup which must have impressed me in some way because I still remember the term. Anyway, I was reflecting on the term a couple of weeks back and decided to waste some more precious time by looking at the entry for it on Wikipedia. Of course they had an overly comprehensive list of supergroups. Except they left out those lovably scruffy Midwestern boys of Golden Smog. So here's a compilation to make up for the oversight. (In case folks don't know - the name Golden Smog was taken from one of my all time favorite Flintstones episodes. Hence, the picture on the right.)

Download

Walk Where He Walked

Son (We've Kept the Room Just For You)

5/22/2002

Another Fine Day

Making Waves

Pecan Pie

You Make It Easy

Until You Came Along

Lost Love

Can't Even Tie Your Own Shoes

Listen Joe

Backstreet Girl

Redheaded Stepchild

Corvette

All The Same To Me

Think About Yourself

Without A Struggle

V

Easy to Be Hard

Jennifer Save Me

California Dreaming

Actually, even though it's kind of rainy and cloudy in the n'east, I can't say I'm really California dreaming these days. But I'll always have an enduring fondness for the the great California pop music of The Bangles and The Mamas and Papas, especially in the spring and summer - must be the harmonies. So here's a couple of mixtapes for those hazy late afternoons in the summer. (Oh, I should warn folks - some of the songs are from vinyl rips. So there's a few crackles and pops - just like the old days.)

Side One

Hero Takes A Fall The Bangles

I Can't Wait The Mamas and the Papas

Straight Shooter The Mamas & The Papas

Mary Street The Bangles

Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) The Mamas and the Papas

James The Bangles

September Gurls The Bangles

Words of Love The Mamas and the Papas

In Your Room The Bangles

Go Where You Wanna Go The Mamas & The Papas

Live The Bangles

Angels Don't Fall in Love The Bangles

I Saw Her Again The Mamas and the Papas

How Is The Air Up There? The Bangles

Even If I Could The Mamas and the Papas

Got A Feelin' The Mamas & The Papas

Where Were You When I Needed You The Bangles

Creeque Alley The Mamas and the Papas

Side Two

Dedicated to the One I Love The Mamas and the Papas

Return Post The Bangles

Somebody Groovy The Mamas & The Papas

For the Love of Ivy The Mamas and the Papas

More Than Meets The Eye The Bangles

Dream a Little Dream of Me The Mamas and the Papas

The Real World The Bangles

Call on Me The Bangles

Trip, Stumble, and Fall The Mamas and the Papas

He's Got A Secret The Bangles

My Heart Stood Still The Mamas and the Papas

California Dreamin' The Mamas & The Papas

Dover Beach The Bangles

Want You The Bangles

I Call Your Name The Mamas & The Papas

If She Knew What She Wants The Bangles

Do You Wanna Dance The Mamas & The Papas

Going Down To Liverpool The Bangles

Rare Soul!!! The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals

Taking a break from my mixtapes, I thought I'd post up some long out of print soul this week. In 1996, the Overture label put out a 4 volume collection of really great 1960s Southern soul from the Quinvy and South Camp labels featuring less well known performers like Don Varner, Bill Brandon, Eddie Bradford, Brenda Varner, and even Percy Sledge Jr. (though his one contribution is just kind of a novelty track). I picked up volumes 1 and 2 at a record store a long while back and then I think I got volume 3 in an ebay auction. Unfortunately, the fourth one has eluded me. Since it might be a long time coming before I can find it, here are volumes 1-3. (My personal fave song - Bill Brandon's "Self Preservation" on Volume 2)

Late update: I found Volume 4:

Download The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals: Volume 1 - Tear Stained Soul

1. Tear Stained Face - Don Varner

2. Push Mr Pride Aside - Eddie Bradford

3. Mojo Mama - Don Varner

4. Hand Shaking - Jimmy Braswell

5. Little Bit of Love - Eddie Bradford

6. When It's Over - Don Varner

7. You Made Your Bed - Eddie Bradford

8. Sugar Makes Everything Sweeter - Percy Sledge Jr.

9. Meet Me in Church - Don Varner

10. Home For the Summer - Jimmy Braswell

11. Don't Give up on Me - Brenda Varner

12. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight - Bill Brandon

13. Down in Texas - Don Varner

14. Let Me Be a Woman - Brenda Varner

Download The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals: Volume 2 - High on the Hog

1. Polly Wally Doodle - Tony Borders

2. Promise to Myself - Tony Borders

3. Can You Handle It - Eddie Bradford

4. Full Grown Lovin' Man - Bill Brandon

5. What Kind of Spell - Tony Borders

6. You Left the Water Running - Don Varner

7. Mix and Mingle - Tony Borders

8. One Minute Woman - Bill Brandon

9. Power of Love - Don Varner

10. Self Preservation - Bill Brandon

11. A Nice Place to Visit - Tony Borders

12. Little by Little - Bill Brandon

13. One Woman Man - Don Varner

14. She Knows What to Do For Me - Bill Brandon

Download The Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals: Volume 3 - You Better Believe It

1. You Better Believe It - Tony Borders

2. I Think I'd Do It - Z.Z. Hill

3. Since I Fell For You - Bill Brandon

4. High on the Hog - Tony Borders

5. He Kept on Talking - Don Varner

6. Faithful and True - Z.Z. Hill

7. Corn Bread Woman - Tony Borders

8. You've Lost That Lovin Feeling - Bill Brandon

9. When You Get What You Want - Bill Brandon

10. Cheaters Never Win - Tony Borders

11. Until It's Time For Me to Go - Tony Borders

12. Lonely Weekend - Tony Borders

13. Strangest Feeling - Bill Brandon

14. I'm Still in Love With You - Don Varner