More music!

November fun from BrantWorld!

Vote for... Jill's November 2012 Playlist

Celebrating the end of what I hope is the lowest point for American politics.  We should have no where to go but up from here. Meanwhile, here's a bunch of songs...

Listen on Spotify: 2012-11 NOVEMBER Jill

1. Mining For Gold - Cowboy Junkies

I like coal. Really?

2. Act Naturally - Buck Owens

Have to admit it's kind of cute watching people try to act naturally, wearing jeans and roling up sleeves.

3. Here's a Smirk - Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf

Want to smack it right off your face, I do.  

4. Yeah Yeah Yeah - New Politics

Just needed to vent a little.  

5. Fightin' on the Same Side - The Hooters

Open up your eyes, girl.   

6. No Bankers No Left Behind - Ry Cooder

This one speaks for itself.

7. Can't Buy Me Love - The Ohio State Marching Band

Here's hoping the Buckeye State's love can't be bought.  

8. Charmless Man - Blur

Still on my Blur kick from previous months. I love any song with lots of Nah Nah Nahs!

9. Money IS King - Lee Fields & The Expressions

...and money is green. but not that kind of green.  

10. Salt of the Earth - Rolling Stone

They don't look real to me.

11. Talking Dust Bowl Blues - Woody Guthrie

Man alive! if it had been a little bit thinner...

12. Hold Us Together - Matt Maher

Just a simple, pleasant love-will-keep-us-together message for 21st century.

13. Swinging Party - Kindness

My party affiliation?  The Swinging Party, of course. 

14. Better Days Are Coming - Jimmy Cliff

Is my optimism showing?
 

15. Vote, Baby Vote - Deee-Lite

If you're not registered by now, it's probably too late.

16. Sheep Go To Heaven - Cake

Vote Sheep Vote! Sure, we're all being manipulated by massive amounts of propaganda, but this is all we have, right?

Creepy Horror Movie Soundtrack = Jill's October '12 Playlist

Boo!  As I'm slapping this list together pell mell, I'm thinking to myself-- wouldn't this make an interesting soundtrack to a horror movie?

1. Something's Gonna Happen - Ronnie Spector & lots of other people
Opening credits music. Teenage heroine getting ready to go out to a party, lots of quick cuts to various close ups of teens primping and scenes of them piling into cars (in an era when it was legal for teens to drive with fellow teens as passegers)

2. Skin and Bone - The Kinks
Fun background music for the axe murderers to sharpen their tools, gas up their chainsaws etc.

3. Oop-Pop-a-Da - Babs' Three Bips and a Bop
The jazzy background music played during super slow motions scenes of the first victims being slaughtered in a very Tarantino-esque kind of way.

4. A Heart Like Mine - Dwight Yoakum
Not sure exactly what scene in the horror movie this would figure into, but it's NEW DWIGHT, and it's really rollicking fun, classic Yoakum.

5. Double Dare - Hoyt Axton
Car chase music? yeah... this would be good music for wheels.

6. Monkey Island - J. Geils Band
I used to love this song back in high school (Have it on vinyl). It's a little b-movie monster flick in and of itself.

7. Stiff Little Fingers - The Vibrators
More Tarantino-esque... maybe fight scene music.

8. They're Coming to Take Me Away - Napolean XIV
Another childhood favorite - big sister had the 45.  It's pretty twisted.

9. Take Me Away - Ween
Ween's milder version of being "taken away" from lost love.  With a hipster beat.

10. Season of the Witch - Julee Cruise vs DJ Dmitry
Julee Cruise (remember the Twin Peaks soundtrack?).  Easy & mildy creepy listening cover a Halloween classic from Donovan.

11. Where Is All The Money Going - Cody Chesnutt
Spooky checkbook balancing scene.

12. Yes Way - Tanlines
Brief respite, sunshiny afternoon scene of Horror film teens swimming at the lake.

13. Ringfinger - Nine Inch Nails
From the Nine Inch Nails debut album (still my fave, must admit I don't listen to much NIN after this one).  Creeeeepy sacrifice, maybe for scene in a movie where the axe murderer proposes to the victim he's crushining on?

14. Grave Clothes - The Beaten Sea
Axe murderer preparing his new bride for burial background music.

15. Let Yourself Go - Syl Johnson
Song playing on the morning after Horror, Axe Murderer and friends ride off into the sunrise, to find another town in which to wreak havoc next Halloween.  Credits roll....

BONUS track.  The Gothest Girl I Can - Corb Lund
(the music played during the blooper reel after main credits have rolled)

And there you have it! Have a Happy Halloween!
Listen on Spotify:
Jill's monthly: OCTOBER 2012

meanwhile, over at ClubDiscoBrant...

The tunes ares bursting with energy and celebrating life, ya know it!

http://brantworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/brants-september-2012-playlist.html

Jill's September 2012 Playlist - Fading Fast

Your everlasting summer, you can see it fading fast

So you grab a piece of something that you think is gonna last...

2012. Possibly my laziest summer ever.

Listen on Spotify:

Jill's monthly: SEPTEMBER 2012

But, I did get this September collection of a random songs put together. A little music to sharpen your pencils to ...

1. Remember My Name - Yuna
Pleasant.  Thiswould be good for a commercial for some clever electronic device. (if it hasn't been already, has it?)

2. School Spirit - Kanye West
I'm not familiar with Kanye music, but the title of this caught my eye when compiling a "back-to-school" playlist, and then I actually listened and found it rather amusing. What can I say? Chipmunk voices are just irresistable.

3. It's Time - Imagine Dragons
Sunny.  Big 80s poppy feel -- like if they remade the Breakfast Club or something - this song would be in the soundtrack.

4. Middle Brother - Middle Brother
Dawes + Deer Tick + Delta Spirit.  I guess this is one of those indy band super groups that debuted at SXSW a few years ago.  Jangly good time fun.

5. Don't Step On My Sneakers - The Beatards
Remember new school shoes? You wanted them to look new, but not too new.

6. Loca Por Un Loca - Kela Gates
A South American version of Wanda Jackson. Well, not quite as gritty as Wanda. Maybe more like an Ann Margaret.

7. Good Song - Blur
UK Band I was unfamiliar with until NPR featured a greatest hits release. The atmospheric intro reminds of a newer band that I love, Aer.  Maybe Aer guys are Blur fans?

8.  Firewater - Django Django
Clap... Clap... Clap... I love how this song starts out.  They remind me of Simon  Garfunkel, only punkier.

9.  (What a) Wonderful World - Sam Cooke
Don't know much about history...   John Belushi in the Animal House cafeteria scene... Jello... oh, that always makes me smile. I think Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis barndanced to this song in that Amish movie as well.  

10.  Turn On Tune In and Drop Out - PulpFusion
Action movie music! I can just picture a bunch of good looking actors preparing to rob a large casino to this song.

11. Little More Time - Stephanie McKay
Back to the action movie, but now we're just pounding the streets and getting our act together

12. Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun) - The Bangles
Talented bunch of gals from California.  They go light on the cowbell.

13. Ain't Going to the Bar Tonight - American Aquarium
Southern rock guitar riffy, piano anthemish & good ol' boy vocals, lyrics about just going out - or not.

14. Reeling in the Years - Mike Finnegan, Steve Ferrone, Tim Scott, John March
Very  s-l-o-w gospel like version of the Steely Dan classic.  I swear it took ten minutes to recognize it at first. Then I realized, that's why I like it.

Listen on Spotify:
Jill's monthly: SEPTEMBER 2012

bar quotes...

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset? And he's carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful painting with his feet. And also, you're drunk.

~Jack Handy

August... not rushing

Jill's monthly: AUGUST 2012

Happy Dog Days! Wow! It’s been a full year since I got Spotify. A great way to share these monthly lists (with all 3 of my subscribers). What 15 or so tunes have I collected this month? Well, you’ll notice a strong NPR influence as usual (podcasts of All Songs Considered keep me company on long walks).  Heavy on oldies - just in that mood, but tried to dig up some good nuggets.  

1. This is Not A Song, It’s An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues - Rodriguez

Incredible story, incredible singer. Heard about the documentary “Searching for Sugar” on NPR. (Watch the trailer: Searching for Sugar Man ) 

2. Start Choppin’ - Dinosaur Jr.

Is it so obvious I’m a sucker for a cool opening riff. Well, who isn’t? come to think of it. Add a gravelly voice (needs a lozenge maybe) and I’m sold. Dinosaur Jr is one of those bands that I can never remember what era they came from… but I’ve heard they’re back together.

3. Hair of The Dog - Nazareth

There is enough cowbell here in this classic rock gem to cure the entire world of whatever ails it. The studio space is thoroughly explored.

4. Maybe I know - Monik

For Brant! (he may even have it on his list this month too) Not sure how this track ended up on the “Back to Peru” compilation that fellow Spotifier, Gary, found. I can’t seem to find info about the artist. The sound is pure retro 60s girl group. Reminds me of when the Kirsty MacColl/Tracey Ullman hit “They Don’t Know” came out in 80s and really stuck out in the midst all the synth poppy stuff.

5. The Hott Chord is Struck - Still Flyin’ (freebie from Amazon)

Digging around Amazon for freebies and found this on a compilation. Fits nicely into another one my favorite genres: songs that spell out words.

6. Hang Loose - Alabama Shakes

Might be a flavor of the month band, but deservedly so… and hopefully around for a while. Muscle Shoalsy souly stuff.

7. Sounds of Our Time - Jim Ford

More Muscle Shoalsy stuff — this time actually from the early 70s. Hard to believe these tracks are all rescued from a project that got scrapped (even after a try with Joe Cocker’s backing band). They sound perfect to me.

8. Girls Talk - Dave Edmunds

I have loved this song since high school. Dave Edmunds version was the first I heard. Later heard Elvis Costello’s (he wrote it). Come to think of it, this was probably something my big sister liked first and I just heard her singing along to it.  

9. Mojo Hannah - Tami Lynn

She wears man britches and she got a 45 on her hip. 

10. Like The Way - Aer

Can never thank Brant enough for showing me Aer (and the free download of their ‘Water on the Moon’ album.) This is something new from them. I like how they come close to almost singing.  Nice to hear them get all mushy and do a “love” song.

11. Bad Feeling - Veronica Falls

Newer band. Very old sound. Bio says they’re 80s influenced, but all I hear is 60s. Is there an echo in here? Everything old is new again.

12. Estoy Brillando - Fe 59

Back to Peru again! This time in the native tongue. So imagine South American George Harrison providing the riff, add a Beatles like melody & somebody translate for me… Oh, this is just precious. Bought this track after hearing it twice. 

13. Corona Con Lima - Gary P. Nunn

A little recommendation from Follin probably. You could even learn some español - like the Rosetta Stone of gringo drinkin’ music!

14. Heal the Pain - George Michael

This is for Cindi. Hoping somehow the music can help!

Listen on Spotify: 2012-08 AUGUST Jill

Jill's August 2012 playlist

Happy Dog Days! Wow! It’s been a full year since I got Spotify. A great way to share these monthly lists (with all 3 of my subscribers). What 15 or so tunes have I collected this month? Well, you’ll notice a strong NPR influence as usual (podcasts of All Songs Considered keep me company on long walks).  Heavy on oldies - just in that mood, but tried to dig up some good nuggets.  

1. This is Not A Song, It’s An Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues - Rodriguez ---Incredible story, incredible singer. Heard about the documentary “Searching for Sugar” on NPR. (Watch the trailer: Searching for Sugar Man ) 

2. Start Choppin’ - Dinosaur Jr. ---Is it so obvious I’m a sucker for a cool opening riff. Well, who isn’t? come to think of it. Add a gravelly voice (needs a lozenge maybe) and I’m sold. Dinosaur Jr is one of those bands that I can never remember what era they came from… but I’ve heard they’re back together.

3. Hair of The Dog - Nazareth ---There is enough cowbell here in this classic rock gem to cure the entire world of whatever ails it. The studio space is thoroughly explored.

4. Maybe I know - Monik ---For Brant! (he may even have it on his list this month too) Not sure how this track ended up on the “Back to Peru” compilation that fellow Spotifier, Gary, found. I can’t seem to find info about the artist. The sound is pure retro 60s girl group. Reminds me of when the Kirsty MacColl/Tracey Ullman hit “They Don’t Know” came out in 80s and really stuck out in the midst all the synth poppy stuff.

5. The Hott Chord is Struck - Still Flyin’ (freebie from Amazon) ---Digging around Amazon for freebies and found this on a compilation. Fits nicely into another one my favorite genres: songs that spell out words.

6. Hang Loose - Alabama Shakes ---Might be a flavor of the month band, but deservedly so… and hopefully around for a while. Muscle Shoalsy souly stuff.

7. Sounds of Our Time - Jim Ford ---More Muscle Shoalsy stuff — this time actually from the early 70s. Hard to believe these tracks are all rescued from a project that got scrapped (even after a try with Joe Cocker’s backing band). They sound perfect to me.

8. Girls Talk - Dave Edmunds ---I have loved this song since high school. Dave Edmunds version was the first I heard. Later heard Elvis Costello’s (he wrote it). Come to think of it, this was probably something my big sister liked first and I just heard her singing along to it.  

9. Mojo Hannah - Tami Lynn ---She wears man britches and she got a 45 on her hip. 

10. Like The Way - Aer ---Can never thank Brant enough for showing me Aer (and the free download of their ‘Water on the Moon’ album.) This is something new from them. I like how they come close to almost singing.  Nice to hear them get all mushy and do a “love” song.

11. Bad Feeling - Veronica Falls ---Newer band. Very old sound. Bio says they’re 80s influenced, but all I hear is 60s. Is there an echo in here? Everything old is new again.

12. Estoy Brillando - Fe 59 ---Back to Peru again! This time in the native tongue. So imagine South American George Harrison providing the riff, add a Beatles like melody & somebody translate for me… Oh, this is just precious. Bought this track after hearing it twice. 

13. Corona Con Lima - Gary P. Nunn ---A little recommendation from Follin probably. Gringo drinkin’ music!

14. Heal the Pain - George Michael ---This is for Cindi. Hoping somehow the music can help!

Listen on Spotify: 2012-08 AUGUST Jill

Snapper's in Cambridge, MD.

Snapper's on the Chesapeake Bay.

great views, charming town. awesome playlist at the outdoor bar.

 Check it out for yourself!

random things we learned on the internet

There exists a mixed drink called Slow Death.


It is a combination of Everclear with Jagermeister, Rum, Southern Comfort, and Schnapps.  Everclear is considered grain alcohol and is the strongest alcohol product on the market at 95% ABV.

bar quotes...

“Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so?
There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.” 
~ Drew Carey

Live Music - You have to be there!

Have to agree with Elan, ( read his post  Live Music ).  I've never been fan of even listening to live recordings.  I admit I get a little jealous hearing all those cheering fans who were lucky enough to be there - just rubbing it in my face.

Disappointed...

we can't get our title image to be this animated gif. 

You gotta love any sport where the uniform is cargo shorts and t-shirts...

IB thanks to patron, Andy Z, for bringing this "sports" story to our attention. An imaginary athlete's dream come true:
 Making a living as a pro-golfer on the bar circuit...

Perfect 10

Okay, so gymnastics is not a typical sport to discuss in a "bar", but hey, I was ten years old when Nadia scored her perfect 10s at the 1976 Montreal Olympics - I remember it vividly. She changed the way they score an entire sport. What an inspiration.  Great little clip from Yahoo Sports about it

holidays...

Hope y'all had a happy 4th of July!

Olympic portraits...

whoa! the premise behind some of these Olympic portraits is "cute", but add cute to bad lighting and torn paper back grounds and you just get the impression the photographer (Joe Klamar) didn't care.  Check them out for youself:
are these olympic portraits really that bad

Fine cask beers at DoG Street Pub...

Check out the lace on that glass...

We recommend checking out the new DoG Street Pub in Williamsburg, VA. 

Another great batch of songs from Brant World...

Brant World's July list is chock full of sounds we love at Imaginary Bar!
Brant World July 2012 playlist

July, it's like she's been around, you know.

Listen on SPOTIFY: 2012-07 JULY Jill

July is my birthday month. I’m getting up there in years- gathering life experience, but not maturing by any means. Summer music for me has always meant a few big pop hits constantly getting air play - the kind of songs that just plow through the hot summer days like the heat doesn’t slow them down - or make them less cool anyway. So on this month’s playlist, I start off with a track that I think is a possible candidate for the unofficial anthem of Summer ‘12.  And then I filled the rest of the list with sunshine or lush swampy sounds, or just stuff that I happen to like - because my lists are all about me after all.

1. I Love it - Icona Pop
The big song of summer that could take over (in the old days anyway). Celebrate new found independence by throwing his s#%t into a bag and pushing it down the stairs.

2. Medicine - Jackie Greene

Jackie Greene effortlessly sounds vintage.  At first (back when American Myth came out and I first heard him) he reminded me of modern Van Morrison - with great bluesy, classic rock sounds, but now he comes up with this - sound that’s cross between ELO and Beck? which I totally love. 

3. Avocado - Mosquitos

Lead singer Juju Stulbach is a girl from Ipanema (well, Brazil anyway). Happy sunshine. 

4. Lovin’ on an Older Gal - Sonny & The Sunsets

The obvious choice for my birthday song! Thanks to Daytrotter for first turning us on to Sonny & The Sunsets.  Love these sarcastic surfer bands. 

5. Every Girl - Turnpike Troubadours

A y’allternative love song to music itself.

6. Mr. Shorty - Marty Robbins

The orginal “shawty” wanted to be called mister.

7. Kandi - One Eskimo

You may recognize One Eskimo from such playlists as last month’s list (Slip).  Here’s a quiet little track with a  familiar “baby baby” chorus that caught me by surprise. 

8. Determination - The Gladiators

Token reggae song to complete the summer vibe I have going here.  What’s not to love about reggae? it’s usually a combo of super positive & motivational message, yet it’s never in a big hurry to get there. 

9. Delta Sun Bottleneck Blues - Mercury Rev

Bought this CD (Deserter’s Songs) a million years ago — sadly it’s one of those albums that I really only one track on — this one.  

10. Country Lane - Telekinesis

Cross between U2 and Mercury Rev?  

11. Storm of Nails - Lisa Marie Presley

She showed up American Idol of all places! But she doesn’t sound like much of the glossy shlock the girls usually sing on Idol. This appeals to me — maybe I can relate, just because LMP shares my age bracket.

12. Change - The Young Veins

I thought I recognized a British Invasion influence… just read a little of Young Vein’s bio on Spotify and they cite The Kinks among their inspirations.  Songwriters that split from Panic! At The Disco a few years ago. 

13. Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones

One summer, back in 1980 I guess, my mom hired these two teenage kids to paint all the trim on our house. They did a terrible job, but the impact of their radios blaring local stations while they worked is still with me today. Must have heard this song a million times that summer. After the movie On Golden Pond came out a few years later, my sister and I wanted Katharine Hepburn to say, “Norman, you’re my knight in shining armour coming to my emotional rescue.” 

14. Orange Blossoms - JJ Grey & Mofro

Freebie on Amazon!!!  Love JJ Grey & Mofro and this was FREE.

15. I Can Stand To See You Die - Shuggie Otis

I read somewhere once that at one time, the Rolling Stones considered adding Shuggie to their band. I also read the title of this wrong the first few times — didn’t realize there was no apostrophe ‘T’ after the ‘Can’.  Well, we all gotta go sometime. And I’m a little closer with every passing year. Enjoy the music while you can!

Listen on SPOTIFY: 2012-07 JULY Jill

Kids these days...

...they're enough to drive me to drink! I'm sure many patrons out there have kids and can relate to this.


Here are some wise words on parenting from a friend's blog - 

It’s All About Respect: Lessons from a Kid of the 60s/70s

what to wear this summer...

more fun tees for summer...

we shall celebrate 100 "page views"... even though we're still a little bummed we have no "followers". sigh.

Where were you last night?

Songs you may want to hear as you enter your imaginary bar...

Songs you may want to hear as you enter your imaginary bar...

because imaginary clothes would be indecent...

Customize an Imaginary Bar shirt with your location...

Would you like to see an Imaginary Bar shirt featuring your hometown? Just let us know, we can open an imaginary franchise virtually anywhere.

Summer fun from Imaginary Bar store...

You can get there Summer 2012 Imaginary Bar Tshirts by ImaginaryBar
Make your own t shirt with photo online.

warm & sunny imaginary location...

One of our favorite imaginary locations... in the blue lagoon.

What IS the big deal about 5 o'clock anyway?

http://www.zazzle.com/doesnt_have_to_be_5_oclock_imaginary_bar_tee-235631893318760455

We do know you here!

Or at least, you can imagine we know you.
You know you want this shirt, regardless.

It's okay, they know you there. Summer 2012 Imaginary Bar t-shirt

one of our rowdier locations...

my way or the highway

vintage Imaginary Bar commercial...

Some vintage Imaginary Bar video footage: our first commercial... (we were learning how to animate)

the Imaginary Bar movie!

What? You've never seen the Imaginary Bar movie?!

Brant World's monthly playlist: June 2012

More monthly playlists we love! This one is from Brant World:
http://brantworld.blogspot.com/2012/06/brants-june-2012-playlist.html

Hear it on Spotify:
Brant's Monthly Playlist - June 2012

bar quotes...

“There's no stronger sunscreen than sitting in a bar.”

http://www.someecards.com/seasonal-cards/sunscreen-tanning-drinking-weekend-bar-funny-ecard

bar quotes...

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, it is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." ~Jack Handey

bar quotes...

“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.”

-Unknown

Making a splash with the June 2012 playlist...

Hello June June June 2012 playlist. Listen on Spotify: 

 2012-06 JUNE Jill

Hello June! I’m home. Ahhh Summer.  School’s (almost) out and we’re still young.  Perhaps we oughta think it over and mellow out a little. That sun really gets to you. 

1. Take Me With You When You Go - Jack White
Why not a little Jack White? He’s pretty good at this music stuff. Keeps it interesting.

2. Baby, We Were Young - The Dirty Guv’nahs. 
Sort of a cross between the 70s rock anthem (see: Raise a Little Hell) and Woodstock’s theme from the Peanuts TV specials (the organ riffs).  I love this fun band. They throw it all  in there.

3. You Belong to Me - The Like
Sassy girl rock group. Can hear the Throwing Muse influences.  Is this a cover? it sure has that feel…  must research… sounds vaguely familiar.

4. The Sweetest Thing - JJ Grey & Mofro
Reminds me of old Otis, Al Green-ish stuff.  I’m a sucker for this sound.

5. A Long Time - Mayer Hawthorne
This is Andy’s pick. He hears them on XM — reminds of Fitz & The Tantrums blue-eyed souly, Hall & Oates revisited sound.

6. Dancing With The DJ - The Knocks
More in that souly, dancing vein. Not sure how I bounced into this on Spotify.  Or has this already been on one of Brant’s lists and I just forgot?  I bet that it’s. 

7. Fairytale - Alexander Rybak
The Norwegian Bieber! well, his voice sounds more like Wayne Newton.  Still, there’s something irresistable about this…  But if you ask me again in a few months, I may hate it.

8. Walk Away - Dia Frampton
Foster The Voice Winner from last season.  A little pumped up kick of a confection from a TV singing show winner, that is kinda appealing even if it sounds like a lot of other things. 

9. Slip - One Eskimo
Dreamy.  Or maybe I just think it’s cool when a band makes the song title the first word of the song.

10. The Devil Never Sleeps - Iron and Wine
Used to hear this band on Daytrotter lots — mostly there kinda slow draggy draggy stuff, but this song pepped up a little like the Grateful Dead did every now and then.

11. Mountain Women - The Kinks
Megan recommended this Kink’s Muswell Hillbilly album (hey, she owns a record store - she knows her stuff).  And we just finished watching the Hatfields & McCoys mini-series…  so you know…

12. Nowhere - Wild Nothing
Reminds me a little of The Beautiful South-  except the vocals aren’t as powerful.  But they’ve got that same melodic male / female call and response thing and delicate layered deal going on.

13. I Will - Ruby Winters
Another track that I’m not sure if Brant already listed! Found Ruby on a collection of girl groups album and this one just sort of stuck out as a winner.  A Idol ballad, that no one on Idol will ever sing. 

14. Baby, You Oughta Think it Over - Bobby Womack
Going back in time as much as I go forward.  Just sort of pairs up well with the Ruby Winters’ song.  And I think JJ Grey & Mofro probably listen to a lot of Womack for inspiration as well.  

15. The Edge of the Universe - Bee Gees
Honoring the late Robin Gibb. I have Main Course on vinyl and have always love love loved the last song on the second side. Hey, it’s about a dog. Love this whole album - it sort of bridges the “old” Bee Gee stuff to the beginnings of their disco era. Best of both really.