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!
