Someday Everything's Gonna Be Different. Jill's November 2013 playlist

Listen on Spotify: 2013-11 NOVEMBER Jill

November. Let's not talk about politics (we did that last year). Let's talk about being thankful. I am thankful for music, obviously!  Good. Now dig into this month's feast of tuneage...

1. When I Paint My Masterpiece - Bob Dylan

NPR's Out Of The Box program played this track from the recently released "Another Self Portrait" Bootleg Series Vol. 10 (1969-1971).  From the first time I heard this track -either on borrowed cassette from my college roommate or on the jukebox in the 'Skeller - it's been a favorite tune. I especially loved this rendition.

2. So Let Us Create - Jukebox The Ghost

Continuing on in a wistful mood. I know nothing about this band, except they sound a little BensFoldy, but more anthemic and less raw depression.  

3. The Painter - I'm From Barcelona

Creative theme going on here. I swear I've heard this song before somewhere. The band reminds me of Too Much Joy, a little sarcastic, but well-crafted pop. 

4. Middle Man - The Bottle Rockets

Back of the bar beer drinkin' jams from the Bottle Rockets. "Stuck in the middle right between anything tangible" and "invincible but reliable!"  cool statement, rednecky sound, yet deep. 

5. Can't Let Go - Ashley Monroe

Had Ashley on a list a few months ago and checked out additional tunes of hers.  This cover of a Lucinda Williams track caught my ear. It's funny to hear the song in full-blown country fried glory. I'm not sure if it works or not...  

6. The Groove - King Curtis

Can't let a month go by without something groovy on the playlist.  Also, according to my eldest son, music without words is better so this instrumental is cool.

7. I'm A Lady - Santigold

Throwing Muses meets M.I.A? Subdued but fun. Like slow motion ska?

8. Cry Baby - Gloria Jones

I was going to put her original 1960s recorded version of "Tainted Love", but then I started listening to more of her work and there was something so classicly 70s about this, I just could not resist.

9. Tiny Spark - Brendan Benson

A part time Raconteur with Jack White, this is some of Brendan Benson's solo super delightful power pop.  From what I've read he's also worked with Jason Falkner of one of my all time fave bands, Jellyfish. It's all so good. 

10. Movin' On Strong - King Floyd

Diggin' deeper into the work of "Groove Me" artist and striking more early 70's soul gold. 

11. Satellite of Love - Lou Reed

Only fitting to include the late, Lou Reed here. Of course, I think first of the spacecraft home of Joel, Crow T. Robot, Tom Servo and Gypsy from Mystery Science Theatre 3000. "I watched it for a little while, I love to watch things on TV."

12. The Thanks I Get - Wilco

Token "Thanks" song in honor of the big ol' holiday at the end of this month. I do not care if liking Wilco has become somewhat of a cliche.  A.M. is still my all time favorite album of theirs, but they're all pretty darn good. 

13. When I Paint My Masterpiece - BR549

The weird thing about putting the same song on a playlist twice is that it was not my original intention. I'd been surfing through bands and found BR549 (another old familiar friend type band) and never realized they'd done this cover back in 2006.  Love the bluegrassy strings and harmonies they bring to this - it transcends. 

I am optimistic that someday everything IS going to be different.  Not sure if I will paint it or create it in cyberspace, but it's going to happen. Happy November!

The Suspense Was Killing Me - Jill's October 2013 Playlist

Okay, it's more than midway through the month and I'm just getting around to cranking this thang out.  I just got so distracted with waiting to see if the U.S. Congress would succeed in destroying the world economy. 

Phew! that's over .... or is it?

Enough scary stuff, here's this month's list of tunes.  

1. Suspense Is Killing Me - Boy 8-Bit

Guilty as charged. I was thinking about suspense. Spotisurfed and found this track. Then I got to thinking, electro-dub-horror  might be just what I need to infuse a little energy into my typically sentimental playlists. 

2. Tales From Beyond The Groove - The Limp Twins

Maybe there's a crypt behind the groove. souly fresh funky Will Holland, also plays as Quantic Soul Orchestra. I'm just gonna call this Cornershop for the 2010s.  

3. Crazy Zombie - LaBelle

The "banda de Madrid inspirada en el rock de los años 50"  is back on my list (also appeared in June '13). Here's another track from the fun album "Cinema".  Another Halloweenie offering to beef up your party playlist. 

4. Oh! Still Time - Jaromil Sabor

Music that paints a giant mural of sound on your ears. This track just reminded me of a million movie soundtrack but none specifically. From the band's facebook page, all I can muster is that they are self-described as "winter folk"... yeah, I sense desolate and cold here, but it also has a kind of warmth thanks to all the rich details. 

5. Look Out, There's a Monster Coming - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

Back again from last month's list that might explain where Death Cab For Cutie got their band name, the BDDDB track is perfectly suited for the Halloween season. Festive and playful 60's novelty tuneage - has potential as a replacement for the often overused "Monster Mash".

6. Stand In My Sunshine - Bad Weather California

Slow surf guitar twang reminds me of Sonny & The Sunsets, only BWC adds horns & organs - makes a real meal out of it. 

7. Hanging On The Telephone - Flowers Forever

Brantworld's October list inspired me to "run for covers" too. At first listen, this doesn't seem like much more than your average cover, yet it really grows on you.  AND Blondie's song holds up very well after 30+ years, doesn't it???. In the context of a little indie movie I recently watched called "Electrick Kids", this song is an integral part of the plot.  I highly recommend the movie -- it was visually stunning, interesting characters, well acted and a great commentary on the influence of music in life.

8. Fine Line - Blood Letters

Another song from the Electrick Kids soundtrack. Just a boatload of raw energy. Kind of Black Keys meets ZZ Top?  

9. For A While - Alice Russell

Oooh oooh whooo. her spotify bio calls Alice's sound "child of Chaka Khan".  I always gravitate back to soul n funk. Like the empathy evoking lyric "If you were me for a while" 

10. Gotta Have Him - Emily Hearn

Happy sweet singer-songwriter Emily Hearn is back at it with her new EP "Promises".  Her voice sounds like sunshine in this poppy confection.

11. Melting In My Icebox - Bronze Radio Return

Formed in Connecticut. I have no idea who this band reminds me of, I just wondered how young people even know what things like "iceboxes" are these days. 

12. Flight To Spain - Waco Brothers, Paul Birch

From sunshine to sun going down, heavy dramatic Waco Brothers. Jon Langford of Brit punk band the Mekons formed Waco Brothers to get his country angst out (or something like that). Great narrative to the lyrics. 

13. Like Janis - Rodriguez

"But don't you understand and don't you look about. I'm trying to take nothing from you, so why should you act so put out for me?" ~ Rodriguez.  I don't know about you, but I am getting a little tired of people who get so offended when anyone suggests how nice it would be if those who were more able would give more to help those who are less able. It's as if "giving" automatically means the recepient is "taking" instead of merely receiving. There are no takers at the bottom, that's a myth created to justify greed.

Happy Halloween!

Lines of Poetry Revealing Mysteries - Jill's September 2013 Playlist

2013-09 SEPTEMBER Jill

Oh no! I'm late again this month. First rule of random playlist making: there are no rules. So here we have it and I think it's worth the wait because I love this batch of songs together.  To any potential new listeners out there, thank you taking a break from your algorithmically manufactured playlists (Pandora etc) and trying out my handcrafted old school mix tape style for a change o' pace. Music matters! 

1. Givin Em What They Love - Janelle Monay (feat. Prince)

Thanks NPR for giving props to Janelle Monay's fresh take on music. Prince approves, and lends funky support to this track that snuck up on me, then really got me grooving.

2. Why Is Love Such A Sacrifice - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Blue-eyed soul at it's finest. Same raw gritty energy as the brand new track from Ms. Monay - only a little stripped down to the basics. It's all about the giving.

3. Early To Bed, Early To Rise - Daddy

Buffett-esque southern rocker 'tude, just suited my back-to-school to mood. "The real world's comin'" sad, but true. Gotta get up early and get to school on time... 

4. You R Loved - Victoria Williams

Classic classic rock. "Lines of Poetry Revealing Mysteries, Still Some Can't Swim". I am always amazed at how a gifted songwriter express the message about what giving really means. Plus I like the "R" for "are" -- reminds me of Prince. Did he get that from VW or vice versa?

5. Walk On - Neil Young

Indulging in more of my old favorites. Still relavent today, don't listen to what others are saying about you, sooner or later it all gets real, just walk on!

6. Two-Step Mamou - Wayne Toups & Zydecajun

Total mood lightener, happy cajun dance tunes! Let loose and let the bon ton roulet!

7. Never Forget You - Noisettes

Girl group retro sound. Just fun. 

8. Art School Girl - Stone Temple Pilots

Okay, okay, just throwing in cool songs with "school" in the title. Nice grunge from STP, with a rousing chorus intermittently moshing around. 

9. Maybe I'm Amazed - Carleen Anderson

Stunning cover. Great vocals and nice crossover to R&B.  Thank you, SIr Paul for writing this tune, and for whomever and whatever inspired Carleen to cover it. 

10. Don't Ask Why - The Moondoggies

Pretty guitars, then full on rich Grateful Deadish layers of sound. Diggin' on the organ infusion. 

11. I Need To Know - Delbert McLinton & The Dick50

Totally riff off' of Howlin' Wolf''s Smokestack Lightning, but you know, that's rock n' roll. Cut & Paste from the legends, use the good stuff to make more good stuff. 

12. Death Cab For Cutie - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

Accidental find through Spotify ADD -- the song title caught my eye - having heard the band by the same name and always wondering where that came from - now I know!  Funky oldie, good to know for trivia. 

13. Teacher Teacher - Rockpile

More cliche back to school inclusion for the September list, but also an old favorite. 

14. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

Wow, am I laying it on thick with the September references? Nah, it's just a nice Green Day ballad to round out this month's playlist.

Listen on Spotify: