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| Jackson Browne |
01. The Byrds – “Wild Mountain Thyme” (1966) from Byrds of a Feather II – Part 1
The Byrds were so experimental, so adventurous, and not afraid to push the boundaries of ‘60s popular music. This album includes far out, groundbreaking songs like “Eight Miles High”, “5D (Fifth Dimension)”, and “Mr. Spaceman” as well as this sweet, psychedelicized Celtic folk ballad.
02. Jackson Browne – “Song for Adam” (1972) from Browne’s Blues – Part 1
Songs about suicide can be tough to pull off but Browne does his song justice by relying on honesty, simplicity, and compassion on this- his debut album- which brought him critical and commercial success (though I never heard this song until last year).
03. The Turtles – “Earth Anthem” (1968) from Turtle Week – Part 4
Is this a love song to Earth, or a call to eco-terrorism? This album had the Turtles performing each song as a different fictional band (à la the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band). Attributed to All, this one was reportedly recorded at 3 A.M. by candlelight in order to achieve just the right mood.
04. George Jones – “These Days (I Barely Get By)” (1974) from Country Grab Bag II – Part 2
I started exploring country- and George Jones- in the mid ‘00s after a painful break up. It was only then that I could truly appreciate the depths of sadness and loneliness in so many of Jones’ songs. I would listen to his music while making dinner (for one) and chuckle to myself; such is the healing power of music. In giving advice to aspiring writers, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. said: “Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them—in order that the reader may see what they are made of.” I love the way life just keeps getting worse for the protagonist in this song and there is no trace of a happy ending (yet country music fans in the ‘70s ate this stuff up).
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| Willie Nelson |
05. Jackson Browne – “The Birds of St. Mark’s (Live)” (2004) from Blue Jean Rock Poets II – Part 1
“I’m weary of the nights I’ve seen inside these empty halls.” Written when Browne was just 18 and returning to California from New York City (JB always thought of it as a Byrds tune), I like the song’s imagery and I’m always a sucker for love songs featuring queens and castles.
06. Looking Glass – “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” (1972) from Classic Rock: Choice Cuts IV
While not the sharpest tool in the shed, Brandy is kind, loving, and loyal. This classic rock staple will still sound good a hundred years from now, and I’m always interested in nautical themed ‘70s songs that take place on the West Coast. Hmm. That might be a good theme for a future blog entry.
07. Dar Williams – “Fm Radio” (2015) from Rock Grab Bag VI
Ok, we get it, Dar. You came of age during a time when FM radio was popular, today’s kids don’t have that same experience, and you want to make sure everyone knows how cool and magical it was back then. But I was there- it wasn’t- and there is nothing cheaper or easier than nostalgia. But I agree- this Internet Age is overrated.
08. Paul Simon – “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (1972) from Paul from Queens – Part 2
Still sounds good after all these years. Favorite line: “And when the radical preacher come and get me released, we was all on the cover of Newsweek.” As Peace Corps Volunteers in Bulgaria we all received free subscriptions to Newsweek.
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| The Wallflowers |
09. Willie Nelson and Calexico – “Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)” (2007) from Bob’s Birthday Bash – Part 2
Nelson takes this Bob Dylan song to a whole new level of darkness, terror, desolation, and doom. Scary stuff, indeed- and it is not easy to scare the Jean. Hats off, Willie.
10. The Gaslight Anthem – “The ‘59 Sound” (2008) from Kiss Me I’m Irish II – Part 1
I first heard this song in the car on my way to a Redskins game in 2008 (at first I thought it was Bruce Springsteen) and then I went and purchased the album. A few months later the unthinkable happened when my ex returned to me. She was fleeing domestic violence at the time and I helped her out of a jam but she soon returned to her abuser. This song takes me back to that brief, intense period when The ‘59 Sound was the only music I had in my car- and Barack Obama had just been sworn in as president.
11. The Wallflowers – “Lawyers, Guns and Money” (2004) from Adults Only II
When the creative juices just aren’t flowing, nothing invigorates a band more than a cover song and the Wallflowers go all out on this Warren Zevon cover (although I’m not crazy about the replacing of “dad” with “Warren”. Maybe Jakob just wasn’t comfortable singing about his famous father).
12. The Monkees – “Shades of Gray” (1967) from Cheer Up, Sleepy Jean II – Part 1
As a young Monkees fan in the ‘80s, this song really struck me and sent my imagination reeling (right down to the French horn). From all the TV shows and movies I had seen I imagined the ‘60s to be the most dramatic, exciting American decade ever. I eventually outgrew it but when I return to this song now I still enjoy its childish wisdom and innocence.
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| Indigo Girls |
13. Paul Simon – “Duncan” (1972) from Paul from Queens – Part 2
While not one of Simon’s better known songs, I like its strangeness.
14. Jackson Browne – “I Am a Patriot” (1989) from Browne’s Blues – Part 1
Words and music by Little Steven Van Zandt. For the record, the Jean is a registered independent voter.
15. Indigo Girls – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Live)” (2008) from Rock Grab Bag VI
There are many cover versions of this Dylan song but this may be my new favorite. It’s so joyful!
16. Craig Finn – “Maggie I’ve Been Searching for Our Son” (2015) from Rock Grab Bag III
Perhaps it’s because- like Craig Finn- I am a Catholic from the Northeast that the Mountain States and so-called American-born prophets have always scared me.“There were handcuffed girls with barely any clothes.” Are singer-songwriters making a comeback?
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| Earth, Wind & Fire |
17. Old 97’s – “Salome” (1997) from Country Grab Bag II – Part 3
Right from the start the song evokes a sad, desolate atmosphere somewhere in the Southwest and you can almost see the dusty highway bar and neon sign as the weary protagonist sings a song well known to every man whose ever had a lady break his heart and learns the hard way- sooner or later- everyone leaves and lets you down. “I’m tired of making friends.”
18. Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack – “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (1983) from Soul by the Dozen V
If you were born in the early ‘80s, then you may have quiet storm music to thank for your existence.
19. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September” (1978) from Soul by the Dozen V
This song is sure to get any dance floor moving- any time of the year!
20. Screeching Weasel – “99” (1994) from Alternative Grab Bag IV – Part 3
Having already tackled Happy Days and The Brady Bunch, Screeching Weasel’s tribute to the ‘60s spy TV show Get Smart (reruns of which I used to enjoy watching as a little boy with my bologna sandwich and milk) is packed with Get Smart references and appears on the band’s last good album (which runs less than 30 minutes and the 13 songs run you over like a freight train as if the band wants to hurry and finish so they can use the bathroom). 99 was played by actress and former model Barbara Feldon.
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| “99” |
21. Dr. Hook – “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” (1978) from Rock Me Softly II
This song makes being in love with a beautiful woman sound like a real drag but also oozes with late ‘70s charm. For what it’s worth, these guys were from New Jersey.
22. Johnny Rivers – “Positively 4th Street” (1968) from Bob’s Birthday Bash – Part 1
One of the great kiss off songs of all time- so many powerful lines aimed at fair-weather fans and critics alike. The original Dylan version is good but rough and I prefer this version which is smoother but still carries the same edge, power, and drama. I heard Dylan likes this version, too.
23. U2 – “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own (Live)” (2005) from Alternative Grab Bag IV – Part 5
Bono has it out with his dad (or God) live on stage in Milan (my dad loves opera, too.) It’s always a thrill to hear whether or not Bono will be able to hit that high note near the end of the song. (He does.)
24. Adele – “Someone Like You” (2011) from Pop Faves II
It took me some years to come around but now I like this song. Timeless, universal pop.
25. Sarah McLachlan – “Answer (Live)” (2003) from Rock Grab Bag VI
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
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