Shuffle #10 (June 14, 2014)

King of the World – Steely Dan

Six O’Clock News – Kathleen Edwards

The Heart Of Rock & Roll – Huey Lewis & The News

High Hopes – Bruce Springsteen

Three Marlenas – The Wallflowers

Daydream – The Lovin’ Spoonful

Levi Stubbs’ Tears – Billy Bragg

Clocks – Coldplay

#49 Southland In The Springtime -- Indigo Girls (1990)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlNN1luA1q8

The Indigo Girls have put out a lot of great songs since breaking onto the music scene in the late 1980s, as well as putting on consistently excellent live shows. This is one of my favorite odes to the South, along with “Georgia On My Mind”, Jesse Winchester’s “Mississippi You’re On My Mind”, and John Hiatt’s “Buffalo River Home”.

#50 Nighttime In The Switching Yard -- Warren Zevon (1978)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KVCNwTlCn4

The late Warren Zevon was such a master of song lyrics that I feel I need to apologize to him for picking this particular song, which probably has less in the way of lyrics than any other song he’s written. It’s got an unbelievably great hook, though, and if you play it loud enough you’re practically guaranteed to get people out on the dance floor. I’ve never heard a rock band cover this, and can’t quite figure out why. I’m sure Warren wouldn’t mind.

A little blogger humor

http://shermanslagoon.com/comics/june-10-2014/

#51 Twilight Zone -- Golden Earring (1983)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfKp530gY9U

Hmmm – if you’re not into the likes of Scorpions or Kraftwerk (and I’m not), these guys might be strong contenders for the title of best rock band ever from continental Europe. (No, ABBA doesn’t count as a “rock band”.) “Radar Love” first got these guys on the map, and gets some bonus points for the shout-out to Brenda Lee, but “Twilight Zone” is more ominous and rocks a lot harder. Be sure to crank this one up to 11.

#52 Sailing To Philadelphia -- Mark Knopfler (2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrLdKYRBOEE

Most songs that get into historical stuff tend to be somewhat lacking in musical and/or lyrical quality, no matter how well-intentioned they are. This Mason-Dixon duet with James Taylor is a happy exception. (I’ll leave any questions about historical accuracy to the experts.)

Shuffle #9 (June 8, 2014)

Bombay Calling – It’s A Beautiful Day

Motownphilly – Boyz II Men

Lovers Never Say Goodbye – The Flamingos

There She Goes Again – The Beat Farmers

Out Of Sight – James Brown

Lovin’ Sound – Ian & Sylvia

Rain King – Counting Crows

Gentle On My Mind – Glen Campbell

I Ain’t Got No Home – Bruce Springsteen

Think Nothing About It – Gene Chandler