Muxtape notes By Amanda on April 18, 2008 5:35 AM | Permalink
Visit Me in Music City -- Bobby Bare, Jr
From the End of Your Leash
I first heard this on an MP3 blog, can't recall which one. I 'm not totally on board with his more rawky stuff but this whole album is ace. And this song can't be beat. I could do a whole mux on songs that bag Nashville, so the affection in this one is a nice change.
YouTube: "Your Adorable Beast" set to 101 Dalmations vision. Heh.
Once in a Very Blue Moon -- Chris Smither
It Ain't Easy
All up my favourite Smither album. From the All Music review: "Armed simply with guitar and voice, Smither delivers a dozen tunes (14 on the CD reissue) that embody the best tradition of blues and folk. Whether it's his originals, a standard like "Glory of Love," or material by the likes of Randy Newman, Chuck Berry, Mississippi John Hurt, and Howlin' Wolf, Smither infuses every track with the same timeless quality."
YouTube: Live at some festival.
Mellow Down Easy -- The Chambers Brothers
Live
Funk, soul, blues, rock and gospel all in one. What more do you want? Well, maybe some country but one mustn't be greedy.
YouTube: People Get Ready.
Deep Blue Sea -- David Johansen and the Harry Smiths
Shaker
I bought this and their first CD in Moscow. David Johansen is the New York Dolls singer but this is his blues band. It's been five or six years, he's busy with the Dolls reunion but I hope he gets back to this.
YouTube: Furry's Blues from the first Harry Smiths record.
As Long As The River Flows -- Johnny Cash
Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian
One of my favourite albums, Cash originals and Peter LaFarge covers. Cash is country, but Cash is also a major folk singer, which gets lost sometimes.
YouTube: Johnny with Pete Seeger (and June) talking about the album and singing. I hesitated a bit because he's obviously way, way, way out of his tree but there you go. I recommend it anyway as a document and a reminder of this album -- and the performance is definately powerful (song starts about 4.30 in).
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When I Was in Love with You -- The Greencards
Viridian
I'm a casual fan, but this is my favourite song of theirs.
Real Emotional Girl -- Randy Newman
Trouble in Paradise
My favourite Randy song. We're so used to embracing our music totally, it's a strange trip when you know you can't trust it.
YouTube: Linda Ronstadt and Randy.
I Wanna Be Loved -- Dinah Washington
I Wanna Be Loved
I really wanted to use Dinah's "Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning" but it clocks in at 11MB, and the mux limit is 10. Any Dinah is sublime though. It's kinda a sly bit of programming after the Randy.
YouTube: The Alberta Hunter version of Nobody Knows The Way ... Dinah's is about six minuttes longer.
Kay -- Daryle Singlatary
That's Why I Sing This Way
One of those who flirted with mainstream country success in the 90s, and has evidently been punted from the big label because he's now on eMusic (which has "independent labels", not the Big 5 or 3 or however many there are these days.) Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, David Ball, Clint Black also seem to fit into this group. Daryle Singletary sounds just like Merle Haggard. A friend introduced me to this song (ta, Pete) in the original John Wesley Ryles version. It's one of those wordy songs like Gentle on My Mind which I imagine must be a bugger to sing.
Effect and Cause -- The White Stripes
Icky Thump
My fave song of that record, maybe not the most substantial one but infectious nontheless.
YouTube: The song.
Sleepless Nights -- Lucinda Williams
This is from the "Return to Sin City" Gram Parsons tribute concert. You can buy the DVD but there isn't a CD for some weird reason. I had to make my own.
YouTube: Keith Richards and Norah Jones on "Love Hurts" from the same gig.
Song for You -- Ray Charles
Live a the Olympia
Every man and his dog has covered this song and I have alot of them. Can't go past Brother Ray though.
YouTube: Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson.
