Friday Five

The Friday Five: July 1, 2011

Friday Five

Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

The Five:

“Everything Is Fair” by A Tribe Called Quest (from The Low End Theory, 1991)

I don’t know if this cut stands up well on its own, but when listened to in the course of the record, it’s all sorts of hot. The Low End Theory is a record that just reminds me of summer.

“Village of the Sun” by The Mothers of Invention (from Roxy & Elsewhere, 1974)

Music is the best!

“Edge of the Blade” by Journey (from Frontiers, 1983)

Pretty standard, early ’80s AOR fare from the masters of the craft. I dig Schon’s guitar playing here.

“Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” by Matt & Kim (from Grand, 2009)

New school summertime jam!

“32 Pennies” by Warrant (from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989)

I’d be embarrassed, but I dig this tune.

What’s on your shuffle today?

17 Comments

  • dslifton

    “Fire” – Bruce Springsteen (Houston 12-6-78). An audio rip of the DVD included with last year’s Darkness box.
    “How To Take A Fall” – Elliott Smith. I still miss him.
    “Big Sister’s Clothes” – Elvis Costello. “She’s got eyes like saucers/You think she’s a dish.” I want this Elvis back.
    “Winter” – Bill Janovitz. An obscure Stones song covered by the frontman of Buffalo Tom. Download it here.
    “We Need Some Money” – Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers. Wind me up, Chuck! Where ya’ from? Northwest! One of the few things I miss about DC that isn’t my friends.

  • David_E

    1. “Answering Machine” – Rupert Holmes. I make no apologies.
    2. “Someone Like You” – Daryl Hall. If I can’t have the real thing (H&O), at least I’ve got … this.
    3. “Pretenders” – Ryan Adams. For the completist only.
    4. “Standing Bird” – Love Psychedelico. Great, melodic J-rock with horribly funny (unintentionally) half-translated lyrics, to include the unfortunate couplet, “Untied, high tide / breaking the wind.”
    5. “Lost Myself” – Jason Falkner. Done.

  • Anonymous

    1) Black Keys — “Hard Row” (Thickfreakness). No frills, straight up, beer-soaked, cigarette-stained blues rock. Good start to the weekend.
    2) Melissa Etheridge — “If I Wanted To” (Yes I Am). Lighthearted rocker with series of aspirations gradually building into full throated declarations.
    3) Prince — “Dead On It” (The Black Album). Humorously deft rap parody with Prince skewering the braggadocio and bling obsessed rap of the late ’80s. “Got a gold tooth that costs more than your house. Got a diamond ring on four fingers with each one the size of a mouse.”
    4) Aimee Mann — “Little Tornado” (@#%&*! Smilers). A pensive mediation that is hopeful and pleading but ends with a sad realization. Speaks volumes with restraint here.
    5) Joshua Redman — “Faith” (Mood Swing). One of the best cuts from Redman’s career. Beginning and ending with quiet reflection, Redman offers reed lines that are alternately probing, unyielding and testifying.

    Enjoy the holiday weekend everyone.

  • EightE1

    Soundgarden, “No Wrong No Right.” How could I be just hearing Louder than Love for the first time recently?  I know it’s Michael Parr’s favorite album …

    Orchid, “Black Funeral.”  Thinking of putting together a stoner rock mix for the car, in part to detox from all the Chicago music I’ve been obsessing on lately.  Orchid should definitely make the cut.

    Journey, “Edge of the Moment.” Guitar orgy from Neal Schon & Co., off the band’s excellent new record, Eclipse.

    Foo Fighters, “Dear Rosemary.” Awesome track from their awesome Wasting Light record.  The best stadium rock band on the planet?  Very likely.

    The Jayhawks, “Blue.” Acoustic take from the Live from the Women’s Club record (volume 1).  Louris and O’Reagan sound so good together.  I love how they come out of the twisty middle eight.  One of my favorite songs, like, evah.

    • Michael Parr

      “Edge of the Blade” … “Edge of the Moment”

      Seems like those Journey boys like recycling thoughts! I agree, though, “Edge of the Moment” is a great Schon performance. 

      Have a great fourth, my friend!

      • EightE1

        Nah, I’ll let “Edge of the Moment” stand on its own.  Now, if the next record has songs like “Closed Arms,” “Distinctly Individual Ways,” “Be Good to Myself,” or “Bangin’, Caressin’, Huggin’,” I’ll be suspicious.

        You have a good Fourth, as well.  Stay thirsty, my friend.

  • BillC

    Dreams-Allman Brother Band Set II Live at the Beacon.  As with many long ABB jams, sometimes I am in the mood, sometimes I am not. Today is a not.
    Court and Spark-Herbie Hanccock featuring Norah Jones.  The old Joni Mitchell song. I can generally listen to Norah Jones read a phone book, but this song doesn’t click for me.
    Honey Pie-The Beatles “White Album.”  Not one of the better Beatles songs. I am 0 for 3 today. 
    Isn’t It A Pity-George Harrison All Things Must Pass.  A very good song, but not very uplifting for a Friday afternoon.
    Racing In the Streets-Bruce.  Actually the original version from Darkness.  What is it with me and laid back songs today?

  • Anonymous

    1.  “Evil Is Alive And Well” – Jakob Dylan – “Seeing Things” (Ain’t THAT the truth?!?)
    2.  “Lola” – The Kinks – “Lola Versus Powerman”
    3.  “River Of Tears” – Eric Clapton – “One More Car, One More Rider”
    4.  “At This Moment” – Billy Vera & The Beaters – “Billy Vera & The Beaters”
    5.  “There Goes My Baby” – The Drifters – “Atlantic Rhythm & Blues, 1947-1974, Disc 4

  • Mike Duquette

    1. The Jacksons, “2300 Jackson Street”: Parr, I think MJ’s ghost knows about the podcast we did, and he is PISSED. That sax sounds like it should be selling shoes.
    2. Lionel Richie, “Ballerina Girl”: this is karma getting me back for the badass Five from last week, isn’t it?3. Material Issue, “Very First Lie”: OK, maybe not. Two Fives’ straight with Material Issue!4. Sister Sledge, “Thinking of You (Dimitri from Paris Remix)”: if you don’t own that CHIC box set Rhino France put out last year, then you are craaaaaaaaaazy! (Or you just don’t like CHIC as much as I do.) The bonus remixes from this guy – all done with original multi-tracks and no contemporary overdubs – are fresh spins on classic cuts (and most of the mixes are lesser-known singles or album sides, so it’s double fresh). Like most CHIC fanatics, I await a second box set someday.5. Bruce Springsteen, “Fire (San Francisco 12/16/1975)”: from the Live 1975/85 box. The fact that there has been neither a sequel nor an “official bootleg” series from Bruce is astounding. Dave Lifton, haven’t you got any friends in high places to make this happen?

  • Dennis Corrigan

    Can’t think of a better way to start the 4th of July weekend than dropping off my Friday Five

    1. “Snatch It Back and Hold It” by Junior Wells from Hoodoo Man Blues (Delmark, 1965).  Can’t kick it off any hotter than some harp driven Chicago blues.  Also features a Friendly Chap better known as Buddy Guy.
    2. “Miss You” by Eric Clapton from the Crossroads box set (originally from August).  Fitting that a Guy disciple follows up and features Phil Collins on drums and co-production credits.  When I went on active duty in the fall of ’88, I bought two things with my first paycheck – a car (like every other brand new lieutenant) and the Crossroads box set.
    3. “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by Meat Loaf from Bat Out of Hell.  One of those albums that everyone owned in 1977.  Spent the summer of ’78 in north Jersey and couldn’t wait for PLJ to spin some Meatloaf.  still remember watching the Yanks game on WPIX when Meat gave Phil Rizzuto a gold record for his fine cameo. OK, what’s next
    4. “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys from Pet Sounds.  Hello, summer.  This song at first blush seems out of place with the rest of this great record, but I can’t imagine it without it.  Brian and his band did a fantastic version of this when I saw them a few weeks ago.  And, yes, #fuckMikeLove
    5. “Tryin’ To Throw Your Arms Around the World” by U2 from Achtung Baby. To me, their last great album and maybe their best.

    Weekend’s here, hope you hear something great!

  • de10ero

    Dwight Twilley Band-Release Me

    Nothing at all to do with Engelbert Humperdinck

    Frank Manzi-Bright Corners Of The World

    Joyous heartland style rock and roll from the Bay State

    The Mystix-Rattled

    You might be rattled to learn it outshines the Traveling Wilbury’s version

    The Stompers-Eastside Girl

    Summer’s arrived and here she comes

    Iron City Houserockers-Blondie

    Dreaming…of Debbie Harry…In The Flesh

  • Mike

    Oh, Hey!! Here’s my five:

    1) “Back on Line” by INXS (from “Welcome to Wherever You Are”, 1992)-INXS’s songs weren’t always great, but Michael Hutchence compensated for any lyrical deficiencies by slithering all over the band’s tracks. “Welcome”, for my money, is a better album than “Kick” or “X”.

    2) “Baby” by Anita Baker (from “Rhythm of Love”, 1994)- Somewhere around this time, Sade took over for Anita Baker as America’s favorite female quiet storm act and Anita has lost her footing (I might have that backwards-it’s late). Supposedly she’s got a new album coming out this year. Will be nice to hear her again.

    3) “The Hurt” by The Jacksons (from “Victory”, 1984)- Randy was really, really talented. Why do I kinda feel like he might have been cockblocked by MJ?

    4) “Walk On” by The Jackson 5 (from “Live at the Forum”, 1972)- One tangible result of recording the MJ podcast last week was that I ordered this baby from Amazon while we were all still on Skype. Not that I need any more live J5 material, but this seems like it should be in my collection.

    5) “Lighten Up” by The Beastie Boys (from “Check Your Head”, 1992)- The beginning of the Beasties as a live band. Let’s just say that what they lack in chops, they make up for with enthusiasm and vibe.

    Happy 4th, everyone!

  • Anonymous

    While it’s not Friday where I am, it’s still Friday somewhere, so I guess I’m not too late.

    “Shipbuilding” by Elvis Costello from Best Of (1994). This is my favorite Elvis Costello song. I want it played at my funeral.

    “The Gift (Live)” by Annie Lennox from Cold Single (1992). Shuffle seems to be picking out my favorites tonight because this is my favorite of Annie’s solo songs. It gives me chills every single time.

    “Seether” by Veruca Salt from American Thighs (1994). This song reminds me so much of high school. Also, this is my number one karaoke song.

    “Your Woman” by White Town from Women in Technology (1997). I didn’t even know I owned this song. Talk about some ’90s nostalgia.

    “Be In Here” by Orgone from Bacano (2008). If you like funk and soul and you have not checked out this band, you are really missing out.

  • Pete

    1. “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” – Prince / this is sounding especially crisp and refreshing right now. Clearly it’s time to listen to Sign ‘o’ the Times front to back to front to back. 

    2. “Leave Me (Like You Found Me)” – Wilco / From the mellow and beautiful Sky Blue Sky album. Sure do hope Wilco swing thru AZ again this fall. 

    3. “When the Night Falls In” – The Stands / short lived but great Liverpool band from the mid 00’s. Their album ‘Horse Fabulous’ is pretty fab.

    4. “Too Much” – Elvis Presley / Magic. 

    5. “Positively 4th Street” (live) – Jerry Garcia / I’m diggin’ where my iTunes is taking me tonight. I’m sticking with it…

    Happy 4th everyone!!

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