Well we’ve reached the end of “The Theme Days of Summer” and for this weeks playlist I thought it only appropriate that we send off the summer with an ode to endless summer nights and the changes coming as some head back to school, some back to work, and all of us close the book on the summer of ’08.

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains End
NAME contains Summer
NAME contains Back
NAME contains Change
NAME contains School
NAME contains Work

As Pete pointed out last week’s mood was rather dark so this week I’m looking to brighten the mood and get everyone ready for the weekend (though I’m steering clear of the puppies, unicorns, sunshine, and fairies). The friends of the five have come through all summer sharing everything from show-tunes, jazz, folk, blues, funk to metal and everything in between. I hope everyone has enjoyed the playlists as much as I’ve enjoyed thinking them up and sharing, next week we’re going back to the general shuffle.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words (much more this week than last) for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Ne-Yo – Make it Work (from Because of You)

While I don’t particularly care for much of the current crop of R&B artists I make an exception when it comes to Ne-Yo. This track was prominently featured in this past year’s season of So You Think You Can Dance which just further endears the track to me.

2. Black Sabbath – Changes (from We Sold Our Soul for Rock ‘n’ Roll)

Originally from 1972’s Black Sabbath, Vol. 4, this was the first Sabbath tune to feature the Piano as its primary instrument. I’ve always liked this tune for how un-Sabbath it was and it was clearly a precursor to Ozzy‘s penchant for balladry.

3. Prince – Sex in the Summer (from Emancipation)

If there is a truly underappreciated record in Prince‘s discography then I’d suggest 1996’s Emancipation is it. While time has proven unkind to some of the records tracks (“My Computer”, “Emale”) others stand as brilliant testaments to the time in which it was released. This track is quite bittersweet in that a recording of Prince & Mayte’s child’s (which died shortly after birth) heartbeat is featured as part of the percussion.

4. John Mayer – Waiting on the World to Change (from 2008-08-23:  New England Dodge Music Center, Hartford, CT, USA)

The second encore tune performed when I saw John Mayer last Saturday evening (read the full review here). He plays this one pretty straight and true to the recorded version. I’ve included it here just because I dig it so damned much.

John Mayer – Waiting on the World to Change (MP3)

5. Boyz II Men – End of the Road (from Legacy – The Greatest Hits Collection)

This one definitely resonates with that “back to school” sound (even though this particular track was released after my School Daze) and feels like a perfect end cap to the “The Theme Days of Summer”.

So what’s taking you home early on this holiday weekend?

It’s been a long and busy week here at Ickmusic East full of ups and downs. Between the shocking and untimely passing of LeRoi Moore, Jerry Finn, Issac Hayes and Jerry Wexler the music community has lost many members these past two weeks. On the positive side it’s been a week of some cool discoveries (Paul Thorn, Ra Ra Riot) and some great live shows to remind me of the bonds we do create with these musicians and the healing power of music. This week’s playlist is influenced by this sentiment.

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Dance
NAME contains Light
NAME contains Friend
NAME contains Heart
NAME contains Soul

The tunes rang in aplenty from this combo…

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words (though not so many this week) for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Bryan Adams – Straight From the Heart (from So Far So Good)

2. Don Henley – The Heart of the Matter (from Actual Miles: Henley’s Greatest Hits)

3. Susanna and the Magical Orchestra – Condition of the Heart (from Controversy: A Tribute to Prince)

4. Dead Can Dance – Yulunga (Spirit Dance) (from Toward the Within)

5. John Mayer – Dreaming With a Broken Heart (from Continuum)

So what has you dancing into the weekend and beyond?

So if you are reading this you clearly have been on the internet long enough to know that today 8-8-08 is the official beginning of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. And in honor of the occasion, I thought it only appropriate that we take part in the festivities with an Olympic themed playlist. So in the spirit of “One World One Dream” here is your playlist for this week’s Friday Five.

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains One
NAME contains World
NAME contains Dream
NAME contains Games
NAME contains Flame
NAME contains Gold
NAME contains Silver
NAME contains Bronze

756 Tracks, not bad… (at Pete’s suggestion I’ve added the other medals)

Last week’s birthday celebration brought out a parade of everyone’s party favorites and served as the basis for some interesting juxtapositions across the genres, tempos, moods, you name it.

“The Theme Days of Summer” are coming to a close and as I mentioned last week I’m looking to give back to the faithful fivers so send your playlist ideas to michael at Ickmusic.com with the subject line “The Theme Days of Summer” and I’ll choose the best two to be featured in a coming Friday Five.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words (and on occasion the song itself) for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Maceo Parker – Tell the World (from Funkcronomicon)

I love me some Maceo Parker, but this is not really the Maceo I know and love. Part of a brilliant overall record this is Maceo with Sly Stone, Bobby Byrd and Bootsy Collins performing a track from Maceo’s For All the King’s Men.

2. Earth, Wind & Fire – That’s the Way of the World (from That’s the Way of the World)

It has got to be hard being the song after “Shining Star”, no?

3.  Daft Punk – Around the World (radio edit) (MP3) (from Around the World)

10 years on this track still makes me move my butt.

4. Dave Matthews Band – The Dreaming Tree (from Before These Crowded Streets)

From what I consider the bands magnum opus, this song stands as a testament to the power of music to heal. Written by bassist Stefan Lessard after the death of his infant daughter, the songs protagonist questions his faith in dealing with death while clinging to the perfect world in his mind (The Dreaming Tree). Lyrically and musically it’s one of the most beautiful and moving songs in the bands discography.

5. Otis Redding – I’ve Got Dreams to Remember (from The Very Best of Otis Redding)

This is a very good tune. My mother used to sing this. I love Otis.

So what’s got you going for the gold this weekend?

It’s my wife’s birthday in the coming week and as a special wink and nod to her I thought it appropriate to dedicate this week’s entry of “The Theme Days of Summer” to her (cue the “aww’s”).  That said here’s the playlist:

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Happy
NAME contains Birthday
NAME contains Wish
NAME contains Cake
NAME contains Party
NAME contains Celebrate

This pulled up considerably less tracks then I expected and at least half of them were “Partyup” or “Partyman” by Prince.

Last weeks “Question the Answers” playlist is the first that has been promoted to a full-time playlist. From the comments from the Faithful Friends of Five it would seem that you are all enjoying these as well. So much so that I’d like to invite some of you to send me your ideas for future playlists. There are four Fridays left this summer and I’m giving two of the four back to the Fivers! So send your ideas to michael at ickmusic dot com with the subject line “The Theme Days of Summer” and I’ll choose the best two to be featured in a coming Friday Five.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words for each track (and on occasion the song itself).

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Van Halen – Poundcake (from Best Of, Volume 1)

Originally from the cheeky titled For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, this was, to me, the second pinnacle in the bands career. Sure 5150 and OU812 were both excellent in their own right, but it was on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge that the band hit their stride. From the Makita vs. Guitar intro of “Poundcake” to the smash hit “Right Now” to the closer “Top of the World” (the opening lick which, for you astute students of Ed know, is actually the closing tag to “Jump”) the record never let up and delivered. It also was the last good record that the band has put out (save for the single “Humans Being” which kicks all sorts of ass).

2. DJ Shadow – The Number Song (Cut Chemist Party mix) (MP3) (from Midnight in a Perfect World)

DJ Shadow showing up twice in two weeks, what’s the chance? This is a great remix of “The Number Song” by Shadow’s partner in crime Cut Chemist, with a bit of Latin flair to bring that real party vibe. Seeing how it’s out of print, here is your chance to hear it as well.

3. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy (from Billboard Top Hits: 1988)

Here’s an admission of a guilty pleasure, I absolutely dig “So You Think You Can Dance?” and this week the aptly named Twitch performed his solo piece to this track and I’ve got to say he perfectly embodied the joy that this song brings. For the record I’m predicting Joshua to win, though any one of them really could and I’d be satisfied.

4. Prince – Life ‘O’ the Party (from Musicology)

Mama said if you ain’t got nuthin nice to say, don’t say anything at all. I will say that this is the only track on Musicology that I skip. Not as bad as “Jughead”, but damned close.

5. Beastie Boys – (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party) (from Def Jam Music Group Inc.: 10th Year Anniversary)

Now this is a send off into the weekend! From the box set that no one on this earth should be without this is the single that made all of suburbia sit up and take notice (and tremble a bit). The Beasties trademark blend of Hip-Hop and Rock with a three chord punk aesthetic. For the record, I tried to find and embed the video but apparently Universal does not like that. Hrmph!

So that’s the Five for this week, Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife Christine and if you see Pete around be sure to buy him a drink and give him a pound as I believe he’s got a birthday coming up in the next week as well… so now what’s helping you party through the day?

This week it’s time to “Question the Answers” on the Friday Five with the following playlist…

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Who
NAME contains What
NAME contains Where
NAME contains When
NAME contains Why
NAME contains How

As we continue “The Theme Days of Summer” I’m calling this in as I do some chores around the house.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words (and the occasional rant) for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Prince – Whole Lotta Love (from My Band’s Tight!)

From a 2002 aftershow in Copenhagen, the recordings title says it all. This is as rockin’ a version as I’ve ever heard Led Zeppelin perform. This is a classic aftershow and is well worth seeking out.

2. Grant Green – So What (MP3) (from Sunday Mornin’)

From Prince covering Led Zeppelin to the criminally underrated Grant Green covering Miles Davis it would appear that the shuffle is doing a little theme of its own. While not the household name that his contemporaries Wes Montgomery and Charlie Parker became, Grant Green had a swing and groove that was all his own. Sunday Mornin’ is his ‘Gospel’ record, showcasing the brilliant tone and bop that he possessed. The record is out of print, so here’s the track for ya’ll to groove to.

3. Def Leppard – No Matter What (from Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection)

If I were a betting man, I would not have guessed but the third track up on the shuffle would be another cover, this time its Sheffield’s favorite son’s Def Leppard covering the Badfinger classic “No Matter What”. This kicked off a record (the peculiarly titled Yeah!) that I did not care much for. Let’s move on.

4. DJ Shadow – What Does Your Soul Look Like, Part 1: Blue Sky Revisit / Transmission 3 (from Endtroducing…)

If you had asked me what my favorite record was in 1997 the record that would immediately spring to mind is Entroducing…. Culled from a record collection so deep it knows no bounds the record was later cited in Guinness World Records as being the first album created entirely from sampled sources. This is a brilliant record that came out at just the right time.

5. The Afghan Whigs – What Jail is Like (from Gentlemen)

Speaking of brilliant records, Gentlemen is a record that has stood the test of time. I can listen to this record twenty times in a month and it still inspires and sounds brand new.

So what’s answering your questions?

Is it really Friday already?

I’ll admit that I got through the first 4 hours of my work day without even realizing what day it was. Time flies, or so they say. Now if one of you could kindly point me in the direction of where this “they” sit I’ll be on my way. Oh, this baseball bat in my hand, it’s… um, a gift. That’s it, a gift for “them”. In keeping with what I’m now dubbing “The Theme Days of Summer” I’ve cobbled together the following playlist to reflect my current mood with hopes of pulling some uplifting tunes to pass the hours until I’m free to count down to Monday. That said, here’s the playlist for this Friday:

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Work
NAME contains Time
NAME contains Passing
NAME contains Quick
NAME contains Slip
NAME contains Flash

This pulled about half the amount of tracks as last week‘s playlist.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with some words for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

That said…

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. The S.O.S. Band – Take Your Time (Do It Right) (from The 70’s Preservation Society Presents Disco Fever)

Now there is nothing like a little slice of premium 80’s funk (I do realize this particular track is a 1979 vintage) to kick off a Friday Five. More and more lately I’ve been a sucker for the likes of The S.O.S. Band, The Dazz Band and The Brothers Johnson. If anything this one was too short and went by to quickly, so I’m going to do something I rarely do and listen to it again.

You know you ought to slow down
You been working too hard
And that’s a fact
Sit back and relax a while
Take some time to laugh and smile
Lay your heavy load down
So we can stop and kick back
It seems we never take the time to do
All the things we want to, yeah

Yeah, that’s the stuff…okay, next!

2. Prince -Let’s Work (from Controversy)

Now I don’t want to go ruining this by saying something, but this is a turning out to be one funky five. While Controversy was never my favorite Prince record, it does contain quite a few of my favorite individual tracks. I mean come on, who can resist “Do Me, Baby”?

3. The Black Crowes – Sometimes Salvation (from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion)

It might not be funky, but this is damned soulful. I’ve had an odd love/hate relationship over the years with The Black Crowes. To me, this is where they shine. Soulful, Bluesy and with a passion that seems to play hide and go seek with every other record they release. This one is brilliant though, and I’m enjoying hearing it after a long while.

4. The Meters – Love Slip Upon Ya (from Fire on the Bayou)

And right back to the funk, bubbling up from the Louisiana Bayou. I had the pleasure of seeing The Meters live a few years back at the “From the Big Apple to the Big Easy” benefit show at Radio City. So funky.

5. The Dave Matthews Band – Stay (Wasting Time) (from Listener Supported)

Recorded September 11, 1999, this was the second live record that Dave and the Band released and to me really captured the essence of the live DMB experience at the time. Featuring “The Lovely Ladies” this down-tempo version of their funky as hell New Orleans tribute is a perfect coda on today’s Friday Five, cause don’t it make you wanna stay?

Okay, now it’s your turn, what’s wasting time with you this Friday?

Its days like today that test the limits of my ability to stay focused on the work at hand. Its 77°F, 50% humidity, sunny and the great outdoors (not to mention the pool) is beckoning and I’m doing my best to block it out. Thankfully I’ve got the Friday Five to keep my attention focused for the next little bit. Last week we celebrated the fourth with a themed playlist and the Fivers represented with their patriotic best. And since the playlist concept seemed to really spark some interesting tracks, here’s a playlist for this Friday:

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Sunny
NAME contains Beautiful
NAME contains Warm
NAME contains Summer
NAME contains Day
NAME contains Weekend

This called up a staggering number of tracks for me to shuffle through!

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s the scoop: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.

Then it’s your turn! You can play along with the themed playlist or just share the first five of your shuffle, either way the fun is in playing musical voyeur for the day.

That said…

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Zwan – Endless Summer (from Mary Star of the Sea)

One of the few Billy Corgan projects that I’ve truly enjoyed since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Zwan had a purity to it that could clearly not be sustained with a maniac like Corgan at the helm. It’s a damned shame, really as I truly believe that the combined creative forces of Zwan could have really produced some amazing music together. I would also be remiss if I did not at least mention the beautiful foil of Paz Lenchantin. She somehow balanced Billy‘s nasal falsetto and made it nearly accessible.

2. The Beatles – Good Day Sunshine (from Revolver)

Pleasant, I suppose.

3.  New Order – Blue Monday (from Retro)

While I can appreciate New Order (and even more so Joy Division) for the influence they have provided to countless bands that I enjoy, I’ve never really been a huge fan of their discography. I certainly enjoy all the hits to no end, but that’s about where it ends.

4. Prince & The Revolution – The Beautiful Ones (from Purple Finale)

From the final show of the Purple Rain tour (Orange Bowl, Miami: 7th April 1985), this is nothing short of astounding. The Revolution are as tight as ever and Prince provides a highly charged performance.

5. Flickerstick – Beautiful (from Welcoming Home the Astronauts)

One of my favorite records of the past decade, it kills me that these guys never made it the way they deserved. I suppose the dual curse of having been a reality show contest winner and releasing your major label debut on September 11^th, 2001 really was too much to overcome. The band has persisted through some line up changes and can still be seen occasionally in and around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Now, excuse me while I slip outside for a quick walk, yeah that’s it… Tag! You’re it!

Today is the Fourth of July, better known in the United States as Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

This also means many of you will be off today and enjoying time with your friends and families, but we here at Ickmusic are dedicated to ensuring our readers have their Friday Five fix. In spirit of the holiday I’ve cooked up this playlist to get some patriotic tunes going for the days activities.

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Independence
NAME contains U.S.A.
NAME contains America
NAME contains Fourth
NAME contains July
NAME contains Declaration

This pulled up a few more tracks than I suspected it might. I hit the shuffle and away we go!

For those of you reading this for the first time, here’s how it works… I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.

Then it’s your turn!

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (from Greatest Hits)

This song, along with “Glory Days”, is to me the epitome of summer songs. It stands beside Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Fortunate Son” and John Mellencamp‘s “Jack and Diane” as true American Standards. I could go on, but I’m just going to enjoy listening to the rest of the track.

2. Frank Zappa – Food Gathering in Post-Industrial America, 1992 (from The Yellow Shark)

As performed by Ensemble Modern, this is perhaps one of Frank’s most challenging works. I didn’t come to truly appreciate the depth of this record until much later in life. And in the spirit of the day there is something to be said of Frank’s ardent support of the First Amendment and the fight against censorship of any sort.

3. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American (from Bleed American)

I actually purchased this record in its pre-9/11 configuration (my copy is titled Bleed American as opposed to the self-titled change) and had been a JEW fan for a few years prior. I still think this song is underrated and had it come out in a different time it would have been a huge single.

4. Ani DiFranco – Independence Day (from Little Plastic Castle)

I don’t think my love of the little folk singer has come up before. I’m a huge fan.

5. Weezer – Surf Wax America (from Weezer)

What a great send off into the holiday weekend! My 10 year old has recently discovered early Weezer (thanks to Guitar Hero) so I’ve been listening to the Blue Album and Pinkerton quite a bit lately.

So what’s not letting you go quietly into the night?

The post lunch dip is kicking in boys and girls and I need something to push me through the next two hours. The finish line for the week is in my sights and I’m ready to shuffle up and deal! Last week we covered everything from Travolta to Arquette, here’s hoping that this week uncovers yet more gems in my music library.

For those who have not played along yet here’s the scoop, open up whatever provides you with tunes and hit the shuffle button and let the music take you where it will and if you feel so inclined share the results with the rest of the musical voyeurs in the comments section.

So let’s see what comes up this week…

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Manic Depression (from Live at Winterland)

While I do love me some Hendrix, this particular performance is, to me, a mess. The rest of the recording is stellar and the performance is inspired, but this track just seems to meander too much for my tastes.

2. Kiss – Beth (from Double Platinum)

Boy, two stinkers in a row. Don’t get me wrong, I kinda like Beth, for what it’s worth but it’s just not doing much for me at the moment. Thankfully it’s short.

3. America – Tin Man (from History: America’s Greatest Hits)

Have I died and ended up in Jason Hare’s shuffle? Again, don’t get me wrong, I actually love the mellow gold of America, but it’s not exactly helping in my plight to stay awake. This is a great song though.

4. Green Day – Jesus of Suburbia: I. Jesus of Suburbia / II. City of the Damned / III. I Don’t Care / IV. Dearly Beloved / V. Tales of Another Broken Home (from American Idiot)

I give Green Day a ton of credit for managing to stay “punk” by pulling the most un-punk career moves time and time again. Let’s face it, it rings true that living well is the best revenge and they’ve certainly done just that. Clocking in at just over 9 minutes this is a great tune with more twists and turns then a roller coaster. Five individual movements make up the sum that is “Jesus of Suburbia”, each with its own tone and tempo.

5. Incubus – Stellar (acoustic) (from When Incubus Attacks, Volume 1)

I guess we’re wrapping on a very chill note again. I’m going to have to start setting some conditions for my Friday shuffles to get some boogie back in the Five.

So that’s mine for this week, what’s carrying you out to the car?