• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 16, 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:

    “Class Act” by James Hunter (from The Hard Way, 2008)

    Whoa! Where the hell has this been hiding? I’ve had this on my hard drive for a few weeks—courtesy of Jeff Giles—but hadn’t had the chance to listen to it. I’m going to have to go back after the Five is done and listen to the rest of this.

    Mixed Nuts” by DJ Krush (from Krush, 1995)

    This is the second week that a musical segue showed up in the second slot. Boo!

    Runaround” by Van Halen (from The Best of Both Worlds, 2004)

    Now this is more like it! I remember burning out not one, but two copies of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge when it initially came out. For me, this track is the closest that Van Hagar got to sounding like Van Halen, with the breakdown recalling the tongue-in-cheek sexual innuendo of “Panama,” and the infectious main riff recalling any one of Eddie’s early rockers. Shit, I’m hitting repeat on this one.

    Best Friend” by The Drums (from The Drums, 2010)

    I’m calling this one a ‘jaunty, feel good tune!’

    True Love Ways” by Peter & Gordon (from Top of the Pops 1965, 2007)

    What an odd way to finish off the Five. With that, onto the weekend!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 9, 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:

    Darling, I Hum Our Song” by Martha and The Vandellas (from The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 3: 1963, 2005)

    There is nothing like a bluesy torch song to kick off the Friday Five. A few weeks back I mentioned the most intimidating set in my collection was The Complete Stax-Volt Singles: 1959-1968. I have to recant, and give that title to The Complete Motown Singles.

    Final Count of the Collision Between Us and the Damned” by Public Enemy (from Fear of a Black Planet, 1994)

    Damn segues!

    “Under the Gun” by Schleprock (from (America’s) Dirty Little Secret, 1996)

    ANGST! ANGER! ANARCHY! CORPORATE SPONSORS! Schleprock’s dirty little secret was the fact that they were Atlantic Records’ last grasp at the mid ’90s punk revival.

    Wolfman’s Brother” by Phish (from 2004-06-19: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, 2004)

    For as much Phish as I have in my library, I’m not intimately familiar with it all. The good thing about this is I’m always discovering new jams. This one is a greasy slice of funk, featuring a great bit of sparring between Trey and Mike.

    Deep River Woman” by Lionel Richie (from Dancing on the Ceiling, 1986)

    I’m really not sure what to say about this. Lionel, for all his R&B and Pop leanings loves him some country music. Case in point: “Deep River Woman”; which blends Lionel’s smooth vocal with the equally polished harmonies of Alabama.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 2, 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:

    “AC/DC Bag” by Phish (from 2004-06-18: KeySpan Park, Brooklyn, NY, USA, 2004)

    Nothing like easing back into the Friday Five with a jammy bit o’ goodness from Vermont’s finest. After six days without power, I probably resemble a touring phan more than I’d care to admit.

    “Crank Me Up” by BulletBoys (from BulletBoys, 1988)

    Well it isn’t “Smooth Up in Ya,” or “For the Love of Money,” so … next!

    “Now” by Prince (from The Gold Experience, 1995)

    “Don’t worry about my name, it’s 2 long 2 remember. I could tell U now, but we’d be here ’till next September” For as clunky, and dated, as some of the material on The Gold Experience is, it still kicks a good bit of ass.

    “Beck’s Bolero” by The Jeff Beck Group (from The Rolling Stone Collection: 1967-1969, 1993)

    Duh-da-da-da-duh-da-da-da-duh-da-da-da-duh-duh-duh

    “Snakes in Schubas” by Jason Mraz (from Selections for Friends, 2007)

    So before I close this out, I want to thank Jeff Giles for picking up my slack last week. I also want to give a plug, and plea, for everyone to check out After the Flood: A Compilation to Benefit Upstate New York Victims of Hurricane Irene. It’s a few bucks for a good cause, and in return you’ll get a great collection of tunes from some of New York’s finest singer/songwriters.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: August 26, 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:

    It’s been a long time since the “Home Edition!” banner has flown. As you read this I’ll either be signing checks with too many zeroes, or hauling my families life into a new domicile. Either way, I knew I wouldn’t have a chance to hit shuffle and drop a five for you all this week, so I’m turning the spotlight to Jeff Giles, Editor in Chief of Popdose, Dadnabbit, bourbon drinker, and all around swell guy. I’m sure you’ll be in good hands. – Michael Parr

    1. “It,” by Prince (from Sign o’ the Times, 1987)
    This is one of probably 75,000 songs in my library that I’ve never listened to. Well, not until now, anyway. I have the Prince library because I know I’m supposed to, but I avoided the little purple wonder when he was at his commercial peak, and I think even his most ardent fans have to admit that the post-symbol years have been pretty bumpy. Anyway, I like this. And given Michael’s intense Princelove (or is that Princelovesexy?), it makes for a fitting leadoff.

    2. “Have I Told You Lately,” by Van Morrison (from The Best of Van Morrison, 1990)
    Fuck you, MediaMonkey. I mean, yeah, I know it isn’t Van’s fault that Rod Stewart put his greasy fingerprints all over this song a few years later. But still. Fuck you.

    3. “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah,” by The Pogues (from Rest of the Best, 1994)
    It’s as dumb as a bag of rocks with Paris Hilton’s face painted on it — and it’s also one of my favorite Pogues songs. Every night, a cover band should be playing this in a sweaty, over-crowded bar somewhere. It makes life feel like a montage from The Commitments.

    4. “You’re the Only One,” by J. Geils Band (from Monkey Island, 1977)
    An understated gem from one of the band’s less-remembered records, “You’re the Only One” blends Magic Dick’s trademark harmonica with a sad, soulful Peter Wolf vocal and some lovely Mellow Gold harmonies. If this had been a hit instead of “Centerfold,” who knows what might have happened?

    5. “Naked Girl,” by Jeremy Fisher (from Flood, 2010)
    The first time Michael heard this track, he did the IM equivalent of grabbing me by the lapels and screaming in my face, “WHY ISN’T THIS A HIT?!?” I didn’t have any idea then, and I don’t now. Just a perfect pop song, from the impeccably crafted arrangement to the sun-kissed vocals. And really, who hasn’t done something stupid to see a naked girl? That’s universal truth right there.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: August 19, 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:

    “Look Sharp!” by Joe Jackson (from Look Sharp!, 1979)

    Why are you yelling at me, Joe Jackson?

    “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan (from MTV Unplugged, 1995)

    Indeed.

    “Wake Up Everybody (live in studio performance)” by John Legend & The Roots (from Wake Up!, 2010)

    Why do these album titles keep yelling at me? Look Sharp! Wake Up!

    “Team” by Bon Iver (from For Emma, Forever Ago, 2008)

    I still fail to see what everyone loves about Bon Iver.

    “Girl” by The Beatles (from Rubber Soul, 1965)

    Sweet finish to summer’s penultimate Friday Five.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: August 5, 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:

    “A Boat Like Gideon Brown” by Great Big Sea (from Sea of No Cares, 2002)
    “One Slip” by Pink Floyd (from A Momentary Lapse of Reason, 1987)
    “Enemies With Benefits (feat. Tonedeff)” by CunninLynguists (from Oneirology, 2011)
    “Spanish Eyes” by Madonna (from Like a Prayer, 1989)
    “Shame” by Depeche Mode (from Construction Time Again, 1983)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 29, 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:

    A quick Friday Five for all you patient girls and boys. It’s also the first Friday Five shuffled up from Spotify!

    “Cold Day in the Sun” by Foo Fighters (from Skin and Bones, 2006)
    “Tame” by Pixies (from Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies, 2004 )
    “You Left a Long, Long Time Ago” by Willie Nelson (from One Hell of a Ride, 2008)
    “Down incognito” by Winger (from The Very Best of Winger, 2001)
    “Not the Red Baron” by Tori Amos (from Boys for Pele, 1996)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 22, 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:

    “Rewrite” by Paul Simon (from So Beautiful or So What, 2011)

    There aren’t enough hours in the day to listen to Simon’s latest record as much as I’d like. “Rewrite” is just one of the many reasons why.

    “Another Lonely Christmas” by Prince & The Revolution (from 12″ Archive 2.0, 2001)

    Christmas in July? With temperatures across the country reaching well into the triple digits, I’d bet everyone could stand a little holiday cheer to remind them that snow and sub-zero temperatures that’ll be here in just six short months. There’s not much cheer to be found here, though.

    “Legs (dance-enhancing version)” by ZZ Top (from Greatest Hits, 1992)

    I know, I know … what is “Legs” without the video, right?

    That’s better, right?

    “The Scientist” by Johnette Napolitano & Danny Lohner (from Wicker Park, 2004)

    Take the already haunting Coldplay cut, amp it up with the incomparable vocals of Concrete Blonde’s Johnette Napolitano, and you’ve got yourself a perfect cover.

    “[silence]” by Nine Inch Nails (from Broken, 1992)

    They say silence is golden. I swear, this is the next track that shuffled up, though I feel like I might be cheating you guys. Maybe I should elucidate on just how … oh, forget it. I used the word elucidate and I want to kick my own ass right now.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 15, 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:

    “Behind the Wheel (Vince Clark remix)” by Depeche Mode (from Remixes 2: 81-11, 2011)

    Both Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder make appearances on this second remix collection from Depeche Mode.

    “Kept” by Matt Nathanson (from Modern Love, 2011)

    I first discovered Matt Nathanson through his appearance on Live From Daryl’s House; and no sooner completely forgot about him. Save for his big hit “Come on Get Higher,” I’d be hard pressed to name another song. His new record, however, is quite good.

    “Baba O’Riley” by Pearl Jam (from Live at the Gorge 05/06, 2007)

    This is probably my favorite Pearl Jam cover. I remember buying a bootleg import back in the early ’90s that closed with an insanely raw version of the tune.

    “Colonized Mind” by Prince (from Lotus Flow3r, 2009)

    ZZzz …

    “Michelle (1965 stereo mix)” by The Beatles (from Rubber Soul, 2009)

    Let me take this space to express my extreme jealousy of those of you getting to see Macca at Yankee Stadium this weekend.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 8, 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:

    “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” by Vertical Horizon (from Everything You Want, 1999)

    I particularly like the version of this that Vertical Horizon leader Matt Scannell and Richard Marx perform on their Duo Live record.

    “The Warrior (feat. Patty Smyth)” by Scandal (from Rock of the 80’s, Volume 14, 1994)

    I never understood the whole “featuring Patty Smyth” thing. It struck me much in the same way as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. I mean, is it Maze without Frankie Beverly?

    “Soundtrack” by The Damnwells (from One Last Century, 2009)

    After you leave your Five in the comments, you should check out this excellent live performance by Alex of The Damnwells.

    “Everything She Wants” by Wham! (from Make It Big, 1984)

    I’m far less ashamed to admit my love for Wham! now, than I was when I was 10.

    “Heart and Soul” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)

    It’s, like, a totally awesome ’80s one-two punch to close out this week’s Friday Five!

    What’s on your shuffle today?