The Friday Five: January 20, 2012
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:
“Stay” by Erykah Badu (from Live, 1997)
“I’ma test this out…” admits Badu at the beginning of this track, copping to the fact that she intended to cover the Rufus classic at the Soul Train awards show, but “got scared.” She then proceeds to absolutely kick the type of performance that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.
“Pope” by Prince (from The Hits/The B-Sides, 1993)
“You don’t understand … I ain’t scared of you mutha fuckers!”
“Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen (from Greatest Hits, 1995)
I suppose I’m beholden to discuss The Boss’ new tune in this space, but I have only listened to it once or twice. The jury is still out, as far as I’m concerned. It’s not a bad song, it just seems a little heavy handed. While not as big a Springsteen fan as most of you that read the Five, I still felt the absence of Clarence at the close where his solo clearly should have been.
“Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe (from Theatre of Pain, 1985)
Vince Neil recently played a show locally. I don’t know why that matters, I just found it odd to think he’s still out there trying to sustain some form of a career without the Crüe. I suppose that will all stop once their Vegas residency starts.
“Stuck With You” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)
“Stuck With You” is only behind “If This Is It” in my list of favorite Huey Lewis tunes.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 8, 2011
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?
The Friday Five: February 19, 2010
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:
“Another Day” by Dream Theater (from Images and Words, 1992)
Oh Dream Theater, how your melodrama seems to haunt the Friday Five. You may recall that this tune reared its ugly head back in October, where I speculated on David Fosters’ involvement in the high gloss production of the power ballad. Upon further research, it turns out that it was producer Jay Beckenstein — of the Smooth Jazz/Fusion group Spyro Gyra — that supplied the soprano saxophone solo. This doesn’t change the fact that this tune is a sappy lump of crap on an otherwise quality record.
“The Best of My Love” by The Eagles (from On the Border, 1974)
I unapologetically will proclaim my love for this song, though. Penned by Henley, Frey and J.D. Souther, this holds some magical nostalgia for me as I can recall listening to this, followed by England Dan & John Ford Coley’s “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” and “She’s Gone” by Hall & Oates in the back seat of my mothers Pontiac.
“Stuck With You” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Fore!, 1986)
Come on, how can you resist?
By the by, Huey and the boys recently spent some time in Ardent Studios in Memphis cutting a new record paying tribute to the Stax catalog.
“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” by Black Sabbath (from Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973)
I had nearly given up on this week’s shuffle providing some bite; enter my favorite Sabbath tune. I will admit that my introduction to the song came by way of Anthrax’s faithful cover on their I’m the Man EP. I had heard the tune before, both on Ozzy’s Speak of the Devil and a mix-tape a friend had made me with the original Sabbath version, but it was Anthrax’s take that sold me on the song originally. To this day, I’ll reach for this one when I want to bring the RAWK.
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” by Elton John (from The Greatest Hits 1970-2002, 2002)
The Saturday nights of my youth were often spent glued to the radio, listening to the “All-request Saturday Night with Dr. John Barron.” This track would make its weekly appearance and signal the start of the more rock-oriented portion of the evening.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 17, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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:
Raphael Saadiq – “Never Give You Up” (feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton)(from The Way I See It, 2008)
Raphael Saadiq took Neo-Soul to a whole new level with this record. Classic soul with a killer Stevie harmonica solo.
Huey Lewis & The News – “So Little Kindness” (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)
Everyone’s favorite little bar band and the subject of the latest installment of Rock Court over at Popdose (link)
Prince – “Dig U Better Dead” (from Chaos and Disorder, 1996)
Not my favorite, but one of the better tracks from this lackluster effort.
Fall Out Boy – “What a Catch, Donnie” (from Folie à Deux, 2008)Patrick Stump does his best Elvis Costello, only to be trumped by the man himself making an appearance.
Guns N’ Roses – “Paradise City” (from Appetite for Destruction, 1987)
Nice way to tie it up!
What next on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: April 10, 2009
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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 more the merrier!
The Five:
“Oh Sherrie” (mp3) by Steve Perry (from Street Talk)
Perry’s first foray away from Journey ended up sounding more or less like, well, a Journey record (albeit with less Neal Schon). I fondly recall this tune being absolutely everywhere the summer of 1984.
“Workin’ for a Livin'” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News)
Between “Takin’ Care of Business” and “Workin’ for the Weekend” this completes the perfect trifecta of “Workin’ Man” songs that for some reason always remind me of 80’s Michael Keaton.
“U Don’t Have to Call” by Usher (from 8701)
Between 8701 and Confessions Usher Raymond cemented himself as the go-to Pop/R&B guy. Sure, he may not have Musiq‘s or Raphael Saadiq‘s soul or Brian McKnight‘s velvety voice, but the ladies love him and he can dance his ass off.
“The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground (from Sex Packets)
Ya’ll know this… time to do the Humpty Dance!!
“Ask the Lonely” by Journey (from Greatest Hits)
Apparently iTunes is in the mood to hear Mr. Perry’s voice. I’ll abide…
What’s shuffling up on your player today?
Review: Huey Lewis & The News Live at Seaside Summer Concert Series
The Heart of Rock & Roll is still beating in Coney Island.
“New York, New York, is everything they say and no place that I’d rather be”, with these words Huey Lewis & The News kicked off the final show of the 30th Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park in Coney Island. The band wasted little time in bringing their West Coast flavor of blue-eyed soul to Brighton Beach.
The first highlight for me came early in the set when I finally got to see the band perform “If This Is It”. I’ve seen Huey and the boys no less than 4 times in the last 4 years and this tune has eluded me each time. Stef Burns (Y&T, Alice Cooper, Shelia E.) absolutely ruled the evening on the musical front letting loose solo after solo. Next up was “The Power of Love” followed by the new tune “Pineapple Express” from the movie of the same name (check out Popdose for Jason Hare’s take on Soundtrack “Title” Songs). Personally I dig the tune, even if it is just “Hip to be Square” with different lyrics.
For the A Cappella portion of the show the band followed the concert staple “It’s Alright” with “Under the Boardwalk” which had the entire crowd on its feet and singing along. The next highlight for me was the rarity “Walking On a Thin Line” which I last saw performed with Chris Berman (yes, that Chris Berman) on guest vocals.
For the encore the band rolled out it’s ‘other’ soundtrack hit “Back in Time” followed by a slower mellower version of “Do You Believe in Love”. The night ended with “Workin’ for a Livin'” and a dedication to “Brooklyn’s Finest”.
I also have to mention the opener Paul Thorn whom I will write about at great length in a coming post, but for now echo Huey’s sentiment that “there ain’t nothing not to like about Paul Thorn.”
Huey Lewis & The News
Asser Levy Park, Coney Island, NY
August 21, 2008Set List:
The Heart of Rock & Roll
My Other Woman
I Want a New Drug >
Small World
If This Is It
The Power of Love
Pineapple Express
Jacobs Ladder
It’s Alright
Under the Boardwalk
Walking On a Thin Line
Heart and Soul
But It’s Alright
We’re Not Here for a Long TimeBack in Time
Do You Believe in Love
Workin’ for a Livin’Bonus Video!
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace