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:

“Beautiful” (mp3) by Flickerstick (from Causing a Catastrophe – Live)

They may have played their last show, but this band will live on as one of my favorites of the first decade of the new millennium.

“Daughter of the Everglades” by Rory Gallagher (from Big Guns: The Very Best of Rory Gallagher)

Armed with his ‘well loved’ sunburst 1961 Stratocaster Rory brought common man earnestness to every tune that poured from his soul. In doing my research I found this quote, which I think is quite telling… “How does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world? I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher.” – Jimi Hendrix.

“Watermelon in Easter Hay” by Frank Zappa (from Joe’s Garage: Acts I, II & III)

Behind “Pink Napkins” this is my favorite bit of Zappa guitar bliss. The composition itself is simple, the delivery is sublime.

“Mystify” (mp3) by INXS (from Kick)

I’ve been on an INXS kick the past few days. See what I did there? I never did understand how this wasn’t a single.

“Anotherloverholenyohead” by Prince (from The Holy Casino)

I so want to share this excellent live version of the Parade classic, but alas, the purple one (rather his lawyers) would kick my ass. Just trust me; it’s a really good version.

I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!!