The Friday Five: May 13, 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:
“One Way or Another” by Blondie (from Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the ‘80s, Volume 1, 1994)
I don’t begrudge any artist making a few bucks via licensing, but I swear, if I have to hear “One Way or Another” one more time…
“Heaven” by Warrant (from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989)
Oh, goodness. I’d hang my head in shame, if it weren’t for the fact that I still kind of like this song.
“Take Me Home” by Phil Collins (from No Jacket Required, 1985)
iTunes seems to be in a mood today, eh?
“Space (acoustic remix)” by Prince (from Space, 1994)
Originally from Prince’s Come, I actually prefer this stripped down version to the one that is featured on the record. Looking back, Come is a quality album.
“March of the Pigs” by Nine Inch Nails (from March of the Pigs, 1994)
Well, that is one hell of a way to wrap up this week’s five.
What’s on your shuffle today?
52 Comments
Anonymous
1. “Rock ‘n Roll Doctor” – Chris Smither
2. “Hold You In My Arms” – Ray LaMontagne
3. “Isa Lei” – Ry Cooder & Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
4. “I Know I’m Losing You” – The Temptations
5. “As Long As You Follow” – Fleetwood Mac
dslifton
“One Note Samba” – Quincy Jones. It’s an outdated cliche to say, “Yeah, baby!” like Austin Powers, but it still just about all you can say when something from this album comes on.
“Froggie Went A-Courtin'” – Bruce Springsteen. From The Seeger Sessions. Better than Dylan’s version but not as good as Bobby Hill’s.
“Sally Sue Brown” – Arthur Alexander. One of the last recordings of the great soul songwriter.
“Oliver James” – Fleet Foxes. I keep giving them chances because their harmonies are so good, but I wish the songs are better.
“She’s The One” – Bruce Springsteen (Atlanta 8-23-75). Not my favorite show from that tour, especially considering this was just a week after the Bottom Line shows, but still pretty good.
Michael Parr
On paper, I should love Fleet Foxes, but I just don’t. There were shining moments on the first record. The first half of the new record sounds like one continuous—and horribly uninteresting—song. The second half shows some signs of life, but not enough to make me suffer the first half again. It’s a shame because, as you said, those harmonies are so damn good.
dslifton
I heard one song from the new album that was like, “I grew up being told that I was this precious little flower.”
And then it started meandering.
This is why Jagger was wrong. It’s the song, not the singer.
kshane
I’m definitely with you on this Michael. I must be missing something. I realize that I’m in the minority on this, but for me there’s just nothing special about this band. The first album bored me to the point that I don’t really want to hear the new one. I saw them live at Newport a couple of years ago, and that did nothing to change my opinion.
Anonymous
See them perform live, then tell me what you think.
dslifton
I’ve heard them live. They are great singers, and can sing live. It doesn’t change my belief that the songs are sub-par.
Also, beards.
Anonymous
A beard is like a pair of breasts – if you have one, you show it off.
dslifton
Except that you can easily get rid of a beard.
And beards don’t turn me on.
Joy
Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees
Bye Bye Baby (from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) – Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe
Ragged Wood – Fleet Foxes
Uncle Albert – Paul McCartney/Beatles
No Sugar Tonight – The Guess Who
I have no comments to make; I just wanted to play! -Joy
Jeanne Marie
1. Idaho – Josh Ritter
2. Symphony No. 9 – Beethoven
3. Cry Baby Cry – The Beatles
4. Thank You – Alanis Morissette
5. Dixie Lullabye – Leon Russell
Enjoy the weekend!
Chris Holmes
1. System of a Down, “Shimmy” (from Toxicity) – I can’t think of another metal band that’s been able to pack so much aggression, beauty, and weirdness into 2 minutes quite like SOAD.
2. Johann Sebastian Bach, “Largo ma non tanto” – I don’t usually go for classical from the Baroque period, but this is just too gorgeous to be denied.
3. Lambchop, “Flick” (from Is a Woman) – I can’t handle large doses of Lambchop, but in moderation they’re quite good. This is an excellent album.
4. Big Star, “Try Again” (from #1 Record) – A neatly eerie little number, but I still don’t get the Big Star fuss.
5. The O’Jays, “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet Tender Love)” (from Message in the Music) – A skillfully executed piece of discofied R&B, but yet rather toothless just the same.
Michael Parr
Somewhere, Ken Shane is shaking his fist at you for that Big Star comment.
Also, I’m noticing a trend with the classical music creeping up in the shuffle. First Jeanne, and now yours; does anyone else have their Classical music “unchecked” so it doesn’t come up in a shuffle, or is that just me?
Chris Holmes
I used to keep it off, but it comes in handy when riding in the car with a
1-year-old who refuses to sleep.
dslifton
I keep my classical checked, but if something comes up when I’m not in the mood, I’ll skip past it.
de10ero
Jimmie Vaughan-Six Strings D
Stars send up some blues to SRV Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham-I’m Your PuppetSimple greatness with no strings attachedSouthside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes-Hearts Of StoneThanks, Bruce!Malo-SuavecitoLatino oro from a long time agoJohn Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band-Garden Of Eden…”the same old story ever since the world began…”
Anonymous
“Ich Bin Die Fesche Lola” by Marlene Dietrich from Strange Delight (2005) – I didn’t even know this was in my collection. Huh.
“Gone (Live)” by Juliana Hatfield from May 2001. This is a cover of a Madonna song that Juliana was performing quite regularly when she was touring in support of Beautiful Creature. At one point, she was supporting Aimee Mann during her Bachelor No. 2 tour and I was a coordinator for Aimee’s street team. A friend and I attended a couple of the shows on that tour and Juliana performed this song during the first show we saw — and we freaked out, since we’re both huge Madonna fans. The next night during a lull in Juliana’s set, when she was tuning her guitar, my friend and I both yelled out (from the front row), “PLAY GONE!” (I should note that I never yell out requests like that at a show.) She looked at us, laughed and said something like, “you know that one?” A few songs later, she said, “This one is for you two,” pointed at us and then started “Gone.” It was fantastic.
“Time Bomb Town” by Lindsey Buckingham from Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985). I love this song and think it’s one in Lindsey’s oeuvre that gets overlooked. I really wish he’d play it live the next time he tours.
“777-9311” by The Time from What Time Is It? (1982). I believe the story goes that this was Dez Dickerson’s actual phone number, making his life a living hell after it was released. Prince sure knows how to get back at you when you piss him off, doesn’t he?
“Hollaback Girl [ZAX Word Up Radio Edit]” by Gwen Stefani (downloaded from some random blog in 2005). This is a surprisingly good mash-up of “Hollaback Girl” with Cameo’s “Word Up.” It was kinda my jam for a few months after I acquired it.
Anonymous
Kelly, where can I get my hands on that Juliana Hatfield recording?
Anonymous
I don’t have a recording of the show I saw, I just have an mp3 of “Gone” from some other show. I can send it to you, if you want.
Anonymous
That would be fantastic, yes please.
Mike Duquette
1. “New Song (New Version),” Howard Jones – from The 12″ Album, it features one of the most astoundingly addictive synth lines of the ’80s. It’s going to be stuck in my head ALL DAY.
2. “Roll Away Your Stone,” Mumford & Sons – I haven’t given this record enough close listens, but I’m pleasantly surprised how much I enjoy its songs when they come up, given how devoid of gated drums it is.
3. “Milkcow’s Calf Blues,” Robert Johnson – I’ve had a lot of difficulty writing a review of the new RJ set from Legacy that would do it justice, but I wonder if anyone feels the same way I felt originally: as inventive and captivating as the material is, it’s hard to listen to all at once. Maybe that’s just my age talking, I dunno.
4. “Sleeping with a Friend (Demo),” Glenn Tilbrook – this tune ended up on Squeeze’s last new album, 1998’s Domino. It’s one of the few albums of theirs I don’t own; I imagine it doesn’t stack up to much of the rest of their LPs, but I should find out.
5. “Friends Will Be Friends,” Queen – I agree! Happy Friday, friends!
Michael Parr
As much as I love Robert Johnson, I’ll be dammed if I can sit through more than a few songs at a time. I’m interested in hearing the new set, though.
Anonymous
The mood’s gotta be right. Listening to Robert Johnson in the daylight or at work or in the car or on an iPod, not gonna work. Alone in a cold dark room in the middle of the night, now we’re talkin’. Add one other person in the room with some serious voodoo vibes, and then it will be like you’re hearing him for the first time.
Michael Parr
I never thought about the environmental factors. Good point, Michael.
Chad zimmermann
1. “Still Fly” – Big Tymers
2. “What’s Your Fantasy (Remix)” – Ludacris
3. “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again” – Bob Dylan
4. “So Much to Say” – Dave Matthews Band
5. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
Zack Stiegler
Come has aged well, agreed. That sounded filthier than I meant it to be.
1. MJ – She’s Out of My Life
2. Snoop – Doggy Dogg World
Classic.
3. Missy Elliott – All in My Grill (feat. Big Boi)
eh.
4. Analog Brothers – Who Wanna Be Down
5. Justice – Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
Brings back fond memories of Iowa.
Anonymous
I agree, “Come” is a pretty decent, very underrated album. I don’t have any of the remixes digitally (other than what appeared on Crystal Ball), only on vinyl. Gotta get them on my iPod sooner or later.
Anyway, here’s mine:
1. “You Yes You” – tUnE-yArDs
This band and record is on the minds, ears and mouths of lots of people around me right now. Once I heard it, there was no question why. It’s quite possibly THE summer jam. If you’re not moving your body in some way to this stuff, you’re probably dead.
2. “Fresh as a Daisy” – Emmit Rhodes
One man band (or rather, one man overdubbing machine) often compared to Paul McCartney. Pretty good, well-recorded and written record, though I admittedly am even more at home listening to an actual McCartney record. I’ve no doubt Emmit wouldn’t blame me.
3. “Driving Out Of My Mind” – The Blank Tapes
That’s kinda freaky, we go from Emmit Rhodes to another one-man operation in Matt Adams of the Blank Tapes. Wasn’t planned, honest! This song is from his Home Away From Home album, with a loose theme of being out on the road. This particular song recounts the story of being pulled over by a cop, and it’s loaded with tasty guitar licks. Awesome.
4. “Faces” – The Happy Hollows
This is the live version from Daytrotter, way more raw than the studio version. I’ve been missing this band lots. They used to play up and down the west coast tons. Now it appears they’re on hiatus, and band leader Sarah Negahdari has been doing some solo things down in L.A. Come back, Sarah!
5. “Dead” – Beep
This is a cover of the song from the Pixies’ Doolittle album, taken from an album where every song from Doolittle is covered by a different band from the San Francisco Bay Area, often in drastically re-imagined arrangements. I don’t even know how I’d describe this one without sounding like I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about. Needless to say it’s pretty awesome, almost like watching a strange twisty art movie.
Pete
1. “Harry Hood” – Phish (Live – July 1st, 1995 in Mansfield, MA)
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2. “Rainfall” – The Vines / got this from a friend’s external drive dump. you know when you take – i mean borrow – a bunch of tunes you never end up listening to? Not bad, nice harmonies.
3. “Primitive Cool” – Mick Jagger / Title track from Mick’s 1993 solo record. Meh… I do love “Throwaway” and “Say You Will” from this album, though.
4. “My Hometown” – Bruce Springsteen / this is a rare one from an old album called ‘Born in the USA’. You’ve probably never heard of it.
5. “Angel Dance” – Robert Plant / from his latest Band of Joy album. Cover Los Lobos and you are OK in my book. Though it doesn’t touch the greatness of the original. Gimme Hidalgo all day long.
Happy Friday!
BillC
Who is this Bruce Springsteen person you speak of?
Anonymous
1) “I’m Here for the Party” – Gretchen WIlson (ouch!)
2) “Hotel” – 10CC
3) “Talk To Me” – Myracle Brah
4) “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” – Steely Dan
5) “Maniac” Limbomaniacs
kshane
1. “Only the Strong Survive” – Jerry Butler
2. “Red Sky at Night” – David Gilmour (Live in Gdansk)
3. “Blue Jeans” – Blur
4. “America Loves the Minstrel Show” – American Music Club
5. “A Slight Discomfort” – Hold Steady
Anonymous
Hey, I love Come. Oh, get your mind out of the gutter.
1. “Go Easy”- John Martyn from Bless the Weather
Sometimes I get in the mood for this fella, who could write some lovely songs when he set his mind to it.
2. “Jet Tambourine”- Marc Bolan/T.Rex from Tanx Home Demos
From a collection of Tanx home demos somebody put up for DL on the Marc Bolan Facebook page. Sometimes Bolan was pretty interesting, dicking around in front of his reel-to-reel.
3. “Hurricane Season”- Trombone Shorty from Backatown
Yeah, I watch Treme, what about it? Fierce horn-driven jazz/funk workout.
4. “Move Over Busker”- Paul McCartney, from Press to Play
Never understood why so many people seemed to dislike this record; I thought it was the best thing he did in the period between Tug of War and Driving Rain.
5. “Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter”- R.E.M. from Collapse into Now
Weeks later, and this album hasn’t stuck with me at all. This one’s a lot of crash and bash, probably more fun when you see them perform it live…and I hate that title, which is at least better than “Mine Smells Like Honey”.
Michael Parr
I have a feeling that Come is one of those records that everyone loves, but no one talks about. It probably doesn’t help that it often gets overshadowed by The Gold Experience.
Anonymous
I think it got kinda lost in the shuffle, what with all the drama he had going on at the time. Warners barely promoted it, and even Prince seemed indifferent towards it because he was being pissy. I myself waited for a while to get it, until I saw an interview somewhere with Greg Dulli, of all people, who praised it.
Michael Parr
I remember getting the promotional material for Come with the “Prince is dead” crap all over it. Have you ever heard Dulli’s take on “When Doves Cry”?
Anonymous
The one with the Twilight Singers and Appolonia? It’s oh so ominous, isn’t it?
Michael Parr
Wait, what? No … and now I’m scrambling to find this.
I have the Afghan Whigs doing it live, though “ominous” is probably the best possible word for that version, as well.
Anonymous
Here’s a link to the version I’ve heard: http://bit.ly/jQiCRC
Michael Parr
Ha! I totally have that collection and just overlooked it. *slaps forehead*
BillC
Under the Red Sky-Dylan Title track from a very underrated album.
Nullarbour Song-Kasey Chambers from Barricades and Brickwalls. I love Kasey Chamber’s music. She is amazing. This is an amazing song.
Wait Until Tomorrow-Hendrix from Radio One. Ahh, nothing clears the Friday fog like Hendrix.
I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass-Nick Lowe from Pure Pop for Now People. Maybe Nick’s best song. This is such a great ditty. This album does not have a bad song on it that I can recall.
Flint Hill Special-NGDB from “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Hendrix and kick butt bluegrass all in one five. Is this a great country or what?
Anonymous
Agreed about Under the Red Sky.
Michael Parr
Have you heard the Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson record? So, so good.
Bill C
Oh yeah. It is fabulous.
Mike
My Five:
1) “Heart Be Still” by Deee-Lite: Perfect song to start the post-work proceedings on a Friday night. It’s always a party when Deee-Lite are around.
2) “Rock & Roll is Dead” by Led Zep…um, Lenny Kravitz: Mr. Duquette hipped me to “Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead” when I was in NYC last week. The passage in which Neil Strauss tries to get Lenny to admit that he nicked Zeppelin for this song is hilarious.
3) “O Boy ’90” by Soho: My iTunes apparently thinks we’re in a New York City club circa 1991.
4) :”So Ghetto” by Jay-Z: “Vol. 3” might actually be the worst Jay-Z solo studio album ever. This is it’s best track by leaps and bounds.
5) “Rage” by Chromeo: Yep, my music library wants to dance right now. So I’ll dance.
EightE1
I still listen to “Pheromone,” from Come. One of Prince’s finer jams.
Aside from that comment, caveat emptor: I’m drunk.
Billy Joel, “I Go to Extremes.” I broke up with my girlfriend around the time this was popular. I think I was 19. I was in the prime of my physical life, still a few years removed from my emotional and mental peaks. I coulda used this as a quasi- explanation for her. “Sometimes I’m tired, sometimes I’m shot, sometimes I don’t know how much more I got.” I’ve been on that tip for 21 or 22 years now.
Loverboy, “This Could Be the Night.” I’m saving a big ol’ “Death by Power Ballad” column for this one. In fact, when I decide to shut the column down at some point, this may be the song I end it all with. From Lovin’ Every Minute of It — possibly the quintessential arena rock album of my adolescence.
Survivor, “Is This Love.” Totally by accident, a song from the other quintessential arena rock album of my adolescence. I don’t think I’ve ever been down the mean streets and blind alleys, where the currency of love changes hands. Though sometimes it feels like it.
Barry Manilow, “I Write the Songs.” Oh. Dear. God. #fuckmikelove
Live, “All Over You.” Great song. Iffy band, but great song.
Michael Parr
“This Could Be the Night” followed by “Is This Love”? How perfect is that that?
dslifton
Wow, I never thought I’d see a Friday Five where “I Go To Extremes” is the best song.
Shannon
“Carey,” Joni Mitchell from Blue. Oh, how I love this song. It was on a mix tape I made for a vacation I took many years ago. Hearing it makes me happy.
“Have A Little Faith In Me,” John Hiatt from Comes Alive at Budokan. More happy. Great song, and no one does it better than Hiatt himself. I’d love to see him live again; haven’t since the 90s.
“Kick Drum Heart,” Avett Brothers from I And Love And You. Fun song, like others of theirs better.
“How Do,” Mary Chapin Carpenter from State of the Heart. I’m a huge fan of MCC, but not of most of her mainstream country sounding stuff like this one.
“Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me,” Cracker from Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey. Good tune from Cracker’s latest album, which I think is one of their best offerings. I’m a big fan of these guys – saw them last week here. I’ve seen them a bunch over the years and have never seen them put on a bad show.
Yay Friday!
de10ero
Sorry,I gotta redo that botched earlier effort…
Jimmie Vaughan-Six Strings Down
Stars send some blues up to SRV
Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham-I’m Your Puppet
Simple greatness with no strings involved
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes-Hearts Of Stone
Thanks, Bruce!
Malo-Suavecito
Latino oro from a long time ago
John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band-Garden Of Eden
…”the same old story ever since the world began…”
Dennis Corrigan
The “having read the comments, I’m afraid to post” edition:
1. “Mornington Crescent” by Belle & Sebastian from The Life Pursuit
2. “Hurricane” by Bob Dylan from Desire
3. “Especially For You” by the Smithereens from Green Thoughts
4. “Clampdown” by The Clash from London Calling – I guess tonight’s theme is quiet bits of pop followed by biting protest songs
5. “Shot Down In Flames” by AC/DC from Highway To Hell – and we wrap up with a fine example of head banging cock rock
For the record, I like the new Fleet Foxes record more than the new Okkervil River (at least so far) and love Big Star 😉
Hope you hear something good this weekend
Michael Parr
I have the Okkervil River record in my queue for this weekend. I’ll get back to you after I listen to it.
Michael Parr
I have the Okkervil River record in my queue for this weekend. I’ll get back to you after I listen to it.