The Friday Five: March 9, 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:
“Drown” by The Smashing Pumpkins (from Singles, 1992)
By virtue of its inclusion on the Singles soundtrack this could be my favorite Smashing Pumpkins track. On second thought, that right probably belongs to the the album cut “Mayonnaise” from Siamese Dream, but I’d still place “Drown” at a close second.
“Mishale” by Andru Donalds (from Andru Donalds, 1994)
Okay, raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of Andru Donalds. I’m not going to lie, I’m astounded to find that this tune actually charted in Billboard’s Hot 100.
“The Monster’s Heart” by The Damnwells (2009)
During the recording of No One Listens to the Band Anymore, Alex Dezen opened the studio doors and gave the fans that pledged to fund the record access to the demos, outtakes and sketches from the proceedings. This is the early bones of “The Monster,” and is just as powerful in its quiet acoustic take.
“I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” by ZZ Top (from Greatest Hits, 1992)
Do you think that for a moment the boys in ZZ Top considered for a moment while writing all these blues infused tunes they’d serve as the soundtrack for shilling everything from automobiles to beer?
“The Magic Number” by De La Soul (from The Best Of. 2003)
Ending on a funky note, nice!
What’s on your shuffle today?
12 Comments
David_E
“You Can Never Leave” – Crooked Fingers (from Red Devil Dawn) … I’m on a train. I’m headed into somewhere Appalachiany. I am watching trees go by, and thinking about things like, umm, trees.
“Joy” – Phish (from Joy) … I’m on a microbus. I’m headed into a New England dawn. I am watching road signs go by, and thinking about writing a song called “Joy” with a perpetually joyful guitarist called “Trey” and still somehow making it sound sad.
“You’re My Favorite Waste Of Time” – Lost Causes (from Break Down Laughing) … I’m on a blog. I’m thinking about Marshall Crenshaw, Night Ranger album art, and Jeff Giles y’all.
“Golden” – A Girl Called Eddy (from A Girl Called Eddy) … I’m on a bender. I’m headed into depression. I’m thinking about torch songs and alternate-universe James Bond themes and how well this woman can sing.
“Foolish Pride” – Daryl Hall (from Three Hearts and the Happy Ending Machine) … I’m on the radio. It’s 1986. I’m headed into a solo career. I’m thinking about synthesizers, Motown, and not mustaches. It’s cool.
Michael Parr
Joy is the first Phish record that I find myself listening to from top to bottom, over and over again.
dslifton
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – Louis Prima & Keely Smith. Recorded at the Sahara some time during the mid-1950s, probably at 3 AM when they were half in the bag. Completely awesome, and my second favorite version of this, after Sinatra’s.
“Trying To Get To You” – Chris Isaak. From his album of (mostly) Sun Records covers. It’s mostly inessential in terms of Isaak’s catalog, but still a good listen.
“Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” – Bruce Springsteen (Palladium, 10-28-76). From his “Lawsuit Tour,” so named because his lawsuit with his manager prevented him from entering a recording studio and the band had to go on the road to make money. This was from the first of a six-night stand at the NYC club.
“I’d Be Lying” – Mary Karlzen. Singer-songwriter from South Florida who released a decent album on Atlantic in 1994. I had lived there from 1991-93 and knew some people who knew her. I was sad to see that this didn’t go anywhere.
“As Long As I Have You” – The Detroit Cobras. I love Bloodshot Records, and they always have cool free samplers at Amazon.
Phil
The Clash – “Police on My Back” (Sandinista!, 1980)
“I been running Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday”
Queen – “Flick of the Wrist” (Sheer Heart Attack, 1974)
Quite possibly my favorite Queen album of all time. Seriously.
“Reduce you to a muzak fake machine, then the last goodbye.”
Spock’s Beard – “Made Alive/Overture” (Snow, 2002)
Opening track of the last album—a double-disc concept album at that!—to feature founder Neal Morse.
“Like a flaw that seeks perfection…”
Foo Fighters – “Bridge Burning” (Wasting Light, 2011)
From one album opener to another, this time the latest from Dave Grohl and company. I’m still impressed with how good this album is and how much I’m still listening to it (the true test).
“These are my famous last words!”
Atomic Opera – “New Dreams” (For Madmen Only, 1994)
Epic album-closing slow, crunchy groove from the third band in former ZZ Top manager Sam Taylor’s holy Houston triumvirate that also included King’s X and Galactic Cowboys.
“I use to think that Hell could last forever.”
Quite an eclectic and enjoyable set this week. Later.
Mike Duquette
Been awhile since I’ve been in front of a computer at an appropriate time to post my Five!
1. fun., “Out on the Town”: from the new album “Some Nights,” which currently has the No. 1 song in the country (“We Are Young”). I know a lot of friends have run hot and cold on this album, but I rather enjoy it – not over and over enjoy it, but even so. Oddly, this last track on the album is listed as a “bonus track” – how does that work, exactly, when you know the track is there but it’s somehow separated as such?
2. Johnny Cash, “Goodnight Irene”: from “The Legend” box set. Just got this a month or so ago and I’ve had a lot of fun sprinkling The Man in Black into my usual musical diet. As someone whose first major musical obsession was New Wave/’80s pop about 20 years after it peaked, it’s been fun experimenting a little.
3. George Michael, “Too Funky”: GM seduction, ca. 1992.
4. The Bangles, “Not Like You”: A taut little singalong to close out 1986’s excellent “Different Light.”
5. Men at Work, “High Wire”: a compact little single from the band’s sophomore album, 1983’s “Cargo.” I love “Business As Usual,” but I don’t know much of them beyond what’s on compilations.
Happy Friday, y’all!
jhallCORE
1) Shawn Colvin — “The Facts About Jimmy” (A Few Small Repairs, 1996).
2) Public Enemy — “Move!” (Apocalypse ’91 … The Enemy Strikes Black, 1991).
3) Melissa Etheridge — “The Angels” (Brave And Crazy, 1989).
4) Dave Matthews Band — “Warehouse” (Under The Table And Dreaming, 1994).
5) Bonnie Raitt — “Feeling Of Falling” (Road Tested, 1995).
EightE1
Oh, wow. “The Angels.”
Blerd
(I remember Andru Donalds)
“All Over You”-Live (from Throwing Copper)…Loved these guys for one album, have rarely (and barely) been interested in anything they (or Ed solo) have done since. Although I’ve seen them twice live in the past six or seven years (well, one show was just Ed.) Go figure.
“I’ve Finally Seen The Light”-Daryl Hall (from Soul Alone)…I believe I am alone in my enjoyment of this album. Still debating seeing him in concert next month. Plus: I can scratch seeing Daryl Hall off of my bucket list. Minus: he’s performing without John Oates and with Sharon Jones, who I’m pretty ambivalent towards.
“Are You There (With Another Guy)”-Luther Vandross (from Luther Vandross)…Damn, I miss this man.
“Bootzilla”-Bootsy Collins (from Back in the Day…The Best of Bootsy)…How can you not love Bootsy Collins?
“In Time”-Earth, Wind & Fire (from Faces)…Ending the 5 on a funky note…
Michael Parr
You worked in a record store in the ’90s, of course you do.
Dennis Corrigan
Kicking off a big Friday night of Springsteen and Irish hoops at the Casa d’Java, here’s my Five:
1. “Hold Up” by the Raconteurs from Consolers of The Lonely. I honestly have to admit to not knowing I had this album in my collection which means I’ve probably never listened to it. I would guess I bought it back when I was an emusic subscriber and needed to burn some credits. Anyway, it’s a rocking kickstart 2. “Rollers Show” by Nick Lowe from Jesus of Cool – such a great album 3. “Around the Sun” by R.E.M. from Around the Sun. One of the few notable songs on the worst thing they ever released.4. “Our Lips Are Sealed” by the Go-Go’s from Beauty & the Beat. I love the Go-Go’s – there, I said it. Back in the day I had a major thing for Jane Weidlin (and still might). Her vocal bridge on this song just kills me. Even my wife gives me the look when this comes on.5. “Standing Around Crying” by Muddy Waters from the Chess Box raw blues from the masterHope you hear something great this weekend (& with Springsteen on the radio at 8 tonight, I know you will)!
EightE1
Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive.” Remix from the Greatest reissue. Not as funky, but definitely more … um … Star Warsy?
Depeche Mode, “Enjoy the Silence.” Words are very unnecessary, particularly when you’re in a shit mood, as I am this evening, for whatever reason.
Keith Jarrett, “Sundance.” From Expectations, a damned-near-perfect record.
Al Green, “So You’re Leaving.” A slight song made mighty.
Roots, “Step into the Realm.” Things fall apart, y’all.
Gbv40299
Ryan Adams – “Nothing Girl” (Gold)
Adams trio of Heartbreaker, Gold, and Demolition reached artistic heights which, unfortuately, he has yet to reattain.
Chuck Prophet – “Castro Halloween” (Temple Beautiful)
It’s a major oversight that Chuck is not a major star. His solid string of great albums that go unnoticed is a crime.
Adrian Belew – “Not Alone Anymore” (Young Lions)
Great song, but covering the Travelling Wilburys is a dangerous gamble, especially the Wilburys with Roy Orbison on vocals.
The Beatles – “It’s All Too Much” (Yellow Submarine)
Great aspect of Itunes is hearing great songs like this because, unfortunately, Yellow Submarine is not high in my Beatles CD rotation since it’s more EP than LP.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – “The E Street Shuffle” (Hammersmith Odeon London ’75)
Loved the whole Springsteen week on Jimmy Fallon (wish more bands were given that opportunity) and this was a nice choice to close things out.
“…without muisc, life would be a mistake.”