THE PLAYLIST:
Broke My Heart, Tim Easton (from the New West Records release Porcupine)
“Love and destruction seem to go together, when you find one the other’s close behind. A broken heart isn’t the worst thing in the world, when you give it justa little piece of time.”
Six Fast Bullets, These United States (from the United Interests release Crimes)
Music doesn’t get much more loose than on this stand-out from the band’s 2008 release. It sounds as if the band went into the studio to party, the outcome being this jagged blues-based rock jam. “I got six fast bullets and only five complaints,” declares singer Jesse Elliott, “I got six fast bullets, people, I ain’t never claimed to be a saint,” declares singer Jesse Elliott, “I got six fast bullets and only five complaints.”
Good Hearted Man, Tift Merritt (from the Fantasy Records release Buckingham Solo)
This live solo piano performance exposes the beauty of the song and the angelic quality of Merritt’s voice. It is a sharp contrast to the “Dusty in Memphis” soul sound of the original recorded version, yet is equally enjoyable.
That’s New York, the Right Ons (from the 2fer Records release Look Inside, Now!)
Though their usual sound is a potent mix of Detroit rock rhythm-n-blues, the band slows down the tempo. At least just a bit. There’s nothing like hearing five Spainards sing the praises of New York, with some killer horn accompaniment to boot.
Piece of Work, Daddy (from the self-released Rare & Unreleased, Vol. 1)
Tommy Womack and the mighty Will Kimbrough clean out the archives in advance of their forthcoming new studio release. This Kimbrough classic has been covered by Jimmy Buffett (with Toby Keith) but I’ll take the songwriter’s version any day of the week.
American Tune, John Boutte & Paul Sanchez (from the Threadhead Records release Stew Called New Orleans)
This is something special. The honeyed vocals of New Orleans jazz singer John Boutte and subtle acoustic guitar from former Cowboy Mouth musician Paul Sanchez take this Paul Simon classic to stunning new heights.
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel (from the Columbia/Legacy release Simon & Garfunkel Live 1969)
“This is also one of our new songs,” says Art Garfunkel by way of introduction to this performance recorded at Carnegie Hall on 28 November 1969. It sends a chill down my spine to early public performance of what is certainly one of the top pop recordings of all time. It is mind-blowing to think that this is an early public performance of what has gone on to become one of the top pop recordings of all time.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.