February- Rick

Redemption Song 3:28 Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
Even though some of the lyrics are whacked, the main message is of transcendent hope. Nothing wrong with that. This has been in my personal listening rotation the most of any song the past six months.

Where Did the Spring Go 2:04 The Kinks
Not apparently on any album except weird compilations , my friend Betsy Nichols sent it in another CD club. Good New Millennium Depression music.

Astonished (In Memphis) 5:32 Giant Sand Chore Of Enchantment
Giant Sand has as a rhythm section of the main two dudes from Calexico. They are very interesting live if you ever get a chance.

The Warmth Of The Sun 2:53 Beach Boys
I saw them perform it live with Willie Nelson once. It was one of Carl Wilson’s last shows before he died. They said they wrote it the night they heard that JFK was murdered.

What A Waster 2:58 The Libertines What A Waster
Too many fucking wasters in my life the last five years.

History Lesson, Pt. 2 3:52 The Minutemen Double Nickels On The Dime
I’m not sure why exactly, but this is my favorite song. I think it is about love, friendship style. D. Boon died in a freak car crash.

Without You 2:28 Hope Roth
My daughter Hope’s new CD. It is really good. What a blessed Dad I am.

Love Me Like You 4:53 The Magic Numbers The Magic Numbers
From England, not glamorous and they are good and they sure sound happy.

She Cracked (1972 Demo Version) 2:40 The Modern Lovers A rarer version. Jonathan Richman is great.

Sure Hope You Mean It 3:42 Raphael Saadiq The Way I See It
Somehow a new soul record that sounds like the old stuff but doesn’t sound like a cheap imitation. The whole record is good if you get a chance.

pissing in the wind 4:19 badly drawn boy the hour of bewilderbeast
This is called shoegazer music sometime. So be it.

The Way You Look Tonight 3:00 Billie Holiday
You can never have too much billie holiday in your life

Try Not To Look So Pretty 2:57 Dwight Yoakam
This is what country could be

I'm Beginning To See The Light 3:37 Ella Fitzgerald The Gold Collection
Her voice is a force

Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome? 3:31 Gram Parsons & The International Submarine Band Safe At Home
Gram Parsons before he was a star. Definitely one of a kind. Harvard drop-out, died young, his body was stolen and burned out in the desert in Joshua Tree.

Ruler of My Heart 2:37 Irma Thomas
I always loved Irma and then my first trip to New Orleans I saw her at her new club (now washed away) called the Lion’s Den and she sang like an angel, was incredibly gracious, and we got a lasting hug good-bye. Doesn’t get better than that.

Just Because it's Dying 3:43 Jenny Toomey Tempting: Jenny Toomey Sings the Songs of Franklin Bruno
Jenny was in a punkish band Tsunami and is a journalist. Look up Franklin Bruno on line, he is the most unlikely looking musician you ever saw.

Black Sheep Boy 1:19 Okkervil River Black Sheep Boy More shoegazer stuff, the good kind

Battered Senseless MIA Heart 4:01 Silver Lining Well Dressed Blues
Local band, who are great live that are on a sort of sabbatical. The woman singer can do Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin covers that are killer.

Bird On Your Grave 5:02 Marissa Nadler Songs III: Bird On The Water
Her new CD is better but I don’t have it. She was my kid’s nanny last year.

John Henry 3:14 Odetta Treasury of Folk - V4
I made my grandson (2.5 y.o.) a CD of all John Henry songs, he is obsessed. Odetta is his favorite. He has good taste.

Scissors 3:48 Ivy Neff Another daughter Ivy recorded this a few years ago. She has got away from music, I hope she gets back to it. Her brother Oliver is on drums, he has continued and has great drum chops.

Station Blues 2:10 Othar Turner & The Rising Star Fife & Drum Band Everybody Hollerin' Goat
Otha died a couple years ago. I have never heard any other music like this. He taught his granddaughter to play so the beat may go on.