Happy Birthday Van Morrison

George Ivan Morrison was born on this day 65 years ago.  Many of you know him better as Van "The Man" Morrison.

Van Morrison with Georgie Fame - Early In The Morning (mp3)
Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview (mp3)

I'm Goin' Down

Vampire Weekend covered Bruce Springsteen's "I'm Goin' Down" the other night in concert.  Check how they compare to the original.  Not too bad.

Bruce Springsteen - I'm Goin' Down (mp3)

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

I just recently started listening to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' latest album, I Learned the Hard Way, that came out in April of this year.  Just like their previous album, 100 Days, 100 Nights, this album is great from beginning to end.  Sharon Jones has such a powerful voice and the Dap-Kings are awesome.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (mp3)
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - Better Things (mp3)

Recently, at a festival in a Chicago suburb, a teen band (Northbrook Garage) performed a cover version of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' "She Ain't a Child No More".  They do a good job.  Here is their version along with the original.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - "She Ain't A Child No More" - WOXY Lounge SXSW 2010 from WOXY on Vimeo.

One Eskimo

There is a great band called One Eskimo that the local public radio station, KXT, has been playing.  My wife really likes the song "Kandi" and she wears the kids out every time it plays on the radio.  The song is real catchy especially when they sample Candi Stanton's song "He Called Me Baby".  One Eskimo is definitely worth checking out.

One Eskimo - Simple Day (mp3)
One Eskimo - Kandi (mp3)

Candi Stanton - He Called Me Baby (mp3)

Happy Birthday John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker was born on this day back in 1917.  Please take a moment of silence and pour yourself one bourbon, one scotch, one beer.  Then let John Lee Hooker play the blues.

John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom Boom (mp3)

John Lee Hooker with Bonnie Raitt - I'm In The Mood(mp3)

John Lee Hooker with Van Morrison - Gloria (mp3)

Cadillac Ranch

On our way back from Colorado we stopped at Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo, TX on I40.  It is a public art display of old cadillacs sticking in the ground of a farm pasture.  If you are ever driving near Amarillo it is worth the stop and make sure you bring spray paint.

 

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Cadillac Ranch (mp3)
Bruce Springsteen - Cadillac Ranch (mp3)
Bruce Springsteen - Pink Cadillac (mp3)
Rosanne Cash - Black Cadillac (mp3)
The Clash - Brand New Cadillac (mp3)
Drive-By Truckers - Carl Perkins' Cadillac (mp3)
Peppermint Harris - Cadillac Funeral (mp3)

Road Trip

I am sure at some point this summer you have loaded up the family in the family truckster and headed out on a road trip.  Here are some great road trip tunes so do not spill your Big Gulp while you are tapping toes and heading on down the road.  Safe travels!

Matt Pond PA - Holiday Road (mp3)

Willie Nelson - On The Road Again (mp3)

John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (mp3)

Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel (mp3)

The Replacements - Someone Take The Wheel (mp3)

Steve Earle - Guitar Town (mp3)

James McMurtry - Walk Between The Raindrops (mp3)

Gram Parsons' International Submarine Band - Folsom Prison Blues/That's All Right (mp3)

John Fogerty - Lookin' Out My Back Door (mp3)

Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road (mp3)

Rolling Stones - Memory Motel (mp3)

Roadside Graves - Holiday Road (mp3)

In Between Days

"In Between Days" by The Cure is a song that always brings back fond memories.  We were all listening to The Cure in the eighties.  Here is a couple of good cover versions by Ben Folds and Superchunk along with the original.

The Cure - In Between Days (mp3)

Superchunk covers The Cure

Jerry Garcia's Birthday

Photo from mannythmovieguy.com

Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday.  If he were still living he would be 68 today.  Happy birthday Jerry!

Grateful Dead - Scarlett Begonias (mp3)
Jerry Garcia - Deal (mp3)