This morning's commute

Wrote this for another blog and it came out pretty good so thought id share it here.
This is from my ipod on shuffle play connected to the car stereo.

Marvin Gaye-Lets Get It On

Almost ruined for good by that idiot Jack Black in “High Fidelity”, fortunately the tune is damn near indestructible.

David Crosby-Traction in the Rain

From his awesome solo album, “If I Can Only Remember My Name”. Came around to Crosby about five years ago after hearing “Draft Morning” from “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” LP. Used to think he was just a stupid hippie. OK, he probably is but he wrote some great songs. This album has tons of uncredited guest musicians that read like a who’s who of the California scene. Neil Young shows up here as do members of the Airplane and the Dead. Since they recorded for different companies, their contracts forbid them from appearing on another label.

Small Faces- The Autumn Stone

Steve Marriott could sing anything. The ballads are just as effective as the rave-ups. Tragic that we lost him so early in his life. One of THE unheralded greats.

Bob Dylan-Little Sadie

From “Self Portrait” in which every review I’ve ever read exclaimed that I should avoid like the plague. Not so. The record gets dismissed because it’s unpolished, and lots of flubs are left in. That simply adds to it’s charm. It’s very much in the same family as “The Basement Tapes” in that there are little if any overdubs. Dylan is such a complex figure, and the music he makes will always be secondary to the lyrics he writes and sings because of who he is. It’s really too bad about that because his instincts towards what sounds good MUSICALLY never gets the same examination. His recorded history proves in many instances how much of a perfectionist he can be. Entire albums have been scrapped and re-recorded, studio sessions document how he would change the key of a song in between takes. Here though, it seems that he is purposely NOT doing that in an attempt to break some new ground or better yet to piss people off.

Frank Sinatra-Always

Irving Berlin, songwriter. Not much more needs to be said. Although I do have a version of this sung by Marvin Gaye on his first album that is also pretty darn good. Frank’s version is pretty much the definitive one, tho’.

Sly And The Family Stone-If You Want Me To Stay

Here’s another band I need to hear more of. I know the “Stand” album and not much else, except for the obvious 45’s like this one. It is as they say, a stone groove.

Jethro Tull –With You There To Help Me (Live 1970-Isle Of Wight)
This version of the Tull live contingent is arguably the best. Martin Barre had just joined along with Clive Bunker on drums, John Evan on keys and Glenn Cornick on bass. This band was just flat out dangerous during this brief set.

King Crimson-Prelude (Song Of The Gulls)

This is from their fourth album, “Islands”. As bold as their first album(Court Of The Crimson King) was in it’s sheer power, this album is just as bold if not bolder in it’s restraint. There are several beautiful passages here including this one. Possibly my favorite Crimson long player.

Zappa-Cruising For Burgers

From the “Uncle Meat” album, this is one of the more accessible tracks. Overall “Uncle Meat” is a demanding listen, with much of it seemingly improvised. Repeated listenings though will reap rich rewards. The variations on “King Kong” alone make it essential.

Neil Young-I’ve Been Waiting For You

From his fine first album.

Jimi Hendrix Experience-Ain’t No Telling

Much has been written and will be written about Hendrix the guitar god and blues meister who was taken from us so early in his career. Here though, is what I will miss most. The “Axis” album features an almost pure pop direction, with most of the selections clocking in at just over two minutes. No extended jams, no psychedelic trips (“EXP” not withstanding, the LP opener which really does not qualify as a song). I like to think that had he lived, he would eventually return to the studio with an emphasis on song craft and studio wizardry, like he did here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hendrix the axe man as much as anybody. It’s just that it overshadowed the simple fact that he really could do it all.