I took a short hiatus from this, mostly due to more podcast listening but it's time to get back on the musical horse.
"Blackjack" by Ray Charles (1955)
I'm guessing Ray didn't open any of his Vegas shows with this one.
"Any Major Dude Will Tell You" by Steely Dan (1974)
I don't have much to add about this classic other than that it looks backward a bit from the style they adopted for the early albums and would seem rather out of place just one or two LPs later.
"People" by King Crimson (1995)
This album perhaps doesn't quite count as a "Supergroup" by hit-making pop group criteria but it really is from its complement of fantastic musicians. The lyrics are somewhat forgettable but the playing is stellar.
"Give Judy My Notice" by Ben Folds (1995)
Not my favorite track on the album (that is likely "Jesusland") but a solid Phil Collins-quality (if he'd been an alternative 90s artist) breakup song.
"Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent (1956)
I know pop artist names aren't everything but you just don't expect a song like this, which just drips with early rock and roll teen energy, to come from someone named "Gene". Sorry dude.
"We Made It" by Toto (1982)
The classic movie director Howard Hawks once said what makes a good movie is "three great scenes, no bad ones" and you could make this argument about pop albums. Toto IV definitely fits this and while this song isn't one of the "great" ones, it's definitely not bad. Thanks Howard.
"Livin' in the Red" by War (1987)
I guess this is what happens when a band gets into middle age; songs get writen about too much debt.
"Greenbacks" by Ray Charles (1955)
What a great next-track after the War song. You could think of this as a prequel where we find out why the guy in the War song lost all his dough.
"Honky Tonk Blues" by Huey Lewis and the News (1983)
I had never bothered to look up whether this was an actual Hank Williams cover or a tribute. Score one for ol' Hank. An interesting cut to end the album with guest steel guitar player John McFee of the Doobie Brothers.
"Take a Chance" by Eric Clapton (1986)
Clapton's late 1980s material hasn't really aged well, even though this album had a lot of heavy hitters playing on it. This song is pretty blah overall but does have bassist Nathan East who manages to outplay Clapton. I often think he was best when playing others' material.
"This and That" by Michael Penn (1989)
This song does a 180 and manages to hold up very well now, for me at least. It helps that the songwriting is strong and that it manages to sound more like a 1990s song. Maybe collaborating with Phil Collins isn't always the best idea; right Eric?
"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon (1980)
This is a live version which, on the plus side, adds some funny alternate lyrics. On the other hand, it's slower which I don't love. I give a slight edge to the original.
"Too Much Rain" by Paul McCartney (2005)
I would never have guessed that this album was produced by Nigel Godrich (of Radiohead). This is a really nice song that reminds me of his very first solo record.
"Flipside" by Kristin Harsh (2001)
A very good early aughts (doesn't that sound dumb?) alt-rock song. The "flipside" in this case is of a...molecule?
"White Shadow" by Peter Gabriel (1978)
A song I don't hear often from his "Scratch" album. It sounds a bit like his earlier Genesis stuff.
"Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Eric Clapton (1975)
Yep, a LOT better when covering others.
"San Ferry Anne" by Wings (1976)
This is a cool little song and Paul manages to work in some fun jazz bits in a track that's barely over the 2 minute mark.
"You Belong to Me" by Patsy Cline (1962)
Another great Cline cover song with the usual Floyd Cramer/Jordnaires lineup.
"Nighttime in the Switching Yard" by Warren Zevon (1978)
Who knew that a train yard could be so...FUNKY!
