Monday, August 8, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: Plain Wrap plays Buffalo Springfield

Yep, file this one under Punk Rock Roots. This was a majority of the style of music which I listened to in high school. It needs no further  introduction. 



Sunday, August 7, 2016

Three months until this.>

It has been three months since my last post, where has the time gone? Let's get up to date a bit. I would like to establish some closure for this list of cover tunes and move on with the blog.

Here's an Oldie Goldie, a cover of a 13th Floor Elevator song by Sister Double Happiness. (Google that kids.) This track is from a 13th Floor Elevator tribute recording that I owned at one time. Red Temple Prayer is a apt summery of my current employment situation.  'Cause I always thought the lyrics were "working like a prisoner for a two headed dog." Who can tell with these Roky Erickson tunes? But thanks Roky, without you Rock n Roll wouldn't be as weird as it is.


Wednesday, May 4, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: The Clash covers the roots of Reggae

As a young lad, the Clash recording Black Market Clash was my introduction to Jamaican music. On this recording the Clash covered Toots and the Maytals, Willie Williams and Junior Murvin. Along with  Robber Dub, a Clash original I believe, this was my introduction to Reggae, Ska and Dub. Odds are pretty good, there's another obscure cover or two on this recording that I don't know about. I'm pretty sure I was listening to this before I know who Bob Marley was. Thank you Mr. Strummer, Mr. Jones, Mr. Headon and Mr. Simonon.

 Here's a bit more trivia, Pressure Drop and Armagideon Time appear in the video game GTA: San Andreas. In GTA V and GTA Online, I believe there is a Dub version of Police and Thieves on the Blue Ark radio station which is hosted by Lee Scratch Perry. 

Here are the original recordings plus Robber Dub, have a skanky day.

Toots and the Maytals: Pressure Drop


Willie Williams: Armagideon Time



Junior Murvin: Police and Thieves



The Clash: Robber Dub


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers: David Bowie covers Lou Reed

Here's a classic covering the work of another classic. We are all awarded in this super talent situation. Ya gotta love these Best of the BBC collections.


Friday, April 29, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Potentially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Camper Van Beethoven covers Black Flag

There's bizarro Bunghole Surfers Middle America F'd Up Noise Rock and there's Camper Van Beethoven West Coast Mellow Folkie  Bizarro. The Camper Vans played a whole list of bizarro covers; Pictures of Matchstick Men, Oh Death, and the complete Tusk album by Fleetwood Mac.

C.V.B. also played heavily in the soundtrack of my adolescents. While the lyrics of Wasted didn't describe my life style it is funny and has a "catchy tune." Plus, I love Black Flag too. Today, while I sit here typing, I am wearing a Cal Berkley sweatshirt which fits perfectly with the West Coast Mellow Folkie theme.

We have all been "gnarley as we drove our dad's car" too.



Just for the fun of it, here's the original version by Black Flag.



D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Cover Tunes:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.
2. Bunghole Surfers -- Hurdy Gurdy Man
3. Camper Van Beethoven -- Wasted

Thursday, April 28, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Poteneially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Bunghole Surfers cover Donovan

You all may have discovered this one after watching my list post from the B-Holes. Hurdy Gurdy Man is pretty bizarro and what better way too make it full-blown BIZARRO than to have it preformed by the Bungholes? This one's a stoner classic, 'nuff said.



D. J. Danger Donkey's Bizarro Cover Tunes:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.
2. Bunghole Surfers -- Hurdy Gurdy Man

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

D. J. Danger Donkey's Potentially Bizarro Cover Tunes: Richard Thompson covers Britney Spears

This one is self explanatory as it represents Mr. Thompson's excellent sense of humor.



D J Danger Donkey's Bizarro Covers:

1. Richard Thompson -- Opps, I did it again.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening. #25: Bob James -- Nautilus

So, so, so, here we go with the last tune of this countdown. I actually had not heard this tune until I began playing GTA: San Andreas recently. Yeah, I just started playing a twelve year old game 'cause that's how old farts roll.

The YouTube video mentions many Hip Hop artist that have sampled Bob James. To me, Nautilus sounds like it was directly influenced by Miles Davis. That's all I got.



 


Now that the first twenty five of my music list are done I am going to do a short list of bizarro cover tunes. This will be five to ten songs by some musicians which appeared in the first 25 along with some others. And, let's start it tomorrow! 

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening!

 

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride
22. Richard Thompson -- Clavary Cross
23. Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub
24. Vieux Farka Toure -- Ai du
25. Bob James -- Nautilus





Monday, April 25, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening. #24: Vieux Farka Toure -- Ai du

Here we are again . . . I started a new job last Saturday, April 17. Unfortunately, it is not a new job with more money for less work. It's another job which I work a few days a week after the day is done at my old job. It's just a thing and only put a delay in this music countdown.

This guy, how about some Delta Blues from the Nile Delta? I probably learned about Vieux Farka Toure by listening to Public Radio. His father was Ali Farka Toure. Martin Scorsese's quote in the Wiki article summarizes this music. The music of the Toure boys is influenced by the "D.N.A. of the Blues." As noted by the similarity of their style with Junior Kimbrough. 

I also love the fact that the name Farka means donkey and Ali's description of how the name applies to himself. I would add, there's a little Farka in all of us.

I was lucky enough to see Vieux play a few years ago. Certainly wish he'd come on back and visit us in the States.


            

One through 24!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride
22. Richard Thompson -- Clavary Cross
23. Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub 
24. Vieux Fark Toure -- Ai du

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #23: Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub

It seems only fair that I dedicate some time to a few more international musicians with the final three tunes. This guy, Yabby You, I discovered through an impulse buy at an old CD shop in Birmingham, Al. I'm sure glad I made that impulsive purchase because I still feel that Yabby You is another jewel in the rough.

I do love some Dub too. We'll get too my introduction to Dub in another list.  Now enjoy the mellow mixology of Yabby You and company.



One through 23!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride
22. Richard Thompson -- Clavary Cross
23. Yabby You -- Conquering Lion Dub

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #22: Richard Thompson -- Calvary Cross

Number twenty-five is sneaking up  quickly and it's getting all Rock n Roll in here. Now we go back too the U.K. for a musician who I am surprised didn't appear earlier in the list. Richard Thompson is, a personal favorite and, a rear commodity in the in Rock n Roll. Thompson has been surpassed in Super Star status by lesser talented musicians.  That's how it is with quality, often we have to seek too find the best, top quality. I'm that guy, I wanna find the great music.

I'll let you all investigate the details of Mr. Thompson's career which started way back in the 60s with Fairport Convention. I just have to ask, what other rock musician finger picks that dang electric guitar like this? The other candidate for the Thompson tune was Shoot out the Lights, it rocks too!



If you investigate Mr. Thompson, your are bound to learn that is son and daughter are both musicians too. Richard's duo with Teddy, Persuasion, is another lovely tune.


One through 22!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride
22. Richard Thompson -- Calvary Cross

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #21 Mountain -- Nantucket Slaighride

Now back to the States. This tune was almost number twenty until the grooviness that is Short and Sweet popped up in my Pandora rotation again. I think there is little question that Mountain was a precursor too Jam Bands. Nantucket Sleighride is basically a long instrumental with some improvisation, isn't that what Jam Bands do?  And heck, they played at Woodstock!

Let's review again class:





One through 21!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet
21. Mountain -- Nantucket Sleighride

Monday, April 11, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #20 Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet

Here we are folks! With some delay we have arrived at track number twenty. For this one we are  staying in the U.K. A nonfictional song by a fictional band. I'm not certain when the fictional Spinal Tap was formed, you can look it up.

The point is, this tune's got Nick Lowe written all over it. I wouldn't be surprised if Nick Lowe had a hand in producing some of the Spinal Tap recordings. I will try to remember too feature some Nick Lowe when I do the list of personal favorites.

I give you all the Boogie Woogie stylings of  Short and Sweet, and remember, list Spinal Tap above the puppet show on the marque!


And now I have learned that this track features John Mayer and Steve Vai, no wonder it is so funky. Also, this tune is featured on Guitar Hero and Lego Guitar Hero. So, maybe you have heard it and I wasn't listening?

One through twenty!:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine
20. Spinal Tap -- Short and Sweet -- Nantucket Sleigh Ride

Friday, April 8, 2016

D J Danger Chris spins the Non-Hits

Now class, let's review. Why my obsession with Johnson City, Tn? I currently live 56 miles from Johnson City. When I lived in Strawberry Pains, Tn. I was 80 miles from J.C. It is a quaint little place but, as I hope I have mentioned, Jonesborough, Tn. is more quaint. (Home of the International Story Telling Fest. ya know?)

Second: This 25 tunes project was originally conceived as a 100 song list. I opted to try twenty-five tunes and see how it progressed. So far, so good. There will probably be a "25 tunes you haven't heard because you're a Millennial" list. It should contain plenty of music that is older than I am. There may be a personal favorites list and, maybe, a list of tunes from the Grand Theft Auto gaming franchise. 'Cause they license the music for the game soundtracks. The music in the games runs the gambit from great tunes to bizarro to disposable Pop.

Let's finish the first 25 tunes and then I will let you all know what's up next from the Danger D.J.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #19 Hawkwind -- Silver Machine

After that Arzachel vs. Pink Floyd meltdown I introduce Hawkwind. They can clean this mess up. As a rock fan, I had heard of Hawkwind for years but was only introduced to them through, again, Pandora. Had I known more about these guys when in college, I would have been a Hawk Head. 

Here are three essential facts about Hawkwind. No, four, four essential facts about Hawkwind:

 1. Like Arzachel and Pink Floyd, the members of Hawkwind were, and are, Brits.
2. They have a tune titled Motorhead.
3. Which was written by this guy who once played with them. Upon departing he  formed a banded     named . . . 



4. They were contemporaries of, and collaborated with Sci-Fi author Michael Moorcock. 

My personal description of Hawkwind would be, Heavy Stoner Rock.  I believe that Silver Machine will stand up too that description. They also appear to me as a precursor to Jam Bands. without so much improvisational jamming. 





One through nineteen:
1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Ove
17. Bung Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Azarcheal -- Leg
19. Hawkwind -- Silver Machine

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #18 Arzachel -- Leg


I'm gonna stop the Americana theme before it gets any uglier. Here's one from the Wayback Machine, so old and dusty that Pandora had to dig it up for me. So, the best source for their info will be, the Gods forbid, Wikipedia.

One of my oldest and best friends described their sound as early Pink Floyd, I have to agree. Pipers at the Gates is my favorite Floyd recording, Wish You Were Here would be second. I do appreciate Pink Floyd but I don't adore as the Stoner Rock gods they are. 

Sorry Arzachel/Uriel, my post about your grooviness just turned into me "coming out" about how I really feel about Pink Floyd.


One through eight-teen:
1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. B-Hole Surfers -- Pepper
18. Arzachel -- Leg

Monday, April 4, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #17 B - Hole Surers - Pepper

 We've had a bit of a set back with the ol' blog for a few weeks. No personal crisis, just some distractions which may or may not be covered in another blog entry. On we go . . .

Continuing the Americana theme in one of the most bizarre ways possible, I give you the B - Hole Surfers. I had totally forgotten the title of this tune. If you have heard of the Surfers, you have probably heard this. If you have heard 90s Alternative Rock and are not a Millennial, you have probably heard it. Yes, I am censoring the band name. I have gotten a bit soft with time. 

I had forgotten the song name but remembered the "Cinnamon and Sugary" chorus, that's pretty memorable.  I had a recording of this and some other Surfers songs at one time, most likely on a cassette tape. Who knows what ever became of it? I censored the song choice here too. I considered using the Surfers tune Barking Dogs, I no longer enjoy Noise Rock as I once did.



I'm not about to try to analyze that video. If their reputation holds any truth, the day they shot this video must have been one of their most sober days ever. 

Just three more tunes, or tracks, to number twenty. Hopefully we can work through that this week.

One through seventeen:
1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over
17. B - Hole Surfers -- Pepper

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #16 The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over

I really could have picked any song by The Dream Syndicate, ever heard of them? If you have, I know who you are. "Tell Me When It's Over" has a great "hook" and lyrics that I find poetic. I almost chose the song "When You Smile," or "Halloween." Just listen to this recording, Live at Raji's, it's one of Dream Syndicate's best. 

Dream Syndicate is the band that introduced me to Jam Bands. This is making an assumption that all Jam Bands are influenced by Neil Young, and I believe they all are. They (Dream Syndicate) predated the term Jam Band. I guess Garage Band or Post Punk would be the best descriptor for Dream Syndicate, they predated Alternative too. The Velvet Underground is always mentioned in articles about Dream Syndicate but how often is Television included in these conversations?




I did a brief search too see if there's been a Dream Syndicate tribute recording and found this cover of Halloween by some guys called Polar. It's appropriate, the V.U. influence is apparent.  Also looks like Yo La Tengo has covered this one too.

 

Also, "I'm just tryin' to remember, the days of wine and roses."

One through sixteen:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel
16. The Dream Syndicate -- Tell Me When It's Over

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #15 Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel

 Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone has heard this song. It certainly fits my East Tennessee, Johnson City theme. I actually didn't know the name of the tune, I just remembered a song that mentioned Johnson City. I also didn't know this tune had been recorded my Darius Rucker. I found this article with all the, seeming, relevant information from the Nashville Scene. The comments below the article are entertaining. Anyone who doesn't understand how a wagon wheel will rock you has no concept of per-industrial transportation. 

 


The geography is all messed up in this song. I don't know why you'd go through the Cumberland Gap too get to Raleigh? But, I have never hitchhiked from the East Coast and I'm not a song writer. Regardless, like The Only King, this song's nut just about the Deep South, it's about all of us.

One through Fifteen:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King
15. Old Crow Medicine Show -- Wagon Wheel 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #14 The Everybodyfields -- The Only King

This one is by a little band from Johnson City, Tn. They grew up and moved to Knoxville, and broke the band up. They have their respective music projects over in Knox County now, as far as I know. As I've said, again and again, doesn't get much more Americana than this.



Yeah, it's a song about Elvis, which, I believe, makes it a song about Tennessee. The combo of the steel guitar and Jill Andrews voice really invoke the High Lonesome Sound for me.

The top 14!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland
14. The Everybodyfields -- The Only King

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #13 James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland

Too long in the wasteland, that's what ya get after snakes and frogs. As you can see, this video is six, or seven, years old. I wonder if he still plays at the Continental Club in Austin? I'd love too see that.



Hopefully I can sustain Americana Week on the ol' list.

The top 13!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm
13. James McMurtry -- Too Long in the Wasteland

Monday, March 7, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #12 Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm





As a certain set of English blokes have been known to say, "now for something completely different!" Actually, it's not completely different, I noticed that the guitar style for Snake Farm is very similar to Junior Kimbrough.  I would hear this tune on WDVX when I lived in Knoxville, Tn. I imagine that WNCW here in Western North Carolina has played it a few times as well. It's a big ol' Americana reptile party up in here. (Peace Frog, Snake Farm) What could be next?






The top 12!

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo
12. Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Snake Farm

Friday, March 4, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #11 A Tribe Called Quest --

Here is something a bit different from the Wayback Machine. A Tribe Called Quest with a little tune that should have been in the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas soundtrack. I'm pretty sure the car in this video was featured in GTA S.A. as the Clover.

Yeah, Hip Hop, I don't know much about it. This is just a happy little tune to help put some peep in our step for the day. I'll plan to feature some Americana next week.






The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot
11. Tribe Called Quest -- Left My Wallet in El Segundo

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #10 Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot

I bet ya haven't heard this one! Well, I bet a certain percent of you all haven't heard it. Did ya think that "Because the Night" was the only song Patti Smith ever wrote? Or, did ya think Natalie Merchant wrote "Because the Night?"

A couple of things occur based on this video. First, Patti Smith was much bigger in Europe than she ever was in the U.S. Second, I'm pretty sure that the Dream Syndicate borrowed this bass guitar line for John Coltrane Stereo Blues. Now I gotta post some Dream Syndicate, but that was inevitable.





The top 10, more or less:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires
10. Patti Smith -- Dancing Barefoot

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #9 Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires

Some of you have heard this one. Honestly, I'd be very happy if you have all heard it or heard of Scientist. I love Dub, as this and forthcoming lists will illustrate, and Scientist, like Lee Scratch Perry, is a must have addition to the Dub universe.

Hum, hum, hum, What to list for number ten?



The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8. The Doors -- Peace Frog
9. Scientist -- Dance of the Vampires


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #8 The Doors -- Peace Frog

Back into more familiar territory, again, this is a personal favorite and certainly not one of the more popular Doors' tunes. Peace Frog captures all the chaos of the "Summer of Love," Kent State, Altamont, the Kennedy and King assassinations and, ultimately, the disappearance of Jim Morrison. So, Peace Frog to ya all.



The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute -- Nine High a Pallet
8.  The Doors -- Peace Frog

Monday, February 29, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #7 Brute -- Nine High a Pallet

 I had intended to feature the song combo Protein Drink/ Sewing Machine in this post but found this short film about Brute which will serve nicely.



Some of you will say, "That's just Widespread Panic with some other guy." But Brute, at least Protein Drink/ Sewing Machine, had a harder tone than Panic at that time.  I'm sure to come back later with some Vic Chesnutt solo material.

Will stay in the States with more familiar territory tomorrow. 

The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City
7. Brute  -- Nine High a Pallet

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #6 The Jam -- In the City

So, some of this list is a nostalgia trip for me. I knew about these guys when I was in high school but didn't listen to them nearly enough. There is so much to love here. They are wearing suits and playing Rickenbackers and totally tearing it up. The Jam, to my thinking, is not even considered Punk Rock. Although, they are very aggressive Power Pop. There is a three disc compilation of their work titled Snap, look it up.

 I wonder if Phish has ever covered the Jam?



The list so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness
6. The Jam -- In the City

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening.: #5 Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness

Alright, I had never heard this tune until I started searching YouTube for Lee Perry. It's hard to go wrong with anything that Lee Scratch Perry has been involved with. My favorite Lee Perry recording is Live at the Maritime Hall but very few of those tracks are on YouTube. Perry is like an perpetual motion machine of Reggae music and major influence on the Dub style. If you don't know Lee Scratch Perry, you don't know diddly.




Here's our countdown so far:

1. The Damned -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1.5. The Damned -- White Rabbit
2. Junior Kimbrough -- Gotta Try You Girl
3. Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine
4. Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions
5. Lee Scratch Perry -- I am Happiness


Monday, February 22, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening: #4 Booker T & the M.G.s -- Green Onions


Have you heard this tune, were you listening? Odds are that we have all heard this one, but after the funky Americana of Junior Kimbrough and Paul Simon I felt it appropriate to go back to some original funk / R&B. This filmed recording is older than I am, 'nuff said.




I'll get back to some international musicians in the next post, or two.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening: #3 Paul Simon -- Stranded in a Limousine

Yeah, yeah, I hope we have all heard of Paul Simon. This tune is an old personal favorite. It is from the soundtrack of the forgotten 1980 film One Trick Pony in which Paul Simon plays a musician. As I recall, it's a pretty good flick, probably pretty truthful about what the record industry was like in the 1970s.



For those of us born in the late 60s and early 70s, Paul Simon was a big part of the soundtrack of our childhood. Simon's, now out of print, Greatest Hits Etc was the soundtrack for some of my most sober moments in college. If you need more Simon, hunt down There Goes Rhymin' Simon and Live Rhymin'. These two recording cover a range from folk music to Rhythm and Blues. I'm partial but some of you may need to knock the dust off of it.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening: #2 Junior Kimbrough

Junior Kimbrough is my favorite Blues musician. As is apparent, he doesn't stick to the Twelve Bar Blues. I would describe his style as much more Folk Music than traditional or Chicago Blues. To barrow a phrase, I'd call Junior the Twenty-fist Century King of the Delta Blues. He once said something along these lines, "My songs have one chord. If I find another chord, I write a new song." It doesn't get much more Folk Music, American than this.


I would also add, Junior knew about more than just playing the guitar with titles like "Most things have not worked out," but "Gotta Try You Girl" really has the rawness that I feel best represents Juniors style.Turns out, there is also this which I had never heard. Perhaps we are getting somewhere here?

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening: #1.5

Two days into this Top Twenty-five Countdown and you already get a bonus track. This little number was just too good not to pass along to all my happy readers. I hope you enjoy this truly original version of a old Bay Area Classic. "Take it away boys!"


I'm not sure what happened, Blogger didn't post this as scheduled. We'll be back in the U.S. for our next musical adventure. See ya soon!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Twenty-five tunes you've never heard because you were not listening: no. 1.

Yeah, I got this idea too revive the ol' blog. I'll have to clarify that some readers (?) will be familiar with many of these songs. So, if it's not a list of songs you've never heard, it's a list of some obscure lyrics.

I'll start with Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by the Damned who, to say the least, never achieved the success that their song writing and rockin' deserved. I love this video too with all the images from the old Black and White Film. "I'm noble outside, he's evil inside . . . I'll hold ya gently but he'll smother you," great stuff, I love it.