Hello, everyone! Its been a while since I posted anything of substance here. Well, today is your lucky day.
I love making mixes of good songs for my friends. Generally they have some kind of theme. In this case, the theme is going to be "songs I think that you should hear". Most of the artists will be familiar to you, some may be a little more obscure, but all of them are freakin rad.
Anyone who knows me personally, and has seen my record collection, knows that it is primarily music from 1965-1979. Not that there isn't good music before 1965 or after 1979, but I'm just more attracted to that era of record making and songwriting. I did put a few newer songs on this mix just to "mix" it up!
I really love "Ghost Of A Chance" by Ron Sexsmith off of his latest record, Exit Strategy For The Soul. Also, a VERY new tune by a band called Real Estate, "Beach Comber". I don't know what their record sounds like, but this has a great homemade, California, Shins-meets-Beachwood Sparks sound.
I included some obscure songs like "Wordless" by The Velvet Underground. It comes from their Squeeze LP. It was recorded after Lou Reed left and most purists hate it. Well, I don't give a shit. I like it. It took me a while to get a copy as most copies sell for about $500. You'll notice two by Nicky Hopkins from The Tin Man Was A Dreamer. I love that whole record and couldn't chose just one song. Also, "Something To Believe In" by Cherokee isn't too well known. I bought it because it had Chris Hillman and Sneaky Pete in the credits. I was blown away when I put it on the stereo. Damn. A real solid debut record by a band that never released a follow up. If you're into it, check out their first band, The Robbs.
The last "modern" song I want to bring to your attention is this STUNNING song by my hero Jimmy Webb. It was originally recorded for his Paul Gauguin in the South Seas record. He explained that it was written for Richard Harris to sing on an upcoming project. Unfortunately, Richard Harris passed away before he could record it. Its heartbreaking to imagine Richard, in his old age, singing this song. Well, this version comes from Jimmy's Live And At Large album. He's really up there as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. This is proof.
So, here it is - compiled by yours truly. I hope you enjoy it.
I Think That You Should Hear This Vol. 1
1 - Waiting For The Band - Nicky Hopkins
2 - Ghost Of A Chance - Ron Sexsmith
3 - Country Girl - Brinsley Schwarz
4 - Done This One Before - Ronnie Lane
5 - Don't Go To Strangers - J.J. Cale
6 - I've Been Waiting For You - Neil Young
7 - The End of the Rainbow - Richard & Linda Thompson
8 - Wordless - The Velvet Underground
9 - Stranger in a Strange Land - Leon Russell
10 - The Beast In Me - Nick Lowe
11 - Beach Comber - Real Estate
12 - Something To Believe In - Cherokee
13 - The Way Love Used To Be - The Kinks
14 - Been Too Long On The Road - Bread
15 - Many Rivers To Cross - Harry Nilsson
16 - Lawyer's Lament - Nicky Hopkins
17 - No Signs Of Age - Jimmy Webb
