Friday Random iPod Ten - Annotation Hat Trick

1. The Thrill Is Gone - Willie Nelson & B. B. King

Willie Nelson did a whole album of blues duets called Milk Cow Blues. He sings with Keb' Mo', Susan Tedeschi, Francine Reed, Dr. John, etc. Excellent.

2. You're in My System - Robert Palmer

This puts me right back into the '80s—but in the good way. I always loved Robert Palmer's voice.

3. Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones

Martin Scorsese is making a documentary about the Stones; you can watch the trailer here.

4. Fool Who Knows - Little Village

Little Village was a one-disc effort by John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner. I may very well be the only person who owns this CD, but I love it. Really, what could be bad?

5. Spring Wind (live) - Greg Brown

At the beginning of this song, while Greg's tuning, he says to his sound guy, "Could I get just a little bit more guitar in the monitor?" then explains to the audience, "We have to say that, you know, as folk singers, it's part of the contract. You have to say at some point during the night, 'Could I get just a little bit more guitar in the monitor?' It sounds fine, you know, but I'm just fulfilling my contractual deal."

6. Monday Morning Blues - Peter Case & Dave Alvin

Yet another great track off Avalon, the tribute album to Mississippi John Hurt.

7. God's Got It - Old Crow Medicine Show

The more I hear from these guys, the more I like 'em.

8. Little Trip To Heaven (On The Wings Of Your Love) - Tom Waits

This comes from Closing Time, a gorgeous, underappreciated collection of romantic songs from Tom Waits. None of his gritty, experimental stuff here, just beautiful ballads.

9. The Moon - Cat Power

Every time a song from The Greatest comes up, I stop and wonder, "What is that?" Really luscious, spell-binding music, that's what.

10. Freedom of the Road (live) - Martin Sexton

This is perhaps my favorite version of my absolute favorite Marty song. Knocks my socks off every time I hear it.

Comments

[Mark]

My favorite thing about Little Village (other than the music) is, if I remember the story correctly, when they were trying to think up a name for the band Nick Lowe suggested "the Nick Lowe Band." With a straight face. His backing band (those three no-names, Hiatt, Cooder and Keltner) didn't go for that one.

Then again, they were almost called "Little Village People," so it could have been worse.

[Karen]

Ha! Well, what can you expect from someone who called himself the "Jesus of Cool"?! (even if he is...)

[Joel]

Cast me in with the lot who own the Little Village CD! A must-own for any Nick Lowe / Ry Cooder fan.

[Joel]

OK - wasn't reading carefully enough, because your iPod rulez! (Isn't that how the kids spell it?). Dave Alvin came through Buffalo about 4 months ago and played in a neighborhood bar called the Sportsmen's Tavern. A great show in front of maybe 150 people. He still has his chops to do the old Blasters tunes, but his voice has mellowed nicely. Peter Case is a Buffalo boy by birth, and he shows up now and again. I know some local musicians with whom he grew up, so it's nice to see them jam together when Peter Case is in town. If you don't have his "Flying Saucer Blues" CD, I recommend you check it out!