radio barz

Videos of the Week and Song of the Day

Here are some of the songs and videos that have been in heavy rotation in the Radio Barz universe this weekend.

I've been on a major Neil Young binge, particularly around the song "Cowgirl in the Sand." Brings back those lazy summer afternoons in the 1970s when time crawled and possibilities were endless. Good to see that Neil can still bring it in all his ragged glory in this October 2008 concert in Calgary. Also a great live version now available on the Neil Young Archives, Volume I, from a 1970 performance at the Fillmore East. 

Still laugh when I watch Will Ferrell's rendition of "Freebird" from the last episode of the Tonight Show with Conan. 

But my song of the day is by Charlotte Gainsbourg's from her entrancing new album, IRM, "Trick Pony" as performed on the 1-22-10 episode of Late Night with David Letterman. Good funky stuff. Turn up shose drums.

What's on heavy rotation in your world?

Have a rockin' good week!

Metric, "Gimme Sympathy" X Three

Metric's Gimme Sympathy, one of my favorite songs of 2009. Here are three versions. 

I like the quiet whisper of this acoustic version...

And live on KEXP...

"A Night With The Jersey Devil": Spooky free download from Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen, a big time fan of Halloween, shares his rocking, Muddy Waters' inspired telling of the Jersey Devil legend in this free download. Get it now. The song may only be available for a limited time. And watch out for the Jersey Devil.

Songs in my mind

Heavy rotation.  The playlist in my mind:

• The English Beat - Best Friend
• Cracker - The Good Life
• Fatboy Slim - Right Here, Right Now
• Barenaked Ladies - This is Me in Grade 9
• Ben Folds Five - Uncle Walter
• Steve Poltz - Chinese Vacation
• James McMurtry - Hurricane Party
• The Rakes - We Danced Together
• The Bo-Keys - Deuce and a Quarter
  

Song(s) of the Week: Two Springsteen Covers

It's been a long, long time since I shouted "Bruce." While I'm still a fan of the Boss, my Springsteen fever peaked in 1978 with the release of Darkness on the Edge of Town.

But there are standout Springsteen songs from the 1980s and 1990s.  Sometimes it takes a solid cover version to remind you to sit up and listen. Two Boss tribute tunes I've been spinning lately are:

Mendoza Line's version of “Tougher than the Rest” from the band’s final two-disc set 30 Year Low. I love Shannon Mary McArdle's voice and she sings the heart out of this rebound ballad, both tempting you to and scaring you from taking her up on the song's offer. The band might be gone, but the music lives on. If you're late crossing the Mendoza Line, there's still time to check out the music.

And while Kelly Dalton's take on "I'm on Fire" is maybe a little too faithful to the original, there's just enough high-lonesome twang in his voice and the slide guitar to add new shades of longing and despair to a classic hard-luck love song.

Let's call these the Radio Barz "songs of the week." Happy listening!

Dozens of artists have covered Springsteen tunes. What are some of your favorites?

Song of the Week: Wyclef Jean - Fast Car

Really like this tune. Wyclef Jean does a nice job of striking a chord of caution with a note of upbeat optimism.

This is a fast-car life. Too often, we don't think before we zoom.

As someone who didn't think twice a few times in the past before getting into or behind the wheel of a fast car, I like the thought that we all need to watch out for each other, to help each other "see clearly now."

"Fast Car" also provides me with the same infectious vibe as Gnarls Barkley's "Smiley Faces."

And you know, having Paul Simon on hand to sing a verse is pretty awesome. At least for this old guy.

Wyclef Jean home page
Paul Simon home page
Fast Car lyrics

Music from a summer solstice afternoon

For your consideration, my summer solstice playlist, as heard this afternoon on WOXY:

• South, You are the One
• Handsome Boy Modeling School, The World's Gone Mad
• Airiel, Mermaid In A Manhole
• Grandaddy, The Crystal Lake
• Page France, Hat and Rabbit
• The Bees, Left Foot Stepdown
• Ms. Led, Up to the Old Tricks (Great band name, shades of the Go-Gos and the Waitresses. Perfect summer tune.)

What are you listening to this solstice day?

I have the "no blues" blues, but I'm fixin' to take the cure

What gives you the blues?

Used to be I'd stay up late most Friday and Saturday nights listening to live blues at Gilly's or the Oregon Express in Dayton, Ohio. And when I couldn't get out of the house, the overnight blues shows on public radio stations WYSO and WXVU kept the blues spirit burning.

Lately though, I just haven't had time for the blues. And I miss it. Thanks to Standford's KZSU's "Blues with a Feelin'" program for turning me on to California bluesman A.C. Myles. Myles' "Hello Sundown" is crisp, fresh and just the cure for my "no blues" blues. I plan on spinning through all 13 tracks of Up to My Neck in the Blues as soon as my copy arrives from CD Baby.

The blues is back in my life. Looks like it's going to be a late night.