Thursday, November 10, 2011

11-10-11: There Must Be Something More To Know

"Across The Universe" by The Beatles first appeared on a charity album released in December 1969. It later appeared on their album Let It Be as well as various compilations, all in slightly different forms, some sped up and some slowed down. The version on this week's mix strips out much of the instrumentation: keyboards, maracas and choirs and returns the songs to its original key and tempo. Also included here are covers by Laibach and David Bowie.

Gene Clark was the original vocalist for The Byrds. "Tried So Hard" was from his debut solo album from 1967 and is considered by many to be the first "country-rock" song. Also included here are versions by The Flying Burrito Brothers and Yo La Tengo.

1996's "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" by Nas with Lauryn Hill is an update on Kurtis Blow's 1985 early rap hit "If I Ruled The World".

The rest: the sitar-accented "Let's Live For Today" by The Grass Roots, the sweet Motown obscurity "Is There A Place (In His Heart For Me)" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, the orchestral "Fell For YOu" by The Dramatics, the J Dilla-produced "Time Travelin'" by Common with Fema Kuti and Roy Hargrove, Fela Kuti's rhythmic "Gentleman", Funkadelic's spacey "That Was My Girl", the brooding "Staring At The Sun" by TV On The Radio, Air Supply's dramatic "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All", the wistful Dean Martin standard "There's My Lover" and the innocent "Soon" by 1930s crooner Al Bowlly.

Let's Live For Today The Grass Roots
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Thursday, November 3, 2011

11-03-11: Candlelight, Cold Wine, Soft Music On The Radio

"Remember" appears on John Lennon's first official post-Beatles solo album from 1970. It was inspired by addressing his childhood through primal scream therapy. Michael Jackson's first solo single without The Jackson 5, "Got To Be There", was released a year later. Both of these songs are featured in various versions on this week's mix: "Remember" as a rehearsal and demo take as well as the album version, "Got To Be There" with full and partial instrumental back-up as well as a cappella.

"RE:DEFinition" is by the duo of Talib Kweli and Mos Def, known together as Black Star. Madvillain is MF Doom with Madlib, here with two versions of "Figaro", the Madlib remix with an Indian tinge.

The rest: 70s Bollywood soundtrack theme "O Saathi Re" by Kishore Kumar, the playful "Don't Drink It In Here" by Bill Johnson's Louisiana Jug Band, the rockabilly obscurity "Study Hall" by CJ And The Casuals, the guitar-driven "April Skies" by The Jesus & Mary Chain, the 80s pop hit "Your Love" by The Outfield, Lou Rawls' exuberant "See You When I Git There", a cover of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain" by Cher, a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" by K.D. Lang, the laid back "Disperse" by Consequence featuring GLC and Really Doe, Aretha Franklin's version of the Leon Russell standard "A Song For You", Sam Cooke's take of the Jacques Brel-written "I Belong To Your Heart" and the majestic "Dearly Beloved" by The John Coltrane Quartet.

Got To Be There Michael Jackson
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Thursday, October 27, 2011

10-27-11: Let Me Forget About Today Until Tomorrow

"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" was written by Kris Kristofferson and first recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969. Kristofferson's version appeared on his debut album a year later. Previous mixes have featured versions by Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. This week's mix features versions by Vicki Carr, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sammi Smith and Willie Nelson.

Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" appears on his album Bringing It All Back Home, released in March of 1965. The hit version by The Byrds was released a month later. This week's mix also features versions by Stevie Wonder and Odetta.

"Little Girl" was a top ten hit for Syndicate Of Sound in 1966. The Dead Boys live version recorded at CBGBs appears on their debut album eleven years after the original.

The rest: Betty McQuade's catchy "Blue Train", Pete Townshend's melodic "Brilliant Blues", Method Man's falsetto-enhanced "Tical", the exuberant "What Is This" by Bobby Womack, Lil Wayne's defiant "Bill Gates", the single version of Donna Summer's version of the standard "MacArthur Park", the DJ Premier-produced "The Format" by AZ, Coleman Hawkins' contemplative "Rainbow Mist", the Elvis Costello outtake "Shatterproof" and the melancholic "So You Wanna Be A Superhero" by Carissa's Wierd.

Mr. Tambourine Man The Byrds
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Thursday, October 20, 2011

10-20-11: Lordy, How I Love Them All

"Angelitos Negros" was the title song of a Mexican film released in 1948. The song later became a standard, and this week's mix features versions by Eartha Kitt, Roberta Flack and Cat Power.

"One More Time" by The Clash is also featured this week with covers by Haale and The Fiery Furnaces to accompany the original.

"At Last" was written for the 1941 film Orchestra Wives and performed in that film by Glenn Miller and his orchestra with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. It soon became a standard, with the most famous version by Etta James. This week's mix features versions by Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.

The rest: the original album version of the Steely Dan and Otis Redding-sampling "Eye Know" by De La Soul, the wry "Women Women Women" by Shelley Lee And His Alleycats, the country-tinged "One Of These Days" by The Velvet Underground, the single non-album version of "Since You're In Love" by Jesse Malin, the psychedelic "Flowers In the Sky" by Revolving Paint Dream, the Spinners-sampling "Any Emcee" by Nine, a cover of The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" by Esso Trinidad Steel Band, the upbeat "Believe" by Q-Tip with D'Angelo, the soul obscurity "You Look So Good" by Twilight, the suggestive "Humpin' Hard Pt. 2" by Sky's The Limit, the wistful "Lost Love" by Fats Waller and the first take of Otis Redding's definitive update of the Tin Pan Alley standard "Try A Little Tenderness".

Eye Know De La Soul
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Thursday, October 13, 2011

10-13-11: When It Is True, Then Everyone Will Know It

Eddie Floyd wrote "I've Never Found A Girl" for Otis Redding to record. Instead, the label released his own recording and thus launched his solo career. This week's mix features his version along with Al Green's cover and Esther Phillips' take with the gender switched.

"What Makes You Think You're The One" appears on Fleetwood Mac's Tusk album and on this week's playlist, along with covers by The Twilight Singers and Camper Van Beethoven.

One other song repeats on the mix: New Order's "Leave Me Alone", with a cover by Destroyer.

Also featured are several songs recorded live: a cover of the blues standard "You Gotta Move" by The Rolling Stones, a rhythmic take of "Telephone Call From Istanbul" by Tom Waits, Nina Simone's version of the Brecht/Weill standard "Pirate Jenny", Marvin Gaye's "Right On" from his What's Going On tour, Donny Hathaway's non-studio song "We're Still Friends" and Dean Martin performing the Broadway standard "Mr. Wonderful" in Las Vegas.

Mac Dre's "Mac Dre Is The Name" samples "Bounce, Skate, Rock, Roll" by Vaughn Mason and Crew.

The rest: Lil Wayne's sly "John" featuring Rick Ross, a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Sway" by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Slum Village's J Dilla-produced "Keep It On (This Beat)", a partial take of the standard "Over The Rainbow" by Judy Garland and the sweet "You And Me" by Penny & The Quarters.

What Makes You Think You're The One Fleetwood Mac
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Thursday, October 6, 2011

10-06-11: But I Am Of The Universe

This week's mix features Hank Williams' "(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle" with versions by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan to accompany the original. Also featured three times is The Beatles' "Yer Blues", with a cover by Eugene McGuinness and a live version by a John Lennon-led all star band dubbed The Dirty Mac as well as the White Album version.

One other song repeats: Pavement's "Type Slowly" with a live version as well as the album version. Also included is a cover of their "Cut Your Hair" by Carter, Chestnut, Jackson & Veal.

"Teen Age Riot" is the opening track on Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation album and the title of an unrelated obscure rockabilly song by Portuguese Joe.

The rest: Linda Lewis' sweet "Feeling Feeling", Ollie Gilbert's spare reading of the standard "Who Killed Poor Robin?", Andre Nickatina's violin-driven "Bakin Soda In Minnesota", Das EFX's Rakim-sampling "East Coast", a cover of The Stylistics' "People Make The World Go Round" by Barbara Mason, Big Boi's mellow "Fo Yo Sorrows", the Astrud Gilberto-sampling "The Garden" by Cut Chemist, a Peel radio session of "Just Like Honey" by The Jesus & Mary Chain and the countryish "I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)" by The White Stripes.

Yer Blues Eugene McGuinness
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Thursday, September 29, 2011

09-29-11: Love Is Not A Victory March

Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" first appeared on his 1984 album Various Positions. This week's mix features covers by Jeff Buckley and Susanna And The Magical Orchestra as well as the original. His lyrics on subsequent covers have varied from his original version, stemming from added lyrics he sent to John Cale for his rendition of the song, which became the template for others.

"Love's Been Good To Me" was from a 1969 album of songs that Frank Sinatra commissioned from the popular poet Rod McKuen. This mix features versions by Nina Simone and Johnny Cash to accompany Sintara's version.

One other song repeats this week: the Phil Spector-produced "Born To Be Together" by The Ronettes, with a cover by P.P. Arnold.

Donny Hathaway's "And Then There Was Maude" was the theme for the hit 70s television show "Maude".

The rest: a cover of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "Ooh Baby Baby" by Marianne Faithfull & Antony, the Barry White-produced "If We Don't Make It Nobody Can" by Tom Brock, MF Doom alter ego King Geedorah's witty "Fazers", the sweet disco ballad "You Got What It Takes (To Please Your Woman)" by Silver Convention, the sound-effect laden "Listen To The Sky" by Sands, Ice Cube's fierce "Wrong Nigga To Fuck Wit", the laid-back funk of "In Time" by Sly & The Family Stone, The Large Professor's melodic "Mad Scientist", Merle Haggard's wistful "I Die Ten Thousand Times A Day", Kris Kristofferson's elegant "This Lady's Not For Sale" and an acoustic version of Buddy Holly's "Learning The Game".

Born To Be Together The Ronettes
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Thursday, September 22, 2011

09-22-11: You Be Confused, And Disobeying Planet Rules

"Body And Soul" was written in 1930 and soon became a jazz standard. This week's mix features versions by Billie Holiday, Sun Ra and Dexter Gordon.

Norah Jones' "How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart?" features lyrics from a never-performed Hank Williams song with a new musical arrangement.

The rest: an extended a cappella version of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol' Dirty Bastard, the spooky "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan", a live performance of "You're A Big Girl Now" by Bob Dylan with The Rolling Thunder Revue, R.E.M.'s "Country Feedback" performed live with Neil Young, the philosophic "Tell Me" by Tom Waits, the cocky "Mr. Carter" by Lil Wayne with Jay-Z, the surreal "Blue Flowers Revisited" by Dr. Octagon, Scott Walker's odd "30 Century Man", an acoustic version of "Beast Of Burden" by The Rolling Stones, a cover of The Rolling Stones' "I Got The Blues" by Aloe Blacc & Joel Van Dijk and Al Green's gentle "Dream".

Shimmy Shimmy Ya (extended a cappella) Ol' Dirty Bastard
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

09-15-11: All The Dreams We Held So Close Seemed To All Go Up In Smoke

"(If You Don't Want My Love) Give It Back" appears on Bobby Womack's 1971 album Communication. A year later, a more acoustic version of the same song appears on his score to the film Across 110th Street. Additonally, this week's mix features an instrumental version to accompany the two vocal versions.

Two other songs repeat across the mix: Stevie Wonder's "Love Having You Around", with a cover by First Choice; as well as Lee Hazelwood's duet with Nacny Sinatra, "Sand", with a cover by Op8, featuring Lisa Germano.

Duke Ellington's first live album was released in 1952. From that Seattle concert is "Skin Deep", written and performed by the drummer Louie Bellson.

"A Musical Sample" by JVC Force samples Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth", many years before Public Enemy employed the same sample.

The rest: Monie Love's Spinners-sampling "It's A Shame My Sister", Clipse's accordion-driven "Momma I'm So Sorry", a cover of The Rolling Stones ballad "Angie" by British soul singer Beta Hector, Ween's break-up ballad "Baby Bitch", Marvin Gaye's languid "Come Live With Me Angel", a cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Antony & The Johnsons, Kimya Dawson's short and sweet "I Miss You" and the spooky dirge "The End" by The Doors.

A Musical Sample JVC Force
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Thursday, September 8, 2011

09-08-11: Cold As Ice Cream But Still As Sweet

"Oh! Darling" by The Beatles appears on the last album they recorded, Abbey Road. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney, but in an interview before his death John Lennon insisted he could have sung it better. This week's mix features the original with covers by Broken Records and George Benson, who recorded his version just weeks after The Beatles version was released in 1969. Also on here is a very early version of Lennon's "Mind Games".

"You Keep Me Hangin' On", released in 1966, was the eighth number one single for The Supremes. Previously mixes have included covers by Aretha Franklin and Mary McCaslin. This week features covers by Wilson Pickett and Hugh Masekela to accompany the original.

One other song repeats this week: Blondie's "Sunday Girl", with Debbie Harry singing both an English and French version.

Both "Lovelines" by The Replacements and "The Post" by Sadat X feature lyrics inspired by reading a newspaper in the studio.

The rest: Jim Croce's uplifting "I Got A Name", a cover of David Bowie's "Suffragette City" by Seu Jorge, the mellow "Look Out For My Love" by Neil Young, the catchy "If You Think It (You May As Well Do It)" by The Emotions, a cover of The Beatles' "And I Love Her" by Bobby Womack, the menacing "We Will Rob You" by Raekwon with Slick Rick and GZA, the quasi-rap "Neighbours" by The Rolling Stones, a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, the loping "Gold Watch" by Lupe Fiasco, a version of Earth, Wind & Fire's "The Way Of The World" by Roy Ayers, the forlorn "Married Girls Troubles" by Hazel Scherf, the haunting "Rainy Day" by Susan Christie and the spiritual "When The Sun Will Never Go Down" by Willie Mae Williams.

Oh! Darling Broken Records
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