Five Songs for Today, March 24, 2020

1, Van Morrison - Into the Mystic. Maybe my favorite Van Morrison song. There may be one sentimental runner up that I'll save for a future list. Talk about "bringing the mood."



2. Lucinda Williams - Drunken Angel. Once upon a time, my dream job was to be a touring guitar tuner for Lucinda Williams. If only I knew how to tune a guitar. Great performance.



3. First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining. I never get tired of hearing this song. Always gives me a jolt of bright energy.




4. ROOKIE - Sunglasses. Even though it's not summer yet, I've found my summer song.



5. Warren Zevon - Carmelita. My son sent me the Spotify link to this song last week. I can't stop listening. It's also been my gateway back into this legendary songwriter and his music. Wonder what Warren would make of these times.

30 Days of Dylan, Day One: Pretty Saro

Click to listen on Spotify.

"Pretty Saro" is an English folk ballad from the 1700s. The song has been recorded by dozens of artists, including six times by Bob Dylan. But none of his versions were released until the song appeared on the Bootleg Series, Vol. 10, Another Self Portrait. This is the first of 30 Dylan songs from my April playlist. Want to skip ahead? See the full list now.

Pretty Saro offical video.

Day 22: 365 Days of Dylan, The Playlist

My 365 Days of Dylan playlist is more than 22 songs strong so far. This includes a few alternate takes. This project is big fun. I'm enjoying myself as I dig deep into Dylan's catalog, giving some songs a listen for the first time in a long time and discovering others I've never heard before.

I'll repost this playlist at least once a month as I add more songs. And you can always listen on Spotify at 365 Days of Dylan.

 

What's your favorite Dylan song? I'd love to find out and include it in an upcoming post.

Support 365 Days of Dylan. I make a small commission from purchases made through the above Amazon Associates links.

365 Days of Dylan, Day 9: If You See Her, Say 'Hello'

365 Days of Dylan, Day 9: "If You See Her, Say 'Hello'" from one of my favorite Dylan albums, Blood on the Tracks. 

Like many of Dylan's best songs, there are gems in his alternate takes. Here's a version from The Bootleg Series, Volumes 1-3.

"If you see her..." also inspired great covers, even one in Italian by Francesco de Gregori. 

                  

Support 365 Days of Dylan. I make a small commission from purchases made through the above Amazon Associates links.

365 Days of Dylan Playlist on Spotify

I'm one week into my 365 Days of Dylan project. My goal is to celebrate the music and artistry of Bob Dylan by highlighting one of his songs a day from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

Along with this blog, I've also created a 365 Days of Dylan playlist on Spotify to keep track of this project and hopefully for your listening pleasure.

Depending on what's going on in my life, the Spotify playlist may be a song or two ahead or behind the blog. 

And while I have about 75% of my songs planned out for the years, I'm always open to your comments and suggestions. What song do you want to make sure I don't miss during these 365 Days of Dylan? 

Support 365 Days of Dylan. Visit the Radio Barz Bob Dylan store.

I make a small commission for purchases made through the above Amazon Associates links.

4 for Friday Night Playlist: Fleet Foxes, The Barr Brothers, Laura Marling and Shakey Graves

Friday night. Murky. Rainy. Some music to let the light in.

Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

The Barr Brothers - Even the Darkness has Arms

Laura Marling -- Divine

Shakey Graves (featuring Esme Patterson) -- Dearly Departed

Song of the Day for Susan: I Only Have Eyes for You -- The Flamingos

One of the songs that started it all for us. After 25 years, I still, and will always, only have eyes for you.

The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes for You

The original will always be my favorite, but I love Art Garfunkel's rendition, too.

And Old Blue Eyes, too.

Song(s) of the Day for Susan: 3 by Jon Dee Graham

I can't get enough Jon Dee Graham on an anniversary playlist for you.

"Why don't you come outside. Get a look at that sky..." Big Sweet Life by Jon Dee Graham

Majesty of Love by Jon Dee Graham

And of course, Best by Jon Dee Graham. Perhaps my favorite love song. Always makes me think of us.

Friday song: Waylon Jennings -- I've Always Been Crazy

We take a brief break from Susan's song of the day for memories of seeing Waylon, Jesse and members of The Crickets in Athens, Ohio, at the Convo in 1979. This song was one of the highlights.

Song of the Day for Susan: Groove is in the Heart -- Deee Lite

Do you remember 1990? That's when this song was released and it carried us into 1991. In fact, it may have been the lead track on the soundtrack of the first year of our marriage. Still makes me smile (and chair dance). "We're going to dance and have some fun."

Groove is in the Heart - Deee-Lite 

"I couldn't ask for another"

Lyrics.

Song of the Day for Susan: Be My Wife - David Bowie

"Sometimes you get so lonely. Sometimes you get nowhere."
Thank you for coming into my life 25 years ago and changing all of that.

David Bowie - Be My Wife (Lyrics)

Song of the day for Susan: Lucinda Williams - Passionate Kisses

Lucinda Williams - Passionate Kisses

Lyrics.

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Passionate Kisses

Song of the Day for Susan: Otis Redding - Hard to Handle

Otis Redding - Hard to Handle

Love the incredible Otis Redding and love this song. Interestingly enough, it was the Toots in Memphis version that brought me back to the original.

• Hard to Handle lyrics. 
• But Hard to Handle on Amazon. 

Hard to Handle from Toots and the Maytals

Song of the Day for Susan: You're the Best Lover that I Ever Had - Steve Earle

Sneaking in on Tuesday with your Monday song.

From Steve Earle's bluesy Terraplane album. Makes me smile and think of you every time I hear it. You may not recall, but this song was in heavy rotation on our road trip to Franklin, Tennessee last year for Pilgrimage Festival.

"You're the Best Lover that I Ever Had."

Buy on Amazon.

Song of the Day for Susan: Whole Wide Word - The Bahamas

Glad we found each other. And we didn't have to go all the way to Tahiti.
Love The Bahamas chill version of this Wreckless Eric tune.

Wreckless Eric's original, with lyrics:

Buy The Whole Wide World by The Bahamas on Amazon.

Buy Wreckless Eric's The Whole Wide World on Amazon. 

Song of the Day for Susan: Tugboat - Galaxie 500

That song for when you really don't want to go out. You don't want to hang with a bunch of friends. No crowds, please. You just want to be alone with that one person. Baby, I just want to be your tugboat captain. 

I came late to Galaxie 500's music. Glad it finally found me. 

Buy "Tugboat" on Amazon. 

(One Day Late) Song of the Day for Susan: Patty Griffin - One Big Love

This song come out in 1998, but the lyrics and freewheeling energy reminds of autumn 1990 when we met, dated for four months, lived in "sin" or a couple of weeks and then got married on February 8, 1991. And it reminds me of all the wild adventures we've had since (and those to come):

"I guess I'm taking my chancesGiving up the ring throwing in my glovesI guess I'm taking my chancesTrading in my thingsFor a couple wings a little white doveAnd one big love..."

Patty Griffin - One Big Love (Buy on Amazon) 

Song of the Day for Susan - Delicate by Damien Rice

Sometimes the ache itself is a beautiful thing.  Damien Rice - Delicate.

Lyrics.

Song of the Day for Susan: Shake Sugaree by Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens wonderful cover of the Elizabeth Cotten song. "Shake Sugaree."

And the fabulous original by the truly original Elizabeth Cotten.

Buy Rhiannon Giddens' version of "Shake Sugaree" on Amazon.

Buy Elizabeth Cotton's music on Amazon.

Song of the Day for Susan: Kris Kristofferson -- Loving Her was Easier than Anything I'll Ever Do Again

I enjoyed yesterday's post so much, I thought I'd come back for seconds on Kris Kristofferson with his elegant love song, "Loving Her was Easier than Anything I'll Ever Do Again."