Pol's Country Pick 2

This continues my series of country picks that started when I wasn't admitting to myself that I liked country music. I slowly added real country songs into the pick of alternative country stuff I did admit to. I added to that list others that I found later. What's interesting, as a DJ, I find that people who say they don't like country, usually do. But are very vocal about "hating" country. And the people who love country music are the most tolerant people about the music being played. Back when I did not have a decent pick of country music I noticed at weddings and events that there are groups of people who like different music. Some will complain about every other genre being played coming up and saying can't you play something we can dance to. Even when the dance floor is full of dancers. They will not dance unless it is their specific genre. People who like country will dance, even if it isn't country. They are happy every time you play a country song. Even if you play just a few, they are the first to come up and say "thanks for that one song!" and "great music!" People who love some other genres (I won't name the genre) can have 90% of the night be in that genre and they are still upset that the one song was not. That's why I started loving country music.

Pol's Country Pick 2

25 Joss Whedon & Sonny Rhodes - Firefly Main Title

26 Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight

27 Holly Golightly - Walk A Mile

28 The Soledad Brothers - Rock Me Slow

29 Beatles - Act Naturally

30 Giant Sand - Plants And Rags

31 Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee

32 Kid Rock - Roll On

33 Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel

34 Bon Jovi - Who Says You Can't Go Home

35 kd Lang And The Reclines - Bopalena

36 Lady Gaga - Born This Way (Country Road Version)

37 Lone Justice - I Found Love

38 Scud Mountain Boys - Silo

39 Steve Earle - Time Has Come Today

40 The Oak Ridge Boys - Carry on Wayward Son

41 The Bodeans - The Strangest Kind

42 The Jayhawks - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me

43 Southern Culture On The Skids - Nitty Gritty

44 Meat Puppets - Flaming Heart

45 The Reverend Horton Heat - Spend A Night In The Box

46 Buck Satan and The 666 Shooters - Down The Drain

Pol's Country Pick 1

I grew up in California. The most country I got growing up was the Eagles or maybe Marie Osmond. I didn't get into country until I was in college. And even then it was mostly what people now are calling alt-country. But as a DJ you had to play some country no matter where you are in this nation. I almost said country again. So this series is some of the first country I ever started liking mixed in with some alt stuff that came later. I found the Dorothy Shay because of Marti Brom and the Cornell Hurd Band. I saw them do a show in Austin on one of my many trips out there, but not one of the South by Southwest trips. I was told by a good friend to make the trip to see them and he was right. Totally worth it. She sang some Dorothy Shay songs which I looked up later and fell in love. I put in the original on this pick, but do check out Brom's version it's quite good too. If you look at the list many of these are bands that weren't really country bands, sort of. Elvis, Wall Of Voodoo, etc. And then off shoots from other bands: Ministry, X, Violent Femmes, etc. and then some comedy and a variety.

Pol's Country Pick 1

01 Tom T Hall - I Like Beer

02 Travis Tritt - T-R-O-U-B-L-E (Single Version)

03 Elvis Costello - Psycho (Live)

04 Tammy Wynette - D-I-V-O-R-C-E

05 Wall Of Voodoo - The Good The Bad & The Ugly-Hang 'Em High

06 Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues

07 Dorothy Shay - Feudin' and Fightin'

08 Rodney Carrington - Show Them To Me

09 Supersuckers - Mean-Eyed Cat

10 Jerry Reed - She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)

11 Paul Kelly & The Stormwater Boys - Little Boy Don't Lose Your Balls

12 Everything But the Girl - Draining the Bar

13 Green On Red - Mighty Gun

14 Eddie Spaghetti - I Don't Want To Lose You Yet

15 August Campbell & the Spur of the Moment Band - I-95 Song

16 Whistlin' Bullets - Bit By Love

17 Beat Farmers - Lucille

18 Junior Brown - My Wife Thinks Your Dead

19 Buck Satan and The 666 Shooters - I Hate Every Bone in Your Body Except Mine

20 Garry Lee and Showdown - The Rodeo Song

21 Knitters - The Call Of The Wreckin Ball

22 Two Nice Girls - I Spent My Last $10 (On Birth Control And Beer)

23 Brian Ritchie - Religion Ruined My Life

24 Calexico - Sunken Waltz

Neal Schon Pick

Neal Schon is a pretty darn good guitar player, An early member of Santana, but probably better known for his work in Journey and Bad English. He's played with many people and had a nice solo career. He's appeared as a guest on so many artists' albums that I could easily make a compilation or two of just those, but for now this is what you get. My pick of Schon. My favorites. Obviously there is so much more to pick from, so give me your guitar favorites of his, especially from any guest appearances, in case I decide to make another volume. Notice that I only picked one each from Journey, Santana and Bad English. And not even one each from his solo albums. Oh well.

Neal Schon Pick

01 Santana - Taboo

02 Azteca - Can't Take The Funk Out Of Me

03 Journey - Of A Lifetime

04 Neal Schon & Jan Hammer - No More Lies

05 HSAS - Top of the Rock

06 Joe Cocker - Don't You Love Me Anymore

07 Michael Bolton - You're All That I Need

08 Bad English - Straight To Your Heart

09 Hardline - Hot Cherie

10 Just-If-I - For Your Love

11 Abraxas Pool - Szabo

12 Paul Rodgers - Saving Grace

13 Neal Schon - Caruso

14 Neal Schon - Blue Passion

15 Soul Sirkus - Highest Ground

16 Neal Schon - Lady M (Our Love Remains)

Gregg Rolie Pick

After yesterday's pick I had to make a family pick from Gregg Rolie. Twice in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.as lead singer of both Santana and Journey. He hasn't played in as many bands, but the ones he was in were all good. I started my pick with Santana and then went straight through to Journey. Stopped off with the Storm featuring another Journey member (Ross Valory) to record a minor hit. And then Abraxas Pool with an added Neal Schon. Some solo albums and a return to Santana cover the bulk of this comp. I skipped Ringo Starr All Star band and a couple of others, but I can because it's my pick. Tell me what you would have added instead.

Gregg Rolie Pick

01 Santana - Evil Ways

02 Santana - Black Magic Woman - Gypsy Queen

03 Journey - To Play Some Music

04 Journey - I'm Gonna Leave You

05 Journey - Spaceman

06 Journey - Anytime

07 Journey - Just The Same Way

08 The Storm - I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love

09 Abraxas Pool - Boom Ba Ya Ya

10 Gregg Rolie - They Want It All

11 Gregg Rolie - Give It To Me

12 Gregg Rolie - Don't Talk

13 Gregg Rolie - The Hands Of Time

14 Santana - Anywhere You Want To Go

15 Ronnie Montrose featuring Gregg Rolie, Tom Gimbel & Lawrence Gowan - I'm Not Lying

16 Gregg Rolie - That's The Way It Goes

Aynsley Dunbar Pick

Aynsley Dunbar is probably best known for his work as Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame drummer of early Journey, but he has played with so many different bands it is crazy. Being a Frank Zappa fan I knew he played on several of his albums, but also with Jeff Back, David Bowie, Lou Reed and tons more. He almost played with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. That would have been amazing, Mitch Mitchell just beat him out (supposedly by a coin toss).You can look him up on so many different albums. This is my pick of the man. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many to pick from and I'm sure you may have your favorites. Please leave a comment to tell me which ones you would have put on here. 

Aynsley Dunbar Pick

01 The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation - My Whiskey Head Woman

02 Jeff Beck - Tallyman

03 Michael Chapman - You Say

04 The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation - Warning

05 Frank Zappa - Tell Me You Love Me

06 Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23

07 Lou Reed - Berlin

08 David Bowie - Rebel Rebel

09 Herbie Mann - Bitch

10 Journey - Of A Lifetime

11 Sammy Hagar - Young Girl Blues

12 Jefferson Starship - Jane

13 Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

14 Ronnie Montrose - The Diva Station

15 UFO - Love Is Forever

16 Michael Schenker - Old Man With Sheep On Mars

17 John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - A Hard Road

Philly Steak

This compilation gets to the meat of the Philadelphia music scene as per TSOP, The Sound Of Philadelphia, but as per my pick. By no means is this a complete collection, perhaps not even a good pick, but it is my pick. Different from the music scene in Detroit or Memphis or any of the other scenes around this time. Philadelphia had their sound. The soul had these moments of funk mixed with lush instrumental flourishes with strings and horns. Pretty much setting the groundwork for the disco scene that would follow. I loved it all. This is a great scene to follow the producers. No more, just listen to the tracks.

Philly Steak

01 Main Ingredient - Everybody Plays The Fool

02 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now

03 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl

04 Billy Paul - Me And Mrs. Jones

05 Intruders - Cowboys To Girls

06 O'Jay's - Used To Be My Girl

07 Spinners - I'll Be Around

08 MFSB featuring The Three Degrees - TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)

09 Major Harris - Love Won't Let Me Wait

10 Dionne Warwick And The Spinners - Then Came You

11 Persuaders - Thin Line Between Love & Hate

12 Teddy Pendergrass with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Bad Luck

13 Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again

14 Tavares - It Only Takes A Minute

15 The Sapphires - Where Is Johnny Now

16 The Manhattans - Kiss And Say Goodbye

17 Blue Magic - Sideshow

18 Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her

19 The Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)

20 The Stylistics - You Make Me Feel Brand New

New Romantics

This is an interesting side pick of 80's new wave. Some bands influenced by David Bowie and Roxy Music, etc became known as New Romantic bands. Some of it fashion, some of it the music. This is what I imagine it is. In reality several of these bands denied being part of the movement and several I didn't include who probably should have been in here (Culture Club, Marilyn, etc.) Most of these songs are new wave songs that were more slow and beautiful and "romantic" sounding. I don't care about the makeup, androgynous looks, pirate clothes etc. Here I am just going for a sound. Listen and you'll hear what I mean. If you haven't heard the Rhythm Pop Pick's yet, make sure you check that out, too. They go with this.

New Romantics

01 Spandau Ballet - True

02 Ultravox - Vienna

03 Blow Monkeys - You Don't Own Me

04 Japan - I Second That Emotion

05 ABC - When Smokey Sings

06 Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love

07 Visage - Fade To Grey

08 Kissing The Pink - Love Lasts Forever

09 Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf

10 David Bowie - China Girl

11 A Flock Of Seagulls - I Ran (So Far Away)

12 Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Me

13 B-Movie - Nowhere Girl

14 Real Life - Send Me An Angel

15 Danse Society - Say It Again (Danse Mix)

16 Kajagoogoo - Too Shy

17 Human League - Don't You Want Me

18 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - So In Love

19 Classix Nouveaux - Guilty

Rhythm Pop Pick 8

This is the last of the Rhythm Pop Pick series (so far). This last one is special because on top of all the other requirements, this compilation had to also match one more criteria. It had to be a cover. New wave danceable pop covers. Some were not hits, some are way worse than the originals. But a few are amazingly great. No one but me seems to love Yoko Ono , but the B-52's covering her is just amazingly good. So Rhythm Wave, so Rhythm Pop. If you are not sure who did the original of each of these songs ask in the comments and someone will come to rescue you and answer. Remember that this is the last one of this series, although this goes hand in hand with Handcuff Dancing and soon to be posted: New Romantics. Make sure to check them out!

Rhythm Pop Pick 8

01 Love & Rockets - Ball Of Confusion

02 Devo - I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)

03 The Cure - Purple Haze

04 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - War

05 Billy Idol - Don't You Forget About Me

06 The Jesus And Mary Chain - My Girl

07 Tom Tom Club - Under the Boardwalk

08 Bow Wow Wow - Like A Virgin

09 Colourfield - Can't Get Enough Of You Baby

10 Echo & The Bunnymen - Ticket To Ride

11 Wall Of Voodoo - Ring Of Fire

12 Nina Hagen - My Sweet Lord

13 Heaven 17 - Don't Fear The Reaper

14 The B-52's - Don't Worry

15 Tuxedomoon - 19th Nervous Breakdown

16 Sisters Of Mercy - Emma

17 Cabaret Voltaire - No Escape

18 The Fixx - These Boots are Made for Walking

Rhythm Pop Pick 7

Coming on the last couple of these. You probably noticed the covers have all slightly changed in color. It made it easy to figure out when they were CD's that I played at gigs. Always time for a new wave pick. Rhythm Pop was sort of new wave, sort of pop. I always liked Vince Clarke. Good in Depeche Mode, Erasure, Yazoo (or Yaz) and also was The Assembly. If you didn't know, now you do why it all sounds so good. Another offshoot from a band is Banderas, which featured members from Bronski Beat/The Communards, New Order and The Smiths. My favorite is the one on here which has a great message and is also very danceable. Pop and Rhythm. Goes well together.

Rhythm Pop Pick 7

01 The Assembly - Never Never (extended version)

02 Cure - Close To Me

03 Red Lorry Yellow Lorry - Walking On Your Hands

04 Haysi Fantayzee - Shiny Shiny

05 Banderas - This Is Your Life

06 Icicle Works - Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly)

07 A Certain Ratio - Shack Up (radio edit)

08 I Start Counting - Lose Him

09 Vicious Pink - Cccan't You See (Extended)

10 Talk Talk - It's My Life

11 Gene Loves Jezebel - Desire

12 Mission UK - Wasteland

13 Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

14 The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary

15 Specimen - Stand Up Stand Out

16 The Danse Society - Somewhere

17 Lene Lovich - Lucky Number

Rhythm Pop Pick 6

I can make these all day, I had so many favorites of this type. Mostly 80's new wave with a few outliers that meet my feeling of Rhythm Pop. So today's pick has a couple I want to talk about. First is the Dave Ball side project of English Boy On The Loveranch. Dave Ball from Soft Cell fame, he did several solo projects and worked with a bunch of people. I will have to post one of my family picks of his sometime in the future. Well this project only managed a couple of EP's or long singles, but they match perfectly for this series. Very danceable. Tin-Tin or Stephen Duffy had a few iterations of himself and each managed at least one good song that would fit in here. I liked Kiss Me a lot. BTW, he was a really nice guy. I met him and kinda just hung out. Good guy. I have to now mention the Blow Monkeys. On the air, the first time I played them, just for fun, I stretched out the name to Blooooooow Moooonkeeeeys! And for some reason it caught on. I would get requests every shift for them. So it became something attached to me. And if I didn't exaggerate the name, I would get calls, asking if I was okay. I am. A few more volumes and then it's done.

Rhythm Pop Pick 6

01 Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face

02 Cure - Killing An Arab

03 Bauhaus - Harry

04 Squeeze - Tempted

05 Blow Monkeys - Digging Your Scene

06 Men At Work - Down Under

07 Hipsway - The Honeythief

08 Naked Eyes - Promises, Promises

09 Inxs - What You Need

10 ABC - The Look Of Love (Ultimix 12'' Inch Remix Extended)

11 Stephen Tin-Tin Duffy - Kiss Me

12 English Boy On The Loveranch - The Man In Your Life

13 Talk Talk - Talk Talk

14 New Order - Love Vigilantes

15 Le Tigre - Tko

16 Bronski Beat - Hit That Perfect Beat

17 Lene Lovich - New Toy

18 Spandau Ballet - Gold

Rhythm Pop Pick 5

The series continues with volume five. These danceable 80's pop picks are all sort of new wave. I do not think that there is any overlap with the previously posted Handcuff Dancing pick, but check it out for yourself. Today's pick includes Weird Al doing one of the best covers ever. Anything made into Brady Bunch has to be good. Also the first song in all German to top the charts from Falco (who also wrote "Der Kommissar" which ended up being a hit for After The Fire and not so much Falco). Public Image which got played in all sorts of places. Tones on Tail which soon after turned into Love And Rockets. And one of my other favorite "joke" songs "Wanna Be A Cowboy" which ended up getting played all over in clubs. What a fun song from a band that never did much else after that. Too bad.

Rhythm Pop Pick 5

01 Falco - Rock Me Amadeus

02 Device - Hanging On A Heart Attack

03 Simple Minds - All The Things She Said

04 Weird Al Yankovic - The Brady Bunch

05 Scritti Politti - Perfect Way

06 New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle

07 Spandau Ballet - Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)

08 Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

09 Public Image Ltd - This Is Not A Love Song

10 Cure - Let's Go To Bed

11 Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight

12 Fingerprintz - The Beat Escape

13 Tones On Tail - Ok This Is The Pops

14 Alphaville - Forever Young

15 Bronski Beat - Why

16 Boys Don't Cry - Wanna Be A Cowboy

17 Devo - Through Being Cool

18 Heaven 17 - (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thing

Rhythm Pop Pick 4

Part of the reason I like this pick (the whole series) is because it covers a lot while being in such a small genre. The 80's were a good time for music. New instruments, new formats, lots of college radio. Whatever didn't get airplay on "regular" main stream radio, colleges were playing. MTV was busy and they were playing a tight format. Different, but tight. Some bands got little to no airplay and others oversaturated stations. All of them cool in their own way. Specimen has the longest pause at end. Stops cold and then fades. Ministry used to be pop? Martha and the Muffins were such a great band, this was later, still cool. Early Depeche Mode and middle Echo & the Bunnymen. Pete Shelley and Odds right next to each other (where they belong). And the start of the Cure being pop had already started, but this cemented it in.

Rhythm Pop Pick 4

01 A Ha - Take On Me

02 Animotion - Obsession

03 Ministry - Everyday Is Halloween

04 Specimen - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

05 Gary Myrick & The Figures - She Talks In Stereo

06 Martha & the Muffins - Black Stations-White Stations

07 Blancmange - Don't Tell Me

08 Simple Minds - New Gold Dream

09 Yello - I Love You

10 Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough

11 Echo & The Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar

12 Pete Shelley - Telephone Operator

13 Odds - Heterosexual Man

14 Soft Cell - Tainted Love-Where Did Our Love Go

15 The Nails - 88 Lines About 44 Women

16 Cure - Boys Don't Cry

Rhythm Pop Pick 3

Volume three of this pick is kind of cool in several ways. First, as always, I liked all these songs and bands. I won a prize in Hawaii in some bar for knowing The B-52's, so I will always remember that, but several of these songs were just not big hits around my part of town and yet they were such cool songs. I knew the Soft Boys, of course, and when the Egyptians album came out and Robyn started singing Heaven, I knew I was going to love it. The Bongos, Kissing The Pink, Vicious Pink and The Dealers were all personal favorites of mine. The medley from OMD was a 12 inch single. And around that time one of the DJ trick mixes was INXS and FYC. A buddy of mine and I went into the studio and put together a great mix so that anyone could replicate it. One of the first real mashups! Listen to how it weaves in and out of each other. It's actually better than what you could do live on turntables. It's a great example of what you can do with a multi-track editor.

Rhythm Pop Pick 3

01 Romeo Void - Never Say Never

02 The B-52's - Rock Lobster

03 Tears For Fears - Shout

04 Bongos - The Beat Hotel

05 Kissing The Pink - Big Man Restless

06 CCCP - American Soviets

07 INXS vs Fine Young Cannibals - She Needs You To Drive Me Crazy Tonight (Helms at the Helm Mix)

08 Wham! - Everything She Wants

09 Book Of Love - Boy

10 The Dealers - Don't Keep Me Waiting

11 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Brides Of Frankenstein

12 Yello - Oh Yeah (12 inch Mix)

13 Vicious Pink - Spooky

14 Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Heaven

Rhythm Pop Pick 2

This pick has a lot of volumes in it. Probably because I like so much of the music in this genre. Which admittedly is a made up genre. I don't care, because for me it makes a lot of sense. Several different mixes from the "hit" versions on the radio. But definitely some of these were played at clubs and gigs around that time. If not by everyone, for sure by me. I'm not even sure if all of these were ever on an album or not (maybe you know?). Anyway I love these. Very danceable. The cover mixes are my favorites and work great (T-Rex wears Sunglasses at Night on Route 66.) This is before the official mashup craze, but probably led to it. If you have a favorite mashup of songs from this era, leave it in the comments. The order isn't in strict BPM order, but they do kind of go together.

Rhythm Pop Pick 2

01 A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song (I Ran Mix)

02 Lightning Seeds - Pure

03 Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love

04 Scritti Politti - Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)

05 Pet Shop Boys - West End-Sunglasses

06 Power Station - Get It On

07 Ebn-Ozn - AEIOU Sometimes Y

08 Depeche Mode - Behind The Wheel-Route 66 (Mega Single Mix)

09 New Order - Blue Monday

10 INXS - Original Sin

11 Pete Shelley - Homosapien

12 Vicious Pink - Fetish

13 Soft Cell - It's A Mugs Game

14 Dominatrix - The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight

15 The B-52's - Dance This Mess Around

Rhythm Pop Pick 1

Several volumes in this pick. Named somewhat because of a couple of songs (you'll see) and partially because the college radio station I was manager and DJ at for years played a format they called Rhythm Wave. I didn't want to just copy and it was slightly different. So it became Rhythm Pop. All danceable pop muzik. Poppy New Wave. Much was played on the station and some only by me on that station, Enjoy this first of several volumes. Tell me which songs you like and which ones you don't, but wait to give suggestions since there are many more coming.

Rhythm Pop Pick 1

01 Scritti Politti - Hypnotize

02 Men Without Hats - Safety Dance

03 M - Pop Muzik

04 Hugh Grant - Pop! Goes My Heart

05 Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok

06 Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

07 Baltimora - Tarzan Boy

08 Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

09 M.A.R.R.S. - Pump Up The Volume (12 inch Mix)

10 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax

11 Comateens - Don't Come Back

12 Roman Holliday - One Foot Back In Your Door

13 Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - If You Leave

14 Graham Parker - You Hit The Spot

15 Will Powers - Kissing With Confidence (Extended)

16 Haircut 100 - Love Plus One

17 Blue Clocks Green - Hemingway (12 Version)

18 The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another

19 Squeeze - Cool For Cats

Pound Fit 1

I have nothing to do with the fitness program Pound. Except I attended a session. And my wife went to many and a friend owns a fitness studio where she is licensed or certified or whatever they do to give the classes. And I got to listen to the music they play a little bit. First off, it's a cool fitness program. but don't tell them I said so. It's a tough workout. I couldn't hack it. But if you like music, it's really cool. You get some drum sticks (weighted) and do routines to music. Whacking the ground, the air, the sticks etc. Lots of up and down and sideways playing drums to the music (sort of). Anyway, it didn't take long to realize that I liked, but hated their choice of music. So I made an hour long CD to replace what they used. They didn't use it, but it was nice to have it at home for practice. I tried to start slow and build up, go slow and build up again. It's a good pick whether you use it for Pound Fit or any other workout, or just to hang out and listen to. I started on future volumes, but never quite finished them. If I get enough call, I'll finish the next one.

Pound Fit 1

01 Sisters Of Mercy - Doctor Jeep

02 Pop-O-Pies - Fascists Eat Donuts

03 Limbomaniacs - Shake It

04 Faith No More - We Care A Lot (Original Version)

05 Toy Dolls - I've Got Asthma

06 The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

07 Revolting Cocks - Something Wonderful

08 Ministry - N.W.O.

09 Queens of the Stone Age - Feel Good Hit Of The Summer

10 The Faction - Let's Go Get Cokes

11 Suicidal Tendencies - Institutionalized

12 Le Tigre - TKO

13 The Meatmen - Punker-Ama

14 Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank

15 Vandals - Ladykiller

16 Young Fresh Fellows - Taco Wagon

Textures 3

A continuation of the mostly instrumental picks of before. Some of this is ambient yet sometimes a little dissonant, slightly off, new wave music and others just interesting beats weirdness. See Textures volume 1 and 2 for more info. Again some of the same artists, but also a bunch of new ones added. Some of these tracks are shorter so more fit in on the playlist. But the special mixes of New Order and Depeche Mode make up for it. The Will Sergeant is probably the least well known track. A member of Echo & the Bunnymen his track is from what I think is Sergeant's only solo album. All the tracks are instrumental and could have been used, but Scene VI is my favorite. A couple of B-Sides and a few album tracks round it out. I have an uncompleted volume 4 that I am working on, so if you have a suggestion, leave it in the comments.

Textures 3

18 The Police - Behind My Camel

19 The Cure - Descent (B-Side Of Primary)

20 Wall Of Voodoo - There's Nothing On This Side

21 David Bowie - Neuköln

22 Simple Minds - Somebody Up There Likes You

23 Yello - Point Blank

24 Killing Joke - Bloodsport

25 Duran Duran - Tel Aviv

26 Roxy Music - Tara

27 Radiohead - Feral

28 Throbbing Gristle - Walkabout

29 Will Sergeant - Scene VI

30 Split Enz - Double Happy

31 New Order - Elegia (Full Version)

32 Depeche Mode - Oberkorn (It's A Small Town Development Mix)

What's The Connection? Jeans

Here's a connection that wears well. All songs with jeans in the title or about blue jeans or denim. Whether your jeans are on, or your denim is dirty, whether they are blue, red or black, the songs are here. Although I'm sure someone will tell me about another song I missed. That will have to be on the next volume. This connection was already posted on Butter Boy's site, but here it is again, in case you missed that post. Go visit his site, though, he's got some very cool compilations. Anyway this WTC? has rock to hip-hop, surf to country. Something for everyone.

What's The Connection? Jeans

01 Neil Diamond - Forever In Blue Jeans

02 Jonathan Richman - My Jeans

03 Kid Rock - Blue Jeans And A Rosary

04 Chris de Burgh - Blonde Hair, Blue Jeans

05 Stevie Nicks - Blue Denim

06 David Dundas - Jeans On

07 The Donnas - Dirty Denim

08 Ladytron - Blue Jeans

09 Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans

10 Sqeezer - My Sexy Blue Jeans

11 ZZ Top - Blue Jean Blues

12 Paul McCartney - Blue Jean Bop

13 Jeff Beck & The Big Town Playboys - Red Blue Jeans And A Pony Tail

14 Jimmy Clanton - Venus In Blue Jeans

15 Cheers - Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots

16 The Surfaris - Black Denim

17 Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night

18 Junior Brown - Venom Wearin' Denim

19 Mel McDaniel - Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On

20 Miley Cyrus - Old Blue Jeans

21 Gerry House - My Jeans Are Too Tight

22 Chingy featuring Jermaine Dupri - Dem Jeans

23 Ginuwine - In Those Jeans

24 Drumma Boy featuring Rocko & 2 Chainz - Levi Jeans

Nonesuch Folk

This is an interesting story. At one time long ago, I had a family member ask me to find an old Pete Seeger album. At the time I did not have it (and hadn't even heard it) but they insisted it was a great album and they hadn't heard it in years and they couldn't find it. I offered to look for it as I was shopping around the world for records. I would occasionally look for it as I looked for new albums. It didn't take long, and I found it. Next Thanksgiving was a joyous time as we all listened to the LP. It was a decent album, not all it was made out to be. They ended up wanting it on cassette. So I recorded it for them. The tape had enough room left over to make what I picked to match or sort of match on the other side. This is mostly what I had. I added some newer tracks when I made this compilation Since I didn't want to put a whole album on here, none of Pete Seeger is on here. Some folkish, some acoustic, some just fun stuff.

Nonesuch Folk

01 Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane

02 Robyn Hitchcock - The Bones In The Ground

03 Dashboard Confessional - Even Now (Acoustic)

04 Velvet Underground - Pale Blue Eyes

05 We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It - Bohemian Rhapsody

06 Robyn Hitchcock - Uncorrected Personality Traits

07 Kate Bush - Lord Of The Reedy River

08 Beautiful South - Everybody’s Talkin’

09 Current 93 - Oh' Coal Black Smith

10 The Jesus And Mary Chain - My Girl

11 Zander Schloss - Salsa Y Ketchup

12 This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren

13 Chris Isaak - Forever Blue (Acoustic Version)

14 Dif Juz featuring Elizabeth Fraser & Robin Guthrie - Love Insane

15 The Horse Flies - Hush Little Baby

16 Everything But The Girl - Alfie

17 Victoria Williams - Don't Let It Bring You Down

18 Death In June - Little Black Angel

19 The Perfect Disaster - Wanderin' Star

20 The Hummingbirds - Sister Goldenhair

21 Lou Reed - Perfect Day (Acoustic Demo)

22 Two Nice Girls - I Spent My Last $10 (On Birth Control And Beer)

23 The Lilac Time - Big Yellow Taxi

24 10,000 Maniacs - Peace Train

What's The Connection? Freedom

This day will always be burned in our collective memories. The USA was attacked for it's freedom. We came together for a short while, remembering our freedoms and still memorialize the victims of this horrendous day. To me it represents all of the people who have died defending our freedoms guaranteed us by the constitution, but given to us by God. We all need to remember that as we come closer to voting. And fight, by voting for our rights before we lose them altogether. This connection is a pick of songs that all have free or freedom in the title. Play it on days that you want to remember that the USA, with all of its faults, is still the best country in the world. Where we have fought for freedom here and around the world. Leave a comment about what you love about freedom. Whether it's freedom where you live, freedom in the USA or freedom in your life or your pursuit of freedom.

What's The Connection? Freedom

01 Fleetwood Mac - Freedom

02 Shonen Knife - Perfect Freedom

03 Violent Femmes - I'm Free

04 The Soup Dragons - I'm Free

05 Who - I'm Free

06 Jimi Hendrix - Freedom

07 Negativland - Freedom's Waiting

08 Michael McDonald - Sweet Freedom

09 Isley Brothers - Freedom

10 Ice-T - Freedom Of Speech

11 Rascal Flatts - Fast Cars & Freedom

12 Black Slate - Freedom Time

13 Erasure - Freedom

14 Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

15 Byrds - Chimes Of Freedom

16 Wham! - Freedom

17 Devo - Freedom Of Choice

18 Rage Against the Machine - Freedom

19 Ernest Wilson - Freedom Train

20 Lenny Kravitz - Freedom Train

21 Lou Reed - I'm So Free

Island Background 2

The continuation of the background music pick of my island wedding. This is dinner and cocktail music that actually played at my wedding. This compilation compliments the Tiki Party pick and the Tiki Exotica pick (not yet posted). There are one or two doubles, but very few although you will see some of the same artists. The emphasis is on Hawaii, but several of the songs on these two volumes don't necessarily have to be about those islands. A few of these tracks are very catchy and I cannot stop singing or humming to them when they play. Anyway, that's the last of this series. But Tiki Exotica will be coming. Leave your favorite Island songs in the comments. I would love to hear them.

Island Background 2

01 Arthur Lyman - Afro Blue

02 Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow

03 Martin Denny - The Hawaiian Wedding Song

04 Martin Denny - Pearly Shells

05 Martin Denny - Misirlou

06 The Coconutz - Nothing Compares 2 U

07 Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole - White Sandy Beach Of Hawaii

08 Jake Shimabukuro - Thriller

09 Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole - Island Style

10 Arthur Lyman - Aphrodisia

11 Don Tiki - Barbi In Bali

12 Three Plus - Honey Baby

13 Sean Na'auao - Fish and Poi

14 Cecilio & Kapono - You And Me

15 Bing Crosby - Blue Hawaii

16 Christine Anu - My Island Home

17 Dorothy Lamour - My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua

18 Ale'a - Baby Can I Hold You Tonight

19 Ehukai - Molokai Slide

20 Justin Kawika Young - Hawaiian Music Will Tickle Your Feet

21 Aloha Sex Juice - More Than Words

22 Big Kahuna and the Copa Cat Pack - The Hukilau Song

23 Tommy Dorsey - Hawaiian War Chant

Island Background 1

Coming off the Tiki Party pick yesterday, I thought I might as well post the background music I used during dinner and cocktails at my island themed wedding. A little bit of exotica, some Iz and Don Ho. Just our favorite picks from the islands. Two volumes. A little old and a little new. I don't think there is any overlap with the Tiki Party compilations, but maybe a couple with the upcoming Tiki Exotica pick. Most Exotica would probably work well in a dinner or cocktail setting. These are probably more oriented to a wedding setting, but make up your own mind.

Island Background 1

01 Martin Denny - Exotica

02 Pau Hana - Wake Up My Darling

03 Tak Shindo - Bali Ha'i

04 Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole - What A Wonderful World

05 Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band - Aloha Ka Manini

06 Dorothy Lamour - Aloha Oe

07 Arthur Lyman - Hawaiian Wedding Song

08 Don Ho and the Aliis - Tiny Bubbles

09 Wesley Edwards - Alika

10 Les Baxter - Copacabana Surfboard

11 Martin Denny - Quiet Village

12 Chick Floyd & His Orchestra - Hana Maui

13 Pati - Tali Maia

14 Israel Iz Kamakawiwo'ole - Hawaii 78

15 Arthur Lyman - Taboo

16 Dorothy Lamour - Little Brown Gal

17 Arthur Lyman - Yellow Bird

18 Out Islanders, The - Moon Mist

19 Hapa - Lei Pikake

20 Martin Denny - Aku Aku

21 Island Rhythms - Pua Olena

22 Don Tiki - Bam-Boozled

Tiki Party 3

This is the last of the Tiki Party pick, but more related songs will be coming. Please play this at a tiki party to get the full flavor of the songs and be sure to leave comments of your favorite tiki party songs. Remember that Exotica is coming. You may be wondering about the cover that I designed. I love those tiles and plan on getting some just like it for my new tiki bar (don't ask what happened to the old one - just suffice it to say that I hate my HOA), have a drink in a coconut and think of me when you do.

Tiki Party 3

42 Brothers Cazimero - Home In The Islands

43 Na Leo Pilimehana - I Miss You My Hawaii

44 Don Ho - Pearly Shells

45 Beamer Brothers - Mr. Sun Cho Lee

46 Paul Page - Tahitian Love Song (feat. Jerry Byrd & Rainbow Trio)

47 Beamer Brothers - Honolulu City Lights

48 Sean Na'auao - Fish and Poi

49 The Tikiyaki Orchestra - Aloha, Baby !

50 Don Tiki - Barbi In Bali

51 Cecilio & Kapono - About You

52 The Throwdowns - Kihei Town

53 Rap Reiplinger - Man With The Cho-Cho Lips

54 Jack Johnson featuring John Cruz and Jackson Browne - Island Style

55 The Throwdowns - Shake Your Bones

56 Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

57 Jan & Dean - Hawaii

58 Na Leo Pilimehana - Local Boys

59 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Hele on to Kauai

60 Willie K - Spirits In The Wind

61 Ho'aikane - Kona Red

62 Sting - My Funny Friend And Me

63 Mana'o Company - Drop Baby Drop

Tiki Party 2

I feel like some people may misinterpret that this is all Hawaiian Island music. It isn't. Although there is quite a bit from the Hawaiian Islands. That wasn't a deciding factor in this pick. Although that feel is quite important to it. Tiki tends to be associated with Hawaii, but can be and in this case is being used as a reference to Polynesian islands. But as you can tell, the Beach Boys are neither. One of my favorites on this volume is from comedian Rap Reiplinger. I cracked up, the first time I heard his albums (and I got all I could find) including this parody of Glen Campbell. Very funny, if you know the Hawaiian Islands at all. Unfortunately he's not with us anymore, but do check out his work. He's hilarious.

Tiki Party 2

21 Andy Cummings & His Hawaiian Serenaders - Waikiki

22 Keali'i Reichel - Kauanoeanuhea

23 Jack Johnson - Better Together

24 Jump5 - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

25 Hawaiian Style Band - Love And Honesty

26 Brothers Cazimero - Waika

27 The Waikikis - Hawaii Tattoo

28 The Aqua Velvets - Tiki Beat

29 Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus - He Mele No Lilo

30 Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

31 Beach Boys - Kokomo

32 Kui Lee - I'll Remember You

33 Olomana - Kanaka Wai Wai

34 Keali'i Reichel - E O Mai

35 Olomana - Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u

36 Loyal Garner - Shave Ice

37 Hapa - Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai

38 Don Tiki - Exotica '97

39 Willie K - Waterfall

40 Gabby Pahinui - Hi'ilawe

41 Rap Reiplinger - Puka Shell Tour Guide

Tiki Party 1

I am part island boy. I wasn't born on an island, but I have island in my blood (and have one of those ancestry kits to prove it). Part South Pacific Islander. Growing up, I just knew in my bones that I loved the sea, warm tropical weather. I was at home on a boat and loved every moment anytime I visited an island. Unfortunately I live a long way from any island. But I can get closer by listening to this pick. This tiki pick includes some of my favorite songs to play at a Tiki party. Three volumes of songs that were NOT played at my tiki wedding and not including my Tiki Exotica pick. All those will be posted sometime in the future. I did have this playlist posted before on Butterboy's great site, go check it out. But now it comes on here. Enjoy it.

Tiki Party 1

01 Melveen Leed - My Little Grass Shack

02 Israel IZ Kamakawiwo'ole - Take Me Home, Country Roads

03 Ginger Baker Trio - Rambler

04 The Tikiyaki Orchestra - Theme For Jetsetters

05 Ka'au Crater Boys - Guava Jelly

06 Elvis Presley - Blue Hawaii

07 Jack Johnson - Bubble Toes

08 Hawaiian Style Band - Let's Talk Story

09 Imua - Menehune Beach Bum Boogie

10 Leon Russell - Back To The Island

11 Duane Eddy - Gidgest Goes Hawaiian

12 Na Leo Pilimehana - Flying With Angels

13 Hapa - He'eia

14 Jerry Byrd - Theme From Adventures In Paradise

15 Don Tiki - Bam-Boozled

16 Ledward Kaapana - I Kona

17 Train - Mermaid

18 Mark Yamanaka - Lei Pua Kenikeni

19 Keali'i Reichel - Maunaleo

20 Peter Moon Band - Island Love

Once Upon A Time 6

This is the last of the series for now. All songs that are in story format. A wide variety throughout the series, never more clear than on this volume. I'm sure you have some suggestions for future volumes. And I'm sure I missed one of your favorite story songs. Please leave them in the comments. I'm sure I will make more of these volumes in the future and I would love to hear your suggestions. There are some fun ones in this volume. One of my favorite story songs (and one of the ones I was first thinking of when I decided to make this compilation is Marlena Shaw's Yu-Ma/Go Away Little Boy. I love her voice on this track. One of my favorites of all time by her. When she changes her mind and her voice changes, It just gives me chills. And the story is great. I wish I was that irresistible. Unfortunately, I am no Cary Grant, no matter how much I wish I was.

Once Upon A Time 6

84 Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shot the Sheriff

85 Commander Cody & Lost Planet Airmen - Two Triple Cheese Side Order Fries

86 Pete Seeger - I Know An Old Lady

87 The Stories - Brother Louie

88 Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

89 Marlena Shaw - Yu-Ma-Go Away Little Boy

90 Barry Manilow - Copacabana (At The Copa)

91 Steely Dan - Rikki Don't Lose That Number

92 New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle

93 Junior Brown - My Wife Thinks Your Dead

94 Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart

95 Pitbull - Fireball feat. John Ryan

96 Carole King - Smackwater Jack

97 Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline

98 Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken

99 Peter Paul Mary - Puff (The Magic Dragon)

100 Billy Joel - Captain Jack

101 David Cook - Mr. Sensitive

Once Upon A Time 5

This volume of story picks doesn't have very many songs. But they are long. This is my pick of rock stories. The full story of 2112 is enough of a story to capture anyone's heart and mind. But add classic stories of murder, love (or is it lust?), drunken fights and spooky hotels masquerading as a metaphor for cocaine abuse and you have a rock and roll classic. Not a single country song in the bunch. But today I am going to tell you a story about the title. Obviously it references how stories start, but is that it? Once Upon A Time is a phrase designed to suck you in. Anything that is said after that is instantly accepted by the brain. Your brain knows it is a story coming up next. There is no filter blocking right after. It is a brilliant way to convey information. Sales people use this technique often. A story can overcome objections in a painless way. You can keep them at an arm's distance while you deal with them fairly directly.

Once Upon A Time 5

74 Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

75 Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street

76 Neil Young - Cortez The Killer

77 Rush - 2112 (I. Overture II. The Temples of Syrinx III. Discovery IV. Presentation V. Oracle The Dream VI.)

78 George Thorogood & The Destroyers - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

79 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Three Steps

80 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

81 Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll Too Young To Die

82 Eagles - Hotel California

83 Kinks - Come Dancing

Once Upon A Time 4

There are so many story songs. A beginning, a middle and an end. and I have put some country picks into this series although not as many as there are country story songs. But not so much today. Just a smattering. Today there is a wide variety of bands. Including one of my favorites from the Bay Area: Negativland. They use found sounds in their songs and this one is a good story about making scrambled eggs. I love it. Add in a story about seeing your dinner on your TV, a story about a restaurant, a story about the phenomena of streaking, Kate Bush covering Elton John and ending it with Gil Scott-Heron. Yahoo! I got to see Gil Scott-Heron perform this song on piano in NY. What a great show, but it was obvious that he was having trouble. Sad really. But to hear him in person was great.

Once Upon A Time 4

55 Van Morrison - Into the Mystic

56 Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson

57 Negativland - Perfect Scrambled Eggs

58 Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

59 Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run

60 Billy Joel - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

61 John Hegley and the Popticians - I Saw My Dinner On TV

62 Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi

63 Ray Stevens - The Streak

64 America - A Horse With No Name

65 Beatles - Eleanor Rigby

66 Cat Stevens - Moonshadow

67 Bob Seger - Turn the Page

68 Bob Dylan - Hurricane

69 David Bowie - Space Oddity

70 Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Piña Colada Song)

71 Kate Bush - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time)

72 Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

73 Gil Scott-Heron - B Movie

Once Upon A Time 3

The continuing story of story songs with volume 3 in your hands. I've been a sucker for story songs all my life. Bungalow Bill is something I sang as a kid in elementary school. Later in life I discovered KMET and Dr. Demento. He played many crazy songs, and you could find all sorts of story songs among them. One of those became a real favorite of mine. Meri Wilson, in the late 70's, had this song that got played a lot, Telephone Man. It was a fun filled double entendre song. A story and sexual suggestion. Perfect. I had no idea she was a model and great looking until much later. I also get a love for ELO, because the radio was filled with Telephone Line, every time they played her song for at least a whole summer. So that's the story of why I picked Meri Wilson for this compilation.

Once Upon A Time 3

33 Jim Croce - You Don't Mess Around With Jim

34 Melanie - Brand New Key

35 Tony Orlando & Dawn - Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree

36 Neil Young - Sugar Mountain

37 Monty Python - Lumberjack Song

38 Janis Joplin - Me And Bobby McGee

39 Raydio - Jack And Jill

40 Paper Lace - The Night Chicago Died

41 Hot Chocolate - Brother Louie

42 Jerry Reed - She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)

43 C.W. McCall - Convoy

44 Beatles - The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill

45 August Campbell & the Spur of the Moment Band - I-95 Song

46 Taylor Swift - Love Story (US Pop Mix)

47 Deana Carter - Strawberry Wine

48 Tom T. Hall - (Old Dogs, Children And) Watermelon Wine

49 The Playmates - Beep Beep

50 Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen - Hot Rod Lincoln

51 Tony Joe White - Polk Salad Annie

52 Meri Wilson - Telephone Man

53 Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans

54 Helen Reddy - Angie Baby

Once Upon A Time 2

Continuing this pick of Story songs, I added a couple of "newer" songs along with the older stuff. Not going to be a big story to add on to how this started or why I picked these songs (other than I like them and they are all stories). But I do want to say that there are a gamut of comedy and tragedy songs in this volume. You guess which is which. Couple of war stories and one of my very favorite story songs: Violent Femmes' Country Death Song. More about the cover tomorrow.

Once Upon A Time 2

17 Bad Company - Shooting Star

18 Ssgt Barry Sadler - The Ballad Of The Green Berets

19 Beatles - Rocky Raccoon

20 Hot Chocolate - Emma

21 Stan Ridgway - Camouflage

22 Julie Brown - The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun

23 Violent Femmes - Country Death Song

24 Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Powderfinger

25 Velvet Underground - The Gift

26 Detergents - Leader Of The Laundromat

27 The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

28 Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods - Billy Don't Be A Hero

29 Shangri-Las - Leader Of The Pack

30 Jan And Dean - Dead Man's Curve

31 Cher - Dark Lady

32 Eminem - Stan