I kinda forgot to post this on Friday. Sorry for the delay but hell, better late than never!
7:48am – Allman Brothers Band – Firing Line
What a bouncy way to start Friday morning’s “Hour of Music”. This one comes from the bands 2003 “Hittin’ The Note” album. The band waited nearly 10 years to put out new material and it sounds so fresh. The first album w/ Derek Trucks & Warren Haynes on guitar and Otiel Burbridge on bass. The band sounds strong and full of energy. Maybe not ALL “classic” bands can sound new and fresh but these guys pulled it off in a HUGE way. One of the strongest songs on this album if not of their career.
7:52: Elvis Costello – Ship of Fools
Without a doubt one of the greatest Grateful Dead covers ever done. This one comes from the “Deadicated – A Tribute To The Grateful Dead” album that was released in 1991. I’m not a huge fan of “tribute” albums as I usually find myself either insulted that an artist totally destroyed the song or that they just did it very uninspired. Elvis nailed this one. While keeping the dead vibe to the song (hear the lead solo), he threw in some really cool reggae elements yet managed to keep his own signature “orchestration” style. A great thought out cover of a great song.
7:58: Smartass – In Turn
One of my favorite all time bands from the old Atlanta metal/hard rock scene. When I was in High School, these guys were HUGE in town. Over the years I followed them around and even had a band later that got to open for them which was a great time. This is a great song from the “Attitude, Depression, Bourbon and Da Backbeat” CD. Raw gritty rock and roll in the vain of Quireboys and a well written song. Great chorus on this one. Still love this band.
8:02: Animal Bag – Darker Days
I loved this band! From their self titled debut, this Charlotte, NC band just nailed it for me. They were a cross between Janes Addiction and psychedelic 60’s groove rock. The entire album from start to finish is a monster album. Great musicianship and amazing lyrics and songwriting. This isn’t one of my all time favorite songs from the band but it is a great tune and a great way to start the album off. It gives you an idea of what’s to come in other songs as you hear all of the cool little breakdowns and changes in the song. These guys were all about the arrangement. Well thought out and well executed!
8:09 Drive-By Truckers – Daddy’s Cup
I love hearing the distinct style of writing from the different writers in this band. This is a Mike Cooley song which always just rips me to shreds. This is just a great dark and haunting song that’s of movement. I feel like I’m on a carriage riding on the edge of a small road with the rocks crumbling beneath the wheels. Wow, pretty descriptive eh?
8:13: Norah Jones – Don’t Miss You At All
This just makes me wanna be at home, curled up in front of my fireplace with a cup of tea and writing in my journal. Norah is much like Mazzy Star for me. She’s not so much “music” for me as she is a “feeling” and a “mood”. Norah’s a safe, warm and comfy place and this song is no exception.
8:17: Bruce Hornsby – Mandolin Rain (Live)
From one of my all time favorite live albums “Here Come The Noise Makers”. Bruce is such a timeless writer and performer. This is without a doubt one of his most popular songs and it never gets old to me. I especially love this version because of how he closes out the song with “Black Muddy River” by the Grateful Dead. Such a heartfelt song that makes me close my eyes and nod a bit with approval.
8:29: Cinderella – The More Things Change
What a blast from the past. These guys always got lumped in w/ the hair metal bands but Cinderella always stood above the rest. This is a great song from their best album “Heartbreak Station”. Tom Keifer is one of my favorite songwriters and what I loved about Cinderella was that they could appeal to the hard rock crowd by being a lil edgy w/ their tone yet they could appeal to the rock and roll crowd who dug Stones type, balls out rock.
8:34: KISS – Rock & Roll All Night (Live)
Wow, just wow. I love KISS and I actually though their unplugged performance was quite good. They really pulled it off and it was really fun to hear this song acoustic. Not that I think it was the best version of this song but they sounded like they were having so much fun. It’s one of those things I don’t listen to much but I find myself always digging it. It’s a great DVD as well.
8:38: Pantera – Domination
HAHAHA! Ya know, the older I get, the more ridiculous Pantera sounds to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a fan and love the music they made but I remember being in high school and feeling like they were so intense and that I understood them and vice versa. I could relate to the aggressive sound and feel like I was venting through the music. Now when I hear it, I just kinda laugh to myself because it sounds pretty ridiculous. Great album, great band but still kinda funny to hear now.
8:43: The Ramones – The KKK Took My Baby Away
The Ramones ALWAYS had great songs in my opinion. This is one of their “classics” and I always enjoy hearing this one. Everytime I hear it, I’m singing it in my head all damn day. I also love it that it was written about how Johnny Ramone stole Joey Ramones girlfriend from him and married her. You know you’re a professional band when you can actually play on a song that you know was just written about what an asshole you are!
8:46: Tom Petty – Wildflowers
Great way to close out this weeks “Hour Of Music”. This is the song when I think of Tom Petty. It’s so stripped down and organic and shows just what a great writer this guy is. I don’t love all his stuff. I always compared him more to Springsteen in my opinion. Some stuff is amazing and some is “what the fuck were you thinking” awful. This is one of those songs that I hear and go “why can’t all your shit be THIS good?” Beautiful song!
About The Author
