If you are here, then you have hitched a ride on my musical journey. These are the signposts that shifted my musical direction. These are not necessarily my favorite songs, but the first one that set me on a new path. Sometimes, it’s easy to see that line from song A to Song B. But there are a few detours along the way, brief, but fun distractions.
So, are you ready? Hear we go. My playlist.
I’m A Believer – The Monkees: I can’t remember if this is the first song I heard. Like many people of a certain age, the Monkees were my first step into this work of rock and or roll. Not necessarily a favorite song, but one that set me on my path . . . one that led to Liverpool, England.
From Me to You – The Beatles: This is the moment, sitting on my brother’s bed listening to The Beatles “Red” Album. I was five and it was a mind-expanding experience (can a five-year old’s mind expand?) But I had never heard anything like that before, and my young, little mind knew this was a new world that I never wanted to leave.
Daily Records – The Who: I know what you’re thinking. The Who has the one of the greatest collections in rock-n-roll history, this is the song I chose?!? My sister brought home Face Dances when I was 12. This was my favorite song on the album and started my on my amazing Who journey. (Get it?)
Slit Skirts – Pete Townsend: That’s more like it, right? A classic, The Who are known for singing from the gut, but I always preferred his songs from his heart. That yearning plea at the end “Romance, romance … why aren’t we thinking up rooooo-mance. Why can we drink it up true-heart romance, Just need a brief new romance” gets me everytime.
Black Coffee In Bed – Squeeze: What can I say … that tenor, that face, that skinny tie. Even close to 40 years (yikes) later, this song and that face still give me the shivers.
The Musical Box – Genesis: Knock knock. Who’s there? Prog Rock. Okay, come on in. This is when the length of a song was a bragging right.
The Family and the Fishing Net – Peter Gabriel: Dark. Mysterious. Primitive. Rythmitc, Peter Gabriel at his Peter Gabrieliest.
Next to You – The Police: Up to this point of time, all my music was influenced by my older siblings. My record browsing was through their record collections. The Police and this album marked my first significant change of direction down a new road. And Sting was totally hot.
Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush: That voice, that white dress, that long, witchy brown hair. I still know the dance. In the time of Madonna (not negating her talent, but…), Kate was intelligent, unique, beautiful, and sensual (just listen to “Feel It’).
Pretty Persuasion – REM: Major thoroughfares. Two lane highways. Then there are one-lane back roads that take you through beautiful, bucolic landscapes. It takes you longer to get there, but boy oh boy do you enjoy the drive. That’s REM. REM reminds me of my youth and was the soundtrack to everyone of my life’s key milestones. I’ve never recovered from that break-up.
Bulrushes – The Bongos: While not one of my favorite bands or songs, I added to represent my U68 years. What’s U68 you say? For a few glorious years, U68 was the music video channel alternative to MTV for the Tri-State area. It introduced me to the alternative music that shaped my life, and this one was a good one,
Heaven – Robyn Hitchcock: You know that time a friend went away for a weekend and joined a cult, and came back all different? I went away for a weekend and discovered Robyn Hitchcock and I came back all different. Thank god. Thank Robyn.
Hang Out Right – The Young Fresh Fellows: Best song from the best mixtape of my high school years. Provided by Thom, an older guy in a band who introduced me to so much great music. (Was with him during the above mentioned weekend.) I’ll never forget driving with him, singing, “You’ve got to hold your beverage casually to party most effectively.” Ironically, Thom was a good Christin boy and the only thing I drank with him was pop,
Throw Your Arms Around Me – Hunter and Collectors: This is for all the boys I’ve loved but were never mine.
It Take Two – Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock: Three words – College Frat Parties. (FYI — not the Law & Order: SVU frat parties. Just good memories of this alternative music devotee getting down to some good ole hip-hop.)
Calling All Angels – Jane Siberry: Beautiful, hypnotic, unique voice and music, conjuring up snowy fields and crisp full moons. Worst. Concert. Ever.
Retrieval of You – The Minus 5: There is something about watching a band of friends who love each other and love making music together bashing it out on stage. Some of the best shows I’ve ever seen had one thing in common: Mr. Scott McCaughey, whether it was with the Minus 5, Baseball Project or Filthy Friends. Watching Scott on stage is a jolt of joy. He is our best friend in rock.
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: I could fill pages on this band and its heart, Jeff Tweedy, but let me be succinct. If you plug my rock-n-roll road map into GPS, Wilco would be home.
Make War – Bright Eyes: I saw Bright Eyes in 2006, I was the oldest person there not in a chaperone capacity. Many squealing 15 year old girls, and their teenage boy counterparts in dark blazers and skinny jeans.
Wildewomen – Lucius: Beautiful harmonies, mirrored images, this one started as a curiosity. Wilco-approved, I had to check them out. I was hooked by the half-way into the first song (this one). Good enough for Roger Waters to trust them with the Great Gig in the Sky. Listen to them live, it will bring the tears.
O Holy Night – Raul Esparza: A diversion. Some songs hit you in the head, heart or gut. I admit, this one strikes a little lower. Do yourself a favor. Stop reading this right now, go to Youtube and search “Raul Esparza O Holy Night.’ You will thank me.
Let’s Get Drunk and Get it On – The Old 97s: Sounds like a great, friggen’ idea!
Seasoned – Daisy the Great: This little duo proves you are never too old for new discoveries. A quirker Lucius.
Teenage FBI – Guided by Voices: File this under “New to Me”. I need to make several offerings to the Alternative/Indie Music Gods to atone for overlooking this one for so many years. Forgive me?
Songs: Ohia – Farewell Transmission: This is my Pandemic 2020 Song. Dark, hypnotic, otherworldly, really. I listened to this and imagined seeing him live, just kind of swaying to the music. I made a metal note to get his tour schedule as soon as the shit show was over. Then I learned that he, Jason Molina, died in 2013 from organ failure due to years of alcohilism. So, yeah, very 2020.
Outtasite (Outtta Mind) – Wilco: Well, that was depressing. How about 2 minus and 34 seconds of pure joy? Let’s go home.
The Barb Wire 