Today’s random selection comes from a 6-song CD sampler put out by Lost Highway records called T For Texas, T From Tennessee. All six artists (including Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson and Robert Earl Keen) are from Texas, so I’m not sure where the second half of the title comes from. This CD was packaged with one of Lyle Lovett’s recent albums — maybe Natural Forces.
Song of the Day #2,738: ‘My Shot’ – Hamilton Cast
Best Songs of 2015 – #6
‘My Shot’ – Hamilton Cast
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway phenomenon Hamilton is the latest obsession in my household. My two daughters, in particular, have played it non-stop for weeks. I can only hope it helps bring up their history grades.
Hamilton is the latest cultural bombshell tossed our way by my niece, a sophomore at Boston’s Emerson College. Her enthusiastic pitch (including a sing-along performance of the opening track in her living room) was plenty incentive to buy the album on the spot.
Song of the Day #2,737: ‘Depreston (Live)’ – Courtney Barnett
Best Songs of 2015 – #7
‘Depreston’ – Courtney Barnett
Last April, I focused the blog on Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett for a couple of weeks, posting a song-by-song discovery of her debut LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit.
My verdict was that Barnett is a gifted storyteller and an exciting artist worth watching. The album is fast and smart, sometimes loud and always thoughtful. In short, one of the highlights of 2015.
Song of the Day #2,736: ‘Lean On (Live)’ – Major Lazer & DJ Snake
Best Songs of 2015 – #8
‘Lean On’ – Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØ
Here’s a song I initially resisted before finally succumbing to its charms.
Those charms include singer MØ’s alien charisma and serpentine dance moves in the song’s irresistible video as well as the “ay-oh” ear worm that separates the chorus from the verses.
Song of the Day #2,735: ‘When We Were Young’ – Adele
Best Songs of 2015 – #9
‘When We Were Young’ – Adele
Nobody thought NSYNC’s record of 2.4 million albums sold in a week would ever fall. Not so much because NSYNC is some pinnacle of creative success but because the music industry has changed so much that a million-copy sales week is now unheard of. Two million? More? That’s fantasy land.
Meet Me In Montauk 