Immediately after posting ten of my favorite songs, I started regretting the omissions. Given another chance I could post ten completely different tracks and feel just as good about the list.
But the omission that hit me the hardest — the one that would have been in the top five if I hadn’t completely blanked on it — is Lucinda Williams’ ‘Side of the Road.’
Lots of 70s bands are viewed with a smirk these days, their sound hopelessly dated. But Fleetwood Mac has remained cool since their heyday. In fact, right now they’re cooler than ever.
Indie darlings Haim at times come across as a Fleetwood Mac cover band, so closely do they mimic the style of their idols. Stevie Nicks is treated with reverence in her many TV and concert appearances. Christine McVie’s recently announced return to the band has been celebrated.
Recreating Judy Garland’s iconic Live at Carnegie Hall performance just might be the gayest thing Rufus Wainwright has ever done.
Buying it is definitely the gayest thing I’ve ever done. At least so far.
I can’t say I’ve listened to this album very much (maybe once all the way through) but I applaud its fanboy spirit.
Closing out my week of favorite upbeat songs is ‘Brown Sugar’ by The Rolling Stones. I wouldn’t call this song “happy,” exactly, but it’s a far cry from the somber notes hit by most of my desert island choices.
‘Brown Sugar’ is raunchy and lusty like many of the best Rolling Stones songs. Mick Jagger’s twisted ode to interracial relations controversially centers on slavers and house boys but he manages to get away with it.
Ben Folds is one of my very favorite artists in part because he’s a master of both the melancholy and the manic. For every subtle, soft-hearted piano ballad you have an off-the-tracks ivory crasher.
‘Sports & Wine,’ from Ben Folds Five’s self-titled debut, is as light on its feet as anything the band produced. The studio version (my Song of the Day #873) gives each of the band members a chance to shine, especially Darren Jesse on drums.
Meet Me In Montauk 