Free Mp3- Shots

I changed the lyrics a lot since I first wrote this. It used to be about drinking and now it’s about wanting to beat God drinking.




Shots



Shots

And they wrote it on the wall. And they wrote in on the bathroom stall. I could have told them one and all who to put their faith in.
Let it flow from the top down in. Humming low, angels crowding in.

And hey God did you think you were the only one who could drink? You want shots, I’ve got shots, I’ve got shots, just for Him.
And angel did you think you were the only one who’s got wings? On this spot, here’s the spot, where the Lord, cashes in.

And if what you’re waiting for isn’t every gonna come at all, with you’re back against the wall, raise ‘em two shots back in.
And the poles keep us in the spin. But we can roll, and they can suck the king.

And hey God did you think you were the only one who could drink? You want shots, I’ve got shots, I’ve got shots, just for Him.
And angel did you think you were the only one who’s got wings? On this spot here’s the spot where the Lord cashes in.

And they wrote in on the wall. And they wrote it on the bathroom stall. See him stumble to the wall, watch his vision blacken.
In the cold there’s a bar that spins. Breaking bold, drinking God to win.

And hey God did you think you were the only one who could drink? You want shots, I’ve got shots, I’ve got shots, just for Him.
And angel did you think you were the only one who’s got wings? On this spot here’s the spot where the Lord cashes in.

Videos You Should See 5/31- Bob Dylan 1965 Press Conference

Bob Dylan 1965 Press Conference Parts 1 and 2

Part 1



Part 2




If you have reservations about his music here's at least the evidence why he was a star. This 1965 San Francisco Press Conference is one of the best things that he's ever done, all of his music included. In the audience is Allen Ginsburg and also famous rock promoter Bill Graham.

Songs You Should Hear- 5/31 Ways To Be Wicked by Lone Justice

Lone Justice- Ways To Be Wicked



An awesome song from the band Lone Justice's 1985 self titled album. The band only made one more album, 1986's Shelter produced by E Street Band guitarist and Sopranos star Steve Van Zandt. That record, like their previous record, didn't sell well and they subsequently broke up. Ways To Be Wicked is an awesome single but Lone Justice didn't write it. It's by Tom Petty (and Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell) and it's one of the best songs he's ever written.

Quotes 5/31- John Milton, Curtis Mayfield

"And life more perfect have attained than fate meant me,
by vent'ring higher than my lot"- Milton




"Been told I can't be nothin' else
Just a hustler in spite of myself
I know I can break it
This life just don't make it"- Curtis Mayfield

Videos You Should See 5/30- John and Yoko on David Frost Show in 1971

John and Yoko on David Frost parts 1 and 2






John and Yoko get into an argument with some audience members in 1971 on David Frost's tv show. This is the David Frost who would go on to interview Richard Nixon in 1977 and then have the movie Frost/Nixon made about it. Judging from this clip he was a great tv host, letting audience members get into heated arguments with the guests was a brilliant innovation.

Songs You Should Hear 5/30- Dry Your Eyes by The Streets

Dry Your Eyes- The Streets



This is from British rapper Mike Skinner's 2004 album A Grand Don't Come For Free. It's a great song with the best acoustic guitar I've ever heard on a rap song.

Free Mp3- Rich Girls

I went to a private school, those things that make an impression on you when you're young are the things you tend to go back to. Things like that are hard to get over; all you can do is keep trying.




Rich Girls



Rich Girls

Your clothes. Your car. It's the newest model baby, it can take you fast and far.
Your hair. Perfume. The wallet in your pocket holds a lot of silver spoons.

Your not counting, I'm counting. Big mansion. I'm drowning baby.

Rich girls. I don't want your money. How much did that purse cost baby, my hearts gone, I just want to touch it. I just want to touch it.

Your house. Your boat. Your pool is filled with water that could keep a man afloat.
I know your perks. You've got everything you need without a minute of hard work.

Your not counting, I'm counting. Your charging and I'm drowning baby.

Rich girls. I don't want your money. How does that thing drive now baby, my hearts gone, I just want to touch it. I just want to touch it.

And I get knocked down. And I get knocked down. And I get knocked down to you.
On your scented ground. On your scented ground. On your scented ground and all the chores your butlers do.

How much can you take. Your lips could hold a million, at least twenty in your face.
I can't get straight if it's your jeans or whats inside of them that makes them look so great.

You're not counting. I'm counting. Mercedes. I'm drowning baby.

Rich girls. I don't want your money. What's your bottom line now baby, my hearts gone, I just want to touch it. I just want to touch it.

Quotes 5/30- Euripides, Janis Joplin

"You are free; that does not make you powerful"- Euripides




"One day up near Salinas I let him slip away,
He's looking for that home and I hope he finds it,
But I'd trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday
To be holding Bobby's body next to mine"- Janis Joplin (Song by Kris Kristofferson)

Free Mp3- Choke This Republic Boys

The arrangement is influenced by the Clancy Brothers, the song is for reporters, network news anchors, cable news anchors, cowards everywhere. You may not know what you are but I do; may God have mercy on your souls. Slaintè.





Choke This Republic Boys




Choke This Republic Boys


Have you heard about the new way things are done. There’s an abscess here spread with a journalists tongue.

Choke this Republic boys. Choke this Republic numb. There’s nothing noble left among print, or post, or television.

They can plant the cheer and watch the echo come. Here’s the media, complicit, used up, whored and dumb.

Choke this Republic boys. Choke this Republic dumb. There’s nothing noble left among print, or post, or television.

And the more you try to suck up to the gun the more you are accountable to everyone that’s fired upon.

And the next big war we will draft each and every one. A reporters war. The blood thick on the network floor.

Choke this Republic boys. Choke this Republic numb. There’s nothing noble left among print, or post, or television.
Choke this Republic boys. Choke this Republic dumb. There’s nothing noble left among print, or post, or television.

Videos You Should See 5/29- Biggie Smalls rapping at 17

Biggie Smalls rapping at 17



At age 17 rapping on a street corner, the greatest rapper who ever lived.

Songs You Should Hear 5/29- Tea For the Tillerman. Cat Stevens

Tea for the Tillerman- Cat Stevens



It's less than a minute long and it's probably Cat Stevens' best song. It was also the theme song for that Ricky Gervais HBO show Extras.

Quotes 5/29, Dion and the Belmonts, Goethe

"In a wild dream that once I dreamed,
I saw a cloven tree it seemed,
It had a black almighty hole;
Black as it was it pleased my soul"- Goethe



"Here's the moral and the story from the guy who knows
I fell in love and my love still grows
Ask any fool that she ever knew, they'll say
Keep away from-a Runaround Sue"- Dion and the Belmonts

Free Mp3- Topanga Canyon

This song is by John Phillips who was the leader and songwriter of the Mama's and the Papa's. This was off his first solo album released in 1970 called "John, The Wolfking of LA". This song has one of the best lines ever written, "Oh Mary I'm in deep water". I don't know specifically what he wrote it about but I always think of it as somebody calling out as addiction, drugs, and a lonely fate unshakably take hold.




Topanga Canyon

Videos You Should See- Jimi Hendrix on Dick Cavett in 1969

Jimi Hendrix on Dick Cavett in 1969



Jimi Hendrix was in the 101st airborne. He mentions it briefly in this interview on the Dick Cavett show in 1969.

Songs You Should Hear 5/28- Sam Cooke "Bring It On Home To Me" Live

Sam Cooke- Bring It On Home To Me (Live)



Recorded live in a Miami club in 1963, this is one of the best tracks from one of the best live albums of all time. That's King Curtis on sax, and that's the man himself on vocals, a year before he'd be shot dead in a strange motel room incident. It doesn't get any better than this and it doesn't have to.

Quotes 5/28- Ben Sira and Willie Nelson

"Let us now sing the praises of famous men,
our ancestors in their generations.
The Lord apportioned to them great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and made a name for themselves by their valour;
those who gave counsel because they were intelligent;
those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
those who led the people by their counsels
and by their knowledge of the people’s lore;
they were wise in their words of instruction;
those who composed musical tunes,
or put verses in writing;
rich men endowed with resources,
living peacefully in their homes—
all these were honoured in their generations,
and were the pride of their times.
Some of them have left behind a name,
so that others declare their praise.
But of others there is no memory;
they have perished as though they had never existed;
they have become as though they had never been born,
they and their children after them"- Ben Sira





"Remember me when the candle lights are gleaming.
Remember me at the close of a long, long day.
And it would be so sweet when all alone, I'm dreaming,
Just to know you still remember me"- Willie Nelson

Free Mp3- Amen Baby

A declaration on Elvis Presley's altar to finish the job he started. And subdue Ed Sullivan to the camera shot he barred.





Amen Baby



Amen Baby

God told them all. God told them all. Saying, "humble yourselves and fall"
Here comes the call. Here comes the call. We've been humble for far too long.

Faith. Faith. Faith. Faith.
Here's where the blind see never I'll be bent in my knee, amen baby.

Tied off to nod. Tied off to nod. Oh it's sure been a long strange fraud.
No God but God. No God but God. On His shudder the heart stands strong.

Faith. Faith. Faith. Faith.
Here's where the blind see never I'll be bent in my knee, amen baby

A tighter knot of coure there's none. Have you heard the news, Let your choirs lift their song. It's still the coward blues.

Sharpen the claws. Sharpen the claws. Now we come to reclaim whats ours.
No more to crawl. No more to crawl. Who is above me shall stand and fall.

Faith. Faith. Faith. Faith.
Here's where the blind see never I'll be bent in my knee, amen baby

Videos You Should See 5/27- Stevie Wonder with the Rolling Stones in 1972

Stevie Wonder with the Rolling Stones in 1972



In 1972 Stevie Wonder went on tour with the Rolling Stones. Here they are together on stage, starting with "Uptight" and then going into "Satisfaction".

Songs You Should Hear 5/27- Charlie Rich- Feel Like Going Home

Charlie Rich- Feel Like Going Home



Charlie Rich was signed to Sun Records with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. He didn't break out like them despite being extremely talented. (Although he did have a very big country music career for a few years starting with 1973's "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl"). This is a demo of a song of his called Feel Like Going Home.

Quotes 5/27, T.S.Eliot, Guns N' Roses

"He who was living is now dead, we who were living are now dying, with a little patience"- T.S. Eliot




"Said, woman, take it slow
It'll work itself out fine"- Guns N' Roses

Videos You Should See- 5/26- Kurt Cobain Gets Beat up by a Bouncer

Kurt Cobain Beat Up By A Bouncer



Kurt jumps off the stage and then gets beat up by a security guy.

Songs You Should Hear 5/26- The Jam- In the City

The Jam- In The City



"In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you". The Jam's debut single from 1977. Always bigger in the UK then they were here, they nevertheless hit it out of the park with this one.

Free Mp3- K

There will never be a prettier girl drinking at a bar in New Jersey on a Wednesday night. That sounds sarcastic but I only half mean it that way




K




K


The stars are in the sky. The words are in my heart. I could let them out but I don’t know if I could get them back.
And life is short and hard. Shots in every bar. You take the tips the you pay the debts to push them off but they don’t come off.

Hey Kate, I’m thinking of you. I’m out on my own here, I’m standing alone here. Hey Kate, take off your shoes. Don’t stand on your own babe, don’t stand all alone baby.

When the wishing stops and the hands arive, it’s a long long drop and I can’t fly and I can’t fly.
There’s less and less I want. The list is getting small. I can’t make it stop it’s been to long it’s gone to far.

Hey Kate, I’m thinking of you. I’m out on my own here, I’m standing alone here. Hey Kate, take off your shoes. Don’t stand on your own babe, don’t stand all alone baby.

And if we can’t go back. And this is how it ends. Here in this bar, I’m gonna try hard to remember for always the touch of your skin.

Hey Kate, I’m thinking of you. I’m out on my own here, I’m standing alone here. Hey Kate, take off your shoes. Don’t stand on your own babe, don’t stand all alone baby.

Quotes 5/26

"Love was better than doing nothing"- Ovid



"Well it's another year for me and you, another year with nothing to do"- The Stooges

Videos You Should See 5/25- George Harrison and Paul McCartney argue

Paul & George Argue



From the movie Let It Be, Paul McCartney and George Harrison argue about the way George is playing.

New Video- I'm Your Man

Here's the new video for my song I'm Your Man.

Songs You Should Hear- 5/25- Nirvana- Sappy/Verse Chorus Verse

Nirvana- Sappy/Verse Chorus Verse



One of my favorite Nirvana songs, it's sometimes called Sappy and sometimes called Verse Chorus Verse. Verse Chorus Verse is a much better name.

Free Mp3- Hollywood

This song is about wanting to be famous or about wanting to be with a girl. It’s half joking and half serious. Some of the lyrics are silly, but when you really want to be famous or you really want to be with a girl, to someone on the outside sometimes what you say can sound funny.




Hollywood



Hollywood

Baby I love you but I’m so sick of us being apart. It will haunt you when you’re with your girl but still alone in the dark.
I’ll just throw out all the records you don’t listen to. I’m so sick of all the things tearing us apart, it keeps breaking my heart.

I’ll take you there and marry you. In Hollywood. Our children there will grow up good. In Hollywood.

When I first met you, you were the star that I used for my light. Now when I call you all that I get’s a busy tone all through the night.
I’ve got the tickets and I know just what to do. I hear you can see it in the dark, the big letters will shine, we’ll never be apart.


I’ll take you there and marry you. In Hollywood. Our children there will grow up good. In Hollywood.


And when the light shines I will make you mine. And where the music plays you will be mine always.

Try to see past me out to the stage lights that are on in the dark. If I ever lost you how in the hell could I ever remember my part.
Now this will be bigger than just us two. The whole world is pulling us apart. L.A. is like concrete, it will dry around our hearts.

I’ll take you there and marry you. In Hollywood. Our children there will grow up good. In Hollywood.

Quotes 5/25

"For who would keep an ancient form thro' which the spirit breathes no more"- Tennyson




"No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones in 1977"- The Clash

Videos You Should See 5/24- Bono on Revolution In Ireland

Bono on Revolution in Ireland



At about 3:38 is Bono's jarring take on Irish revolutionary sentiment.

Free Mp3- The Bible Is Right

This song is from my album An Endless Doubt, it's called The Bible Is Right. It's satirical. Just to be clear, I'll say that again, I don't mean the words to this song.






The Bible Is Right




The Bible Is Right

I can't take it you just make it hard on me. I can't take it and now I've seen the light.
In the morning the faith is coming down on me, about who you're with and where you were last night.

The bible is right. The bible is right. Women are whores, the bible is right.
The bible is right. The bible is right. Kathy's a whore, the bible is right.

Sunday morning my faith in you is hounding me.Choirs singing, and flash of blinding light.
Without warning the flood is here and drowning me.
The bush is burning. Jesus dies tonight.

The bible is right. The bible is right. Women are whores, the bible is right.
The bible is right. The bible is right. Kathy's a whore, the bible is right.

Ecclesiastes baby. And all your Romans. Paul the Apostle says that your lips were swollen.

Gold for Judas and Abrahams got work to do. The phone is ringing, don't make him wait all night.
A great big pillar of salt has got its eye on you. It saw you baby at the sacrifice.

The bible is right. The bible is right. Women are whores, the bible is right.
The bible is right. The bible is right. Kathy's a whore, the bible is right.

Songs You Should Hear 5/24- The Darkness- Hazel Eyes

Hazel Eyes- The Darkness



A great song from what was one of the greatest bands of the last decade.

Quotes 5/24

"The cunning of one who is dead consists in this, that one does not get him away from where one left him"- Kierkegaard





"I will never bother you
I will never promise to
I will never follow you
I will never bother you

Never speak a word again
I will crawl away for good"- Kurt Cobain

Videos You Should See 5/23- Johnny Cash- Hurt Video

Johnny Cash- Hurt Video



The greatest video ever made by maybe the greatest there's ever been.

Free Mp3- Girls Touching Girls

This is a song from my album As Rome Burned. Saint Augustine said it best; “As I grew to manhood I was inflamed with desire for a surfeit of hell’s pleasure"





Girls Touching Girls




Girls Touching Girls

It’s coming down on us hard now baby, it’s gonna be a good night for both of us. You can trust people do what they must. Bet on the ones that kick up the dust, come back, it’s just

In their hearts, in their minds, up their backs, up their spines, up their shirts, on their necks, on their legs, up their dress, on their mouths, on their feet, in their hair, on their cheeks, on their skin, on their breath, on their hands, on their chests, go and take it all. Girls touching girls.

On the couch leaning hard now baby, there’s nothing wrong with a little lust. Let it bust, spill the paint on the rust. Rubbing her back in the heat of the hush, stand back, its just

In their hearts, in their minds, up their backs, up their spines, up their shirts, on their necks, on their legs, up their dress, on their mouths, on their feet, in their hair, on their cheeks, on their skin, on their breath, on their hands, on their chests, going for it all. Girls touching girls.


In their hearts, in their minds, up their backs, up their spines, up their shirts, on their necks, on their legs, up their dress, on their mouths, on their feet, in their hair, on their cheeks, on their skin, on their breath, on their hands, on their chests, going for it all. Girls touching girls.

Songs You Should Hear 5/23- Erma Franklin- Piece of My Heart

Erma Franklin- Piece of My Heart



It's Aretha Franklin's sister singing the original version of the song that would make Janis Joplin famous.

Quotes 5/23

"Man's original nature imposes itself on any human solution"- William S. Burroughs




"I want to fuck you like an animal"- Trent Reznor

Quotes 5/22

"It is impossible, or at least not easy to act nobly without some furniture or fortune"- Aristotle



"Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin fallin' down

You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile

Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe

The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?

You prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell yuh
That you ain't a-got no friend

Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
There's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells

Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar

There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born"- Bob Dylan

Songs You Should Hear 5/21- Here's to the State of George W.

Eddie Vedder- Here's To The State of George W.



There's a song by the 60's folk singer Phil Ochs called Here's To the State of Mississippi, and this song is essentially a re-write of that one. From what I can find out about it, Tim Robbins, the actor, originally played it in concerts during the Vote for Change tour that went on in 2004 for John Kerry. Then, according to the Pearl Jam Ten Club website Eddie Vedder updated the song further. Here's Eddie singing it on September 11, 2007. The great line "Here's to the land you've torn out the heart of" comes straight out of the Phil Ochs original.

Videos You Should See 5/21- Ray Charles Live in 1963

Ray Charles live on TV in 1963



The man in his prime in a 1963 Brazilian concert. That's David "Fathead" Newman on Sax and those girls singing back up are the Raelettes. The one second to the left is Margie Hendrix; she's the one that in the movie Ray he has an affair with. In real life also, they had a kid together.

The 10 Greatest Cover Songs (Part 4)

continued from last post


7) I Remember You- U2

A Ramones song in tribute to Joey Ramone. Sometimes you don't know how beautiful a song is until U2 slow it down and sing it for you.






8) No Woman No Cry- The Fugees

"I remember when we used to rock in a project yard in Jersey,
And little Georgie would make the firelight,
As stolen cars passed through the night"

Bob Marley's live version is one of the greatest records ever made, and Wyclef, Pras and Lauren Hill's version is the best rap cover that's ever been done. Wyclef has a great voice, he should sing more; but only good songs like this one.






continued next post

Free Mp3- Under Your Possession

Girls and pills, all mixed up together in the same song, just the way God likes them.





Under Your Possesion




Under Your Possesion

Just like a gun, your memory is pressing on the back of my tongue. Just like a loaded weapon.

Under your possession. You little pills are blessings. Under your possession. I’ve got you on my mind.


Don’t try to run from the things that you do. You can hide from everyone, but turn around they’ve caught you.

Under your possession. You little pills are blessings. Under your possession. I've got you on my mind.


I could never stand to turn my back on you, relationships are built on trust. Picking off the berries that have asked for you to lighten up your crush.


Drops in the sun. There’s nothing that will last you. When life is all done just leave me a last few.


Under your possession. You little pills are blessings. Under your possession. I’ve got you on my mind.

Quotes 5/21

"Perhaps it is laid up as a pattern in heaven, where he who wishes can see it and found it in his own heart"- Plato




"Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today,
We just touched ground on an international runway
Jet propelled back home, from over seas to the USA

New-York, Los Angeles, oh, how I yearned for you
Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge
Let alone just to be at my home back in ol' St-Lou.

Did I miss the skyscrapers, did I miss the long freeway?
From the coast of California to the shores of the Delaware Bay
You can bet your life I did, till I got back in the USA

Looking hard for a drive-in, searching for a corner cafe
Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day
Yeah, and a jukebox jumping the records like in the USA

Well, I'm so glad I'm living in the USA.
Yes. I'm so glad I'm living in the USA.
Anything you want, we got it right here in the USA"- Chuck Berry

Videos You Should See- 5/20 Neil Diamond in the Last Waltz

Neil Diamond- Last Waltz



I know it's not supposed to be but it's my favorite performance from the movie The Last Waltz. The song is by Neil Diamond and Robbie Robertson. "And if you can't recall the singer, can you still recall the tune".

Songs You Should Hear 5/20- The Pixies, Ana

The Pixies- Ana



An awesome song by the Pixies off their Bossanova album. It has some of my favorite guitar lines ever.

The 10 Greatest Covers Ever (Part 3)

continued from last post

5)Time is on My Side- The Rolling Stones

The first top ten U.S. hit for the Rolling Stones. Irma Thomas had released a version of the song a month before as the B side of one of her singles when the Stones released theirs. (They actually cut two versions of the song in 1964 but one is much better than the other. The better one is the version that's always played, the other one is on their 12 X 5 album). Irma Thomas has a beautiful voice but on this song Mick's voice cuts through like a fire bell in the night. And Keith's guitar playing is Keith at his best, and actually this song is the whole band at it's best. Driven soul from the heart by British boys in love with soul and who just happened to be white.









6)Where Did You Sleep Last Night- Nirvana

From their 1993 unplugged album, and about 5 months before he killed himself, Kurt Cobain played a century old folk song most commonly associated with Huddie Ledbetter. So here's why he was good, past all the eulogizing and past the martyrdom, at his best he howled on MTV and resurected Huddie Ledbetter. And that's how to be haunted, not by making ghosts out to be more than they were, but by resurecting their spirit back to life on this Earth.








continued next post

Quotes 5/20

"Many are concerned about the monuments of the West and the East- to know who built them. For my part, I should like to know who in those days did not build them- who were above such trifling"- Thoureau




"Twiddle my thumbs just for a bit
I'm sick of all the same old shit
In a house with unlocked doors
And I'm fucking lazy"- Green Day

Videos You Should See 5/19- The Who Blow Up Drums

The Who blow up Drums



It's a famous video from 1967 when The Who played on the Smothers Brothers TV show. Watch it until the end, there's dynamite in the drums.

Songs You Should Hear 5/19- Gimme Some Lovin'

Gimme Some Lovin'- The Spencer Davis Group



It went to number 9 in the U.S. charts in 1967 and was written by Spencer Davis, Stevie Winwood, and Stevie's brother Muff Winwood. Stevie, who sung the song and was only 19 at the time, would leave the band later that year to co-found Traffic. But this song was the peak for everyone involved. (With the exception of producer Jimmy Miller who would go on to produce the Rolling Stones' greatest records). They didn't have a lot of hits but with this one they reached the mountaintop, and I'm so glad they made it.

New Mp3- Out of Time

I recorded this song for my album Deep Water but I ended up not putting it on the album. It's a cover of one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs of all time, Out of Time.




Out of Time

10 Greatest Covers Ever (Part 2)

continued from last post

3) Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache- Bob Dylan

Warren Smith was a singer and guitarist signed to Sam Phillips's Sun Records in the 50's. Never as popular as his label mates Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins or Roy Orbison, he nevertheless releasead some great records. This was one of them and Bob Dylan covered it on a Sun Records tribute album in 2001. Dylan, if anything, has always had great taste in music, and with this song he finds the poetry in every rockabilly line.

"Who you been loving since I've been gone?
A long tall man with a red coat on,
trifling baby you been doing me wrong,
who you been loving since I've been gone?

Now who's been playing around with you?
A real cool cat with eyes of blue
Good for nothing baby why can't you be true?
Who's been playing around with you
Who's been playing around with you

Somebody saw you at the break of day
Dancing and a dining at the cabaret
He was long and tall he had plenty of cash
He had a red cadillac and a black moustache

He held your hand and he sang you a song
Who you been loving since I been gone
Who you been loving since I been gone?"

And to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, "If this be not poetry, then where is poetry to be found?".





4) Mountain Of Love- Bruce Springsteen

Mountain of Love was originally written and recorded by a rock singer named Harold Dorman in 1960 and it went to number 21 on the charts. Four years later Johnny Rivers re-recorded it and it went to number 9. In 1975 Bruce and the E Street Band played a show at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania that was broadcast on the radio and the second song they played was Mountain of Love. It's a widely bootleged show that was never released, but here's why John Landau called him the "future of rock and roll". "Standing on the mountain looking down on the city" you can't help but have visions of saviors and prophets.





continued next post

Quotes 5/19- Walter Pater, The Strokes

"Yet he is so possessed by his genius that he passes unmoved through the most tragic events, overwhelming his country and friends, like one who comes across them by chance on some secret errand"- Walter Pater




"You say you wanna stay by my side
Darlin', your head's not right
See, alone we stand, together we fall apart
Yeah, I think I'll be alright"- The Strokes

The 10 Greatest Covers Ever (Part 1)

1) All Along The Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix

A dark, supremely powerful rendering of Bob Dylan's 117th nightmare. The apocalypse, the colapsing sixties, the jungles of Vietnam, heroin, pot, lsd, LBJ, Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover, Watts and Harlem, RFK, they're all in there. The monsters of the sixties in the form of two riders approaching, and the howling in the wind is the dreams fading away.




2) Twist and Shout- The Beatles

It was a top twenty hit for the Isley Brothers in 1962 but before that it was recorded by a rising white R & B band from Philly called the Top Notes the year before. And they got Phil Spector to produce it, but it was before he was good and the record went nowhere. In 1963 the Beatles recorded it for their first album and John gave the best vocal performance he'd ever give, unseating Little Richard and everyone else who'd ever screamed good off their thrones.





continued next post

Songs You Should Hear- 5/18- Wigwam

Wigwam- Bob Dylan



A great song off of what might be the worst album he ever made, 1970's "Self Portrait". In the album's defense though it inspired Rolling Stone writer Greil Marcus to write the greatest opening sentence that's ever been in a rock magazine when he began his review, "What is this shit?"

Videos You Should See 5/18- The Sex Pistols interviewed by Bill Grundy

The Sex Pistols with Bill Grundy



Here's the Sex Pistols cursing on a British TV show in December of 1976. They were a last minute replacement for the band Queen. Bill Grundy got the better band and The Sex Pistols got this headline the next day.

Free Mp3- I Believe In War

This song's from my album An Endless Doubt. It's satirical, like God Save The Queen is satirical.





I Believe In War




I Believe In War

Good things coming down from high in the clouds. And when you turn around your hearts on fire.
You won't fuck with us now. You're just our little bitch now.

Cause you make it hard to find why your hearts still beating when God's vengeance is mine. I believe in war. I believe in war.

Go ahead and cry. But don't get messy. Where is Jesus now. Hes right here with me.
Loading up for our next ride. Yeah he packs the guns I pack the pride.

Cause you make it hard to find why your hearts still beating when God's vengeance is mine. I believe in war. I believe in war.

Something big is coming back for you. Yeah each one counts, without a doubt, we never will forget about you.

Our hearts are full of fire. And big bombs burning all the trees and ground. The Earth is turning
Over on it's side. Yeah bend and open wide.

Cause you make it hard to find why your hearts still beating when God's vengeance is mine. I believe in war. I believe in war.

Quotes 5/18

"Our nada who art in nada, nada be thy name thy kingdom nada thy will be nada in nada as it is in nada. Give us this nada our daily nada and nada us our nada as we nada our nadas and nada us not into nada but deliver us from nada; pues nada. Hail nothing full of nothing, nothing is with thee"- Ernest Hemingway




"There's a hellhound on my trail"- Robert Johnson

Songs You Should Hear 5/17- Strong As Death Sweet As Love

Al Green- Strong as Death Sweet As Love



It's a weird song but it shows Al in all his glory. Strange and multi-faceted with an occasional hint of menace.

Videos You Should See 5/17, Sly Stone on Dick Cavett

Sly Stone on Dick Cavett



From 1970, a great musical genius on the road he chose to walk down. The road ends in wasted talent, isolation and obscurity; but before he got to there he stopped by Dick Cavett's show on the way.

Free Mp3- We Bid You Goodnight

This is one of my favorite songs ever and off my covers album Deep Water. The Grateful Dead used to sing it accapella at the end of their shows and that's how I first heard it. It's adapted from a folk song/spiritual that was sung at funerals as someone was lowered into the ground.




We Bid You Goodnight

The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 5)

continued from last post

9)I Wonder Why- Dion & The Belmonts

They recorded this song in 1958 and it was their first hit, going to number 22 on the billboard charts that same year. Dion would go on to some make some of the greatest records ever, with and without the Belmonts, but it all starts here. Listen to the opening of this song and it's just like Sonny says to the bikers before they're massacred in A Bronx Tale, "Now you's can't leave".





10) Duke of Earl- Gene Chandler

When the drum changes rhythym at the start of the chorus it's one of the greatest moments in popular music. This rightfully went to number one on the charts in 1962 and held that spot for three weeks. The lyrics aren't serious until at the chorus when he goes "Yes and I, oh I'm gonna love you, oh oh, Come on let me hold you darlin' 'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl". And after that it's all ok and everything in the world makes sense.






Epilogue) Goodnight Sweetheart- The Spaniels

I hate to leave you but I really must say goodnight sweetheart goodnight.

Quotes 5/17

"I see the good and value it; I follow the bad"- Ovid





"Something's got a hold on me"- Etta James

Quotes 5/16

"But is there any comfort to be found? Man is in love and loves what vanishes, what more is there to say?"- Yeats




"I don't want to hang up my rock and roll shoes"- The Band (Song by Chuck Willis)

The 10 Greatest Doo Wop Songs (Part 4)

continued from last post

7)Morse Code of Love- The Capris

Released in 1982, it sounds like it was written when the first group convened on the first street corner. The last great doo wop song, and one of the best ever.





8) Everyday of the Week- The Students

Sometimes a song gets used in a movie or a tv show and it gets hard to seperate it away from that. This song from 1958 was on an episode of the Sopranos that, like Scorsese often does, opened up the brilliance and depth of a 2 minute and 26 second song that I had managed to look past. Tony beats the shit out of somebody to show that nothing's changed and nothing changes. On Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, Saturday or Sunday; it's still a vicious world and it's still a brilliant song.







continued next post