2021 Song Draft- Round 2 Pick 8: Mike and Paul’s Music Blog selects- ‘Incident On 57th Street’- Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen – Incident on …
2021 SONG DRAFT- ROUND 2 PICK 8: MIKE AND PAUL’S MUSIC BLOG SELECTS-‘INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET’- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Well, its Christmas Eve 2020 here and while this year has been unique (and not in the good sense) the holidays helps anchor us to the traditions that make our lives meaningful and that can carry us through these challenging times. Yes the pandemic has altered Christmas as well, but it won’t stop me from posting some of my favorite Christmas songs! While there are many to choose from, here are five of my current favorites.
Eurythmics – Winter Wonderland
From the very first A Very Special Christmas benefit album from 1987 – I really love Annie Lennox’s vocals on this track, a very Eurythmics take on this classic. While the album was a mixed bag (imho) this was one of the standouts.
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl)
I’ve heard plenty of other versions of this song, but for me the original cannot be matched. There’s something about Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl’s vocals, and the Irish instrumentation that does it for me.
Pretenders – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Another standout from the A Very Special Christmas album – love Chrissie Hynde’s vocals on this.
Bruce Springsteen and the E. St. Band – Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Of course this Bruce holiday classic would make my list – probably one of most popular rock versions of a Christmas classic ever. There’s nothing like hearing this song live in concert (which I’ve been lucky to hear several times) and hear old Clarence’s HoHoHo. Really miss the Big Man. Here’s a live version from 1978.
Bob Dylan – Must be Santa
I discovered this Dylan cover a few years ago and its my new favorite. To be honest, the video makes it for me – Dylan in the white hat/Santa hat, the accordion player, the unexplained altercation and escape and the exchange of glances between Dylan and Santa. Looks to be a fantastically fun Christmas party!
Hearing wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
A scream of rage in this dark time in the history of US.
I heard a story on the radio a few weeks ago (before we slid off cliff) about what this year’s “song of the summer” will be (last year it was Uptown Road)….
This song has my vote for song for this summer.
You’re one of us,
Or one of them
If you’re one of them
Don’t come near me again
Just heard the sad news about the passing of John Prine this evening from complications from Covid19. Prine was one of those artists that I knew of and appreciated the songs of his that I had heard, but I can’t say I knew more than a fraction of his work (that will change). I remember really liking his 1991 album The Missing Years. Here’s my favorite song from that album. All The Best.
Another great hook, hilarious lyrics. It got alot of play on MTV because of the video
Just heard the devastating news that Adam Schlesinger, co-founder of Fountains of Wayne, one of my favorite power pop bands, has died of COVID19 complications. While Stacy’s Mom was their biggest hit, this was my favorite song of theirs. Their brilliant combination of huge power pop riffs and witty lyrics will be sorely missed. Sending my thoughts to his family, friends and fans worldwide.
How many more will we lose?
HT to Aphoristical for the heads up.
Playing some music on a Friday night, the new year just a couple days old. Here’s a great song from one of my favorite artists, Frank Turner, with a great message for a new year.
We can always get better, each day, every day, if only just a little bit – keep moving forward.
(and the song kicks butt as well!)
A few days ago I posted my top 10 favorite songs of 2019. These were taken from a longer playlist – basically whenever I heard a song I liked, I added it to a Spotify playlist for future follow up. The list got to 250+ songs, almost 16 hours of listening pleasure if you are so inclined. Enjoy!
So I’m a day late with my list. It’s been that kind of year. We’ve been a bit absent from the blogosphere but make no mistake, I’ve been listening and these are some of the albums that made up my 2019 soundtrack.
10. Revivalists. “Oh No” actually a 2018 album but this song was released in 2019. Just a great tune which only gets better live.
9. Strumbellas “ Running Scared” this band had a minor hit with “ Spirits” which was one heavy rotation in the OConnor house a couple years ago. This album by this Canadian group has a nice strummy good vibe feel.
8. Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real “Turn off the News and Build a Garden”
Every year I manage to find an album that becomes my sittin’ on the beach album. This one by Willie Nelson’s son was it for this year. It checks all the boxes for me and the theme definitely resonates with me these days
7. Frank Turner “No Man’s Land” Frank went in a different direction with this one. An album dedicated solely to under appreciated musical or historical women that he wrote and performed with a female producer and an all female band. He paired the album with a series of podcasts highlighting the subject of each song. Worth a listen. This song got played at 11 in my car.
6 Vampire Weekend “Harmony Hall’
Ive not really been able to totally appreciate this band but this album just clicked for me.
5. Black Keys “Lets Rock” After being away for a while on side projects, these guys came back with a simple mission. The album title says it all.
4. little Steven and the Disciples of Soul “Summer of Sorcery “ Steve has come back the last couple of years to bring us a master class in music. This latest album does it again with rock , R and B with a touch of soul.
3. The Menzingers. Quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Love the hooks, love the music .
2. Bruce Springsteen “Western Stars” I wasn’t sure what to expect when this album was coming out. I was actually afraid this might be the first Bruce album that I might not like that much. Boy was I wrong. This album from a 70 year old man spoke to me. It’s not trying to be music for kids. It’s mature, thoughtful and really spoke to me. It was my driving with the dog on a Sunday morning or sitting on the deck on Friday night album all summer long.
1. Dave Hause “Kick” A couple of years ago, the song “We Could be Kings” got my attention, and then Dave Hause (rhymes with paws) opened for Frank Turner and ever since, I’ve been hooked. This album has one great song after another. Definitely influenced by 1980s rock with a touch of punk. Absolutely got the most play of any album I listened to this year.
So here we are again at the end of another year. While I have not been very active in the blogosphere this year, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been listening to music and taking notes! So, just under the wire, here are my favorites of 2019.
10. Vampire Weekend – This Life
The type of song that can make you feel like the suns shining and the bird are singing, even if you’re in the middle of a cold foggy rainstorm.
9. Nilufer Yanya – In Your Head
Heard this song on a new music playlist and it grabbed me from the first riff. Can’t really tell what’s going on in her head, but the song kicks ass.
8. Bruce Springsteen – Stones
It took me a while to warm up to Bruce’s latest release, Western Stars, as it was so different from what I would have expected. But its filled with gorgeous melodies and grand arrangements, and as we have come to expect from Bruce, brilliant characters. This was one of my favorites from it.
7. Amanda Palmer – The Ride
A perfect song for a Sunday morning – a tour de force performance that tells you everything you need to know about this ride called life. Favorite lyric:
Everyone’s trying to stay on the side where the water’s just boiling more slowly
Frogs in a pot, well that’s one thing I’ve got
At least some of the frogs in here know me
6. Better Oblivion Community Center – Dylan Thomas
This out of the blue paring between Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers is the perfect example of a collaboration that you hope isn’t just a one off.
5. Leonard Cohen – Happens to the Heart
I didn’t get into Leonard Cohen til towards the end of his life. After his death, went back and listened to his catalog and wished I had paid more attention earlier. This posthumous release is one last gift from this master songwriter.
4. The Beths – You Wouldn’t Like Me
I raved about this song back in Feburary, and the feeling never faded. A great song from a great album which hits one of my wheelhouses – guitar power pop with a female singer. And for some reason, the Southern Hemisphere (in this case New Zealand) seems to have more than its fair share.
3. Martha – Love Keeps Kicking
One of my favorite guitar riffs of the year from England’s punk pop masters Martha. And the video is a hoot to boot!
2. Alex Lahey – Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
You know what I said a bit earlier about guitar pop, female singer, and the Southern Hemisphere? Exhibit B from Australia. I could put this song on an extended replay loop and not get tired of it.
1. Little Steven – Superfly Terraplane
It was a great year for one of my favorite artists. Springsteen’s extended break from E St. Bnd projects has allowed many of the band members the opportunity to pursue their own projects, and Little Steven has taken full advantage. Releasing his first album of all new material in decades, he also toured extensively with the Disciples of Soul and continued to kill it live – definitely one of my concert highlights this year.
If I was king of the universe, this song would be a massive #1 hit worldwide. Alas, I’m not but its still my song of the year.
Wishing everyone worldwide a Happy New Year! Looking forward to more great music discovery in 2020!
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