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Feel Bad for You, June 2015

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Fine, so it’s nearly July, but this summer-themed mix by the FBFY bedraggled crew of music lovers will be good for a couple of months yet. Drunken comments are encouraged.

“Feel Bad for June! Just in time for the first New England heat wave of 2015, and my bum is sticking to my vinyl chair. Ahhh summer! Long hot days, warm breezy nights. Sitting in your overly air conditioned office all day, wishing you were at the lake. Being an adult sucks.

Thanks to our main man Phil for the killer artwork!”

FBFY-June2015

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1. “It Must Be Summer”
Fountains of Wayne
Utopia Parkway (1999)
Submitted By: @philnorman
Comments: It must be summer, because I’m falling apart.

2. “This Summer”
The Royal Sea
The Royal Sea (2011)
Submitted By: The Mad Mackerel
Comments: The Royal Sea’s album was a particular favourite for us in 2011, although never seemed to get the acclaim we thought it deserved. A beguiling mix of surf rock, garage and indie pop, lead track This Summer opens with a spectacularly catchy drum beat before the vocals of Timmy Sunshine come in like a rush of sugar coated adrenalin, plaintively announcing:

We crashed everybody’s parties,
we drank cheap wine and whiskey.
We partied up on the rooftops,
I’m glad it was just you and me.

One of our favourite songs of that, or any other year, “This Summer” should have been the woozy, feel good hit of that summer.

3. “Acceleration
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones EP (2012)
Submitted By: @tincanman2010
Comments: My iPod gets a spring cleaning to get ready for road trips. No point trying to listen to delicate little songs with their pretty little lyrics when you’re booking down the highway with windows wide open. Thirty years these Atlanta dudes have been racking up the miles.

4. “Summer’s Kiss”
The Afghan Whigs
Black Love (1996)
Submitted By: hoosier buddy
Comments: I nearly submitted Chuck Prophet’s “Summertime Thing,” but something made me keep looking until I hooked into “Summer’s Kiss.” The intro builds from an almost space jam to a driving, Lindsey Buckingham-style one note guitar solo; then explodes with big drums, bigger guitars, and Dulli. “Do you know the words? Sing along with me; and put on your rose fur coat, baby, it’s 1973.” Demons mess with his head and heart. He wishes he had her back, but admits he is alone. We are all alone.

5. “Summer Babe [Live]”
Pavement
Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe (2002)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: Slacker rock at its best!

6. “Constructive Summer”
The Hold Steady
Stay Positive (2008)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: When The Hold Steady was good, they were great!

7. “Summertime”
Janis Joplin
18 Essential Songs (1995)
Submitted By: @BoogieStudio22
Comments: This song still gives me chills, even in the heat of the summer.

8. “Sleep All Summer”
Crooked Fingers
Dignity and Shame (2005)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: Try not to spend your summer brooding over lost love. Or something.

9. “Summer School”
Liquor Giants
Every Other Day At A Time (1998)
Submitted By: @toomuchcountry
Comments: I was ready to listen to this band when their first album was released. Ward Dotson fronted the Liquor Giants, and I was a fan of his previous band, The Pontiac Brothers.

10. “Your Frown’s My Friend”
Greg Summerlin
The Young Meteors (2005)
Submitted By: @toomuchcountry
Comments: OK, so it’s not a song ABOUT summer. But it’s still a pretty kickin song by someone WITH summer in his name.

11. “Over The Red Cedar”
Charlie Parr
Sumpjumper (2015)
Submitted By: @Truersound
Comments: Great song off his latest

12. “Rainbow Sign”
The Buckstankle Boys
The New Young Fogies Vol. 1 (2012)
Submitted By: @Truersound
Comments: Met these guys at Mt. Airy, which is where they hail from. Some astounding talent.

13. “Strictly Business”
EPMD
Strictly Business (1988)
Submitted By: @Truersound
Comments: Summerjam

14. “Summer Wine”
Hazeldine
Digging You Up (1998)
Submitted by: @simon2307
Comments: Great cover of the classic Lee Hazelwood / Nancy Sinatra tune

15. “Summer Wine”
Lana Del Ray
Unreleased? (Youtube rip)
Submitted by: @simon2307
Comments: ditto

16. “Long Hot Summer Days”
Turnpike Troubadors
Diamonds and Gasoline (2010)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: Fantastic John Hartford cover. Can’t wait for their new album to be released this coming fall.

17. “You Keep Me Hanging On”
Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge (1966)
Submitted By: @PopaTunes
Comments: While there are plenty of newer summer songs, summer takes me back to my youth, spinning records on a portable record player in the woods in the mountains, sharing new music with my summer friends. This one was a staple summer after summer. One I remember most though is Archie Bell and the Drells tighten up, which is at my kid’s house.

18. “Red Umbrella”
Kostars
Klassics with a “K” (1996)
Submitted by: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: Not about summer, per se (the lyrics talk about a rainy day, in fact), the vibe of this song by Kostars is summery as fuck. This song from the side project of Jill Cunniff and Vivian Trimble of Luscious Jackson brings to mind the tropicalia sound of classics like “The Girl from Ipanema” and feels like a cool breeze blowing in off the ocean.

19. “Far From Any Road”
The Handsome Family
Singing Bones (2003)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: True Detective returns June 21. What better time to recall the haunting theme song from season 1?

20. “Boss”
The Rumblers
The Roots Of The Cramps (2009)
Submitted By: @annieTUFF
Comments: I can’t get enough surf music, what says summer more than surf? I love how dirty and gritty this is. The whole comp “Roots Of The Cramps” is really great. I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t know how many of the Cramps songs I loved were covers until years later, and it’s fun to check out the originals.

21. “Two Kegs In The Swimming Pool”
Mike Kelly
Wake The Dead (2010)
Submitted By: @RomeoSidVicious
Comments: It’s looking like it’s going to a damp, hot summer here in Houston and I didn’t want to go with the obvious songs complaining about that state of affairs so I dug deep and pulled out this Mike Kelly tune. The summer relation is that there’s obviously a swimming pool involved and for most of the country those are only involved in summer activities. I think plenty of us have lived the night described here, although I’ve never been able to afford two kegs…

22. “Hot Fun In The Summertime”
Sly & The Family Stone
Greatest Hits (1970)
Submitted By: Blabber’n’Smoke
Comments: Reminds me of hot days in the excellent summers of the seventies.

23. “The Warmth of the Sun”
The Beach Boys
Endless Summer (1974)
Submitted By: @Rockstar_Aimz
Comments: A little melancholy to end the mix, but what’s a summer mix without the Beach Boys? This song was originally released in 1964.

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Feel Bad For You, June 2012

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The Feel Bad For You mix for June is here, babies. The FBFY corral of hard-working (just humor us) music bloggers, twitterers, avid listeners, and people pulled off the street have come together again to bring you aural pleasure. Pick it up. (For more information about the contributors – or to comment – check the FBFY site.)

 

 

Download.

 

1. Track: Blondie and Dagwood
Artist: Adam Carroll
Album: Lookin’ Out The Screen Door (2000)
Submitted by: toomuchcountry
Comments: This one is for all you June brides and grooms who want your new marriages to last. My suggestion is to put down that copy of 50 Shades of Gray and listen closely to Carroll’s lyrics of romance based on the couple from a comic strip legend.

2. Title: Clever & Quickness
Artist: River City Extension
Album: Nautical Sabbatical (2009)
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Formed in Asbury Park NJ in 2007. The band played an explosive showcase at last year’s SXSW; Newport Folk Festival producer Jay Sweet stumbled upon the gig, and later told Billboard, “This band, River City Extension, is ripping the paint off the wall.

3. Title: No Spare Parts
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Album (year): Some Girls re-issue (2011)
Submitted By: Bowood
Comments: Jagger in hillbilly mode for this great road trip song from last years deluxe reissue

4.Title: “45″
Artist: The Gaslight Anthem
Album (year): Handwritten (2012)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comments: Single released in advance of the album. Thinking about actually getting the 45 on vinyl.

5. Title: PT Cruiser
Artist: O. Children
Album (year): Apnea (2012)
Submitted By: tincanman2010
Comments: Sunshine. Music. Cruising. I said cruisING not cruisER. Oh well, rockin’ driving song so I’ll keep it.

6. Title: Head Above Water
Artist: Ryan Montbleau
Album (year): For Higher (2012)
Submitted By: Mando Lines
Comments: Ryan Montbleau’s new album was recorded in New Orleans with George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, Simon Lott and Anders Osborne. Ben Ellman (Galactic) produced. The majority of the songs (including this one) are Montbleau originals, but the record also has covers of Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers and Muscle Shoals great Eddie Hinton. Great record.

7. Title: I Just Want You To Go Away
Artist: The Lovely Bad Things
Album (year): New Ghost/Old Waves (2012)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: I just heard of this band a couple of months ago, so I’m still trying them on for size. But sometimes the best love song is an anti-love song.

8. Title: Yesterday (Circa Summer 80 Something)
Artist: Cory Branan
Album (year): 2012
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Cory finally got this album out and this ode to John Cougar is the perfect way to kick off summer.

9. Title: Chain Chain Chain
Artist: Red Red Meat
Album (year): Bunny Gets Paid (1995)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ Altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: I’m constantly surprised at the numbers of bands I missed out on in the 90′s. Red Red Meat were straight outta Chicago, even touring with Smashing Pumpkins – yet I’m only just now finding out about them thanks to Tim Rutili’s current band (Califone). This is off of their recently reissued Sub Pop masterpiece Bunny Gets Paid – damn fine song if you ask me. Crank it.

10. Title: The Messenger
Artist: Ray Wylie Hubbard
Album (year): Crusades of the Restless Knights (1999)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: Killer song by RWH. This version features Patty Griffin on background vocals.

11. Title: Ready For The Axe To Drop
Artist: TV Smith
Album (year): Useless – The Very Best of TV Smith
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: The only redeeming feature of this weeks Jubilee celebrations for me has been the various media articles and TV programming on the BBC revisiting punk, not that it ever really went away – which brings me to this months song choice from a guy who’s continued to record solo and in various collaborations after the punk band he fronted split in 1979, prompted by one of the aforementioned BBC Rock-docs here’s a track from the The Adverts front man TV Smith http://www.tvsmith.com/

12. Title: Alone In Memphis
Artist: Austin Lucas w/Glossary
Album (year): none
Submitted By: Bryan Childs (ninebullets.net)
Comments: This, I assume, will be on Austin’s next album.

13. Title: Everything You Took
Artist: Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires
Album (year): There is a Bomb in Gilead (2012)
Submitted By: @philnorman

14. Title: Come Unto Me
Artist: The Mavericks
Album (year): Suited Up and Ready EP (2012)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: Bad ass song. Glad they’re back!

15. Title: Sippin’ Sorrow
Artist: Pearl Woods
Album (year): Eeny Meeny Moe!
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: An old R&B tune, from a ripped LP that I recently acquired (quality’s not great). Just plain fun!

16. Title: Bring Flowers To My Grave
Artist: Jake Klar
Album (year): Jake Klar (2012)
Submitted By: Slowcoustic
Comments: Some great twangy singer songwriter “alt-country” from this new-to-me artist. The 7 track album is even a free download on his bandcamp page: http://jakeklar.bandcamp.com/ Highly Recommended.

17. Title: Creakin’ Ol’ Bones
Artist: Michael Dean Damron
Album (year): Nah Death, Im’a Comin’ For You (2012)
Submitted By: Romeo Sid Vicious
Comments: Mike D. has been getting me through a lot as of late and this track is the one I queue up the most at the moment.

18. Title:1922
Artist: Shooter Jennings & Last False Hope
Album (year): Outlaw Radio Compilation vol. 2
Submitted By: Adam Sheets
Comments: Based on a Stephen King novella.

19. Title: Loser Neck
Artist: The Riverboat Gamblers
Album (year): The Wold You Feed (2012)
Submitted By: erschen

20. Title: Set On Fire
Artist: Magnolia Mountain
Album: Town & Country (2012)
Submitted By: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)

21. Title: Sweetness
Artist: Micah P Hinson
Album: … And The Pioneer Saboteurs (2010)
Submitted by: Lord Summerisle
Comments: I am baffled as to why this man is not huge. Probably my favourite artist of the last 10 years in terms of consistency. Every album is great.

22. Title: The Devil Ain’t Lazy
Artist: Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
Album: single (1948)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I get a kick out of the fact that this song is essentially praising Satan’s work ethic. And, of course, since it’s Bob Wills, it swings. The mellow-voiced Tommy Duncan provides the vocals.

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Feel Bad For You, February 2012

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The Feel Bad for You February mix is 25 songs worth of badass designed especially for YOU! (The universal you, not you specifically. Get over yourself.) If you’ve never downloaded an FBFY mix before, lovingly crafted by music lovers, music makers and music enablers (for more information about your generous contributors, check the FBFY site), this is the one to start your habit. First hit’s free.

 

 

Download.

 

1. Title: Weight of the World
Artist: Shayfer James
Album (year): Counterfeit Arcade (2011)
Submitted By: Popa2unes
Comments: Shayfer James is devilishly captivating and deliciously unusual. A man of bewitching grace, grisly humor, profound story telling, and whiskey-flavored wit.

2. Title: Don’t Lie to Me
Artist: “Mississippi” Charles Bevel
Album (year): Charles Bevel – Meet “Mississippi” Charles Bevel (A&M Records SP-4412, 1973)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: First heard this track on an Oxford American Music edition CD a couple of years ago and loved it, always gets me up and dancing around. I’ve managed to track down a dinked 7” single but still looking for the album…….

3.Title: Unmade
Artist: Timothy Bracken
Album (year): Long Untied (2012)
Submitted By: philnorman
Comments: Great songwriting, great hooks, great guitar sounds all over this record. You need these songs. Name your price at http://timothybracken.bandcamp.com/

4. Title: No Draws Blues
Artist: Valerie June
Album (year): 5 Dollar Cover Soundtrack
Submitted By: Autopsy IV (ninebullets.net)
Comments: Stumbled across this song the other day. Had forgotten how much I liked it.

5. Title: You Used to Be a Sweet Clover Shaker
Artist: Robert Pete Williams
Album (year): Mojo: Brotherhood, a compilation of tracks from Mojo, from 2011, I think
Submitted By: Brad Kelley
Comments: Sometimes I think he’s the only blues artist that really matters, then sometimes I think he’s the only artist that matters. There’s nothing like him in the history of blues. His most famous song, I’ve Grown So Ugly, was covered by the Black Keys (on Rubber Factory).

6. Title: One Way Or Another (I’ll Be Free)
Artist: Dirty Bourbon River Show
Album (year): Volume One (2010)
Submitted By: Romeo Sid Vicious
Comments: I have been in a little bit of a slump lately and digging through my older gems to find some solace and rediscovered this little beauty. I love the guys in DBRS and this song has music that’s kind of happy and jumpy as well as lyrics that give a nice big “Fuck you” to just everything bringing someone down. It’s a fun little tune!

7. Title: Behind The Nut Love
Artist: John 5
Album (year): Songs For Sanity (2005)
Submitted By: erschen
Comments: I make to no bones about my metal head past and I love to watch That Metal Show on VH1 Classic. They have a different musician (mostly guitarists) that take them to break on each episode. I was quite intrigued by John 5, unique and varied styles. I knew he was a shredder and was most famous for being Marilyn Manson’s guitarist but I didn’t know that he has been a session guitarist for folks ranging from K.D. Lang to Garbage to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Ozzy. He’s a big Buck Ownes fan and has a penchant for chickin’ pickin’ as well. Really love this track, a bit of twang on this one. He’s fingering the strings behind the nut to make it sound like a pedal steel.

8. Title: Unfolding
Artist: Folk Family Revival
Album (year): Unfolding (2011)
Submitted By: Mike Orren
Comments: My friends literally dragged me out to McKinney, Texas, to catch this young Houston band a few weeks ago and I’ve worn out their album since. In their early twenties, these three brothers and their best friend are turning out some of the most mature, nuanced lyrics I’ve heard in a while with a sound that at times echoes the Avett’s, the 97′s and Ray Wylie Hubbard. It’s spiritual music, but not in a preachy way. It sneaks up on you and manages gravitas and fun in the same number. My only quibble is another tune where they have a beautiful line about being alone and maybe, like Johnny, finding your June Carter when you’re old. (Sorry boyos, I refuse to call 36 old.) That said, it’s a varied and polished disc without a clunker– but this song, the title track is my favorite. It’s become the theme song of my 2012 to date.

9. Title: My Epitaph
Artist: Ola Belle Reed
Album: Rising Sun Melodies (2010)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: Beautiful song from one of Appalachia’s most unsung artists.

10. Title: Jack and Joan
Artist : The Bear
Album : 7″ split w/ Belle Adair (2012)
Submitted By: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments : Just another Muscle Shoals band…doing good things. This is from their recent split w/ fellow Shoals-ians Belle Adair. This is available via Itunes and you can order the 7″ through Pegasus Records. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that they will have a new record done at some point later in the year. Backtrack to their 2010 self-titled one if need be. I love it…lots.

11. Title: Spotlight
Artist: David Allan Coe
Album: Longhaired Redneck (1976)
Submitted by: Adam Sheets
Comments: The best song from a truly underrated, but deeply divisive songwriter.

12. Title: For You
Artist: Roky Erickson (with Okkerville River)
Album (year): True Love Cast Out All Evil (Deluxe) (2010)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Roky Erickson doesn’t need any explanation. And if it does, then watch his documentary “You’re Gonna Miss Me.”
Also, and this is just a silly random note, next time you need to pass anyone anything (for instance…the telephone, salt, the remote, french fries) sing the first line of “For You” but replace an actual lyric with the item you’re handing them. Just like this….”For You, I’d do anything for you, For You there ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do…For you, your beauty makes the sunrise, For You, so I’m passing you these fries” and see if they get it….if they do, give them a high-five and become best friends forever.

13. Title: Don’t Love Me Wisely
Artist: The Setters
Album: Self-Titled (1994)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: Though we have no defined theme for the month of February, I felt compelled to submit some sort of love song. Right? The Setters was a Super … err, umm … Way-Above-Average Group featuring Alejandro Escovedo, Walter Salas-Humara from The Silos, and Michael Hall, who once fronted The Wild Seeds before releasing several solo albums. The release was produced by solo performer, guitarist for Lucinda Williams, and champion of the music and legend of Blaze Foley, Mr. Gurf Morlix. Hall – who now writes for Texas Monthly magazine – is on vocals with Escovedo on guitar. Salas-Humara contributed percussion rhythms by riffing on snare drum cases, Tropicana orange juice crates, and metal shelving.

14. Title: I’m So Bored With The U.S.A.
Artist: The Clash
Album (year): The Clash [US] (1979)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: Here I sit, wearing my Clash t-shirt. I wanted to hear something from the 70s, created a playlist, hit play and this was the first song up. Must be an omen.

15. Title: The Gravedigger’s Song
Artist: Mark Lanegan
Album (year): Blues Funeral (2012)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow @ altcountrytab.ca)
Comments: Love me some Mark Lanegan. First track off of his new album that should be out by the time this mix is posted (2/7/12).

16. Title: The Great Atomic Power
Artist: The Louvin Brothers
Album (year): Weapon of Love (1962)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: One of my new years resolutions is to listen to more pre-1970 classic country music. You don’t get much more classic than the Louvin Brothers.

17. Title: Say Goodnight to the World
Artist: Dax Riggs
Album (year): Say Goodnight to the World (2010)
Submitted By: Shooter

18. Title: Marley Purt Drive
Artist: Bee Gees
Album (year): Odessa (1969)
Submitted By: TheSecondSingle
Comments: An unexpectedly great homage to The Band by one of the lamest (and secretly greatest) bands of the ’60s. Sure to turn even the most ardent Bee Gees hater around (however slightly).

19. Title: Angel From Montgomery
Artist: Old Crow Medicine Show
Album (year): Broken Hearts And Dirty Windows (Songs Of John Prine) (2010)
Submitted By: Mike Beebe
Comments: I defy anyone to listen to this song and not instantly be a fan of both John Prine AND Old Crow Medicine Show.

20. Title: Get Your Ass On Out Of Here
Artist: Texas Wettnex
Album: Leaning In (2006)
Submitted by: Mando Lines
Comments: Just discovered Michael Wren in the last couple of weeks. He was the singer songwriter for the Texas Wettnex, now he’s a solo act. His most recent record is Rien Vraiment. You can stream some of his songs at www.michaelwren.com. Good stuff.

21. Title: Sweet Red Wine
Artist: Some Dark Holler
Album (year): Some Dark Holler EP (2011)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: These guys/gal are awesome live plus their EP is FREE on thisisamericanmusic.com!

22. Title: Tar Hani (My Love)
Artist: Bombino
Album (year): Agadez (2011)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: The recent Rubber City Review post about Bombino reminded me that you all need a shot of this desert rock. This is another one of those gems that Rick Saunders introduced me to, and it is sublime stuff. This song is a particular favorite because it makes me think of Sandinista!-era Clash.

23. Title: Drift (Live on InDeKringloop.nl)
Artist: Kim Janssen
Album (year): to be released on “Ancient Crime” – March 2012
Submitted By: Slowcoustic
Comments: As a member of The Black Atlantic, Kim Janssen is no secret to the “folky” community and this song proves he is coming into his own. His sophomoric album “Ancient Crime” should see him gain many fans on the genre. This audio rip is of the video of his performance that can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-r60xATwUg

24. Title: Uncle Sam
Artist: Anthony Leon & The Chain
Album (year): The Pistol, The Bottle & Shaded Pastures
Submitted By: Dusty Vinyl
Comments: Good friends of the Imperial Rooster; Santa Fe’s Anthony Leon & The Chain are really great country rock and roll. This is an awesome song about getting weed.

25. Title: Blood Relations
Artist: The Maldives
Album: Listen to the Thunder (2009)
Submitted By: Captains Dead

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Feel Bad For You, October 2011

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The October installment of the Feel Bad For You mix is here, with contributions from music makers, pushers and lovers. Free for you to stream or download and enjoy while imbibing the libation of your choice.

Nota bene: Due to an oversight, my contribution was not included this month. If it had been, you’d be hearing Little Walter’s “Juke” in this mix. Take your grievances to Matt.

 

 

Download

Title: For Stormy
Artist: Chelsea Crowell
Album: Crystal City (2011)
Submitted By: Mando_lines
Comments: For Stormy is an instrumental track off of Chelsea Crowell’s upcoming record, Crystal City. The song originally had lyrics, but Ms. Crowell made the decision to jettison the lyrics and had her producer, Loney Hutchins, play lap steel in place of her vocal track. A Tennessee thunder storm (and tornado siren) are in the background, if you listen closely. Conveniently, the siren was in the same key as the song.

Title: Twilight On Sometimes Island (SoulQuest 17)
Artist: Lil’ Cap’n Travis
Album: Twilight On Sometimes Island (2007)
Submitted By: Erschen
Comment: Love me some Pedal Steel

Title: Fortune Cookie
Artist: Los Straitjackets
Album: The Further Adventures of Los Straitjackets (2009)
Submitted By: @popa2unes
Comments: Everyone’s favorite Mexican wrestling mask-wearing, Chuck Taylor-clad, surf and garage instrumental rock band, we had these guys play at a traditional Hot Rod Show I was involved with a couple summers ago, they know how to have a good time and get everyone dancing.

Title: Townsend, TN
Artist: The Royal Court of China
Album: Self-Titled (1989)
Submitted by: toomuchcountry
Comments: The Royal Court of China was a Nashville-based, Elliston Place/Rock Block staple band in the late 1980s who later took a shot at the big time with a relo to LA. Bands such as The Questionnaires (featuring great songwriter Tom Littlefield), Government Cheese, Will & The Bushmen (fronted by Will Kimbrough), and RCC were among the second and larger wave of memorable bands that followed the original Nashville rockers, Jason & The Scorchers. The band got its name from a magazine interview with Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers. In the interview, the two of them mentioned that they had rejected RCC as a name for their name and instead chose The Firm. RCC’s second album, Geared & Primed, was hard-edged and included their only hit – Half The Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4JNLthoQRU). But their first and self-titled release included a wider range of guitar playing, a mandolin, some slide to give it a distinctly-Nashville touch, a few more harmonies, and this instrumental named for one of the most beautiful, tranquil parts of East Tennessee.

Title: Hobo’s Blues
Artist: Paul Simon & Stéphane Grappelli
Album: Paul Simon (1972)
Submitted By: Phil Norman | @philnorman
Comments: I’ve been on a Paul Simon binge lately, and I was already thinking of submitting a gypsy jazz track when I remembered this little ditty with the master himself, Stéphane Grappelli.

Artist: Japancakes
Song: Only Shallow
Album: Loveless (2007)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel (This Is American Music)
Comments: featuring Pedal Steel God John Neff of DBT before he was
John Neff of DBT…always a badass.

Title: Drivin’ South
Artist: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album: Radio One (1989)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: What else is there to say?

Title: Maggot Brain
Artist: The Volebeats
Album: Bloodshot Records: Making Singles, Drinking Doubles (2002)
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: in the pantheon of great rock instrumentals, Funkadelic’s maggot brain is certainly near the top. This is a killer version with some absolutely necessary steel guitar.

Title: A New Life
Artist: Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard
Album: Northline (Soundtrack To The Book) (2008)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: Love Willie Vlautin’s writing for Richmond Fontaine and his books are equally fantastic – the book and soundtrack idea works wonderfully well.

Title: Into the Lungs of Hell
Artist: Megadeth
Album: So Far, So Good… So What (1988)
Submitted By: Gorrck
Comment: Having sent instrumentals the last 2 months, this actually was a challenge this month. Pulled up Glenn Miller’s “Goin’ Home” — way too mellow and sad. Fired up some Xavier Cugat and remembered I had a cover of Ray Charles doing “One Mint Julep”. Then I realized I submitted the Cugat in 2008. Dammit. So here’s some Megadeth. Enjoy!

Title: Ghost Song
Artist: Slithering Beast
Album: Werewolf Ballads (2006)
Submitted By: bootlegend (In My Basement Room)
Comments: One of my favorites from a criminally underexposed band out of Louisville.

Title: Arkansas Traveller
Artist : Norman Blake
Album: Live At McCabes (1976?)
Submitted By: Bowood
Comments: This could be why I play guitar, or it could be why I don’t.

Title: Stairway to Heaven
Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
Album: Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz

Title: Bombs Over Baghdad
Artist: Outkast
Album: Stainonia (2000)
Submitted By: Autopsy IV of ninebullets.net
Comments: Bob your head. Rag top.

Title: Squid Omelet
Artist: The Queers
Album: Grow Up (1990)
Submitted By: annieTUFF
Comments: Ok, so when I think instrumental I automatically think surf music. and I LOVE surf music. Dick Dale and the Dale Tones, The Ventures, Frogmen, Sentinals, The Rumblers, Beach Boys (although honestly I don’t listen to them as much as the others I’ve mentioned). I could go on and on about surf music. BUT I wouldn’t have ever gotten started listening to surf music if it weren’t thru a weird backdoor way of getting exposed to it, thru punk. So, I decided to put up the song that got me started really listening to surf instead of one of the other surf bands I mentioned. The Queers are a great band that are pretty heavily influenced by surf music, and you can really hear it in their songs, I love them. Although I had heard surf before I didn’t really appreciate it until after getting into punk. Confused now? Me too. By the way, this song ends kind of abruptly, because it’s supposed to lead right into the next track…so this might not really be the greatest pick for a random mixtape….but I’m telling a story with this song, so, suck it.

Title: Good Grease
Artist: Mark III Trio
Album: Single
Submitted By: @mikeorren
Comments: Off a great bootleg instrumental soul compilation that sadly seems to be unavailable on now. The comp disc was called “Bucket o’ Grease”

Title: Si Paloma
Artist: Sun Kil Moon
Album: Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003)
Submitted By: Trailer
Comments: I’m not a big fan of instrumentals, but that’s the theme…so here’s a submission from one of my favorite albums of all time.

Title: Moanin’
Artist: Ray Charles
Album: Genius + Soul = Jazz (1961)
Submitted By: Adam Sheets

Title: Cissy Strut
Artist: Butch Cassidy Sound System
Album: Butches Brew (2004)
Submitted By: noteethleroy

Title: Peace in Mississippi (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Artist: Earth
Album: Pentastar: In the Style of Demons (1996)
Submitted by: TheSecondSingle
Comment: Stoner rock at its best. This may not be most people’s cup o’ tea, but you have to admit: it’s pretty badass.

Title: Green Onions
Artist: Booker T. & the M.G.s
Album: Green Onions (1962)
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Thanks to TheSecondSingle for the inspiration via spotify!

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The First Year: NTSIB Turns 1

  By

Line up the shot glasses and lock up the animals and children: it’s time to celebrate Now This Sound Is Brave’s 1-year anniversary.

It’s been a thrilling year, and it looks like the next year is going to be even better. Not to get all awards-speech on you, but my thanks go out first and foremost to Duane, my oldest friend, who first proposed the idea of this blog and who continues to show inspiring support and encouragement. Thanks also to my co-blogger Jennifer, to fellow collaborators Brucini at the Black Keys Fan Lounge and photographer Nate Burrell, to fellow bloggers Digger (Take This Bread) and Tim (Rubber City Review), to friends who have become readers and readers who have become friends and anyone who has stopped here for even a moment. And, of course, a huge debt of gratitude to you who make music – even beyond this blog, I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Now, a present for you: a mix. Twelve songs that have elicited something strong for me, whether it is an emotional punch in the gut or just excitement over a great chord progression, these are songs that made me pay attention this year.

Here’s the download (.zip file) link.

And here’s what you’ll find inside:

1. The Famous, “Cold Tonight”
2. Drive-by Truckers, “Used to be a Cop”
3. Cadillac Sky, “3rd Degree”
4. Conrad Plymouth, “Fergus Falls”
5. A Place to Bury Strangers, “Ocean”
6. Liars, “Scarecrows on a Killer Slant”
7. Gil Scott-Heron, “Me and the Devil”
8. Patrick Sweany, “Rising Tide”
9. Freddie Gibbs, featuring Chuck Inglish, Chip tha Ripper, Bun B and Dan Auerbach, “Oil Money”
10. Lee Fields and the Expressions, “Honey Dove”
11. Infantree, “Slaughterhouse”
12. Strand of Oaks, “Sterling”

Stick around for great things to come.