Stuff You Should Know
iTunes Podcast

"The Great American Songbook: The Legend of Stagger Lee"

For the record, my favorite version was the darker, more violent Nick Cave version.

On vinyl no less. An interesting choice for "date night"...

James Booker
Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux, Switzerland
07-09-78

One of my favorite singer-songwriters in the old Barrelhouse tradition of piano. James Booker might have been the last of his kind. Excellent show.

Fleetwood Mac
Ultrasonic Studios
Hempstead, NY
10-08-74

Old school Mac. God bless Peter Green - that crazy born again bastard.

Stuff You Should Know
iTunes Podcast

"The Real Story of Jack the Ripper"
"King Porus vs. Alexander"
"What Are Ninja?"
"Why Are Honeybees Disappearing?"

Phish
"Festival 8" - Empire Polo Club
Indio, CA
11-01-09

Includes the infamous acoustic set "at the crack of noon"...followed by one kick ass long set of phat jams.

Welcome to Bizarro World.

"Supple Pink Felted Beaver"

I have no idea what that means. I just think it's funny to image the chances of ever bumping into someone who just happens to have a mixed burned CD with this title. I would be able to die a happy man knowing my life had been suitably fulfilled.

1. Zip City - Drive-By Truckers
2. Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies
3. Cool Waves - Spiritualized
4. Two Step (live) - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
5. Cowboy Song - David Crosby
6. Pink Moon - Nick Drake
7. Speeding Motorcycle - Daniel Johnson
8. Freeze Ray - Neil Patrick Harris (Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog)
9. Hip Hug Her - Booker T & MG's
10. Hard Times - Baby Huey
11. The Pusher - Curtis Mayfield
12. Come In Number 21 - The Charlatans
13. Push On Til the Day - Trey Anastasio
14. Omaha - Moby Grape
15. Eight Miles High - Bryds

I've begun to dabble in Podcasts and Audiobooks. As it turns out, music begins to get boring after, like, a zillion listens on your iPod. I have been finding it easier lately to pass the many long, boring kilometers of pounding pavement focusing on something else entirely...something involving a plot line.

Stuff You Missed In History Class
iTunes Podcast

"The Life and Times of Harry Houdini"
"The Delightful History of Feminine Products"
"How Office Politics Work"
"Did Aliens Influence Ancient Civilizations?"

Roy Orbison
Mountain Winery
Saratoga, CA
1988

I'm not going to profess to be a huge Roy Orbison fan. In fact, there were altogether too many Shoobie-Doobie's and Shalalala's for my liking. However, this show has some historical significance as this was a recording from his final tour, and the second to last known live recording before his death.

Moby Grape
Rai Congrescentrum
Amsterdam, Holland
02-12-69

I had forgotten how much I enjoy the Grape. Alexander Spence was nuttier than a bag of squirrel shit for sure, but, isn't that always the way it is with the particularly gifted ones?

Good Enough For Good Times
Martin's
Jackson, MS
03-28-09

Some rockin' old school funk featuring Robert Mercurio, Jeff Raines, Joe Ashlar, and Simon Lott. Funkier than Robin Williams' gym shorts.

Television
CBGB's
NYC
12-30-76

The Marque Moon album was one of those special "discoveries" for me back in University. And here again, is one of history's most underrated and unknown bands in one of their finest moments.

"Marshmallow Angel Nutloaf"

1. Reasons Why - Nickel Creek
2. Levi Stubbs Tears - Billy Bragg
3. It's a Shame About Ray (solo) - Evan Dando
4. The New Lee Highway Blues - David Bromberg
5. Haunted When the Minutes Drag - Love & Rockets
6. The Torture Never Stops - Frank Zappa
7. Midnight Rider - Allman Brothers
8. Copperhead Road - Steve Earle
9. Angeline - King Wilkie
10. Counting Out Time - Genesis
11. Do What You Gotta Do - Roberta Flack
12. Machine Gun Kelly - James Taylor
13. Ballad of Poor John Henry - Cuff the Duke
14. Stop Breathin' - Pavement
15. Down In the Churchyard (live) - Chris Hillman & Zen Warriors

Booker T & The Drive-By Truckers
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival - Which Stage
Manchester, TN
06-13-09

Yup. You read that right. THEE Booker T with the Drive-By Truckers serving as the MG's. Only at Bonnaroo. Fucking slick.

Vinegar Creek Constituency
Delfest - Grandstand Stage
Cumberland, MA
05-22-09

Some sweet bluegrass including a nice rendition of the Talking Heads Psycho Killer.

The Slip
Le Swimming
Montreal, QUE
11-23-02

One of the Slip's first and finest shows performed in Montreal. In fact, this show may be one of the significant crowning jewels of their performing career. And all done on borrowed equipment after having theirs confiscated by bastard wanna-be Frog Customs border guards.

Dead String Brothers
The Ark
Ann Arbor, MI
07-30-09

Sweet little bluegrass ditty band.

Club d'Elf
The Lizard Lounge
Cambridge, MA
03-20-09

Their illustrious 11th Anniversary show. Be careful with this one, however, as this may be too hip for you just yet. The absolute infinite coolness of this particular band may cause your weak, unprepared brain to implode in on itself if you don't first work your way into it slowly. Remember: you've been warned!

Boz Skaggs
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, LA
05-06-90

If I would have known, say, 15 years ago, that I would be falling asleep to the likes of Boz Skaggs, I probably would have begged my roommates to suffocate me with a pillow in the night. But, alas! This Boz dipshit is pretty good. Who knew?

I have no idea, whatsoever, about what might have transpired with me recently to inspire this particular playlist. Maybe it's the enriched avocado that's gone to my head or I'm experiencing a complete withdrawal of Vitamin Beer in my system. Or maybe I've been absorbing too much rock salt in my blood stream through my running shoes after those long 14k runs through back city streets on cold January nights. Whatever, I am now proud to present to you:

"Shoebox Moonpie Bandaid"

(If anyone correctly identifies this reference I will happily send you a free CD copy of this playlist)

1. Queen of New Orleans - John Bon Jovi
2. A Daisy Chain 4 Satan - My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult
3. Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Warren Zevon
4. Heart of Glass - Old School Freight Train
5. The Great Escape - Patrick Watson
6. Lie (solo) - Jeff Austin
7. Too Much Sex, Too Little Jesus - Drive-By Truckers
8. Murder In the Red Barn - Tom Waits
9. Knockin' On Heavens Door - Bryan Ferry
10. Disintegration - The Cure
11. 80's Runway Model - Jimmy Swift Band
12. Sinnerman - Nina Simone
13. Wind Cries Mary - Jamie Collum
14. Coming Into Los Angeles - Arlo Guthrie
15. Airplane - Barefoot Manner

Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir & Duane Allman
WBCN Studios
Boston, MA
11-21-70

Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh & Tom Donahue
KMPX Radio
1967

I seem to be going with a whole 'History on Radio' series this afternoon. The slightly static early FM broadcasts create a nice, mellow ambiance just perfect for making vegetarian crackers and pate spreads.

Leadbelly
University of Texas
Austin, TX
06-15-49

Classic blues from the classic blues man himself...good 'ol God-fearing songs of whiskey, church, and unrequited love. Good quality recording considering that this was made pre-1950. My favorite track is definitely the I Don't Want No More of Army Life. Little did I know back then as a child that the song I typically sang over camp fires would also become one of my favorite blues songs as an adult. Life is full of weird turns.

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Gilmartin Barn
Rochester, VT
07-11-09

Fantastic lesser-known band that I had the privilege of seeing last year opening for the Jerry Douglas Band in Trumansburg, NY. I thoroughly enjoyed them then and I thoroughly enjoyed them now.

Frank Zappa
Fox Theater
Atlanta, GA
09-18-77

Some days more Frank Zappa days than others. Today is one of those days...

Jerry Jeff Walker & David Bromberg
WBAI Studios
New York, NY
1969

This was originally intended as a live solo acoustic show on FM radio for Jerry Jeff featuring David Bromberg & co. as his backing band. But honestly, how do you give either of these guys top billing over the other?

Umphrey's McGee
Morris Performing Arts Center
South Bend, IN
03-17-07

Opening set for Adrian Belew. At first I just chalked these guys up to being just another flash-in-the-pan poser jam band, but now I'm beginning to warm to them somewhat. I really liked the Nemo> "Jimmy Stewart" jam in Set One. Also included a nice cover of King Crimson's Thela Hun Ginjeet (w/ Adrian Belew) to close out the encore on a high note.

The Mission - Children (vinyl)
Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy (vinyl)
Peter Gabriel - ST (1977) (vinyl)
Fleetwood Mac - Tango In the Night (vinyl)

Another snowy weekends vinyl afternoon spent all cozied up on the couch with the Ironman Training Bible and trusty water bong.

Gov't Mule
Tower Theater
Philadelphia, PA
October 31, 2009

The big Mule Halloween show with Jackie Greene. The entire first set is dedicated to the Stones, including Monkey Man, Can't You Hear Me Knockin', Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heaertbreaker), Paint It Black, Gimme Shelter, and others.

"Drop the Needle"
Theater of the Living Arts
Philadelphia, PA
01-23-03

Interesting little Rope-a-Dope gathering featuring Billy Martin (Drums), John Medeski (Keys), Melvin Gibbs (Bass), Calvin Weston (Drums), Cyro Baptista (Percussion), Shelly Hersch (Vocals), Dany Blume (Guitar), Stainless Steele (D2T1), and DJ Image (D2T1). Sure drives out the New Years morning cobwebs and gets your heart racing for a long brisk outdoors jog.