Song of the Day XVI: John the Revelator

I've been slowly watching Sons of Anarchy on Netflix, and after about 6 weeks, I finally got to the season finale of season 1. When I got to the end of the episode, I heard a song and couldn't concentrate on what was happening in the show, because I recognized that song and couldn't place it. Then I remembered. It's a new version of a song I used to hear playing a lot in my house as a kid, "John the Revelator." The song is a classic blues song dating to the 30s, but the version I knew as a kid was by Son House. And it is awesome. Here he is doing it live. Enjoy.

Song of the Day XV: Rock & Roll

The Clutters, "Rock & Roll." Rock on.

Song of the Day XIV: Going Back Song

OK, so there are no videos of this song, that I can find at least, but I refuse to be denied, so click here, and then click on "Going Back Song" in the Grooveshark app thingy. It's worth it, I promise.

An interesting band from Denton, TX only reminds me that Austin hasn't really produced a band worth listening to in a really long time, though.

Song of the Day XIII: Roadrunner

Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, "Roadrunner," one of the quintessential songs of the mid-90s, as the book says. I'm in love with the modern world.

Song of the Day XII: How It Ends

The weekend of songs that get stuck in my head ends with another song that gets stuck in my heads for days, not entirely unwelcomely. I like Devotchka, and that whole gypsy punk crowd. Anyway, "How It Ends," if for no other reason then to get "Heart it Races" out of my head:

Song of the Day XI: Heart it Races

OK, if yesterday's song gets stuck in my head for an evening, this cursed song gets stuck in my head for days at a time. The original version, by Architecture in Helsinki, is fun, as most of their quirky stuff is:

But it's not that version that gets stuck in my head. The Heart it Races EP has a couple covers and a couple remixes. One cover, by Hey Willpower, is OK. You can listen to it here. The one that gets stuck in my head, though, is the Dr. Dog cover. Argh, it's already stuck in my head again:

Song of the Day X: Cracks

Freestylers, "Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix)". This song gets stuck in my head every time it pops up on one of my Pandora channels. I'm not even going to watch this video, lest I have this song tormenting me for the rest of the evening.

Song of the Day IX: Under Control

ApSci, "Under Control." Enjoy.

I also dig this live version, from a rehearsal:

ApSci (short for Applied Science) is one of the more accessible "experimental hip hop" groups. I saw them live 5 or 6 years ago at Emo's, and they were pretty damn fun.

Song of the Day VIII: Creator

Santigold, "Creator." She's awesome. Enjoy.

Song of the Day VII: Hijo de Africa

Mc Solaar is incredibly popular outside of the English-speaking world. He should be more popular here. "Hijo de Africa." Enjoy.

French hip hop, even top 40 (and Mc Solaar is definitely top 40), tends to be really good. I like to listen to it while I'm working because, since I can't understand most of the lyrics (my French would barely get me to the bathroom in Paris), I can listen without getting wrapped up in the words. English-language hip hop sucks me in with the lyrics and serves as a sort of verbal interference for any reading or writing I might be doing.

Anyway, the Yo La La podcasts, which are free, are a great introduction to French-language hip hop, which includes not just hip hop from France, but also from Africa and Québec and anywhere else French is widely spoken. I recommend starting from the beginning.

Song of the Day VI: Molten Light

Chad VanGaalen is a disturbed man. Disturbed, but awesome. The drawings are all his, as well as the music. "Molten Light," enjoy.

Song of the Day V: Non, je ne regrette rien

Edith Piaf, I love you. "Non, je ne regrette rien." Enjoy.

Song of the Day IV: Start Shootin'

Little People, "Start Shootin'". Enjoy.

Song of the Day III: The Weeping Song

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "The Weeping Song." Enjoy.

Song of the Day II: Mr E's Beautiful Blues

Eels, "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues." God damn right, it's a beautiful day. Enjoy.

Song of the Day I: Thank You Lord for Sending Me the F Train

In the summer of 1995, I somehow stumbled into a Soul Coughing concert at the Exit/In in Nashville, when they were touring in support of their first album, Ruby Vroom. I'd never heard of them before, but I was so blown away by the show that I went out and bought the album the next day. At the time, I was one of something like 75,000 people who had. They went on to get a bit bigger, even achieving some mainstream success with "Circles" off of their third album. I saw them 4 more times, in Cincinnati, Nashville, and Austin, all but the last of which were amazing. The Austin show, in 2000, felt kind of forced, and I wasn't surprised when they called it quits as a band soon after that. It wasn't until 6 or 7 years later that I learned that Mike Doughty had put out some solo material. It is really good as well. To prove it, here's the song that my alarm clock woke me up with this morning. Enjoy.