California Dream

I used to dream I was a poster in a bedroom...  Dawes - Feed the Fire

Another Dawes song that is on my current playlist is Feed the Fire from their latest album Passwords.  The song is about that West Coast/Hollywood dream struggle of stardom and reality.

Nathaniel Rateliff Worrys Me

I'm going to leave it all out there to dry...  Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats - You Worry Me

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats appeared on my radar with their 2015 sweaty R&B record that included the fantastic songs I Need Never Get Old and S.O.B.  Their latest album Tearing at the Seams is another winner and includes the following terrific song, You Worry Me. 

Dawes is Living in the Future

Now that the feeling someone's watching isn't just a feeling anymore;  Now that both sides of the aisle are this good at keeping score...  Dawes - Living in the Future

Dawes is one of my favorite recently discovered bands.  They come from Los Angeles and have that laid-back California groove.  Living in the Future is a terrific song about the times that we live from their latest album Passwords. 

Rock, Salt and Childers

And if the women were squirrels with high bushy tails, well I'd load up my shotgun with rock, salt and nails...  Utah Phillips - Rock, Salt & Nails

Rock, Salt and Nails is a classic country/folk song originally written by Utah Phillips  The song has been covered by many artists including Buddy Miller to J.D. Crowe.  The up-and -coming singer and local man Tyler Childers  kills it with his live version here...

Think-ing of the Queen of Soul

It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me...  Aretha Franklin - Think

Aretha Franklin passed away yesterday at the age of 76.  She earned the title of Queen of Soul for her powerful, gospel like voice and great recordings on Atlantic Records.  One of my favorite parts of the great, over-the top movie, The Blues Brothers is her cameo on Think.

The Jayhawks Lonely Stretch of Highway

I can change like colors on a wall...  The Jayhawks - Everybody Knows

The Jayhawks consistently  put out great music. Their new album, Back Roads and Abandoned Motels, is no exception and is fantastic.  The album consists of mostly songs written or co-written by Gary Louris, the band's anchor.  As a singer, Louris can carry a melody like no one's business.  Background harmony singing from pianist Karen Grotberg and drummer Tim O'Regan mesh beautifully.  The band is completed by long time bassist Mark Perlman and multi instrumentalist/new comer John Jackson.

Get Back With Paul

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes...  The Beatles - Penny Lane

Paul McCartney doing carpool karaoke on The Late Late Show with  James Corden is one of the best thing that I have seen in a while.  Paul goes back to his childhood neighborhood and it is awesome.

The Everly's Secret Sisters

Davy White, Where is he tonight?...  The Secret Sisters - He's Fine 

I recently discovered The Secret Sisters.  They remind you of a female version of The Everly Brothers.  It is great to hear younger people playing this kind of music.   

Rolling Slow With Glen Hansard

I wish I wasn't on my own, Thunder Road blasting out on E Street Radio... Glen Hansard - Roll On Slow 

From The Commitments, The Frames, The Swell Season and beyond, Glen Hansard can sing. The Irish singer caught my ear years ago doing a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Drive All Night with his group The Swell Season.  I am enjoying his new release Between Two Shores.  Roll On Slowly is great lead off track and I dig the Bruce reference in the song.   

Portugal is a Man?

I'm a rebel just for kicks, now; let me kick it like it's 1966... Portugal. the Man - Feel It Still 

Occasionally a popular song ends up on my playlist.  The older I get the less frequent this happens, but I really like Feel It Still by Portugal. the Man.