Life is funny. Every day can be an adventure. You work hard all day and then you spend your nights and weekends pursuing your hobbies and passions. And it all seems to be pretty much the same ol’ thang…
And then one day you meet a special someone. You date, fall in love, get married…and eventually the “kids question” comes up. You both agree the time is right and so you decide to “try.” And the next thing you know, she’s pregnant and your whole world is about to get turned upside down, inside out and be full of a lot of dirty diapers and sleepless nights. And all you keep thinking is “Man, I hope my life ends up looking as good as Christina Applegate & Will Arnett’s!”
This is most of a mix I made for my wife to listen to on the days when she hates me, feels nauseous or is scared about what the future holds. It is also for me on days when I know why she hates me and I am scared to death about what is going to happen sometime around March 28th.
Here’s the full track list, complete with descriptions, for Marc’s playlist…
Sade – Still In Love With You
Found on her new Ultimate Collection, this is a cover of a Thin Lizzy song. Seems like a strange choice of a band for her to cover. But many in the Music community had great respect for the late Phil Lynott. This is a far cry from Jailbreak or The Boys are Back In Town. This is real Soul music sung by one of the great soul singers of all time.
The Soul Of John Black – Joy
I really don’t know much about this act. I found the CD in the cutout bin of CD shop downtown about two years ago (remember when you used to be able to do this all the time). Apparently recorded around 2002, the band features John Bigham, an ex-member of Fishbone and Christopher Thomas who has done some sideman work. I liked the cover and was intrigued by the title. Call it my intuition when it comes to good music. THIS IS THE CD THAT PRINCE WISHES HE MADE AT ANY TIME IN THE PAST 15 YEARS! And while it includes great funk, rock and blues, this is a beautiful acoustic soul song.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – Lenny
SRV, perhaps the greatest guitar player to come out of the ’80s. This man’s star burned out to quickly when a horrible helicopter crash that took him from us just as he was finally reaching his best form as a newly sober person. This track comes from his 1983 debut. It is the final track on the album and written for his wife. Stevie Ray was my favorite guitar player. You can hear the love he had for her in every note. And this song brings tears to my eyes EVERY time.
Keb’ Mo – Isn’t She Lovely
Everyone knows Stevie’s original version. This is a great take on it from an extremely talented modern blues and soul singer/guitar player.
Rod Stewart – (Find A) Reason To Believe
Every Picture Tells A Story is one of the great albums in the history of rock and roll. It captures one of the greatest White Soul voices in top form working with his perfect sideman foil in Ronnie Wood. And this track really shows off how great Rod the Mod could be when it came to signing soul. This is not the schmaltz he puts out now. This is the real deal. And if he made nothing other than this album, it would have sealed his place in history (Thankfully, there were a few other great solo albums, and a little band called The Faces).
Rickie Lee Jones – We Belong Together
One of the more talented and hard to pigeonhole American artists to come out of the late ’70s. I just love how this track starts out so quietly and builds.
Ron Wood – Mystifies Me
From his 1974 debut solo album, I’ve Got My Own Album to Do. This album featured members of the Stones, the Beatles, The Faces and more. And it shows how talented Ronnie really is if given the chance to step out on his own. There is some brilliant stuff on his last solo album, I Feel Like Playing, from 2010 if you are curious.
Eric Lindell – Cazadero
The title track from one of his more recent albums (also re-issued as half of this past summer’s double album, West Coast Drifter). It is a song about him and his wife Sarah falling in love and venturing out West to the area Eric originally comes from.
Donavon Frankenreiter – Call Me Papa
Originally recorded for his self-titled debut, this version comes from Revisited on which he plays more acoustic takes on the tracks from that album with a Hawaiian flavor added. I met my wife at one of his shows in 2006 and we were lucky enough to meet Dono and become friendly. This track is a special song. The lyrics are beautiful. And as a father to be, it helps steady my nerves as I think about the good times to come from my uncertain future.
Jonah Smith – Stay Awhile
He’s been playing around New York City for years. And friends of mine always spoke very passionately about him. This song is from his 2006 debut album. A talented singer/songwriter/keyboard player worth checking out.
John Prine – Day Is Done
Prine has been recording since 1971. This song comes from his 1995 album, Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings. The album was his second collaboration with the late Howie Epstein from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Brett Dennen – Ain’t Gonna Lose You
The final track from the Northern Californian’s 2008 album, Hope For The Hopeless.
