#joni newman

[dollarbin]

Dollar Bin at 150

Well, it happened again: you wasted more than a few perfectly good hours in my dumpster bin of a record collection. We've arrived at post #150 so let's recap the nonsense that's occurred since we hit 100 back in early summer:

There was some serious Shakey action. We spent six different posts on Neil Young's incomparable Zuma, ranging from the record's sonic relationship with my parents' antique vacuum, to its most bleak, altered, brutal, kaleidoscopic and yearning moments.

Young's Trans merited nearly as deep a dive. We started with an epic teenage tale before declaring it the best of all midlife crisis records. I took a pause to vent my fury regarding Neil's current doings and then went fairly deeply into the record's thematic implications for my own biography, and for Neil's.

What's more, I complained about everything on the Archives 3 sampler that does not sound like a demo by The Cure, identified Hitchhiker as a core part of Young's incredible legacy, cursed Stephen Stills yet again, waxed poetic and personal about Silver and Gold, recommended Prairie Wind for laxative adverts, voted against Cranky, Silly and Nasty's American Dream, got tipsy and blissful while listening to Tuscaloosa in paradise and demanded answers about my missing copy of Hawks and Doves.

And then my Cousin Kris died. I did what I could to celebrate his passing and his incomparable legacy by offering up my own essential songs list and through an appreciation of his best work with Rita.

(Now that Kris is heavenward, busy guffawing with Leonard Cohen, two perfectly reformed drunks in a heavenly choir, Prairewolf has vaulted to the pinnacle of my family's current musical achievement.)

While we're at it, here's a wonderful slice of Kris's second best work with Rita. Why isn't this song being covered by all our current divas from Adele to Chappell Roan as we speak?

Maybe it's because no one could ever sing anything like Kris and Rita...

(J.D. Souther's passing was noted as well. But comparing Souther to Kristofferson is like... well, it's not even worthy of a metaphor.)

What else happened on our way to 150?

I initiated yet to be consummated renassainces for Edie Brickell, Carly Simon, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ry Cooder and Michael Penn. Indeed, Carly Simon merited two posts. That's right, Carly Simon!

Also, the ladies' fierce penchant for Paul Simon merited wonder.

Linda Thompson was feted as well as Tom Waits' 70's persona. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' most obscure track was deemed equal to their latest weeper. Willie Nelson's 615th buddy record garnered praise, as did Lucinda William's Tom Petty tribute. Both records are good, but neither holds a candle to Dogs on the Run or the Woods Bands' long lost and churning pop nugget.

Sandy Denny remained a Dollar Bin fixation, of course. She sang the hell out of a few murder ballads, as well as her own greatest hit and a few Jackson C. Frank tunes, Plus she was way over my head in 1993 and put Led Zeppelin to shame.

What lies ahead, you ask? Well, for one thing, we've got to get serious and dedicate ourselves to a whole bunch more Joni Mitchell Mondays.

But before we begin the quest to 200 let's revel for a moment in my Dodgers' stirring pennant victory; Randy Newman sings everything, and this song most especially, ironically. But for the next week or so I'm just gonna act like everyone at Dodger Stadium and pretend that I don't know any better...

P.S. Stephen Stills Really Sucks.

P.P.S. Please vote! And if you can't vote for Kamala, write in Woody Guthrie.

[transneilyoung]

this website is so crazy. i'm mutuals with like 30 other seperate people that all like the monkees csny joan baez bob dylan the band midnight cowboy dennis hopper paul newman robert redford leonard cohen joni mitchell like all of it. you guys scare me why are you all me

[whiteshipnightjar]

Does art make a difference?

Aw, sure. Of course there are degrees of extremity to the potential change that art can effect, depending on how many people are able to engage with it. The Beatles made a huge difference in the world. But Henry Darger, Jeff McKissack, Karen Dalton, Pauline Oliveros, Kenneth Patchen – there are so many folks who have made great art and not gotten massively famous for it, yet I think there are all sorts of ways their work informs and shapes other people’s work, and brains, and decisions.

Should politics and art mix?

Well, everything mixes, the New Statesman! That’s like asking if a knee-reflex hammer and a quadriceps tendon should “mix”.

Is your work for the many or for the few?

That’s for the many/few to say. I just crank out the hot jams.

If you were world leader, what would be your first law?

Gravity. I feel like we need to tighten up the constitutional protections that particular law enjoys. It’s a ticking time bomb, if you ask me.

Who would be your top advisers?

Cute angel on one shoulder, cute devil on the other.

What, if anything, would you censor?

Maybe we could all agree to not bust each other’s chops all cut-dang day.

If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?

Don’t know, banishment might be a little extreme, but I’d sure like to take that Stephen Hawking dude down a notch or two. Right? Are you with me?

What are the rules that you live by?

Basically, “bros before hos”. I feel like if you stay true to that, everything else just kind of falls into place.

Do you love your country?

I love William Faulkner, Dolly Parton, fried chicken, Van Dyke Parks, the Grand Canyon, Topanga Canyon, bacon cheeseburgers with horseradish, Georgia O’Keeffe, Grand Ole Opry, Gary Snyder, Gilda Radner, Radio City Music Hall, Big Sur, Ponderosa pines, Southern BBQ, Highway One, Kris Kristofferson, National Arts Club in New York, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Tubman, Hearst Castle, Ansel Adams, Kenneth Jay Lane, Yuba River, South Yuba River Citizens League, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, “Hired Hand”, “The Jerk”, “The Sting”, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, clambakes, lobster rolls, s’mores, camping in the Sierra Nevadas, land sailing in the Nevada desert, riding horseback in Canyon de Chelly; Walker Percy, Billie Holiday, Drag City, Chez Panisse/Alice Waters/slow food movement, David Crosby, Ralph Lauren,San Francisco Tape Music Center, Albert Brooks, Utah Phillips, Carol Moseley Braun, Bolinas CA, Ashland OR, Lawrence KS, Austin TX, Bainbridge Island WA, Marilyn Monroe, Mills College, Elizabeth Cotton, Carl Sandburg, the Orange Show in Houston, Toni Morrison, Texas Gladden, California College of Ayurvedic Medicine, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Saturday Night Live, Aaron Copland, Barack Obama, Oscar de la Renta, Alan Lomax, Joyce Carol Oates, Fred Neil, Henry Cowell, Barneys New York, Golden Gate Park, Musee Mechanique, Woody Guthrie, Maxfield Parrish, Malibu, Maui, Napa Valley, Terry Riley, drive-in movies, homemade blackberry ice cream from blackberries picked on my property, Lil Wayne, Walt Whitman, Halston, Lavender Ridge Grenache from Lodi CA, Tony Duquette, Julia Morgan, Lotta Crabtree, Empire Mine, North Columbia Schoolhouse, Disneyland, Nevada County Grandmothers for Peace; Roberta Flack, Randy Newman, Mark Helprin, Larry David, Prince; cooking on Thanksgiving; Shel Siverstein, Lee Hazlewood, Lee Radziwill, Jackie Onassis, E.B. White, William Carlos Williams, Jay Z, Ralph Stanley, Allen Ginsberg, Cesar Chavez, Harvey Milk, RFK, Rosa Parks, Arthur Miller, “The Simpsons”, Julia Child, Henry Miller, Arthur Ashe, Anne Bancroft, The Farm Midwifery Center in TN, Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Harry Nilsson, Woodstock, and some other stuff. Buuuut, the ol’ U S of A can pull some pretty dick moves. I’m hoping it’ll all come out in the wash...

Are we all doomed?

If we keep our expectations pretty low I think we might be fine. I mean, we’re definitely all dying at some point. There’s no getting around that. But between now and then, things might start looking up!

— Joanna Newsom for The New Statesman, 2008

[therecordchanger62279]

     There’s the Mount Rushmore that everyone knows about in South Dakota, but if you watch sports talk shows, a popular topic these days is to ask the talking heads for their Mount Rushmore of the four best in a particular area of sports. It might be teams, or players at a specific position, or it might be coaches.

     It’s an interesting discussion most of the time because choosing the four best in any field can be somewhat daunting. We don’t do sports here, but I thought it might be interesting to apply the Mount Rushmore discussion to music. So, what I’ve done below is choose those I think belong on a Mount Rushmore of Performers, Songwriters, Vocalists, Guitarists, Pianists, Drummers, and Bassists. I didn’t limit myself to any genre because I listen to all kinds of music. I simply chose those artists I think most highly of; artists I listen to because they make a personal connection with me when I hear them.

     In the case of songwriters, however, I broke the category down into three sections. The first is for composers – those who compose the music. The second is for lyricists – those who write the words. And the final songwriter category is for both music and lyrics. I find those who write songs for a living are often better at one thing than another. Maybe the music is wonderful, but they don’t write lyrics, or they aren’t as adept at lyrics as they are at music. Some lyricists are amazing, but many have difficulty when it comes to writing a great melody. Of course, there are some songwriters who’ve mastered both sides of the craft in mostly equal measure. So, to be fair, I made separate categories.

     I claim no particular expertise here. The only musical gift I possess is a great pair of ears. But for this, that’s all I need. Rather than question my choices, you might ask, instead, who you would choose, and why. If nothing else, it will define what you value most when you listen to music. (The names are listed in no particular order.)

PERFORMERS

     Bruce Springsteen

     Tina Turner

     Mick Jagger

     David Bowie

VOCALISTS

     Frank Sinatra

     Barbra Streisand

     Linda Ronstadt

     Gladys Knight

PIANISTS

     Yuja Wang

     Chick Corea

     Thelonious Monk

     Keith Jarrett

GUITARISTS

     Jeff Beck

     Duane Allman

     Carlos Santana

     Frank Zappa

BASSISTS

     Ron Carter

     Paul McCartney

     Jaco Pastorius

     Chris Squire

DRUMMERS

     Charlie Watts

     Ringo Starr

     Bill Bruford

     John Densmore

SONGWRITERS (MUSIC)

     Brian Wilson

     Paul McCartney

     George Gershwin

     Randy Newman

SONGWRITERS (LYRICS)

     Bob Dylan

     Chuck Berry

     Paul Simon

     Jim Morrison

SONGWRITERS (MUSIC & LYRICS)

     Carole King

     John Lennon

     Joni Mitchell

     Smokey Robinson

[radiomaxmusic]

Feature LP / Barbra Streisand - Stoney End (1971) / 11pm ET / 12-25-24

Stoney End is the twelfth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand. Released in February 1971 and produced by Richard Perry, it was a conscious change in direction for Streisand, having a more upbeat, contemporary pop/rock sound. It included cover versions of several songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, including Laura Nyro, Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell. “I Don’t Know Where I…

[petervc88]

Cappelle Classics - 70's Singer-Songwriters - 15 oktober 2024

Terugluisteren kan hier.

Dit was de playlist:

Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move Todd Rundgren - I Saw The Light Jim Croce - I Got A Name James Taylor - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Neil Young - The Needle and the Damage Done Nick Drake - Pink Moon Joni Mitchell - Free Man in Paris Judee Sill - Jesus Was A Cross Maker Billy Joel - James Harry Chapin - W.O.L.D. Gilbert O'Sullivan - Nothing Rhymed Tim Buckley - Song To The Siren Randy Newman - Birmingham Graham Nash - Simple Man J.J. Cale - Magnolia Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky

Volgende week dinsdagavond van 22:00 t/m 23:00 is er weer een nieuwe uitzending van Cappelle Classics op Ice Radio. De uitzending wordt op donderdag van 13:00 tot 14:00 herhaald.

[newmusicweekly]

Jazz vocalist Diana Panton to release 11th album, "Soft Winds and Roses"

With a career spanning nearly two decades, two-time JUNO Award winner Diana Panton has established herself as one of the brightest lights on the international jazz scene, praised by listeners, musicians, and critics alike for her ethereal vocals, exceptional song selection, and emotive nuance. Diana is pleased to announce the October 25 release of her eleventh album, soft winds and roses.   A departure from Diana Panton’s more recent albums, soft winds and roses features modern classics composed from the 1960s onward, including songs by Lennon and McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean, Ron Sexsmith, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, and more. Read the full article

[primordialsoundmeditation]

This week’s astrology forecast: April 15th to 21st

David Pond in Reno May 17th - 22nd

For a talk and Astrology consultations

I will be in Reno next month, giving a talk at Lorna Benedict's healing studio and I will be available for astrology readings while I am in town.

Upcoming Astrology Cycles: 2024 and Beyond

Saturday, May 18th 6:00 - 7:30 $20

626 Humbolt Street, Reno

Call Lorna at 775-322-7438 for reservations

Consultations. If you would like to schedule an astrology reading, call Laurie at 360-918-8411, or email her at dpond11@gmail.com and she will help you make the arrangements.

Hope to see you soon!

Message for the week:

The much-anticipated Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Taurus occurs this weekend, opening the door for adventures, getting off the beaten path, exploration, and unexpected opportunities. This conjunction occurs every 14 years, and historically, has shown to be a time of major new beginnings and breakthroughs—in the arts, sciences, technology and lifestyles:

Music, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Joni Mitchel all launched their first albums during a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction.

Film: Charlie Chaplin’s “Charlie”, first talkies, Monty Python, Spielberg, Scorsese, Polanski, Paul Newman, and Woody Allen all launched their first movies. Notable films: Easy Rider and Alice’s Restaurant exemplified the spirit of this conjunction.

Technology firsts: telegraph, light bulb radio broadcast, TV transmission, internet, computer, quantum physics. space flight, wright brothers, and the Moon landing

Literature: Shakespeare, Milton (Paradise Lost), Dostoevsky, Melville, Dickens, Mark Twain, Henry James, Jane Austin, , William Blake, Emily Dickenson, and Alan Ginsberg all published their first writings, again, during Jupiter/Uranus conjunctions.

Cultural: Woodstock as well as 16 other mass music festivals.

This is a wave you will want to catch—if you are ready to launch something, this is the ideal time. In general, this transit is so positive in its potential, the only downside might be not taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity that presents itself. The heads up this week is to stay open to new experiences and unexpected opportunities.

Mercury (the mind), Venus (values) and Chiron (the wounded healer) are all conjunct this week in Aries—a good time to draw on the strength of courage for moving forward, and perhaps bolster others who may lack courage.

Monday: Mercury is conjunct Chiron—you may be called on to motivate a co-worker, friend, or family member to move forward with confidence. The Moon is in Cancer square to the Sun in Aries, while also being in a flowing trine to Neptune. You may experience some push-pull within yourself as to whether to be cautious or bold, with the Aries/Cancer square—draw on faith (Neptune) to proceed. The Moon will be moving into high-spirited Leo this evening.

Tuesday: Let your light shine today with the Moon in big-hearted Leo with no aspects. “Put a little love in your heart”, are great lyrics to carry as a mantra to take advantage of this unimpeded Leo energy.

Wednesday: This is a good day to unleash your inner rebel and push yourself to be more innovative and to reach for the stars, with the Moon in confident, creative Leo and motivated by the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. The Moon in a supportive trine the Mercury/Chiron conjunction will facilitate communication and persuasiveness.

Thursday: This is a good day for spring cleaning with the Moon entering fastidious Virgo this morning. This is excellent for tackling some of the “to do” list, getting rid of clutter and old stuff, and generally getting your life to run more efficiently.

Friday: The Sun enters quality-seeking Taurus this morning, initiating a month of enhancing security and the quality of your life. A little bit of luck is in the air with Mars sextile to the fortunate Jupiter/Uranus conjunction—act on unexpected opportunities. The Moon is in task-oriented Virgo, and you may feel pressure to get everything done before the weekend with an opposition to pressure laden Saturn this afternoon—Breathe!

Saturday: A potent day in the heavens with much going on. The much-anticipated Jupiter/Uranus conjunction occurs today—stay open to unexpected opportunities and stretch your wings to catch hold of the updraft. The Moon is in conscientious, detail-minded Virgo in a harmonious trine to this conjunction—see the big picture but focus on the next step. There may be some confusion this afternoon during the opposition to the Mars/Neptune conjunction, however a peaceful and harmonious evening unfolds with the Moon entering harmony seeking Libra.

Sunday: You may have to work at keeping the peace today, or avoid manipulative people, with the Sun square to manipulative Pluto and the Moon in fair-minded Libra. Libra, the sign of the scales of balance seeks win-win involvements with others—this is a day to consider to compromise is a failed win-win. If it doesn’t feel fair, don’t do it.

May the stars be with you!

David

Donations: Although these weekly updates are free, if you would like to support the newsletter with a donation, go to my website and click the “Donate” button on the menu. You can donate in increments of $5. You can also donate through Venmo: David-Pond-17 If you would like to send a check, contact us for our mailing address. Thanks for your support!

Consultations: I am available for consultations if you would like to see how your astrology chart can help you connect with your true self, explore your life’s purpose, better understand relationships, find your right vocation, or to align with current astrological influences. Contact us by email, phone, or through the “Services” tab on our website, to set up a session.

Email: Dpond11@gmail.com

Website: Davidpond.com

Phone: 360-918-8411

[lucasmaybury]

Reviewing My Record Collection: 3333 Albums from A to Zuma by Stephen Fall

Featuring more than a thousand different artists, Reviewing My Record Collection: 3,333 Albums from A to Zuma examines LPs across diverse genres and sub-genres, acquired from a lifetime of loitering in charity shops and collecting records, tapes and CDs. It offers an honest opinion on the great and less great albums of the last 60-plus years, driven by an ongoing curiosity to hear everything at least once.

The book grapples with the catalogues – often large and unwieldy – of artists such as Abba, Arab Strap, Albert Ayler, Joan Baez, Jane Birkin, Blondie, Blur, David Bowie, James Brown, Tim Buckley, Kate Bush, The Byrds, John Cale, Can, Captain Beefheart, The Carpenters, Leonard Cohen, Julian Cope, Elvis Costello, Miles Davis, Lana Del Rey, Sandy Denny, Depeche Mode, Bob Dylan, Brian Eno, Fairport Convention, The Fall, Funkadelic, Gong, Grateful Dead, Luke Haines, Jimi Hendrix, the Human League, the Incredible String Band, the Innocence Mission, the Jesus and Mary Chain, King Crimson, The Kinks, The Knockouts, Kraftwerk, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Gordon Lightfoot, Julie London, Paul McCartney, Medicine Head, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, Joanna Newsom, Nico, The NoMen, Angel Olsen, The Orb, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Pavement, Peaches, Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, The Pretenders, Dory Previn, Prince, Public Image Ltd., Pulp, R.E.M., Radiohead, Lou Reed, Jonathan Richman, the Rolling Stones, Roxy Music, Bridget St. John, The Seeds, Silver Apples, Simon & Garfunkel/Paul Simon, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, The Smiths/Morrissey, Smog/Bill Callahan, Sonic Youth, Spacemen 3, Sparks, Regina Spektor, Bruce Springsteen, Status Quo, Steeleye Span, Suicide, Sun Ra, T.Rex, Talking Heads, Television/Tom Verlaine, Richard Thompson, Van der Graaf Generator/Peter Hammill, Townes Van Zandt, the Velvet Underground, Loudon Wainwright III, Tom Waits, Robert Wyatt, Yes, Neil Young and Warren Zevon.

1,000+ artists! 785 footnotes! 3,333 albums reviewed!

[ntriani]

OQM Playlist: Life during quarantine #27

With this new Life during quarantine playlist, Nick Triani ponders Randy Newman's standard 'I Think It's Going to Rain Today' and the emotions it evokes.

Lockdown Don’t open the borders we said. Keep wearing the masks we said. Avoid crowds we said. Stay home if feeling ill we said. Lockdown is here again. It’s tiring to discuss but our inherent greed and wish to keep the wheels of capitalism churning might do for us yet. The welcome news that a vaccine is now a reality and just around the corner is a chink of light in this most rotten of years…

Human kindness overflowing The songwriters that have benefited from the patronage of Judy Collins are too numerous (for the sake of brevity) to mention here. But let’s at least recognise Collins’ role in the careers of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Donovan (in the US), Jimmy Webb and Randy Newman. Why Collins doesn’t have some kind of monument in her honor for music discovery is baffling, she also never had the title A&R woman attached to her name although that’s clearly what she did. The fact that in this era of rediscovery and music nostalgia Collins is not more readily identified amongst the greats of popular music is quite simply a conspiracy against women. Today I focus on a song by Randy Newman first introduced by Collins, ‘I Think It’s Going to Rain Today’ (or in some cases ‘I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today’).

Collins recorded a version of the song for her In My Life album from 1966, though Julius LaRosa is credited as having released a version a few months earlier. It’s Collins interpretation that became the template for the song’s subsequent ubiquity. To confirm this, LaRosa’s version doesn’t appear anywhere.

30 different versions Over the years all kinds of bands and artists of varying degrees of fame and fortune have tried to interpret ‘I Think It’s Going to Rain Today.’ I’ve cherry picked 3o different takes for this playlist. You may think, how crazy is that, listening to the same song so many times in a row, but please have a try because this may surprise you. Many of these interpretations are achingly similar in style, but I do think these vary enough so that you can sit through an hour and 40 minutes of the same song. The middle eight is the big variance in a lot of these versions (something about “Tin can at my feet, Think I’ll kick it down the street.”) Generally, most versions lead with piano and have string arrangements. Yet, the story changes with each voice. The latest version on this playlist is from 2020, which gives you some kind of idea of the longevity of the song.

I personally have a soft spot for the Françoise Hardy take from 1972. Her fractured English and the baroque string arrangement brings an intimate melancholy to the song. Leonard Nimoy does a great pass that pleases by not quite being right. Still, it might just be that Randy Newman’s own version from his debut album in 1968, impeccably produced by Van Dyke Parks, is the best. Newman is not the greatest singer, but has oodles of character and personality, which means the song retains its weary edge and infinite sadness (which is a bit lost on many of these takes.)

A younger generation may recognise Newman as the Toy Story soundtrack guy. That’s ok and cool. But Newman also lays a belated claim to be the pre-eminent songwriter of his generation. Recently this song has taken on a life of its own for me, reflecting collective grief and my hopes for a better day. The song also tells something about empathy and giving, even indulging our obsession of connecting our emotions to the weather. ‘I Think It’s Going to Rain Today’ touches a raw nerve, the weary sadness at the heart of the song can also comfort and help in getting through the ache. I believe that’s what Newman initially wanted when he wrote the song.

[transneilyoung]

according to astrotheme.com martin scorsese and leonard cohen and paul newman and joni michell are so yayyy

who has a pisces moon in the world like me.... i don't even know any

[rockmusichistory]

 November Important Dates In Rock History

 November Important Dates In Rock History

• November 1 – Ric Grech Born • November 2 – Keith Emerson Born Earl Caroll Born • November 3 – Lulu Born James Taylor and Carly Simon Marry • November 5 – Ike Turner Born Art Garfunkel Born Gram Parsons Born Peter Noone Born • November 6 – Doug Sam Born George Young Born Glenn Frey Born • November 7 – Joni Mitchell Born Johnny Rivers Born • November 8 – Bonnie Bramlett Born Bonnie Raitt Born •…

[therecordchanger62279]

NEW PLAYLIST: WAITING FOR THE SUN

In 1996, St. Martin's Press published a book called Waiting For The Sun by a British writer named Barney Hoskyns. The book is the single best history I've ever read about the California music scene. It spans 50 years, and covers everything from the Jazz of the 1940s to the Hip-Hop of the 90s. But the major portion of the book focuses on the Rock and Pop scenes of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

I enjoyed the book so much that I put together a 90 minute mix tape of music discussed in the book. A couple of years later, with a CD burner handy, I expanded the original to a double CD that featured 38 tracks, and more than 150 minutes of music. I was so happy with the result that I wrote a letter to Rhino Records and proposed they issue a boxed set based on the book in co-operation with the author. I even sent them my track list as a starting point. Of course I never heard from them, and my hopes for a boxed set were dashed.

Here we are a couple of decades later, and we have playlists, and streaming services available. So, I thought I'd share with you the best mix tape / burned CD set I ever made. I still think Rhino missed an opportunity. See if you agree. After you listen to it, you really should read the book. It's the cheapest ticket you'll ever find for that West Coast trip you always dreamed of taking.

Here's the track list, and it should be listened to in the order given here. I spent almost as much time sequencing it as I did picking the songs - all of which spotlight some aspect, and some of the history of the Golden State.

(Disc One)

Lonesome Town - Ricky Nelson

Laurel Canyon Blvd. #2 - Van Dyke Parks

California Saga (Pts. 1-3) - The Beach Boys

Hotel California - Eagles

California Nights - Lesley Gore

California - Joni Mitchell

Sin City - Flying Burrito Brothers

Estimated Prophet - Grateful Dead

I Love L.A. - Randy Newman

Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) - The Mamas & The Papas

Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees

Palm Desert - Van Dyke Parks

That's How We Do It In L.A. - Lindsey Buckingham

California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Livin' On The Fault Line - Doobie Brothers

Gringo - Little Feat

Marina Del Rey - Marc Jordan

Deportee - Gene Clark & Carla Olson

Bad Night At The Whiskey - The Byrds

(Disc Two)

Trouble Every Day - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

Dead Man's Curve - Jan & Dean

Trouble In Paradise - J.D. Souther

L.A. Woman - The Doors

Down In Hollywood - Ry Cooder

Valley Girl - Frank Zappa

Werewolves of London (Live) - Warren Zevon

It Never Rains In Southern California - Albert Hammond

Sunset Grill - Don Henley

Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark & Hilldale - Love

Talk To Me of Mendocino - Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Tamalpais High (At About 3) - David Crosby

Prisoner In Disguise - Linda Ronstadt

Poor Man's Shangri-La - Ry Cooder

Say Goodbye To Hollywood - Ronnie Spector

The Last Resort - Eagles

Frank's Wild Years - Tom Waits

Laurel Canyon Blvd. - Van Dyke Parks

[independentartistbuzz]

Dan Lowe & The Skeletal Remains' Single "Flame" Keeps the Political Pulse Alive

“Often, political songs lose their relevance once the headlines change and the moment passes,” says singer and songwriter Dan Lowe.

However, his track “Flame” is proving otherwise. Originally released during the 2020 election cycle, the song has been reignited for the upcoming 2024 election, highlighting its relevance in an ever-changing political landscape.

The song grabs you right away with sharp, searing guitar riffs and Lowe’s unmistakable vocal intensity. There’s an urgency here, a rawness that pulls you into the moment:

What sets “Flame” apart is how it balances that intensity with moments of unexpected depth. Dean Baskerville, known for his work with Sheryl Crow and Everclear, adds a surprising piano line that wasn’t part of the original plan.

It’s a subtle but striking addition that tempers the fire with a reflective tone. The background vocals add to this, haunting and ethereal.

“Flame” was meant to capture a specific time, but it’s managed to stay alive, feeling just as necessary in 2024 as it did when it first dropped. Lowe’s lyrics hit with a biting relevance that speaks to a still-divided world, and his performance reflects that ongoing frustration and defiance.

Dan says:

“I never dreamed that “Flame” would be of much interest once Donald Trump had been defeated, especially immediately following January 6th; to quote the Donald, ‘fortunately or unfortunately,’ it’s still every bit as relevant today as it was then!

Although the initial recording was done as we’d done in the past in our respective studios, with me sometimes recording a [demo] track or two – but then always jumping in the car to go work in person with Dean – it was shortly after we’d done the basic tracks for “Flame” that Dean and I both left Oregon: he for Texas and me for Nashville, so any additional overdubs and mixing would more than likely all have to be done via the internet! So, I recorded my guitar overdubs and edits – along with my background vocals – and uploaded them to Dean, after which he sent me back the edited tracks along with the piano track that he’d added – which came as a complete but pleasant surprise to me; we then met via Zoom to do a basic mix session, after which he sent me the final mixed tracks which I then pushed out to the web via my distributor.

As I said, that would have been where the story ended – except that Trump refused to go away, and so the ‘flame’ has continued to burn, and along with it the need for songs such as this.”

With Trump’s ongoing influence and the persistent divisions in the political landscape, the track remains painfully relevant. Especially this week with the Democratic National Convention taking place.

Lowe’s lyrics bite with the same ferocity they did back then, speaking to a world that hasn’t moved on. His performance reflects a deep-seated frustration, a refusal to let the flame die out as the issues continue to burn.

“Flame” is a powerful reminder that some fires aren’t so easily extinguished.

About Dan Lowe & The Skeletal Remains

Dan Lowe, a songwriter and musician with roots in Alaska, has had a remarkable journey.

Born and raised in Fairbanks and Anchorage, he was swept up in Beatlemania and the British Invasion at an early age, which ignited his passion for music. He quickly began learning any instrument he could find, focusing primarily on piano and guitar for songwriting, a craft that became his obsession.

Lowe’s sound is eclectic, blending rock, folk, jazz, country, R&B, and blues, much like his idols The Beatles, Randy Newman, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. His ability to blend such diverse influences has kept his music both timeless and contemporary.

However, Dan’s story goes beyond just his musical influences. After suffering a stroke, he faced the daunting challenge of relearning how to play music. This experience redefined the connection to his craft.

Lowe’s talent has not gone unnoticed. He was named Portland’s Performing Songwriter of the Year and had one of his songs selected by Jai Josefs for the “Getting Into The Groove” seminar at the TAXI Road Rally.

Currently, Dan is focused on live performances and seeking commercial placements for his music. With “Flame,” he proves that he is a resilient artist who understands the power of music to capture the moment and keep it burning.

Stay up to date with Dan Lowe & The Skeletal Remains here:

Website / Facebook / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music

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MOJO Cover 1998- Prince, Dr. John, Gene Clark, RandyNewman, James Brown, Joni Mitchell

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