Winter Warmers Comfortable Music

Winter is a time for comfort and the pure invincible warmth of music to bring a glow and perseverance to your heart.

Elvis Presley – (Marie’s The Name ) His Latest Flame (1961)
Sam Baker – These Broken Fingers (2007) www.sambakermusic.com
Carlos Johnson  – Delta Blues (2004)
The Jayhalks –   Miss Williams Guitar (1995)
The Band & Eric Clapton  – Further On Up The Road (1976)
Scott McKenzie –  San Francisco ( 1967)
Ella Mae Morse – Cow Cow Boogie (1942)
Greenshine – Ruby Tuesday (2013) www.greenshinemusic.com)
Pete Townshend – There’s A Heartache Following Me (1972)
Neil Diamond – Last Thing On My Mind (1971)
Sonny & Cher – All I Ever Need Is You (1971)
Smokie –  Don’t Play Your Rock And Roll To Me (1975)
Ella Washington – He Called Me Baby (1969)
Dave Mason – Only You Know And I Know (1970)
Rhythm Makers – Zone (1976)
Odyssey – If Your Looking For A Way Out (1980)
Ed Deane –  Queen Bee (2016) www.eddeane.com
Buddy Holly – Valley Of Tears (1957)
Texas born gospel reared country and western musician who refined his style after playing support on early Elvis Presley shows to become a pioneer of popular rock & roll music.My association with this song is linked to my awareness and attention to news bulletins on Radio Luxembourg when news broke the night Keith Moon passed away September 8th / 9th 1978. The Fats Domino written cowboyish vibe of the song was already there growing up since Buddy released it on his self titled 1958 LP but added a poignant soundtrack to the news that another music hero had gone to the great beyond. 
I was too young to appreciate the great loss of Buddy in a plane crash in 1959 but for me the music died the night Keith Moon left us.
Freda Payne – Band Of Gold (1970)
The Beatles – No Reply (1964)
Marv Johnson – I’ll Pick A Rose For My Rose (1968)
Perry Como  – When You Were Sweet Sixteen (1947)
Charles Lloyd & Nora Jones – You Are So Beautiful (2016)
Beres Hammond – Just Like A Woman (2004)
Laura Nyro & LaBelle – Jimmy Mack  (1971)
Bill Howl N Madd Perry & Alphonso Sanders –  Boo-Ga-Loo (2010)
Bob Dylan – Where Are You Tonight (1978)
Chuck Berry – Come On (1961)
Greg Kiln Band  – Jeopardy (1983)
One Kind Word Can Warm Three Winter Months

Carlos Johnson Chicago Bluesman
Carlos Johnson Chicago Bluesman

 

Beautiful Discoveries Simple Pleasures

The most beautiful discovery is to be found in the simple pleasures of life.
Allen Toussaint –  Tequila
Atomic Rooster – Devils Answer
The Rossington – Collins Band – Gonna Miss It When It’s Gone
Gladys Knight & The Pips – Midnight Train To Georgia
Roger Daltrey – It’s A Hard Life
Del Shannon – Go To Pieces
Mr Bloe – Groovin With Mr Bloe
Grateful Dead – New Minglewood Blues
Niall O Sullivan – Let It Be Me
Solomon Burke – Ooooooo You
The Beatles – Get Back
Johnny Taylor – I Found A Love
Dedringer – Direct Line
Michael Martin Murphy – Carolina In The Pines
Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians – What I Am
Elvis Presley – I Just Can’t Help Believing
K D Lang – Tears Don’t Care Who Cries Them
Christy Moore – The Cliffs Of Dooneen
The Marvelettes – When You’re Young And In Love
J J Cale – Midnight In Memphis
Zack Boone – Beautiful www.zackboone.com/
Tom Robinson Band  – 2 4 6 8  Motorway
Junior Parker – Mother In Law Blues
Mose Allison – Young Man Blues
The Dixie Chicks – Landslide (Sheryl Crow Mix)
Count Basie – Take Me Back, Baby (1941)
The Carpenters – Goodbye To Love
Warren Zevon – Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead
Clarence Carter – The Road Of Love
Horslips – Trouble With A Capital T
Brandy Zdan – More Than A Man www.brandyzdan.com/

Life Time Music Blossoms

Discover and let us be grateful for musicians who make us happy they are gifted gardeners who create a treasure to make our souls blossom like sunshine

Buddy Holly – Your The One (1958)
Picked up this as a 7 inch single in a record shop bargain bin on one of my Saturday Afternoon trawls for music around Dublin’s music shops in the early 70’s’ I grew up emotionally crippled by Buddy’s tragic departure in a touring plane crash in a frozen landscape in 1959 and I have always listened to his music with the thought not very far from my mind that life is fragile.
Gerry Rafferty – Right Down The Line (1978)

None of us can help the things life has done to us. They’re done before you realize it, and once they’re done they make you do other things until at last everything comes between you and what you’d like to be, and you’ve lost your true self forever.
I think of Eugene O Neills words when I think about Gerry Rafferty a beautiful songwriter who wrote upbeat groovy tunes. Like many of my favourite artists he was a perfectionist socially awkward who had been disillusioned by the music business and its pernicious grip on your spirit after legal battles during his Stealers Wheel phase. Gerry wanted to let his melodic music do the talking and was a reclusive addictive figure trying to find a balance between his personal and public life.
Humble Pie Say No More (1973)

Eat It was a double LP from Humble Pie which covered the many sides of the band’s talent and in particular Steve Marriott. From the live high energy cover of Honky Tonk Woman and the superb studio version of Ike and Tina’s Black Coffee to this gentle acoustic gem which has stayed with me ever since as one of my favourite love songs.
“Cause if you’re the sea then I’m your rock
And if I’m a key then you’re my lock
Well if you’re a foot then I’m your sock, so wear me well”
Otis Rush – Homework (1962)

Had the pleasure of meeting Otis at a guitar workshop at the Temple Bar Blues Festival in Dublin in the mid 90’s.Very friendly he generously shared the secrets of his style which led the way for electric blues guitarists since his records appeared in the late 50’s. A left-handed guitar player who likewise to Albert King and Ed Deane make magic on the fretboard in the most mysterious ways to us guitar fans & enthusiasts. The purpose of life is to discover your gift and the meaning of life if giving your gift away. R.I.P. Otis 
Andrew Gold – Never Let Her Slip Away

Such a talented musician whose presence always added so much class to the collaborations I came across particularly his work with Linda Ronstadt. Andrew always reminds me of his mother Marni Nixon who was the uncredited voice in popular terms behind some of the great Hollywood musicals My Fair Lady, West Side Story and Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend hitting all the high notes for Marilyn Monroe. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. 
Status QuoIn My Chair (1970)

Came across a motivational term many years ago KISS an abbreviation for Keep It Short & Simple which describes perfectly the crowd pleasing hard blues rock boogie sound of Status Quo. The studio single version of In My Chair was one of the first additions to my own record collection back in 1970 having been blown aways by the previous release Down The Dustpipe. I loved the early 70’s sound of Status Quo and the live ambiance on this record captures the heads down hair swinging groove.
Rodriguez – I Wonder  (1970)

www.rodriguez-music.com
Good friend in work Liam Boylan gave me the Searching For Sugar Man DVD which exceeded all expectations in that I had never heard of Rodriguez prior and left me further intrigued and  amazed at the spontaneous beauty of his songs and life story. A Detroit singer songwriter who recorded 2 LP’s in the early 70’s and then disappeared with rumours that he had committed suicide at a gig. Belatedly his music connected with the resistance movement in South Africa and he found success in the late 90’s and has been enjoying great success on the back of the Academy Award winning film about his life story.
Japan – I Second That Emotion
This is a  Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Motown classic being interpreted in the early 80’s by British New Wave Romantics Japan who incorporated Glam and Ambient ideas into their image and sound. When I hear the song it reminds me of a Prince’s Trust Concert on the tele in the early 80’s featuring Pete Townshend playing Slit Skirts with Japan bassist Mick Karn R.I.P. on stage by his side.
Sweet Cecilia La Vie C’est Une Bataille (Life is a Battle)  (2015) www.sweetceciliagirls.com
Met this wonderful band at the New Orleans Jazz Festival a super confident rousing Louisiana family band with dynamic harmonies and energy bouncing around the stage. St Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and it’s also the name of their hometown and they left me with one of my favourite live music memories of my trip to the New Orleans Jazz Festival. There is a mesmerising almost spiritual atmosphere in the air around these two sisters Laura and Maegan and their cousin Callie singing and playing their hearts out with clear eyed honesty and good time cajun country rock rhythms. 
“Life is a battle that’s what my grandpa said
Life is full of scratches it’s what you make of it”   
Lil’ Ed & The Blues ImperialsI Love My Baby (2002)

Lil’ Ed Williams is a smiling flamboyant high energy torch bearer for Chicago Blues driven along by the classic Hound Dog Taylor and Elmore James and his uncle JB Hutto’s  bottleneck razor sharp stomping slide style. A fantastic live band who hit the stage with their three decades of road tested electrifying good time joyful fun boogie behind them they never fail to satisfy. I have been in an elated audience in Lucerne and New Orleans when this tour de force hits the stage and goes full throttle through a performance. One of my favourite live music experiences. 
Moskus – Tandem Med Sankt Peter     www.moskustrio.no
Chris Issak – Wicked Game
Rhiannon GiddensShe’s Got You
One of my favourite musicians to see live who consistently takes my breath away with her passion and natural charisma. Rhiannon brings history to life on stage and in her story telling song craft with a rootsy integrity and honesty in her convictions  that resonates within the most intimate reaches of the audience’s heart. A magnificent voice that shakes your foundations as she takes you on a modern soul,gospel,jazz faithful to the old time and fearless to the new time trad interpretation of the music of resistance that is blended to perfection for the mission at hand. She’s Got You is a classic Patsy Cline Country & Western standard written by Hank Cochran in the early 60’s getting a makeover that brought the song to life for me. Always makes time to meet the audience after her shows with a big heart and a smile that lights up life Rhiannon appears to be relentlessly touring and picking up awards and praise all over the globe but when it’s time to go home  it is to Limerick she lays her hat and we are blessed to have such a compassionate talent in the neighbourhood.
Al Berard – Ten Years Gone     www.alberard.com
Dean Martin – Gentle On My Mind
Brad Vickers And His Vestapolitans – Raisin’ Praise www.bradvickers.com
Gregory Issacs – House Of The Rising Sun
Sonny Condell – Down In The City
Sam Philips – Lying
Fanny – Summer Song     www.fannyrocks.com/
Ray LaMontagne – You Are The Best Thing
Sonny Landreth – Walking Blues     www.sonnylandreth.com/
Elvis Presley – Steamroller Blues (Live Aloha From Hawaii)

White man’s blues parody classic written by James Taylor and made famous by The King himself. This is the sound of rural backwaters rhythm’s meeting the bright lights and getting a big city sound with the great
Leftover Salmon – Two Highways     www.leftoversalmon.com/
JR Walker & The All Stars – Cleo’s Mood
Los Lonely Boys – Hollywood
Dusty Springfield – Son Of A Preacher Man
Peter Novelli –
Bourban Street Blue (2015)
www.peternovelli.com
Walked into a brightly lit bar on Bourban Street when my ears picked up his exciting guitar sound on my rambles. Peter is a really nice guy who guided me towards some great shows on my trip to New Orleans. Peter is a highly respected, storytelling songwriter and local hero who loves to play and lend his expertise to other cohorts on the New Orleans scene with his production and fretboard expertise.
Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
The Who – Drowned     www.thewho.com/classic-quadrophenia
Gary Bartz NTU Troop – Celestial Blues
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Don’t Cry No Tears
Gov’t Mule – Hard To Handle
The Beatles – Hello Goodbye
Bryan Adams & Tina Turner – It’s Only Love
AC/DC – Playball

 

Troubles In A Pocket

Put All Your Troubles In A Pocket With A Hole In It.

Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its troubles it empties today of its strength        

The Kinks – Running Round Town 
Korn – Word Up 
Boomtown Rats – Mary Of The 4th Form
Val Bennet – The Russians Are Coming
Deep Purple – Why Didn’t Rosemary
The Beatles – Fixing A Hole
Lissie – Go Your Own Way
Bee Gee’s – New York Mining Disaster 1941
Fanny – Badge
Howling Wolf – Highway 49
Arcade Fire – Wake Up
The Ikettes – Sally Go Round The Roses
Toploader  – Just About Living
Ten Years After – Working On The Road
Chairmen Of The Board – You Got Me Dangling From A String
Pat Mc Manus Band – Needle In The Groove (Live) 
The Who – My Wife

Emily

Music inspired by Emily.
Emily I gaze on you  all other things are forgotten
In dreams the things of earth pass by but awake she heeds them not
Her soft breath comes and goes a breath so lately given
I watch those precious eyes whose light is pure from heaven  
Thomas The T E- Emily 
Pink Floyd – See Emily Play 
Linda Lewis – May You Never 
Randy Crawford – You Bring The Sun Out  
Jimi Hendrix – Little Wing 
John Cale – Emily 
Paul Simon – Beautiful 
Andy Williams – Emily 
Reg Meuross – Tony Benn’s Tribute To Emily Davison
Andrew Mann – Emily  
Kate Bush – Wow
Charlie Simpson – Emily 
Reg Meuross – Emily’s Pages  
The Beatles – Goodnight  
Joni Mitchell – Little Green
Billy Holiday – Miss Brown To You
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
David Bowie – See Emily Play
Neil Young – Little Wing
Simon & Garfunkel – For Emily Whenever I May Find Her

Don Williams & Emmylou Harris – If I Needed You
The Avener – La Tourer

 

 

 

Piano A Flat Miner

Show Me A Piano Falling Down A Mine Shaft And  I Will Show You A Flat Minor

Steve Forbert – Suspicion
The Beatles – I’m A Loser
10CC  – How Dare You
Lisa O Neill – No Train To Cavan (www.lisaoneill.ie)
Smokin Joe Kubek & Bnois King – My Guitar
Venice – For A Dancer
Mott The Hoople – Honaloochie Boogie
Eddie Cochran – Three Steps To Heaven
Sophie B Hawkins – Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
Wes Montgomery – Canadian Sunset
Reg Meuross – The Shoreline And The Sea (www.regmeuross.com)
Paul Kossoff & Jim Capaldi – You And Me
Johnny Nash – Cupid
Dave Specter – Wash Out
Led Zeppelin – Going To California (Live)
Johnny Winter – Mother In Law Blues (Rock In Peace Feb 1944 – July 2014)
The Who – However Much I Booze
Mike Post – The Rockford Files Theme

Give Someone A Chance

The Best Thing You Can Give Someone Is A Chance

  •  Van Halen – You Really Got Me
  • The Rolling Stones – Bitch
  • The Band – Ophelia
  • The Beatles – Got To Get You Into My Life
  • Melissa Etheridge – Similar Features
  • Aslan – Bullets And Diamonds
  • The Who – Boris The Spider
  • Kings Of Leon – Molly’s Chamber
  • Jackson Five – Doctor My Eyes
  • The Ramones – Don’t Come Close
  • Diana Ross & The Supremes – Love Child
  • Rory Gallagher – Tattooed Lady (Irish Tour 74)
  • Van Morrison – Shaking All Over / Gloria (Live San Francisco)

Comes From The Heart

What Comes From The Heart Goes To The Heart

*The music show (MP3 file) for this playlist has been archived and is available upon request.

The Boomtown Rats – Neon Heart
The Yardbirds – A Certain Girl
AC/DC – Night Of The Long Knives
McGuinness Flint – When I’m Dead And Gone
Sheryl Crow – Members Only
Vintage Trouble – Nancy Lee www.vintagetrouble.com
Santana – Everything’s Coming Our Way
The Beatles – I Feel Fine
The Rolling Stones – Live With Me
Fatboy Slim – Praise You
Pink Floyd – Keep Talking
The Who – Substitute (BBC Sessions)
The Ramones – Baby I Love You

Intro Tune: Take It Off The Top – Dixie Dregs
Outro Tune: Je’taine.
Background Link Tunes: Groovin – Booker T & MGS

Heart Full Of Wonder

We Are All Wanderers On This Earth Keep Your Heart Full Of Wonder And Your Soul Full Of Dreams And Music.

*The music show (MP3 file) for this playlist has been archived and is available upon request.

  • Kiss – Deuce
  • The Beatles – Drive My Car
  • R.E.M. & Kate B52 Pierson – Me And Honey
  • Philip Donnelly – The Speed Of The Sound Of Lonliness
  • Roy Buchanan – Sweet Dreams
  • Chris Rea – Dancing With Charlie
  • Big Country – Chance
  • The Peddlers – Gassin
  • Foo Fighters – These Days
  • Richie Havens – Eyesight For The Blind (Tommy Original Stage Performance 1972)
  • Carolyne Mas – Running From The High Life
  • Ian Dury & The Blockheads – Sex and Drugs and Rock n Roll
  • Magnum – Hit And Run
  • Intro Tune – Take It Off The Top – Dixie Dregs
  • Outro Tune:     Je T’aime
  • Background Link Tunes-  Samba Pa Ti –  Santana

The Bridges You Cross

The Bridges You Cross Before You Get To Them Are Over Rivers That Are Not There.

*The music show (MP3 file) for this playlist has been archived and is available upon request.

Heart – Kick It Out
The Beatles – Every Little Thing
Rory Gallagher – Treat Her Right
Clifford T Ward – Waiting On The Garda
Neil Young – Are You Ready For The Country
Sly & The Family Stone – I Want To Take You Higher
Davy Spillane – O Neill’s Statement
Pete Townshend – Barefootin
Status Quo – Rollin Down The Dustpipe
The Lemonheads – The Outdoor Type
Bonnie Tyler – It’s A Heartache
The Rolling Stones – Doom and Gloom
Ernie K Doe – Here Come The Girls
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Love Speaks Louder Than Words
The Jam – That’s Entertainment

Intro Tune – Take It Off The Top – Dixie Dregs
Outro Tune:     Je T’aime
Background Link Tunes-  Samba Pa Ti – Santana