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The Friday Five: July 20, 2012

Michael Parr July 20, 2012 25

The Friday Five

Friday Five : |ˈfrīdā – fīv| : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button in iTunes and share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up the media player of your choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

The Five:

“Always Shine (feat. Lupe Fiasco & Bilal)” by Robert Glasper Experiment (from Black Radio, 2012)

Think ’90s Acid Jazz turned on its head with some incredibly talented new school jazz cats supplying the samples live. Lupe Fiasco drops a Gil-Scott Heron inspired jewel while the criminally underrated Bilal casts the hook. Someone should whisper in Lupe’s ear and get him to hire Glasper for his next record; he’d have a hit!

“Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler (from Footloose, 1998)

Jim Stienman, you magnificent bastard. You couldn’t make this fly on your own, so you went and found yourself another enormous voice to carry it. Good on you, Jim. Good. On. You.

“Hard Candy” by Counting Crows (from New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall February 4-6, 2003, 2006)

I can’t lie, Counting Crows has lost me by this point. I couldn’t relate to Duritz’s point of view anymore. Maybe it wasn’t him, maybe it was me. Who knows, we’ve made up since then and it’s all just water under the bridge.

“Face Down” by Prince (from Days of Soundboard, 2007)

I miss this little purple motherfucker. Yeah, that’s right … motherfucker. I don’t even need him to start cussin’ again, but he ain’t been this funky since Jehovah took the wheel. Ain’t that a bitch.

Oh, and don’t even mention that “F.U.N.K.” noise. Sure, it’s funky; but it can’t sit in the same house as this jam, featuring eight live minutes of P on bass, sparring with Rhonda Smith.

“Take This Waltz” by Leonard Cohen (from The Essential Leonard Cohen, 2002)

There is a little too much Neil Diamond style schmaltz in here. In with a bang, out with a whimper. C’est la vie!

What’s on your shuffle today?

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About the author: Michael Parr View all posts by
Husband, Father, Writer, Musical Voyeur, Pop Culture Glutton, Gourmet in Training. I'm the tall guy behind all these short guys. You can find me on the Twitter.


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  • http://twitter.com/mordalo Mordalo

    Wow, I get in early this week! Sweet! Okay, onto the tunes…

    AC/DC – Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
    I love the intro to this song. It’s so subtle…but leads into one of their best tracks.

    Bruce Springsteen – Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out (Live)
    The Boss’ Live, 1975-85 is one of the, if not the, best box set out there, IMHO. Hmm…sounds like a good round-table post for Popdose: Best Box Set (unless it’s already been done).

    Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby
    Mariah’s vocal range has always been one of the two things that attracted me to her. You can guess for yourself what the other is.

    James Taylor – Sweet Baby James
    I’ve a soft spot in my heart for this song, and I’ve never known why. I think it’s the visuals he presents, they’re so stirring.

    Evanescence – Bring Me to Life
    Three out of five hard rockers this week. I’m guessing the Walkman decided it was in that kind of mood. Still, a good way to end the week!

  • http://www.popdose.com/ Michael Parr

    Hmm, I’ve got some thoughts about that box set discussion.

  • Keith

    I will discover my 5 on my route to work in an hour. Until then, I totally agree with your take on Prince. He is showing signs of his original funky brewster on the studio-quality rehearsal jams emerging from Australia, but it’s nowhere near the heyday. When even his latter-era song called “Guitar” FADES OUT during the guitar solo, I fear all hope is lost until he either ditches Jehova or embraces a decent producer who won’t polish all the edges off.

    Jim Steinman – I know he has at least one last genius album in him, whether he pairs with Meatloaf, Tyler, someone new – or just does it himself. “Bad For Good” shows he has some decent pipes in him.

    On Tuesday – my shuffle did the best ever song segue:. “Another Shitty Day” by the Sneetches went into a soundbite by The Simpsons’ Mr Burns: “Push out the jive; bring in the love.”

  • http://www.clangandclatter.com/ Phil

    Galactic Cowboys – “Arrow” (Machine Fish, 1996)

    I’ve been wise to their manipulation
    So I’ll just plant my feet and never leave

    Machine Fish ushered in a simpler, more straight-ahead metal style for the Cowboys after the switch to a new label and the introduction of a new guitarist. Even with so much change, the album has lots of great songs on it. Unfortunately this isn’t among them. Long and drawn-out, this closing track serves only to drag down what otherwise is a fairly heavy and high-energy album. Too bad, because it has some very heartfelt lyrics, and I think it could have been a much stronger song had it been handled a bit differently.

    Jars of Clay – “Weighed Down” (Stringtown, 1999)

    Our hearts: a bubble maker’s dream

    One of my favorite Jars songs from what was originally a fan club exclusive release of a collection of songs recorded live over three separate tours, one of them being a show at the renown Ryman Auditorium featuring The Nashville String Machine.

    Toad the Wet Sprocekt – “Nanci” (Dulcinea, 1994)

    You bend your words like Uri Geller’s spoons

    Jars and Toad were two of my favorite bands in the 90s, so it’s interesting that they appear here back-to-back in this Five. Again, another favorite of mine, especially the acoustic version that appears on the Acoustic Dance Party EP.

    Dokken – “Don’t Close Your Eyes” (Tooth and Nail, 1984)

    Somebody’s watching me
    Is it just a crazy dream?

    Not much to say about this one. Typical high-energy “rockin’ with Dokken” tune. I spent more than my fair share of time as a teenager playing air guitar with George Lynch.

    Devin Townsend Project – “Hyperdrive!” (Music in Progress, Vol. 2, 2010)

    Hooray for love
    Hey, I’m only…
    Trying to find a new way

    Addicted was my first real introduction to Devin Townsend’s music, this song in particular being one of the first I heard when I picked up this Inside Out Music free sampler. I had been barely familiar with him before then due to his association with Steve Vai and an appearance on a Rush tribute album. “Hyperdrive!,” like most of Addicted, is both poppy and heavy with the wall-of-sound production Townsend has become known for, and it features the soaring vocals of the beautiful Anneke van Giersbergen. Nice way to end the week.

  • http://jackfear.blogspot.com Jack Feerick

    Damn you for making me do this; I’m on a deadline, but the siren call of the Friday Five is just too strong…

    “Undamned” by Over the Rhine, from the album The Long Surrender. USually this NYC combo has a cabaret singer-songwriter vibe, not a million miles from Norah Jones’ shtick. This number has a bit of a country tinge, but it’s still veery mellow. Which is nice, but I just got back from watching The Dark Knight Rises and I’m a little too pumped to properly enjoy this. Next!

    “The Cameron Highlander/The Blackthorn Stick,” by Danu, from the album Think Before You Think. The first tune is a Scottish march composed by Scott Skinner, here mashed into a sort of reel time; the second is a traditional Irish jig, also known as “The Humours of Bantry.” Lively, at least…

    “The Cloud of Unknowing,” by Gorillaz, from Plastic Beach. Only Damon fucking Albarn would give Bobby Womack his greatest vocal showcse in years and name it after an esoteric Christian text from the 14th Century. (Wikipedia tells me that Leonard Cohen also referred to “the cloud of unknowing” in a song called “The Window.” Synchronicity, babe.)

    “The Man with the Money,” The Who, from A Quick One. This won’t be me if I don’t get going on this assignment I’ve got to finish…

    And ending with…

    “Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?” by The Monkees.

    Jesus Christ, I hope not!

  • http://jackfear.blogspot.com Jack Feerick

    Mariah’s vocal range has always been one of the two things that attracted me to her.

    One of three things, surely?

  • http://jackfear.blogspot.com Jack Feerick

    Steinman was paired with Def Leppard — as a producer, not as a songwriter — for a project that never saw the light of day. because (according to the band) the tracks sounded like shit. Production might not be his strength; but just imagine the record they could make with him writing, Def Lep playing, and, say, Mutt Lange behind the boards.

    Of course, they would have to get a time machine and make this record twenty years ago. But still.

  • Keith

    I just saw a Colbert Report story about the Def Leppard remake project. Somehow, they’ve managed to do spot on reproductions of their original recordings. Now that they’ve discovered the magic of overly multi-tracked vocals, they’ll be ready for some Jim Steinman boy chorus originals.

  • Rock_dawg

    “Dancin’ Fool” – The Guess Who, Anthology
    Burton and the boys do a little boogie rockin’.
    “Black Cow” – The Darcys, Aja
    The Darcys creepy reimagining of an entire Steely Dan album has already locked itself a place in my “best of 2012″ list.
    “Waiting For Tonight” – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Playback
    A great previously unreleased cut from one of the best box sets that I know of. Chiming guitars over a solid backbeat with a great lead vocal all put over the top by sparkling guest background vocals by the Bangles. This could have easily been a big hit in the late 80s/early 90s.
    “Fiddlers Green” – The Tragically Hip, Road Apples
    A very Canadian set today. This track always brings to mind a PSA someone made for an assignment when I was in high school: the teacher showed it to me as an example of finding appropriate music. I don’t remember what the context was, but I agreed the use of this song made no sense.
    “D.W. Suite” – Lindsey Buckingham, Go Insane
    After I slagged Dennis Wilson’s Pacific Ocean Blue last week, shuffle brings up this track dedicated to him this week. Go Insane is probably Lindsey Buckingham’s quirkiest album in a career full of quirk, but I love every minute of it.

  • Rock_dawg

    I posted my five – including a comment on one of my own favourite box sets – before I read the other comments. I agree, that would make a good article/debate.

  • http://twitter.com/tamillama T. Greynolds

    I’m feeling a little sparse on commentary today, so you’ll have to forgive me…On to the tunes!

    1. “Someone Like You” – Adele
    This girl knows how to make you feel her heartbreak. Looking forward to getting this one on vinyl.

    2. “What If” – Babyface
    I. love. 90s R&B. Rocks me to my core. Always has.

    3. “Doc Pomus” – Ben Folds & Nick Hornby

    4. “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” – Kat Edmonson
    I just bought Kat Edmonson’s album “Way Down Low” and love it so far. She’s got a meek voice that’s supported by equally dainty jazz licks.

    5. “Blue Jeans” – Yasmeen
    Yasmeen is one of those one-hit-wonders from the 90s. I’m sure that she had a video during the days when MTV used to actually play music. This is just one of those tracks that’s never left the iTunes list.

  • http://www.clangandclatter.com/ Phil

    You’re not talking about Steinman’s attempt as producer of the Hysteria sessions, are you? I just finished watching the Classic Albums episode on that album, and they talked about how disastrous that pairing was after Leppard had become accustomed to doing things the Mutt Lange way.

    The classic story from those sessions is that Steve Clark and Phil Collen were screwing around in the studio on a song, and Steinman came over the intercom saying, “That sounds great. That’s a take. Let’s move on to the next one.” Clark and Collen responded with, “What are you talking about?! We haven’t even tuned up yet!”

  • http://jackfear.blogspot.com Jack Feerick

    That’s the one. As Joe Elliott rightly pointed out, that’s not to take anyrthingaway from Steinman as a songwriter — but BAT OUT OF HELL sounded as good as it did because of Todd Rundgren, who produced it.

  • nathan_az

    “If I Ever Loved You” by Justin Currie (from Live at The Triple Door [Seattle], 2008)
    Justin Currie (former lead singer of del Amitri) can be a bit of a wallower. This number’s good for a wallow. I believe this particular recording can be traced back to either Matt Wardlaw or Dave Lifton…?
    “Bite Our Style (Interlude)” by Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott (from Supa Dupa Fly, 1997)
    Not much happening here. A bit of talk/boasting over a backing track for about 45 seconds.

    “Please Mister Postman” by The Beatles (from With the Beatles, 1963)
    I’m going to assume y’all are familiar with this song, originally popularized by The Marvelettes two years earlier. This version is fine for what it is.
    “Soldiers” by The Rocket Summer (from Noisetrade Summer Sampler, 2012)
    Bryce Avary’s one man band came out with some infectious, joyous tunes awhile back (See the album Hello, Good Friend, 2005). I guess he’s gone through some hardships since then, I’m not sure. I would not describe this tune as enjoyable.

    “Everything Counts (12″ version)” by Depeche Mode (from the Everything Counts 12″ single, 1983)
    Depeche Mode might never improve on this. Absolute perfection. “Confidence, taken in, by a suntan and a grin…”

  • http://twitter.com/mordalo Mordalo

    I counted the other two as one item.

  • http://twitter.com/mordalo Mordalo

    I don’t remember whether one has been done here, and was too lazy to search for it.

  • http://twitter.com/IrishJava Dennis Corrigan

    Rainy, chilly Friday night here in CT, so I’m hunkering down with a nice stout and my Five:
    1. “Mean Town Blues” by Johnny Winter from Blues Masters Volume 15: Slide Guitar Classics. I’m not going to go too far out on a limb by suggesting that he and his brother Edgar are rock’s only siblings that were both born with albinism.

    2. “Big Sky Country” by Chris Whitley from Living With the Law. Fuck cancer

    3. “Don’t Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley from Elv1s 30 #1 Hits. Yeah, the Presley estate ripped this idea off from the Beatles, but if you only want 1 Elvis disc, this is it.

    4. “Don’t Want You No More” by the Allman Brothers Band from Beginnings. This is the best deal on iTunes (or anywhere else). After At Fillmore East became a big hit, their label packaged the Allman’s self-titled debut & Idlewild South into one double LP. It sells for the single album price on iTunes. This was the first cut on the debut album.

    5. “My Love Will Not Let You Down” by Bruce Springsteen from Tracks. I continue to be surprised how seldom Springsteen shows up in my Five (and as I was typing that, iTunes served up “Highway 29″ from Ghost of Tom Joad).

    Hope you hear something great this weekend!

  • http://www.popdose.com/ Michael Parr

    I saw this recently as well—Netflix recently won my attention by adding the entire “Classic Albums” collection—and thought the same thing. Steinman and write a mean tune, even if they all sound like 50 shades of the same.

  • http://www.popdose.com/ Michael Parr

    You never fail to feature at least one tune that sends me scrambling for my library. I love that Whitley record and can’t remember the last time I listened to it.

  • http://twitter.com/IrishJava Dennis Corrigan

    Did you check out that Daniel Lanois Black Dub record from a couple of years ago? That’s Whitley’s daughter singing on it. Really good record

  • http://www.facebook.com/jay.blerd Jay Blerd

    That Black Dub record is amazing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jay.blerd Jay Blerd

    Coming in just under the wire…

    1) Can U Keep a Secret by De La Soul (from 3 Feet High & Rising): Posdnuos has dandruff!!

    2) Lady Dujour by Johnny Gill (from Johnny Gill): I’ve been to my fair share of R&B concerts, and the only person I’ve seen get more of a reaction from women than Johnny Gill was Maxwell.

    3) Ghetto Booty by Bell Biv DeVoe (from Hootie Mack): 2 songs, 66.7% of New Edition!

    4) If You Needed Somebody by Bad Company (from Holy Water): And now for something totally different!!

    5) Fantasy (Paul Simpson Re-Edit) by T.S. Monk (from Old Skool Sounds Vol.1): Picked this up on Amazon the other day, mainly because it’s a comp that has about 10 12″ remixes from The System on it.

  • BRock

    The Db’s – “Black & White” (Stands For Decibels)
    Peter Holsapples’ vocals are high and the production is 80′s thin, but I was still glad to finally pick this classic up recently. Their new one has been in heavy rotation lately.
    King Tuff – “Anthem” (King Tuff)
    The opening track from this debut screams ’70′s. The rest of the record is bland as hell.
    The Rolling Stones – “Memory Motel” (Black & Blue)
    If the Stones could possibly have an underrated album, this is it.
    Bonnie Raitt – “Not Cause I Wanted To” (Slipstream)
    I’m not a huge Bonnie Raitt fan, but songs such as this one could change my tune.
    Juliana Hatfield – “Going Nowhere” (B-Sides)
    One of a bunch of songs Juliana gave away on her website a few years back with most being quite good and album worthy. I love Juliana!

  • Keith

    OK, if it’s not too late – here is my late night Friday 5:

    ABNEY PARK “The Wrath of Fate” from The End of Days. A globally adored band in the Steampunk scene deserves to break beyond its niche. Sounds like early NIN performing long lost Jules Verne tales (produced by Gogol Bordello).

    SMUG “Losing My Hair” from the album “My Girl (Keith)” – the only reason I can imagine owning this is because my name is in the album title. Quirky piano-based alt rock song. As if eels and Ben Folds got together.

    THE TEARDROP EXPLODES – “Reward” – I wikipedia’d this stellar horn-laden song while listening to it, I had no idea it was steeped in such drama.

    GO-GO’s – “Lust to Love” from Beauty & The Beat. As beautiful and urgent as it was 32 years ago.

    BECK RECORD CLUB “Devil Inside (INXS)” featuring St. Vincent, Liars, Os Mutantes. Such a strange project, but what weird and delicious results.

  • http://twitter.com/jcb7472 jcb7472

    Goldfinger – Here in Your Bedroom (1996) – this song takes me back to the summer I graduated high school, back when punk/ska was all the rage

    The Tallest Man on Earth – Criminals (2012) – wistful indie folk from their latest album

    Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse Dub 2 (1982) – class reggae dub from the late great

    Otis Redding – Everybody Makes a MIstake (1966) – there will never be another Otis

    Modest Mouse – Fly Trapped in a Jar (2007) – from “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” – love me some Modest Mouse