The 5th Beatle

We all know there are only 4 Beatles. Although I would have to say that Billy Preston came the closest to being the 5th member. He played organ and keys on Let it Be and Abbey Road. Needless to say, he's the man. I figured today would be a perfect day for 2 of his best solo songs - turn 'em up and open the windows!



and maybe his most well known song Nothing from Nothing. This performance is good albeit lip-synched but if you can find it he did a great rendition of this song on the 1st season of SNL.



come back tomorrow - I have another idea for this theme and I'm too lazy/busy to post it now. But I’m not too lazy to post this: Just for you folks who may think that all Billy Preston can do is play the keys. Check out homeboys dance moves!

Maybe it's the weather or somethin' like that

Today's a good day to think about your baby. I've been thinking about mine and my cat too.



UPDATE 6/19/10 - So i noticed the video above is no longer available and I can't find a good enough version to post so here is Jeff Buckley's cover version of the Dylan song that used to be aboove:




and for posterity here's the ONLY version I could find by Dylan. Only one version! It's not that good but it's all we got, kid!

Mama here comes midnight with the dead moon in it's jaw

This one just works. Listen.

Rock Rock Roll

I had I Just Wasn't Made For These Times in my ears this morning and thought it a perfect song to post today. Then when I searched for a version to put up here I decided I might want to go with another Beach Boys song. But, I can't decide which to post! I think I’ll post a few that fit today's dark and bitter day. So let's get things started with the song that first got me in the mood.



How about something a bit more playful? Maybe even borderline creepy. How about, Do You Like Worms? This one was recorded for the ill-fated album 'Smile'. The song was never officially released but if you're like me you have at least 2 boxed sets containing all of the recorded takes. Anyway, this is Brian Wilson at his absolute craziest, most creative and questionably at his songwriting peak. This song was recorded in 1966 but was way ahead of its time as was the entire album which was eventually scrapped. Enjoy.



and for posterity let's post something you would expect to hear when someone mentions the Beach Boys. Please Let me Wonder is probably one of the most beautiful and amazing songs ever written. I don't know if you can tell but...I love the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson. Just listen to those voices!

Give me...

My wife was requesting last night that I post Body Language by Queen for today’s song. I'm not sure if you've heard this tune or not but it could be categorized as a guilty pleasure. I said no. But I did let her know that I would post a Queen song. I'm going to play a few underrated Queen songs today. Let's set the pace with Stone Cold Crazy which could be categorized as my favorite Queen song.



Another song I thought was appropriate is '39. A Science fiction tinged song that might not have caught the attention of the masses but certainly caught the attention of a young fan, George Michael who cites this as his favorite Queen song. And Chicago Cuts loves George Michael!



Here's a song that should've made the charts in the US but didn't: Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy. Give it a listen and at the very least enjoy Brian May's great guitar solo!





...and just so my wife is happy here is Body Language:

I can feel the hound dogs on my trail

Today I have for you one of the best guitar riffs to ever be put on wax. Jailbreak! This song can work for any mood but today seems perfect. Watch this video and tell me that Thin Lizzy isn't bad ass! But first take a look at the Top 25 artists at the begining of this video...just reminds me that I was born in the wrong era...

Bowie Monday!

Today is a good day for Sound and Vision. The song, not the senses. Well, I guess you can use your sense of sound but I swear to god if you use your sense of vision I will lose it!



And yes, I do feel bad because I missed some posts this weekend. I'm going to make it up to you though. I'm picking three cuts from Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, starting with the one you just heard (From the album Low). Here we go! Here's V-2 Schneider from 'Heroes'



and from 'Lodger' the last of the Berlin trilogy a tune that goes by the name of...DJ



Have a great day!

Keep on Moving

Today's a good day for The Move. A pretty obscure (in the states) band from the 60's and 70's that eventually evolved into ELO. Here's 'Tonight' by the Move:



and because I was pretty undecided today on which Move song to post here is a live video of their song 'Fire Brigade'.



I'm telling you, I was really undecided today...so, here's a later song with a lineup that included ELO's Jeff Lynne. In fact, the only remaining members here are songwriter/guitarist/singer Roy Wood who plays sax in this video and drummer Bev Bevan. With a great performance of their song California Man, here they are!

Taint no big thing

Man, I can really get used to this weather! Too bad before we know it the weather will be torturously hot. I loathe the summer weather. In fact, I would love for a two season year; spring and fall. Anyways! You're asking yourself, what song should I listen to as I walk around today and enjoy the weather? Well...let's see, something with a funky rhythm from a band that once employed Brian Eno should do.



great video! BUT if you want the complete song check out the one below

Living it Up

Sometimes lyrics don't need to fit your mood. Take for example The Bee Gee's song, ‘Nights on Broadway’. The music is funky and puts me in a mood that will suit any sunshiny day! Yeah I know, it's about the night but you would be hard pressed to find a better song to listen to as the sun beats down on you only to be cooled by the crisp spring air. So open your windows and put on your sunglasses for Nights on Broadway.

It's Times Like These Lucifer

God dang it! It's windy out there today. I thought my skin was going to blow right off my bones! Unacceptable. I have a song to get you home on your walk home tonight though. The Wind and More by Roky Erickson. Roky is one of my favorite songwriters. His music sounds like Creedence Clearwater but with Danzig writing the lyrics. Personlly, I couldn't ask for more.

Moonbeam

Daylight savings was today. Although we may have lost an hour I had a great day. The sun just went down about an hour ago and now it's time to relax and enjoy the evening. The Moonbeam Song by Harry Nilsson will certainly compliment our night. Here's a demo version of the song, which actually might be better than the studio version.








......You're still here. I thought you were going to enjoy the evening? Since you're still around, here's the studio version. Listen for the background vocals at the beginning of the second verse. They add so much depth to the song when they kick in. You'll love it.

Well You Can Bump and Grind

Another Saturday and it's raining. Oh and I ran over a trash bag full of garbage (what else?) on the highway this morning! That's what kind of day it is. Today's post will not be angry nor will it be depressing though. My boy Rick in Beanton aka Bean Town has been endorsing my blog and I couldn't be happier. Rick and I have a lot in common musically and I figured I drop him a song. Rick, keep spreading the word buddy cause we're gonna start a revolution!

It's a nice day

I haven't left the house yet today. Man, just typing that makes me smile! Anyways, no thrills today; I just have a song that I feel fits the way I feel and you know, I hope it suits your mood too. Enjoy the day, it's a 'beaut! And while you're at it, enjoy one of my favorite guitar solos at about 1:38 into the song...

My First Request

Yeah that's right, I'm taking requests. I'm hoping to get more and once a week I will go on and play the most fitting for that particular day. You never know you might just make the "cut". Get it? Chicago Cut…make the cut? I know. That was awful.
If you're in Chicago you know it's a shit day. Chances are you're in a zombified state of mind. At the very least this weather has you feeling a bit down. My friend Ximena gave me a song she thought, "was very fitting for the spitting sky and dreariness". I happen to agree with her. What do you think?

Wednesday's Walk in the Rain

Who forgot their umbrella today? Me! So here I am just drying out after my walk in the rain. As I steadily approached the car this morning I sang this to myself...

Two Song Tuesday!

Alright, I’ve already got a little grief for missing yesterdays post...I'm sorry!! As you read on Friday's post I have been sick and yesterday was a bad day. Anyhow, I’m back and to make up for missing a post, today you will get a Tuesday Two Post Special!
I figured since it's as Foggy as John Carpenter movie in Chicago today I’d pick you a song to go perfectly with what's happening out there. Ladies and Germs, The Velvet Underground and the unreleased gem known as Foggy Notion!!



Wow! Is that the best VU song or what!?...maybe! Can you believe that was never released on an album?

Okay let's move on to today's bonus song. Because I love Neil Young your bonus today will be Foghat! Just kidding, it's Neil Young. This is a special one for you though. As some of you may or may not know, Neil Young released his acclaimed album 'Harvest' in 1972. That album contained a [now] well known song called 'Old Man'. Here is Young in 1971 (before the album came out) testing a then "new song" at Toronto's Massey Hall. Enjoy.

Oscar Sunday

It's my birthday and the Oscars are on. My wife thought I should pick an Oscar winning song for my daily whatnow...and well, here goes. Robert Altman's film Nashville is one of my favorites and it was the first movie that came to mind. If you've never seen it you should! It's a spanning story that weaves through the many lives of country musicians. I was surprised to find only one song was nominated. Needless to say that single song won Best Original Song in 1975. And without further ado; written and performed by actor Keith Carradine, 'I'm Easy'



and here's Keith Carradine actually performing his song at the Academy Awards in '75:

It's Saturday!.

I don't care what you're doing tonight just make sure that you listen to this song before you do it. My advice is, as you get ready this evening put this song on and it will set the mood. I swear to you it will make your night! People will notice something electric within you. Without further ado...lads and ladies we have...Saturday Night:

Stay Sick!

I woke up this morning feeling a bit under the weather and in the mood for The Cramps. You know why? Because I felt sick physically and mentally and that's the perfect mood for the Cramps. So while searching for a song I found out that Lux Interior died…over a year ago! I had no idea. This is most certainly bad news. So while you listen to Human Fly, my favorite Cramps song, why not get on the floor and grind the shit out of it in Lux's honor. Rest in Peace, you fiend!

Interrupting all programs!

Everyone is in a good mood today. It’s only Thursday!
…Alright, fine. I’ll get on board with it. If you’re not with us, today’s song will have you wanting to join us as we march the streets (with or without a boom box). Yes, it's that kind of day.

Choose Your Own Adventure Wednesday!

Although I woke up with the Velvet Underground's 'New Age' stuck in my head I knew today's song would be more energetic when I was blinded by the sun as I walked out the door this morning. It's Wednesday and my head is still reeling from last night's episode of Lost so I can't make a solid decision. Today you will have 2 choices. A Choose your own adventure/destiny type situation. Both songs are optimistic if not upbeat and they are both by Terry Reid. If you haven't heard of him, you will. This will not be the last time he will be featured on this site.

...and here we go!

Does this day have you feeling energetic?

Yes? click play on this song:



Despite the sunshine, do you still feel wintry? ...but optimistic about things to come?

Yes? Click play on this one:

Overcast but chipper Tuesday

It's overcast in Chicago. It's gloomy, but I don't feel like the weather has a hold on me today; I feel pretty good! Normally, on a day like this I'd be playing you some Nick Drake or Leonard Cohen but this is not the case. So what is a good song for a rainy, depressing day in which you don't feel like spelunking in a pity cave? Transmission is a somewhat upbeat song by a not so upbeat band. that's a good start... Dig the video! The audience is like today’s weather, swaying like the wind and raining down tears on everyone. Joy Division will not have it on this day! They are upbeat and they want you to join them. JOIN THEM!

Monday - Need Energy