The third track off of The National’s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers has long been a favorite of mine, and not only because of its mysterious title. "90-Mile Water Wall" doesn’t seem to fit into any specific genre, rather it plays out like an epic Western, a lonesome figure silhouetted by twilight in a harsh winter, espousing the hurt of a love lost. For all the gorgeous songs this band has produced (and there are many), this may be their finest unimpeachable arrangement.
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Alabama Shakes literally burst onto the music scene in 2011 and are now headed to release their debut album in April under ATO Records. Boys & Girls features Brittany Howard and co. playing some solid soul grooves with Janis Joplin meets Otis Redding vocals that ache more than you could expect from a woman in her young 20’s. It’s sure to be one of the best albums of 2012, but for now enjoy the stellar live cut “Always Alright” which (somehow) didn’t make the album.
Always Alright- Alabama Shakes (Live From San Francisco’s Independent)
Let me know what you think of this little number. I was going for a old soul vibe, the kind of feeling that’s meant for the late evening, early morning hours where the night gets the best of you.
The southern soul gem Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd came out in 1967 on Stax Records. Backed by the Stax House Band, Booker T. & The MGs, the album relishes the gritty sound that defined the label, from its rifle-crack snare, to its punchy rhythm section, complete with swaggering horns and chromatic guitar progressions. Here I’m featuring the opening two songs of the album, the title track and "Something You Got". The former features the same progression as Wilson Pickett’s famous “Midnight Hour” but played in reverse, talk about getting bang for your buck.
The Art of the Mixtape 