Saturday Playlist #5
The past playlists have been of songs where each song leads fairly seamlessly into the next song. This one is different; this mix is of songs by some of the best songwriters out there today; some of the presiding geniuses of modern music. Enjoy!
The Singer-Songwriter Mix
1. Aimee Mann-Going through the Motions This is Aimee Mann's most recent single, and she is assuredly not going through the motions. She has transformed from her 80s pop star days into one of the most thoughtful and inspired singers around.
2. Saturday Looks Good to Me-When the Party Ends Saturday Looks Good to Me is Fred Thomas and a movable feast of supporting musicians. This is a mellow tune about a dysfunctional relationship, but that's the only kind there is, isn't it? Well, isn't it?
3. Steve Poltz-You Remind Me Steve Poltz used to be the lead singer of the Rugburns, and he's gone solo. This is a song about insecurity and a girl who makes him feel better.
4. Chris Stamey-14 Shades of Green A meditation on the past by the ex-dB. He's been making perfectly-crafted pop songs since the mid-70s. And the dB's are supposed to stage a comeback next year, which is the best news since the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. reunions.
5. John Doe (w/Neko Case)-Highway 5 John Doe used to be in X. This is from his new album; Neko Case’s vocals complement Doe's as well as Exene Cervenka's ever did. I hope they work together more.
6. Mary Gauthier-Mercy Now Mary Gauthier is a country singer who's been around for the better part of a decade; I blush to say I've just encountered her music. Finding her stuff is like discovering a new country. I get shivers when I hear her sing. And it's 90 degrees here.
7. Robyn Hitchcock-Television Since the days of the Soft Boys, Hitchcock has been making music about the mysteries of the human heart. This is a song about a love affair with the TV. Maybe it's just me, but his vocal on this song reminds me of Donovan.
8. Elliot Smith-Needle in the Hay What is there to say about Elliot Smith? He was brilliant. He died too young. I'm still pissed about it, because it means he won't write any more songs. If you don't recognize the name, a frame of reference: his songs were the best thing about Good Will Hunting.
9. Brendan Benson-Alternative to Love Love's a drag, and there must be a better way. Or so Mr. Benson seems to think.
10. Jennifer Marks-Fragile I saw Jennifer Marks playing with a local singer-songwriter, Anne Deming, in the 7 th Street Entry a year or two ago. I liked her music so much I went out and picked up all her albums.
11. Ken Stringfellow-You Drew Ken Stringfellow was in the Posies with Jon Auer. Though both have done artistically successful solo work, there's a reunion in the works.
12. Jason Collett-Bitter Beauty Jason Collett is part of the Broken Social Scene, but he's got real potential as a solo artist.
13. Jolie Holland-Old Fashioned Morphine This old fashioned song feels to me like it out to be in a movie; a montage scene, perhaps, when our hero's drug addiction is pulling his life down about his ears.
14. Stan Ridgway-Afghan/Forklift This is not Stan Ridgway at his very best; but it's still odd and appealing music, and better than almost anything you hear on the radio.
9:23:12 PM 
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