Topic
favorite songs
- Best Songs, Pt. 8: Death Letter
I don't listen to a lot of modern blues artists. The lo-fi, minimalist sound of The White Stripes was always the best format for a blues act, in my opinion. I love this rendition of Son House's Death Letter Blues. Thi…
- Best Songs, Pt. 7: The Only Moment We Were Alone
I still bring out Explosions in the Sky's 2003 album The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place periodically, my favorite from their catalog by a wide margin. I remember seeing them at a live show for the first time on the to…
- Best Songs, Pt. 6: Montara
The title track from vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's 1975 album Montara "Montara"). I love the gentle electric piano, muted horns, and of course Bobby's vibes. Madlib also sampled this one on his album Shades of Blue…
- Best Songs, Pt. 5: I Remember Clifford
There are several excellent renditions of this tribute to the late trumpeter Clifford Brown, originally composed by saxophonist Benny Golson (well known for his time with the Jazz Messengers). My favorite version is t…
- Best Songs, Pt. 4: Blade Runner Blues
Blade Runner is one of the best movies, but I actually enjoy the soundtrack even more. This one is my favorite, probably the centerpiece of the score that embodies the vibe of the 2019 dystopian Los Angeles from the f…
- Best Songs, Part 3: Moanin’
This live rendition by The Jazz Messengers is a great version of an even better song. It was composed by Art Blakey’s sideman and pianist Bobby Timmons (on the keys in this session). I love the blues-infected build an…
- Best Songs, Part 2: My Philosophy
In college I'd listened to KRS-One's solo albums before I ever heard his original work with Boogie Down Productions. One of my top songs is the landmark track from their 1988 album By All Means Necessary: "My Philosop…
- Best Songs, Part 1: Chameleon
My dad has been putting together a playlist of all-time great songs, and mentioned to me and my brothers that we should do the same and share with one another. “Great” songs in this case don’t have to be by any partic…