Buena Vista Social Club

These guys need no introduction. Cuban music at its best.

Alan Jackson: Chattahoochee

I'm not a huge fan of modern country, but I know a catchy guitar riff when I hear one and this song has got it. Ok, I'll admit that it gets old really fast, but such is the nature of pop music, right? Add a video filled with 1992 coolness like stonewashed jeans, Alan Jackson's mullet, and the girl dancing at about 2:48 with the tie-dye short and you've got a really entertaining four minutes. Anyone with me?

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

This Texas boy is one of the most innovative, and influential musicians of all time. Although he was only active musically for about three years ('56 - '59), his opera is among the best in rock. His style has been copied by his contemporaries, the Beatles, and every single person who picks up a guitar with visions of rockstardom--whether they know it or not. As far as I am concerned, Holly is the epitome of cool, and I think the video below backs me up.

Emily Loizeau: 'Je Suis Jalouse'

This is my current repeat. Loizeau is an enchanting artist, and when I find the time I plan on writng more about her.

Little Bit of Back Roads Driving, Little Bit of That Old Top Down

I originally planned on writing only about Pat Green because to me his music is good summertime country music. However, rather than probing his unique sound, which in essence is a violation of the feeling his music evokes, I’ll keep it simple and toss out two more names, to go along with PG, to keep you kickin’ it all summer long.

First is Robert Earl Keen. He’s relatively unknown outside of Texas, but is finally starting to catch on with the country faithful. The former college roommate of Lyle Lovett, he really has mastered the honest acoustic storytelling rock of Texas country. He’s even better live. So if you have the chance he’s a must see. Next, I’ll mention Steve Earle. He’s been married 7 seven times, been rich and poor, popular and hated, yet he keeps playing with the unbroken enthusiasm embodied by the persona of his “guitar town.” This guy keeps reinventing himself and his music. His sound never ceases to surprise and entertain. He’s the real deal--not your pretty boy who moves to Tennessee, has others write his songs for him, and captures America with his dishonest Nashville pop.

These three guys are all the real deal. Even if you don’t usually like country music they are worth listening to--they’ll disrupt whatever you’re doing.

Current Repeats:

Pat Green, Carry On

Robert Earl Keen, Gringo Honeymoon

Steve Earle, Steve’s Last Ramble

Paolo Conte

Check out this song, "Sotto Le Stelle di jazz" by one of my favorite performers, Paolo Conte. In addition to being a jazz musician, he is a poet, painter, and lawyer and penned a number of classic Italian songs in the late '60s and early '70s as the creative force behind musicians like Adriano Celentano. His raspy voice is one of my favorites.

the Arcade Fire

In my opinion too many current indie rock bands simply try too hard. The lyrics and music have become forced. It’s like comparing the good Bruce Springsteen to the bad. The good sings- and you believe him. The bad forces un-poetic emotionally driven Americana that barely fills the gaps. I applaud the bands, and singers for that matter, who know how to explore musically- yet stay within themselves. One of these bands is the arcade fire. Before their stint on SNL and postponed celebrity – this band was great. My point- this band is still great. They still push like many indie rock bands, and they do it genuinely and artistically. Lets rewind and go back to their “Funeral” album. This album is pure from start to finish. Listen to the whole thing through, and you’ll feel like you just left a funeral. It is a rollercoaster of sounds and emotions that allows you to transcend your 8 by 8 room for a while. Pick up the cd or check them out on KCRW- they are worth listening to.