Three for the Ride: Aimee Mann, Led Zeppelin, The Eric Gales Band

Some days, I take the train to work. Other days, I drive. Either way, I listen to music on the way. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really wish the world could appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't it great?!"

Here's what I heard this morning:

Aimee Mann: "I Should've Known"
Formerly of 'Til Tuesday fame ("Voices Carry"), lead singer Aimee Mann has gone on to a solo singer/songwriter career that has led to her songs appearing in movies like Magnolia, Jerry Maguire and on the cult t.v. hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In a word, she's fabulous. I love her music. Great songs, great lyrics, great hooks, and a great voice. This song is the opening track from her first solo record, 1993's Whatever. The production on it is killer. If you listen to this and don't fall in love with her stuff... I've added a link to the original video, which I can't embed here ;(

Here's a link to a video of the song as it should be heard!

The only version I could find on YouTube that wasn't corrupted was a live version from the Jules Holland show- the band's a little flat on this one, so listen to the other version, if you can.



Led Zeppelin: "Bring it on Home"
Yeah, I've done Zeppelin recently. But this is such a great song. and can you ever really do too much Zeppelin? I didn't think so. The intro and outro is based on the 1964 Sonny Boy Williamson version of the song Wille Dixon wrote, but the rest is all Page and Plant. When the band comes in at 1:43, it just doesn't get any better and John Bonham's drums on this song are crazy. Tied for my favorite track on 1969's Led Zeppelin II, I give you...



The Eric Gales Band: "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
I was standing around waiting for King's X to take the stage in Tempe, AZ, listening to what their sound man was playing on the sound system, when I heard Eric for the first time. It is rare that I will go out of my way to find out who an artist is. His guitar playing is incredible. I have since seen him live and can tell you, the dude is the real deal. He does a Hendrix tribute that will leave you amazed. He's also teamed up with King's X's Dug Pinnick recently in Pinnick, Gales, Pridgen. This cover of the Beatle's song is from 1993's Picture of a Thousand Faces. Just listen to the guitar work.



Until next time...

Three from the Train: Pinnick Gales Pridgen, Bill Spooner, U.K.

Every morning that I decide to drag myself to the city, I have a little over an hour to listen to music on the train. I put the iPhone music player on shuffle, and off I go. Calling my collection eclectic would be an understatement. It's often an interesting mix. There are songs though, that I really want the world to appreciate as much as I do. Songs that make me say, "Ooh, listen to THIS! Isn't that great?!"

This morning was tough. I hear at least six songs I'd love to bring to your attention. But I will not break my own rule. I'll also try not to repeat the artist, too often. Here's what I heard this morning:

Pinnick Gales Pridgen: "Been So High (The Only Place to Go is Down)"
So, once upon a time, three incredible musicians got together to form a band and see what kind of music came out. We used to call those super groups, like Asia. This super group is made up of Dug Pinnick (King's X) on bass and vocals, Eric Gales on guitar and vocals, and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta) on drums. What came out was magic. Dug has been my favorite rock vocalist for decades and he's a heck of a bass player, too. Eric Gales channels Jimi like no one else I've ever heard, and Thomas, though new to me, is amazing, as well. Check out this track from their debut album, Pinnick Gales Pridgen.



Bill Spooner: "Too Much"
I'm a huge Tubes fan. Not to detract from the other GREAT talents in the band, one of the truly creative geniuses behind the Tubes was Bill Spooner. He left the band back in the mid 80's and kind of fell off the radar. I try to keep up with what he's been doing because I love, so much, his voice, his writing, and the choices he makes as a guitarist. This is a song - a beautiful song - that he released on 2001's Demolicious: Adventures in Lo-Fi. To me, it encapsulates everything that makes Bill so amazing.



U.K.: "Night After Night"
Speaking of super groups, U.K. was comprised of John Wetton (King Crimson), Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music, Zappa), Alan Holdsworth, and Bill Bruford (Yes, etc.). Terry Bozzio (Zappa) replaced Bruford in 1978, and in 1979, U.K. released the live album, Night After Night, recorded in Japan. Hey, if it worked for Cheap Trick and Deep Purple, then why not U.K.? This track is from that live album. It's classic 70's progressive rock-pop. I really love the audience clapping along with the song the whole way through.


Until Next Time...