All the Playlists

Cement Mixer – Don Byas

26 July 2017

The name on the label might be Don Byas’ Ree-Boppers, but the song is written and sung by Slim Gaillard. His main claim to fame outside of jazz circles is that he appears in Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, which is about the only good thing I can say about that book. Gaillard wrote a bunch of extremely strange songs, of which “Cement Mixer” is both the best known and most linear.

This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads

26 July 2017

Naturally, you’ll want to sing this song slower for lullaby purposes. I recommend singing the synth parts too. 

I have met David Byrne twice. The first time was randomly, in a museum. I was too starstruck to say anything intelligent, so I just complimented him on his outfit.

I’d Have To Be Crazy – Willie Nelson

26 July 2017

In my rock and roll days, I played lead guitar in a group called the Kimberly West Band. Kim’s rhythm guitarist later invited me to join his side band, the Daniel Cole Vanity Project. We mostly did Daniel’s originals, and this was one of our rare covers. I got to play the harmonica part, which was always a high point of the set for me.

Freight Train – Elizabeth Cotten

26 July 2017

This tune is a folk standard, and if you’ve ever been to Mommy and Me, you probably heard it there. It’s been recorded by folk singers approximately a thousand times. Jerry Garcia and David Grisman do an okay reggae version on their children’s album (link to previous post). But nothing can touch Elizabeth Cotten’s original recording.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

26 July 2017

Near the end of his life, Jerry Garcia recorded a children’s album with David Grisman. You wouldn’t necessarily pick a depressive end-stage heroin addict to sing children’s music, but against all logic, the album is superb. The high point is their wry, jazzy arrangement of “Teddy Bears’ Picnic.”

On and On – Longpigs

25 July 2017

Have you ever had a song that you found – that wasn’t recommended by a friend or a DJ or some hipster playlist curator – but that you yourself sourced from some weird and unlikely place, and it’s brilliant.  It’s the track that you love to introduce people to because it’s that good – yeah – this is that track for me.

Here, There, and Everywhere – The Beatles

25 July 2017

Sir Paul McCartney has a heavy presence in the lullaby rotation for the same reason that the writers of old jazz standards do: easily singable tunes, easily understandable lyrics, and big direct emotions. Okay, maybe you wouldn’t want to sing “Helter Skelter” or “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road” at bedtime, but most McCartney songs suit the mood perfectly.

Sireli – Viken Arman

25 July 2017

You should probably know by now that I’m a total hippy – that I believe if we all just got to know each other better and hung out and shared our music – that the world would be a happier place.

Champagne Coast – Blood Orange

25 July 2017

The lyrics are emotional, romantic, but at the same time honest. You can hear the longing behind Dev’s airy voice, which is accompanied by an upbeat guitar riff. Throughout the song you can hear and feel everything Dev is trying to portray because you can sense the hopelessness and distress.

Electric Indigo – The Paper Kites

25 July 2017

The lyrics are magical in the way they paint a picture. The way the object of the song is simplified to an electric color.

Sea of Years – Local Natives

25 July 2017

Isn’t it frightening how quickly time passes? I have a hard time grasping the fact that I’m about to graduate from college because it feels as if I was just a freshman in high school not to long ago.

Classic (Feat Powers) Powers Sunset Version – The Knocks

25 July 2017

Play this song late at night. Play it with the windows down. Feel that warm summer breeze run through your hair.