January 15, 20214 yr Once again, mi amigo jimmyjazz reminds me of music I love. Let's all sit back and revel in this little band from east LA:
January 15, 20214 yr Why it is so? Just listen. The guitars, the driving beat from the drums. The lyrics, "There's a tattooed heart with an arrow through the middle with a name that looks like Joe..." Los Lobos is in my pantheon of the greatest American band of the last 50 years. Bold claim, I know, but goddamn, they have delivered some outstanding music.
January 15, 20214 yr 1 minute ago, baboso said: Los Lobos is in my pantheon of the greatest American band of the last 50 years. Bold claim, I know, but goddamn, they have delivered some outstanding music. I got in that argument many times maybe 10-20 years ago, when they were really rolling. I completely agree. "Kiko" is one of the best albums ever put out by an American band. I mean, it's just fucking phenomenal.
January 15, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, Mole said: I don't know if it's perfect or better than perfect. This is the most unbelievable performance I've ever heard. Lalah Hathaway's vocals are obviously mind blowing, but the band is smoking, and after the polyphonic singing starts up towards the end (she's comping for herself like a keyboard player and hitting all the changes, check out the interplay between her and the organ), the band cranks up the energy and just blows the roof off of the thing. It's cool to see great musicians obviously blown away by each other and collectively raise to another level. Lot's of former UNT kids in this too, so Mean Green represent. Holy shit. Actually, the polyphonic singing sounds a lot like the DLR shriek. Like at the beginning of "Jump," for example.
January 15, 20214 yr I have been lucky enough to see them live 4 times. The first was right after they hit it big in the mid 80s with "Will the Wolf Survive" in a little club with me and about 300 vatos. Absolutely awesome. They did an acoustic show in Birmingham when I was there that was just insane. Next time was in Atlanta and they were fully electric, played their own stuff and did covers of Cinnamon Girl and Politician that about melted my face. Hulla was there with me and we were both like, "Holy shit," I may have just witnessed musical perfection.
January 15, 20214 yr Los Lobos EP "and a time to dance" is the best work they've ever done. Fight me.
January 15, 20214 yr I can't fight you, Gil. However, let's not forget their album of Mexican songs. Love this.
January 15, 20214 yr The two that jumped into my head were hallelujah and Texas flood. but lots of truly great songs posted already.
January 15, 20214 yr 16 hours ago, smwhorn said: What a Wonderful World. Louis Armstrong. https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/louis-armstrong/what-a-wonderful-world Great choice. German ompah (sp)band played it at Round Top Octobeerfest last year. It was moving as always.
January 15, 20214 yr On 1/12/2021 at 10:10 PM, Mach 1 said: I'll submit two: One is for the combination lyrics and song And lyrics that are a bit more opaque, but the music is the best I wanted to play but this post stole all of my thunder. I'm like Jimmy because a song that hits me as perfect changes from day to day but these two never change for me.
January 15, 20214 yr 9 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Los Lobos EP "and a time to dance" is the best work they've ever done. Fight me. You're always right, and I've never been wrong.
January 15, 20214 yr I'm with you @baboso. To me, the two greatest American bands are Los Lobos and The Heartbreakers. About 90 years between the two of them with very few member changes. Edited January 15, 20214 yr by hullabelew
January 15, 20214 yr I'm with you [mention=1170]baboso[/mention]. To me, the two greatest American bands are Los Lobos and The Heartbreakers. About 90 years between the two of them with very few member changes. I have to confess my general ignorance on Los Lobos. Where should I start with them?
January 15, 20214 yr 11 minutes ago, tbone_ said: I have to confess my general ignorance on Los Lobos. Where should I start with them? If you've seen the movie La Bamba about Richie Valens, Los Lobos does all the Richie Valens songs.
January 15, 20214 yr 2 hours ago, noharleyyet said: Yep, the best that Mike and the Mechanics ever put out. CHIEF
January 15, 20214 yr i checked my ipod (remember those?) that has close to 20,000 songs and this is the song I have played the most. my perfect song : Husker Du - "Celebrated Summer" punk dynamics classic intro - introduce the guitar riff, isolate the bass for a sec, drum snare cracking thru power pop melodies abound quiet/loud (stolen a lot since then) monstrous loud melodic guitar solo wistful lyrics "Do you remember when the first snow fall fell? When summer barely had a snowball's chance in hell?"
January 15, 20214 yr 44 minutes ago, tbone_ said: I have to confess my general ignorance on Los Lobos. Where should I start with them? Wolf Tracks is the compilation album of their biggest songs. Kiko and the Lavender Moon is generally thought to be their best album.
January 15, 20214 yr I can completely get on board with "American Girl", "Rock With You", and "Dock of the Bay". No question about any of those. It's a different day, and I said I'd probably pick a different song every day for a month. This song is perfect. Most people think of it as pop candy, but it has some the nastiest guitar tones in recorded history. It fucking blazes, you just have to listen past the (awesome) vocal harmonies. He straddled a line between 60s/70s psychadelic haze and pure pop, and I have no idea how he did it. Yep, perfect. Wouldn't change a thing. And that’s only his second best song.
January 15, 20214 yr Paul Carrack. What a phenomenal singer. I'll tell this story because I don't care that I've told it a half dozen times: my wife is a big Eric Clapton fan. So, when he came to the Erwin Center maybe ten (?) years ago, I got us tix. First row of the mezzanine, so nobody in front of us, nice seats stage right. Clapton did a set list you'd expect, it was cool, he's not my favorite but whatever, he's a damn fine guitarist. Then at some point he mumbled something about letting his keyboard player take a turn, and out of nowhere Paul Carrack (who I had not recognized) was doing an absolutely stellar rendition of "How Long" by his band Ace. I was gobsmacked. A total surprise. (By the way, that song is not about a cheating lover, it's about a bandmate who was two-timing Ace and working with other players on other projects.) THEN, color me double gobsmacked, Carrack ripped into "Tempted" by Squeeze, which of course he sang (save a line by Elvis Costello). I must confess, "Tempted" is probably my favorite song of all time. It's completely suitable for this thread. For that matter, so is "How Long". But Squeeze was a band I just figured I'd never see, and there it was being played right in front of my face, and it sounded PERFECT. I mean, if you get the lead vocals right and have a band full of pros, how far off is it gonna be? I think I could nominate dozens of songs for this thread.
January 16, 20214 yr There are several I’d say are just perfect songs: whether in their time or place as the fella says, or in general. Here are several: Reminds me of a trip driving through a blizzard to my Grandad’s funeral, and my uncle was in the truck with me the whole way from Dallas to Pittsburgh (snowing from door to door) We listened to the album on loop He died of throat cancer a few years after that I danced to this song with my mom at my wedding, as the mother/son dance, and out of respect for my uncle, her brother making that trip with me for my grandad’s (Dad’s dad, my namesake) funeral. “Setting’ sails, spinnin tales, and fishin for whales, with a lady, that we both enjoyed” Some of y’all aren’t religious. That’s fine. I am. That’s fine too. This is one that’s just about perfect in delivery, pitch, tone, and all. Just a wicked song. I want it played at my laying down. some others I’ll nominate: -Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum -Rain Song by Zeppelin (might be the best zeppelin song, just absolute musical perfection) -She by Green Day (just an absolute masterpiece of mixed sound, and one of the most perfectly drummed songs I’ve ever heard) -Dear Mr Fantasy by Traffic (Winwood, just making it happen) -From Afar by Vance Joy (just a heartbreaking tale we’ve all been through, and his voice is so incredibly humiliatingly awesome) - Edited January 16, 20214 yr by Trey3216
January 16, 20214 yr 12 hours ago, Trey3216 said: Some of y’all aren’t religious. That’s fine. I am. That’s fine too. This is one that’s just about perfect in delivery, pitch, tone, and all. Just a wicked song. I want it played at my laying down. I'm not a big country music consumer, but I remember when that song came out. It struck me then as a terrific example of just how great a singer Ronnie Dunn is. He's criminally underrated in that world, as far as I can tell.
January 16, 20214 yr 22 hours ago, tbone_ said: I have to confess my general ignorance on Los Lobos. Where should I start with them? I would start with the 2-disc compilation entitled Just Another Band from East L.A. It covers the early (and, IMO, best) part of their career ranging from the late 1970's Spanish-language stuff into the early 1990's. There's a lot of good stuff from that period that didn't make it on to the compilation, but it'll give you a good overview. If you want to start with one of their studio albums, I recommend How Will the Wolf Survive? from 1984. IMO, it's their best album. Someone else mentioned Kiko and the Lavender Moon, and that's a good one as well. I happen to like Wolf a little better.
January 16, 20214 yr 15 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said: I would start with the 2-disc compilation entitled Just Another Band from East L.A. It covers the early (and, IMO, best) part of their career ranging from the late 1970's Spanish-language stuff into the early 1990's. There's a lot of good stuff from that period that didn't make it on to the compilation, but it'll give you a good overview. If you want to start with one of their studio albums, I recommend How Will the Wolf Survive? from 1984. IMO, it's their best album. Someone else mentioned Kiko and the Lavender Moon, and that's a good one as well. I happen to like Wolf a little better. Sort of the beauty of Will The Wolf Survive is that it's got classic American rock mixed in with the more Mexican influenced stuff. It's all good, but Wolf has a nice mixture. This just STOMPS. I can thank Bull Durham for making me a Lobos fan.
January 16, 20214 yr I like the more professional approach of "Kiko" to "Will the Wolf Survive", but both are great. Buy them all. I haven't found many music geeks who don't really come to love the band after a little concentrated listening. They are the epitome of "honest".
January 16, 20214 yr The title track, creepy and groovy and altogether different from everything going on in music at the time:
January 17, 20214 yr Popular Post Good topic. My nominee... Gimme Shelter Sonically, it isn't especially well recorded or mixed (even when compared to its same-year peers). It has a pretty dramatic tempo change... which seems accidental and not planned. You can hear the band cheer "Whooo!" in the seconds after the Merry Clayton voice crack... which I'd argue was the high water mark for rock music. I can think of a lot of songs that represent better writing, better lyrics, better melodies, and grander themes, but I can't think of a better rock song.
January 17, 20214 yr On 1/15/2021 at 3:02 PM, jimmyjazz said: Paul Carrack. What a phenomenal singer. I'll tell this story because I don't care that I've told it a half dozen times: my wife is a big Eric Clapton fan. So, when he came to the Erwin Center maybe ten (?) years ago, I got us tix. First row of the mezzanine, so nobody in front of us, nice seats stage right. Clapton did a set list you'd expect, it was cool, he's not my favorite but whatever, he's a damn fine guitarist. Then at some point he mumbled something about letting his keyboard player take a turn, and out of nowhere Paul Carrack (who I had not recognized) was doing an absolutely stellar rendition of "How Long" by his band Ace. I was gobsmacked. A total surprise. (By the way, that song is not about a cheating lover, it's about a bandmate who was two-timing Ace and working with other players on other projects.) THEN, color me double gobsmacked, Carrack ripped into "Tempted" by Squeeze, which of course he sang (save a line by Elvis Costello). I must confess, "Tempted" is probably my favorite song of all time. It's completely suitable for this thread. For that matter, so is "How Long". But Squeeze was a band I just figured I'd never see, and there it was being played right in front of my face, and it sounded PERFECT. I mean, if you get the lead vocals right and have a band full of pros, how far off is it gonna be? I think I could nominate dozens of songs for this thread. Wow. Just wow. I don’t feel I can contribute to this thread because I simply cannot pick what I think is the “perfect song” (literally impossible for me)-But you heard two that I would’ve eventually mentioned- BOTH in one fateful glorious night. I am so stoked for you! What an awesome opportunity! SO.COOL.
January 19, 20214 yr Los Lobos Recs: Both compilations mentioned above are fantastic. Studio Releases: My two favorites are listed above. I can't imagine my life without either of them. Bought them both on the day they were released. Musicianship is stellar and the material is as solid as it gets. "Will The Wolf Survive" is a great party album. Perfect for backyard bbq, beer drinking and general merriment. "Kiko" is sit-your-ass-in-a-chair-and-soak-it-in record. When Baboso and I saw them, I was really surprised they played the title track to "Kiko". I still get chill-bumps thinking about that moment. I always thought that album was the best Neville Brothers album ever released, if that makes sense.
January 21, 20214 yr 6 hours ago, Teddyballgame said: The older I get, the more I love this song Some people are surprised to learn that James Taylor was on banjo on the original release.
January 22, 20214 yr Fine choices upthread. My meager contribution: The The - Uncertain Smile. Alt-Rock + Jazz. jools holland (Squeeze/tv host) on the jazz piano solo. Just a very cool vibe.
January 22, 20214 yr 54 minutes ago, KaitlyynDuff said: I don't know how to explain why I like it because I'm not actually keen on arts and stuff. I was even told that my taste is bad. However, I do love Some Nights by Fun. It really looks like it could work as a musical movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0 gamerz don't need no stinkin' Geneva Convention.
January 22, 20214 yr Massive Attack ft. the wonderful Hope Sandoval and starring Cate Blanchette. Letting go of something toxic.
January 22, 20214 yr Popular Post My opinion on this changes day to day, let alone month to month. But I'll put this up as pretty much perfect. First of all, the harmonies and how amazingly musical it is. It's deceptively complex while sounding simple. Second, it crosses all boundaries-- no matter what your cup of musical tea usually is, no one is going to listen to this and say "yeah, that sucks" unless you're just an angry 15 year old going through your Slayer phase. And even then you secretly like it. The lyrics are touching enough without being totally sappy and it's a theme we can all "get". It's a song you can enjoy as background noise or you can really sit and listen intently and absorb it all. You can definitely place it as of a particular era, but it doesn't feel dated or corny or inaccessible. It's not even my favorite Beach Boys song (shout out to Little Surfer Girl), but it is probably their closest to perfection.
January 23, 20214 yr 16 hours ago, 956 Worldwide said: My opinion on this changes day to day, let alone month to month. But I'll put this up as pretty much perfect. First of all, the harmonies and how amazingly musical it is. It's deceptively complex while sounding simple. Second, it crosses all boundaries-- no matter what your cup of musical tea usually is, no one is going to listen to this and say "yeah, that sucks" unless you're just an angry 15 year old going through your Slayer phase. And even then you secretly like it. The lyrics are touching enough without being totally sappy and it's a theme we can all "get". It's a song you can enjoy as background noise or you can really sit and listen intently and absorb it all. You can definitely place it as of a particular era, but it doesn't feel dated or corny or inaccessible. It's not even my favorite Beach Boys song (shout out to Little Surfer Girl), but it is probably their closest to perfection. I love the percussion in this song. When the snare starts at 2:07, this song becomes damn near perfect. Edited January 23, 20214 yr by Seasick Sailor
January 23, 20214 yr Author 18 hours ago, KaitlyynDuff said: I don't know how to explain why I like it because I'm not actually keen on arts and stuff. I was even told that my taste is bad. However, I do love Some Nights by Fun. It really looks like it could work as a musical movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0 Wouldn’t be my choice, but I think Fun is an underrated band. The singer has a voice not far this side of Freddie Mercury.
January 23, 20214 yr Well, I said I'd have a different song every day. Today it's "Skyway". I've seen the 'mats do it twice and Paul Westerberg twice, once at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis where he broke down crying. It's just such a fucking beautiful song. It is the perfect narrative of a missed connection. Here's the studio recording and then one from their reunion show at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, which I was fortunate enough to attend, because I flew up there from Austin like an idiot fanboy. If you don't think The Replacements were the greatest band in rock 'n roll history, then you're wrong. Tommy will kick your ass for disagreeing . . . well, he's too nice, but he should. Bonus track included. Edited January 23, 20214 yr by jimmyjazz
January 23, 20214 yr For me it's Robert Earl Keen's "Not a Drop of Rain," in which he uses the lack of rain to symbolize both the lack of actual, physical rainfall AND the emotional drought he's been in without the woman to whom the song is addressed. The second stanza, in particular, is genius. "I thought the wind and water would elevate my mind" is poetryStreets are almost empty, the shops are all closed downThere's not a soul left in the bar to tell my troubles toThink I'll walk down to the river that runs just south of townI hate like hell when there ain't nothin' left to doBut stand beneath the river bridge and listen for the trainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rainWell, I broke down in December, I headed for the coastI thought the wind and water would elevate my mindI surfaced in the springtime feelin' like a ghostMissin' more than ever the things I left behindNow I'm standin' on this riverbank and still cannot explainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rainMy bag is full of letters, unopened and unreadI'm sure they'd tell the story of worry and of formMy heart is beating heavy with all we left unsaidI swear to you, I never meant you any harmBut sacrifice and compromise could never stand the strainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rainTonight I'll close my eyes again, try to see your faceAnd listen for your voice to tell me it's all right to sleepConvince myself I'll wake up in another time and placeKnowin' all the while that it's a promise I can't keepA string of broken promises, another link of chainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rainThe children on the playground, the lovers in the shadeRemind me of a life and time that feels more like a dreamWhen the sound of love and laughter was the music that we playedAs we lay beside the waters of a never-ending streamNow the stream has gone to hiding, the dream lives on in vainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rainThe clouds are building slowly on the skyline to the eastThe wind and dust are dancing like the devil 'cross the lakeI could try to find a bottle or try to find a priestSalvation won't be traveling either road I takeSo I turn my collar to the wind that echoes this refrainIt's been a long, hot summer, not a drop of rain
January 23, 20214 yr Jangle. Lead guitar and vocals soar. Entire life shown in 5-word snippets, eg I found a picture of you. Nails requirements of top-40 hit while also adding something unearthly with the break and key change.
January 25, 20214 yr On 1/12/2021 at 10:10 PM, Mach 1 said: I'll submit two: One is for the combination lyrics and song
January 25, 20214 yr On 1/19/2021 at 12:09 PM, hullabelew said: "Will The Wolf Survive" is a great party album. Perfect for backyard bbq, beer drinking and general merriment. "Kiko" is sit-your-ass-in-a-chair-and-soak-it-in record. When Baboso and I saw them, I was really surprised they played the title track to "Kiko". I still get chill-bumps thinking about that moment. I always thought that album was the best Neville Brothers album ever released, if that makes sense. That's a great encapsulation of Wolf and Kiko. Both terrific albums. I like Wolf a little better because there are a couple songs on Kiko that I'll skip if given the opportunity (not that they're bad, they just don't match the others) whereas Wolf is aces all the way through. But both are tremendous. Kiko definitely has a Nevilles feel, doesn't it? Well played, Hulla.
January 25, 20214 yr I think I agree mostly on the Guy Clark - Desparados Waiting for a Train But I think this song deserves mention:
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