Disc 2
1) Tell Me You Love Me - Frank Zappa
I really like the hard rocking Frank, and that's what you get here. The song is a lot like a single might be, but it is just too unusual sounding for anything but underground radio, which, like its commercial counterpart, tended more toward popular counter culture acts rather than exploration. On this track Frank is showing off his new Mothers featuring Flo & Eddie, former singers with The Turtles. Other players include Ian Underwood on piano and organ, George Duke on keys and trombone, and drummer Ansley Dunbar (later drummer for The Starship).
2) Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
Other than having a fucked-up exit trail, a perfect example of the good Bowie legging it in lipstick, boots, and stinging, spare guitar and accompaniment. If The Stones make ya queasy, this fucker'll make ya puke. He can still play when he wants to, though. You decide.
3) Wang Dang Doodle - Koko Taylor
I bought a single of this song from the secret stack at the Western Auto store when I was 14 or 15. The reason I referred to the for sale stack as secret was because you had to ask the clerk for it so as to inspect it. My understanding is that Muddy Waters plays slide guitar (right headphone) on this track. I have another version where someone who sounds like Muddy sings on the chorus with Koko. The sax reminds me a little of the Mad Magazine cardboard single It's a Gas.
4) Outcast - The Animals
From Animalism, my favorite Animals' album. Recorded around 1966, the album contains several songs produced by Frank Zappa, and one of his compositions, and I'd swear I hear him playing on some of the tracks. Eric Burden's voice sounds like something was torn from his chest. When he says he's an outcast, I believe him.
5) Criss Cross - Thelonious Monk
I listen to jazz, too, so I had to include some. Many versions of this song, including with horns, have been released, but this is the best: just Monk on piano with bass and drums. This is a tricky little tune. Monk had this time that's outside almost anything else. Try to follow.
6) Blood of the Sun - Leslie West
Leslie did this before Mountain. That's him on both guitar and vocals. I can't tell much difference in this and later work as Mountain. Pretty hard hitting. Made to be played LOUD!
7) Knuckle Down - Ani DeFranco
Ani's incredible guitar style is perfectly integrated with her singing. No gimmicks, just bass and a little ironic rage and you too can knuckle down. Really? Not really.
8) Long Neck Bottles - Captain Beefheart
The record company brought in producer Ted Templeman (who also produced Little Feat and others) to help guide the Captain into more commercial territory. You can lead a Captain to water but you can't make him drink. Well, the album, Clear Spot, was cleaned up and shiny, but only in a perfect world can Captain Beefheart be considered commercial, and this world ain't it.
9) Pocket Calculator - Kraftwerk
10) Dentaku - Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk exploring disco (much like Devo at the same time) after that music was no longer the musical force it had been. Besides the disco, the band also explored computed sequences on the Computer Love album. Kraftwerk later revisited its catalog for remixing using similar devices.
11) I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James
Another underrated artist. Too raw for primetime, she has churned away for a long time on the same circuit as ever. She should have been as big as Aretha, but it was not to be. Etta's a rather strange looking person. She's black, but I swear she sometimes looks like an Eskimo. Rod Stewart has also covered this song.
12) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Charles Mingus
Mingus was a genius, one of the greatest composers for the mid-sized orchestra I've encountered. Okay, he's got lots of stiff competition there, but his orchestrations are impressive by almost any standard. Silently influenced many, including Frank Zappa. This isn't my favorite version of the song, but a good one none the less.
13) Dark Companion - Tuxedomoon
Included here as much for the stinging opening guitar as anything else. Overall, the band's music tended toward the dark, and occasionally drifted into the bleak. I always thought this would be a great opening song for a club date. Nothing makes a happy night like despair.
14) How Is It (We Are Here) - The Moody Blues
The synth and mellotron give the song an errie feel that really brings on the guitar break. The lyrics are also somewhat unusual, especially since the piece becomes a love song before it's through. From the Question of Balance album.
15) Those Were the Days - Cream
In the studio, two members of Cream, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, along with producer Felix Pappalardi played so many instruments they sounded like a rock and roll chamber orchestra. Ginger really shows his stuff here, playing drums, marimba, and tubular bells. Clapton's guitar, in both lead and rhythm modes compliments the talents of the others perfectly.
16) Love Is Only Sleeping - The Monkees
Another great song from the pre-fab four. Most of what gets me is the cynicism of the lyrics and the sneer which delivers the choruses.
17) I Didn't Mean to Turn You On - Robert Palmer
Palmer is a slick, talented singer who could have made it on his looks, but, to his credit, decided to make music instead of money, though he must have made plenty during the period of this composition.
18) Who Are You - The Who
The swan song for Keith Moon and a sonic masterpiece for the band. The lads did everything they were good at on this one. The quiet moments offer excellent contrast to the louder parts. Few bands can get a hit with a long suite, but The Who was a masterful band.
19) I'm Beginning to See the Light - Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong
Real combo jazz with two white sidemen (drummer and bass) and four musical giants who wail and swing. I can't resist.
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