Don't Dream It's Over

1. I'm Gonna Find Another You (Village Sessions version)- John Mayer

• "You take your sweaters, you take your time, you might have your reasons, but you will never have my rhyme, I'm gonna sing my way away from blue, baby I'm gonna find another you." With "I'm Gonna Find Another You" John Mayer wrote a song that ought to become a blues/soul standard. It doesn't require a lot of imagination to hear greats like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Al Green and B.B. King performing this song. "The Village Sessions" EP presents a number of "Continuum" songs in an acoustic setting. "I'm Gonna Find Another You" sounds just fine acoustic but I prefer it on electric guitar with some horns for added flavor. The best version may be on the "Where The Light Is Live in Los Angeles" album where Mayer and both touring guitarists extend the tune by all taking turns with their own solos.

2. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down- The Band

• "In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive, by May the 10th, Richmond had fell, it's a time I remember oh so well, the night they drove old Dixie down, and the bells were ringing." If you know any other classic rock songs about the Civil War, please let me know....until such time I'm going to consider this one the best. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" humanizes and romanticizes the Old South fairly well. Perhaps it's the musical equivalent of "Gone With The Wind". The live version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" from "The Last Waltz" is one of the real highlights of the show. Levon Helm's vocals are powerful, The Band's harmonies are gorgeous and the the song takes on a great dramatic feel. I don't think anyone disputes the fact that the South lost the Civil War. The wisdom of allowing the South to return to the Union? We could probably argue that.

3. Move On Song- Jamie Cullum

• "Even though your heart has gotten dry, you won't deny me my dreams, at least that's what it seems, now that you're gone, I had to write this move on song...just for me." Earlier this month Jamie Cullum released "The Pursuit", his first studio album in almost 5 years. "Move On Song" comes from the "Deluxe Edition" of the album which features a handful of bonus songs. The highlight of the bonus material is a great live version of "Love Ain't Gonna Let you Down". "Move On Song" finds Cullum turning his anguish over a failed relationship into a mellow tune. I guess a simple rebound wouldn't do. In real life things aren't so bad-Cullum is shagging Sophie Dahl, the fairly sultry 6 foot former model and granddaughter of famed author Roald Dahl. Maybe I should have done more with my childhood piano lessons.