1. Either Way It Goes- Blue Merle

• "I'm breathing in, but I'm screaming out, afraid of what might happen here without you, I'm seeing clear, and I'm seeing red, I'm hiding from the world in a an empty bed, I'm just going through the motions here without you." In the words of Gloria Estefan, "come on, shake your body baby, do the conga". "Either Way It Goes" mixes bluegrass, Latin percussion and Lucas Reynold's lyrics into a perfect blend. It's probably not the Miami Sound Machine on the congas but they still sound pretty good. The acoustic guitar work on the song is outstanding. There really isn't a down moment on the band's debut (and only) album "Burning In The Sun"- 12 songs and 12 home runs. My framed vinyl copy of "Burning In The Sun" is going up on a wall in my new place once I figure out my artwork scheme...it's a solid blend of music, sports and the occasional movie poster.

2. How Deep Is That River (Cabin Version)- Mason Jennings

• "A few years back I lost my way, I was deep in the woods, I began to pray, I came to a river and sat on it's bank, it was cool and clear I have Jesus to thank." The original recording of this earnest Christian spiritual song comes from the "In The Ever" album. The same album that features the lyric "Oh Jesus I love you and I love Buddha too" from the song "I Love You And Buddha Too". Whether or not that's contradictory is beyond the scope of this blog. What is clear is that "How Deep Is That River" is a gorgeous folk song. The "Cabin Version" re-recording brings a little more intensity to the song with drums, piano and revival style chant outtro. The best part of both versions (aside perhaps from the lyrics themselves) is hearing Mason sing the word "singing" just before each chorus....it's too cool for words.

3. Big Sur- Mason Jennings

• "When you say honey I'm afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night, honey I'm afraid to sleep at night, sleep at night, well I wish I had my arms around you, this is a song to give you hope." I think this is the first time the same artist has come up twice in a row on the blog (I'm far too lazy to check). It must mean something. "Big Sur" comes from Mason Jenning's 1998 debut "Mason Jennings". Someone should come out with "Self Titled Debut" for their first album (just putting that out there). The "Mason Jennings" album features a bunch of great 2-3 minute songs like "California", "Nothing" and "Darkness Between The Fireflies"...and the sprawling 6+ minute "Big Sur". It's really 3 songs in one but who's counting. Perhaps Mason Jennings came up twice in a row to give me an excuse to plug his upcoming new live album "Fingerprints- September 20 2009". According to Amazon.com it comes out this Monday- April 12th. Why an album is dropping on a Monday (instead of a Tuesday) is beyond me and why didn't the record company wait to release it on April 17th as a part of National Record Store day?