1. It's Alright- Jay-Z

• "Bounce if you wanna bounce, ball if you wanna ball, play if you wanna play, floss if you wanna floss, it's alright, you heard? it's alright, holla back." If you find Jay-Z on my iPod it means that someone put it on a mix for me (I'm not going to purchase Jay-Z anytime soon). I'm trying to let this rapper grow on me but as time goes on it seems less and less likely. The best thing I can say about this song is the sample is good- "Once In a Lifetime" by the Talking Heads (one of my favorite songs of all time). I was recently unpacking some boxes and came across a bunch of "old school" hip hop CDs including 1993's "Home Invasion" by Ice-T. I hadn't listened to the CD in years and years. I was surprised to find a song called "99 Problems"and sure enough it's the basis for the Jay-Z hit. I guess he's more of a biter than a writer.

2. Common Pleasure- Jason Mraz

• "I'm gonna keep on keeping on, I'm gonna reap being strong, and I got my head on, though misconnected, it's alright cause I do it protected." This particular version of "Common Pleasure" comes from the 1999 debut independent release "A Jason Mraz Demonstration". I didn't become familiar with Mraz until a few years later but I recently came across a number of his early independent releases thanks to a combination of the Internet and not having a girlfriend. This original version is based on acoustic guitar and has a mellow coffee shop vibe. The more well known live version from the "Tonight, Not Again: Jason Mraz Live at the Eagles Ballroom" CD/DVD is performed on electric guitar with a sped up tempo. Both versions feature great percussion (compliments of Toca Rivera) and scat lyrics that are quite fun to sing along with. If you are a die hard Mraz fan I'd recommend digging around for a copy of "A Jason Mraz Demonstration". In addition to "Common Pleasure" you'll find the original versions of "Sleep All Day" and "0% Interest" among others.

3. Out Of The Woods- Nickel Creek

• "I roller coaster for you, time out of mind must be heavenly, it's all enchanted and wild, just like my heart said it was gonna be. If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming." I can remember the 1st time I heard Nickel Creek. I was in a car heading from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon in 2000. I think it was an NPR program that we stumbled upon- I was blown away by Nickel Creek's musicianship. There isn't much in the way of bluegrass in my collection but this is too good to pass up. "Out of the Woods" is gorgeous....dare I say achingly beautiful. It's also smooth as hell. A friend of mine had me watch a few episodes of the Internet series "Yacht Rock" this past weekend. "Out Of The Woods" might as well be a bluegrass tribute to the Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald genre. "Yacht Rock" suggests that "Sailing" by Christopher Cross is the smoothest song of all time. I won't argue that, but "Out Of The Woods" is not far behind.

Is it live or is it memorex?

1. If Only (Live from Soho)- KT Tunstall

• "Looking at the stars for the answers, but all that I found was silence and a dirty ground, if only you could see me now, if only you could hear me out, if only it was only me now." In her first iTunes exclusive live EP ("Live Sessions") KT Tunstall shows her mastery of the loop pedal to simulate the sound of a full band. On her next iTunes exclusive live release ("Live from Soho") the singer/songwriter uses a loop pedal here and there but for the most part relies on her full band to create the sound of a full band. The studio version of "If Only" is featured on 2007's "Drastic Fantastic" album. Both the studio and live versions prominently feature the glockenspiel, which Tunstall refers to in the "Live from Soho" album as the "rockenspiel". "Live from Soho" focuses on material from "Drastic Fantastic" but also includes a handful of songs from the brilliant "Eye To The Telescope".

2. Happy Jack (Live at Leeds)- The Who

• "The kids would all sing, he would take the wrong key, so they rode on his head in their furry donkey.....but they couldn't stop Jack or the waters lapping, and they couldn't prevent Jack from being happy." This classic rock gem was first featured on The Who's 1966 sophomore album "A Quick One". In fact due to the somewhat risque title the album was distributed as "Happy Jack" in the states. This particular version comes from the landmark 1970 "Live at Leeds" album. "Happy Jack" allows The Who's rhythm section to shine. The bass and drum parts drive the song- the colorful lyrics and Beach Boys style backing harmonies just add to the enjoyment. The Who perform "Happy Jack" during the Leeds concert as one of "3 selected hit singles....the 3 easiest". Many many years later "Happy Jack" was used in an advertisement to help promote the eco-friendly Hummer.

3. Covered in Rain (live)- John Mayer

• "Tonight we're gonna order in, drinking wine and watching CNN, it's dark I know but then again, it's the brightest thing I've got, when I'm covered in rain." This is probably my favorite John Mayer song. If you listen to "City Love" on the album "Room For Squares" you'll hear a love song about New York City and a girl named Lydia. If you listen even closer to the bridge you'll hear the lyrics "and I can't remember life before the day, she called up and came to me covered in rain". "Covered in Rain" is not just a reference to "City Love", it's a continuation of the story. "City Love" is a love song to NYC written pre 9-11, while "Covered in Rain" is the post 9-11 postscript. We find that like the city, the relationship is damaged. "Come December Lydia left, she mentioned something about it being for the best." This live version of "Covered in Rain" comes from the 2004 "As/Is" collection of live concert recordings. Mayer normally plays this song on electric guitar (no studio version has been released). Perhaps the best version I've ever heard was in Chicago in the summer of 2007; Mayer performed it acoustically as an encore. In that performance he worked in lyrics to "Everything Is Not Broken"; the other song he wrote that reflects on 9-11. The circle was complete. It was amazing.

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?

1. Wouldn't You Like To Ride (feat Kanye West)- Common

• "So why don't you and your friends get with me and my friends. (Kayne) Cuz five years ago you was so Fugees, now you don't want nothin' unless it cost a few G's. (Common)Wherever I lay my kufi is my home, goddammit I'm grown." Back in the summer of 2005 I ventured to a hip-hop club in Harlem to take in the Rocksteady Crew anniversary break dance celebration (it was awesome). I picked up some old school hip hop on vinyl and got a free copy of the "Stamp Blend" Best of Common on CD. The CD features a handful of great collaborations- Common with the likes of De La Soul, Black Star and his Chicago comrade Kanye West. The best song featuring Kanye is "The Food", but "Wouldn't You Like To Ride" is pretty good. I do like Common's reference to Marvin Gaye's "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)". I noticed on iTunes that "Wouldn't You Like to Ride" is available as an album only song from the "Coach Carter" soundtrack. As a general rule I stay pretty far away from emotionally uplifting sports movies. That being said I do remember being drunk and crying when 2Pac got shot in "Above the Rim" a few years after he was murdered in real life. Sometimes art and life collide.

2. On The Road to Calvary- Richie Havens

• "You carry me across this mighty river, you lift me up above the raging sea, you bring me home this love you deliver, straight to my back porch on the road to Calvary." I can't say enough about this song. "On The Road to Calvary" is gorgeous. The song was written by Willie Nile as a tribute to the late Jeff Buckley. I first heard this song performed by Richie Havens at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis Maryland about 10 years ago. I distinctly remember three things about that night; the girl I was on the date with, hearing this amazing song for the first time, and the great bowl of crab soup I had as an appetizer. If you like crabs then Annapolis is your spot. I've gone back and listened to the original version of this song but it can't compare to what Richie Havens does with it. "On the Road to Calvary" is featured on the excellent "Wishing Well" album. Do yourself a favor and check this song out.

3. Down Here on the Ground- Grant Green

• (instrumental) I don't have much in the way of jazz on my iPod but this song sneaks on thanks to A Tribe Called Quest. Tribe uses "Down Here on the Ground" as the musical basis for the song "Vibes and Stuff" from the album "Low End Theory". Grant Green didn't have lyrics or MCs in mind when he put this together but that's the beauty of hip-hop....everything is fair game. "Even if it's jazz or the quiet storm, I hook a beat up convert it in a hip-hop form". If I've quoted that Rakim lyric before, my apologies. Even though "Vibes and Stuff" did not make Tribe's "Anthology" greatest hits compilation, it typifies their sound as much as anything they recorded. Nice work Grant.

Didn't get to sleep that night till the morning came around

1. Ezy Ryder- Jimi Hendrix

• "Riding down the highway of desire, he says the free wind takes him higher, trying to find his heaven above, but he's dying to be loved." A few weeks ago I picked up the new Jimi Hendrix release "Valleys of Neptune" and quickly decided I should fill in the gaps in my Hendrix collection. My next move was to pick up "First Rays of the New Rising Sun" which features a number of songs that Hendrix was working on for his 4th studio album before his untimely death. Like a number of songs on the album, "Ezy Ryder" demonstrates Jimi's new found funk sensibilities. Recorded with his Band of Gypsys partners and featuring backing vocals from members of Traffic, you can hear Hendrix charting a new musical course on "Ezy Ryder". The song is said to have been inspired from the film "Easy Rider" written and directed by Dennis Hopper. I hear the film is a classic, but after seeing what Dennis Hopper did with with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre II I'm inclined to stay away from anything with his name on it.

2. Deck The Stills- Barenaked Ladies

• "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young." Take the Christmas standard "Deck the Halls" and substitute CSN&Y for all the lyrics and you have "Deck the Stills" featured on the "Barenaked for the Holidays" album. It's 32 seconds of light hearted filer on a great collection of original and standard holiday music. We don't get any Kwanzaa songs (are there Kwanzaa songs?) but we do get a couple of nice Hanukkah songs (complete with Yiddish lyrics) to compliment the Christmas fare. The ultimate highlight of the collection is an acoustic take of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" featuring fellow Canuck Sarah McLachlan. The Ladies and Sarah sound so good together it seems strange they never recorded more than this one song. Next Tuesday marks the release of "All In Good Time", the first album from the Barenaked Ladies since the departure of lead singer (and band co-founder) Steven Page.

3. It's About Time- Jamie Cullum

• "Walking down to the water's edge, where I have been before, If I don't find my love sometime I'm walking out that door. Biding my time, trying to find a heart that's lonely, looking for her, my love my one and only." On the album "Twentysomething" pop/jazz crooner Jamie Cullum sprinkles a few original songs in between a healthy serving of cover tunes. The covers tackle songs from an eclectic group of artists/composers- Hendrix, Radiohead, Cole Porter, and Pharrell to name a few. Cullum's ability to re-purpose these songs in his style is impressive, but the album would fall short if the original numbers weren't so great. "It's About Time" (an original) is a mid tempo acoustic guitar driven song about trying to find Mrs. right. It doesn't reach the heights of some of the other originals ("All At Sea", "Twentysomething") but finds Cullum in good form.

Years ago my heart was set to live...

1. Christmas Song (Luther College version)- Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds

• "When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree, said "oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be, I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene, instead I fear I've spilled the blood of my children all around." There is a line in the DJ documentary "Scratch" where DJ Qbert says if you want to see how good a guitarist is just give them a plain old acoustic guitar and see what they can do with it. On the "Live at Luther College" album, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds show that they know a thing or two about the acoustic guitar. "Christmas Song" is a gorgeous song about the life and times of a guy named Jesus. I love the "love, love, love" parts and the Beatles homage is priceless. The Luther College version is known to give me the chills from time to time...it's that good.

2. Stone Free (Valleys of Neptune version)- Jimi Hendrix

• "Everyday of the week I'm in a different city, if I stay too long the people try to pull me down, they talk about me like a dog, talk about the clothes I wear, but they don't realize they're the ones who's square." Jimi Hendrix recorded this version of Stone Free in 1969 with Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Billy Cox (Band of Gypsys) , three years after the original version. The arrangement on this version is a bit different...a bit more funk/R&B than the original. I've had a lot of Hendrix in my collection for years but lately I've been picking up more and realizing the great depth of his catalogue. Jimi Hendrix made history this week when "Valleys of Neptune" debuted at #4 on the billboard album charts, nearly 40 years after his death. No artist has had an album chart that high that many years after their death. It's an amazing feat. The album format has been declared dead, Hendrix has been gone for decades but the fans still want more.

3. One Thing- Finger Eleven

• "If I traded it all, If I gave it all away for one thing, just for one thing, If I sorted it out, If I knew all about this one thing, wouldn't that be something." I'm a sucker for a song with a good acoustic guitar riff. "One Thing" by Finger Eleven gives me that and then some. The acoustic guitar and the steady bass drum beat is very reminiscent of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac. "One Thing" was a radio hit back in 2003. More recently, the band had hit with the song "Paralyzer" which sounds like "Youth Gone Wild" by Skid Row meets "Night Fever" by the Bee Gees. In other words it sounds terrible. Briefly sampling their top songs on iTunes leads me to believe that "Paralyzer" is much more indicative of their sound than "One Thing". At least one listener is glad they made a wuss rock song.

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.