The Essential Scott Miller Lie I Believe Good Morning Midnight Freedom's a Stranger No Regrets Dear Sarah Goodnight Loser Daddy Raised a Boy For Jack Tymon Fade Away Guess I Know I'm Right Is There Room on the Cross For Me I'm Right Here My Love Yes I Won't The Rain Testify Angels Dwell Virginia Way / Shenandoah Breakdown
The Essential Joe Pernice Cigarette Sandwich The Pill 7:30 Clear Spot Lift Me Up PCH One Freight of Fire Number Two Hundred Dollar Pocket Waiting for the Universe In a Ditch Baby In Two Flaming Wreck Monkey Suit Penthouse in the Woods Bum Leg Silo
"Crestfallen" would've made the cut, but my version skips, so it got the shaft
The Essential Beatles Hey Jude We Can Work It Out Here, There and Everywhere Blackbird Hello, Goodbye I'll Follow the Sun Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) I Will Let It Be I'm Looking Through You Eleanor Rigby Don't Pass Me By For No One Yesterday I'm So Tired And Your Bird Can Sing Dear Prudence
The Essential Pavement Shady Lane Gold Soundz Father to a Sister of Thought Major Leagues Cut Your Hair Date With Ikea We Dance Silence Kit Summer Babe (Winter Version) Range Life Here We Are Underused
The Essential M. Ward Poison Cup Here Comes the Sun Again Carolina Lullaby + Exile Vincent O'Brien One Life Away Requiem Never Had Nobody Like You Fuel For Fire So Much Water To Go Home Radio Campaign
A good friend and fellow Springsteen enthusiast thought it would be interesting to try and group Springsteen's career into three slots and compile a 12-song compilation for each. Basically, the time frames would be Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ (73) to Nebraska (82), Born in the USA (84) to Ghost of Tom Joad (95) and finally, everything since.
This was the hardest exercise of my life, and that includes the time I had to do (zero) pull-ups in front of every girl in my class in 1990. But here it goes...
1973-1983 Born To Run Wild Billy's Circus Story Racing in the Street Thunder Road The River For You Badlands Atlantic City Backstreets 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) Stolen Car Jungleland
1984-1995 I'm Goin' Down Human Touch I'm on Fire Youngstown Better Days One Step Up Darlington County This Hard Land If I Should Fall Behind Downbound Train Janey Don't You Lose Heart Streets of Philadelphia
1996-2009 John Henry The Rising Long Time Comin' The Wrestler Into the Fire Terry's Song Old Dan Tucker My City of Ruins Land of Hopes and Dreams Working On a Dream You're Missing Devils & Dust
Ten More The Price You Pay Adam Raised a Cain Drive All Night Highway Patrolman Darkness On the Edge of Town Spirit in the Night Incident on 57th Street Kitty's Back The Ties That Bind Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Joe Henry may be the most underappreciated singer-songwriter of the past twenty years. Alright, that would be impossible to say with the likes of Matthew Ryan, Kenny Roby, Richard Buckner, Tim Easton and Gillian Welch not reaching nearly enough ears, but my good buddy Doc Hup often puts Henry on the same plane as Dylan and Springsteen. 2007's Civilians was arguably the best record of that year (though I went with Ritter) and the trifecta of Short Man's Room (1992), Kindness of the World (1993) and Trampoline (1996) rounds out a perfect collection of the four to start with. Buy his records.
The Essential Joe Henry Fireman's Wedding Our Song Trampoline King's Highway Skin and Teeth Some Champions Wave Go With God (Topless Shoeshine) Civil War This Close To You Ohio Air Show Plane Crash Short Man's Room
There was a time when Wilco's Jeff Tweedy was one half of a songwriting partnership in the band Uncle Tupelo (1987-1994). And there was a time when mentioning that to anyone in my vicinity would've been unnecessary, since we spent every waking minute talking about this band. His partner, and the actual founder of the band, Jay Farrar, was actually the meat behind the band. Tweedy wrote and sang about half of the songs, but it was Farrar who was widely considered the truest talent in the band. Whereas Farrar had the voice, the Faulkner-esque pen and the brawn, Tweedy was obsequious, in the shadow and still learning. UT released four fantastic records before Farrar departed the band in early 1994 and quickly formed Son Volt. Reports suggest that Tweedy was devastated by the split, but quickly rebounded, enlisting the remaining members of UT and forming Wilco.
The Beginnings of Uncle Tupelo, Belleville, Illinois
Most of us know what happened next. Son Volt put out a few critically acclaimed records (including the masterpiece Trace), and then Farrar waffled between a solo career and back to Son Volt, where he now stands. Wilco has gone on to become a force in the indie-rock world, packing venues, occasionally stadiums, and selling out shows the world over. And they've done so without watering down their art at all, something that only a handful of bands have accomplished in their careers. Both have dabbled in various side projects, including Farrar's Gob Iron and Tweedy's work in Golden Smog, Loose Fur and The Minus 5.
Uncle Tupelo's Final Show, Mississippi Nights, St. Louis, 5.1.94
These two kids from Belleville, Illinois who were once writing songs above a salon in their hometown (Yes, I went there and took the above picture of the apartment/writing spot) have both gone on to different levels of success, yet both have achieved a lot. Tweedy has certainly reached a wider audience, but both have released material following the split that is as good if not better than their work as a tandem. And with that said, for the first time, I have assembled compilations for each, spanning their work in all projects. And though this may sound sad, this is somewhat of a step for me. I can't count the number of Uncle Tupelo, Wilco and Son Volt mixes I've made over the years. But not once have I made a compilation that spans their entire careers.
I will not claim that these are their best songs. I will only say that after pairing them down, and down, and down again, these are the 17 songs I that remained for each.
There is one thing I can say without question: Although Springsteen, Dylan and The Beatles first opened my ears to music in the late 70's, it was the discovery of Uncle Tupelo in a small apartment on South Street in Brighton, Massachusetts in early 1994 that set off my explosive love for music. And since that afternoon, that love has never waned.
Son Volt @ The Paradise, Boston, 1995
The Essential Jay Farrar Windfall (World Cafe)
Chickamauga
The Direction
Too Early
Postcard
Medicine Hat
Station To Station
Tear Stained Eye
Picking Up the Signal
Graveyard Shift
Driving the View
Barstow
Route
Question
No Depression
Gather
Greenwich Time
Golden Smog @ Irving Plaza, New York City, 1998
The Essential Jeff Tweedy Flatness
The Long Cut
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Laminated Cat (Live)
Remember the Mountain Bed
Sunken Treasure
Black Eye
At My Window Sad & Lonely (Demo)
Gun
Handshake Drugs (Live)
Via Chicago
We've Been Had
Misunderstood
Airline To Heaven (Live)
California Stars
Please Tell My Brother
Hate It Here
He's certainly had his share of monikers, including Palace, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Will Oldham, and most prominently, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Whatever his name of choice, it's always Oldham. And in 15 or so years, he has produced some of the best music of our time.
The Essential Will Oldham Lion Lair Big Friday New Partner Death To Everyone Wolf Among Wolves Easy Does It Strange Form of Life Work Hard/Play Hard A Minor Place Hard Life Antagonism Love Comes To Me Arise, Therefore Missing One I See a Darkness A King at Night The Way
The Essential R.E.M. Gardening at Night (Don't Go Back To) Rockville Disturbance at the Heron House Talk About the Passion The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite Green Grow the Rushes Fall on Me Losing My Religion Crazy Cuyahoga So. Central Rain Nightswimming Driver 8 Pale Blue Eyes I Believe Shaking Through Near Wild Heaven
The Essential Neil Young After the Gold Rush Down by the River Ambulance Blues Winterlong Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere Tonight's the Night I Am a Child Powderfinger Harvest Lookin' For a Love The Needle and the Damage Done Cortez the Killer Revolution Blues Campaigner Cowgirl in the Sand It's a Dream Mellow My Mind
I'm not sure I'd be sitting here writing on this blog if not for The Jayhawks. Right around the time that I discovered Uncle Tupelo (1994), I recall returning home for college break and finding a copy of The Jayhawks' Hollywood Town Hall sitting on my bed. It was basically a thank you present from my brother. A few months prior I'd introduced him to Uncle Tupelo and we were both riding a musical high. I immediately tossed the cd into my piece-of-crap Fisher stereo and I was transformed. First Uncle Tupelo and now this. Where was this music coming from? Why wasn't it being covered in every music magazine worldwide?
The Jayhawks went through many changes in years to follow, but their records still stand the test of time. Gary Louris and Mark Olson are the David Crosby and Graham Nash of our time, yet better.
The Essential Jayhawks Martin's Song Settled Down Like Rain Haywire Stumbling Through the Dark Two Angels Bottomless Cup Blue Sound of Lies Ain't No End Two Hearts Sister Cry It's Up To You
From 1994-2000 Richard Buckner appeared to be destined to be one of the greatest songwriters in American history. Oh, that may sound hyperbolic, but the trifecta of Bloomed, Devotion & Doubt and Since is arguably the best initial three-record output of the past 20 years. In 2000, he followed this breathtaking trio with The Hill, inspired by the 1915 Edgar Lee Masters collection Spoon River Anthology. From there, Buckner's songwriting and inspiration seemed to plunge. Having poured out such intense and precise emotions as he did for seven years, it's no surprise that the tank was running on low. After a few lackluster collections, Buckner once again revealed his prowess with 2006's Meadow; however, according to the rumor mill and a few quotes from Buckner himself, it appears as if he's decided to put music to rest. Now living in Upstate New York, we can only hope that Buckner finds his inspiration and once again delivers some of the most beautiful music ever recorded.
The Essential Richard Buckner Surprise, AZ 4AM Goner w/Souvenir Mile Pull Gauzy Dress In the Sun Once Song of 27 Count Me In On This One! Lucky Buzz A Goodbye Rye Elizabeth Childers
The Essential Gourds County Orange Boil My Strings All the Labor Best of Me Plaid Coat Web Before You Walk Into It My Name Is Jorge Raining In Port Arthur El Paso Cold Bed Lowlands Hallelujah Shine
Essential Tim Easton Just Like Home All the Pretty Girls Leave Town Happy Now Not Today (Amsterdam Session) Poor, Poor LA Troublesome Kind J.P.M.F.y.F. Hummingbird Dear Old Song & Dance Hey Rosine Next To You Rewind
Essential Bob Dylan Visions of Johanna All I Really Want To Do She Belongs To Me Song To Woody It Takes a Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train To Cry It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Mississippi Girl From the North Country Just Like a Woman A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall Tangled Up in Blue The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Not Dark Yet Shelter From the Storm
Essential Josh Rouse Streetlights Directions Michigan Slaveship Sweetie Late Night Conversation El Otro Lado Ugly Stories Little Know It All Dressed Up Like Nebraska Rise Quiet Town
Essential Josh Ritter Right Moves Harrisburg Girl In the War Lawrence, KS Mind's Eye Blame It On the Tetons (Modest Mouse Cover) Thin Blue Flame Snow Is Gone Me & Jiggs Empty Hearts Bright Smile The Temptation of Adam
Essential Steve Earle I Feel Alright The Kind Someday Christmas in Washington Billy and Bonnie Pilgrim The Devil's Right Hand Tecumseh Valley Copperhead Road Ft. Worth Blues Ben McCullough Jerusalem
Essential Son Volt Windfall Driving the View Atmosphere Too Early Medicine Hat Creosote Hanging Blue Side Picking Up the Signal Tear Stained Eye Question Back Into Your World World Waits For You
Golden Smog @ Irving Plaza, New York City, 1998
I'm not sure I'd be sitting here writing on this blog if not for The Jayhawks. Right around the time that I discovered Uncle Tupelo (1994), I recall returning home for college break and finding a copy of The Jayhawks' Hollywood Town Hall sitting on my bed. It was basically a thank you present from my brother. A few months prior I'd introduced him to Uncle Tupelo and we were both riding a musical high. I immediately tossed the cd into my piece-of-crap Fisher stereo and I was transformed. First Uncle Tupelo and now this. Where was this music coming from? Why wasn't it being covered in every music magazine worldwide? 
From 1994-2000 Richard Buckner appeared to be destined to be one of the greatest songwriters in American history. Oh, that may sound hyperbolic, but the trifecta of Bloomed, Devotion & Doubt and Since is arguably the best initial three-record output of the past 20 years. In 2000, he followed this breathtaking trio with The Hill, inspired by the 1915 Edgar Lee Masters collection Spoon River Anthology. From there, Buckner's songwriting and inspiration seemed to plunge. Having poured out such intense and precise emotions as he did for seven years, it's no surprise that the tank was running on low. After a few lackluster collections, Buckner once again revealed his prowess with 2006's Meadow; however, according to the rumor mill and a few quotes from Buckner himself, it appears as if he's decided to put music to rest. Now living in Upstate New York, we can only hope that Buckner finds his inspiration and once again delivers some of the most beautiful music ever recorded.
