The Rules: I reset the play counters for all the songs currently on my iTunes. Then at the end of every week, I check to see what the top five most played songs are. Whatever happens to be in this top five are then presented in order here from most played to least. If I have posted a particular song in the past, then I will bypass that song and post the next in line. If one artist dominates the list, then I will write about that artist in lieu of a Top Five list.
Well, another week has passed… I’d like to personally thank all of you for visiting this site! Thank you for making this so exciting for me. I hope you have enjoyed the articles so far and that you’ve made TheFrontloader.com a daily stop!
Let’s see what Ol’ Swap listened to this week. This part is always fun…
This last week I kept listening to a live recording of “Uninvited,” Alanis Morissette‘s contribution to the City of Angels soundtrack. I’ve always dug this song, so a live performance was a welcome addition to my collection. She sounds just as powerful as ever… I think I just might post the entire bootleg sometime in the near future. Really a great listen.
“Uninvited” was a smash hit for Morissette even though the song was never officially released as a single. At the 1999 Grammy Awards, the song won the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song categories.
This live version sounds even better through headphones (just a tip).
Amazon Search: Alanis Morissette
Your Dig-It Download:
Uninvited (live)
For those that know me, a Bruce Springsteen song in the top 5 comes to no surprise. For that that don’t know me, it shouldn’t come as a surprise, either… because you don’t know me.
“Fire” is one of his coolest songs. It was first recorded by Robert Gordon in 1978, then by The Pointer Sisters in that very same year. The Pointer Sisters got a bigger hit out of the song, reaching number two in the charts.
Springsteen’s own release of “Fire” didn’t occur until 1986 from his Live 1975-1985 boxset. The single cracked the top 50, but stalled at 46.
It doesn’t matter to me how the song charted, I think it’s one of his better compositions. I love the pause before the line, “Romeo and Juliet…” LOVE IT!
Anyhow, I listened to this 1980 performance quite a few times this week, landing it at #2.
Amazon Search: Bruce Springsteen, Robert Gordon, The Pointer Sisters
Your Dig-It Download
Fire (live)
Yep. This week was typical Swap… got a Springsteen and Ryan Adams tune in the list. It’s no secret that I think Adams is one of the best songwriters of the last twenty years, and his prolific nature just has no end. His new record drops next week on Oct. 28 called Cardinology. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it sometime soon after I digest it.
But until then, I’ve been listening to some bootlegs. One of my favorites is from 2006… this version of “Harder Now That It’s Over” is just so laid back it completely soothes the savage beast.
“Harder Now That It’s Over” is originally off his second solo release, Gold.
Amazon Search: Ryan Adams
Your Dig-It Download
Harder Now That It’s Over (live)
One of my favorite albums to come out of the 80’s was the The Indigo Girls’ self-titled debut. The songs were intense and incredibly satisfying, and their harmonies were immaculate. I wore out the Cd and eventually gave it away to some girl that I liked at the time. I wonder if she still has it?
They have a style all their own, and to this day that style still works. Their last record, 2006’s Despite Our Differences, was heralded as “the most infectious, pop-infused set that the duo ever has managed to concoct,” by MusicBox Online. Not bad for their fifteenth release.
I have to say, though, that of all their records, Indigo Girls is still my favorite. Maybe it’s nostalgia, I don’t know… but whatever the reason is, I’m fine with it.
Here’s a live version of “Land of Canaan” that I’ve been listening to. I think this performance is from a live video they have, but I can’t recall. The intro by Amy Ray sounds so familiar… if anyone can help me with this, I’d be most grateful.
Amazon Search: The Indigo Girls
Your Dig-It Download
Land of Canaan (live)
Uncle Tupelo is by far my favorite Alt. Country band. They are considered to be one of (if not THE) pioneers of the genre and I still wish they’d get back together for a reunion tour or album.
Anyhow, this song, “Acuff-Rose” is off of their Anodyne record. It pays homage to Acuff-Rose Music, a music publishing company from Nashville, TN. Roy Acuff and Fred Rose started this company because they felt that too many songwriters in Nashville were cheated and taken advantage of by agents, managers, attorneys, etc… the darker side of the biz. Acuff-Rose built their company on the belief that “our company would be honest. The writers would always be taken care of. No one would act in a shady way.”
The Acuff-Rose catalog included artists such as Hank Williams, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, and Don Gibson, among others.
In May, 1985, the company sold their catalog to the Gaylord Entertainment Company (parent company to The Grand Ole Opry), and then in 2002 it was sold to Sony/ATV music. Man, I wish I had the money to buy it from them… anybody got about 5 billion dollars they can lend me?
Anyhow, this live acoustic version of Uncle Tupelo’s “Acuff-Rose” is just a joy to listen to. The mandolin does it for me…
Amazon Search: Uncle Tupelo
Your Dig-It Download
Acuff-Rose (live acoustic)
Well, that’s it for this week! Thank you all for reading and making this week another blast for all of us here at TheFrontloader.com. Next week’ll be here soon enough… so much music, so little time…
Be good.
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Love the list, Swap. All great artists and songs. The Indigo Girls are always a great pick me up. And I’m putting in my vote to hear the entire Alanis bootleg. Would love that. Thanks for the downloads!
I’ve always loved Springsteen, Ryan Adams, and the Indigo Girls. In particular, “Land of Canaan” has been one of my most often-played songs in my iTunes for quite awhile!
Country Music was never my favorite genre, but I’ve grown to like it a lot over recent years. I still don’t know enough about it, though. I really enjoyed “Acuff-Rose,” which you called alt. country. I guess I don’t know how to identify what type of country music I’m hearing at any given time. How many other types of country music are there? Perhaps that could be potential blog themes. It would be great if you could show us examples of the different types of music that can fall within any given genre.
Sometimes a great song is all about the empty spaces, the pauses, the exquisite off-timing, as much as what actually fills the rest of the song. That pause in “Fire” has always made wonderful sense.
I think I’m in love with you.
(This version of Land of Canaan sounds best with headphones too!)
Alanis is one of my favorite female singers, I listen to “Hand in My Pocket” frequently and is a staple of my treadmill music (along with Bruce!). I did not know she recorded this song, but I’ll take a listen when I get home from work tonight. Thanks for sharing your Top 5, Thomas, you have excellent taste in music.
All I need to see is that Gold cover and I’m in heaven.
Great list…love Ryan Adams album “Gold” thanks for all the downloads.
Good list.
Thank you for the songs!! All great ones! The Alanis one is my favorite of them all! such a pretty and haunting song….thanks