Ropeadope

David Bromberg - another often forgotten and often missed hero of the golden days of music. It was not uncommon to hear Bromberg on fm radio in between The Stones and Led Zeppelin - a true testament to the diversity of …

What can you say about the Kinks? Next to The Band, I think they are the most true to the music of all rock bands. Driving hard in '65, they let others follow and switched gears to a British version of …

This from our psychedelic friends in the UK. I met Damian while he was on tour with James Hunter here in the US. Dig Akasha - They're groovy. Check the band here.

Jimmy Cliff's movie 'The Harder They Come' brought Jamaica and reggae msuic into the world's everyday vocabulary. It is groundbreaking to say the least. watch the movie, buy the album - no collection is complete without it.

One of the finest bands ever, often forgotten and then sorely missed. One track on this record begins with a noticeable scratch, perhaps the first time an artist used the technique?

And here's another beautiful piano cover courtesy of our own Marco Benevento...enjoy.

I love piano versions of great songs. Remember when Brad Mehldau did Blackbird? Here's Jason Domnarski with Neil Young's 'Old Man'. Play it at bedtime, or now.

OK, I love Ropeadope - fact. But this one floored me. This song has been done by Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, and Doc Watson among others. And I like this version the BEST. Why, beacuse Clay plays on the natural …

Every now and then music pops up that I completely missed at the time. Listening to Ben Vaughn's show on WXPN, I found this gem from the 70's. Sure, it's dated - but it's so delicious. Learn here and listen …

And why not continue on a self indulgent Velvet Underground rant? This one shocked every mother within radio distance.

One VU track is never enough... this one an interesting alternate mix of the classic.

Not much to say about this one - it's perfect, it's sad, it's happy, it's you and me. lo-fi forever.

Sometimes buying music one track at a time is just a mistake. My new Emusic subscription forces me to grab full albums at the end of the month, so I grabbed the Otis Redding compilation. I was stunned at the depth …

Nive Nielsen is an Eskimo from Greenland. Really. Her simple approach to music is absolutely refreshing in an over complicated world.I have no idea what this song means, but I believe everything Nive says. Visit Nive's space here.

I must have heard this track in the late 80's, because it always reminds me of West Philly. Can't say why I like it, just feels right I guess. If you want to know bluegrass, you cannot avoid The Seldom Scene.

Louis Armstrong once said - 'Preservation Hall, now that's where you'll find all of the greats'. Can't argue with that. This music takes me home. Check it all out here, and dig deep.

Call it folk music, call it carnival, call it rock and roll. Weird America is a haunting sound, full of the voices of past immigrants howling about life , G*d, and the desert plain of the soul. I call it all …

Finally took my younger kids to NYC. perfect trip - MOMA, FAO ( without spending a dime ), Dylan's Candy Bar ( spending plenty on Blackjack Gum ), then downtown to Matt Umanov Guitars and Bleecker Street Records. The …

Speaking of Ska, let's talk about Ernest Ranglin, being one of the true definers of the genre. Ernest was there at the conception and continues to play to this day. The music is even such a far …

Pops Staples - the voice of gravel and honey, heaven and voodoo - delivers the truth. The movie is good, the song is better. Check Pops here, and buy this track here - you'll need it when you're old …