#17: You See What Happens

There was a lot happening during this show. So much, in fact, that I forgot to play several songs I had planned. As for what did happen: My friend Ted falls in and out of love in Palestine and I am happy he left out last names. Rufus Thomas: non-violent hero. Plus songs about bricks.

Nubian Lady - Yusef Lateef

Mr. Big Stuff - Elder Jimmy Hicks

Sophisticated Sissy - Rufus Thomas

The Best Thing You Ever Had - Candi Staton

Grandma's Hands - Marion Gaines Singers

Lee Cross - Aretha Franklin

Sick and Tired - Fats Domino

Friends From Far Away

Cemalin - Erkin Korkay

Summertearz - Little Dragon

Jungle Jezebel - Divine

Bricks - Diagram Brothers

#16: What Difference Does It Make?

When Prince makes good music, it's important to show him support since he hasn't done that in awhile. Welcome back, Prince!! According to my friend Ted, most people in Jordan know how to sing, and he philosophizes on what it would be like to marry a woman you share a language barrier with. And speaking of language barriers, what difference does it make if you can't understand the lyrics of music as long as the music moves you?

Don't Challenge Me - The Makers
Givin Em What They Love - Janelle Monae (feat. Prince)
Breakfast Can Wait - Prince
Jerk & Twine - Jackie Ross
I Don't Wanna Fuss - Sugar Pie DeSanto
Break-A-Way - Irma Thomas
You're No Good - Dee Dee Warwick
Horror Movies - Bollock Brothers
Motion and Heart - OMD
Too Many Creeps - Bush Tetras
Kino - The Knife
Friends From Far Away
Donagan Bar - George Merdiahian and Menachem Dworman
Karlı Dağlar - Erkin Koray
Cambodian Rocks - A2
Ye-Mele - Maria Bethania
Mr. Music - Big Four

#15: Grocery Stores and Free Concerts

Does grocery store music really have to be so bad? I am of the opinion that there is a thin line between muzak lite bullshit and laid-back grooves that make you wanna contemplate healthy food and stay mellow forever. Is this blasphemy? In other news, I tell the story of when Etta James came to my hometown and shocked the heck out of all the families. Gosh, she was overt!

California Soul - Marlena Shaw

Big Herm - L.A.P.D.

Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis

Be Thankful For What You've Got - William DeVaughn

Something New In Africa - Solven Whistlers

World Friction - Essential Logic

Deep Sleep - B-52's

Promise - OMD

Emotions - Mariah Carey

Ten to One - Cornell Campbell

Rain Roots - King Tubby and the Upsetters

Give It Up - Lee Dorsey

How Can I Tell My Mom and Dad? - The Lovelites

In The Basement, Part 1 - Etta James with Sugar Pie DeSanto

#14: Botched at Sea

This week's episode was interrupted by a sudden and violent shipwreck. It's a long story. We at least got one good song in before the storm.

It better be a good one!

Can't Be Funky - Bush Tetras

#13: You Had Me At Psychedelic

To the chagrin of many, we are not able to travel back in time as a fly on the wall and listen in on what really precipitated the breakup of the Beatles. Until that happens, I advocate that we give Yoko Ono a break already and listen to more of her far-out music. I say we all listen to more far-out music as a general rule.

 Photo by David Hall

Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye

You Gotta Give Me Some of Your Lovin' -The Honey Bees

The Gong Song - The Ikettes

Moody - ESG

White Girl - X

Retreat - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Mulatke Astatke and the Heliocentrics - Esketa Dance

Saturday Night Didn't Happen - Reparata and the Delrons

Got Myself a Good Man - Gladys Knight and the Pips

Stand By Your Man - Candi Staton

Angel of the Morning - Bettye Swann

Jealous Man - The Impressions

Walking on Thin Ice - Yoko Ono

Gravity - Miguel

Apply - Glasser

The Book Lovers - Broadcast

Some Velvet Morning - Rowland S. Howard and Lydia Lunch

Silly Billy - The Ohio Players