La Musica di Menta

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-best-of-whats-around-2021/pl.u-jV89B8ksba3DJY

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6pnBvjbGZ8meCHXtvOSg72?si=GgNISab5TNKoNHP7cGtOnQ

Brian Fallon – “The First Noel” (Night Divine)

Olivia Rodrigo – “good 4 u” (Sour)

John Mayer – “Last Train Home” (Sob Rock)

The War On Drugs – “Wasted” (I Don’t Live Here Anymore)

The Weeknd – “Take My Breath”

Taylor Swift – “Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version)” (Red (Taylor’s Version))

Halsey – “honey” (If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power)

Due Lipa – “That Kind Of Woman” (Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition)

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – “I Get A Kick Out Of You” (Love For Sale)

Silk Sonic – “Skate” (An Evening With Silk Sonic)

Prince – “Check The Record” (Welcome 2 America)

Bleachers featuring Bruce Springsteen – “Chinatown” (Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night)

Ryan Adams – “F**k The Rain” (Big Colors)

Robert Plant & Alison Krause – “Can’t Let Go” (Raise The Roof)

Lana Del Rey – “Let Me Love You Like A Woman” (Chemtrails Over The Country Club)

Lana Del Rey – “Thunder” (Blue Banisters)

Adele – “Can I Get It” (30)

Kacey Musgraves – “angel” (star-crossed)

Jackson Browne – “A Little Soon To Say” (Downhill From Everywhere)

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Walls (No. 3)” (Angel Dream)

The Killers – “Sleepwalker” (Pressure Machine)

The Killers – “The Getting By” (Pressure Machine)

Norah Jones – “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” (I Dream Of Christmas)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been struggling to get into the holiday swing of things this year. It’s not for lack of trying.  In order to spice things up, I’m turning to my fellow paisans in hopes that I can capture the spirit before it’s too late. I’m not too confident of that but we’ll see.  If there’s one thing that Italians should all (but surprisingly don’t all) agree on is that nothing is more important than family, and the more the merrier.  Not everyone is lucky enough to spend time with loved ones on the exact date of the holiday that they celebrate.  If you don’t, I hope you at least get to spend some time with them at some point over the next couple of weeks.  “Stuff” is something that you can always get.  Time with your family isn’t.  Make sure you enjoy it while you can.  Buon natale.  

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/christmas-on-chrislena-buon-natale/pl.u-gxblYNluWxZbyV

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0HNqdIUsb4l42m2w8SZMYP?si=DPykSRunS0yW7sl1Y1PzcQ

Greg Dulli – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Louis Prima – “Pennies From Heaven”

Perry Como – “(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays”

Tony Bennett – “Winter Wonderland” (Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album)

Dean Martin – “A Marshmallow World” (The Dean Martin Christmas Album)

Luciano Pavarotti – “Adeste Fideles” (O Holy Night)

Mario Lanza – “The First Noel” (Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols)

Andrea Bocelli – “Angels We Have Heard On High” (My Christmas)

Guy Lombardo – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (Sing The Songs Of Christmas)

Lou Monte – “Dominic The Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey)”

Gwen Stefani – “Under The Christmas Lights” (You Make It Feel Like Christmas)

Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande – “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me” (When Christmas Comes Around…)

Rob Thomas – “Small Town Christmas” (Something About Christmas Time)

Madonna – “Santa Baby” (A Very Special Christmas)

Alicia Keys – “Little Drummer Girl” (Twelve Soulful Nights Of Christmas)

Vince Guaraldi Trio – “O Tannenbaum” (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

Lady Gaga – “The Edge Of Glory” (A Very Gaga Holiday EP)

The Misfits – “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

The Killers – “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball” (Don’t Waste Your Wishes)

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/it-takes-two-baby/pl.u-WabZp13SWRYe83

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JnXd9TVFqcLBj6zwflQuu?si=b5_aM_2GQDejnBWXOhXxCA

Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash – “Girl From The North Country” (Nashville Skyline)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Please Read The Letter” (Raising Sand)

Billie Joe + Norah – “Long Time Gone” (Foreverly)

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Jackson” (All The Good Times Are Past & Gone)

Ashley Monroe & Blake Shelton – “You Ain’t Dolly (And You Ain’t Porter)” (Like A Rose)

Dolly Parton & Billy Ray Cyrus – “Christmas Where We Are” (A Holly Dolly Christmas)

Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty – “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” (Bella Donna)

Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks – “Insider” (Hard Promises)

Alex Cameron & Angel Olsen – “Stranger’s Kiss” (Forced Witness)

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” (Cheek To Cheek)

Elton John & Kiki Dee – “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

Kylie Minogue & Dua Lipa – “Real Groove (Studio 2054 Remix)” (Disco: Guest List Edition)

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” (Black Panther)

Post Malone & The Weeknd – “One Right Now”

Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – “Close My Eyes Forever” (Lita)

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – “Empire State Of Mind” (The Blueprint 3)

Van Morrison & Shana Morrison – “Rough God Goes Riding” (Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue)

Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop – “Valley Clouds” (Love Letter For Fire)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson” (Raising Sand)

Hopefully you are reading these notes at night.  And more importantly, hopefully you are listening to this playlist at night. Because this week’s playlist consists of musicians and/or albums that I pretty much exclusively listen to at night. A few things you know:

I know Michael Jackson gets 3 songs here but I think they’re deserved.  Off The Wall is obviously his best album and I thought it would be cool to start and end the playlist with the first and last songs on the album.  And then I figured I’d include “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, which is definitely the best song on Thriller.  Which isn’t a coincidence when you consider that it was originally recorded for Off The Wall.  I’ll never understand why that album gets so overlooked when compared with Thriller.

If you haven’t heard it yet, you need to hear Laugh To Keep From Crying.  Here’s a pretty cool article how this album was finally released after sitting basically unheard for 50 years: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nat-turner-rebellion-drexel-university-812739/.  I’m not sure if this album is in print or not but I just looked on Discogs and there are a few copies for sale at reasonable prices.  You need to buy it if you don’t already have it.

For some reason, the entire Funkadelic catalog is not readily available on vinyl.  I’m not really sure why that is but it should change.  They are definitely one of the best bands ever and I think it would be so cool to be able to say that you had all of their work on vinyl, as well as all the side projects too.  Hey, a guy can dream!

It’s kind of crazy how revisionist history works.  When it first came out I wasn’t a huge fan of reputation.  Now I think it’s one of Taylor Swift’s stronger albums, and certainly one of her more creative ones.  And who am I kidding.  She doesn’t have any weak albums at all.

It was a little weird for me to dig through my LDR albums and search for a song to include. Don’t get me wrong, I love her music and definitely love listening to them at night.  But for me, LDR makes summer music and I rarely listen to her outside of the warmer months.  But a playlist focusing on nighttime musicians must include LDR!

LCD Soundsystem is a newer band for me that I’m just now starting to get into.  I think that’s going to be a lot of fun.

Kraftwerk is a band that I love, and pretty much only listen to at night.  Yet somehow they were not only left off of this playlist, but they’ve been inexplicably left off of EVERY playlist I’ve done so far. That must change!

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/nighthawks-at-the-diner/pl.u-gxblYl7FWxZbyV

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/73lPCdwtAH8FQuCld4PCex?si=K88d5oVlSSW1Df70l78cVQ

Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (Off The Wall)

Michael Jackson – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” (Thriller)

Prince – “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” (Prince)

Nat Turner Rebellion – “Fruit Of The Land” (Laugh To Keep From Crying)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Wait Until Tomorrow” (Axis: Bold As Love)

Bruno Mars – “Locked Out Of Heaven” (Unorthodox Jukebox)

New Order – “The Perfect Kiss” (Low-Life)

Chvrches – “Heaven/Hell” (Love Is Dead)

Doja Cat – “Say So” (Hot Pink)

Kylie Minogue – “Where Does The DJ Go?” (Disco)

LCD Soundsystem – “Someone Great” (Sound Of Silver)

Khruangbin – “Time (You And I)” (Mordechai)

Taylor Swift – “Dancing With Our Hands Tied” (reputation)

The Weeknd – “Often” (Beauty Behind The Madness)

Niykee Heaton – “OT” (The Bedroom Tour Playlist)

Banks – “Stroke” (III)

Lana Del Rey – “F**k It I Love You” (NFR!)

Sade – “Clean Heart” (Stronger Than Pride)

The Waitresses – “Christmas Wrapping”

Funkadelic – “Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On” (Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On)

James Brown – “Sexy, Sexy, Sexy” (Slaughter's Big Rip-Off)

Yes I stole the title of this playlist from one of the greatest writers ever.  Speaking of greatest ever (and yes, they probably count as greatest writers ever too), have you seen the Get Back documentary yet?!  I still need to watch the last episode.  But damn.  I can’t help but feel lucky that not only was something like this recorded, but also that I was alive when it was released.  Just being able to watch this is a treat.  I’m finding it tough to wrap my head around the fact that I have the privilege of watching one of the most influential artists in human history create their work. That’s really what this documentary is. It’s not a “look back” documentary with people from today discussing the past.  You literally get to watch them record and write and create.  Imagine watching Shakespeare create a play.  Or Michaelangelo making a sculpture.  That’s what this is like.  If you haven’t watched it yet, stop what you’re doing and get started!

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/whats-in-a-name/pl.u-jV89B9DIba3DJY

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4b2nKuOIVDx9hzDEwEuSQP?si=tNF-MPgcTTCTL70MlIy6ew

The Beach Boys – “Barbara Ann”

Bruce Springsteen – “Cynthia” (Tracks)

Steve Forbert – “Romeo’s Tune” (Jack Rabbit Slim)

Elvis Presley – “(Marie’s The Name Of) His Latest Flame”

The Beatles – “Lovely Rita” (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Them – “Gloria” (The “Angry” Young Them!)

Ryn Weaver – “Pierre” (The Fool)

Lady Gaga – “Alejandro” (The Fame Monster)

New Order – “Mr. Disco” (Technique)

Toni Basil – “Hey Mickey!”

Leonard Cohen – “So Long, Marianne” (Songs Of Leonard Cohen)

Ashley Monroe – “Rita” (Sparrow)

Bob Dylan – “Absolutely Sweet Marie” (Blonde On Blonde)

Ryan Adams – “Kim” (Ryan Adams)

Butch Walker – “Chrissie Hynde” (Afraid Of Ghosts)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “The Wind Cries Mary” (Are You Experienced)

Pearl Jam – “Jeremy” (Ten)

John Mellencamp – “Jack & Diane” (American Fool)

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Come On Eileen”

Warren Zevon – “Carmelita” (Warren Zevon)

As I type this, I’m also listening to this week’s playlist and I have to admit, I’ve knocked it out of the park again.  And especially so this week.  Last week I hit you with songs that addressed mental health and all of its downsides and struggles.  This week we are focusing on the positives.  On the healing!  I didn’t intentionally time this playlist to be on Thanksgiving weekend, but I guess it’s appropriate.

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again.  I spend a lot of time on these playlists.  Not just making sure the songs are right, but making sure that they flow in the right order.  Despite what these algorithmic playlists do, there really is an art to making a playlist flow.  And sometimes the not-so-obvious works out really well.  For example, how many algorithmic playlists out there have “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips and “Partyup” by Prince back-to-back?  My guess is none.  But as I was going through my list of songs and working on the flow, I realized it worked out very well.  Maybe one day I’ll let you in on how I choose the songs and sequence my playlists.

I hope you enjoy this playlist and I hope it helps you heal in any way that you need it.  Have a great and safe Thanksgiving.  If you can’t be with your loved ones on the actual day, I hope you are able to celebrate with them on a different day.

P.S.  When I was finalizing the songs for the playlist I thought “hm.  Maybe I’ve used too much Van Morrison on my playlists lately.”  Then I quickly realized I haven’t.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-healing-game/pl.u-GgA5955IbxpoLq

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4h0Qy7yEXI9jAMXXvdA65U?si=lk3YaRHlQrScIdCqFmAy_g

Jason Isbell – “If It Takes A Lifetime” (Something More Than Free)

Van Morrison – “Bright Side Of The Road” (Into The Music)

Dave Matthews Band – “The Best Of What’s Around” (Under The Table And Dreaming)

Coldplay – “Charlie Brown” (Mylo Xyloto)

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – “Holy Mountain” (Who Built The Moon?)

Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul – “Inside Of Me” (Men Without Women)

U2 – “Walk On” (All That You Can't Leave Behind)

Bleachers – “Don’t Go Dark” (Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night)

Michael Kiwanuka – “I’m Getting Ready” (Home Again)

Blessid Union Of Souls – “I Believe” (Home)

Wilson Phillips – “Hold On” (Wilson Phillips)

Prince – “Partyup” (Dirty Mind)

Bruce Springsteen – “Burnin’ Train” (Letter To You)

Oasis – “It's Getting' Better (Man!!)” (Be Here Now)

The Wallflowers – “I’ve Been Delivered” (Breach)

Foo Fighters – “Walk” (Wasting Light)

Brian Fallon – “Neptune” (Sleepwalkers)

The Rolling Stones – “Shine A Light” (Exile On Main St.)

Van Morrison – “The Healing Game” (The Healing Game)

The Beatles – “Hey Jude”

This week I wanted to put together a playlist that addresses a serious issue.  Mental health.  If you’re fortunate enough to not have suffered from mental health issues, I bet you know someone who has or currently is.  Even if you don’t know about it.  That’s how prevalent it is.  If you do know someone who is suffering from mental health, I have a few things that I recommend that you do.  From my own experience with really bad depression, I can tell you that while these things won’t cure the person, they will help.  And at a minimum that person will know that at least they have someone who supports them.

Let them know you are there for them and that you’ll listen to them if they want to talk. And that it’s perfectly okay if they don’t want to talk about it.  And if they want to talk, sometimes THEY want to talk.  In these situations, your job is to LISTEN.

Never say things like “you should view things this way” or “why don’t you just do [this]”. Don’t give advice (besides advising that they get help).

Realize that you are most likely not a professional therapist.  You are not trained to cure the person.  Offer a lending hand, ear and heart.  Let them know that you will do anything to support them. But don’t try to cure them. Because you can’t.

Encourage them to get help.

Realize and understand that they didn’t ask to feel this way.  So be sensitive to that when you are around them.  If they seem miserable or depressed, it’s probably because they are.  If they are noncommittal about coming out when you invite them somewhere, it’s probably because they aren’t sure if they’ll feel up to it.  Love them for how they are and make sure they know that you have their back.

Never compare their experience to yours or someone else’s.

Make sure they know that how they are feeling is not their fault.

Mental health is a very serious issue.  For those of you suffering from it, my heart goes out to you.  For those of you who personally know me, my phone is ALWAYS on for you and if you are suffering and need someone to talk to, I will answer my phone to hear you.

Don’t lose hope. Find a support network.  Get help.  There is a light….don’t let it go out….

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/1-800-273-8255/pl.u-NpXm6mGCvL74WM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4788f83cEFzQ2TU0w6lwbT?si=rsbaNeHrSDWDDOYfDHOsdA

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – “Anxiety” (The Nashville Sound)

The War On Drugs – “Red Eyes” (Lost In The Dream)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Manic Depression” (Are You Experienced)

Bob Mould – “Black Sheets Of Rain” (Black Sheets Of Rain)

Paul Westerberg – “A Few Minutes Of Silence” (14 Songs)

Green Day – “Basket Case” (Dookie)

Leonard Cohen – “Avalanche” (Songs Of Love And Hate)

Joy Division – “Atmosphere” (Substance 1977-1980)

Blind Melon – “No Rain” (Blind Melon)

Matchbox Twenty – “Unwell” (More Than You Think You Are)

The Fray – “How To Save A Life” (How To Save A Life)

Kendrick Lamar – “u” (To Pimp A Butterfly)

Bob Dylan – “To Ramona” (Another Side Of Bob Dylan)

Alice In Chains – “Down In A Hole” (Dirt)

The Notorious B.I.G. – “Suicidal Thoughts” (Ready To Die)

Paramore – “Fake Happy” (After Laughter)

Chvrches – “He Said She Said” (Screen Violence)

Warren Zevon – “Something Bad Happened To A Clown” (Mutineer)

Against Me! – “Paralytic States” (Transgender Dysphoria Blues)

I don’t know where you live, but where I’m at, this past week had some crazy weather.  My parents told me that where they live in Brigantine, people were literally sitting on the beach.  As if it were summer!  I didn’t get outside as much as I’d like this week, but I still got to soak in some rays. This global warming thing might be ruining things for future generations, but don’t worry, it lets me keep my summer tan all year long.

Anyways.  It looks like we are going to get some chilly weather starting TODAY actually.  And not only chilly, but it’s going to rain a ton too.  Which means it’s perfect weather for some acoustic music.  So I put together a playlist of some songs that you probably already know, but some you probably don’t already know.  And some of these songs have been on recent playlists of mine (and you all know how I don’t like to repeat songs!).  But the key here is that all of the songs this week are the acoustic/unplugged versions.  So there’s no sax when you hear “Born To Run”!  No guitar solos in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.  But that’s okay.  This kind of weather demands more acoustic-based music.  A few notes on the playlist:

I have no clue why Learning To Flinch isn’t available on vinyl.  It’s criminal.  This is the only album sampled on this week’s playlist that I don’t already have on vinyl!

“In Your Atmosphere” is just an incredible song.  The entire Where The Light Is album is one of the best live albums in my vinyl vault. Your collection needs to have it. Make sure you get the Music On Vinyl pressing: https://www.discogs.com/release/3430867-John-Mayer-Where-The-Light-Is-John-Mayer-Live-In-Los-Angeles

The entire Live At Luther College album is amazing and probably my favorite live Dave Matthews release, of which there are many and all are great.  But this one tops them all.  It’s all about the SOUND here.  Dave and Tim sound like they are next to you in your living room.  The acoustic guitars truly sound acoustic. You can hear their fingers scratching up the guitar neck.  And Dave’s voice is so pure that you want to cry.  And it sounds like he is too on a view songs at this show.  Check out this entire album RIGHT NOW.  Focus on it.  Listen from beginning to end.  Your ears will thank you.

I’m assuming you’re already familiar with the Esher demos, which were thankfully released a few years ago. Woo hoo!

Alice In Chain’s MTV Unplugged.  Your record collection needs it.  It’s an essential album.  Similar with Where The Light Is, you want the Music On Vinyl pressing.  It looks like it might be out of print but still, this album is worth every penny.  https://www.discogs.com/release/2445087-Alice-In-Chains-MTV-Unplugged

The Chimes Of Freedom EP is pretty cool (check out the title track and “Be True”) but I think the coolest thing is just when this EP was recorded.  Bruce and Patti were just getting together on that tour.  The thoughts that one has….

The Unplugged Sessions on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-unplugged-sessions/pl.u-WabZpLjsWRYe83 

The Unplugged Sessions on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RUwHVJ2mpM4J77h0ROJa0?si=MsLH8NrwRMiaw8NWAsBT_Q

Wait!  There’s more!  In case you do need a little lift me up, here’s the plugged in version of the playlist (unfortunately only 19 songs because there’s no ‘non-acoustic’ version of “In Your Atmosphere”.  At least not that I know of….)

The Plugged Sessions on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-plugged-sessions/pl.u-NpXm60asvL74WM

The Plugged Sessions on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0NPBEm4dkFRFXOovQNpHIN?si=R-sQdaIuRVaSPZ1qcrhlSQ

John Mayer – “In Your Atmosphere” (Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles)

Warren Zevon – “Splendid Isolation” (Learning To Flinch)

The Pretenders – “Sense Of Purpose” (The Isle Of View)

John Mellencamp – “Small Town” (The Good Samaritan Tour 2000)

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Slide” (Rarities)

Neil Young – “Flying On The Ground Is Wrong” (Carnegie Hall 1970)

Ryan Adams – “New York, New York” (Live After Deaf (Copenhagen))

Jeff Tweedy – “I’m Always In Love” (Together At Last)

The Civil Wars – “20 Years” (Live At Eddie's Attic)

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds – “Lover Lay Down” (Live At Luther College)

The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (The Beatles (Super Deluxe Edition))

Nirvana – “Come As You Are” (MTV Unplugged In New York)

Ruston Kelly – “Dammit” (Dirt Emo Vol. 1)

Bleachers – “Rollercoaster” (MTV Unplugged)

Katy Perry – “Waking Up In Vegas” (MTV Unplugged: Katy Perry)

Prince – “U’re Gonna C Me” (One Nite Alone…)

Pearl Jam – “Black” (MTV Unplugged)

Alice In Chains – “No Excuses” (MTV Unplugged)

The Gaslight Anthem – “American Slang” (The B-Sides)

Considering I work pretty heavily with numbers, it’s kind of surprising that I haven’t had a playlist yet that centers on the theme.  As you can see below, there are quite a few great songs that have some sort of a reference to a number (I know, DMB has a ton – but as you know, I try not to repeat artists within one playlist).  A few notes on the playlist this week:

The transition of the first 4 songs back-to-back-to-back-to-back is unreal and might be one of the best 4 song runs I’ve ever had on a playlist.  So good!

As if you don’t have enough reasons to stay away from algorithm-generated playlists….how many of them have a Dylan song and Biggie song back-to-back?  My guess is hardly any, yet their music is a lot more similar than they’d get credit for.

I shouldn’t have to do this, because they were so good, but….Big Star.  If you don’t have all 3 of their albums, you need to run, not walk, to your nearest record store and buy them right now.  Big Star should have been The Beatles of the 70s. That’s how good they were.

“29” by the Gin Blossoms.  What else can I say.  The band had a few hits.  This should have been one of them.  I love their first two albums.  No doubt that in my opinion this is by far their best song.

Some rides don’t have much an ending….that’s the ride I took….

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/numerology/pl.u-8aAVrxeFNmrv5R

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6TocM6DRkx5TRJzNPdhSiS?si=X8ktpLGhR9isatVONB4lLA

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Acoustic #3” (Dizzy Up The Girl)

Dave Matthews Band – “#41” (Crash)

Barenaked Ladies – “One Week” (Stunt)

Third Eye Blind – “10 Days Late” (Blue)

Tommy Tutone – “867-5309/Jenny” (Tommy Tutone – 2)

Bright Eyes – “Four Winds” (Cassadaga)

Jason Isbell – “24 Frames” (Something More Than Free)

Bob Dylan – “Obviously Five Believers” (Blonde On Blonde)

The Notorious B.I.G. – “Ten Crack Commandments” (Life After Death)

The White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army” (Elephant)

The Gaslight Anthem – “1,000 Years” (Get Hurt)

Jay-Z – “99 Problems” (The Black Album)

Van Morrison – “Three Chords And The Truth” (Three Chords And The Truth)

Lorde – “400 Lux” (Pure Heroine)

Lana Del Rey – “24” (Honeymoon)

Bleachers – “91” (Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night)

The Cure – “Six Different Ways” (The Head On The Door)

Pet Shop Boys – “One And One Make Five” (Very)

Big Star – “Thirteen” (#1 Record)

I hope all of you have a safe and fun Halloween.  I’ve been putting together Halloween-themed playlists for a few years now (although I skipped 2019) and I always like to include songs that might not necessarily be specifically about Halloween but at least hit on the themes of Halloween – spookiness; ghosts; death; monsters.  All that stuff.  I think I’ve done that very well this year.  There are some amazing songs on here and I think from beginning-to-end this is a great playlist for Halloween.  And one more thing – that Van Morrison song to close it out…..how good is that!  

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/halloween-2021/pl.u-KVXBqZBCz1dLYM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2u6Z5pNVKlDE9IFbYnL9PR?si=6SCuNS_fR-KvF3e_dbgYYQ

The Empty Hearts – “Jonathan Harker’s Journal” (The Second Album)

The Misfits – “Halloween” (Collection 2)

Mudcrutch – “Welcome To Hell” (Mudcrutch 2)

John Mellencamp – “Rain On The Scarecrow” (Scarecrow)

The Psychedelic Furs – “The Ghost In You” (Mirror Moves)

Morrissey – “November Spawned A Monster” (Bona Drag)

Chvrches – “Violent Delights” (Screen Violence)

Pet Shop Boys – “Vampires” (Nightlife)

Banks – “The Devil”

Katy Perry – “E.T.” (Teenage Dream)

Halsey – “Graveyard” (Manic)

Dead Man’s Bones – “Werewolf Heart” (Dead Man’s Bones)

Ruston Kelly – “Black Magic” (Halloween)

Jason Isbell – “Live Oak” (Southeastern)

Bob Dylan – “Under Your Spell” (Knocked Out Loaded)

The Rolling Stones – “Hand Of Fate” (Black And Blue)

Elvis Presley – “(You’re The) Devil In Disguise”

Ryan Adams – “Halloweenhead” (Easy Tiger)

The Misfits – “Halloween II” (Collection 2)

I’ve always said that there are more bands in the running for second best of all time than there are for best of all time.  That’s because The Beatles are by far the best band ever and it’s not even close. Like, millions of miles to second. But I do think the discussion around who is the second best band of all time is always one that’s very interesting. And I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer.  In my opinion there are A LOT of bands that could be considered second best ever. And The Cure is definitely one of those bands.  The music speaks for itself of course.  But keep in mind a couple of things: the band never kept the same sound (which isn’t always a bad thing – hey, I love AC/DC and Social D – but it’s commendable to try something new); they’ve had plenty of hits; have had even more catchy songs that weren’t hits (how on Earth was “Mint Car” not massive?  That one should be a standard); and although they’ve been together forever, they are very much like Pearl Jam in that their quality is always there (that’s one of the things that holds back The Stones in my opinion).

So, here are 20 songs to show you that The Cure are indeed one of the best bands ever.  Lucky for you, almost all of their albums are available on vinyl, and you are doing your ears a disservice if that they are not listening to The Cure on vinyl on a regular basis.  I think a couple of their more recent albums are tough to find, but everything up until Wish is easy to find and you should find it.  You’ll also need to get their compilations, including Greatest Hits, Mixed Up, Acoustic Hits and Entreat Plus, where the band plays Disintegration live at Wembley from beginning to end. Need I tell you how beautiful a live version of “Pictures Of You” is.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/you-cant-trust-people-that-dont-love-the-cure/pl.u-NpXm6p7FvL74WM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/59z6HgmKUbSTHwAOnWoQjg?si=XBkW_nC1Qc-BsCan8WrzGA

“In Between Days” (The Head On The Door)

“Mint Car” (Wild Mood Swings)

“Lovesong” (Disintegration)

“How Beautiful You Are” (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me)

“(I Don’t Know What’s Going) On” (The Cure)

“Never Enough” (Mixed Up)

“The Hungry Ghost” (4:13 Dream)

“Fire In Cairo” (Three Imaginary Boys)

“Play For Today” (Seventeen Seconds)

“Doubt” (Faith)

“Cut Here” (Greatest Hits)

“A Strange Day” (Pornography)

“A Letter To Elise” (Wish)

“The Caterpillar” (The Top)

“Watching Me Fall” (Bloodflowers)

“Pictures Of You” (Disintegration)

“Taking Off” (The Cure)

“Push” (The Head On The Door)

“Just Like Heaven” (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me)

At some point in another, it’s going to happen.  You’re going to cry.  Here are 20 great songs that address it.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/cry-baby-cry/pl.u-WabZpaViWRYe83

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IC0BkL0IiyCAZUHUhFDY5?si=DkJ82SVqQjm_NEPsFUUTiA

Elvis Presley – “Crying In The Chapel” (How Great Thou Art)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – “The Tracks Of My Tears”

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – “Big Girls Don’t Cry”

The Beatles – “I’ll Cry Instead” (A Hard Days’ Night)

Jackson Browne – “Doctor My Eyes” (Jackson Browne)

John Mellencamp – “Teardrops Will Fall” (Trouble No More)

Bob Dylan – “Where Teardrops Fall” (Oh Mercy)

The Rolling Stones – “As Tears Go By” (Hot Rocks 1964-1971)

Jay-Z – “Song Cry” (The Blueprint)

Prince – “When Doves Cry” (Purple Rain)

? And The Mysterians – “96 Tears”

Jackie Wilson – “Lonely Teardrops”

Katy Perry – “Teary Eyes” (Smile)

The Cars – “Sad Song” (Move Like This)

Lana Del Rey – “Pretty When You Cry” (Ultraviolence)

Wilco – “Jesus, Etc.” (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)

Oasis – “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” (Heathen Chemistry)

Coldplay – “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” (Mylo Xyloto)

Van Morrison – “Cry For Home” (Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart)

A few months ago my Mom suggested that I make a playlist consisting of songs about colors.  That wasn’t too surprising, because my Mom is not only very artistic but she’s actually had many years where she was a paid professional artist.  So here we go – 20 songs with some sort of an allusion to a color.  And because I plan my playlists so far in advance, this was the first week I had an opening since my Mom requested it.

One other thing I want to add.  It’s a lot of fun making these playlists.  There are two things that I’m really enjoying.  One, it’s helping me discover songs that I either forgot about or might not have even previously heard.  For example, in fall 2016, “Still Breathing” was one of my most played songs.  And then I stopped listening to it.  I don’t know why.  But, with a playlist about colors, I had to include Green Day.  I was flipping through their albums in my vinyl vault and noticed Revolution Radio, and then noticed “Still Breathing”. Boom.  My Green Day song was chosen.  Another example is Van Morrison. I don’t need to tell you how great he is.  So it’s no surprise that he has a lot of great songs.  Many of which were unfortunately not heavily played on the radio.  It’s been a lot of fun diving into Van Morrison’s collection.  One day I hope to have every album of his in my vinyl vault.

The second thing I’m really enjoying is just further discovering musicians that I may have previously only known on the surface level.  For example, I’ve always been a big fan of John Mellencamp’s greatest hits compilation The Best That I Could Do.  It’s a mandatory summer album.  But before this year I was really never that familiar with any of his albums besides The Lonesome Jubilee (also a mandatory summer album).  But I knew I would need to include him in my colors playlist and I wanted to see if he had any other songs that might fit some of the themes. After adding a few more of his albums to my vinyl vault, it turns out that he does!  I may not have gotten onto this John Mellencamp kick if I hadn’t been searching around for themed-songs.  Another example is The Goo Goo Dolls.  Obviously I’ve known Dizzy Up The Girl and A Boy Named Goo, but I wasn’t that familiar with many of their other albums.  But I knew I needed to include some of their songs on my summer playlists (they are one of the best summer bands ever, in my opinion), so I decided to start from the very beginning as luckily I have every one of their albums in my vinyl vault.  Wow! So many great songs!  Check out Superstar Car Wash.  And unlike Greta Van Fleet, which is obviously completely full of shit when they say they don’t listen to Led Zeppelin, I’m pretty sure Johnny Rzeznik will admit to being influenced by The Replacements.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/coloring-book/pl.u-8aAVrayhNmrv5R

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45AGHDqgOZ0r55m8bRMiqM?si=z7plNsmVQUObNt-STGi-EQ&dl_branch=1

John Coltrane – “Blue Train” (Blue Train)

The Rolling Stones – “Paint It Black” (Hot Rocks 1964-1971)

Warren Zevon – “Angel Dressed In Black” (Mr. Bad Example)

Dr. Dog – “That Old Black Hole” (Be The Void)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Red House” (Are You Experienced)

Kermit The Frog – “Bein’ Green” (Sesame Street: Songs From The Street)

Elvis Presley – “Green, Green Grass Of Home” (Today)

Jason Isbell – “Dress Blues” (Sirens Of The Ditch)

Kendrick Lamar – “The Blacker The Berry” (To Pimp A Butterfly)

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Black Balloon” (Dizzy Up The Girl)

Mark Lanegan Band – “Blue Blue Sea” (Gargoyle)

New Order – “Blue Monday” (Singles)

Bob Dylan – “Black Rider” (Rough And Rowdy Ways)

Leonard Cohen – “Famous Blue Raincoat” (Songs Of Love And Hate)

Jackson Browne – “Colors Of The Sun” (For Everyman)

John Mellencamp – “Pink Houses” (Uh-Huh!)

Pearl Jam – “Black” (Ten)

Green Day – “Still Breathing” (Revolution Radio)

Coldplay – “Yellow” (Parachutes)

Here’s my goal for this off-season (to me, the off-season is any season that’s not summer) – rather than dwelling on why I can’t be on a beach working on my tan, I’m going to lean in to the things I can specifically do in the season.  I’m going to try to look forward to cold walks in the winter.  Birds in the spring.  And music like this week’s playlist, made up of albums that I only listen to in the fall.  I’ll check in soon to let you know if this goal is working for me…

In the meantime, all of these albums are fantastic albums for the fall, and I think almost all of them are readily available on vinyl (Boxers might be tough to find.  But you should get it if you find it).  Oh and speaking of vinyl.  Some Devil is definitely one of the, if not THE, best cold weather albums ever made.  It has inexplicably yet to be released on vinyl, which is the only reason I didn’t include it in this week’s playlist.  But do yourself a favor and listen to this TODAY, the first day of fall. I think it deserves to be played at least once per week during the cold weather.  Enjoy it!

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-menta-vinyl-vault-highlights-from-the-fall-collection/pl.u-oZyl4ZpTPqDGLE

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6n3p2ONunwwugsd720bxUx?si=nNiHdVRlRuaV4ZtMx1C3bQ&dl_branch=1

Bruce Springsteen – “Hitch Hikin’” (Western Stars)

Matthew Ryan – “Boxers” (Boxers)

Kings Of Leon – “The Bandit” (When You See Yourself)

Pearl Jam – “Swallowed Whole” (Lightning Bolt)

Margo Price – “Gone To Stay” (That’s How Rumors Get Started)

Tift Merritt – “Neighborhood” (Bramble Rose)

Lucero – “Back In Ohio” (When You Found Me)

Gillian Welch – “Look At Miss Ohio” (Soul Journey)

David Rawlings – “Come On Over My House” (Poor David’s Almanack)

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – “Tupelo” (The Nashville Sound)

Neil Young – “Harvest Moon” (Harvest Moon)

Ryan Adams – “My Winding Wheel” (Heartbreaker)

Ruston Kelly – “Radio Cloud” (Shape & Destroy)

Black Sabbath – “Children Of The Grave” (Master Of Reality)

Kurt Vile – “Pretty Pimpin” (b’lieve i’m goin down…)

The War On Drugs – “Come To The City” (Slave Ambient)

Bob Dylan – “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” (Nashville Skyline)

Emmylou Harris – “Spanish Is A Loving Tongue” (Cimarron)

The Head And The Heart – “Rivers And Roads” (The Head And The Heart)

This.  Is.  It.  The last week of summer (I celebrate through September 30).  I’m pretty sad that this summer is ending – I did what I typically do, which is enjoy plenty of time in the sun and on the beach.  You can’t beat it.  Here’s a selection of 20 songs from 19 great summer albums in my personal vinyl collection, with the last song not being from a summer album, but being a great message. If you want me….you can find me…where summer never ends…

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-menta-vinyl-vault-highlights-from-the/pl.u-KVXBqV6Tz1dLYM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tJbPhnh00WbKSfS44qJ28?si=LEOtORMlQbS43ljfkVTvfg&dl_branch=1

The Killers – “My Own Soul’s Warning” (Imploding The Mirage)

John Mellencamp – “Small Town” (Scarecrow)

Boston – “Don’t Look Back” (Don’t Look Back)

Journey – “Stone In Love” (Escape)

Free Energy – “Electric Fever” (Love Sign)

John Fogerty – “Centerfield” (Centerfield)

Bruce Springsteen – “Sherry Darling” (The River)

Tom Petty – “You Wreck Me” (Wallflowers)

Hurry – “Slogging Through Summer” (Fake Ideas)

Foo Fighters – “Aurora” (There Is Nothing Left To Lose)

Gin Blossoms – “Follow You Down” (Congratulations I’m Sorry)

Oasis – “The Shock Of The Lightning” (Dig Out Your Soul)

Swervedriver – “Deep Wound” (I Wasn’t Born To Lose You)

Katy Perry – “Ghost” (Prism)

Counting Crows – “Elevator Boots” (Butter Miracle: Suite One)

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – “Night Moves” (Night Moves)

Dave Matthews Band – “Ants Marching” (Under The Table And Dreaming)

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Broadway” (Dizzy Up The Girl)

Fake Problems – “The Magazines” (Real Ghosts Caught On Tape)

Earlier in the summer a friend of mine recommended that I make a playlist of some of our party songs when we were in high school.  Because I plan my playlists so far in the future, it took about 4 or 5 months before I had an open slot for theme.  But here we are.  This is just a sample of some of the classic songs that we would party to (and/or make out to) while we were in high school.  The genre here is much different than some of my other playlists but the quality doesn’t differ at all.  These are all pretty great songs and a number of them I would consider to be classic. I was desperately hoping to start this playlist with “I Miss You” by Aaliyah but that song is unfortunately STILL not available on streaming.  That song is sooooo good.  Anyways. I hope you enjoy this playlist. Definitely get the party atmosphere going when you start this.  Dance and sweat (and more?) with someone of your sexual preference.  And let’s go Tigers.  

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/marple-bangers/pl.u-KVXB291Tz1dLYM

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6SerNxblR55tUiF7LrDLZ5?si=GSk0kq-9SVGSKruCsd7CYA&dl_branch=1

Nate Dogg & Warren G – “Regulate” (Above The Rim – The Soundtrack)

Fat Joe featuring Ja-Rule & Ashanti – “What’s Luv?” (Jealous Ones Still Envy)

112 – “Dance With Me” (Part III)

Usher featuring Lil’ Jon & Ludacris – “Yeah!” (Confessions)

Jagged Edge featuring Nelly – “Where The Party At” (Jagged Little Thrill)

Justin Timberlake – “Rock Your Body” (Justified)

Nelly – “Hot In Herre” (Nellyville)

P. Diddy featuring Loon, Ginuwine & Mario Winans – “I Need A Girl, Pt. 2” (Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary)

Mary J. Blige – “Family Affair” (No More Drama)

Usher & Alicia Keys – “My Boo” (Confessions)

Fat Joe featuring R. Kelly – “We Thuggin’” (Jealous Ones Still Envy)

Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee – “Shake Ya Tailfeather” (Bad Boys II)

Kanye West – “Through The Wire” (The College Dropout)

Busta Rhymes featuring Janet Jackson – “What’s It Gonna Be?!” (Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front)

K-Ci & JoJo – “Crazy” (X)

Black Rob, Mark Curry & P. Diddy – “Bad Boy For Life” (The Saga Continues…)

Michael Jackson – “You Rock My World (Radio Edit)” (Number Ones)

Jay-Z – “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” (The Blueprint)

Usher – “U Got It Bad” (8701)

By the time you read this, there will be less than 3 weeks left of summer (I celebrate through September 30).  So, let’s enjoy some music by some musicians who come from a place where the people enjoy their summer.  I’m not talking about Italy!  I’m talking about Jersey!  

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/cross-the-river-to-the-jersey-side/pl.u-kv9l0zdsX46JEq

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/52Ri7QkbynPbvKgBatZocr?si=bJHEH2p-ShWIFUtCF755MQ&dl_branch=1

Frank Sinatra – “Summer Wind” (Nothing But The Best)

Frankie Valli – “Grease” (Grease)

The Rascals – “People Got To Be Free” (Freedom Suite)

Looking Glass – “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” (Looking Glass)

Kool & The Gang – “Celebration” (Celebrate!)

Toni Braxton – “He Wasn’t Man Enough” (The Heat)

Charlie Puth – “BOY” (Voicenotes)

Pete Yorn – “Tomorrow” (Arranging Time)

Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen – “Like I Used To”

Bleachers – “Stop Making This Hurt” (Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night)

The Brigantines – “Ray-Bans” (Vacation!)

The Smithereens – “Only A Memory” (Green Thoughts)

The Misfits – “Hatebreeders” (Walk Among Us)

Bon Jovi – “It’s My Life” (Crush)

Bobby Bandiera – “Heart Of Fire” (Bandiera)

Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul – “Forever” (Men Without Women)

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes – “This Time Baby’s Gone For Good” (Hearts Of Stone)

The Bouncing Souls – “True Believers” (How I Spent My Summer Vacation)

Bruce Springsteen – “I’ll See You In My Dreams” (Letter To You)