HOT HALF DOZEN 8.15.23

All over the map this week. A Mexicana mariachi crooner, acid blues rock, classic R&B soul updated, and two icons of he 60’s.

110 songs, albums, videos submitted this week  

Una vida, single by Camila Fernandez. Traditional, but not quite. The accordion is there, and the guitarrón, but her honey-smooth voice and ability to move perfectly up and down the scales, putting emotions from love to urgency into each line, make this a pleasure to listen to…over, and over.  Spanish. Stream on Spotify.  

Chrome Dreams: Neil Young’s Lost Album, by Neil Young. This album was released nearly 50 years ago and then put on the shelf only to be heard by fans who circulated acetate copies. Full of angst, Chrome Dreams was recorded during a transition period in Young’s life. Some songs, like “Pocahantas” were featured later on other albums, and some songs were re-arranged for other albums, but the bulk is new to today’s – and maybe yesterday’s – audience.  If you are a Neil Young fan, this will be a treasure chest to open and wonder at. Actually, it is a treasure for all music lovers. Stream on Spotify. Purchase at the Neil Young official Store https://neilyoung.warnerrecords.com/

Just Me, album, by Jim Kwestin. Kweskin’s solo album.  With his trademark acoustic twang from the Jug Band, he encapsulates the Great American Songbook, and makes it his own. With tunes like “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “Moonglow”, and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” this album will be  a joy to fans of a certain age and an introduction of a seminal figure in American Folk to new audiences. Download at  Acoustic Disc: https://acousticdisc.com/product/jim-kweskin-just-me-download/.

Bad idea, right?, single/video by Olivia Rodrigo. Should you sleep with your ex? This talking, rocking  pop song debates that question while the singer “trips into bed with him.” But not quite. Monster hooks,  a stick- in -your -ear hypnotic beat and  swinging vocals. You will sing this in the shower with or without your ex.  Video on YouTube. Stream on major platforms.

Your Well and Hound Dog, singles by Until the Sun. I am recommending two songs because they both just grabbed me and would not let go. Both “Your Well” and “Hound Dog” are from the album Enchantment and are solid acid blues with a little jazz, and Pink Floyd thrown in. This is get-down and groove music- but very sophisticated with grab-your-gut guitar riffs,  pierce your heart vocals, and  backbeats that arehypnotic. This music will carry you away.  Stream the whole album on Spotify.

Cry to Me, single by  Jessie Wagner.  A superb video and updated cover of the 1960’s “Cry To Me” by soul singer Solomon Burke. Wagner keeps the song’s heart while making it her own. The video is funny, touching and should inspire anyone who sees it to dance like our parents did in the 60’s. Stream on all major platforms. Video on YouTube.

Patrick O’Heffernan