7:02am

King Curtis “Memphis Soul Stew (Single Version)” from Beg, Scream & Shout (Rhino 1997) —Soul instrumental written by King Curtis & recorded for the Atlantic label in 1967. Found on this now out-of-print 6-CD set and the finest compilation of 60s soul I've come across.Buy it!

7:08am

Reuben Bell “Action Speaks Louder Than Words” from My Goodness, Yes! (Sundazed 2005) —Written by Reuben Bell & Eddy Giles and released on the Nashville-based Silver Fox label in 1969.Buy it!

7:11am

Charles Bradley “Stay Away” from SPIN Presents Newermind: A Tribute Album (Spin spinmagazine.com 2011) N  —Your basic soul cover of a Nirvana song found on this new compilation of various artists performing songs from the Nevermind album. Some songs work and some don't but this slowed-down goove version with backing by the Menahan Street Band sure does.Buy it!

7:17am

Millie Jackson “It Hurts So Good” (Spring 1973) —Reissue of her 1973 release recorded in Muscle Shoals & New York. Written by Phillip Mitchell.Buy it!

7:22am

Nikka Costa “Stuck To You” from Pebble to a Pearl (stax 2008) —Appearing at the Old Rock House this Tuesday (8/16). If this is anything like her last show I saw at The Pageant, it should be a great show.Buy it!

7:29am

Steve Cropper “Don't Be Ashamed (with Bettye LaVette & Willie Jones)” from Dedicated: A Tribute to The 5 Royales (429 Records 2011) N  —Written by Lowman Pauling of the 5 Royales and featuring lead vocals by Bettye LaVette & Willie Jones.Buy it!

7:33am

The Mynah Birds “Go On And Cry (Single Version)” from The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966 (Hip-O Select / Motown 2006) —B-side of a previously unreleased 1966 recording from a band featuring lead vocals by Rick James, lead guitar by Neil Young & bass by Bruce Palmer. The band came to an abrupt end when it was discovered that Rick James was AWOL from the Navy.Buy it!

7:39am

Barry & the Remains “Don't Look Back” from The Remains (Sundazed 1991) —Written by Billy Vera and recorded in 1966. Featuring Barry Tashian on lead guitar & lead vocals.Buy it!

7:44am

Amy LaVere “Damn Love Song” from Stranger Me (Archer www.archer-records.com 2011) N  —Appearing at Off Broadway this Friday (8/12). Magic City is opening.Buy it!

7:55am

Bonnie Raitt “I Can't Make You Love Me” from Luck Of The Draw (Capitol Records 1991) —I'll go out on a limb and say this was the best song ever written by an NFL all-pro defensive lineman. I also think it is one of the best songs of the last 20 years. Perfectly written.Buy it!

8:08am

Charlotte Gainsbourg “Memoir” from Memoir - Single (Because Music 2011) N  —Written by Conor O’Brien of Ireland’s Villagers. A new full-length album called Live and Unreleased is expected to be released by her in the Fall.Buy it!

8:14am

Mongo Santamaria Orchestr “Don't Bother Me No More” from Looking Good (BGP 2003) R  —Music bed. 1963 instrumental recorded for the Battle label.Buy it!

8:19am

The Jam “Eton Rifles” from Setting Sons (Collector's Choice 1979) —"What a catalyst you turned out to be / Loaded the guns then you run off home for your tea / Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy..."Buy it!

8:25am

The Small Faces “Happy Boys Happy” from Odds And Mods (Varese 2002) —Music bed. 1968 instrumental written by Steve Marriott & Ronnie Lane.Buy it!

8:31am

Aimee Mann “Going Through The Motions” from The Forgotten Arm CD ALBUM (SuperEgo Records 2005) —Written by Aimee Mann & produced by Joe Henry. Your basic concept album about a drug-addicted boxer. Plus a Christmas song not likely to be considered over-sentimental.Buy it!

8:37am

The String-A-Longs “Black Grass” from Wide World Hits By The String-A-Longs (Atlantic 1968) —Music bed.Buy it!

8:40am

The Love Experts “Your Shining Hour” from Cuba Street - EP (Undertow Music Collective 2004) —Written & sung by Steve Carosello and featuring Dave Collett & Dominic Finocchio on guitar.Buy it!

8:46am

Phil Upchurch Combo “You Can't Sit Down” from Mojo Mod Club Party (Mojo 2005) —Music bed. 1961 instrumental.Buy it!

8:52am

Loudon Wainwright III “Motel Blues” from Recovery (Yep Roc Records 2008) —2008 re-recording of a song he wrote back in 1971. Back then, he recorded it solo. This release was done with the backing of a full band & was produced by Joe Henry.Buy it!

8:59am

Richmond Fontaine “Leaving” from The High Country (El Cortez 2011) N  —Music bed. Instrumental from the Portland-based band's forthcoming September release.Buy it!

9:06am

Cassie Morgan and the Lonely Pine “His Hands Are Tied” from Weathered Hands, Weary Eyes (self-released 2010) L —2010 song written by Cassie Morgan.Buy it!

9:13am

Santo & Johnny “Lazy Day” from The Best of Santo & Johnny (Stardust 1997) —Music bed.Buy it!

9:18am

Jerry Byrd “Hanalei Moon” from Coffee & Cigarettes soundtrack (Milan 2004) —From the soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch film.Buy it!

9:24am

Ry Cooder “Feelin' Bad Blues” from Music by Ry Cooder (Rhino 1995) —Music bed. 1986 instrumental composed by Ry Cooder for the Crossroads movie soundtrack.Buy it!

9:29am

Mark Turnbull “A Woman Ain't Just A Spitoon” from When I Was Six Got A Ukelele (Beachtown 1977) —Written by the Laguna Beach, California-based singer-songwriter, author & playwright.Buy it!

9:35am

Rum Drum Ramblers “Jack & Tom” from Mean Scene (self-released 2011) N L —The Rum Drum Ramblers are having their vinyl release party at the Gramophone this Saturday (8/13). Early show. Doors 6 p.m. Music 7 p.m.Buy it!

9:41am

Jean Shepard “Two Whoops And A Holler” from Jean Shepard: Honky-Tonk Heroine (Country Music Foundation 1996) —1953 song written by Joseph Franklin.Buy it!

9:45am

Conway Twitty “Lonely Blue Boy” from Master Classics: The Very Best of Conway Twitty (MCA 2007) —Recorded in 1959.Buy it!

9:52am

Magic City “Let Me Go” from Les Animaux Épouvantables (Tower Groove 2011) N L —Off their new release. Magic City will be opening for Amy LaVere this Friday (8/12) at Off Broadway.Buy it!