7:03am

Ray Charles “One Mint Julep” from Ray Charles Live in Concert (Concord 2011) —This instrumental was recorded live at the Shrine in L.A. in 1964. Written by Rudy Toombs. This is a reissue of a vinyl LP from 1965 but includes six previously unreleased live performances including this one. Highly recommended.Buy it!

7:08am

Little Bob “Look Out Mr. Heartaches” from Mod Jazz Forever (Kent 2012) N  —You just heard about Mr. Kicks. Ladies and gentlemen, here is Mr. Heartaches. Written by Bob Camille (aka Little Bob or Li'l Bob) and recorded in 1965 down in Lafayette, LA.Buy it!

7:13am

Archie Bell & The Drells “(There's Gonna Be A) Showdown” from There's Gonna Be A Showdown (Atlantic 1969) —The band was based out of Houston, TX but this was recorded in Philadelphia and written & produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.Buy it!

7:19am

Mayer Hawthorne “The News” from How Do You Do (Universal Republic Records 2011) —The man knows how to write great singles. Appearing at the Firebird (Tuesday 5/22). It never hurts to plan ahead.Buy it!

7:23am

Marva Whitney “I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired (Things Better Change Before It's Too Late)” from It's My Thing (Soul Brother Records 2000) —Reissue of her 1969 LP with five additional bonus tracks. This was written by James Brown & finds the lead female singer in the James Brown Revue backed by James Brown's band.Buy it!

7:29am

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings “She Ain't a Child No More” from I Learned the Hard Way (Daptone 2010) —Written by bassist and Daptone Records founder, Bosco Mann.Buy it!

7:34am

Don Covay & The Goodtimers “Iron Out The Rough Spots” from Atlantic Soul 1959-1975 (Atlantic/Rhino 2007) —1966 Atlantic single written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper & David Porter.Buy it!

7:39am

Kevin Gordon “Bus to Shreveport” from Gloryland (Crowville Collective 2012) N  —Written by Kevin Gordon and recounting a high school trek to see ZZ Top. "Man, I couldn't wait / The worst sounding arena in the whole United States"Buy it!

7:47am

Mark Lanegan “Phantasmagora Blues” from Blues Funeral (4AD 2012) N  —Written by Mark Lanegan and one of the many harrowing tales found on his new release.Buy it!

7:53am

Thea Gilmore “I'll Be Your Baby Tonight” from John Wesley Harding (Fulfill 2011) —From her 2011 release comprised of cover versions of all the songs from Bob Dylan's "John Wesley Harding" album.Buy it!

7:57am

Marianne Faithfull “Goin' Back” from Horses And High Heels (Naive 2010) —Beautifully rendered version of the Carole King & Gerry Goffin song. Produced by Hal Willner.Buy it!

8:09am

Aimee Mann “Just Like Anyone” from Bachelor No. 2 (Superego 2000) —Really pretty song written by Aimee Mann & stripped down with just acoustic guitar, bass, accordion & violin.Buy it!

8:13am

Jack Nitzsche “Puerto Vallarta” from The Lonely Surfer (Collectors' Choice Music 1963) —Music bed. 1963 instrumental composed by Jack Nitzsche and Marty Cooper with backing by the Wrecking Crew.Buy it!

8:17am

Buffy Sainte-Marie “Helpless” from The Jack Nitzsche Story: Hearing Is Believing 1962-1979 (Ace 2005) —1971 cover written by Neil Young & co-produced & arranged by Jack Nitzsche.Buy it!

8:23am

The String-A-Longs “Black Is Black” from The Fireballs: Exotic Guitars From The Clovis Vaults (Ace 2010) —Music bed. 1968 instrumental version of the Los Bravos song.Buy it!

8:29am

The Jans Project “Torn Between” from The Jans Project (Jans Project 2011) L —From their debut 4-song 2011 release. Making a rare St. Louis appearance opening for Chuck Prophet. See previous entry.Buy it!

8:38am

Middle Class Fashion “Vacation” from Girl Talk (Blip Blap! 2012) N L —Written and sung by Jenn Malzone and found on their new debut release.Buy it!

8:43am

The Tripwires “I Don't Care Who You Are” from Makes You Look Around (Paisley Pop 2007) —Really fine pop song out of Seattle written & sung by John Ramberg (Minus Five, Infant Kings).Buy it!

8:52am

The Waterboys “When Will We Be Married” from Fisherman's Blues (Chrysalis 1988) —Traditional song adapted by Mike Scott & Steve Wickham.Buy it!

9:04am

Robert Plant “Harm's Swift Way” from Band Of Joy (Rounder 2010) —Written by Townes Van Zandt.Buy it!

9:11am

Dolly Parton “Down from Dover” from The Fairest of Them All / My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner (Omni 2010) —Written by Dolly Parton and recorded circa 1968-69.Buy it!

9:19am

Bruce Springsteen “Land of Hope and Dreams” from Wrecking Ball (Columbia 2012) N  —From his new release which just hit the stores this week. That sax solo is by the late, great Clarence Clemons.Buy it!

9:35am

Tom Waits “Chicago” from Bad As Me (Anti- 2011) —From one of my favorite releases of 2011. Written by Kathleen Brennan & Tom Waits.Buy it!

9:40am

David Olney “Train Wreck” from Dutchman's Curve (Deadbeat Records 2010) —Written by David Olney & Gwil Owen.Buy it!

9:47am

Carolina Chocolate Drops “Leaving Eden” (Nonesuch 2012) N  —Written by North Carolina songwriter Laurelyn Dossett & sung by Rhiannon Giddens.Buy it!

9:56am

Charlie Rich “Set Me Free” from Feel Like Going Home: The Essential Charlie Rich (Columbia / Legacy 1997) —Recorded in 1967 & produced by Billy Sherrill.Buy it!