John Tesh, "Roundball Rock"

The Portland Trail Blazers won't be advancing to the next round of the NBA playoffs, which is sad.  But you know what can help cure the basketball blues: A little John Tesh.

Ravi Shankar on the "The Dick Cavett Show"

Coooool.

Also, Ravi Shankar sired Norah Jones when he was nearly 60 years old.  Well done, sir.

Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing In The Dark"

When Bruce Springsteen picks you out in a crowd, you dance with him.  And when you dance with him, you become a famous actress and make four billion dollars for each episode of "Friends."

And that's the magic of Bruce Springsteen.  His hand is literally made out of gold.  He's the Chuck Norris of music.

The Brothers Johnson, "Strawberry Letter 23"

I first heard this on the "Jackie Brown" soundtrack--great movie, great song, great soundtrack.

Carole King, "I Feel The Earth Move"

This could easily be a group of accountants partying after the April 15 tax rush.  Their outfits are just a little too nerdy to get vintage street cred, and everyone's hair is cut a little too short for the '70s.  But it's a great song, arguably better than the recorded version from the album Tapestry, so we'll let them do what they want with their protractors as long as they keep making sweet tunes.  That includes you, Carole King--rock that vest!

Death Cab For Cutie, "Grapevine Fires"

This is my new favorite song.  I really like the music and lyrics, but I probably also have a connection to the fact that I sent many a news crew to The Grapevine for various wildfires while working in California.  And because wildfire season is quickly approaching, I'm sure this song will run through my head when our news crews cover wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.  Maybe it could be Smokey Bear's new indie theme song.




Old school pic of The Grapevine:

The White Stripes, "Jolene"

This is one of my favorite songs from The White Stripes--even though it's really from Dolly Parton.  So much of what they do is a throwback to old school rock & roll, which coincidentally pushes the boundaries of modern rock (for instance, this video could easily be confused with something filmed in 1974).  There will be much more to come from The White Stripes, but here's one of the best songs they've never put on a studio album:

The Avett Brothers, "When I Drink"

I wish more people wrote music like this.

Steve Perry, "Oh Sherrie"

When Renaissance outfits and movie production staff stereotypes overwhelm Steve Perry, what does he do?  That's right: He cries out for Sherrie... who laughs at his playful antics, gives him a big hug while he sings in her face, and eventually walks out off the set with him.  So basically, Sherrie is an enabler.

Magazine 60, "Don Quichotte"

It's like these people met up for a drug deal in 1986 and ended up with this song instead.

The Beatles, "Paperback Writer"

Between the albums of Rubber Soul and Revolver, The Beatles went from playing pop rock to playing backwards music, using string quartets, and incorporating strange sound effects.  "Paperback Writer" was a single released between the two albums, and it sounds like nothing else they had recorded previously.  Enjoy!

She & Him, "In The Sun"

Sorry about a lapse in posting!  The staff at Justin's List took the weekend off while we sat around in our PJs and watched basketball. 

Having said that, we still can't decide whether we like Zooey Deschanel as a singer.  We feel like she does the half-sing/half-talk thing, kind of like Lou Reed, but we're not sure if it works for her.  She's certainly made an image for herself as an actress in roles that involve music: The was the musically-inspirational sister of the young music critic in "Almost Famous," and she sang a little bit in "Elf" and "(500) Days of Summer."  We really didn't like any of her singing back then, either.  But maybe we're being too harsh or missing the point...?  Thoughts, anyone?

R.E.M., "All The Way To Reno"

It's The Biggest Little City in the World, you know.

Company Of Thieves, "Oscar Wilde"

Yes, most of this video is a complete rip-off of Wes Anderson's opening sequence in "Rushmore."  But you know what, it's a catchy tune and the lead singer is cute as a bug's ear, so I forgive them.

       

Beck, "Loser"

Gettin' crazy with the Cheese Whiz.

Def Leppard, "Rocket"

I grew up listening to this song, and I didn't really realize until watching this video just now that it honors some of rock & roll's best music and musicians.  Very cool.  If you haven't heard their 1987 album "Hysteria," you should; this song is one of many rockin' tunes on it, many of which you'll probably recognize.  And it was all recorded after their drummer, Rick Allen, lost his left arm in a car crash.

Genesis, "In Too Deep"

So this morning, one of my dogs made a mess of our carpeted basement.  Clearly, he had eaten something last night that didn't sit well on his stomach--and the basement was the unfortunate recipient of his many gifts.

The good news is, the basement has a turntable in it--so the Genesis album "Invisible Touch" served as the soundtrack to my poop patrol duties.  Now things are clean again... thanks to Phil Collins, a scrub brush, and a little elbow grease.

Sweet, "Little Willy"

Willy won't go home because home is where the horrible music is.

Waylon Jennings, "Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down"

The title alone is worth a listen.

Also, I thought Jeff Bridges could easily play Waylon Jennings--until I realized he pretty much did in "Crazy Heart," for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor.  I think it's time I see "Crazy Heart."

Taiwanese boy sings "I Will Always Love You"

Whitney Houston sure looks different after quitting drugs and Bobby Brown.  But, man, she's still got that voice.

Andy Williams, "Moon River"

I used to think this song was just okay, but this video really sells it for me.  I honestly feel like he's going to pull out a pipe, tell me a story about chopping wood in Vermont, and help me live vicariously through 1961.  Good stuff.

The Heavy, "That Kind Of Man"

I've had recommendations for The Heavy--and this is a good suggestion by Andrew.  Lead singer Kelvin Swaby is definitely channeling some Curtis Mayfield and maybe a little Rare Earth on this spunky tune, their first-ever single, from 2007.

Rolling Stones, "Under My Thumb"

CAVEMAN SIGHTING!!!  Am I wrong, or is the Geico caveman heavily featured in this video, beginning at 1:20?  And it looks like he's just waking up from hibernation!

George Jones, "White Lightning"

I think the guy in the blue pants borrowed Dorothy's shoes from "The Wizard of Oz" and tapped his heels together one too many times.  When that happens, you end up in a George Jones video.  There's no place like home, but a George Jones video isn't half bad, either.

Michael Jackson, "Rock With You"

I dare anyone to find boots more sparkly than these.

Tom Jones, "Treat Her Right"

I think it's convenient for Tom Jones that they packed the seats full of young women.  Can you imagine if he had randomly gone down to kiss one of them and he accidentally open-mouth kissed an elderly man?  I suppose there's a good reason they do these things.

America, "Horse With No Name"

I've been hearing this song lately: In an episode of Breaking Bad, at the local brewery... you name it.  You can find some trivia about them on one of Justin's List's first posts, or you can just sit back and enjoy the horse ride...

Marvin Gaye, "I Want You"

This might be the first post on Justin's List to feature a singer lying down on a couch.  But when you're Marvin Gaye, you can do whatever you want... and still sound awesome.

The Carpenters, "We've Only Just Begun"

This is a tribute to my beautiful wife, Anji, with whom I've shared four lovely years in marriage.  Today--yes, April Fool's Day--is our anniversary.  Even though it's been four years, it's like we've only just begun. (See?!  Right?!...inside joke)

By the way, the really good stuff in this video starts at about a minute in.  The Carpenters always know how to keep it real.  If you know where I can buy giant Y-O-U letters that can support the weight of an adult musician, please let me know.