Songs Of The Week, 2026: 3/28-4/3

 

Lips Like Sugar- Echo & The Bunnymen
Felix- Andwella's Dream
Passenger Side- Wilco
Rock Me When He's Gone- Elton John
The Birthday- The Idle Race
Inside Out- Close Enemies
Fools Die (For Want Of Wisdom)- Peter Tosh

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Lips Like Sugar- Echo & The Bunnymen
(One of my faves from these guys, this song always reminds me of a co-worker from the 80's named Ray. He was young kid with a huge personality and would always say, "My name is Ray from GB WIS, and my favorite bands are SWA-ZAY and The Banshees and Shmecko & The Bonzoids!")

Felix- Andwella's Dream
(From Ireland, these guys started off as a psych/folk band and ended up playing prog. The first album is lovely and this is from that.)

Passenger Side- Wilco
(This one reminds me of my very first trip to New Orleans. I stopped into Margaritaville for a Margarita, which they served with a compass because they were so strong, you needed help to get home. On stage was Lynn Drury and she played this song.)

Rock Me When He's Gone- Elton John
(Elton loves Leon Russell and you can really tell on this "Madman" leftover.)

The Birthday- The Idle Race
(Love both Idle Race records, though I think you can make one amazing record out of both. I might do that, actually. For now, enjoy some early Jeff Lynne.)

Inside Out- Close Enemies
(Brand new from Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith and Tony Brock of The Babys. Really good record if you dig those great rock records of the 70's. This track stood out.)

Fools Die (For Want Of Wisdom)- Peter Tosh
(Your Sunday moment of Zen.)

James Gadson, 1939-2026

 

Express Yourself
Use Me
Lean On Me
Kissing My Love
Dancing Machine
I Want You 
Love Hangover
Got To Be Real
If I Can’t Have You
I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)
I Will Survive
Dont Leave Me This Way
You Don’t Have To Be A Star"
Love Machine
Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel
Shake Your Groove Thing
Cruisin
Let A Woman Be A Woman

For starters...

"T.G.I. Ska Day": THE WEEKEND MIX

This music makes me feel good. Different. I can't help but smile or dance or just bop around. That's not a given for me. I'm wound up tight. Always have been. And I don't think you can just play it. I don't care how good of a musician you might be, it needs to be in your blood in order to play it right. Like the music and vibe of New Orleans, the music and vibe of Jamaica has healing powers, at least temporarily. It works for me, pretty much all the time.

Try it. 

 

TRACKLIST
Al Capone- Prince Buster
Liquidator- The Harry J All-Stars
My Boy Lollipop- Millie Small
Tighten Up- The Untouchables
Shame & Scandal-  Peter Tosh w/ The Wailers & The Skatalites
Hands Off...She's Mine- The Beat
Gangsters- The Specials
You're Wondering Now- Andy & Joey
Ruder Than You- The Bodysnatchers
Israelites- Desmond Dekker
Madness- Prince Buster
Wet Dream- Max Romeo
I'm In The Mood For Ska- Lord Tanamo
Eastern Standard Time- The Skatalites
Pressure Drop (Original Single)-The Maytals
Carry Go Bring Come- Justin Hinds & The Dominoes
Johnny Too Bad- The Slickers
Friday Night, Saturday Morning- The Specials
Corner Stone, Burning Torch- Don Drummond
Rivers Of Babylon- The Melodians

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Say It Again!

 

Harmony, Baby

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Chris Cron is a Nashville based singer songwriter who has become a social media sensation for demonstarting his harmony builds. He is also known as the "Beach Boys Guy." I've watched a few of his videos and every one has knocked me out. Here are two that are absolutely stunning.

 

 

 

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New U2: Or, How To Empty A Blog Room In Record Time

 

I saw this while scrolling Facebook last week. It was posted by musician Chris Church.

"It's almost annoying to have to say this, but I just listened to the 5 newly released songs by U2, and in my opinion, that band still matters."

"Matters" is a strong take. But the "Days Of Ash" E.P. that dropped unexpectedly last week is damn good.

I know when I've posted about the band in the past,  it brought out some of the crankiest comments in a long line of cranky comments. I remember when people woke up to a new U2 album on their iPhones, the reaction was tantamount to genocide. Somehow, I don't think the reaction would have been the same for any other surprise record on your phone.

But that's been the case with U2 ever since Bono starting hugging fans in the front row.

That said, if this new E.P. is any indication of what the new full length will sound like later this year, count me in. 

 

J.B., B.B. & Bobby

 

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