Skin In The Game- Jon Cleary
You Won't Let Me Go- Ray Charles
Every Beat Of My Heart- The Du-Ettes
Life Is Good- Los Lobos
Gotta Stay High- New Radicals
Gonna Give Her All The Love I Got- Marvin Gaye
Groovin'- Marvin Gaye
Skin In The Game- Jon Cleary
I've been a fan of Jon Cleary ever since the first time I saw him perform in New Orleans, back in 1999. I was sold immediately. He is one of the most consistent artists in New Orleans, and while it's hard to surround yourself with bad musicians in that town, Cleary always seems to be around the elite. This track is from his last studio record "Dyna-Mite" and it's as smooth as silk and as funky as sin.
You Won't Let Me Go- Ray Charles
I think Charles Brown did this first, but I prefer Brother Ray's take.
Every Beat Of My Heart- The Du-Ettes
I bet the first time you heard this track was on a Whole Foods commercial. Well, that was the first time I heard it. And boy do I love it.
Life Is Good- Los Lobos
This is one of those records that I like to say gets taken for granted. If you're a Los Lobos fan, you know it and probably love it. But until I heard it with headphones, I couldn't really appreciate just how brilliant it is. Record making at his finest.
Gonna Stay High- New Radicals
The album that keeps on giving. For years I had hoped for a follow-up from Gregg Alexander. Now, I'm at peace without one. This record is perfect.
Gonna Give Her All I've Got- Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye has other albums besides "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On." Many of them are fantastic, like "That's The Way Love Is," which is a classic from top to bottom. This track was a top 20 hit for Jimmy Ruffin in 1967, and though Marvin's version only reached #67, I think it's better.
Groovin'- Marvin Gaye
It's rare when I put two songs by the same artist on a mix, but I did not want this to get lost in the Cover Version sidebar. This is also from "That's The Way Love Is." The Rascals' "Groovin'" is arguably one of the most beloved hits of the 60's. It is untouchable, yet Marvin Gaye not only pulls off a cover, he delivers an absolute stunner.
6 comments:
You never fail to inspire, sir. Today will begin with Clues and Colossal Head. Life is good indeed.
Thanks for all you do!
That one New Radicals record is one of the few perfect albums I have, and I have a lot. People would be surprised to hear me mention it alongside Astral Weeks and Kind Of Blue in records that remain inventive and interesting year after year for me, but it's true.
I love the De-Ettes cut but now every time I hear it I think of Whole Foods. The Ray Charles cut is a killer which I wasn't familiar with. And you can never have too much Marvin Gaye, unless your his dad.
@cmealha
Hahahaa.
Nice mix this week. Many thanks.
Not sure if you are a Facebook user, but its worth being "Friends" with Jon Cleary, and reading his regular posts about gigs, music and reflections on the world ( and how he loves where he lives). I would love the chance to see him perform.
He certainly is a busy boy!
He is also a good sketch artist.
I love Marvin Gaye -- and not just the obvious hits. I love the Rascals. Yet somehow I had never heard Marvin's version of Good Lovin' until tonight. THANK YOU!
Marc
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