New York Times' 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters: Ready? GO!

Nile Rodgers
Lucinda Williams
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Paul Simon
Taylor Swift
Brian & Eddie Holland
Missy Elliott
Lionel Richie
Dolly Parton
Young Thug
Diane Warren
Josh Osborne, Brandy Clark, Shane Mcanally
Fiona Apple
Babyface
Stephin Merritt
Romeo Santos
Carole King
OutKast
Mariah Carey
Willie Nelson
Kendrick Lamar
Valerie Simpson
Bob Dylan
Lana Del Rey
The-Dream
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Bad Bunny
Bruce Springsteen
Smokey Robinson

 

 

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Songs Of The Week, 2026: 4/18-4/24

 

Psychedelic Shack- The Temptaions
Tight Turn- The Raybeats
Lonesome Whistle Blues- Freddie King
Pumping- Patti Smith Group
Couchemal- C.C. Adcock
Soul Kiss- Joe Jackson
I Was Just Practicin'- Li'l Queenie & The Percolators

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I've acquired/purchased dozens upon dozens of records collections over the years and there always seems to be a Raybeats record in the middle of it all. (Okay, maybe not "always," but often.) Dig "Tight Turn."

Also, if you've never listened to Freddie King's "Taking Care Of Business," an extensive career spanning box from Germany's Bear Family, I suggest getting on that toot sweet.

I'm still enjoying "Hope & Fury," Joe Jackson's new one and it prompted to me revisit some older records, including "Night & Day II," which is a much better record than I remembered, and "Fool," which felt like a disappointment after "Fast Forward," but last week sounded wonderful. On this mix we go back 40 years to "Big World" for "Soul Kiss," which was my favorite J.J. song through the second half of the 80's.

We close with a beauty, the late, great Louisiana legend Leigh Harris, aka Li'l Queenie. 

Enjoy.

And don't forget to check Now Playing from time to time, for more music and a few surprises. There is a nice little Irma lagniappe over there now.

BW's Saturday #81

 

He's 85. He's A Beatle. And He's Fine.

 

 

 

Ringo's last foray into country with T- Bone Burnett, 2025's "Look Up" was a pleasant enough record, though after two spins, nothing really stuck. That it was better than "Ringo's Rotogravure" was good enough for me. Now, the pair have returned with more and "Long Long Road" is actually quite good.

Ringo's voice doesn't sound that much different than it did on his 70's hits, and with help from Molly Tuttle and Daniel Tashian, the music on "Long Long Road" sounds genuine. In other words, Ringo Starr pulled it off.

Not everything works. "Baby Don't Go," not the Sonny & Cher hit, and "My Baby Don't Want Nothing" can just barely be called songs, with silly lyrics and nothing melodies. But as a whole, "Long Long Road" plays really well and that makes me happy.

Ringo will be 86 in July. Peace and love, Richie. 

 

 

 

 

Helene Smith: Something Good Out Of Miami

 

I discovered Helene Smith "Sings Sweet Soul" about 15 or 20 years ago. A regular customer of mine had asked me to keep my eyes out for a copy and I said, "I sure will," not knowing at the time just how rare the record was. I did track down audio, wanting to hear just why this record sold for $2500. Even beat up copies sold for almost $2000. It's been a favorite ever since, when I remember I have the files, like I did yesterday. A vinyl copy has never made it into my hands.

Helene Smith has been called "Miami's First Lady Of Soul," and the tracks she recorded for Clarence Reid's label Deep City Records are all pretty incredible. It may be sacrilige, but I like her version of "Pain In My Heart" more than I like Otis's version. (Though I like Irma Thomas' "Ruler Of My Heart" more than either.)