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Grateful Dead: “Let The Good Times Roll” Play this track

When they are on, one of the things the Grateful Dead do best is hit a rhythm that floats effortlessly like a river going downstream. I offer this song as my example. – John Stix

I’m a Grateful Dead fan who’s not crazy about their later era, from which this performance is drawn. I’m happy to say this is a rare exception for me. And John chose it! -Rock Stamberg

Santana: “Everybody’s Everything” Play this track

Propulsive rhythms, strong Gregg Rollie vocals, a wailing guitar, plus Tower of Power horns, helped to put this song on Santana’s Greatest Hits. -JS

Kila: “An Tiománaí (Live)” Play this track

African rhythms and Celtic singing propel you forward. But it’s the invisible segue way prepared by our buddy Mike Connelly that makes this a killer one-two punch. -JS

Steely Dan: “Parkers Band” Play this track

One of my faves from Steely Dan’s Pretzel Logic album. This is from a superb recording of a Dan show in Chicago, which featured Larry Carlton guesting. The killer guitar solo up front is by Jon Herrington, who I suspect was inspired by Carlton sitting in. Also check out the extra horn parts that weren’t in the original. Has there ever been a finer tribute to Charlie Parker by a rock band? -JS

Tower Of Power: “What Is Hip?” Play this track

This, their signature song, was never a hit. If you like a superglued funk rhythm section, soul vocals and horn parts that jab like Ali, this is your song, and they should be your band. -JS

Van Morrison: “You Make Me Feel So Free” Play this track

One of my favorite Van Morrison tracks. Irresistible. -RS
Wow, an up-tempo Van kicker that I had never heard until Rock said listen to this. I’m just paying it forward. -JS

Lake Street Dive with Lawerence: “Good Together (Live)” Play this track

People love Rachel Price’s voice, and I do too. But it’s the whole band that writes and plays together that generates that smile on your face. It’s “Pure Pop for Now people”, as Nick Lowe would say. This live performance has LSD joining with NYC’s finest band Lawrence. -JS

Jeff Lynne: “Blown Away” Play this track

Co-written with Tom Petty, this is, to me, a great song. Jeff Lynne’s wordless crooning during the song’s tag absolutely kills me every time. -RS

 The Beach Boys: “You Still Believe In Me (Live)” Play this track

Recorded during The Beach Boys’ 1973 tour, Alan Jardine takes on MIA Brian Wilson’s lead vocal from Pet Sounds. And he nails it. The harmonies ain’t bad, either. -RS

The Doobie Brothers: “Listen to The Music (Farewell Live)” Play this track

This is a surprise from The Doobie Brothers’ Farewell Tour album from 1983. Of course, the farewell tour wasn’t so farewell-y after all. -RSA rare funk version with Michael McDonald on lead vocal. Totally classic and totally new. The track screams NHT. -JS

U2: “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” Play this track

I’m not a big U2 fan but what I like of theirs I *really* like. This is probably my favorite U2 recording. -RS

Squeeze: “The Day I Get Home” Play this track

Another unknown gem from Squeeze. Slinky. -RS
Sounds to me a bit like the children’s song “This Old Man Came Rolling Home.” -JS

The Monkees: “Daydream Believer” Play this track

What can I say? A great song is always a great song. -RS

 Aretha Franklin: “Coca-Cola Commercial” Play this track

She almost got me off my Hires Root Beer! -JS

Larry Carlton: “Put It Where You Want It” Play this track

Pure class and all finesse. This tune, written by Joe Sample and originally played by The Crusaders, of which LC was a longtime member, gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. -JS

The Clash: “ London Calling” Play this track

Rock gave me an assignment to pick a Clash song for NHT. The question remains, is this cheating? -JS

John Fogerty with The Roots: “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” Play this track

When rock music was also pop music … and just great music. I’m smiling again. Are you? -JS

Mountain: “Mississippi Queen” Play this track

This song appeared on the self-titled album by a one-off version of ELP, this one with Cozy Powell, not Carl Palmer, as the “P.” I think “Touch and Go” is as good as anything the original ELP cooked up in their ‘70s heyday. Is “majestic” the word for this track? —RS

James Taylor: “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Music Now” Play this track

From JT’s underrated Walking Man album. -RS
This is JT working with the cream of the NY session community. A few years later, Kiss’ Ace Frehley sang about being “back in the New York groove.” This is what he meant. -JS

NHT: “Barney Miller Theme” Play this track

I just had to put this after the James Taylor track. I had to. -RS