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How Much Fun

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Wings: “Got to Get You into My Life” Play this track

This track is a good representation of Wings’ final, short-lived lineup performing live at The Concert for the People of Kampuchea benefit in 1979. This was right at the end of their only tour, so they were hot. As evidenced in this exciting version of Paul McCartney’s Beatles classic. -Rock Stamberg

One of my favorites from the Fab Four and this is “THE” live version. The band nails all the elements that make this a great song and then the vibe is just supercharged. You’ll find this in my folder of “Best Performances.” -John Stix

Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen: “Too Much Fun” Play this track

This puppy is up-tempo and swinging right out of the box. Love that classic walking bass blues progression. The horns blare, the piano rocks the pedal steel sounds drunk. The lyric defines the whole song and Jerry Lee Lewis would be proud. -JS

10cc: “Good Morning Judge” Play this track

I love 10cc, especially late-era 10cc when they were down to a duo. Anyway, great song, excellent playing by Eric Stewart (guitar) and bassist Graham Gouldman. -RS

10cc are among the most creative bands in rock music. It’s comprised of top-notch musicians who aim to surprise with their sophisticated songwriting and sense of humor. This is a band that is much more than its hits. -JS

Trey Anastasio (Big Band): “Mozambique” Play this track

A joyful noise indeed. Uplifting, and engaging at the same time. It’s the recipe for any successful uptempo instrumental (think Jessica by the ABB) and can be heard on this horn heavy rhythm centric tune. It’s party time! -JS

Trey Anastasio’s big band is indeed a big band and this track, which he’s also performed with his main band, Phish, is an ever-evolving piece of music. This version really grabbed John … and *I’m* the Phish head around these parts. Go figure. -RS

The Beatles: “I Saw Her Standing There (Take 6)” Play this track

You hear this and realize just how good a band they were. I Love the mistakes and the talking that follows. -JS

The Beatles in their natural habitat working on what became a great recording. Let’s drop in on them, whaddaya say? -RS

Joe Jackson: “Poor Thing” Play this track

Great unknown track by a super talent. -RS

Joe Jackson is a serious melodicist who has something to say. And that’s what makes great music. Say it in a song that draws us in. And everyone loves a waltz. -JS

Lake Street Dive: “Godawful Things” Play this track

A distorted guitar with a cello. Can you think of a better way to start a pop song? LSD is one of the premier rock and pop bands in the country. They feature melodic hooks, smart lyrics, surprising arrangements, acoustic bass, and off the charts vocals. It’s all here for you to enjoy. -JS

Chicago: “Make Me Smile (bass, drums, vocals, guitar solo)” Play this track

This stripped mix of a major Chicago hit is illuminating in all the right ways. The rhythm section shines, the vocal rocks and the guitar rips. Terry Kath’s shredding guitar solo features Coltrane-like sheets of sound licks in a Billboard Top 10 record described as “soft rock.” So yes, this does shed a new light on an old classic. Very NHT wouldn’t you say? -JS

Harry Nilsson: “Daybreak” Play this track

From the little-known film, Son of Dracula, this was Harry Nilsson’s last hit. But boy, what a song. Catchy. -RS

This song reminds me of the “Put the lime in the coconut” vibe. -JS

Van Morrison: “Jackie Wilson Said (live)” Play this track

One of my fav’s from VM. This time it’s a swinging big band version that I found in my “Redo” folder of bands that rearrange their classics. -JS

Young(er) Van kickin’ up some dust. It helps that this song is one of his great ones. -RS

Bonnie Raitt: “You’ve Been in Love Too Long” Play this track

This is the opening track from Bonnie’s Takin’ My Time LP. There’s a heavy Little Feat sound overall and John Hall’s (Orleans) guitar solo is oh so tasty. The track is one of my favorite bump-in-the-night grooves, with all the puzzle pieces distinct unto themselves and perfectly in place. A great lesson in blues funk delivered with classic Bonnie Raitt swagger. -JS

Jerry Lee Lewis: “It’ll Be Me” Play this track

“It’ll be me, and I’ll be looking for you.” How great is that lyric? Timeless. -RS

I love me that train is a comin’ rhythm. This is just killer rock ‘n roll. -JS

Steely Dan: “Do It Again (live with Michael McDonald)” Play this track

In 1974, Steely Dan hit the road for the last time in their early years. During that tour there was discussion and a vote to have of Michael McDonald take over as the lead vocalist. Much to his chagrin, and probably against his own vote, Donald won. We can only wonder what it would have been like if the vote had gone the other way. In 2008, McDonald guested with the band for a while and gave us a glimpse of what it wouldn’t have sounded like it the vote had turned out differently. Also dig the guitar solo by Jon Herrington and the drum solo by Keith Carlock. -JS

I love it when John finds this stuff. Funky. -RS

R.E.M.: “Stand” Play this track

What a fantastically catchy song R.E.M. gifted us with. -RS

A straightforward pop rock song from R.E.M. Who’d have thunk it? -JS

NRBQ: “RC Cola & A Moon Pie” Play this track

God knows I love me some NRBQ. This is an NRBQ classic from way back. They still perform it regularly to this day. Essential listening. -RS

The style at the heart of the New Rhythm and Blues Quartet. A 1950’s rocker reborn. -JS

Robert Palmer: “How Much Fun” Play this track

How much soul, how much funk? Lots and lots. A beauty. -RS

This sounds like the son of Allen Toussaint had a party with Little Feat on the streets of London. How much fun? Lots! -JS

Paul Carrack and Carlene Carter: “Oh How Happy You Have Made Me” Play this track

A joyous cover (of a joyous song) of the 1966 top 12 hit by Shades of Blue. I can hear the smiles more in this cover, so I always go for this version. -JS

Pete Townshend: “The Sea Refuses No River (live” Play this track

For me, this is *the* version of a song I’ve always loved. Intense and striking. -RS

This is one of Townshend’s finest and under acknowledged songs. Great lyric, raging vocals and one of PT’s best melodies. I’d love to hear Roger sing this one. As is, this goes into the “Best Performances” folder. -JS

Pete Townshend: “It’s a Boy” Play this track

A Townshend demo from Tommy. -JS

Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders: “Positively 4th Street” Play this track

This version of the Bob Dylan classic just may be definitive. It’s lopes along in a casually rockin’ way that belies the lyrics’ dark theme. Beautiful. -RS

This rolls like a lazy river. The vocal, bitter in lyric, is relaxed in delivery. Jerry’s solo sounds like an exhale as does David Grisman’s on mandolin. This cover is worth the time it takes to unfold. -JS