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Spirits in The Night

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Frank Zappa: “Theme from “Bonanza”” Play this track

A bit of cultural comedy with a wink from Frank and the band. -John Stix

And why not? -Rock Stamberg

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band: “Spirits in the Night” Play this track

I loved this take the first time I heard it back in the ‘70s. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band regularly commandeered decidedly non-rock songs and did their thing to ‘em, in this case by turning Bruce Springsteen’s early epic into a unique prog/rock/spacey jam with disparate elements abounding. Complicated, cool and fun. -RS

An early supporter of Springsteen, Manfred Mann turned up the drama and cinematic elements, dipping this track into a blues guitar meets Meat Loaf flavor. -JS

Electric Light Orchestra: “Boy Blue” Play this track

Early ELO were serious about the “Orchestra’ part. Who else would marry a bona-fide classical intro to a rockin’ Chuck Berry-esque barn burner? And it rocks, alright. -RS

Indicative of classic ELO, one bit classical, one bit pop, and two bits good old rock ‘n roll. -JS

B.B. King: “How Blue Can You Get” Play this track

The two Blues Brothers movies succeeded time and time again in presenting the originators of blues and soul in inspired settings to showcase their talents. This is just such a performance. I rate this the finest pass the mic performance on film. The guests in order of their performance/appearance include, Eric Clapton, Charlie Musselwhite, Erykah Badu, Jack DeJohnette, Travis Tritt, Jeff Baxter, Koko Taylor, Steve Winwood, Billy Preston, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr, Clarence Clemmons, Joshua Redman, Jon Faddis, EC, Bo Diddley, Dr. John, Jimmy Vaughan. You can forget about who is playing and revel in the totality of the performance. Hats off to Jake and Elwood for their gift to us. -JS

Rickie Lee Jones: “Danny’s All-Star Joint” Play this track

Swinging, swaying, finger-poppin’ good music and an all-out sassy lyric and vocal from one of my favorite debut albums. -JS

Rickie Lee Jones’ eponymously titled debut album is a high-water mark of ‘70s L.A.-style record production and true artistic grit. There ain’t a weak song on it. -RS

Richard Thompson: “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” Play this track

This is really something. The story could break your heart. -RS

Thompson was rated #69 in a Rolling Stone top 100 Guitarists poll. They picked this song to represent his style. But the song is so good that the guitar is just there to support it. It’s Thompson’s talent and class that makes the guitar playing so great, if you care to give it your attention (which it doesn’t ask for). -JS

Steve Winwood: “What’s Goin’ On” Play this track

I’ve put this on a zillion mixed disc because it comes from my “Use This” file. So good, so NHT. -JS

Paul Simon: “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Live at the Beacon Theatre, NYC)” Play this track

This comes from my “Best Performance” file. One of my fav PS songs. So, ride the vibe and dig those Steve Gadd drums at the end. -JS

John Mayall’s Blues Breakers: “Room to Move” Play this track

From the Turning Point album with Jon Mark (acoustic guitar) Johnny Almond (sax, flute) and Steve Thompson (bass). Who would have guessed that Mayall’s most famous song would be live from the Fillmore Easts and acoustic to boot! Great harmonica/voice percussive moments. Totally unique and deserving of our favor. -JS

Alex Chilton: “Il Riebelle” Play this track

Oh man. This is Alex Chilton at his most fun and boisterous, practically spitting out the Italian lyrics while playing some red-hot hot rock ‘n roll at the same time. MY feeling is he must have spoken Italian because he sure seems to know the words! -RS

Proof that music, in this case rock ‘n’ roll knows no language barrier. It communicates on a level we all understand. -JS

The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire): “Dominique” Play this track

Remember when this was a hit? I do. -JS

The Delta Rhythm Boys: “Allouette” Play this track

The song I learned in grammar school, but never this cool. -JS

Paul Simon: “Surfer Girl” Play this track

I have been trying to get this into NHT since the first podcast. I love how he turned it into a Paul Simon song without losing Brian Wilson’s DNA. -JS

I was there for this recording and let me tell you, it sends chills it’s so good. -RS

Brian Wilson: “Wanderlust” Play this track

This version is every bit as good as Paul McCartney’s awesome original version from 1982’s Tug of War. -RS

Brian doing to McCartney music what Simon just did to Wilson’s. Lovely. -JS

Paul and Linda McCartney: “The Back Seat of My Car” Play this track

This is a spectacular opus, and the big ending to Paul & Linda McCartney’s majestic RAM album. Vilified at the time of its (pre-Wings) release in 1971, RAM has gone on to be considered one of McCartney’s very best albums. And it is. Really. -RS

A melodic pop suite that’s well worth the ride. -JS

Led Zeppelin: “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” Play this track

One of my top three favorite Led Zeppelin songs. I just love the off-the-wall counterpoint moves bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham play at several intervals … and Jimmy Page’s guitar parts? Whoa. -RS

A real stomper that’s too long been neglected. -JS

Juice Newton: “Queen of Hearts” Play this track

Swinging country that just sounds right. -JS

Led Zeppelin: “Living Loving Maid” Play this track

I used to play this in my bands. One of my favorite riffs. It’s got a one two punch and it’s over. -JS

Such a great riff. Another example of Led Zeppelin’s gift for different styles, this one’s so catchy it’s almost a pop song. I said “almost.” -RS