"Fountain of Youth" The New Amsterdams

The volunteers are going to the parque de fuentes (park of fountains) this afternoon. This track popped into my head.

 "Fountain of Youth" The New Amsterdams

"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" Vampire Weekend

 
















My host brother is big into VW right now. Music makes an EXCELLENT conversation starter, and continuer.

 "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" Vampire Weekend

¨I Want You¨ Alana Davis

Though I don´t have enough time or energy for cover weeks, I´ll continue to post good ones as I discover them. This 3EB cover is delightful.

 ¨I Want You¨ Alana Davis

"Toro Mata" Lucila Campos

Heard at an Afro-Peruvian dance club last night. It was an interesting format, where all of the patrons sit at tables and watch hired dancers dominate the dance floor to live music.

"Toro Mata" Lucila Campos

"When I Come Around" Green Day

Heard in the taxi on the way to the beach today. I love the variety of American music I keep hearing here.

"When I Come Around" Green Day

"We No Speak Americano" Yolanda Be Cool vs DCUP

I resisted posting this song for a long time since it when I found it annoying in the states, but its omnipresence in Peru needs to be recognized.

"We No Speak Americano" Yolanda Be Cool vs DCUP

"Babylon" David Carbonara

 
















Finally starting Mad Men has been an excellent way of passing time on my flights and tucking myself in. This recording in a first season episode haunted the back of my mind for a couple of days. The same couple of days when I felt like I was on my deathbed... it seems appropriate.

"Babylon" David Carbonara

¨We´ve Got Tonight¨ The Blue Mountain Panpipe Ensemble

I heard this playing in a cafe in Cusco. Even with my sunburns and full-body aches I managed to crack a pretty wide smile.

¨We´ve Got Tonight¨ The Blue Mountain Panpipe Ensemble

¨Part Time Lovers¨ Stevie Wonder¨

 















This song came on the radio during my taxi ride back to Cusco. I started whistling along and the taxi driver said, ¨mmm, classy music.¨Si señor, muy elegante.

  ¨Part Time Lovers¨ Stevie Wonder¨

"El Condor Pasa" Inca Taki

 
















I never knew that  S & G's version (also found below) of this song wasn't an original! I had to come all the way to the Andes to find out that it was only a cover (with the addition of lyrics) of a traditional Andean folk tune.

"El Condor Pasa" Inca Taki
"El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" Simon & Garfunkel

"Perfect World" Tom Jones

 















Flying to Cusco. I anticipate I'll be hearing Mr. Jones belt "Cuscoooo!" in my head all day.

"Perfect World" Tom Jones

"Leaving On A Jet Plane" John Denver

I really couldn't help myself, but I DO know I'll be back in June.

"Leaving On A Jet Plane" John Denver

"Let's Take The Long Way Home" The Beautiful Girls

I got an email this morning from my online itinerary alerting me that my 148 day trip to Philadelphia starts tomorrow. This song speaks for itself.

"Let's Take The Long Way Home" The Beautiful Girls

"That Next Place" Thomas Newman

 















Sticking to soothing and victorious tunes as I pack 6 months of belongings into a 70 liter bag.

"That Next Place" Thomas Newman

"Gravel Lines" Amy Seeley

 
















My departure is quickly arriving and the stress is kicking in. Amy is doing her best to keep me calm and collected while I race all over town making last minute preparations.

"Gravel Lines" Amy Seeley

"Anything You Want" Roy Orbison

 















It was a great couple of days at Atlantic City. The casino's awesome playlist, which included this winner, eased the fact that I was ultimately a loser.

"Anything You Want" Roy Orbison

"The Gambler" Mike Doughty

I never liked the original Kenny Rogers song, but this version is delightful.

"The Gambler" Mike Doughty

"A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix)" Elvis Presley

Pump up music for Atlantic City. I know this song is typically associated with Las Vegas, but it does the trick. Time to win big.

"A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix)" Elvis Presley

"New Year's Day" U2

 Sometimes artists make this blog too easy.

"New Year's Day" U2

"You & I" aKING

Thanks to LH and VC for introducing me to this obscure and awesome song. This thing is chock full of fun lyrics. My favorites: "I take my council with wine", and "better the devils you know than don't, I suppose."

"You & I" aKING

"One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" George Thorogood & The Destroyers

 















I was shocked to find out this evening that this track is not only originally a John Lee Hooker song, but George's version is a medley of said song and another JLH recording (which serves as the opener), "House Rent Boogie". Remarkable.

"One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" George Thorogood & The Destroyers

"Ann Arbor, Michigan" Every Gentle Air

 














Guess where I am for the day. Just guess...

"Ann Arbor, Michigan" Every Gentle Air

"Bang Pop" Free Energy

One of my favorite tracks from BT's 25 Favorite Albums of 2010. Perfect for head bobbin'.

"Bang Pop" Free Energy

"Lover Girl" Teena Marie

 
















I was surprised After learning of Teena Marie's passing that I was unfamiliar with her music. In respect, I did some research. This is what I found.

"Lover Girl" Teena Marie

"Send in the Clowns" Judy Collins

This song has been stuck in my head since I saw Stephen Sondheim on the Colbert Report on Thursday. Hauntingly somber and pretty at the same time. Hope this one isn't too much of a holiday buzz kill.

"Send in the Clowns" Judy Collins

"Christmas Lights" Coldplay

 
Easily my favorite new Christmas track this year. I'm a sucker for Coldplay. Merry Christmas! Now go ahead and let this week's tunes fall back to the depths of your music library until another year.

"Christmas Lights" Coldplay

"Mistletoe" Indigo Girls

I'm not sure the Indigo Girls have been this delightful in 20 years. Please baby please, just let this love be.

"Mistletoe" Indigo Girls

"Getting Ready For Christmas Day" Paul Simon

Featuring sweet sampling of a Rev. J.M. Gates sermon.Though this is Simon's newest, it is not his first Christmas/activism song. For a double dose check out Silent Night, the second link posted.

"Getting Ready For Christmas Day" Paul Simon

"Silent Night" Simon & Garfunkel

"Boots" The Killers

 This song urges me to reminisce about how I viewed winter and the snow it brings when I was a child; less of a transportation nuisance, more of a frosty playland. Also, commendable use of bells!

"Boots" The Killers

"Fairytale of New York" KT Tunstall feat. Ed Harcourt

 















This is definitely a weird one. Be prepared for a strange Celtic turn at 1:25.

"Fairytale of New York" KT Tunstall feat. Ed Harcourt

"All I Want For Christmas (Is New Year's Day)" Hurts

I usually burn out on traditional Christmas songs by December 2nd. In an effort to not be such a Grinch, I searched around for some non-traditional Christmas-related tracks to listen to this season. Here they are, from now through Christmas. Equally as cynical about Christmas songs? this one's for you.

"All I Want For Christmas (Is New Year's Day)" Hurts

"Slow Motion" Little Red

 















The title of this song is exactly the way I plan on going through the day.

"Slow Motion" Little Red

"Celebration" Kool & the Gang

My very good friend CBR graduates today after a roller coaster of a final semester. I'm gonna miss you when you're permanently in Boston, but that's a few days away. For now, it's time to celebrate. (This song also reminds me of skipping chapel and going to Common Grounds with the AC, haha good times)

"Celebration" Kool & the Gang

"Hey Leonardo" Blessid Union of Souls

 















The song is so deliciously '90s. And just in case you don't know who Tyson Beckford is...

"Hey Leonardo" Blessid Union of Souls

"Opening" Harry Gregson-Williams

 















Not the most creative of titles, but this pretty and pensive track is to die for. Grooveshark is still acting up, so we're via YouTube again.

"Opening" Harry Gregson-Williams

"And Run" He Is We

 















These two seem like they would be really fun! The fact that I also enjoy their music is a bonus.

"And Run" He Is We

"Where You Are" Marc Broussard

 
















Always a fallback feel-good tune. My favorite part is probably the last 25 seconds.

"Where You Are" Marc Broussard

"7 Things" Miley Cyrus

Consider this song a guilty pleasure. The 1 thing I hate about you? your poor math skills.

"7 Things" Miley Cyrus

"Short Change Hero" The Heavy

I'm realizing I need to expand my neo soul collection and knowledge. The Heavy is the perfect place to star.

"Short Change Hero" The Heavy

"Thistled Spring" Horse Feathers

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that this song is flawless. Earnest lofty vocals and gorgeous instrumentation spell success.

"Thistled Spring" Horse Feathers

"And We Danced" The Hooters

 















...not just a restaurant.

"And We Danced" The Hooters

"Smokestack Lightnin' " Howlin' Wolf

 
















I abhor that I can no longer listen to this track without thinking about Viagra® and the mystical Age of Knowing How to Get Things Done. I guess I hoped they would leave well enough alone after the "Viva Las Vegas" defamation.

"Smokestack Lightnin' " Howlin' Wolf

"My Body" Young the Giant

If my new laptop had better speakers I imagine the chorus to this song would be less a fuzzy intense. Let me know if I'm wrong.

"My Body" Young the Giant

"Insensitive" Jann Arden

 















Another song I completely forgot existed. Haha, oh the 90s.

"Insensitive" Jann Arden

"Tomorrow Is A Long Time" Bob Dylan

 















This song was perfectly featured on last night's season finale of The Walking Dead. Waiting until the end of October for the start of the second season is going to be considerably agonizing.

"Tomorrow Is A Long Time" Bob Dylan

"Rio" Hey Marseilles

 















I particularly like this song for the clapping and that I legitimately thought the lead singer was Ben Gibbard until Wikipedia proved otherwise.

"Rio" Hey Marseilles

"Everybody's Talkin' " Harry Nilsson

 
















I can't help but grin when I here this song. Nilsson's super-casual appearance on this album cover really makes me regret not owning a bathrobe.

"Everybody's Talkin' " Harry Nilsson

"Make You Smile" +44

 
















This band had a brief existence when Blink-182 was on hiatus. When Blink-182 reunited and needed 2/3 of its members back, +44 met its demise. Blink's planning on a new album next summer. In unrelated news, I noticed Grooveshark has a new format! I hope all of you are open to change.

"Make You Smile" +44

"Amelia's Missing" Jon mcLaughlin

Again I find myself with an artist I'm surprised was yet to be featured on the blog. Jon's first album Indiana showcases his piano and vocal talents to a T. Unfortunately, his second album (released < 1 year later) seemed hurried and included far too many tracks with effects that cluttered his pure sound. It has been over two years. Chances are what Jon has in the works will be a return to exactly what I initially loved. Until then,
 revisiting Indiana will have to (and does) do.

"Amelia's Missing" Jon mcLaughlin

"If You Go" Javier Dunn

 
















While many artists are capable of writing and performing pleasant tunes, few have mastered the awkward photo pose quite like Javier. Bravo.

"If You Go" Javier Dunn