"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