Jukebox Music Project

Hi All-

After considerable reflection in 2014, I have selected a set of bands and songs for the Jukebox music project.  As I talked with Josh this last week, I realized how much we have shared musically from our youth to now.  Music has enhanced every car trip up to the beloved farm, every road trip and every get together.  Its easy to pick many songs and much more challenging to narrow down to a short list.  Ultimately I decided to follow the approach to pick bands and their songs that had special meaning in 2014, ones that had long lasting impact and narrowed down to the ones I listened to most over the fully year 2014.   

The music lists shared in the Stillwater Symposia have also opened new group and song avenues for me to explore and enjoy.  I found I'm very aligned with Joe and Andrew's bands/songs and they mentioned a few that I haven't listened to and adding those to my playlist for 2015.

In that light I'm adding a second list of new songs/bands from 2014 that really stood out for me and like Jon said, we'll see if they stand the test of time.

2014 Jukebox (all time list)

1) Just Breath by Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam have always been one of my absolute favorite bands.  The first time I saw Pearl Jam play live was at Lollapalooza in 1992.  It was a stunning display of raw energy, musicality and soul mixed with grit and interesting lyrics.  Just Breath is from Backspacer in 2009, it captured me the first time I heard it.  Each time I hear it, there are different things I think about, but overall it makes me think about being thankful and joyful for your friendships and loved ones.  Eddie puts so much soul into this song.

2) Gravity by John Mayer

Both the live versions and the the studio are stunning, great guitar and even better lyrics;  In 2013 a group of friends at church introduced me to this song, I proceeded to listen to this non-stop in 2014.  "keep me where the light is..."

3) Rise by Eddie Vedder

I finally saw the movie "Into the Wild" this year on a trip to Asia.  Into the wild was released in 2007, with a soundtrack by Eddie Vedder.  The soundtrack has been one of my favorites for years, the movie is quite a story as well.  Lots of mandolin style sound and Eddie's distinctive voice telling the story.  I could pick a number of songs from this soundtrack, but I listened to this one the most in 2014.  A song with hope in his voice;  "Gonna rise up... Burning black holes in dark memories.. Gonna rise up..Turning mistakes into gold"

4) Nightswimming by REM

REM and Stipe's voice and the musically inventive band captured me from their early music and they continued to alter their sounds and instruments.  They were considerably alternative in their early music.  Life's Rich Pageant has great songs start to finish (I believe, superman, these days), later there was "out of time" with losing my religion.  Nightswimming is an amazing track from "Automatic for the people", distinct with an arrangement of orchestra strings and recognizable from the first piano chord.  Sugarland later did a cover of this song, very unique take with her very powerful voice.  This one paints a picture musically and lyrically for me.  

5) Deepest Blues are Black by Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are one of my favorite bands by far.  Many songs are in my top played for 2014, many are of my favorite of all time.  Everlong was the song that started my love of their music, instantly recognizable and energizing.  In 2014 I spent the most time with the album "In your honor" with its 2 groups of music loud and quiet;  Every song is excellent and its great to see both musical sides of the band.  This song is so hard driving from the start, very musical even with its power.  Its loud, raw energy and I love it.  Foo fighters new album sonic highways is really good too, worth a listen.

6) Snow - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili peppers are another of my favorite bands.  I saw this band live multiple times, the latest with Josh, Tilo and Cathy.  They put on a high energy show that is good start to finish.  For those who haven't seen them, they play interludes between band songs with 1 or 2 of the band members that are displays of their musical talent;  Jams with the Flea the bass player are the ones that amaze me the most, he has talent and completely moves me when I see him play.  The band has great songs across many albums and evolved their sound.  Give it away, Under the bridge, Knock me down, Dani California, Can't stop, Tell me baby... its a great list.   Snow is one that I can listen to repeatably and I am listening to today.  The latest album "I'm with you" is great, and I'm hearing they might be making a new album soon, can't wait!

7) Going to California - Led Zeppelin

Cathy, my sister Sue and I saw Robert Plant sing this song in Norway in 2014.  Its one of my favorite and all time best songs.  The original song is instantly recognizable, Robert still sings it well.  Each person in Led Zeppelin was a legendary talent.  This song stands out among the best of all time for me.

8) Love reign Over me - the Who

Another band like Led Zeppelin with each person being a legendary talent and volumes of great songs.  I saw this song covered by Pearl Jam at their Pearl Jam 20 anniversary concert tour in 2011;  Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell from Soundgarden absolutely belted this song out, I'll never forget it.  They made it feel like a tribute to the Who and reminded me why this song and the who are one of my favorites.  Great musicians, song lyrics that have meaning, passion and tell a story.  This song always feels like an Epic adventure.

9) My Iron Lung - Radiohead

Josh and Jon are bigger radiohead fans most likely, but for me this song is one of their best.  Haunting, dissonant and a driving pace throughout mixed with lyrics that evoke strong images.  People have different views on the lyrics, but one things for certain for me is it is great start to finish.  Radiohead did an acoustic version of this song that is equally unique.  Awesome song.

10) Burden in my hand - Soundgarden

This song has been around since 1996, I didn't really listen to it until 2014.  Simply an amazing song.  Chris Cornell's voice drives it, the band is powerful throughout, heavy yet musical.  One of my favorite songs of 2014, just took me a long time to find it.  I also hope all of you listen to Chris Cornell's solo live acoustic album "Songbook"... it has some great moments including a cover of "Imagine" that is a great match with his voice.

11) See a little light - Bob Mould

Bob came out with a new album in 2014 "Beauty and ruin", that is worth a listen too.  His new album spurred me to go back to listen to his workbook album, which is really good.  "See a little light" is a song I always stop and listen to when it comes on, and I play it often.  Crisp guitar mixed Bob's distinct voice and lyrics, I feel like this song has always been on my favorites list since it came out.

12) Simple song - Shins

I first heard this on XRT, then proceeded to play this song and the entire XRT Volume 14 almost non-stop.  One great song after another, introduced me to great versions of songs by Heartless bastards, Head and the heart, Delta Rae, Civil wars.  The Simple song stood out as heartfelt and honest.  I like the live version best... tells a story in such a personal way.  Countless times I would play this in the car or while working on a project and it always lifted.

Thats my 12 for 2014 - many great bands/songs that I wanted to add - I'll have to see what inspires and transpires in 2015.

My 2nd list of 2014 new songs/bands...

1) Fever - Black Keys

2) Something from nothing - Foo Fighters

3) Cigarettes and daydreams, Come a little closer - Cage the elephant (actually end of 2013)

4) Peace - O.A.R.

5) Riptide - Vance Joy

6) I wanna get better - Bleachers

7) Come with me now - Kongos

8) Budapest - George Ezra

9) Take me to Church - Hozier

10) Love don't die - Fray

11) Make you better - Decembrists

12) Left hand free - Alt - j

13) Stolen Dance - Milky chance (actually 2013)