"Scorpio Girls", _Traction_, Supergroove, 1994.

A now-defunct band out of New Zealand that no one but kiwis have ever heard of. Glenn brought back their album after a two-month business trip to NZ  in 1994. It's one of the best funk/rock albums I've ever heard. I spent years hunting for a copy of the album, and finally found one in London  in 1997.

"Dune Buggy", _The Presidents of The United States of America_, 1995.

Simple music, silly lyrics, a band that doesn't take itself too seriously. Great fun. *bouncebouncebounce*

"Big Important Nothing", _Subliminal Plastic Motives_, Self, 1995.

Not your basic pop song. An ode to Lisa Marie Presley. I like it for the offbeat piano syncopation, and the crashing break.

"Jupiter and Teardrop", _Fuzzy_, Grant Lee Buffalo, 1993.  

I first heard of Grant Lee Buffalo when Heidi made me one of her famous mix tapes with "Dixie Drug Store" on it. I liked that song so much that I went out and bought the album. He has several other releases, but nothing stands up to Fuzzy.

"Lorilie", _Vim_, 1995.

Vim's take on a sort of Celtic theme. I just love D.'s voice and Rich's guitar.

"Black Eyed Dog", _Time of No Reply_, Nick Drake, 1985, recorded 1968 or 1969.

This was recorded by Nick Drake but never released on any of his three albums. It was found in 1985 and released shortly thereafter as part of a 4-record box set. Extremely spooky song.

"Screenwriter's Blues", _Ruby Vroom_, Soul Coughing, 1994.

Beat poetry funk. Soul Coughing. Nuff said.

"Get Rhythm", _Get Rhythm_, Ry Cooder, 1987.

A Johnny Cash tune covered by Ry Cooder. Rockin' blues with zydeco overtones, topped with Ry's spectacular slide guitar playing.

"Misonta", _Burning Stone_, Ruins, 1992.

Generally classified under "Japanese Noise", Ruins is a bass and drums duo with classical training. I don't remember how I first heard of them, but I think I was hanging around at the Red Room in Santa Cruz one night and they happened to play there. I spent the entire show with my jaw on the floor. They were absolutely amazing. The two of them had the ability to overlay multiple musical textures, change to something completely different, change again, head off into a completely different direction, and then come back and tie the whole thing together. Don't bother trying to translate the lyrics - the language is a fabricated one.

"The Driving of the Year Nail", _6- and 12-String Guitar_, Leo Kottke, 1969.

I knew I wanted to get a track from either Leo Kottke or John Fahey into this collection, but I had a really hard time picking out a single just one. This one won primarily because it showcases Leo's virtuosity and was short.

"Dorothy", _Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack_, Dr. John, 1988.

Mac Rebennack is Dr. John's real name. This is one of his own compositions, showcasing his piano playing. Mostly a waltz, it changes rhythm at the end of every verse.

"Fugue No. 5 in D Major", _Plays Bach_, Jacques Loussier, 1993.

Sacrilege? Or good jazz? Jazz players have been reinterpreting the classics since since day one. Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Art Tatum, Bud Powell. Jacques Loussier started his "Play Bach" trio in 1959 and is still playing tcoday. A jazz pianist of prodigious ability, he's covered Bach, Debussy, Handel, Ravel, Satie, Vivaldi...

"The Blessing", _Art Deco_, Don Cherry, 1989.

Penned by Ornette Coleman, played by Don Cherry (no, not the hockey guy).

"The Sidewinder", _The Sidewinder_, Lee Morgan, 1963.

A jazz tune in a standard blues progression with an odd turnaround.

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