Movie soundtracks: So I Married an Axe Murderer is a quirky and sometimes funny movie which introduced me to The La's "There She Goes" this is a bright pop tune with a real catchy guitar hook. Speaking of guitar hooks Pixar's Cars opens with Sheryl Crow's "Real Gone". I don't care much for Crow for the most part but there is something about the chunky guitar riff in this song, turned up loud that just sounds great (definitely one of my guilty pleasures). Finally, the Princess Bride ends with a great Mark Knopfler composition sung by Willie DeVille "Storybook Love".
A little more on Mark Knopfler... This guy may be the most understated and under rated superstar in music. He's a brilliant guitarist and fine song writer. If you just listen to the hits like Sultan's of Swing, or Money for Nothing, you are missing out. Here's three from some of his solo work that are simply great songs. Try "Sailing to Philidelphia", "What It Is", or "Why Aye Man" for size and you'll see what I mean.
JJ Cale is a guy that has been part of the music world for a long time. He wrote songs like After Midnight and Cocaine (hits for Eric Clapton), The Sensitive Kind (Santana) and Call Me the Breeze (Lynyrd Skynyrd). Give Cale's versions a listen. In my world, his versions are better than the covers...although Clapton's cover of Cocaine is basically note for note the same as Cale's.
Let me introduce you to Marshall Crenshaw. He's a singer, songwriter, and actor. He played John Lennon on Broadway (Beatlemania). He played Buddy Holly in LaBamba, and he showed up on Nickalodian's The Adventures of Pete & Pete. He also produced some great power pop songs like Someday,Someway; Mary Anne, Cynical Girl, and Whenever You're On My Mind.
From the realm of forgotten/overlooked, listen to some Link Wray (and the Raymen). Link was a guitarist that got his start in the late 50's and who is every bit as influential to rock and roll guitarists as Chuck Berry. Greats like Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young all list him as an influence. Rumble, released in 1958 is a landmark song. I recommend that you add some other Link Wray tunes like Jack the Ripper & Ace of Spades to your digital music device.
Step away from the mundane, repetitious world of commercial radio for a while. Listen to more than the "hits" the programmers are feeding you. Whatever genre of music is your favorite, there is more out there than what's on the radio.
