45 Number Ninety-Eight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGR1cCIFKvg

The link is to John Fogerty's original version of the song. Dave's version is one of the few songs in this whole project that I couldn't find on You Tube. This was from Dave's great "Twangin" record, which included Dave's version of "Singing The Blues" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_lYPhiNb-Y and "Three Time Loser" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz8yFAOguQw .

45 Number Ninety-Seven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNW9q6tk43c

This is the B side. The benefit of being so crazy about an artist that you dig either side of them. Jackson was my first rockin' roll crush (definition below). I sang his songs for hours. Every song on the record. Not just a couple of them. When I have seen Jackson, it is has always been different than other shows. I have often felt it was what some people must feel when they are really moved in their church service. I hang on every word of every song, and get chills. I thought I was over it, but I got to tell you I felt it all again when I clicked on the above video from 1974 of just him and David Lindley performing the song. Over the years I have found that it isn't Jackson that I feel that strong connection to. It was at a John Prine Show that I most recently had a near church experience.

Rockin' Roll Crush- An intense feeling of connection to the music of a particular artist. You listen to not just the one or two hits on the album (or no hits as the case might be), but to every track. Over and over. Singing away. More than merely a fan, you obsess to own all recorded material from the artist. You write down the set list (or take right off the stage) of the multiple shows you have attended. You hang out behind the venue until the wee hours of the morning, just to say, "Hey." You love to turn the uninformed on to the greatness you have recognized. It is a true a sickness, that others often politely tolerate.

My other rockin' roll crushes;
NRBQ, Neil Young, T-Bone Burnett, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds,
Ian Hunter, Marshall Crenshaw, John Hiatt, Warren Zevon, Jonathan Richman,
John Prine,Todd Snider,
and most recently The Avett Brothers and Rhett Miller (Old 97s).

Wait one more; Dar Williams.

45 Number Ninety-Six

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzlgJ-SfKYE

I am so glad this 45 came up, because now I can post this incredible cover of the song by The Folksmen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzkILGr2-Ok . This from the comedic minds that brought us Spinal Tap. If you have never heard their cover of this song please click the link and turn your knob to eleven. You won't be disappointed.

45 Number Ninety-Five

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-R06pGyrMs&playnext=1&list=PLB05B8A27AB5B66AE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANy4x3wgTSA

Hello. After a forced computer hiatus, lets try to bring this baby home.

Don't you love the label on this one. Tears, stickers, DJ notes; this has been a well played 45. The first link above is to Roy in 1965. I love just looking at him. The hair, the glasses. I love that geek/rocker look. The second link is to the late 80s Orbison and Friends movie "Black and White Night." What a line up: Roy joined by Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, T-Bone Burnett, and others (see photo on post of 45 number 56). The old rocker resurrected by the new old rockers. It's sad but it took this kind of thing to move me into the back catalogues of guys like Roy, and get beyond "Pretty Woman." I am thankful that artists I grew up with have linked me to their inspirations like Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash. Again, not just "Maybe Baby" and "Johnny B. Goode," but "You're So Square, Baby I Don't Care" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MNMG_5flWc and "Around and Around" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5q7OTyKCRw . By the way, I have been hearing great new interpretations of Buddy Holly songs on a new collection called "Rave On, Buddy Holly." Look at the artists on this track list:
01 The Black Keys: "Dearest" 02 Fiona Apple and Jon Brion: "Every Day" 03 Paul McCartney: "It's So Easy" 04 Florence and the Machine: "Not Fade Away" 05 Cee-Lo: "(You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care" 06 Karen Elson: "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" 07 Julian Casablancas: "Rave On" 08 Jenny O.: "I'm Gonna Love You Too" 09 Justin Townes Earle: "Maybe Baby" 10 She & Him: "Oh Boy" 11 Nick Lowe: "Changing All Those Changes" 12 Patti Smith: "Words of Love" 13 My Morning Jacket: "True Love Ways" 14 Modest Mouse: "That'll Be the Day" 15 Kid Rock: "Well... All Right" 16 Detroit Cobras: "Heartbeat" 17 Lou Reed: "Peggy Sue" 18 John Doe: "Peggy Sue Got Married" 19 Graham Nash: "Raining in My Heart"

I liked Roy's Traveling Wilburys stuff, although I am generally not a fan of Jeff Lynne's productions (e.g. Edmund's Information album). As you know, Dirty World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKj4MOKrkSI is a favourite of mine. (Go listen to it this time.) I think my favourite Orbison song is "Ooby Dooby" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ijEWj2xmg.