Alive

"You've got to live a little bit faster 'cause you have a little less time to go ,"
-- Barry and Maurice Gibb, "Alive" from the Bee Gees' To Whom It May Concern, 1972.

Strong ballad, musically sparse and lyrically compelling, with great work on bass by Maurice.

Not "Stayin' Alive", mind you, which came five years later, but simply being alive, appreciating each breath despite the seeming preponderance of them, because "What Is Life" (asks George Harrison in 1970, while offering up "The Art Of Dying" on the flipside), but a breath?

This idea inspired both King David and the king of pain, Job, (Psalm 39:5, Job 7:7). "Breathe Deep (The Breath Of God)," sing the Lost Dogs on their 1992 debut, to live again, (and the Lost Dogs re-record it in 1996). I can always relate more to Lazarus than Methusaleh (or perhaps more succinctly, Enoch or Elijah), anyway.

Ponce de Leon's quest is beyond me, the futility exemplified in the song of Michael Jackson's life as well as anybody's. As if you could stay "Forever Young", Bob Dylan (1974) or Rod Stewart (1988), as if youth was an appearance, as if beauty was something to behold. Patrick Hernandez knows we are "Born To Be Alive" (1978), and while the Guess Who say "Hang On To Your Life" (1970), Christ says, "pick up your cross", (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). While Queen chime in with their own "Keep Yourself Alive" (1973), Freddy Mercury knows you can't ... and "Who Wants To Live Forever?" (1986) anyway.

There ain't no "Easy Livin'" (1972), despite what Uriah Heep may suggest. It's simply living (and maybe even living simply) that matters and when "it all cracks up", as Simple Minds can tell you, "who's gonna save you", ("Alive And Kicking", 1985). The tighter we hang on, the harder it is to breathe.

While the original 1972 album mix still exhibits a great song, this version of "Alive" is the Bill Inglot mix from Tales From The Brothers Gibb: A History In Song 1967-1990, which clears the sonic muddle by opening the windows and allowing the fresh air to lift the song to new heights.

You can listen here if you like.

To The Death

"Surrounded by the dust of my birth,"

-- Danielle French, "To The Death" from Piece, 2003.

Enigmatic and strangely enticing, this dirge is spurred by Christine Fellow's subduing accordian, subtly strong percussion and highlighted by the harmonic vocal play between French and Burton Cummings.

http://www.mediafire.com/?agy3dcdq72o6wo0

Blame

"I'll pick you up when you go down,"
-- Michael Knott, "Blame" from L.S.U.'s Grace Shaker, 1994.

A more honest presentation of what grace means to the absolutely crushed would be hard to come by. With its sparse air and haunting riff, this obviously comes from one who knows what it is to be down there and where to turn to rise up.

http://www.mediafire.com/?x8kglr9lmgbgph7

The Sun

"When red giants have supernovered, then sorry the Earth will be,"

-- Kevin Parker, "The Sun" from Tame Impala's Tame Impala, 2008

Tame Impala released no less than two eponymous EPs in 2008. This heavyweight was on the Hole In The Sky label. Barbed and thunderous, it would not have been out of place on Cream's Disraeli Gears, forty-one years previous.

http://www.mediafire.com/?587addn0iz7bzlp

Voyaging Pilgrim

"The road is getting narrower,"
-- Fred Caban, "Voyaging Pilgrim" from Agape's Victims Of Tradition, 1972.

With a bit of a later Lighthouse (minus the orchestra) feel, this tune from Agape's sophomore release is a lot breezier than most of what was on their first. It's appropriate ambience for a song about travelling through life and highlighted by a great guitar solo at 2:23.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9lfqx38bq5do30c

Blood And Roses

"In wintertime, the roses died,"
-- Pat DiNizio, "Blood And Roses" from the Smithereens' Especially For You, 1986.

Absolutely rock and roll, anchored by a deadly bass line, triggered by one of the most indelible riffs ever laid down and validated by the blood, sweat, tears (and roses) of real life.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nmurpnd4222trx6

Mr. Sharky

"They thrash and nibble at the bait around my soul,"
-- Terry Taylor, "Mr. Sharky" from the Swirling Eddies' Zoom Daddy, 1994.

A thrilling tale of espionage, treachery and exploitation seemingly straight out of a 1930s crime pulp. Except underwater. Those pulps would disintegrate underwater.

http://www.mediafire.com/?hbcx6m2ktbxb362

Gear Jammer

"The law don't want no gear jammer,"
-- George Thorogood, "Gear Jammer" from George Thorogood And The Destroyers' Maverick, 1985.

Absolutely scorching slide guitar. What else do you need? Get out your harmonica and play along ...

http://www.mediafire.com/?z0djj86zzfnfdh1

We Know Too Much

"In our hearts we were wandering Gypsies,"
-- Mark Heard, "We Know Too Much" from Satellite Sky, 1992.

As per usual with a Mark Heard song, lyrical opulence. This rugged interpretation by Michael Been is from 1994's Strong Hand Of Love: A Tribute To Mark Heard (and 1996's extended Orphans Of God). Been, who passed away in 2010, is best known for his work with The Call, but also contributed to psychedelic pioneers Aorta, Lovecraft and post-Moby Grape holdovers Fine Wine. He is also the father of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club bassist Robert Levon Been and portrayed John in Martin Scorcese's The Last Temptation Of Christ (1988).

http://www.mediafire.com/?5h069fymeeiclpk

Compliment

"Can you see this disguise fading to a resolve?"

-- Ed Roland and Dean Roland, "Compliment" from Collective Soul's Dosage, 1999.

Who fishes for compliments catches flattery.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8wffabcbfbzb2ic

Shine

"I could be running from the wrong side,"

-- Michael Knott, "Shine" from Alternative Worship: Prayer, Petitions And Praise, 1994.

Though employing one of the most common titles for rock songs, this particular "Shine" is refreshing and invigorating. Not correlating his belief in God with some entitled air of superiority, Knott comes across as a relatable human being.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3bj01191dmfqmr2

This Is The Sea

"You've got a war in your head and it's tearing you up inside,"

-- Mike Scott, "This Is The Sea" from the Waterboys' This Is The Sea, 1985.

Rousing and triumphant, this five-star tune rides a raging string section to a lush and rapturous crest. Inspiring through its final proclamation. Behold!

http://www.mediafire.com/?qvzqi46yo52xl6n

Woody (live)

"I'm staring headlong into the jaws of death, alright,"

-- The Seventy Sevens, "Woody" from The Seventy Sevens (Pray Naked), 1992.

This ferocious live version of Pray Naked's opening track rocks unconditionally. It is taken from a 1999 concert in St. Louis, Missouri and presented at 320 kbps.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4mz24g4mgaf8xbd

Saving Grace

"As I look around this world, all that I'm finding is the saving grace that's over me,"

-- Bob Dylan, "Saving Grace" from Saved, 1980.

Bob Dylan dispenses the reason why his existence on this earthly plane has not yet terminated.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mvyj8lf89vmq8hf

Fight

"Do you think I bow out 'cause I think you're right or 'cause I don't wanna fight?"
-- The Tragically Hip, "Fight" from Road Apples, 1991.

The Hip nurture a loose, tough and hypnotic groove, perhaps directed at those who dissuaded the band from naming the album "Saskadelphia".

http://www.mediafire.com/?l7fyiokpdkza2je

Saint Of Me

"I know that I'm a sinner, I'm gonna die here in the cold,"

-- Mick Jagger, "Saint Of Me" from the Rolling Stones' Bridges To Babylon, 1997.

What did Mick say? He said "yeah" thirty-six times. Keith Richards is conspicuous by his absence on this track, perhaps the twins' last glimmer, but Billy Preston's organ vibes are always warm and welcome.

http://www.mediafire.com/?y6ow0v52pi4qibc

Help Me

"I'm tired of walkin' all alone,"

-- Larry Gatlin, "Help Me" from Rain Rainbow, 1974.

Bare-bones, musically and spiritually, this meek petition goes out to the only one who can and will help. This song, originally appearing on Kris Kristofferson's Jesus Was A Capricorn (1972), is Johnny Cash's take from American V: A Hundred Highways (2006).

http://www.mediafire.com/?yc52gxxi2y5ueq9