Day 178: June 27: Nothing Like a Hundred Miles

" I have tried to forget about you."

I think the premise here is that distance makes the heart grow less fond.  James is looking for some space between himself and the girl who broke his heart.  It's kind of catchy.  A decent track from the In the Pocket album.

Nothing Like a Hundred Miles

A hundred miles is nothing for The Proclaimers.

500 Miles

Day 177: June 26: One More Go Round

"Running around the room in my Fruit O' the Loom"

Throwaway track from the New Moon Shine album- not to be confused with the similarly titled (and superior) Going Around One More Time.  Seems like an ode to getting blotto- or perhaps just getting goofy.  Lesser James from a great album.

One More Go Round

Kris would also like one more shot.

Once More with Feeling

Day 176: June 25: Knock on Wood

"The way you love me is frightening."

For a long time you could only purchase James singing this by buying the Live in Rio import- but then he released it on the Other Covers cd.  My memory of the live version is that it is better than this fairly lifeless studio version.  It's an iconic song, though - cowritten and recorded originally by Eddie Floyd.  Most of James' covers are hit and miss.  This one falls in between.  

Knock on Wood

Eddie Floyd is most known for Knock on Wood.  I just discovered this cool track- 

Big Bird

Day 175: June 24: Terra Nova

"May this day show me an ocean."

James expresses restlessness on this great track from the JT album.  The song has an interesting structure and beautiful harmonies from Carly. It's another one that people should know but most don't.

Terra Nova

Lyle also dreams of being on the water.

If I Had a Boat

Day 174: June 23: Fading Away

"Well, it's hard to find a label for this feeling in my bones."

A wrongfully lesser known track from the Walking Man album.  It seems James is rejecting the advice of Dylan Thomas and is resigned to going gentle into that good night.  It feels autobiographical- like James is exploring the potential of escaping the spotlight for an existence in the background but that's all speculation.  Regardless it's a great track.

Fading Away

Eric has a different opinion on the subject:

Bell Bottom Blues

Day 173: June 22: Lo and Behold

"You just can't kill for Jesus."

James says this song is about spirituality through nature- a theme he visits frequently.  This one is pretty stripped down.  I really like the era of his work that isn't afraid to be a little bit raw.

Lo and Behold

Derek Webb would agree that you just can't kill for Jesus.

My Enemies are Men Like Me

Day 172: June 21: New Hymn

"maker who we beg to be our mother, father, comrade, mate."

For an agnostic, James delves into the spiritual quite a bit.  This one is mostly interesting for that reason and not because it adds much to his catalog.  It's kind of pretty but overstays its welcome.  This is only available commercially on the Live album.

New Hymn

Alison Krauss does spiritual in a little more aesthetically pleasing way.

Down to the River to Pray

Day 171: June 20: Hymn

"I got holy children to show me the light."

Here's a faux-spiritual from the One Man Dog album.I think more than anything else it's really a tip of the hat to all things hippie.  It's got some groovy horns and fine vocals.  I really dig the One Man Dog album.

Hymn

There is nothing tongue-in-cheek about this song.  Here's a beautiful version recorded before Bette Midler damaged it. And let me say- Nanci is all-in!

From a Distance

Day 170: June 19: Daddy's Baby

"So I called my love my home."

Sweet one from Walking Man that I didn't know very well.  It's far from his strongest track but the sweetness makes up for whatever shortcomings it may have (like the backing vocals for instance).

Daddy's Baby

Here's a beautiful father/child song from Marc Cohn.

Things We've Handed Down

Day 169: June 18: Let It Be/Hey Jude

"There will be an answer."

James performs with Mavis Staples (!) at the Kennedy Center Honors in a tribute to Paul McCartney.  I often disparage James covers, but I would actually love an official release of all the Beatles covers (save Day Tripper) he's done over the years.  This is pretty special. It's worth watching if only to see Oprah rock out to Hey Jude.

Let it Be/ Hey Jude

Here's a favorite of mine from Beatles days- here's Paul playing it with Wings.

I've Just Seen a Face

Day 168: June 17: Stretch of the Highway

"Chi-town baby, is my town too."

James romanticizes his career on the road.  It's harmless- a little over produced especially the backing vocals.  This might be better with no vocals other than James'.

Stretch of the Highway

Turns out the Doobie Brothers have wanderlust too.

Take Me To the Highway

Day 167: June 16: Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

"I've got a wonderful feeling everything's going my way."

Feels a bit like filler to me but if you've ever wanted to hear James sing your favorite show tunes, here's a head start.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning

And that song, of course, comes from this show:

Oklahoma!

Day 166: June 15: Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

"Don't say yes but please don't say no."

The lone hit from the underrated One Man Dog album.  This one makes the greatest hits albums and the live albums.  There have been some less than successful covers of this song.  Eric Clapton recorded a rare misfire.  Patricia Kaas also recorded a painful jazzed up cover featuring James on vocals.  Stick with James singing the standard arrangement.

Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

Here's a beautifully sad song about people fighting loneliness.

A Better Place to Be

Day 165: June 14: Not Alone

"You may be a lot of things but you're not alone."

James joins son Ben on stage in this video of one of Ben's songs.  I've never been a huge Ben Taylor fan.  He's at his best when he's imitating daddy but he seems to strive to not let that be the path of his career.  This one isn't too bad.

Not Alone

Here's Ben's best track- an early Beatles cover from the Bye Bye Love soundtrack.

I Will

Day 164: June 13: Mud Slide Slim

"There's nothing like the sound of sweet soul music."

Here's the odd but mournfully sweet title track from the Mud Slide Slim album.  Apparently this song was inspired by a picture James received of a burned tree that had gotten caught up in a mudslide.  Someone had attached a sign to the tree that said "I've seen fire and I've seen rain."

This is one of his best albums.  It peaked at number two on the Billboard album charts, being kept out of the top spot by Carole King's Tapestry.  Both albums contain the song "You've Got a Friend."

Mud Slide Slim

No mud.  No blue horizon.  It is sure is pretty though.

Landslide

Day 163: June 12: Sugar Trade

"Men of these shores made and gave up their lives pulling up fish from the sea."

James cowrote this misfire from Dad Loves His Work with Jimmy Buffett and someone named Timothy Mayer.  It's a bit of a heavy handed attempt at poignancy.  

Sugar Trade

I'm not a fan of this tune from 1776, but it fits.  ...and yes, that is Holling from Northern Exposure.

Molasses to Rum

Day 162: June 11: Jelly Man Kelly

"Can he come home, Jenny?"

Perhaps the finest two minutes that Sesame Street ever aired.  Just try to watch this without smiling.  I dare you.

Jelly Man Kelly

This one is really nice too.

I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

Day 161: June 10:  The Twist

"We're gonna twisty twisty twisty till we tear the house down."

James can't resist an old cover.  I'd much rather see him pop one up live than feel compelled to record it.  It's fun.

The Twist

Chubby Checker just couldn't let go.

Let's Twist Again

Day 160: June 9: I Feel the Earth Move

"I feel the sky tumbling down."

One of Carole's classics they played on their recent tour together.  James is relegated to a supporting role but it's still a fun ride.

I Feel the Earth Move

Here's an aptly titled classic from Carole's catalog. Cool fan video here too.

Beautiful

Day 159: June 8: Me and My Guitar

"But pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, it's just me and my guitar."

James' fun love song to his guitar.  It's a catchy track from the Walking Man album that holds up pretty well.  

Me and My Guitar

When guitar love goes bad:

This Guitar is for Sale

Day 158: June 7: I Can Dream of You

"I swear you've got the sweetest eyes that I've ever seen."

Some months ago I erroneously reported "Something's Wrong" as the otherwise unreleased b-side of Shower the People.  I was mixed-up.  The B-side is actually this pretty tune written by brother Livingston. It's a shame it never made it onto an album because it's a nice one.

I Can Dream of You

Elton is a big fan of unreleased b-sides as well.  I guess if you're as prolific as Elton you can afford to throw away tunes.  Here's a catchy/cheesy one featuring the Beach Boys on backing vocals.  This was the b-side to Empty Garden.

Take Me Down to the Ocean