JayTunes http://www.jaytunes.com Jay's recommendations and lists of popular (and some unpopular) music Fri, 18 May 2012 02:17:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 jaytuneshttp://feedburner.google.com Paste Magazine’s 70 Best Albums of the 70s http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/4WPQkF3s2Kg/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=738#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 02:03:41 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=738 Continue reading →]]>
Even though I usually don’t agree with them, I love the lists that Paste Magazine puts out. This one is no different. They have Bob Dylan’s Blood On the Tracks (which features “Tangled Up in Blue”) at #1 and I have very little desire to listen to that album. I do, however, agree with the inclusion of these classic albums:

I don’t even know where to begin with my favorite songs from these albums… so I won’t. Check out the complete list here and let me know what you think.


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=738 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=738 Some Nights http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/CjROmzIDHAs/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=730#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 11:27:11 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=730 Continue reading →]]>
It’s not very often you hear and song and immediately know that it’s bound for greatness. While I’m not a huge fan of Fun’s first hit “We Are Young”, I downloaded “Some Nights” right away after hearing it on the radio and haven’t stopped listening to it since. With pounding percussion and Queen-like lead and harmony vocals, it provides an incredibly rich audio experience. The only drawbacks are an unnecessary f-bomb and overuse of auto-tune, but I can overlook them for one of the coolest songs in recent memory.

Some Nights by Fun.


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=730 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=730 Wanting Memories http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/xCOpp0-kLSI/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=726#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 11:14:26 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=726 Continue reading →]]>
This song was recently performed in my area by a community choir. I didn’t attend the concert, but someone who did reached out to me and gave me a recording of this track (thanks to MJA). It was written by Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, but I actually like the Cantus version better. Here’s the chorus:

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.

Not a bad message.  Combine that with tight harmonies and a cool, contemporary feel and you’ve got a great piece of a cappella music.  Click below to check it out on iTunes.

Wanting Memories – That Eternal Day


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=726 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=726 Indigo Girls http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/Xdno5zSERdQ/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=719#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 22:48:28 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=719 Continue reading →]]> Hearing “Closer to Fine” for the first time in 1989 was a big deal for me.  In an era of  loud and meaningless electronic pop I had found soothing and thoughtful folk music… and I wanted much more.  I followed “the blue chicks” (I thought I was clever) closely for the next several years, purchasing Nomads Indians Saints (1990), Rites of Passage (1992), Swamp Opehlia (1994), and Shaming of the Sun (1997) soon after their releases.  I even attended a couple of their concerts despite the fact that my attire and sexual orientation didn’t seem to fit in.  But then their albums started featuring one or two decent songs and a bunch of filler, so I kind of gave up on them.  Case in point: Beauty Queen Sister, their most recent effort, was released in October 2011 and I just listened to it for the fist time.  It has one good song, Share the Moon and one other song that is decent, Damo.  The rest are either boring or annoying and don’t approach my Top 10 Indigo Girls Songs:

What do you think?


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=719 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=719 Billy Joel http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/XD0d15H4mbY/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=714#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 00:57:43 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=714 Continue reading →]]>
Since Jaytunes is getting a new start, I thought I would go back to one of the artists who got my love of music started.  Glass Houses was the first LP I ever owned with “Sometimes a Fantasy” and “Still Rock and Roll To Me” getting the lion’s share of playtime on the rotten old stereo in our damp basement.  Greatest Hits Volumes I and II was the first CD I ever purchased and his Storm Front tour was one of the first concerts I ever attended (in the nosebleed seats of a newish Target Center).  Add to that the fact that I have more Billy Joel piano music than any other artist and you can see that we have a pretty strong relationship.  Here are my top 10 favorite songs from William Martin Joel:

What do you think?


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=714 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=714 Jason Mraz http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/0H5Z3OEV8UE/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=697#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:13:08 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=697 Continue reading →]]> Mr. A to Z just released a new album entitled Love Is A Four Letter Word.  While I’m not all that fond of the first single, “I Won’t Give Up”, there are some worthwhile tracks on the album.  Here they are, along with the rest of my top 10 favorite Jason Mraz Songs:

What do you think?



]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=697 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=697 Changes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/v1QbN9ZsqQo/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=684#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:31:43 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=684 Continue reading →]]> As you might have noticed, there are some changes going on with Jaytunes.  In order to improve the look and navigation of the site, I’ve decided to go with a blog-only format (my lists and monthly features will still be available via the link in the upper right).  To kick things off, I’ll start with a list of my top 10 “Change” songs headlined by Mr. Bowie (click on a link to preview in iTunes).

Enjoy the changes!


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=684 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=684 2012 Rock and Roll Hall Fame http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/BFDJcCdJbew/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=677#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:29:05 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/blog/?p=677 Continue reading →]]> The induction ceremonies were recently held for the 2012 class of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  This year’s performer inductees are listed below along with an iTunes link to their best (in my opinion) or most popular song.

There are lots of deserving backup bands this year.  My only real tough choice for favorite song was for Beastie Boys.  Although I heard “Fight for Your Right” about a million times in the arcade in high school, I’ve recently come to appreciate “Sabotage” and especially “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”.  What do you think of my choices?


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=677 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=677 The 30 Greatest Artists Right Now http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/nHiP-vnF1Gc/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=664#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:27:35 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/blog/?p=664 Continue reading →]]> 21Here is Entertainment Weekly’s List of today’s best artists.  The *’s indicate my approval.

  1. Adele * (Yep.  She totally deserves it.)
  2. Taylor Swift
  3. Drake
  4. Carrie Underwood
  5. Katy Perry
  6. Jack White
  7. The Black Keys
  8. Nicki Minaj
  9. Mumford & Sons (It seems like I really should like them, but I don’t)
  10. Rihanna
  11. Bruno Mars *
  12. Foo Fighters
  13. Kanye West (I do like Gold Digger…)
  14. Jay-Z
  15. The Civil Wars *
  16. A$AP Rocky
  17. Fiona Apple
  18. Kelly Clarkson *
  19. Jake Owen
  20. Fun.
  21. Azealia Banks
  22. Coldplay *
  23. Bruce Springsteen *
  24. Lady Gaga
  25. Florence + The Machine (I don’t get it – she’s not a good singer)
  26. Beyonce *
  27. Gotye *
  28. Calvin Harris
  29. Kimbra
  30. Beach House

How many of these artists do you actually know?


]]> http://www.jaytunes.com/?feed=rss2&p=664 0 http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=664 Lyle Lovett http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/jaytunes/~3/dmhkl4q8R9I/ http://www.jaytunes.com/?p=641#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:21:29 +0000 Jay http://www.jaytunes.com/blog/?p=641 Continue reading →]]> Release MeIs he country?  Pop?  Big band?  Regardless of how you categorize him, Lyle Lovett is a talented artist.  Ever since I heard “It I Had A Boat” for the first time (over 20 years ago), Lyle Lovett has been one of my favorites.  His recent albums have been a little hit and miss, but there is no denying that he has an impressive catalog.  Here is my top ten from the (um… let’s go with…) singer/songwriter:

  • An Acceptable Level of Ecstasy (The Wedding Song)
  • Church
  • Her First Mistake
  • If I Had A Boat
  • Pantry (Acoustic Version)
  • Record Lady
  • She Makes Me Feel Good
  • Step Inside This House
  • Understand You
  • You’ve Got A Friend In Me (w/Randy Newman, from Toy Story)

Click here to listen, download, or check out the song details.

How did I do?  Leave a comment to let me know.  Also, please check out my other song selections for April 2012 from Ed Sheeran, Daphne Willis, Mason Jennings, Imogen Heap, and Tower of Power.


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