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On The List: Currituck Co.

Lazy

There's something weird about me that whenever I start liking something, I end up getting even more into other things that obviously liked that thing even more than I do. For example, getting super into the Grateful Dead and then totally loving bands like Mountain Bus or Santa Fe who sound so much like the Dead that you can tell which are Bobby songs and which are Jerry songs. So anyway, a bunch of songs on this list seem to be that but for Dylan. Other ones are just awesome songs I've been stoked about for the last few months. Enjoy!

- Kevin Barker

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1. Gordon Waller - The Saddest Song

From the album "...And Gordon", suggesting he was the Gordon of "Peter and Gordon". Produced by Thomas Jefferson Kaye, who produced Gene Clark's "No Other". Has that laid back bootcut vibe, one of those records inspired by the lazier side of Dylan, a half-time downer country rock groove that just makes you want to drive to the hill country and build a log cabin to winter in.

2. Gene Clark - Lady Of The North

Continues where the hypnotic groovers off "White Light" left off... A jam to close your eyes and nod your head to until you forget your own name.

Buy: Amazon iTunes

3. David Crosby - Laughing

Talk about hypnotic groovers that make you forget your name. This is a concept album about them.

Buy: Amazon iTunes

4. Graham Nash - Simple Man

Has the greatest, saddest line ever in a pop song: "I just want to hold you, don't want to hold you down." If you get a chance to see his 1970 BBC special with David Crosby, get ready to cry when the harmonies come in on this song.

Buy: Amazon iTunes

5. Jeffrey Cain - Pack Up Your Sorrows

I guess this is a Richard Farina song, and a great one at that. This version has Jesse Colin Young singing harmony. Damn near perfect recording. Cain's originals are perfect also -- especially "Mockingbird" and the acoustic version of "Moonshine is the Sunshine" off "For You." I checked his records out because P.G. Six did a beautiful cover of one of his tunes.

6. Hap Palmer - Count Up, Count Down

Hot early-70s folk rock children's song designed to get the kids boogying to the numbers 1-10. Found in Manteo, NC for $10... Surefire party-starter.

7. Slapp Happy - The Drum

There's an earlier, more ballsy version from "Acnalbasac Noom" which some people prefer, but for me it's all about this one. The tablas really kick this one into high gear.

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8. The Insect Trust - Walking On Nails

These guys, like Canned Heat, were heavy 78 collectors and buddies with John Fahey but were making pop records. Unlike Canned Heat, though, these guys had no hits and their records are hard to find, but worth it alone for this version of Gabor Szabo's tune from "Jazz Raga"... Totally the same vibe as the Slapp Happy song, and they work really well next to each other on a mixtape.

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9. David Blue - Looking For A Friend

The cover looks like it will sound like an 80s Steve Winwood record, but really it's a beautiful, sad record with a vibe not too far off from Gene Clark's "White Light" or Townes Van Zandt's s/t record...

Buy: Amazon

10. The Youngbloods - That's How Strong My Love Is

One of my all-time favorite unsung country-rock records. I love Jesse's voice, and Banana is the patron saint of boogie vibes. I know some people think this song should be illegal for white dudes to sing, but I even like The Creation's version. So fucking sue me.

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11. Country Joe & The Fish - Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine

Yeah, my dad liked them. But he also liked the Holy Modal Rounders and Richard Brautigan. So, there you go.

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12. Hoyt Axton - Snowblind Friend

A better drug song than "Needle and the Damage Done". You heard me.

Buy: Amazon

13. DOUG ASHDOWN - I've Come To Save Your World

I first heard this dude on a compilation I didn't buy in Australia of singles on the Sweet Peach label who put out that extraordinary Extradition record. He was singing Beatles covers ("Eleanor Rigby" and something else) but they were so burnt-out I almost bought the record for AU$20 just for those 2 jams alone. Sometimes I wish I had. Then I checked out some of his other singles and they were god-awful -- serious pop-crooner garbage. Then I found this record for cheap back home and it turned out to be pretty great. Produced by the guy who produced that Phil Sawyer record "Childhood's End" (Pokora 5*s!!!) that Shaddocks just reissued on LP. Has vague Jesus vibes but kind of dark, the way we like our Jesus vibes.

14. Bob Dylan & George Harrison - Song To Woody

Got this off the internet somewhere. Has that perfect off-the-cuff lazy brilliance everyone else on earth spent the 10 years following the "Basement Tapes" trying to achieve.

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On The List: Currituck Co.

Lazy

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