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About Today’s Mix:

I don’t think this one requires a lot of setup. Not too long after I started the blog, a new mecca for Springsteen lovers like myself came along on the internet. I can’t completely recall how I came across Blogness on the Edge of Town, but someone pointed me towards the site, and the site name hooked me in as a regular visitor and commenter nearly immediately.

If you’re a Bruce fan and haven’t visited Blogness yet, I can’t imagine why you’re still reading this post. Tell ya what – download today’s mix, hit play, and head over to Blogness to catch up on everything that you’ve missed!

Blogness head proprietor Peter Chianca also maintains the excellent At Large blog, and is an all-around good dude in my book.

I was thrilled to open the P.O. Box to find a no-nonsense/no B.S./down and dirty super-awesome mix from Pete, and now it’s my duty to share it with my fellow Vinyl citizens.

Good stuff, and incorporating a cut from one of the more random Brian Setzer solo albums into your mix, is always awesome! I can think of one other person that owns that particular album (Kevin, I’m looking at you…)

Enjoy!

The Completely Random Pete From Blogness CD Sampler (download)

1. “None But the Brave,” Bruce Springsteen, The Essential Bruce Springsteen. The fact that this was an outtake speaks to the depth of the man’s catalogue. Plenty of artists don’t come up with anything this good in their entire careers. So there.

2. “The 3 Kids in Brooklyn,” Butch Walker, Sycamore Meadows. Why isn’t this guy rich and famous? I don’t get it, America.

3. “Barbwire Fence,” Brian Setzer, The Knife Feels Like Justice. Was I the only one who loved Setzer’s first solo album? Was I the only one who bought Setzer’s first solo album?

4. “Could’ve Been Anyone,” Aimee Mann, Whatever. I think Aimee Mann should have been super-big, like Sheryl Crow big.

5. “I Believe,” Chris Isaak, Forever Blue. I hear Isaak and Setzer are doing a show together in California — now there’s a tour I’d like to see!

6. “If You Belonged to Me,” Traveling Wilburys, Volume 3. Did Dylan ever have more fun than when he was a Wilbury? (BTW, this is off the orginal disc, not that slick remastered whatever-it-is box set.)

7. “Dirty Old Town,” David Byrne, Rei Momo. I still love his first solo disc, although his most recent was probably his best since then. But why no Heads reunion?

8. “Minutes to Memories,” John Cougar Mellencamp, Scarecrow. I think this was actually the only song at that album that wasn’t a hit.

9. “Meet Me By The River’s Edge,” The Gaslight Anthem, The ’59 Sound. Best Springsteen tribute song ever.

10. “Rock & Roll Heaven’s Gate,” Indigo Girls, Despite Our Differences. I know people love their new album, but I actually think this one was their true return to form. Why? Because they started using the F-word, that’s why.

11. “Redemption Song,” Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer, Cash Unearthed. Love this cover — especially poignant now that both of these guys are gone.

12. “Let Them All Talk,” Elvis Costello, Punch the Clock. Elvis + Horns = Whammy!

13. “Stars of Leo,” M. Ward, Hold Time. How does he get that subway sound in this song? I love M. Ward because you get the sense that he actually listens to records that came out before 1980.

14. “Pizza Cutter,” Letters to Cleo, Wholesale Meats and Fish. Surreal Twitter moment of the year: Following Kay Hanley live tweeting a Red Sox/Angels game from L.A. — with pictures!

15. “Better Back Off,” Marshall Crenshaw, Life’s Too Short. Add this guy to the Setzer/Isaak tour and I am there, baby!

16. “Someone to Pull the Trigger” (live), Matthew Sweet, Son of Altered Beast. His best slow song, period.

17. “Adios Hermanos,” Paul Simon, Songs from The Capeman. I can see why this musical was a flop — I imagine sitting through it in the theater was a real downer. But I love what he did with some of the ’50s melodies here.

18. “Hi Heel Sneakers” (live), Tom Jones, Live at Caesar’s Palace. Get thee to a Tom Jones show. He’s on tour right now, you have no excuse.

19. “Murder 101,” The Wallflowers, Breach. Elvis + Wallflowers = Double Whammy!

20. “Perfect Situation,” Weezer, Make Believe. Lousy album, great song. Plus, I just like saying “Weezer.”