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  • Road trip tunes

    Road trip tunes

    I’m about to take the longest road trip I’ve ever done… so I’m looking for road trip tunes!

    Okay, so I was technically on a longer road trip a couple of times. The first time was when I was a tot and my parents drove the family cross country in a Winnebago. I don’t remember that drive because I was too young, but I’m told I swung on a bar the whole way and stunk up the trailer by repeatedly filling my diapers. The second time was in 1996, when I went by bus from Yerevan, Armenia to Istanbul, Turkey. It took three days straight, but I wasn’t driving.

    This time, I will be driving alone in my car while my husband drives our other car with our dogs. That means I’m gonna need some good driving songs. Here are a few road trip tunes that come to mind in advance of our three or four day trek from North Carolina to Texas.

    Truckin’, by the Grateful Dead

    Of course, I had to start with “Truckin’”, a classic Grateful Dead song that is all about moving down the highway. It’s got a beat you can nod your head to and some irreverent lyrics that one can sing along to. I can’t say I’m the biggest Deadhead out there, but I like this song. I think it will get things off to a good start.

    Rockin’ Down The Highway by The Doobie Brothers

    This song literally spells out “rockin’ down the highway”, so of course it’s an excellent road song. I imagine I’d better watch it with this song, though. Wouldn’t want to get a speeding ticket while rockin’ down the highway.

    On The Road Again by Willie Nelson

    I have always loved this classic road tune by Willie Nelson. Yeah, I know Willie is not necessarily a rock star, but he’s pretty damn cool. And this is a great song to drive to as you watch the countryside fly past.

    You Can Sleep While I Drive by Melissa Etheridge or Trisha Yearwood


    Melissa Etheridge


    Trisha Yearwood

    I’m kind of partial to Trisha Yearwood’s version of Melissa Etheridge’s edgy hit, “You Can Sleep While I Drive”. I don’t know why… there’s sort of a raw, earthy, passion to Melissa’s original, but I like Trisha’s vocals. But yeah, I can see putting the top down on my convertible as I drive to this song… Either version rocks!

    Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin

    This may seem an unconventional choice, but I found it to be great travel music when I took a train trip through Europe in 1997. It’s got a nice upbeat tempo and some lyrics you can sing to if you manage to understand them.

    Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

    This song is the ultimate let’s get the hell out of Dodge song. When I was a kid in high school, I fell in love with this song for its romantic lyrics and hard driving beat. Most of Bruce Springsteen’s rockin’ songs are great songs to drive to. And I intend to be rockin’ on this trip so I don’t fall asleep at the wheel.

    Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan

    My earliest memory of hearing this epic blues number is when I was riding in a car, lying down in the back seat, and hanging my bare feet out the window as my sister drove us to Virginia Beach. Ever since then, this song has been one of my favorite road tunes.

    Something To Talk About by Bonnie Raitt

    I dare you not to sing along to this road tune, girls. I know I will be singing at the top of my lungs to “Something To Talk About”… though, if it’s too late in the drive, I might change the lyrics to “Something To Cry About”.

    Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

    Yup… another one you can sing to… and seat dance to… and watch your speed to. I look forward to cranking up this and many other road tunes. Cuz I’m hitting the road, Jack.

    The March by Robert Randolph & The Family Band

    I freakin’ love this song! Actually, I love most of what Robert Randolph & The Family Band does. Their music kicks serious ass, especially when you’re driving. I plan to kill about eight great minutes playing this glorious track. I will also be playing Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s latest album, “Lickety Split”, reviewed here on Pop Rock Nation a week ago!

    Robert Randolph’s “I Don’t Know What You Come To Do” is an easy follow up…

    This song kicks serious ass! It’s an epic road tune if I’ve ever heard one!

    Well, with that, I think I shall continue packing and see y’all on the flip side… when I am an official Texas resident!

  • SingSnap brings people together

    SingSnap brings people together

    This week, I’ve found out how SingSnap brings people together

    Next week, I will be in the midst of a move. The packers are coming to gather up our belongings on Tuesday, and by Friday, all our stuff will be on its way to Texas. Consequently, it’s unlikely that I’ll be writing nearly as much next week. But this week, I have enjoyed some creative pursuits, including much time spent on SingSnap.com. On Tuesday this week, I was unusually prolific on SingSnap and a man from Norway ran across my recording of Don McLean’s “Vincent”. I had done it in a lower key and it turned out pretty nice. He left me a comment and then listened to a few of my other recordings, on which he also left comments.

    I was curious about my new Norwegian follower, so I went to his SingSnap page. Turns out he has a very nice voice himself and even writes songs. He didn’t have many recordings up; in fact, over the past week, he’s more than doubled what was on his page the first time I visited. But I noticed that he had an “open duet” available, Don Williams’ and Emmylou Harris’ cover of the Townes Van Zandt song, “If I Needed You”. I actually had only heard Lyle Lovett’s take on that song.


    Emmylou Harris and Don Williams sing “If I Needed You”.


    Lyle Lovett’s version of “If I Needed You”.

    And I will admit that I pretty much guessed how Emmylou Harris would sing her part in the duet. I didn’t listen to her version of the song before I recorded my part. Consequently, my version is probably more like Lyle’s done in Emmylou’s key.

    Anyway, I joined “brumm101” on that song and it turned out nicely. I posted it on Facebook and much to my surprise, several friends listened and enjoyed it. In fact, a former English professor of mine, now retired from many years of teaching at Longwood University listened to our recording and wanted to know how we did it. I explained how on SingSnap, you can sing your part, post it, and others can join you if you give them that option.

    Another online friend, who lives in Texas and sings, vows that there WILL be karaoke when we finally meet. I “met” him and his wife on Epinions.com roughly eight or nine years ago. I actually met his wife in person at an Epinions Meet & Greet in Washington, DC. I understand he’s quite the singer and, in fact, used to write excellent music reviews on Epinions. We’ve kept in touch over the years, despite my many moves. He offered his take on my duet with the Norwegian, too. And so did another “friend” I’ve never met in person, but who is a musician and mutual friends with a chef I used to work with years ago. He offered some suggestions and checked out some other stuff I did. It was a nice bonding moment.

    Yesterday, SingSnap had a duet challenge asking members to sing duets with people from other countries. Since I am American and brumm101 is Norwegian, it worked out well for us. We sang Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe”. I think I might have found a new friend!

    “brumm101” and I sing an old hit by Sonny and Cher.

    Making and sharing music is exciting to me, even if I’m only doing it on an online karaoke site. If I manage to make new friends and find good duet partners in the process, that’s a good thing.

    I hope everyone has a good weekend. I’ll try to post next week before my computer gets packed up for the move. If I don’t manage to, I’ll be back when I’m no longer in transit to Texas.

  • Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s Lickety Split!

    Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s Lickety Split!

    Get ’em while they’re hot! Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s new album, Lickety Split, hits the shelves today!

    Today, Robert Randolph & The Family Band have a new album out, called Lickety Split. I remember the very first time I heard Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s music. It was June 20, 2004, my 32nd birthday. My husband, Bill, had surprised me with tickets to see Eric Clapton at Washington DC’s MCI Center. We had nosebleed seats. But then, the opening band came out and freakin’ blew our doors off.

    I had never heard of Robert Randolph & The Family Band before that night, but they quickly indoctrinated me. I liked their part of the show much better than Clapton’s. When I think of that night, I think of Robert Randolph’s virtuoso pedal steel guitar playing, not Eric Clapton’s much more sedate performance. I remember how Randolph’s bandmates played round robin with their instruments, taking over for each other. These guys are saturated with musical talent and just enthralled me with their performance. I went home and ordered the two CDs they had out at the time, Live At The Wetlands and Unclassified.

    Years later, when I joined Facebook, I “liked” Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s page. I get regular updates about the band and– I’m ashamed to say it– that’s how I found out that they have a new album coming out today. Lickety Split has just hit the shelves and I downloaded my copy first thing this morning. I thought I’d dedicate today’s post to my thoughts on the new album as I listen to it for the very first time. So here goes… or should I say, “Hear goes?”.

    First impressions of Lickety Split…

    Cover of Robert Randolph & The Family Band's latest album, Lickety Split.
    Cover of Robert Randolph & The Family Band’s latest album, Lickety Split.

    This album kicks off with the high energy track, “Amped Up”. With a discordant crash of Robert Randolph’s pedal steel, the song cranks up. My first thought is that it reminds me a lot of a mix of 2006’s “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” from the album, Colorblind. The hook is similar and so is the tempo. This song is about getting up and getting going, which makes it a great song for first thing in the morning… maybe after your first cup of coffee? I think it’s obvious Robert Randolph meant for this to be a morning song. At the end, he says “Now have a good day!”

    The energy continues with “Born Again”, a song that instantly makes me think it was inspired by Robert Randolph’s spiritual background. The lyrics are vague enough that they could be romantic, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this is about God. I love it. It has backing vocals that are reminiscent of a church choir in a holy roller church. The rhythm is infectious, while the melody is joyful… and joyfully played. The lyrics borrow a bit from well known spirituals. You’ll hear a little “Amazing Grace” in there, but in a way you’ve never heard it before. This song gets my blood pumping.

    I’m somewhat less impressed by “New Orleans”, which is a slower song sung by Lanesha Randolph. It’s kind of a pretty ballad about New Orleans, but the melody and lyrics are somewhat pedestrian compared to the energy of the first two songs. It’s not a bad song at all, but it doesn’t move me like “Amped Up” and “Born Again” do. On the other hand, maybe listeners want a short breather after those first two numbers. Lanesha Randolph has a lovely voice… it kind of reminds me of Jennifer Hudson’s. The end of this song is kind of cool, whimsical and creative.

    The next song is “Take the Party”. It features Trombone Shorty and is yet another high energy track. I dare you to sit still during this song, which has an infectious tempo. As I listen to this song this morning, I’m bobbing my head, tapping my toes, and really digging the trombone. “Take the party wherever you go”… It’s not a bad way to live.

    You’ll continue the festivities with the next song, “Brand New Wayo”, which features Carlos Santana. What a cool song! It has sort of a retro disco/funk feel to it. On this song, Robert Randolph shows off his awesome bandleading skills as he lets his bandmates shine, then joins in himself. “Brand New Wayo” makes me wish I were more into exercise. I might have to take up zumba now, because this song makes me want to MOVE. It sort of channels “Pick Up The Pieces” by Average White Band.

    The energy doesn’t decrease with “Lickety Split”, though instead of disco and funk, I hear rockabilly. Even the lyrics suggest rockabilly, as Randolph sings about family life. As I listen to this, I’m dumbfounded by the breadth of Randolph’s repertoire. This is a man who loves music and is influenced by everything. The lyrics are uplifting and positive; they promote love, which is a great message for the first thing in the morning.

    Carlos Santana also guests on the next song, “Blacky Joe”. The tempo comes down a few notches and we get to hear some fine percussion, bass guitar, pedal steel, and Santana’s unmistakable guitar. I’m not sure who inspired this song, but the lyrics suggest a devoted friend of the band who’s no longer around and is missed. At the end, Carlos Santana contributes some wicked guitar.

    Next comes a fun cover of “Love Rollercoaster”, a song that was made famous by the Ohio Players in 1975. I like how Robert Randolph & The Family Band played this, though it really doesn’t sound that different than the original. It’s in the same key and basically has the same funky mood, just dressed up a bit with pedal steel.

    “All American” has more of a straightforward rock sound, with a savage beat and stabbing guitar riffs. At the bridge, the beat turns into a thumping heartbeat. The lyrics are kind of simple, extolling the virtues of an American girl. I like the melody better than the words.

    The next song is “Get Ready”, again very funky, high energy, and letting Randolph show everybody how much of a genius he is with the pedal steel guitar. The band chants “Get Ready” repeatedly, while Randolph jams, making his instrument squeal and shriek, then bubble over with music.

    “Welcome Home” is another ballad, slowing down the tempo just a bit with a pretty melody and nice piano accents. Randolph welcomes back the troops with this surreal anti war song. I appreciate Randolph’s sentiments. He remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who made it back alive, but are no longer mentally or physically whole. As the wife of a service member, I like that Randolph’s attitude is one of gratitude, rather than shaming. This song is very profound in its own way, from the challenging melody to the lyrics.

    The last song is a cover of “Good Lovin’”, which was a song made popular by The Young Rascals. This is done in the same key as the original, but Randolph has spiced it up with some modern embellishments. He had a lot of fun with this and it ends the album on a good note.

    My Thoughts

    This was my very first listen to Lickety Split, so today’s post is based entirely on my first impressions of this brand new album. I think it’s damn good. There are a few songs that are really awesome, while a few others aren’t as impressive to me, but are still quite solid. For instance, I wish Robert Randolph & The Family Band had done a little more with their tale on “Love Rollercoaster”. On the other hand, what they did do is definitely not bad at all. I will have to listen to this a few more times, but at this point I think it’s a keeper and well worth the $10 I paid for it.