Sometimes the hardest part is just making it to the chair. Well, congratulations, we’ve made it… to the chair. There were a few doubtful moments and some gentle encouragement, but here we are.


Ann Berretta “New Revolution”

This a track from Three Chord Revolution, released in 2004. As is often the case, Phillip introduced me to this band. The music is not too complicated and fun road-trip punk rock. I don’t think that’s a thing, but I’ve driven plenty of long road trips and enjoyed having this album in the rotation.


A Tribe Called Quest “Black Spasmodic”

Well, I found a great roots reggae track to include, kind of. The entire song is built off the slowed down Winston Jarrett record “Let the Music Play”. That’s the infectious part of the song for me. Phife and Tip deliver the top notch verses they are known for to make it an ATCQ classic.

Sure, there are more epic albums from ATCQ than this one, but it’s still a great listen. My top 3 would be: People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm > Low End Theory > Midnight Marauders.


Lucero “Tears don’t matter much”

Credit to my friend Dave on this one, he’s how I started listening to Lucero. They are rock and country and punk and generally awesome. They played 3 nights ending on New Years Eve in 2018, I’m a little salty for not checking one of them out. The venue, Sweetwater Music Hall, was next door to my office at the time.

Reason #2 I think of Dave with this song is the lyric below.

I’m just another southern boy who dreams of nights in NYC

Lucero

Lucero hadn’t done it, but Dave was on the successful end of the Texas – NYC dream.