Seems so very sad for you

For my money Drake is the quintessential hippie singer/songwriter. Compliment or insult? Well, I've liked virtually everything I've ever heard by him so that can't be too bad, can it? He's also now a paradox of corporate media: a Volkswagen commercial brought him back and turned a new generation cynical of him simultaneously. Such is the way of American cognitive dissonance.

Nick Drake -- 'The Day is Done'

I'm a south Jersey mook

The pride of the Bluegrass takes time out from kicking my ass at the poker table to dole out a punk rock ass whippin'. Are you tough enough? This Sunday's Aqua Teen episode features Mr. Luallen as a brutal drill instructor so set your VCR's.

Nine Pound Hammer -- 'Carl's Theme (from Aqua Teen Hunger Force)'

BONUS -- Nine Pound Hammer -- 'Run Fatboy Run' (Guitar Hero style)
I guess this is why God invented the internet.

You're on old slut on junk

The Pogues were always good for songs about booze, gambling and church. The 'Holy Trinity' oeuvre culminated with the song 'Bottle of Smoke' about a guy who gets drunk, bets on a horse then drops the winnings in the collection plate. Their songs swing, they have style and soul and everything in between. Here is one the great drunken Christmas ballads of all time, like Bukowski getting festive.

The Pogues w/Kristy MacColl -- 'Fairy Tale of New York'

Remember when Gretzky played for the Blues?

Just between you and me, I was never a Dave Brubeck fan. His unorthodox style occasionally makes for some funky beats but more often than not it seems like he's fighting the piano. (Not as bad as John Cage who always struck me as angry at the piano--presumably because he never learned to play one!) But Paul Desmond is one of the great underappreciated jazz dudes of all time. Smooth, flexible, playful, fluent and toe-tappingly tuneful. Desmond makes this clip glide. And, hey, I never pass up a drum solo although I gotta admit I don't know this guy. Good clip, great video and audio.

Dave Brubeck Quartet -- 'St. Louis Blues'

What ya gonna do when the world's on fire?

Interesting video. Furry sure gets a lot out of barely touching his instrument. '79 next March' and still kicking ass. Nice work.

Furry Lewis -- 'When I Lay My Burden Down'

A smile relieves a heart that grieves

I always dug this song, one of their finest of the post-Mick Taylor era. Nothing too special, just a chill little tune from weary veterans. And I love the notion that Mick and Kieth can just leisurely roam the bars of Manhattan. And what are Bill and Charlie doing in the background? Rooting around You Tube for Stones clips yielded mostly crappy live clips from around the world or the standard videos they've released over the last 20 years of songs I don't like or never heard. But then there's this.

The Rolling Stones -- 'Waiting on a Friend'

New music

Have you heard Dengue Fever? Check them out. (Hat tip: Knuckles)

The thrill of the fight

The music editor saw this flick last week, enjoyed it immensely. It is the tale of a young lady of the 1970's fleeing tyranny in Iran only to find ennui in France. My favorite scene was the juxtaposition of the horrible burka-ed Persian teachers and the horrible Austrian nuns that provided just a little taste of how close--and how horrible!--east and west can be. This piece is only an extract and it's really barely worthy of your local Karaoke bar but it has spirit and a healthy dose of cognitive dissonance.

Marjane Satrapi -- 'Eye of the Tiger' (from Persepolis)

'We would've made millions of that one!'

No doubt, dude. Too bad. Here's the reminiscence.

DMX v Jay-Z

Wait til the judgment day comes

Man, Gov't Mule are serious pros. These guys know what they're doing. Video is headache-inducing at times but the audio is excellent.

Government Mule -- 'War Pigs'