Route 66

66 / November 2015 / John Kuhn

Burnmix 66 - Now that we seem to have foregone the CD format and time limits of same, I decided to make a very long mix for #66 - something that you might put on at a dinner party - or a get-together that sets a tone and has a little something for everybody - or covers a couple hours of work when you need that musical lift.  It might even straddle a commute coming and going.  I was going to cut it to 20 songs, but was having a hard time making the cuts and figured, what the hell?  This 25 tune mix will run close to 2 hours.  There is numerical support - this is the 66th mix - 3 X 22 = 66 and 3 + 22 = 25.  Therefore, 25 songs it is.  Makes sense to me.....

Bit more uptempo up front - fading back a bit toward the end.  I hope everyone finds something to like here.  Enjoy!

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  1. Chris Cornell / Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart

    This, in my opinion, is a perfect pop/rock song. It's got all the elements - infectious hooks, great melody and chord progression, fine vocals, benign lyrics, crescendo, decrescendo, crescendo again, fantastic production. I expect a few raised eyebrows, but I LOVE this song.

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    Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle; July 20, 1964 - May 17, 2017), Seattle, WA, United States, was an American singer/songwriter and guitarist. In 1984 he formed the band Soundgarden with bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Throughout the late 1980s and 90s, Soundgarden experienced major success as one of the major grunge bands (along with groups such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam). In 1990, Chris Cornell worked together with the (then) Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron Read more on Last.fm more...

  2. Destroyer / Times Square

    This was the lead-off tune for some months, until CC came along. It slid to #2, but is still a great tune. It's got this loosey-goosey feel, but is tight as a freaking drum. Love the acoustic strums in the early verses and the tone set by the first few lines.

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    Destroyer is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia fronted by singer-songwriter Dan Bejar and formed in 1995. Destroyer songs are characterized by abstract, poetic lyrics and idiosyncratic vocals. The band's discography draws on a variety of musical influences, resulting in albums that can sound markedly distinct from one another; in Bejar's words, "That's kind of my goal: to start from scratch every time." 1996–2001 We'll Build Them a Golden Bridge, Destroyer's 1996 debut, is made up of sixteen lo-fi home-recordings. Read more on Last.fm more...

  3. James McMurtry / Forgotten Coast

    Few writers have a more evocative sense of place in their lyrics than McMurtry. He's a master. And such a tasty 16 bar blues thing, with an evocative twist on the rhythm. Count it. 4444 4244 4244 4244 Infectious and subtle - and manages to work "Wewahitchka to Port St. Joe" into the lyrics.

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    James McMurtry (born March 18, 1962 in Fort Worth, Texas) is a Texas rock/Texas Country singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader and occasional actor (Daisy Miller, Lonesome Dove). He performs as James McMurtry And The Heartless Bastards with veteran bandmates and rhythm section Darren Hess and Ronnie Johnson (not to be confused with the Cincinnati, OH, band Heartless Bastards). The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. Read more on Last.fm more...

  4. Gaz Coombes / Detroit

    This was also in the lead-off spot for awhile, but slid down a few slots over time. A Brit who was in Supergrass for many years. Love the way this evolves and descends at the end. I don't think the mp3 format has the bandwidth for the chorus - sounds a bit distorted to me - but this song runs the gamut. Maybe i need a vinyl version.

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    Gareth "Gaz" Coombes (b. 8 March 1976 in Oxford, England) is a singer/songwriter and the former lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band Supergrass. His debut solo album, "Here Come The Bombs", was issued on 21 May 2012. He is also currently a member of the band The Hotrats. "Here Comes the Bombs" was produced by Sam Williams, who previously produced Supergrass' debut album "I Should Coco" in 1995. The first single, "Sub Divider" was issued as a free download from Coombes' website and the second Read more on Last.fm more...

  5. Fink / Looking Too Closely

    Another Brit - aka Fin Greenwall. I just love the sonic quality of this tune. It's very produced, but has an intoxicating vibe, at least to me. Sorry - this song is infectious. Listen a time or two....

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    There are, at least, two artists known as Fink: 1) A Brighton-based acoustic folk / blues / electronic artist. 2) A Hamburg, Germany alt-country band, founded mid-90s & disbanded in 2007. (1)Fink, Brighton-based acoustic folk / blues / electronic artist A recording / performance name of Brighton, UK's Fin Greenall - a Bristol-born understated singer-songwriter. He is an uncompromising artist - in acoustic folk / blues / dub - with an astounding stage presence, signed to Ninja Tune Records. Read more on Last.fm more...

  6. Loren Kramer / My Life

    I have always been a sucker for a well-done Hammond B3 intro. This delivers - and then his soulful voice kicks in. Sweet....

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  7. TOPS / Way to be Loved

    Is anyone else hooked on the intro, or is just me? Great syncopation on this song, with an addictive guitar jangle. From Montreal.

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    Coming from Montreal, Quebec, TOPS deliver a clever blend of groovy 80s-inspired indie pop and gentle rock. They consist of Jane Penny, David Carriere, Riley Fleck, Jackson Macintosh and Marta Cikojevic. After releasing their debut album Tender Opposites in 2012 and its critically acclaimed follow-up Picture You Staring in 2014 through Arbutus Records (the prominent Montreal label behind Grimes, Sean Nicholas Savage and Braids), their latest release Read more on Last.fm more...

  8. Ryan Adams / Bad Blood

    OK, I'm going to admit this. I heard this song, downloaded it, listened and added this to my mix....and had no idea that it was a Taylor Swift cover, as is the whole album. Then I read about it somewhere and did a "duh". I think the song stands on its own and is proof that TS, despite her sometimes obnoxious girly personae, is a gifted writer. Ryan Adams kicks this tune in the ass.

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    Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country and rock and roll singer-songwriter from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, which was at the time considered one of the leaders of the alt-country genre, Adams left the band and released his first solo album, Heartbreaker, in 2000 (which was subsequently nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize). As well as his solo albums, Adams has released five albums as Ryan Adams & the Cardinals. Read more on Last.fm more...

  9. Amason / Duvan

    Hey, what's a 66th Burnmix without some Swedish Synth Pop? I love the change at 1:14 and wait for it every time. Crazy hooks and reverbbbbbbb.......

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    Amason are Gustav Ejstes (Dungen), Amanda Bergman, Nils Törnqvist, Petter Winnberg (Little Majorette) and Pontus Winnberg (Miike Snow) Read more on Last.fm more...

  10. Luca / Best On

    Barely a chord change here, but a sexy intimate vibe and great layered vocals. So simple. Clocks in well under 3 minutes. His name is Luca Buccellati and his co-conspirator is Argentinian Tei Shi, also known as Val.

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  11. Kurt Vile / Pretty Pimpin'

    Joe, Andy and Saunders have all had a KV tune in mixes over the years. This is a new one and I've been hearing it here and there - it's out in the atmosphere. So, thanks y'all. Plus - I feel like this a lot of mornings....

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    Kurt Vile (born 1980 in Philadelphia) is an American guitarist and singer. Previously the lead guitarist in the band The War on Drugs, he began his solo career in 2008. Vile began his musical career in 2003 creating lo-fi home recordings with frequent collaborator Adam Granduciel. The duo subsequently formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs in 2005. Vile departed following the release of their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008. Vile's music has been likened to Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and Tom Petty. Read more on Last.fm more...

  12. The Weepies / River from the Sky

    I've been a Weepies fan for some years - Deb Talan is, after all, an Amherst native. Remember seeing them at Passim with Noah many moons ago. Their new album was a real disappointment, however, except for two songs. This is one of them and the title track to the CD.

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    The Weepies is an American indie pop-folk duo of married singer-songwriters Deb Talan and Steve Tannen. The duo began making music together in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2001. In 2006, The Weepies big label debut Say I Am You came out on Nettwerk Records. After an initial hard-scrabble tour in their compact car as a duo, Deb Talan & Steve Tannen’s music appeared in more than a dozen TV shows, as well as several major motion pictures. Their iTunes sales topped the folk charts in eight countries. Read more on Last.fm more...

  13. TV On the Radio / Trouble

    Dreamy layers of synth and multi-octave voices - plus great song structure. Hey...."everything's gonna be okay!"

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    TV on the Radio are an American indie rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York. The group has released several EPs including their debut Young Liars (2003), and five studio albums: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004), Return to Cookie Mountain (2006), Dear Science (2008), Nine Types of Light (2011), and Seeds (2014). For most of the band's existence, the core TV on the Radio lineup has been Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops) Read more on Last.fm more...

  14. Junius Meyvant / Color Decay

    An ear worm. This guy is from Iceland - not that that means anything - but there is a unique sound. Not a fan of the theatrical synth trumpet ending, but couldn't ax this tune from the mix. Why wonder?

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  15. Vallis Alps / Young

    Kind of a chill song with a guitar lick that kicks in around 1:45 and doesn't let go. Nice throb and powerful ending. Aussie band.

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    Vallis Alps are David & Parissa: a due who create dreamy, beautiful and mesmerising electronica between Canberra and Seattle. Young reached #27 in the 2015 Hottest 100. https://www.facebook.com/vallisalps/ Read more on Last.fm more...

  16. Family And Friends / Wyoming

    Kind of a stupid name, but a legit band from Athens, Georgia. Have a feeling they'd be fun to see live. Two stand up drummers - that works..... Great rhtymic shift - a few 2/4 bars shoved in there, ala McMurtry - plus a 5/4 bar or two - crazy stuff. Try to keep count......

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    Family And Friends is an American indie-rock band out of Athens, GA. The band began as a lowly seedling of inspiration. “Good music, good people.” One became six, a collective of musicians by trade, lovers by spirit. Inspired by a life worth living, the Fam and Pals remained rooted with three ambitions in heart, mind, and soul: the people, the music, the memories. The reflection represented by blend of earnest folk rock and a communal spirit pouring a collective heart into something bigger than itself. Read more on Last.fm more...

  17. Syd Arthur / Hometown Blues

    A Brit band with a nod to Hermann Hesse Great piano vibe and interesting chord progression.

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    Syd Arthur are devotees of a sound - sons and heirs of those Canterbury psychedelic and progressive rockers whose improvisational approach made the avant-garde accessible. Winners of the Canterbury Best Local Band competition they eventually adopted the fitting name Syd Arthur — the "Syd" bit because of Barrett and "Arthur" with its intimations of the Kinks' album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). They created their own recording space, Wicker Studios, in 2009, and released their first EP the following year. Read more on Last.fm more...

  18. Shawn Colvin / Baker Street

    This is a remake of a Gerry Rafferty hit circa 1978 - before most mixers were around. Shawn may fall into Grogan's snooze category, but I love this cover - and David Crosby adds a nice touch.

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    David Van Cortland Crosby (born August 14, 1941) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is most well known for being a founding member of The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY). Crosby is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work in The Byrds and CSN. Read more on Last.fm more...

  19. Beck / Dreams

    When I heard this song playing on my way out of Whole Foods I knew it had hit mainstream. BUT, it's a great song. Love the sound quality and the slow down at about 3:10 is really tough to pull off, but very effective. Great guitar work.

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  20. Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Multi-Love

    Gotta get the lyrics on-line to figure out what she's saying, but pretty provocative tune. A band created buy New Zealander Ruban Nielson.

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    Unknown Mortal Orchestra first dropped into the world in late 2010 as a bandcamp account carrying a single called ‘Ffunny Ffrends’. ‘Ffunny Ffrends’ was everything you imagined it might be – alien beatnik pop music that echoed 60s psychedelia and krautrock minimalism with just a hint of gentle weirdness that suggested its roots might equally lie in the verdant indie of the equally distant New Zealand scene. Ruban Nielson is a New Zealand native who had transplanted to Portland, Oregon, USA with his band The Mint Chicks. Read more on Last.fm more...

  21. Frightened Rabbit / Architect

    How could I not include a tune with such a title?

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    Manchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band which formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2004. The group is currently composed of rhythm guitarist, singer/songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley and drummer Tim Very. Former drummer Jeremiah Edmond parted ways with the band in January 2010 to focus on his family as well as running the band's record label, Favorite Gentlemen. Read more on Last.fm more...

  22. Tame Impala / Let It Happen

    This tune wasn't going to make the mix - a bit too long - but I just couldn't give it the ax. So here it is - clocking in at almost 8 minutes. I find Kevin Parker's approach to be pretty refreshing and constantly changing.

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  23. Jane Tyrell / Wild Waters

    Two Aussies in a row. Love the rat-a-tat machine gun fire drums in this tune. Duck!!

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  24. I Am Kloot / From Your Favourite Sky

    Heard this tune on Radio Paradise while driving down to the studio one day and had to go searching for it. Depressing lyrics, but a beautiful eerie song with a great melody and chord progression. A Brit band around since 1999.

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    I Am Kloot are a band formed in Manchester, England in 1999 by John Bramwell (guitar/vocals), Peter Jobson (bass) and Andy Hargreaves (drums), notable for their twisted, witty lyrics. Their Debut single To You on Ugly Man Records was produced by and featured backing vocals by Guy Garvey, lead singer of Еlbow. Debut album Natural History was released in the United Kingdom in March 2001 on Wall of Sound offshoot We Love You, followed by I Am Kloot in September 2003 on the Echo label. Read more on Last.fm more...

  25. Casualties of Cool / Forgive Me

    Casualties of Cool is Devin Townsend and Che Aimee Dorval - Canadian dudes. This is from a concept album, but stands on its own. I love the vibe of this song and that really fine guitar part. Fades out nice, along with burnmix 66, to a lone shaker.

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    Casualties of Cool is a duo consisting of Devin Townsend and Ché Aimee (from Devin Townsend Project’s Ki album). Townsend stated that “it sounds like haunted Johnny Cash songs. Late night music, completely isolated sounding and different than anything I’ve done. Che sings most of the leads, and it’s probably the truest reflection of who I am in life at this point.” Read more on Last.fm more...

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