Interesting you should mention Loudon Wainwright’s Daughter . Last week I heard a cover of that song. I believe it was by someone who has collaborated with Wainwright and I want to say it was Jon Brion, but I can’t remember. It’s a very cool song.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

I will offer up some of my favorite CDs from the past year or so.

Rilo Kiley – “Silver Lining” from Under the Blacklight; “Portions for Foxes” from 2004’s More Adventurous.

You cannot go wrong with anything that Patty Griffin has put out. Her amazing debut – Living With Ghosts has got to be one of my favorite CD’s of all time. But to name her best song I would have to say “Useless Desires” from her Impossible Dreams CD.

The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter by said artist. Just came out a few months ago but “Mind’s Eye”, “Right Moves”, “Open Doors” etc etc – I keep finding new favorites everytime I list to this CD.

Strange Weirdos by Loudon Wainwright III (this is the soundtrack to Knocked Up). He is still writing great songs after all these years. I know you have kids (not sure if any girls, but I do and “Daughter” really strikes a chord in me; “You Can’t Fail Me Now” is the other standouts on this one. Check out his older stuff for great songs dealing with all manner of family relationships.

Both Love & Fear and The Wounded Heart of America by Tom Russell. I just discovered Tom after last year after seeing him perform “Stealing Electricity” on Letterman. He is a great underappreciated artist of our time. He has written many songs for other artists like Johnny Cash, John Prine, Joe Ely and many more for years. Some of my favorites -”The Pugilist at 59″, “Muhammad Ali”, “Stealing Electricity”, “Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall” “Gallo Del Cielo”

If you still like a harder edge on your rock n roll – you can’t go wrong with Kings of Leon; “Red Morning Light” from Youth and Young Manhood is a good introduction. They have a new CD out that has gotten good reviews but I haven’t heard yet.

Back on a mellower note Kristin Mooney’s self-titled CD is beautiful. She has a haunting voice and her band on this was basically Calexico. “Boyfriend”, “Better Than Ever” and “Deliver Us From Us” are amazing. She also has a new CD just out.

Fountains of Wayne’s CD Welcome Interstate Managers is just filled with great pop songs. “Stacy’s Mom” which got a lot of airplay was about the 8th best song – check out “Hackensack” and “Hey Julie”.

Kids Music has become a huge thing and for my money you cannot beat Peter Himmelman. Any of his 3 kids CDs “My Best Friend is a Salamander”, “My Lemonade Stand” and “My Green Kite” (chronological order) will keep you kids singing and laughing and you won’t want to pull your hair out listening to it with them (over and over and over and over).

Well that was certainly longer than I intended it to be. I look forward to listening to your picks and hope some BFS followers will check out my list.

Doug