Today Is The Day - Late Night FV

Another Late Night mix that's part of the Final Version series. Lots of favorites on this one from a time when I was making lots of mixes. This one sounds good and a nice look at those days.

Today Is The Day - Late Night FV

1. Today Is The Day – Yo La Tengo, 2003
2. Tomorrow Tomorrow – Elliott Smith, 1998
3. I’ve Been High – R.E.M., 2001
4. Wherever You Are – Neil Finn, 2001
5. Falling At Your Feet – Daniel Lanois, 2003
6. Rain Falls For Wind – The Sleepy Jackson, 2003
7. I’ll Never Get Over You – John Hiatt, 1993
8. Closing Time – Semisonic, 1998
9. Kim The Waitress – The Green Pajamas, 1997
10. Proto-Pretty – Wondermints, 1995
11. High and Dry – Radiohead, 1995
12. No Rain – Blind Melon, 1992
13. Candy – Morphine, 1994
14. Heartbreak A Stranger – Bob Mould, 1989
15. This Is The One – The Stone Roses, 1989
16. One – U2, 1991
17. Linger – The Cranberries, 1993
18. Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots, 1994
19. Black Metallic – Catherine Wheel, 1992
20. Pictures of You – The Cure, 1989

One Time One Night - Late Night FV

This is a mix that has been around for quite a while in various forms and the music is all from the mid to late 1980's. Some Americana and New Wave influences throughout.

One Time One Night - Late Night FV

1. One Time One Night – Los Lobos, 1987
2. The One That Got Away – The Rainmakers, 1986
3. The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death – The Housemartins, 1987
4. On The Run – Marshall Crenshaw, 1989
5. When Love Comes to Town – U2, 1988
6. I See Red – The Silencers, 1987
7. I Love You Like a Ball and Chain – Eurythmics, 1985
8. Jungle Love – The Time, 1984
9. Is it Love – Gang of Four, 1983
10. The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades – Timbuk 3, 1987
11. Alex Chilton – The Replacements, 1987
12. Dancin’ On Top of the World – Mason Ruffner, 1987
13. Love On Fire – The Del Lords, 1990
14. American Roulette – Robbie Robertson, 1987
15. Hard Times in the Land of Plenty – Omar & The Howlers, 1987
16. You Sold the Farm – The Northern Pikes, 1987
17. Italian Shoes – Mink DeVille, 1985
18. Wear It Like a Cape – The Del Fuegos, 1987
19. Ship of Fools – World Party, 1986
20. Turn A Blind Eye – The Call, 1983
21. Witness the Change – Pete Shelley, 1981
22. Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – David Bowie, 1982

Steak on the Grill

This evening Becky grilled us a small steak for dinner. It was delicious. We are not regular steak eaters. It has probably been decades since either of us ordered a regular steak in a restaurant. It's just something we've been interested in. However, we do like to have a little steak on our porch grill once a summer. This was it.

Some nice potatoes too and a salad. Oh, and that great bread from the co-op. A very nice meal.

Love That Chicken

Becky makes a really good chicken cutlet dinner. The chicken has all the right spices and it's a good piece of chicken to start with. We love it with some nice fresh vegetables and some tasty rice.

Time After Time - Covers FV

Time after time I've made many cover mixes and here is another one that is now part of my Final Version series.

It was fun putting this together as always.

Time After Time - Covers FV

1. Time After Time – Everything But The Girl (Cyndi Lauper)
2. Landslide – Dixie Chicks (Fleetwood Mac)
3. I’m On Fire – Willie Nile (Bruce Springsteen)
4. He Was a Friend of Mine – John Oates (The Byrds)
5. New Speedway Boogie – Courtney Burnett (Grateful Dead)
6. Everybody’s Talkin’ – Patty Larkin (Fred Neil)
7. You Were On My Mind – Covin & Earle (Ian & Sylvia)
8. The Chain – Brandi Carlile (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Tangled Up In Blue – Mary Lee’s Corvette (Bob Dylan)
10. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever – Dion (The Four Tops)
11. To Love Somebody – Roberta Flack (Bee Gees)
12. Unchained Melody – Norah Jones (The Righteous Brothers)
13. Oh Girl – Paul Young (The Chi-Lites)
14. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me – She & Him (Mel Carter)
15. You Really Got A Hold On Me – The Beatles (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
16. As Tears Go By – Melanie (The Rolling Stones)
17. Oh Me Oh My – Beth Hart (Lulu)
18. I Believe – Petra Haden & Bill Frisell (Stevie Wonder)
19. More, More, More – Mark Eitzel (Andrea True)
20. Dark End of the Street – Frank Black (James Carr)
21. The Ballad of Easy Rider – Sandy Denny (The Byrds)
22. Heart of a Saturday Night – Jonathan Richman (Tom Waits)

Rollin' Tumblin' - Blues Night FV

More blues. This is the third of the Blues Night Final Version mixes. This is a newer version of a series of blues mixes I put together over the years. Another hour and a half of the blues... old and new.

Rollin' Tumblin' - Blues Night FV

1. Rollin’ Tumblin’ (Remix) – R.L. Burnside, 1998
2. Po Black Maddie – North Mississippi Allstars, 2000
3. Shake It, Part 2 – Rick Holmstrom, 2002
4. Money On My Mind – Corey Harris, 2002
5. Cold Shot – Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble, 1984
6. Ten Long Years – Eric Clapton & B.B. King, 2000
7. Baby, Scratch My Back – Slim Harpo, 1965
8. Crosscut Saw – Albert King, 1967
9. Statesboro Blues – Taj Mahal, 1968
10. Mean Old World – Duane Allman & Eric Clapton, 1970
11. Turtle Blues – Big Brother & The Holding Company, 1968
12. Catfish Blues – Jimi Hendrix, 1969
13. Fried Hockey Boogie – Canned Heat, 1968
14. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – Ten Years After, 1969
15. I Got A Mind To Give Up Living – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1966
16. Blues For Mama – Nina Simone, 1967
17. After Hours – Roy Buchanan, 1973
18. The Blues Is My Business – Etta James, 2003
19. Playin’ In The Dirt – Robert Cray – 1985
20. Rollin’ and Tumblin’ – Johnny Winter, 1969

Old Photo 1976

While clearing out some of the old stuff on the third floor we came across this old photo of me and Becky that her brother Dave took at the Adirondacks in 1976. We were staying in Long Lake just after Labor Day. It was my first time experiencing the Adirondacks. Earlier that year I also visited Buffalo for the first time.

Becky had that very cute short pixie haircut and I had rather longish hair and that Franz Zappa-ish stash and goatee. Also was wearing a headscarf. LOL.

We were living in Germantown at the time and both attending Temple University. She was in art school and I was majoring in communications and film studies on the GI Bill. 

Holy Mole

Becky and I went out for some Mexican food this evening at Taqueria Ranchos La Delicias on Niagara Street. This restaurant has been on our radar for the past couple of years and we finally got there. It was spectacular and we had a wonderful dinner. We loved the booths and the authentic Mexican decor and vibe. 

I had Enchiladas Mole which was three chicken enchiladas topped with mole sauce and cheese along with Mexican rice and sour cream salad. Becky had a very large grilled chicken Quesadilla Fajita with rice, beans and sour cream salad.

They had a nice selection of Mexican beers and I started off with a draft pint of Modelo Especial and then followed that up with a draft pint of Dos Equis lager.

Everybody's Got It - Songs 1968 FV

Another set of songs from albums in my collection released in 1968. Lots of big hits and deep cuts that sound great together and is a reminder that we listened to albums back then. Sure some stuff was on the radio but most of the time me and my friends were sitting around somewhere with a turntable and a stack of albums.

The title of the mix comes from the opening song of the mix which was also the opening song of Cheap Thrills from Janis Joplin. Then the mix takes off from there and explores the year.

Everybody's Got It - Songs 1968 FV

1. Combination Of The Two - Big Brother & The Holding Company
2. Chest Fever - The Band
3. Alligator - Grateful Dead
4. All Along The Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
5. Summertime Blues - Blue Cheer
6. White Room - Cream
7. I Ain't Superstitious - The Jeff Beck Group
8. Sookie Sookie - Steppenwolf
9. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey - The Beatles
10. Mony Mony - Tommy James & The Shondells
11. Suzie Q - Creedence Clearwater Revival
12. Kentucky Woman - Deep Purple
13. The Loner - Neil Young
14. Madame George - Van Morrison
15. The Village Green Preservation Society - The Kinks
16. Beggars Farm - Jethro Tull
17. The Universal - Small Faces
18. Lady Godiva's Operation - The Velvet Underground

From the Kitchen Drawer

So what are these things from the kitchen drawer? I yanked them all out of the silverware drawer where they were all squeezed into the front along and under the tray. I piled them on the kitchen counter top and sorted through them. I threw away most of them but kept a few of the nicer ones. You never know when you need a good twisty tie. Some rubber bands too.

All Come To Look For America - Songs 1968 FV

Some folk, rock, soul, pop and early country songs from albums in my collection released in 1968. The opening song here which is the mix title track is probably my favorite song from Simon & Garfunkel. Something about it has always resonated with me. It's a good start for any mix and I never get tired of it. The James Taylor and Townes Van Zandt songs follow nicely.

All Come To Look For America - Songs 1968 FV

1. America - Simon & Garfunkel
2. Carolina On My Mind - James Taylor
3. Tecumseh Valley - Townes Van Zandt
4. Turn Around - The Beau Brummels
5. Long Black Veil - The Band
6. I've Gotta Get A Message To You - Bee Gees
7. Some Velvet Morning - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
8. Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers
9. Days - The Kinks
10. Red Red Wine - Neil Diamond
11. No Expectations - The Rolling Stones
12. Feelin' Alright - Traffic
13. Easy Rollin' - The Rascals
14. Revolution 1 - The Beatles
15. Daydream Believer - The Monkees
16. Going Up The Country - Canned Heat
17. Stoned Soul Picnic - Laura Nyro
18. Hickory Wind - The Byrds
19. The Circle Game - Tom Rush
20. The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
21. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
22. Mandrake Root - Deep Purple
23. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know - Blood, Sweat & Tears
24. Try A Little Tenderness - Three Dog Night
25. See Saw - Aretha Franklin

Thursday Evening Dinner

Becky and I went out for some dinner and left around 5:30 or so. We had decided to go down to Cafe 59 on Allen Street which has been one of our favorite restaurants for many years where we enjoy getting a little something for dinner. We discussed a few other restaurants but settled on Cafe 59. Becky had the chicken finger wrap. I had a wrap too. Their Harvest Wrap which is roasted turkey, field greens, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, gorgonzola and balsamic vinaigrette. Very tasty. I had a draft Rare Vos, a spicy Belgian style amber ale from Ommegang Brewery. One of my favorites.

Usually when we are out to dinner like this I have a second beer. This time however we decided to leave the restaurant right away and drive over to the Albright-Knox Museum. I have been wanting to get over there to see the current show and we thought that Thursday night would be a good time to check it out. There was also live music by a band called Root Cellar. I thought we could see the show and check out some live music... have a beer too. Since we are museum members we can stop by any time for any amount of time without a cost so we should do it more often. Many times we drive by the museum on a Thursday or Friday evening and it looks like things are going on and we've thought of stopping by and checking it out. Tonight we decided to do it.

We drove over there about 6:45 pm and there was no parking anyway near the museum. We completely forgot about the free Shakespeare in the Park which always begins at 7:pm. It was crazy. There was also a special event at The Terrace restaurant across from the museum and next to the park. We drove through the chaos and ended home. We'll do that show at the museum another time. The last performance in the park is Aug. 18.

Dentist Visit

I went to the dentist this morning for a semi-annual teeth cleaning and check-up. It went well with no issues to report or complain about. I've been going to the same dental office of Advantage Dentistry on Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore for almost 45 years now. It's also the same office that Becky went to as a kid. 

For some reason today while waiting to see the doctor after the technician cleaned my teeth I was thinking about going to the dentist when I was a kid. I think the name of our family practice dentist in the neighborhood was named Dr. Chase. I definitely remember that the office receptionist was an old lady named Miss Toth whom of course we all called Miss Tooth. The office was in a house over near Wayne Avenue. I think it was on Abbotsford Ave. We walked over there from our house on Greene Street for our dentist appointments. We always had lots of cavities as kids.

It Makes No Difference - Covers FV

Another covers mix from my Final Version series. An hour and a half set with lots of great songs.

It Makes No Difference - Covers FV

1. It Makes No Difference – Over The Rhine (The Band)
2. Wicked Game – Johnnyswim (Chris Isaak)
3. A Forest – Bat For Lashes (The Cure)
4. Fade Into You – Korey Dane (Mazzy Star)
5. Learning To Fly – The Weepies (Tom Petty)
6. You Were On My Mind – Lucius (Ian & Sylvia)
7. Don’t Thing Twice – Albert Hammond, Jr. (Bob Dylan)
8. Green River – M. Ward (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
9. Friday I’m In Love – Dean & Britta (The Cure)
10. I Misunderstood – Mary Black (Richard Thompson)
11. Baby One More Time – Fountains of Wayne (Britney Spears)
12. Fell In Love With A Boy – Joss Stone (The White Stripes)
13. Into Temptation – Renee Geyer (Crowded House)
14. Son of a Preacher Man – Mavis Staple (Dusty Springfield)
15. To Love Somebody – Nina Simone (Bee Gees)
16. Angel of the Morning – Pretenders (Merrilee Rush)
17. To Know Him Is To Love Him – Amy Winehouse (The Teddy Bears)
18. Baby’s In Black – Colvin & Earle (The Beatles)
19. Purple Rain – Dwight Yoakam (Prince)
20. Graceland – The Lonely Heartstring Band (Paul Simon)
21. Between The Bars – Mojave 3 (Elliott Smith)
22. Isn’t It A Pity – Cowboy Junkies (George Harrison)
23. Comfortably Numb – Dar Williams (Pink Floyd)

Float On - Songs 2004 FV

This is the first mix in the Songs 2004 group of mixes in the Final Version series. These are new mixes as I never previously created any mixes for the year 2004 so it was a start from scratch.

As always with these year mixes I start with the list of favorite albums from a give year and in this case the 60 Albums 2004 post. Then I got to Wikipedia to the category 2004 in Music. That gives me a sense of what was released during the year and also helps me find songs that may be part of a compilation album in my collection. Then finally I go through my iTunes sorted by year. When I find songs I haven't used before but in this case with 2004 all the songs that I want to use are put into a playlist to work from. Then I create the mixes. For the FV series I am making them approximately an hour and a half. This one was a lot of fun and the start of a good year of music in my collection. 

Modest Mouse in the photo.

Float On - Songs 2004 FV

1. Float On - Modest Mouse      
2. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire   
3. Mr. Brightside - The Killers     
4. Always/Never - Manic Street Preachers      
5. Can't Stop Now - Keane         
6. Section 12 (Hold Me Now)      - The Polyphonic Spree    
7. Pressure Point - The Zutons  
8. Assessment - The Beta Band 
9. C'mere - Interpol
10. Take Me Out      - Franz Ferdinand   
11. Messenger - Blonde Redhead
12. Cinnamon Girl - Prince
13. Dreams - TV On The Radio    
14. It's You - P.J. Harvey   
15. My Friends Have - Marianne Faithfull
16. There Are The Ghosts - A Band Of Bees    
17. Decent Days And Nights - The Futureheads
18. First Of The Gang To Die - Morrissey
19. Asleep For Days - Blitzen Trapper    
20. Primitive (The Way I Treat You) - Ambulance Ltd  
21. Closest (Look Out) - Matt Pond PA   
22. Venom Cable - The Coral      
23. Happy Ever After - Ian Brown 
24. Stray Paper - Tift Merritt        
25. The Battle For Straight Time - A.C. Newman

Dinner Downtown

Last night we had dinner downtown at the Schifeling's apartment. We always enjoy ourselves with Todd's parents. The kids had gone down earlier in the day to visit with their other grandparents and we drove down for dinner around 5:30 pm. 

We love the view of downtown from their apartment and the conversation with them too. 

They got some take-out food from Fat Bob's BBQ. A very nice assortment of food and very delicious too. It's been quite a while since we have gone to Fat Bob's for dinner. Having that food last night has made us want to get ourselves over there again to that restaurant soon.

The kids came back to our house after dinner for their last night here. Today they are heading back down to the hotel for the rest of their stay while Sean and Ashley come by here for the rest of the weekend.