Results for Sam Cooke
interviews
Leon Bridges
Jim and Greg sit down with Texas soul singer Leon Bridges. Leon's debut album, 2015's Coming Home, was drenched in a retro 1960s vibe reminiscent of Sam Cooke. For his sophomore effort, Bridges told Jim and Greg that he didn‘t want to be put in a box stylistically:“I wanted to make something that was reflective of all the styles of R&B that I dig.”Leon’s latest album, Good Thing, takes a complete 180; and marks his transition into an adventurous new sound that's more akin to R&B artists like Prince and D'Angelo.
Go to episode 653Herb Alpert
Jim and Greg are delighted to be joined this week by legendary trumpeter Herb Alpert. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass scored a string of instrumental hits in the '60s, from "The Lonely Bull" to "Casino Royale" to "A Taste of Honey." His 1965 album Whipped Cream & Other Delights became a staple of record collections all over, which was helped by its iconic, risqué cover. He even scored a surprise #1 hit as a vocalist with the Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition "This Guy's In Love With You." But Alpert's remarkable career goes well beyond his own recordings. Along with his partner Jerry Moss, he cofounded the venerable label A&M Records, signing a diverse roster including the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, The Police, and Janet Jackson. Through his philanthropic foundation, he's donated millions toward music education. And if that's not enough, he's also an exhibiting sculptor. At age 81, he's still going strong, with a brand new album called Human Nature. Herb Alpert discusses the genesis of his signature double-trumpet sound, being mentored by Sam Cooke, and his ethical approach to owning a label.
Hal Blaine of The Wrecking Crew
Hal Blaine may not be a household name, but if rock ‘n’ roll is all about the beat, then the 86-year-old drummer is arguably one of the biggest rock stars alive. It's his stamp you hear on some of the biggest records of the 1960's and early '70s. He recorded with Elvis, The Mamas and the Papas, Sam Cooke, Simon & Garfunkel, The Carpenters, Jan and Dean and even Barbra Streisand. That's 38 chart-toppers to be exact, and over 5,000 songs. So if we're comparing successful outputs, that really makes his only rival The Beatles!
Of course the idea of a session musician is something we're familiar with today, but many listeners can probably still remember their own revelation that their favorite acts might not have played their own songs. You expect that of The Monkees, but The Beach Boys? The Byrds? Many of their songs were actually recorded by Hal Blaine and The Wrecking Crew – a loose organization of California studio players whose members included Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Earl Palmer and more. There was an unspoken pact to keep their hit-making machine a secret, but as time has gone on, they've gotten their due. Hal Blaine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and last month saw the release of The Wrecking Crew, a new documentary directed by Denny Tedesco, son of crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco.
Go to episode 488reviews
Unorthodox Jukebox available on iTunesBruno Mars Unorthodox Jukebox
Two years ago, Bruno Mars won Jim over with his infectious (and ubiquitous) "Lazy Song." Like its author,“The Lazy Song”was youthful and hard to dislike. Plus, who can resist Bruno's backstory? The pop phenom got his start at age four impersonating Elvis in his hometown of Honolulu before founding top-tier production team The Smeezingtons. Having crafted hits for the likes of Cee Lo Green and Travis McCoy, Bruno released a solo debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, in 2011. Late last year we got the follow up, Unorthodox Jukebox. Jim and Greg kick off their review by playing "Gorilla". It's“the stupidest song on the album”according to Greg, though there are some other contenders. Bruno's randy lyrics are nothing to write home about, but even on this record's stinkiest tracks, there are redeeming pop touches - a cool chord progression or a spot-on Prince falsetto. Jim agrees. Bruno Mars may be a lightweight, but his re-workings of Elton John, disco, and Sam Cooke are appealing and melodic. This is appropriation, but it's good appropriation. Unorthodox Jukebox gets a double Burn it.
The Bravest Man in the Universe available on iTunesBobby Womack The Bravest Man in the Universe
Like Patti Smith, Bobby Womack's got a storied musical history. He played with Sam Cooke in the sixties, was a session musician for Aretha Franklin and Sly Stone, and finally made a name for himself as a solo artist with classic R&B albums like Communication and The Facts of Life in the seventies. Unfortunately addiction dragged him down and by the nineties Womack was a musical nonentity. With The Bravest Man in the Universe, Womack announces his comeback. He's cleaned up and is working with producer Damon Albarn of Blur. Womack and Albarn have played it smart, Jim says, by not living in the past. The electronic soul tracks Albarn's created for Womack don't sound vintage in the slightest. The themes might be familiar - Womack sings from the point of view of a man who done wrong - but the music is challenging and fresh. Greg agrees. While he wishes Albarn and Womack hadn't turned over quite so many tracks to guests like Lana Del Rey, he's loving Womack's sandpapery voice. Double Buy It.
dijs
Jim
It was movie night recently in Jim's“Critiquing the Arts”class at Columbia College. He and his students sat down to watch Almost Famous - still the only feature film he knows about rock criticism. The film's opening number "The Oogum Boogum Song" blew his students away, so this week Jim pays homage to this hidden gem with his Desert Island Jukebox pick.“The Oogum Boogum Song”is the work of R&Bsinger Brenton Wood, a Compton native and fan of Sam Cooke who narrowly avoided being a one hit wonder with his other hit, "Gimme Little Sign." Jim puts“The Oogum Boogum Song”alongside other nonsense rock classics like "MMMBop" and "Tutti Frutti."
Go to episode 363lists
Music of the Civil Rights Movement
When you think about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, perhaps the powerful words of Martin Luther King Jr. or the horrific images of Emmett Till come to mind. But, for Jim and Greg, the music equally lingers. Songs by Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke and more captured the mood and inspired action. Here are some that continue to resonate:
- "Driva Man" by Max Roach & Oscar Brown Jr. featuring Abbey Lincoln, 1960
- "How I Got Over" performed by Mahalia Jackson at the March on Washington, 1963
- "In the Mississippi River" by the Freedom Singers, 1965
- "Mississippi Goddamn" performed by Nina Simone at Carnegie Hall, 1964
- "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, 1964
- "Keep On Pushing" by The Impressions, 1964
- "Freedom Highway" by The Staple Singers, 1965
- "Lift Every Voice and Sing" performed by Kim Weston at Wattstax, 1972
Unrequited Love Songs
What would rock ‘n’ roll be if not for the thousands of songs about love and heartbreak? Jim and Greg explore this legacy for this week's Valentine's Day episode featuring the best Unrequited Love Songs:
Go to episode 272Songs About America
Sound Opinions celebrates Independence Day this week with Jim and Greg's favorite Songs about America. These are great rock songs that capture our country's spirit — the good, the bad and the ugly.
Go to episode 136Protest Songs
August 28, 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have a Dream." And when Jim and Greg look back at that era, the music stands out as much as the marches and words. During this segment they talk about the role music played in the struggle for civil rights and how gospel and folk influences found their way into the pop charts. Jim and Greg also speak with legendary disc jockey Herb Kent about working at WVON (Voice of the Negro) during this time. Here are the protest songs Jim and Greg highlight:
- "Driva Man" by Max Roach & Oscar Brown Jr. featuring Abbey Lincoln, 1960
- "How I Got Over" performed by Mahalia Jackson at the March on Washington, 1963
- "In the Mississippi River" by the Freedom Singers, 1965
- "Mississippi Goddamn" performed by Nina Simone at Carnegie Hall, 1964
- "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, 1964
- "Keep On Pushing" by The Impressions, 1964
- "Freedom Highway" by The Staple Singers, 1965
- "Lift Every Voice and Sing" performed by Kim Weston at Wattstax, 1972
features
Hooked On Sonics: Little Dragon
Swedish band Little Dragon has been churning out catchy electronic soul since 2006; but their connection to soul music started much earlier. Lead vocalist Yukimi Nagano and drummer Erik Bodin told us about the song that helped Yukimi to embrace her own unique voice in the latest edition of Hooked on Sonics. A fan of American soul music, it was the voice of Aaron Neville of The Neville Brothers singing Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" that blew her mind.
news
Music News
Greg begins this week's news segment by complimenting Jim's use of the word“Blitzkrieg”in reference to The Strokes' quick tour of North America. Our first news story deals with the top 20 grossing concerts of 2005. The saggy-butted Rolling Stones led the list with a gross total of $162 million, followed by Jim's favorite band, U2. Two "artists", Celine Dion and Barry Manilow, didn't even have to tour to make the list—they simply took residency in one of Las Vegas's gaudy venues and raked in the cash.
A favorite of Sound Opinions, Courtney Love, returned to the headlines recently in a New York Post story detailing her financial woes, and more importantly, contemplating the sale of the Nirvana catalogue. Jim believes this would be a disaster, akin to Michael Jackson bringing the Beatles to Nike.
A sad story rounds out our news segment: the death of legendary Chicago singer Lou Rawls. The velvety-voiced singer died of cancer in Los Angeles. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, he referred to the the cold Chicago wind as the“Hawk,”and introduced the monologue to music, leading the way for hip-hop as an art-form. He was neighbors with another Chicago legend, Sam Cooke, and traded lines with him in the soul classic "Bring it on Home". Lou's final public appearance was a stirring rendition of God Bless America during the World Series.
Go to episode 6featured songs
Featured Songs
- White Stripes, We're Going To Be Friends, White Blood Cells, V2, 2001
- U2, Boy Falls from The Sky, Live From Good Morning America, unreleased, 2011
- Cheap Trick, I Want You To Want Me, At Budokan, Epic, 1979
- Redd Kross, I Don't Know How To Be Your Friend, Third Eye, Atlantic, 1990
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maps, Fever To Tell, Interscope, 2003
- Bill Withers, Ain't No Sunshine, Just As I Am, Reel, 1971
- Radiohead, High And Dry, The Bends, Capitol, 1995
- Neil Young, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, After The Gold Rush, Reprise, 1970
- Smoking Popes, Need You Around, Born To Quit, Capitol, 1995
- Roky Erickson, You Don't Love Me Yet, All That May Do My Rhyme, Trance Syndicate, 1995
- Jurassic 5, Thin Line, Power In Numbers, Interscope, 2002
- Sam Cooke, Bring It On Home To Me, The Best of Sam Cooke, RCA, 1962
- Pulp, Babies, His N Hers, Island, 1994 (1:00)
- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, I Second That Emotion, Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, 1968, Motown
- The Left Banke, She May Call You Up Tonight, Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina, Smash, 1967
- Twilight Hours, Alone, Stereo Night, Princess, 2009
- Dire Straits, Romeo And Juliet, Making Movies, Warner Bros., 1980
- Aimee Mann, Save Me, Magnolia O.S.T., Reprise, 1999
- Billy Bragg, A New England, Life's A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy, Charisma, 1983
- Baths, The Vapors, Pop Music/False B-Sides, self-released, 2011
- Chromeo, Call Me Up, Fancy Footwork, Vice, 2007
- The Decemberists, Calamity Song, The King Is Dead, Rough Trade, 2011
- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Come Walk With Me, Ballad of the Broken Seas, V2, 2006
Featured Songs
- Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream – March for Jobs – Washington, August 28, 1963, Speeches by Martin Luther King: The Ultimate Collection, BN Publishing, 2010
- Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, When the Ship Comes In, live performance at the March on Washington, N/A, 1963
- Mahalia Jackson, How I Got Over, live performance at the March on Washington, N/A, 1963
- Charles Mingus, Fables of Faubus, Mingus Ah Um, Columbia, 1959
- Max Roach ft. Abbey Lincoln, Driva Man, We Insist!, Candid, 1960
- The Freedom Singers, In the Mississippi River, Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American Freedom Songs 1960-1966, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 1997
- Mahalia Jackson, We Shall Overcome, Let Freedom Sing! Music of the Civil Rights Movement, Time Life Entertainment, 2009
- Odetta, Spiritual Triology, Odetta Sings Ballads and Blue, Tradition, 1965
- Nina Simone, Mississippi Goddamn, In Concert, Philips, 1964
- Grant Green, The Selma March, His Majesty King Funk, Verve, 1965
- Bob Dylan, Blowin' in the Wind, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Columbia, 1963
- Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come, Ain't That Good News, RCA Victor, 1964
- Sam Cooke, This Little Light of Mine, Sam Cooke At the Copa (Live), ABKCO Music & Records, Inc., 2003
- Little Milton, We're Gonna Make It, We're Gonna Make It, Checker, 1965
- The Impressions, Keep On Pushing, Keep On Pushing, ABC-Paramount, 1964
- Martin Luther King Jr., Address Concluding the Selma to Montgomery - March 25, 1965, Speeches by Martin Luther King: The Ultimate Collection, BN Publishing, 2010
- The Staple Singers, Freedom Highway, Freedom Highway, Legacy/Columbia, 2004
- Kim Weston, Lift Every Voice and Sing, Wattstax: Music From The Wattstax Festival & Film, Stax, 1972
- The Temptations, Message From a Black Man, Puzzle People, Gordy, 1969
- Barbra Streisand, Calling You, The Movie Album, Columbia, 2003
- Los Lobos (covering Neil Young), Cinnamon Girl, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Reprise, 1969
- Los Lobos, La Pistola y El Corazón (Live Acoustic), La Pistola y El Corazón, Slash/WB, 1988
- Los Lobs, When the Circus Comes, Kiko, Slash, 1992
Featured Songs
- The Saints, (I'm) Stranded, (I'm) Stranded, EMI, 1977
- Cat Stevens, Peace Train, Teaser and the Firecat, A&M Records, 1971
- The Beatles, Let It Be, Let It Be, Apple, 1970
- Stevie Wonder, As, Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976
- Stevie Wonder, Pastime Paradise, Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976
- Stevie Wonder, I Wish, Songs in the Key Of Life, Tamla, 1976
- Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come, Ain't That Good News, RCA Victor, 1964
- Television, Marquee Moon, Marquee Moon, Elektra, 1977
- Tears For Fears, Head Over Heels, Songs from the Big Chair, Mercury, 1985
- Wolf Alice, Lisbon, My Love Is Cool, Dirty Hit, 2015
- Buffalo Springfield, For What It's Worth, For What It's Worth (Single), Atco, 1966
- The Who, Baba O'Riley, Who's Next, Decca, 1971
- Miles Davis, Blue in Green, Kind of Blue, Columbia, 1959
- The Beatles, Tomorrow Never Knows (Mono), Revolver, Capitol, 1966
- Steely Dan, Haitian Divorce, The Royal Scam, ABC, 1976
- Jack White, High Ball Stepper, Lazaretto, Third Man, 2014
- Sunflower Bean, Human Ceremony, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, Easier Said (Live on Sound Opinions), Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, This Kind of Feeling, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, I Want You to Give Me Enough Time, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, Space Exploration Disaster, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, I Was Home (Live on Sound Opinions), Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, Wall Watcher, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, The Stalker, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, Come On (Live on Sound Opinions), Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Sunflower Bean, 2013, Human Ceremony, Fat Possum Records, 2016
- Jim Croce, Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels), You Don't Mess Around With Jim, ABC, 1972
- A Girl Called Eddy, Tears All Over Town, A Girl Called Eddy, Anti, 2004
- Exploding Hearts, I'm a Pretender, Guitar Romantic, Dirtnap/Screaming Apple, 2003
- Derek and the Dominoes, Layla, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Polydor, 1970
- Gene Chandler, Duke of Earl, Duke of Earl/Kissin in the Kitchen, Vee-Jay, 1961
Featured Songs
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Tijuana Taxi, !!Going Places!!, A&M, 1965
- Sam Cooke, Wonderful World, The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke, Keen, 1960
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, The Lonely Bull (El Solo Toro), The Lonely Bull, A&M, 1962
- Dore Alpert, Tell It to the Birds, Tell It to the Birds (single), Carnival, 1962
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Acapulco 1922, The Lonely Bull, A&M, 1962
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Winds of Barcelona, Volume 2, A&M, 1963
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Mexican Shuffle, South of the Border, A&M, 1964
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Love Potion No. 9, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, A&M, 1965
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Whipped Cream, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, A&M, 1965
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, 3rd Man Theme, !!Going Places!!, A&M, 1965
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, A Taste of Honey, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, A&M, 1965
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Casino Royale, Sounds Like…, A&M, 1967
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, The Happening, Herb Alpert's Ninth, A&M, 1967
- Les Paul and Mary Ford, How High the Moon, How High the Moon (single), Capitol, 1951
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, I'm Getting Sentimental Over You, !!Going Places!!, A&M, 1965
- Dionne Warwick, This Girl's In Love With You, Promises, Promises, Scepter, 1968
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, This Guy's In Love With You, The Beat of the Brass, A&M, 1968
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, (They Long to Be) Close to You, Lost Treasures (Rare & Unreleased), Shout! Factory, 1970
- Carpenters, (They Long to Be) Close to You, Close to You, A&M, 1970
- Carpenters, Don't Be Afraid (demo), The Essential Collection: 1965–1997, A&M, 1968
- Waylon Jennings, Four Strong Winds, Four Strong Winds (single), A&M, 1964
- Cat Stevens, Trouble, Mona Bone Jakon, A&M, 1970
- Joe Cocker, The Letter, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, A&M, 1970
- The Police, Roxanne, Outlandos d'Amour, A&M, 1978
- Herb Alpert, Making Love in the Rain, Keep Your Eye On Me, A&M, 1987
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Whipped Cream (feat. Ozomatli), Whipped Cream & Other Delights Re-Whipped, Shout! Factory, 2006
- Herb Alpert, Doodles, Human Nature, Herb Alpert Presents, 2016
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Spanish Flea, !!Going Places!!, A&M, 1965
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Anthrocene, Skeleton Tree, Bad Seed Ltd., 2016
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Distant Sky, Skeleton Tree, Bad Seed Ltd., 2016
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree, Skeleton Tree, Bad Seed Ltd., 2016
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Rings of Saturn, Skeleton Tree, Bad Seed Ltd., 2016
- The Black Angels, Bad Vibrations, Phosphene Dream, Blue Horizon, 2010
- Blondie, Call Me, American Gigolo, Polydor, 1980
- Buick 6, Plymouth Fury, Plays Well With Others, Highway 20, 2015
- It's Immaterial, Ed's Funky Diner, Life's Hard And Then You Die, Siren, 1986
- Oshwa, Ultrafluorescent, I We You Me, self-released, 2016
- Mudhoney, Touch Me I'm Sick (Live on Sound Opinions), Touch Me I'm Sick (single), Sub Pop, 1988
- The Mamas & the Papas, California Dreamin', If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, Dunhill, 1966
Featured Songs
- Paul McCartney and Wings, Band on the Run, Band on the Run, Apple, 1973
- Sonny & Cher, I Got You Babe, I Got You Babe (Single), Atco, 1965
- Elvis Presley, Can't Help Falling in Love, Can't Help Falling in Love (Single), RCA Victor, 1961
- Sam Cooke, Another Saturday Night, Another Saturday Night (Single), RCA Victor, 1963
- The Carpenters, (They Long to Be) Close to You, (They Long to Be) Close to You (Single), A&M, 1970
- The Mamas & the Papas, Monday, Monday, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, Dunhill, 1966
- Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, A Taste of Honey, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, A&M, 1965
- The Ronettes, Be My Baby (take 20), Phil Spector: Gold Star Sessions 1962-66, bigO, 2011
- The Crystals, Then He Kissed Me, Then He Kissed Me (Single), London, 1963
- The Beach Boys, Wouldn't It Be Nice (highlights from tracking date), The Pet Sounds Sessions, Capitol, 1997
- The Beach Boys, God Only Knows (highlights from tracking date), The Pet Sounds Sessions, Capitol, 1997
- The Beach Boys, God Only Knows, Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966
- The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man (take 5), Journals, Cedrem, 1994
- Frank Sinatra, Strangers in the Night, Strangers in the Night, Reprise, 1966
- Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Are Made for Walking, These Boots Are Made for Walking (Single), Rockabilly, 1966
- Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer, The Boxer (Single), Columbia, 1969
- Simon & Garfunkel, Mrs. Robinson, Bookends, Columbia, 1968
- Courtney Barnett, Pedestrian at Best, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015
- Courtney Barnett, Dead Fox, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015
- The Roches, Losing True, Keep on Doing, Warner Bros., 1982
- The Marketts, Out of Limits, Out of Limits (Single), Warner Bros., 1963
- Kelis, Bless the Telephone, Food, Ninja Tune, 2014
- The Mystery Lights, What Happens When You Turn the Devil Down, The Mystery Lights EP, N/A, 2014
- Wolf Alice, Moaning Lisa Smile, Creature Songs, Dirty Hit, 2014
- The Doobie Brothers, Black Water, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, Warner Bros., 1974
Featured Songs
- Cheap Trick, Ballad of T.V. Violence, Cheap Trick, Epic, 1977
- Miley Cyrus, 7 Things, Breakout, Hollywood, 2008
- Guns ‘N’ Roses, Chinese Democracy, Chinese Democracy, Interscope, 2008
- Devo, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, Warner Bros., 1978
- Jimi Hendrix, Star Spangled Banner, Woodstock I, n/a, 1970
- Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldier, Confrontation, Island, 1983
- Chuck Berry, Promised Land, Reelin‘ & Rockin’, n/a, 1959
- Blur, Magic America, Parklife, Food, 1994
- Woody Guthrie, This Land is Your Land, This Land is Your Land, n/a, 1967
- MC-5, Back in the USA, Back in the USA, Atlantic, 1970
- Sam Cooke, A Change is Gonna Come, Ain't That Good News, RCA, 1964
- Simon & Garfunkel, America, Bookends, Columbia, 1968
- Drive-by-Truckers, Sink Hole, Decoration Day, New West, 2003
- The Talking Heads, The Big Country, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Sire, 1978
- Neil Diamond, America, The Jazz Singer, Capitol, 1980
- James Brown, Living in America, Rocky IV, Scotti Brothers, 1985
- Randy Newman, Sail Away, Sail Away, Reprise, 1972
- Robyn Hitchcock, America, Gotta Let This Hen Out!, Relativity, 1985
- Public Enemy, Fight the Power, Do The Right Thing, Motown, 1988
- Estelle, American Boy, Shine, Homeschool, 2008
- Rhymefest, Thriller Skit" and "Get Up, Man in the Mirror, self-released, 2008
- Lupe Fiasco, Kick Push, Food and Liquor, Atlantic, 2006
Featured Songs
- Goose Island Credit Music: Pure Sunray,“Caramel,”Pure Sunray, 2013
- Robin Thicke, Blurred Lines, Blurred Lines, Star Trak/Interscope, 2013
- Chance the Rapper, Acid Rain, Acid Rap, Freely Available Mixtape, 2013
- Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream – March for Jobs – Washington, August 28, 1963, Speeches by Martin Luther King: The Ultimate Collection, BN Publishing, 2010
- Joan Baez and Bob Dylan,“When the Ship Comes In,”Live performance at the March on Washington, 1963
- Mahalia Jackson,“How I Got Over,”Live performance at the March on Washington, 1963
- Charles Mingus, Fables of Faubus, Mingus Ah Um, Columbia, 1959
- Max Roach ft. Abbey Lincoln, Driva Man, We Insist!, Candid, 1960
- Mahalia Jackson, We Shall Overcome, Let Freedom Sing! Music of the Civil Rights Movement, Time Life Entertainment, 2009
- Odetta, Spiritual Triology, Odetta Sings Ballads and Blue, Tradition, 1965
- The Freedom Singers, In the Mississippi River, Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American Freedom Songs 1960-1966, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 1997
- Nina Simone, Mississippi Goddamn, Let Freedom Sing! Music of the Civil Rights Movement, Time Life Entertainment, 2009
- Herb Kent, Aircheck on WVON
- Grant Green, The Selma March, His Majesty King Funk, Verve, 1965
- Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come, Ain't That Good News, RCA Victor, 1964
- Sam Cooke, This Little Light of Mine, Sam Cooke At the Copa (Live), ABKCO Music & Records, Inc., 2003
- The Impressions, Keep On Pushing, Keep On Pushing, ABC-Paramount, 1964
- Martin Luther King Jr., Address Concluding the Selma to Montgomery - March 25, 1965, Speeches by Martin Luther King: The Ultimate Collection, BN Publishing, 2010
- The Staple Singers, Freedom Highway, Freedom Highway, Legacy/Columbia, 2004
- Kim Weston,“Lift Every Voice and Sing,”Live Performance at Wattstax, 1972
- The Beatles, Any Time at All, A Hard Day's Night, Parlophone, 1964
- Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dick Dale, Pipeline, Back to the Beach Soundtrack, CBS Records, 1987
- Link Wray & His Ray Men, Rumble, Rumble (Single), Cadence, 1958
- Jimi Hendrix,“The Star-Spangled Banner,”Live at Woodstock Festival, 1969
- Queens of the Stone Age, Mosquito Song, Songs for the Deaf, Interscope, 2002
Featured Songs
- The Beatles, Paperback Writer, Paperback Writer (Single), Capitol, 1966
- Cheap Trick, Dream Police, Dream Police, Epic, 1979
- Elvis Presley, My Happiness, The Sun Sessions, RCA Victor, 1976
- Kanye West and Jay-Z, Ni**as in Paris, Watch the Throne, Roc-A-Fella, 2011
- Queen, Killer Queen, Killer Queen (Single), EMI, 1974
- Jean Ritchie, O Love is Teasin', O Love is Teasin', Elektra, 1985
- Judy Collins, Hard Lovin' Loser, In My Life, Elektra, 1966
- Josh White, Free And Equal Blues, The Story Of John Henry & Ballads, Blues And Other Songs, Elektra, 1955
- The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Blues With A Feeling, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elektra, 1965
- Carly Simon, You're So Vain, No Secrets, Elektra, 1972
- MC5, Kick Out The Jams, Kick Out The Jams, Elektra, 1969
- The Stooges, Down On The Street, Funhouse, Elektra, 1970
- Love, My Little Red Book, Love, Elektra, 1966
- Love, The Red Telephone, Forever Changes, Elektra, 1967
- The Doors, Light My Fire, The Doors, Elektra, 1967
- The Stooges, I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges, Elektra, 1969
- Tim Buckley, Wings, Tim Buckley, Elektra, 1966
- Cannibal Ox, Psalm 82, Blade of the Ronin, IGC Records, 2015
- Cannibal Ox, Blade: The Art of Ox, Blade of the Ronin, IGC Records, 2015
- The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, East-West, East-West, Elektra, 1966
- Wolf Parade, Language City, At Mount Zoomer, Sub Pop, 2008
- Madonna, Beautiful Scars, Rebel Heart, Interscope, 2015
- Sam Cooke, Wonderful World, The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke, Keen, 1960
- Emeli Sandé, Next to Me (Live on Sound Opinions), Our Version of Events, Virgin, 2012
- The Beatles, Love Me Do, Please Please Me, Parlophone, 1963
Featured Songs
- Shirley Collins, Polly Vaughan, The Power of the True Love Knot, Polydor, 1968
- Shirley Collins, The False True Love, False True Lovers, Folkways, 1959
- Colin Meloy, Barbara Allen (Live on Sound Opinions), Colin Meloy Sings Trad. Arr. Shirley Collins, Self-released, 2006
- Angel Olsen, The Blacksmith, Shirley Inspired, Earth, 2015
- Shirley Collins & Davy Graham, Dearest Dear, Folk Roots, New Routes, Decca, 1964
- Shirley Collins & Davy Graham, Proud Maisrie, Folk Roots, New Routes, Decca, 1964
- Shirley & Dolly Collins, Nellie The Milkmaid, Anthems In Eden, Harvest, 1969
- Shirley & Dolly Collins, Are You Going to Leave Me?, Love, Death & the Lady, Harvest, 1970
- Shirley & Dolly Collins, A Song-Story, Anthems In Eden, Harvest, 1969
- Shirley Collins & The Albion Country Band, Claudy Banks, No Roses, Pegasus, 1971
- Shirley Collins & The Albion Country Band, Murder of Maria Marten, No Roses, Pegasus, 1971
- Fairport Convention, Tam Lin, Liege & Lief, Island, 1969
- The Incredible String Band, Ducks on a Pond, Wee Tam and the Big Huge, Elektra, 1968
- Shirley Collins, Lady Margaret and Sweet William, The Power of the True Love Knot, Polydor, 1968
- Hobart Smith, The Arkansas Traveler, American Folk Songs for Children, Atlantic, 1959
- Fred McDowell, 61 Highway Blues, Yazoo Delta Blues and Spirituals, Prestige International, 1959
- Rev. I. D. Back & Congregation, Sermon and Lining Hymn, White Spirituals, Atlantic, 1959
- Almeda Riddle, Lonesome Dove, Folk Songs from the Ozarks, Prestige International, 1959
- Shirley Collins, Washed Ashore, Lodestar, Domino, 2016
- Shirley Collins, The Rich Irish Lady / Jeff Sturgeon, Lodestar, Domino, 2016
- Shirley Collins, The Banks of Green Willow, Lodestar, Domino, 2016
- Shirley Collins, Cruel Lincoln, Lodestar, Domino, 2016
- Shirley Collins & The Albion Country Band, Van Dieman's Land, No Roses, Pegasus, 1971
- Japandroids, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, ANTI-, 2017
- Japandroids, Arc of Bar, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, ANTI-, 2017
- Japandroids, I'm Sorry for Not Finding You Sooner, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, ANTI-, 2017
- Japandroids, In a Body Like a Grave, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, ANTI-, 2017
- Ty Segall, Break A Guitar, Ty Segall, Drag City, 2017
- Ty Segall, Orange Color Queen, Ty Segall, Drag City, 2017
- Ty Segall, Take Care to Comb Your Hair, Ty Segall, Drag City, 2017
- Japandroids, No Known Drink or Drug, Near to the Wild Heart of Life, ANTI-, 2017
- New Edition, Mr. Telephone Man, New Edition, MCA, 1984
- Yo La Tengo, Mr. Tough, I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass, Matador, 2006
- John Coltrane, Mr. Syms, Coltrane Plays the Blues, Atlantic, 1962
- Yo La Tengo, Periodically Double or Triple, Popular Songs, Matador, 2009
- Cake, Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, Fashion Nugget, Capricorn, 1996
- Sam Cooke, Bring It On Home To Me, Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, RCA, 1985
- Stu Phillips, Knight Rider Main Theme, Knight Rider (Original Television Soundtrack), Film Score Monthly, 1982
- Ben Folds Five, Battle Of Who Could Care Less, Whatever and Ever Amen, 550 Music, 1997
Featured Songs
- Lady Gaga, Born This Way, Born This Way, Interscope, 2011
- Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear, Cut Me Some Slack, Sound City: Real to Reel, RCA, 2013
- New York Dolls, Who Are the Mystery Girls?, Too Much Too Soon, Mercury, 1974
- The Shangri-Las, Remember (Walking in the Sand), single, Red Bird, 1964
- Indians, Magic Kids, Somewhere Else, 4AD, 2013
- Foxygen, San Francisco, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, Jagjaguwar, 2013
- Klaus Schulze, Shadowlights, Shadowlands, Synthetic Symphony, 2013
- Dawn Richard, Gleaux, Goldenheart, Our Dawn, 2013
- Spookeasy, Bo Deadly, Faux Show, self-released, 2013
- Follakzoid, 9, II, Sacred Bones, 2013
- Big Dipper, Robert Pollard, Big Dipper Crashes on the Platinum Planet, Almost Ready Records, 2012
- Gonjasufi, The Blame, MU.ZZ.LE, Warp, 2012
- Low Cut Connie, Say Yes, Call Me Sylvia, Low Cut Connie LLC, 2012
- Gap Dream, Generator, Ali Baba, Suicide Squeeze, 2012
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Finishing Jubilee Street, Push the Sky Away, Bad Seed Ltd., 2013
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Higgs Boson Blues, Push the Sky Away, Bad Seed Ltd., 2013
- JJ Doom, Guv'nor, Key to the Kuffs, Lex Records, 2012
- Soul Asylum, Somebody to Shove, Grave Dancers Union, Columbia, 1992
- Sam Cooke, Bring it on Home to Me, single, RCA, 1962
- Carla Thomas, I'll Bring it on Home to You, single, Atlantic, 1962
- Rod Stewart, You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim), Foot Loose & Fancy Free, Warner Bros., 1977
- Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus, Exodus, Island, 1977
Featured Songs
- Cheap Trick, Surrender (Live on Sound Opinions), Cheap Trick at Budokan, Epic, 1978
- Aimee Mann, Save Me (Live on Sound Opinions), Magnolia, Warner Music, 1999
- Allen Toussaint, Southern Nights (Live on Sound Opinions), Southern Nights, Reprise, 1975
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, White Man's World (Live on Sound Opinions), The Nashville Sound, Southeastern, 2017
- Run the Jewels, Early (Live on Sound Opinions), Run the Jewels 2, Mass Appeal, 2014
- Low Cut Connie, Shake It Little Tina (Live Sound Opinions), Hi Honey, Contender, 2015
- Common, Sound Opinions Freestyle, Sound Opinions Freestyle, Not released, 2006
- St. Vincent, The Strangers (Live on Sound Opinions), Actor, 4AD, 2009
- Wilco, She's a Jar (Live on Sound Opinions), Summerteeth, Reprise, 1999
- The Ronettes, Be My Baby, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, Philles, 1964
- The Beach Boys, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966
- Sam Cooke, Another Saturday Night, Ain't That Good News, RCA, 1964
- Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, A Taste of Honey, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, A&M, 1965
- The Crystals, Then He Kissed Me, (single), Philles, 1963
- The Byrds, Mr. Tamborine Man, Mr. Tambourine Man, Columbia, 1965
- Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Are Made For Walking, Boots, Reprise, 1966
- Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer, Bridge over Troubled Water, Columbia, 1970
- Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, What It Takes, Years, Bloodshot, 2018
- Fats Domino, I've Been Calling, What a Party!, Imperial, 1961
- The Stooges, T.V. Eye, Fun House, Elektra, 1970
- The Stooges, Little Doll, The Stooges, Elektra, 1969
- At the Drive-In, Rolodex Propaganda, Relationship of Command, Grand Royal, 2000
- The Mars Volta, Frances the Mute, Frances the Mute, Gold Standard, 2005
- The Police, Don't Stand So Close to Me, Zenyatta Mondatta, A&M, 1980