List-Shows!!!! Favorite Songs from Pittsburgh

Ah...it's that time of year/decade when the musicphiles gather their collective wit and post long ruminations of their favorite sounds that has formed who they are as authorities on all things audio. Like anyone really cares. The only reason I will bother with reading them is that if I find many albums I dig and a couple I never heard of in a list, I will probably track them down. So in that spirit, I will dive into the fold over the next month because I know that the 50 or so people who visit this blog daily (yeah, 50!!... can you believe it?) just cannot sleep without knowing what I like.

Starting off, I took a cue from my man at the excellent Pittsburgh blog Songs in the Key of Touche and added a player to the left side of the page. These are mainly songs that have defined my tastes over the last ten years and you may listen at your leisure. If you discover something you really like, well, you are very welcome. Let me point out that the first ten are in order and the first songs for a reason. I have listened to these particular tunes far more times than any other music. The rest of the tracks are solid as well but the top 10 are gold, baby!

What I did discover in building the player was that some of my all-time favorite songs weren't available. Coincidence that they were all Pittsburgh bands? I dunno but I felt that since they mean more to me than most of the tracks in the player, they deserve a nice little list of their own. There are so many great bands in Pittsburgh now and I could go on and on about all of them but these tunes are extra special to my ears. In no particular order:

Fainting Goats-Lohio
Of all the many, many times I've seen them play, amazingly I only caught this song once. There is a super sweet acoustic version streaming on the band's website here that is almost as good as the studio one. This would easily be in my top ten play list. If Greg never wrote another song again he would still be considered one of my favorite songwriters ever for this one alone. Just perfect.



GLORE-Local Honey
This song turned me on to the band initially which, in turn, made me want to discover more local music. I found out later that the bassist Rob Loveclutch actually wrote it but cannot imagine anyone else singing it except for Becky. She to me defines this song.



Weekend Tongue-Donora
I always find it strange that on all the songs on their incredible album, I always jones for this one when I see them play. Maybe because they don't play it as often due to the fact that it's a virtual workout for them. Such a fun song.



List-Show-Meeting Of Important People
Again, why this song out of all the others that are just as excellent? Again, maybe because they don't play it often and I take a bizarre satisfaction as they always reject my request? C'mon fellas! No kidding, this song is my ring tone!



Stones In My Passway-The Harlan Twins
There is a live version on their myspace page here. This song is an absolute barn burner live and you have to see it to believe it. Just SMOKING!!



Neighborhood Roofs-Good Night, States
If I am hammered enough, this literally makes me weep. Not that I have to be loaded to just love it. This is a rare song where I can play it on repeat and never get tired of it. Bummer that I have only seen them play it once. In fact, I think they dedicated it to me once when I couldn't make the show. In due time.

Image Of The Day-"Twill"

Elliott Brood
Saturday November 28, 2009
Thunderbird Cafe
Larryville

What a fantastic band. Not only did they bring it on the final night of a two month tour, they played my absolute favorite song of theirs (see heading), they brought the entire criminally small crowd to their feet and they also opened my eyes to how great the newest release is. I have heard it but was somewhat disappointed compared to the old stuff. What was I thinking? I love it when I am seeing musicians live, making me appreciate the studio stuff more. As I said, what a fantastic band!

Shoe Review-"A Day In The Life"

Classical Mystery Tour

Beatlemania! with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Sunday November 22, 2009
Heinz Hall
Downtown

I, for one, have never been into cover bands. I don't mind seeing someone do an occasional cover but as far as bands that focus on one group and play their music all night to me is cheese central. I thought that this show would fall into that category, and believe me, on some songs it certainly did (Twist & Shout, Yellow Submarine). What set this afternoon apart was the fantastic sound of the orchestra behind it. On most numbers it seemed that it was used sparingly with most of the members not doing anything besides sitting still. On the other hand, there were some tunes that blew me away with the accompaniment that I will never experience again(A Day In The Life, Penny Lane). Well worth venturing into town on a Sunday afternoon.

What did they play you ask?
YESTERDAY\ELEANOR RIGBY\SOMETHING\I AM THE WALRUS\LIVE AND LET DIE\IMAGINE\HEY JUDE\PENNY LANE\A DAY IN THE LIFE\HERE COMES THE SUN\SHE'S LEAVING HOME\ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE\THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD\GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE\GOLDEN SLUMBERS\CARRY THAT WEIGHT\THE END\MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR\SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND\WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS\HARD DAY'S NIGHT
I SAW HER STANDING THERE\TWIST AND SHOUT\YELLOW SUBMARINE\OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA\GOOD NIGHT\COME TOGETHER

What they didn't play in Pittsburgh(bummer)?
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER\LADY MADONNA\SAVOY TRUFFLE\MARTHA MY DEAR\MAYBE I'M AMAZED\MY LOVE\LET 'EM IN\SILLY LOVE SONGS\YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY\HELLO, GOODBYE

Image Of The Day-"After Hours"

The Harlan Twins
Sunday November 8, 2009
Carnegie Library Main Branch
Oakland

I think The Harlan Twins are awesome. They, to me, are THE definition of a yinzer band. Believe me, that's a great thing. They wear their Pittsburgh pride on their collective sleeve with no remorse at all. I have only seen them play three times but since I am constantly listening to their debut record, I feel I have seen them dozens more. In fact, I am hoping I catch their set tonight supporting Lohio's EP release at the Brillobox. This was an uber cool acoustic set that let the band's true musicianship and heartfelt vibe shine through. Even a busted bridge on Jules bass couldn't stop them. Way to go! I have an electric set review from their homebase of Howler's coming soon.

Image Of The Day-"Here We Go!"

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday November 15, 2009
Heinz Field
North Shore
My first time shooting the 'Black and Gold' and boy, was it thrilling! Bummer that they lost but it was fun nonetheless. I am seriously hoping I get to cover more games and get better at action shots. Lots more photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Oxus Pagoda"

Hallelujah The Hills
Thunderbird Cafe
Monday, October 19, 2009
Larryville

Hallelujah The Hills is my favorite band right now. Their debut album is firmly cemented in my top albums of the decade and I was a little hesitant on listening to the new sophomore release knowing full well that it couldn't be as good as the first. I liked the demos and scattered songs they have put out since then but nothing was knocking my socks off. How wrong could I have been. I literally cannot stop listening to it. Not only do I love the music these guys make but they are incredible people who have become friends of mine. I cannot wait to see what they come up with in the future because I am positive I will be digging it.

Image Of The Day-"Blown Spirits"

Kevin Finn
Thunderbird Cafe
Monday. October 19, 2009
Larryville

Kevin is the Man. He's been doing his thing for years now and it was a treat to see him play again. He has a quiet resonance to his onstage demeanor that lets the songs shine through. My only complaint, and not against him, was that the scheduled start time at 8 p.m. suddenly becomes 8:45...on a weeknight? Some of us have to work in the morning, you know.

Image Of The Day-"Brand New Sun"

Jason Lytle
Riverplex Ampitheater at Sandcastle
Friday July 31, 2009
Homestead

I loved Grandaddy. In turn, I love Jason Lytle. His solo disc doesn't stray far from his old band's sound and is creeping up to the top of my year end list. As for the show, he was way mellow but sounded incredible in the pastoral setting. I actually enjoyed his set better than Neko's.