Posts by Dennis Hall41

Sunshine Daydream (Veneto, OR, 8/27/72) is easily one of the greatest live albums in the massive Grateful Dead catalog—and that killer version of Bird Song on here is just unreal.

The one and only Grateful Dead at their absolute peak—October 18, 1974, at the legendary Winterland Ballroom, a venue they basically lived in before it closed its doors four years later.

This might just be the definitive version of one of their anthems—Morning Dew.
There’s something almost spiritual about this performance—this raw, unscripted, totally democratic
vibe where the chemistry and connection between the band and the crowd is just unreal. Only Deadheads could pull off something this deep.

Just because the theaters are closed doesn't mean we stop caring about Cinema...😁
Yesterday I mentioned on a New York Times forum that the vibe lately reminds me of Cyclops—but walking through half the city today in this heat, hitting those mostly empty streets, I got this subtle, heavy sense of dread. It’s that exact feeling this track captures so perfectly, and honestly, it feels more spot on for right now:

The B-side of that killer 1983 album All the World's Wonders kicks off with this gorgeous, upbeat love track—it’s basically proof that Film went from being top-tier punk/new-wave pros to absolute masters of pop polish by the time they hit "You Shine":

Steely Dan is such a massive, criminally underrated band—they just crushed it from their killer debut, Can't Buy a Thrill, all the way through to AJ in '77. Honestly, they barely missed a beat.
From their second record, Countdown to Ecstasy (1973), there's this closing track that's probably my absolute favorite of theirs—nothing beats King of the World:

Personally, I’d say Big Thief dropped the best album of last year—it’s called UFOF. Their second one, Two Hands, was okay but definitely weaker. This record is their most pastoral, most inward-looking stuff yet... which is why I'm pulling these two tracks—the title track, which is easily song of the year, and that super sweet, stripped-back Orange.

Underappreciated American country-rock pro Jackie Greene hit his absolute peak back in '06 with that killer American Myth album—this track is just a stellar, ten-minute Dylan-esque lament.

When you're talking about classic singer-songwriters, people often forget that we had some legends right here in the States who could go toe-to-toe with anyone—and besides Arsen, Tomaž Pengov was probably the absolute king of them all.
His 1973 LP Odpotovanje is honestly on par with the greatest singer-songwriter records ever made, and I’d say the absolute peak of his work is this stunning track:

Back when I was running my show on college radio—mostly spinning indie, folk-rock, and singer-songwriter stuff—I loved digging up those super niche, introverted tracks that most students wouldn't touch. Usually it was all new stuff, though I’d always squeeze in a classic or two if it fit the vibe.
One of those gems was this track right here... honestly, even now, ten years later, I still get chills whenever I hear this version roll out over the airwaves.

Nothing weaker than this genius opening track from the same incredible Car Wheels on A Gravel Road album.
I don't often feel this much empathy for someone else's heartbreak—but man, hearing them belt out that chorus about 12 or 13 years ago really hit me right in the chest.

Had to break up my seven-day marathon with something this hyper-emotional and just... breathtakingly beautiful. Might be the best track from maybe the best album of 1998—easily one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the whole decade.
This song is basically how I want to sound when I'm totally broke.

Been blasting The Fall on repeat for a few days now—definitely staying on this loop until the month is out. This track is easily one of their bigger hits, if you can even call it that.

quietbison86 said:I'm worried the concert might have to wait a bit 😁

Back when I was a huge fan—based on those live sets I watched—their live sound never really hit right for me. But you'd think it would be fine at a show, and then suddenly 👎

The issue is their sound—especially the slower tracks—just isn't built for stadiums or massive outdoor festivals.

Vojko V is alright—I actually thought Bulletproof Gun was even better—but I gotta say, most of these new rappers burn through their material way too fast the second some new trend or gimmick hits.

When it comes to the American hip-hop scene, I wouldn't bet a single dime on anything the Chicago Transit Authority's L train has going for it compared to some of those legendary full discographies.

We could go on forever, but I don't want to bore you guys—so I’ll wrap up my little show by playing one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

It’s wild to think about—that being a woman isn't always something you're born into, but something you can become. This track feels like this massive monument to gender fluidity, but also to all that heartache and struggle felt by anyone who’s ever been an outsider.

Moving right along with our soul set.

Sharon Jones and The Gap:


Marlena Shaw:


Plus, the one big hit from today’s podcast—which also serves as a much-needed reality check for all those reality TV singers out there... basically, if you can't handle a voice like the lady in this link, maybe just stick to karaoke:

The lady down there is out here defending what real jazz sounds like. It's pure magic.

If Angel managed to pull off a total masterpiece of maximalism up there, then this gem is basically the same thing—just played out in a minimalist way:

Total favorite of mine from the last few years—hands down. When I first heard this track, I honestly couldn't believe how much one song could actually convey.

This girl is going places—way further than she is now—and this video is honestly one of the best takes I've seen on cultural barriers in relationships: