"Keith Don't Go (Live)" by Nils Lofgren
There are live recordings, and then there is "Keith Don't Go (Live)" by Nils Lofgren. It's a masterclass in acoustics. No studio trickery. Just wood, wire, and energy.
Weekly Track
Thoughtfully curated weekly deep dives on a single track worthy of your time and attention (and your hifi gear.)
"Golden" by HUNTR/X
The pop craftsmanship here is off the charts and provides the scaffolding for an astounding vocal performance that is equal parts power and vulnerability.
"God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash
One of the last recordings by Johnny Cash. You can hear every mile of hard-living in his voice. The power is gone, but what’s left still amazes.
"Free" by VAST
“Free” feels massive from the first bars. Thick sub bass, a punchy rhythm section backing reverb-drenched vocals, and fuzzed out guitars all build to a surprising end.
"Cecilia" by Simon & Garfunkel
An astounding stereographic image that puts you right in the middle of a drum circle. This one feels like home.
"Garden Grove" by Sublime
Riding shotgun in my friend's crappy car in 1996, listening to Sublime cracked something open for me: emotionally, musically, even spatially.
"My Sharona" by The Knack
Lead guitarist Burton Averre’s full-length "My Sharona" solo doesn’t just cut through the mix. It burns a hole in the track.
"Lean on Me" by Bill Withers
There’s no flash here. Just weight. “Lean on Me” moves slow. A steady piano, a dry snare, claps that surround, and a jaw-dropping vocal performance.
"Fever Dream" by Iron & Wine
This song doesn’t rise or fall. It just appears, quietly, closely, and stays there. A minimal, intimate production completely sure of itself.
"Two Deliverances" by The Hotelier
There’s a snap and punch to the drums that feels almost too close. Neither glossy nor lo-fi. Just freakin' real.
"I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5
Some songs are just built to move. "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 is one of them. It’s sonic catnip from the first bar.
"Hey Now" by London Grammar
“Hey Now” by London Grammar completely took over audio-show demo booths when it was released in 2013 for good reason.