I just wanna let it shine

Songcrush confession: Sheryl Crow's "Summer Day" is like pure honey on a sunshine-y day, and I just can't get enough of it right now:



In fact, the whole album is great. 100 Miles from Memphis was released last summer and feels like a timeless classic rock gem. You'll hear the influence of the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Motown and Mellencamp, among others, but always in that inimitable Sheryl Crow style, which often doesn't get enough respect in my opinion. This is a very smooth, solid record and the perfect complement to warmer weather. Need a backyard barbecue soundtrack, perhaps?

Remembering Katrina

Three years ago today, we all watched with rapt horror as a flooded New Orleans disintegrated before our eyes on live television. With another hurricane approaching the beleaguered city as we speak, I thought we should focus on the one thing in New Orleans that can't be destroyed - the music.

Sheryl Crow's "Love is Free" video was inspired by the survivors in New Orleans:



Marc Cohn's "Dance Back from the Grave" sounds like Tom Waits eulogizing the New Orleans of pre-Katrina:



And finally, here is Dave Matthews Band with Robert Randolph performing "Louisiana Bayou" live from the Weekend on the Rocks DVD: (RIP LeRoi Moore.)

Slowhand Christmas

Something about the holidays makes me crave the blues, and particularly Eric Clapton's gorgeous, honeyed version of it. My favorite modern Christmas song is his version of "Merry Christmas Baby" with Sheryl Crow from the Very Special Christmas compilation of 1999:



From that same period, "Cryin' Christmas Tears":



And as an added bonus, here's a clip from the Sessions for Robert J. DVD - my favorite song on that stunning album, "They're Red Hot" (ignore the strange syncing problem and just listen):