reldnahkram

ruthling gave me a "W".

Francis Dunnery - Wounding and Healing of Men
I've never quite figured out what this song is about, but I love it all the same.
The Jayhawks - Waiting for the Sun
I wish I had discovered the Jayhawks earlier. I'm a sucker for two-headed bands (really, I'm a sucker for vocal harmony), and Gary Louris and Mark Olson are two of the best.
Nirvana - Where Did You Sleep Last Night
How many of today's artists as prominent as Nirvana were when this was recorded know who Leadbelly is? When I was much younger, my best friend would put this on single repeat and we'd play Sim City.
Stan Rogers - The Witch of the Westmorland
Words fail me. This is just awesome.
Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel
I believe the story behind this is that Dylan wrote the chorus, discarded it, and the boys of OCMS picked it up, wrote the verses, and ran with it. See above note about vocal harmonies.
Mike Doughty - White Lexus
I find this song very relaxing. The steel guitar is a nice touch.
Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks
Between the drums, the harmonica, and Robert Plant's scream, there's something phenomenally primal about this. Primal is not something that I usually go for, but this is so drenched in the blues it's impossible to say no. This song, not Stairway, sold me on ZOSO.
Erin McKeown - White City
We Will Become Like Birds is a break-up album, and so by the time this comes around, it's uplifting spirit is tremendously refreshing.
Lyle Lovett - Why I Don't Know
The juxtapositions in this song about a bender/one-night stand is an excellent example of his wry sense of humor and excellent songcrafting.
Old 97's - Wish the Worst
"I could hang out on the pier, down by the Hudson, sniffin' glue." There are so many 97's songs about the girl leaving, but this is, I think, one of the rare times when there's more venom and rage than simply "Woe is Rhett".