Hi - Thanks for checking out my web page and in particular, my new 1999 year end tape page. Last year I put the cover of the tape on the web, but did not do any explanation of the tape itself, other than the title '1998 year end tape'.

This year I am trying something different. Along with the tape itself, a bit of explanation of the songs and the reason why they are on the tape to begin with.. Many of the songs are not new, but with music, as always, it is timeless.

SIDE I

Last Night of The World - Bruce Cockburn - This is from Bruce Cockburn's newest CD - Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu. Kind of a nice way to start of the tape, I think, with a kind of apocalyptic view of the world as we know it. It does have the usual Cockburn slant and that is what I appreciate about this tune.

Intro - Todd Rundgren - Only the 'older' ones listening to this tape can relate to old vinyl LP's and the way they used to sound. From Todd's Something/Anything albums, he relates to bad sound only a few of us can remember. Does not occur very often with the new CD and digital technology.

Big Wheels Roll - Mark Heard - From Heards' Satellite Sky CD, this reflects on life in general; working for a living, living and dying, and what may be at the end of it.

Big Trucks - Pedro the Lion - From their debut CD It's Hard to Find A Friend, this silly yet accurate tune about big trucks on the road today and the cars that follow. Also a father/son thing that can relate to more than trucks.. for my Roadway driver friends.

NYC - Steve Earle - from El Corazon - this is a young stud with a mission to New York and his older counterpart thinking back about reality of a undertaking such as this.. Thought provoking, but just plain rocking..

Shredding the Document - John Hiatt - from his Walk On CD - Over the past year and probably more, just a little too much lying and deceit among our leaders and/or friends. This is a fun tune with not so hidden truths.

Everyone Loves A Holy War - Mark Heard - from Victims of the Age OOP LP. Hard to believe this is from 1982, but its content is timeless. With everyone having different beliefs in God and His right place with one side or another, it is no wonder humankind is wandering so aimlessly in the night.
Union Man - Neil Young - from Hawks and Doves - I really think Neil is poking fun at the unions here and I had to take advantage of it with my Roadway folks(both union and non-union).


SIDE II

Bad Fruit - Randy Stonehill - From The Sky is Falling LP - this tune is just a fun kind of Stonehill outing. This song was my first introduction to Stonehill in 1986, although it is from 1980. Thanks to Steve for this one. A great classic.

Boomtown - Terry Taylor - from John Wayne - this is a story of a town that has is all together on the outside, possibly a Mormon community, but generic in every respect (other than the "spires" line). Great guitar work here..

Cry Love - John Hiatt - another cut from Walk On - put this one on the tape because of the heavy duty mandolin part permiating the song. Damn it is good.. The lyrics are melodramatic, but piercing.

Only Passing Through - Rice,Rice,Hillman,Pedersen - from Out of The Woodwork - These guys are super. Been there,done that, bought and sold the tee shirt. Great tune good lyrics and dynamite harmonies.. Can you name the groups these guys played with?

Nothing Like A Train - Vigilantes of Love - from their limited release Audible Sigh CD - I struggled with what tunes to put on this tape and would have included more Vigilantes, but I think I am so slanted to this group, that the entire tape would have been them. Anyway, this is one of my favorites on their latest release. Touring, the toll it takes, the memories of loved ones, it is all here in this tune. Instrumentally suberb!!!

When You Give It Away - Bruce Cockburn - Start and end with Cockburn.. didn't plan it that way,, just happened. Study his lyrics, great stuff.. Really like his intro with the talking about the scene unfolding around him.


Now that this is done, let me say one other thing. These songs are for personal use only. The artists would really appreciate you going out and finding their LP,cassette,or CD and purchasing them for your very own.. I can honestly say that every album or CD included in here has so much more to offer than what is on this small sample of tunes.. So.. next time you want to purchase a new CD or LP or Cassette, get one of these.. Thanks for listening and checking out the web page.. Michael




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