Happy Summer from Uncle Bob!

For many of the past recent summers, I have put together my "Summer Cruisin'" mix as a CD. It is an ongoing homage to a series of record albums that came out several decades ago, compilations of '50's and '60's driving/beach/love songs. Since summer is so often a time for travel, I like to have a set of songs to keep me company. And, I'd like to share them with you.

When I pick my summer tunes, in my head I am sitting on a deck, charring or smoking meat, drinking beer with a lime in it, chatting or snuggling with my woman, smelling sweet and freshly-cut grass, following the slow flight of a plane overhead, and waiting for the darkness come in around us.

When I pick my summer tunes, I am walking along the beach with an Ipod, a James Bond in my own right, traveling with my soundtrack wherever I go.

When I pick my summer tunes, I am in a car driving to a destination far away, and because it is summer, I am in no particular hurry to get there.

So, yes, I am shamelessly suggesting that you download these songs and listen to them all summer long as a gift from good old Bob. If you aren't inclined to create them as a playlist in order, then think of them as a swimming pool that you can dip into when you feel like it.

SUMMER MIX 2008
The Wrong Trousers--"Video Killed The Radio Star(live)" (mp3)
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers--"Roadrunner" (mp3)
The Sheds--"Reflection of the Sun" (mp3)
Solomon Burke--"Can't Nobody Love You" (mp3)
Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins--"Handle With Care" (mp3)
T. Rex--"Bang a Gong (Get It On)" (mp3)
Bill Mallonee--"Stay With Me" (mp3)
Hindu Love Gods--"Rasberry Beret" (mp3)
Acid House Kings--"This Heart Is A Stone" (mp3)
The Polyphonic Spree--"Section 22(Running Away)" (mp3)
Johnny Mercer--"Glow Worm" (mp3)
Tullycraft--"The Punks Are Writing Love Songs" (mp3)
The Greencards--"Time" (mp3)
Stereophonics--"Have A Nice Day" (mp3)
BoDeans--"Paradise (live)" (mp3)
Throw Me The Statue--"Lolita" (mp3)
Joseph Arthur--"Let's Embrace" (mp3)


Most of these songs are available from Itunes, except The Wrong Trousers is an audience recording, the Sheds do not have a recording contract (their songs are downloadable from their website, theshedsmusic.com--highly recommended!), and the live BoDeans cd, Joe Dirt Car, may be out-of-print.