(ware)HOUSE Radio

In case you missed the news… We’re thrilled to announce we’re reopening the (ware)HOUSE on June 4, and Sarah Potenza will be our guest. Sarah was scheduled to play the (ware)HOUSE in 2020. But we had to postpone due to COVID. This rescheduled concert is a name-your-price event.  We encourage you to donate $25/ticket — more if you’re willing. Important note: The last two years — especially the months after the pandemic began — was devastating time for touring artists like Sarah who had their entire livelihoods screech to a halt.  We sent to Sarah the revenue we collected for that 2020 show and told her it was a downpayment for when we reopened. Sarah needed that money I sent her in 2020. And while things are better now than they were in 2020, it’s still not “back to normal” for touring artists. Sarah’s payment for this event comes solely from ticket and merchandise sales. We don’t pocket a penny. So we’d be grateful — and, of course, so, too, would Sarah — if you’d reserve seats at that $25/seat level (or more). You’ll also have the opportunity to make an optional donation to support the North County Big Band. We hope you can join us on June 4. Click below for details and tickets:https://warehouseconcerts.org/sarahpotenza  Now the Song of the Day The other day, I was watching an episode of Breaking Bad. That show has a great soundtrack — including the song I share today. I didn’t recognize it. So I fired up my Shazam app and was shocked to learn it was by the Monkees. This is not made-for-tv bubblegum pop. This is something different. All in the band get songwriting credits. Mickey Dolenz is the lead singer. It was the B-Side to the 1967 single Daydream Believer. Today’s Song  Title: Goin’ Down Artist: The Monkees Album: Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. (1967) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/xnzrGr78Mws Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: h‌ttps://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

I saw Drew Holcomb and his wife, Ellie, at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis in February. A great show! They played several new songs — some written while traveling around Tennessee in an RV, with their three children, during the height of the pandemic. This is one of those songs. The title track of an album they released in January Today’s Song  Title: Coming Home Artist: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors Album: Coming Home: A Collection of Songs (2022) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/4h9KrbTqJNA Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

Here’s one Keb’ Mo’ wrote last in 2020 while cooped up ’cause of COVID. He and his pals from Old Crow Medicine Show recorded it together. And he released it last year on his album Good to Be…  Today’s Song  Title: The Medicine Man Artist: Keb’ Mo’ (w/ Old Crow Medicine Show) Album: Good to Be… (2021) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/MfNpa372t-Y Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

Hi (ware)HOUSE Concerts friend. Sorry for the unannounced Song of the Say hiatus. But I’m back… …inspired by today’s artist, Mary Gauthier. I learned today that she has a new album coming out in June… …but she’s already released one song from it. I heard the song and thought, “I gotta share this one with my Song of the Day pals.” Here’s what Mary says about that song on her website: “On the way to Denmark to play a festival during that break in Covid before Omicron, my connecting flight was delayed. I was able to re-route through Amsterdam, no extra charge. So, I booked my favorite room in my favorite hotel, and spent a couple days in my favorite city with my favorite person. We wrote this song together in that room, during a very happy time.”  Happy song. A song about awakening. Hiatus over. (I didn’t plan to start it. I didn’t have a plan to end it.) Happy Friday.  Today’s Song  Title: Amsterdam Artist: Mary Gauthier Album: Dark Enough to See The Stars (Coming in June 2022) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/l1v5Wd8Y0uo Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

Good to see you again. Sorry I’ve been a stranger. I’ve been getting into Jimmy LaFave lately. So many great songs. I thought this would be a nice one to share on Valentine’s week. Put this on, turn it up, and hug your honey. And if you can’t be with the honey you love, hug the one you’re with. Today’s Song  Title: Going Home Artist: Jimmy LaFave Album: Buffalo Return to the Plains (1995) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/mclrMMFyd8g Lyrics  Go to sleep you weary princess Let the miles roll you away Out to this place on the prairie Where we’ve reached the end of day You’re going home Close your eyes You’re going home Don’t you worry, I’m right beside you You can dream a peaceful dream This road is long but I don’t worry Because you cause my heart to sing Close your eyes You’re going home Close your eyes You may wake up and find me Driving with a tear drop in my eye It’s from the happiness inside me The reason why is you and I Go to sleep you precious angel Night has fallen, day is gone Your brown eyes will sparkle in the sunrise They will dance beside the dawn Close your eyes You’re going home Close your eyes You’re going home Close your eyes You’re going home Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

In 1980, Elvis Costello was THE angry young man. I saw him live around that time, and he sang half the time with his back to the audience. After his first three albums — My Aim is True, This Year’s Model, and Armed Forces — were released in 1977, 1978, and 1979. And then, in 1980, his U.S. label, Columbia, released a collection of EP tracks,  B-sides, and other oddities that had been released in Europe, but not in America. That album is called Taking Liberties and it’s one of my favorites — not just one of my favorite’s by Elvis Costello. One of my favorite albums, period. It opens with a snarling punk number called “Clean Money” and it continues with several tracks oozed that angry young man vibe. But then, you get to the ninth track, near the end of the first side, and you hear it: Elvis does country. For those who know a lot of his catalog, for those who know Elvis as much for his lounge singing as his punk snarling, this genre detour might not seem so strange. But in 1980 it was mind blowing. George Jones inspired the song. In fact, Elvis wrote it to record with George (in 1979). Elvis actually recorded his version before he and George recorded there. But George’s version was released in the US first.  You still hear Elvis’ version from time to time on country and Americana radio stations. But it’s George’s version (with Elvis along for the ride) that I share with you today. Today’s Song  Title: There’s a Stranger in the House Artist: George Jones (with Elvis Costello) Album: My Very Special Guests (1979) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/wCuUh_cTzgw Lyrics  This never was one of the great romances But I thought you’d always have those young girl’s eyes For now they look in tired and bitter glances At the ghost of a man walkin’ round in my disguise  He gets the feeling that he should belong here But there’s no welcome in the window anyway And he looks down for a number on his key-chain ‘Cause it feels more like a hotel everyday  There’s a stranger in the house, nobody’s seen his face Everybody says he’s takin’ my place There’s a stranger in the house no one will…

I’m not even sure how this happened… …I stumbled upon KSYM — a small community radio station on the campus of San Antonio College in Texas. I’ve been streaming the station a lot lately. It plays a strange combination of old-timey roots music and alternative rock. I heard today’s artist on that station and liked him. Then I dug into his catalog and found today’s song. His name is Albin Lee Meldau — a Swedish singer songwriter who’s counts Van Morrison and Sam Cooke among his idols and influences. I hear that in this song. Let me know what you think. Today’s Song  Title: Til the Sun Comes Around Again Artist: Albin Lee Meldau Album: About You (2018) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/W16dkepyUFI Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

Eleven Hundred Springs was a Dallas-based band that ended its 23-year run in November 2021. I missed the entire thing. They never blinked on my radar until last month when I heard today’s song on WMOT (Nashville roots radio — which I often listen to online). Sorry I missed them… …because I like this song… …and I’ve enjoyed their catalog since I heard them last month. Here’s that song, from their very first album… Today’s Song  Title: See You in the Next Life Artist: Eleven Hundred Springs Album: A Straighter Line (2001) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/nwzTM2vbK2I Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

Susanna Hoffs and Aimee Mann both fronted popular bands in the 1980s — Hoffs with the Bangles and Mann with ’til Tuesday. But they left that behind long ago. Both have had long, successful solo careers. Mann is a GREAT songwriter. Hoffs writes less and records lots of covers — including a series of excellent albums with Matthew Sweet on which they do faithful covers of songs we know and love. On her latest album, Bright Lights (2021), she steps into covers again. Lots of good ones on this album. I’ve chosen one that’s written by Badfinger’s Pete Ham, from the band’s 1971 album “Straight Up.” It’s a great song from an underrated album by an underrated band. Todd Rundgren produced the album that included Bad Finger’s biggest hit, “Baby Blue.” Hoffs and Mann cover the album’s sixth track. Their version is a beauty. Here it is… Today’s Song  Title: Name of the Game Artist: Susanna Hoffs (with Aimee Mann) Album: Bright Lights (2021) YouTube Link (official video):  youtu.be/pBmhCgaZ8m8 Lyrics  Saw the railway master And I looked him in the eye Said “Would you go much faster If you thought that you would die? He said “Not me sir I could not care In fact I would not try Protest would not take me far It’s different me not being a star” I lock my feelings in a jar until another day Comfort me dear brother Won’t you tell me what you know? Somewhere in this painful world Is a place where I can go Oh long awaiting mother Is it time to make yout the show? And take your babies to your breast No we never passed the test And all our sins should be confessed before we carry on Oh don’t refuse me If you choose me you’ll follow my shame No don’t confuse me For I know it’s the name of the game Got up off my pillow And I looked up at the sun Said “You can see quite clearly now The things that we have done” We burned your sacred willow And our battles we have won But did we get so very far? It’s different me not being a star Lock my feelings in a jar until we go away Oh don’t refuse me If…

This one is hot off the presses. Eli “Paperboy” Reed won’t release his new album, “Down Every Road” until April 29, 2022… …but earlier this week, he released a single from the album. The album cover looks like it came from the late 1960s. And so does the sound. Tonight’s song is a cover of a Merle Haggard classic. But this version sounds nothing like Merle. Enjoy… Today’s Song  Title: Mama Tried Artist: Eli “Paperboy” Reed Album: Down Every Road (2022) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/ZKmkMCwUO3Q Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj