Blog
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Artistic Partnerships
Out 29 2008, 14h35 por Retronius
I was reading through my normal load of publications and I ran across a brief article that bothered me so much upon reading it that I just had to write something about it.
NME reported yesterday morning that John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page got tired of waiting for Robert Plant to make up his mind about doing a new tour with Led Zeppelin and they're just going on without him. Considering how late to the game I am to one of the best bands ever, I cannot feel right in saying whether or not this must stand, but I know this certainly bothers me.
Maybe it's a matter of perspective, but at what is the art still pure from its source when the authors are missing? Is Led Zeppelin still Led Zeppelin if Bonzo's son is playing the drums and some other dude is doing all the singing? When it was 75% original band and things were kept in the family for the other 25%, the claim was still there. The one-off concert they did recently in London still rocked hard from what I heard. But when you're only running with two original members, is the art still pure?
I ask this from time to time with other musicians. If Nine Inch Nails is really just Trent Reznor doing everything himself in the studio, when he goes on tour, is the band really Nine Inch Nails or NIN with friends? The original artisan is present, but are these added components adding to the work or corrupting it? If this new product is good (which it is), is it a result of the other musicians or the structure Reznor initially presented? Is it still essentially the same work?
Guns N' Roses is finally going to release the long awaited album, Chinese Democracy (and while I don't listen to Guns N' Roses, I will be looking for my free can of Dr. Pepper). The thing is, since Slash and Buckethead are not included, is this really a work of Guns N' Roses or just the new work of Axl Rose? Can Axl definitively say that he alone is the entire band that people have known for years?
Let me get a little less mainstream and a little more esoteric (but something that's a little stronger to my suits). In 1973, Herbie Hancock put together a band and recorded the classic album, Head Hunters. The band was known by that name and recorded a few albums together (1974's Thrust and the Japanese import live album Flood). But from 1975 to 1998, Herbie Hancock was no longer with The Headhunters. The band stayed in the same style as its founding, but it was lacking with the loss of Hancock (especially in comparison to Hancock's various creative directions over the many years). Could they still be the Headhunters with the loss of their founder?
In the 1960s, Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Wilton Felder, and Wayne Henderson formed the Jazz Crusaders (and later the name was shortened to The Crusaders). The group had considerable fame in its time and especially after 1979's Street Life. Yet the group started to dismantle in 1975 when Henderson left the group. Over the years members left until the group was considered disbanded. When Sample and Felder got together in 1991 for Healing the Wounds, was this really a Crusaders album? When Henderson made a new band of the same name, was this really The Crusaders? When Sample, Felder, and Hooper got together in 2003 for Rural Renewal without Henderson, was this really a Crusaders album?
When creating art in a group, the integrity of the group and the work must be taken into account. It's why when Esbjörn Svensson passed this past June, Esbjörn Svensson Trio was no more. It's why TLC hasn't been able to properly get back together after Left Eye died. It's why Roger Avery isn't wowing people with his own personal work but when he worked with Quentin Tarantino for everything they did from Pulp Fiction and back, film lovers took notice.
Artistic partnerships are beautiful, symbiotic relationships. They can be closer than marriages. But if a breakup happens, one cannot just look at the art the same way. To do so would discredit the basis of the relationship and the quality of the work. It lacks objectivity. It lacks respect. Analyzing each artist's contribution to a work is crucial, especially in a partnership.
And this is why I'm saying 50% of Zeppelin may just not do.
For other writings that aren't necessarily about music, but you never know, head to In Retrospect. -
One week, two living legends
Jul 27 2008, 21h22 por Shiverland
I had the wonderful privilege of seeing Tom Waits and Erykah Badu live in the space of one week.
Bliss!
Although, it's really by husband that's the Waits fan, I was impressed by the man himself in person. While we sat in the plushy comfy chairs of the Kongress Centrum in Prag, Mr. Waits embarked on an artistic journey through his repertoire, treating to us to a perfectly executed show of his known and lesser known tracks. I think my fave performance was Eyeball Kid - it was aptly accompanied by ingenious choreography by Mr. Waits. See it on Youtube to believe it.
Then yesterday, we travelled just over 50 km to the Jazz Fest Wiesen, primarily to see Erykah Badu while bypassing Al Jarreau, Omar, The Crusaders and Macy Gray.
Macy was the true revelation of the evening. What an energetic performance! Excellent crowd skills, she showed herself to be a true entertainer. She did some good covers of
Creep and
Que Sera Sera and also sampled No Woman, No Cry. Don't doubt, go and see her. Pay money for it. She is worth it!
And then, the Queen. Erykah. She entered the stage at around midnight and delivered an intense show that lasted over 2 hours!!! It was apparently the last leg of her current tour, so she was in the mood to end on a BIG BANG.
The first half was very experimental, much sampling and electronic and hip hop elements, while the second half was traditional Erykah, pure soul...
I was not disappointed, except by the fact that she did not include
Next Lifetime in her set. But she more than compensated - even doing
Tyrone,
Green Eyes and
Orange Moon.
The woman can sing. She can dance. She can direct.
She is a true artist. -
March 2nd: On this Day
Mar 2 2007, 19h59 por tenderbranson69
2003, singer, songwriter Hank Ballard died from throat cancer. Wrote and recorded ‘The Twist,’ but it was only released on the B-side of a record. One year later, Chubby Checker debuted his own version of ‘The Twist’ on Dick Clark's Philadelphia television show. It topped the charts and launched a dance craze that prompted the creation of other Twist songs, including ‘Twist and Shout’ by the Isley Brothers and ‘Twistin' the Night Away’ by Sam Cooke.
1999, Dusty Springfield died after a long battle against cancer, aged 59. The British singer had her first UK hit single in 1963 with ‘I Only Want To Be With You’, which reached No.4, a 1966 UK No.1 & US No.4 single with 'You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.
1991, French singer Serge Gainsbourg died. Famous for his 1969 UK No.1 duet with Jane Birkin on 'Je T'aime...Moi Non Plus.'
1960, After completing his national service and flying back to America, Elvis Presley stepped on British soil for the first and only time in his life when the plane carrying him stopped for refuelling at Prestwick Airport, Scotland.
1956, Born on this day, John Cowsill, The Cowsills, (1967 US No.2 single 'The Rain, The Park & Other Things', 1969 US No.2 single the theme from 'Hair'). TV's Partrige Family was based on the family.
1950, Born on this day, Karen Carpenter, vocals, drums, Carpenters. (1973 UK No.2 single 'Yesterday Once More' plus 3 US No.1's including 1975 US No.1single 'Please Mr Postman'. 1974 UK & US No.1 album 'The Singles 1969-1973 spent 125 weeks on the UK chart). She died on February 4th 1983 of anorexia nervosa.
1948, Born on this day, Larry Carlton,
guitarist with The Crusaders, (1979 UK No.5 & US No. 36 single 'Street Life').
1948, Born on this day, Rory Gallagher, Irish blues guitarist, who had a 1970 UK No.18 album with 'On The Boards/Taste'. Gallagher died on June 14th 1995.
1943, Born on this day, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, (1968 'White Light, White Heat'), solo, (1973 UK No.10 & US No.16 single 'Walk On The Wildside', 1997 UK No.1 charity single 'Perfect Day').
This information was taken from:
http://www.thisdayinmusic.com -
Shufflez0rgor
Jan 13 2007, 10h01 por Roverish
1.) Why did you decide to take this quiz?
Track: Our House
Artist: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Comments: Yeah.
2.) Where will you meet your husband/wife?
Track: Guest List
Artist: Eels
Comments: I don't go to alot of parties.
3.) Where will you "hug" your wife/husband for the first time?
Track: Sealed with a kiss
Artist: Deerhoof
Comments: Umm. Whatever.
4.) What is your secret dream?
Track: 10
Artist: Fantômas
Comments: That is just odd.
5.) What song will they be playing at the morgue when they'll perform your autopsy?
Track: Do You Realize??
Artist: The Flaming Lips
Comments: My itunes is bad at matching.
6.) Who will throw a party after you die?
Track: Engwish Bwudd
Artist: Man Man
Comments: That'll be a nice party.
7.) What song describes you when you're so drunk that you can't speak?
Track: Alone Together
Artist: Chet Baker
Comments: Yeah, this is cool.
8.) What will actually kill you?
Track: Cold White Christmas
Artist: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Comments: I like Christmas.
9.) Who will be your slave?
Track: One day in my garden
Artist: Amon Tobin
Comments: Gardening slaves!
10.) What will you look like at the age of 80?
Track: Make it hot
Artist: Mirah
Comments: Does this mean I'll look hot?
11.) Where will you meet your arch enemy of life?
Track: Mushroom
Artist: Can
Comments: Hmm...
12.) Where did your parents 'create' you?
Track: Where the wild roses grow
Artist: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Comments: Finally itunes makes a match!
13.) What will happen to you tonight, after going to bed?
Track: Dialogue
Artist: Jackson C. Frank
Comments: I'll have a dialogue with myself.
14.) What is the meaning of your life?
Track: Consuelo's Departure
Artist: The Residents
Comments: That is just odd.
15.) What will be the meaning of your death?
Track: Farewell to Cheyenne
Artist: Ennio Morricone
Comments: Nice.
16.) How many necrophiles will ravage your corpse?
Track: 9 Crimes
Artist: Damien Rice
Comments: That scares me.
17.) What do you hate the most?
Track: Oh! Sweet Nuthin'
Artist: The Velvet Underground
Comments: I suppose that's good.
18.) What do you love the best?
Track: Portions of foxes
Artist: Rilo Kiley
Comments: I do love foxes.
19.) What makes you feel like jumping out the window?
Track: Stabbed in the face
Artist: Wolf Eyes
Comments: OH SO TRUE
20.) What do you think about bananas?
Track: One more night
Artist: Can
Comments: Yeah, i'd kill for one more night with a banana.
21.) Where would you like to be now?
Track: Street Life
Artist: The Crusaders
Comments: ...
22.) Who would you like to have a tea-party with?
Track: Things Viral
Artist: Khanate
Comments: I'd rather not.
23.) How would you describe your childhood?
Track: Rollercoaster
Artist: M. Ward
Comments: Cool.
24.) If you could do anything you want, what would it be?
Track: Waving our flutes in the wind
Artist: Mollenhauer
Comments: Uhhh. Okay.
25.) Recent obsessions/existential problems?
Track: Las Crusas Jail
Artist: Two Gallants
Comments: That could be a problem!
26.) If they would make a movie about you, what would it be called?
Track: Birdland
Artist: 高木正勝
Comments: Nice.
27.) Where did the pigeons go?
Track: Into the woods
Artist: My Morning Jacket
Comments: A great applause for itunes!
28.) Are you a good stalker/rapist?
Track: Off the rails
Artist: The Notwist
Comments: What does that mean?
29.) What will your neighbour think of you when they find out that you have naked pictures of them?
Track: Happy Birthday Pigface Christus
Artist: Current 93
Comments: That doesn't sound good.
30.) Who's for dinner tonight?
Track: Baja
Artist: The Residents
Comments: Mmmm. Dinner...
31.) Who are you hiding in your cupboard tonight?
Track: Swarming Cats
Artist: The Flying Luttenbachers
Comments: Dangerous.
32.) Who is your fashion ideal?
Track: One with the freaks
Artist: The Notwist
Comments: Kind of true.
33.) This halloween, you'll dress up as a ......???
Track: Sunshine Superman
Artist: Donovan
Comments: Scary.
34.) Who would you like to keep in your pockets all the time?
Track: Honey
Artist: Tosca
Comments: Sexxy
35.) If you'd won the lottery, what would you buy first?
Track: Poscards from Italy
Artist: Beirut
Comments: Maybe something more. But if I'd buy them, does that mean I'm in Italy?
36.) Are we there yet?
Track: A sight for sore eyes
Artist: Tom Waits
Comments: Okay.
Boredness -
Whoa...
Dez 20 2006, 0h12 por The-Real-Sky
...Please turn on your magic beam, Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.
* The Andrews Sisters
* The Chordettes
* Oranger
* Acoustic Guitar Summit
* Jamey Aebersold
* Chet Atkins
* Baldwin and the Whiffles
* Banjomania
* Chuck Berry
* Roberto Carlos
* Blind Guardian
* Bess Bonnier
* Buckingham Banjos
* Max Bygraves
* Mocedades
* Chipmunks
* Jim Coleman
* The Crusaders
* Rick Eldridge
* The Four Aces
* Marvin Gaye
* Golden Hammond
* Steve Grossman
* Mary Cleere Haran
* Bob Harris
* Emmylou Harris
* Ondrej Havelka
* Homer Haynes
* Al Hirt
* Bob Kames
* London Starlight Orchestra
* Magic Organ
* Jose Melis
* The Mills Brothers
* Mocedades
* Vaughn Monroe
* Anita O'Day
* Les Paul and Mary Ford
* The Pfister Sisters
* Dewey Redman
* Linda Ronstadt
* Mary Stahl
* Gob
* Linda McCartney
* The Puppini Sisters
Kim bilir daha kaç grup Mr. Sandman'nin büyüsüne kapılacak...
p.s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Sandman -
70s Disco Tracks Top 100
Abr 11 2006, 0h26 por Tr1xx
Well, I made up a similar list for a Northern Soul Top 100, so here's my equivalent DISCO version. As with that one, it's a personal and totally subjective list, and some folks will moan that "___" isn't really disco, well tough! Incidentally, I'm including 1980 chart entries, (basically because it's my list!), and I've only included tracks that I already possess. Time to turn up the hi-fi and get those feet tappin'...
A Taste of Honey - Boogie Oogie Oogie
Al Hudson and the Partners - You Can Do It
Alicia Bridges - I Love The Nightlife
Amanda Lear - Queen Of Chinatown
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood
Amii Stewart - Light My Fire
Andrea True Connection - More, More, More
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
Ashford & Simpson - Found A Cure
Average White Band - Let's Go Round Again
Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces
Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
Barry White - What Am I Gonna Do With You?
Barry White - You're the First, the Last, My Everything
Barry White - You See The Trouble With Me
Bee Gees - Night Fever
Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive
Bee Gees - Tragedy
Belle Epoque - Black Is Black
Billy Ocean - Red Light Spells Danger
Black Blood - A.I.E (A'Mwana)
Blondie - Heart Of Glass
Boney M. - Daddy Cool
Brothers Johnson - Stomp
Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free
Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
Carl Douglas - Run Back
Cerrone - Love In C Minor
Cerrone - Supernature
Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
Change - A Lovers Holiday
Change - Searching
Chic - Everbody Dance
Chic - I Want Your Love
Chic - Le Freak
The Chi-Lites - You Don't Have To Go
Commodores - Machine Gun
Crown Heights Affair - You Gave Me Love
The Crusaders - Street Life
Dee D. Jackson - Automatic Lover
Detroit Emeralds - Feel The Need In Me
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Diana Ross and The Supremes - Medley Of Hits
Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes - Get Dancin'
Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes - I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
The Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - Could It Be Magic
Donna Summer - Heaven Knows
Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
Donna Summer - I Feel Love
Donna Summer - Love's Unkind
Donna Summer - Try Me, I Know We Can Make It
Earth Wind and Fire - Boogie Wonderland
Earth Wind and Fire - Fantasy
Earth Wind and Fire - September
Edwin Starr - Contact
Edwin Starr - H.A.P.P.Y. Radio
Elton John - Are You Ready For Love
The Emotions - Best Of My Love
Eruption - I Can't Stand The Rain
Evelyn "Champagne" King - Shame
Fatback Band - (Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop
5000 Volts - I'm On Fire
Fern Kinney - Groove Me
First Choice - Doctor Love
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)
Frantique - Strut Your Funky Stuff
The Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head
Gene Chandler - Get Down
George Benson - Give Me The Night
George McCrae - I Can't Leave You Alone
George McCrae - Rock Your Baby
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
Gibson Brothers - Que Sera Mi Vida
Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle
Giorgio Moroder - From Here To Eternity
Giorgio Moroder - The Chase
Gladys Knight & The Pips - Baby Don't Change Your Mind
Gloria Gaynor - Honey Bee
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye
Gonzales - Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet
Grace Jones - I Need A Man
Hamilton Bohannon - Disco Stomp
Heatwave - Boogie Nights
Herbie Hancock - You Bet Your Love
Hot Chocolate - Every 1's a Winner
Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
Hues Corporation - Rock The Boat
The Isley Brothers - It's A Disco Night
The Jackson 5 - Skywriter
The Jacksons - Blame It On The Boogie
The Jacksons - Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
Jesse Green - Nice And Slow
Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Dance Across The Floor
Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Gimme Some
Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Spank
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds - I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds - Now Is The Time
Jimmy Ruffin - Hold On To My Love
Joe Tex - Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)
John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air
Johnny Bristol - Hang on in There Baby
KC and the Sunshine Band - (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty
KC and the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight
KC and the Sunshine Band - Give It Up
KC and the Sunshine Band - Keep It Comin' Love
KC and the Sunshine Band - Queen Of Clubs
KC and the Sunshine Band - That's The Way I Like It
Kool & The Gang - Celebration
Kool & The Gang - Ladies Night
Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Love
Leo Sayer - Thunder In My Heart
Linda Carr - Highwire
Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown
Loleatta Holloway - Dreamin'
Loleatta Holloway - Hit And Run
Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation
Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme
M - Pop Muzik
M & O Band - Let's Do The Latin Hustle
McFadden and Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Maxine Nightingale - Right Back Where We Started From
Meco - Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band
Melba Moore - This Is It
MFSB - T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
Michael Zager Band - Let's All Chant
Mighty Clouds of Joy - Mighty High
The Moments - Dolly My Love
The Moments - Girls
Odyssey - Native New Yorker
Ottawan - D.I.S.C.O.
Pattie Brooks - After Dark
Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive
Patrick Juvet - I Love America
Patsy Gallant - From New York to L.A.
People's Choice - Do It Anyway You Wanna
The Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything
Ritchie Family - Best Disco In Town
Rod Stewart - Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Rokotto - Boogie On Up ... (NB. This is correct name!)
Rose Royce - Car Wash
Rose Royce - Wishing On A Star
Santa Esmeralda - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Sarah Brightman - I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper
Shalamar - Uptown Festival
Sheila & B. Devotion - Spacer
Shirley & Company - Shame, Shame, Shame
Silver Convention - Get Up And Boogie
Sister Sledge - He's the Greatest Dancer
Sister Sledge - Lost In Music
Sister Sledge - Love Don't You Go Through No Changes on Me
Sister Sledge - Mama Never Told Me
Sparks - The Number One Song in Heaven
The Spinners - Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time
The Spinners - The Rubberband Man
The Spinners - Wake Up Susan
The Spinners - Working My Way Back To You
Stacy Lattisaw - Jump To The Beat
Stargard - Theme Song From 'Which Way Is Up'
Stephanie Mills - Never Knew Love Like This Before
Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
Tavares - Don't Take Away The Music
Teri DeSario - Ain't Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
The Three Degrees - The Runner
The Trammps - Disco Inferno
The Trammps - That's Where the Happy People Go
The Trammps - Trammps Disco Theme
Tina Charles - Dance Little Lady Dance
Tina Charles - I Love To Love
Van McCoy - The Hustle
Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around
Village People - Y.M.C.A.
Viola Wills - Gonna Get Along Without You Now
Viola Wills - If You Could Read My Mind
Voyage - From East To West
Voyage - Let's Fly Away
Voyage - Souvenirs
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On
Yvonne Elliman - If I Can't Have You
The list is still being developed (albeit slowly now), and I now have to decide whether to restrict it to 150. Add your comments and/or PM me with any thoughts if you like.. but that doesn't mean I'll pay much attention.... -
March 2nd: Born on this day
Mar 2 2006, 21h19 por tenderbranson69
1977, Born on this day, Chris Martin, piano, guitar, vocals, Coldplay, (2000 UK , (1967 US No.2 single 'The Rain, The Park & Other Things', 1969 US No.2 single the theme from 'No.4 single 'Yellow', 2000 UK No.1 album 'Parachutes' and and the 2005 worldwide No.1 album ‘X&Y').
1956, Born on this day, Mark Evans, bass, AC/DC. He quit in 1977 after becoming tired of touring.
1955, Born on this day, Jay Osmond, The Osmonds, (1971 US No.1 single 'One Bad Apple', 1974 UK No.1 single 'Love Me For A Reason' plus 9 other US & UK Top 40 singles).
1950, Born on this day, Karen Carpenter, vocals, drums, Carpenters. (1973 UK No.2 single 'Yesterday Once More' plus 3 US No.1's including 1975 US No.1single 'Please Mr Postman'. 1974 UK & US No.1 album 'The Singles 1969-1973 spent 125 weeks on the UK chart). She died on February 4th 1983 of anorexia nervosa.
1948, Born on this day, Larry Carlton, The Crusaders, (1979 UK No.5 & US No. 36 single 'Street Life').
1948, Born on this day, Rory Gallagher, Irish blues guitarist, who had a 1970 UK No.18 album with 'On The Boards/Taste'. Gallagher died on June 14th 1995.
1943, Born on this day, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, (1968 'White Light, White Heat'), solo, (1973 UK No.10 & US No.16 single 'Walk On The Wildside', 1997 UK No.1 charity single 'Perfect Day').
1943, Born on this day, Tony Meehan, drummer, The Shadows, (1963 UK No.1 single 'Foot Tapper' plus 28 other UK Top 40 singles). Meehan died on 28/11/05 aged 62 from head injuries sustained in a fall. -
The A to Z game
Jan 13 2006, 5h24 por davetrombizzle
My turn! Honestly, I could play this game 20 times and come up with different results. This is what I'm feelin right now:
# - "1979", The Smashing Pumpkins
A - "A Sunday", Jimmy Eat World
B - "Barbary Coast", Weather Report
C - "Can A Good Thing Last Forever?", Joshua Redman
D - "Do That Then", Charlie Hunter
E - "Evolve", Ani DiFranco
F - "Feel It", The Crusaders
G - "Go To Sleep", Radiohead
H - "Hurricane Song", Co-Pilot
I - "I Get A Kick Out Of You", Frank Sinatra
J - "Jump", Van Halen
K - "Keep On Movin'", Soul II Soul
L - "Let's Make Love", Fourplay
M - "Mama Said", Lenny Kravitz
N - "Nubian Lady", Yusef Lateef
O - "Opus Pocus", Jaco Pastorius Big Band
P - "Pinning Dreams", Dear Ephesus
Q - "Quiet Afternoon", Stanley Clarke
R - "Red Barchetta", Rush
S - "Shelf In The Room", Days of the New
T - "Time", Soulfood76
U - "Use Me", Bill Withers
V - "Voodoo Child", Jimi Hendrix
W - "Walkin'", Widespread Panic
Y - "You Know, You Know", Mahavishnu Orchestra
Z - "Zero Chance", Soundgarden
Yeah, I know, I don't have any favorite songs that begin with "X", sorry. And I didn't want to be a tool and use somebody else's. -Dave