Big Al Tahoe’s Big List Blog

Bluephoria is a strong blues/rock song. Rebecca’s powerful and soulful vocal style is fully on display. Megan’s lap steel riffs are spot on.

“It’s kinda classic rock, but a little bit psychedelic,” according to Rebecca Lovell, lead singer on a Facebook Live post discussing the single release. “We are huge fans of the Black Crowes.” And you can hear the influence in Bluephoria, for sure. “We are very proud of this song. It taps into the human experience of joy and sorrow. [It encourages the listener to] revel in the sweet times because they don’t last forever.”

Larkin Poe is an American roots rock band fronted by sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Formed in 2010 and hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the band is known for their gritty, soulful sound that blends elements of Blues, Rock, and Americana. Rebecca handles lead vocals and plays guitar, while Megan adds harmonies and plays lap steel guitar. Named after their ancestor, the poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe, Larkin Poe has released several albums to critical acclaim. Their 2022 album Blood Harmony earned them a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. They are celebrated for their energetic live performances, musicianship, and the ability to modernize traditional Southern sounds.

https://songwhip.com/larkin-poe/bluephoria

Bluephoria
Time: 4:32
Album: Bluephoria – Single
Genre: Americana
Release Date: 07/12/2024

Lucius is an indie pop band formed in 2005, consisting of lead vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, alongside multi-instrumentalists Dan Molad and Peter Lalish. Known for their unique vocal harmonies and eclectic style, Lucius blends elements of pop, rock, and electronic music to create a vibrant, dynamic sound. Their live performances are characterized by their striking visual aesthetics and powerful stage presence. Over the years, Lucius has released several critically acclaimed albums, earning a dedicated fan base and recognition within the indie music scene.

Housewarming is a bonus track, and only new song, on their new release Wildewoman (The New Recordings) which is a sonic upgrade of their breakthrough 2013 album.

https://songwhip.com/lucius/housewarming-the-new-recording2024

Also adding Wildewoman, and Two of Us on the Run

Housewarming (feat. Brandi Carlile)
Time: 4:11
Album: Wildewoman (The New Recordings) [Deluxe]
Genre: Alternative
Release Date: 6/21/24

One of my favorites from the live set at the Guild Theater in Menlo Park on 6/29/2024. More Jackie on the Big List is always called for.

https://songwhip.com/jackie-greene/shaken

Shaken
Time: 4:07
Album: Giving Up the Ghost
Genre: Folk
Release Date: 4/1/08

A gem from 1970. Memo From Turner is from the soundtrack for the movie Performance which starred Mick and Anita Pallenberg. The song is written by Jagger/Richards, but the Stones are not the backing band. Slide guitar by Ry Cooder.

https://songwhip.com/mickjagger/memo-from-turner

Memo from Turner
Time: 4:08
Album: Performance Soundtrack
Release Date: 9/19/70

I saw Fantastic Negrito at a free show on a recent warm summer evening in Point Richmond. The band is mighty and tight. Their energy is rock and blues with solid grounding in what I would call riff and roll. They announced the release of this song by saying, “Sting came to 34th and San Pablo, all by himself, to record this with us. He’s a good man.”

Groovy with a swampy blues sound.

https://songwhip.com/fantastic-negrito/undefeated-eyes

Undefeated Eyes (feat. Sting)
Time: 4:26
Release Date: 6/28/24

I recently heard this song in a store somewhere rambling around, and immediately thought “there’s that song again!” as if I had been frequently hearing it in random situations. However, I can’t actually recall specific times where I had recently heard it prior to that day in the store. Oh well. Good to get on the list.

https://songwhip.com/the-kinks/strangers1970

Strangers
Time: 3:20
Album: The Kinks Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 11/27/70

I have been spinning a bit of their stuff since he did a song at the Ramblin Jack benefit. This one has a great forward motion beat and wonderful horns.

A Little Honey
Time: 3:11
Album: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Tearing at the Seams (Deluxe Edition)
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 3/9/18

Jon Anderson is my favorite hippie woodland creature vocalist, so I am excited to have new music coming from his latest project.

Rumour is that he found his current band, The Band Geeks, on the internet. They are clearly extremely skilled players and able perform all of the various styles/signatures of the Yes-related songbook.

Shine On is the first song released from the album TRUE, which is set for release August 23, 2024. I like this song a lot. It feels like a deep alchemical rock and roll incantation infused with psychedelic magic of song-craft.

https://songwhip.com/jon-anderson/shine-on

Here’s an interview of Jon talking about the new album…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1YskXBXdz0

Shine On
Time: 4:18
Album: TRUE
Genre: Rock

Ben turned me onto this band. He knows me all too well.

The Sheepdogs basically prove you don’t have to live in the 1970’s to play Zeppelin style riff-rock, or be from Georgia to play vibrant Southern Rock.

Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, they have had a dream-like entry into the music biz. Learn My Lesson comes from an EP that helped to win a contest that landed them on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

I love the Allman Brothers influences all over this song.

The Sheepdogs are playing The Chapel in San Francisco in September 2024. If you want to join me, let me know.

Learn My Lesson
Time: 3:38
Album: Five Easy Pieces – EP
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 8/2/11

From Clem Snide’s 2020 album Forever Just Beyond, produced by Scott Avett. This album is one of my favorites in the singer/songwriter genre. Much of the album is already on the Big List. Adding these tracks because I want to hear them more.

Some Ghost is the final track on the album. The lyrics are brilliant and the duet vocals by Eef Barzelay and Scott Avett are sublime.

Some Ghost
Time: 3:54
Denial
Time: 3:31
Album: Forever Just Beyond
Release Date: 3/27/20

Blast from the past that needs to blast a bit more often.

Adia
Time: 4:05
Album: Surfacing
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 7/15/97

I have some Big Head Todd on my Drums list. Fun to play. Figured I needed more here.

It’s Alright
Time: 4:00
Album: Sister Sweetly
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 2/23/93

Added because they had the opening slot at the Mill Valley Music Festival. It feels like I should already have known them. Eric Lindell is in the great Northern California tradition of Cosmic Cowboys. His time in New Orleans is very much part of most of his songs. This one steals a bit from Van Morrison, but I don’t mind.

Do you Ever Miss Me
Time: 3:19

Softer Sand has a groovy R&B beat that feels like make-up sex. It No more talking / Lets start walking on softer sand

Softer Sand
Time: 3:49

Album: Oakland
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Release Date: 2/23/23

He was on an episode of Terrapin Clubhouse with Phil Lesh. His guitar playing was pretty astonishing. Someone to keep an eye on.

Double Exposure
Time: 4:15
Album: Reflector
Genre: Country
Release: 11/10/23

Solstice (feat. Holly Bowling)
Time: 6:12
Album: The Iceland Sessions (feat. Holly Bowling) – EP
Genre: Folk
Release Date: 5/10/24

How is it that this is just getting added now? Crazy. But there are lots and lots of other songs that just never got added.

Gravity
Time: 4:06
Album: Continuum
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 9/12/06