Short Tracks: JD Souther- If the World Was You (2008)

JD Souther,  now in his late seventies, has released the best work in this career after his commercial peak. Souther, who had big hits in 1979 and 1981 ( with the songs “Your Only Lonely “ and “Her Town Too”, respectively) ,

Short Cuts – Catherine Russell “Aged and Mellow”

Catherine Russell has been on my mind recently. Of course I’m excited by the fact that Steely Dan has decided to tour on what is one of their off cycle years. Part of the thrill of last several seasons of Steely Dan tours has been the band’s arsenal of fantastic background singers.

Short Cuts: “Jack of Speed by Steely Dan from ‘Two Against Nature’

If Two Against Nature came out as a L.P. the song ‘Jack of Speed’ would have made a perfect side two opener. Its funky, it rocks, it sophisticated. ‘Jack of Speeds is one of the strongest cuts on Two Against Nature and ranks in my top 5 Steely Dan Songs of all time, yet it’s disappointing!