Five CDs you should own (if you don't already)

1. Sweetheart of the Rodeo by the Byrds – If you're into Gram Parsons, you probably already have this one. If you're looking for a Parsons' sampler, start here.
2. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector – Before becoming a dangerous eccentric, Spector was a great producer. Christmas songs by Darlene Love, the Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and the Crystals are all here.
3. Photographs and Memories: The Best of Jim Croce – Some dismiss Croce as lightweight, but he was a good storyteller. This selection contains all his best ('Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,' 'You Don't Mess Around with Jim,' and the excellent 'Workin' at the Car Wash Blues').
4. Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys – Unbelievably, I didn't like it the first time I listened to it, but it has really soaked in over the years. I understand where Brian Wilson is coming from.
5. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones LTD. by the Monkees – I know I'll take a credibility hit here, but it is a first-rate pop record. Bubble gum is tasty, too, you know.

I'm stealing Mr. Jimmy's idea...or am I?

Frequent visitors to Mr. Jimmy's BLAHBLAH know that he sometimes posts a list of songs that he is currently listening to. I always like those postings because I believe they shed some insight into the person. Plus, I like music, and I'm always interested in finding something new.

In that spirit, I thought I would post some songs I'm currently listening to. Then, I got to thinking that some of you might think that I was stealing his idea. What am I to do? Hmmmmm. I've got it. Look at it like this: This posting is paying homage to Mr. Jimmy because I am admitting that his work is influencing me.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Anyway, here are the songs:

'Tomorrow Never Knows' by The Beatles
'Daddy Sang Bass' by Johnny Cash with June Carter Cash and The Statler Brothers
'Workin' at the Car Wash Blues' by Jim Croce
'Roll Me Away' by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
'Keep the Customer Satisfied' by Simon and Garfunkel
'Amos Moses' by Jerry Reed (RIP)
'Apeman' by The Kinks
'Spontaneous' by Neil Innes
'Pop Life' by Prince and the Revolution
'Badge' by Cream
'Where Did You Sleep Last Night' by Nirvana
'It Doesn’t Matter Anymore' by Buddy Holly
'Southern Accents' by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
'Sundown' by Gordon Lightfoot
'Think' by Aretha Franklin