Tarmac Soul - Places And Spaces

It's unbelievable but a year has already passed since the beginning of Tarmac Soul and my road trip across America.

In an effort to reminisce and re-capture all of the good times and memories, I have created an index that details the places and spaces we experienced out on the road.

Thanks for visiting the site and reading about our (mis)adventures.

Happy Trails

Kub

Places And Spaces - May

Day 01 - Wednesday 30 May 2007
Places - Boston MA * Laconia NH
Spaces - Logan Airport - Weirs Beach - Naswa Resort
The Crazy Gringo

Day 02 - Thursday 31 May 2007
Places - Laconia NH
Spaces - The Paugus Diner - Walmart - Awakenings Cafe
Weirs Beach - Funspot - Super 8 Motel

Places And Spaces - June

Day 03 - Friday 01 June 2007
Places - Tilton NH * Manchester NH * Boston MA
Spaces - Starbucks - Dollar Rent-A-Car - Logan Airport
Jevelis - Beacon Hill - Game On - Bill's Bar

Day 04 - Saturday 02 June 2007
Places - Boston MA
Spaces - Breugger's Bagels - Cheers Bar - The Freedom Trail
Cafe Pompeii - Boston Beer Works - Cross Roads

Day 05 - Sunday 03 June 2007
Places - Boston MA * Cambridge MA
Spaces - Breugger's Bagels - Harvard University - Looney Tunes
Wally's Cafe - Champions Bar

Day 06 - Monday 04 June 2007
Places - Boston MA * Lakeview MA
Spaces - Fenway - Sonsie's - CD Spins - Newbury Comics
Urban Outfitters

Day 07 - Tuesday 05 June 2007
Places - Plymouth MA * Sandwich MA * Newport RI
Spaces - Plymouth Rock - Sandy Neck Beach - The Deli
Sandwich Mini Golf - Howard Johnson's

Day 08 - Wednesday 06 June 2007
Places - Newport RI * Morristown NJ
Spaces - IHOP - Goat Island - Bowens Wharf - Bannister's Wharf
The Forty Steps

Day 09 - Thursday 07 June 2007
Places - Morristown NJ * Manhattan NY
Spaces - Brooklyn Bagel Company - The Empire State Building
Times Square - Central Park - PJ Carney's - Gap

Day 10 - Friday 08 June 2007
Places - Morristown NJ * Manhattan NY
Spaces - Newark Airport (Dollar Rent-A-Lemon) - Long John's
Boyland Studios - West End Tavern

Day 11 - Saturday 09 June 2007
Places - Morristown NJ * New York City NY
Spaces - Morristown Diner - Yankee Stadium

Day 12 - Sunday 10 June 2007
Places - Morristown NJ * Staten Island NY
Spaces - Long John's - Verrazano Bridge - South Street Seaport
Staten Island Ferry

Day 13 - Monday 11 June 2007
Places - Staten Island NY * New York City NY * Allentown PA
Spaces - Jambo Juice - Bus Stop Cafe - Bowery - Soho
Balthazer Cafe - Bleecker Street Records - Rebel Rebel

Day 14 - Tuesday 12 June 2007
Places - Allentown PA
Spaces - Panera

Day 15 - Wednesday 13 June 2007
Places - Allentown PA * Tamaqua PA * Reading PA
Spaces - Panera - Trooper Thorns - Viva

Day 16 - Thursday 14 June 2007
Places - Reading PA * Lancaster PA
Spaces - Exeter Family Diner - Record Connection
Annie Bailey's

Day 17 - Friday 15 June 2007
Places - Lancaster PA
Spaces - Pizza Town 72 - Doc Holidays

Day 18 - Saturday 16 June 2007
Places - Lancaster PA * Morrisville PA * New Hope PA
Spaces - College Cafe - Long's Park - 90 Main

Day 19 - Sunday 17 June 2007
Places - Morristown PA * Philadelphia PA
Spaces - South Street - Jim's Steaks - Repo Records

Day 20 - Monday 18 June 2007
Places - Philadelphia PA * Frederick MD
Spaces - Elfreths Avenue - Betsy Ross House - US Mint
Liberty Bell - Penn Square - JFK Plaza - Quiznos

Day 21 - Tuesday 19 June 2007
Places - Frederick MD * Charlotte NC
Spaces - Subway - Ramada

Day 22 - Wednesday 20 June 2007
Places - Charlotte NC
Spaces - Leatherman Golf Center - IHOP
Day 22 - Wednesday 20 June 2007
Places - Atlanta GA
Spaces - Travelodge - Turner Field

Day 23 - Thursday 21 June 2007
Places - Atlanta GA
Spaces - Baymont Inn - Underground Atlanta - Lenox Center
Buckhead - Fado

Day 24 - Friday 22 June 2007
Places - Atlanta GA * Macon GA * Savannah GA
Spaces - Piedmont Park - Roly Poly - Faye's - Mercury Lounge
The Rail Pub - Stogies - Jen's And Friends

Day 25 - Saturday 23 June 2007
Places - Savannah GA * Orlando FL
Spaces - B. Matthews - Lil 500 Track - Chipotle
Orlando Brewing Company - Mako's - The Lodge
Lizzy McCormack's

Day 26 - Sunday 24 June 2007
Places - Orlando FL
Spaces - Buttermilks - International Drive
Festival Bay Mall - Bahama Breeze - Pirates Cove
Funspot - Kandai

Day 27 - Monday 25 June 2007
Places - Orlando FL
Spaces - Quiznos - The Mall At Millenia - Target

Day 28 - Tuesday 26 June 2007
Places - Orlando FL * Vero Beach FL
Spaces - Universal - Chili's

Day 29 - Wednesday 27 June 2007
Places - Vero Beach FL * Fort Lauderdale By-The-Sea FL
Spaces - Mulligan's Bar And Grill
Fort Lauderdale Hotel & Resort - Thai Spice - Village Pub

Day 30 - Thursday 28 June 2007
Places - Fort Lauderdale By-The-Sea FL *Orlando FL
Palm Harbor FL
Spaces - Aglin Pier - Dollar - Bennigan's

Day 31 - Friday 29 June 2007
Places - Palm Harbor FL
Spaces - Busch Gardens

Day 32 - Saturday 30 June 2007
Places - Palm Harbor FL
Spaces - Honeymoon Island - Howard Beach

Places And Spaces - July

Day 33 - Sunday 01 July 2007
Places - Palm Harbor FL
Spaces - Panera - Howard Beach - Peggy O'Neills

Day 34 - Monday 02 July 2007
Places - Palm Harbor FL * Chatanooga TN
Spaces - King's Lodge

Day 35 - Tuesday 03 July 2007
Places - Chatanooga TN * Nashville TN
Spaces - Greyfriar's - John Ross Bridge - Holiday Inn
Lookout Mountain (America's Most Amazing Mile)
Wildhorse Saloon

Day 36 - Wednesday 04 July 2007
Places - Nashville TN
Spaces - Rippys - Broadway St - Sun On Second
Buffalo Billiards - Cornerstone Bar - Beer Sellar
Wild Bill's Saloon

Day 37 - Thursday 05 July 2007
Places - Nashville TN
Spaces - Noshville - The Great Escape - Grimey's

Day 38 - Friday 06 July 2007
Places - Nashville TN * Louisville KY
Spaces - Grand Ole Opry - The Opry Mills
The Dukes Of Hazzard Museum - Days Inn
Bluegrass Brewing Company

Day 39 - Saturday 07 July 2007
Places - Louisville KY * Cincinnati OH
Spaces - Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Bristol Bar & Grill - Muhammad Ali Center
Great American Ball Park

Day 40 - Sunday 08 July 2007
Places - Cincinnati OH
Spaces - Chipotle - Mt Adams - Longworths

Day 41 - Monday 09 July 2007
Places - Cincinnati OH * Cleveland OH
Spaces - Putt Putt - Panera - Days Inn
Winking Lizard Tavern

Day 42 - Tuesday 10 July 2007
Places - Cleveland OH
Spaces - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum
Old Angle Pub

Day 43 - Wednesday 11 July 2007
Places - Cleveland OH * Chicago IL
Spaces - Denny's - Caribou Coffee - Super 8 Motel
TGIFs

Day 44 - Thursday 12 July 2007
Places - Chicago IL
Spaces - Matty's Diner - Day's Inn - Sears Tower
Jambo Juice - Reckless Records - Milennium Park
Berghoff - High Dive

Day 45 - Friday 13 July 2007
Places - Chicago IL
Spaces - Quiznos - Wrigley Field - D'Agostino's
Green Mill - Chinatown - Red Roof Inn

Day 46 - Saturday 14 July 2007
Places - Chicago IL * Milwuakee WI
Spaces - Artemis Restaurant - Ebert & Gerbert
Historic District - Miller Park

Day 47 - Sunday 15 July 2007
Places - Milwuakee WI * Collinsville IL
Spaces - Route 66 (Divernon - Girard) - Days Inn
Ruby Tuesdays

Day 48 - Monday 16 July 2007
Places - St Louis MO
Spaces - Gateway Arch - Riverboat Cafe - The Loop
Blueberry Hill - Vintage Vinyl - Rag-A-Rama
Streetside Records - Historic District - Feisty Dog
BB's Jazz Blues Soups

Day 49 - Tuesday 17 July 2007
Places - Caseyville MO * St Louis MO * Memphis TN
Spaces - Walmart - Ted Drewes (Route 66) - Super 8 Motel
Applebees

Day 50 - Wednesday 18 July 2007
Places - Memphis TN
Spaces - Soulsville USA (Stax Museum) - Cafe 61
Day 50 - Wednesday 18 July 2007
Places - Memphis TN
Spaces - Sun Studios - Heartbreak Hotel - Beale St - Tap Room
The 'Something' Cafe

Day 51 - Thursday 19 July 2007
Places - Memphis TN * Colleyville TX
Spaces - Graceland

Day 52 - Friday 20 July 2007
Places - Colleyville TX
Spaces - McCallisters - Borders

Day 53 - Saturday 21 July 2007
Places - Colleyville TX * Grapevine TX * Fort Worth TX
Spaces - Napoli's - Grapevine Mills - Cowtown Coliseum
Billy Bob's

Day 54 - Sunday 22 July 2007
Places - Colleyville TX * Fort Worth TX * Arlington TX
Spaces - Joe T Garcia's - Barnes & Noble - Rangers Ballpark

Day 55 - Monday 23 July 2007
Places - Colleyville TX * Albuquerque NM
Spaces - Penny's Diner - Rodeway Inn

Day 56 - Tuesday 24 July 2007
Places - Albuquerque NM * Flagstaff AZ
Spaces - Route 66 - Buster's Coffee Shop
Charley's Records & Tapes - Nick's Greek Cafe - Subway
Budget Inn

Day 57 - Wednesday 25 July 2007
Places - Flagstaff AZ
Spaces - Downtown Diner - Lowell Observatory
Harkins Theatres - Beaver Street Brewery - Altitudes

Day 58 - Thursday 26 July 2007
Places - Flagstaff AZ * Las Vegas NV
Spaces - Barnes & Noble - Iron Skillet - Hoover Dam
Luxor - Harley Davidson Cafe

Day 59 - Friday 27 July 2007
Places - Las Vegas NV
Spaces - Luxor - Nine Fine Irish Men - Excalibur - Quiznos
New York New York - Bellagio - Caesars Palace - The Mirage
Revolution - Shadow - The Venetian - Coffee Bean Shop - Wynn
Freemont Street - Binion's Horseshoe - Mandalay Bay

Day 60 - Saturday 28 July 2007
Places - Las Vegas NV
Spaces - Luxor - Starbucks
Miracle Mile Shops (Planet Hollywood) - Sbarro - The Mirage
Revolution - O'Shea's Casino - Mandalay Bay - Sports Book

Day 61 - Sunday 29 July 2007
Places - Las Vegas NV * St George UT
Spaces - Luxor - Starbucks - Wynn Mall - Subway - Days Inn
Chilis

Day 62 - Monday 30 July 2007
Places - St George UT * Grand Canyon National Park AZ
Spaces - Grand Canyon - Ruby Tuesdays

Day 63 - Tuesday 31 July 2007
Places - St George UT * Salt Lake City UT
Spaces - Bear Paw Cafe - Applebees - Best Western

Places And Spaces - August

Day 64 - Wednesday 01 August 2007
Places - Salt Lake City UT * Boise ID * Baker City OR
Spaces - Jambo Juice - Chipotle - Starbucks
Posto's - Budget Inn (Disco Down Inn)

Day 65 - Thursday 02 August 2007
Places - Baker City OR * Yakima WA
Spaces - Sports Bar

Day 66 - Friday 03 August 2007
Places - Yakima WA * Seattle WA
Spaces - Mel's Diner - Wal-Mart - East Lake Inn
Pazzo's - Safeco Field - Elysian Fields

Day 67 - Saturday 04 August 2007
Places - Seattle WA
Spaces - Cherry Street Cafe - Harbor Steps
Big Dawg Records - Easy Street Records - Seattle Center
Silver Platters - Revolution Bar & Grill - Belltown
The Crocodile Cafe - Karma - Viceroy - Virginia Inn
Shorty's

Day 68 - Sunday 05 August 2007
Places - Seattle WA
Spaces - 14 Carrot Cafe - Freemont Street - Sonic Boom
Jive Time - Triangle Cafe

Day 69 - Monday 06 August 2007
Places - Seattle WA
Spaces - Louisa's Cafe - Public Market Center
Fox Sports Grill

Day 70 - Tuesday 07 August 2007
Places - Seattle WA * Kelso WA
Spaces - Louisa's Cafe - Washing Town - Ballard - Palermos
Verite Cafe - Econo Lodge - Applebees - Triangle Bowl

Day 71 - Wednesday 08 August 2007
This post has been intenionally left blank

Day 72 - Thursday 09 August 2007
Places - Eugene OR * Florence OR * Charleston OR
Roseberg OR
Spaces - Hawthorne's - Starbucks - Coos Bay
Abbey's Legendary Pizza Shop - Arago Bay - Sunset Bay
Travel Inn

Day 73 - Friday 10 August 2007
Places - Roseberg OR * Medford OR
Spaces - Brix - Crater Lake - Motel 6 - Applebees

Day 74 - Saturday 11 August 2007
Places - Medford OR * Roseberg OR
Spaces - Quiznos - Starbucks - Rogue Valley Mall
Travel Inn - Chi's

Day 75 - Sunday 12 August 2007
Places - Roseberg OR * Grant's Pass OR
Spaces - Umpqua River - Travelodge
Angela's Mexican Restaurant

Day 76 - Monday 13 August 2007
Places - Grant's Pass OR * Crescent City CA
Klamath CA * Eureka CA
Spaces - Redwood National Forest - Harvest Grove
Trees Of Mystery - America's Best Value Inn
Lost Coast Brewery - Ragg's

Day 77 - Tuesday 14 August 2007
Places - Eureka CA * Valley Ford CA * San Francisco CA
Spaces - Kristina's - Pacific Coast Highway
Valley Ford Market - Comfort Suites

Day 78 - Wednesday 15 August 2007
Places - San Francisco CA
Spaces - Residence Inn - Union Square - Chinatown
North Beach - Lombard Street - Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower - Giordano Brothers - E Tutto Qua

Day 79 - Thursday 16 August 2007
Places - San Francisco CA
Spaces - Residence Inn - Pier 33 - Alcatraz
Angel Island - Fisherman's Wharf - Rasputin
Mel's Diner

Day 80 - Friday 17 August 2007
Places - San Francisco CA
Spaces - Bike & Roll - Just Bite Cafe - Bay Bridge
AT & T Park - Haight-Ashbury - Haight T-Shirt Shop
Amoeba Music - Escape From NY Pizza - Presidio Park
Rogue

Day 81 - Saturday 18 August 2007
Places - San Francisco CA * Bakersfield CA
Spaces - The Posh Bagel - Golden Gate Bridge - Chevy's
Econo Lodge

Day 82 - Sunday 19 August 2007
Places - Bakersfield CA * Barstow CA * Palm Springs CA
Spaces - Denny's - Starbucks - Route 66 - Quality Inn
Azul - Hamburger Mary's

Day 83 - Monday 20 August 2007
Places - Palm Springs CA * San Diego CA
Spaces - Carrow's - Harborview - Loomas Point - Whiskey Girl

Day 84 - Tuesday 21 August 2007
Places - San Diego CA
Spaces - Harborview - Little Italy - Starbucks - Gaslamp Quarter
PJ's - Petco Park - Xaviers

Day 85 - Wednesday 22 August 2007
Places - San Diego CA * Tijuana Mexico
Spaces - Harborview - It's A Grind - Ocean Beach - Newport Pizza
Princess

Day 86 - Thursday 23 August 2007
Places - San Diego CA * Encinitas CA * Long Beach CA
Spaces - Harborview - Richard's Pancake House
Sunshine Center Laundry - Lou's Records - Moonlight Grille
Inn of Long Harbor

Day 87 - Friday 24 August 2007
Places - Long Beach CA * Redondo Beach CA
Manhattan Beach CA * Anaheim CA
Spaces - Starbucks - Becker's Deli - The Big A - Angel Stadium
IP Schmidts - The Cherry Pit

Day 88 - Saturday 25 August 2007
Places - Anaheim CA * Los Angeles CA
Spaces - The Big A - Starbucks - The Blocks - Super 8 - Chili's

Day 89 - Sunday 26 August 2007
Places - Los Angeles CA
Spaces - LAX

Epilogue

2007 Crackin' Countdown

So, here we are. Another year is behind us and the time to share (or possibly subject) your opinion with everyone about the year's best and worst has arrived. This past time began rather humbly a few years ago as a basic mail between some friends highlighting the best tunes of the year. Since then and as the emails starting circulating to a wider audience it has grown and (d)evolved into a list of things from the past year about anything that you want to write about. Since I spent six months of this year traveling with my head (more or less) in the sand I don't really know what was good or bad this year. Actually, everythingwas good! That's me done.

Here's my 2007 Crackin' Countdown:

Good stuff - everything!
Bad stuff - nothing!

Well, I suppose I should be a little bit more forthcoming than that. Therefore, I have decided that I am going to write about the music from the road trip. The CDs we bought and played in the car.

In no particular order or style, I give you the 2007 crackin' countdown of Tarmac Soul. The Stereo Love.

Doolittle - Pixies
This was the very first CD we played on the trip after we arrived and rented our first car. We were excited. We were in Boston. It's probably their best album. It was our own little salute to the Bean Town.

Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles
This album was very experimental and was in fact asoundtrack to a TV film of the same name. The film was totally crap but thankfully the tunes weren't. From the melodic McCartney songs 'Penny Lane' and 'Your Mother Should Know' to the heady Lennon tunes 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'I Am The Walrus' it is a great album to listen to while driving and sounds as good as it did when it was released forty years ago. It is also a very good representation of the infamous Summer of Love sound from 1967 during our Summer of No-Love in 2007...

Carte Blanche II - Various Artists
A nice little compilation that I found buried in a cardboard box in Rebel Rebel in New York. It was released by Naked Music and makes its way through lounge, nu jazz, breakbeat and house. Perfect for chilling out to and watching the miles go by. Not really Paulo's cup of tea but he never complained whenI played it. Even after the fourth or fifth time.

A Cut Above The Norm - Various Artists
A little beeeauty that I found in a shop in Boston for only six dollars! It is a collection of all the original tunes that Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) used as samples for all of his singles. I like Norm's stuff although some of it can wreck my head after a while. But this CD gives a nod to all the obscure stuff he must have dug through thousands of crates to find. Qualiteee!..

The Doors - The Doors
A classic first album and one of the best debuts of all time. Even though they didn't have a bass player and Jim Morrison could barely look at the crowd when they performed live. I read somewhere the other day that The Doors still sell two million albums a year. When you listen to this, it's not hard to figure out why.

Dig Your Own Hole - The Chemical Brothers
The Chemicals second album that moved a little bit away from big beat / techno to introduce rock music into the equation. Kick-ass bass lines, hip-hop drum loops and sampled guitars all make for a collection of serious grooves. I dare you to try and stay within the speed limit while driving and listening to 'Block Rockin' Beats'.

Back In Black - AC DC
The first album after Bon Scott's death and the one that introduced the world to Brian Johnson. Paulo was driving while we played this and how we didn't crash the car is totally beyond me. I have never seen anyone do more air guitars, air basses, air drums and more air guitars in the course of 42 minutes in my life.

Rykodisc 20th Anniversary Collection - Various Artists
I picked up this compilation in Philadelphia in Repo Records on South Street. The label was formed in 1983 and claims to be the very first CD-only independent label. Twenty years can see a lot of music and this compilation does a great job at including just about everything but the kitchen sink. Eclecticism is always a great way to pass the time during long drives.

Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not - ArcticMonkeys
Of course we were going to listen to this. Paulo can't go more than a few days without listening to these guys. Another crackin' first effort by a bunch of guys who probably wouldn't have even been able to legally drink in a bar in the States when this was released. I'm still kicking myself for not buying their T-shirt in Newbury Comics in Boston. The usual - 'Oh, I'm sure I'll see it again'. After 12,000 miles I didn't see the shirt even once more...

Gets Next To You - Al Green
This one was one of my selections. After seeing this CD in loads of different shops over the years, I finally bought it in Bleecker Street Records in NewYork because the price was right. And because I finally decided that I couldn't live another day without his cover version of 'Light My Fire'. The album is full of covers and the whole thing is seriously funky. Willie Mitchell told Al Green that he would be famous within one year of moving to Memphis in 1969. It actually took two years and two albums but once this was released, everyone in the world knew who Al Green was.

High Havoc - Corduroy
One of Paulo's favourite albums from one of his old favourite bands. The lads from London who played acid jazz and were referred to as the guys who didn't really give a toss and didn't sport polo necks and didn't sit around comparing sideburn growthage. Either way their groovy film soundtrack(ish) take on the acid jazz scene goes down wonderfully when one has many miles to cover.

Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings Of Leon
No trip anywhere or any time spent in a car would be complete without these lads. I'm not so keen about their last album but the first two are among my favourites and Aha Shake got a few spins on the CD player. They are the band of brothers and one cousin who grew up in Tennessee and had a large exposure to the south when they traveled around with their father who was a preacher. They also claim to have sang at rodeos while growing up as well being members of a choir for a short while. Whatever they may have done in the past, these dudes now rock, roll and deliver. Like they say in the Volunteer state - Tennesseein' is believin'!

Under The Influence - Various Artists (Compiled bySuper Furry Animals)
Another compilation series designed to reflect an artist's influences and favourite tunes. Thankfully, this one is not mixed and since each of the four lads from Wales chose three songs, it truly is quite eclectic. For me the standout track has to be 'Rez' by Underworld. They may be the band that I constantly get confused with Supergrass but they sure know how to make a mixed tape!

The Mix-Up - Beastie Boys
The boys are back! Another cracking instrumental album from the B-Boys who told us how to fight for our right to party twenty years ago. I picked this CD up in Nashville in a shop called Grimey's and immediately fell in love with it. The lads show off their musical talent while displaying their influences from funk, jazz, rock and electronica. Sometimes they plod and bounce along. Sometimes they break it down. Sometimes they groove and other times they rock. But they are brilliant throughout and never ever miss a beat.

Florida Funk 1968-1975 - Various Artists
Another little gem that I found in Grimey's buried way down deep on the compilation shelf. All the tracks are extremely obscure funk numbers and were recorded by bands from Florida. I'm not so sure why it was so damn funky down there during those seven years but thank God it was! I generally don't buy compilations that I can't listen to first but this one was tempting me. And when I read the sticker on the front that said three featured tracks had been used as samples by DJ Shadow there was no way that I couldn't buy it! My favourite track is one called 'It's Gonna Be A Mess' by the Mighty Dogcatchers. And apparently their career was. It was the only song they recorded that made any sort of impression but they had a hard time trying to play it live. Apparently, the drummer would get so excited that he was unable to keep a steady tempo throughout the song and would wreck the rhythm. Even the recorded version is a bit wonky. But you gotta love the fact that the brother was truly overcome by the funk!

An End Has A Start - Editors
A great fucking album. That's all I have to say. Fucking great. Paulo bought it the day it came out and I bought a copy in Seattle. With two CDs floating around, it featured quite prominently in our rotation. Not a duff track to be found. Fucking great.

Soul Message - Richard 'Groove' Holmes
A wonderful CD that I bought in a shop called Vintage Vinyl in The Loop in St Louis. Another great shop that I am kicking myself over because I did not buy aT-shirt. They use a picture of Miles Davis as their logo and I really need to get my head checked for not buying one. Anyhoo, back to the tunes...

Richard Holmes certainly earned the groove moniker he used in his name and this album is certainly among his finest work. He took the Hammond B-3 organ from it's beginnings in church and brought it into the jazz mainstream. He played it like few others and managed to cover the rhythm, bass and organ solos in each song. All at the same time! Some people have referred to him as the Jimi Hendrix of jazz. I'm not sure about that but this album is perfect for driving with the windows down in the summer time. It was on constantly during the few days we stayed in Cincinnati and had to drive back and forth between the city and our hotel. A relaxed, cool summer vibe through and through.

Summer Of Love - Various Artists
OK. I'm going to have to come clean. When I was in America, I bought some music in Target. (Or as we say around here (and there) Tar-Jay. It's cheap and cheerful and it's not often that a compilation CD with twenty songs delivers twenty absolute crackers. An excellent homage to the 1967 summer long 'love-in'.

Magnifico! - Alex Chilton
I first heard of this guy when I was living in Madrid. I went on a day trip to a small town called Toledo that was once the capital city of Spain. After strolling around in the heat for a few hours, we ducked into a little cafe for a drink. We were greeted by unbelievably friendly staff and one of the coolest, most appealing CDs I have ever heard. When I asked who it was the gentleman told me it was Alex Cortiz and showed me the CD.

Since that day I tried to find just a single copy of one of his albums. No luck. Until I walked into Rasputin Records in San Francisco. I found it by accident and it was only ten dollars! Plus it is a greatest hits compilation so it is probably the best starting place for his music. The talent that Cortiz has and that places him head and shoulders above most of his contemporaries is his ability to sample old funk nuggets and soul biscuits in a way that you know the song but can't quite place it. And his production is perfect. Truly a gem of a CD and a great find that only took about 15,000 miles of travel to find!

I could keep writing but I should probably stop there. Now you have some insight into our musical journey from this summer.

Many thanks to all of you for reading my blog and a huge thank you to Paulo for being my best mate and the best traveling partner anyone could ever ask for. You are a leg-end lad!

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2008.

Tarmac Soul Volumes One And Two - Music From Life And Times On The Road

Hello and greetings once again.

Well, the end of the year is here and the summer (and road trip) is a distant memory. But don't worry! I am here to help. Although, I wanted to post this a few weeks after the trip was over, I encountered motivational, technomalogical, inspirational and chronological? problems and have only (finally) been able to sort things. So, with much adieu... I give you Tarmac Soul Volumes One and Two. A small but accurate insight into some of the music that sound tracked our road trip up & down & across & over the States.

To listen to the podcasts, click on the links below:

Tarmac Soul 1 - Music From Life And Times On The Road
Tarmac Soul 2 - More Music From Life And Times On The Road

As always mucho respecto to all the artists included and don't forget: if you like what you hear, go and buy it!

I thank you all for reading the blog, for your unwavering support and for your continued interest in all of my work. I wish you all a Happy Christmas and all the very best in the New Year.

Volume One
01. 30 Days In The Hole - Humble Pie
02. Rocket "88" - Jackie Brenston
03. Changes - Sugar
04. She Brakes For Rainbows - The B-52s
05. Barfly - Alex Cortiz
06. Light My Fire - Al Green
07. See How We Are - X
08. Dream Machine (Downtempo Mix) - Mark Farina
09. Shakedown Street - Grateful Dead
10. Goo Goo Muck - The Cramps
11. Kicks - Paul Revere & The Raiders
12. Big City - Shirley Horn
13. Roustabout - Elvis Presley
14. Swimming Places (Pete Heller Main Mix) - Julien Jabre
15. Nothing To Worry About - Buscemi ft Isabele Antena
16. The Beat Goes On - Sonny And Cher
17. Got To Give It Up (Parts 1 & 2) - Marvin Gaye
18. Same Old Saturday Night - Frank Sinatra

Volume Two
01. Fantasy (Album Version) - Aldo Nova
02. Cheated Hearts - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
03. Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
04. Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash
05. Walk Right In - Gus Cannon
06. Too Late To Turn Back Now - Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
07. Float On (Edit) - The Floaters
08. Jackie Blue - Ozark Mountain Daredevils
09. Eyesight To The Blind - Mose Allison
10. The 'In' Crowd (Live) - Ramsey Lewis
11. Jumbo - Underworld
12. Weekends And Bleak Days (Hot Summer) - The Young Knives
13. Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too - Say Anything
14. Suco De Tangerina - Beastie Boys
15. Wives And Lovers - Jack Jones
16. Phake & Phoney - Soulphiction
17. Sidewalk Talk - Jellybean
18. The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk 3
19. Fever - Stereo MCs
20. Beam - Sandoz