My top ten songs that put me in “that” headspace lately……..


I HAVE to record another cd this year. I’ve been writing a bit with old pals like Jeff Russo from the band Tonic, and Bob Theile Jr……..both in Los Angeles, and have been trying to find some quiet afternoons where I can sit at the piano and let my mind roam free. Jill Jackson and I even started a song the other night.

Between booking the 2010 50 States in 50 Days tour, the Roadtrippers Reunion tour, and the house concerts that spring up……it all leads to my mind being pulled in alot of different directions.

Part of writing for me is getting into the right headspace. When I was alone it was very easy, but now that i’m a dad……well, there are many distractions……lovely distractions, but sometimes it is hard to find that headspace.
I use music to help me immerse into that headspace. Here are some of my choices lately.
1) “Doesn’t Have to be this Way” Alison Krauss and Union Station
2) “Landed” Ben Folds
3) “Late” Ben Folds
4) “Silver Palomino” Bruce Springsteen
5) “Trouble” Coldplay
6) “Never Say Never” The Fray
7) “Eight Feet Tall” Gabriel Mann
8) “The Moon’s a Harsh Mistress” Jimmy Webb
9) “I Miss Missing You” The Rescues
10) “Elizabeth, you were born to play that part” Ryan Adams

What are the songs that put you in that creative headspace? Comment below…….

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14 comments… add one
  • Tracy Lucas Feb 12, 2010 @ 16:06

    A Fine Frenzy's “Almost Lover” (seriously — go here, if you haven't heard the live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADpEt6_ez6w )

    Also agree about Allison Krauss. Most of her stuff can put me there. Bonnie Raitt seems to always manage, too.

    On sadder days, Todd Snider's “Missing You”, Tori Amos's “Famous Blue Raincoat” Cohen cover, John Gorka's “The One That Got Away”, Tracy Chapman's “Fast Car”, and Meatloaf's “Objects in the Rearview Mirror”.

    Much of the time, “Broken” and/or “Fear Nothing” are on there, too… especially the live version with the audience singing it back in a collective whisper. So much pure energy in that recording, it's amazing.

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 12, 2010 @ 16:14

    Cool…….yes, Alison is great…….voice is amazing. I haven't heard Tori's “Famous Blue Raincoat”, but know Jennifer Warnes…..used to hang out with her a little when I lived in LA.
    Thanks for the compliments on the live recordings of “Broken” and “Fear Nothing”……..those were recorede in Glasgow at a place called King Tut's……..the Glasgegian crowd is amazing, and they usually sing all the lyrics with me as I sing……..handy if you forget the words!
    My friend Ado Cunningham came over from Ireland and recorded the show………great guy. I met him through The Mavericks boys…..he did Trisha Yearwood's sound when she toured the UK a few years ago.
    I hope to record the show in Glasgow this year, too.
    Thanks for the comment…………

  • mimhoffman Feb 12, 2010 @ 17:42

    LOVE IS OUR CROSS TO BEAR John Gorka
    A CASE OF YOU Joni Mitchell
    SYMPHONY # 2 Gustav Mahler
    FRIENDS Chick Corea
    APPALACHIAN WALTZ Mark O'Connor
    TELL ME I'M CRAZY Shelby Lynne
    BOULDER TO BIRMINGHAM Emmy Lou Harris
    HOMESICK ANGEL Cadillac Sky
    OCEAN John Butler Trio
    HIGHLANDS Jim Van Cleve

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 12, 2010 @ 17:43

    ah, cool…..all new to me……..gives me some music to check out! Thanks Mimi.

  • Neil Feb 12, 2010 @ 23:30

    Awwww Man… You KNOW I can't resist these musical posts… but rather than trawl thro my Ipod I'm just going to say recently I've had trouble moving away from Jackson Browne … when I do it's been Ryan Adams and Chris Knight.. These journeys help keep me sane… Keep posting your fav's … Remembered Ryan Adams due to your Blip FM stuff.. Loved that Rescues track as well – will check them out. You have a good ear for picking out choice sounds….

  • kim Feb 13, 2010 @ 0:27

    Beautiful stuff Kevin… Found you by accident through a Jeff Russo tag. I'm his website person, and even tho' nothings been done with his site in ages, I still get Google alerts, so tagging Jeff got you an extra sale – Tell him he owes you! 😀

    I'm not a “C&W” type person per se, which some of your stuff is, but I have just now bought this for my husband, who very much is. Whether I am a “C&W” type or not, I still thought it was beautiful. So if you can convince a die hard progressive rock fan like myself, you must be convincing. 🙂 (I have a closet passion for singer songwriters…lol!)

    Cheers Kevin, and best of luck to you…!

    kim

    p.s. For a good head song, check out Martin Sexton “Can't Stop Thinkin' About You” – Guitar blues, awesome, as is his voice – An instrument in itself. 🙂

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 13, 2010 @ 1:41

    i know what you mean. Music keeps me sane, too……..i'm looking forward to being in Crete and listening at the bar late at night……….will be good.

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 13, 2010 @ 1:44

    Kim, thank you……..this is what the web is all about. I met Jeff years ago when I was recording my second record for A&M, and they were recording their first record…….used to play frisbee in the parking lot of the studio with my dog…………great guy……I have always loved Tonic, so am so happy to be making music with Jeff……..his music is amazing……..on the ipod permanently. Kevin

  • Shannon Feb 13, 2010 @ 3:52

    There are a few. However the main one i find that puts me there is Rick Nelson and The Stone Canyon Band.

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 13, 2010 @ 11:00

    I know what you mean about the Top Ten changing. “Gulf Coast Highway” is nice……..”Oh Boy” always gets people dancing.

  • darrenmullins Feb 13, 2010 @ 12:03

    Here are my Top 10 Songs

    1. La Bamba-Ritchie Valens
    2. Oh Boy-Buddy Holly and the Crickets
    3. The Black Velvet Band-The Irish Rovers
    4. Peggy Sue-Buddy Holly
    5. Come On, Let's Go-Ritchie Valens
    6. Bobby's Girl-Marcie Blain
    7. At The Hop-Danny and the Juniors
    8. Down On The Corner-Creedence Clearwater Revival
    9. I Gambled My Heart-Buddy and Bob
    10. Beggar To A King-The Big Bopper

  • Ryan Beck Feb 22, 2010 @ 17:25

    Todd Snider Lonely Girl, Raconteurs 0 Old Enough, Gulf coast is a great tune, love the version with Darius. The 4 song LP put out by Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs….wow, a gall named Lissie “Everywhere I go”….this song is mesmerizing….I'd suggest that song first….kind of dreary, but wow.

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 22, 2010 @ 17:56

    Cool. I'm going to hunt down that stuff…….thanks man! I love Ashley Monroe. I reckon she has the best voice in Nashville and the heart and soul to back it up.

  • kevinmontgomery Feb 22, 2010 @ 17:58

    Darren, thanks for the songs……yes, “Oh Boy” is one of those songs that always gets the crowd going………”Gambled My Heart” is a surprise……..I've never totally warmed to that song even though my dad wrote it!!!

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