Song: Lost and Found
Artist: Katie Herzig, Nashville
Album: The Waking Sleep, 2011
Notes: Fine title, fine song. A terrific show opener from the indie-folk songstress' first outing in three years. About to embark on a two-month tour with Butterfly Boucher. Katie is also a dab hand on the banjo.
Song: Save Me I’m Yours
Artist: Gene, England
Album: Gene: The John Peel Sessions, 2006
Notes: Splendid intricate acoustic and electric guitar work throughout this track from overlooked British indie-rock quartet who were critics' darlings for about 10 years from 1993 onwards. Live cut recorded for legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ, John Peel - who also discovered the Jam among so many others.
Song: That’s Entertainment
Artist: Jam, England
Album: Sound Affects, 1980
Notes: Biting slice of acoustic punk social commentary on the plight of the working class in not so Great Britain in 1980 by tight angry combo led by the eternally pissed-off Paul Weller - who calmed down eventually launching an excellent and prolific solo career.
Song: More Time
Artist: Needtobreathe, Seneca, SC
Album: The Heat, 2007
Notes: Strong but overlooked roller from band currently scoring with 'The Reckoning'. Featured in the Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank-starring weepy, "P.S. I Love You" a few years ago.
Song: The First Picture of You
Artist: Lotus Eaters, England
Album: No Sense of Sin, 1984
Notes: New Wavish strains of yet another band championed by the late John Peel. Emerged from the Liverpool scene in the early '80s, after they first played this song on Peel's show as an unsigned band, a bidding war erupted, won by Clive Davis' Arista Records.
Song: It’s A Dream
Artist: Neil Young, Canada
Album: Prairie Wind, 2005
Notes: A lost pearl buried on Young's beautifully pastoral 2005 opus. You never know whether he'll release hard rocking grunge or plaintive acoustic magic - always unpredictable, a bit like L&F. Still living on his Broken Arrow Ranch in California.
Song: It’s Hard To Get Around The Wind
Artist: Alex Turner, England
Album: Submarine (soundtrack), 2010
Notes: Great lyrics on a quiet cut from lead singer and main songwriter for the Artic Monkeys (who might be a tad overrated). A highlight from his lovely film soundtrack to the 2010 comedy drama 'Submarine' to which he contributed six songs.
Song: Duel
Artist: Propaganda, Germany
Album: A Secret Wish, 1985
Notes: One of the very first acts signed to legendary production maestro, Trevor Horn's pioneering ZTT label. Infectious synth-pop/rock from German combo active during the 1980s, fronted by the glamorous Claudia Brucken.
Song: Fault Line
Artist: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, San Francisco
Album: Howl, 2005
Notes: Fabulous stripped down number from the now LA-based rockers from their superb 2005 acoustic album. They just completed their first shows in China and are soon performing in Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
Song: Chains
Artist: Cookies, Brooklyn, NY
Album: The Very Best of the Cookies, 2011
Notes: Lovely horns and synchronized vocal swimming by a little-known all-female R&B trio from way back in 1962. They went on to become the Raelettes - who were the backing singers for Ray Charles. Cool nugget co-written by Carole King (and also covered by the Fab Four).
Song: Hello, Goodbye
Artist: Beatles, England
Album: Magical Mystery Tour, 1967
Notes: How is that any child born in America today instinctively knows two things from birth: 1. That they want to try french fries from McDonalds. 2. That they know the lyrics and melodies to every Beatles hit, even before they can speak?
Song: Drive On
Artist: Avalanche City, New Zealand
Album: Our New Life Above The Ground, 2011
Notes: Sterling cut from one of several interesting new groups emanating New Zealand over the past couple of years. Fronted by promising singer-songwriter Dave Baxter. Does it borrow a guitar line from the next song?
Song: In The Shape of a Heart
Artist: Jackson Browne, Germany
Album: Lives In The Balance, 1986
Notes: (Yes, he was born in Germany.) How is it possible that this outstanding lost gem only peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 - and that the veteran tunesmith still looks so damn young?
Song: Made of Stone
Artist: Stone Roses, England
Album: The Stone Roses, 1989
Notes: Perhaps the troubled band's most accessible recording. Alternative rock combo emerged at the forefront of the influential 'Madchester' movement in the '80s but only managed to release two albums during a fractious time together, splitting in 1996 when guitarist, John Squire quit the lineup.
Song: Big Bad Handsome Man
Artist: Imelda May, Ireland
Album: Love Tattoo, 2009
Notes: Glorious up-tempo number with a 100% proof jazzy horns-fuelled retro feel from Irish rockabilly chanteuse who is currently scoring with 'Mayhem'. A big favorite among other musicians, also played with Lou Reed, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Elvis Costello and David Gilmore among others.
Song: A Moment of Forever
Artist: Kris Kristofferson, Brownsville, TX
Album: A Moment of Forever, 1995
Notes: Mellow, stripped down lost diamond from the now 75-year old singer-songwriter/actor. Also penned the classics 'For The Good Times', 'Me and Bobby McGee' and 'Help Me Make It Through The Night'.
Song: Californ-i-a
Artist: Jeffrey Foucault, Whitewater, WI
Album: Miles From the Lightning, 2001
Notes: Neat guitar work, a simple but effective song simply asking for forgiveness after a failed relationship. Talented tunesmith who's toured with the likes of the fabulous Gillian Welch and Roseanne Cash and released eight albums in ten years.
Song: Someone To Someone
Artist: Ross Copperman, Roanoke, VA
Album: Digital Single, 2011
Notes: One of Lost and Found's top undiscovered songs of 2011. Irresistible melody, strong lyrics, builds superbly. Top drawer singer-songwriter magic from 28-year old now based in Nashville. Song now available on iTunes thanks to L&F and Mr. Copperman.
Song: See The Lights
Artist: Simple Minds, Scotland
Album: Glittering Prize, 1991
Notes: Got a few radio spins some 20 years ago. Unmistakable lead vocal by Jim Kerr who now lives in his own boutique hotel in Sicily called Villa Angela. Once married to Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders).
Song: Single Girls
Artist: Laura Jansen, Holland
Album: Bells, 2009
Notes: Gorgeous plaintive ballad on the plight of being a single woman from brilliant Dutch-American newcomer. Album now mercifully available in the US.
Song: Whatever’s Written In Your Heart
Artist: Gerry Rafferty, Scotland
Album: City To City, 1978
Notes: So evocative and thoughtful, a gospel-inflected pearl from the late Scottish singer-songwriter from his best-selling album from way back. Former member of Stealers Wheel, Gerry struggled with alcoholism in his later years (died too soon earlier this year from liver failure at the age of 63).
Song: Crash
Artist: Primitives, England
Album: Lovely, 1988
Notes: Fun New Wave bubbler from a relatively short-lived combo who were fronted by a female lead singer called Tracy Tracy (and who should have joined the Go-Go's). Later featured in the film soundtrack to 'Dumb and Dumber'.
Song: Nothing But The Whole Wide World
Artist: Glen Campbell, Delight, AK
Album: Ghost In The Canvas, 2011
Notes: Recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Glen cut this album (and tour) as a farewell - and what a triumph. Amazing song written by Jakob Dylan, top long-player also features guest turns from Billy Corgan, Chris Isaak and Paul Westerberg.
Song: Dream of Me
Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, England
Album: Liberator, 1993
Notes: One of dozens of excellent OMD nuggets in the vault, this one uses Barry White & the Love Unlimited Orchestra's 'Love Theme' as its inspiration. An A+ synth-pop confection from enduring combo.
Song: For What It’s Worth
Artist: Cardigans, Sweden
Album: Long Gone Before Daylight, 2003
Notes: Had a huge hit with 'Lovefool' in 1997 but this is the one that got away from Swedish group fronted by singer Nina Persson (but incongruously formed by a couple of heavy metal musicians, Peter Svensson and Magnus Sveningsson).
Song: Your Kiss Is Sweet
Artist: Syreeta, Pittsburgh, PA
Album: Stevie Wonder Presents...Syreeta, 1974
Notes: No rules on L&F, a bubbly, reggae-tinged, pop-soul nugget from Stevie Wonder's former wife, Syreeta Wright (with Stevie on keyboards). Former demo singer for the Supremes, Syreeta died too young at the age of 57 from the side effects of chemotherapy (beware).
Song: Kiss Quick
Artist: Matt Nathanson, San Francisco
Album: Modern Love, 2011
Notes: One of a half-dozen first class melodic pop-rock tracks featured on his recent album. Matt's currently mid-way through a US tour which ends in Nashville on November 5th.
Song: Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Artist: Saint Etienne, England
Album: Foxbase Alpha, 1991
Notes: Creative upbeat cover version of the Neil Young classic by dance-rock duo formed by a couple of London-based music journalists, Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. First single, band still going strong (though with different lead singer).
Song: Hands of Time
Artist: Groove Armada, England
Album: Lovebox, 2002
Notes: Co-written by and featuring guest vocalist, the legendary soul-folk performer Richie Havens. Another London-based electronica duo, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato. Song once used yonks ago on an episode of top UK tv show, 'Top Gear'.
Song: The Sound of My Man
Artist: Theola Kilgore, Shreveport, LA
Album: Old School Soul Masters (various artists), 2009
Notes: Lovely lost R&B chestnut closely based on - indeed an 'answer record' - to Sam Cooke's iconic 1960 smash, 'Chain Gang'. Theola was a gospel-trained soul singer who started out in the mid-'50s.
Song: River of Tears
Artist: Eric Clapton, England
Album: Pilgrim, 1998
Notes: No more debate, this truly is the Saddest Song of All Time. A masterpiece ballad from perhaps Clapton's finest long-player (no histrionic guitar solos).
Song: All About Us
Artist: He Is We feat. Aaron Gillespie, Tacoma, WA
Album: My Forever, 2010
Notes: Fresh indie-pop sound of a couple of Tacoma-based youngsters, Rachel and Trevor Kelly who met while working at a record store. Hook-filled refreshing pop outings on their debut album.
Song: Halo
Artist: Cure, England
Album: Join The Dots: B-Sides and Rarities, 1978-2001, 2004
Notes: A lost B-side from the old 45-vinyl version of their fantastic hit, 'Friday I'm In Love'. If it was released today by a new alt-rock band, they'd be hailed as the saviors of rock- but instead just a throwaway track by Robert Smith and the gang from 1992.
Song: Canada
Artist: Field Mice, England
Album: Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way, 1991
Notes: Effortless dreamy indie pop-rock from London-based group which was around for a few years in the late '80s. Described as the missing link between the Smith and Belle & Sebastian, fronted by a talented tunesmith, Bobby Wratten.
Song: End of Time
Artist: Lindsey Buckingham, Palo Alto, CA
Album: Seeds We Sow, 2011
Notes: Never disappoints, sterling cut (one of six) from his strong new CD. Set to reunite with his Fleetwood Mac chums for a tour, and maybe even a new album, next year.
Song: It Stops Today
Artist: Colbie Caillat, Malibu, CA
Album: Breakthrough, 2009
Notes: Just delightful as ever, co-written by one of pop-rock's best kept secrets, the seriously talented tunesmith, Jason Reeves (another L&F favorite). Colbie auditioned twice for 'American Idol - and was rejected at the very earliest audition stage - which makes perfect sense. Too good for the muppet judges.
Song: Breaking Hearts
Artist: James Vincent McMorrow, Ireland
Album: Early In The Morning, 2010
Notes: If you like Bon Iver or Ray Lamontagne there's a good chance you'll enjoy James' work too. Relatively new Irish singer-songwriter, bit of a loner, likes to work in a quiet secluded space.
Song: Egyptian Reggae
Artist: Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers, Natick, MA
Album: Modern Lovers Live, 1977
Notes: Sadly no longer available in its original form, quirky but winning New Wavish/reggae instrumental from Jonathan Richman. Very much part of the proto-punk scene in the UK in the mid-'70s: the Sex Pistols recorded a version of his most famous song, 'Roadrunner', in 1976.
Song: Until You Won Me Over
Artist: Trent Dabbs, Jackson, MI
Album: Transition, 2010
Notes: Yet another relatively under-appreciated talent re-shaping the sound of Nashville. he's co-written some first-class songs with many L&F regulars, Mat Kearney, Katie Herzig, Amy Stroup and Gabe Dixon among others.
Song: I’m Blowin’ Away
Artist: American Flyer/Bonnie Raitt, Burbank, CA
Album: Spirit of a Woman, 1977/Home Plate 1975
Notes: Original version of a wonderful lost ballad recorded by a sorely overlooked West Coast country rock band, segued into a stunning interpretation of the same song by the inimitable Ms. Raitt.