Groovy responses to summertime music survey

No need to raise a fuss, no need to raise a holler about workin’ all summer just tryin’ to earn a dollar. Contrary to the old Eddie Cochran song, members of the fyi staff believe there is a cure for the summertime blues. We believe it’s music.

Are we just music nerds (at least one of us would admit to being so), or might our UI colleagues agree with us? We decided to find out by running a survey a couple of issues back, and asked our readers to tell us what’s on their summertime soundtrack.

We were delighted and intrigued by all the groovy responses. Thank you to everyone who participated.

We asked fyi staff members to participate, too, and talk about their summer favorites.

Linzee McCray, managing editor of fyi, says: In anticipation of his June 12 Englert concert, we'll be listening to Richard Thompson this summer. But then again, at my house, we always listen to Richard Thompson.

Gary Kuhlmann, editor of fyi, says: While there are plenty of great songs about summer (“Summertime Blues” is among my favorites, because it goes against the norm by talking about the hardships of summer, at least from an adolescent’s point of view), some of my favorite music conjures that summertime feeling without even mentioning summer.

To my ears, probably nothing sounds better in summer than raw, primitive garage rock. One of the best garage rock bands in the universe ever is the Sonics, a band of small notoriety in the northeast during the 1960s. You’ve probably heard their “Have Love, Will Travel” song in a TV car commercial. Their recent Busy Body!!! Live In Tacoma 1964 LP is a crude recording (from a live radio broadcast) some kid made on an old reel-to-reel in his suburban Tacoma bedroom. The sound quality is rough, and so is the band. There is just something so right about an unprofessional bunch of adolescent musicians playing in front a small crowd of juvenile delinquents. I also recommend their Boom! LP.

The Rolling Stones’ Aftermath album also qualifies as garage band rock, as do the Who’s My Generation LP and Captain Beefheart's Safe as Milk.

And lest we forget there’s plenty of good new music out there—I’ve been playing the new thing from Nick Cave, Grinderman (name of his band and the album), almost nonstop this spring. I anticipate this LP accompanying me into the dog days of August. I’d also like to plug the new Battles LP, Mirrored, which is garage rock of the future, circa 3007.

This is fun. Linzee, can I have my own music column in fyi? [No.—Linzee]

Christopher Clair, associate editor of fyi, says that he will not limit his enjoyment of Explosions in the Sky to the Fourth of July. In fact, he’ll be listening to the Austin, Texas, quartet’s entire catalog while grillin’, chillin’, or road trippin’ this summer. Their instrumental music says more than even the most expressive lyricist.

Tom Jorgensen, photographer of fyi, says: If I’m not enjoying the sounds of a soothing summer storm, I’m often outside listening to music while I garden—I have speakers mounted on the deck. Right now, I’m a big fan of Lifesong by Casting Crowns.

Reader responses

Many people mentioned downtown Iowa City’s Friday Night Concert Series, Jazz Fest, and ArtsFest (with the Roches and Nanci Griffith); Davenport’s Blues Fest; and The Gebhardt Woods Dulcimer Festival in Morris, Ill. Still others brought up many of the usual suspects, such as Jimmy Buffett, the Grateful Dead, and reggae. Classic rock and country western are also big hits in the summer with many of the survey responders.

One of our favorite answers is this call to action:

Birds that sing at night, lawnmowers, people playing soccer in City Park, backyard BBQs. Take out your ear buds and listen to the world around you. It's as rich and varied a soundtrack as could be composed.

Here is what other readers told us about their summertime play lists:

www.radiomargaritaville.com, Jimmy Buffett's Internet radio station, featuring Buffett, Peter Mayer, Kenny Chesney, Bob Marley, John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, and other great tropical island–inspired and reggae tunes.

Anything by the Who.

Sly and the Family Stone is always summertime music to me.

Although music sounds better on a cold morning in a cold car, I have quite a few summer albums probably because of the memories that enhance the music. A classic summertime album for me would be Weezer's Pinkerton. In college, I had Hot Hot Heat's Make Up the Breakdown and more recently The Sounds' Living in America and Death From Above 1979's self-titled album. This year is of course yet to be determined but I think Age Rings' Look, The Dusk is Growing or the new Queens of the Stone Age (Era Vulgaris) when it comes out.—Zach, applications developer

Cruiseamatics cruise nights at Hardee's in Coralville (third Friday of the month) and Classy Chassy Cruisers cruise nights at Sycamore Mall in Iowa City (last Friday of the month). Come and see the beautiful classic cars and listen to the great '50s and '60s music!—Doris Havel, clerk, Educational Placement (Member of both clubs and owner of classic cars. Also, we play the CD's at the Classy Chassy Cruisers' cruise nights)

The Blankett's cover of Bruce Springsteen: http://www.blocksblocksblocks.com/mp3s/blankket/02_-_badlands.mp3—Donald Baxter, library assistant, UI Libraries 

Anything disco.—Matt Kearney, custodial administration

Anything by Jason Mraz—it doesn't get any better than that!

Marshall Crenshaw, Some Day Some Way; Uncle Kracker, Follow Me; Los Lonely Boys, Heaven; Journey, Greatest Hits; Cher, Live The Farewell Tour; Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell; Norah Jones, Come Away with Me.

Definitely Old Crow Medicine Show, The Diplomats of Solid Sound, New Beat Society, Public Property, Sheryl Crow, Leon Redbone, Carla Bruni, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Lake Street Dive.

Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers. 

New Orleans Jazz Fest, Mississippi Valley Blues Fest.

My daughter and I just recently saw Hairspray at Hancher. We loved it! I imagine we'll be listening to that a lot this summer.

Venus Hum, Joe Satriani, Bob Dylan.

Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet, 311, The Fray, OK Go, Mae Concert.

The Broadway soundtrack of Hairspray.

Jon McLaughlin's Indiana CD. Piano-driven, pop/rock songs—great for a drive on a sunny day.

I prefer to listen to the great old country classics, summertime and all year long. Not just looking forward to a Friday concert, but a week in Nashville this summer.

Juan Luis Guerra (merengue)—La llave de mi Corazon (Key to my heart). His sound and lyrics are so fresh and keeps the heart pumping and the fingers typing during the slow time of the summer. I also have a combination on my iPod of the salsa greats. Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Tommy Olivencia, Ruben Blades, Willie Colon, Ismael Miranda, Hector Lavoe. The music by those guys is so classic, makes you want to sing along.—Angelique Ojeda, clerk IV, Human Resources–Benefits

Sheryl Crow, C'mon C'mon, a summer favorite since 2002.

Mostly, gentle jazz (Chris Botti, Rick Braun, Pat Matheny. But summertime seems to bring out the need for the "oldies" (60s and early 70s).

Doorman’s Daughter by Leslie & the LY's is a great album by a great Iowan (Leslie Hall). Check her out! She puts on an entertaining and funny live show, and this latest CD (especially the song "Zombie Killer") is extremely well produced.

All reggae—all the time. I'm going to try to keep that vacation vibe going all summer long.

KT Tunstall, Eye to the Telescope.

I play a lot of bagpipe music when I travel. It makes the miles roll along.

Jack Johnson.

My husband and I planned our summer vacation to Denver this year around the John Mayer concert at Red Rocks. If that doesn't take away the summertime blues, I don't know what will!

G. Love & Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Jimmy Buffett, and the Grateful Dead.

Poison, Def Leppard, Toby Keith, AC/DC, Nickelback.

I guess the most summer song that rocks all the time is “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves.

I'll be listening to Patty Griffin's new CD, Children Running Through. I saw her at the Englert this month, and she definitely rocked my socks off.

Ok Go, The Pharcyde.

Rachmaninov piano preludes and Chopin waltzes.

Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions still carry the evening air!

There's no better song this time of year than "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince! Actually, that's great until the end of August when “The Iowa Fight Song” takes over.

Janis Joplin singing "Summertime."—Sandy Keller, reference librarian, law library

Country bluegrass.

“Time of the Season” by the Zombies.

Beach Boys; Peter, Paul and Mary; Pete Seeger.

"Ooh child, things are gonna get easier...Ooh child, things will get brighter."

Dave Matthews concert in Chicago!

All the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett I can find!

Anything with a warm Latin beat...Salsa and bossa nova!

Summer's the time for beach music—the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean—anything with that "sound" and lyrics that talk about sun, surf, sand, and fast cars! Add in a side of Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" for cruising in your convertible, and some Eagles for long road trips, and your summer's musically complete!—Mary Ann Dorst, project assistant, Birth Defects Registry

KCCK Jazz Under the Stars August Concert Series.

I'll be jamming on Motown hits.—Joe Ruva, radiological equipment specialist, radiology

“The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, “Down on the Corner” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey.

The new Rush CD, Snakes and Arrows!

Top Ten Summer Jams: “Baby's Got Sauce,” G.Love & Special Sauce; “Steal My Kisses,” Ben Harper; “You,” Bonnie Raitt; “Sun Is Shining,” Bob Marley; “Sweet Movement,” The Jensen Connection; “People Get Ready,” Eva Cassidy; “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes,” Paul Simon; “Let Me Go,” Cake; “Kate,” Ben Folds Five; “When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer,” Eric Clapton & B.B. King.

“Margaritaville,” as always!

Eric Clapton—may even attend his Crossroads Guitar Festival near Chicago in July.

“It's a Small World,” “I Want to be a Rock Star,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Beer for My Horses.”

We attended a great weekend concert in Eau Claire, Wisc., called "Shake, Rattle and Roll." The bands ranged from Chicago to the Temptations. There were about 30 different bands there all in one weekend.—Jody Goodweiler, Business Office, College of Dentistry

Stevie Wonder—especially "Ribbon In the Sky."

Homemade music.

Love to see Mike and Amy Finders Band again. They were at the hospital last summer, and in the past they've been at Coralville and Iowa City concert nights. Great local band!

With my iPod, I can return to all my favorites, which include the Eagles’ Desperado album; Steve Miller Band’s Fly Like An Eagle, and Led Zeppelin’s first. Also songs from Janis Joplin to Barry Manilow. In other words, a little of everything!!

Over the years I have had the great fortune to see [concerts by] some of the greatest rock bands that have ever been. Groups like Led Zeppelin; The Who; Queen; Pink Floyd; Eric Clapton; Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; ZZ Top; and so many others have given me great memories. The one concert that rises above all the others was 40 years ago when I was visiting my brother in Denver. He said there was this "new guy" performing at Red Rocks Theatre and wanted to know if I wanted to go. I said, "Sure!" So off we went to see this little known guitarist from Seattle, Jimi Hendrix. What a show! I can still see him performing like it was yesterday.

Fortieth anniversary of [Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band].

Abbey Road by the Beatles

ZZ Top. Top-down highway music, even at $3.50/gallon.

Death Cab for Cutie, Plans.—Cyndy B., secretary IV

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park.

http://www.mozart-250.ru/music/Vamp.mp3

Boz Scaggs, Silk Degrees; Eric Clapton, "Layla." Blast from the past—Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's summer (July?) 1977 Hancher concert (I was in center row L)!

Soundtrack from the musical Wicked; Enya Juanes (Colombian pop).—Kristine Fitch, professor, communication studies

Wicked soundtrack; Frank Sinatra, Duets; Beyonce, B'Day; Luther Vandross, everything on heavy rotation; Indigo Girls, Despite Our Differences; Ani DiFranco, Reprieve; Climbing PoeTree.—Michael Shaw, adjunct instructor, social work

American folk or Brazilian groove by Putayamo Presents—I'm totally addicted to their series (Putayamo Presents), that is.—Jeanne, secretary, Iowa Summer Writing Festival

Back to the Chicken Shack by Jimmy Smith. At least once a day!

Stephen Marley, Mind Control