Songs You May Have Missed #814

10 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Gary Louris: “By Your Side” (2025)

Gary Louris is best known as the front man and main songwriter of the Minnesota-based Jayhawks. Concurrently with his work in that band, he’s released albums as a charter member of Golden Smog, along with solo work.

He’s also recorded with Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, The Wallflowers, the Black Crows, Counting Crows, and Uncle Tupelo among others, and written songs for Grammy-winning albums by Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Dixie Chicks.

On his third solo outing, Dark Country, Louris sounds more reflective than ever.

The love song “By Your Side” is sung from an age-worn perspective while musically analogous to 1970-vintage Neil Young.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/05/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-588/

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Songs You May Have Missed #813

10 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Edie Brickell: “Take a Walk” (2003)

Edie Brickell evokes early 70’s Aretha or Roberta Flack on this track from 2003’s solo Volcano album.

A lilting invitation to get out of the house and numbing routine.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/04/07/songs-you-may-have-missed-689/

Songs You May Have Missed #812

06 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Charanga Cakewalk: “Amor Profundo” (2006)

Classic Rock: I like it. I love it. I want less of it.

If you grew up embracing what typical American radio offered and find yourself beginning to succumb to taste lock as you reach a certain age, give Michael Ramos and his cumbia lounge project Charanga Cakewalk a try.

Austin-based Ramos, has worked and/or performed with Paul Simon, John Mellencamp, the Rembrandts, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He knows his way around the rock scene.

But Chicano Zen, like Ramos’ other Charanga Cakewalk albums, is an engaging blend and juxtaposition of Tex Mex, tejano, flamenco, cumbia, salsa, merengue, ska and reggaeton with electronica and lounge elements.

It’s a calculated blend of modern cool and retro cool, and a truly a unique amalgam of sounds.

Songs You May Have Missed #811

04 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

The Last Hurrah!!: “Melodie Grand Prix 63” (2011)

This catchy, enigmatic tune I found in my special little drawer of Norwegian pop mp3’s sent me searching the usual sources to hear more of the band’s music.

It was a frustrating experience as all I could find was a straightforward, steel guitar-based country band with the same name.

H.P. Gunderson

Then more scrolling revealed the fact that the “country” band was a more recent incarnation of this Bergen, Norway-formed H.P. Gundersen project. The later lineup featured a combination of Norwegian and American musicians.

Apparently exploring lavish arrangements melding West Coast psychedelia, Nordic pop and Asian folk and employing drone guitar with open tunings, tambura and bouzouki wasn’t interesting enough.

The sound of steel guitar and fiddle was calling.

Anyway, even the country-influenced material sounds interesting in the hands of Gunderson. But this song, with Heidi Torsvik on vocals, is from the earlier incarnation of this ever-evolving band.

Songs You May Have Missed #810

28 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

The Monkees: “Riu Chiu” (1967)

The Monkees perform (a portion of) a Spanish Renaissance-era Advent carol from a Christmas episode of their TV series.

The “riu chiu” nonsense syllables were meant to mimic the call of the nightingale or kingfisher. The lyrics translate thusly:

Ríu, ríu, chíu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardó el lobo de nuestra cordera

[With a cry of] Ríu, ríu, chíu, the kingfisher, God kept the wolf from our Lamb

El lobo rabioso la quiso morder
Mas Dios Poderoso la supo defender
Quísola hacer que no pudiese pecar
Ni aun original esta virgen no tuviera

The raging wolf sought to bite her, but God Almighty knew (how) to defend her; He chose to make her so that she could not sin; no original sin was found in that virgin

Éste que es nacido es el Gran Monarca
Cristo Patriarca de carne vestido
Ha nos redimido con se hacer chiquito
Aunque era infinito finito se hiciera.

This one that is born is the Great King, Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh. He redeemed us when He made himself small, though He was Infinite He would make himself finite

“Jingle Bells” it is not.

Songs You May Have Missed #809

24 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Ghost: “Rats” (2018)

Ghost’s 2018 Prequelle album makes use of Europe’s black plague as metaphor, with the lyrical double entendres in the single “Rats” making it clear that the filthy rodents “in times like these” are human.

Ghost’s brand of theatrical rock includes masks, makeup, classic horror camp, graveyard sets and cinematic grandiosity that would make Jim Steinman envious.

Musically it’s classic metal riffs with anthemic, tuneful choruses and stacked harmonies.

Macabre, menacing, and catchy as a case of the Black Death.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/08/14/songs-you-may-have-missed-708/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2019/11/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-644/

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