I haven’t done a playlist in long while, and one late evening while listening to music (of course), Greg and I got to go-go-going on our favorite artists and bands, and here we are. A relatively small Musical Throne of favorites from a pretty vast library. Alice in Chains to Willie Nelson. The best of the bestie best.

Click the song title to hear it! I hope you enjoy, and maybe even discover something new for yourself.

Alice in Chains: Our car stereo storage system is not so bueno and sometimes resets in the middle of a song. Until our recent purchase of Santana’s Abraxis, Alice in Chains was always the default starting point, and in particular, the song Again, which was never really a bad thing. Jerry’s guitar!

Head Creeps :: I Stay Away :: All Secrets Known

Andrew Bird: Once, in conversation with our most fabulous friend and financial advisor of twenty-four years (!!), we mentioned Andrew Bird. A bit shocked, he said, “That weirdo who whistles all the time?” The very one, Sean.

Fake Palindromes :: Plasticities :: Rising Water

The Black Angels: Back in the days when I was on Facebook, this Colorado born and Oregon living gal stumbled upon an “I Miss Texas” thread, and this band was the most compelling reason on the list.

Doves :: Young Men Dead :: Melanie’s Melody

Chris Cornell: The voice. The Voice. The Voice. Also, the spirit.

Birth Ritual :: Can’t Change Me :: Cochise

Dolly Parton: America’s Angel on Earth. Sings like one, too.

My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy :: I am Thinking Tonight of my Blue Eyes :: A Few Old Memories

The Doors: This band, if I had to wager, is imprinted on my DNA. Thank you, Daddy.

Queen of the Highway :: Take it As it Comes :: Strange Days

The Eagles: One of the most prominent bands of my childhood that I could never, ever quit.

I Can’t Tell You Why :: Peaceful Easy Feeling :: After the Thrill is Gone

Ella Fitzgerald: Simply the best. I love you, Ella.

They Can’t Take that Away From Me :: Misty :: Blue Skies

Fontaines D.C.: This band is one of the myriad I’ve discovered on independent radio. Thank goodness for it!

Televised Mind :: Jackie Down the Line :: Starburster

Frank Sinatra: With many thanks to my parents and grandparents for this one. The voice ain’t half bad, either.

One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) :: It Happened in Monterrey :: The Last Dance

Iron Maiden: Wholly on Greg’s favorite list, but late one evening on Channel 12 (fellow Gen X of the Denver metro, you know), Run to the Hills was the first video this junior high girl without MTV ever saw. I still like it.

The Prisoner :: Run to the Hills :: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Jerry Cantrell: The Riff Lord is a polymath, y’all!

I Cut You In :: Psychotic Break :: Atone

Joy Division: I have no words for how much this band meant to me as a teen.

Transmission :: Autosuggestion :: Atmosphere

Led Zeppelin: The name really does say it all.

The Song Remains the Same :: What is and What Never Should Be :: That’s the Way

Mark Lanegan:: King of the understated stage presence.

Gospel Plow :: Song for the Dead :: Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division!!!)

Metallica: Greg, Greg, Greg! The first band he saw live and in person, and at Red Rocks. Pretty sweet.

Ride the Lightning :: For Whom the Bell Tolls :: Orion

Peter Gabriel: Another of my angsty teen finds that meant ever so much.

The Feeling Begins :: Humdrum :: That Voice Again

Pink Floyd: Peerless.

Us and Them :: Echoes :: Comfortably Numb

Ronnie James Dio: Greg, again, but I have no real objections, besides his name alone.

Man on the Silver Mountain :: I :: Rainbow in the Dark

Radiohead: They have such a diversity of sound, yet it always sound like R A D I O H E A D. Also, the only road trip we’ve taken to see a show – Portland to Seattle 2012.

Bulletproof…I wish I was… :: Subterranean Homesick Alien :: Separator

The Rolling Stones: Another band of childhood that I could not imagine my life without.

She’s a Rainbow :: Gimme Shelter :: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?

Tommy Guerrero: Perfect for a sunny afternoon, well, any afternoon really. Plus, the skating!!

Directions of Possibilty :: Water in Your Hands :: Headin’ West

Van Halen: At a party once, chatting with my pal Eric, Van Halen came on the hi-fi, and, as you do if you’re a fan, know it from the first note. I squealed, “Van Halen!” and maybe did a little fist pump, and he’s like, “How did you know?” “We’re Gen X man, how did you not?”

Dance the Night Away :: Runnin’ with the Devil :: And the Cradle Will Rock

Willie Nelson: An American treasure, full stop.

Last Thing I Needed First Thing in the Morning :: Whiskey River :: Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys (p.s. – I love the Electric Horseman!)