Friday Random Ten

Law School Soundtrack Edition.

1. "Lucky Number Nine," the Moldy Peaches
2. "All Your Love," John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
3. "She Talks to Angels," Black Crowes
4. "God Bless the Child," Billie Holiday
5. "No No Never," Del Fuegos
6. "Back of a Car," Big Star
7. "Territorial Pissings," Nirvana
8. "Chapel Hill," Sonic Youth
9. "Walkin' Away," Clint Black
10. "Baby, Now That I've Found You," Alison Krauss

One problem with my R-10s is the bias toward that which I have on CD, which is basically law school (late 80s early 90s) on. Black Crowes, Niravana, Sonic Youth, Clint Black and Alison Krauss are all law school music.

During law school I went through a country music period. Or, more accurately, country music went through a period in which it did not relentlessly suck. A crew of new traditionalists took country back to its roots -- which were also the roots of the rock music I cut my teeth on. Eschewing string sections and sappy backing vocal choirs, these singer-songwriters embraced an almost DIY asthetic. A key member of that vanguard was Clint Black and "Walkin' Away" was the song that won me over. A wistful but optimistic meditation on lost love, it highlighted an entire album informed by a real-life breakup. To this day, it's the best cryin'-in-your-beer music I've ever heard.

And think about it -- Clint Black was an anonymous wannabe star whose girlfriend dumped him. He wrote a bunch of songs about it and now is a superstar married to former Dynasty vixen Lisa Hartman. Wonder where that old girlfriend is now?