Laurel Canyon

I recently re-watched Laurel Canyon — the moment where Christian Bale grabs onto Francis McDormand’s toes still gets me — and was reminded of my dad and my time as a kid living in southern California. The music, the vibe, the haziness of the west coast sunshine early in the morning.

In so many ways, music was such a big part of my growing up. Lots of classic rock — Doobie Brothers; Crosby, Stills and Young; the Beatles; etc. — and so when I heard Steely Dan in the movie, I got lost and felt a mixtape was in order.

(It’s also a bit odd at this moment, writing this post, because I’m watching The Last Waltz, the concert film of The Band’s last show in 1976. I knew they backed Bob Dylan at Woodstock but didn’t know a whole lot else about them. I’ll admit that part of the reason I got it was the Hold Steady’s reference to Rick Danko in “Knuckles” — already knew Robbie Robertson from his solo work — but I didn’t know that Richard Manuel was from the Band, Richard Manuel’s who’s referenced in a Counting Crows song, “Richard Manuel’s Dead.” If Laurel Canyon reminds of the morning time, The Last Waltz reminds me of a late night jam.)

1. Steely Dan – Do It Again
2. Clinic – Harmony
3. George Harrison – Beware Of Darkness
4. the Black Keys – All You Ever Wanted
5. T. Rex – Planet Queen
6. Bob Dylan – Simple Twist of Fate
7. Jim James and Calexico – Goin’ to Acapulco
8. Fleetwood Mac – Never Going Back Again
9. Baxter Dury – Oscar Brown
10. Mercury Rev – In a Funny Way
11. Roxy Music – My Only Love
12. the Kinks – I’m Not Like Everybody Else
13. the Beta Band – Broke
14. Bad Company – Little Miss Fortune
15. Brian Jonestown Massacre – No Come Down
16. Supergrass – Time
17. Mott The Hoople - Sucker
18. the Dandy Warhols – Shakin’
19. Thin Lizzy – Dancing in the Moonlight (It’s Caught Me in its Spotlight)
20. Sparklehorse – Painbirds