Amongst Aimee Mann fans, this little clip has caused quite a stir. I'll just say this: If you know Aimee, if you're friends with her, if you tour with her, if you're married to her, if you're in fact Aimee Mann, convince her, or convince yourself, as the case suits, to release this song. Have it benefit Hurricane Katrina's victims. Have it benefit Africa. Just release it so the good people of the world can have what is one of my favorite James Taylor songs covered by one of my favorite musicians. Pwease!

... you have to admit the "pwease" was kind of cute.

This mix finds me wrapped around a month of utter chaos. Since finishing with the play, I've fallen in love, I've found myself working both as a temp and as an actor. I'm also just having a ton of fun. I visited the Catskills for a fun-filled Oktoberfest weekend. I went to a great live show, The Greencards, see below. AND I'm in love!

1) Lonnie Mack - Memphis
Indiana native, Mack, a picker amongst pickers, plucked his way into my heart this month with this cover of my hometown hero, Mr. Chuck Berry.

2) Langhorne Slim - In the Midnight
Langhorne came to my attention through Mercutio. Not the fictional, the actor who played him, Matt Luceno, went to school at SUNY-Purchase with Mr. Slim, and ever since Matt played "In the Midnight" from 2005's When the Sun's Gone Down for me, I've fallen for Slim's raw and rootsy sound.

3) Paul Davidson - Midnight Rider
First encountered this song while living in London. Cool thing about London: Reggae flows freer than bra-less women over there.

4) Van Morrison with Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (Live)
I've yet to see The Departed, but if this excellent cover is any indication, I'm going to love it.

5) Ben Kweller - Sundress
6) Voxtrot - The Start of Something
7) Albert Hammond, Jr. - In Transit
I think I saw him come into my Starbucks real mafioso-like with his suit jacket slung over his shoulders - no arms. But like a true hipster, he had his leather man purse slung low, around his knees.

8) Chris Cubeta & The Liars Club - Me and the Radio
9) Bishop Allen - Like Castanets
This band has quickly become one of my favorites, and if their 12 months of EPs are proving anything, they're going to have one kick-ass album in 2007. Be on the lookout. Jess, they're coming to Phoenix. You should go.

10) The Duhks - Heaven's My Name
I can't believe I missed this band. They're great. A combination of bluegrass, blues, soul, rock, and Canada. Who doesn't love Canada?

11) The Greencards - Time
Last week, I had the chance to see this bluegrass group comprised of two Aussies and a Brit. It's not that I'm obsessed with this band, but they put on a great show. She's the most-charming woman I've ever met. I was just blown away by the beauty of their sound.

12) Okkervil River - It Ends with a Fall
13) Langhorne Slim - Restless
14) Bishop Allen - Butterfly Nets
15) Jackson Browne - Jamaica Say You Will
16) Gram Parsons - In My Hour of Darkness
I sing to myself. A lot. At work, in the shower, on the subway, I sing songs. This week I've been singing Jackson Browne's lovely "Jamaica Say You Will;" with it's simple chorus, and sad Browne-y lilt, it's an easy one to creep up on a bad day at the ol' temp job. And when I'm really down? Gram Parsons without a doubt. Any time I can hear him sing with Emmylou Harris, I'm immediately uplifted. This prayerful song is one I'll have in my life till I die. Scary thought, death.

17) Damien Rice - The Rat Within the Grain
18) Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
Ah, There is nothing better than Damien Rice. These are two of his newest tracks.

19) Asobi Seksu - Thursday
While living in Ireland, Blake and I had many a discussion about art portraying the sublime. This is an example.

20) Sean Lennon - On Again, Off Again
This title explains my feelings on Friendly Fire, Lennon's latest. Listen to this standout.

21) Lonnie Mack & Stevie Ray Vaughn - Oreo Cookie Blues