With holiday preparations going on, I just haven’t had time to conjure up a theme this week.

Nick Cave “I Put A Spell On You” (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
I once heard Screamin’ Jay say that he was so drunk when he recorded this song that the next morning he didn’t even remember doing it. Hopefully Nick Cave remembers recording this unhinged version. Man, it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Southern Culture On The Skids “Venus” (Shocking Blue)
The greasiest of greasy boogies.

Pizzicato Five “The Girl From Ipanema” (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
The first time I heard this I thought there was something wrong with my CD player.

David Bromberg “Save The Last Dance For Me” (The Drifters)
From his album Sideman Serenade that celebrated the forgotten sideman. That’s David Lindley dueting with Mr. Bromberg on slide guitar.

The Big Mess Orchestra “Sound And Vision” (David Bowie)
I just love the combination of accordion and tubular bells.