Hot Picks From One Of Tucson's Coolest DJs. By Kidd Squidd "Stack-O-Lee Blues," Mississippi John Hurt (1928). His music was never intended for large crowds, let alone the masses. Just a few good folks relaxing on the back porch. Beautiful, intimate storytelling. "Lovesick Blues," Emmett Miller & His Georgia Crackers (1928). This song is country, jazz, blues, pop. Miller is truly an American original. This is where Hank learned the tune. "Roll 'Em Pete," Joe Turner & Pete Johnson (1938). Pounding piano + shoutin' vocals = the joint is jumpin'! Listen and be amazed. "God Bless The Child," Billie Holiday (1941). The sweetest and saddest voice you'll ever hear, and a song for the ages. "That's All Right Mama," Elvis Presley (1954). Plaintive yet sensual, the overall sound is a strange brew--let's call it rockabilly. "Wind," Diablos (1954). My 45 rpm copy of this gentle, haunting doo-wop ballad hisses from overplay, sounding like a breeze blowing through a weeping willow at midnight. "Riot In Cell Block No. 9," Wanda Jackson (1960). Even better than the Robins' 1954 original, Wanda's wailing delivery entices one's thoughts about women to be both fearful and lustful. "Pass the dynamite, Molly!" "Aztec," Bo Diddley (1961). This weird instrumental still mystifies me. Picture 20 naked Aztec virgins dancing around a pyramid under a full moon while Bo plays an exotic surf number standing atop the pyramid. "Down The Road Apiece," Rolling Stones (1964). A cover of an R&B classic, which demonstrates why the Stones are such a great band with staying power. Solid rhythmic groove! The interplay between Keith's guitar and Charlie's drums says it all. "Baby Scratch My Back," Slim Harpo (1965). Louisiana swamp-blues with a killer groove, so damn good it'd make a pitbull hug a mule. "Waterloo Sunset," The Kinks (1967). I heard this when it first came out and it somehow disappeared from my life for over a decade. Throughout the '70s that guitar riff and beautiful melody would quietly appear in my mind, then gently float away. I found a copy in '81 and it was like finding a long-lost friend. A gorgeous, wistful song, very British. "Into The Mystic," Van Morrison (1970). Sublime and soulful. This incredible song is as deep as you want to go. "Funky Kingston," Toots & The Maytals (1973). Take the deep soul sound of Macon, Georgia, and blend well with the desperation and tropical feeling of Kingston, Jamaica, and you have Toots & the Maytals. Reggae at its explosive best. Funkier than dirt! "Shake Some Action," Flamin' Groovies (1976). Four minutes and 30 seconds of pure sonic pleasure. Guitar pop at its very best. "Return To Hot Chicken," Yo La Tengo (1997). There's something about this brief instrumental that puts me in a blissful trance. Every time. Melodic guitar mush.

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