Whiling away a rainy afternoon with friends playing a game of 'Guess the song and artist' (first one to get it wins) would introduce a few new artists totally unknown to me. Notably David & David.
Their one and only album 'Boomtown' was released in 1986 and to listen to it now and read the comments like 'What an album "Boomtown" was & still remains' 'Quite possibly the greatest 1-hit (the entire album that is) wonders ever.' 'One of the most underrated albums of the 80s' etc etc., indicates its acclaim and affection if not its popularity and recognition.
David Baerwald and David Ricketts wrote all the songs and played most of the instruments on the album. This is 'Swallowed by the Cracks' - but check out the whole record on YouTube.

  

Touchdown in Houston, Texas, drive to Dallas and on to Little Rock. Then walking in Memphis. Stop off in Winchester (for Lynchburg, Jack Daniel’s distillery). Take in The Grand Ole Opry and Nashville, before finally rolling into Chattanooga (choo choo). Sounds like a Road Trip and it was... friends Jill and Andy supplied the itinerary, so all we need now is a soundtrack? And Andy supplied that too in the shape of The Highwaymen.
The four suspects in question and many of their songs, are very well known. Here Johnny Cash introduces fellow cohorts Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson supported by an excellent backing band. 
Written by Jim Webb 'Highwayman' sung by The Highwaymen, has each of the four verses sung by a different performer: first Nelson as the highwayman, then Kristofferson as the sailor, then Jennings as the dam builder, and finally Cash as the starship captain.

Alternative video version > www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0

Search 'Highwaymen live at Las Vegas' for more.

Following the throaty vocals of Rod Stewart from last week, here's another British singer with a distinctive gritty raspy voice:-

Joe Cocker with the title track of his 1984 album 'Civilised Man'. This is a 'live' performance from the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1987.

Another 'Cup of Joe' ? >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kp1NPcmnjk

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Something not mainstream or a FRIDAY STAR TRACK but clearly off the wall and allowing me to be more self-indulgent than usual. ⏩

This track has been playing in my head ever since I first heard it nearly two weeks ago. Her music has been dubbed 'uncategorisable'. She is highly versatile. And as one person wrote "If you like music that's electrifying, challenging and sonically soars and ripples through your body — then crank this up. I was giddy for days". Me too...
This is Anna Meredith and 'The Vapours' from her 2016 debut album 'Varmints' > amazing video [Warning Flashing Lights] and if you reach the 4.30 minute mark*, the curtain literally comes down !!!

* A 'Bohemian Rhapsody' moment.

BBC4 television last Friday night had a programme called "Still on the Run" a profile of Jeff Beck, featuring fellow guitar heroes eulogising about his playing. It's still on BBC iplayer if you missed it. It was excellent and the variety of his music spanning the years, his numerous bands and collaborations was quite something. 
Running for 85 minutes they did get through a lot of great tracks but missed this one, so I'll put that right straight away. It's a version of the song "People Get Ready" that probably best represents the 60s civil rights era. Released in 1965, written by lead singer, Curtis Mayfield and performed by The Impressions. One of the most well-known covers is by Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart on vocals, a single release in 1985, (and on the 'Flash' LP) it gained considerable airplay on album rock and classic rock radio stations and had a popular video on MTV. Rolling Stone magazine (in 2008) named "People Get Ready" at number 20 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
Here's the video. All aboard now...

In the 'Still on the Run' programme there was plenty I was unfamiliar with >
Check out: 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers': www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aWd88rs6JE
From the 1975 album 'Blow By Blow'. Composed by Stevie Wonder and recorded by Jeff Beck in George Martin's Air Studios > the studio version has the opening notes bouncing across the speakers. Nice !

Other programme highlights were >  'Where Were You' (89), 'Nadia' (2001), 'Emotion & Commotion' LP (2010) & 'Scared for the Children' (2016).

'Hi Ho, Silver Lining'...