The Specials - "Gangsters"

I went to a concert at a local venue a few weeks ago. The final act was a Ska band. The Ska band wasn't a touring band or a band promoting an album - it was a local band with an opportunity to play live. In the tradition of the Ska revival of the 70's they jumped around all night. It made me think... if you are a parent of a teenager with way too much energy. Convince them to start a Ska band - that will sort them out. The Specials Ska classic "Gangsters" could easily be the inspiration to all Ska bands that followed.

Steve Earle & The Dukes - "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had"

In 2015 Steve Earle released a blues album 'Terraplane'. A Texas blues album, so I've been told. I know, yes, he's a Texan but so was Lightnin' Hopkins and that is where you can hear a big part of the inspiration on this project. Particularly on "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had". Another thing I found out was that at the time of writing and recording this album he was going through his seventh divorce.... so why not record a blues album. Good on you Steve.... you did well to wait this long. Anyway, the reviews were all over the place - but I loved it and still do. "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had" is a standout and gets a lot of play on Bitter FM.