L4LM Monthly Mix – Fest By Nite – Playlist & Liner Notes [Listen]

L4LM Monthly Mix – March 2024 – For the Soul

Marvin Gaye – “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
What’s Good: Of course we all love the Jerry version, but sometimes you need to throw it back to the original for the soul that only Marvin Gaye can provide. —Michael Broerman

Bill Withers – “Kissing My Love”
What’s Good: Such a tender sender, this one. –Andrew O’Brien

Stevie Wonder – “Maybe Your Baby”
What’s Good: Stevie banger made strictly for proper collar poppin’ and steppin’ into the night. —B. Getz

Bob Dylan – “Gotta Serve Somebody”
What’s Good: I saw Bob Dylan this month some 15 years after seeing him at my first-ever concert. A few things changed over the years, including his interpretation of this sleeper hit from his 1979 conversion album Slow Train Coming. Other things hadn’t, like Dylan remaining the Greatest Songwriter of All Time and the fact that I once again went with my mom. —Michael Broerman

Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band – “The World (Is Going Up in Flames)”
What’s Good: Charles Bradley, too beautiful for this world. RIP to a modern-day sultain of soul. —Michael Broerman

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – “Straighten It Out”
What’s Good: Put this soulful, golden-era nugget on for the drive into work and you’re guaranteed to have a great day and possibly a sore neck. —B. Getz

Maktub – “You Can’t Hide”
What’s Good: Reggie Watts‘ original band is pure funky soulful bliss. —Sara Shah

The Nth Power – “Only Love”
What’s Good: The Nth Power is about as soulful as it gets for a modern-day act. —Sara Shah

Ween – “Freedom of ’76”
What’s Good: A soulful tribute to the City of Brotherly Love off Chocolate and Cheese, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Get well soon, Deaner.  —Michael Broerman

Jimmy Smith, Dr. John, Etta James – “I Just Wanna Make Love To You” (Willie Dixon)
What’s Good: When I think of soul jazz one of the first names that comes to mind is Jimmy Smith. Add in Dr. John and Etta James and you’ve got a lotta soul. —James Sissler

Tim Maia – “Do Leme Ao Pontal”
What’s Good: You don’t need to know what he’s saying to know this is a feel-good banger. —Sara Shah

D’Angelo – “Sugah Daddy”
What’s Good: I remember when this song came out ten (!) years ago and I nerded out to anyone who would listen about how this song somehow captured the essence of a bygone era inside something that sounded so modern. Like, my grandma and my hippest friend would both connect to it. It still sounds that special a decade later. –Andrew O’Brien

Sam Fribush, Charlie Hunter, Calvin Napper – “Bussin It Down”
What’s Good: Sam Fribush’s new album is a masterclass in funk counterpoint, and it’s definitely good for the soul. He is one of the funkiest keyboardists I’ve heard in a long time, and his background playing gospel adds a bit of soul that most modern organ trios lack. —James Sissler

Related: “How Can I Be The Funkiest?”: Sam Fribush Talks Working With Charlie Hunter On New LP [Interview]

Jerry Garcia – “Let’s Spend The Night Together” (The Rolling Stones)
What’s Good: Of course the original is a classic, but the way Jerry wore it on his 1974 solo album always hits me right in my soul. –Andrew O’Brien

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers Band)
What’s Good: RIP Sharon. —Sara Shah

The Wood Brothers – “Keep Me Around”
What’s Good: As if the sound of Oliver Wood’s voice wasn’t enough reason for some Wood Brothers on our For the Soul playlist, the lyrics to “Keep Me Around” include a handful of all-time-great one-liners that still give me chills. –Andrew O’Brien

Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Midnight in Harlem”
What’s Good: I feel this one in my soul every time, especially live. It’s the one tune that always makes me think, “Damn, this band is good.” TTB4L. —James Sissler

Van Morrison – “Into the Mystic”
What’s Good: You can’t beat a classic. —Michael Broerman

The Nth Power – “Walk On Water”
What’s Good: Sometimes you just need to have a talk with God, or a good hard cry. This classic provides both in abundance. —B. Getz

Ryan Montbleau – “Our Own Place”
What’s Good: This song sounds like hope, romance, sincerity, sentimentality, and profound perspective all rolled into one. I was a sobbing mess watching Ryan and Lyle Divinsky perform it on Jam Cruise last month. Beautiful, powerful stuff. –Andrew O’Brien

Johnny Cash – “I Won’t Back Down” (Tom Petty)
What’s Good: This is just one of those songs you can feel deep down in your soul. —Michael Broerman

Black Sabbath – “The Wizard”
What’s Good: Sell your soul to rock n’ roll. —Michael Broerman

Sly & The Family Stone – “Ha Ha, Hee Hee”
What’s Good: One of the all-time feel-good soul hits. —Sara Shah

James Brown, The J.B.’s – “Soul Power (Parts 1 & 2)”
What’s Good: If I could only have one superpower, it would be whatever James Brown had. —James Sissler

Labi Siffre – “I Got The…”
What’s Good:  This song just oozes soul. —Sara Shah

The Roots, Common – “Act Too (The Love Of My Life)”
What’s Good: Life-affirming conscious hip-hop from the Soulquarians era. This timeless track sets an emotional tone of reverence, positivity, and determination to stay true to yourself and always follow your muse. —B. Getz

Nigel Hall, DJ Harrison – “Earth, Wind & Fire” (Earth, Wind & Fire)
What’s Good: Nigel Hall said it best when he and Harrison released this EWF recreation as the first single from a forthcoming EWF tribute album: “We are true believers in the fact that, if everyone started their day with at least one EWF song, the world would indeed be a better place.” –Andrew O’Brien

Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway – “You’ve Got a Friend” (Carole King)
What’s Good: What’s better for the soul than two soul legends singing about being good friends. –Andrew O’Brien

Clinton Fearon – “Let It Grow”
What’s Good: When I need something to wake up my soul, reggae sometimes does the trick, and Clinton Fearon is one of my favorites. —James Sissler

Toots & The Maytals – “Pomps & Pride”
What’s Good: I have been listening to this song consistently for the past two years solid and it never gets old or fails to put a smile on my face. —Michael Broerman

Lenny Kravitz – “Sugar”
What’s Good: Symphonic flavors and falsetto phrasings, still fresh from 30 years ago. Pairs perfectly with strong coffee and a morning snuggle with your partner. —B. Getz

Luther Vandross – “Dance With My Father”
What’s Good:There’s something to be said for a sad song that clears the way for happy memories. Doesn’t hurt when Luther Vandross sings them, either. Sometimes, a good cry is good for the soul. –Andrew O’Brien

Barry White – “Let The Music Play”
What’s Good: Yes, I could have chosen the three-minute single version. But you really do need Barry White’s lonely, walking-down-the-street monologue to set the mood. —Michael Broerman

William DeVaughn – “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got – David Todd Remix (Radio Edit)” 
What’s Good: Gratitude is always good for the soul. —Sara Shah

Talking Heads – “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”
What’s Good: This song just makes my heart happy forever and ever. —Sara Shah

Kruder & Dorfmeister – “High Noon”
What’s Good: Legendary Austrian duo’s euphoric 1993 opening salvo is like a shot of bliss to the frontal lobe. —B. Getz

Wagogo – “Chitungwiza Mu’burque”
What’s Good: Some of my favorite music when I need a lift is from Africa. I love how this song grooves and subtly transforms without any major changes. —James Sissler

Everything But The Girl – “Lullaby of Clubland”
What’s Good: Need to get dressed in your best and take on the town? This is the soundtrack to your nocturnal city swagger. —B. Getz

The Joubert Singers – “Stand On The Word (1982 Version)” 
What’s Good: This disco gospel track just slaps. —Sara Shah

Karen Dalton – “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” (Holland–Dozier–Holland)
What’s Good: This song always lifts my spirits, but this version blows me away. Karen Dalton’s feel and the way she sings everything behind the beat while the music and background vocals push ahead create a really cool rhythmic tension. —James Sissler

Devon Allman, Maggie Rose – “These Days” (Jackson Browne)
What’s Good: A beautiful cover of the beautiful Jackson Browne song made famous by the son of his one-time roommate, Gregg Allman. —Michael Broerman

Lyle Divinsky – “Risk it All”
What’s Good: Lyle’s one of the most soulful singer-songwriters out there today. You don’t know, you better ask somebody. –Andrew O’Brien

Jennifer Hartswick – “Stay” (Rihanna)
What’s Good: Speaking of soulful voices we’re lucky enough to have floating around our scene, how dope is Jennifer Hartswick? Like, always. Whatever she’s doing. I always leave her shows feeling like my soul just spent the day at a spa. –Andrew O’Brien

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – “Face Down In The Moment”
What’s Good: There’s nothing I love more than a good rise, fall, and redemption story arc and this song encompasses the entire saga. —Michael Broerman

Grateful Dead – “Stella Blue”
What’s Good: Few things pack as much feeling as a post-Drums/Space Jerry ballad late in the second set. There’s nothing you can hold for very long, but you can always come back to this one.

Oteil Burbridge – “Water in the Desert”
What’s Good: Like water in the desert, you bring me back to life. Oteil’s soul runs as deep as they come. –Andrew O’Brien

Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
What’s Good: We’ve come to the end of the playlist. It’s a proven fact that periodically belting “End of the Road” with your friends at the top of your lungs makes your life 43% more meaningful. Don’t look that up. Just trust. –Andrew O’Brien

L4LM Monthly Mix – February 2024 – Morning.

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Sun Is Shining”
What’s Good: Makes you wanna get out of bed and move your dancing feet. –Andrew O’Brien

The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”
What’s Good: A friend of mine always blasts this song first thing in the morning to wake everyone up after a party or festival or whatever. Guess he’s just trying to keep those lovin’ good vibrations a-happenin’. –James Sissler

The Rolling Stones – “She’s A Rainbow”
What’s Good: Morning songs are about feel for me. This one feels like it’s going to be a good day. –Andrew O’Brien

Phish – “Silent In The Morning”
What’s Good: Self explanatory “Morning” reference, and just a generally beautiful song. –Sara Shah

Lake Street Dive – “Same Old News”
What’s Good: Here’s to waking up every day and getting to cover the same old news. –Michael Broerman

The Fearless Flyers – “Patrouille De France”
What’s Good: Love this one from the new Flyers record. Helps get me ready for liftoff. –Andrew O’Brien

Flamingosis, Marc Rebillet – “Feel Yourself”
What’s Good: Daily reminder to look in the mirror and feel yourself. –Sara Shah

McTuff – “Neighbor’s Ivy”
What’s Good: This bubbly number will get your day started on a good foot. I love the use of sound effects and percussion throughout. –James Sissler

Frute – “Emmeline”
What’s Good: Frute is surely part of your balanced breakfast. This Atlanta outfit is new to me but their sound is right up my alley. –Andrew O’Brien

The Staple Singers – “I’ll Take You There”
What’s Good: Wherever you’re going today, the Staple Singers will take you there. –Andrew O’Brien

My Morning Jacket – “Thank You Too!”
What’s Good: Gotta put on your morning jacket. –Michael Broerman

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Mellow Mod”
What’s Good: Good vibes to start your day. –Sara Shah

OMA – “Runnin'” (The Pharcyde)
What’s Good: White-hot Liverpool lads keep it thorough & come correct with a classic jam to honor J Dilla.   –B. Getz

Hot Chocolate – “I Want to Be Free”
What’s Good: A nice, warm drink and a nice, optimistic mantra for your day. –Andrew O’Brien

Sylvan Esso – “Coffee”
What’s Good: What is a morning without coffee? –Michael Broerman

pheel. – “dust bin.”
What’s Good: Denver-based electronic wizard recently dropped his debut full-length LP. –B. Getz

Bill Withers – “Lovely Day”
What’s Good: Just one look and you and I know it’s gonna be a lovely day… –Andrew O’Brien

Brandee Younger – “You’re A Girl For One Man Only”
What’s Good: Cup a tea and some harp jazz in the morning is how I like to start my day. –James Sissler

Real Estate – “Here Comes Sunshine” (Grateful Dead)
What’s Good: An easy breezy take on the Grateful Dead classic. –Sara Shah

Courtney Barnett – “Before You Gotta Go”
What’s Good: A gentle reminder from Australian word wizard Courtney Barnett to always try and leave things on a positive note with your loved ones before heading out the door in the morning. –Michael Broerman

Fruition – “Hard to Make Money”
What’s Good: Another day, another dollar. –James Sissler

Mala, Spen G – “Anti War Dub”
What’s Good: Some say this song is the embryo to dubstep. But I included it for its message.  –B. Getz

Jon Batiste – “Worship”
What’s Good: This song has really grown on me. It’s full of interesting musical choices and was one of the most powerful parts of his show in Portland. If you have the chance to see Jon Batiste’s first headlining tour, do it. –James Sissler

Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
What’s Good: I’ve listened to this song first thing each morning since it came out. Looking forward to the year of the Queen Bey country album. –Andrew O’Brien

The Impressions – “It’s All Right”
What’s Good: Smooth soulful vibes are guaranteed to start you out on the right foot. –Sara Shah

Cass Elliot – “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”
What’s Good: My morning pump up to face the world as exactly who I am. –Michael Broerman

Bob Dylan – “New Morning”
What’s Good: A song of gratitude for each and every new day from Bobby Z. –Michael Broerman

Sierra Ferrell – “I Could Drive You Crazy”
What’s Good: Pretty sure this song is about my cat’s morning routine. –James Sissler

Waylon Jennings – “Waymore’s Blues”
What’s Good: Don’t forget to put on your coat and T-I-E. –Michael Broerman

The String Cheese Incident – “Windy Mountain”
What’s Good: The String Cheese Incident just dropped this bonus track from the band’s excellent folkie album from last year, Lend Me A Hand. The song’s gentle strum is a clear window into Bill Nershi‘s old miner’s cabin atop a windy mountain in Boulder, CO. –Michael Broerman

Karen Dalton – “It’s So Hard To Tell Who’s Going To Love You The Best”
What’s Good: It recently dawned on me that some of the qualities I love about Sierra Ferrell‘s voice are similar to one of my favorite singers, Karen Dalton. I’ve been listening to a lot of both since. –James Sissler

Jacob Collier, John Legend, Tori Kelly – “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Paul Simon)
What’s Good: When you’re weary… I’ve been waiting years for this Jacob Collier recreation to arrive and it does not disappoint. –Andrew O’Brien

Commodores – “Easy”
What’s Good: Nothing like an easy Sunday morning. –Sara Shah

Yebba – “Evergreen”
What’s Good: Yebba is the GOAT. Her recent collab with Robert Glasper at Blue Note New York was unbelievable. –James Sissler

Pastor T.L. Barrett And The Youth For Christ Choir – “Like a Ship”
What’s Good: I may be Jewish but I love me some church music in the morning. –Andrew O’Brien

Mary J. Blige – “Just Fine”
What’s Good: Put this funky feelgood jam on the turntable and it’s like a battery in your back to crush the day ahead. –B. Getz

Sly & The Family Stone – “Everyday People”
What’s Good: It’s never a bad idea to start your day with some classic upbeat funk. –Sara Shah

Medeski, Martin & Wood – “Let’s Go Everywhere”
What’s Good: Get out of your chair, man. The world’s awaitin’. –James Sissler

Warren Zevon – “Mama Couldn’t Be Persuaded”
What’s Good: I wake up with this in my head most days. It’d be a living hell if this song wasn’t so infectiously catchy and enjoyable. –Michael Broerman

The String Cheese Incident – “Colorado Bluebird Sky”
What’s Good: Bring a little Colorado energy into your day. –Sara Shah

The Mountain Grass Unit – “Where I Land”
What’s Good: I’ve been digging the energy of The Mountain Grass Unit and Cahaba Roots. It’s great to see younger musicians taking up the bluegrass mantle and doing their own thing. –James Sissler

GZA, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest – “4th Chamber”
What’s Good: Deep cut Wu banger that defines the Shaolin sound circa ’95. Among RZA’s most beloved beats too. –B. Getz

Danzig – “How The Gods Kill”
What’s Good: Erotic, electric energy and dark gothic swagger coalesce to both scare & seduce the listener. Original Danzig quartet remains their most potent lineup. –B. Getz

Sum 41 – “Heart Attack”
What’s Good: Waking up is hard to do. This is for everyone else out there who is definitely not a morning person. –Michael Broerman

Slayer – “War Ensemble”
What’s Good:  Welcoming back these thrash gods with this diabolical cannon blast from arguably their last great record, 1990’s Seasons in the Abyss. –B. Getz

L4LM Monthly Mix – January 2024 – Refresh

Nina Simone – “Feeling Good”
What’s Good: It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me… –Andrew O’Brien

Bill Withers – “Lovely Day”
What’s Good: Sometimes you just need a little Bill Withers to remind you to appreciate the little things. –Sara Shah

Louis Armstrong – “What A Wonderful World”
What’s Good: When you get caught up in the daily grind, just go outside, look around, and throw on this classic track for an instant refresh. (Also recommended for getting excited for New Orleans Jazz Fest). –Sara Shah

Lettuce – “Back In Effect”
What’s Good: LettSco is back in effect at Daze Between New Orleans 2024! Time to refresh one of my favorite live combos… –Andrew O’Brien

Orgone – “Parasols”
What’s Good: SoCal stank institution digs deep into its bottomless bag of swag for this screwface throwback NOLA groove that bows at the greasy feet of the mighty Meters. –B. Getz

The Relatives – “Things Are Changing”
What’s Good: A great comeback story, The Relatives returned following 30 years of inactivity to deliver a pair of back-to-back winners, The Electric Word and Goodbye World in the mid-2010s. –Michael Broerman

McTuff – “A Mendacious One”
What’s Good: One of my favorite PNW bands, inspired by the great Jack McDuff, but with a fresh take on organ jazz and funk. I saw they have a show coming up with OG member Skerik, who’s on this track, and Lettuce’s Eric Benny Bloom, which sounds awesome, and they’ll be at Olympia Funk Festival. Catch ’em if you can. –James Sissler

Lawrence – “Don’t Lose Sight”
What’s Good: Sometimes life will try to beat you down. Don’t let it. –Sara Shah

Bob Seger – “Turn The Page – Live In Detroit/1975”
What’s Good: Sorry, Detroit Lions. As we say in the Cleveland Browns fanbase, there’s always next year. –Michael Broerman

FKJ – “Us”
What’s Good: FKJ is always my go-to when I need to clear my mind and reset after a busy day or a stressful week. –Andrew O’Brien

OMA – “The Message” (Nas)
What’s Good: Liverpool’s hungry-ass hooligans are making heads nod around the globe with their intelligent interpolations of some of hip-hop’s most beloved beats. ‘96 sh*t. –B. Getz

BrhyM, Bruce Hornsby, yMusic – “Deep Blue”
What’s Good: Join Bruce Hornsby and his mermaid on a refreshing, neo-soul voyage through the deep. –Andrew O’Brien

Aaron Neville – “Stompin’ Ground”
What’s Good: The realization that Jazz Fest is only a few months away is always part of my annual January mental refresh. I may be freezing up in New York, but knowing I’ll be back in one of my favorite stomping grounds watching world-class music in the Louisiana heat soon enough helps me weather the winter blues. –Andrew O’Brien

Sam Fribush, Charlie Hunter, Calvin Napper – “People Please”
What’s Good: I’ve been really digging Sam Fribush’s fresh take on soul jazz. This first single has got me excited about his new trio record with Charlie Hunter. –James Sissler

Lawrence – “Misty Morning”
What’s Good: A sad song that makes you feel happy… the best kind. –Andrew O’Brien

Aretha Franklin – “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Paul Simon)
What’s Good: A bit of timeless Paul Simon songwriting, a bit of Aretha Franklin’s gospel soul. Ease your mind… –Andrew O’Brien

Nubya Garcia – “Fortify”
What’s Good: Celebrated U.K.-jazz wunderkind Nubya Garcia blasts back on the scene. The virtuosic saxophonist’s latest single is the next exhilarating chapter in a glorious story of reverse engineering elements of soundsystem culture and the mechanics of BAM. –B. Getz

Xavier Rudd – “Follow The Sun”
What’s Good: Tomorrow is a new day for everyone / A brand new moon, brand new sun / So follow, follow the sun. –Sara Shah

¿Téo?, Lido – “Belong In The Sun”
What’s Good: This one was an algorithm find for me, but its chill, Latin sound and optimistic attitude have made it a repeat offender in my listening rotation. –Andrew O’Brien

Watchhouse – “New Star”
What’s Good: Off Watchhouse’s refresh start after changing its name from Mandolin Orange. –Michael Broerman

Jazmine Sullivan – “In Love With Another Man”
What’s Good: There’s nothing more refreshing for your spirit and regenerative for your disposition than a master vocalist bearing a melancholy soul over simple piano accompaniment. –Andrew O’Brien

Jason Isbell – “Different Days”
What’s Good: One of the greatest redemption stories in modern country music. I’ll listen to Southeastern for the rest of my life and will always be inspired to keep trying to better myself. –Michael Broerman

Van Morrison – “Days Like This”
What’s Good: An ode to more “days like this” in 2024. –Sara Shah

Sierra Ferrell – “Years” (John Anderson)
What’s Good: A not-that-new take on a not-that-new song by John Anderson, but a live version by Sierra Ferrell and her band recently went viral, and for good reason. –James Sissler

Marya Stark – “Origami”
What’s Good: Avant-folk dreamweaver delivers more delicate heart medicine from her latest celestial songbook Weightless. –B. Getz 

Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
What’s Good: This song just feels like rebirth, rejuvenation, and a giant breath of crisp fresh winter air, in and out. –Sara Shah

Warren Zevon – “Keep Me In Your Heart”
What’s Good: I’ve been obsessed with this gem from the late, great Warren Zevon since I heard John Bell croon it at this most recent Widespread Panic New Year’s Eve show. Even as we move into the new year, it’s important to keep those loved ones close to you. –Michael Broerman

Anna Moss – “Sickness In The Spirit”
What’s Good: Best known as one-half of Handmade Moments, Ms. Anna Moss is now blasting off a sensational new solo project. Smoldering porch-folk R&B from this steamy Crescent City chanteuse. –B. Getz

Twista, Faith Evans – “Hope”
What’s Good: May the beginning of this new year feel as cathartic and inspiring as the end of Coach Carter. –Andrew O’Brien

Saint Sinner, Dimond Saints – “338 – REMIX E * DIMOND SAINTS”
What’s Good: Dark sorcerers of sensual psychedelic bass, pioneering duo Dimond Saints are slowly creepin’ back on the comeup. “3:38” finds An-ten-nae and Releece reconnecting with another pair of progressive electronic artists Saint Sinner for this supremely sexy slab of divine timing. –B. Getz

Neal Francis – “Prometheus”
What’s Good: Have mercy on me. –Michael Broerman

The Ghost Of Paul Revere – “Travel On”
What’s Good: Travelin’ on into 2024. –Sara Shah

Clinton Fearon – “New Chapter”
What’s Good: New beginnings call for positive vibes. –James Sissler

George Michael – “Freedom!”
What’s Good: We brought our son home from the hospital to this song, almost exactly a year ago. Singing “Freedom” to him in the car, finally just the three of us for the first time, I remember viscerally feeling the beginning of this exciting new chapter. –Sara Shah

Talking Heads – “Once In A Lifetime”
What’s Good: Life goes by pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, and do whatever you want all the time, you could miss it. –Michael Broerman

Jack McDuff – “Hot Barbeque”
What’s Good: This song always refreshes my mood and makes me hungry. It doesn’t get better than Jack McDuff with a young George Benson on guitar. If I could go back in time to see one band, this band would be high on my list. –James Sissler

John Mayer – “New Light”
What’s Good: John Mayer will finally get a fresh start this year now that he doesn’t have to front the Grateful Dead anymore. –Michael Broerman

James Brown – “Get On The Good Foot”
What’s Good: Hit refresh and get on the good foot. Listening to this song, I feel like you can hear James Brown laying down the groundwork for hip-hop, after having started with a smoother soul/R&B sound. –James Sissler

Nigel Hall –”Don’t Change For Me (Live)”
What’s Good: A refreshed live version of a Nigel Hall classic. –James Sissler

Pharroh – “Gorgeous”
What’s Good: Underrated NorCal underground emcee Pharroh (Ultimate Fantastic) hops on a flaming, foreboding flip of Bob James‘ “Nautilus”, turns style and talks his sh*t to thundering drums with vocabulary, vitality, and verve. –B. Getz

Death Cab For Cutie – “The New Year”
What’s Good: Sometimes you just gotta be a little emo as the year comes to a close before hitting that refresh button. –Sara Shah

Tyler Childers – “Born Again”
What’s Good: What Childers himself called a hillbilly interpretation of reincarnation. Whatever your beliefs are, there’s always a chance to start anew somewhere somehow. –Michael Broerman

Billy Strings – “Must Be Seven”
What’s Good: Don’t let me see you looking back. –Michael Broerman

Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again – Live at Austin, Texas – Fall 1979”
What’s Good: No better way to reset than hitting the road and making music with your friends. Or hitting the road to watch other people make music with their friends. (Is it summer tour yet?) –Sara Shah

Led Zeppelin – “Going to California”
What’s Good: I think that getting older means learning to appreciate the folkier Led Zeppelin songs as much as the head-banging ones. –Michael Broerman

The Beatles – “Here Comes The Sun”
What’s Good: A new day is always just on the other side. –Sara Shah

Allman Brothers Band – “Blue Sky”
What’s Good: Blue skies and sunny days, man. –Sara Shah

Tom Petty – “Time To Move On”
What’s Good: One thing we’re sure as hell not leaving behind in 2023 is our requirement for Tom Petty on every Monthly Mix. –Michael Broerman

L4LM Monthly Mix – December 2023 – Reminisce

Todd Snider – “Happy New Year”
What’s Good: Happy New Year, everybody. Specifically, happy birthday to you, Country Joe. –Michael Broerman

Grateful Dead – “Ripple”
What’s Good: Deadheads tend to have strong opinions about Dead & Company, but I’ve made a bunch of really wonderful memories seeing this band over the past eight years and I’ll miss my annual trips to Citi Field to see them. –Andrew O’Brien

Lake Street Dive – “Linger” (The Cranberries)
What’s Good: Spotify told me this was my most listened-to song of 2023. I’m not sure how that happened, either. –Andrew O’Brien

LP Giobbi, Sofi Tukker – “If Love Is A Skill”
What’s Good: I ran in my first 5k race this year, and this was the first song on the playlist I would use for training, so I associate it with feeling powerful, strong, and amped up. –Sara Shah

Santana – “Soul Sacrifice”
What’s Good: So many of my musical highlights happened during Jazz Fest, and seeing Santana for the first time was one of them. I was struck by how his calm words between songs helped elevate the experience to a spiritual level, and I’ll never forget watching Frenchy paint the concert live as it was happening. –James Sissler

Goose – “Hot Tea”
What’s Good: One of my live music highlights this year was hanging with the L4LM crew at Days Between New Orleans watching Neal Francis join Goose for this song. –James Sissler

Gone Gone Beyond – “Revolution”
What’s Good: Future folk quartet tease a stirring sliver of what’s to come in the next year. –B. Getz

The String Cheese Incident – “Eventually”
What’s Good: Thanks to the band’s exceptionally introspective folk-leaning new album Lend Me A Hand and half a dozen stellar performances at Hulaween, I became a Cheese guy this year. –Michael Broerman

Railroad Earth – “Long Way To Go”
What’s Good: One of the highlights of my year was interviewing Todd Sheaffer about his pre-Railroad Earth band From Good Homes. They happen to be from my hometown and it was fun getting to hear how crazy my high school was back in the day, but the conversation also gave me a deeper appreciation of Todd’s talent and the depth of his songwriting. –James Sissler

Yussef Dayes – “Black Classical Music (feat. Venna & Charlie Stacey)”
What’s Good: Yussef Dayes’ album Black Classical Music is among the most important albums of the year in my opinion. –James Sissler

Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – “King of Oklahoma”
What’s Good: Jason Isbell wrote this song from his outstanding new album Weathervanes while on location filming Martin Scorsese‘s Killers of the Flower Moon, and it shows through the vivid storytelling. –Michael Broerman

Drive-By Truckers – “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac”
What’s Good: Another album that I could not stop listening to this year, The Dirty South. It went on my headphones just about every plane ride I took this summer, which really added up. –Michael Broerman

The Who – “The Seeker”
What’s Good: I hadn’t listened to or thought about this song in ages until I watched Tedeschi Trucks Band and Trey Anastasio clobber it at Madison Square Garden in September. One of my favorite moments of the year. –Andrew O’Brien

Grateful Dead – “Estimated Prophet – Live at Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 5/8/77”
What’s Good: It was a year filled with highs and lows, as my father passed away in June. I’m including this song because one of my dad’s claims to fame is that he attended the fabled Grateful Dead Cornell ’77 show. He was a legend. –Sara Shah

Phish – “Free”
What’s Good: Seven nights of Phish at MSG this past summer made me feel the Baker’s Dozen feelings I forgot. Jk, who could ever forget the Dozen? –Andrew O’Brien

Ween – “Wayne’s Pet Youngin'”
What’s Good: Ween went on its first full-fledged tour since 2016 this year and as a devoted follower of the Church of Browntology I caught 4 of 14 shows (Chicago, Madison, Covington, New York City), which in addition to being some of the best concerts I saw all year also fulfilled a lifelong goal of following a band from city to city to city to city. With a Chocolate and Cheese 30th anniversary show already on the books for 2024, I’m expecting more big things to come from the brothers in Boognish, Deaner and Gener. –Michael Broerman

Pretty Lights – “My Other Love”
What’s Good: Lest we forget the long-awaited return of Pretty Lights finally came this year. –Michael Broerman

Felipe Puertes, Kellerkind – “Red Planet”
What’s Good: A captivating and unrelenting beat that dives deep into your soul. –Jimmy

De La Soul – “The Magic Number”
What’s Good: March 2023 was a big De La period for me—and just about everyone—when Trugoy the Dove passed away just a couple weeks before the group’s catalog hit streaming services for the first time. –Andrew O’Brien

The Gap Band – “Outstanding”
What’s Good: I got to do some traveling this year, and this became my layover song because it always puts me in a good mood so I boogie to my gate instead of just rushing through the airport. –James Sissler

The Revivalists – “Good Old Days”
What’s Good: Life with a newborn son can often feel like time is going by in hyper-speed. This song was a timely reminder that “These are the good old days.” We even got to bring Bodhi to the Revivalists’ Red Rocks soundcheck when he was 7 months old, which was such a special experience. –Sara Shah

Goose – “Hungersite”
What’s Good: When our son Bodhi was 3 months old, we got to bring him down to New Orleans for our festival, Daze Between. Goose was the headliner, and Bodhi got to watch from sidestage. He was 100% sold. –Sara Shah

Anna Moss – “Gravy”
What’s Good: NOLA-based Handmade Moments siren singer/seductress strikes out on her own with a sensational shot of chanteuse. –B. Getz

Orgone, Terin Ector – “Lies And Games”
What’s Good: SoCal funk veterans blast back with a swaggering banger featuring vocalist Terrin Ector. –B. Getz

Leftover Salmon, Oliver Wood – “Fire And Brimstone”
What’s Good: I’ll never forget writing up the premiere article for this track in a New Orleans hotel room between Jazz Fest events. It was the only time (so far) that the L4LM editorial staff has worked in the same room together. –James Sissler

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – “Learning To Fly”
What’s Good: Obviously, everybody loves Petty. There’s a reason he’s on this playlist every month. But I formed a deep emotional connection with this song while down in New Orleans at Jazz Fest, listening to it almost every morning. It’s not a bad way to start the day. –Michael Broerman

Labi Siffre – “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying”
What’s Good: The Holdovers was one of my favorite movies of the year. I thought the musical director did a great job of setting the vibe of a melancholic 1970s winter scene, using many classics such as this one. –Sara Shah

The String Cheese Incident – “One More Time”
What’s Good: This year we lost one of the greatest humans I ever knew, my father-in-law, Doug Furer. I remember hearing this song at Cheese’s Red Rocks run shortly after he died and being moved to tears. In memory of Jesse Aratow. –Kunj Shah

Twiddle – “Meant To Be”
What’s Good: RIP Twiddle. –James Sissler

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Three Little Birds”
What’s Good: Bob Marley was regularly playing through our house in the early days with Bodhi, and I have fond memories of singing songs like this one to him when we were first getting to know our little peanut. –Sara Shah

The Wood Brothers – “Heart Is The Hero”
What’s Good: Greensky Bluegrass and The Wood Brothers was one of the best shows I saw in 2023. –James Sissler

Joe Cocker – “Darling Be Home Soon” (John Sebastian)
What’s Good: I remember hearing this song for the first time when Derek Trucks played it with Susan Tedeschi at the Bonnaroo superjam, when me and my friend at the time had a moment that would change the rest of our lives, leading to us getting married and having a child many years later. Now I hear this song and it just hits even harder, whenever I’m away from home, knowing I have this beautiful family to come home to. One of those songs that makes you look around, and feel like you’ve done alright. –Kunj Shah

Commodores – “Easy”
What’s Good: We had this song playing in the hospital when my wife was giving birth. It really helped create a calm and relaxing environment before one of the craziest experiences of our lives. –Kunj Shah

Morgan Wade – “Psychopath”
What’s Good: Another new obsession this year was rocketing country ass-kicker Morgan Wade and her new album Psychopath which is absolutely irresistible to anyone who likes good country and has perhaps made a mistake or two in life. –Michael Broerman

Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Someday Never Comes”
What’s Good: One of my favorite concert experiences this year was The John Fogerty Incident. After that show, this was another song added to the playlist I listen to when I’m thinking about my father-in-law who passed away this year. I’m here to tell you, someday never comes. –Kunj Shah

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway – “Crooked Tree”
What’s Good: I had heard Molly’s name but not her music before I saw her play for the first time at the WhyHunger benefit at Brooklyn Bowl this fall. She played this song solo and brought the house down. I’ve been hooked ever since. –Andrew O’Brien

Greensky Bluegrass – “Windshield”
What’s Good: GSBG and The Wood Brothers was one of the best shows I saw in 2023. –James Sissler

2Pac – “Brenda’s Got A Baby”
What’s Good: I feel like we haven’t talked enough about the fact that they finally arrested someone for Tupac Shakur’s murder almost 30 years after the fact. –Andrew O’Brien

Nubiyan Twist – “So Mi Stay”
What’s Good: U.K. nu-jazz phenoms drizzle a little dancehall energy into their sultry mix. –B. Getz

Oteil Burbridge – “China Doll” (Grateful Dead)
What’s Good: Dead & Co bassist summons Garcia’s trademark delicate serenity on this timeless From the Mars Hotel ballad. –B. Getz

Related: Grateful Dead Studio Albums Ranked Worst To Best

Brady Watt – “Good Medicine (feat. James Casey)”
What’s Good: We miss you, James. –Andrew O’Brien

Tuck Ryan, Phoebe Collier – “2AM”
What’s Good: Philly cat on the come up enlists local vocalist to channel the late-night chill. –B. Getz

Pretty Lights – “I Can See It In Your Face”
What’s Good: I loved how the return of Pretty Lights brought groups of friends I haven’t seen in years out of the woodwork. Just like old times, but totally new. Here for more swirl in 2024. –Andrew O’Brien

DirtySnatcha, HVRCRFT – “Sum Dirty”
What’s Good: A dubstep assault to welcome you into the new year from rising stars DirtySnatcha and HVRCRFT, recruited by Excision and debuted at this past Lost Lands. –Jimmy

Kenny Summit, Roberto Rodriguez – “Body Shine”
What’s Good: Two legends collaborate on their Dirtybird debuts for this track that swerves through carefully curated basslines, a bouncy countermelody, and electrifying breakdowns. –Jimmy

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”
What’s Good: This is the song I had in mind when we came up with this month’s theme. If we’re talking nostalgia, this song triggers vivid memories of battling my little brother in NBA Street Vol. 2. But I also just got a little history lesson on Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (and a bunch of their contemporaries) via Son of the City, the memoir by Dante Ross, the decorated A&R vet who signed them. Super cool read for anyone who loves old-school hip-hop. –Andrew O’Brien

Kendrick Lamar – “Backseat Freestyle”
What’s Good: I saw a lot of great live music this year but no show had a bigger impact on me than my first Kendrick Lamar show at Governors Ball this past summer. –Andrew O’Brien

Queens of the Stone Age – “Song For The Dead”
What’s Good: Without question one of my favorite concerts I saw all year, launching me headfirst into a Queens of the Stone Age obsession. The timing was right too, now that the band is back touring and making music again. –Michael Broerman

Blink-182 – “Dammit”
What’s Good: We also cannot forget that liking Blink-182 came back en vogue this year. –Michael Broerman

Ryan Gosling – “I’m Just Ken”
What’s Good: The song of the summer from the movie of the summer. Fun fact: Slash (yes, that Slash) plays guitar on the breakdown. Fun fact, part two: I dressed as Ken for Halloween. Fun fact, III: Watching my wife introduce Gov’t Mule‘s new bassist to this song was one of the sillier moments of my year. Feel the Kenergy. –Andrew O’Brien

Alanis Morissette – “Head Over Feet”
What’s Good: Some days you just have to belt this at your desk. –Michael Broerman

Outkast – “The Whole World (feat. Killer Mike)”
What’s Good: Got to see Big Boi play live this year, and spent a lot of time learning about exotic flutes when André 3000 put out his first-ever solo album, but both of those experiences just sent me straight to the Dungeon. OutKast is everlasting. –Andrew O’Brien

DJ Harrison – “IGY” (Donald Fagen)
What’s Good: Butcher Brown’s all-world keyboardist/composer/producer hops in the time machine with a very Stevie single. –B. Getz

Sturgill Simpson –”Make Art Not Friends”
What’s Good: I really hadn’t listened much to Sturgill Simpson’s 2019 album Sound & Fury since it came out, until recently. Now the mix of alt-country and dystopian psych-rock is the perfect convergence of my stylistic Venn diagram. –Michael Broerman

IDLES – “Television”
What’s Good: The hard-rocking hooligans’ ode to self-love is just another apparent paradox that makes IDLES so alluring. –Michael Broerman

Kitchen Dwellers – “Drowning (… Again)”
What’s Good: I lost an old friend to suicide this year, and I kept coming back to this song from Kitchen Dwellers—sometimes screaming, sometimes crying. –Michael Broerman

Billianne – “Simply The Best” (Tina Turner)
What’s Good: When my dad was in the hospital this version of the Tina Turner classic would always bring me to tears. He truly was “simply the best.” Then oddly enough, Tina happened to pass away shortly after my dad. 2023 took some of the greats. –Sara Shah

Carmelo Haze – “Una Mañana” 
What’s Good: Austin, TX’s best kept secret. Afro-Colombian folklore meets steamy south Texas soul, psychedelic Americana blended with the soaring highland sounds of Central Mexico. –B. Getz

Oteil Burbridge – “Stella Blue” (Grateful Dead)
What’s Good: Another highlight of my year was interviewing Oteil Burbridge about his Garcia/Hunter ballads album right after the end of Dead & Company‘s final tour. It was a conversation I’ll never forget, and the album is pretty great too. –James Sissler

John Prine – “All The Best”
What’s Good: I got dumped this year. –Michael Broerman

Yusuf / Cat Stevens – “Father And Son”
What’s Good: I’ve had some profound experiences this past year, but none comes close to the birth of my son. The first few months felt like we were living in our own bubble, where time slowed down, and my son would fall asleep on my chest and I couldn’t do anything besides sing to him. This was one of my favorite tunes to sing to him. I also lost my father-in-law a few months later, whom I was extremely close with, so this song has held an even deeper meaning. –Kunj Shah

Grateful Dead – “I Will Take You Home”
What’s Good: This was the unofficial new baby anthem in our household this year. –Sara Shah

L4LM Monthly Mix – November 2023 – Come Together

L4LM Monthly Mix – October 2023 – Monthly Mix: Live!

L4LM Monthly Mix – September 2023 – Airplane Mode

L4LM Monthly Mix – August 2023 – The Great Outdoors

L4LM Monthly Mix – July 2023 – Road Trip

L4LM Monthly Mix – June 2023 – Backyard Barbecue

L4LM Monthly Mix – May 2023 – The Post-Show Hang

L4LM Monthly Mix – April 2023

L4LM Monthly Mix – March 2023

L4LM Monthly Mix – February 2023 – The LoveList

L4LM Monthly Mix – January 2023

L4LM Monthly Mix – December 2022 – Best of 2022

L4LM Monthly Mix – October 2022

L4LM Monthly Mix – June 2022

L4LM Monthly Mix – January 2022

L4LM Monthly Mix – December 2021 – Best of 2021

L4LM Monthly Mix – November 2021

L4LM Monthly Mix – June 2021

L4LM Monthly Mix – April 2021

L4LM Monthly Mix – March 2021 – Women’s History Month

L4LM Monthly Mix – February 2021