Wendy Does Waco

By Tom Waits

June 30, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

The music of Tom Waits would be a must for any soundtrack of Waco. Something about the rundown people and places in his songs, the interplay of the temptations of the flesh and the call of the Lord, the cult of antiquity and tradition, the failed dreams of progress, and the overburdening sense of a dream deferred.

Also, Willie Nelson is a must, being a local boy and local favorite, not to mention a country music legend. I would also throw Billy Jo Shaver in there as well, especially after his shootout at Papa Joe’s.

Any old-timey Mississippi Delta blues music, definitely.

Some might say Jessica Simpson, who used to be a singer, but I think that would be a shameful addition.

Also, some might want to add Pat Green, but his inclusion would make for a lackluster soundtrack.

Anyone else have some ideas?

By poopsandwich

June 30, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

My first thought was “Highway to Hell” but then I thought I don’t want to take Fred’s entry away.

I think John Mellencamp would be a great choice. Downhome, “real” stories, etc. I thought about the “Little Pink Houses” song. “he’s got an interstate funning through his front yard…”

I remember the land grabbing that happened way back when. And I think about the ones that can spit on the access road from the their front porches.

I think you have to include any Waco singers. Pat Green, Billy Joe, there have to be more.

By Katy

June 30, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I concur on the Willie Nelson idea.

Wendy, are you going to Em’s wedding? I am!

By Jeremy

June 30, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

You should check out Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies. Brian is from Waco and currently lives in L.A. He has been touring the US and Europe the past couple years. He will be back here in Waco at Treff’s on August 12th. I grew up with him and his music is amazing. You can hear some on http://www.myspace.com/thewacotragedies

By wendy

June 30, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Yep, I’ll be there Katy. Can’t wait to meet you!

By WaLT

June 30, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

“Dirtfloorcracker” and “Pray for Rain” by a band called Mofro. Get em on iTunes Store.

By zoe

June 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

tom waits sucks so bad if i think this guys a troll who wants u 2 have a horrid sdtrk of spoken wordiness with terrible vocals and tone def sound

By Robison

June 30, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

Bruce Robison’s “Oklahoma Christmas” really sums it up. There’s a line about Waco in there…

By Jeremiah

June 30, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

I agree with the Tom Waits Idea. Night Hawks at the Diner is great for putting around downtown on my scooter. and Small change is good for going between Mcc and Hewitt Via lake shore and Vally Mills.

By L

June 30, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Jeremy - Thank you for the recommendation of Brian Wright & the Waco Tragedies. I pulled them up to listen to some of their music and was an instant fan! I can’t wait to see them at Treff’s!

By Stephie G

June 30, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Hmm… so many songs, so little time… how about Hotel California by the Gipsy Kings, Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch, Undeniable by Mat Kearney (for the Baylor kids), Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John, Devil Town by Bright Eyes, That’s Just What You Are by Aimee Mann, Crooked Teeth by Death Cab… I could go on forever.

By Scott Baker

July 1, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

Hmmm… walking around Downtown, huh? So an easy stroll is in order. Nothing too buzzed; Nothing too down. You’ve got a strong background in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Waco has an eclectic mix of country/rock/pop/alt/jazz. Hmmm… I’ll go with the following playlist, not necessarily in the following order:

Willie Nelson - Over the Rainbow Gin Blossoms - Hey Jealousy Keane - Bend & Break Alison Krauss - I Will Robbie Seay Band - New Day Linkin Park - Shadow of the Day The New Radicals - You Get What You Give Philip Glass - Metamorphosis One Lyle Lovett - Here I Am Kings of Leon - On Call Roy Orbison - You Got It Jon Secada - Just Another Day The Mammas and the Pappas - Dream a Little Dream of Me The Frames - Mind’s Made Up Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again Si*Se - Bizcocho Amargo Dean Martin - I’ll Buy That Dream Vince Gill - Pretty Little Adriana Andrew Peterson - All Shall Be Well Sarah McLachlin - Adia The Police - Every Little Thing She Does is Magic John Mellencamp - When Jesus Left Birmingham Erasure - A Little Respect Balmorhea - Dream of Thaw Katie Melua - Shy Boy The Cranberries - Dreams Mindy Smith - Out Loud Moby - Porcelain Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away Modern English - I Melt With You Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly Jane Monheit - Waters of March Eisley - Memories Alanis Morissette - Hand in My Pocket Morrissey - You Have Killed Me MuteMath - Noticed Coldplay - Speed of Sound My Morning Jacket - Gideon

By Scott Baker

July 1, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

Somehow, my spacing didn’t translate in that post. It could use some commas. Let me know if you have any trouble with it.

By Fred

July 1, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Sounds of Waco? How about “smells” of Waco? If the wind is just right in Downtown Waco you can smell the stong odor of “human defication” from one of Waco’s sewage plants. If you’re on Waco’s Riverwalk (near the Texas Ranger’s Post) you might be able to smell the rotting corpses from the disturbed grave sites…….Noble Rot (Waco).

By C.F.M.

July 1, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

How about some blue grass, can’t hardly go wrong with that…

By Captain Willard

July 1, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Waco reminds me of Col. Kurtz’s last words. “The horror…the horror”

By wendy

July 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

First of all— Stephie G., you speak my musical language, girl :) Second— yes Scott, I was like, “when did Keane remake Hey Jealousy” and “the Police sang Adia, I don’t remember that”. Then I figured it out. You put much thought into that, color me impressed.

Great suggestions, everyone. Though I’m familiar with Tom Waits, I’ve never given him a fair shake. Clearly, I need to rethink that. All this has me thinking, I should craft a Wendy does Waco soundtrack. It will be 1989 all over again, with me, a musical alchemist, perfectly blending The Cure’s Fear of Ghosts with Ministry’s Stigmata. (Never fear, I won’t use those songs, it was just an example)

By Scott Baker

July 1, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Playlists are what I do. The whole “theatre” thing is just a front for my real passion. You should see my Totally 80’s playlist. It is the stuff of legend.

By wendy

July 1, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Oh, it’s on like Donkey Kong, my friend. This newspaper gig is just a paycheck. My true identity is Mix-master supreme queen.

By JD

July 1, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

“S**t Towne” by Live comes to mind and sums this town up perfectly.

By Katy W

July 1, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

Guys, don’t forget David Crowder Band! They are a great testimony to the good stuff of Waco!

By J-Dub

July 1, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Scott,

We will be recruiting you to guest DJ on Thursdays at a new retaurant & bar this fall coming to 4th & Austin…promise to wear your parachute pants if your Girbaud jeans are dirty?

By gypsy soul

July 2, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

what about virgo clowns by van morrison?? it is because it is just a guy and a guitar, kinda simple like waco but i love the song….let your laughter fill the room……..

By Big Ron

July 2, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Van Morrison is one of my favorites.

By gypsy soul

July 2, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

oh big ron…i could talk about van morrison all day!!! what are your two favorite songs by him? i know you cant have just one!