Over the years, I've amassed on my iPod more than 200 songs for road trips. These are songs are mostly about driving, along with tunes about the towns and places along the Mother Road. This list, along with an excellent one compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, should give you music download ideas for your … Continue reading The ultimate Route 66 music playlist
Category: Music
“I Shall Be Released”
This trio, called Davis, Crosby & Cowart, perform Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" at the historic U-Drop Inn gas station on Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas. https://vimeo.com/25851967 This performance is impromptu. But the U-Drop Inn hosts free "Thursdays Under the Neon" music events in June, July and August.
Hello from Palo Alto
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" with Paul Jacobs on a vintage mandolin and Derek See on guitar and vocals. They're playing at a guitar store in Palo Alto, Calif. https://youtu.be/iLhDtW2ZOac
“Home to You”
A road song from the Peasall Sisters, for those who are returning home: https://youtu.be/0KIF7xMBgBc
“Where There’s a Road”
This video was made by a fan of Robbie Fulks, who wrote and recorded this tune. Listen close to the references to Joplin and Santa Fe: https://youtu.be/15Eem57nX7k
“Oklahoma Hills”
A lot of star power on this recording -- Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie, and Joe Ely performing this song for a Woody Guthrie benefit. https://youtu.be/IZ6FKPeA9mw
“Lonesome Town”
I often think of the ghost town of Glenrio when I hear this Ricky Nelson classic: https://youtu.be/uN7mjvok6MI
“Tulsa Telephone Book”
Here's a darkly humorous song written by Tom T. Hall, covered a few years ago by Calexico: https://youtu.be/j9hpuDg4MtE
“The Long Cut”
Many roadies opt to take the long cut instead of a short cut in their travels. So this song by Uncle Tupelo seems appropriate: https://youtu.be/Hy3WkIfgkSQ
A barrelhouse cruise
Rhythm-and-blues piano players often were described as "barrelhouse" piano players. The late Floyd Dixon shows how it was done with Bobby Troup's song in 1996. https://youtu.be/u68HgtG948w