Josh Ritter is a minstrel, crafting colorful and multidimensional fables and layering lush visuals on top of delicate and deliberate guitar playing. “The Temptation of Adam” combines Ritter’s impecable folk sensibility with his masterful storyteller capabilities, weaving tales and crafting characters and plots that you can visualize while you’re listening. Give it a try and then check out the whole show here.

[The Temptation of Josh Ritter is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

Listen to the whole show here.

[Meet The Low Anthem is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

“The Weight” became one of the most iconic songs to emerge from the 60’s and also deserves awards for being probably one of the most covered, most fun to sing along to and most used in TV and movie soundtracks. Coming in at #41 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time, the song follows a weary traveler as he encounters several colorful characters which are all rumored to be based on real people that The Band actually knew. The Vault has lots of great versions of the track, but I think I might be partial to this Levon Helm version, with an all-star band that includes Dr. John and Booker T. Jones.

Check out the whole show here.

[Take a Load Off, Levon is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

The 2008 Daytrotter session with Minus The Bear really highlights what I love so much about them. Each song is presented with such a haunting and cool ease, I just can’t get enough. I could listen to these guys for hours and continue to discover new territory. This song in particular has a way of seeping into your mind, eloquently demonstrating the band’s ability to craft a densely layered and melodic song while still allowing it to seem effortless, ambient and slightly creepy.

[Minus The Bear’s Ice Monster is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

Listen to the whole show here.

[The Softer Side of Thin Lizzy is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

So it looks like we really are having a “heat wave” in the Northeast. As temperatures hit record highs and homeowners are asked to take one for the team and not water their lawns or run any unnecessary appliances, this It’s A Beautiful Day song, from their 1969 self-titled debut album, feels just right.

Check out the whole show here.

[It’s A Beautiful Hot Summer Day is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

[A Whiter Shade of Joe Cocker is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

I’ve got some great memories of this somber, thoughtful Elvis Costello tune. My best friend put this song on a mix CD for me when we were in high school. It was also an important part of the incredible soundtrack to High Fidelity. This song displays Elvis at his most mellow and introspective. It is effortlessly eloquent and there is still something hauntingly sad about it.

Check out the whole show here.

[Diving For Dear Life is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

Poor Joe Jackson. He shouldn’t have to kid himself into thinking he looks smooth. Nor should he be subjected to watching Jeannie with her new boyfriend. Ugh. The poor guy. Listen Joe, don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got a lot going for you. An impressive number of songs on the charts. And a British accent! Plus the biting wit to pen lyrics like “But if looks could kill / there’s a man there who’s marked down as dead / ’cause I had my fill…I get so mean around this scene.” I’m sure it will all work out for you in the end, Joe.

Check out the whole show here.

[Someone Please Take Joe Jackson Home is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]

*this post contains spoilers*

Besides LOST, another juggernaut in the television world met its end this week. After nine years (eight seasons) we said goodbye to Jack, Chloe and the rest of the gang on 24. According to one website that totals all the unfortunate folks Jack has axed over the years (on-screen only), our man Bauer has killed 266 people – and at least three of them using only his legs. He has protected (and frequently defied) six presidents. He’s said “copy that,” “dammit,” “we’re running out of time,” and ”tell me where the ____ is” more times than I can wrap my head around. And at the end of Monday’s finale, President  Taylor urged Jack to sneak out of the country while he still could because both the Russians and the Americans will be after him. After a tearful farewell to Chloe via drone camera monitor, Bauer, bloody and beaten but not down for the count yet, slinks off into the unknown. You can almost hear this song playing in the background as he disappears into a dark alley.

So this one’s for you, Jack. Thanks for all your hard work.

Check out the whole Rolling Thunder Revue show here.

[Ramblin’ Jack (Bauer) is a post in From the Vault - The Wolfgang's Vault blog.]