Stories from the City, Stories from the Yankees

As I snuck out of a bar in Carroll Gardens after watching the Yankees clinch their 27th World Series and walked happily to the G train, I passed a few cars blasting Jay Z's "Empire State of Mind." This song - which was played each time Derek Jeter walked to the plate this year- has become quite the anthem for the pin stripe donned boys but also for the city as a whole, as witnessed by the numerous lyrics I've seen on Facebook and Jay and Alicia Keys stellar performance at the MTV VMA awards (which were held in NYC this year).

This magical moment got me thinking about my favorite songs about or relating to NY. So here they are:
Simon and Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in NY
Interpol- NY Cares
Frank Sinatra - New York New York
REM - Leaving NY
Fran Sinatra - Autumn in NY
The Wu Tang Clan- CREAM
PJ Harvey- Good Fortune
Duke Ellington- Take the A Train
Jay Z ft/ Alicia Keys- Empire State of Mind

Little Steven Van Zandt was also recently asked for his favorite songs about NY - check out his selections here.

Stomping with Dr. Ike

Here's Dr. Ike (Ira Padnos) - founder, curator, producer and mastermind behind the Ponderosa Stomp - with Little Steven (Steven Van Zandt) following his interview for Little Steven's Underground Garage. (Dr. Ike specifically requested that this photo be taken in front of the "Untamed Youth" poster and check out Ike's cool western shirt, bought in Austin.)

Dr. Ike's a rock and roll encyclopedia, with a deep knowledge and deep record collection for blues, country, funk, soul, rockabilly, surf, swamp pop and rhythm and blues. Watching him converse with Little Steven was tantamount to watching two of the great rock historians interact with each other.

I can't wait to see the Ponderosa Stomp, which is set for April 29 and 30 down in New Orleans.