So many variables determine what makes an artist or band “essential” — longevity, impact, influence, history. On-air and online, we celebrate the musicians who have shaped our cultural soundtrack for the past fifty years. Let’s love these FUV Essential artists while they’re here, and honor those who have departed too soon.
Brittany Howard, the dynamic singer and guitarist of Alabama Shakes, Thunderbitch and Bermuda Triangle, finds solace in the music of one of her most beloved influences, Nina Simone. Howard's "Five Essential Nina Simone Songs" includes striking covers of tracks by Bob Dylan and Janis Ian.
Brittany Howard (photo by Eric Ryan Anderson, PR)
Nina Simone made us weep, articulated our rage, turned a mirror to our hate and prejudice, and inspired a generation in the throes of resistance. She still does so, nearly 15 years since her passing. She is not only one of our most vivid #FUVEssentials, she's essential to who we are as Americans.
Nina Simone (1969 photo by Gerrit de Bruin, photo illustration by Laura Fedele)
For FUV Dance Floor Essentials, Django Django's Dave Maclean offers up a DJ's perspective on what works in a set, and what first catapulted him into his love of dance music in his "Five Essential Dance Songs."
Left to right, Django Django's Vincent Neff, Tommy Grace, Dave Maclean and Jimmy Dixon (photo by Fiona Garden, PR)
The FUV DJs have a question for our listeners — what gets you on the dance floor?
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
Valerie June's lyrics reflect a storyteller's rich sensitivity, colored with innate compassion and a keen social awareness, and they reveal not only her own journey, but the early impact of the musicians she loved as a child, like our FUV Essentials artist, Bob Marley. She wrote up her "Five Essential Bob Marley Songs" as FUV celebrates the Jamaican icon's legacy.
Valerie June (photo by Jacob Blickenstaff, PR)
On what would have been Bob Marley's birthday on February 6, FUV dives deep into this soul rebel's songs with their universal and enduring messages of love and resistance to injustice.
Bob Marley (image by Laura Fedele, photo in the public domain)
New York punk ambassador Jesse Malin, of D Generation and Heart Attack, has been friends with the Replacements for a long time, touring with them too. He has a special affection for the "bourbon-soaked country side" of the band and wrote affectionately about his friends' songs for FUV Essentials.
Jesse Malin (photo by Illaria Conte, PR)
The prolific Steve Gunn is a faithful fan of Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko and he writes about the quintet with warmth, keen observation and deep respect for FUV Essentials.
Steve Gunn (photo courtesy of Pitch Perfect, PR)
The Replacements opened for Keith Richards for his 45th birthday and Tommy Stinson recalls his "Five Essential Rolling Stones Songs" ...
Tommy Stinson (photo by Steven Cohen, PR)
Trombone Shorty, the New Orleans musician and producer Troy Andrews, toured with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Hall & Oates in 2016. Andrews' choices of "Five Essential Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Songs" are his memories of that life-affirming time.
Trombone Shorty (photo by Mathieu Bitton)
