Five Essential Songs
Jon Batiste: Five Essential Mavis and Pops Staples Songs
Jim James: Five Essential Neil Young Songs
[June 2018 update: Jim James released his exuberantly eclectic third solo

Jim James (photo by Neil Krug/PR)
Saint Etienne: Five Essential Kate Bush Songs
For Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne, one of those most significant watershed moments in her young life was discovering was this week's FUV Essentials artist, Kate Bush. Here she shares her picks of "Five Essential Kate Bush Songs."

Saint Etienne's Pete Wiggs, Sarah Cracknell and Bob Stanley (photo by Rob Baker Ashton, PR)
Joe Henry: Five Essential John Prine Songs
Joe Henry is on the brink of releasing his 14th studio album, Thrum, on October 27, and he happens to also be an enthusiastic admirer of this week's FUV Essentials artist, John Prine. When FUV asked Henry if he might like to choose "Five Essential John Prine Songs," he not only agreed, but wrote a loving and long assessment of the man and his music:

Joe Henry (photo by Glen Hansard, PR)
North Mississippi Allstars: Five Essential Tedeschi Trucks Band Songs
The North Mississippi Allstars joined the Tedeschi Trucks Band for that band's 2017 autumnal residency at the Beacon Theatre, celebrating Tedeschi and Trucks' 25th show at the venue on October 11. FUV asked guitarist Luther Dickinson if he might come up with a selection of his "Five Essential Tedeschi Trucks Band Songs."

North Mississippi Allstars' Cody and Luther Dickinson (photo courtesy of 7S Management)
Rostam: Five Essential Tom Petty Songs
Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Ani DiFranco
Matthew Sweet: Five Essential Beach Boys Songs
Matthew Sweet's songwriting might reflect predecessors like Big Star, R.E.M., and the rich Athens, Georgia scene that buoyed him early in his career, but his most vital influence over the years has probably been Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Sweet rounded up his selections of "Five Essential Beach Boys Songs" for FUV Essentials.

Matthew Sweet (photo by Evan Carter, PR)