Five Essential Albums

Unknown Mortal Orchestra released its fourth album this year, Sex & Food, a record that found singer, songwriter and guitarist Ruban Nielson traveling the globe. And yes, a jazzy hint of Nielson's beloved Steely Dan gently ripples through new tracks like "Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays" and the tender "Hunnybee."

Joe Henry 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:

In May of 2017, Shovels & Rope, the husband-and-wife duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, wrote about Brandi Carlile's work and that of Phil and Tim Hanseroth, her songwriting partners.

Erika Wennerstrom really is a big fan of Led Zeppelin. As the iconic British band marks the 50th anniversary of its formation in 2018, she wrote up her "Five Essential Led Zeppelin Songs" for FUV.

Deep in heart of Sylvan Esso's "Radio" lurks a clue to one of Amelia Meath's favorite David Bowie songs, "Blue Jean." Since Meath has already confessed to one of her most beloved Bowie tracks, FUV wondered if she had four others she might want to write about for "Five Essential David Bowie Songs" for FUV Essentials. She most certainly did!

Lucinda Williams, a past FUV Essentials artist, considers Johnny Cash to be a touchstone in her own songwriting. Here's her "Five Essential Johnny Cash Songs" as FUV celebrates Cash as one of our Essential artists.

NPR Slingshot artist Jade Bird dazzled with her confident 2017 debut EP, Something American. Her boisterous cover of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere" is a joy, and for #FUVEssentials, she rounded up her "Five Essential Johnny Cash Songs."

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.

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."

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.