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City Stages 2008: The playlist

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city stagesThe big 2-0. Yes, City Stages 2008 launches its 20th edition on Friday. (Oh, how we miss the tongue-twisting title sponsor …) In honor of this milestone, we present our best of the fest playlist.

Look for artists from every stage and every style. Enjoy the sonic diversity of these 20 tracks, even if you can’t make it this weekend.

One’s a freebie, the rest will run you about $20 on iTunes.

The songs in detail, after the jump …

1. “Beautiful Girls,” Sean Kingston | Good news: It’s still just as catchy as last summer. Bad news: It’s now a Kidz Bop song. 7 p.m. Friday, Coca-Cola Classic Stage.

2. “Amphetamine,” Red Halo | Birmingham rockers with former members of Virgos Merlot, Downstem and Mars Electric. 10:15 p.m. Friday, Engel Residential Homegrown Stage.

3. “Three Is a Magic Number,” Blind Melon | In case you didn’t know, Melon rocks the Schoolhouse. “No Rain,” no way. 5:40 p.m. Saturday, Miller Lite Stage.

4. “Wagon Wheel,” Old Crow Medicine Show | Nashville band that frequents “A Prairie Home Companion,” with a CMT Top 10 Bluegrass Album. 10 p.m. Friday, Legacy Credit Union Stage.

5. “Fool for a Lonesome Train,” Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals | Grammy winner and married to Laura Dern. Plus, he rocks. 10:25 p.m. Saturday, Miller Lite Stage.

6. “You Can Eat My Poussiere,” Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys | As in dust. You can eat my dust. Perverts. 2 p.m. Saturday, Coca-Cola Classic Stage; 8:10 p.m. Saturday, VitaminWater Dance Depot.

7. “Walk of Life,” Shooter Jennings | He’s been touring since he was a baby … with parents Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. Remember: When country is outlawed, only outlaws will have country. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Legacy Credit Union Stage.

8. “Feelin’ Good Again,” Robert Earl Keen | A journalism school escapee now better known as a Texas singer-songwriter in the alt-country vein. 10:15 p.m. Sunday, Legacy Credit Union Stage.

9. “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues,” Buddy Guy | “You damn right, I’ve got the blues, From my head down to my shoes. I can’t win, cause I don’t have a thing to lose.” 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Miller Lite Stage.

10. “Lay It Down,” Al Green (featuring Anthony Hamilton) | A two-fer, with Green on Saturday and Hamilton on Friday. A track from Green’s latest CD, showing he why he’s still the best. 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Coca-Cola Classic Stage.

11. “Susie Caught Summer,” Verna Gates | A native storyteller not named Kathryn Tucker Windham and self-proclaimed “Biggest Liar in Alabama.” We’re not sure we believe her. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Publix Children’s Festival.

12. “Bad Attitude,” Janet Hall O’Neil | The longtime Fox 6 anchorwoman lives a double life as a bluesy singer/guitarist. Note: Free MP3, but the WBHM site has been rather flaky of late, so here’s a live stream on her MySpace site. 8 p.m. Saturday, Music Oasis, presented by Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center.

13. “Joyride,” Tekneek | Title track from the Birmingham smooth jazz band’s 2003 album. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, VitaminWater Dance Depot.

14. “Break You Off,” The Roots | Good news: The group opened “The Colbert Report” when he came to the members’ hometown, Philadelphia. Bad news: In 2007, it toured with the Dave Matthews Band. (shudder) 10:45 p.m. Friday, Miller Lite Stage.

15. “Hey Daddyo,” Shame Idols | They did the ’90s thing, rock and record. Then they did the breakup thing. In 2004, they did the reunion thing. And in 2007, they did the comeback album thing, “The Light is Always On.” 8:10 p.m. Saturday, Engel Residential Homegrown Stage.

16. “Not That Cool,” Will Hoge | Nashville rock musician returns from dates in France, Italy, Scotland, Spain and Germany. 3 p.m. Saturday, Coca-Cola Classic Stage.

17. “La Vampirita,” Fredy Omar con Su Banda | Latin band hanging tough in New Orleans, as seen here with the President. 3 p.m. Sunday, Legacy Credit Union Stage; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, VitaminWater Dance Depot.

18. “Bomb the World,” Michael Franti and Spearhead | Hip-hop activist who goes shoeless. On purpose. 10 p.m. Sunday, Miller Lite Stage.

19. “I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross | Perhaps the biggest name and the most highly anticipated act. Expect a showstopping performance from the original diva. 10 p.m. Friday, Coca-Cola Classic Stage.

20. “You Are My Sunshine,” Little Nashville | Birmingham native and country singer now based in Chicago, playing for kiddie and family audiences. 2:30 and 5:05 p.m. Saturday and 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Publix Children’s Festival.

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Complete City Stages 2008 coverage.

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  1. Wade on Birmingham » Blog Archive » Heads and tales: Let’s rock and/or roll
    Thursday, June 12, 2008, 8:25 am
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