Tom Petty? It’s About Time!

In the annals of rock music, Tom Petty (with or without his Heartbreakers) sometimes gets overlooked. All he did was crank out great songs, year after year, in an era when punk, reggae, disco, and outrageous arena rock strode the musical landscape. But Petty’s lyrics were so fully informed by the angst of growing up in America, discovering the hard truths of life, and his bandmates always loaned an inventive hand, whether rocking hard or strumming to ballads. So this week’s wog finally pays tribute to Petty, in a short, albeit soulful walk. I’m working on a Petty UberWog, but until then...Walk on! AT Pogwogging.com.

Make your exercise tasty

No, Zap Mama and !Deladap are not the names of comic book characters—they’re just from different countries. And they’re two of the artists who are in this week’s wog, Taste the World. You’ll also find Afro Celt Sound System and Delerium, among others. Go ahead, have a bite—guaranteed not to taste just like chicken! At Podwogging.com.

Foxy Roxy

Many people might associate the 70s with head-banger metal, screaming punk, self-important progressive rock, or vapid disco. Fortunately, there was also Roxy Music. With lushly romantic lyrics, moody melodies and dance floor chops, they defined elegance in pop music. Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, who went on to brilliant solo careers, used their creative differences to forge a unique sound that still resonates today. This week’s wog features some of their best stuff. Check it out at Podwogging.com.

In the Mood

Autumn creeps closer, the nights grow longer...something’s in the air. Music that resonates with that something fills this week’s wog, a long (78 minute) Wog-a-Thon. Masters of moody music like Loreena McKennit, Enya, Simon and Garfunkel, Alan Parsons Project and Peter Gabriel join relative newcomers David Gray and Dark Captain Light Captain, plus others. These are essential songs for my listening pleasure, in addition to making for a hauntingly moody walk. Get in the Mooditorium at Podwogging.com.

By the Time I Walk to Woodstock

Just couldn’t let the summer end without a tip of my Freak Flag to C, S, N, and sometimes Y, whose rocking version of Joni Mitchell’s anthem Woodstock, in honor of that memorable event’s 40th anniversary. In addition, this week’s wog features classics like Long Time Gone, Helpless, and Immigration Man. The vibe is mellow, so leave your track shoes at home. At Podwogging.com.

Home from Vacation? There’s Still Traffic

No, not the bumper-to-bumper kind, but the GOOD kind. One of the most inventive rock bands to come out of British Psychedelia, Traffic blended jazz and British folk into rock rhythms to match Steve Winwood’s distinctive vocals. So relax, take your hand off the horn, and follow the flow for 36 minutes in this week’s wog, You Can All Jog In. At Podwogging.com.

Hit the Road, Jim

I’m willing to bet that Americans log more hours driving during August than any other month of the year. That’s certainly true for me—especially yesterday, when I put in a good 8 hours out on the highway, around the Bay Area and between here and the Sierra foothills. And later today it’s more of the same, as school reunions, family reunions, and summer camp all stake their transportation claims. In honor of my heroic driving efforts, this week’s wog is—what else?—Road Heroes. And it checks in at a honkin’ 76 minutes, at that. Seems like every rock band that’s ever toured has at least one road song in its bag of tricks. So load up your pod and start that trip! Get your itinerary at Podwogging.com.