Lois (Maffeo)

Shy Town (m4a, Mediafire)
Never Last (m4a, Mediafire)
Not Funny, Ha-Ha (mp3, Mediafire)
Strumpet (mp3, Mediafire)
The Way I Feel Inside (Zombies cover) (mp3, Mediafire)
Davey (Live) (m4a, Mediafire)

There is certain music that I turn to (have turned to) over and over again, music that is powerful, reassuring, and hopeful. Songs that comfort me when I feel like I'm being overcome with despair while simultaneously nurturing sorrowful feelings. Much of this music is of the girly variety -- girls with guitars, with cellos, with violins -- and one of the girls at the top of my list is Lois Maffeo, who often releases her work under just the first name "Lois" (you know, sort of like Madonna.)

I honestly can't remember how old I was when I started listening to Lois, though I am 99% sure that the first song of hers I heard was the live version of "Davey" on Yo Yo A Go Go: Another Live Compilation (which is still available on both CD and LP for just $5). "Davey" was one of those songs that I listened to over and over, particularly during my freshman year of college -- it's actually #7 in my top-played tracks on last.fm. (That whole Yo Yo LP is amazing, expect more selections from it in the future.)

So, here are some of my favorite Lois tracks and if you like what you hear, be sure to seek her out. A bunch of her releases are still in print and are available from K Records on vinyl, CD, and cassette.I also recommend reading this really excellent interview with Lois, it's several years old, but really wonderful and inspiring.

Shy Town (m4a, Mediafire)
Never Last (m4a, Mediafire)
Not Funny, Ha-Ha (mp3, Mediafire)
Strumpet (mp3, Mediafire)
The Way I Feel Inside (Zombies cover) (mp3, Mediafire)
Davey (Live) (m4a, Mediafire)