“No Depression”, a Carter Family song as “No Depression in Heaven”) from 1936, was given the alt-country treatment by Uncle Tupelo in 1990. No Depression became the name of a magazine and applied to alt-country music in general. It was written in hard times and is relevant to the hard times we have now. I am not religious but appreciate the sincerity and passion of the song.

“Ain’t That a Lot of Love” is from 1966 and was originally recorded by one of the song’s authors, Homer Banks.

“He Gives Us All His Love” was part of Randy Newman’s score for the 1971 film Cold Turkey and also appears on his 1972 album Sail Away. I had not see Cold Turkey. I recently saw part of the film on TV and was shocked that the version was different – it doesn’t have the orchestrated background that the album version does. There is a CD of the film score with a booklet with extensive notes. I could never figure this one out. Was it satire or a straight forward religious song? Based on Newman’s other work, I assumed satire but I don’t see that anywhere in the lyrics.

“California Stars” has lyrics by Woody Guthrie with new music by Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennett. The original recording is by Billy Bragg and Wilco. It’s on 1998’s Mermaid Avenue album. It’s probably the best known of the Bragg/Wilco/Guthrie songs.

Last night at the virtual Democratic convention, Billy Porter performed “For What It’s Worth” with the song’s author on guitar. It was originally a hit single for Buffalo Springfield in 1967. I like the way Porter adds new life and freshness to the song.

“Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear” is a Randy Newman song. It was originally recorded by the Alan Price Set in 1967 and appears on Newman’s great 1972 album Sail Away. Even the Muppets covered it!

“On the Road Again” was a Willie Nelson song recorded by him in 1980. It was in the film Honeysuckle Rose. It’s currently in a hotel commercial. That version is by First Aid Kit. It sounds like Lucinda Williams to me.

“You Belong to My Heart” was originally a Mexican song and was later made popular in English by Bing Crosby. There’s a rock version by the great band The Old 97’s from 1995.

The Wailers excellent original version of “I Shot the Sheriff” was followed by Eric Clapton’s popular rock version in 1974. One good thing about Clapton’s record was that it led me and others to seek out the Wailers record and learn about reggae.