Ben Reddell, of Welldigger’s Banquet, has given us his “Top Ten Songs For The Summer.” With tunes by Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, T.Rex, Bruce Sprinsteen and more, this mix is guaranteed to get your geared up for the long holiday weekend (only one more work day, folks)! Shel Silverstein week also continues on this mix with the closing song, Emmylou Harris’ “Queen of the Silver Dollar.” You can catch Welldigger’s Banquet this Sunday, July 6th at the Echo for the weekly country music get together, Grand Ole Echo. We will be there. You should too! Check out the mixtape after the jump.

Top 10 Songs For the Summer:

Hey everybody, this is my summer mix tape, ideal for the months of the year where you are not expected to wear clothing or retain sobriety. I came up with this mix in my non air conditioned apartment in LA, thinking of my summers in Texas where rivers, lakes, and water parks run rampant. Here are the songs, and there respective breakdowns. (The songs were intended for use in succession, but they also work by themselves, ergo the singular usage advice).

1. Townes Van Zandt- “White Freight Liner”
This is from the much over looked”Nashville Sessions” of TVZ. This song really gets me going on a hot day while I drive. Once the drum beat starts, I suggest pounding on your cars roof with your fist. That way, you look really cool (or insane) while driving in deadly heat.

2. T. Rex- “Country Honey”
Glam Rock at its Zenith! Marc Bolan recorded this song in 73, when David Bowie was chasing him up the British pop charts. This song is good day time drinking, and dancing music. Put this one on after beer 4 or mix drink 3, and stripping will in sue.

3. Tom Waits- “Blind Love”
This is off the amazing Rain Dogs from 1985. The guitar part in the background is recorded by none other than Keith Richards. A great song to listen to while the sun is going down and the cool breeze is starting, or for when the sun is coming up and you need one more morsel before closing your eyes.

4. Guy Clark- “Rita Ballou”
A rerecording off of 1980′s South Coast of Texas. Originally off of Old No. 1, Guy Clarks debut. I like this version better, more ballsy, and it mentions Bandera Texas, a small town 15 miles away from my own, Kerrville.

5. Bob Dylan- “Black Diamond Bay”
Off of 1975s “Desire”, This song just puts a smile on my face. Emmylou Harris is singing the harmony part just in case you were wondering.

6. Sandy Denny- “Peace in the End”
The two vocalist here, Sandy Denny, and Richard Thompson, are my two favorite vocalists to come out of England. Their original band, Fairport Convention, is a must hear if you don’t know them. This song is perfect for hugging, loving, and if your really out there, wife swapping.(Listen to the second verse and you’ll know what I’m talking about.)

7. Loudon Wainwright III- “Nanny”
Alot of people think that singer songwriters from the golden era of the 70s cannot reproduce their original magic. This track by Louden Wainwright III proves that theory wrong, being recorded in 2005. Another good driving song, ideal for winding forest roads I have found.

8. Bruce Spingsteen- “Cadillac Ranch”
Grab your lady, or your guy, and get out there and shimmy. With this song in your summer time arsenal, you can’t go wrong. He’s the boss for Christ sake!

9. Buddy Holly- “Soft Place in My Heart ”
Early Buddy Holly is laden with sweet country soul. Good for smoking pot, even though it was recorded before Bob Dylan invented pot.

10. Emmylou Harris- “Queen of the Silver Dollar”
The song is written by none other than Shel Silverstein. I close this summer mix tape with this one because it just feels like thats where it was supposed to go.

I hope you enjoy my summertime mix, if you have any questions or complaints, please feel free to contact me at welldiggersbanquet@yahoo.com. Your pal, ben