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The last Horn Sections Make Rock Better post came for Halloween. How about a St. Patrick’s edition? You may know Sharon Shannon if you follow alt country (or roots rock or Americana or whatever we are calling it nowadays). She had a hit with Steve Earle called “The Galway Girl.” I knew the song before visiting Ireland, but on its …

Just in time for Halloween: There are horns in the original but not in a single live version I’ve seen. Except for the Muppets version. Family friendly!

I am shocked I have not featured this song yet. I have loved 10,000 Maniacs from my teens on. (I fell further in love once I heard the early and incredibly sweet slice of life “My Sister Rose“–another horns song! It has to be a wedding present to her actual sister, although I’ve never confirmed this. Plus, it’s cowritten by …

Well, I didn’t know this existed: Robert Palmer, performing live, with UB40’s horn section. A commenter who claims to have been there says the Pogues also performed!

I wonder how many young Americans are like me: I discovered Rox Sexsmith because I had a stereo installed at 1990s-era Best Buy. The songwriter covered by hundreds of stars had his legendary “Secret Heart” featured on a Best Buy promo CD. It’s such a great song. But this one has horns. …

Thievery Corporation has two claims to fame in my book. First, they were a massive part of my Napster experience (may she rest in peace). Second, they introduced me to Les Baxter and helped me realize I probably really did like exotica. I love the slow burn to the horns on this one.

Another from Huey–and this one with 49ers instead of Huey having a playful romance with a beautiful woman, like almost every other pre-80s Huey video. I’ve read that he says this song parodies conformists. All I know is that he and the News were a band in business suits, albeit colorful ones. And conformity to non-conformity is still conformity.

Blood, Sweat & Tears have now joined the ranks of those featured more than once on Horn Sections Make Rock Better. Live, from 1969: How much of this is synced with a recording? The ending is cut off, but it’s still worth it.

We’ve featured Ed Harcourt before. As he did with the EP that predated this debut album, he wrote, sang and played all instruments. 🫡

I am now starting to receive suggestions for Horn Sections Make Rock Better. Because I am not cool, I was unfamiliar with JJ Grey & Mofro. I give you their ballad to home, which for them is just over the Florida-Georgia line. It is just awesome how much power you can get out of a two-horn horn section.