On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, Craig Finn returns as our guest to talk about the new solo album “Always Been,” his continuing work with his band The Hold Steady, and his continuing evolution as a writer.

Also featured, a new summertime song from Norah Jones & John Legend, new music from HAIM and Alison Krauss & Union Station and much more!

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for July 21, 2025

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Pink Moon” – Glim’ring, Pigs On Corn
• “Limerence” – Lucy Dacus
• “The Field” – Blood Orange
• “Forever” – Alison Krauss & Union Station
• “Looking In The Eyes Of Love” – Alison Krauss & Union Station (1997 in-studio performance)
• “Plasticine” – The Lumineers
• “Like A Woman” – Lady Blackbird (2025 in-studio performance)
• “Bethany” – Craig Finn (in-studio guest)
• “People Of Substance” – Craig Finn (in-studio guest)
• “Lover’s Holiday” – Durand Jones & The Indications
• “What To Make Of Me” – Olive Klug
• “Seven Tears” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Open All Night” – Aoife O’Donovan (2020 in-studio performance)
• “Love You Right” – HAIM
• “Someday We Won’t Live Here Anymore” – The Accidentals
• “Summertime Blue” – Norah Jones & John Legend
• “Jesus, Etc.” – Puss N Boots
• “Be Cool (demo)” – Joni Mitchell
• “Marcie” – Olivia Chaney (2010 in-studio performance)
• “The Other Side Of The Coin” – Solomon Burke
• “The Hammer & The Rose” – Matt Andersen (2025 in-studio performance)
•  “Back Where I Belong” – Britti
• “Crumbs” – Craig Finn (in-studio guest)
• “Shamrock” – Craig Finn (in-studio guest)

In this week’s episode of Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, I’m thrilled to share my personal Song of the Summer!

Plus, some cool folks are celebrating milestone birthdays in July, turning 30, 40, 50, 80 and Ringo Starr who just turned 85!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for July 12, 2025

HOUR ONE:

• “Summer Breeze” – The Mighty Rootsmen
  
• “The Look Of Love” – Isaac Hayes
  
• “Capable Of Anything” – Ben Folds & The National Symphony Orchestra
• “No More” – Tanika Charles
• “Sunburn” – JR JR
• “Archbishop Harold Holmes” – Jack White (turning 50)
• ” ” – The Japanese House (Amber Bain turning 30)
  
• “This Year” – Emily King (turning 40)
• “Going Solo” – Ray Davies (solo debut released 40 years ago this week)
• “Living On A Thin Line” – The Kinks
  
• “Better Broken” – Sarah McLachlan
• “My Love” – Hannah Jadagu
• “Don’t Pass Me By” – The Beatles (Ringo’s first original song)
• “Breathless” – Ringo Starr with Billy Strings (Ringo turning 85)

• “Big Money” – Jon Batiste (my Song Of The Summer)
  
• “Be Your Lady” – Galactica & Irma Thomas
• “Can’t Get Enough (Detroit Funk Mix)” – Nick Behnan
• “That Lady” – The Isley Brothers
• “Down To The River” – The War & Treaty
  
• “Time Spent In Los Angeles'” – Dawes (Taylor Goldsmith turning 40)
• “One Way Or Another” – Blondie (Debby Harry turning 80)
• “All I Really Want To Do” – Valerie June
• “You Gotta Serve Somebody” – Mavis Staples (at The Aretha next week)
• “Wreck” – Neko Case
• “Be Cool (demo)” – Joni Mitchell
• “Tea Leaf Prophecy” – Herbie Hancock w/Joni Mitchell

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.