For Iowa, the typical snowfall in the winter season is 26 inches. We have had 48 inches as of a week ago. In February, Des Moines, usually has 5 inches of snow and temps in the mid-30's. This year, February has brought us 19 inches, and highs in the teens.We also have broke the record for salt used- 245,000 tons used by the Iowa Dept of Transportation.



For those who don't know any better, Rod Stewart at one point, was an amazing rock singer, whom many bands owe a serious debt too.  He used to perform original songs that would kick the butt of anything that is on the charts today.  

Insert I could review the new Black Crowes album without actually listening to it joke here.


 

An inch of a snow yesterday, but we are looking at warm weather soon.

So, we continue with our series, although we don't have room for "Cold as Ice", "Cold Blooded", "Snowblind", "Long, Cold Winter", "Slip, Slidin' Away", "Freeze-Frame", or "Informer".

Heart on Snow is Marc Almond's Russian album. Marc is an acquired taste (and you can probably guess where I stand on him). HoS , to me, is a must-have for fans of Almond and similiar artists.

It is Marc singing traditonal Russian songs, Russian-inspired originals, and duetting with famous Russian musicians; and it's pretty solid all the way through.

Here he is performing the title track. 

An inch of snow planned for this afternoon, though it is supposed to be warmer, so we continue on with the series.

Though, I don't have room for "Hazy Shade of Winter", "Ice, Ice Baby", or Weather Report, we continue with Mister Tom Waits.

I always loved this song and for many years, I considered it an undiscovered gym off of one my favorite albums "Frank's Wild Years".

I have noticed ever since Homicide about ten years ago, that is has become a go-to song when a tv show or movie needs some gravitas.

...which is fine, because it's brilliant.

Tom Waits - "Cold, Cold Ground"

While I don't have enough room for JJ72's "Snow", Tori Amos's "Winter" or anything by Celtic Frost, the series continues on with this song that certainly speaks to me this week.

The conventional wisdom here is that we get a snow storm the week of the state high school wrestling tournament and again, the week of the state girls basketball tourney (this week). Both are big events.

It is true though. Every year, we get snow during this week. Last night, we got three inches of snow, and the roads were awful this morning.

I always pictured this song taking place in the past ("telephone" lyric notwithstanding), but it certainly feels like this year to me.

The series for those of us who have to turn the television on each morning to check road conditions, and for those who are expecting a half a foot of snow tonight (*raises hand*).

And now one of the great lost songs in rock history.

This has been the worst winter in the time I have moved here. It has been a constant storm after storm. It has been subzero weather, and then it will warm up to the 20's, and go back to single digits.

The thing is this: Everybody has a summer weather compilation. Magazines, music networks, everyone spends time and energy to put together their list of best summer songs.

No one ever talks about winter songs.

What do you listen to when there is eight inches of the snow on the ground, and the wind chill is twenty below zero?

Interestingly, I came up with a bigger list than I expected. So, this week, it's songs to freeze to.

We start with one of the all-time great songs, complete with mesmerizing unrelated video.