Ahead of new album, Steve Gunn shares his poignant favorites

To celebrate Steve Gunn's new album, "The Unseen In Between" out Jan. 18, the Brooklyn singer-songwriter curated a thoughtful playlist of favorites for USA TODAY.

Lou Reed, "Turning Time Around"

I wasn’t aware of this song or album until just recently when I was asked to cover it with one of my favorite bands, Yo La Tengo. They always play the greatest covers at their shows, and this one was a revelation to me. Lou Reed is one of my heroes, so it was super great to find this song. It’s late-period Lou, where he’s letting his guard down a bit. It’s a very touching, simple and sweet tribute to his partner, Laurie Anderson. It’s been on constant rotation.

Jennifer Castle, "Texas"

Hailing from Toronto, Jennifer Castle is one of my favorite songwriters around. I really love her use of language, and the singing feels like it’s from a different time -- bringing all of the emotion and wisdom with it. I recommend listening to her album at length, "Angels of Death."

The Everly Brothers, "I Wonder If I Care As Much"

This is my ultimate road song. The rolling rhythm and perfect vocals are made for an open highway in the middle of nowhere. This song also has one of my all-time favorite guitar leads, which is basically a super long sustained note by the great arranger and guitar maestro Ron Elliott. How did he do that? Also, no one can beat the blood harmonies of The Everly Brothers -- the sounds of family members harmonizing. Their voices meld together so perfectly on this song. Tears.

Gloria Ann Taylor, "World That’s Not Real"

Not really a household name in soul and R&B, but for me Gloria Ann Taylor had one of the greatest voices. Such a unique and haunted quality to her singing, especially on this track. This one has been on repeat for the past few months.

Blaze Foley, "If I Could Only Fly"

One of my all-time favorite songs. Not a dry eye in the bunch, as they say. Blaze’s voice on this is devastating and beautiful. What a character he was. I recommend going to see the new biopic "Blaze," directed by Ethan Hawke and staring Ben Dickey.

John Prine, "Angel from Montgomery"

John Prine is one of the all-time great songwriters for me. This is one of my favorites of his, and it’s a very good example of how much of a genius songwriter he really is. Go see him live if you can!

Fairport Convention, "Who Knows Where The Time Goes"

I always want to cry or even weep when I hear Sandy Denny’s voice. She summons emotion like no one else in folk music. She wrote this song when she was very young, which is evidence of her otherworldly wisdom and talent.

Iris Dement, "No Time to Cry"

This song really hit me when I first heard it a few years ago. It was a song that I randomly discovered, and it becomes one that I found myself going back to again and again. The emotional strength in her voice is really moving in this song -- there is such a bare honesty to it. A perfect blend of a country great and poetic folk songwriter.

Bob Dylan, "Make You Feel My Love"

I’ve been a huge fan of Bob Dylan since forever, and a few songs from these more recent albums have become some of my new favorites of his. "Make You Feel My Love" is a song that is so simple, direct and loving. Another tearjerker for the mix.

Jessica Pratt, "Poly Blue"

I was happy to hear that Jessica Pratt had a new song that just came out, and I’ve had this album on repeat ever since. Her unique chord voices and hauntingly beautiful melodies are so great. I predict that her album will accompany me on many miles on the road in 2019.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ahead of new album, Steve Gunn shares his poignant favorites