THE SOUNDTRACK TO A KILLER TRIP

To inspire us in our travels, we asked Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich for five great road trip songs. He delivered in surplus, including a couple of albums, that represent how hitting the road can rev you up. In no particular order, here is what Ehrlich chose and why: “Come Fly With Me,” by Frank Sinatra: “Sure, it’s a cheat — this is the album, not just the single — but I can put this one on repeat in the car and easily get to Santa Barbara, and I think it might have taken us all the way up the coast once or twice. ‘Moonlight in Vermont,’ ‘Let’s Get Away From It All,’ ‘April in Paris’ and, of course, the title track….‘If you can use some exotic booze, there’s a bar in far Bombay….’ Take me there.” “Such a Night,” by Dr. John: “This song has put a smile on my face since I first heard it back in the ’70s. I can be sitting in an airport with a three-hour delay and pull this one up and my entire demeanor changes … for the good.” “The Weight,” by the Band: “This should be more depressing than it really is, but I find it celebratory. ‘Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free….’ To this day, I’m not sure why I want the load on me, but just like ‘Such a Night,’ this one takes my troubles away.” “King of the Road,” by Roger Miller: “‘ I’m a man of means by no means, king of the road….’ Need I say more?” “Ray Charles at Newport”: “One more album. This live recording is from the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and, for my money, gives James Brown’s ‘Live at the Apollo’ a run for its money. When he hits a couple of the gospel roots shout songs, my foot wants to floor it, and if I’m on the right road, Ray and I hit 100 mph once in a while.” Bonus: “Depending on where we’re going, I often load the iPad up with music from wherever we’re headed.

“New Orleans is easy; when we went to China, not so much.”