...as one of the blog's pop correspondents, how could I not suggest this?

(Jay-Z - Empire State Of Mind)

Have a great time, Jim. I'm envious: I love NYC and haven't been for 7 years.

I love this one ...

Stephen Fretwell

Here's Billy Joel's New York State of Mind

and Bob James New York Mellow

Have a wonderful time!

and it can be found here

spotify:user:handsome.p.wonderful:playlist:6TCj1Khv2AWP1juLbIiGWq

or even here

http://open.spotify.com/user/handsome.p.wonderful/playlist/6TCj1Khv2AWP1...

T-Rex - New York City.

New York City Serenade
Jungleland
My City of Ruins

Plus...

Blondie - Rapture
Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs

I want to go!

'New York City'

and be sure to tell NYC Cops that they ain't so smart

(embedding disabled am afraid)

http://youtu.be/0o6QKpNK9Cc

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/new-york-frame-mind-help-required

Grace Jones - The Apple Stretching
Gil Scott Heron - New York Is Killing Me
Ramones - 53rd & 3rd
King Creosote - A Friday Night In New York
Orange Juice - Salmon Fishing In New York

gained extra resonance as it was shot 4 days before 9/11:

Up there with Jay Z as a tribute to the city IMHO

but I think it fits the bill. Jimmy Reed's Bright Lights, Big City.

Gotta have a bit of Frank

If nothing else its a word of caution for your trip!

fine compilation produced by Charlie Gillett - The Sound of the City -New York; a 2 cd set from Tampa Red's When I take my vacation in Harlem to Fun Lovin' Criminal's King of New York. Enjoy your trip.

If you like Jazz

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thats-New-York-Various-Artists/dp/B00425ASII/ref...

or alternatively

The Day I Saw Bo Diddley In Washington Square by Willie Nile but couldn't find a decent clip so here's another Willie Nile song which is probably more appropriate.

Streets of New York

Have a great trip Jimmy

way on the other side of the Hudson...

or in Grand Central

street hassle

To do this

http://www.rockjunket.com/

And play this

Have a wonderful. No place like it.

the king of the New York streets...

Youtube stuff but did one of these for myself last year and lent it to my work colleague when she and her teenage family went not long ago.

Needless to say, as I got some of the above on the CD, the teenagers were not altogether impressed, so I'm claiming a victory.

Mum and Dad however loved
December in New York - Thea Gilmore. Quite right too, it's a belter.

Also, NYC - Interpol and New York City by Steve Earle (with lyrics inspired by Paradise City, by the sounds of it) are surely worthy of mention.

Makes me all warm inside.

Bill Withers - Harlem