15 Jugglers - 5 Believers

The Joy and Misery

2011-06-11T01:31:00.000-07:00

I like blogging for an exercise in creative writing, expressing myself and sharing cool music with others. I'm not supposed to share .mp3's that don't belong to me, though. They are not mine to give away.

But I do it anyway. Just like the 10's of THOUSANDS of other people worldwide who write blogs. I don't fancy myself a great writer. Or even a good writer. But I try like hell. And if I'm going to write about something, I can more easily critique my words when I'm writing about something I love. Something I'm passionate about. I think it's fun and probably keeps my mental acuity sharp. But it's fun, mostly.

When I started this a few years ago, I was mostly inspired by AnAquariumDrunkard. And I promised to myself to give a good effort to support the music I was sharing. Not just, "Hey, everyone! Here's some free music! Rob from the artist who created this beautiful art; the bastards are richer than you anyway!"

No. No. No. My intention was (and is) since I'm SO excited and inspired by this music, let me channel that into a creative expression. An expression of sincere admiration of the music.

But life gets hectic. Without going into details, over time I guess I lost time and interest in my newfound 'creative outlet'.

So I log on for the first time in a VERY LONG time, and I apparently have a DMCA message. GRRR!

Not my first.

This time, for my post about the song "Tweeter and The Monkey Man". The first was for posting Duffy mp3's. Admittedly, I posted a few songs from an album not-yet-released. I can understand if they thought I might undercut sales. I'd like to think I tried to spur interest in her, though.

Anyway, Google took my "Tweeter" blog entry down and put it into my draft folder. Tweeter and The Monkey Man. Released by Traveling Wilburys in 1988. Covered by The Headstones in 1993 on their album, Picture of Health. (Amazon.com links provided!)

Not much different than this web page I just found as I'm composing this blog:

http://www.cover-vs-original.com/song-21.html

I'm pretty disappointed, but I'm pleased that my whole blog wasn't deleted. Or worse, I suppose.

That said, I may start writing again. If (When) I do, I'll be more clever when sharing. So, for those artists I offend in the future (or more likely, their record companies), know that I love your art. If I'm writing about it, then I believe to my marrow that its beauty should be beheld by everyone that shares my affinity for great music.

Thanks in advance for not suing my ass off.

Carl

Girl Talk :: Feed The Animals

2009-04-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

I've always had leaning toward rap music and I love a great DJ mix, but there's nothing like the classics in rock. The hits... the songs that everyone knows, the ones that get played over and over at the bars and house parties. And then there's the deep cuts of long forgotten albums, the b-sides often overlooked and overshadowed by the radio hits.

Of course, what would the world of music be with guilty pleasures... songs so simple and superficial, you know you shouldn't. But you just can't help yourself. They find a way to permeate into your everyday life and before you know it, you're hooked!

What if you could find one album that captured all those great tunes?

What would an album sound like that flexed a cacophony of sounds; a musical force that defied conventions of mainstream and underground music while celebrating them both? An album that defined sonic synergy?

That album would be "Feed The Animals", by Pittsburgh native DJ, Girl Talk. A album is a veritable 'megamix' of lesser-known and popular hits. A collection of 322 samples from various artists like Jay Z, Roy Orbison, Huey Lewis and The News, Rod Stewart, Procol Harum, Li'l Wayne, The Band, Fergie, Kenny Loggins and The Cure!

The album was released through Girl Talk's label, Illegal Art on at a Name-Your-Own-Price basis.

Just give in, already! You know you're gonna love it!

Play Your Part (Pt.1)

Shut The Club Down

Set It Off

Enjoy!

Hayes Carll

2009-01-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Blender Magazine's Top 33 Albums of 2008 I was introduced to Hayes Carll and his album "Trouble In Mind", released back in April.

It's a fantastic album! Love it from start to finish.

Bad Liver And A Broken Heart (Not a Tom Waits cover)

I Don't Wanna Grow Up (Tom Waits cover)

She Left Me For Jesus

It's Been A Long Time...

2008-10-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

Four and a half months without a post! A shame really, but life has been very busy. So here we go...

Boomp3.com

In my teenage years of the mid to late 1980s, rap music was definitely a way to set yourself apart from the crowd growing up in rural (read: white) America. I loved to come home from school to watch Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City on BET. Eric B. and Rakim were steady favorites of mine with their album, Paid In Full. From start to finish, it's a classic which has stood the test of time, sounding every bit as fresh today as it did in 1987. And if you can find a copy of the Platinum Edition with a second disc of song remixes, I highly suggest you pick it up.

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you without a strong rhyme to step to...

I Know You Got Soul (from Eric B. and Rakim :: Paid In Full)

Paid In Full (Remix Jack and Diane) (from Eric B. and Rakim :: Paid In Full - Platinum Edition)

I Ain't No Joke (from Eric B. and Rakim :: Paid In Full)

It's Been A Long Time (from Rakim :: 18th Letter)

...

The Ting Tings

2008-05-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

I (luckily) caught The Ting Tings on DirecTv's freeview of SXSW this past March. I love their sound and catchy rhythms. Much like The White Stripes, it's a two-piece rock band with a punk / do-it-yourself feel. Opposite of The White Stripes, drums are handled by the male, Jules De Martino, while singing and guitar are handled by Katie White.

Now I see iTunes is helping promote them through their latest ipod commercial featuring the song, "Shut Up And Let Me Go".

The Ting Tings will be releasing their debut album We Started Nothing on May 20th!

In the meantime, check them out!

Great DJ

That's Not My Name

Shut Up And Let Me Go

boomp3.com

The Two Man Gentleman Band :: William Howard Taft

2008-04-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of The United States of America (1909 - 1913) and the 10th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1921 - 1930).

The Two Man Gentleman Band are S. Andy Bean and Condon Fuller. A two-piece band consisting of banjo and upright bass, with kazoo accompaniment for a splash of old-timey authenticity.

Mr. Taft is the only person to ever hold both top positions of the Executive and Judicial branches of the United States government.

Two Man Gentleman Band released their third album this past February and are current amid a tour which will take them across the country twice in the next 5 months.

Taft was a portly fellow and the last President to sport facial hair in office.

Above, Mr. Bean sports a fedora and Mr. Fuller, a bowler.

boomp3.com

Two Man Gentleman Band :: William Howard Taft

From Fat Jokes about Taft :

"Justice [David J.] Brewer of the Supreme Court said that 'Taft is the politest man in Washington; the other day he gave up his seat in a street-car to three ladies.'"

"While he was in the Philippines, disturbing reports about his health caused Secretary of War [Elihu] Root to send a cabled inquiry. Taft cabled back that he was perfectly all right -- he had just finished a twenty-five-mile horseback ride and was feeling fine. Root read that, smiled, and sent off another cable of solicitude: 'How is horse?'"

"What are you going to name it when it comes, Mr. President?" asked Senator Chauncey Depew as he patted Taft’s huge stomach. "Well, if it is a boy I’ll call it William," replied Taft. "If it’s a girl, I’ll call it Theodora. But if it turns out to be just wind, I’ll call it Chauncey."

Ryan Adams Live :: Ann Arbor, MI 2007

2008-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

boomp3.com

Goodnight Rose

Please Do Not Let Me Go

A Kiss Before I Go

Cold Roses

The Raconteurs :: Consolers Of The Lonely

2008-03-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

Listen up! New material from The Raconteurs will be released quickly, this Tuesday, March 25!

This past Monday, The Raconteurs officially acknowledged the album's upcoming release, Consolers Of The Lonely, the band's sophomore album, along with a tracklist and Spring tour dates. The announcement notes that the album will be available through regular stores as well as online retailers and the band's own website in an attempt to get the album to EVERYONE (including the music press) at the same time. The speedy release is an attempt to stop an online leak of the album before it's available for sale.

That will prevent a repeat of the debacle last spring when a Chicago DJ played Icky Thump in its entirety prior to the official release.

Read more from The Raconteurs at their myspace page through the link provided above.

boomp3.com

Duffy, I'm begging you for 'Mercy'

2008-03-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

At the request of Duffy's label, I took down my previous post.

watch the 'Mercy' video on Youtube

Duffy's Myspace page

Duffy's Official Website

You've got me begging!

Mercy,

why won't you release me?

I'm begging you for mercy,

why won't you release me?

Pre-Order Duffy's Rockferry through Amazon (if you don't mind waiting until May 13)

Black Crowes :: Warpaint

2008-02-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

The Black Crowes will be releasing Warpaint, their 7th studio album, on March 4.

Their new single, "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution" can be heard in the Press N Play to the left. Sites have been warned by the Web Sheriff about posting the mp3, so I won't be posting it. If posting the song on my blog with a Boomp3 player is unacceptable, leave a comment, I'll take it down.

With the new album just days away, here's a taste to whet your appetite, but remember: Support the artists! Buy the album!

Fork out 50 bucks and go to the concert!

Buy a 35 dollar t-shirt!

And a 20 dollar program!

Hell, spend 25 for a cool hat, too!

Shit, might as well shell out your last 10 bucks on some buttons for the blue jean jacket you've owned since high school!

Meet The Eels

2008-02-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

If you've been living under the same rock I have for the past decade or so, The Eels' newly released compilation, Meet The Eels, is aptly titled.

Meet The Eels features the band's hits and favorites while a companion release, Useless Trinkets, presents b-sides and rarities spanning 1996 - 2006, the band's first decade.

Though it took more than a decade, I'm very glad I finally met The Eels.

Read more about Mark Everett (known as E) and his band The Eels at wiki.

...and enjoy some great music!

boomp3.com

Mr. E's Beautiful Blues

**************************************

boomp3.com

Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)

**************************************

Novocaine For The Soul

My Beloved Monster

Souljacker Pt. 1

Flo Rida :: Low

2008-02-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

My guilty pleasure at the moment comes from the soundtrack to the film "Step Up 2 The Streets".

give it a listen...

boomp3.com

take it home with you...

Flo Rida ft. T-Pain :: Low

Whiskeytown :: Stranger's Almanac

2008-02-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

I am anxious for the arrival of a deluxe release of the Whiskeytown's seminal major label release, Stranger's Almanac . This two disc edition will be available on March 4.

Along with the original album, which included such alt-country classics as "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight", "16 Days" and "Avenues", the second disc promises to be chock full of outtakes, demos and unreleased songs.

Though I expect many (if not all) of the extra recordings to be ones which have come out through bootlegs such as A Stranger Is Born, I can't wait to hear songs such as "Ten Seconds Till The End Of The World" and the Fleetwood Mac cover, "Dreams" in their shined-up, fully remastered beauty and glory.

From Stranger's Almanac:

boomp3.com

16 Days

Everything I Do

and a few extras:

Turn Around

Theme For A Trucker

Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover)

Shawty Lo :: Down 4 Life

2008-01-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

Shawty Lo of D4L will be releasing his major label debut, Units in the City on February 26. The album will feature the hit single, "Dey Know", originally from his underground mixtape DJ Scream presents Shawty Lo's I'm The Man, Part 2.

Couple of bangers for ya...

I'm Da Man D4L RMX feat. Fabo, Shawty Lo, Stuntman and Mook B

Dey Know (Remix) feat. Ludacris, Li'l Wayne, Plies and Young Jeezy

VietNam :: Step On Inside

2008-01-08T12:51:00.000-08:00

The movie, I Know Who Killed Me, starring Lindsay Lohan, was roundly panned by critics and online reviewers alike (4.5/10 at IMDB and *ouch!* 2.1/10 at RottenTomatoes). I personally liked the concept and I don't blame Lohan for its shortcomings.

Perhaps some people just like to bash.

Maybe I'm no film critic.

Either way, the movie did introduce me to a very cool song. And hence the topic for this post. In the opening sequence of the movie, Lohan is dancing at a strip club while this groovy number plays.

boomp3.com

VietNam is a NYC-based rock group originally from Austin, Texas. "Step On Inside" recalls hazed-out Jim Carroll-inspired punk blues while "Priest, Poet and The Pig" is a full-throttle raved-up Dylanesque rant.

VietNam :: Step On Inside

VietNam :: Priest, Poet and The Pig

Best of 2007

2007-12-30T16:04:00.000-08:00

Songs of 2007... for better or worse, a list of favorites / songs you just couldn't avoid.

By no means a complete list; these are just some songs to enjoy as we look forward to a great 2008!

M.I.A. :: Bird Flu

St. Vincent :: Marry Me

Silversun Pickups :: Lazy Eye

Paramore :: crushcrushcrush

Avril Lavigne :: Girlfriend

KT Tunstall :: Hold On

Cold War Kids :: Hang Me Up To Dry

Shop Boyz :: Party Like A Rockstar

Linkin Park :: Bleed It Out

Foo Fighters :: The Pretender

Ryan Adams :: Halloweenhead

The White Stripes :: Icky Thump

Amy Winehouse :: Rehab

Benjy Ferree :: In The Countryside

Fall Out Boy :: This Ain't A Scene, It's An Armsrace

Gym Class Heroes :: Cupid's Chokehold

Rhianna :: Umbrella

Serj Tankian :: Empty Walls

Jay Z :: Success (feat. Nas)

Eddie Vedder :: Hard Sun

Simone White :: I Am The Man

Spoon :: You Got Yr Cherry Bomb

Smashing Pumpkins :: Tarantula

Kanye West :: Stonger

Plain White T's :: Hey There, Delilah

Feist :: My Moon, My Man

Spoon :: The Underdog

Feist :: 1,2,3,4

Kanye West :: Barry Bonds (feat. Li'l Wayne)

Chevelle :: I Get It

Here's a recording from 1966; still very relevant, inspiring and beautiful today. It was practically my theme song this year.

Cannonball Adderley :: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

The most direct translation of the Scots phrase 'auld lang syne' is 'old long since'. Singing the song at the stroke of midnight has been a New Year's tradition the whole world around for many years. The song has been around since the late 1700's. More on 'Auld Lang Syne'

The recording by Guy Lombardo can be heard when the ball comes down at midnight every year in Times Square.

Guy Lombardo :: Auld Lang Syne

Have a happy and safe New Year's celebration!

Wrapping up the Christmas season

2007-12-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

Wow! December 22 already! Hope the shopping's done and the stockings are hung!

I truly, truly love Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's reading of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas"! It is another treasure from a man who himself was a beloved treasure. This one's gonna make you smile and feel warm all over!

Louis Armstrong :: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

So pour yourself a tall glass of milk, curl under a blankie and enjoy this one before going to bed on Christmas Eve.

As timeless as A Charlie Brown Christmas, the soundtrack to the annual television classic contains music that will be weaved into Christmas memories for generations to come.

O Tannenbaum

Linus And Lucy

Christmas Time Is Here

Skating

So many great Christmas songs; it's hard to pick just a few more to share with you...

Run D.M.C. :: Christmas In Hollis

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band :: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

David Bowie and Bing Crosby :: Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy

Finally, let me share some Beatles / Lennon / McCartney with you.

The Beatles :: Christmas Time Is Here Again

John Lennon :: Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Paul McCartney :: Wonderful Christmastime

Bob Rivers :: Jesus's Birthday

I've heard of tugging on Santa's beard, but...

2007-12-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

In Danbury, Connecticut... Woman Accused of Groping Santa (link to news story)

Eartha Kitt :: Santa Baby

Mae West :: Put The Loot In The Boot, Santa

John Mellencamp :: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Jackson 5 :: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

"I believe you've just discovered the South Pole."

Christmas With The Crooners

2007-12-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

Just a few more classics that hardly need introducing...

Bing Crosby :: White Christmas

Nat King Cole :: The Christmas Song

Frank Sinatra :: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Gene Autry :: Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)

Nat and Frank, 1957.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings

2007-12-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

Tucked away among my string of Christmas posts, I had to finally write about Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings. Their third album, 100 Days, 100 Nights was released October 2, 2007 and broke Billboard's Top 25 Independent Albums Charts. The album has been getting very good reviews around the music blogs and would make a great "I-never-heard-of-them-before" stocking stuffer.

You know the Dap-Kings from their work with Amy Winehouse, tapped by producer Mark Ronson to supply that 1960's R&B flow on her album Back To Black.

Once again they bring the funk and infuse Sharon Jones' bold, soulful voice with a swing reminicent of classic Motown/Stax records. This is The Daptone Sound! Daptone Records

From 100 Days, 100 Nights:

100 Days, 100 Nights

Nobody's Baby

And Daptones limited release single:

Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)

>>>This is HOT! d/l now!!!

When life dumps a foot of snow on you...

2007-12-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

... Make a snowman!

Leon Redbone with Dr. John :: Frosty The Snowman

Jimmy Durante :: Frosty The Snowman

Fats Domino :: Frosty The Snowman

2007-12-14T17:30:00.000-08:00

More Christmas favorites...

Darlene Love :: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Burl Ives :: Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

Dean Martin :: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Songs of the Season

2007-12-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

A couple of "Rocking" Christmas classics to share...

Bobby Helms :: Jingle Bell Rock

Brenda Lee :: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

... and a couple Christmas classics that really rock!

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers :: Christmas All Over Again

The Ramones :: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

Michael Jackson :: Thriller

2007-12-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

Today, December 1, 2007 marks the 25-year anniversary of the landmark album Thriller. As good a time as any to revisit the #1 selling album of all time, an album that was #1 on the charts for a record 37 weeks and has sold over 27 million copies in the United States.

If you're old enough to remember 1983, it goes without saying that Michael Jackson was HUGE. Musically and culturally speaking. (Man, I wanted one of those 'Beat It' Jackets!) While times have indeed changed; the first copy of Thriller I listened to was my cousin's vinyl LP; every music artist today stands meekly in the shadow cast by Michael Jackson. The 2007 Hannah Montana wouldn't hold up next to a lock of singed Jheri curl of 1983 Michael Jackson. (The infamous Pepsi commercial)

To give you an appreciation, the total album sales of the top ten albums of 2006 (all ten COMBINED) fall short of Thriller's total sales. And to decry that I'm comparing 25 years of sales would only reinforce my point. The impact on album sales for today's music artists in the Digital Age of Music notwithstanding, Michael Jackson went from superstar to global icon upon the unleashing of Thriller.

The 25th anniversary will be commemorated with a special re-release on February 12, 2008. A Special Edition will feature a DVD along with some unreleased tracks and remixes, including 'Billie Jean 2008 - featuring Kanye West'. The remix of 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' featuring Akon has leaked and is available below.

Did I mention that I always wanted a "Beat It" Jacket so bad?!

Thriller

Beat It

Billie Jean

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Remix featuring Akon)

Linus's Thanksgiving Prayer

2007-11-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

I'm Not There

2007-11-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

Coming soon to a theater near you...

On November 21, the Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There will see a limited release in the USA. The film is directed and co-written by Todd Haynes who uses a vignette-style of filming to tell 6 stories using 6 different actors portraying him. From reviews I've read, the film is not a literal, strightforward account of Dylan's life, but rather enigmatic musings and what-ifs -- much like the film's subject. The diverse and divergent stories told are portrayed by a diverse and distinct group of actors.

Talk about Another Side Of Bob Dylan.

Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw and Cate Blanchett all portray Dylan. The film has been shown to international film festival audiences including the Venice Film Festival where Cate Blanchett was awarded the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress.

A number of musicians contributed to the film's soundtrack, 33 covers of Dylan classics and rough-covered nuggets. Being a huge fan of Bob Dylan, I approach covers of his songs with a bit of trepidation. Will the artist stick close to the original? Will they try to give it their own interpretation? Will I like it? Will I hate it? Bob himself likes to change and update the sound of his classics when he plays them live and I can appreciate an artist who attempts to put their own touch on one of Dylan's songs. But there's a certain reverence which must be observed.

Pouring over the film's soundtrack, I am happy to report some very nice finds. Overall, the two discs have their hits and misses, but I'll just share some of my favorites. In particular: I LOVE Antony's cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", Sufjan Stevens recasts "Ring Them Bells" in his own quirky and beautiful style, Richie Havens' own inimitable style shines on "Tombstone Blues" and the man who was once Bob Dylan's own inspiration, the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott shows us how it's done on "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues".

Goin' To Acapulco - Jim James and Calexico

Tombstone Blues - Richie Havens

Man In The Long Black Coat - Mark Lanegan

Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) - Willie Nelson and Calexico

Ring Them Bells - Sufjan Stevens

Mama, You've Been On My Mind - Jack Johnson

You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? - The Hold Steady

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Antony and The Johnsons

I'm Not There - Bob Dylan (unreleased song from the Basement Tapes sessions)

Chrome Dreams

2007-10-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Chrome Dreams II is Neil Young's latest album and a 'sequel' to Chrome Dreams, originally scheduled for release in 1976, but still unreleased to this day. Some of the songs on Chrome Dreams II were scheduled for other albums but dropped for various reasons. Among the retreads Neil has rolled out of the garage is "Ordinary People", the album's first single and an 18+ minute epic slated for 1988's This Note's For You.

The original Chrome Dreams was the follow up to Tonight's The Night, Neil Young's grossly underrated classic. Some of the songs from Chrome Dreams were later rerecorded and found there way onto other albums.

Enjoy some classics past and future!

From Chrome Dreams:

Too Far Gone

Homegrown

Powderfinger

And from Chrome Dreams II:

Beautiful Bluebird

Ordinary People

The Believer

Spirit Road

Simone White :: I Am The Man

2007-10-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

I just came across Simone White the other day and listened to the title track to her new album, I Am The Man. Give this song a listen!

I Am The Man

Her gentle strumming and carefully crafted vocals belie her surefooted and staunch convictions about right and wrong in world.

Her album was released earlier this year in the U.K. and unfortunately, isn't available in the U.S. yet. Instrumentation is sparse through most of the album as Simone and her acoustic guitar take front and center stage. While the album as a whole is "alright", two songs in particular have grabbed me.

The other song I found intriguing on her album is called "Roses Are Not Red". An "I'm-certainly-not-heartbroken-over-losing-you" lament if one has ever been written!

Roses Are Not Red

Roses are not red
A still life never growing
The sun is not a source of light
And the wind will not be blowing
Birds will die
Up in the sky
The sky that is not blue
Everything is as it was
I never loved you
I never loved you

By request:

2007-10-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Kid Rock's new album Rock N Roll Jesus drops this Tuesday.

Michigan's Devil Without a Cause takes a sentimental journey, singing about the halcyon days of youth and "goin' Up North" (as we say).

Kid Rock :: All Summer Long

Warren Zevon :: Werewolves Of London

Lynyrd Skynyrd :: Sweet Home Alabama

Thanks Kap! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Click on the Petoskey Stone to learn more about Michigan's unique "State Stone"!

2007-10-06T13:26:00.001-07:00

Honky Tonk Women (alternate version)

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) (from Goat's Head Soup)

Monkey Man (from Let It Bleed)

Sweet Virginia (from Exile On Main St.)

Jimi Plays Monterey

2007-10-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

On October 16, a new release of Jimi Hendrix: Live At Monterey DVD and CD will available.

Tthe CD had been extremely hard to find in past couple decades due to the legal wrangling over rights to Jimi's music. Thanks to the Great, Great House of Guitars in Rochester, NY, I got an import CD of Jimi Plays Monterey in the early 90's.

D.A. Pennebaker's film, Monterey Pop Festival, as well as his filming of Jimi in Jimi Plays Monterey have been previously available on DVD.

The new release's "Definitive Edition" will allow you to view alternate camera angles of Jimi's performance. (Cool!)

An oft-told story behind Jimi's over-the-top performance is due to a rift between Jimi and Pete Townsend of The Who backstage at Monterey. Pete respected and admired Jimi for his playing and stage show. But both Pete and Jimi were going to use guitar-smashing as part of their act and Pete did not want to go on after Jimi. A coin-toss decided that The Who would in fact go first. The Who's own electrifying shows would certainly be a hard act to follow for nearly any musician or group in the spring of 1967.

Jimi Hendrix, however, was not just any musician. Jimi was a force of nature; a cosmic storm hurling atomic fireballs across the galaxy while other performers were shooting rubber bands at the moon. Jimi, as we know, enrapt the audience with his charm then began to set the world on fire one Stratocaster at a time with an inspired and other-worldly performance.

So to whet your appetite for the re-release of this historic performance...

The Wind Cries Mary and

Like A Rolling Stone, from Jimi Plays Monterey

I credit Jimi Hendrix 100% for piquing my interest in, and subsequent obsession with, Bob Dylan. In this version of Like A Rolling Stone, Jimi's voice inflects the taunting, bittersweet feelings behind lyrics of the song.

"How does it feel?!"

Links fixed

2007-09-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

I took care of the links in the "Kids are nuts about..." post. Those are fileden links (right click / save target as...) Enjoy the songs and of course, support the artist! "Press N Play" is updated, too.

Check out St. Vincent !

This song has been in my head all day!

2007-09-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

Spoon :: You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb

This is my test run using Mediafire. Faster? Slower? Same? Happy? Sad? Indifferent? Let me know what you think in the Comments, please.

Note: left click. It will take you away from the blog. Once d/l begins, click yer "Back" button.

NOT - right click / save target as...

Bandwidth

2007-09-23T07:12:00.001-07:00

Hang on... i'm trying to figure this shit out!

UPDATE: As of Sunday evening, my bandwidth limit with Fileden will be reset in one day.

UPDATE 2.0: As of Monday evening, i'm still up shit creek. I'm going to try Mediafire. I read good things about them, so let's give it a whirl.

The kids are just nuts about this band...

2007-09-21T19:01:00.001-07:00

It took me a while to take to Spoon but I'm finally coming around to them. From Austin, TX, the quartet plays a foot-tapping pop that you'll be singing along to in the car. The band formed in 1994 and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, released in July, is their sixth album. Here's their first single off Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga:

The Underdog

And my favorite track:

You Got Yr Cherry Bomb

Little bit of a Chicago-feel. We can dig.

Apple's rocking some fresh indie music as well to promote the new iPod nano. That catchy pop tune you can't help but like is from Feist.

Here's 1, 2, 3, 4

And check out My Man, My Moon

and I Feel It All

Getting alot of blog-love these days is Panda Bear , a member of Animal Collective. It's a bit out there for me, but from Panda Bear's album Person Pitch, here's

Comfy In Nautica

And from Animal Collective's new album Strawberry Jam, give a listen to

Peacebone

Other darlings of the indie scene these days are Okkervil River, who also hail from Austin, TX.

Check out a few from their latest album The Stage Names

Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe

A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene

You Can't Hold The Hand Of A Rock N Roll Man

Bruce Springsteen - Magic

2007-09-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Bruce Springsteen is an icon of Rock 'n' Roll, a great singer/songwriter and a top-notch performer. I have not personally had the pleasure, but from what I hear, Bruce and The E Street Band put on one of the best concerts you'll ever see. His energy and enthusiasm for performing for his fans never wavers or wanes through a 3 hour set!

Tour dates are already scheduled and shows are sold out for his support of his new album, Magic, which will be released on October 2.

Here are two cuts from the new album.

The first single, Radio Nowhere.

and Terry's Song , a beautiful ballad and tribute to his long-time friend, Terry Magovern (click the link to read more).

More on Bruce in a future post...

Kanye vs. 50

2007-09-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

I've listened to both Graduation and Curtis about as much as I can stand. I don't really care for either. They can both retire if this is the best they could come up with.

I dig one song from either album. ONE song.

Kanye West :: Barry Bonds (featuring Li'l Wayne)

I guess that makes Kanye the winner in my book.

The Tiger Lillies

2007-09-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, OvationTV aired "Shockheaded Peter and other songs of The Tiger Lillies". Unfortunately, I caught only the last 10 minutes or so, but what I did see completely floored me.

The Tiger Lillies performed their song, "Terrible" and I was dismayed yet rapt by the lyrics and their performance. I immediately wanted to hear and see more. I found the "Shockheaded Peter" DVD at a local Border's and I was able to grab some music. A kind soul has put a few of the "Shockheaded Peter" performances up on Youtube -- Tiger Lillies.

Their music has been described as "Brechtian" and "Gypsy Cabaret", but I can't help but think that in some parallel universe, this could be the vulgar offspring of a David Lynch/Tom Waits nightmare. Misogyny, blasphemy and dipsomania abound in their lurid tales.

"Shockheaded Peter" was inspired by a book of the same name. Der Struwwelpeter was written in 1845 by German author, Heinrich Hoffman. You can read the stories as translated by Mark Twain here. And for futher reading Shockheaded Peter.com

The book contains stories about children who misbehave and the consequences that befall them. The story of Shockheaded Peter, for instance is about a boy who doesn't groom himself and is very unpopular. "Snip Snip" is The Tiger Lillies' retelling of "The Story of Little Suck-a-thumb".

Snip Snip

Bully Boys

A diary of daily debauchery... Terrible

A haunting reflection to celebrate your last day on Earth... Alone With The Moon

KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic

2007-09-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

KT Tunstall's new album Drastic Fantastic will be released on September 18th. Check out the first single, "Hold On" plus a few other songs...

Hold On

Little Favours

A while ago, I saw KT perform The Jackson 5 classic, "I Want You Back"... this is phenomenal! Her slightly rough and bluesy vocals, with which she delivers the verses, give the song a beautiful down-and-out feel. Enjoy!

I Want You Back (Jackson 5 cover)

I Want You Back :: The Jackson 5

And a very faithful rendition of "Tangle Up In Blue"...

Tangled Up In Blue (Bob Dylan cover)

NFL Football Season!!!

2007-09-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

The NFL season is finally here! Here are my picks for this week...

Favorite___ Spread______ My Pick

COLTS___ 6__ Saints...Colts (Defending champs power past up-and-comers)
Raiders__ 1.5__ LIONS...Lions (One of Kitna's 10 wins)
TEXANS__ 3__ Chiefs...Texans (LJ can't do it by himself)
Broncos__ 3__ BILLS...Broncos (Cutler and Co. shreds Buffalo)
Steelers__ 4.5__ BROWNS...Steelers (Brady Quinn waits patiently)
JAGUARS__ 6.5__ Titans...Jaguars (Jags draw curtains on the Vince Young Show)
RAMS__ 1__ Panthers...Rams
Eagles__ 3__ PACKERS...Eagles
VIKINGS__ 3__ Falcons...Falcons (Joey! Joey! Joey!)
REDSKINS__ 3__ Dolphins...Redskins
Patriots__ 6.5__ JETS...Jets (Pats will win a close one)
SEAHAWKS__ 6__ Buccaneers...Seahawks
CHARGERS__ 6__ Bears...Bears (Bears D will keep them in it)
COWBOYS__ 6__ Giants...Giants (Is this Eli's year to blossom?)
BENGALS__ 2.5__ Ravens...Bengals (No stopping Ocho Cinco on Noche De Lunes)
49ERS__ 3__ Cardinals...49ers

Of course, Home team in CAPS

Well, there you have them. Week one of the NFL season.

Labor Day

2007-09-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day! I thought I might celebrate Labor Day with a post of Woody Guthrie songs. First off, of course, 'Talkin' Hard Work Blues'. This song is just hilarious!

"While we are on the subject of hard work,

I just wanted to tell you that I am a man who likes hard work.

I was born working and I worked my way up by hard work.

I ain't ever got no where, but I got there by hard work."

Talking Hard Work Blues

And a couple of classics...

This Land Is Your Land

Do-Re-Mi

Leadbelly along with Woody, Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry...

We Shall Be Free

and further on the subject of hard work, some more Leadbelly ...

John Henry

Pick A Bale of Cotton

Lining Track

Rocking with 'Fess :: Professor Longhair

2007-08-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the the flooding of the Crescent City, New Orleans, brought by the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. I recently posted about Fats Domino, beloved piano legend and near victim of that great tragedy. A reader requested some Professor Longhair and I was more than happy to oblige.

Professor Longhair's sound was extremely influential, particularly during the late 1940's to mid 1950's but he didn't achieve the renown of contemporaries such as Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Remarkably, by 1970 'Fess was working at a record store living in virtual anonymity, and presumed by some to have died! That year, three New Orleans teenagers set out to find Professor Longhair to invite him to play at their first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They didn't find him in time for the first festival but did find him in 1971 working at One Stop Records, on Rampart St. in New Orleans. By then, he hadn't touched a keyboard in years. At the second New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Professor Longhair's return to playing was literally a show stopper. The entire audience was rapt; food vendors stopped peddling during his performance; musicians performing on other stages even stopped playing in order to catch this historic event!

Smashing Pumpkins

2007-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

On June 21, 2005, the day his solo album, TheFutureEmbrace was released, Billy Corgan took out a full-page advertisement in the Chicago Tribune. In an open letter to the city of Chicago, he wrote about the feelings he felt for his hometown as he recorded his solo album and the realization he came to during that soul-searching time: He wanted his band back. He promised to "...renew and revive The Smashing Pumpkins." Wiki: The Smashing Pumpkins

Corgan (on guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals) and original Pumpkins' drummer Jimmy Chamberlin recorded the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist together. The first single, 'Tarantula', is a frantic, blistering celebration of a love that is REAL.

Tarantula

I also had to post the 'Tarantula' video (sans chrome key)! This version doesn't have the 3-D effects of the proper version, but dig it!

"We are the real, if real ever was.
And just because we are the real, they feel we have enough.
We are the real, ‘cause someone gave us up.

I want to be there when you’re happy; I want to love you when you’re sad."

An ammo belt/guitar strap? Now, that's Rock n Roll!

And here are a few of their old hits...

Bullet With Butterfly Wings

Disarm

Tonight, Tonight

1979

Fats Domino - American Music Legend

2007-08-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

Almost two years ago, the world nearly lost a wonderful person and true musical icon. On August 29, 2005, Antoine "Fats" Domino, then 77 years old, decided to ride out the oncoming Hurricane Katrina with his wife Rosemary. Their two-story home, along with every other building in New Orleans' 9th Ward, was devastated by the storm and the ensuing flood waters. Thankfully, he and his family survived the tempest that ravaged the city and destroyed millions of dollars in property, along with the livelihoods and dreams of thousands of its citizens.

Through Tipitina's Foundation, Fats Domino released "Alive and Kickin'", the title inspired by his response to fans' inquiries and concerns for him after Katrina.

Like everyone else, Fats lost many precious belongings to the aftermath of the storm. Among things he lost were gold record awards and other achievements, mementos and memorabilia from his career.

On Monday, August 13, in a nightclub in New Orleans, Fats Domino was presented with reproductions of 20 of his gold record awards by the Recording Industry Association of America and Capitol/EMI (right photo). In addition, the RIAA presented him with the "American Music Legend" award for his accomplishments. Fats is only the second ever recipient of the award; Johnny Cash was given the award about a decade ago.

Released on August 14 and available at fine music outlets, Fats Domino Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans

Sample and enjoy some of this legend's greatest songs:

and my favorite Fats tune...

Walking To New Orleans

The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)

2007-08-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

A video from The White Stripes:

Shop Boyz

2007-08-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

From the ATL, Shop Boyz bring their blend of rock and rap to make you bob your head and stomp your foot to a flowin' beat on the hot single, Party Like A Rockstar.

The trio, Demetrius "Meany" Hardin, Richard "Fat" Stephens and Rasheed "Sheed" Hightower worked together at an auto repair garage by day but worked on their 'rockstar dreams' by night. The result is an album, Rockstar Mentality, that brings their vision of 'hood rock' to life.

Another album highlight is the surf music/rap Rollin', a celebration of summertime, top-down cruising in your ride.

Inspired by Shop Boyz' 'Party Like A Rockstar', check this remix created by Cousin Cole: Party Like A Rockstar (Cousin Cole Remix)

Ryan Adams on BBC4

2007-08-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Last month, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals performed at St. Luke's in East London for the BBC4 . A terrific set mixing some old and new songs. Here are a few for you to check out:

Halloween Head

My Winding Wheel

I Taught Myself How To Grow Old

In the August edition of Blender magazine, Ryan offers us some tips on starting a comic book collection.

Back in June on David Letterman, Ryan and the boys performed the song 'Two' from the album 'Easy Tiger'.

Two

And separately, I added a new feature to the blog. Over to the left is what I'm calling 'Press N Play'. Self-explanatory.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Cannonball Adderley

2007-08-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928 – August 8, 1975), was a jazz alto saxophonist of the small combo era of the 1950's and 1960's. Originally from Tampa, Florida, he moved to New York in the mid 1950's.
The nickname "Cannonball" was a childhood nickname for the portly saxophonist, a corruption of "cannibal". An articulate speaker with an easy manner, Cannonball educated, amused, and informed his audiences in clubs and on television about the art and moods of jazz (he was a music teacher before beginning his jazz career).

I really dig the song "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Check it out along with a couple other tunes.

From 1967's LP, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy "Live at the Club"...

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

And From Cannonball & Coltrane, released in 1959...

Limehouse Blues

Grand Central

For more on Cannonball Adderley, visit

http://www.cannonball-adderley.com/

Winston cigarettes

2007-08-06T16:21:00.001-07:00

J. Geils Band

2007-08-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

TheJ Geils Band formed in the late 1960's around Boston, Massachusetts and released their se lf-titled debut in 1970. After only 2 studio albums, they released "Live" Full House in 1972

which was recorded at the Cinderella Ballroom in Detroit, MI.

I hope the video works, and here are some mp3's to enjoy...

(Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party

Give It To Me

Whammer Jammer (Live)

Hard Drivin' Man (Live)

Musta Got Lost (Live)

Dreams Old Men Dream

2007-08-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams - Acts 2:17

Cold War Kids put on an awesome show @ Freedom Hill!!! I had the pleasure to meet the guys and really appreciate their time and chatting with me! I feel the spirit of their music is vibrant and exciting and so I thought the title of their new song would be an appropriate title for this blog entry.

Here are a few live and alternate version tunes for your listening pleasure:

Every Valley Is Not A Lake (live, acoustic)

Hospital Beds (live, acoustic)

Hair Down (alternate version)

God, Make Up Your Mind (acoustic version)

We Used To Vacation (acoustic version) - Europe vlog version (check it out!)

Hospital Beds (acoustic version) - Europe vlog version (check it out!)

We Used To Vacation (acoustic version) - Minneapolis vlog version (check it out!)

Enjoy! Thanks again, Johnny, Maust, Matt and Nathan!

A Sure Sign of the Apocalypse

2007-07-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, there you go. The end is nigh!

ABC Fall preview - Cavemen

The Hollywood Argyles - Alley Oop

Umbrella

2007-07-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

When the sun shines
We’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella

A post about Rihanna has been has been long overdue here at 15 Jugglers.

Umbrella - Rihanna

But you definitely won't want to miss this cover. Mmmm. Gives me goosebumps.

Umbrella - John West (Rihanna cover)

Check out some more John West:

New Year's Day

Loved You Tonight

and visit John's myspace page for more info!

He Resolves Not To Smoke

2007-07-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Blues Brothers

2007-07-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

“By the year 2006, the music known today as the blues will exist only in the the classical records department of your local public library.” - Elwood Blues, 1978.

Preaching to the audience at the Universal Amphitheater in 1978, Elwood said during the opening number of the Blues Brothers' show that much of the music we hear today is “pre-programmed electronic disco”. Elwood's observation of the direction music was heading wasn't very far off when you consider not only how music itself has (d)evolved, but the ways in which we obtain and listen to music today has completely changed.

Elwood never saw this one coming: By the year 2006, people wouldn't be looking for classic blues albums at their local record stores or their local public libraries; we now shop at Amazon.com, the itunes store or download music from thousands of websites and weblog pages just like the one you're viewing right now.

One of my all-time faves, 'Briefcase Full of Blues' is an exciting and terrific Soul/R&B album. The movie and brothers Jake and Elwood Blues of course, have become cultural icons. Enjoy a few tracks from'Briefcase Full of Blues'; it's not only an opportunity to hear “master bluesmen practicing their craft”, it's a chance to reflect on the days when we heard the hiss and crackle of a needle being placed into the leader groove of a 12” vinyl long player on dad's old hi-fi.

Opening - I Can't Turn You Loose

(I Got Everything I Need) Almost

Rubber Biscuit

I Don't Know

Soul Man

And I would be remiss if I didn't include some classics that Curtis no doubt played for Jake and Elwood down in the basement of the St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage in Calumet City, Illinois.

Floyd Dixon - Hey Bartender

Willie Mabon - I Don't Know

Big Joe Turner - Flip, Flop & Fly

Taj Mahal - She Caught The Katy

Motley Crue - Quaternary

2007-07-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Rare Motley Crue EP by special request:

Planet Boom

Bittersweet

Friends

Father

Baby Kills

Ryan Adams Live

2007-07-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you once again, Aquarium Drunkard . You are truly among the top 5 reasons why God invented the internet. Ryan Adams at Le Maroquinerie, Paris France June 3, 2007 .

Here's Ryan along with Elton John in May of 2002 on CMT's Crossroads...

Answering Bell

Daniel

Firecracker

Tiny Dancer

My Sweet Carolina

Love Sick Blues

Rocket Man

Mathematical Paradox

2007-07-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

This actually happened this evening...

I just picked up a book entitled, “The Liar Paradox and The Towers of Hanoi – The Ten Greatest Math Puzzles of All Time”, by Marcel Danesi. i drove over to little caesars to get some pizza and was excited about getting into that book when i got home. they didn't have a deep dish hot n ready so i got a regular round hot n ready. i didn't want to wait 8 minutes. the young lady rang me up, i read the register, it came to $5.30. i gave her a 10 dollar bill and she proceeded to give me $5.30 change. i said, "wait, how much is the pizza?" she said, "oh, it's actually 5 dollars and 30 cents." with a tone in her voice as if to patiently explain to me why it's not just 5 dollars. well, i said, "but you just gave me back 5 dollars and 30 cents. you should have given me $4.70 in change." she looked confused for a moment, as if she wasn't sure if i was right. she couldn't get the drawer open and had to get the manager(?) to open the drawer while she quietly said she needed to give me my change. so after the drawer was opened and the person with the key walked away she still seemed confused. she pulled out 4 singles then i saw her grab from the quarters partition and then the dimes partition and i thought everything was going to be cool.

then she fingered through the pennies partition in the register. and i seriously thought, "what in the name of sir isaac newton is she doing?!"

I got back 4 dollars, 1 quarter, 4 dimes and 2 pennies.

oh well. guess we can't all be geniuses. back to my mathematical paradox book...

One After 909 - The Beatles

99 Luft Balloons - Nena

1999 - Prince

If 6 Was 9 - Jimi Hendrix

16 Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

19th Nervous Breakdown - The Rolling Stones

Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and The Comets

Rainy Day Women #12 and #35 - Bob Dylan

96 Tears - ? and The Mysterians

Pennsylvania 6-5000 - Glenn Miller

50 Ways To Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

EDIT: How about this one...

A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

Amy Winehouse

2007-07-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to use some video to jazz up my blog. Blogger has this video upload in “Draft” form and I hit a snag. I gave it a try but it didn't work.

In the meantime, I'll embed Amy Winehouse's Back To Black video from YouTube and post this remix of Rehab featuring Jay-Z. The remix isn't anything special, just Jay-Z adding some of his own verses to the Mark Ronson-produced original. Don't worry, Hova, there's plenty of room on the bandwagon!

From about March until June “Back To Black” was in heavy rotation for me. Love the album!

Rehab (remix featuring Jay-Z)

2007-07-12T22:57:00.001-07:00

I came across this beautiful recording the other day and I'd like to share it.

It was created in 1971 by Tom Clay, a radio DJ who was working in Los Angeles at that time. Please read My Life h4cK3D's blog and follow the wikipedia link on Tom Clay to learn more.

What The World Needs Now / Abraham, Martin and John by Tom Clay

Check out the original recordings which inspired Tom Clay:

What The World Needs Now by Jackie DeShannon

and

Abraham, Martin and John by Dion

Did you know? Besides The Beatles, Dion and Bob Dylan are the only other musicians that appear on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The Case For Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

2007-07-01T01:17:00.000-07:00

June 1st, 2007 saw the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' much-celebrated concept album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album represents a watermark in the group's fabled history. The group had stopped touring the previous year and were turning their focus to create an album of epic scale. Not long after Sgt. Pepper's, the band went into decline; their popularity had waned from the “mania”-pitch of 1964 and '65, the magic began to fade and relationships within the band became strained.

The dream was coming to an end.

The Beatles created great music. They've always been one of my favorite bands. I can remember as a kid, around 7 or 8 years old, my mom singing “Love Me Do” along with the AM radio in the kitchen. Finally, about 12 or so years ago, I amassed my own Beatles collection on CD. (JOY!)

So this June 1st, I celebrated the day by listening to some Sgt. Pepper's on the way to and from work. Now, I just read an article from the June 13-19th edition of the MetroTimes entitled, "Picking Over Pepper". The piece refutes some of the credits bestowed upon Sgt. Pepper's with facts about musical album “firsts”. And while the article is an insightful read with its historical analysis and balanced with witty quips, I take exception to the author's assertion that time has shown Sgt. Pepper's to be inferior to the “white album” or that the hype surrounding Sgt. Pepper's is overblown.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is not only a watermark for The Beatles, it is the gold standard by which every album made subsequent to it is meted. Not every Beatles album; every album.

The Beatles had to have realized this. Their follow-up to Sgt. Pepper was a double long player, simply entitled “The Beatles” but better known as the "white album", it is packaged in a plain white gate-fold sleeve. Indeed, the band was moving on. The internal strife within the band at that time has been widely documented, and just like the rest of the world which began to move in a different direction, John, Paul, George and Ringo were ready to go their own separate directions. The pomp and circumstance of Sgt. Pepper's would never be duplicated.

Nowadays, I find myself listening to Let It Be more often than Sgt. Pepper's, but my appreciation for Sgt. Pepper's proper place in rock history has never diminished. It is truly a masterpiece of art. A masterpiece naturally draws comparisons because it is the acme of achievement.

Ozzy Osbourne was interviewed by VH1 for a “Behind The Scenes” show and when asked about retiring, he stated that he couldn't retire yet. Ozzy, a huge fan of The Beatles, pointed out that he hadn't written his “Sgt. Pepper's” yet. What a statement. At that moment, Ozzy forced me think, “Have I written my Sgt. Pepper's?” In a broader perspective, “Am I achieving everything I am capable of?” and “What am I doing to make this world better than when I entered it?” Ozzy's sentiment still hits me like a ton of bricks.

And do you know what? That metaphor works because Sgt. Pepper can demand that much.

A Day In The Life - outtake

The White Stripes - Live @ The Joint

2007-06-30T21:13:00.001-07:00

This concert has been floating around the blog pages lately. I downloaded a version of sides A through E then broke up the files into individual songs. I came across a blog page where someone had already done this, but oh well. It was fun to do anyway.

Enjoy!

Summer Mix Tape - Good Times in the Summer

2007-06-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

With the Fourth right around the corner, how about a summer music mix tape?

It's fun putting mix tapes together but always hard to choose which songs rate enough to make the grade. After much consideration and a scan at other "Summer Mix Tape" lists on the internet, here's my track list:

1. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran

2. Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly and The Family Stone

3. In The Summertime - Mungo Jerry

4. Beach Boys Medley - The Beach Boys

5. Wooly Bully - Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs

6. Misirlou - Dick Dale & His Del-Tones

7. Summer In The City - The Lovin' Spoonful

8. Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann

9. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding

10. Under The Boardwalk - The Drifters

11. Saturday In The Park - Chicago

12. Dancing In The Street - Martha and The Vandellas

13. Master Blaster (Jammin') - Stevie Wonder

14. Wipe Out - The Fat Boys featuring The Beach Boys

15. Summertime - Janis Joplin and Big Brother and The Holding Company

16. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Enjoy!

Ryan Adams Easy Tiger

2007-06-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Went to Pine Knob last weekend to see The Fray.

Good show, but I call them a "Poor-man's Coldplay".

The Fray - How To Save A Life... ...Coldplay - The Scientist

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals just came through this past Wednesday at the Gem Theater. I missed them, unfortunately. The new album, Easy Tiger comes out this Tuesday! My favorite track is "These Girls", a rework of the unreleased classic, "Hey There, Mrs. Lovely". And speaking of which, the long-awaited box set of unreleased albums may see the light of day by year's end... Filter Mag news report.

Halloweenhead From "Easy Tiger"

Hey There, Mrs. Lovely From "Destroyer"

Perfect and True From "The Suicide Handbook"

Born Yesterday From "48 Hours"

Blankets Of Booze From "Exile on Franklin St."

Love "Born Yesterday". A classic.

And because this is how Ryan would want me to end a post about how cool he is...

Batman Theme by The Marketts

Icky Thump Album Leak

2007-06-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

As you should already know, Icky Thump, the upcoming album from The White Stripes, due out June 19th, was leaked to the internet by a savvy Chicago radio listener who recorded it off Q101's afternoon radio show hosted by Electra, Queen of Snark. There's the link to her blog, to save you the time, here's a cut and paste of her explanation for what happened on the afternoon of May 30th:

God, what a day. Here's what I can tell you.

At 2pm today, during my show, Q101 became the first station in the world to play the new White Stripes album, Icky Thump. It's awesome. It's really, really, unbelievably brilliant and awesome. I was giddy and excited to share it with fellow fans.

At 4pm today, Jack White called Q101's main offices from Spain, where they're touring, looking specifically for me, to yell at me for leaking the album and, in part, being "messed up for the entire (music) business." (Edit - I listened to the call again today, and I apologize for initially misquoting Jack.) I felt like I was going to throw up. Weirdest, most surreal conversation of my life.

So Sherman and Tingle were on the air when Jack called. They took the call with me in the studio, off the air. Jack asked me to take responsibility for leaking the record, and asked if I was sorry for what I'd done. S&T both jumped into the call - I was clearly flustered - and backed me 100%. We tried to explain where we were coming from - someone gave us a copy of a record that we were really excited to play, and the whole experience was an hour-long lovefest for him and his band - but he wasn't having it. He hung up, very, very angry, and I thought I was going to cry. Instead, I drank some beers that the Fix had left in the studio. Room temperature Bud Light. Delicious.

After speaking to Jack's manager and getting their side of the story, Spike and I went on the air with S&T to open up the situation to the listeners. We respected Jack's desire not to be on the air and didn't re-air the call, but we talked about what was said and what happened. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who called in supporting us. I don't think I did anything wrong, and I don't think I am helping to ruin the music industry. I think I made people excited for the new White Stripes record. I know that was our intention.

I also still think Jack White is an incredibly talented musician, and I still think the new record is amazing. I just don't think I'll be able to listen to it without feeling like crap for a good long while.

And that's all I have to say about that.

So there you have it. I noticed though, that her current blog entry does not mention the room temperature Bud Light. That's too bad, it fits perfectly in the script of this Comedy/Tragedy.

Now, if you've got mad Google skillz, you'll probably find a download link somewhere in cyberland. Not here, though. Nay, nay!

That's where the real antagonist in our drama steps in. The Web Sheriff. Here's a cut and paste of the letter sent to The Product Shop NYC after leaking the songs "Conquest" and "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told) :

Web Sheriff

Protecting Your Rights on the InternetTel 44-(0)208-323 8013 / Fax 44-(0)208-323 8080 websheriff@websheriff.com www.websheriff.com

Dear Product Shop,
Kindly remove the unreleased WHITE STRIPES files / links from your site immediately, failing which - regrettably - a DMCA notification shall be forwarded to you and take-down action shall follow : naturally, however, we hope that such a course of action shall not prove to be necessary.

On behalf of the artist?s label, we do appreciate that - of course - you are promoting THE WHITE STRIPES but, by the same token, you must also appreciate that, by posting a pirate copy of the album or tracks from the album pre-release (or linking to pirate copies), you are potentially causing considerable inconvenience and we are sure that you would not want to be responsible (or liable) for all of the resulting damage.

Thank you for respecting the Jack & Meg?s creation and copyrights.

Kind Regards,
WEB SHERIFF

And if you do go Googling for a copy of 'Icky Thump', you'll find many sites with a note from from the Web Sheriff. So who is the Web Sheriff? John Giacobbi. I know, the name didn't exactly spawn images of a six-gun-toting, ten-gallon-hat-donning, mustachioed man riding a palomino to me at first either. But word on the street (or frontier) is, he's the wrong brother to fuck with.

Where am I at with all of this? First off, Electra had to know this was going to raise some attention. I'm sure she could not have predicted that she'd be on the phone with Jack White 2 hours later. Broadcasting an entire album more than two weeks before its release date? That's a no-no. She knew better, but her enthusiasm and excitement over the new album, AND HER EGO, got the best of her. She's become a sort of minor celebrity for doing it. She wanted to the the first DJ in the world (her words, not mine) to play 'Icky Thump' and she seized the opportunity. What she did was wrong, but hey, let's move on. Really, no harm done anyway. If you were going to buy the album, you're still going to buy the album. If you were going to wait until someone posted it using Sendspace, Rapidshare, Megaupload, Badongo, et al., you weren't going to buy the album anyway. I certainly don't fault her for Jack's reaction to it.

And Jack's reaction? I don't blame him. It is his prerogative to present the album to the world in what ever fashion or at what time he and Meg choose. I don't blame him for being pissed. Let me say it again. Electra was wrong! She deserved a piece of Jack's mind.

When it's all said and done, I and many, many other fans, will still buy the album, will still buy tickets to the concerts, will still buy the t-shirts and trinkets and will still worship our favorite little band from Detroit.

So I'm at a bar one night

2007-05-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

...and the band is playing some blues / bluesy classic rock while the beers are going down real nice. After a Muddy Waters' tune, the saxophone player steps up to the mike and belts out a tune in the key of one-too-many-packs of Marlboros-one-too-many-bottles of Thunderbird while the drummer kicks up thunder with a burlesque-style beat. My refined senses were appalled at the entrancing, funk-driven, sex-raving sounds coming out of the P.A. system. I was immediately hooked. When the set was over, with a Bushmill's on the rocks I approached the sax player and asked "what, what! was that song you did with the drummer right after 'I Can't Be Satisfied'?"
"That", he told me, "was 'Pasties and a G-String' by Tom Waits... From the album Small Change."

I found and bought the CD the very next day.

A classic album...

Pasties And A G-String.mp3

Small Change.mp3

Some early Tom Waits...

So Long, I'll See You.mp3 (The Buick's Outside Waiting Blues)

Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again.mp3

Some Tom Waits for your holiday traveling or weekend barbeque...

Hang On St. Christopher.mp3

Filipino Box Spring Hog.mp3

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Lately...

2007-05-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Last fall, I read about the Cold War Kids and my curiosity was piqued. I went out and bought the album without hearing a single song. I don't think I've ever done that, but I wanted some new music to get into and I felt like I was in a lull... I am so glad I did. Listening to the first song, 'We Used To Vacation', I heard the lyrics "...I give a check to tax-deductible charity organizations..." and I knew a Divine Force lead me to this band.
Love their album, Robbers & Cowards and I can't wait until they play around here. Check out their Daytrotter sessions here.

We Used To Vacation.mp3 from 'Robbers and Cowards'

Ballad Of A Thin Man.mp3 from 'Highway 61 Revisited'

The first post

2007-05-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my weblog. My little piece of the internet universe. I thought about creating a blog for the longest time. My personal favorite out there in blogdom is Aquarium Drunkard. Great variety of music, very articulate... always something new (to me) to discover. I hope I can create and maintain a cool web log by posting some music that I'd like to share, along with a few stories or anecdotes I may want to pass along.

Obviously 5 Believers.mp3 From 'Blonde on Blonde'

Corrina, Corrina.mp3 Alternate take, 'Freewheelin'' sessions

Here are a couple of songs to get me started. Bob Dylan is my favorite musician, period. 'Blonde on Blonde'. What can be said about this album that hasn't already been said?

To quote Jack Black's character Barry in 'High Fidelity': "Don't tell anyone you don't own "Blonde on Blonde". It's gonna be okay."

My personal introduction to Bob Dylan was by a guy that owned a record store in Owosso, Michigan. 'Round Midnight Records. The year was 1993. I was a big Jimi Hendrix fan at the time, collecting every bootleg cassette tape I could possibly afford. He supplied me with some nice boots and lots of conversation about Hendrix and one of Hendrix's favorites, Bob Dylan. He loaned me two fantastic mix tapes that he had made which contained everything from Mixed Up Confusion to All Along The Watchtower to Property Of Jesus To Jokerman. It took some time initally but I eventually came to appreciate and then obsess about Bob Dylan. More on that later...

'Corrina, Corrina', from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is a gorgeous song. Bob is a supreme master when it comes to pouring out emotions through his voice inflection. Enjoy!